May 2002

"The Importance of Being Earnest" By Stephanie Zacharek
Rupert Everett gets Wilde in his bones, but this well-cast adaptation somehow feels obvious and overblown. (05/31/2002)

Tom Clancy's bogus big-bang theory By Charles Taylor
"The Sum of All Fears" pretends to be a serious exploration of nuclear terrorism, but it's really nothing more than warmed-over Cold War paranoia. (05/31/2002)

"Undercover Brother" By Stephanie Zacharek
At long last, Hollywood got the funk! Eddie Griffin is the black man's answer to Austin Powers in this delightful farce. (05/31/2002)

Literary Daybook, May 31  
Real and imaginary events of interest to readers. (05/31/2002)

"I'd Prefer Not To"  
By Tom Bissell (05/31/2002)

Lynda Barry
Through a Glass, Barkly (05/31/2002)

Steroids: The cancer that's growing inside baseball By Allen Barra
Until the national pastime solves its drug problem, the game's integrity will be threatened. (05/31/2002)

The India-Pakistan doomsday scenario By Damien Cave
U.S. intelligence says a nuclear exchange between the two feuding countries could kill 12 million. Here's how experts believe the region could explode. (05/31/2002)

Hoops heaven! By King Kaufman
As two entertaining playoff series climax, the Celtics and Lakers are doomed and the Nets will go from brief glory to cannon fodder. (05/31/2002)

The coming crash By Arianna Huffington
Do we have to wait for another 433 companies to go belly up before our leaders heed the warning signals and make passing the post-Enron reforms a top priority? (05/31/2002)

My years with Blow By Tom McNichol
It's time to set the record straight on my good friend Richard Blow, whose V-shaped torso slimmed to a slender waist around which was wrapped a simple leather belt. (05/31/2002)

Supreme healing By Amy Reiter
Diana Ross heads to rehab; Schiffer sues over topless photos; Mel Gibson: Surrounded by hormones; Aguilera booted from hotel for wild partying. (05/31/2002)

Bombs away! Sort of Cartoon by Mark Fiore
A two-step guide to understanding our latest arms treaty with Russia. (05/31/2002)

Ashcroft eases domestic spy rules By Anthony York
Blaming "bureaucratic red tape" for the FBI's 9/11 failures, the top lawman essentially tells the public, "Trust us." Should we? (05/31/2002)

Tourism and temptation By Charles Taylor
A sexual history of the Grand Tour reveals the fleshly temptations proper young Englishmen and women found -- and succumbed to -- in all those exotic lands. (05/31/2002)

When 300 baud was the bomb By N.Z. Bear
Once upon a time there was no Internet. And it was good. (05/31/2002)

"Can We Sue Our Own Fat Asses Off?"
By Megan McArdle (05/31/2002)

Listen hear
In Salon's roundup of recent CD releases, Eminem bores, the Hives reinvent garage and Paul Westerberg charges back to mono. (05/30/2002)

"Willow, Destroyer of Worlds"
By Stephanie Zacharek (05/30/2002)

Double down By Franklin Bruno
Tom Waits released two proper records in a decade. Then he dropped two crusted with rust and riotous cacophony in one day. (05/30/2002)

Taming the bear By Suzy Hansen
Strobe Talbott says Clinton deserves much credit for Russia's warming to the West -- and recalls a drunken Yeltsin calling for pizza in his underpants. (05/30/2002)

Literary Daybook, May 30  
Real and imaginary events of interest to readers. (05/30/2002)

Tom the Dancing Bug By Ruben Bolling
What if Tom Daschle were president in August 2001? (05/30/2002)

The greatest show on earth By Andrew O'Hehir
It's World Cup time again -- when more than a billion people will be enthralled not just by the joy of victory and agony of defeat, but also by the mystery and despair that is championship soccer. (05/30/2002)

Hell no, we won't go By Michelle Goldberg
A young Israeli draft resister isn't challenging just the Israeli occupation, but the very foundation of this warrior nation. (05/30/2002)

Get your World Cup scorecard! By Andrew O'Hehir
Everything you need to know about the players and teams. (05/30/2002)

What do they mean, "reality"? By Amy Reiter
Anna Nicole Smith hits reality TV; Ruskies deny all knowledge of Lance Bass; Affleck keeps it simple; another tennis star fights porn industry. (05/30/2002)

Been there, smashed that By Douglas Cruickshank
From porcelain machine guns to plates commemorating hideous disasters, artist Charles Krafft's grimly satirical work sheds strange light on an age when terror is rattling our teacups. (With a portfolio of 14 photographs.) (05/30/2002)

Daschle's bogus low "approval rating" By Ben Fritz
The Republican National Committee does a partisan hatchet job on Tom Daschle -- and has the chutzpah to call it a "job performance rating." (05/30/2002)

Mueller under fire By Anthony York
A Senate committee plans a new hearing to ask the FBI director: What went wrong? (05/30/2002)

In praise of "soccer" By David Thomson
It's time for America to discover the knees, thighs and invention of the men who play the most erotic game in the world. (05/30/2002)

Crash culture By P. Smith
Who is to blame when a 22-year-old 747 falls from the sky? (05/30/2002)

"CQ" By Stephanie Zacharek
This debut film by Roman Coppola (son of Francis) is a frothy, sexy, '60s delight with a movie lover's heart. (05/29/2002)

The death of etiquette By Jonathon Keats
For proof positive that "gracious living" is now extinct, look no further than the new revision of Amy Vanderbilt's classic guide. (05/29/2002)

Literary Daybook, May 29  
Real and imaginary events of interest to readers. (05/29/2002)

"Truth and reconciliation"
The author responds to Julia Gracen's review. (05/29/2002)

The K Chronicles By Keith Knight
What's Big Dick Cheney got down his pants? (05/29/2002)

Policing gangsta fashion By Amy Benfer
Are "anti-gang" dress codes in malls a way to deter crime, or just another way to prosecute patrons for shopping while black? (05/29/2002)

Unsettled
Readers react to a West Bank settler's story. (05/29/2002)

How long can Sharon avoid the tough issues? By Aluf Benn
The old warrior won't engage in real negotiations with the Palestinians because he thinks time is on Israel's side. (05/29/2002)

Did the FBI blow the Moussaoui probe? By Michelle Goldberg
A Minneapolis whistleblower says she should have been given a warrant to wiretap the French terror suspect, but experts say she hasn't proved her case yet. (05/30/2002)

McNamara's "Moron Corps" By Myra MacPherson
HBO's "Path to War" leaves out some of the most shameful brainstorms of the Vietnam War's masterminds -- including a little-known recruitment program that turned the mentally and physically deficient into cannon fodder. (05/30/2002)

A model wedding? By Amy Reiter
Schiffer swaddles herself in blankets on big day; Stallone has another "S" baby; Parker Lewis takes back seat to breasts; Noah Wyle "incredibly impressed" with J. Lo! (05/29/2002)

