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Sen. John McCain reflects on the current situation in Iraq. McCain argues that the current situation in Iraq is, for most Americans, their first experience of the brutality of war. Despite the deaths of U.S. servicemen, though, it's vital that the U.S. stays the course In Iraq and makes their sacrifice worthwhile. McCain's new book is called Why Courage Matters: The Way to a Braver Life.

Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry criticizes the stay-the-course strategy President George Bush reiterated in his White House news conference Tuesday night. Kerry, the presumed Democratic nominee for president, said at a news conference in New York that the president has been too inflexible in his plans and has alienated U.S. allies. NPR's David Welna reports.

In the second of three stories on the mood of the country, NPR's John Ydstie visits a farm cooperative in Lincoln County, just outside St. Louis. The biggest issue is growth and development, as farm land turning into housing divisions and suburbs. On the national and international front, the war in Iraq is most important - and views are mixed. The economic outlook has brighten a lot in this region with corn and soybean prices up so overall, there's a pretty optimistic outlook.

Independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader says he'll meet with Democrat Sen. John Kerry next month to talk about forming a "second front" in the effort to defeat President Bush in the fall. Many Democrats fear Nader's candidacy could tip the election to Bush. Nader talks with NPR's Bob Edwards.

Saxophonist Euge Groove earned his chops as a member of Tower of Power and sideman for Huey Lewis, Tina Turner and Elton John. He's back with a new solo CD of smooth tunes that are equal parts jazz, pop and R&B. Hear full-length cuts from the CD.

In the first of a series of speeches on the economy, Sen. John Kerry outlines tax incentives he says will create 10 million new jobs. At a rally in Michigan -- a state hard hit by job losses in recent years -- Kerry calls for a cut in corporate taxes and elimination of tax benefits for businesses that "outsource" jobs overseas. NPR's David Welna reports from Detroit.

Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry collects lopsided wins in Tuesday's primaries in four Southern states, edging closer to clinching the Democratic nomination for president. Turning his attention to the November election, Kerry ratchets up his attacks on President Bush and steps up efforts to raise $80 million in campaign funds. Hear NPR's David Welna.

Gangs loyal to Jean-Bertrand Aristide opened fire on a crowd of Haitians celebrating the former president's departure Sunday. At least five people are reported dead, with moe than 20 wounded. Among the casualties were two journalists. The celebrations, coming a week after Aristide's ouster, brought thousands of Haitians into the streets of Port-au-Prince. Hear NPR's John Ydstie and NPR's Gerry Hadden.

A small new surveillance aircraft, the Silver Fox, will soon be deployed in Iraq to provide a convenient overview of the field. The craft, weighing around 22 pounds, can be launched by catapult or by hand. The Navy plans to ship the drones, costing $50,000 each, to Marines next month. Hear NPR's Robert Siegel and Capt. John Hobday of the Office of Naval Research.

In local elections in Great Britain, Prime Minister Tony Blair's Labor Party suffers some significant losses in what analysts see as a "protest vote" against Blair's support for the war in Iraq. Hear NPR's Michele Norris and John Rentoul, chief political columnist for Britain's Sunday Independent newspaper.

John Kerry has already begun looking beyond the primaries to a possible race against President Bush in the fall. Commentator Jay Bryant is a Republican political consultant, and he says that - if Kerry is the Democrat's choice - this could be two firsts for the 2004 campaign: the first time both parties' candidates have opted not to take Federal matching funds - and the first time it's been clear so early who the candidates will be.

As 10 states prepare to hold Democratic contests March 2, Sen. John Edwards concentrates his efforts in Ohio, New York and Georgia -- areas especially hard hit by job losses in manufacturing. Edwards hopes his own working-class background and tough stance against free-trade agreements will help win over blue-collar voters. Hear NPR's Adam Hochberg.

In what many see as the launch of his re-election campaign, President Bush aggressively defends his policies in a speech before the Republican Governors Association. Bush takes aim at Democratic frontrunner Sen. John Kerry, suggesting Kerry would raise taxes and offer unsteady leadership in the face of terrorist threats. Hear NPR's Don Gonyea.

A new Department of Defense report criticizes the way the military handles internal cases of sexual assault. A task force examined how the military cares for sexual assault victims, and investigated cases in which troops are accused of attacking their colleagues. The report calls for a wide range of improvements including rape prevention, criminal investigation and victim counseling. NPR's John Burnett reports.

Merriam-Webster releases the 11th edition of its Collegiate Dictionary, which includes new words such as "dot commer" and "headbanger." The Internet has made the biggest influence on the American language, both with the new words it has generated and the speed with which the public has adopted them. Hear John Morse, president and publisher of Merriam-Webster.

Law enforcement agencies across the country take precautions for a possible terrorism attack. In Washington, D.C., residents are urged to store food and water. In San Francisco, California Highway Patrol officers step up security on the Golden Gate Bridge. Lisa Nurnberger of member station WAMU and NPR's John McChesney report.

Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry is the frontrunner for the Democratic presidential nomination. But in 1961, he was a student at Saint Paul's prep school in New Hampshire, where he played bass guitar for a band called the Electras. A copy of the band's album sold on eBay this week for more than $2,500. Hear NPR's Bob Edwards.

John Powers, Fresh Air critic at large, weighs in on the trends of 2007: political campaigns, Iraq movies failing at the box office, HBO's The Sopranos, stories about hitting the road, the TMZing of America, jocks gone wild, hip sentimentality, the nightly ideological news, atheist chic and the writers strike.

What do Sting, Dan Fogelberg and Rush drummer Neil Peart all have in common? They've just made Blender magazine's list of rock's worst lyricists. Blender's senior critic John Dolan talks about some of his favorite bad lyricists.

Gretchen Berland uses experience from her previous career of making documentaries to compose video projects on health-care topics. She has won a $500,000 "genius award" from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.