October 2002

Truly scary stuff
From murderous clowns to harrowing modernity, Salon staffers pick a terrifying lineup of spooky movies and TV shows. (10/31/2002)

The week in dirt By Amy Reiter
Don't throw plastic-wrapped underwear at Tom Jones -- he likes his panties warm. Plus: The latest on Mike Tyson, Jessica Simpson, Michael Jordan and more. (10/31/2002)

"You Shall Know Our Velocity" by Dave Eggers By Peter Kurth
Stop squawking about the money, the youth and the fame -- there's a real writer among us, and Dave Eggers' new novel proves it. (10/31/2002)

Literary daybook, Oct. 31
Real and imaginary events of interest to readers. (10/31/2002)

Reel world domination By Damien Cave
If young film buffs choose Tarantino over Antonioni, are they culturally illiterate? Some of their elders, self-appointed guardians of the cinematic canon, think so. (10/31/2002)

Letters
Readers respond to the Christopher Hitchens interview, "How the Left Became Irrelevant." (10/31/2002)

Drugging our children the legal way By Arianna Huffington
America's legal drug pushers are free to offer kids their potent concoctions without having to prove they're safe or effective. (10/31/2002)

She depends on Mike By Amy Reiter
Zeta-Jones pooh-poohs diaper slam about her old man; brew-ha-ha for beery Courtney and David; Sharon has Depp thoughts about Ozzy biopic. (10/31/2002)

Ballistics fingerprinting -- for politicians! Cartoon by Mark Fiore
Quite possibly the only way to solve the mystery of the missing gun legislation. (10/31/2002)

Why the Republicans should be very afraid By John B. Judis and Ruy Teixeira
Iraq and the "war on terror" may prevent the Democrats from seizing control of Congress, but long-term trends are all working against the GOP. (10/31/2002)

Liddy's free ride? By Anthony York
Elizabeth Dole hammers her Senate opponent for his ties to Wall Street. But she still won't answer questions about a political money scandal in her own past. (10/31/2002)

Joe Conason's Journal
As the "boo!" turns: When it was Hillary Clinton getting booed, Rush, Drudge and friends cheered along. (10/31/2002)

Girls just want to have fun By Cary Tennis
I've been flirting with one boy at work and having PG-13 slumber parties with another at home. Am I a bad girl? (10/31/2002)

Flag of inconvenience By Andrew Leonard
Fearing the Taiwanese flag would irk China, Red Hat yanked it from its version of Linux -- and started an international geek uproar. (10/31/2002)

Forty movies every film fan should see By Andrew O'Hehir
Are you cinematically literate? Salon's A&E editor picks the best and most influential movies of all time. (10/30/2002)

"The Little Friend"
Listen to Donna Tartt read an excerpt from her highly anticipated second novel, in which a 12-year-old girl tries to unravel the mysterious murder of her brother. (10/30/2002)

Mask oriented By Laura Miller
Phyllis Galembo's photos of vintage costumes, from Depression-era ghost hoods to 1960s neon plastic skulls, distill the murky glamour of Halloween. (10/30/2002)

Bestsellers
This week's bestselling books courtesy of Powells.com. (10/30/2002)

Literary daybook, Oct. 30
Real and imaginary events of interest to readers. (10/30/2002)

The K Chronicles by Keith Knight
Them wacky Bush babies. (10/30/2002)

The drug war's littlest victims By Nell Bernstein
Measures to put drug abusers in rehab instead of jail could rescue their kids from the cycle of addiction, foster care and crime. (10/30/2002)

Idiocy of the week By Andrew Sullivan
AlterNet, Ted Rall and the Wellstone-was-murdered conspiracy. (10/30/2002)

Why the World Series is going down the tubes (literally) By Keith Olbermann
Greedy, shortsighted owners and one-dimensional teams playing bad baseball add up to an event that nobody cares about. (10/30/2002)

Letters
Readers respond to Salon's coverage of the weekend's antiwar protest in Washington. (10/30/2002)

Joe Conason's Journal
The madness of King Jesse. Plus: Imus, Drudge whine about partisanship at Wellstone's memorial, but miss the big picture. And Ann Coulter is still fired! (10/30/2002)

Political flashback By Robert Scheer
I guess I'm just another McGovern wimp against the war in Iraq. (10/30/2002)

Dave's not here By Amy Reiter
The Parker-Broderick baby boy shall remain nameless; Hurley relinquishes her ego. (10/30/2002)

Significant others By Cary Tennis
I love my other and my lover. He loves his wife and me. Can this all work out? (10/30/2002)

Goliath crushes David By Farhad Manjoo
Even as it was fighting its antitrust battle with the feds, Microsoft was already on to Round 2: Winning the streaming-media wars. Second of two parts. (10/30/2002)

This story takes place on the day of the "24" season premiere. Bong! By Carina Chocano
Sen. Palmer is now the president, Jack has facial hair, and North Koreans are planning to nuke L.A. Hey, and where's Nina? Tick, tick, tick. (10/29/2002)

MC Paul Barman: "Paullelujah!" By Dan Kois
On his sophomore album, the New Jersey rapper delivers a hilarious concoction of erudite lyrics and crude sexual fantasies that has even himself wondering how he can be "so smart and so stupid at the same time." (10/29/2002)

Literary daybook, Oct. 29
Real and imaginary events of interest to readers. (10/29/2002)

Early American horror show By Laura Miller
The Salem Witch Trials remain a hideous -- yet disturbingly familiar -- mystery. (10/29/2002)

Story Minute By Carol Lay
I know what you did. (10/29/2002)

Daddy's home By Joan Walsh
Sharing the dugout and lots of affection with their sons, the Giants telegraphed good news about fatherhood -- and manhood -- in 2002. (10/29/2002)

Remembering Paul Wellstone By Scott Adams
A longtime staffer recalls how the Minnesota senator took principled stands and cast principled votes -- and used them to win. (10/29/2002)

How the left became irrelevant By Edward W. Lempinen
Christopher Hitchens talks about his beef with the Nation, the "filthy menace" of Saddam Hussein, and how the left ceded its moral credibility by opposing the war against Islamic fascism. (10/29/2002)

More on the SUV ad fund By Arianna Huffington
We've lined up a producer and director -- and now you can contribute online! (10/29/2002)

Pot, Porsches, and Madonna's pet put-down By Amy Reiter
Timberlake puffs blunts, loses his grammar; Nicole Kidman stops dating and regains her virginity (10/29/2002)

More Florida follies? By Anthony York
Jumpy Democratic officials worry that phony phone calls might be a dirty-tricks campaign. (10/29/2002)

Joe Conason's Journal
Dick Morris' odd advice. Plus: A correction from the National Review. Can Newt be next? (10/29/2002)

Treading water By Cary Tennis
My wife was secretly furious with me for years at a time and cut off sex in retaliation. (10/29/2002)

Microsoft's media monopoly By Farhad Manjoo
Bill Gates wants to control the delivery of digital entertainment into your home. And according to a lawsuit brought by a pioneering software company, he's prepared to crush anything that gets in his way. First of two parts. (10/29/2002)

Ron Sexsmith: "Cobblestone Runway" By Marshall York
On his fifth full-length offering, melancholy troubadour Sexsmith ventures into the land of tasteful loops and textures. (10/28/2002)

Primeval terror (since 1929) By Laura Miller
You think Halloween has pagan roots? Guess again. Two new histories of America's second favorite holiday reveal the truth. (10/28/2002)

