To the Point

This month's parliamentary elections have left Iraq politically divided between two strong leaders with similar goals but no desire to compromise. Can either one form a government before violence returns?  Will US troops be able to pull out on schedule? Also, President Obama signs the "fix it" on healthcare reform and student loans, and Republicans and the Sex Club Scandal.

With a former GOP vice presidential candidate calling for followers to "re-load" and not retreat, questions are being raised about Tea Partiers' tactics and whether their words are inciting violence. Guest host Sara Terry looks at the Tea Party movement and its growing momentum. Will the frustration that's feeding the movement turn into long-term political activism? Also, deadly bombings hit the Moscow subway, and President Obama goes to Afghanistan.

Google has moved its search operation offshore to Hong Kong, citing government censorship in mainland China. If the world’s biggest search engine is willing to leave the biggest Internet market, will other companies follow suit? Guest host Judy Muller explores the diplomatic and economic fallout from the China-Google faceoff. Also, the White House modifies its mortgage rescue plan, and Sarah Palin is campaigning for John McCain, who is in a tight race for his Senate seat.

In the Age of the Internet, school districts are laying off librarians.  Is that an appropriate way to save money, or will it deprive kids of the critical skills they need to assess and evaluate a welter of information? Also, threats and vandalism over the healthcare bill, and new guidelines for "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

When the House passed the reconciliation bill Sunday, healthcare wasn’t the only subject. Also included was a massive overhaul of the student-loan program.  Republicans call it a government takeover.  What will saving more than $60 billion mean for struggling students?  Also, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu tests President Obama’s White House diplomacy, and drugs and guns in the US and Mexico.

In America, the healthcare debate caused a schism between Roman Catholic bishops and 59,000 nuns. In Europe, the sex-abuse scandal has reached into the Vatican. What's the role of priestly celibacy? Is there a crisis of confidence in all-male authority? Also, President Obama signs healthcare reform into law, and China strikes back at Google's move to Hong Kong.

Healthcare reform was an uphill battle for the President and Democrats in the Congress. Will the Senate go along? Will Republicans be the real winners, or will the bill turn out to be a lot more popular than expected? Also, Secretary of State Clinton reassures Israel, but stands firm on objections to new settlements. On Reporter's Notebook, will disputed election results mean a return to sectarian violence in Iraq?

From Tea Partiers on the Right to MoveOn.org on the Left, Americans are losing confidence in Washington. Is public policy for sale in Congress? Has the Supreme Court made things worse by taking the limits off campaign spending by special interests? Also, it's down to the wire on the healthcare bill, and the Pope and sex scandals in the Roman Catholic Church. 

One billion adults are overweight worldwide and obesity is a major public health threat in the United States, especially to children. We hear about a growing problem, what's being done to deal with it now and what might be required in the future. Also, the healthcare bill gains new momentum, and Hillary Clinton's in Moscow. We hear about nuclear arms reduction and sanctions against Iran.

The Obama Administration is making nice with Israel today -- at least in public, but tensions are still high over housing plans in East Jerusalem and American credibility in the Middle East. We hear from Jerusalem and Washington.  Also, the Senate passes the jobs bill, and the number of inmates in state prisons is down for the first time in almost 40 years.