"Kamasutra" redux By Michael Castleman
In the Hindu world the pursuit of sexual pleasure was revered as a sort of religious quest. Imagine a world where getting laid was just as important as going to church on Easter. (05/29/2002)

Totally awesome software? By Sam Williams
"Extreme programming" sounds like no more than a marketing-driven fad, but fans are convinced that its rules hold the key to better code. (05/29/2002)

"Star Wars" By Brian Libby
Who cares about "Attack of the Clones"? After reinventing popcorn cinema with his giddy space western, George Lucas can do whatever he wants. (05/28/2002)

Real Life Rock Top 10 By Greil Marcus
(05/28/2002)

Literary Daybook, May 28  
Real and imaginary events of interest to readers. (05/28/2002)

I'd prefer not to By Tom Bissell
My list includes Toni Morrison, Henry James, Faulkner and Beckett. Why are there some great writers we just cannot read? (05/28/2002)

Story Minute By Carol Lay
The world's catchiest tune. (05/28/2002)

Here come the buns By Janelle Brown
Butt cleavage is not just for the plumber anymore. (05/28/2002)

A settler's story By Marcy Spiegel Oster
My husband, children and I moved from Cleveland to the West Bank just before the latest intifada. We're told that we're the obstacle to peace -- but we don't see it that way. (05/28/2002)

Madonna: "Flat as a flounder" By Amy Reiter
Material Girl chews scenery in London stage debut; Swank, Witherspoon get career wanderlust; Chris Rock pans Giuliani. Plus: World's sexiest woman? J. Lo's not going to like this. (05/28/2002)

I hate my girlfriend's boyfriend By Cary Tennis
We love each other, but she won't leave her abusive, jealous, e-mail-snooping man. (05/28/2002)

Our shiny happy clone future By Katharine Mieszkowski
Procreation without sex, smarter babies and the right to choose the sexual orientation of your kids -- it's all good, says scientist Gregory Stock. (05/28/2002)

Start me up By King Kaufman
At the Indy 500, the thrills come at the beginning, the end -- and whenever the green flag comes back out. (05/28/2002)

Out with the old ... By Carina Chocano
The TV season ends in an orgy of sex, birth, death and other life-changing events. (05/25/2002)

... And in with the old By Carina Chocano
The upcoming fall season will be heavy on cop dramas, dysfunctional family sitcoms, office comedies and other TV comfort food. (05/25/2002)

The witch hunt against Archbishop Weakland By Margaret Spillane and Bruce Shapiro
Yes, the eminent cleric had a love affair with a younger man -- but who was the real victim? (05/25/2002)

Pakistan tests medium-range missile By Kathy Gannon
(05/25/2002)

"Enough" By Charles Taylor
Jennifer Lopez kicks butt in a sleazy, paranoid revenge fantasy pretending to be an "issue" drama. (05/24/2002)

"Insomnia" By Andrew O'Hehir
Christopher Nolan's creepy, big budget thriller -- his first film since "Memento" -- is the kind of film Hitchcock would make. (05/24/2002)

Music preview: Mum By Ewald Christians
Underwater vibes: Icelandic band Mum combine intricate beat programming with warm liquid soundscapes. (05/24/2002)

Literary Daybook, May 24  
Real and imaginary events of interest to readers. (05/24/2002)

A scientist for the rest of us By Andrew Brown
Whether infuriating sociobiologists or enchanting readers, Stephen Jay Gould liked messes and knew how to make hard thought look like fun. (05/24/2002)

Second opinions  
Readers respond to Peter Kurth's essay on AIDS dissident Gary Null and Julia Gracen's take on the recovered-memory craze. (05/24/2002)

This Modern World By Tom Tomorrow
It all depends on the specific meaning of "specific" (05/24/2002)

Lynda Barry
In Seven Days (05/24/2002)

False accusations, bad boys and stripping Christians
Readers respond to recent articles on molestation allegations, acceptable sexual behavior and the Christian way to handle exotic dancers. (05/24/2002)

How can I never repay you? By Arianna Huffington
In CEO land, love means never having to say "I owe you." (05/24/2002)

Soccer may be the world's sport, but it will never be America's By Allen Barra
Every four years soccer officials assure us that if the U.S. men's team makes a run for the World Cup, their sport will finally break through in America. Dream on. (05/24/2002)

Mr. Green Genes Plant Co., Spring 2002 catalog By Jennifer Foote Sweeney
"Breeding seed since 1997!" (05/24/2002)

Holy fashion critic By Amy Reiter
Pope says nope to Aniston, others flaunting crosses; Spears redumps Justin over dancer? Hugh stands up for polygamy; Campbell insists J.Lo's a pussycat! (05/24/2002)

Antichrist politics By Michelle Goldberg
For many fervent Christians, support for Israel has less to do with Ariel Sharon than preparing for Armageddon. (05/24/2002)

Guns, guns and more guns! By Don Asmussen
John Ashcroft likes guns. Why don't you? (05/24/2002)

Dastardly Democrats Cartoon by Mark Fiore
Dick Cheney is shocked, SHOCKED by the politicization of 9/11. (05/24/2002)

Bunking with Kenny Boy By Gary Kamiya
Yet more shocking revelations on the president's extensive contacts with the former Enron chairman. (05/25/2002)

Sensual dreams By Glen Helfand
Photographer Paul Jasmin captures the stylized, constructed allure of long-ago Hollywood, with an overlay of lush eroticism. (05/24/2002)

Can we sue our own fat asses off? By Megan McArdle
Flush from their victory against Big Tobacco, activists are now gunning for the purveyors of junk food. (05/24/2002)

Letters: But we love "Star Wars"!
Readers respond to Stephanie Zacharek's "Attack of the Clones" review. Plus: "X-Files" fans gripe one last time. (05/23/2002)

The week in dirt By Amy Reiter
The delusions of J.Lo the clown. Plus: The incredible Kournikova nipple conspiracy, a box of condoms for Steve Bing and more. (05/23/2002)

Literary Daybook, May 23  
Real and imaginary events of interest to readers. (05/23/2002)

"Lucky in the Corner" by Carol Anshaw By Suzy Hansen
Responsible, 21-year-old Fern tries to keep family life on track, despite her mother's wayward lesbian love affairs, an abandoned baby and a transvestite uncle. (05/23/2002)

"The City of Your Final Destination" by Peter Cameron By Laura Miller
A naive young grad student travels to a crumbling mansion in Uruguay seeking authorization to write the biography of a suicidal novelist. (05/23/2002)

"The Woman Who Gave Birth to Rabbits" by Emma Donoghue By Suzy Hansen
From the author of "Slammerkin," historically inspired stories of strange births, drugged bridegrooms and the intimate lives of famous thinkers. (05/23/2002)

