To the Point

A local change in the weather does not make the case for global warming. But unprecedented events in many parts of the world might amount to convincing evidence of climate change, especially when they were predicted. Also, another suicide bombing in Iraq, and performance reports on 6000 Los Angeles teachers are about to be made public.

The 14th Amendment was enacted during Reconstruction after the Civil War, by a Congress dominated by Republicans. Is it time for a change to prevent the children of illegal immigrants from becoming citizens of the United States? Also, the US and South Korea engage in war games, and General Petraeus begins a public relations campaign.

Mexico's war on drug traffic is failing, and its violent cartels have gone multinational.  Can local and national government maintain control?  How can the US help its southern neighbor from becoming a failed state? Also, Congresswoman Maxine Waters goes on the defensive, and the prospects for same-sex marriage in California.

The Obama White House has been stunned by critics from the left wing of its own party. Has the President failed to live up to his own promises? Will liberals stay home in November? Also, after a government bailout, GM reports big profits, and stressed-out fliers and flight attendants.

Opposition to Islamic mosques is not confined to New York City and elsewhere it’s focused not on September 11 but on the Muslim religion. Are there parallels in American history? What are the consequences for the constitutional guarantee of religious freedom? Also, Obama catches a "primary" break in Colorado while Palin’s "Mama Grizzly" concedes in Georgia. On Reporter's Notebook, remember N1H1 flu? It’s now officially not a pandemic.

If women are equal under the law, then bans on same-sex marriage are state-approved discrimination. We look at that and other arguments used by a federal judge to throw out Proposition 8 in California and set off arguments we’ll be hearing for a long time. Also, the House votes on money to the states. On Reporter's Notebook, are girls reaching puberty earlier than they used to?

In a war that ended just 35 years ago, the US lost 58,000 soldiers in Vietnam. Now the Obama Administration is negotiating a deal that could give Vietnam the opportunity to enrich uranium, which includes the potential to make atom bombs. Vietnam says it only wants develop nuclear energy, but nonproliferation advocates say it’s a dangerous precedent and a threat to China. Also, the Fed will hold a pivotal meeting on the economy, and Christian humanitarians massacred in Afghanistan are called "irreplaceable."

There are now 58 national parks, and America’s so-called “Greatest Idea” is almost 100 years old. But a lot of America’s favorite natural retreats are in danger.  Is there the political will to save them? Also, BP may drill again in the spill reservoir, the US and the bombing of Hiroshima.

A federal judge has overturned California's ban on same-sex marriage. Another federal judge threw out part of Arizona's tough immigration law. And voters in Missouri this week said no to a federal requirement to buy health insurance. We talk about law, politics and states' rights, and the evolution of public opinion on same-sex marriage. Also, the US charges 14 linked to a Somali terror group.

This year's November elections may be dominated by a combination of money and secrecy.  Will the Democrats be able to hang on to control of the Congress?  Also, BP calls its "static kill" a success, and Wyclef-Jean says the time has come for him to save the people of Haiti.