Salon recommends
Tales of cosmic horror and more of our favorite new books. (10/28/2002)

Literary daybook, Oct. 28
Real and imaginary events of interest to readers. (10/28/2002)

This Modern World By Tom Tomorrow
Morality, American-style. (10/28/2002)

Miss America's stealth virginity campaign By Lara Riscol
With the coveted tiara firmly in her grasp, beauty queen Erika Harold quickly unveiled plans to promote her pet cause: Abstinence-only sex education. (10/28/2002)

Partying while Afghanistan burns By Phillip Robertson
While Westerners dance at end-of-the-world raves, the country slips back toward anarchy -- and the Bush administration does nothing. (10/28/2002)

Letters
Is Andrew Sullivan right that Harry Belafonte's a bigot? Readers weigh in. (10/28/2002)

One last surprise By King Kaufman
After six nights of roller coaster weirdness, the Angels and Giants played a relatively uneventful Game 7. And when it was over, Anaheim almost looked like fun. (10/28/2002)

Sex and the shoe store By Amy Reiter
Sarah Jessica has feelings for stilettos; Tyson's a bard in boxer's clothing. (10/28/2002)

Joe Conason's Journal
Bush's sagging poll numbers. Plus: Jeb panders to the evangelicals. (10/28/2002)

How do you get over being dumped? By Cary Tennis
My boyfriend said it was over and I've moved on but I'm still obsessed. What can I do? (10/28/2002)

Data-mining life on earth By Katharine Mieszkowski
Every blade of grass, every fish and fowl, slug and snail, has a place on the Web. (10/28/2002)

A day for peace -- and fury By Michelle Goldberg
Thousands turn out in Washington to protest a war in Iraq. What they were for wasn't quite so clear. (10/27/2002)

The last great liberal hero By Michelle Goldberg
To those who knew him, Sen. Paul Wellstone personified the highest ideals of the American left. (10/26/2002)

"The Truth About Charlie" By Andrew O'Hehir
How do you replace Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant in a remake of "Charade"? Well, first you put Mark Wahlberg in a beret. (10/26/2002)

"Roger Dodger" By Jeff Stark
Take a cynical -- and highly enjoyable -- tour of Manhattan nightlife with ladies' man Campbell Scott and first-time writer-director Dylan Kidd. (10/25/2002)

Ivy: "Guestroom" By Charlotte Walton
New York's Ivy play Steely Dan, Serge Gainsbourg, the Cure and others on this collection of cool, melodic pop tune remakes. (10/25/2002)

Literary daybook, Oct. 25
Real and imaginary events of interest to readers. (10/25/2002)

Learning to die By Brother Void
(10/25/2002)

Letters
Readers write in about SUV safety and how much money it takes to be a stress-free working mom. (10/25/2002)

Lynda Barry
Rat Girls Forever (10/25/2002)

Letters
Readers respond to Damien Cave's "Dying for God" and Drs. Lynn Ponton and Lawrence H. Diller's "Second Opinions." (10/25/2002)

The Barry question By King Kaufman
Walk him? Pitch to him? The Angels have run out of room for error in trying to decide. (10/25/2002)

Domestic violence By Joan Walsh
The media is fixating on John Allen Muhammad's Muslim beliefs. But the most relevant fact about him could be his record of terrorizing his family members -- and how that didn't stop him from getting his hands on guns. (10/25/2002)

The bigotry of Belafonte By Andrew Sullivan
Real liberals should condemn the singer's racist attacks on Condoleezza Rice and Colin Powell. (10/25/2002)

Barry and the Babe By Allen Barra
Forget the nostalgia freaks droning on and on about the Mythical White Ballplayer era. Barry Bonds is the greatest player in baseball history. (10/25/2002)

Will the NRA once again shoot down common-sense legislation? By Arianna Huffington
In the wake of the sniper attacks around Washington, the gun lobby remains unmoved by the case for ballistic fingerprinting. (10/25/2002)

Death of a populist giant By Arianna Huffington
With the passing of Paul Wellstone, the Senate loses a tireless champion of those left out of our prosperity. (10/25/2002)

Fresh underpants, please By Amy Reiter
Tom Jones likes his panties still warm; Salman finds replacements for Padma while she treks the stars; and Matt LeBlanc yearns to strap on his tool belt. (10/25/2002)

Joe Conason's Journal By Joe Conason
The nation loses a hero with the death of Sen. Paul Wellstone, the happy warrior whose enemies could not help but love him. (10/25/2002)

Behind the grief, whispers about politics By Anthony York
The popular incumbent was fighting a tough reelection battle, and both parties wonder how his death will change the balance of power in the Democrat-controlled Senate. (10/25/2002)

Slavercise By Dave Hill
Mistress Victoria will slap you, whip you and intimidate you into shape -- or you'll have to lay a wet kiss on her derrière. (10/25/2002)

Ask the pilot By Patrick Smith
Flying Beech 99's, ogling Gulf Air's stunning stewardesses and other career highlights. Plus: What are the scariest airports? (10/25/2002)

What's your pilot rating? By Patrick Smith
Turnabout is fair play. Test your aviation knowledge against Patrick Smith's questions. (10/25/2002)

Letters
Readers respond to Bomani Jones' "Oh Pleez GAWD I Can't Handle the Success!" (10/24/2002)

An alternate TV universe By Carina Chocano
The Hollywood renegades at the Other Network are bringing legendary failed TV pilots to a comedy club near you. And they're better than what got on the air. (10/24/2002)

The week in dirt By Amy Reiter
J.Lo's nipples tickled for video shoot. Plus: Heath Ledger grabs weenies; early signs of Jessica Simpson's airheadedness; and more. (10/24/2002)

Literary daybook, Oct. 24
Real and imaginary events of interest to readers. (10/24/2002)

Unsafe at any speed By Suzy Hansen
The author of "High and Mighty" explains why SUVs are not just gas-guzzling pollution machines, they're dangerous to drive. (10/24/2002)

Tom the Dancing Bug By Ruben Bolling
Introducing Low Self-Esteem Teen Magazine! (10/24/2002)

Sex talk
My 12-year-old daughter asked me about oral sex. How much does she need to know at her age? Dr. Lynn Ponton answers readers' questions. (10/24/2002)

Clueless George By Jeff Madrick
Disappearing jobs, exploding deficits, rising bankruptcies. And the Bush economic plan? Um, there isn't one. (10/24/2002)

How to defeat the Axis of Evil By Robert Scheer
The United States has more powerful weapons than planes and tanks: Trade, aid and Hollywood. (10/24/2002)

Moments to remember By King Kaufman
Cal Ripken Jr. is No. 1, the World Series is tied and Ray Liotta has something strange on his head. (10/24/2002)

Too little, too late? By Eric Boehlert
With the Iraq vote behind them, Democrats are desperately trying to shift the public's focus to the staggering economy. But time is running out. (10/24/2002)

Foul shot By Amy Reiter
Michael Jordan charges ex-mistress with extortion; Salma says if she can sell a furry Frida to Hollywood, she can sell anything; and Jolie finds joy with Jonny. (10/24/2002)

The Condi-Chevron Cartoon by Mark Fiore
The Bush administration doesn't frown on all hybrid vehicles. (10/24/2002)

A Kennedy's last chance? By Anthony York
Kathleen Kennedy Townsend may be able to salvage her race to become Maryland governor because of her gun record -- and the sniper terrorizing her state. (10/24/2002)

