To the Point

Increased farm subsidies have made strange bedfellows of environmentalists and the Bush Administration. They agree that that the big federal money goes to big agri-business at the expense of the little guys, not what subsidies were designed to do. Also, the Supreme Court upholds Indiana Voter ID Law, and Reverend Jeremiah Wright goes public…again.

Retail stores Costco and Sam's Club are limiting sales of rice in response to a global spike in prices. What's behind the dramatic rise in the price of rice and other food staples? Is rationing a sign that the global food crisis has hit the US? Wha't the cause? Does the world have enough food for millions of hungry people? Also, a verdict in the Sean Bell case, and Reverend Wright on his controversial sermon. Sara Terry guest hosts.

How do unsafe drugs reach the marketplace? Is the Food and Drug Administration overwhelmed by the supply and demand for drugs and incapable of guaranteeing the safety of the four billion prescriptions our pharmacies will fill this year?  Also, Congress sees evidence of a Syrian reactor six months late, and why Democrats and Republicans will need new Electoral College strategies this year.  Lawrence O'Donnell guest hosts.

Hillary Clinton won big in Pennsylvania, but was it big enough to change the momentum of the campaign?  Even after her decisive ten-point victory last night over Barack Obama, why are most political analysts still giving her no more than 10% chance of winning the Democratic presidential nomination? Guest host Lawrence O'Donnell talks about when and how the super-delegates will have to intervene to pick a winner. Also, General David Petraeus is named head of Central Command, and how NAFTA has once again become a political football.

In 38 years since Earth Day was first established, global warming has been identified as the biggest risk to the planet.  All three candidates for president say the US must lead the way in dealing with climate change.  What do they propose? Also, the Supreme Court hears a challenge to the McCain-Feingold Act, and the President of the United States on a prime-time game show.

Barack Obama's been criticized as weak in support of Israel and not tough enough on Iran. Hillary Clinton's talked about "massive retaliation" if Israel is attacked and an "umbrella of deterrence" all over the Middle East. We explore their differences and similarities on a crucial arena of foreign policy. Also, tomorrow's Pennsylvania primary. On Reporter's Notebook, is Wyoming a sacrificial lamb in the oil and gas rush?

Since last year's massacre at Virginia Tech, 30 more deadly shootings have inspired gun control movements in 38 states.  But there's a big push in the other direction, too. Law enforcement is the focus in cities, but gun rights and hunting interests often prevail in state capitols. We tune in to the ongoing debate. Also, Pope Benedict addresses the UN today on human rights, and Jimmy Carter meets with the head of Hamas in Damascus.

Last night's debate covered familiar ground on character issues. Policy questions weren't raised until 50 minutes into the program. Did the so-called "gotcha" questions reveal anything new? Did the debate change the momentum for Tuesday's Pennsylvania election? On Reporter's Notebook, did polygamy lead to child abuse at the Yearning for Zion Ranch in West Texas?  

Pope Benedict XVI addressed a crowd of thousands today on the White House lawn as he began his six-day pilgrimage to the United States.  We hear about the papal visit and the state of America's biggest religious institution, about Catholics becoming Pentecostal Protestants and the continuing scandal over pedophile priests.  Also, the US Supreme Court upholds lethal injection, and a surprising feature of the al Qaeda terrorist network: bureaucracy.

Democrats in Pennsylvania, Indiana and North Carolina will be voting next week. Obama and Clinton have been exchanging barbs about "bitter" voters, religion and guns. In tomorrow's final debate, one issue that might come up is free trade, including the deal with Colombia. Also, deadly bombings destroy weeks of calm in Iraq, and what the candidates are saying about taxes.