Call for Inaugural Diaries

Gemma Watters, Production Assistant

If you or someone you know has managed to snag one of those 250,000 golden tickets to President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration, Weekend Edition wants to hear from you. Join the multimedia fun and tell us everything -- how did you get tickets? Who's going with you? Who isn't? How are you getting to Washington, D.C? We take video logs, blog posts, tweets and plain old emails.

Tell us how we can reach you. Send a message to Weekend Edition Sunday through our contact page. Please put "Inaugural Diary" as the subject heading.

6:42 AM ET | 12-28-2008 | permalink

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Gainsbourg, not Aznavour

Ned Wharton, Senior Producer

NPR Special Correspondent Susan Stamberg's audio postcard from the summer solstice in Paris included a mesmerizing singalong of the song "La Javanaise." The piece was identified as a Charles Aznavour song, but Francophile listeners correctly identified it instead as a tune by Serge Gainsbourg. We had fun doing some more research on YouTube, and found this terrific old video of Monsieur Gainsbourg performing the song.

3:44 PM ET | 12-27-2008 | permalink

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Impact of War

Walter Ray Watson, senior producer

Impact of War, Weekend Edition Sunday's four-part series on the difficulties veterans face after coming home from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, is drawing to a close. The final chapter tells the story of Keith and Leisa Doney, who both serve in the Army's 10th Mountain Division based at Fort Drum in upstate New York. As David Sommerstein of North Country Public Radio reports, the division will soon be deployed to Afghanistan, and the Doneys will have to leave their three children in the care of a neighbor who has moved into their home.

Liane Hansen also has a conversation with Chad Sowash, an Army infantry drill sergeant with the reserves at Fort Benning, Georgia. When he's not on active duty, he's vice president of business development for the non-profit company Direct Employers.

Sergeant Sowash writes a blog on about recruitment issues called The Chad, on JobCentral.com, a resource website for recruiters, jobseekers and employment services.

As Sergeant Sowash tells Liane, finding work in this economic climate is tough for military veterans and civilians alike.

If you have just returned or are about to come home from military service in Iraq or Afghanistan, we'd like to hear about your efforts to find a civilian job. Add your comments to our blog. Thanks.

5:23 PM ET | 12-26-2008 | permalink

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On Vacation with the Obamas

Jacob Soboroff, Field Vlogger

Greetings from Oahu, Hawaii where President-elect Barack Obama is spending his final Christmas vacation before moving into the White House. I'm here for my family vacation, and while here I've been asking locals how they feel that their native son is heading to the White House, chatted with New York Times correspondent Jeff Zeleny, and walked down Kailua beach to find the paparazzo that snapped the now-famous shirtless picture of the President-elect.

4:19 PM ET | 12-26-2008 | permalink

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Watch Ethan Bortnick's Trailer!

posted by Davar

8:46 AM ET | 12-20-2008 | permalink

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The Legacy of President Bush

Justine Kenin, Associate Producer

NPR's Scott Simon and Juan Williams discuss the legacy of President George Bush on Open Mic.

produced by Sarah Beyer Kelly, Justine Kenin & Burke Hunn

10:19 PM ET | 12-19-2008 | permalink

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Impact of War

Peter Breslow, Senior Producer

Since the wars began in Iraq and Aghanistan an estimated two-million American children have had at least one parent deployed. Routines have to be adjusted and often one parent has to fill the shoes of two. But what happens when both parents deploy....more than once? Next weekend our Impact of War series concludes with a report on one family with a very creative solution.

Have your kids been affected by a parent's deployment? Let us know.

10:17 PM ET | 12-19-2008 | permalink

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Happy Holidays from Weekend Edition!

Davar Iran Ardalan, Senior Producer

We were thrilled when NPR's Legal Affairs Correspondent Nina Totenberg agreed to join Scott Simon and most of our staff for some holiday cheer. On behalf of our entire staff, I would like to wish all of you Happy Holidays! Note that Liane Hansen is away this week and Alison Stewart is filing in. Take it away Scott and Nina!

produced by Sarah Beyer Kelly and Burke Hunn

10:27 AM ET | 12-19-2008 | permalink

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Simon on Tom Cruise

Scott Simon, Weekend Edition Host

We have an interview on our show this week with Tom Cruise, who stars in the film, "Valkyrie," about the attempt of several Nazi generals to assassinate Adolph Hitler. As soon as I saw that phrase on-screen, I realized that I'd make an error which might be worth noting, rather than correcting: actually, the interview was with both Tom Cruise and Bryan Singer, the director. But for most of the world-Mr. Singer must realize this, too-it's a Tom Cruise interview.)

Continue reading "Simon on Tom Cruise" »

10:21 AM ET | 12-19-2008 | permalink

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Songs In The Key Of Hanukkah

Justine Kenin, Associate Producer

Scott Simon had an amazing conversation with Erran Baron Cohen - brother of Sacha Baron Cohen - about his new album: Songs in the Key of Hannukah. For a preview - check out this video:

9:41 AM ET | 12-19-2008 | permalink

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Impact of War

Peter Breslow, Senior Producer

Our Impact of War series has looked at a young former Army soldier coping with post-traumatic stress disorder, and on Sunday we will introduce you to an Air Force K-9 handler severely injured in Iraq who ended up adopting her dog and marrying the medic who saved her life. Next week, we will focus on the war's burn victims and the medical personnel who treat them. These are catastrophic injuries which take a devastating toll, not only on the victims but also on those who care for them.