Joe Conason's Journal
The most ridiculous, shameless lie in this campaign season. (10/24/2002)

Sublime depravity By David Thomson
James Toback's cult classic "Fingers" is like the screen treatment of a comic book written and illustrated by the Freud boys -- Sigmund and Lucian. (10/24/2002)

Very personal finance By Andrew Leonard
A mint man's musings on money show how cash flows sculpt our lives. (10/24/2002)

"Oh Pleez GAWD I can't handle the success!" By Bomani Jones
Excerpts from Kurt Cobain's journals (published in Newsweek) reveal an oddball genius battling severe physical pain -- and imagining a Nirvana reunion tour sponsored by Depends. (10/23/2002)

"Formula 51" By Jeff Stark
Samuel L. Jackson looks great in cornrows and a kilt, but that's all this feeble Anglo-actioner has to offer. (10/23/2002)

"The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" By C.S. Lewis
Actor Michael York ("Austin Powers," "Romeo and Juliet") reads from C.S. Lewis' classic book in the Chronicles of Narnia series. (10/23/2002)

The all-too-female cluelessness of "I Don't Know How She Does It" By Ann Marlowe
When you make $750,000 a year, you don't sweat the domestic details. But the lastest hit novel about a miserable working mom is too ignorant and dishonest about money to deal with that. (10/23/2002)

Literary daybook, Oct. 23
Real and imaginary events of interest to readers. (10/23/2002)

Bestsellers
This week's bestselling books courtesy of Powells.com. (10/23/2002)

The K Chronicles By Keith Knight
Good taste, bad politics, true story! (10/23/2002)

Dying for God By Damien Cave
The author of "The Martyrs of Columbine" on the strange and sometimes violent collision of religion and politics. (10/23/2002)

Breaking al-Qaida By Raffi Khatchadourian
To no one's surprise, captured members of the terror organization are proving close-mouthed. How far should the U.S. go to get them to talk? (10/23/2002)

Batting around By King Kaufman
After the Angels' second straight 10-run outburst, a tight World Series is looking like a potential blowout. (10/23/2002)

An ad George Bush should love -- thanks to you By Arianna Huffington
Yes, Salon readers, there is a brand-new fund to support an anti-SUV ad campaign. (10/24/2002)

Once again, baseball triumphs over humanity By Keith Olbermann
Bud Selig and his goons celebrate the Fall Classic by cracking down on a Giants pitcher's tribute to a fallen friend. (10/23/2002)

That's just goofy! By Amy Reiter
We don't do it on the rides, says Romijn-Stamos; night terrifies Prince of Darkness; Nick Carter hunts aliens. Plus: Bond-age Barbie. (10/23/2002)

Joe Conason's Journal
How to tell which GOP candidates are in trouble? Check out the White House travel bill. (10/23/2002)

The two worlds of Veronica Monet By Michael Castleman
She's married to the love of her life. And he kisses her goodbye when she jets off to satisfy other men's fantasies. (10/23/2002)

How I destroyed the new economy By John F.X. Sundman
Dot-com visionary David Wetherell could do no wrong -- until he started building a mansion on an ancient Indian burial ground. (10/23/2002)

Real parents, dumb kids, David Duchovny doing weather By Carina Chocano
Bonnie Hunt discovers an unconventional path to good comedy on her extremely funny new sitcom "Life With Bonnie." (10/22/2002)

Letters
We wanted the political passion of Michael Moore, not the solipsistic self-absorption of Jeff Stark. (10/22/2002)

Interview with Michael Chabon By Laura Miller
The author of "Wonder Boys" talks about his new book, "Summerland," a children's fantasy story steeped in Native American mythology and -- of all things -- baseball. (10/22/2002)

The lost adventure of childhood By Laura Miller
Michael Chabon, author of "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay," talks about his new kids book, "Summerland," and the freedom he fears is vanishing from children's lives. (10/22/2002)

Literary daybook, Oct. 22
Real and imaginary events of interest to readers. (10/22/2002)

Story Minute By Carol Lay
Beauty behind bars. (10/22/2002)

An ad George Bush should love By Arianna Huffington
"I helped blow up a Bali nightclub -- by driving my SUV to work every day!" (10/22/2002)

Trick or tweak By Amy Reiter
J.Lo's breast in show; joke's on Madonna; what weenie is Heath Ledger grabbing? Plus: Spielberg mind control! (10/22/2002)

Drug war backlash By Michelle Goldberg
Fed up with their state's draconian laws, New York voters have suddenly made long-shot independent Tom Golisano a force in the governor's race. (10/22/2002)

Joe Conason's Journal
Katherine Harris gets some bad ink back home. Plus: Two GOP candidates in tough races are "disendorsed" by their hometown papers. (10/22/2002)

Passion poison By Cary Tennis
My husband used to make me feel like the sexiest woman alive. Now his idea of seduction is "Wanna do it tonight?" (10/22/2002)

The American way of snacks By Chad Dickerson
Penthouse Pets, Joker rolling papers and frolicking chimpanzees: At the National Association of Convenience Stores show, it all makes a kooky kind of sense. (10/22/2002)

Letters
Readers respond to Katharine Mieszkowski's "Cut Class, Not Frogs." (10/22/2002)

Real Life Rock Top 10 By Greil Marcus
(10/21/2002)

Family viewing By Bob Calhoun
Bob Crane's son Scotty is proud of his dad's reputation as a video horndog -- in fact, he retails Pop's home porn on the Web. But Paul Schrader's "Auto Focus," he insists, gets it all wrong. (10/21/2002)

"Blue Latitudes" Read by Daniel Gerroll
In his latest book, Pulitzer Prize winner Tony Horowitz retraces Captain James Cook's epic journeys onboard a replica of Cook's 18th-century ship. (10/21/2002)

"The Crimson Petal and the White" by Michel Faber By Charles Taylor
Praised by critics as an erotic Victorian page-turner, this literary hit is addictive, it's true -- but its attitude toward sex is disturbing. (10/21/2002)

Literary daybook, Oct. 21
Real and imaginary events of interest to readers. (10/21/2002)

Salon recommends
Log books of the great explorers and more of our favorite new books. (10/21/2002)

This Modern World By Tom Tomorrow
The Democrats show their mettle -- now and for all time! (10/21/2002)

Night of the hunter By Fran Smith
What the government isn't telling you about mad deer disease. (10/21/2002)

"Oh! My God!" By King Kaufman
The Giants and Angels don't seem able to play a dull World Series game. Even the participants have been amazed so far. (10/21/2002)

How do you spell b-i-m-b-o? By Amy Reiter
It's alphabet soup for Jessica Simpson; Jennifer Love Hewitt: Beat me! Who wants to be in a Mariah Carey sandwich? Plus: The Terminator's almighty wife. (10/21/2002)

A very big little race By Anthony York
The tax cut, judiciary nominations, environmental policy and defense strategy could all come down to a Senate race in the fifth-smallest state in the union. (10/21/2002)

Joe Conason's Journal
The war of GOP consultants at the heart of Jeb's reelection campaign.Plus: Another Safire conspiracy blows up in his face like a trick cigar. (10/21/2002)

Dilbert's a weasel and so are you By Katharine Mieszkowski
The dot-com bubble was tough for cartoonist Scott Adams. But now that things suck again, it's boom time once more for disillusioned cubicle droids. (10/21/2002)

