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To the Point

Another 'Czar' at the Obama White House

To the Point

KCRW

News

4.4583 Ratings

🗓️ 29 May 2009

⏱️ 51 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

The Obama White House has created an energy "czar," an urban affairs "czar," an economic "czar" and a health "czar."  There's been talk of a car "czar." Today, the President said he's appointing a "czar" to deal with cyber-security. We look at the problem and ask if a new "czar" is the best way to find a solution. Also, GM's possible deal with Canadian auto parts maker Magna, and politics and potatoes in Ahmadinejad's Iran.

Transcript

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0:00.0

From PRI, Public Radio International and KCRW Santa Monica, this is To the Point.

0:07.8

Another czar at the Obama White House.

0:13.8

Hello again, I'm Warren Olney, and this is To the Point from Public Radio International.

0:17.9

A daily look at the issues Americans care about most.

0:20.6

Cybercrime is a real

0:21.7

threat to the economy. Railroads, air traffic control, and electric utilities already are the

0:26.8

targets of weapons of mass disruption. That was the president's message today as he created a new

0:32.3

job to make up for a dismal lack of national preparation. The cyber security coordinator will be on both the economic and national security councils

0:40.6

with access to the president.

0:42.5

But critics insist that won't work.

0:44.8

We'll hear how serious the problem is and ask if creating the new czar will be more than a symbolic gesture.

0:50.6

On reporter's notebook later on in Iran, politics and potatoes. First, here's the news.

0:59.6

Support for To the Point comes from subscribers of KCRW Santa Monica and from the Public Radio

1:05.4

International Program Fund, whose contributors include the Ford Foundation, the John D. and Catherine

1:10.6

T. McArthur Foundation, and the Skoll Foundation, supporting social entrepreneurs around the world, uncommon heroes dedicated to the common good. Learn more at scole.org.

1:21.4

Hello again, Mormon Alney, back with To the Point. The Obama White House has created an energy czar, an urban affairs czar, an economics czar, and a health czar.

1:29.8

There's been talk of a car czar. Today, the president says he's appointing a new czar to deal with cybersecurity.

1:35.9

We'll look at that problem and ask if a new czar is the best way to find a solution.

1:40.0

On reporter's notebook, opponents of Iranian President Ahmadinejad are shouting death to potatoes.

1:45.5

We'll find out why.

1:47.0

First, this news update, as General Motors heads toward bankruptcy, a Canadian company, Magna International, and the government of Germany,

1:54.1

are trying to resolve differences over GM's European subsidiary Opel.

...

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