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As wildfires burn across the U-S, Asia and Europe, NPR's John Nielsen reports on scientists' efforts to understand and predict the behavior of fires. The method of prediction is similar to the way that meteorologists forecast the behavior of hurricanes and tornadoes.

Brooklyn-based historian, author and playwright Charles Mee believes that the greatest plays in human history -- those by the ancient Greeks and Shakespeare -- would never have been written had copyright laws existed to keep the authors from borrowing from the culture around them. Mee puts his money where his mouth is. He makes the texts of his plays freely available on the Web, and forgoes royalties. NPR's Rick Karr reports.

NPR's Eric Weiner reports that everything seems to be in place for the Summer Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia except security and transportation.

Noah has a brief note on some of the other stories on the program.

NPR's Eric Weiner reports from Jakarta, Indonesia, that former President Suharto is set to go on trial on charges of corruption. The 79-year-old Suharto is accused of amassing a fortune, along with his family, during his more than 30 years in power. But proving the case against the aging general won't be easy as much of his wealth has been disguised or transferred overseas. Lawyers for Suharto say he is too ill to be put on trial. The case has divided Indonesia as the country remains enmeshed in economic and political instability.

Linda talks to Jacob Weisberg, Chief Political Correspondent for the on-line magazine "Slate," about the production values of the convention -- how the message is packaged and produced, with music and videos and other techniques designed for the television viewers. He says the Republicans offered a sleek production. The Democrats are always a little more chaotic. (4:30) The internet address for Slate is http://slate.msn.com/

Noah talks to Lieutenant Colonel Ralph Brands, a pilot with the U.S. Air Force Reserve Command, about the use of the C-130 transport plane in fighting western wildfires. Brands discusses why the C-130 aircraft is used, how it flies, and strategies for dropping fire retardant.

Before the Democratic Convention, Linda talked with several women from Ohio who are undecided voters and are looking to the conventions for signals as to how they should vote. We heard their conversation Monday. This week, Linda is checking back with them to hear their reactions as the Democratic convention progresses. Today we hear from Mary Curran about whether Joe Lieberman's speech helped persuade her one way or the other. She says yes ... and no.

NPR's Chris Arnold reports on a type of sharecropping that targets Hispanic farmers in California. The farmers sign contracts with vegetable brokers, who lend them money to go into business and then claim a large share of the crops as payment. The farmers tend to be former migrant workers, who are not fluent in English.

Noah reads letters from All Things Considered listeners. Subjects this week include Robert Trout's reports on Democratic conventions of the 1940's, political theater, and musical theater -- West Side Story. (3:15) Please Note: To contact All Things Considered, write to All Things Considered Letters, 635 Massachusetts Avenue Northwest, Washington DC 20001. The e-mail address is atc@npr.org.