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Carl reads three quotes from the week's news: The Never-ending Story, Presidential Promises, and Protecting the Passer.

Our panelists answer questions about the week's news: Does This Collar Make Me Look Fat?

Our panelists tell us three stories of dumb cops, only one of which is true.

All the news we couldn't fit anywhere else.

More questions for the panel: Sweet and Really Low, Lean On Me, and Where to Have the Best of Times.

Carl reads three news-related limericks: An Excuse Not to Buy Flowers, Two Great Tastes That Taste Great Together, and An Icelandic Problem.

Transcript

SCOTT SIMON, HOST:

In January of last year, snow blanketed more than 42 percent of the country. Last month, it was just under 13 percent. The warm weather has lowered our heating bills and created a bit of an economic boost.

After two brutally long winters, the temperatures this year have been positively balmy. In the Washington, D.C., area, they've hovered in the 50s for much of the past two and a half months. Area landscapers, whose schedules are usually pretty lean this time of year, are busier. Take Chuck Dod Landscaping, which is building a stone wall in the backyard of a home in Mclean, Va.

Britons are in an uproar over a judge's decision to release a Muslim preacher suspected of al-Qaida links. The British government wanted to deport him to Jordan, where he's been convicted on terrorism charges, but European courts won't allow that because the convictions were based on evidence obtained by torture. NPR's Phil Reeves tells host Scott Simon that the case has stirred up resentment.

Lin-sanity grips basketball! Gripes and second-guesses grip Pats fans! And what do we owe great four-legged athletes when they go past their prime? Host Scott Simon talks with NPR sports correspondent Tom Goldman about the sports of the week.