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Local Politics with National Impact Oct 22, 2009

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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 Oct 21, 2009

Show notes

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 Oct 20, 2009

Show notes

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? Oct 19, 2009

Show notes

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.

Barack Obama and the Military-Industrial Complex Oct 16, 2009

Show notes

In deciding what to do in Afghanistan, President Obama faces more than the question of how many troops. It's the clout of the military in a society where the civilian government is supposed to be in charge. After all, it took a former general, President Dwight Eisenhower, to coin the term "military-industrial complex." Also, a run-off election for Afghanistan, and the boy who wasn't in the balloon after all.

The President and The Big Easy Oct 15, 2009

Show notes

President Obama touched down in New Orleans today, and the Big Easy seemed to be saying, "It's about time." We hear about reconstruction, flood protection, race and political partisanship. Also violence creates chaos in the the cultural hub of Pakistan, and women's rights in Saudi Arabia.

The US and Russia: Iran and Nuclear Weapons Oct 14, 2009

Show notes

Hillary Clinton's in Moscow to talk about Iran's nuclear program and renewing the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty, not to mention Afghanistan. We hear about diplomacy and nuclear weapons. Also, after taxpayer bailouts, Wall Street bonuses jump, and despite wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, military recruiting is setting historic records.

'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Comes Out of the Closet Oct 13, 2009

Show notes

President Obama wants to revoke "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," but Congress will have to repeal the ban on gays in the military. We hear about morale and civil rights in the military. Also, more troops for Afghanistan, and the Senate Finance Committee on healthcare reform.

Afghanistan: War and Peace in the Graveyard of Empires Oct 12, 2009

Show notes

Does al Qaeda in Afghanistan threaten US security? What about the Taliban? What will it take to establish a credible civilian government? Should the US send more troops or begin conducting a graceful withdrawal? We look at some of the questions facing the latest winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. Also, insurers suddenly push back against the healthcare reform bill, and football, concussions and memory-related disease.

Barack Obama and the Nobel Prize Oct 09, 2009

Show notes

President Barack Obama received the Nobel Peace Prize today for what the prize committee called "his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples." Also today, corporate America is divided over climate change. Will regulations that raise costs for some create profits for others?

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