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    Back to To the Point

    To the Point

    Pentagon Lifting Ban on Women in Combat

    Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has lifted the ban on women in combat. We look at the pros and cons for the military, in Constitutional law and American culture.

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    By Warren Olney • Jan 24, 2013 • 51m Listen

    Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is stepping down after just 18 months at the Pentagon, but his legacy is guaranteed to be a long one. He has lifted the ban on women in combat. We look at the pros and cons for the military, in Constitutional law and American culture. Also, Democrats unveil an assault weapons ban pleading for grass-root support, and a White House message to Wall Street.

    Banner image: Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta (L) and Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Department of Defense photo by Glenn Fawcett

    In this episode

    3 stories
    1. 0:00

      Dems Unveil Assault Weapons Ban Pleading for Grass-root Support

      California's Senator Dianne Feinstein today announced a new bill to ban assault weapons , replacing a ban that expired in 2004. She called on the public to overcome opposition from both Republicans and fellow Democrats. Dan Freedman is national editor at Hearst Newspapers ' Washington Bureau.

      Read the story
      8 min
    2. 8:03

      Another Gender Barrier Is about to Come Down

      Defense Secretary Leon Panetta made a historic announcement today when he lifted the ban on women in combat , at the request of a unanimous Joint Chiefs of Staff. In fact, the nature of modern warfare already puts women in combat, where they've earned purple hearts and medals of honor, been wounded and died.

      Read the story
      36 min
    3. 44:16

      Obama Nominates Prosecutor Mary Jo White to Head the SEC

      Yesterday on this program , we heard that 12 big banks are still too big to fail and that guaranteed taxpayer support could mean risky investments and another financial bailout.  Today, the White House said it's trying to prevent that with appointees to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

      Read the story
      7 min
    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Warren Olney

      former KCRW broadcaster

    • KCRW placeholder

      Katie Cooper

      Producer, 'One year Later'

    • KCRW placeholder

      Christian Bordal

      Managing Producer, Greater LA

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Evan George

      Director of Content, News

      NewsNationalPolitics

    In this episode

    3 stories
    1. 0:008 min

      Dems Unveil Assault Weapons Ban Pleading for Grass-root Support

    2. 8:0336 min

      Another Gender Barrier Is about to Come Down

    3. 44:167 min

      Obama Nominates Prosecutor Mary Jo White to Head the SEC

    Back to To the Point