Iraq War veteran Ryan Conklin has served two tours of duty in Iraq and gives us a glimpse of life for our men and women in uniform. Conklin explains how his decision to join the military was quick and easy, even though he was still in high school. He explains how humor was a major part of dealing with the stress of serving in Iraq and how he thinks Iraq will fare once U.S. troops are gone.
President Obama signs updated nuclear treaty with Russia, Democratic reformers topple repressive government in Kyrgzstan, GOP rips Democratic suggestion of a Value Added Tax.
For the second time in five years, the people of Kyrgyzstan have toppled the government in pursuit of much greater freedoms. What will this development mean for the key military base we have there as part of the mission in Afghanistan? Will Russia be meddling with the new government? We ask Ilan Berman of the American Foreign Policy Council, and we also find out why he thinks it’s a mistake for the president to make more nuclear concessions by signing a new treaty with Russia today.
Earlier this week, presidential economic adviser Paul Volcker said a value-added tax may be necessary if the U.S. hopes to reduce deficits and reform entitlements. We get reaction from New Jersey Rep. Scott Garrett. What is a value-added tax? Is it a good idea? Would it simplify the tax code or just pile on to our tax bill? We also get Garrett’s thoughts on the debate to reform regulation for the banks and Wall Street.
John Gizzi of Human Events discusses the biggest political events of the week. Is Obama being responsible or reckless in his nuclear policy? How will frayed relations with Hamid Karzai impact our efforts in Afghanistan? Why will Michael Steele survive the sex and spending scandal at the RNC? Why shouldn’t conservatives worry about President Obama likely picking another new Supreme Court justice this summer? And which party will be smiling after Britain’s parliamentary elections next month?
Three more controversies erupt over the new health laws – including provision spending your tax dollars on erectile dysfunction drugs for convicted sex offenders. We’ll discuss that, how states will face greater burdens than ever and how many people are thoroughly confused about when the expanded coverage kicks in and how much it will cost them. The Obama administration bans the term “Islamic radicalism” when describing the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and mulls over what to do in response to recent, alarming comments from Afghan President Hamid Karzai.
Two weeks after President Obama signed the health care reform bill into law, more components of the plan are coming to light. What additional demands is the federal government putting on states to provide coverage to more people, and how much will it cost? Why are many people calling up doctors and insurers to demand free health care? And how will health care supporters defend the provision giving taxpayer-funded erectile dysfunction medication to convicted sex offenders – especially when the Senate had the chance to remove the language? We ask all these questions to Grace-Marie Turner, president of the Galen Institute.
The U.S. military is defeating our enemies in Afghanistan and will keep defeating them. But what will happen when we hand over a secure Afghanistan to the Karzai government? What’s the best way to prepare for a successful future in Afghanistan? Should Obama disinvite Karzai to Washington over recent comments about joining the Taliban? And why is the Obama administration once again banning certain terminology in the war against radical Islamists.
Iranian Revolutionary Guard member Reza Kahlili was appalled by what he saw from the radical Muslim leadership in his nation nearly 30 years ago. So he kept his job but began spying for the CIA. Over the years, Kahlili (not his real name) funneled critical intelligence to the West – only to see it largely ignored. So what can he tell us about the extremists running Iran? What brutality have they committed? What is their relationship to terrorist groups and even the Lockerbie bombing? And what does he envision if Iran fully develops nuclear weapons? Listen here for his insider analysis of this major threat.
President Obama takes more steps on his mission to rid the world of nukes but critics say he weakens us and our allies while emboldening terrorists. Obama also mourns the loss of at least 25 West Virginia coal miners. House Republicans rip Democratic approach to financial reform as another example of government intrusion. And British Prime Minister Gordon Brown calls for parliamentary elections on May 6.
