Economist, March 27

(posted Saturday, March 27)

The cover editorial calls NATO's bombing of Serbia one of the West's "riskiest ventures." The action sets a dangerous precedent by attacking a sovereign state for suppressing an ethnic minority with secessionist aspirations. Its strategy is faulty: Member countries are reluctant, Serbia is strong militarily, and NATO has forsworn the use of ground troops. And it's unrealistic to think that NATO can halt ethnic cleansing without destabilizing the region. ... An article says President Clinton waited too long to prepare the American public for military action in Kosovo. He procrastinated because there were reservations within his own party and administration about the wisdom of humanitarian intervention. ... A survey of Brazil reports that President Fernando Cardoso's order to let the real float, which was issued from a bathroom at Rio's international airport, deepened the recession and worsened inflation. Now that fiscal austerity and higher interest rates have been imposed a more prosperous country could emerge so long as Brazilians stay committed to reform.

Ms., April/May 1999

(posted Saturday, May 27, 1999)

The feminist magazine relaunches with articles on subjects predictable (female candidates for president, abortion clinic violence) and less so (adultery, the benefits of eating soy). ... A patient narrates her face lift. At first, she feels like "female goods in a dick-driven market," but a few weeks later finds her smoother, younger face a source of pleasure and confidence. ... A photo essay, "In Praise of Women," features shots of impoverished or oppressed women in Afghanistan, Africa, and Haiti, with lushly worded captions. ("Though worlds apart geographically, we are all sisters in our souls.")

New Republic, April 12

(posted Friday, March 26, 1999)

A cover book review warns that America is not prepared for the surge in its elderly population. Policies and social custom encourage early retirement, subsidized by government programs. As the percentage of seniors increases, these programs will dominate the federal budget. Increasing savings and reinventing retirement as a mix of leisure and work could alleviate the looming crisis. ... An article argues that feminists and conservatives share the same misguided view of gender relations: that women are pervasively victimized by society and need special protection. In fact, American society is more flexible than feminists and traditionalists recognize: Most women manage to have a "workable balance of job and home responsibilities."

New York Times Magazine, March 28