To the Point

The deadliest month in eight years for US troops raises questions about how long the American people will support the war in Afghanistan. Has President Obama been clear about his objectives or how he wants "progress" to be measured? Also, the Senate cuts off spending for F-22's, and the death in Switzerland of a famous British conductor ignites a debate on assisted suicide in Europe.

Forty years ago today, Buzz Aldrin became the second man to walk on the Moon.  Was that the outer limit of human capacity?  Should we let robots take it from there or should we humans try to reach Mars? We talk with Buzz Aldrin and others.   Also, tensions rise in Afghanistan, and I.F. Stone, who blogged before there was an Internet. 

Judge Sonia Sotomayor appears likely to be confirmed as the first Hispanic on the US Supreme Court. Republican Senators say they won't try to stop her. What did they learn from three days of pointed questions? What did they tell American voters about their own aims and objectives? Also, new bombings target foreigners in Jakarta, and in Iran, a senior cleric fires up political protesters at Friday prayers.  

With the rest of America still mired in the recession, Goldman Sachs has paid back $10 billion in bailout money and announced record profits. Is it a reason for public relief or public outrage? Also, Judge Sonia Sotomayor's questions come to an end, and Hillary Clinton's back on stage but still out of the spotlight. 

Charges against two Somali-Americans have revealed an investigation stretching from Minnesota to Somalia.  It raises questions about the reach of militant Islam and the reach of al Qaeda. Also, a Senate Committee approves the healthcare reform bill, and the split in the Anglican church widens on the issue of ordaining gay and lesbian bishops.

First the Tibetans, now the Uighurs, are challenging China's central authority. Can 56 very different cultural and linguistic groups continue to get along? Also, questioning begins in confirmation hearings of Judge Sonia Sotomayor. On Reporter's Notebook, the F-22 warplane: Pentagon spending and jobs.

Judge Sonia Sotomayor is likely to be the next member of the US Supreme Court.  But Senators of both parties are using her confirmation hearings as a political platform. We hear about the first day of what could be a week of setting agendas. Also, Goldman Sachs' big profits, and  the confrontation continues between congressional Democrats and the CIA.

Ghana is all dressed up for President Obama's first official visit to sub-Saharan Africa. Is the rest of the continent ready for tough love? Does international aid lead to dependence?  Can it be structured to help countries help themselves? Also, GM emerges from bankruptcy, and rhesus monkeys and the fountain of youth.

The President's $800 billion stimulus package hasn't been fully rolled out yet, but the US economy is already almost 7 million jobs in the hole since the recession began. Who's able to find work and who's not? Is more stimulus money needed? How much worse is it going to be before it gets better? Also, another protest crushed in Tehran, and China's continuing problems with ethnic unrest.

At the G8 Summit in Italy, President Obama's being looked to for leadership on world finance and global warming.  Is progress likely or is the G8 an anachronistic waste of time? Also, a cyberattack on US government websites, and Mexican voters have dealt a severe blow to President Felipe Caldéron.