If you or a loved one served in Iraq or Afghanistan, or if you've cared for the wounded, we hope you'll share your stories with us. How have injuries sustained in those wars affected your life?

4:13 PM ET | 12-13-2008 | permalink

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Music Gift Guide

Ned Wharton, Music Director, Weekend Edition Sunday

What kind of great music are YOU looking for to give as gifts this holiday season? Post your queries in the comment section below.

I was trying to think of a way to horn in on all the fun with the Eco-nomical Holidays series here on Weekend Edition, and it occurred to me: why not give the gift of music in digital form? Cheap and eco-friendly, no discs, no plastic-packaging muss! So this year, I'm offering a few tips on where to buy digital downloads, and I'll also have my annual music gift guide (now in its 10th year!) with suggestions from many genres. Of course it's tough squeezing in all the great music from 2008 in a 7-minute slot on-air, so this year you can join a special online chat on Sunday at 1:30pm Eastern Time, when I'll tell you about a few other music gift ideas. What kind of great music are YOU looking for this holiday season? Post your queries here and I'll see what I can find that suits your tastes. Check back to this page at 1:30 for the live chat, I'll talk to ya then.

12:24 PM ET | 12-13-2008 | permalink

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America's First CTO?

Micah Sifry, Editor of the Personal Democracy Forum

There has been, rightfully, a great deal of attention paid so far to President-elect Barack Obama's choices for top-level Cabinet posts and his emerging approach to the economic crisis. But we shouldn't forget the potential embedded in a new position he has promised to create: the country's first chief technology officer (CTO).

Continue reading "America's First CTO?" »

6:06 PM ET | 12-12-2008 | permalink

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Simon and Siegel on Open Mic

Justine Kenin, Associate Producer

NPR's Robert Siegel talks with Scott Simon about how the Yankees new deal with pitcher CC Sabathia may win Siegel back to his otherwise disappointing Yankees.

produced by Sarah Beyer Kelly

Make sure to also check-out our YouTube channel

5:38 PM ET | 12-12-2008 | permalink

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Chicago Politics on Open Mic

Davar Iran Ardalan,

NPR News Analyst Juan Williams is back on Open Mic with Scott Simon to talk about Chicago politics!

produced by Sarah Beyer Kelly

Make sure to also check-out our YouTube channel

5:20 PM ET | 12-12-2008 | permalink

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Impact of War

Davar Iran Ardalan, Danyell Irby, Vicky O'Hara, NPR News

The United States has been at war for more than seven years, most of those who have paid the price for the U.S. conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan are members of the all-volunteer military and their families. Weekend Edition Sunday begins a four-part series, exploring how the wars have affected individuals and their loved ones.

Continue reading "Impact of War" »

8:47 PM ET | 12- 6-2008 | permalink

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Poggioli: Letter from Europe

Sylvia Poggioli, European Correspondent

While the struggle for equal treatment in the US has a long and storied history, the push for civil rights in Europe is barely out of its infancy. Between questions of national identity and the global economic crisis, immigration is likely to rise again to the top of many nations' political agendas. A recent survey explored the differences and the similarities surrounding the immigration debate in America and in Europe.

Continue reading "Poggioli: Letter from Europe" »

8:18 PM ET | 12- 6-2008 | permalink

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Share Your Stories

Davar Iran Ardalan, Senior Producer and Liane Hansen, Host, Weekend Edition

If you are a long-time listener of Weeked Edition, then you've probably noticed that we are producing more interactive multi-media features. We like to think of Weekend Edition on the radio as a line - it goes from point to point -- actually, many points: each one, a listener. The addition of blogs,vlogs,, and tweets, has made us more of a cube.

slideshow produced by Davar

Being able to write informally about our stories, and to post the parts that don't make it to our radio broadcast provides an added dimension to the experience of listening. Adding video is another way for us to connect with our listeners. Instead of just hearing our voices, they get to see us and learn who we are and how we do what we do. This is not one way communication.

We want to hear from you. Post your questions, comments or story ideas below.

2:05 PM ET | 12- 6-2008 | permalink

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Sir Tom Jones!

Gemma Watters, Weekend Edition

Thank you for submitting your questions to Sir Tom Jones. We hope you enjoyed the interview. Please share your memories of Tom Jones with us and make sure to check out more of his music here. Finally, here is a video of Tom Jones performing live on the BBC's Later with Jools Holland. Jones performs the track 'Give A Little Love', taken from his new album 24 Hours!

9:01 AM ET | 12- 6-2008 | permalink

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Open Mic: Why Richardson?

Justine Kenin, Associate Producer

This week, we're thrilled to have NPR's Juan Williams back for Scott Simon's Open Mic vlog! Juan and Scott discuss the nomination of New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson as Secretary of Commerce. We want to know what you think -- who would you like to see on the mic with Scott?

video produced by Sarah Beyer Kelly

7:10 AM ET | 12- 6-2008 | permalink

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Obama's Economic Recovery

Davar Iran Ardalan, Senior Producer

This morning, President-elect Barack Obama talked about his economic recovery plan:

Continue reading "Obama's Economic Recovery" »

7:02 AM ET | 12- 6-2008 | permalink

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