To the Point

The Critical State of Our Oceans

It covers two-thirds of our planet, is the primary food source for much of the world's population and drives planetary weather conditions, but there is growing concern over the health of our oceans. The problems of oceanic pollution and marine life degradation revealed by French oceanographer Jacques Cousteau 30 years ago seem quaint by comparison. Does the US Congress possess the political will to protect American fisheries? What are the ramifications of global warming and the melting of the polar ice caps? Are we slowly poisoning marine life and, in turn, ourselves, with a surge in chemical runoff? On the eve of Earth Day, guest host Conan Nolan explores the critical state of our oceans with environmentalists, marine ecologists, management strategists.Making News: Will Bush Bring Aid to California Levee Repairs?President Bush visits California to talk with hi-tech executives in Silicon Valley today and an Earth Day visit tomorrow to a hydrogen fuel-cell facility in Sacramento. There, he'll meet with Arnold Schwarzenegger, who's up for re-election but has shown no interest in seeking any administration help. In fact, the Governor has broken with the White House, particularly on disaster preparedness--and California's levee system. Political consultant Bill Bradley writes for the LA Weekly and publishes New West Notes. Reporter's Notebook: New Orleans Experiments with DemocracyNew Orleans has only a fraction of the population it had in the last mayoral race, but no shortage of candidates seeking to replace incumbent Ray Nagin in tomorrow's election. Gordon Russell, staff writer for the New Orleans Times-Picayune, which recently won two Pulitzer Prizes for its coverage of Hurricane Katrina, has more on the election and ongoing recovery efforts.