To the Point

By KCRWNews

To the Point episodes

October 30, 2007 Should America Use 'Soft Power' in the Middle East?
With the US bogged down in Iraq and Afghanistan, even tough-minded
conservatives are talking about a new emphasis on "soft power." We talk
about what that means and how it could serve America's interests in an
increasingly dangerous world. Also, immunity for Blackwater security
guards, and the US Supreme Court, the First Amendment and child
pornography on the Internet.
52 min
October 29, 2007 Sub-Prime Loans and the Economy
The subprime mortgage crisis may force 2 million people out of their homes and a
small army of Wall Street executives out of their jobs. Will there be a
recession? Would government intervention make things better or worse? Also, the
US turns another province over to Iraqi control, and Christina Fernandez de
Kirchner succeed her husband as President of Argentina. What that could mean for
other women in politics?
52 min
October 26, 2007 'Cheap' Imports from China: Who Pays the Real Cost?
Recalls of toys and other products have American
consumers worried about imports from China. What about the workers who make them? Also, Iran responds to new US economic sanctions, and a UN report on the environment and human survival.
52 min
October 25, 2007 Bungled White House Battle against Terrorist Financing?
The US government spent 15 years tracking a Middle Eastern charity, the Holy Land Foundation, on suspicions it was financing terrorists. President Bush froze its assets after September 11 and prosecutors filed criminal charges. The case fell apart this week. Also, the President tours a scorched southern California, and Facebook becomes a money machine. Jim Sterngold guest hosts.
52 min
October 24, 2007 Is America Drying Up?
California is tinder dry. The Southeast is facing a critical shortage of water. Winter is coming late to the Northeast and the Mid-Atlantic. Iis it just a spell of weird weather or long-term climate change? Will industry, agriculture and residential development have to adapt to stave off disaster? Also, a trickle of good news on the fires raging across southern California, and it's the Red Sox and the Rockies in this year's World Series.

52 min
October 23, 2007 The World Awash in American Weapons
There's a boom in both legal and illegal weapons sales worldwide. The US is both the leading exporter and the leading target on the black market. Also, a federal state of emergency as 17 fires rage out of control in southern California, and tensions flare on the Turkey-Iraq border.
52 min
October 22, 2007 Is It Time to Reform Education Reform?
President Bush wants Congress to renew No Child Left Behind, but after five years there's little consensus on education reform. Also, an update on the wildfires burning throughout southern California.
52 min
October 19, 2007 Pakistan's Leadership Crisis and Nuclear Weapons
Last night's deadly bombing has dramatized political instability in Pakistan, a crucial American ally despite a record of nuclear proliferation. Did the US allow Pakistan to become a nuclear power and engage in illegal weapons trade? What can be done now? Also, bright lights will go out in California's big cities on Saturday night.
52 min
October 18, 2007 Is Mukasey the Right Man for the Job?
After a smooth day yesterday, former Judge Michael Mukasey got into trouble today on the issue of waterboarding. Is it torture? Is it Constitutional? Will it get in the way of Mukasey's confirmation as Attorney General? Also, the House fails to override the President's veto of SCHIP, and Benazir Bhutto returns to Pakistan.
52 min
October 16, 2007 Middle East Peace and a Divided Administration
Condoleezza Rice says a Palestinian state is at hand, but organizing a peace conference for next month is problematic. We hear about differences between Israel and its neighbors, and within the Bush Administration. Also, Russian President Putin has strong words for the US, and an insider trading case reveals new information about wiretapping in the interests of national defense.
52 min

About To the Point

From the publisher's feed

A monthly reality-check on the issues Americans care about most. Host Warren Olney draws on his decades of experience to explore the people and issues shaping – and disrupting - our world. How did…