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

Small cases, big silence at the U.S. Supreme Court.

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

The daily look at the issues Americans care about most.

The U.S. Supreme Court began its latest session with a thunderous silence, not even explaining

why it refused to consider same-sex marriage. The court may be off to a quiet start,

but it's famously divided, and legal thinkers aren't ruling out the prospect of big noise before

the term is all over. The justices will decide cases

about religious beards and headscarves, violent speech on the internet and discrimination in

voting. At least one potential blockbuster waits in the wings, a case that could essentially

scuttle Obamacare. Today's talking point, presidential politics and personal scandal. First, here's the news.

Listen to KCRW's 24-hour all-news channel. Stream BBC World Service, NPRW programs,

continuous coverage and accessible via our smartphone app or online at kCRW.

Support for To The Point comes from the members of KCRW and from the Public Radio International Program Fund.

Hello again, Warren, I'll be back with The Poet. After yesterday's opening session,

U.S. Supreme Court observers were talking about the cases it won't take up more than those that's accepted.

But today, the Justice has heard arguments in a case involving religious freedom.

We'll hear what's on the rest of the agenda and ask, whatever happened to same-sex marriage.

Today's talking point,

Gary Hart's presidential campaign was abruptly scuttled by reports of an extramarital affair,

was 1987 the beginning of a new age in political journalism. First, this story, Turkish President

Erdogan warned today that ISIS is about to take over Kobani. That's a town on Turkey's

...