To the Point

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Trump and American labor: A love story? Jan 06, 2017

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In a rare political moment, the head of the AFL-CIO has expressed some agreement with the Republican President-elect. But how far is Donald Trump willing to go on behalf of working Americans? We look for answers among his appointees to offices that can make a difference.

Donald Trump’s war on US intelligence Jan 05, 2017

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Donald Trump, his aides and many supporters have said that US Intelligence agencies have not produced enough evidence to convince them that Russia tried to influence the US election. Is Trump onto something American spies don't know, or is he concerned that reports of Russian influence will de-legitimize his election?

America's role in world… after Obama Jan 04, 2017

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President Obama took office with promises to bring troops home from the Middle East, engage with hostile nations and build ties with the world's other major powers. We hear different assessments of where he succeeded and where he failed.

The state of the nation after Obama Jan 03, 2017

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One politician's "achievements" are another's "mistakes that urgently need correction." We look at what president Obama will leave behind when his second term ends three weeks from now.

Money for nothin': The case for universal basic income Jan 02, 2017

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Universal basic income is an idea people on both the Left and Right have kicked around for decades. But it has newfound currency because of the gig economy and automation replacing workers. On this special rebroadcast of To the Point, guest host Barbara Bogaev discusses the pros and cons of Uncle Sam cutting everyone a check.

Talking Points: About 2016 Dec 30, 2016

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In this tumultuous year for American politics, that wasn't the only thing to talk about. Every day we bring you a Talking Point about an issue or an event that's helping define the national conversation even though it's not leading the news. Today, we bring you a collection of our favorites.

How the gig economy is changing the way we view work Dec 29, 2016

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The freelance workforce is growing exponentially, with companies like Uber, Lyft, and Etsy driving the trend, as well as corporations increasingly outsourcing work. Guest host Barbara Bogaev looks at what happens when we all become our own bosses -- especially as we near retirement.

A defiant Israel and an American reprimand Dec 28, 2016

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Israel is railing at the Obama administration for not vetoing a UN vote last week condemning settlements in the West Bank. In retaliation, it's pulling envoys and advancing plans for new settlements in East Jerusalem, where Palestinians envision a future capital. Guest host Barbara Bogaev talks about the Kerry plan, gets reaction from Jerusalem, and considers where US-Middle East policy is headed under the Trump Administration.

2016's climate of fear for America's Muslim community Dec 27, 2016

Show notes

Reports of Anti-Muslim harassment and intimidation have risen sharply since November's election, and the FBI tracked nearly a 70% increase in hate crimes against Muslims during the ramping up of the presidential campaign in 2015. Guest host Barbara Bogaev looks at what 2017 might bring, with an administration focused on heightened security, tighter borders, and prone to a harsher rhetoric on terrorism.

Creating a synthetic human genome Dec 26, 2016

Show notes

Creating synthetic humans sounds like science fiction, but genetic science has advanced so fast that the possibility is becoming a fact. On this special rebroadcast of To the Point, we talk with the geneticist who's leading the way and hear about ethical and religious objections.

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