New York magazine
Essayist and writer-at-large for New York magazine; former long-time op-ed columnist at the New York Times and its chief drama critic
PROFILE
Frank Rich
Guest
FROM Frank Rich
To the Point
Is Gun Control an Answer to Homegrown Terror? Investigators report that the female killer in San Bernardino pledged allegiance to ISIS on Facebook on the day the mass shooting occurred. It's not clear if the couple was directed by ISIS or only inspired, but it's more evidence that homegrown terrorism in the United States is a reality. The FBI and other agencies are monitoring hundreds of people in the hope of preventing similar crimes. Will all this increase the pressure for gun control, or will more Americans arm themselves in preparation for their worst nightmares?
To the Point
Ebola Fears Spread in US The CDC says the spread of Ebola in the United States is very unlikely. But that doesn’t mean there’s no danger for some people. Early today, CDC head Tom Frieden noted, "We need to consider the possibility that there could be additional cases, particularly among the health care workers who cared for the index patient when he was so ill. That's when this health care worker became infected, and we're concerned and would unfortunately not be surprised if we did see additional cases in the health care workers who also provided care to the index patient." The “index patient” is Thomas Duncan, the man who died of Ebola in a Dallas hospital after arriving there from Liberia. Thomas Ksiazek is former chief of the CDC’s Pathogens Branch, which studies infections diseases. He’s now director of high containment laboratory operations at the Galveston National Laboratory. In August and September, he was in Sierra Leone to assist the government in controlling the Ebola outbreak.
Which Way, L.A.?
Mitt Romney and the Mormon Church Mitt Romney speaks often about his faith in God and his loyalty to "the same church." But in 2007, when he made a carefully written speech about his religion, he mentioned the word "Mormon" only once. He seems "unable to talk about the very subject he seems to care about most, a lifelong source of spiritual, familial and intellectual sustenance." Despite his big money, years of organizing and a chattering-class consensus that he's the "inevitable" nominee, Romney has failed to connect with two-thirds of Republican voters. Should he be more open about his Mormon faith? How it would shape his conduct in office? We talk with fellow Mormons and others.
To the Point
Is Mitt Romney Too Reticent about His Mormon Faith? Mitt Romney 's been called the "presumed front-runner," since the Republican campaign began, but most party members are looking for somebody else. Has Romney failed to tell them who he really is? He calls Mormonism key to his character and often mentions his faith in God and loyalty to "the same church," but he's refused to explain how his religion affects his public life. In his one speech on the subject, he used the word "Mormon" exactly once. He seems, "unable to talk about the very subject he seems to care about most, a lifelong source of spiritual, familial and intellectual sustenance." If he were more open, could he shake the impression that he's hiding something? Even some fellow Mormons say raising the question is not religious bigotry. We look for answers.
To the Point
Obama, Washington, and Inner Cities Barack and Michelle Obama have promised to get involved in their new community, and the President says there are two Washington DC’s. One he describes as a “company town, all about government and generally pretty prosperous” while the other half is “going through enormous challenges.” He says he wants to bring those two Washington DC’s together.
Recommended
To the Point
Replacing Obamacare: Now you see it… now you don’t As the Senate deliberates replacing Obmacare, health coverage for millions of people is at stake. There've been no public hearings, and a draft measure won't be made public. Is the House version so unpopular that that Senate is hiding a version that looks much the same?
To the Point
What happens when America retreats from the world? Is President Trump taking his "America First" agenda to extremes, withdrawing the country from the international stage on trade and climate change, distancing America from its traditional allies across the Atlantic and even threatening to physically isolate the country through the building of a wall along its southern border? León Krauze guest hosts.
To the Point
Trump's new look at civil rights and global warming President Trump is reportedly ready to pull the US out of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. We look at the possible consequences. On the second half of the program, we hear about cuts in Obama-Era civil rights programs called for by the Trump Administration's first budget plan.