To the Point

What Happened to the Atkins' Diet?

Dr. Robert Atkins was a cardiologist who determined that low-fat foods with high carbohydrates led to obesity. By experimenting on himself and his patients, he found they could lose weight by cutting carbohydrates and getting protein from meat and other foods full of fat. Atkins' Diet Revolution sold 20 million copies in more than 20 languages, spawning an industry based on low-carb foods, but the craze has suddenly declined, so much that Atkins Nutritionals has declared bankruptcy. Why has confidence faded so fast in a regime that seemed to encourage indulgence rather than abstinence? Was the low-carb doctrine over-sold or misrepresented? What fad will be next in America, where there's big money in the promise of weight reduction that's quick and easy? We speak with nutritionists, journalists and the food industry. Making News: Al Qaeda Releases New Threats Two weeks after the last terror attempt, with London's transit system subject to unprecedented security, there's another video from al Qaeda. Oama bin Laden's number-two man, Ayman Al-Zawahiri, mentions the London bombings and September 11, threatening more unless the West withdraws from the Middle East. Magnus Ranstorp is Director of the Center for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. Reporter's Notebook: US Supreme Court Nominee John Roberts Aided Gay Rights Case Today's Los Angeles Times reports that Supreme Court nominee John Roberts' pro-bono assistance helped gay activists win what they call -the single most important positive ruling in the history of the gay rights movement.- Will that help him with liberal opponents? What about Christian conservatives who've been his supporters? We hear from Elliot Mincberg of People for the American Way and Phyllis Schlafly of the Eagle Forum.