Songwriter Jay Clementi works on a song with Sgt. 1st Class Scott McRae at the weekend retreat near Fort Hood in Central Texas.
Strumming The Pain, Songwriters Play Vets' Stories KUT
()The SongwritingWith:Soldiers project connects veterans with musicians who help translate their experiences into verse. In a retreat outside Fort Hood, Texas, a group of soldiers opened up like never before about their post-traumatic stress.
Business
Shopping? Small Retailers Want Your Business, Too()
November 24, 2012 The idea behind Small Business Saturday is to direct consumers to mom-and-pop stores that probably didn't get swamped by the Black Friday bonanza. These small businesses might not have the best deal on a TV, but experts say they are an important factor in overall economic recovery.
Simon Says
Jesse Jackson Jr.: Great Hopes And Disappointments()
November 24, 2012 Jesse Jackson Jr. has a famous name and fabulous contacts, and had what looked like boundless prospects when he was first on the national stage in 1988. But this week, he resigned from Congress after his self-hospitalization this summer and an ongoing ethics investigation.
Europe
A Wave Of Plagiarism Cases Strikes German Politics()
November 24, 2012 Several top government officials have been caught up in an embarrassing cheating scandal — including the defense minister, who resigned as a result, and the education minster, who is under investigation for her doctoral dissertation. An informal group of "plagiarism police" has undertaken the hunt.
Author Interviews
A Refugee's Multilayered Experience In 'Ru'()
November 24, 2012 Kim Thuy based her award-winning novel Ru on her own experiences as a refugee from war-torn Vietnam. She says the word "ru" has a poetic double meaning: In archaic French, it means a rill or stream, but in Vietnamese, it means a lullaby to soothe a child.
Music Interviews
Piney Gir: From 'The Muppets' To 'Geronimo'()
November 24, 2012 What do you do if you're an aspiring drummer and someone steals your drum set? If you're Piney Gir, you become a singer. The art-rock performer pays homage to an iconic Native American while channeling '60s pop music on her newest album.
Middle East
Burst Of Protest In Egypt But No Revolution, Yet()
November 24, 2012 President Mohammed Morsi's decision to neutralize the judiciary this week brought into sharp focus just how politically polarized this nation-in-transition is. But despite the protests, there are few signs that the country is in the throes of a new uprising.
Europe
Glitzy Burgundy Wine Auction Taps Celebrities()
November 24, 2012 For more than 150 years, a charity auction has kicked off the wine season in France's Burgundy grape-growing region. It's turned into an A-list rendezvous for international industry players — this year attracting former supermodel and first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy and record prices.
Music Interviews
Songwriter Paloma Faith's 'Fall To Grace'()
November 24, 2012 The half-Spanish, half-English musician is known for her eclectic style — quite possibly a result of her time working as a magician's assistant and burlesque dancer.