To the Point
The August Recess Is Finally Over
Congress is back after the August recess, faced with the same problems it failed to address in July. We hear about healthcare, global warming, finance reform — partisan Republicans and divided Democrats. Also, President Obama speaks to America's school children, and an official finding of widespread "fraud" in Afghanistan's presidential election.
By Warren Olney • • 50m ListenCongress is back after the August recess, faced with the same problems it failed to address in July. We hear about healthcare, global warming, finance reform — partisan Republicans and divided Democrats. Also, President Obama delivered his speech to America's school children today, and President Hamid Karzai has enough votes, but Afghanistan's Electoral Complaints Commission has ordered a partial recount of last month's election.
Banner image: Former campaign staff members of US President Barack rally outside the White House with a message for the President that health reform without the public option is not 'Change We Can Believe In,' today in Washington, DC. Photo: Tim Sloan/AFP/Getty Images
In this episode
3 storiesObama's Back-to-School Speech Stresses Responsibility
President Obama's plan for an inspirational back-to-school message was initially attacked by some conservatives as a recipe for socialist indoctrination. Today's speech , at Wakefield High School in Arlington, Virginia, stressed responsibility, both to oneself and to one's country.
Read the story8 minThe August Recess Is Finally Over
After a month of angry town halls all over the country, Congress returns to Washington with its lowest public opinion ratings in 24 years. Tomorrow night, President Obama will address a joint session on healthcare reform , promising that he's "all fired up and ready to go."
Read the story35 minWatchdog Orders Recount of Ballots in Afghan Election
Preliminary results show that President Hamid Karzai received enough votes for re-election, but the Afghanistan Independent Elections Commission has ordered a partial recount due to "clear and convincing evidence of fraud." Fake polling sites, neatly rounded numbers and voting stations where turnout was 100% are examples of such dubious evidence.
Read the story9 min
