Search results for

Part two of our special report. (IN S

Jyl Hoyt recently visited Peru, and prepared this piece about efforts there to legalize the coca leaf. Coca, which produces the base substance of cocaine, is banned by the United Nations. Farmers in Peru argue that the leaf itself is no more addictive than a couple of cups of coffee. They say they ought to be able to use the leaf in products like tea or toothpaste, and if coca were legalized, they would no longer have to sell the leaf illegally to drug dealers.

Commentator Andre Codrescu says it would be a lot if we could just plant v-chips in people's brains...rather than TVs. That way we could all have a sunny outlook on life--all the sex and violence could be scrapped off by the government and destroyed.

Linda talks with Joe Mahood (MAY-hood), chair of the science department at Aragon High School in San Mateo, California, about the ideas being discussed at the education summit in New York.

NPR's Joanne Silberner reports on how the health of the generation born after World War II compares to that of their parents. The so-called fitness craze -- which hasn't lasted and is not that pervasive -- has little to do with the fact that they probably will live longer than their parents. And the fitness craze hasn't kept them from aging.

reads letters from our listeners.

Daniel speaks with Andy Sirwar, Senior Writer at Fortune Magazine and Dan Hammermesh, Economics Professor at the University of Texas about what 30 million dollars can buy these days. That is the amount that former Republican presidential candidate Steve Forbes spent on his campaign before dropping out this week.

Noah talks to Belgrave Hotel receptionist Rosiland (ROSE-ah-lend) Buttner in the Waelsh seaside resort town of Temby about the effcts of the February 15 oil spill on the beaches there. She says it took four to five days after the spill for changing winds to push the slick to Temby. But now clean-up crews have done a splendid job of tidying things up. The spill is being called the biggest in British history.

Noah talks with Harley Sheffield, a cyclist who was carrying the Olympic torch near Takoma, Washington on Tuesday. Sheffield got a flat tire when he was crossing a bridge and lost hold of the torch.

Tom Manoff listens to The effect of Dolby Surround sound on classical music cd's. In particular 2 cd's, both recorded by engineer John Eargle. Eargle's successful use of Dolby Surround in his recordings come from his style of recording. Tom Manoff says t h e these recordings, know as VR2 (Virtual Reality Recordings) not only sound good on current surround sound systems, and on new expensive surround sound systems, they also sound great on a good old 2 speaker system. (8:00) *** THE MUSIC COMES FROM THE MILLAR BRASS ENSEMBLE'S *** CD: BRASS SURROUND *** DELOS RECORDS 1-800-364-0645 & THE DALLAS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA CONDUCTED BY ANDREW LITTON *** CD: THE 1812 *** OVERTURE DELOS RECORDS. (IN S

Commentator Sam Fulwood III says after spending most of his life believing in intergration, he's frustrated by the persistance of racism and finds himself retreating into his own community of middle class blacks...and fears that the opportunity for whites to embrace blacks may have been missed. Fullwood is a reporter for the Los Angeles Times and author of "Waking from the Dream: My Life in the Black Middle Class" published by Anchor books.

Robert talks with Rose Friedman, a 14-year old from New York City, who tells us what teenagers there are saying these days. Lots of new terms are in everyday use there; parents and friends not in the know might completely misunderstand a sentence like: "The concert is going to be butters, mad dope."

Noah and Robert pay tribute to former assistant All Things Considered Producer Akili Ramon Tyson.

Robert talks with NPR's Elizabeth Arnold about a speech Senate Majority Leader Robert Dole made yesterday criticizing President Clinton's policies toward Asia. Dole, who is the presumptive GOP nominee for president, said Clinton has been indecisive and weak, leaving U.S. allies confused. But in some areas, such as extending Most Favored Nation trade status for China, the two candidates agree.

Noah talks with Sharyn McCrumb, the author of a novel about the death of Randall Stargill, and his four sons who come home to witness his passing. As in many of McCrumb's novels, the story is set in East Tennessee and concerns family, history, and the future of the land. McCrumb says she draws on many ideas from Celtic (KELL-tik) history, and that she plays music for inspiration while she writes. Furthermore, she doesn't always know the actual plotline of her mysteries when she begins. ("The Rosewood Casket" is published by Dutton.)

Robert Siegel, live from Jerusalem, reports on the day of voting in Israel. Results are not expected for at least a day...but exit poll information will be available. And we'll go to both Labor and Likud party headquarters.

NPR's David Molpus reports on a new study that contradicts some of the prevailing notions about typical 2-earner families. The study shows that while working couples are busy and harried, they are also happier and healthier than many families with a stay-at-home parent.

Linda Wertheimer talks with former senator Howard Baker, who was Senate Majority Leader at one point in his career. When he ran for President, he did not resign from the Senate...a move he now views as a mistake.

President Clinton today announced a new policy on landmines that limits their use but falls short of a complete ban. Human rights activists had pushed for a ban on the weapons, but the Pentagon said that landmines are essential in some situations. NPR's Kathleen Schalch reports.

Linda speaks with Father John Beal, associate professor of canon law at Catholic University in Washington, DC. He explains the law of excommunication as it applies to the blanket decree that went into effect yesterday in Lincoln, Nebraska. Twelve organizations have been singled out by Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Lincoln, as being "perilous to the Catholic faith."