To the Point

With 21 months left to go in his second term, George Bush looks more and more like a lame duck president.  We hear some harsh criticisms from life-long Republicans and hear whether the awesome powers of the White House can provide for a comeback.  On Reporter's Notebook, we talk with the Italian journalist who exposed forged documents used to bolster the war on Iraq.

Climate change due to global warming is inevitable.  In fact, it's happening now. What are the potential consequences for people in the United States and around the world?  What can be done to prepare?  Also, tens of thousands of Iraqis protest on this, the fourth anniversary of the fall of Baghdad and, on Reporter's Notebook, from Arizona's border with Mexico to new battles on Capitol Hill, President Bush re-visits immigration reform.

Celebrity chief Wolfgang Puck agrees with Burger King: animals deserve more humane treatment before they're carved up for America's dinner plates. During a week of Easter and Passover dinners, is the fast-food nation rethinking its eating habits? Is the highly mechanized food industry going organic?  Also, freed British marines and sailors say they were tools of Iranian propaganda and, on Reporter's Notebook, what happens when you call 911?

The marines and sailors are back home in England as the rest of the world measures the winners and losers. The crisis is personified by Tony Blair and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.  We'll hear how perceptions differ from the Middle East to the Western world.  Also, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's "clarification" on yesterday's peace offering and, on Reporter's Notebook, between both parties, the presidential campaigns may top a billion dollars by November of next year.  Beyond the money, what will it take to win?

Iran today abruptly announced the release of 14 men and one woman captured in disputed waters a week and a half ago.   Britain did not concede they trespassed on Iranian waters.  Tony Blair said the release was accomplished without confrontation--or negotiation.  Was there a deal or did Iran provide a surprise "gift" to the British people, as its president claimed? Was the US involved in a swap for Iranians held in Iraq?  Also, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi conducts international diplomacy in Syria. Is she undermining President Bush or is it time for a breakthrough?

Congress may be away for spring recess, but conflict with President Bush is on the rise.  Troop-withdrawal deadlines from Capitol Hill meet veto threats from the White House.  It’s a showdown over funding troops in Iraq. Also today, Viacom sues YouTube for a billion dollars.  Can innovation be protected as the law tries to catch up with technological change?

The Equal Rights Amendment for women is back under a new name: the

Iran continues to hold British marines and sailors as the US and Iranian navies hold maneuvers in the Persian Gulf. As the crisis escalates, what are the prospects for resolution or escalation?  What's the history of Anglo-American relations with an oil-rich Middle Eastern country?  Also, David Hicks, the so-called Australian Taliban, is sentenced to seven years imprisonment and, on Reporter's Notebook, French presidential candidates go on the Internet for a 'Second Life.' 

Alberto Gonzales' former top aide says the Attorney General was "not accurate" when he testified before Congress.  He also said the White House was deeply involved in firing eight US attorneys. We hear more on Kyle Sampson's testimony and politics in the administration of justice.  Also, the Senate hands the President a deadline for getting out of Iraq and, on Reporter's Notebook, Iran suspends release of the woman among 15 British captives.

At the Arab Summit, Saudi Arabia has taken the lead from Egypt in the effort to make peace between Israel and the Palestinians.  Meantime, two participants at the meeting--Egypt's President Mubarak and Musharraf of Pakistan--are accused of reneging on promises of democracy. Is the US supporting repressive leaders to pursue its own interests?  How great is the threat of extremist takeover in either Egypt or Pakistan?  Also, a captured sailor tells Iranian TV that her British boat was trespassing on that country's water and, on Reporter's Notebook, another showdown is shaping up between President Bush and the Congress.