Congressman (D-MA)
Democratic Representative for Massachusetts' 3rd Congressional District and member of the House Budget Committee; Co-chair of the Congressional Hunger Center
PROFILE
James McGovern
Guest
FROM James McGovern
Which Way, L.A.?
Will Afghanistan Be President Obama's Vietnam? President Obama is putting his stamp on the war in Afghanistan. General David McKiernan has now been replaced by Lt. General Stanley McChrystal, "a rising superstar" who'll be leading “an all-star team.”
To the Point
Will Afghanistan Be President Obama's Vietnam? The President is sending is more soldiers and changing commanders in Afghanistan. General David McKiernan has now been replaced by Lt. General Stanley McChrystal , “a rising superstar” who’ll be leading “an all-star team.” Some conservatives praise him for starting to nation-build. But powerful Democrats want to know if he’s making an open-ended commitment that can’t be sustained, like previous Presidents in Vietnam. Obama says the real issue is the threat from al Qaeda, but even General David Petraeus says al Qaeda’s now totally in Pakistan . Is the war still legal? Will more violence be counterproductive, especially with increased civilian casualties?
To the Point
What Can Be Done to Ease the Global Food Crisis? Americans have been getting a taste of the global food crisis at the check-out counter in recent days, as chain stores including Costco and Sam's club have put a limit on the sale of specialty rice. The United Nations has called the current crisis a " perfect storm " of rising demand from developing countries, the impact of climate change, and policy responses by governments. What policy changes does the west need to make to end the crisis? How has the use of farm land for ethanol production affected global food supplies? How are Wall Street investors helping to keep commodities prices high? What are the long-term solutions for feeding the hungry?
Recommended
To the Point
Ex-FBI Director Comey tells his side of the story Today, former FBI Director James Comey came close to calling the President who fired him a liar. The White House denied the claim and called it insulting, but Republican Senators did not challenge Comey’s truthfulness. Many questions remain: did the President try to obstruct a federal investigation? Later, we’ll go behind the “velvet rope” for a look at 5-Star health care for the richest Americans.
To the Point
Who's to blame for the opioid crisis? Some of the lawyers who took on Big Tobacco are now going after Big Pharma. It’s all about the deadly epidemic of opioid use. Are the drug companies to blame? What about the users? Later, on today’s Talking Point: making sense of Britain’s upset election.
Left, Right & Center
President Trump: US to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord Trump says he was elected to serve Pittsburgh, not Paris.
To the Point
The Trump agenda: where's the beef? President Trump says big things are happening. After celebrating a House bill on health care, he doesn’t yet have Senate agreement. With James Comey’s public testimony scheduled tomorrow, the President today tweeted his selection of a new FBI Director. Is the Chief Executive all style and no substance? Later, terror attacks in Iran and conflicting claims about who’s behind them.