All Things Considered for December 21, 2018 Hear the All Things Considered program for December 21, 2018

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VA Says It Will Stop Arbitrarily Dropping Caregivers From Program

Retired Sgt. Chris Kurtz wheels himself up to his front door as his wife and caretaker, Heather Kurtz, follows behind. The Department of Veterans Affairs told him last summer that he no longer needs a caregiver. Erica Brechtelsbauer for NPR hide caption

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Erica Brechtelsbauer for NPR

National

VA Says It Will Stop Arbitrarily Dropping Caregivers From Program

The temporary suspension comes three days after a report from NPR exposed concern from veterans that their caregivers were arbitrarily cut, despite no change in their status.

Politics

Without Border Wall Funding, Government Shutdown Expected

by Scott Detrow

Without Border Wall Funding, Government Shutdown Expected

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Politics

Week In Politics: Possible Government Shutdown, General Mattis' Exit and Syria

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♫

Tired of Fighting Menahan Street Band

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Caroline Babies

Law

Asylum Lawyer Discusses New U.S. Policy Changes

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Movie Reviews

In His New Film, Shakespearean Actor Kenneth Branagh Stars As The Bard Himself

by Bob Mondello

In His New Film, Shakespearean Actor Kenneth Branagh Stars As The Bard Himself

Listen · 4:17 4:17

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♫

An Evening I will Not Forget Dermot Kennedy

Listen · 0:29 0:29

♫

Dark Eyes Calexico, Iron and Wine et. al.

Politics

Oklahoma Senator Discusses The Looming Government Shutdown

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World

How Defense Secretary Mattis' Resignation Is Being Received Abroad

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♫

Malunguinho Abayomy Afrobeat Orquestra

National

Immigrant Family Celebrates Their First Holiday Without Fear Of Deportation

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O Tannenbaum Vince Guaraldi, Colin Bailey et. al.

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Album: A Charlie Brown Christmas
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Listen · 1:59 1:59

♫

Pond Hopper Matt Costa

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Erica Brechtelsbauer for NPR

National

VA Says It Will Stop Arbitrarily Dropping Caregivers From Program

by Quil Lawrence

VA Says It Will Stop Arbitrarily Dropping Caregivers From Program

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The Poet Of Minnesota, Vietnam And Mythical Men

Robert Bly, pictured here in 1980, is known as the chief proponent of the Men's Movement of the 1990s. But in the poetry world, he's known for emotionally charged work about nature, the Vietnam War and personal unburdening. Alan Gilbert Purcell/Fairfax Media via Getty Images hide caption

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Alan Gilbert Purcell/Fairfax Media via Getty Images

Book News & Features

The Poet Of Minnesota, Vietnam And Mythical Men

by Tom Vitale

The Poet Of Minnesota, Vietnam And Mythical Men

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Listen · 0:08 0:08

♫

To the Levee

Listen · 0:55 0:55

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Practice Makes Perfect Billie Holiday

National Security

Sen. Tim Kaine On Why Mattis' Resignation Is Cause For Concern

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Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Undergoes Surgery For Lung Cancer

This is Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's third bout with cancer. In 1999, she was treated for colorectal cancer; in 2009, it was pancreatic cancer. Alex Wong/Getty Images hide caption

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Alex Wong/Getty Images

Law

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Undergoes Surgery For Lung Cancer

by Nina Totenberg

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Undergoes Surgery For Lung Cancer

Listen · 4:14 4:14

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Politics

If Funding Compromise Is Not Reached 400,000 Federal Employees Will Work Without Pay

by Brian Naylor

If Funding Compromise Is Not Reached 400,000 Federal Employees Will Work Without Pay

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Listen · 0:16 0:16

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Everyone's a V.I.P. to Someone The Go! Team

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Song: Everyone's a V.I.P. to Someone
Album: Thunder, Lightning, Strike
Artist: The Go! Team

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Listen · 1:58 1:58

♫

Crunch Chicago Afrobeat Project

National

Year End Check-In With 'Capital Gazette' Photojournalist, Joshua McKerrow

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Citizen Of Glass (Instrumental) Agnes Obel

Listen · 0:29 0:29

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Dance Music The Mountain Goats

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Song: Dance Music
Album: Sunset Tree
Artist: The Mountain Goats

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Politics

The Latest On The Looming Government Shutdown

by Ayesha Rascoe

The Latest On The Looming Government Shutdown

Listen · 4:26 4:26

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National Security

Trump Orders The Withdrawal Of 7,000 U.S. Troops From Afghanistan

by Tom Bowman

Trump Orders The Withdrawal Of 7,000 U.S. Troops From Afghanistan

Listen · 3:34 3:34

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Listen · 0:16 0:16

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Best Secret Pete Rock

National

Reporter For German Magazine Falsified Articles, Including One About Trump Supporters

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From Here:Interlude

Listen · 1:59 1:59

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Everybody Daylight Brightblack Morning Light

Janelle Monáe On Her Dirty, World-Dominating Year

Janelle Monae attends the Hollywood premiere of Black Panther in January 2018. Emma McIntyre/Getty Images hide caption

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Emma McIntyre/Getty Images

Music Interviews

Janelle Monáe On Her Dirty, World-Dominating Year

by Ailsa Chang , Kat Lonsdorf , Christina Cala

Janelle Monáe On Her Dirty, World-Dominating Year

Listen · 8:00 8:00

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Screwed (feat. Zoë Kravitz) Janelle Monae

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Song: Screwed (feat. Zoë Kravitz)
Album: Dirty Computer
Artist: Janelle Monae

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Listen · 0:54 0:54

♫

Brasília É Luísa Ruspo

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Song: Brasília É Luísa
Album: Rolê: New Sounds Of Brazil
Artist: Ruspo

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Amazon

Politics

Stuck On Border Wall Funding, Government Creeps Closer To Shutdown

by Susan Davis

Stuck On Border Wall Funding, Government Creeps Closer To Shutdown

Listen · 3:19 3:19

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Politics

Democratic Senator On Whether Impending Government Shutdown Can Be Skirted

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Politics

With House Adjourned, Government Shutdown Is All But Guaranteed

by Scott Detrow

With House Adjourned, Government Shutdown Is All But Guaranteed

Listen · 3:09 3:09

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