Local and federal prosecutors are looking for grounds to execute the three whites charged with the vicious murder of a disabled black man in Texas. The men, who have been linked to the KKK and the Aryan Brotherhood, allegedly chained James Byrd Jr. to a pickup truck and dragged him two miles, tearing him to pieces. The district attorney wants to justify the death penalty by adding an additional felony charge, such as kidnapping. The FBI wants to charge the men with violating Byrd's civil rights. The Texas spin: Who'da thunk it could happen here? The out-of-state spin: Texas is in denial about its racism. The high-minded spin: The whole country is in denial. The anti-media spin: Why do we treat school shootings as a national epidemic but dismiss racial killings as isolated incidents? (6/11/98)

The Supreme Court heard arguments on whether the attorney-client privilege continues after the client is dead. (Slate's "Explainer" ponders the question.) Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr asked the court to strip this privilege from Vince Foster, the late deputy White House counsel, so Starr can see notes that Foster's attorney took from a conversation with Foster days before the latter's death. Starr thinks the notes may indicate that Hillary Clinton or others lied under oath about Travelgate. He argues that the privilege has already been curbed in some cases. Liberal editorialists replied that a victory for Starr would unacceptably deter other clients from speaking honestly to their lawyers, and they predicted the court will see it their way. (6/11/98)

Internet reporter Matt Drudge is charming his way into the punditocracy. Previously vilified for inaccuracy and recklessness, Drudge is drawing favorable reviews this week following a recent speech at the National Press Club. To learn how Drudge is rehabilitating his image, click here. (6/10/98)

The Federal Trade Commission sued Intel for alleged antitrust violations. It says Intel denied three companies information about its chips (which they needed in order to develop products for the 80 percent of computers that are based on Intel chips), thereby forcing them to accept Intel's terms for use of their patented technologies. Intel agrees that this happened, but says it isn't against law. Skeptics say that 1) the case against Intel is far weaker than the case against Microsoft, because the allegedly victimized companies are Intel's customers more than its competitors, and 2) the government's picture of Intel as a fierce monopoly is outdated, since its market share is under assault. As though on cue, Intel cut its prices. (6/9/98)

Nigerian dictator Gen. Sani Abacha died, reportedly of a heart attack. Almost nobody is sorry. Experts debated whether he would be remembered more for his brutal tyranny or for his corruption and plunder of the economy. Western countries and Nigerian opposition leaders implored the military to use Abacha's death as an opportunity to restore civilian democracy. Instead, the military immediately named Abacha's top defense aide, a fellow general, to succeed him. The good news: The country might be angry enough to rise up against the military. The bad news: Lots of people might be killed in the process. (6/9/98)

The National Rifle Association held its annual convention and showcased its new president, Charlton Heston. Click here for a dissection of the NRA's spin on school shootings. (6/8/98)

Real Quiet lost the Belmont Stakes to Victory Gallop by a nose. This is the second straight year that the winner of the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness fell just short in the final leg of the Triple Crown. (Last year's near-winner was Silver Charm.) The last Triple Crown winner was Affirmed, 20 years ago. The popular spin: How sad for Real Quiet's jockey, Kent Desormeaux, and for trainer Bob Baffert, who also trained Silver Charm. The backstage spins: 1) How sweet for jockey Gary Stevens, who rode Victory Gallop this year after having lost on board Silver Charm last year. 2) Desormeaux and Baffert are lucky they lost the race outright, because if they'd won, Real Quiet would have been disqualified for interfering with Victory Gallop's run--and they'd be remembered for scandal, not just defeat. (6/8/98)

The House fell 61 votes short of the two-thirds majority needed to pass a constitutional amendment to allow organized prayer in schools, religious displays in federal buildings, and the spending of tax money for religiously affiliated groups. The vote was 224-203 in favor. Supporters argued that Congress should protect religious students from anti-religious school administrators. Opponents argued that religious-minority students and school administrators should be protected from Congress. The naive spin: Republicans lost. The sophisticated spin: Republicans won, by appeasing Christian conservatives who will reward them at the polls in November. (6/5/98)

Terry Nichols was sentenced to life in prison for his part in the Oklahoma City bombing. The dramatic spin: The families of the victims testified about their grief and received justice. The intellectual spin: Judge Richard Matsch sent a message against terrorism and in support of the government. Matsch argued that the workers who were killed had been establishing justice, ensuring domestic tranquility, and promoting the general welfare. His sound bite: "This was not a murder case. ... It is a crime against the Constitution."(6/5/98)

The Supreme Court rejected independent counsel Ken Starr's request to resolve whether Clinton aide Bruce Lindsey and Secret Service employees must answer questions in the Monica Lewinsky investigation. Instead, these questions will proceed to the U.S. Court of Appeals. For a look at how Starr is recovering ground in his PR battle with President Clinton, click here. (6/4/98)