Vol. 166 No. 25

COVER

(Cover Story / The Best Photos of the Year)
glimpses of beauty

NATION

His Search For A New Groove
The President has had a dreadful year, and his approval ratings are anemic. What Bush is doing to try to reverse his second-term slump

When Terror Charges Just Won't Stick
A jury vindicates a fiery pro-Palestinian professor. Did the feds just waste their time?

Death on the Jetway
A passenger's scary behavior leads air marshals to shoot him dead. Did they do the right thing?

PRESS

The Roving Investigator
In his continuing inquiry into the Valerie Plame leak, Patrick Fitzgerald questions another TIME reporter

What Viveca Novak Told Fitzgerald (FIRST PERSON)

RELIGION

Father & Child
Scripture downplays even his Christmas role, but Joseph's relationship with Jesus has inspired generations to explore his hidden virtues

SPORT

Did You See That?
The amazing Reggie Bush ignites U.S.C.'s run for three straight titles

NOTEBOOK

Covering Its Tracks
The CIA investigates how knowledge of its secret prisons became public

A New Reason to Filibuster
The Democrats take on the Patriot Act in Congress

Costly Alternatives (Speed Read)
What's the nature of the upcoming alternative minimum tax?

O Holy Fight
Merry Christmas vs. Happy Holidays in a battle royale

New Mexico: To Infinity ... And Beyond
A special airspace clause may make the state the home of the world's first spaceport

Performance of the Week

Verbatim

Punchlines

Numbers

Why Washington Is Playing with Fire (In the Arena)

America's Most Beloved Comic Rebel (Milestones)

Eugene McCarthy: 1916-2005 (Milestones)

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

Getting Smart at Being Good...Are Companies Better Off for It? (Time Bonus Section January 2006: Inside Business / Special Report: Giving Back)
NOT EVERYONE SAYS YES. BUT A GROWING PHALANX OF CEOS THINKS THAT, DONE RIGHT, CORPORATE CARING BOLSTERS BOTTOM LINES

Paper War (Time Bonus Section January 2006: Inside Business / Activism)
ENVIRONMENTALISTS TAKE ON VICTORIA'S SECRET FOR MAILING MORE THAN 1 MILLION CATALOGS A DAY

Movies with a Message (Time Bonus Section January 2006: Inside Business / Entertainment)
ONE HOLLYWOOD PRODUCER HAS HIGH HOPES HIS FILMS WILL CHANGE THE WORLD

How to Brew Justice (Time Bonus Section January 2006: Inside Business / Fair Trade)
COFFEE IMPORTER EQUAL EXCHANGE SHOWS HOW TO MAKE GOOD MONEY WHILE PAYING FARMERS HIGH PRICES

Charity Fat Cats (Time Bonus Section January 2006: Inside Business / Philanthropy)
THE IRS IS CRACKING DOWN ON EXCESSIVE PAY AND PERKS AT NONPROFITS. COULD THE SCRUTINY GO TOO FAR?

Meet the Hard-Nosed Do-Gooders (Time Bonus Section January 2006: Inside Business / Philanthropy)
A NEW GENERATION OF GRADUATES IS FINDING MARKET-BASED SOLUTIONS FOR PROBLEMS IN THE NONPROFIT WORLD--AND GETTING PAID FOR IT

Sisters In Trade (Time Bonus Section January 2006: Inside Business / SMALL BUSINESS)
FROM KARACHI TO DURBAN, AMERICAN WOMEN ARE LINKING UP WITH FEMALE ARTISANS

Better Than Charity (Time Bonus Section January 2006: Inside Business / SMALL BUSINESS)
ENDEAVOR HELPS ENTREPRENEURS GO GLOBAL AND GIVE BACK TO SUSTAIN LOCAL GROWTH

Going Green (Time Bonus Section January 2006: Inside Business / CEO Speaks)
DUPONT'S CEO BELIEVES HIS COMPANY'S SCIENCE CAN HELP REDUCE THE EARTH'S POLLUTION

How to Make Them Give (Time Bonus Section January 2006: Inside Business / Biz Briefs)

The Best in Class (Time Bonus Section January 2006: Inside Business / Biz Briefs)

Investing with Your Heart (Time Bonus Section January 2006: Inside Business / Mutual Funds)
ARE SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE FUNDS GOOD FOR YOUR PORTFOLIO?

WORLD

The Rise Of an Evil Protégé
An inside look at how al-Zarqawi wrested control from his ex-boss and became al-Qaeda's most lethal terrorist

Poll: What Do Iraqis Want?
On the eve of their election, a TIME-ABC News poll shows, Iraqis are surprisingly upbeat--yet critical of the U.S.

Look Who's Getting Votes
Egyptian fundamentalists are gaining clout through the ballot box. Is this the future of Arab democracy?

Do Brits Need More Drinking Time? (Letter From London)
Authorities hope longer pub hours will mean more sipping and less bingeing

BUSINESS

Meet the No-Star Team
Shhh ... They run America's biggest mutual fund, and they don't mind if you've never heard about them

War on the Water Front
As the thirst for bottled water grows, a battle is brewing over precious resources--and profits

LAW

A Rogue's Revenge
Disavowed by the CIA and jailed for 22 years, an ex-spy now wants someone to pay

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

We Offer A Bird's-Eye View of the Big, the Bad and the Barest Movies of the Holidays (Movies)
impresarios for your stocking

7 Great Books You May Have Missed
Skipped these gems the first time around? Here comes your second chance

YOUR TIME

Easy Drinking (Lifestyle)

Boutique On a Budget (Travel)
happy to accommodate you with style, sophistication and economy.

Workouts to Go (Fitness)