"Cut class, not frogs" By Katharine Mieszkowski
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals' new Web site tutors teenage animal-rights warriors how to resist dissection in biology class and mystery meat in the cafeteria. (10/21/2002)

How to catch a wild young king By Carina Chocano
Hot for Prince Harry or Prince Felipe? Better learn to race cars and sail yachts, advises "Young, Sexy & Royal." And whatever you do -- don't curtsy! (10/19/2002)

Angels in six By Allen Barra
Teamwork, belief and foul balls will carry Anaheim over Barry and the Giants. (10/19/2002)

Cinderella, Goliath and other Series myths By King Kaufman
With the Giants and Angels set to meet in the Fall Classic, it's time for Fox TV and other pundits to manufacture drama. (10/19/2002)

Giants in six By Joan Walsh
Baseball experts are swooning for the scrappy Angels. But the Giants are scrappy too -- and they're a better team. (10/19/2002)

Tracing the would-be sniper By Anthony York
Rep. Rob Andrews talks about his proposal to record every gun's "fingerprint" -- and the White House's opposition to it. (10/19/2002)

"On Guard" By Charles Taylor
This far-fetched and far-flung adventure romp might be old-fashioned, but it's also one of the best swashbucklers in movie history. (10/18/2002)

"Sexist jerks in beads and bell-bottoms" By Uju Asika
"Auto Focus" director Paul Schrader on the banality of sexual obsession, Crane's kinky male pal and why he had to cut out a sex scene that would have flown on "The Sopranos." (10/18/2002)

"Abandon" By Charles Taylor
The writer of "Traffic" mucks up a supposed thriller about college girl Katie Holmes and her stalker ex-boyfriend. (10/18/2002)

"Auto Focus" By Stephanie Zacharek
Greg Kinnear's brilliant performance honors the pervert star of "Hogan's Heroes" in this sordid tale of a creepy charmer's fatal descent into the fleshpots. (10/18/2002)

"The Ring" By Andrew O'Hehir
I couldn't sleep! This clammy, creepy shocker brings the evil -- and the surrealist influence -- back to horror flicks. (10/18/2002)

Love Life: "Here Is Night, Brothers ..." By Murray Jason
Baltimore's art-goth quartet Love Life's second album teeters on the brink of dark, twisted operatic rock and full-blown demonic surrealism. (10/18/2002)

Letters
Readers write in on the Amiri Baraka controversy and why people treat waitresses badly. (10/18/2002)

Literary daybook, Oct. 18
Real and imaginary events of interest to readers. (10/18/2002)

The economics of spirituality By Brother Void
(10/18/2002)

Letters
Readers respond to Christopher Ketcham's "Roach Motel" and Suzanne Finnamore's "Aspirin for a Severed Head." Plus: A reader's defense of "When Your Kids Are in the Line of Fire," by Beth Frerking. (10/18/2002)

For Ira Einhorn, a fate worse than death By Dave Lindorff
The '60s-era icon claimed shadowy intelligence agents were behind the 1977 murder of his girlfriend, Holly Maddux. The jury disagreed. (10/18/2002)

Dick Armey plays the al-Qaida card By Edward W. Lempinen
The GOP majority leader says the terrorist group is efficient because Tom Daschle isn't running it. Enraged Demos demand an apology. (10/18/2002)

Buck naked By Amy Reiter
Snowden: I'll strip for a mil; freakin' on Charlize; gems from Liza's love. Plus: Dizzy over Ozzy. (10/18/2002)

Esther Investor asks ... Cartoon by Mark Fiore
Is it safe to get back in the stock market? (10/18/2002)

Creating oSAMa By Michelle Goldberg
The "I want YOU to invade Iraq" campaign offers war protesters an alternative to "Mao more than ever!" (10/18/2002)

Joe Conason's Journal
Bush's North Korea conundrum: So why the focus on Saddam? Plus: A post-chest thumping security plan. (10/18/2002)

Randy iconoclast By Glen Helfand
Bruce LaBruce hops between photographing his swarthy Muslim lover and sultry Asia Argento -- and they both love him. (10/18/2002)

Ask the pilot By Patrick Smith
The pilot seniority blues. And, what happens when avians and airliners collide? (10/18/2002)

We're, like, totally lawyers -- as if! By Carina Chocano
David E. Kelley's ditsy new "girls club" is a great step backward for the legal profession, women in the workplace, San Francisco and decent TV. (10/17/2002)

The week in dirt By Amy Reiter
"My boobs and butt are a set!" and other reasons why Caroline Rhea digs her cleavage. Plus: Madonna is ready to save the world, Disney sex for John Stamos, and more. (10/17/2002)

Literary daybook, Oct. 17
Real and imaginary events of interest to readers. (10/17/2002)

Amiri Baraka stands by his words By Suzy Hansen
New Jersey's poet laureate, facing a hailstorm of criticism for his fevered 9/11 poem, tells Salon that 4,000 Israelis really did stay home from the WTC that day. (10/17/2002)

Tom the Dancing Bug By Ruben Bolling
The bareknuckled justice of Judge Scalia (10/17/2002)

Salon's Eric Boehlert wins music journalism award
(10/17/2002)

Roach motel By Christopher Ketcham
Busted on a minor charge, I joined the luckless army of minorities who are crammed into jail cells every day by America's surreal war on marijuana. (10/17/2002)

Dusty's drama, the Angels' angst By Keith Olbermann
Will the Curse of Keane strike the Giants? Will the Angels' longtime demon torment them once again? Play ball! (10/17/2002)

"I'm not sure which planet they live on" By Eric Boehlert
Hawks in the Bush administration may be making deadly miscalculations on Iraq, says Gen. Anthony Zinni, Bush's Middle East envoy. (10/17/2002)

Ignoring the poor By Arianna Huffington
Poverty is on the rise, but the media is consumed with sniper attacks and rumors of war. (10/17/2002)

Married to the bod By Amy Reiter
Date set for Pam Anderson and Kid Rock; sex, sighs and Bob Crane's videotapes; sexy Zadie and Eminem. Plus: Santana's seminal spirituality. (10/17/2002)

Letters
Readers respond to Michelle Goldberg's "Peace Kooks." (10/17/2002)

Joe Conason's Journal
Jeb Bush can't make it to his daughter's court hearing -- but he has plenty of time to campaign. (10/17/2002)

All about Nina By David Thomson
She's the hottest woman still alive on "24" and I hope they use her as the sultry center of the second season. (10/17/2002)

U.S. Embassy to Dmitry Sklyarov: Access denied By Farhad Manjoo
The Russian programmer expected to testify in the first DMCA criminal trial can't get a visa to visit the United States. (10/17/2002)

Dr. Joe Friday, Esq. By Dann Halem
Once again, almost every character on TV is a cop, a doctor or a lawyer. Why? (10/16/2002)

"Swept Away" By Stephanie Zacharek
Guy Ritchie and his missus -- aka Madonna -- remake Lina Wertmüller's 1974 Commie-art bitch-slap-fest. But why, dear God, why? (10/16/2002)

"The Secret History"
Donna Tartt reads from her 1992 debut novel about New England college students whose obsession with ancient rites leads to murder. (10/16/2002)

Bestsellers
This week's bestselling books courtesy of Powells.com. (10/16/2002)

Literary daybook, Oct. 16
Real and imaginary events of interest to readers. (10/16/2002)

The land where terror won By Suzy Hansen
An author and activist talks about the atrocities committed in Guatemala, the people too frightened to speak of it and America's shameful support of the perpetrators. (10/16/2002)

