To the Point
Is It Time to Cease Fire in the War on Drugs?
Three former South American presidents are among those who’ve asked the United States for a "paradigm shift" in the so-called "War on Drugs." New York and California are already moving in that direction. Is it wasting billions of dollars while addiction and violence increase? Would legalization perpetuate a dangerous cycle and make matters worse? Also, the government tries to keep AIG afloat, and lost Chinese relics and Yves St. Laurent. Who's the real owner.
By Warren Olney • • 1h 0m ListenThree former South American presidents are among those who’ve asked the United States for a "paradigm shift" in the so-called "War on Drugs." New York and California are already moving in that direction. Is it wasting billions of dollars while addiction and violence increase? Would legalization perpetuate a dangerous cycle and make matters worse? Also, the government tries to keep AIG afloat, and the bidder who promised $40 million for two historic Chinese relics says it's his patriotic duty not to pay.
Banner image: US Border Patrol agents load more than 400 pounds of marijuana seized from drug smugglers after it was brought across the Rio Grande River from Mexico into the United States August 7, 2008 near Laredo, Texas. Photo: John Moore/Getty Images
In this episode
3 storiesGovernment Tries to Keep AIG Afloat
The insurance giant American International Group posted the biggest quarterly loss in American history during the last three months of last year, $62 billion. That happened even with $150 billion in taxpayer assistance. Today, the Treasury Department said AIG will get $30 billion more , and it's likely there will be more to come.
Read the story6 minIs It Time to Cease Fire in the War on Drugs?
As a US Senator, Barack Obama said, "The war on drugs is an utter failure." Many narcotics agents, prosecutors and judges agree. New York may repeal tough anti-drug laws. The federal government may stop raids in states that have legalized medical marijuana.
Read the story36 minChinese Bidder Refuses to Pay for Looted Art
In Paris last week, Christie's held the most expensive auction ever for a private collection . Two of the prized items were 18th century bronze heads of a rat and a rabbit from China that went for $40 million. Christie's won't confirm the identity of the bidder, but a Chinese collector told a news conference in Beijing he's the man.
Read the story7 min
