To the Point
Democrats Try to Put Their Stamp on a New Energy Policy
After two decades of opposition, America's auto-makers have bought into new mileage standards for cars, trucks and SUV's. But can a comprehensive energy bill survive special interests and partisanship? Also, insiders bomb the holy Shiite Shrine in Samarra, and a conversation about American statecraft.
After two decades of opposition, America's auto-makers have bought into new mileage standards for cars, trucks and SUV's. Gasoline prices and climate change are creating political pressures.But can a comprehensive energy bill survive special interests and partisanship?Also, the holy Shiite Shrine in Samarra is bombed again and, on Reporter's Notebook, in a time of increased violence in the Middle East, can American statecraft make a difference?
Photo: Jeff Haynes/AFP/Getty Images
In this episode
3 storiesThe Art of Statecraft
After more incidents of deadly violence today, the governments of Iraq, Lebanon and the Palestinian Territories are in more trouble than ever. In addition to today's bombing of a Shiite mosque in Samarra, Iraq, a politician was killed by a massive explosion in Beirut, Lebanon, and Palestinian President Abu Mazen says the fight between…
Read the story6 minFirst Immigration, Now Energy
The energy bills now being debated in the House and the Senate are at least as politically challenging as immigration reform. An extraordinary collection of powerful special interests could be effected by efforts to deal with skyrocketing gasoline prices, cut dependence on Middle East oil and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. One…
Read the story36 minHoly Shiite Shrine in Samarra Bombed Again
Sixteen months ago, destruction of the golden dome of the al-Askari Mosque in Samarra touched off sectarian violence that is still causing bloodshed in Iraq. Today, the two minarets of that same Shiite shrine were blown up--apparently by insiders. Leila Fadel, Baghdad Bureau Chief for McClatchy Newspapers , says both civil and religious…
Read the story7 min