To the Point
The Border Fence with Mexico: What's the Rush?
Congress wants to fence off the Mexican border by the end of this year. So, the Bush Administration has waived the Clean Air and Endangered Species Acts along with some 30 other environmental laws. Will completing the fence mean better border enforcement? Will it be worth the environmental costs? Also, Muqtada al-Sadr offers to disband his Madhi Army, and the Olympic Torch—extinguished in Paris. What's expected in San Francisco?
By Warren Olney • • 1h 0m ListenCongress wants to fence off the Mexican border by the end of this year. So, the Bush Administration has waived the Clean Air and Endangered Species Acts along with some 30 other environmental laws. Will completing the fence mean better border enforcement? Will it be worth the environmental costs? Also, Muqtada al-Sadr offers to disband his Madhi Army, and after being extinguished four times today in Paris, we hear what's expected for Olympic torch in San Francisco on Wednesday.
Banner image: The urban landscape of Tijuana, Mexico ends abruptly at the US-Mexico border on April 3, 2008 in the Otay Mountain Wilderness Area southeast of Chula Vista, California. Photo: David McNew/Getty Images
In this episode
3 storiesSadr Consults with Clerics about Disbanding Mahdi Army
As General David Petraeus prepares this week's testimony to Congress, the Green Zone is under deadly rocket attack. But the Iraqi cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has offered to disband his Mahdi Army if the highest Shi'ite religious authority demands it. Liz Sly is Baghdad bureau chief for the Chicago Tribune .
Read the story6 minThe Border Fence with Mexico: What's the Rush?
Late last week, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff waived more than 30 environmental laws to complete the fence on the Mexican border before the end of this year. About 300 miles have been completed, with 370 left to go.
Read the story33 minThe Olympic Torch: Down and Out in Paris and London
What was started by Hitler's Nazi regime at the 1936 Olympics has morphed into an international symbol of unity and good will. This year's Olympic torch will be carried 85,000 miles by hundreds of people who have competed for the honor.
Read the story9 min