"Unless" by Carol Shields By Laura Miller
In the last novel by Pulitzer-winner Carol Shields, a daughter drops out to live on the street, forcing her mother to reassess her "happy" life. (05/23/2002)

What to read in May By Salon's critics
For the year's merriest month, books that celebrate the absurd delights of romantic and family love in the best of May fiction. (05/23/2002)

Tom the Dancing Bug By Ruben Bolling
The education of Louis: Literature acquisition (05/23/2002)

A prescription for disaster By Lawrence H. Diller, M.D.
The failure to test the effects in children of routinely prescribed drugs has resulted in at least one death. How many kids will die before drug companies take steps to ensure their safety? (05/23/2002)

U.S. was warned that Moussaoui had close ties to al-Qaida, analyst says By Damien Cave
French authorities alerted the FBI in August that the "20th hijacker" had trained in al-Qaida camps in Afghanistan, according to an intelligence expert -- but the U.S. did nothing. (05/23/2002)

The mysterious bombing of an environmental activist By Stephen Talbot
Though she vehemently denied it in public, the late Earth First leader Judi Bari told me and others in private that she suspected her ex-husband was behind the notorious 1990 car bombing that is finally being examined by a federal jury. (05/23/2002)

The gay Babe Ruth By King Kaufman
The first active major leaguer to come out of the closet may ruin his career -- or he could become a cultural hero. (05/23/2002)

Bass out of space race? By Amy Reiter
'N Sync-er might miss blastoff; Moby complains about presidential stalker; Schiffer goes prenup-less; Gene Simmons wows crowd with raunchy dental humor! (05/23/2002)

Will John Ashcroft really probe Florida's voter purge lists? By Anthony York
A day after the Justice Department announced lawsuits over Florida's 2000 presidential vote, Democrats remain skeptical about whether the suits will touch on the most explosive issues. (05/23/2002)

Ashcroft knew By Bruce Shapiro
The official responsible for the most dramatic failures of Sept. 11 turns out to be the attorney general. His sweeping anti-terror measures in recent months were a fig leaf to cover naked incompetence. (05/23/2002)

Since You Asked: "Whose Baby Is It?"
By Cary Tennis (05/23/2002)

Nina lives By David Thomson
The last episode of "24" was made for Nina-ites, and for ecstatic, fulfilling perfidy. (05/23/2002)

Give it away now By Thomas Claburn
Music start-up FightCloud.com offers CDs free, but says it's making a profit. How can that be? (05/23/2002)

"Lock Up the Analysts and Throw Away the Key"
By Damien Cave (05/23/2002)

"The Last Waltz" By Bill Wyman
A new DVD remembers when Martin Scorsese captured a beautiful moment before the Band -- along with Bob Dylan, Van Morrison and Joni Mitchell -- ceased to matter at all. (05/22/2002)

Willow, destroyer of worlds By Stephanie Zacharek
The most disturbing "Buffy" season ever ends with our most beloved character becoming a monster -- without losing our sympathy. (05/22/2002)

Literary Daybook, May 22  
Real and imaginary events of interest to readers. (05/22/2002)

Truth and reconciliation By Julia Gracen
Incest accusations of the recovered-memory craze tore families apart. Now one of its leaders wants to let bygones be bygones. (05/22/2002)

Bestsellers
This week's bestselling books courtesy of Powells.com (05/22/2002)

The K Chronicles By Keith Knight
One day at ye olde cinemaplex ... (05/22/2002)

The ultimate weapon By Chris Colin
Pederastic priests, molesting fathers -- charges of sexual abuse are everywhere these days. But a growing movement of aggrieved men claim the accusations have gotten out of hand. (05/22/2002)

Just Blaine rude By Amy Reiter
Celeb magician tells of racist N.Y. cabbies; Jolie speaks up for Burma; Brosnan recalls snogging glory; "Friends" fans descend on Rachel's hospital! (05/22/2002)

Hillary Clinton takes the high road By Anthony York
The junior senator from New York defends herself against White House charges that she played politics with news of 9/11 warnings -- but she won't fire back. (05/22/2002)

Bushed! By Eric Boehlert
Scare offensive: The White House tries to change the 9/11 subject with a series of chilling, if vague, terror warnings. (05/23/2002)

Bush and Gore's Florida nightmare: It's ba-ack! By Damien Cave and Anthony York
Experts weigh in on Justice's decision to investigate -- and possibly sue -- counties and municipalities in Florida, Tennessee and Missouri for disenfranchising voters, many of them blacks. (05/22/2002)

Oui, so horny! By Stephanie Zacharek
A French art critic confesses her love for the male organ (the more the merrier) in a new, pleasingly pornographic sexual memoir. (05/22/2002)

Will Americans go for mLife? By Steve Mollman
AT&T is pushing Japanese-style wireless services in the U.S. But until cellphones are as fun to use in New York as they are in Tokyo, a jaded market is likely to keep yawning. (05/22/2002)

"Hardware Wars": The movie, the legend, the household appliances By Bob Calhoun
An obscure Bay Area filmmaker launched an empire in 1977. No, not that one. Fluke Starbucker, Oggie Ben Doggie, Ham Salad and Princess Anne-Droid are back in a "special edition" of the original Lucas spoof. (05/21/2002)

Spaghetti space wars of 1979 By John Gorenfeld
Christopher Plummer and David Hasselhoff in "Starcrash"! Topless Bond girls in "The Humanoid" (directed by "George Lewis")! A viewer's guide to the delirious Italian "Star Wars" rip-offs of the late '70s. (05/21/2002)

In defense of standard English
I dislike the word "partner," but that doesn't mean I'm a homophobe. (05/21/2002)

Literary Daybook, May 21  
Real and imaginary events of interest to readers. (05/21/2002)

Quack record By Peter Kurth
Bestselling health and fitness guru Gary Null weighs in on AIDS. Almost all of what he says is useless, dangerous and just plain wrong. (05/21/2002)

Story Minute By Carol Lay
Bee mine (05/21/2002)

Go out and get a piece, son! By Lara Riscol
Right-wing moralizers wink at boys' sexual foibles -- it's unfettered female sexuality that they think is leading us into perdition. (05/21/2002)

It's payback time By Arianna Huffington
Congress is finally cracking down on drug companies' greed. (05/21/2002)

Wake-up call By King Kaufman
The NBA playoffs are heating up, finally. They may get so hot that we actually get to see a sixth game. (05/21/2002)

Hiding behind the veil of executive privilege By Robert Scheer
Once again the White House is invoking the prerogatives of power to shut down legitimate public inquiry into 9/11. (05/21/2002)

Britney and Justin together again? By Amy Reiter
Spears learns lesson from "living nightmare"; Mets' Valentine: We're ready for gay ball; Richard Hatch tries for second million; Tom Green booed off stage in Iowa. (05/21/2002)

