New Republic, March 27
The cover story argues that the Internet and globalization will overcome China’s resistance to political change and will lead to democracy. The multiple dialects, distinct script, and geographic isolation that insulated China from Western values are being subverted. … A piece predicts that Republicans will bludgeon Al Gore for Earth in the Balance. Religious right radio hosts will emphasize its “New Agey bent.” Rust Belt Republicans will underscore Gore’s call to get rid of the internal combustion engine. Grover Norquist is already comparing the book to the Unabomber’s manifesto.
Economist, March 24
The cover story claims that India and the United States could become key “strategic partners.” They agree on new economy issues, and India is emerging as an ideal “counterweight to China.” … An article explains why the Nasdaq is “ever more volatile.” Option trades, which are surging in volume on Nasdaq, are much more destabilizing than traditional stock sales.
New York Times Magazine, March 19
The cover story laments income segregation. The new, tech rich are cocooned more than the millionaires of yesteryear, who at least had to meet blue-collar workers at the bargaining table. … A photo essay follows a pregnant homeless woman around Santa Monica. She died two days after the last picture was taken. … A profile explains why Russians adore acting President Vladimir Putin. While Westerners worry about Putin’s KGB past, 70 years of propaganda favorably dispose Russians to Secret Service veterans. And though Westerners deplore the war in Chechnya, Russians think Putin’s clampdown is necessary to crush terrorism.
Advocate, March 28
The ” Gay Guide to the Oscars” argues that this year’s Academy Awards are chock-full of gay themes and gay stars. Among many examples: Gay-themed Best Picture nominee American Beauty is written and produced by gay folks. Jude Law is honored with a nomination for his homoerotic role in The Talented Mr. Ripley. Hilary Swank is recognized for portraying a transsexual in Boys Don’t Cry; Chloë Sevigny gets a nomination for playing her lover. Gay director Pedro Almodóvar’s All About My Mother is favored for best foreign film.
Atlantic Monthly, April 2000
A cover package of previously unpublished writings by Vladimir Nabokov includes an essay on the transformation of the butterfly: “[W]hat is the feeling of hatching? Oh, no doubt, there is a rush of panic to the head, a thrill of breathless and strange sensation, but then the eyes see, in a flow of sunshine, … the large and awful face of the gaping entomologist.” … An article questions the wisdom of “regulation by shaming.” Companies are forced to disclose harmful ingredients in their products, prompting them to remove the offending ingredients. But because interest groups exaggerate the risks from the ingredients, consumers aren’t able to rationally evaluate which products are actually hazardous. … A piece condemns France for failing to arrest Bosnian war criminals. Radovan Karadzic openly lives in the French-patrolled sector of Bosnia. As long as indicted suspects remain at large, there can be no peace in the Balkans.
Time, March 20
The cover story cheers the democratization of high design. Megastores such as Target are peddling Michael Graves’ toilet brushes to the common folk. The boom economy is fueling the popularity of high-style iMacs and Volkswagen Beetles. (The New Yorker celebrated the same phenomenon six months ago.) … A piece stokes the acrimony between John McCain and George W. Bush. Bush thinks McCain is a sanctimonious hothead. When W. tried to glad-hand McCain during a recent debate, McCain growled, “Don’t give me that shit.” … An article says romance novels account for 40 percent of the fiction sold in the United States.
Newsweek, March 20
The cover story, “Gay Today,” applauds gay integration in mainstream American life. Two-thirds of Americans know homosexuals, and 83 percent believe gays are entitled to equal rights in the workplace. But half of Americans oppose gay adoption, and 36 percent don’t think that gays should teach grade school. … An article marvels at the proliferation of e-business incubators, more than 100 of which have opened in the last six months. In exchange for equity, incubators furnish start-up funds, office space, and guidance. (Priceline.com was born in an incubator.) … A piece trumpets studies that prove that tough anti-tobacco ads work.
U.S. News & World Report, March 20
A cover package examines the middle-aging of America. This year, 4.7 million baby boomers turn 40. They are richer, healthier, and better-educated than their parents. … But fortysomething home life is complicated. Women work longer hours, and their partners have more domestic chores. Middle-aged people are more likely to be divorced, raising young kids, and caring for elders. … An item gapes at the new economy’s latest excess: Merrill Lynch is offering “financial parenting” for the children of clients with at least $100 million. For $150,000-$300,000 a year, rich kids will receive tutoring on the value of a dollar and psychological counseling to cope with the stress of overprivilege.
