To the Point
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Energy Independence and Ethanol

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The President's call for energy independence through alternative fuels is popular in the farm states, on Wall Street and with the American people. What are the down sides?  We hear about the food supply, greenhouse gases and government subsidies, as well as whether conservation is really the best way to cut back on gasoline.  Also, Ford Motor Company continues to hemorrhage, suffering its worst year ever. On Reporter's Notebook, secretly linking millions of computers for crime on the Internet.

Making News

Ford Reports Worst Loss in History ()

A year ago, the Ford Motor Company lost $74 million. Today, Ford announced it's in the red by $12.7 billion.  Last year was the worst in the company’s history.  John McElroy is host of Autoline Detroit.

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Main Topic

Energy Independence and Ethanol ()

One day after his State of the Union address, President Bush was on the road pushing energy independence by way of alternative fuels. Ethanol production, which is already a booming industry, would be increased five times on the way to reducing consumption of gasoline by twenty percent in the next ten years.  Dozens of new, corn-based ethanol plans are coming on line in the farm states, and Wall Street sees a new gold rush. American voters also expect there's ethanol in their future, but there are plenty of not-so-hidden costs.  Will corn-based ethanol deplete the food supply? What about greenhouse gases from ethanol and other "alternatives" like oil shale and coal? Is conservation a better solution?  We're joined by pollsters, and energy experts and producers.

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Reporter's Notebook

Botnets Threaten the Internet ()

Every Internet user knows how viruses can turn computers into unwitting zombies secretly responsive to somebody else. One security expert says the Internet offers the possibility of the "perfect crime," one that provides high profit at low risk, and that the war to make the Internet safe "was lost long ago." The latest threat to Internet security is the "botnet" which can link thousands, or even millions, of computers together.  We hear what that could mean from David Farber of Carnegie Mellon University.

Guests:
  • David Farber: professor of computer science and public policy
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