NATION

George W. Bush: Lone Star Rising

George W. Bush is so far ahead in the race for the G.O.P. nomination, some call him a sure bet. While he decides whether to run, he's running hard

A Burning in Alabama

The savage murder of a gay man stuns a state where hate-crime laws do not protect homosexuals

Without Guilt?

Italians are shocked by the acquittal of a Marine pilot stuns

WORLD

The Bleeding Heart of Africa

The gruesome deaths of eight tourists in Uganda are fresh signs of the continent's violent political meltdown

HEALTH & MEDICINE

Tae-Bo or Not Tae-Bo? (Fitness)

A hot workout. A ubiquitous infomercial. But has the trendy new fitness routine been oversold?

SOCIETY

Make Room for Daddy (Family)

After years of coaching men how to be good fathers, Armin Brott argues that Dad still gets no respect

TECHNOLOGY

Video Games Get Trashed

Now that PCs can be turned into PlayStations, the Internet is flooded with free--and illegal--games

BRIEFING

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

BUSINESS

Ralph Lauren's Rough Ride

Forgetting the company's past triumphs, investors now see Polo as a stock that's slightly out of fashion. But don't count Lauren out

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

The Year of the Hare (The Arts / Show Business)

The playwright behind the sizzling Blue Room returns with two new shows--and a starring role

Bougie Like Me (The Arts / Books)

A color-struck look at the black upper class

Rock Of Ages (The Arts / Short Takes)

VH1, Mondays 10 p.m.

YOUR TIME

An Unwise Rise (Personal Time / Your Money)

Inflation? Where? How to cope with a paranoid bond market that's raising the price of money

Fun with E-Mail (Personal Time / Your Technology)

It's not just for messaging. Create mailing lists for the masses and play Scrabble with a pal

Circumcision: Unkindest Cut? (Personal Time / Your Health)

A new report says circumcision isn't as helpful--or as horrible--as you might have heard

SPECIAL SECTION

PEOPLE

LETTERS