The K Chronicles By Keith Knight
We're going down! (10/16/2002)

Don't bluff!
Counting to three as a disciplinary tool is fine, says Dr. Diller, but you have to be ready to act when the counting is over. (10/16/2002)

Indonesia at the crossroads By Eric Boehlert
The terror attack in the world's most populous Muslim nation could stir up rage against Islamic extremists, says an expert. But if the U.S. invades Iraq, all bets are off. (10/16/2002)

Snipercountry.com fires back By Joshua Micah Marshall
An administrator from the popular Web site says long-range marksmen are being smeared by the media. (10/16/2002)

War and peace By Robert Scheer
President Bush could learn a thing or two from Jimmy Carter. (10/16/2002)

Too much information By Amy Reiter
Samuel L. Jackson reveals how his butt became a heater -- with the help of wool pleats. Plus, "Friends" spinoffs loom. (10/16/2002)

Peace kooks By Michelle Goldberg
The new antiwar movement is in danger of being hijacked by bizarre extremist groups -- and most protesters don't even know it. (10/16/2002)

Joe Conason's Journal
A farewell to Armey. Plus: Orwell's cheap imitators; racial politics on the bayou. (10/16/2002)

Joan Collins has the right idea By Trisha Posner
Biologically, it makes more sense for older women to have sex with younger men -- unless they want to talk afterward. (10/16/2002)

Hunting Nazi art online By Katharine Mieszkowski
Coming to an Internet portal near you: Art treasures seized by Hitler's minions in World War II. (10/16/2002)

"It seems like exactly the wrong film to make" By Ben Schwartz
Oscar-winning "Pulp Fiction" screenwriter Roger Avary attacks the teen genre -- and American complacency -- with an audacious adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis' "The Rules of Attraction." (10/15/2002)

Interview with Jeffrey Eugenides By Laura Miller
The author of "The Virgin Suicides" talks about his new novel, "Middlesex," and whether it's women or men who have a better time in bed. (10/15/2002)

"Jesse James: Last Rebel of the Civil War" by T.J. Stiles By Allen Barra
The latest and best-ever biography of Jesse James tears down the myth to reveal not a latter-day Robin Hood, but a greedy, press-savvy bandit. (10/15/2002)

Literary daybook, Oct. 15
Real and imaginary events of interest to readers. (10/15/2002)

Story Minute By Carol Lay
Bedtime for Eloise (10/15/2002)

Aspirin for a severed head By Suzanne Finnamore
My husband headed to Club Med after divorcing me. I joined Club Dead. (10/15/2002)

Who needs champions? By King Kaufman
The evil possibility of an all-wild card World Series has come to pass, and you know what? It looks pretty good from here. (10/15/2002)

Idiocy of the week By Andrew Sullivan
A leading thinker on the left finds strange inspiration from Ronald Reagan. (10/15/2002)

When friends collide By Aluf Benn
With Israeli and American interests diverging, stakes will be high and negotiations tricky when President Bush and Ariel Sharon meet this week. (10/15/2002)

Just when you thought it was safe ... By Amy Reiter
Britney's sis has designs on the throne; Snoop Dogg's got new tricks. (10/15/2002)

Fools rush in By Brendan Nyhan
More false starts in the race to demonize Daschle. (10/15/2002)

Joe Conason's Journal
How Pat Robertson and others use military fiction to pump up their patriotic credentials. Plus: The best media critic in the nation. (10/15/2002)

Loveless at 21 By Cary Tennis
Why am I always the bridesmaid and never the bride? Men like me but don't want to kiss me. (10/15/2002)

Saving AOL By Farhad Manjoo
The online giant's woes are legion. Will new software and a bet on broadband come to the rescue? (10/15/2002)

Holy Batbabes! By Carina Chocano
In the WB's bizarrely entertaining "Birds of Prey," Batman has skipped town -- but his illegitimate daughter and a reshaped Batgirl are kickin' butt in New Gotham. (10/14/2002)

The Soft Boys: "Nextdoorland" By Murray Jason
Twenty-two years after their classic LP "Underwater Moonlight," the Brit-pop quartet around Robyn Hitchock are as sardonic, romantic and multilayered as ever and even take a jab at Bush's war on terror. (10/14/2002)

Sunnyside down By Suzy Hansen
A new book gives waitresses a chance to say what they really think of their work -- and their customers. (10/14/2002)

Literary daybook, Oct. 14
Real and imaginary events of interest to readers. (10/14/2002)

This Modern World By Tom Tomorrow
Fox's latest reality show: American Invasion! (10/14/2002)

"When is this going to end?" By Jason George
With its own newspaper and hot line, a group run by Palestinian kids attempts to create hope from despair. (10/14/2002)

Letters
Readers respond to "When Your Kids Are in the Line of Fire," by Beth Frerking, and "Panic in the Sheets," by Damien Cave. (10/14/2002)

At the U.N., it's all about the money By Eric Boehlert
High ideals? Lofty rhetoric? As the Security Council debates the Bush campaign against Iraq, billions of dollars in oil and old debt are the hidden agenda. (10/14/2002)

Splash downer By Amy Reiter
No pool slumming work for Brad Pitt; Rudy G: Fuhgeddaboudit! Christina hankers for a sweetie. Plus: Hate Hewitt! (10/14/2002)

Letters
Stop the war games jingoism! Readers respond to Wagner James Au's "Weapons of Mass Distraction." (10/14/2002)

The homeless blogger By Noah Shachtman
Kevin Barbieux sleeps in abandoned buildings or shelters -- and writes a daily journal that has made him an Internet celebrity. (10/14/2002)

Sinéad was right By Jake Tapper
Ten years after ripping up a photo of the pope to protest sexual abuse in the Catholic Church -- and destroying her career -- Siniad O'Connor returns to talk about her new album of Irish folk, her kids and why she sympathizes with America. (10/12/2002)

Bush liberates Europe! By Erik H. Thoreson
Wild celebrations greet president as 10-year marijuana sentences, assault rifles and politicians who never lose their hair sweep across continent! (10/12/2002)

"Brown Sugar" By Charles Taylor
Sanaa Lathan and Taye Diggs shine in a hip-hop-fueled romantic comedy that displays the quiet strength of African-American film's new wave. (10/11/2002)

"Knockaround Guys" By Stephanie Zacharek
Vin Diesel's muscles, Dennis Hopper's tics and John Malkovich's enunciation can't redeem a hapless mobsters-in-Montana comedy. (10/11/2002)

Love on the brink of chaos By Charles Taylor
Paul Thomas Anderson's strange and marvelous "Punch-Drunk Love" turns Adam Sandler into a leading man -- and brings the sweetness of romantic comedy to an alienated age. (10/11/2002)

"Tuck Everlasting" By Stephanie Zacharek
There's something genuinely creepy about this neo-vampire movie for teenage girls -- but not in a good way. (10/11/2002)

Letters
Let's talk about Great Art. Readers respond to Joshua Fineberg's "Classical Music: Why Bother?" (10/11/2002)

"White Oleander" By Stephanie Zacharek
Richly stylized performances from Michelle Pfeiffer and Renée Zellweger fuel a delicious melodrama of woman's inhumanity to woman. (10/11/2002)

"The Transporter" By Andrew O'Hehir
An English star you've never heard of, a Hong Kong action director and "Femme Nikita" creator Luc Besson join forces for a muddled smashup in the south of France. (10/11/2002)

