Talk of the Nation

President Barack Obama went on the offensive against Republican candidate Mitt Romney in the second of three presidential debates. Political Junkie Ken Rudin talks about the face-off's memorable moments, and NPR's Andy Carvin shares which quips and quotes lit up the Internet.

In many states, the tight presidential race isn't the only thing on people's minds: Ballot measures are putting some controversial social and political issues up for popular vote. Same-sex marriage and the death penalty are just two of the measures voters will weigh in on come election day.

President Barack Obama and Republican nominee Mitt Romney continue to campaign around the U.S., delivering their stump speeches to audiences filled with enthusiastic supporters. The remarks remind voters of the hearts of their platforms and reinforce ideas presented in ads and other speeches.

Thousands of children with physical and mental disabilities live in institutions, isolated from their families and decades younger than other patients. The institutions are often better equipped to handle their medical needs, but can fall short when it comes to other aspects of the kids' lives.

U.S. officials now believe Iran was responsible for a series of cyberattacks on American banks in September and on major energy firms in Saudi Arabia and Qatar. David Sanger, chief Washington correspondent for The New York Times, talks about the escalating tactics of cyberwarfare.

Bruce Fleming, English professor at the U.S. Naval Academy, thinks military academies like the USNA and West Point infantilize students, and can't be relied upon to produce the best leaders. In The Chronicle of Higher Education, he questions whether they should even exist anymore.

Cambodia's former King Norodom Sihanouk, an important figure in much of his country's recent turmoil, has died. Sydney Schanberg, whose reporting for The New York Times inspired The Killing Fields, and NPR commentator Ted Koppel talk about the life and legacy of Norodom Sihanouk.

Douglas Groat traveled the world for the Central Intelligence Agency, breaking into foreign embassies and stealing secret codes. But then he questioned his superiors about one operation that nearly failed. His subsequent battle with the CIA led to accusations of extortion and four years in prison.

In three weeks, millions of Americans cast their vote for president in an election that both campaigns depict as a stark choice between two fundamentally different visions for the country. But the chief executive's power is limited in real ways, by Congress, foreign interests, and other players.

For older drivers and their families, the conversation about giving up the car keys can be wrenching. Driving, for many, means independence and the transition to life without a car can be challenging, particularly for those who live alone or in areas with limited access to public transportation.

Every August, the ozone hole begins to grow over Antarctica, reaching its maximum size by late September. But by the New Year, it's gone again. Russell Schnell, of NOAA's Earth System Research Laboratory, explains the weird forces behind the ozone hole's formation--and why, in recent years, an ozone hole has capped the Arctic too.

The 2012 Nobel Prize winners were announced this week, and research on stem cells, cloning, cell receptors and quantum optics took center stage. Experts discuss how the work of this year's Nobel laureates changed our understanding of our bodies, and the world around us.

The federal government lists marijuana as a Schedule I controlled substance--meaning it has no medically accepted use. Next week, interest group Americans for Safe Access will present the scientific case for marijuana's therapeutic effects to a federal appeals court, in hopes of relaxing federal restrictions. Oncologist Donald Abrams reviews the evidence on cannabis.

In October 1962, Nick Holonyak and colleagues at General Electric built the first practical light-emitting diode, or LED, that could emit visible light. Semiconductor LEDs are now a part of uncountable electronic devices. Holonyak discusses the invention, and his work since then.

Corning's Gorilla Glass isn't totally unbreakable, as anyone who's dropped a smartphone knows. But it's twice as durable as regular glass--at half the thickness. How do they do it? Dave Velasquez, director of marketing and commercial operations for Gorilla Glass, talks about the innovations that make this ultrastrong, ultralight glass possible.