What's the matter with Britain?

Plus, proof that good dogs belong on the bus. [View this email online]( [Best of NPR]( Oct. 23, 2022 --------------------------------------------------------------- Scott’s Weekly Weigh-in LMPC via Getty Images A good weekend to you. At just over two weeks until the midterm elections, I have part one of a few suggested classic films about America’s rambunctious politics. All are dated in their portrait of America. But all also have something vital to say. All the King’s Men, 1950. Spun from Robert Penn Warren’s Pulitzer-prize-winning novel. Broderick Crawford is compelling as Willie Stark, the Huey Long-inspired character, who wants to “lift up the working man” (especially himself). The Manchurian Candidate, 1962. John Frankenheimer’s film, based on Richard Condon’s novel, is about the stepson of a McCarthyite pol who wins a Medal of Honor while being brainwashed by North Korean captors. Angela Lansbury plays Laurence Harvey’s mother (she was three years older than him at the time). Best clunky line in a great movie: Frank Sinatra, as an Army officer, says, “Military intelligence! They ought to call it military stupidity!” The Candidate, 1972. Robert Redford plays Bill McKay, a lawyer with Kennedyesque hair who trims his idealism. Melvyn Douglas is magnetic as his father and a yellow-fanged former governor who delivers the benediction: “Congratulations, son. You’re a politician now.” (And how poetic: Douglas was married to Helen Gahagan Douglas, whom Richard Nixon had slurred as the Pink Lady during his first election). Seven Days in May, 1964. John Frankenheimer again, from the Fletcher Knebel/Charles W. Bailey III novel about generals who try to seize power following a nuclear disarmament treaty. Fredrick March as a beleaguered president admonishes the medal-encrusted general, Burt Lancaster, “You want this office so much, why don’t you run for it!” Kirk Douglas and Ava Gardner join the classic cast. More film tips next week. This week’s essay: [a defense of Pumpkin Spice everything.]( And Dani Shapiro on her wonderful new novel, [Signal Fires,]( about seeing our lives as stars that shine on past our time. [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](. --------------------------------------------------------------- Newsletter continues after sponsor message --------------------------------------------------------------- Reproductive Rights Michael Minasi/KUT Leading up to the election, the NPR Network is [sharing stories]( from communities across the country about abortion access and reproductive rights. ➡️ "When I'm dating a man," Amanda Phillips explains, "I have to ask myself, am I worth more than $10,000 to them?" The 28-year-old single mom says it's just the new reality of [dating in Texas since a near-total ban on abortions went into effect]( that also allows citizens to sue someone who helps or encourages a woman to get an abortion for up to $10,000. (via [KUT Austin]( ➡️ Since Texas' abortion ban went into effect there has been a surge in requests for sterilization procedures as [a form of permanent birth control](. (via [KUT Austin]( As the impact of Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization continues to unfold, it's important to know how it affects people all around the country. Right now, reporters across the NPR Network are providing careful reporting, analysis and insight about reproductive rights and many, many other issues. [Can you make a contribution to support their work?]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Stories you may have missed Meredith Rizzo/NPR Sometimes children listen to parents, and sometimes they don't. But implementing "special time" — a five-minute daily ritual of child-led play, can actually improve kids' compliance. It's a technique used to treat a variety of emotional and behavioral problems and can boost attention spans and social skills. [Here's how it works](. Correspondent John Burnett has covered 20 hurricanes for NPR, and he's watched many an iconic palm tree bend under howling winds, fronds flapping wildly behind like the hair of a damsel in distress. But palms have adapted so well, Burnett has learned, that [they almost never break](. The United Kingdom used to be synonymous with stable, if sometimes dull, governance. But the resignation this week of Prime Minister Liz Truss — after six weeks in office — shows just how chaotic British politics has become. [What's the matter with Britain]( Analysts say the problem is polarization, populism and a flawed political system. ➡️ Truss will likely have the shortest term of any the [U.K. prime minister](. ➡️ Here's a list of some possible replacements for Truss at No. 10 Downing Street. Yes, [Boris Johnson is one of them](. Despite what most people think, asbestos is not banned in the U.S. The chemical industry still imports hundreds of tons of raw asbestos into the country each year to use in chlorine plants. Now a group of workers has come forward, [saying they were exposed repeatedly]( while working at a chemical plant in New York. --------------------------------------------------------------- Before you go 13 On Your Side, an ABC affiliate station A teen painted a mural at a western Michigan school with a colorful scene and a simple message: "Stay Healthy." Outraged parents claimed it contains [LGBTQ propaganda and Satanic messages](. Queer students said they find comfort in the artwork. --------------------------------------------------------------- In remembrance Jeff Young Eclipse, a dog who brought joy to many in Seattle by riding a bus by herself since 2015, died on Friday at age 10. She began commuting alone one day when her owner was finishing his cigarette and she hopped the bus to the dog park without him. Eclipse proved that "[good dogs belong on the bus]( the transit authority said. --------------------------------------------------------------- Listen to your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to find your local station stream. [Listen Live]( [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Twitter]( Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! [They can sign up here.]( Looking for more great content? [Check out all of our newsletter offerings]( — including Daily News, Politics, Health and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Best of NPR emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy Policy]( [NPR logo]