Hi there, it's Ray Maliasi. Now, before we start the show, I want to point out that it's a special day at

NPR. It's giving Tuesday. NPR celebrates this day of generosity every year, but we've never

had a year quite like this one before. You've probably heard by now that federal funding for public

media was eliminated in October. That means NPR is now operating without federal support for the first

time in our history. Over 50 years, and that's a big change and a big challenge, but it's one

that we can overcome together. Twice a week, you have a laugh with me and my brother on the best

of Car Talk, and we're so grateful to the listeners who have already stepped up to donate,

like Jessica from Michigan,

who says, I'm donating in honor of my mom and dad who raised me on NPR, all things considered,

and Car Talk. Thanks, Jessica. Please make your Giving Tuesday gift right now by signing up for

NPR Plus. It's a simple recurring donation that gets you perks from NPR's podcast and bonus episodes from the Best of Car Talk.

Join us at plus.npr.org.

Thanks again for your support and let's get on to the show. Hello and welcome to Car Talk from National Public Radio with us Click and Clack to Tappert Brothers broadcasting this week from the bumper decoration division here at Car Talk Plaza.

My car needs decoration of any kind.

Actually, in the interest of safety, we have mass produced and I'm making it available to you,

our listeners, today, for free, no charge, a new car talk bumper sticker.

The purpose of this bumper sticker is to get people to pay attention to the task at hand,

which is what,

driving your car, and hang up the stupid cell phone. Well, we know from personal experience

that a dope with a cell phone up to his ear is four times more likely to have an accident

than a dope without a cell phone in his ear. That's based on a study conducted by the New England

Journal of Medicine.

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