Men who hurt themselves for a living By Cintra Wilson
Whimpering existential wimp-thug David Blaine lays his cojones on the scales against cackling, criminally irreverent feces-diver Johnny Knoxville. Knoxville's have more heft. (05/21/2002)

Can Al Gore go home again? By Anthony York
The former vice president tries to reconnect with the home state that deserted him, amid criticisms he's "still caviar, not catfish." (05/21/2002)

Axing the tough questions By Brendan Nyhan
The White House -- aided by its pundit allies -- bullies its way out of trouble. (05/21/2002)

Fevered rhetoric By Max J. Castro
The president keeps his hard line on Cuba as public opinion -- even among exiles -- softens. (05/21/2002)

Whose baby is it? By Cary Tennis
I'm pregnant, but I'm not sure if it's my husband's or my friend's, with whom I had a one-night stand. (05/21/2002)

Clone free By Katharine Mieszkowski
Francis Fukuyama warns that the combination of runaway biotechnology and individual freedom could lead to a social nightmare. (05/22/2002)

"Dark Shadows" By Joyce Millman
Years before Buffy, Angel and Anne Rice, this ultra-cheapo Gothic soap opera entranced a generation with soulful vampires, werewolves and lost love. (05/20/2002)

Praise the Lord and pass the balance sheet By Kevin Leahy
Today's business books combine war, spirituality and capitalism in an unholy trinity of feel-good blood 'n' guts money-grubbing. (05/20/2002)

Literary Daybook, May 20  
Real and imaginary events of interest to readers. (05/20/2002)

Salon recommends
Travel for the truly adventurous and more of our favorite new books. (05/20/2002)

This Modern World By Tom Tomorrow
A Republican's guide to debating the Enron scandal. (05/20/2002)

Smoke a joint and your future is McDonald's By Janelle Brown
A federal law passed in a burst of drug war fervor denies financial aid to the country's neediest students. (05/20/2002)

Delusion of a clown By Amy Reiter
J.Lo stands by hair disaster, teaches life lesson; Russell's in hot water again; Bing flips about floss. Plus: Nugent and Osbourne do battle; and Lucas lets down his geeks. (05/20/2002)

Lock up the analysts and throw away the key By Damien Cave
An investor who followed expert advice lost $100,000. He wants vengeance, but history suggests he's not likely to get it. (05/20/2002)

Hijacking the issue By Ben Fritz
A scandal hits and the spinning ensues, from Trent Lott, Robert Novak, Laura Bush -- and even Salon. (05/18/2002)

The best defense is a good offense By Anthony York
The White House fires back at Democrats -- singling out Hillary Clinton -- while trying to limit further inquiries. (05/18/2002)

Bush is still running from 9/11 By Joan Walsh
The president's recent evasiveness calls to mind his dodgy behavior in the hours after the terror attacks. It's time for the White House to come clean on how much it knew before Sept. 11. (05/18/2002)

"The Believer" By Charles Taylor
The story of a young Jewish Nazi skinhead might be controversial, but others have looked at the subject with more insight. (05/17/2002)

"About a Boy" By Stephanie Zacharek
Rascally Hugh Grant, a beyond-awkward little boy and the makers of "American Pie" team up for a near-perfect comic delight. (05/17/2002)

The truth is, um, where, exactly? By Aaron Kinney
A fan's semi-fond farewell to "The X-Files," which ends its eight-year run Sunday in a haze of melodrama and mystification. (05/17/2002)

Militants and mavericks  
Readers respond to Laura Miller's essay on the threat of militant Islam and a review of Mathematica developer Stephen Wolfram's "A New Kind of Science." (05/17/2002)

Literary Daybook, May 17  
Real and imaginary events of interest to readers. (05/17/2002)

Sex at the bake-off By Cathryn Michon
I know there's a scandal at the 40th Annual "Quick and Easy" Pillsbury Bake-Off. (05/17/2002)

Twisted flyboys and online meat markets
Readers respond to recent articles on a U.S. servicewoman's fight over mandatory Muslim garb, and the perils of self-branding in the world of Internet love. (05/17/2002)

They'll know we're Christians by our exotic dancing By Jennifer Foote Sweeney
A single mother condemned by her church for her job is holier than it is. (05/17/2002)

What if? By A.R. Torres
I used to ask myself what I could have done to save Eddie. Now I realize: I was asking the wrong person. (05/17/2002)

Can the Palestinian Authority clean up its act? By Ferry Biedermann
Arafat calls for elections and promises to reform his corrupt regime -- but dispirited Palestinians have no faith things will change. (05/17/2002)

Why Bush is innocent and the Democrats are guilty By David Horowitz
President Bush was given only vague warnings before 9/11. But the Clinton White House knew of specific terrorism threats for years while Democrats continually sabotaged security efforts. (05/17/2002)

Segregate to educate! By Jennifer Foote Sweeney
The Bush administration is clearing the way for single-sex schools. Why stop there? (05/17/2002)

Between cute and ho-bag By Amy Reiter
Hewitt wants new image, denies Baldwin affair; Johnny Rotten likes his image just fine; "That's Incredible" host reveals "nipple memo." Plus: Portman disses "Star Wars" nerds! (05/17/2002)

May the farce be with you By Mark Fiore
In a galaxy far, far away, an evil Deathstar ruined the lives of multitudes, and decimated their 401Ks. (05/17/2002)

Storm on Capitol Hill By Anthony York
The president smells "the sniff of politics in the air," but as the 9/11 story hits Washington, Democrats and Republicans alike demand "a sniff of truth." (05/18/2002)

Sexual visionary By David Bowman
Erotic photographer Tony Ward talks about psychodramas, Clinton's horniness and why he has sex with his models. (05/17/2002)

Napster's wake By Janelle Brown
The company that launched a thousand rips may be dead, but the movement it launched continues to thrive -- and to make a mockery of the music industry's pathetic online offerings. (05/17/2002)

In space, no one can hear you groan By Stephanie Zacharek
The soul-deadening string of clichés that is "Attack of the Clones" must immediately be shot beyond Pluto where it can do no harm. (05/16/2002)

The week in dirt By Amy Reiter
Paul McCartney aka "Lord Jock of Dundee"? Plus: Anna Kournikova's faked nude pics, Ozzy Osbourne's scratched balls, Mike Tyson's lousy sex life and more. (05/16/2002)

Literary Daybook, May 16  
Real and imaginary events of interest to readers. (05/16/2002)

A little bit at war By Suzy Hansen
Wall Street Journal's Max Boot says that, contrary to the Powell doctrine, America can and should fight small wars, build nations and do without an exit strategy. (05/16/2002)

Tom the Dancing Bug By Ruben Bolling
God-Man narrowly averts ... Double-Danger! (05/16/2002)

