To the Point

It's a vote too close to call, with contested ballots and left versus right. It's not Florida, 2000, but Mexico, 2006. With more than 99% of the vote counted, it appears that Harvard-educated Felipe Calder--n, of President Vicente Fox's conservative PAN Party, has won Mexico's cliffhanger presidential election. Supporters of Andres Manuel L--pez Obrador were weeping in the streets and the leftist rival has vowed to challenge the count in court. How will Mexico cope with the aftermath of a bitterly contested election? Will the new president be able to govern effectively? How will the election affect the divide between rich and poor? What will it mean for Mexico's relations with the US? Sara Terry guest hosts. Making News: New York Supreme Court Upholds State Gay Marriage BanThe New York State Supreme Court has rejected a challenge to the state's ban on gay marriage. The judges' narrowly-divided decision said the state's constitution "does not compel recognition of marriages between members of the same sex." Also today, Georgia's State Supreme Court upheld that state's ban on gay marriage. Anemona Hartocollis covers the courts for the New York Times. Reporters Notebook: Destroying Stockpiles of Chemical Weapons in US, RussiaIt's taking much longer and costing far more than expected to destroy thousands of tons of chemical weapons, the second-largest stockpile in the world. In fact, the US Army says it wouldn't even be able to meet a five-year extension of the 2007 deadline, set under a 1997 international treaty. The Russians, who have the largest number of chemical weapons, are facing the same problems. Craig Williams sits on the board of the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation, a co-recipient of the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize for the international campaign to ban land mines.

In the past day, North Korea has fired seven missiles, triggering concern and condemnation around the world. The rockets all fell harmlessly into the Sea of Japan, but there are concerns that the defiant Pyongyang regime could launch more missiles. One of the missiles fired had the capacity to reach the western United States, but failed. How should the United Nations Security Council respond? What will China, North Korea's close ally, do to calm the situation? What kind of threat does the nation named by President Bush as one-third of the Axis of Evil actually pose to its neighbors and to the United States? Guest host Sara Terry explores the missile shots heard ---round the world, what North Korea's up to and why.Making News: Enron Founder Kenneth Lay DiesKen Lay, the man at the center of one of the biggest financial scandals in US history, has died, his family said today. Lay, the founder of Enron, was recently convicted on fraud charges, but was still awaiting sentencing. The Wall Street Journal's Rebecca Smith is co-author of 24 Days: How Two Wall Street Journal Reporters Uncovered the Lies That Destroyed Faith in Corporate America.Reporter's Notebook: New Jersey Closes Casinos and ParksFirst it was road construction and the state lottery, now it's the casinos. Five days into New Jersey's budget stand-off, non-essential government offices are closed. At the heart of the conflict between the governor and the legislature is a proposed sales tax increase. Meanwhile, the state is losing millions of dollars a day in revenue. Is there an end in sight? Ingrid Reed is director of the Eagleton New Jersey Project at Rutgers University.

In recent weeks, there's been much debate about news stories that revealed secret strategies in the war on terror. The issue of confidential sources is just as timely as it was in January, when we first broadcast this program. Confidential sources provide reporters with information only if they're promised they won't be identified. But in 1972, the US Supreme Court ruled that the First Amendment does not protect the reporter's promise of anonymity in federal cases. For the past 30 years, prosecutors have been reluctant to pursue reporters unless there's no other way to obtain information they need. Now, that appears to be changing. Why do sources demand anonymity? What will be lost if they have to come out of the closet? Who should decide what the public has a right to know? (This segment was originally broadcast January 11 on To the Point.) Making News: Charters of Freedom Survive Flood at National ArchivesThis 230th Fourth of July will be celebrated today on the steps of the National Archives building, but the building itself is closed because of flooding. What about the Constitution, Bill of Rights and Declaration of Independence? Are they safe? We hear more about recovery efforts at the National Archives from Paul Schwartzman, who's following the story for the Washington Post.Reporter's Notebook: America's Promise RestoredHarlan Ullman, senior advisor to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, is no fan of how the war in Iraq--or the war on terror--are being conducted. In broader terms, he says America's government is "dysfunctional," a crisis that's "easy to define" but "difficult to fix." Now, the man who made "shock and awe" a household word offers some proposals for engaging an apathetic citizenry to demand accountability in America's Promise Restored.

