Don't Readme

The sole purpose of this "Readme" column is to draw your attention to our cornucopious coverage of the Clinton sex scandal. If you've missed the news at all, " Today's Papers" will catch you up on daily developments from the past week. (Earlier Papers are, of course, accessible from the current column.) For the world's reaction, check out " International Papers." " The Week/The Spin" supplies the big picture in a small package--plus our Clintometer, which scientifically measures within 1-percent accuracy the chance of the president not finishing his term. It is updated daily. In " Chatterbox," we file random tidbits, insights, observations, and factoids. Chatterbox is updated at least once a day, usually more often. " In Other Magazines" synthesizes the coverage in Time, Newsweek, and so on. If you miss the weekend talk shows, " Pundit Central" will have them all neatly packaged for you by midday Monday.

Slate's chief political correspondent has been filing daily from the D.C. epicenter. Catch up on his reports in "Dispatches & Dialogues." While you're there, read the latest exchanges between Susan Estrich and David Frum about Matt Drudge, the cybergossip who broke the story. David Plotz's " Assessment" this week is a composite portrait of Bill Clinton's dream date. Washington editor Jodie T. Allen denies having slept with the president. (Not one of her more persuasive essays, in the view of her colleagues.) " The Gist" brings together all the varying explanations for the president's alleged behavior, looking for a unified theory. In " Frame Game," William Saletan analyzes how the various players are struggling to position Monica Lewinsky in the public mind. And Jared Hohlt's " Web Sites" review is your guide to the many Monica sites that have already sprung up.

Next Week: The Clinton Scandal--Media Overkill?

--Michael Kinsley

P.S. Not everything in Slate this week is about Bill and Monica. Stephen Harrigan returns with his latest tally of " Plot Holes" in current movies. The " Medical Examiner," Atul Gawande, offers a doctor's novel argument on abortion. Anne Hollander, our fashion columnist, praises fake fur. And that's not all ...