September 22, 1998 All Things Considered (entire program) Requires the RealAudio Player

An index of the day's stories:

One Senator's Thoughts -- Senator John Kerry, D-Mass., talks with All Things Considered host Robert Siegel about his comments on Sunday's broadcast of "Meet the Press." Kerry said that the president should come before the House Judiciary Committee soon to give a full accounting of his actions in the Lewinsky matter, and to answer the media's questions in one session so that the country can move forward toward a swift resolution of the affair. (4:30)

Schorr Commentary -- NPR senior news analyst Daniel Schorr says that while Washington watches Clinton, many international conflicts are going unwatched. (3:00)

'The Shape of the River' -- NPR's Anthony Brooks reports on a new book on affirmative action, titled "The Shape of the River," by two former Ivy League presidents - Derek Bok of Harvard, and William Bowen of Princeton. Based on 20 years of data and personal histories from blacks and whites who attended some of the nation's best colleges and universities, the book concludes affirmative action helped build the black middle class - and promote diversity and tolerance among whites. (7:45)

Russian Missiles Sites -- NPR's Dan Charles reports on a $30 million deal between the Department of Energy and Russia to convert former Russian nuclear sites into commercial operations. It's aimed at making sure Russian nuclear experts and equipment don't contribute to proliferation of nuclear weaponry. (2:30)

Rats in the Nation's Capital -- By some estimates, there are two rats for every person in the nation's capital. The rodents populate dustbins, bushes and alleys from the cobbled streets of chic Georgetown to the trendy Adams-Morgan neighborhood. NPR's Steve Inskeep reports from the rat-patrol in the District of Columbia. (9:45)

'Bag of Bones' -- All Things Considered host Linda Wertheimer talks with novelist Stephen King, the author of "Bag of Bones." The prolific author's latest novel tells the story of a grieving novelist, a haunted summer home, and a custody fight over a three-year-old girl. (Note: "Bag of Bones" by Stephen King is published by Scribner's.) (8:00)

U.S.-Japan Talks -- NPR's Mike Shuster reports that President Clinton and Japanese Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi held their first meeting today in New York as both leaders tried to cope with crises at home. President Clinton met Obuchi one day after Mr. Clinton's grand jury testimony regarding the Monica Lewinsky scandal was broadcast to the country. Obuchi, who took office amid Japan's worst recession in 50 years, faces a breakdown in a political compromise over how to address billions of dollars in bad bank debts. President Clinton told the Japanese prime minister that he understands the political constraints in trying to deal with economic problems. (3:30)

International Space Station -- NPR's Joe Palca reports that NASA is going to ask for millions of dollars to keep the Russians in the International Space Station collaboration. But some members of Congress say they are tired of raising the ante to keep the Russians in. And Russia's commercial rocket-maker, Energiya, suggests that the U.S. should simply drop its dealings with the Russian government and just contract directly with them. (5:00)

Hurricane Georges -- Robert talks with Carlos Vivoni, the secretary of economic development in Puerto Rico. Hurricane Georges hit the island of Puerto Rico last night and left tremendous damage in its wake. Five people are reported dead, tens of thousands of residents are relocated in shelters, the entire island is without power, and 80 percent of the region is without access to fresh water. Vivoni talks about the relief effort and what the island is going through now, as Georges heads toward the Dominican Republic. (3:30)

Liberia Standoff -- NPR's Ted Clark reports on a diplomatic standoff between the United States and Liberia. The U.S. says that over the weekend Liberian security forces opened fire on an opposition leader and his entourage as they sought refuge in the American embassy in the capital, Monrovia. Four opposition members were killed, and two embassy officials were wounded. The U.S. is now sheltering the opposition leader, Roosevelt Johnson, and the Liberian government is demanding his return. (3:30)

Lesotho Intervention -- NPR's Charlayne Hunter-Gault reports that the South African army intervened in the small kingdom of Lesotho today to prop up a government besieged by weeks of opposition protests over alleged election fraud. About six hundred South African troops entered Lesotho, which is completely surrounded by South Africa, and encountered stiff resistance as they moved to secure the royal palace and military bases. South Africa said Lesotho had asked for outside help, because it feared a military coup. (3:30)

What's Perjury? -- In President Clinton's videotaped grand jury testimony, prosecutors spent hours asking the president whether he committed perjury in a statement to Paula Jones's lawyers. The independent counsel says he believes Mr Clinton could be impeached on grounds that he committed perjury. NPR's Nina Totenberg looks at what perjury is, and how it might apply to the president's case. (5:30)

California Anti-Tobacco -- NPR's Mandalit delBarco reports that California's anti-smoking advertising campaign was once a model for the nation, but critics say the rhetorical teeth have been taken out of the ads so as not to offend business. In turn, the rate at which Californians quit smoking has slowed. (7:00)

Recycling Building Materials -- Eric Jansen of Minnesota Public Radio reports on the home deconstruction business, where some small businesses and non-profit agencies are taking old homes apart and re-cycling some of the building materials instead of just tearing them down and throwing the rubble away. In some cases, the old materials are superior to new building materials in sturdiness and workmanship. (4:00)

Typewriter Lover -- Alex Van Oss introduces us to his family of five old typewriters. One was once owned by a Supreme Court Justice, another by the Christian Science Monitor, and a third - a hefty thing from Switzerland, once crashed through one of his desks. (4:00)