To the Point

Congress has relaxed overly harsh and discriminatory penalties for crack, as opposed to powder cocaine. But federal prisons are still full of blacks and whites serving different sentences for the same crimes. Also, a transit strike in France, and some big decisions for Michael Mukasey, the new Attorney General.

The all-volunteer military has created a gulf between US civilians and those who choose to serve. We ask veterans of different ages what it was like to come home… and how they want to be treated.  For most Americans, is this holiday mainly a chance to go shopping?  Also, a massive oil spill in the Black Sea, and mass murderers who worked for Saddam Hussein are scheduled for execution. Why is the US holding things up?

Police-state tactics smothered political protest today in Pakistan, but a nuclear power is dangerously unstable. We hear what happened and what continued trouble could mean for the world economy, where the falling dollar and sub-prime mortgages are a threat to America's clout. Also, the spreading oil spill in San Francisco Bay.

The adoption of foreign children reflects the most basic of human needs and emotions.  It’s also a growing international business—subject to abuse and corruption.  We hear about personal and cultural conflicts and national pride.  Also, Congress overrides a Presidential veto, and bad news for Wall Street and the economy.

Republicans and Democrats agree that it's time to reform the tax code, but "reform" almost always means that, when somebody's taxes go down, somebody else's go up. Also, former Pakistani Prime Minister Bhutto defies emergency rule, and on Capitol Hill and the Bush White House France is back. 

Michael Mukasey's on his way to the full Senate for likely

Pakistani police are cracking down on political opposition under President Musharraf 's state of emergency, creating a delicate problem for US diplomacy. Also, television and film writers are on strike in New York and Los Angeles.

Executions are on hold in America until the US Supreme Court decides whether lethal injection is cruel and unusual punishment.  Is it time for the states to review the death penalty process from arrest to conviction?  Also, devastating floods in Mexico's state of Tabasco and Venezuela's exceptional program for training children in music.

Last night's Democratic presidential debate was the liveliest yet. Also, verdicts in the 2004 Madrid subway bombing, and the Federal Reserve on interest rates.