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Talk of the Nation

Monday through Friday, 1pm - 3pm
Neal Conan

Monday through Thursday, Talk of the Nation invites you to discuss areas of topical interest, including politics and public service, education, religion, music, and healthcare.  Become part of the conversation by calling 1-800-989-TALK.  Each Friday, journalist Ira Flatow hosts Talk of the Nation Science Friday, and is joined by listeners and studio guests to explore science-related topics, from subatomic particles and the human genome to the Internet and earthquakes.

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News/Talk
Composer ID: 
5187f5a3e1c80ade92b5bd8a|5187f57fe1c80ade92b5bceb

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Science
12:00 pm
Fri March 23, 2012

Archaeologists Revisit Iraq

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Transcript

IRA FLATOW, HOST:

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NPR Story
12:00 pm
Thu March 22, 2012

Parkinson's Benches Petrick, But He's Far From Out

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Credit Brian Bahr / Getty Images
Ben Petrick dives into the plate during a 2001 game against the San Diego Padres at Coors Field in Denver, Colo.
Credit Jack Dempsey / AP
Colorado Rockies catcher Ben Petrick, left, holds on to the ball after tagging out San Diego Padres baserunner Phil Nevin at Coors Field in Denver on Thursday, Sept. 27, 2001.
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If Ben Petrick's career had gone the way the scouts expected, he'd still be in his prime — a star baseball player, maybe even a megastar. He came up to the majors as a catcher for the Colorado Rockies in 2000 with speed, power, a fine arm and maybe a better head for the game.

But the year before, at just 22-years-old, he learned that he had early-onset Parkinson's. He struggled to hide the symptoms, but, frustrated by his shaking and growing lack of mobility, he retired in 2004. Petrick has since focused on coaching, parenting and giving motivational speeches.

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Education
12:00 pm
Thu March 22, 2012

How Should We Test Students' College Educations?

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Like many grade schools, a growing number of universities are turning to standardized tests to measure students' educations. Advocates say they are an important tool to help gauge what students learn. Critics insist no single exam can ever accurately measure the value of four years of college.

Europe
12:00 pm
Thu March 22, 2012

Turkey's Rise Under Enigmatic Erdogan's Rule

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A NATO ally with close ties to the West, Turkey's economy has grown significantly, and the government of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has taken active roles in several international crises. But reporter Dexter Filkins paints a complicated picture of Erdogan under threats of coup and paranoia.

NPR Story
12:00 pm
Thu March 22, 2012

Race Cards: Six Words On Trayvon Martin's Death

Credit Mario Tama / Getty Images
Protesters demonstrate at a rally for slain teenager Trayvon Martin on March 22, 2012 in Sanford, Fla.
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Originally published on Fri March 23, 2012 11:34 am

Nearly a month after 17-year-old Trayvon Martin was shot and killed in Florida, the widespread shock and outrage has grown into a nationwide movement calling for justice. This week, the Justice Department announced it would conduct a federal investigation of the incident.

But the Trayvon Martin story has also turned into a dialogue about race in America, a conversation that NPR's Michele Norris has been engaged in for over a year with her Race Card Project.

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