KCRW's To the Point

Arizona, the Federal Courts and Illegal Immigration

podmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney) — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:02:06 EDT

A federal court ruling means the toughest provisions of Arizona?s new immigration law won?t go into effect today. We hear about the law and the impact on Arizona?s economy as demonstrators are being arrested in Phoenix. Also, has damage from the Gulf oil spill been exaggerated? On Reporter's Notebook, WikiLeaks, transparency and anonymity.

Tax Cuts, the Deficit and the November Election

podmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney) — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 16:23:58 EDT

The Bush tax cuts are about to expire, paving the way for another election-year show down. What are the possible options for individual taxpayers, the deficit and the economy? Also, a federal judge blocks part of Arizona's immigration law, and the Chevy Volt: sticker shock and "range anxiety."

WikiLeaks and the War in Afghanistan

podmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney) — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 16:01:27 EDT

WikiLeaks has created a firestorm by giving 92,000 secret documents to three influential newspapers before releasing them on the Internet. Do they contain anything new? Will they alter public perceptions of the war in Afghanistan or change public policy. Also, massive losses for BP in the oily wake of the Gulf spill. On Reporter's Notebook, is the filibuster being mis-used in the US Senate?

The Shanghai Expo and America's Economic Decline

podmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney) — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 16:00:00 EDT

This year's Shanghai Expo celebrates China's extraordinary pace of economic development. The US barely showed up. Does that half-hearted effort reveal more than an image problem? Should Americans and their leaders sit up and take notice? Also, BP resumes work to kill its leaking well, and WikiLeaks and the war in Afghanistan.

The Attack Media and the Reverse Race Card

podmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney) — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 16:00:03 EDT

White House priorities have been overshadowed this week by a false charge of reverse racism. What was the role of the media, from the right to the mainstream? Should the President address the issue directly? Also, Bell's highly paid public servants call it quits, and the death of the energy bill.

In Afghanistan, More War or Reconciliation?

podmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney) — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 16:18:37 EDT

Even White House insiders concede that the President?s strategy in Afghanistan may be in trouble, on the ground and in Washington. What are the objectives? What are the alternatives and the prospects for women's rights and civil war? Also, oil spill work stops as storm approaches, and from Newark to Atlantic City, it's hard times in New Jersey.

China and a New Age of Energy

podmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney) — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 16:16:17 EDT

China has overcome the US as the world's largest consumer of energy. We look at the massive changes in store for the global marketplace, foreign policy, greenhouse gases and climate change. Also, the White House reconsiders an official's firing over remarks on race. On Reporter's Notebook, does the US have more "Intelligence" than it could ever need?

Is Obama Winning the Battles but Losing the War?

podmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney) — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 16:24:58 EDT

President Obama has made good on more campaign promises than political veterans ever thought possible, but his public opinion ratings continue to fall. We ask why and what it could mean in November and beyond. Also, the Senate Judiciary Committee approves Elena Kagan, and Britain?s new Prime Minister at the Obama White House. What about BP and the Lockerbie bomber?

Are the Out-of-Work about to Be Out of Benefits?

podmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney) — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 16:00:00 EDT

More than two million Americans who have had their unemployment benefits cut off this month could soon get them back. We hear arguments about economic stimulus, the deficit and the personal cost of long-term unemployment. Also, BP's cap holds, but the ocean floor seeps, and Hillary Clinton steps up US diplomacy in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

How the West Sees Africa: Are We Using the Wrong Lens?

podmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney) — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 15:45:00 EDT

Africa: how the West sees it, how the West helps it and how the West all too often may be getting the whole thing wrong. Do westerners really listen to Africans when it comes to solving problems or are we too busy telling them what to do? New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof stirred up a lot of debate recently when he talked about why he features whites in his reporting from Africa. Why do news stories about Africa often feature white people "saving" the continent? Also, the BP well is capped, but has the leak been stopped? On Reporter's Notebook, the world?s first global documentary, shot in one day, by people around the world. Sara Terry sits in for Warren Olney, who returns Monday.

It's Busy Inside the Beltway: Politics Are Sizzling in DC

podmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney) — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 16:05:02 EDT

Talk about the mid-term elections is stirring up some heat this summer in Washington. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is on the warpath ? over the campaign trail. She wants the White House to step up support for Democratic congressmen, instead of suggesting that Republicans could win in November. Republicans have made a few big gaffes lately, but politicos say they?re likely to take back the House this fall. What role will Sarah Palin play? Also, financial reform is finally ready for the President's signature, and a first in Latin America as Argentina approves same-sex marriages. Sara Terry guest hosts.

Whatever Happened to Hope for Haiti?

podmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney) — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 15:50:35 EDT

On January 10, a massive 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti. Six months later, relief efforts are moving very slowly. Has Haiti's government been an obstacle in the flow of aid? Why are donors taking so long to actually provide the funds they promised? How are people on the ground being helped? Also, BP delays testing a new containment cap and drilling a relief well, and the strange tale of the Iranian nuclear scientist who either was ? or wasn't ? abducted by the CIA. Sara Terry sits in for vacationing Warren Olney.

DNA: Can a Family Member's Genetic Code Help Catch a Killer?

podmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney) — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 15:44:29 EDT

Police in Los Angeles made an arrest in the 25-year-old serial murder case of the "Grim Sleeper." The breakthrough came as the result of a search that's commonly called ?familial? DNA, a controversial practice in tracking down criminals. What privacy issues does it raise, and how certain are the results? Also, the finance bill moves closer to passage as Obama?s poll numbers decline, and a look back at the life of one of baseball?s larger-than-life managers. Sara Terry sits in for vacationing Warren Olney.

More Vets to Get Help Healing the Mental Scars of War

podmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney) — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:00:00 EDT

The Veterans Administration has decided to make it easier for vets to file disability claims related to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. As many as 20 percent of soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan may be suffering from PSTD. The VA's change in policy means that vets will no longer have to document a specific traumatic event to be able to apply for help. Guest host Sara Terry looks at how are the VA and other organizations working with vets to heal what have been called the hidden wounds of war. Also, a terrorist attack in Uganda targets World Cup watchers, and the NAACP is holding its annual convention, but the nation's first black president won't be there this year.

South Africa after the Last World Cup Ball Is Kicked

podmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney) — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 16:00:52 EDT

Sunday's final match will be an historic one, but what history will the World Cup games leave behind in South Africa? The country's infrastructure has been upgraded and South Africans talk of a new pride. But after the vuvuzelas have gone silent, the country still faces massive challenges in schools, housing and unemployment. Also, Massachusetts' ruling on gay marriage, and from hero to villain. What went wrong on Lebron James' journey from Cleveland to Miami? Sara Terry sits in for vacationing Warren Olney.