A happy weekend to you all. Last week was a busy one for President Biden and other heads of state who met for the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, as well as Congress, which is still in a staring match over budget and infrastructure bills.
Ahead of Veteran's Day, we spoke to Sir Andrew Motion, former British poet laureate and editor of the new Folio Book of War Poetry, about famous poets who express the uneasy mix of emotions borne by veterans. As Margaret Postgate Cole wrote in her 1916 poem, The Veteran: And he said this, and that, and told them tales And all the nightmares… Until it came to one of us to ask, ‘And you’re – how old?’ ‘Nineteen, the third of May.’
Mahatma Gandhi used to travel by third-class rail, partly because he believed it was important for him to be among the people. I was reminded of Gandhi’s political sagacity this week by a BBC story that compared the tonnage of CO2 gasses produced by people who take commercial flights and those who take private jets. I wonder if world leaders might have made a point about climate change by Zooming with each other instead of meeting in Scotland.
This week’s essay celebrates “one small step for inter-stellar cuisine” with a taco aboard the International Space Station seasoned with a Hatch chile grown onboard. And the essay ends with a recipe even I can follow! Blast off and enjoy!
Scott Simon
Scott Simon is one of NPR's most renowned news anchors. He is the host of Weekend Edition Saturday and one of the hosts of the morning news podcast Up First. Be sure to listen to him every Saturday on your local NPR station, and follow him on Twitter.
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by Jill Hudson
Stories You May Have Missed
Angelica Edwards
After bring diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer at age 39, Keyla "Nunny" Reece wanted her son to have photos to understand her experience. Photographer Angelica Edwards documented the hardships and moments of joy of Reece's journey.
All in the Family debuted 50 years ago and was the most popular show on television for years. The groundbreaking series tackled discussions of racism, women's rights, the Vietnam War, homosexuality, rape and more. As part of our continuing 50 Years Of NPR series, here's a look back at the show's continuing influence.
Desiree Rios for NPR; Larry Trachtenberg
Larry Trachtenberg and Jim Isenberg ran the first New York City Marathon back in 1970.Only Trachtenberg will compete in today's 50th running after Isenberg suffered a life-altering accident in 2017.
The first vaccine required for school was for smallpox, over 200 years ago. And for decades, all states have required that kids be vaccinated against contagious diseases like polio to attend school. If history is a guide, schools around the country will eventually start requiring COVID vaccines.
Podcasts Of The Week
Underwood Archives/Getty Images
The 40-hour work week has been the standard for 80 years. Why has it been so hard to break away from the old 9-to-5. (Planet Money)
The attack drone was first dreamed up during World War I as a way to wage wars with fewer casualties on both sides. But are they actually precise enough? And do drones desensitize us to the deaths of civilians caught between us and our enemies? (Throughline)
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Why did our intelligence agencies — the FBI, the Capitol Police, the Secret Service — all fail to protect the Capitol from being attacked on January 6th? (Fresh Air)
Waking up at dawn with the bakers and the baristas may not be for everyone — especially night owls.Here are a few habits that can help you set yourself up for success at that first alarm. (Life Kit)
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