Literary daybook, Oct. 11
Real and imaginary events of interest to readers. (10/11/2002)

Letters
Readers respond to Gary Kamiya's essay on why a U.S. invasion of Iraq could be our riskiest military intervention since WWII. (10/11/2002)

Everything happens for a reason I make up By Brother Void
(10/11/2002)

Running with the bad girls By Dr. Lynn Ponton
What's the solution when teens hang out with the wrong kind of kids? Don't despair, says Dr. Ponton. Parents have far more influence than they realize. (10/11/2002)

Letters
Readers take issue with Andrew Sullivan's definition of imperialism. (10/11/2002)

Sept. 11 and wars of the world By William M. Arkin
Osama and Saddam pose real threats, but the Bush administration may be too incompetent -- and too arrogant -- to stop them. (10/11/2002)

Corporate restitution: Must CEO TV By Arianna Huffington
Payback! Prosecution! A ratings blockbuster! The new fall lineup features the latest in reality programming. (10/12/2002)

In their own words
Why Sens. Hillary Clinton, Tom Daschle, Chuck Hagel, Dianne Feinstein and John Kerry voted for Bush's war resolution -- and why Robert Byrd voted against it. (10/11/2002)

Material twirl By Amy Reiter
Madonna ready to save the world; bang it like a gong, Colin! No more cruisin' for Tom. Plus: Naughty Christina -- I gotta be me! (10/11/2002)

MOSEX opens doors -- earth doesn't move By Damien Cave
Overserious, rushed and muddled, the Museum of Sex comes across like an awkward adolescent on a first date. (10/11/2002)

Letters
Readers respond to Charles Taylor's call to the new editor of Playboy to make it sizzle again. (10/11/2002)

Ask the pilot By Patrick Smith
Dreaming of the long-forgotten Caravelle: Why do today's jetliners look so ugly? (10/11/2002)

Michael and me By Jeff Stark
Michael Moore's new film "Bowling for Columbine" is a heavy-handed, semicoherent diatribe about gun violence. But when I showed up to confront him about it, he charmed me senseless and beat me at my own game. (10/10/2002)

The week in dirt By Amy Reiter
Rear-ended? Calista Flockhart sniffs Bon Jovi butt. Plus: Claudia Schiffer pimps out baby pics, Al Gore goes without wedding band, and more. (10/10/2002)

Literary daybook, Oct. 10
Real and imaginary events of interest to readers. (10/10/2002)

"Desolation" by Yasmina Reza By Suzy Hansen
In this spellbinding diatribe, a deliciously wicked man rants about his friends, his women and the son who disgusts him by being happy. (10/10/2002)

"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Apt. 3W" by Gabriel Brownstein By Amy Reiter
The inhabitants of a shabby Manhattan apartment building live out stories inspired by Fitzgerald, Kafka, Auden and other literary giants (10/10/2002)

"Nowhere Man" by Aleksandar Hemon By Laura Miller
The story of a Sarajevan stranded in Chicago during the recent war offers an immigrant's hilarious and wretched view of American society. (10/10/2002)

"Family Matters" by Rohinton Mistry By Michelle Goldberg
From the author of "A Fine Balance," a Dickensian story of a Bombay family whose members battle society to gain true love and worldly success. (10/10/2002)

"Porno" by Irvine Welsh By Laura Miller
The "Trainspotting" crew is back in a deft and surprisingly heartbreaking farce about the making of a dirty movie. (10/10/2002)

What to read in October By Salon's critics
New novels from the authors of "Trainspotting" and "A Fine Balance" in our reviews of the month's best books. (10/10/2002)

Tom the Dancing Bug BY Ruben Bolling
Billy Dare, boy adventurer: On the home front! (10/10/2002)

When your kids are in the line of fire By Beth Frerking
A parent in the path of a spree killer has little to offer beyond slim protection and lessons in real life. (10/10/2002)

Chest fantastic! By Amy Reiter
Rhea loves her cleavage; Jennifer Aniston: I'm an idiot; Snoop Dogg disses doobs. Plus: Dad sues Whitney. (10/10/2002)

The Whoops-O-Matic Cartoon by Mark Fiore
Want to hit Saddam where it hurts? Go back in time. (10/10/2002)

More on Bush, Harken and Harvard By Anthony York
Two student activists shine a light on the connections between the president's former oil company and his alma mater. (10/10/2002)

"Regime change" -- and then what? By Michelle Goldberg
Bush and his supporters speak earnestly about "democratizing Iraq." Many experts aren't nearly as optimistic. (10/10/2002)

President Bush's distorted case for war By Gary Kamiya
U.S. officials say the White House is exaggerating the threat posed by Saddam and pressuring the intelligence community to "cook the books." (10/10/2002)

"The bottom line is I don't trust this president and his advisors"
Not every Democrat has caved to Bush's martial fervor. Rep. Pete Stark makes it stunningly clear why he voted against the Iraq war resolution. (10/10/2002)

Isabelle in the bath By David Thomson
The personal sexuality of actors and stars may be the only mystery they are actually allowed. (10/10/2002)

Wall Street's worst nightmare By Damien Cave
Does New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer really want to clean up the stock market, or just make himself look good? (10/10/2002)

No Pistols, no Who, no Rolling Stones By Virginia Vitzthum
Why the Mekons are the only middle-aged band you don't have to be embarrassed about. (10/09/2002)

"Heaven" By Stephanie Zacharek
Cate Blanchett and Giovanni Ribisi are doomed lovers on the lam in this fiercely romantic collaboration between "Run Lola Run" director Tom Tykwer and late art-god Krzysztof Kieslowski. (10/09/2002)

Music preview: Doug Martsch By Dan Kois
On his first solo release, "Now You Know," Built to Spill singer Martsch goes back to basics, exhibiting his self-taught slide guitar style on a spare, beautiful record. (10/09/2002)

Bestsellers
This week's bestselling books courtesy of Powells.com (10/09/2002)

"Live From New York" by Tom Shales and James Andrew Miller By Eric Boehlert
A new book about "Saturday Night Live" dishes the backstage dirt on sex, drugs and fistfights, but lacks the guts to ask if the show still matters. (10/09/2002)

Literary daybook, Oct. 9
Real and imaginary events of interest to readers. (10/09/2002)

The K Chronicles By Keith Knight
Sleep envy. (10/09/2002)

The Big Showalter By Keith Olbermann
After a sudden end to the Yankees' season, George Steinbrenner is not the type to act rationally when a situation calls for panic. (10/10/2002)

Clear the field By Joan Walsh
Dusty Baker is the greatest manager in San Francisco Giants history. So why is team owner Peter Magowan on the verge of letting him go? (10/09/2002)

Bush vs. the CIA By Robert Scheer
As the president plays up the threat Saddam Hussein poses to America, the CIA plays it down. (10/09/2002)

J.Lo says no bun By Amy Reiter
Affleck and Lopez deny rumors of pregnancy; Kidman and Crowe seem poised for love; Zellweger shuns pizza for life. (10/09/2002)

When Playboy was hot By Charles Taylor
Once upon a time, magazines were meant to be read, not just eyeballed. Today's readers lust for that kind of literary excitement. (10/09/2002)

Riding along with the Internet Bookmobile By Richard Koman
Angered by a law that extends copyright terms for 20 years, a crusader named Brewster Kahle wants to use the Internet to make books available to everyone. (10/09/2002)

