Search results for

NPR's Peter Kenyon reports on today's first day of hearings on former Senator John Ashcroft's nomination to be Attorney General. Senators promised a full and fair hearing. Several Democrats said they need reassurance that Ashcroft can put aside long and deeply held beliefs that conflict with the law. Republicans emphasized Ashcroft's extensive experience in law and public service, and the usual deference to a president in his cabinet choices.

Noah talks with Deborah Caldwell, Religion Producer of the BeliefNet Website about how Pentacostal Christians might view a role in politics, and how that might relate to the approach of former senator John Ashcroft to the role of attorney general. (4:00) http://www.beliefnet.com or http://www.beliefnet.org

There was a time when many potions and cures were mostly alcohol, and had names that claimed to do specific things, such as "Dr. Chaise's Nerve and Brain Pills" or "The Great Stomach Remedy." Now drug names are semi-scientific, like Paxil, Vivelle, Celebrex. Commentator Carol Selman wonders if the new secret to selling drugs may be using letters at the end of the alphabet.

Former Senator John Ashcroft received big campaign donations from some companies that will have big cases pending before the Justice Department in the months to come. But if that bothers some people, it probably won't be an issue in Ashcroft's confirmation hearings. NPR's Steve Inskeep reports.

Tom Chapin and John Forster put their view of the recent trends in the U.S. economy to music.

NPR's Jon Hamilton reports on a new study, which shows no differences along racial lines in the outcome of medical or surgical treatments among veterans. Other studies have shown wide disparities in health care between African-Americans and Caucasians, in particular. These studies often suggest that socioeconomic differences and access to health care are the main causes for higher disease and death rates among the black population as a whole. The new study suggests that when all things are equal, African-American men actually have a lower rate of disease and death, relative to whites.

Commentator Ellen Charry says spirituality is "in" and religion seems to be "out" these days. But spirituality can fall short without the ritual, history and discipline religion provides.

Linda talks with Mike Lanchin, a freelance reporter in El Salvador, about recovery efforts after Saturday's earthquake. Hundreds of people were killed and thousands injured.

NPR's Emily Harris reports Salvadorans living in the U.S. have begun relief efforts to help earthquake victims in their homeland. Churches, Spanish-language radio stations and community groups are collecting donations of money, food and medical supplies. Some groups have set up internet sites with news from El Salvador and information about the fate of relatives and friends.

The Presidentially-appointed Commission on Holocaust Assets in the United States released its final report today. It says, in part, that U.S. forces did not do enough to track art, gold, and other assets looted by the Nazis because they were consumed with the effort to rebuild Europe after the war. The commission is recommending legislation that will create a foundation to carry on its' work. But some are already criticizing the commission's work as inadequate. David D'Arcy reports.