Roundup

Junichiro Koizumi's Legacy [7min]

A discussion on Junichiro Koizumi's legacy with Bill Emmott, editor, The Economist."The good news for Japan is that Junichiro Koizumi has set a new tone for Japanese politics as well as setting an agenda for public-sector reform, and his successors are likely to follow more or less the same course. He's set an agenda which has some enduring strength to it."

Arab Democracy [10min]

A discussion on Arab democracy with Xan Smiley, Middle East and Africa editor, The Economist."Democracy isn't simply holding an election. It's a much slower, nurturing process. In some countries of the Middle East social and economic liberalism in the long run might prepare the way for a gradual emerging constitutional political order."

When Nixon Met Elvis [6min]

The National Archives houses untold historical treasures: presidential papers, census records, and cultural icons like Mathew Brady's Civil War photos. But one of the most popular items in the archives is a 1970 photo of Elvis Presley and President Nixon. The pair are shaking hands in the Oval Office, a conservative Nixon standing next to the king of rock 'n' roll, who is decked in velvet, a gold-plated belt and chains hanging down his chest. Archivist John Powers tells the story. It all started

Daniel Schorr: When Presidents Make Mistakes [2min]

A look at how American presidents from Franklin Roosevelt to Ronald Reagan to George W. Bush covered up -- and then revealed -- policy mistakes that they or their colleagues have made.

'Post' Columnist Raspberry Reflects on Career [10min]

William Raspberry started at the Washington Post 43 years ago as a teletype operator. After a promotion to reporter, he won awards for his coverage of the Watts riots. Later, he won a Pulitzer Prize for his columns, which have been running at the Post since 1966 and have been nationally syndicated since 1977. As he approaches retirement -- his last column appears Dec. 26 -- he reflects on the highlights of his career.

Former Sinn Féin Member Admits Spying for UK [10min]

Former Sinn Féin administrator Denis Donaldson says he was recruited as a British spy during the 1980s. Former Deputy First Minister and MLA Seamus Mallon gives his reaction to Mr Donaldson's admission. Political commentator Brian Feeney looks at the questions the Donaldson affair poses.

Prize-Winning 'Muckraker' Jack Anderson Dies [4min]

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jack Anderson dies at 83. The syndicated columnist was best known for investigating political corruption. Veteran columnist Jack Germond and Debbie Elliott discuss Anderson's impact.

The Tasting Heard Around the World [6min @14:00]

In 1976, Time magazine journalist George Taber attended a wine tasting in France. He expected it to be your average tasting. What he didn't anticipate was that it would change the world of wine forever -- because the judges couldn't distinguish which wines were from France and which were from California."Weekend America" host Bill Radke talks with Taber about this revolutionary day in wine history.

Leaves of Grass [8min @ 13:56]

In commemoration of the 150th anniversary of Leaves of Grass, producer Curtis Fox has spent the past few months producing a one-hour radio documentary about Walt Whitman for New York public radio station WNYC. Barbara Bogaev talks with Fox about the project and plays some excerpts.

Baby It's Cold Outside [6min @ 41:09]

In 1949, Margaret Whiting and the legendary Johnny Mercer recorded a song that would become a classic. Margaret Whiting shares the story behind the music.

James Dean Museum Closing in Indiana Town [3min]

The James Dean Gallery in Gas City, Ind., will close after 17 years. Gas City is near Dean's hometown of Fairmount. Museum owner David Loehr tells Scott Simon what's so special about Dean.

Royal Geographical Society Celebrates 175th Anniversary [30min]

Originally founded for the advancement of geographical science, The Royal Geographical Society over the years has supported many famous explorers and expeditions, including those of Darwin, Livingstone, Scott and Shackleton. Sandi Toksvig is joined by writer and explorer Redmond O'Hanlon; intrepid geographer Nick Middleton; and the Society's Director, Rita Gardner. Together with their audience, in the heart of the Royal Geographical Society, they discuss tourism as a force for good or a destruct

America under George Bush in 2006 [10min]

A discussion on America under George Bush with Robert Guest, Washington correspondent, The Economist: :The state of American politics at the moment is unbelievably polarised. The two parties aren't really talking to each other. It's not as polarised as it was during the Civil War and probably not as polarised as it was during the Vietnam era, but it's a lot worse than it was during the 1990s or the 1980s."

The World's Biggest Economies in 2006 [6min]

A discussion on the world's biggest economies with Daniel Franklin, editor, The World in 2006:"In 2026 China will be number one in the world in terms of purchasing power parity, at just over a fifth of the world economy; America will be number two and India number three, although a bit of a way behind."

Report: Bush Authorized Domestic Spying in 2002 [4min]

The White House faces renewed criticism after The New York Times reports President Bush signed an order in 2002 that allowed domestic spying. The order authorized the National Security Agency to conduct surveillance on Americans in the United States without court order.

Determining What's Legal in Domestic Spying [6min]

The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 created a legal process for authorizing wiretaps. But the intelligence community has resisted legal restrictions, especially related to the war on terrorism.

'Times' Held Story on U.S. Surveillance for a Year [2min]

For a year, The New York Times held Friday's report that in 2002 President Bush authorized the NSA to spy on Americans in the United States. The Times acted in response to a government request stating that publication of the information would damage national security.

Domestic Spying and a Delayed Report [5min]

The New York Times says President Bush signed a 2002 order authorizing the National Security Agency to monitor some communications originating in the United States without court-issued warrants. Washington Post reporter Dan Eggen and Alex Chadwick discuss the Times' decision to delay publishing the story for a year at the White House's request.

Report Released on 1898 North Carolina Race Riot [5min]

A North Carolina state commission releases a report detailing a 107-year-old race riot in the city of Wilmington and its aftermath. On Nov. 10, 1898, a mob of white supremacists overthrew the city's elected officeholders and launched an attack on the city's black community, killing several people. LeRae Umfleet, head researcher for the Wilmington Race Riot Commission, talks about the group's findings.

IRS Investigates Political Activity from Pulpit [8min]

The IRS has stepped up its investigations of churches accused of endorsing political candidates. The agency is examining about 60 churches over complaints about endorsements from the 2004 election alone. It's illegal for a tax-exempt organization like a church to endorse or criticize candidates, but the boundaries aren't always clear. The new focus has raised serious questions for all nonprofit organizations: Can they even discuss politics at all in an election cycle?