KCRW's To the Point

Stock Market Soars: Should You Care?

webmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney, KCRW) — Mon, 20 May 2013 15:44:40 EDT

Soaring stock markets and a boom in housing construction are good news but, with high unemployment and declining home ownership, is the wealth failing to trickle down?

National Security, Government 'Spin' and the First Amendment

webmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney, KCRW) — Fri, 17 May 2013 17:50:39 EDT

The Obama Administration is accused of abusing press freedom by seizing AP phone records. Can new technology protect the press and their sources from government intrusion?

Angelina Jolie and the 'Breast Cancer Gene'

webmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney, KCRW) — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:39:43 EDT

Angelina Jolie's revelation of her preventative mastectomy is raising fears as well as some reassurance. Even those who applaud her courage worry about over-reaction.

IRS Targeting, AP Dragnet: Obama and the Shadow of Scandal

webmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney, KCRW) — Wed, 15 May 2013 16:29:08 EDT

Washington's focused this week on potential scandals involving the FBI's investigation of the AP and the IRS targeting of conservative groups applying for tax exemptions.

Bangladesh Factory Collapse and the Global Clothing Industry

webmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney, KCRW) — Tue, 14 May 2013 15:35:23 EDT

One of the worst tragedies in garment-industry history is having consequences around the world. What are clothing companies doing? What can you do?

Is the Pentagon Losing the War against Sex Crimes?

webmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney, KCRW) — Mon, 13 May 2013 21:07:45 EDT

Overturned sexual assault convictions and the head of Sexual Prevention for the Air Force?s groping a woman. Is it time for change in the Uniform Code of Military Justice?

Immigration Reform and the Guest Worker Program

webmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney, KCRW) — Fri, 10 May 2013 15:31:21 EDT

Would the new guest worker program improve working conditions for foreigners and domestic employees?

Boston Marathon Bombings and Muslim Americans

webmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney, KCRW) — Thu, 09 May 2013 15:44:42 EDT

The Boston Marathon bombings have renewed calls for Muslim Americans to be on the alert for potential extremists, as well as warnings against religious discrimination. We hear from Muslims on both sides of the issue. Also, the Senate begins consideration of over 300 amendments to immigration bill, and as Pakistanis prepare to go to the polls on Saturday, campaigning has been disrupted by violence, a kidnapping and an accidental fall by a major candidate.

Legalizing Marijuana: States v. the Federal Government

webmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney, KCRW) — Wed, 08 May 2013 15:35:13 EDT

Eighteen states and Washington, DC have legalized medical marijuana and 52% of Americans approve of its recreational use. But federal law says it's as illegal as heroin.

Is the Syrian Conflict Entering a New Phase?

webmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney, KCRW) — Tue, 07 May 2013 15:26:41 EDT

The White House is holding the line on Syria, despite Israel's military strikes and lingering questions about Syria's use of chemical weapons against citizens.

Israel Strikes Syria, Will the US Be Next?

webmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney, KCRW) — Mon, 06 May 2013 23:23:47 EDT

Israeli airstrikes have hit military targets near Damascus, allegedly to prevent weapons from being shipped to Hezbollah in Lebanon. Why now? Will Obama intervene?

Global Warming in a World of Endless Oil, Gas and Coal

webmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney, KCRW) — Fri, 03 May 2013 15:40:49 EDT

What would ?energy independence and never running out of fossil fuel mean for the global economy and the will to slow climate change by developing alternative energy?

Obama Heads to Mexico

webmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney, KCRW) — Thu, 02 May 2013 15:25:23 EDT

In Mexico City today, Presidents Barack Obama and Enrique Peña Nieto want to talk about trade and a booming economy, but the murderous drug wars are still raging. Will the public conversation be different from what happens behind closed doors?

What's Behind the Austerity Backlash?

webmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney, KCRW) — Wed, 01 May 2013 15:51:40 EDT

Unemployment and slow growth in Europe are bringing an end to the "austerity" era of spending cuts and increased taxes. Was austerity a dangerous idea in the first place?

The High Price of Cheap Clothing

webmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney, KCRW) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 15:46:48 EDT

The deadly collapse of a garment factory has increased political unrest in Bangladesh, and brand-name western clothing makers are accused of shirking responsibility.

News Media Hacking and the Case for Cybersecurity

webmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney, KCRW) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 15:34:51 EDT

Hackers have broken into major media. Last week's false message on the AP Twitter account roiled financial markets. In Washington, the heat is on for new cybersecurity laws.

With Presidential Library, Bush Aims to Burnish his Legacy

webmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney, KCRW) — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 15:24:39 EDT

It's an American tradition that museums and libraries are built to celebrate past presidents. We hear about the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas.

Do We Need Guantanamo Bay Prison?

webmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney, KCRW) — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 15:55:21 EDT

President Obama promised to shut down Guantanamo Bay, but 166 prisoners are still there. Is Guantanamo a relic of what used to be called "the war on terror?"

Does Obama Have to Act in Syria?

webmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney, KCRW) — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 15:34:42 EDT

President Obama has warned Syria that using?or even transporting--chemical weapons would be a ?game changer.?

Boston and the Modern Manhunt

webmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney, KCRW) — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:49:58 EDT

Did social media help law enforcement identify and track down suspects in last week's deadly attack in Boston? Did news organizations? mistakes create needless confusion?

Prosecuting the Boston Bombing Suspect

webmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney, KCRW) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 15:24:28 EDT

The suspect in the Boston Marathon bombing has been charged with using weapons of mass destruction. Did the FBI fail to follow up on his radicalized older brother?

Manhunt in Boston

webmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney, KCRW) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 15:45:09 EDT

In less than 12 hours the FBI's two suspects were identified as brothers in Boston. We look at what's known about them and possible connections to their Chechen roots.

The Boston Marathon Bombings and the Cloud of Uncertainty

webmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney, KCRW) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 15:35:26 EDT

Nobody yet knows if the Boston Marathon bombing was the work of al Qaeda, a right-wing militia or a deranged individual. We hear different thoughts about the tragedy.

Bipartisan Senate Group Unveils Immigration Bill

webmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney, KCRW) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 15:57:11 EDT

Despite gridlock on so many other issues, Republicans and Democrats could make political history on immigration reform. We hear the details and continued controversy.

One Day after the Boston Marathon Bombings, What We Know

webmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney, KCRW) — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 15:29:57 EDT

At least 3 are dead and 170 wounded in yesterday's "terrorist" bombings at the Boston Marathon. We update the story, including the impact on this historic American city.