The New Yorker, March 20
A piece predicts, “the general election will be a latrine.” The presumptive nominees will do anything to win, unlike honorable losers Bill Bradley and John McCain. … A profile portrays shoe impresario Manolo Blahnik as a mad genius. As a child, the Canary Island native made shoes for lizards out of tin foil. The shoemaker to the stars designs 300 pairs a year, many with his signature high heels. … An article says the Washington Post has lost its edge. Publisher Donald Graham has scaled back the Post’s “national ambitions,” hiring editors who are too restrained. He is determined to publish a mass-market paper that is profitable for Post Co. shareholders and accessible to all Washington-area residents. The New York Times and Wall Street Journal are now clearly smarter, more adventurous, and better-written.
Vanity Fair, April 2000
The annual Hollywood issue is hagiographic as ever. A photo portfolio includes George Clooney pictured as Clark Gable and Julianne Moore as an odalisque. The nadir: a portrait of Demi Moore with her naked pre-pubescent daughters. … An article retreads how celebrity money manager Dana Giacchetto fell out of favor with his star clients. Giacchetto, whose clients included Leonardo DiCaprio and Alanis Morissette, dropped too many names and misplaced some money. Now the feds are investigating whether his business is a glorified Ponzi scheme. … A profile answers the pressing question: What is Rita Wilson really like? Tom Hank’s wholesome spouse and Tinseltown’s most anodyne actress is “every inch the pampered Hollywood wife.”
Talk, April 2000
A profile pities Gen. Wesley Clark. The commander of NATO’s Kosovo campaign was prematurely removed from his post because Pentagon hacks didn’t like his push for “overwhelming force.” Clark’s exemplary career—top ranking at West Point, a Rhodes scholarship, and a Silver Star—will end on the celebrity speech circuit. … An article explains why Karen guerrillas follow the 12-year-old, cigar-smoking, verse-quoting, machine-gun-toting, fundamentalist Christian Htoo twins. Karen rebels have been struggling for independence from Burma for 50 years. They believe Luther and Johnny Htoo have supernatural powers, including the ability to deflect bullets.
The Nation, March 27
The cover story demands better conditions for the nation’s 30 million contingent workers, whose “perpetual job insecurity forms the porous foundation of today’s supposedly stellar economy.” Greedy companies are increasingly classifying regular staffers as short-term employees. Federal legislation is needed to guarantee “equal pay and benefits.” … An article swats George Bush (père) for parlaying his presidential service into big bucks. Bush demeaned the United States by glad-handing Saudis to drum up business for a shady investment group.
Weekly Standard, March 20
A cover story advises George W. Bush to capitalize on the greatest advantage he has over Al Gore—likability. To bolster his chances, Bush should offer John McCain the vice presidency or at least compromise on campaign-finance reform. … Another cover piece sketches Gore’s strategy. He should remind voters of Bush’s links to the religious right, highlight Dubya’s cronyism, emphasize the “gravitas gap,” and spotlight the miserable conditions of Texas’ underclass. … An editorial urges Congressional Republicans to delay the approval of the WTO accord. China should be punished for its recent belligerence toward Taiwan. Immediate approval would help Gore and bolster Bill Clinton’s legacy.
Mother Jones, April 2000
The cover story accuses George W. Bush of leveraging his father’s political influence into a personal fortune. Bush used family connections to raise $4.7 million for a series of failed oil ventures. He walked away from the oil racket with about $850,000, just before his firm’s stock plummeted. His investors lost $2 million. … An article claims W. pressured Argentina into favoring a Houston-based company for a pipeline contract. In a 1988 call, when his father was vice president, Bush suggested that Argentine-American relations would improve if Enron got the juicy contract. The company clinched the deal and won tax concessions. Entities associated with Enron contributed $89,650 to Bush’s presidential campaign; Enron’s CEO pledged to raise $100,000.
Business Week, March 20
The cover story prods Congress to dictate online privacy practices. Federal action is needed because “self-regulation is a sham.” Sites that peddle private data stealthily abuse consumer trust. A law penalizing exploitative information practices will encourage the development of e-commerce. … A special report applauds the increasing employment of the disabled. Assistive technology, such as Braille computers, is helping once shunned workers become more productive. Studies show that disabled workers are exceptionally loyal, and in today’s tight labor market it makes good sense to hire them.
