Search results for

Commentator Douglas Rushkoff is extremely computer savvy. But in trying to help his mother buy a computer, he realized the computer has a long way to go before it becomes a reliable household appliance.

Noah speaks with Jim Dale, the actor and voice behind the Harry Potter books on tape. For the latest in the series, Dale had to create 125 voices -- and unlike other books he records, he was unable to read this one through to the end. This meant he was making up voices and not always remembering when one voice sounded like another. His voices come from the famous, like John Houseman and the not so famous, like past girlfriends.

Noah talks with Douglas Couvertier, Battalion Chief for the Miami-Dade Fire Department about his campaign to LOSE the race for city council. His name will be on a ballot for the newly formed town of Southwest Ranches in Broward County this Tuesday. But Covertier found out that Miami-Dade law would require him to quit his job as a firefighter if he wins. So, now he's out asking the electorate to not vote for him.

NPR's Howard Berkes reports on the federal court indictments handed down in the biggest scandal ever in Olympic history -- involving Salt Lake City's efforts to bring the Winter Games home in 2002. It's alleged that two men gave scholarships, money and other gifts to International Olympic Committee members to sway their votes.

NPR's Jennifer Ludden in Jerusalem reports Israel has accepted a proposal at the Camp David peace talks to share sovereignty over East Jerusalem with the Palestinians. Palestinian officials say the reported proposal does not go far enough, but some are pleased that the issue of Jerusalem is finally a subject of real negotiations.

Robert talks to Sportswriter Stefan Fatsis about the British Open golf tournament. Tiger Woods is in the lead. Fatsis talks about the unique challenges of playing the links course at Saint Andrews, and its diabolically deep sand traps. Weather has been unusually calm, making things a bit easier on the players. Robert and Stefan also take note of the US Women's Open tournament being played this weekend.

Robert talks with Mark Melman, CEO of the Melman Group, a polling and consulting firm in Washington DC, about the potential candidates for the Vice Presidential slot on the Democratic ticket.

NPR's Byron Henderson reports on today's report by an Army inspector general clearing commanders of Fort Campbell, Kentucky, of wrongdoing in the death of a gay private last summer. Two fellow soldiers have been convicted killing the private because of anti-gay bias. But the inspector general's report says there was no general climate of homophobia at the base, and the commanders were not to blame for the murder. The Defense Department also released a policy today that requires commanders to take action against anyone who engages in or condones anti-gay behavior.

Special Counsel John Danforth says the government did not cause the deaths of 80 members of the Branch Davidians in their compound near Waco, Texas, in 1993. Danforth has released an interim report that says government agents did not start the fire, did not shoot at the Davidians, did not improperly use the military and did not engage in a major cover-up. He does say the government was slow to give some information, but when it finally did, that information did not indicate wrongdoing. NPR's Barbara Bradley reports.

NPR's Sarah Chayes reports from Paris a convention of teachers of French language teachers is asking for help from the French government in promoting the language globally. Some teachers propose to revising French spelling and grammar rules to make the language easier to learn.