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New York Times
Political reporter for the New York Times
PROFILE
Thomas Kaplan
Guest
FROM Thomas Kaplan
To the Point
Is It Time to Retreat from the Sea? Forget spending billions in tax dollars to rebuild coastal developments destroyed by Superstorm Sandy. New York's Governor Cuomo says he has a better idea. Buy up vulnerable properties, restore the beaches to their natural condition, and enjoy a publicly owned resource until the inevitable happens again. The nonpartisan Government Accountability Office doesn't go that far, but it is warning that climate change is one of the highest risks to financial stability. Are the beaches the first place to prepare for the consequences of climate change? Where will it happen next?
To the Point
New York State Passes First Gun Bill Since Newtown Last night, New York’s Republican-controlled State Senate approved new gun controls by a vote of 43 to 18. Today, the Assembly—led by Democrats—is expected to go along and Governor Cuomo is ready to sign the package into law.
To the Point
Gay Couples Rush to Exchange Vows in New York In New York, a bruising, multi-year legislative battle ended last month when the State Senate approved same-sex marriage by a narrow margin, instantly doubling the number of Americans who live in states where gay and lesbian couple can wed. Couples from all over the state, as well as a hundred from other states, rushed to wed Sunday. Over a thousand ceremonies were celebrated in New York City alone, where temperatures were high, but the mood was even higher. After an 11-year engagement, one couple wed beside Niagara Falls, a minute past after midnight. Thomas Kaplan reports on politics for the New York Times .
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Left, Right & Center
How was the trip? President Trump's travels got less fun as he went from the Middle East to Europe.
To the Point
Venezuela spirals into economic and political chaos Venezuela, a country whose potential for prosperity is unmatched, finds itself on the verge of civil war. What sustains the repressive government? With time running out, guest host León Krauze looks at what the international community can do to pull the country from the edge of collapse.
To the Point
Trump plays scolder-in-chief with NATO allies At the opening of NATO’s dramatic new headquarters in Brussels today, President Trump acknowledged that Article 5 — promising that “an attack on one nation is an attack on all” -- has only been invoked one time: in the aftermath of September 11. But the President failed to provide what 27 other Alliance members have been waiting for: a re-commitment by America’s new leader to Article 5. Instead, they got a scolding.
To the Point
Human Rights in the era of Donald Trump President Trump’s UN Ambassador, Nikki Haley, said today the US might pull out of the United Nations’ Human Rights Council. Serious violators of human rights are members of the Council itself–and a US resignation could make things worse. Later on today’s show, now that he’s into his second term, comedian turned US Senator Al Franken is telling jokes again.