To the Point

By KCRWNews

To the Point episodes

August 20, 2007 Coal Mine Safety and America's Energy Future
After the deaths of three rescuers, it's unlikely that six
trapped coal miners will be found alive. The controversies over Utah's
Crandall Canyon coal mine, the Bush Administration's approach to mine
safety and the future of coal—which now provides half of America's
electrical energy. Also, Dean, the first major storm of the season, and a symbol for both sides of the immigration debate is deported.
52 min
August 17, 2007 Chinese Imports and Product Safety
Toys, tires, foods and toothpaste have raised questions about the
safety of imports from China. Is China trying to clean up its act? What
about the demand for cheap products from US companies--and from
consumers? Also, stock markets responds to Federal Reserve action on
the sub-prime lending crisis. On Reporter's Notebook, do coal mines
have to be so dangerous?
52 min
August 16, 2007 The Death Penalty and Alberto Gonzales
Juries are handing out death sentences faster than states can conduct executions. Congress has given the US Attorney General new powers to speed up the process. Is Attorney General Alberto Gonzales the right man for the job? Also, the tumbling stock markets, and the verdict on Jose Padilla.
52 min
August 15, 2007 Illegal Immigration and the Politics of Punishment
The Bush Administration is cracking down on illegal immigrant workers,
at the same time warning of "unhappy consequences for the economy." We
debate what those "consequences" are likely to be. Also, former NBA referee Tim Donaghy pleaded guilty of two felony charges today, and a possible new US challenge to Iran.
52 min
August 14, 2007 Global Warming and the Rush to the Arctic
Global climate change is melting the ice above the Arctic Circle, creating a rush to control new shipping lanes and untold riches beneath the sea. Will the Russian flag beneath the North Pole be a "Sputnik moment" for the United States? Also, another recall on toys from China, and America's "bumbling" use of bad guys in the war on terror.
52 min
August 13, 2007 A Crucial Vacancy at the Bush White House
Karl Rove, the President's top political strategist, will leave the White House at the end of this month. Also, the Red Cross report describing CIA treatment of detainees in the war on terror, with techniques learned from countries known to use torture.
52 min
August 10, 2007 America's Changing Image in the Middle East
Middle Easterners are used to seeing the US as the invincible Superpower, but events in Iraq are changing America's image. Also, stock prices continue to drop, and gay rights and Democratic presidential candidates.
52 min
August 09, 2007 Is America Ready for the Next Disaster?
State and federal coordination is crucial to prepare for disasters, but state leaders say the Bush Administration's latest national plan is "not a plan… and it's not national." Also, President Bush on infrastructure repair, and next year's presidential voting--which will start this year.
52 min
August 08, 2007 Terrorism, Opium and International Politics
Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf has backed out tomorrow's summit with President Hamid Karzai of Afganistan. Will Karzai have to go it alone against terrorists funded by the opium trade? Also, next year's Olympic Games, and Barry Bonds breaks Hank Aaron's home-run record.
52 min
August 07, 2007 President Bush, the Democrats and the Fear of Terror
Alleged violations of privacy in the war on terror helped the Democrats
win last November, but last week, both houses of Congress expanded the
President's power of electronic surveillance. Plus, the instability of Iraq's Shiite-dominated government, a new challenge to America's voting systems.
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…