- Social:
Dallas Morning News
Washington Bureau Chief for the Dallas Morning News
PROFILE
Todd Gillman
Guest
FROM Todd Gillman
To the Point
President Obama Walks Tightrope on Immigration Reform Murrieta is a rural outback in Southern California that's getting its moment of fame by dramatizing both sides of the latest political crisis over immigration. Last week, protesters there stopped immigration officials from unloading buses of Central American children who had crossed the border in Texas, which didn’t have room to house them to be officially processed. Last night, resident Ilene Barker told Saul Gonzalez of KCRW public radio that the US can’t afford any more immigrants. Meantime, across town, Cassandra Rules took part in a counter-protest on the side of the immigrant kids. The opposing voices in Murietta reflect a nation divided over what to do about those 57,000 children who have risked abuse, injury and death to make their way to the United States from Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala.
To the Point
Five Presidents on Hand to Open Bush 43 Library In Dallas today, the President and all the living former presidents came together to help dedicate the library named for George W. Bush . President Obama followed Bill Clinton to the podium today before an audience crowded with political dignitaries and foreign leaders. He praised Bush as someone who is "comfortable in his own skin," took his job seriously without taking himself too seriously. Todd Gillman is Washington Bureau Chief for the Dallas Morning News . (L-R) Presidents Jimmy Carter (Roslyn), Bill Clinton (Hillary), George H.W. Bush (Barbara), George W. Bush (Laura) and Barack Obama (Michelle) at the dedication of the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, April 25, 2013
To the Point
US Supreme Court Rejects Texas Redistricting Map The US Supreme Court took just 11 days to create new uncertainty about Congressional districts in Texas — which has already delayed its primaries by a month. In today's unsigned opinion , it threw out district maps drawn by a lower court — as yet another trial goes forward in Washington. Todd Gillman is Washington Bureau Chief for the Dallas Morning News .
Which Way, L.A.?
Calderon Addresses a Joint Session of Congress Felipe Calderon got a standing ovation today from a joint session of Congress when he pledged to continue his all out war against violent drug cartels. Reaction was mixed when he attacked Arizona’s new immigration law and asked for the US ban on assault weapons to be reinstated. But despite today’s rare Capitol Hill appearance and last night’s White-House state dinner, critics say Calderon’s actions could be counterproductive. What about poverty, widespread corruption, and recent charges of favoritism for one drug cartel over others? Does his all-out war on drug cartels make for less violence—or more? What’s the impact on illegal immigration?
To the Point
Calderon Addresses a Joint Session of Congress Felipe Calderon got a standing ovation today from a joint session of Congress when he pledged to continue his all out war against violent drug cartels. Reaction was mixed when he attacked Arizona’s new immigration law and asked for the US ban on assault weapons to be reinstated. But despite today’s rare Capitol Hill appearance and last night’s White-House state dinner, critics say Calderon’s actions could be counterproductive. What about poverty, widespread corruption, and recent charges of favoritism for one drug cartel over others? Does his all-out war on drug cartels make for less violence—or more? What’s the impact on illegal immigration?
To the Point
National Issues and Local Elections Absentee ballots already are being cast, but most voting won't happen until Tuesday. With less than a week before the mid-term elections, the war in Iraq means big trouble for Republicans, according to nationwide polls. But control of the next Congress will depend on local voting for Senate seats in 33 states and for House seats in 435 different districts. Many races are so close that control of the Congress and Senate could depend on some last-minute development nobody's thought of before. Despite dwindling support nationwide, can President Bush still make a difference? Are the candidates addressing the issues their constituents want to hear about most? What are prospective voters seeing on TV? We take a look at some cliff-hangers around the country to see how local issues and circumstances might impact the outcome.
Recommended
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.
To the Point
Terrorism and tweets, hate speech and murder Just days before an election, Britain is coping with a rash of deadly terrorism, and Prime Minister Theresa May is on the defensive. And again today, President Trump has tweeted criticism of the Mayor of London. Later, a double murder in Portland, Oregon has revealed the ugly past of a supposedly “progressive” city. One immediate question: is “hate speech” protected by the First Amendment?
To the Point
The longest US war: Will Trump send more troops to Afghanistan? The Trump White House is divided over the Pentagon's request for more troops in Afghanistan—where the US has been fighting for the past 16 years. Is there a formula -- either for "victory" or a political settlement? Is there an end in sight for America's longest war?
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.