To the Point
The US and Britain, Guns or Butter?
The US and Britain are first in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and last among developed nations in taking care of their children. Is there a connection? We talk about imperialism, the welfare state, history and contemporary realities. Plus, House Democrat Howard Berman on his plan to bring the troops home from Iraq and, on Reporter's Notebook, genetic research shows that the ancestors of presidential candidates owned slaves. The candidates are John McCain, John Edwards--and Barack Obama.
By Warren Olney • • 1h 0m ListenThe US and Britain are first in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and last among developed nations in taking care of their children. Is there a connection? We talk about imperialism, the welfare state, history and contemporary realities. Plus, House Democrat Howard Berman on his plan to bring the troops home from Iraq and, on Reporter's Notebook, genetic research shows that the ancestors of presidential candidates owned slaves. The candidates are John McCain, John Edwards--and Barack Obama.
In this episode
3 storiesThe US and Britain: Guns or Butter?
The US and Britain are the countries most deeply committed to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. A report from the United Nations United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund says they’re also last among developed nations in the quality of life for children. The Netherlands is Number One.
Read the story1 minNew Bill to Redeploy Troops if Bush Fails to Meet Own Goals
Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other House leaders have a new strategy to unite their party around a new law that could bring US troops home by the end of this year. It's the brainchild of Los Angeles Democrat Howard Berman, an original war supporter, who says it would hold President Bush accountable for his recent increase of troops .
Read the story1 minPresidential Candidates' Tangled Roots on Slavery
Today's Baltimore Sun reports that ancestors of John McCain and John Edwards owned slaves—as did the family of Barack Obama . That's according to genealogical research and census records. Obama's father was from Kenya, his mother from Kansas. Two ancestors on his mother's side owned two slaves apiece more than 150 years ago.
Read the story1 min
