To the Point
To Drill or Not to Drill
John McCain and other Republicans say it's time to start drilling for oil off the shores of America. Barack Obama leads those Democrats who say, not so fast. Also, a war-crimes trial gets underway in Guantánamo Bay, and Barack Obama visits Iraq.
By Warren Olney • • 1h 0m ListenJohn McCain and other Republicans say it's time to start drilling for oil off the shores of America. Barack Obama leads those Democrats who say, not so fast. How soon would gasoline prices be affected? Would just the intent to drill send the right message to the rest of the world? What about dealing with climate change? Also, a war-crimes trial gets underway in Guantánamo Bay, and the Obama foreign tour in Iraq amid controversy over a timetable for troop withdrawal.
Banner image: The Catalina Channel, near Long Beach, California. Photo: David McNew/Getty Images
In this episode
3 storiesFirst Trial Begins before Military Commission at Guantanamo
America's first war crimes trial since World War II got underway today in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. The defendant, Salim Ahymed Hamdan, will provide a test case for military tribunals criticized by opponents as legal shams designed to secure convictions. Jerry Markon is covering the proceedings for the Washington Post .
Read the story6 minTo Drill or Not to Drill
The price of oil crossed the $100-a-barrel threshold at the first of this year. Last week, it hit a record $147, then dropped below $130. But it's creeping up again today. Nobody expects to see $100 a barrel ever again. That means high gasoline prices are here to stay.
Read the story33 minObama Meets Maliki in Iraq, Discusses Troop Withdrawal
The New York Times reports that an audiotape shows Maliki said this to Der Spiegel , the German magazine: "Obama's remarks that, if he takes office, in 16 months he would withdraw the forces, we think that this period could increase or decrease a little, but that it could be suitable to end the presence of forces in Iraq."
Read the story9 min
