To the Point
How Safe Are America's Natural-Gas Pipelines?
There are 2.5 million miles of natural gas pipelines in the United States, enough to circle the Earth one hundred times. Last week's deadly explosion near San Francisco raises a troubling question: are Americans living with unacceptable risk? Also, the US steps up drone attacks in Pakistan, and the Pope visits Great Britain.
By Warren Olney • • 50m ListenThere are 2.5 million miles of natural gas pipelines in the United States, enough to circle the Earth one hundred times. Last week's deadly explosion near San Francisco raises a troubling question: are Americans living with unacceptable risk? Also, the US steps up drone attacks in Pakistan, and the first state visit by a Pope to Great Britain since the early 1500's. Will he meet with priestly sex-abuse victims? Will he publicly apologize for the worldwide scandal?
Banner image: The remains of a gas line lie on the ground after an explosion September 10, 2010 in San Bruno, California. Photo by Eric Risberg-Pool/Getty Images
In this episode
3 storiesUS Steps Up Drone Attacks in Pakistan
The latest US missile strike in Northwest Pakistan killed twelve people today, bringing to 60 the number killed in thirteen unmanned-drone attacks in just the past two weeks. Brian Fishman was director of research at West Point's Combating Terrorism Center. He's now counterinsurgency research fellow at the New America Foundation.
Read the story7 minHow Safe Are America's Natural-Gas Pipelines?
After last week's devastating explosion in the San Francisco suburb of San Bruno killed at least four people, two mayors in New Jersey opposed natural-gas projects in their cities. But the 30-inch pipe in San Bruno was laid underground more than 50 years ago, before the 37 homes destroyed last week were even constructed.
Read the story36 minThe Pope Prepares to Visit Britain
In 1982, John Paul II made the first papal visit to Great Britain since Henry the VIII broke with the Vatican. This week, Pope Benedict XVI will conduct the first official state visit, beginning in Edinburgh. His published itinerary contains a gap that so far has been unexplained.
Read the story6 min
