NATION
Tripped Up By History
G.O.P. leader Trent Lott's remarks on race raise a storm and a hot question: Have Republicans really outgrown their past?
Why Trent Lott's a Menace to His Party
He undermines the inclusive spirit that Bush has tried to build
Lott's Adventures in Gaffeland
When you're a politician, the worst slip is saying what you really think
The End of Rule by Law
Burned by the scandal of predator priests, Boston's Cardinal steps down. His church's problems go on
WORLD
Iraq: The Great Scud Hunt (Iraq)
In the last war against Iraq, the U.S. did a poor job of destroying Scuds. If another war comes, the American military aims to do it better and smarter--with Israeli help
On The Ground In Qatar
The Axis of Evil in Action
Was Bush right when he made Iraq, Iran and North Korea a loathsome trio?
Iraq: The Missile Front (Iraq)
In a war with Iraq, the U.S. would probably bring out its new Patriot surface-to-air missile, the PAC-3, which improves upon the flawed PAC-2 used during the Gulf War. The new model promises greater p
SCIENCE
The Beluga Blues (Environment)
America's craving for salty, sexy caviar has pushed an ancient sea creature to the brink of extinction
SOCIETY
Food, Talk, Dice: Hey, It's Bunco Time! (Lifestyle)
Women are going crazy over an old gambling game
BRIEFING
Far from Home (Notebook)
Verbatim: Dec. 23, 2002 (Notebook)
Kissinger's Fast Exit (Notebook)
Another Jab From The General (Notebook)
Big-Tire Backlash (Notebook)
Aftereffects Of A Siege (Notebook)
Milestones Dec. 23, 2002 (Notebook)
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
Smallpox Shots: Make Them Mandatory (Essay)
When it comes to epidemic diseases, you don't get to decide. The state decides
BUSINESS
Have It Your Way
From lipsticks to cars, a growing array of products can be custom-made to your own taste--and waist
EDUCATION
Crunching the Numbers
Would-be masters meet their match in the Putnam Competition, the world's toughest math test
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Holiday Movie Preview: The Master of Deception (Holiday Movie Preview)
Holiday Movie Preview: The Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers (Holiday Movie Preview)
STARRING: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Bernard Hill, Christopher Lee, Andy Serkis (voice of Gollum) DIRECTED BY: Peter Jackson
Holiday Movie Preview: Maid In Manhattan (Holiday Movie Preview)
STARRING: Jennifer Lopez, Ralph Fiennes, Natasha Richardson, Stanley Tucci, Bob Hoskins DIRECTED BY: Wayne Wang
Holiday Movie Preview: Have A Very Leo Noel (Holiday Movie Preview)
DiCaprio has two big stocking stuffers, as our critics pass out the gifts--and a few lumps of coal
Holiday Movie Preview: 25th Hour (Holiday Movie Preview)
STARRING: Edward Norton, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Barry Pepper DIRECTED BY: Spike Lee
Holiday Movie Preview: The Hours (Holiday Movie Preview)
STARRING: Meryl Streep, Julianne Moore, Nicole Kidman, Ed Harris DIRECTED BY: Stephen Daldry
Holiday Movie Preview: The Pianist (Holiday Movie Preview)
STARRING: Adrien Brody, Frank Finlay, Emilia Fox, Maureen Lipman, Thomas Kretschmann, Julia Rayner DIRECTED BY: Roman Polanski
Holiday Movie Preview: Russian Ark (Holiday Movie Preview)
STARRING: Sergei Dontsov, Maksim Sergeyev, Mariya Kuznetsova DIRECTED BY: Alexander Sokurov
Holiday Movie Preview: Nicholas Nickleby (Holiday Movie Preview)
STARRING: Charlie Hunnam, Jamie Bell, Jim Broadbent, Tom Courtenay, Christopher Plummer, Edward Fox DIRECTED BY: Douglas McGrath
Tilting at Windmills (Books)
In a new novel, Annie Proulx casts her sharp eye on her beloved and bedeviled Panhandle country
Islam's Prophet Motive (Television)
PBS's Muhammad paints a too rosy picture of a humanitarian faith and its founder
Catfight! (Theater)
Broadway resurrects a famed literary spat
YOUR TIME
Why Let the Dogs Out? These Vets Come to You (Technology Health Money Fitness Food Trends)
House-call and mobile veterinarians are reducing stress for pets and owners
Sneakers for Highflyers (Technology Health Money Fitness Food Trends)
One-Minute Photo
Smile! Cell phone--camera combos are here. Just don't expect perfect pictures
A Smallpox Shot?
The vaccine works but carries real risks. How to tell if you should take it
Second Opinion: The New Carcinogens (Second Opinion)
SPECIAL SECTION
Indian Casinos: Playing The Political Slots (Special Report / Indian Casinos)
PART TWO: How Indian casino interests have learned the art of buying influence in Washington
Global Briefing: Global Briefing: Dec. 23, 2002 (Time Bonus Section / Global Business)
Speed Reader (Time Bonus Section / Global Business)
New software instantly connects key bits of data that once eluded teams of researchers
Energy: Black Gold (Time Bonus Section / Global Business)
The U.S. is becoming less reliant on Middle Eastern oil, thanks to West Africa
Tobacco: Smoke Screen? (Time Bonus Section / Global Business)
A new lawsuit says cigarette smugglers had a friend in R.J. Reynolds
People to Watch in International Business (Time Bonus Section Global Business / World Beaters)
People to Watch in International Business
Fishing for Yield? (Time Bonus Section / Global Business)
Smart investors are buying a class of stock that acts much like a bond, only with more income
CEOs as Pilots (Time Bonus Section / Global Business)
Weary of airline delays and traffic jams, more executives are learning to fly their own planes