To the Point

By KCRWNews

To the Point episodes

September 03, 2007 No Child Left Behind: Is It Passing or Failing?
No Child Left Behind—the President's education reform—gets mixed
reviews; some members of Congress are hoping to make some changes. On
this archived edition of To the Point, we take another look at
the pros and cons—before Congress comes back to debate what needs to be
done. Also, Congress returns to Washington, and organized labor's opposition to one form of immigration enforcement.
****This
program will not air live on KCRW as it will be preempted by Labor Day
music programming. It will be available archived online.
53 min
August 31, 2007 The New Gilded Age of the Super-Rich and Sub-Rich
Republican commentator Peggy Noonan says America's new billionaires
are so rich they look down on "tatty old Windsor Castle." How did they
accumulate so much money? Will concentrated wealth "trickle down" to
the middle class--or destroy it? Also, the President's sub-prime
bailout plan, more White House defections and increasing the birth rate
in Russia.
53 min
August 30, 2007 Turkey, the West and the Muslim Middle East
Turkey's new leaders promise their government will still be secular, despite the Islamic orientation of their ruling party. We hear about Turkey's relationship with Iran and Iraq, and the anti-Americanism in public opinion. Will Turkey still be a “bridge” between the west and the Muslim world? Also, an update on Iran's nuclear program. And, is Pakistan facing "moment of truth?"
52 min
August 29, 2007 Have Junior Officers Lost Confidence in Their Commanders?
Junior officers with more experience on the ground are now blaming the generals for what's gone wrong in Iraq. Was America's Army trained for the wrong war? Is there a "trust gap" between officers of Generation X and their superiors? President Bush and the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, and Leona Helmsly's $12 million dog.
52 min
August 28, 2007 Promises and Realities Two Years after Katrina
Two years after Katrina, President Bush and his would-be successors are showing up in New Orleans. Anniversary promises may be falling on deaf ears. Also, private practices and public policy in Turkey, and the US Senator and the men's room sting.
52 min
August 27, 2007 Attorney General Alberto Gonzales Resigns from the Bush Cabinet
President Bush has accepted the resignation of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, one of his oldest political friends from Texas. We hear about law and politics. On Reporter's Notebook, the city of Athens and the site of the first Olympic Games have been threatened by deadly forest fires. Some are still out of control.
52 min
August 24, 2007 Leveling Mountains for Cheaper Coal
Coal miners are taking the tops off mountains and dumping the rubble in streams and valleys—forever changing the Appalachian Mountains. Should government regulations require environmental protection? Also, disagreement among military leaders on the Iraq buildup, and Kid Nation and child labor laws.

52 min
August 23, 2007 Language, Culture - and God - in Public Education
New public schools will be teaching Arabic and Hebrew language--and culture. Can they do it without advocating religion? The latest debate about the separation of church and state. Also, the latest intelligence on Maliki's prospects, and wiretaps of Americans to breakup terrorist networks.
52 min
August 22, 2007 The US, Mexico and the War on Drugs
President Bush and Congress may be willing to spend a billion American dollars to help Mexico's President Calderon control drug traffic, official corruption and brutal violence. Will US aid come with strings attached? Will it work? Is it time to re-think prohibition as the basis of the "war on drugs?" Also, President Bush invokes Vietnam to support America's stand in Iraq, and a UFO hoax and true believers.
52 min
August 21, 2007 Homegrown Terrorism and 'Bunches of Guys'
In the drive to prevent so-called "homegrown terrorism," law enforcement is now focusing on "BOG's "or "bunches of guys." Also, pressure is growing to unseat the Prime Minister of Iraq, and an Iranian-American scholar has been released from prison in Tehran.
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…