Economist, Jan. 31

(posted Saturday, Jan. 31)

Clinton should resign if there is even a "shred of truth" in the Lewinsky story, argues a forceful cover editorial. Regardless of whether he committed any criminal act, Clinton should quit if he had sex with Lewinsky and lied to America about it: "It would confirm a clear pattern of Clintonite behavior, one of reckless risk-taking followed by deceit. ... That is unworthy of a president." ... A profile of Dan Quayle hints that he could be Jimmy Carter to Clinton's Nixon. If he sustains his righteous, conservative image, he'll fare well in the 2000 presidential race. Problem: He's still a dull speaker and mediocre thinker. ... An article claims that once-secular Iraq is embracing Islam. Saddam Hussein is building the world's largest mosque in order to improve his reputation in the Islamic world. His subjects are returning to Islam because it's their only relief from poverty, hunger, and unemployment.

New Republic, Feb. 16

(posted Friday, Jan. 30)

Seven stories on Lewinsky. One predicts that Democrats will try to dump Clinton quickly if the allegations turn out to be true: They don't want him dragging the party down to defeat in 1998 or 2000 as Nixon did the Republicans in 1974. Republicans will be happy to let Clinton cook slowly. The "TRB" column says the essential difference between Watergate and Clinterngate is that while Clinton may be personally slimy, his entire presidency is not founded on corruption and deception. A piece condemns Hillary Clinton for standing by her man. A supposedly ardent feminist, she has smeared the reputations of Clinton's female accusers in order to protect her political power. ... The editorial endorses a "just war" against Iraq but worries that Clinton is too tarnished to lead it.

Esquire, February 1998

(posted Thursday, Jan. 29)

The cover story: a look at O.J.'s life, post-trial. Simpson plays golf six days a week, chats amiably with gawking tourists outside his house, and thinks he'll be a star again. The writer's conclusion: O.J. himself no longer knows if he's guilty. The piece is the source of the startling, much-repeated O.J. quote: "Let's say I committed this crime. Even if I did do this, it would have to have been because I loved her very much, right?" ... A story reports from a dwarf convention that is the main courting ground for little people. Dwarf guys complain that some dwarf women won't date anyone under 4 feet tall. Fact: Dwarfs socially stratify each other based on extent of deformity--achondroplastic dwarfs (more proportional, with nondeformed faces) rule the roost. ...Esquire profiles a Utah man with four wives and 31 children. He's not in it for the sex (which is solely for procreation), he owes on four mortgages, he's wanted by the law for bigamy (quadragamy?), and he must remember eight birthdays and two wedding anniversaries in a single month. Why does he do it? It's his duty to God. The Mormon Church, which has outlawed polygamy, excommunicated him.

New York Times Magazine, Feb. 1