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{{New Republic#85475}}New Republic, July 10 & 17

The {{cover story#2:http://www.tnr.com/071000/grann071000.html}} describes how the Mafia has corrupted Youngstown, Ohio. The local congressman, Rep. James Traficant, is expected to be indicted for his links to organized crime. Locals admire the mob because they think it brings a tough-guy image and some stability to the city. … An {{article#2:http://www.tnr.com/071000/paternostro071000.html}} reports that Fidel Castro, who once encouraged prostitution because it fueled the tourist trade, is cracking down on prostitutes because they make so much money that they have become capitalist role models for kids. … A piece says that Indian reservations are exploding with gang violence. The Bureau of Indian Affairs has identified 520 Indian gangs, and the murder rate on reservations has risen 50 percent since 1992.

{{Economist.#85478}}Economist, July 1

The {{editorial#2:http://www.economist.com/l.cgi?f=/editorial/AC/1-7-00/index_ld6100.html}} urges governments not to regulate genetic engineering very much. Governments do not have the right to prevent parents from making their children smarter or better-looking as long as the procedures are proven safe. … A {{piece#2:http://www.economist.com/l.cgi?f=/editorial/AC/1-7-00/index_as2208.html}} claims that the optimism of the recent Korean summit is already being deflated by erratic North Korea. It agreed to reunite only 100 families even though more than 7 million people have relatives across the border, jerked the Red Cross around on negotiations, and barred a reporter from an anti-Communist South Korean paper from covering an event.

{{ad.#85101}} {{New York Review of Books#85476}}New York Review of Books, July 20

A piece calls for comprehensive military reform but doubts it will happen. The American armed forces are bloated and slow, and its branches don't work together, but the necessary streamlining would mean less money to spread around, so politicians are scared to try it. Even worse, the new American military is determined to save American lives by not committing ground troops, but antiseptic air wars only slow down rogue states, they can't destroy them. (Click {{here#82762}} to read a Slate piece arguing that American military readiness is actually high.) … A review deplores the Dick Morris-style tactical cynicism that dominates both parties on global economic issues. Democrats could win back working-class whites by transitioning from identity politics to economic politics, but they won't because Democratic pols are greedy for corporate money.

{{Brill's Content#85477}}Brill's Content, August 2000

An {{article#2:http://www.brillscontent.com/August2000/lyall_spin.html}} says that Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles are using the British media to fight each other. Each has a royal press office that feeds its favored reporters, and the newspapers have taken sides in the battle. … A {{piece#2:http://www.brillscontent.com/August2000/russia_0700.html}} claims that the state controls the Russian media. It owns many TV stations and presses and forces them to air and print what it wants, and it taxes independents into bankruptcy. 

{{NYTM.#85243}}New York Times Magazine, July 2