May 29, 1998 All Things Considered (entire program) Requires the RealAudio Player

An index of the day's stories:

Goldwater's Legacy -- All Things Considered host Linda Wertheimer speaks with Patrick Buchanan, a commentator for CNN's "Crossfire" and "Capitol Gang" and a former presidential candidate, about Goldwater's life and legacy to the Republican Party and conservatism in America. It was Goldwater that inspired Buchanan to join the Republican Party, and he says Goldwater was an inspiration to a generation of conservatives. (5:30)

Kosovo -- NPR's Tom Gjelten reports from Washington that President Clinton today received the leaders of the ethnic Albanian community in the Serbian province of Kosovo. The United States considers Kosovo part of the Serbian province of Kosovo, but is anxious to support the Kosovo president and prime minister in their non-violent quest for greater autonomy for the province. (3:30)

Russia Economy -- The BBC's Paul Anderson reports that the Russian government is trying to restore confidence in its economy. They announced today they will be doing many things to make this happen, including chasing major tax evaders who have defrauded the country of several billion dollars. (1:30)

Russia Commentary -- Commentator Ralph Peters says the Russian economy is in shambles, that there is a small class of extremely wealthy people and that the material quality of life for the average Russian is worse than it was in the Brezhnev years. He says the best thing we can do for Russia is stay out of the picture. (3:00)

Clinton, Congress and Foreign Policy -- President Clinton has had little success getting the Republican-led Congress to support his foreign policy, with the exception of the expansion of NATO. Among the points of dispute, NPR's Mara Liasson has a look at the White House's foreign policy difficulties. (5:30)

Tobacco Feud -- NPR's John Burnett reports that the Republican Governor of Texas, George Bush, and the state's Democratic Attorney General, Dan Morales, are feuding over the Texas tobacco settlement. Morales has filed lawsuits against Bush and 7 legislators accusing them of interfering with the 15.3 billion dollar deal. Bush calls the legal fees for the private lawyers who helped the state with its case excessive and wants them lowered. Morales says he can't do that. Yesterday, Morales' opponents filed a court document accusing him of asking for kick-backs from anti-tobacco attorneys. (3:00)

Friday Sports Talk -- In our weekly sports chat, Linda talks with commentator Stephan Fatsis about the French Open and the dismal showing there by Americans. Andre Agassi, Jim Courier and Pete Sampras all were knocked out in early rounds. (4:00)

Bob Hope Turns 95 -- Today is Bob Hope's 95th birthday. Commentator John McDonough says that Bob Hope has been a truly unique force in American comedy, and challenged the boundaries of comic film making with his self-conscious asides to the camera, interactive dialogue, and shifting of perspective between the film maker's reality and the audience's perception. He says that Hope may, in fact, have been comic cinema's first post-modern voice. (7:30)

Nuclear Proliferation -- All Things Considered host Noah Adams talks with Andrew Koch, a senior research analyst at the Center for Defense Information in Washington, DC. They discuss the impact that the nuclear tests carried out by India and Pakistan have had on other countries which have considered developing their own nuclear weapons programs. (4:00)

Kashmir -- The disputed territory of Kashmir has been the flashpoint for conflict between Pakistan and India for many years. The BBC's Mike Wooldridge reports on the situation today in Kashmir and reaction there to the escalation of conflict between India and Pakistan. (3:00)

U.S. China Relations -- NPR's Ted Clark reports that the resumption of nuclear testing by India and Pakistan underscores the importance of the U.S.-China relationship. President Clinton is scheduled to visit China next month. (5:00)

Montana Freemen -- NPR's Mark Roberts reports on the start of the Montana Freemen trial. Members of the separatist group are on trial for charges including fraud, armed robbery and threatening to kill a federal judge. (3:00)

'Larry Sanders' Signs Off -- This television season ended with the final episodes of many long running series -- "Ellen," "Seinfeld," and "Murphy Brown." On Sunday, the HBO cable service rings down the curtain on "The Larry Sanders Show," starring comedian Garry Shandling, after its six-year run. Critic Ken Tucker says it was the best situation comedy on television. (4:30)

California Primary -- NPR's Elizabeth Arnold reports that a primary focus emerging in this year's mid-term elections is quality in education. Almost every candidate in next Tuesday's California primary -- from governor to senator to local campaigns -- has proposals on how to improve the state's educational system. (6:30)

Other Mid-Term Issues -- Next Tuesday, primary elections will be held in California, Alabama, Mississippi, New Mexico, Montana, South dakota, Iowa and New Jersey. Noah and Linda talk about some of the most important Congressional, Senate, and gubernatorial races, as well as some key ballot initiatives up for a vote. (2:00)

Michigan Unions -- NPR's Don Gonyea reports from Detroit on how unions in Michigan are coping with a law requiring each union member's permission before dues are used to directly fund political campaigns. Since going into effect in 1994, the law has caused a 75 percent decrease in contributions to union political action committees. Voters in California will decide next Tuesday whether unions in that state will face similar restrictions. (4:00)

'Corpus Christi' Controversy -- The Manhattan Theatre Club has reversed its decision to cancel a production of the Terrence McNally play, "Corpus Christi." The play reportedly deals with a Christ-like figure who is gay. The Theatre Club said it cancelled the production because of safety concerns -- anonymous callers had threatened violence against the theatre and its staff. After the theatre announced the cancellation, Athol Fugard withdrew his latest work in protest and some of this country's leading playwrights condemned the theatre for censorship. NPR's Melissa Block reports. (3:45)

'The Last Days of Disco' -- Movie critic Bob Mondello reviews the new film from writer and director Whit Stillman, "The Last Days of Disco." Mondello says that Stillman does a good job of documenting the lifestyles of the rich and vacuous -- but finds it all a little wearing. (4:00)