To the Point

At the same time homelessness is on the increase, some cities are passing laws that make it harder to survive on the streets. Is poverty being criminalized in the midst of a recession? Also, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak comes to Washington, and public protest and the right to bear arms.

Two weeks into the Congressional recess, angry crowds are still showing up to vent their anger against healthcare reform. Is the Obama White House caving in on a controversial provision?  Will it lose liberal Democrats in the effort to appease Republicans? Also President Obama discusses the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan with vets, and third world conditions in one of America's major cities.

Forty years ago this month, Woodstock was a music concert that became both a cultural "happening" and a political moment that still inspires passion on the Left and the Right. We find out why it's still worth talking about today. Also, the Dow takes a nosedive. On Reporter's Notebook, can Barack Obama do for health care what Franklin Roosevelt did for Social Security? 

As the Congressional recess continues, debate over healthcare reform is becoming more polarized and extreme. President Obama’s approval ratings are taking a hit. Both sides contend it all boils down to morality. Are they open to reason or is it a matter of faith? Also, good news bad news on the economy, and global warming and hurricanes in the North Atlantic.

A federal judge has accused two Wall Street firms of "lying to their shareholders" about executive compensation. At the same time, big banks that got taxpayer bailouts are resuming the practice of guaranteeing multi-million-dollar bonuses that don't depend on performance. Are new regulations needed? Also, documents show that Karl Rove played a key role in the firing of US Attorneys. On Reporter’s Notebook, how much do the Taliban and al Qaeda depend on the drug trade? 

Attorney General Eric Holder is reportedly close to appointing a special prosecutor to investigate charges that terror suspects were tortured during the Bush Administration.  What would be the consequences for the CIA, the Department of Justice, the White House and the Obama agenda? Also, more house arrest for Aung San Suu Kyi, and the President fights back on healthcare.

Note: During KCRW’s Summer Sign-up, we are airing the complete rebroadcast of today’s To the Point in place of Which Way, LA?.

In more than a fourth of  Afghanistan, voters might be risking their lives by participating in next week's national election. But the Obama Administration is hoping the outcome will lead to better governance.  Also, drugs, trade and flu at the Three Amigos Summit, and Westchester County will create low-cost housing in New York City's wealthy, white suburbs.

With Congress, and now the Senate, at home for the August recess, what's the status of healthcare reform? Why is it being proposed in the first place? Why are angry protesters gathered around the country, before President Obama has even signed on to a final proposal? Also, the July jobs report may signal a new direction, and international politics and yesterday's outage at Twitter.

Two American journalists have been released by North Korea. Three other Americans are in custody in Iran. What are the rights and obligations of tourists, reporters and the governments on both sides of closed borders? Will a new generation of travelers and journalists provoke more international incidents? Also, the President checks in on Senate healthcare bill, and ”snail mail” is in trouble again.

Iran's President Ahmadinejad has been sworn in for a second term. We look at the political, economic and diplomatic obstacles he'll face in the next four years. Also, a high-profile assignment has Bill Clinton back on the world stage. What are the implications for Kim Jong Il, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton?