New Republic, Oct. 11

The cover story rues the 50^th anniversary of the Chinese revolution. The expected horrors are invoked: the Cultural Revolution, the Great Leap Forward, the continuing anti-religious brutality of the Communist Party. ... As world population reaches 6 billion, an editorial calls for more investment in international family planning. Encouraging smaller family size will boost economic progress in the developing nations whose populations are still exploding.

Economist, Oct. 1

The cover editorial reiterates the magazine's frequent warnings that the American economy is overheated. Rising consumer debt is a bad sign. Weak commodity demand and a strong dollar are staving off inflation, but the Fed should pre-emptively raise interest rates before the bubble bursts. ... An article remarks on South Africa's attempt to market itself to libertine tourists. Apartheid-era South Africa repressed homosexuals and suppressed the sex trade. Now Cape Town promotes itself as a gay-friendly city and welcomes sex tourists.

George, October 1999

The hagiographic John Kennedy Jr. tribute issue includes excerpts of his writing, portraits of him with his interviewees, and an over-the-top photo of him bathed in golden light. The issue is stuffed with tribute ads, including shoemaker Kenneth Cole's: "How do we follow in his footsteps?" ... A countdown of the century's 100 great political moments includes dubious picks, such as the Brooklyn Dodgers' relocation to Los Angeles, and predictable ones: D-Day is No. 2 and Franklin Roosevelt's election is No. 1

Rolling Stone, Oct. 14

A sympathetic profile of Bill Bradley concludes that he is more sincere and more dignified than other politicians. For instance, Bradley refuses to offer regrets for past drug use and does not coo-coo at infants. (Slate offers a less rosy view of Bradley's candidacy.) ... A biting narrative exposes life at an Ohio State sorority. Despite paeans to sisterhood and philanthropy, girls join sororities to binge-drink, hook up, and pursue their Mrs. degree. (For another insider view, read Slate's sorority girl "Diary.")

New York Times Magazine, Sept. 26

An article describes the newest missile defense scheme--75-miles-per-minute space cannonballs. "Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicles" orbiting Earth would be programmed to collide with warheads. First step: Build the prototype. ... The cover essay reflects on hate, describing it as a personal psychological reaction to idiosyncratic experience. It cannot be outlawed. We can only overcome hate by refusing to give haters the attention they crave.