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Humble Gestures Are New Pope's Symbol Of Service
March 30, 2013 Pope Francis surprised many this week by washing the feet of young inmates in prison instead of priests in a grand basilica. The ceremony emulates the way Jesus washed the feet of his 12 disciples. On this Easter weekend, we consider the meaning behind Pope Francis' break with tradition.
Resurrected Frog Gives Us Cause To Brood
March 23, 2013 This week scientists announced they have reproduced the genome of an extinct amphibian, the gastric brooding frog. But animals are more than just their genomes, so NPR's Scott Simon wonders if it's necessary — or kind — to bring them back.
The Power Of A Father's Love Overturns His Beliefs
March 16, 2013 Knowing his son was gay prompted Republican Sen. Rob Portman to reconsider his position on same-sex marriage. NPR's Scott Simon reflects on how children can cause their parents to see issues in a new light.
Snowquester Fizzles, But We're Humbled Anyway
March 9, 2013 After Snowquester fizzled, Scott Simon muses that snow forecasts falling so flat is a sound reminder, during a time of national debate, that experts can be wrong.
Pianist Van Cliburn, Warmed Russian Hearts During Cold War
March 2, 2013 The Texan won the first International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow in 1958 — and wooed Russians in the process. Van Cliburn died Wednesday at 78.
Is Honest Abe's Stovepipe Hat A Fake?
February 16, 2013 State officials in Illinois want to conduct DNA tests on the top hat on display at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum to see if he ever really wore it. Museum officials think the idea is worse than bad.
Vive La Scandale! French Lawmakers Caught In The Act (Of Playing Scrabble)
February 9, 2013 This week, the French National Assembly has been debating a bill on same-sex marriage and gay adoption. But a small scandal erupted after several lawmakers, who support gay marriage, were spotted playing Scrabble on their iPads during the parliamentary debate.
History Sometimes Rewards Those Who Are Sidelined
February 2, 2013 San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith will be on the sidelines of the Super Bowl this weekend, after suffering a concussion midway through the season. Now he's counseling teammate Colin Kaepernick, the quarterback who replaced him. "The good ones stay ready," he says.
'Ebony' Editor Began Life Black In Nazi Germany
January 26, 2013 Long before becoming managing editor of Ebony magazine, Hans Massaquoi yearned to be a Hitler Youth. His rare story came to an end when Massaquoi died this week at the age of 87.
A Thought That's Worth More Than A Penny (Or A Nickel)
January 19, 2013 With candy bars or a pack of gum costing a dollar or more these days, perhaps it's time to get rid of pennies and nickels altogether. The problem, NPR's Scott Simon says, is picking which historic profiles should get the boot.
Cheating Might Buy Home Runs, But No Hall Of Fame
January 12, 2013 NPR's Scott Simon muses on momentous news this week — the Baseball Writers Association elected no one to the Hall of Fame. The shutout might be a classic reminder that cheating sometimes brings quick riches, but it can't buy respect.
A N.Y. Cop's Good Intentions, Complicated Results
December 8, 2012 After an act of kindness by a New York City cop, Jeffrey Hillman went from being an anonymous, overlooked street person to a public figure whose life was dissected as if he were running for office.
Sexiest Man Alive Gets 'The Onion' Taken Seriously
December 1, 2012 The satirical news source announced that its Sexiest Man Alive for 2012 is Kim Jong Un, North Korea's supreme leader. In some parts of the world, there may be little room to argue.
Jesse Jackson Jr.: Great Hopes And Disappointments
November 24, 2012 Jesse Jackson Jr. has a famous name and fabulous contacts, and had what looked like boundless prospects when he was first on the national stage in 1988. But this week, he resigned from Congress after his self-hospitalization this summer and an ongoing ethics investigation.
If The Pretzel Chicken Isn't Awesome, Why Review It?
November 17, 2012 In a week in which the news has been filled with a fiscal cliff, rockets, sex and security, a restaurant review also raised a ruckus. New York Times critic Pete Wells took on Food Network star Guy Fieri's new restaurant, but his motives for doing so remain elusive.
