Americans Flunk Self-Assessment

Sat, 06 Oct 2007 19:29:00 EDT
Research has shown that Americans are bad at assessing their performance and skills. Apparently, part of our national character -- optimism -- keeps us from interpreting feedback accurately. And our overconfidence results in errors that are sometimes critical.

Idaho Watches Latest Twist in Craig Drama

Sat, 06 Oct 2007 19:24:00 EDT
Sen. Larry Craig (R-ID) has refused to leave office, even after a judge in Minnesota left Craig's sex-sting guilty plea intact. Craig says he will fight to clear his name and retain his seat in the Senate. In Idaho, residents have mixed reactions about the drama surrounding their senator.

Margaret Cho Bares It All for a Good Laugh

Sat, 06 Oct 2007 19:21:00 EDT
Margaret Cho is wll-known for her bawdy stand-up comedy that takes no prisoners on the topics of sexuality and race. But with her new burlesque show, The Sensuous Woman, Cho takes on body image as well. Cho talks with Andrea Seabrook about baring it all onstage.

Practice of Hospital Apologies Is Gaining Ground

Sat, 06 Oct 2007 19:17:00 EDT
Until recently, doctors who wanted to apologize for medical errors were not allowed to do so. They were told an apology can be interpreted as an admission of guilt. But that attitude is slowly changing. The practice of apologizing for medical errors is gaining ground across the country, and helping hospitals avoid costly lawsuits.

Candidates Snub Nevada, Despite Earlier Caucus

Sat, 06 Oct 2007 19:15:00 EDT
Nevada moved its caucuses up to January next year in the hope of drawing candidates to the state and attention to Western issues. But the state has been all but ignored by the major candidates.

Pakistanis Indifferent to Tenuous Musharraf Victory

Sat, 06 Oct 2007 18:07:00 EDT
Gen. Pervez Musharraf won re-election as Pakistan's president Saturday. Attention promptly shifted to Pakistan's Supreme Court, which still must rule on whether it was legal for the general to run for office while still in uniform. The election and turmoil leading up to it has meant little to ordinary Pakistanis.

'Michael Clayton' Turns Camera on Corporate Law

Sat, 06 Oct 2007 16:00:00 EDT
A new film in select theaters this weekend examines the moral and ethical pitfalls of corporate law. Michael Clayton is about a lawyer who has a psychotic event when he's no longer able to stomach the agribusiness he represents. The title character is brought in to clean up the mess. Writer and director Tony Gilroy speaks with Andrea Seabrook.

Homework: What Music Has Changed Your Life?

Sat, 06 Oct 2007 16:00:00 EDT
For this week's homework assignment, tell us a story about how a piece of music changed your life. What music most influenced you over the years? Send your answers to watc@npr.org with the subject heading "Homework."

Finding a New Path in Springsteen's 'Thunder Road'

Sat, 06 Oct 2007 15:43:00 EDT
Ten years ago, Nishant Dahiya was a young, unhappy engineering student in India. He was also obsessed with Bruce Springsteen's music. In the singer's "Thunder Road," Dahiya found the inspiration to change his life.

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