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

The Drug War, Federal Prisons, and bipartisanship.

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

A daily look at the issues Americans care about most.

Too many Americans are going to prison for far too long, with no benefit to public safety.

That today from Democratic Attorney General Eric Holder.

Many Republicans, even Rand Paul and Rick Perry of Texas, agree the war on drugs has gone too far,

with long mandatory sentences for minor crimes.

Prison costs are rising, with little to show for the money, and Holder's reform proposals

just might be accepted on Capitol Hill.

Those concerned about racial disparities among inmates are saying, it's about time.

Today's talking point.

Are the CIA and the U.S. Senate spying on each other? First, here's the news.

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Program Fund. Hello again. We're on. I'll be back with To the Point. Democrats and Republicans

now agree federal prisons are overcrowded, vastly expensive, and ineffective. 50% of inmates are serving mandatory

sentences for drug crimes. Today, Attorney General Eric Holder laid out a set of reforms that might

well be adopted. Today's talking point, the dispute between the CIA and U.S. Senator

Diane Feinstein about the constitutional separation of powers and the CIA's alleged abuse of prisoners during the so-called war on terror.

First, this news update. Despite continued warnings from President Obama, German Chancellor Merkel, and other Western leaders, Russia has announced extensive military activities on the border with eastern Ukraine.

Michael Weiss is editor-in-chief of the interpreter.

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