COVER
Joe Klein on the President's Impressive Performance Thus Far (In the Arena)
Obama's start has been the most impressive of any President since F.D.R. The biggest tests are ahead of him
Photo Essay
Obama's 100 Days: Behind-the-Scenes
TIME photographer Callie Shell documents the President's historic start on the job
ESSAY
Governor Perry's Tantrum: So What if Texas Secedes?
When states get restless, do we really want to force them to stay united with the rest of us?
Dumb Intelligence (Commentary)
The torture memos prove that the U.S. sacrificed its moral authority for nothing
WORLD
Postcard from Medellín (Postcard: Medellãn)
As Colombia gains ground in the battle against insurgents, its focus turns to rehabilitating former child soldiers. A guerrilla war's youngest fighters come in from the cold
On the Bloody Border: Mexico's Drug Wars (The Well / World)
The U.S. has wakened to Mexico's drug wars. The city of Juárez is the place to see if and how they can be won
The Streets of Ciudad Juarez
Photos: The battle to control the flow of drugs from Mexico through Texas escalates into an unofficial war between the cops and the cartels.
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
The TIME 100
To help select the world's most influential people, we asked these newsmakers to offer their nominations for this year's list
The 2009 TIME 100 Finalists
Cast your vote for the leaders, artists, entrepreneurs and thinkers who deserve a spot on this year's TIME 100
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Star Trek: Back to the Final Frontier (Movies)
As a new Trek approaches, a fan wonders, Can the franchise boldly go where it's gone before?
Dag! (Books)
In his novel Sag Harbor, Colson Whitehead re-creates an '80s summer at the beach in rich nostalgic detail
Alan Ayckbourn: Man of the Moment (Theater)
Alan Ayckbourn returns triumphantly to Broadway. Will a great playwright finally get his due?
Short List
TIME'S PICKS FOR THE WEEK
BUSINESS
Hooray for Boring Banks (The Curious Capitalist)
They're making money again, the old-fashioned way. Good for them, and maybe us
SOCIETY
Canned Ham, Going Once, Twice: A Rise in Grocery Auctions (Life / Cash Crunch)
Auctioneers need new revenues sources. Consumer want cheap food. Start the bidding on the bananas
Grocery Auction
Photos: As consumers seek relief from the recession, auctions for food and other necessities gain in popularity
The Eyes Have It (Life / Fashion)
Forget the lipstick index. This recession, more women are splurging on their lashes
Camping for the Hotel Set (Life / Travel)
Cheap outdoor options that let you sleep in a queen-size bed after a round of mini golf
Greening This Old House (Life / Going Green)
Saving money and the planet by upgrading older homes
BRIEFING
The Moment
4|21|09: Washington
The World
10 ESSENTIAL STORIES
A Brief History of: Credit Cards
The Skimmer
Book Review: The Marriage-Go-Round by Andrew J. Cherlin