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Robert talks with Charlie Pierce, a writer for GQ and a commentator-at-large for WBUR in Boston, about the return of Magic Johnson to professional basketball. Johnson, who was diagnosed with HIV, retired from basketball two years ago.

Commentator Alan Sipporin says the write-in vote that Oregonians are conducting now in a special election to replace Senator Packwood is good for democracy. He says more people participate in the write-in vote and it's cheaper, too.

A sound montage of a few prominent voices in this past week's ews, including President Clinton, Transportation Secretary Federico Pena and epublican presidential candidates Pat Buchanan, Phil Gramm, Lamar Alexander, ob Dole and Robert Dornan.

Robert discusses the significance and ramifications of the bombing with Irish Times writer Connor O'Clery and Newsweek International editor Michael Elliot.

Robert talks with NPR's Elizabeth Arnold about the upcoming Iowa caucuses. Pat Buchanan's surprise win in Louisiana earlier this week against Texas Sen. Phil Gramm has shaken up the Republican field and several candidates think they have a shot at coming in, at least second, in Iowa. However, there are still many undecideds in the state, and it is unclear what impact the well organized religious right will have on the outcome.

Commentator Mickey Edwards looks at the negative ads that have characterized the Republican presidential campaign thus far... and says the real winner is Bill Clinton. Edwards says the Democrats will recycle the charges and counter-charges from the primary campaign and use them against the Republican nominee in the Fall.

Robert talks with James Lilly, dir. of Asia Programs for thge American Enterprise Institute and former ambassador (1989-1991) to the People's Republic of China and Yasheng Huang who teaches political science at University of Michigan about tensions between the United States and the People's Republic of China. The Chinese are planning massive military manuevers demonstrating their unhappiness over political activities in Taiwan. Also, the Chinese have exported important nuclear technology to Pakistan which the the U-S believes helps proliferate nuclear weapons.

Geri Pizzi of member station KCUR reports on a dispute in the Kansas State house over the state chaplain's use of the word Jesus in the legislature's opening prayer.

NPR's Eric Weiner reports on violent protests yesterday in Israel by Ethiopian Jews following their discovery that Israeli blood banks, after drawing blood from the immigrants, throw the blood away, fearing it may be contaminated with HIV. Israel officials explain this was done quietly so as not to hurt the Ethiopians' feelings. But Ethiopian Jews say the disqualification of their blood is just one more example of thr discrimination they suffer at the hands of Israel's white, European-born majority.

SCOTT SIMON AND DANIEL SCHORR, WEEKEND EDITION'S SENIOR NEWS ANALYST, TALK ABOUT THE TOP NEWS STORIES OF THE WEEK.