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Commentator Douglas Rushkoff says if the endless field of jokes, trivia and information on the Web is good for anything, it's good for starting conversations.

NPR's Julie McCarthy reports on today's lavish celebrations of the 100th birthday of the Queen Mother. The Queen Mum is still adored by millions of Britons who remember her refusal to leave London during the blitz. But today's extravagant festivities have prompted more criticism of the royals and the institution of the monarchy.

Linda talks with Washington Post Columnist and Brookings Institution Senior Fellow E.J. Dionne, and Weekly Standard Senior Editor David Brooks, who were both in Philadelphia for the Republican Convention.

NPR's Michael Sullivan reports that the Taliban, which governs most of Afghanistan, has lost much of the goodwill it enjoyed when it came to power six years ago. The Afghan people initially thought the Taliban would bring peace and stability to a country engulfed by war. But the Taliban has continued to pursue an offensive against the military alliance that still controls the northern part of the country. The Taliban also has failed to address the problems that make life in Afghanistan a misery for most people. The economy is in shambles, opium production is rampant and the strict version of Islamic law enforced by the Taliban has greatly restricted the lives of women who previously had enjoyed wide freedom.

WILLIAM MAXWELL interview continued.We return to our conversation with ALEC WILKINSON.Guest film critic Henry Sheehan reviews –Space Cowboys,— directed by and starring Clint Eastwood. Its about three aging air force pilots who want to go into space.12:58:30 NEXT SHOW PROMO (:29) PROMO COPY On the next archive edition of fresh air. . . writer ALEC WILKINSON remembers his friend and mentor WILLIAM MAXWELL the legendary writer and editor who died Monday at age 91. . . and a listen back to a 1995 interview with MAXWELL. Then, film critic Henry Sheehan reviews –Space Cowboys,— directed by and starring Clint Eastwood. Its about three aging air force pilots who want to go into space. Join us for the next fresh air.

The Republican party has traditionally had trouble attracting black voters despite being "the Party of Lincoln." John speaks with political political historian Patrick Maney, of the University of South Carolina, about why this is so.

NPR's Cheryl Corley reports on Vice President Al Gore's speech to union members yesterday in Chicago. In his talk, Gore spoke of how critical working people are in his race for the presidency.

Linda talks sportswriter Stefan Fatsis about the NBA, its free agents, and salary caps. Grant Hill, for example, signed on with the Orlando Magic for a 97-million-dollar contract, rather than stay with the Detroit Pistons for 100-million-dollars. Stefan explains why Hill's making less as a free agent.

NPR's Sylvia Poggioli reports from Rome that L'Unita, the official mouthpiece of the Italian communist party, folded this month amid dwindling sales and mounting debt. At the end of the Cold War, the Italian Communist party changed its name, but even so the Italian left lost its political clout. With the closing of L'Unita, Italy has lost a cultural institution that for decades featured the writings of leading western intellectuals, as well as East European dissidents.

NPR's Brooke Gladstone reports on how the nation's broadcasters and cable channels covered the Republican National Convention, and who watched.