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An interview is presented with Jill Abramson, executive editor of the "New York Times" newspaper. Topics include how the "Times" is only major newspaper still in the hands of a publishing family since the 2013 the sale of the "Washington Post" newspaper, whether the "Times" has a political leaning, and efforts to keep the print newsroom and the Internet newsroom integrated at the paper. Abramson's focus on quality, in-depth stories rather than quickly-reported stories is noted. INSETS: ABRAMSON WAS HERE;THE TIMES' NEW RIVAL.

This article presents three commentaries responding to an article in the May 7, 1990 issue of "The New Republic" entitled "For a New Equality," by Mickey Kaus. Flaws in Kaus' argument in favor of Civic Liberalism; How Civic Liberalism could be made workable; Alternative proposals; Kaus' response.

Analyses the role of State in the right of property of individuals. Argument that far from being exclusively in the business of destroying wealth, the modern state is creating new millionaires all the time; Information that an entire federal agency, the Small Business Administration, devotes much of its energies to anointing minority-group millionaires through subsidized loans, no-bid government contracts; Argument that in cities across the land, local eminence or connections to the mighty may be bartered for large block of stock in cable TV enterprises which are seeking the sanction of municipal potentates. INSET: CONSUMERS OF WEALTH..

Discusses the issue of inherited wealth in the U.S. Reference to inherited wealth as an exception to the supply side premise that prosperity in society comes through socially productive effort and that society provides equal opportunity to all; Discussion on the book "Free to Choose," by Milton Friedman; Information on a study which concluded that as of 1972, a quarter of the wealth of this country was held by the richest one percent of the population. INSET: Consumers of Wealth..

Focuses on significance of conducting surveys and public opinion polls on various issues in the U.S. Opinion that polls provide awareness about several issues among the public. Analysis of surveys organized and financed by Union Carbide Corp. and conducted by Cambridge Reports Inc. regarding hazardous chemical dumps and corporate issues in the country; View that Union Carbide has created a consensus on subjects about which most people have no opinion at all; Comments on the effect of surveys on the American people.

Comments on the petroleum industry and U.S. dependence on petroleum products. Historical background on the costs from American consumption of oil; Pros and cons of restoring oil price controls; Implications on economic policy and the American economy.

Presents information on the social role of rich people and lavish living in the U.S. Impact of the social role of rich people and lavish living on U.S. President Ronald Reagan's economic policies; Discussion of Reagan's tax plan that involves massive cuts in corporate taxes; Assumption that in the U.S. today the greatest consumers of wealth are also the greatest producers of wealth; Information on two kinds of money; Report that a growing opportunity for tax-free high living is, of all things, charity and, in particular, corporate contributions to the arts; View that the travel industry is only somewhat less dependent than restaurants on tax-deductible customers; Fact that business consumption deductions reduce tax revenues.

Presents information on the federal system in the U.S. Discussion on the relationship between 51 independent court systems; Opinion that enhancing federalism is a sensible way to reduce the cost of government; Report on one of the most favorable tax systems in the entire U.S.; Growth in government employment.

Focuses on several lawsuits filed against drug companies that sell the drug, diethylstilbestrol (DES), as a treatment to prevent miscarriages in the U.S. Withdrawal of approval given by the Food and Drug Administration to DES on the grounds that it causes vaginal cancer in daughters whose mothers took DES during pregnancy; Efforts of drug company Eli Lilly and Co. to defend itself against the lawsuits; Discussion on the lawsuit filed by Joyce Bichler who is suffering from cancer and amount of compensation to be received by her from Eli Lilly.

The article looks at the leaking of confidential government information as of November 2013. Topics include government agencies and corporations' use of leaks as part of their public relations strategies, how the "Washington Post" newspaper feels about leakers such as Chelsea (formerly Bradley) Manning and Edward Snowden, and how news publications can decide whether or not a leak is damaging to national security.

The article looks at income inequality in the U.S. as of 2013, focusing on the working poor and on retail company Wal-Mart. The author notes the U.S. minimum wage increase that would be needed so that a person working full-time would be above the poverty level. He proposes that Wal-Mart agree to such a wage increase and pass the cost along to its customers, saying it would represent a minor cost increase to the average customer.