"The Man From Elysian Fields" By Stephanie Zacharek
Mick Jagger and James Coburn bring a rumpled, decadent vision of elegance to this entertaining fable about a writer working for an escort service. (10/08/2002)

You obviously don't know who I am! Ranted by Cary Tennis
Creative jealousy almost ate my mojo. (10/08/2002)

Literary daybook, Oct. 8
Real and imaginary events of interest to readers. (10/08/2002)

Sex, fate, and Zeus and Hera's kinkiest argument By Laura Miller
"Middlesex" author Jeffrey Eugenides talks about hermaphrodites, ethnic assimilation, Detroit and whether men or women enjoy sex more. (10/08/2002)

Story Minute By Carol Lay
Sex is everywhere! (10/08/2002)

Panic in the sheets By Damien Cave
Abstinence crusaders are exploiting fears of a mysterious virus to scare teens away from having sex. (10/08/2002)

What do you say now, Bud Selig? By Allen Barra
The victories of the Angels, Twins and Cards show how empty the owners' and commissioners' arguments were. (10/08/2002)

America loves underdogs By King Kaufman
Just not enough to watch them play. Too bad, because the baseball teams that are still alive are a stone gas. (10/08/2002)

A kinder, gentler war pitch By Anthony York
In a Monday night speech, President Bush shifted his rhetoric in an effort to seal the deal with a skeptical public. (10/09/2002)

The imperialism canard By Andrew Sullivan
The far right and far left find agreement on the Iraq war. And couldn't be more wrong. (10/08/2002)

Get a room! By Amy Reiter
John Stamos and Rebecca Romijn-Stamos did it at Disneyland -- and go back every year; Jackie Chan vows to improve. (10/08/2002)

A classic conundrum By Cary Tennis
Does it make sense to stick it out with one of the few people I've ever loved, even if the sex is dreadful? (10/08/2002)

In greed we trusted By Andrew Leonard
Robert Bryce's Enron book entertainingly chronicles fraudulent excesses and office sex. But was Enron a fluke -- or capitalism taken to its logical extreme? (10/08/2002)

Real Life Rock Top 10 By Greil Marcus
(10/07/2002)

Music preview: Future Bible Heroes By Dan Kois
On "Eternal Youth" Claudia Gonson, Stephen Merritt (Magnetic Fields) and Christopher Ewen craft delightfully over-the-top nu-disco songs tossed with witty pop aperçus. (10/07/2002)

Literary daybook, Oct. 7
Real and imaginary events of interest to readers. (10/07/2002)

Salon recommends
Finally, a readable magazine for book lovers and more on our favorite new books. (10/07/2002)

Hail Caesar! By Gary Kamiya
Yes, leaving Saddam in power is risky. But Bush's neo-imperalist war plans carry even more dangers for the U.S. (10/08/2002)

This Modern World By Tom Tomorrow
Conservatives with an attitude! (10/07/2002)

May you never know your place By Justin Davidson
My son believes New York is his town, and the world is his oyster cracker. Is he entitled to feel entitled? (10/07/2002)

Bush has a bridge he wants to sell you -- again By Eric Boehlert
Shifty logic, misinformation, cheap panaceas -- the White House marketing plan for Iraq looks a lot like the pitch for last year's tax cuts. (10/07/2002)

Giants in 5 By King Kaufman
Or the Braves. Russ Ortiz pitching on full rest is as sure a thing as anything in the playoffs so far. That is: Not very sure. (10/07/2002)

The Iraq question nobody's asking By Arianna Huffington
No one in the Bush administration is talking about how many of our soldiers will be sent home in body bags. (10/07/2002)

I said what? By Amy Reiter
Steven Spielberg clarifies his position on Iraq; Kelly O calls Christina a drag queen and worse; and Calista sniffs Bon Jovi booty. (10/07/2002)

Joe Conason's Journal
Supreme Court passes on case, and Lautenberg's in. Will Forrester run on the issues now? Plus: What Bush won't address tonight. (10/07/2002)

When Jeb Bush speaks, people cringe By Joy-Ann Reid
The governor's lesbian joke about the women arrested in the Rilya Wilson case is the latest example of his mean sense of humor -- when he thinks the media isn't listening. (10/05/2002)

Betting on Uncle Sam By Farhad Manjoo
Online gamblers are waiting for legislators to make their Wild West world a safer place to wager -- but the government keeps waffling. (10/05/2002)

"Red Dragon" By Stephanie Zacharek
Anthony Hopkins? Big deal! We've already seen the prequel to "The Silence of the Lambs" and "Hannibal" -- and it was better the first time. (10/04/2002)

"Welcome to Collinwood" By Charles Taylor
In this little heist movie, starring George Clooney and Luis Guzmán as bumbling crooks, the only thing being stolen is your time. (10/04/2002)

Hollywood blows it -- again By Allen Barra
The first chapter of the Hannibal Lecter trilogy, "Manhunter," is still the best. (10/04/2002)

Music preview: Asylum Street Spankers By Charlotte Walton
Making musical references that are all over the map, the Spankers sing clever and wickedly funny lyrics about things the band members love: sex, drugs and music. (10/04/2002)

Literary daybook, Oct. 4
Real and imaginary events of interest to readers. (10/04/2002)

Letters
Readers respond to articles on Salman Rushdie, George Will and a new history of the Holocaust. (10/04/2002)

Fail at what matters By Brother Void
(10/04/2002)

Lynda Barry
Boomeranged (10/04/2002)

Letters
Readers respond to Michelle Kennedy's "Mothers Who Sell" and Janelle Brown's "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime for My Gucci Bills?" (10/04/2002)

Why isn't Barry Bonds productive? By King Kaufman
Because of a colossal managerial blunder that has him hitting cleanup instead of leadoff. (10/04/2002)

Stealth conservative By Michelle Goldberg
Bush judicial nominee Miguel Estrada is beloved by Ann Coulter and the right. But with no paper trail about his views, opponents will have a tough time rejecting him in the Senate. (10/04/2002)

Tug-of-love By Amy Reiter
Pam & Tommy split custody; Anna Nicole recalls (vaguely) her dream date; and does Pretty Woman have a Pretty Baby in the oven? (10/04/2002)

A Fastow family affair By Robert Bryce
Evidence indicates that embattled former Enron CFO Andrew Fastow illegally used his nonprofit foundation to pay his parents' moving expenses. (10/04/2002)

"A big, big mistake" By Anthony York
Back from his controversial trip to Iraq, Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., talks about his concern over a unilateral strike against Saddam. (10/04/2002)

Welcome to New Jersey, the sunshine state? By Eric Boehlert
Republicans raise the specter of Florida and its notorious military ballots to keep Democrat Frank Lautenberg out of the U.S. Senate race. But this time the law is not on their side. (10/04/2002)

Joe Conason's Journal
A candidate turns negative -- again! -- but his stand on the issues provides the real entertainment. (10/04/2002)

Pomegranate porn By Douglas Cruickshank
Photographer Flor Garduño's work is a fecund mix of eroticism, magical realism -- and sexy fruit. (10/04/2002)

Weapons of mass distraction By Wagner James Au
A new breed of computer games is teaching today's teenagers how to wage, and win, the war against terror. (10/04/2002)

Letters
Readers respond to Todd Spencer's "Radio Killed the Radio Star." (10/04/2002)

Giddyup, spaceman By Carina Chocano
Buffy's creator gallops into outer space with "Firefly," taking the connection between sci-fi and westerns a little too literally. (10/03/2002)

