To the Point

The Potentially High Cost of Low Gas Prices

Despite the war on terrorism and Middle East conflict, Americans are paying less at the gasoline pump than they have in years. Much of the credit goes to Russia, which may get into a price war with OPEC, the oil cartel led by Saudi Arabia. Yet despite the current recession, low prices may be the last thing America needs. Can the US afford to get comfortable with its SUV economy or should its goals be efficiency, conservation and energy independence? We look at the future of oil supplies and demand with petroleum industry experts, advisors and environmentalists. Newsmaker: A Continuing Need for the Stimulus Package? - The economic stimulus bill passed the House but died in the Senate. Despite the bipartisan good intentions after September 11, not everyone is mourning the failure. Robert Bixby, executive director of the Concord Coalition, faults greed and politics for the defeat of a bill that may become redundant by the time the Congress revisits the issue after the holiday recess. Reporter's Notebook: Reparations for Civilian Losses in US Bombing of Afghanistan - The US has mourned "collateral damage" to civilians in Afghanistan, but should it pay compensation to the wounded and surviving relatives of the dead? David Corn, Washington editor of The Nation, makes a moral case for just such a gesture. Rich Lowry, editor of National Review, believes that if anyone is owed redress, it's American casualties of al Queda and Osama bin Laden.