Commentary

February 22, 2012 Thomas Mallon's new novelization of the infamous political scandal re-imagines the events through the eyes of the perpetrators. Critic Heller McAlpin says Mallon manages to capture both the metastasizing dishonesty and the ludicrousness of this great American tragedy of political ambition run amok.

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February 22, 2012 An absorbing new documentary by Danish director Lise Birk Pedersen charts four years in the life of Masha Drokova, who became famous as the girl who publicly kissed Vladimir Putin. Critic John Powers says it "offers a fresh glimpse into how Putin's Russia actually works."

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On Fresh Air from WHYYPlaylist

February 22, 2012 Host Michel Martin reflects on what the moral questions of history tell us about our own ethical blind spots. Her commentary comes as the National Museum of African American History and Culture breaks ground Wednesday in Washington, D.C.

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On Tell Me MorePlaylist

February 22, 2012 The GOP has been torn between its conservative and moderate wings. Jay Cost of The Weekly Standard indicates that the source of the GOP's divided state is the lack of party organizations that once helped choose presidential candidates.

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February 22, 2012 Moderate Republicans are worried about the possibility of a massive wipeout in November. Geoffrey Kabaservice of The New Republic argues that the GOP's establishment has not developed a way to deal with tensions between ideological and partisan commitments.

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February 22, 2012 Iran has been continuing construction at its Fodrow Fuel Enrichment Plant. Maseh Zarif of The Weekly Standard writes how Iran's preparation to install advanced centrifuges at its Fordow is a dangerous indication of Iran's determination to acquire atomic weapons.

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