Taking off the abaya By Megan Twohey
Hours after a victory in her fight to free servicewomen in Saudi Arabia from wearing head-to-foot Muslim robes off base, Lt. Col. Martha McSally talks about her battles as a jet pilot and a woman. (05/16/2002)

Bravo, Jimmy Carter By Ben Corbett
His visit can't end Castro's tyranny, Cuba's poverty or the Bush administration's lame policies, but he's the first American politician who has tried to give to Cuba, not just take. (05/16/2002)

A baseball strike in August? By King Kaufman
The workers demand buccaneer capitalism! The owners insist on socialism! As a strike looms, baseball negotiations offer a bizarro-world version of reality. (05/16/2002)

The Times misrepresents the American public's support for Israel By Eric Boehlert
Citing polls, the newspaper of record reported American sympathy for Israel has risen since Sept. 11. But the polls show no such thing. (05/16/2002)

The Bermuda tax angle By Arianna Huffington
Every year, the United States loses billions to offshore tax havens, but the Bush administration has shown little ardor for closing the loopholes. (05/16/2002)

See no evil By David Talbot
The revelation that the White House was warned in August about a bin Laden hijacking plot -- and that Bush failed to disclose the warning -- shows an administration both incompetent and dishonest. (05/16/2002)

The 9/11 coverup By Joe Conason
First the White House ignored warnings about al-Qaida. Then it tried to stop Congress from getting the truth. Now we know why. (05/16/2002)

Mick's cold shower By Amy Reiter
Jagger won't get ya-yas out this tour; Lucas explains Jedi sex lives; Bing named as father of another baby. Plus: Gauging Kournikova's nipple diameter! (05/16/2002)

The Bush 9/11 spin machine By Michelle Goldberg
What did they lie about, and when did they lie about it? (05/16/2002)

Unbelievable By David Thomson
In "Unfaithful," Diane Lane's character was simply not unhappy or desperate enough to betray her marriage by having sudden sex with another man. (05/16/2002)

The prince of polygons By Daniel Drew Turner
How, with a little help from Microsoft, 3-D chipmaker Nvidia won the hearts and minds of hardcore gamers. (05/16/2002)

"The Lady and the Duke" By Stephanie Zacharek
The pictures are more alive than the story -- or the actors -- in Eric Rohmer's arty snoozer. (05/15/2002)

Mickey Rourke's desperate truths By Cintra Wilson
He was one of America's sexiest, saddest and most sensitive movie actors -- until bad women, bad liquor and bad plastic surgery beat him down. (05/15/2002)

"Petrified Man"
Listen to Eudora Welty's exquisite reading of one of her early stories, first published in 1939 and recorded in 1956. (05/15/2002)

Literary Daybook, May 15  
Real and imaginary events of interest to readers. (05/15/2002)

Bestsellers
This week's bestselling books courtesy of Powells.com (05/15/2002)

The next Newton? By David Appell
Recluse, maverick physicist and Mathematica developer Stephen Wolfram claims to have revolutionized science with his new, computer-based theories. (05/15/2002)

The K Chronicles By Keith Knight
Canadians have got their priorities straight: Professional playoff hockey rocks! (05/15/2002)

Meatmarket.com By Heather Havrilesky
In the competitive world of online dating, singles brand themselves as sexy commodities. But what happens when the wrapping comes off? (05/15/2002)

Anti-Semitism and the left, Jews and the right
Readers respond to Dennis Fox and Michelle Goldberg. (05/15/2002)

Bloody ice By Allen Barra
The NHL could crack down on the violence that's wrecking hockey -- but it doesn't want to, and neither do its fans. (05/15/2002)

Sex too soon and celebrity boxing! By Amy Reiter
Britney will be forgiven; Diddy's 'n love with 'N Sync; Rachel and Robbie aren't sitting in a tree; Eminem keeps his day job. Plus: Darva comes out punching! (05/15/2002)

The $33 million man By Anthony York
Bush stars in a record-breaking fundraiser, as party leaders rake in the cash -- even hawking commemorative Sept. 11 photos. (05/15/2002)

A star's setback By Seth Mnookin
He was supposed to be the dreamboat savior of a troubled New Jersey city. Then he lost. (05/15/2002)

A priest on his knees By Augusten Burroughs
Some of the best sex in my life has been administered by men of the cloth. (05/15/2002)

Age of Nvidia By Daniel Drew Turner
Keep the gamers happy, and the world is yours: How one 3-D graphics company shrugged off a recession and vanquished every foe. (05/15/2002)

"24": Split screen's big comeback By Julie Talen
From Fox's "24" to Destiny's Child videos to Hollywood, the splintered aesthetic of multichannel storytelling -- once the province of the '60s avant-garde -- is suddenly everywhere. (05/14/2002)

Literary Daybook, May 14  
Real and imaginary events of interest to readers. (05/14/2002)

"Labyrinth" by Randall Sullivan By Eric Boehlert
A former LAPD detective says a police conspiracy stopped him from solving the murder of Notorious B.I.G., but can he really make his case? (05/14/2002)

Story Minute By Carol Lay
The Portrait of Dorian Green (05/14/2002)

This is not my beautiful house By Carol Lynn Mithers
We go back to old homes to reinhabit past selves. We don't own them anymore, but they belong to us nonetheless. (05/14/2002)

Tyson: Greatest ever? By King Kaufman
You might think so if he beats Lennox Lewis. In which case you'd be nuts. (05/14/2002)

The shame of the pro-Palestinian left By Dennis Fox
Ignorance and anti-Semitism are undercutting the moral legitimacy of Israel's critics. (05/14/2002)

Israel's Likud Party votes for Armageddon By Muqtedar Khan
If the Bush administration is serious about brokering a Mideast peace, it has to reject Israeli -- as well as Palestinian -- extremists. (05/14/2002)

The SEC goes AWOL By Arianna Huffington
Chairman Harvey Pitt is as bold a Wall Street watchdog as Scooby Doo. (05/14/2002)

O'Reilly vs. Rush By Eric Boehlert
The Fox titan squares off against the radio king and the mud begins to fly (with a little help from Matt Drudge). (05/14/2002)

The "moderate" Bulldozer By Aluf Benn
The Likud vote rejecting Palestinian statehood allows Ariel Sharon to present himself as a centrist -- an image his staunch ally George Bush is happy to affirm. (05/14/2002)

Bush continues his neglect of California By Robert Scheer
New documents show the president left California hanging in the energy crisis. (05/14/2002)

Jews and the GOP By Michelle Goldberg
The Christian right's passionate embrace of Israel has raised Republican hopes that Jewish voters will abandon the Democrats. (05/14/2002)

Do as I say By Bryan Keefer
Crybaby Republicans on judicial holdups: It's not fair! (05/14/2002)

Insatiable By Cary Tennis
Isn't it every person's right to indulge themselves when they feel like it? (05/14/2002)

