September 2002

Last Radio Drama
On Sept. 30, 1962, the final episode of the series Suspense ran on radio -- ending the remaining show from the "Golden Age of radio." Commentator Art Chimes remembers old radio and what it meant to audiences, and we hear many examples of the programs themselves. (3:15)

No Host for the Peace Party
As Congress works toward a resolution on the use of force against Iraq, NPR Senior News Analyst Dan Schorr remembers previous conflicts, and notes the conspicuous absence of any substantive opposition to the idea of a military campaign. (2:30)
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'To War'
Commentator Peter Freundlich has been thinking about a song from the Marx Brothers movie, Duck Soup. In it, a chorus sings "To War! To War!" in a variety of styles and with comic intent. The juxtaposition of a rousing production number and the bloody battle to come gives the scene its humor. But in our current atmosphere we need time to think, says Freundlich. (2:45)

Happiness
Commentator Andrei Codrescu traces the progression of one's personal goals as one gets older. As a young man he sought happiness in thrills. Later he settled for contentment. Now he's seeking peace. (3:00)

Hurricane Cleo
Commentator Jane Armstrong remembers the day Hurricane Cleo hit her Florida home -- and for an instant, brought her family together. (2:45)

The Civil War and Religion
This week, PBS is airing a re-mastered version of The Civil War by filmmaker Ken Burns. When it was first presented in 1990, it became a cultural phenomenon. Sales of books about the civil war increased. Visits to battlefields skyrocketed. The documentary is well worth watching again - says commentator Joseph Loconte - but he feels that in its nine episodes, the film neglects an important aspect of the history: how religion fueled both sides of the conflict. (3:30)

Against All Odds
A vet told commentator Daniel Pinkwater that his dog was dying. The Pinkwaters' reaction was one of denial. It turns out they were right. The dog's cancer was beaten back. (4:00)

Cow Fighting
Bulls get a little rest in southwest France, where the locals pit their cows against one another. Commentator Nancy Coons attended a cow fight. (3:15)

German Election
This weekend, Germany's Gerhard Schroeder managed to pull off a very narrow victory over opposition leader Edmund Stoiber. Schroeder's political success has been attributed, in part, to his repeated harangues against the Bush administration's efforts to mount a military campaign against Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. NPR Senior News Analyst Daniel Schorr says that if other European politicians catch on to the idea that attacking the United States makes for good politics, then trans-Atlantic relations may become very rough in the near future. (3:00)

The Democrats' Dilemma
NPR Senior News Analyst Daniel Schorr says that, on the subject of military intervention in Iraq, the Democrats are in something close to a panic. (2:30)
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Your Soul
Commentator Hollis Gillespie says her mother didn't buy religion, but she did believe in repentance -- in a small way. (3:15)

Tables For All
Commentator Bill Harley finds that many poor people don't own tables at which family meals can be eaten. This astounds him. He thought dinner time table talk was universal. He also knows that regular meals with family, full of conversation, are important tools to pass down language. (3:00)

Secrets and Mysteries
Commentator Ken Adelman points out that secrets and mysteries are two different things. He says the distinction is critical in understanding the limitations of intelligence gathering. (3:30)
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Piercing
To her surprise, commentator Marion Winik has lost an important marital battle -- her husband has pierced his eyebrow. (2:45)

Conflicting Timetables
NPR Senior News Analyst Daniel Schorr says that Saddam Hussein's deftly timed offer to allow U.N. weapons inspectors unconditional access to Iraq turns out to be bad news for the White House. (2:30)
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Little Boy
Commentator David Watts' six-year-old son, Dustin, is starting to have an understanding of death. And he wants his father to stick around forever. (3:15)

Life Imitates Art
Commentator Alex Shakar wrote a satirical novel called The Savage Girl. For the story, he made up the most crazy, outrageous product he could dream up: diet water. But recently, he found a bottle of something called "Skinny Water" on the shelf of his supermarket -- his satire come to life. (3:30)

Covert Marketing
Commentator Lenore Skenazy says thanks to companies like Sony, when a stranger tells you how great something is, you have a new reason to be deeply suspicious. (2:30)

Smile
Commentator Daniel Ferri is a sixth grade teacher in Chicago. He says a smile can make a difference in the classroom. (3:15)

Wrinkles
Commentator Nancy Slonim Aronie is 61 years old. Everyone else is smooth, she thinks, and she's wrinkled. But she decided to stop looking at her wrinkles and just feel young. (2:45)

Iraq: Phase 1 of 2
NPR Senior Analyst Daniel Schorr says President Bush did not explicitly declare a plan for unilateral military action should the United Nations fail in holding Iraq to account. Schorr says the administration is preparing to wait patiently, allowing the United Nations to have a chance at controlling Iraq. Given past experience, it is doubtful that the United Nations would succeed, and then President Bush could argue that it is his turn. (2:30)

Sept. 11 Thoughts
Commentator Andrei Codrescu addresses "9/11" in a poem in the style of the late Allen Ginsberg, reciting the ways the commercial and media digestion of the date has corrupted the original feelings he harbored. (3:15)
Expanded Coverage

Post Sept. 11 Public Sentiment
NPR Senior News Analyst Daniel Schorr says he saw more of a change in public sentiment after World War II than after Sept. 11. He suggests the changes he has seen in the last year -- increased vulnerability, patriotism and respect for public servants -- may shift with the country's economic situation, rather than its fight against terrorism. (3:00)

Rural America Essay
Writer Lee Pitts reflects on how the events of Sept. 11 have affected rural America. He says things haven't changed so much after all. Pitts writes a syndicated column that appears in weekly agricultural publications around the country. He's also the author of In God's Country. (4:00)

Blackjack
Commentator Daniel Pinkwater recalls finding in his father's office drawer two weapons known as blackjacks. Blackjacks are lead weights used to knock people on the head. Why two? One for the black suit, one for the brown. His dad taught him fashion. (2:00)

Photography
The experience of being the subject of photographs taken by strangers bothers commentator Meredith Small. She examines why. (3:00)

Going it Alone
Commentator Ken Adelman says that the U.S. has been urged not to "go it alone" against Iraq. But, he asks, what is wrong with going it alone? Taking a solitary stand used to be admirable. He uses examples from history to illustrate. (2:00)
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Disney World
Commentator Elissa Ely once went with her family to Disney World, following a particularly dreary medical conference. She realized the experts at the theme park prepare to deal with her deftly as she and other medical professionals prepare to treat their patients. (3:00)

Going 'Wobbly'
In 1990, then-British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher warned George Bush, Sr., against equivocating on the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. She told the 41st president "this is no time to go wobbly." NPR Senior News Analyst Daniel Schorr says that the current President Bush might be doing some wobbling of his own. (2:30)
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Jamaica
Commentator Marion Winik recounts her family's summer vacation in Jamaica. (2:30)

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