The article looks at the controversy over whether the bankrupt city of Detroit, Michigan should sell its art collection as of October 2013. The author describes the prospect of replacing the paintings and sculptures in public museums with high-quality reproductions, an idea first proposed by a political scientists called Edward Banfield. The way art is assigned value is considered.

The article looks at marijuana legalization in the U.S., as of 2013. It notes that Colorado and Washington have passed referenda legalizing recreational use of the drug and discusses the Washington State Liquor Control Board's process of implementing the law. It notes the board has expressed support for the development of the marijuana industry, citing its economic benefits, including generating government revenue.

The author looks at issues of same-sex marriage, homophobia, and free speech in the U.S., as of 2013. He recounts the controversy over the selection of pediatric neurosurgeon and Republican Party media figure Ben Carson as commencement speaker at John Hopkins Medical School in Maryland, related to Carson's public statements opposing gay marriage. He criticizes the gay rights movement and the university's administration over the episode. He expresses the view that having largely won the marriage equality battle, gay-rights proponents should be gracious toward people who continue to oppose gay marriage. He says it was wrong for the university to try to prevent unpopular opinions from being expressed, even if as a private institution it is obligated to protect the freedom of speech.

The author, a long-time U.S. journalist, discusses his 2013 return to the publication in the role of editor-at-large. He recounts his history with the publication, noting that he was its editor in the 1970s and describing how he left briefly in 1979 due to a dispute with the editor-in-chief, but then returned. He offers anecdotes from his earlier years as a journalist, including how various functions were carried out prior to the introduction of e-mail and fax machines. He presents excerpts from letters he received over the years from authors including Irving Howe and Christopher Hitchens.

In this article the author discusses aspects of news magazines and magazine publishing in the United States. The focus of the article is the restructuring of "Newsweek" magazine that took place in early 2009. The author evaluates a number of elements in the revised edition of "Newsweek" including its layout, design and editorial policy.

The author offers opinions on finding his name mentioned in "The Reagan Diaries," the collection of the personal journals of U.S. President Ronald Reagan edited by historian Douglas Brinkley. The diaries cited the author attending a White House lunch with Reagan in 1986 that the author cannot recall. He is, however, flattered at the idea he could have been invited. Brinkley then tells the author the inclusion of his name was a mistake on Brinkley's part. The author is deflated.

Comments on the decision of U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno not to appoint an independent counsel to investigate the campaign fund-raising of vice presidential candidate Al Gore. Explanation issued by Reno for her decision; Controversy involving the existence of some handwritten notes, which were taken by an aide of Gore at a 1995 meeting, about hard and soft money; Tradition observed by the Republicans, and which the Democrats violated; Implication of Reno's decision.

Discusses the tax reform proposal of the administration of U.S. President Ronald Reagan. Expected reaction of the liberals to the tax reforms; Provisions of the reform plan; Reasons why the major objections against the proposals are wrong; Labor Party's main objection to Reagan's plan; Justification of the shift of taxes from individuals to corporations under the supply-side economic philosophy; Professor of Political Economy at the Georgetown Center for Strategic and International Studies, Paul Craig Roberts' denouncement of Reagan's plan.

Addresses the ethics involved in the journalists' acceptance of fees for addressing conventions and trade associations in the U.S. Risks faced by journalists in the conference/convention industry; Ways in which the situation of journalists differs from that of politicians who accept honoraria and campaign contributions from groups; Role played by "Roll Call" editor James Glassman to revive the journal.

Argues against the plan of Republicans to cut the capital gains tax in 1994. Analysis of the effect of the tax code on economic decisions based on the position of free market advocates; Reason for the need for the administration of U.S. President Bill Clinton to encourage capital gains tax; Ways in which capital gains are favored; Implications of the adjustment of capital gains for inflation; Analysis of the consequences of lowered capital gains rate.

Explores the reasons for the impression of the majority of people in the U.S. that President Bill Clinton has raised their taxes. Argument that the best measure of the overall tax burden is taxes as a share of gross domestic product; Impact of the Clinton administration budget deal of 1993 on income taxes; Explanation that the total burden of federal taxes on society as a whole since 1980 has remained constant.

