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Robert Siegel talks to MIT professor Marvin Minksy about Dr. Claude Shannon, a mathematician who wrote about communications theory. Shannon died Saturday. Shannon's theories led to "packet" switching, which makes the Internet possible. Minsky says Shannon ranks on a level with Einstein. The two worked together years ago. Shannon did his work at AT&T Labs in the 1940s and '50s.

NPR's Don Gonyea reports on what's at stake for President Bush tonight as he prepares to make his case for his tax-cut proposals to a joint session of Congress -- as well as the American people. Meanwhile, on Capitol Hill, lawmakers are already battling over the president's plan.

Linda Wertheimer talks with Congressman Christoper Cox (R-47th) from California about why he supports a bigger tax cut than President Bush's proposal.

In the second part of our Changing Face of America series on homeschooling, NPR's Robert Smith tackles the issue of socialization. There's a persistent worry among parents who are considering homeschooling that their children will suffer for lack of the social interaction that happens in schools. There's not much evidence to support that fear. Most homeschoolers interact with peers often -- as members of academic groups and extracurricular sports teams, for example. In fact, some research points to a better quality of interaction for children educated at home who are comfortable with friendships with children older and younger than themselves, as well as adults.

More people look to the Web for information about religion than for auctions or online banking. Commentator Steve Waldman thinks that this is because the Internet offers anonymity.

Commentator Matthew Rothschilde says the battle over the estate tax is just a money grab for the wealthiest Americans. He says repealing it will create an "aristocracy of wealth." Rothschilde is editor of the Progressive Magazine in Madison, Wis.

NPR's Nina Totenberg reports on today's Supreme Court decision upholding the Clean Air Act. The justices unanimously rejected industry arguments that standards must be tempered by the cost of compliance. The law only requires the government to consider public health in setting air-quality standards.

Robert Siegel talks with NPR's Jennifer Ludden in Jerusalem about today's vote by members of Israel's Labor Party to join a national unity government with supporters of Prime Minister-elect Ariel Sharon.

NPR's Ted Clark reports on the many problems confronting Colombia's President Andres Pastrana, who meets with President Bush today at the White House. Those problems include the illegal drug trade, insurgent and paramilitary violence, and a troubled economy. Although there are concerns in both countries about American involvement in Colombia, the U.S. is cautiously providing the nation with military assistance.

NPR's Jennifer Ludden reports from Jerusalem. Israel's Labor Party has voted to accept Prime-Minister-elect Ariel Sharon's invitation to join a national unity government. The decision clears the way for Sharon to start coalition talks with other parties.