Week In The News: Afghan Deals, Senate Goes Nuclear, Midwest Storms

Midwest destruction, Afghan troop talks, a big fine for J.P. Morgan and gay marriage and the Cheney sisters. Our weekly news roundtable goes behind the headlines.

Nuclear option, taken this week by Democrats  in the US Senate.  Republicans say, just you wait.  In Afghanistan, maybe a deal on US troops there for years more.  Maybe not.  The loya jirga meets.  In the Cheney family, a messy public spat over gay marriage as would-be Senator Liz suggests her lesbian sister Mary's marriage is wrong. A big fine for JP Morgan. A massive line of tornadoes and destruction in the Midwest.  And a nation pauses to remember of the 50^th anniversary of the assassination of John F. Kennedy. This hour On Point:  Our weekly news roundtable goes behind the headlines.
-- Tom Ashbrook

Trudy Rubin, Worldview columnist for The Philadelphia Inquirer. (@TrudyRubin)

Bill McKenzie, editorial columnist for The Dallas Morning News. (@Bill_McKenzie)

Jack Beatty, On Point news analyst.

The Philadelphia Inquirer: Bluster from Congress on Iran, but to what end? -- "I can understand Netanyahu’s thinking: He distrusts Tehran and wants President Obama to back an Israeli military strike on its nuclear sites. But I can’t grasp the 'thinking' in Congress. Are the sanctions hawks really ready to push America into another unnecessary Mideast war? The hawks argue that if strong economic curbs pushed the Iranians into talks, then harsher punishment will make them give up their nuclear program. But when it comes to Iran, that kind of strategy has failed badly in the past."

The Dallas Morning News:  A second president’s profile in courage — "Johnson’s reaction went beyond an ability to handle emergencies; I think another factor was in play. He was absolutely comfortable using his authority to achieve his goals. That trait separates political leaders from those who follow in their wake. Johnson’s indomitable will certainly helped him prepare to lead from the moment he arrived at Andrews. The late George Plimpton described some leaders as having an X factor that defines them and puts them in a special category. For some, that could be charisma, which Kennedy had in large doses. But Johnson’s ability to tower over others was his X factor. He used it often as Senate majority leader in the 1950s to move legislation. And, of course, he put it to use in carrying out JFK’s domestic legacy."

Politico: Liz Cheney tries to repair hostile relations with Wyoming press — "The question is whether she can undo the initial damage in a state with such a strong newspaper tradition. The primary contest is nine months away, but political pros say Cheney faces a steep uphill climb against the incumbent, Sen. Mike Enzi. Cheney was widely seen as a carpetbagger from the moment she entered the race — she moved her family to the state last year — and the attacks on the state’s newspapers, which have a loyal readership, have left a sour taste."