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    Back to To the Point

    To the Point

    Sequester: What Will Massive Spending Cuts Mean?

    The $85 billion in across-the-board federal spending cuts are scheduled for Friday How great is the threat to a struggling economy? What's the role of political theater?

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    By Warren Olney • Feb 25, 2013 • 1h 0m Listen

    The $85 billion across-the-board federal spending cuts nobody supposedly wanted are now scheduled for Friday. Democrats and Republicans are braced to blame each other for whatever the consequences might be. How great is the threat to a struggling economy? What's the role of political theater? Also, Britain's top cardinal steps down and skips the conclave, a big audience but mixed reviews for last night's Oscars.

    Banner image: Sequestration will impact both air traffic control and defense budgets. Photo by MCAS Cherry Point

    In this episode

    3 stories
    1. 0:00

      UK's Top Cardinal Stepping Down, Skipping Conclave

      Britain's Senior Catholic official has stepped down removing himself from the Conclave of Cardinals scheduled to pick the next Pope. Did the Vatican push out Cardinal Keith Patrick O'Brien because priests accused him of "inappropriate" sexual behavior? Dennis Coday, Editor of the National Catholic Reporter , joins us from Rome.

      Read the story
      7 min
    2. 7:44

      Friday's Sequester: Economic Disaster or Political Theater?

      Ohio will lose $25 million for primary and secondary education; Georgia may not get the money to vaccinate against childhood disease; Pennsylvania will loose help for victims of domestic violence; Texas will see 52,000 defense workers furloughed, and Virginia will get less federal support for its transportation program.

      Read the story
      33 min
    3. 40:54

      Ratings Up, Reviews Mixed for Hollywood's Big Close-Up

      For the first time in Academy history, the first Lady of the United States gave out an Oscar last night. That wasn't the only departure from tradition. For those who liked it and those who did not, last night's Oscar ceremony gave Hollywood plenty to chew on.

      Read the story
      10 min
    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Warren Olney

      former KCRW broadcaster

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Anna Scott

      Former KCRW Housing and Homelessness Reporter

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Caitlin Shamberg

      KCRW

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Evan George

      Director of Content, News

      NewsNationalPolitics

    In this episode

    3 stories
    1. 0:007 min

      UK's Top Cardinal Stepping Down, Skipping Conclave

    2. 7:4433 min

      Friday's Sequester: Economic Disaster or Political Theater?

    3. 40:5410 min

      Ratings Up, Reviews Mixed for Hollywood's Big Close-Up

    Back to To the Point