Contends that voters together with politicians and the interest groups are to blame for the failure of the U.S. federal government to provide a universal health care to its citizens. Discussion on the health care reform plan of President Bill Clinton; Public opinion on the country's health care system; Stand of Republicans on health care reform; Criticism on the media's coverage of the health care reform debates; Comparison of the U.S. with other industrialized countries in the area of health care.

Discusses the efforts of the U.S. government to introduce capital gains tax reductions. Success of the 1986 tax reform, which eliminated the special break for capital gains in exchange for lower tax rates on all income; Benefits gained by the well-to-do from capital gains breaks; Background on the concept of tax neutrality; Argument pertaining to the deflationary impact of capital gains cut; Analysis that capital gains tax cut won't cost anything, it will actually bring in more revenue; Discussion that capital gains tax cut will raise stock prices and real estate values.

Focuses on the plan of the U.S. government under Ronald Reagan to reduce the Federal budget deficit. Public spending on social programs and defense; Strategies undertaken by the administration to reduce budget deficit and improve public spending policy; Options for raising taxes; Indications of politics and public administration.

Examines the fact checking system used by the periodical "The New Yorker." Revelation that the periodical's writer, Alastair Reid, has been fabricating stories for the magazine; Step taken by the newspaper "The Wall Street Journal" when faced with the same experience as "The New Yorker"; Implication of the trend on the status of journalism in the United States.

Focuses on the national debt of the U.S. Reasons behind the temptation for Democrats to attack U.S. President Ronald Reagan's budget deficits; Change in the nature of deficit and the nature of the general public towards deficit; Need of the U.S. to discourage consumption and encourage savings; Reasons behind the fall in inflation and interest rates during the Reagan megadeficit years; View of the author that Reagan lied to the American public regarding the matter of deficits; Accusation leveled by Reagan against the Congress that it spends too much, leading to the deficits.

Focuses on the impact of free trade on social and economic conditions in the U.S. Comment on economist David Ricardo's theory of free trade; Ways through which one nation gains comparative advantage over another; Living standards of the U.S. working class; View that importing the products of cheap foreign labor cannot lower American living standards; Suggestion on how to take advantage of the disparity between American and foreign wages.

Discusses the imposition of foreign trade restraints in the U.S. Announcement by President Ronald Reagan that his administration would provide $1.5 billion in credit subsidies to spur food exports; Reason behind the preference for voluntary trade restraints than imposed restraints by Reagan; Information on a bill related to free trade sponsored by thirty Senators; Explanation by Senator Wendell Ford regarding the domestic content bill; Problems related to the free trade.

Discusses various legal developments taking place in the U.S. electronic communication industry. Fight over the incipient technological revolution known as "videotext"; Decision of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the case involving AT&T Corp.; Regulation of FCC that AT&T could provide some video information services through a separate subsidiary; Concern of the U.S. Congress in rewriting the law it is based on the Communications Act of 1934.

Presents information on the performance and future of the Democratic party in the United States. View that the party is run by lawyer-operators with no commitment to any particular political values; Statement that the poor, the working class and the country would have been better off if the Democrats had played no role in shaping the tax and budget cuts; Discussion over the U.S. President Ronald Reagan's budget cut for fiscal 1982; Description of food stamp program; housing and home weatherization program.

The article presents an exploration into the MacArthur Foundation and its fellowship award. The history of its founder, John D. MacArthur, an intrepid insurance salesman during the Great Depression, is provided. Details are given of MacArthur's financial legacy and the formation of the award for individual creative entrepreneurship.

Focuses on the medical profession that performed miracles in Washington. Comment on enormous nuclear weapons arsenals,of the superpowers and the rapid proliferation of nuclear weapons around the world; Report that medical care would be unaffected by a nuclear war; Claim that only the existence of nuclear weapons has prevented a major conventional war between the superpowers; Information about medical education campaign.

Focuses on views of two political action committees, Committee for an Independent Judiciary and Americans Concerned for the Judiciary about Ronald Reagan, a U.S. presidential candidate. Charges made against Reagan by the committees; Purpose behind criticizing Reagan by these committees; Basis on which Reagan would appoint judges if he wins the election.

Presents information on the decline in editorial quality of the journal "The New Republic." Criticism of the unintended rhymes in the book reviews; Reasons for the author to resign from the post he was holding in the journal's editorial team; Comments on an article by Suzannah Lessard, which will be shortly published in the December issue of the Washington Monthly; Violation of responsible standards of taste and ethics.

