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NPR's Senior News Analyst Daniel Schorr notes the difficulties in the process of confirming cabinet appointments. Official actions and personal behavior are fair game when Senators are asking questions of would-be appointees.

Frank talks with William Gehring, a University of Michigan psychology professor who is exploring the science of error. Gehring and his team investigate why we all make little mistakes.

Frank Stasio talks with reporter Mike Lanchin from El Salvador, where a massive earthquake has left more than 80 dead and 1200 missing. The quake was centered about 65 miles from the capital, San Salvador. It cut power across the country and closed the international airport, which hampered relief efforts.

Simon/Clef: Scott visits with hip-hop artist Wyclef Jean. Next Friday, Mr. Jean will be the first hip-hop act ever to headline a show at New York City's Carnegie Hall. Guests at the show will include Eric Clatpon, Whitney Houston and a group of young musicians from the Wyclef Jean Foundation. Wyclef Jean's most recent record is "The Ecleftic: 2 Sides II A Book" (Columbia). More information on the Wyclef Jean Foundation can be found at www.wyclefjeanfoundation.org. (16:48) ((ST

Security for next week's Presidential Inauguration is expected to be tighter than at any inauguration in history ... election protestors are promising to show up in droves. NPR's Mary Ann Akers reports.

Back in the 1970s, Marc McDonald was hired as Microsoft's first employee. He rejoins the company this week after a 15 year break. He speaks with Scott.

Frank Morris of member station KCUR in Kansas City reports on the effort to remodel old nuclear missile silos into homes. The U.S. government built more than 100 nuclear bases and silos in the early 1960s, but they were quickly decommissioned. Today, some people are finding they make for spacious and interesting housing.

The counting of dimpled and pregnant chads in Florida may seem like old news, but it appears the chad has winnowed its way into popular culture. Frank talks with Lynn Markley, a spokesperson for Frito-lay, about a new ad with a "chad" theme.

Frank Stasio talks with Philip Hamburger, a writer for the New Yorker magazine and author of Matters of State: A Political Excursion, who has been attending Presidential inaugurations since the 1930's. Hamburger remembers Franklin Delano Roosevelt's riveting first inaugural address with particular fondness. (NOTE: Matters of State is published by Counterpoint.)

A sound montage of some of the voices in this past week's news, including Chinese Embassy Representative Lee Xiao Ming introducing two new pandas at the National Zoo in Washington; President-elect George W. Bush defending Linda Chavez, his original choice for Secretary of Labor; Linda Chavez, asking Bush to withdraw her nomination for Secretary of Labor; President-elect Bush introducing Elaine Chao, his new choice for Secretary of Labor; Elaine Chao; California Governor Gray Davis delivering his State of the State Address; David Stempler, President, Air Travelers Association and Barbara Biar, president of the aviation consulting firm Avmark; and Joanne Drake, chief of staff to former President Reagan.