"Slammed!"
By Damien Cave (05/14/2002)

Manet's "Olympia" By Mary Elizabeth Williams
With a single shocking canvas depicting a prostitute in repose, Édouard Manet ushered in the brave nude world of modern art. (05/13/2002)

Literary Daybook, May 13  
Real and imaginary events of interest to readers. (05/13/2002)

Death rattle? By Laura Miller
Sept. 11 may have been the last gasp of militant Islam -- but while it's dying, it could strike again and again. (05/13/2002)

This Modern World By Tom Tomorrow
The vast left wing conspiracy (05/13/2002)

A new stunt to stunt growth By Janelle Brown
New restrictions on high school graduation go further to infantilize teenagers in the hope of making them perfect adults. (05/13/2002)

Out, but outside By Joe Conason
Why top GOP operative Grover Norquist should make any member of the budding "gay right" movement think twice. (05/13/2002)

They always start to crack By Amy Reiter
J.Lo complains about nickname; Zeta-Jones hallucinates voices during birth; Eminem disses Moby. Plus: Kato Kaelin -- don't let him in! (05/13/2002)

Bush supports creation of Palestine By Barry Schweid
  (05/13/2002)

"Playing Games With Free Speech"
By Wagner James Au (05/13/2002)

No beating around the Bush By Brendan Nyhan
The president: Don't vote for that Democrat because ... he's a Democrat! (05/11/2002)

Hey, mister -- wanna buy a 4,000-year-old cuneiform tablet for $10? By Katharine Mieszkowski
Iraq's economic collapse means the oldest writing in the world can be bought for a song on eBay -- and has scholars racing to digitize Sumerian artifacts before they become paperweights. (05/11/2002)

Why can't Hollywood make sexually mature movies? By Charles Taylor
Diane Lane's sophisticated performance can't rescue Adrian Lyne's "Unfaithful" from its sleazy moralizing. (05/10/2002)

Savage acts  
Readers respond to articles about Ralph Ellison, rape-victim memoirs and the true story of mutiny on a whaling ship. (05/10/2002)

Literary Daybook, May 10  
Real and imaginary events of interest to readers. (05/10/2002)

Lynda Barry
Long Division (05/10/2002)

New last words for my mother By Lu Vickers
I meant what I said, but I wish I hadn't said it. (05/10/2002)

"The Israeli 'Art Student' Mystery"
By Christopher Ketcham (05/10/2002)

How do you design a "Keep Out!" sign to last 10,000 years? By Douglas Cruickshank
The Department of Energy is creating a vast monument to scare future trespassers away from radioactive waste sites. Their plan: A granite Stonehenge thing with warnings in Navajo! (05/10/2002)

Bush's hatchet man in the State Department By Ian Williams
While Colin Powell tries to present a kinder, gentler America to the world, his hard-line underling John Bolton is pushing an America-über-alles doctrine -- and winning. (05/10/2002)

Creaky foundation By Brendan Nyhan
A journalism dean credits the Heritage Foundation for being what it's frequently not: Rigorous, evenhanded and scholarly. (05/10/2002)

Dan Quayle's strange victory By Megan Twohey
Ten years after taking on "Murphy Brown," he oddly praises Ozzy, Warren and Sarah Jessica -- and claims history proved him right. (05/10/2002)

Free willies! By Glen Helfand
Photographer Mel Roberts, once called the "Hugh Hefner of the gay world," liked to pose cute little surfie boys flopping out of their flower-power hip-huggers and cutoff jeans. (05/10/2002)

Much ado about blogging By Scott Rosenberg
Is it the end of journalism as we know it? Or just 6 zillion writers in search of an editor? Neither. (05/10/2002)

Use the blog, Luke By Steven Johnson
The collective future of blogs lies not in dethroning the New York Times -- but in becoming a force that can make sense of the Web's infinity of links. (05/10/2002)

Thy tight buns are like a red, red rose By Carina Chocano
Vicariously thrilling, coldly pragmatic and wildly popular, TV's new dating shows are the 21st century equivalent of medieval courtly love -- in a hot tub. (05/09/2002)

"Mutiny on the Globe" by Thomas Farel Heffernan By Stephanie Zacharek
The true story of a whaling ship taken over by a homicidal maniac intent on ruling his own island kingdom proves that history is gorier than the movies. (05/09/2002)

Literary Daybook, May 9  
Real and imaginary events of interest to readers. (05/09/2002)

Tom the Dancing Bug By Ruben Bolling
The ancient shrine of SUVs. (05/09/2002)

Every other weekend By Stephen J. Lyons
Somewhere between the penny loafers and the new Latvian stepmom, I learned that visitation doesn't always make divorce easier to swallow. (05/09/2002)

Lighten up
Readers respond to articles on feminism and the dinner bill, Bush's healthcare insanity and America's love of dysfunction. (05/09/2002)

A colorblind California? By Pamela Burdman
With one in seven California kids born to parents of different races, Ward Connerly says it's time to stop collecting outmoded racial data. But even some old allies say Connerly's is an idea whose time has not yet come. (05/09/2002)

There's no reality like Ozzy's reality By Amy Reiter
Osbourne misses cameras, disses other rockers; Gere slums it in -- gasp! -- his own ratty threads. Plus: Celine sniffles about skinniness; and the Jolie-Thorntons cleared to bring home baby. (05/09/2002)

Daring to Judge By Mark Fiore
The Vatican considers an exception to its no-gays-allowed policy. (05/09/2002)

Gore criticizes Bush on Middle East By Anthony York
He says White House lost "almost a year and a half" by failing to address the conflict. (05/09/2002)

Turn-on By David Thomson
George Lucas is still a virgin, and he wants his audience in the same stricken state. (05/09/2002)

The art of office e-mail war By David Miller
They don't call it a "killer app" for nothing. E-mail is corporate culture's favorite new weapon. (05/09/2002)

"Hollywood Ending" By Stephanie Zacharek
Woody Allen grows old ungracefully as a blind, neurotic babe-magnet filmmaker (who remains the center of the world). (05/08/2002)

Jeff Probst is not an idiot By Janelle Brown
The weather-beaten host of "Survivor" talks about his debut indie film, "Finder's Fee," and why no one takes him seriously. (05/08/2002)

Dylan Thomas: The Caedmon Collection, Part 3
Download all tracks from the third CD in the collection, including the story "Quite Early One Morning." (05/09/2002)

Bestsellers
This week's bestselling books courtesy of Powells.com (05/08/2002)

The ultimate violation By Charles Taylor
Two writers -- a philosopher and a working-class Southern man -- describe the horror of violent rape and their long journeys back from darkness. (05/08/2002)

Literary Daybook, May 8  
Real and imaginary events of interest to readers. (05/08/2002)

