New Republic, July 20

(posted Friday, July 3, 1998)

The cover story reviews a new book calling for more single-child families. The book argues that only children receive closer parental attention and that limiting population will stop environmental decay. In fact, says the review, only children are no better off than children in big families, and overpopulation may be an overhyped myth. Also, women in developing nations start having fewer children as technology and industry improve--conditions generally linked with environmental decline. ... A Fourth of July essay says Americans are too worshipful of the Founding Fathers and the Constitution. Our nitpicking exegesis of ancient texts limits our ability to innovate.

New York Times Magazine, July 5

(posted Thursday, July 2, 1998)

A story profiles Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt, now under investigation for lying to Congress. Conclusion: Babbitt is a fine, upstanding man caught in an inconsequential transgression. ... The cover piece celebrates St. Louis Cardinal Mark McGwire's remarkable home run prowess. McGwire is having a season for the ages, compares favorably with the all-time greatest sluggers, and may well crush the record for most homers in a season. His secret: a smooth, concise, brutally powerful swing--not to mention 20-inch biceps.

Time and Newsweek, July 6

(posted Tuesday, June 30, 1998)

Time's cover package examines America's gun culture. A photo essay shows ordinary Americans posing with their firearms. An interview with new National Rifle Association President Charlton Heston reveals his extremism: He is quoted on white supremacist David Duke's Web site and has said that "Clinton's cultural shock troops ... claim it's time to place homosexual men in tents with boy scouts." Heston blames violent rap lyrics for America's decline but does not apologize for his many ultraviolent movie roles. (For more on Heston, see David Plotz's "Assessment" in Slate.) A separate article considers a new study arguing that concealed weapons lower crime rates. While scholars debate the accuracy of the study's statistics, gun rights activists embrace its message that an armed society is a safer society. Also, an essay wonders what makes teen-age killers tick. Conclusion: a combination of video games, insecurity, and pure, inexplicable evil.

Newsweek's upbeat cover story profiles Katie Couric, co-host of NBC's morning show Today. Her husband died of colon cancer in January, but the smart, bubbly Couric is as charming as ever. Fans love that she colors her own hair, wears Gap clothes, and flies coach. Inappropriately chipper line: "She's also a morning star still in mourning for her husband."