SCOTT SIMON, Host:
Time now for Your Letters.
(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)
SIMON: The essay last Saturday was on the picture of two dogs, one caring for the other in the devastation of Japan's earthquake, and on the work of a group called Japanese Earthquake Animal Rescue and Support. We got numerous emails in response.
SIMON: I had to stop my Saturday morning activities and listen to the story about the dog looking for help for his friend. I was brought to tears with the story. I do not think you can trivialize the love of a pet for their owner and the owner for the pet. I think this search is very important and I am grateful for all the volunteers in Japan.
SIMON: I can understand the importance of pets in people's lives. I've owned dogs, I also have a child. The thought of people expending energy to look for animals when humans could be trapped as well is abhorrent. A search team for pets when humans could be trapped, something has happened to our moral compass.
We talked to Jimmy Breslin last week, too. He's written "Branch Rickey," a book celebrating the Brooklyn Dodgers general manager who first integrated baseball by signing Jackie Robinson to a Major League contract.
We got an email from Bridget Hennessy in Barrington, Illinois. I was in high school in New Jersey in the 1970s and Jimmy was our guest speaker one year. He was clearly drunk and proceeded to tell the dirtiest joke to a stunned auditorium. I know he's long been sober, but it's great to hear that he's still a curmudgeon.
We also talked with Brooklyn Rundfunk Orkestrata Peter Kiesewalter about their reinterpretation of Rogers & Hammerstein's "The Sound of Music." Their overhauled soundtrack touched a nerve in our listeners both positive and negative.
SIMON: At first I feared they were going to destroy a beloved classic, but after listening for a few minutes I was totally hooked. They took those wonderful songs, and with a great amount of creativity and care made something very new and fun.
SIMON: Is nothing sacred? There are a few pillars of American society: God, country, apple pie and Julie Andrews singing "The Hills Are Alive." Hey, isn't she British? And then, he continues, I'm insulted by your guest's rendition and without a prior warning. Isn't this a candidate for "The Annoying Music Show?"
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "SIXTEEN GOING ON SEVENTEEN")
BROOKLYN RUNDFUNK ORKESTRATA: (Singing) I need someone older and wiser telling me what to do. You are 17 going on 18, I'll depend on you.
SIMON: We welcome your letters. You can find us on Facebook.com/nprweekend. And I'm on Twitter at nprscottsimon - all one word.
This is NPR News. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.