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SIMON: Time now for your letters.
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SIMON: We begin with reaction to my essay last week about Mark Halperin's profane reference to President Obama on MSNBC's "Morning Joe." Mr. Halperin is a contributor to that cable news network, and Time magazine's senior political analyst. James DeMilio of Flagstaff, Arizona, writes: It is possible to be incisive without being adversarial, and it is certainly possible to be critical - even sharply critical - without being so disrespectful and dismissive of someone who holds the highest office in our country.
Last week, we heard from Gwen Thompkins about her return home to New Orleans, and the reassurance she felt from hearing the croaks of dozens of frogs who had also returned. For Goldie Domingue of Baton Rouge, Louisiana - listening on the eve of her 60th birthday - there was similar nostalgia: Memories of hot lazy summer days with my sisters and brothers flooded my mind: the ever-present, swelling and ebbing chorus of frogs and their friends; ice Kool-Aid treats hardened in ice trays; chasing fireflies after dark and yes, flying cockroaches. Both a broad smile, and tears, stayed with me for a while after the story ended.
And Ann Graf, of Milwaukee, says: I listen to your show every Saturday, but I am having trouble. I need to drink coffee in the morning and it takes approximately 10 to 15 seconds to grind my fresh beans. I can't hear the radio during this time because the grinder is loud. I refuse to drink already ground beans. I refuse to miss 10 seconds of programming. Would you consider adding a special segment of dead air for 12.5 seconds? Well, Ms. Graf, dead air is considered deadly in broadcasting. But try this...
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SIMON: Wake up and smell the java. And go to npr.org, click on the Contact Us link. You can also post a comment on Facebook or Twitter at NPRWeekend, and you can send me a tweet at nprscottsimon. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.