The week in dirt By Amy Reiter
Arnie says Nein! to Terminator statue. Plus: 'N Syncer Kirkpatrick loves getting his ass kicked by Eminem, and more. (10/03/2002)

A dying breed By Louis Bayard
In the new world of body-slamming right-wing politics, what's a snooty, fake-patrician über-WASP conservative like George Will to do? (10/03/2002)

Literary daybook, Oct. 3
Real and imaginary events of interest to readers. (10/03/2002)

Tom the Dancing Bug By Ruben Bolling
Russ 'n Gus ask the hard questions. (10/03/2002)

Great expectations
Parents can't overpower nature in defining their children's personalities, says Dr. Lawrence Diller. But they have enormous influence when it comes to behavior. (10/03/2002)

Life at Camp Jihad By Mark Kukis
John Walker Lindh's fellow warriors at a Pakistan terrorist training camp talk about his fears of being punished by the U.S. and why he was too "soft" to fight on the front lines. (10/03/2002)

Torch song eulogy By Arianna Huffington
Robert Torricelli is making it very hard to resist the temptation to kick his butt -- even when he's on all fours. (10/03/2002)

What should the world do about Saddam? By Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton electrifies a British Labor Party conference with a more sweeping vision for global peace and progress than the current president has been able to muster. (10/03/2002)

Gore weighs in By Amy Reiter
Incredible bulk can't fit wedding ring on flabby finger; swept-away lovebirds put the kibosh on new vows; Gyllenhaal snogging Natalie Portman? Plus: Barbra bombs! (10/03/2002)

The birds and the B-52s Cartoon by Mark Fiore
Why we're going to war -- a government primer. (10/03/2002)

Joe Conason's Journal
New Jersey's crybaby Republicans should try to campaign on the issues. Plus: Tina Brown dishes! (10/03/2002)

Our private places By David Thomson
Reflections on Isabelle Huppert's sadomasochistic mysteries in "The Piano Teacher." (10/03/2002)

Ask the pilot By Patrick Smith
By popular demand: The full, unexpurgated story of what happens when dry ice is mixed with blue toilet acid at 33,000 feet. (10/03/2002)

Classical music: Why bother? By Joshua Fineberg
A composer and Harvard professor wonders whether his craft has been left behind by a world with no patience for Great Art. (10/02/2002)

"Guess I'm doing fine" By Stephanie Zacharek
Beck roughs up his voice and drops a record of dusty heartache ballads that would make Hank Williams weep. (10/02/2002)

Music preview: Neko Case By Dan Kois
On her latest album, "Blacklisted," alt-country chanteuse Case hangs vivid lyrical images over spectral guitar lines. Listen in. (10/02/2002)

Rethinking the Nazi nightmare By Suzy Hansen
Two historians challenge the idea that the Holocaust was unique, describe how anti-Semitism was worse in prewar America than in Germany and compare Hitler & Co. to the '60s generation. (10/02/2002)

Literary daybook, Oct. 2
Real and imaginary events of interest to readers. (10/02/2002)

Bestsellers
This week's bestselling books courtesy of Powells.com. (10/02/2002)

The K Chronicles By Keith Knight
And speaking of vomit ... (10/02/2002)

Brother, can you spare a dime for my Gucci bills? By Janelle Brown
Cyber-begging fuels the new philanthropy, in which brand, beauty and instant karma matter most in raising funds. (10/02/2002)

Bill Bennett knows if you've been bad or good By Keith Olbermann
Will Al Gore be the latest addition to his list of un-Americans? (10/02/2002)

White House-Senate split widens over Iraq By Anthony York
Three high-ranking moderates in the U.S. Senate say it might be enough to disarm Saddam. But the White House presses for regime change "in whatever form it takes." (10/02/2002)

Does alleged sleeper cell belong behind bars? By Eric Boehlert
Prosecutors say possession of a widely circulated document on the Internet about suicide bombings should be enough to keep in jail six New York men charged with being part of al-Qaida. (10/02/2002)

The truth about American foreign policy By Robert Scheer
Let's call the Bush Doctrine what it really is: Imperialism. (10/02/2002)

Liza adopts cast; Miss Piggy loses her Dogg By Amy Reiter
It was a bad week for canines, but justice triumphs as a guy named Cox directs a biopic about John Holmes. (10/02/2002)

Joe Conason's Journal
Today's lesson in doublespeak: Republican Sen. Wayne Allard on "privatization." (10/02/2002)

Gore: All talk? By Anthony York
The ex-veep advocates more discussion about Bush's handling of the economy, without offering solutions of his own. (10/02/2002)

Matches made in Manhattan By Stephanie Lehmann
Wealthy clients pay Lisa Clampitt thousands of dollars to spend the evening with models, Playboy bunnies and other curvy sirens. But it's all perfectly legal. (10/02/2002)

The Ryze surprise By Katharine Mieszkowski
A fast-growing business networking site riles some members by -- gasp! -- laying claim to their intellectual property. (10/02/2002)

Happy birthday, Leni Riefenstahl By Ashley Fantz
Hitler's favorite filmmaker turns 100 -- and still says she didn't do anything wrong. (10/01/2002)

"Not with anger ..." By Charles Taylor
An international director stands up for Abbas Kiarostami, the Iranian master denied a visa for the New York Film Festival. (10/01/2002)

Music preview: The Paybacks By Anthony York
On "Knock Loud" the Detroit garage band combines high-energy rock with lyrics that are disarmingly compassionate and profoundly desperate. Listen in. (10/01/2002)

A beacon of sanity By Michelle Goldberg
In an age of religious fanatics, patriotic zealots and self-righteous leftists, Salman Rushdie champions free thinking and fun. (10/01/2002)

A New York state of mind By Peter Catapano
Salman Rushdie talks about why he was banished by Bush I, the light and dark sides of Islam, and his new life in Manhattan. (10/01/2002)

Literary daybook, Oct. 1
Real and imaginary events of interest to readers. (10/01/2002)

Story Minute By Carol Lay
Victory of the loud little handful. (10/01/2002)

A note from the editors
Why we took down the Tom White story (10/01/2002)

Mothers who sell By Michelle Kennedy
A hungry telemarketer discovers a jones for making the sale. (10/01/2002)

Sharon's miscalculation By Aluf Benn
The Israeli leader has defied President Bush before and gotten away with it -- but not this time. (10/01/2002)

"Barbershop" doesn't need a trim By Earl Ofari Hutchinson
Beneath the furor over the film's wisecrack about Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. lies a real crisis in black leadership. (10/01/2002)

Picking winners By King Kaufman
In the baseball playoffs, the National League teams all look vulnerable and the American League teams all look unbeatable. Something's gotta give. (10/01/2002)

Grudge matches galore! By Amy Reiter
Courtney vs. Dave, Hasselhoff vs. the minibar, Calista fact vs. fiction. (10/01/2002)

Joe Conason's Journal
Did Jeb Bush get a sneak peek at debate questions? (10/01/2002)

Twice burned By Cary Tennis
My first husband died in my arms; my second one changed his mind about wanting children. I'm 40 and devastated. Plus: Why do married men kiss me? (10/01/2002)

Radio killed the radio star By Todd Spencer
Consolidation has resulted in 10,000 layoffs, the demise of a beloved trade magazine, and a decline in programming quality. But industry execs are fat and happy. (10/01/2002)