To the Point

Bush White House Quietly Reshaping Environmental Policy

Theodore Roosevelt designated the first official -wilderness- in 1903. Until last month, the federal government controlled hundreds of millions of acres of potential wilderness, when the Pentagon launched a pre-emptive strike on environmental laws it claims interfere with realistic training for war. At the same time, the Interior Department is accused of making sweetheart deals with special interests, to weaken environmental protections without any public review. We hear about the value of wilderness, clean air and endangered species, and how they conflict with states- rights, private property owners and combat readiness, from environmentalist, private property rights advocates, and an official of the Defense Department. Making News: Bush to Turn Up Heat over Blocked Judicial Nominees President Bush wants to change the rules of the Senate to prevent Democrats from holding up his judicial nominees. His target is the filibuster, the Senate tradition of preventing action by non-stop talking. Gail Chaddock, who covers Congress for the Christian Science Monitor, says the change could have long-reaching implications as it would transform the nomination process for all future federal nominees. Reporter's Notebook: Hiker Who Amputated Own Arm Recounts His Tale of Survival Just over a week ago, Aron Ralston was rescued from an ordeal few could have even survived. While hiking alone in a Colorado canyon, an 800-pound rock rolled onto his arm and trapped him. After four days, he cut off his arm, rappelled down a 60-foot cliff and hiked 6 miles. At a news conference yesterday, he looked remarkably fit and was even playful. The Denver Post's Nancy Lofholm has more on Ralston's feat of courage and endurance.