KCRW's To the Point

Stress in the Military

podmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST

Two of the biggest issues faced by soldiers and combat veterans are stress and mental health. At Walter Reed Hospital, doctors have enlisted psychiatric service dogs to help treat soldiers suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. What role does man's best friend play in healing? What can be done to catch signs of an impending breakdown before it's too late? Guest host Sara Terry gets an update on yesterday's shootings at Fort Hood, looks at the role stress might have played and learns about the evolving role of psychiatric service dogs.

Global Warming and National Security

podmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:53:00 EST

Nobody doubts that dealing with global warming will be expensive, so supporters of climate change legislation are raising questions of national security. Is that a diversionary tactic or will climate change increase terrorism, force mass migration and destabilize entire regions? Also, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas threatens to retire. On Reporter's Notebook, we ask the man who ran Barak Obama's "perfect" campaign what happened on Tuesday.

Local Elections and National Politics

podmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:57:00 EST

Republicans took governorships from Democrats in Virginia and New Jersey. A Democrat took a congressional seat from Republicans in upstate New York. Maine voters said "no" to same-sex marriage. What messages?if any--do so-called "off-year elections" carry about national politics? Also, an Italian judge convicts 23 Americans in a renditions case, and Warren Buffett and America?s railroads.

Settlements, War Crimes and Middle East Peace

podmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:11:35 EST

In the Middle East, Hillary Clinton has walked into the familiar buzz-saw of Arab-Israeli politics, and Congress is about to condemn the UN's "Goldstone Report." What's happening to President Obama's "new start" with the Muslim world? Also, Afghan President Hamid Karzai takes office, and healthcare reform and "spiritual healing."

A 'Credible' Afghanistan?; The Cost of Renewable Energy

podmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:45:00 EST

How clean are the "clean" fuels being subsidized by the Obama Administration? Also, Afghanistan and President Obama?s decision on whether to send more American troops.

Science, Religion and Public Policy

podmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:00:00 EST

The Roman Catholic Church is conducting a campaign to show that the Bible is compatible with Darwin's theory of evolution. But polls show almost half the American people don't buy it. If belief in God means doubting science, what are the consequences for public policy? Also, the US brokers a deal to restore the deposed President in Honduras, and Capitol Hill ethics investigations are accidentally revealed.

The 'Public Option' Stays Alive for Another Day

podmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:51:54 EST

Rumors that the "public option" was dead "were greatly exaggerated," according to one senior Democrat. Now, both the House and the Senate will debate healthcare reform bills including a government-run insurance plan. We hear about that, about cost control and other issues today. Also, the economy's improving, but still dependent on economic stimulus, and President Obama bears witness to the return of casualties from Afghanistan.

Swine Flu: Mixed Messages and Public Anxiety

podmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:11:11 EST

Mixed messages about swine flu and the availability of H1N1 vaccine have led to confusion and unexpected public anxiety. We hear from parents, doctors and medical researchers today. Also, reports that the CIA is paying Hamid Karzai's brother. On Reporter's Notebook, will California be the first state to legalize, tax and regulate marijuana?

In China, the Recession Is Over ? or Is It?

podmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:07:57 EST

China will soon pass Japan as the world's second largest economy, but it's not easy to cope with such rapid expansion. How long can the growth continue? Can the US and China afford to be adversaries or will global problems force an uneasy partnership? Also, the deadliest month since the war began in Afghanistan in 2001, and healthcare reform, the public option and politics in the State of Nevada.

Is It Time Wall Street Was Paid for Performance?

podmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:40:16 EST

Pay cuts for corporate executives and new rules for banks are designed to protect against another recession. Are the right people being punished? Is government intervention too little, too late? Also, tensions are high after a deadly day in Baghdad, and Walt Disney is compensating parents whose kids did not become geniuses from watching Baby Einstein.

The Negative Impact of Positive Thinking

podmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:50:00 EST

The key to achieving the American dream is often said to be Positive Thinking, but Barbara Ehrenreich?s new book argues that ?Positive Thinking has Undermined America.? Was the current financial collapse the result of self-delusion from the top to the bottom? Also, NATO supports a new strategy for Afghanistan, and the passenger jet that overshot its destination by more 100 miles.

Local Politics with National Impact

podmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:28:10 EST

With the last national election twelve months ago and the next one twelve months away, the political world is focused on state contests less than two weeks from now. What will races for Governor in New Jersey and Virginia mean for President Obama and Democrats in Congress? Will Maine change the momentum on same-sex marriage? Also, the 'Pay Czar' cuts executive pay, and Twitter and Facebook are what they are but, even in the age of the Internet, television still rules.

Afghanistan, US Troops and the Run-off Election

podmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:23:35 EST

The White House says President Obama may decide about troops for Afghanistan even before the run-off election on November 7. But a lot depends on security, how the voting's conducted and the outcome. We look at the prospects. Also, Iran strikes a nuclear deal, and violence in Rio as Brazil tries to raise funds for the 2016 Olympics.

Pakistan and the Taliban

podmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:15:00 EST

Pakistan's army is finally taking on the Taliban in South Waziristan. Will the much-delayed offensive help the US and NATO against the Taliban in Afghanistan? Is Pakistan more interested in its historic conflict with India? Also, President Karzai is forced into a run-off election in Afghanistan, and the Obama Administration and medical marijuana.

Is It Time to Bust the Trusts Again?

podmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:00:00 EST

Big name economists, including Alan Greenspan, are saying it's time to break up financial institutions that are "too big to fail." Is it too late even to regulate the banks and brokerages that caused the financial meltdown? Does a new agency for consumer finance protection have a chance? Also, a UN-backed commission says that Afghan President Hamid Karzai failed to win re-election, and both carrots and sticks to persuade Sudan to end Darfur's humanitarian crisis.