The Bush years have been marked by a vigorous debate on whether America has moved from superpower to empire. When she was National Security Advisor, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice clearly said the United States had no imperial ambitions. But with no other superpowers in sight, what is the role of the US in the world today? How have President Bush's strategies on national security and the "war on terror" affected America's actions on the global stage, and how is it regarded by others? What about the challenge from growing economic giants such as China? At home, does a decline in civic involvement signal a weakening from within? Guest host Sara Terry guest explores the forces shaping America's identity.Making News: No Clear Winner in Mexico's Presidential ElectionIn Mexico today, both the PAN's Felipe Calder--n and the PRD's Andr--s Manuel L--pez Orbrador declared themselves the victor in Saturday's presidential election. The voting was so close that the Federal Electoral Institute said it will not announce a winner until after an official count of more than thirty-six million votes, which is set to begin on Wednesday. Hugh Dellios, Mexico correspondent for the Chicago Tribune, says a winner probably won't be announced until Sunday.Reporter's Notebook: Taliban Resurgence in AfghanistanFive years after being driven from power, the Taliban are waging an aggressive comeback in southern Afghanistan, engaging western forces in deadly combat. Though western commanders predicts ultimate success, the conflict threatens the stability of President Hamid Karzai's fragile regime and raises questions about whether military action fans the flames of longstanding local animosity against foreign intervention. Carlotta Gall is covering the story for the New York Times.

The Republican majority in Congress has passed a resolution condemning "certain media organizations" for disclosing how the Bush Administration follows terrorist money. Today's Wall Street Journal weighs in with an editorial attacking the New York Times for "obstructing" the war on terror. But in a Times op-ed, former national security aides say the paper just printed "a secret the terrorists already knew." The argument is as old as the First Amendment: when does a free press endanger national security? Are politicians bashing the media for political gain? We talk with journalists, journalists who cover the journalists and media ethicists.Making News: Pentagon Investigates Alleged Rape and Murder in IraqAssociated Press is reporting that the military is investigating another alleged atrocity by American troops in Iraq. This time the claim is that 5 soldiers raped her and killed her and three members of her family, after which they burned the woman's body. Gordon Lubold is Pentagon Correspondent for Army Times, an independent weekly in Washington, DC.Reporter's Notebook: Shuttle Discovery Set to Re-launchNASA Administrator Michael Griffin and other officials "are rolling the dice" with tomorrow's scheduled launch of Shuttle Discovery, "but they think their odds are good." "They have a rescue Shuttle if their luck runs out." That's from an e-mail sent by an investigator to NASA's Inspector General during this month's safety review. Excerpts are published along with parts of other e-mails by today's Orlando Sentinel, under the byline of Space Editor Michael Cabbage.

The US Supreme Court says President Bush cannot try so-called "enemy combatants" before special military tribunals. It'll have to be federal courts or courts martial. The court did not decide what to do in the meantime with hundreds of prisoners at Guant--namo Bay. But its 5-to-3 decision was a constitutional rebuke to the President and to the Congress. President Bush has said he'd like to close the detention center, pending guidance from the high court. Today's decision came down while Bush was meeting with the Prime Minister of Japan. We unravel the complex ruling, hear President Bush's response and hear about his meeting with the Prime Minister Koizumi. Making News: Israel Arrests Hamas Leaders, Buzzes Home of Syrian PresidentAs the quid pro quos continue, Israel has rounded up at least 64 ministers and lawmakers from the Palestinians' ruling Hamas Party. Ilene Prusher, Jerusalem Bureau Chief for the Christian Science Monitor, has an update.Reporter's Notebook: Foreign Correspondents in AmericaIn the age of globalization, America's image matters more than ever before. It is shaped in large part by foreign correspondents in the US. Who are they? How has technology changed the way they report their stories? What are they saying about America? Stephen Hess, who's worked for Presidents of both parties, is senior fellow emeritus at the Brookings Institution and author of Through Their Eyes.

Segment #1: Israeli Troops Move into Gaza to Save Kidnapped SoldierIsraeli warplanes fired missiles at the only power station in Gaza, cutting electricity for 700,000 Palestinians. Other planes took out three bridges, effectively cutting the strip in half. Still others buzzed the home of Syrian President Bahsar Assad, to get his help in recovering a kidnapped Israeli soldier. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert threatens "extreme action" if that's what it takes. We update Israel's actions in Gaza, which Palestinians call "collective punishment" with journalists and Middle East experts. Segment #2: The US Supreme Court Steps into the 'Political Thicket'The US Supreme Court ruled today that state legislatures can re-draw Congressional district boundaries whenever they want. That's a victory of sorts for former Republican Congressman Tom DeLay, whose redrawing of Congressional districts in Texas gave Republicans six new seats but ultimately cost him his job. Even though he still insists he's innocent, DeLay resigned after being charged with laundering money he raised for other candidates' campaigns. In today's decision, the Court ruled that DeLay's redistricting was not "an unconstitutional political gerrymander," as Democrats claimed. What's the real impact on Texas? Will it mean political chaos in other states? We hear more about the decision and its unintended consequences. Reporters Notebook: New Rules Require States to Move Welfare Recipients into JobsAfter President Clinton signed the "welfare to work" law in 1996, the number of recipients dropped faster than anyone expected--from 12 million to about four--taking pressure off states to prove that those getting checks were working or in work-training programs. Today, the Bush Administration established new rules designed to reduce welfare roles even more. New York Times reporter Jason De Parle is author of, American Dream: Three Women, Ten Kids, and the Nation's Drive to End Welfare.

