Radio America Online News Bureau

The White House says President Obama let Russian leaders know he would be willing to consider scrapping construction of a missile shield in eastern Europe if Russia pressures Iran to give up its nuclear ambitions.  Russia has already rejected the idea, but what should we make of Obama’s overture?  What message is he sending on this issue?  What pressure could Russia place on Iran?  Can Iran be persuaded not to complete a nuclear weapon?  And how far away is a missile shield?  We ask Karna Small Bodman, former senior director of the National Security Council in the Reagan administration.

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President Obama is pushing a so-called ‘cap and trade system’ by which American industry will be forced to meet much stricter carbon emissions standards or face major financial penalties. But is the real goal of this agenda? Why is this just a new name for an idea already rejected? And what is the sordid history of this phase of the green movement? We ask Dr. Tim Ball, former professor at climatology at the University of Winnepeg. And join us on Wednesday when Dr. Ball explains why climate change alarmists have made carbon dioxide the villain in this whole movement and why their argument that harsh winters are actually validation of severe climate change is utterly baseless.

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We have Monday’s top news…How far did the Dow plummet?  How about the Nasdaq and S&P?  What is the Obama administration saying about the latest infusion of taxpayer money to rescue insurance giant AIG?  Who is Obama’s new pick for Secretary of Health and Human Services?  We answer all of those questions and pay tribute to the late great Paul Harvey as we bring you the biggest stories for Monday, March 2, 2009.

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Why are the markets continuing to sink like a stone?  Is it the economy or a lack of confidence in Washington policies?  Are investors leery of the amount of spending or are they convinced it won’t do any good?  How much are the markets spooked by the ongoing floundering of AIG?  Is there a light at the end of the tunnel?  Are better consumer spending numbers a good sign?  We ask Terry Jones, associate editor at Investor’s Business Daily.

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On Saturday, the broadcasting world lost one of its greatest legends when Paul Harvey died at the age of 90.  What was it about Harvey that endeared him to listeners for more than 75 years and nearly 60 years on the national stage?  How was he able to stay extremely popular even as the nation changed around him in significant ways?  And what will be his legacy behind the microphone?  We ask Paul Farhi of The Washington Post.

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How is Ford able to avoid coming to Washington and pleading for taxpayer dollars to stay afloat?  Is the bigger challenge right now to regain market share or boost sales in a sluggish economy?  Why are Americans looking to buy cars over trucks in big numbers?  What is Ford’s strategy to take advantage of this shift to cars?  We ask David Finnegan, marketing manager for the Ford Fusion.

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On Monday, President Obama nominated Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius to be Secretary of Health and Human Services.  Why are pro-life groups furious about this nomination?  What is the Sebelius track record on abortion?  What questionable decisions did she make as governor?  What policies could she influence if confirmed?  And what does the nomination suggest about the Obama abortion agenda?  We ask Wendy Wright, president of Concerned Women for America.

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We have Friday’s top news… When does President Obama say combat operations will end in Iraq?  When will all of the troops be home?  What will be his priorities in the meantime?  What charges have been filed against a suspected terrorist?  How long will a former CIA official spend in prison on a corruption conviction?  How much did the economy decline in the 4th quarter of 2008?  How much trouble is Citibank facing these days?  What happened on Wall Street today?  We have all the answers as we bring you the biggest stories for Friday, February 27, 2009.

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On Friday, President Obama announced combat operations in Iraq would close at the end of August 2010.  Are conditions right for this move?  Do we risk the enemy waiting for our exit and then creating more chaos?  What needs to be accomplished before the bulk of our troops come home?  Why has training of Iraqis been so much better in recent years?  What work will the remaining 35,000-50,000 forces be doing?  And will George W. Bush be graded harshly or favorably by history?  We ask retired U.S. Navy Captain Chuck Nash.

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The Capitol Steps close out the week by taking aim at America’s ever-expanding waistline in their parody “I Wrecked My Heart with Spam and Crisco”.  Our guest is Steps star Elaina Newport.

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