To the Point
Political Theater and the War in Iraq
Senate Democrats have failed again to get a vote on forcing the President to bring the troops home from Iraq. We hear about the all-night debate and about the issue itself. Also, US forces capture of the senior Iraqi leader of al Qaeda in Iraq, and an NFL all-staris accused in a case of unusual brutality.
By Warren Olney • • 1h 0m ListenSenate Democrats have failed again to get a vote on forcing the President to bring the troops home from Iraq. We hear about the all-night debate and about the issue itself. What would withdrawal really look like? Is the President's current strategy just postponing the inevitable? Also, US forces announce the capture of the senior Iraqi leader of al Qaeda in Iraq and, on Reporter's Notebook, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick is accused in a case of unusual brutality. How widespread is illegal dog fighting?
US Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) (center), Senators Jack Reed (D-RI), Carl Levin (D-MI) and Patty Murray (D-WA) during a news briefing after failed cloture vote. Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images.
In this episode
3 storiesUS Forces Announce Capture of Link between Two al Qaedas
US authorities announced today the arrest of Khalid al-Mashadani, who they claim is the senior Iraqi leader of al Qaeda in Iraq. The arrest occurred two weeks ago but was not announced until today. Brigadier General Kevin Bergner called al-Mashadani the "media emir for all of Iraq." Michael Gordon is in Baghdad for the New York Times .
Read the story6 minSenate Debates Military Draw-down in Iraq
Democratic Senate leaders staged an all-night debate on their plan to give President Bush just 120 days to start bringing troops home from Iraq. Republicans called it a "circus," a "mockery" and "Kabuki theater." Before noon today, the Democrats lost a procedural vote to cut off debate.
Read the story35 minVick Indictment Draws Attention to Pit Bull Fighting
Michael Vick has been indicted for sponsoring illegal dogfights across state lines. Even the Humane Society says the practices involved were unusually brutal. The indictment against the quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons says losing dogs in his operation often died in the pit or were electrocuted, drowned, hanged or shot.
Read the story8 min
