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NPR's Steve Inskeep holds his biweekly chat with Randy Cohen, who writes an ethics column for New York Times Magazine. They discuss the ethical dilemma of listener Paula Cartwright in Cedarburg, Wis., who says she found a plastic bag of white powder resembling cocaine in her son's belongings.

Insurgents fire grenades at an Iraqi civil defense facility as Gen. John Abizaid, the top U.S. commander in the Middle East, visits. Abizaid was not hurt in the attack, which caused no American casualties. The attackers escaped. Hear NPR's Melissa Block and NPR's Eric Westervelt.

Massachusetts lawmakers discuss for a second day the wording of a constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage but legalize civil unions. The floor debate has been marked by passionate and emotional speeches. Outside the chamber where the special legislative session is being held, supporters of both sides of the debate have gathered to chant and protest. Hear NPR's Tovia Smith.

A senior U.N. envoy wraps up a week of talks with Iraqi leaders with an apparent consensus on the need for elections later this year to choose members of a transitional national assembly. The fate of U.S. plans to transfer sovereignty to an interim Iraqi government by the end of June remain in doubt. NPR's Deborah Amos reports from Baghdad.

Gen. John Abizaid, commander of U.S. forces in the Middle East, strongly advises any new Iraqi government not to ask American troops to leave until security is improved in the country. Abizaid adds he does not think Iraqi forces will be ready to maintain security on their own by June 30, the date when the United States hopes to transfer sovereignty back to the Iraqi people. NPR's Eric Westervelt reports.

Alan Cheuse reviews Buying a Fishing Rod for My Grandfather by Gao Xingjian, translated by Mabel Lee. It's a volume of modernist short fiction, driven by nuance and verbal energy.

(Originally broadcast Jan. 5, 2004.) His new documentary, The Fog of War has been nominated for an Oscar for Best Documentary Feature. The film is a profile of the man many considered to be the architect of the Vietnam conflict, Robert McNamara. Morris' other films include The Thin Blue Line, Vernon, Florida, Gates of Heaven, and Fast, Cheap, and Out of Control. He's also done a number of commercials. His clients include Apple, Nike, Miller High Life and PBS.

Around three dozen Iraqis are killed when a car bomb explodes outside an army recruiting center in Baghdad, in the second suicide attack in as many days. On Tuesday, more than 50 Iraqis were killed in a car bombing outside a police station south of the Iraqi capital. Nearly all the victims in both attacks were men applying for jobs. Hear NPR's Anne Garrels.

Most polls show health care is a top concern for Democratic primary voters. The Democratic presidential candidates talk about health care regularly, but they don't always provide an accurate description of the issues and figures involved. NPR's Julie Rovner reports.

Massachusetts lawmakers begin debate on a constitutional amendment that would limit marriage to heterosexuals, following a ruling by the state's highest court giving same-sex couples the right to wed. In 12 other states, conservatives worried by the Massachusetts ruling are pushing for similar constitutional bans on gay marriage. NPR's Tovia Smith reports.