Economist, May 3

(posted Saturday, May 3)

Much news of the British election. The cover editorial asserts that Tony Blair's victory is a repudiation of the Tories, not a victory for Labor policies. It advises Blair to appoint a strong Cabinet, slow economic growth with higher interest rates, and strike boldly on government reform, but worries that the new prime minister is more concerned with symbols than with policy. An Economist poll concludes that Britons are extremely skeptical of European Currency Union. An article says that the Labor landslide does not signify the death of the Conservative Party: Just five years ago, after all, pundits were administering last rites to Labor. Voters may hate Tory politicians, but they like Tory policies. And a story argues that bustling, open-minded Shanghai, rather than stodgy, authoritarian Beijing, is the future of China.

NewRepublic, May 19

(posted Friday, May 2)

"Gaming the Poor" condemns state lotteries. They sucker the poor with false advertising, do a lousy job at raising revenue (only 34 cents of every dollar spent on lotteries goes to state treasuries), and are magnets for corruption. A review of Boutros Boutros-Ghali's new memoir berates the former U.N. secretary-general for his arrogance and condescension. The editorial calls the Republican attack on federal judges "intellectually incoherent and constitutionally subversive," maintaining that the nominees opposed by Republicans are actually moderates who advocate judicial restraint--exactly the kind of jurists Republicans should support.

New York Times Magazine, May 4

(posted Thursday, May 1)

The cover story endorses the state Legislature's plan to scrap New York City's rent-control law. A story studies a block in the Lower East Side and concludes that rent control reduces the number of apartments, encourages landlord neglect, disproportionately benefits upper-middle-class renters, and dissuades developers from building new apartments. Economists agree. A story advises Americans not to take health warnings too seriously. The media exaggerate the risks and benefits of research findings, and it's only in rare cases (notably cigarette smoking) that science discovers clear evidence that changing behavior can improve health. "The Chanel Under the Chador" examines Iran's growing "Islamic feminist" movement: Women in the elite are battling quietly to secure a modicum of gender equity--the right to divorce, take maternity leave, win custody of children, play sports, etc. Surprising fact: The Iranian Parliament has 13 women members.

Time and Newsweek, May 5