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Kidneys for Sale!

By Jeremy Derfner
Updated Friday, May 12, 2000, at 9:30 PM ET

New Republic

New Republic, May 22

The cover story argues that George Bush is the best modern president. He bailed Reagan out on Sandinistas, S&Ls, and debt, beautifully managed the Persian Gulf War and the end of the Cold War, and paved the way for the economic boom of the Clinton era. … A piece advocates the legalization of kidney selling. More than 40,000 people await kidney transplants, and many will die unless healthy people sell their kidneys. Kidney sales would save the government billions by curbing dialysis, and they won't hurt donors, who can live fine with one kidney. (Richard Epstein made the case for organ sales in this Slate "Dialogue" two years ago.)

Economist

Economist, May 13

The cover story asks what's wrong with Africa, which is now beset by every possible disaster: famine, flood, mass murder, civil war. Africans, accustomed to instability, don't believe they can ever get themselves out of the mess. The West expects Africa to democratize but doesn't really understand its societies. … An article says the U.S. economy is finally overheating. Inflation is up; productivity is down. The Fed should slam on the brakes with a big interest-rate hike. … A piece heralds the arrival of the telephone Internet. Advances in voice recognition software and voice programming languages make it possible to send e-mail, get directions, and make purchases by phone, all without speaking to a live person. The phone Net means new jargon: Get used to "v-commerce," everybody!

New York Times Magazine

New York Times Magazine, May 14

The cover profile can't decide whether Tony Blair is the "regular bloke" who'll be re-elected in a landslide or the control freak who's liable to "press his jeans" and has earned plenty of enemies. … A profile of Bush campaign manager Karl Rove confirms that he's brilliant, mercurial, and often downright nasty. Here's what Rove says about John McCain's campaign manager: "Just the consummate inside-D.C. thug. He needs adult supervision." … An article explains Battlefield Earth producer Elie Samaha's technique for making zillions off mediocre movies. For Battlefield, Samaha bought an L. Ron Hubbard-adapted script that Scientologist John Travolta loved, underpaid Travolta to star, and financed the film by leveraging Travolta's name overseas. Samaha has used a similar formula for Bruce Willis and Sly Stallone pet projects.

Newsweek

Newsweek, May 15

The cover story applauds Dinosaur, the first release from Disney's digital studios. The movie, which cost $200 million, combines computer-generated dinosaurs and real-life backgrounds. This tech wizardry, in which computer creation virtually mimics photo reality, may spur studios to make movies with computer-generated characters instead of real actors. Farewell, Tom Cruise! … A piece disputes the widely accepted claim that the NATO air campaign in Kosovo was an unprecedented success. According to a report obtained by Newsweek, NATO planes barely damaged the Serbian forces. It was the destruction of civilian targets that forced Milosevic to back down.

Time

Time, May 15

The cover story describes how the "love bug" computer virus wrecked computers worldwide. A companion piece argues that Microsoft's software domination makes life easy for hackers who encounter a "homogenous ecosystem" of PCs. A commentary by Bill Gates counters that a breakup of Microsoft would make it harder to fight love bug-type viruses. … An article argues that Gore campaign manager Tony Coelho is in trouble. He encouraged Gore's foolhardy opposition to the Clinton administration's Elián policy. His combative style annoys the Democratic elite. And several government agencies are investigating his business dealings. … A report lambastes proposed bankruptcy reform as bad for the poor and good for the financial services industry—not surprising since the industry has paid more than $25 million in campaign contributions and lobbying fees to push the reform bill.

U.S. News & World Report

U.S. News & World Report, May 15

The cover story asks how the New Woman fits into the New Economy. Young businesswomen have been starting their own companies at twice the national average since 1990. Their next goal: breaking into the boys' club of venture capital. … An article says the presidential election will determine the composition of the Supreme Court because two to four retirements are expected in the next four years. But Roe vs. Wade is probably safe, no matter who appoints the new justices. … A piece reports on the mass exodus of Russians from the Arctic North. The Soviets paid people to settle in the barren wastes, but because the northern towns are too expensive to keep up, the Russians are now paying people to leave.

The New Yorker

The New Yorker, May 15

A piece about Afghanistan under the Taliban confirms the conventional wisdom about the Islamic zealots. They have brought some measure of stability to the war-torn country, but their theocracy outlaws music, advocates the stoning of adulterers, sentences men who shave to prison, and has essentially driven women out of public life. … An article says that anti-Fascist novelist Ignazio Silone informed on his Communist comrades to Benito Mussolini's police during the 1920s. Silone's followers, who treat him as a "secular saint," are loath to accept the mounting evidence.

Weekly Standard

Weekly Standard, May 15

The cover story marvels at how President Clinton now describes the impeachment crisis as redemption for him, the Constitution, and the Democratic Party. The president sees himself emerging from impeachment as "a molder of character, a forgiver of sins, a saint." … An article suggests that the debate over Internet taxation could jump-start serious discussion of sales-tax reform. Free marketers are relying on sexy slogans to ward off Internet taxation. They should use the Internet controversy, which people are paying attention to, to advance their more complicated, but worthy, tax reform arguments.

The Nation

The Nation, May 22

The cover story attacks the Clinton administration—especially Al Gore—for its close ties to Occidental Petroleum. Occidental, founded by Al Gore Sr. friend Armand Hammer, wants to drill for oil on Colombia's U'wa tribal lands. … A piece describes how the Fox network agreed to make a miniseries out of Howard Zinn's lefty A People's History of the United States, then changed its mind. HBO is now working on the project.

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Jeremy Derfner is a former Slate editorial assistant.
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