Explains that Jack Landau, head of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, poses the biggest threat to the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. Supreme Court decision reaffirming the state of the libel laws as they have existed for the past 15 years; Indication of journalists' contempt for the freedom of speech rights of non-journalists; Immunity from libel laws of statements about public figures unless they were made with reckless disregard for the truth; Argument that the First Amendment protects the editorial process of the press from public scrutiny.

Comments on the White House Drug Scandal involving Doctor Peter Bourne who claims that by fraudulently obtaining the restricted drug Quaalude for his assistant he was protecting her future as a drug-enforcement official. President Jimmy Carter's refusal to answer questions about Bourne on the grounds that it might interfere with the investigation; Argument by White House employees that the pleasure drug hunt violates their privacy; Author's view that the scandal involves arrogance and hypocrisy.

Focuses on the notion of merit and secrets of success. Symptoms of merit madness; Difference between merit qualities and unfair advantages; Job of social reform in eliminating all advantages other merit; Categories of pertinent innate differences between individuals; Failure in justifying disparities in wealth and prestige that meritocratic system perpetuates; Concept of meritocracy.

An interview with "Newsweek" editor Tina Brown is presented. According to the editor, the September 11 attack made her realize that she cared more about the U.S. than Great Britain that is why she and her husband became a citizen after the event. Brown claims that British journalists succeed in the U.S. because of the strong newspaper culture in the country. She talks about how she took over the editorship of "Newsweek."

The author discusses attempts to identify suspicious behavior in locations such as U.S. airport terminals, arguing that the U.S. government is encouraging people to watch for suspicious behavior without clearly defining suspicious behavior. Suspicious activities such as note-taking, expressing interest in extremist ideologies, and expressing interest in ammonium nitrate are mentioned. Topics include the U.S. Transportation Security Administration, the identification of terrorists, and freedom of expression.

The article looks at government borrowing and public debt. The author describes how a government is similar to a corporation, in that both can continue to borrow money indefinitely while rolling over its debts each year. Topics include how rarely the programs the government invests in provide profit for the government, the high level of national debt acquired during the administration of U.S. president Ronald Reagan in the 1980s, and how the U.S. Republican Party's view about having a balanced budget changes depending on whether the U.S. president is a Democrat or a Republican. The author suggests the U.S. needs economic stimulus and austerity as of 2013.

The article looks at U.S. politics, as of March 2013, focusing on the internal discussions in the Republican Party about its loss in the November 2012 U.S. presidential election. The author says many Republican politicians and conservative political commentators are expressing self-pity and characterizing U.S. President Barack Obama as ruthless and bent on destroying them. He calls such comments inaccurate and politically unwise, saying that working hard to defeat the opponent is merely the nature of politics.

The article explores the influence of the Baby Boom generation on American society. Description of the generation as selfish are presented and condemnations that Baby Boomers have wasted the opportunities given them by previous generations are examined. The possibility of redemption for Boomers who feel they have failed to leave a legacy is discussed and suggestions include the legalization of marijuana, the institution of a national service program, and the reduction of U.S. national debt.

An essay is presented on human life expectancy. It offers an analysis of the culture related to the pursuit of human longevity and examines the psychological and social dimensions of the impulse to extend life expectancy. The author relates his experience with the pursuit of longevity, discussing medical advancements such as deep brain stimulation (DBS) to treat Parkinson's disease and stem-cell research to treat brain conditions. Cancer, heart disease, and stroke are also discussed.

The article profiles the speech given at Columbia University in New York City by Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The author states that he was introduced by the president of the university Lee Bollinger, who proceeded to be rude in his introduction of the speaker. The author states that Bollinger seems to have used the tactic of letting people speak who we would prefer to silence.

Makes an argument for embryonic stem cell research, with comparisons to abortion. Note that unborn fetuses can resemble human beings, and their life is at stake for reasons not always life threatening to the mother. Claim that if you accept the theory that life begins at conception, and all human life has a unique right to life, then the life of the fetus is more important; Note that embryos are comprised of a few dozen cells with nothing humanlike about them, and multitudes of human lives could be saved from the success of stem cell research; Claim that opponents of embryonic stem cell research have no logical base, and are allowing politics to cloud their judgment.