Today's New York Times reports that Sunni insurgent groups have approached the Iraqi government about Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's offer of amnesty. It's is not clear if the amnesty will extend to rebels who've killed American soldiers or to former members of Saddam Husssein's Baath Party regime. Neither is it clear how the terms will play in the US where Iraq is becoming the major issue in this year's elections. Will a "stable" Iraq require Americans to hold their noses as rebels who killed US soldiers get a free pass? Meantime, as the US Commander was talking troop withdrawal at the White House, Republicans were accusing Democrats of wanting to "cut and run." What's the difference? Can Republicans turn their biggest political liability into an asset? Making News: Hamas Makes Deal with FatahIsrael troops are massed on the borders of Gaza demanding release of a kidnapped soldier. Meantime, rival Hamas and Fatah factions have agreed on a plan that implicitly recognizes Israel's right to exist. Dan Ephron is following the story for Newsweek magazine.Reporter's Notebook: Security Leaks and Political StrategyPresident Bush has joined Vice President Cheney, Treasury Secretary John Snow and Congressman Peter King in denouncing the New York Times and other papers for printing stories about supposedly secret anti-terrorist programs. Warrantless wiretaps by the National Security Agency set off a political furor just weeks ago, but few Democrats have criticized the Bush Administration for subpoenaing banking records to follow terrorist money. Wayne Slater is senior political writer for the Dallas Morning News.

Republicans in the House and the Senate are moving to cut the inheritance tax while refusing to increase the minimum wage. Some Democrats call that an "obscene" combination, which ought to help them in November. Republican leaders say they're protecting economic expansion and safe-guarding low-level jobs. What do the polls show about issues of rich and poor? Will they unite Americans behind "basic fairness" or divide the electorate by inflaming class-consciousness? We speak with journalists, business experts, economists, pollsters, Democratic and Republican political strategists about what one Democratic leader calls, "the ultimate values debate." Making News: Supreme Court Divided on Campaign Finance Law, Death PenaltyThe US Supreme Court is wrapping up this year's session with some major decisions. Today, the justices divided on campaign spending limits and capital punishment. Warren Richey, who writes on the Court for the Christian Science Monitor, and Charlie Savage, who covers legal affairs for the Boston Globe, have more on today's decisions.Reporter's Notebook: Warren Buffett Gives It All AwayIn an exclusive interview, Warren Buffett has told Fortune magazine he'll donate most of his own fortune to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. In another exclusive, both men will appear together tonight with Charlie Rose on PBS. Buffett's promise of $31 billion will double the Gates' Foundation's current assets to $60 billion. Jim Ferris is director of USC's Center on Philanthropy and Public Policy, which calls the donation the biggest such gift in history.

In 2004, the US military paid families of Iraqi civilians $5 million in compensation for civilian deaths and injuries. Last year that number quadrupled to $20 million. When that increase was reported by the Boston Globe, Democratic Senator Edward Kennedy said it served "as a warning sign." It's also raised questions about the extent of civilian casualties at a time when ground troops are being charged with murder. But what about the so-called "collateral damage" when civilians are killed by bombs dropped from high-altitude aircraft? Is there a double standard? Which civilian deaths are acceptable under the rules of war; when is prosecution required? We hear from journalists, legal experts and human-rights advocates.Making News: Homegrown Terrorist Ring Busted in MiamiUS Attorney General Alberto Gonzales today announced the arrest of seven men in Miami, accused of wanting to blow up the Sears Tower in Chicago and FBI offices in Florida. The Deputy Director of the FBI said the plot was more "aspirational than operational." The US Attorney in Miami said the defendants were stopped before they had the capacity to carry out their threats. Bobby Block reports on terrorism and security for the Wall Street Journal. Reporter's Notebook: Will the Voting Rights Act Be Reauthorized?The Voting Rights Act, signed by Lyndon Johnson in 1965, is widely credited with making blacks in southern states part of the political process. Some provisions will expire next year, and last month, House and Senate leaders of both parties appeared on the Capitol steps to endorse their extension for 25 years. But on Wednesday, House Republicans pulled back because some members claim the act is unfair. Tom Baxter is Chief Political Correspondent for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.