To the Point
Arizona Steps In Where Washington Fears to Tread
Like George W. Bush before him, Barack Obama wants immigration reform. But that's a third rail on the track to November's elections. Arizona's a border state where traffic in guns, drugs and people is increasingly violent — and Republicans are demanding a crackdown. We hear the pros and cons. Also, a rescue for travelers stranded in Europe, and trust in government hits a new low.
By Warren Olney • • 50m ListenLike George W. Bush before him, Barack Obama wants immigration reform. But that's a third rail on the track to November's elections. Arizona's a border state where traffic in guns, drugs and people is increasingly violent — and Republicans are demanding a crackdown. We hear the pros and cons. Also, a rescue for travelers stranded in Europe, and Tea Partiers, President Obama and America's trust in government.
Banner image: People walk past each other on opposite sides of the fence along the US-Mexican border in Nogales, Arizona. Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images
In this episode
3 storiesFlights to Resume over Europe
The Royal Navy has deployed three ships to continental Europe to rescue travelers stranded by volcanic ash from Iceland. At the same time, Britain plans a gradual reopening of its airspace, starting in Scotland. Edward Cody is foreign correspondent for the Washington Post .
Read the story8 minArizona Gets Tough on Immigration in Absence of Federal Reform
In 2006 the Republican US Senate passed immigration reform, but it never came to a vote in the House, which decided instead to build a fence on the border. In 2007 a Democratic Senate bill was twice withdrawn from the floor. Washington's failure at immigration reform has created a legal vacuum Arizona Republicans are eager to fill.
Read the story38 minAmerican 'Distrust, Discontent' toward Government
A BBC World Service poll shows America's influence in the world as positive for the first time since 2005. President Obama is getting the credit. But in the US, pollsters are finding the highest level of distrust in Washington in 50 years. Is Obama getting the blame? Almost 80% of Americans say they don't trust Washington to do what is right.
Read the story5 min
