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Lightweight Lazio

By Jeremy Derfner
Updated Friday, June 2, 2000, at 9:30 PM ET

New Republic

New Republic, June 12

The cover story advocates eliminating the "hostile environment" standard for sexual harassment. Because companies invade their employees' privacy (read e-mails, monitor Internet use, etc.) to prevent hostile environment sexual harassment, the cure is now worse than the disease. … An article argues that Rick Lazio, who looks and acts like a "rambunctious teenage son," is not weighty enough to survive the outsized New York Senate race. (A "TNR" piece two weeks ago argued the opposite, that Lazio's anonymity would serve him well.)

New York Times Magazine

New York Times Magazine, June 4

The cover story revels in the ascendance of high-school nerds. At Midwood High School in Brooklyn, N.Y., the gifted students do unimaginably complex scientific research, enjoy relatively normal social lives, compete for hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarship money, and have the inside track in the New Economy. … A piece marvels at the charms of American ambassador to the Vatican and political grande dame Lindy Boggs. She gets everything she wants but never plays dirty. … An article traces the decline of Kenya as the center of Africa's tourist trade. Unemployment in Kenya now stands at 45 percent, crime is rampant, and aging President Daniel arap Moi sponsored ethnic violence to maintain his power. Tourists are taking safaris in Tanzania, Botswana, and South Africa instead.

Time

Time, June 5

An article claims former Missouri Sen. John Danforth tops George W. Bush's vice-presidential wish list. … The cover story warns that the drug Ecstasy, once associated with the rave scene, is now showing up everywhere. It's popular because it gives a great high but seems less dangerous than cocaine or heroin. … A piece praises Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak for his all-guts-no-glory troop withdrawal from Lebanon. In a companion interview Barak says he is not optimistic about peace with Syria and will retaliate against any Syrian violence.

Newsweek

Newsweek, June 5

The cover story chronicles the war over Napster, a Web site created by a 19-year-old that lets you download songs for free over the Internet. Napster supporters praise its democratizing impact. Opponents, notably heavy-metal band Metallica and rapper Dr. Dre, both of whom have sued Napster, call it piracy. … An article reveals the existence of stealth PACs that spend tons of political cash but don't report to the FEC. A loophole discovered in 1996 permits the PACs, which are promoted especially by Sen. Trent Lott and Rep. Tom DeLay. Many politicians use these PACs to covertly collect money from big donors such as Microsoft, Motorola, and Intel. … A piece describes the proposed Airbus A3XX jumbo jet. Weighing a million pounds, the monster could feature an exercise room, casino, sick bay, or tennis courts.

U.S. News & World Report

U.S. News & World Report, June 5

The cover story says businesses are learning to take advantage of older workers' experience and reliability with phased retirement and more part-time assignments. The trend will continue because there simply aren't enough Gen-Xers to replace retiring baby boomers. … An article explains why missile defense is making a comeback. George W. Bush supports a comprehensive system because he wants to shake his reputation as foreign policy dope while Gore favors a less ambitious system because he needs to prove he's not knee-jerk anti-military. They both ignore the idea that a missile defense could encourage nuclear proliferation and might never work.

The New Yorker

The New Yorker, June 5

An article examines Rudy Giuliani's bizarre withdrawal from the Senate race. Once unable to summon an emotional response to the plight of the homeless and the brutalized, the mayor now earns sensitivity points for dumping his wife on television. Hillary Clinton will win the race, and Rick Lazio won't even make it interesting. … A piece explores how the global economy has caused the decline and fall of Philadelphia as a business center. The city's social elite used to run its own banks and companies, such as Philco and Scott Tissue, but now multinationals are buying up local companies and either relocating them or making them regional branches. As a result, the Philadelphia Gentlemen are disappearing.

Weekly Standard

Weekly Standard, June 5

The cover story likens the liberal response to the John Rocker controversy to the Chinese Cultural Revolution. What Rocker said wasn't that bad, and he's apologized for it, but the media continue to vilify him, not for his actions but for his thoughts. … A piece criticizes Seymour Hersh's New Yorker investigation of Gen. Barry McCaffrey's command during the Gulf War. Hersh accused McCaffrey of wrongly attacking Iraqis after cease-fire. The real mistake at the end of the Gulf War was Gen. Colin Powell's decision to call a cease-fire before the Iraqi Republican Guard had been destroyed. Powell's cease-fire was called for PR reasons and left the soldiers on the ground uncertain of their mission.

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Jeremy Derfner is a former Slate editorial assistant.
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Reader Response from The Fray:

What's all the fuss and bother about correcting human sexual dysfunctionality (Newsweek article, Viagra etc, ad nauseam)? What we clearly need is more sexually dysfunctional people of both sexes.

Can anyone, now, early in the 21st century, actually deny that there are just too bloody many of us on the planet? We're wrecking a very nice place with our garbage. Obviously, homosexuals, old people past the age of reproduction, and sexually dysfunctional people all are on the right side of the equation.

--Ralf

(To reply, click here.)

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