The K Chronicles By Keith Knight
Two weeks before Episode 2. (05/08/2002)

Punishment for the whole family By Nell Bernstein
California prison officials want to prohibit parents convicted of drug offenses from touching their children -- even infants and toddlers -- for one year. (05/08/2002)

No kidding, Shaq's the real MVP By Allen Barra
But they can't give it to him every year. So don't believe the Jason Kidd hype: Tim Duncan is the best pick. (05/08/2002)

Did Sharon's U.S. visit change anything? By Michelle Goldberg and Anthony York
The Israeli prime minister cut short his stay after another suicide bombing. Christopher Hitchens, Malcolm Hoenlein and other experts debate whether his trip made a difference. (05/09/2002)

The smearing of Pim Fortuyn By Diederik van Hoogstraten
American media mislabeled the slain leader a fascist, when he really represented a threat to an antiquated European political elite. (05/08/2002)

Will Bush "Wag the Dog"? By Robert Scheer
The administration has lost its most compelling argument for attacking Iraq. (05/08/2002)

Penthouse loses a subscriber By Amy Reiter
The real subject of those alleged Kournikova pics is steamed; Tommy Lee strikes back at Pamela. Plus: Mike Tyson blames media for lousy sex life; Paul McCartney's secret identities revealed! (05/08/2002)

Don't call me a sexpert By Susan McCarthy
Cynthia Heimel made her name by giving girls hilarious tips about blow jobs. Now she says she can't escape her own rep. (05/08/2002)

Slammed! By Damien Cave
Telemarketing scammers are the price we pay for lower long-distance bills. Can we afford this kind of bargain? (05/08/2002)

Wilco's three-act Greek tragedy By Colin Devenish
Sam Jones wanted to make a simple movie about recording the Chicago band's newest album. Instead, he ended up with a saga. (05/07/2002)

"Invisible Man" at 50 By Greg Thomas
African-American intellectuals are still criticizing Ralph Ellison for his refusal to make art serve politics. And they're still wrong. (05/07/2002)

Literary Daybook, May 7  
Real and imaginary events of interest to readers. (05/07/2002)

Story Minute By Carol Lay
The zoo around us. (05/07/2002)

What matters By Kate Convissor
After a year and a half on the road, we're two states from home. Time to figure out whether it was worth it. (05/07/2002)

The Israeli "art student" mystery By Christopher Ketcham
For almost two years, hundreds of young Israelis falsely claiming to be art students haunted federal offices -- in particular, the DEA. No one knows why -- and no one seems to want to find out. (05/07/2002)

Another tale of corporate greed By Arianna Huffington
New York Attorney General Elliot Spitzer says Merrill Lynch, like Enron, intentionally peddled bad investments to boost its bottom line. (05/07/2002)

King of pain By Amy Reiter
Horror writer kills grotesque rumor; Bon Jovi rocks hair loss; Iglesias denies cold sore story. Plus: Partridge family stages a comeback! (05/07/2002)

Sticks and stones By Bryan Keefer
Liberal name-callers have a new favorite catchphrase: The "Enron conservative." (05/07/2002)

Couples counseling By Cary Tennis
Should I get pregnant? Can I forgive my husband? Do I tell my boyfriend I have breast implants? And why does one of us have to have a cock to be married? (05/07/2002)

The pop-up ad campaign from hell By Brian McWilliams
It's the latest in Web marketing innovation: Hijacked Web surfers, exploited Web browser vulnerabilities and malicious spyware all wrapped up together. (05/07/2002)

Real Life Rock Top 10 By Greil Marcus
Wilco signify something, the Grateful Dead cover Dylan and weird, old Harry Smith's collection pops up in Buenos Aires. (05/06/2002)

"Will the Circle Be Unbroken" By Miriam Pace
Thirty years before "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" the scruffy hippies of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band persuaded skeptical country legends to join them in the studio -- and created bluegrass' greatest moment. (05/06/2002)

"The People, Yes"
Carl Sandburg reads his ode to the American people in this 1950s recording from his collection of poetry. (05/06/2002)

Literary Daybook, May 6  
Real and imaginary events of interest to readers. (05/06/2002)

Salon recommends
Alarming revelations about Lemony Snicket, and more, in our favorite new books. (05/06/2002)

The art of the scam By Douglas Cruickshank
Two great American con men bilked their fellow citizens of millions by peddling goat gonad cures for impotence and shares in the estate of Sir Francis Drake. (05/06/2002)

This Modern World By Tom Tomorrow
Another special message from the war information council. (05/06/2002)

On campus, nobody's right By David Horowitz
At U.S. colleges, Angela Davis, James Carville and the "Boondocks" creator get the red-carpet treatment -- while conservatives, like me, get the shaft. (05/06/2002)

Tobey and the glorified leotard By Amy Reiter
Maguire tells of restricted Spidey bathroom breaks; Devo admits to subliminal messages. Plus: Ozzy and fam in Ripa love fest; Hurley's financial instincts unmolested by motherhood! (05/06/2002)

And now, the bad news By Robert M. Freeman
Despite good news about the economy last week, President Bush's economic plan is putting the country in long-term economic danger. (05/06/2002)

Sexy silliness By Douglas Cruickshank
The Kinsey Institute's "Sex and Humor" collection of images is eroticism at its most ridiculous. (05/06/2002)

Playing games with free speech By Wagner James Au
A federal judge says computer games don't deserve First Amendment protection. His decision is wrong, stupid and dangerous. (05/06/2002)

Still life with horse By King Kaufman
War Emblem jockey Victor Espinoza had simple instructions for the Kentucky Derby: Don't do anything. He didn't, and the colt went wire to wire. (05/05/2002)

Check, please By Ann Marlowe
Some argue that the convention of men paying for women is a harmless gallantry, like holding a door open. I beg to differ. (05/04/2002)

Bush pinches pennies on nuclear safety By Arianna Huffington
The administration has billions for tax cuts but can't give the Department of Energy what it needs to keep nuclear materials out of terrorists' hands. (05/05/2002)

"Deuces Wild" By Stephanie Zacharek
This hackneyed throwback to greasers and rumbles steals everything and nothing from the classic gang films that came before it. (05/03/2002)

Working-class (super)hero By Ros Davidson
Like Spider-Man himself -- the first superhero to use a laundromat -- longtime Spidey artists John Romita Sr. and Jr. are regular New Yorkers who dreamed big. (05/03/2002)

Spider-Man as Everyman By Charles Taylor
Endearing Toby Maguire and Kirsten Dunst, the sexiest superhero's girlfriend ever, shine in this low-key but charming blockbuster. (05/03/2002)

"Fast Food Nation" Read by Rick Adamson
Eric Schlosser uncovers the beef industry's schemes as he reports from the dark side of the All-American meal. (05/03/2002)

Literary Daybook, May 3  
Real and imaginary events of interest to readers. (05/03/2002)

