To the Point

Mormon Olympics or Games as Usual?

As Olympic athletes receive their medals next month in Salt Lake City, TV viewers will see the spires of the Mormon Temple rising in the background. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints built Salt Lake City, and it dominates the State of Utah with 70% of the population and 90% of elected officials. But despite its reputation for missionary zeal, the Church will be playing it low key our of concern that too much attention could create a backlash. We hear more about the church and its possible influence on the Winter Olympic Games from current and former members of the church, a professor of religious study, and a Salt Lake City business consultant. Newsmaker: Cheney Refuses to Disclose Information Tonight's State of the Union Address will be delivered to Congress just as the Bush Administration is drawing the lines for a major dispute between the executive and legislative branches of government. Dana Milbank, political reporter for The Washington Post, says the dispute focuses on Vice President Cheney's energy task force and the issue of executive privilege. Reporter's Notebook: Hamid Karzai Wants Expatriates to Return Afghanistan's interim leader Hamid Karzai has called on expatriates in the US to come home, especially those with academic and professionals expertise. Zohra Yusuf Daoud was the first Miss Afghanistan in 1972. The former producer for Afghanistan National Radio, who is now raising three children in Los Angeles, is trying to decide if she should take her American family home to help rebuild Afghanistan.