"The Browning of America"
By Suzy Hansen (05/03/2002)

Why we signed up
Readers who've become Salon Premium subscribers talk about their decision. (05/03/2002)

Crazy for dysfunction By Douglas Cruickshank
Somewhere along the line, we traded the Cleavers for the Osbournes. Family angst and social stigma are new tickets to fame and fortune. (05/03/2002)

The case for the wall By Samuel G. Freedman
A security buffer between Israel and Palestine would force Israel to abandon far-flung settlements, and Palestinians to see that terror doomed their chance for a prosperous, peaceful state. (05/03/2002)

Equal opportunity at the Kentucky Derby By King Kaufman
Where billionaires and Arab sheiks mingle with lesser Backstreet Boys and B-movie actresses with three names, and all that stuff about how every horse can win turns out to be sorta true. (05/03/2002)

Inside the Church of the Nativity By Douglas Cruickshank
An American activist who snuck past Israeli troops to deliver food says there's plenty of illness, very little food and absolutely no militants hiding inside. (05/03/2002)

How Pam got hep C By Amy Reiter
Tommy Lee and his not-so-hep "stress bumps"; anti-smoker Spears caught puffin' away; Merle Haggard has kidnapping blues; "Dirty Dancing" to return -- with Ricky Martin? (05/03/2002)

Israel World! By Don Asmussen
Cartoon satire: What happens when a wacky bunch of Israelis and Palestinians try to live together on camera? (05/03/2002)

Can Tommy come out and testify? By Anthony York
Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge speaks at a press conference-like briefing -- but rejects an invitation to appear before a Senate committee. (05/03/2002)

Safire's "Jews for the GOP" spin job By Michael Tomasky
The New York Times columnist tries to woo American Jews on behalf of Republicans by falsely creating anti-Israel, Democratic boogeymen. (05/03/2002)

George Hamilton is a hottie By Karen Croft
Move over, Katie Couric, I want a date with the Tanned One for my birthday. (05/03/2002)

Spyware vs. anti-spyware and more
Readers sound off on spyware, Blizzard Entertainment and Martha Stewart's ass. (05/03/2002)

Bye-bye, dancing baby By Carina Chocano
Sure, she was scary-skinny and her skirts were too short. But don't blame the unfiltered neuroses of "Ally McBeal" for the crisis contemporary women (and men) face. (05/02/2002)

Literary Daybook, May 2  
Real and imaginary events of interest to readers. (05/02/2002)

"The Bullet Meant for Me" by Jan Reid By Dan Oko
A boxing fan gets shot in the gut and winds up making a bedridden reassessment of machismo, Texas style. (05/02/2002)

Tom the Dancing Bug By Ruben Bolling
Marital Mirth, God-Man and more Super-Fun-Pax Comix! (05/02/2002)

Unmasking Deep Throat
Coming June 17: John Dean and Salon team up for an innovative e-book project. (05/02/2002)

Bush's band-aid approach By Fran Smith
A prestigious, congressionally mandated report has found that minority Americans receive glaringly inferior medical care. The Bush response: Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day! (05/02/2002)

Bush: Sharon's lapdog By Ian Williams
The president's conniving in Israel's disgraceful refusal to allow the U.N. to investigate Jenin has brought the rage and contempt of the rest of the world down on both countries. (05/02/2002)

Down with "LEPENIS!" By Nina Burleigh
In a city used to protests, Chanel blends with Che T-shirts as more than a million turn out for the mother of all May Day rallies. (05/02/2002)

Kids can be so cruel By Amy Reiter
Nonstop teasing, Dunst recalls; LeBlanc gloats over "Survivor" thrashing; Woody Allen -- alien? Plus: Björk pregnant; Jacko behind the camera. (05/02/2002)

From "Yasser who?" to "Yasser, and how!" By Mark Fiore
Easy steps to spice up even the most tired of movement leaders. (05/02/2002)

"Since You Asked": My husband is a horrible kisser
By Cary Tennis (05/02/2002)

Swimming with the online card sharks By Stephen Elliott
In the world of virtual Texas hold 'em, the money is real and so is the addiction. (05/02/2002)

"Sade" By Stephanie Zacharek
Daniel Auteuil is terrific as the mad Marquis in a mellow mood, but Benoît Jacquot's respectful flick is short on kink. (05/01/2002)

"Jason X" By Andrew O'Hehir
William Bennett's fave horror antihero, on ice for 450 years, defrosts in time to carve up future hotties. (05/01/2002)

"Dogtown and Z-Boys" By Jeff Stark
Stacy Peralta's sun-drenched skateboarding documentary captures the vibe (and inflates the legend) of Santa Monica in the '70s. (05/01/2002)

"The Nanny Diaries" Read by Julia Roberts
Nicola Kraus and Emma McLaughlin share their experiences of tending to Manhattan's overprivileged children and their useless parents. (05/01/2002)

Literary Daybook, May 1  
Real and imaginary events of interest to readers. (05/01/2002)

Bestsellers
Thomas Moore, Ian McEwan and more in this week's bestselling books courtesy of Powells.com (05/01/2002)

"The Fasting Girl" by Michelle Stacey By Kate Bolick
Victorian America's foremost anorexic became hugely famous for surviving for 12 years on a few spoonfuls of milk and a banana. (05/01/2002)

The K Chronicles By Keith Knight
Developing comics into feature films is hot right now. Real hot. (05/01/2002)

Public radio's private seduction By Eric Boehlert
As record promoters begin spreading money around the cash-starved world of public radio, will your favorite community station begin sounding like the rest of the dial? (05/01/2002)

They shoot horse racing, don't they? By Allen Barra
The glorious sport of thoroughbred racing is dying -- and part of the reason is the greed of owners who put champions out to stud in their prime. (05/01/2002)

The arrogance of the Catholic Church By Robert Scheer
The pope's refusal to seriously address the current sex scandal -- and his attempt to blame homosexuals for the problem -- follows in a grand tradition of church coverups. (05/01/2002)

Cesar Pelli By Brian Libby
The architect of Manhattan's World Financial Center -- and of the world's tallest towers -- discusses ground zero, the future of skyscrapers and how New York's skyline is handsomer than ever. (05/01/2002)

Owning up to Britney By Amy Reiter
Gosling takes rap for Spears' sexuality; Eminem explains Basinger kiss. Plus: Kelsey fights the good fight; and R. Kelly pushes "no monster" defense. (05/01/2002)

Blow-job banter By David Bowman
The authors of "Going Down" talk about the gag reflex and whether a man's mouth is different from a woman's. (05/01/2002)

Old McDonald had a subsidy By Damien Cave
Congress is set to hand over $170 billion to farmers. But to one grower of fava beans in California's Central Valley, the money isn't just bad economics -- it's an outright insult. (05/01/2002)