Vol. 171 No. 21
COVER
Your paycheck is shrinking, gas costs $4 a gallon, and your house is losing value. Here's how to tackle the big issues
NATION
John McCain has faced personal tests most of us can't imagine. But his bout with melanoma after the 2000 campaign makes his health and his age election issues today. Why he's still at risk
(The Well / Campaign '08)
The U.S. has money troubles that are deeper than just one downturn. Who's got the best big ideas?
Hamas Hysteria (In The Arena)
Smeared by McCain, Obama says he won't talk to the bad guys. They're both failing the leadership test
What Obama Owes the Clintons (The Well / Commentary)
Obama's backers love to hate the Clintons. But without Bill and Hillary, his candidacy would not be possible
ESSAY
How we treat our veterans says a lot about America's character. These days, it isn't pretty
WORLD
After a killer quake, Beijing scrambles to show the world it can cope with a massive humanitarian crisis. How the disaster--and the government's response to it--could change China forever
Welcome to Hizballahstan (The Well / World)
The militants' easy victory in the battle for Beirut leaves the U.S. yet again on the losing side of an Arab conflict, with little leverage and few options
An Offer Burma Can't Refuse (The Well / Viewpoint)
In the midst of disaster, Burma's rulers have resisted outside help. It's time for the world to force it on them
Postcard: Harlem (Postcard: Harlem)
An ambitious redevelopment plan has residents and city planners feuding over what constitutes progress. Debating the historic district's next renaissance
NOTEBOOK
Milestones (Briefing)
Washington Memo (Briefing / Washington Memo)
Eye of the Storm. (Briefing / The Moment)
Nature's wrath is fickle, but how we respond is up to us
Numbers
Verbatim
SCIENCE
How new Web tools help measure--and shrink--your impact on global warming
SOCIETY
The high school musical has graduated from Oklahoma!
TECHNOLOGY
A new Italian home machine aims for coffee lovers' holy grail: a perfect shot, every time
BUSINESS
Out of a basement rose an apparel brand that soaked up sweat and poured profits. Now the company wants a piece of the sneaker market. Why Nike is hearing footsteps
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Why the Narnia films hit while The Golden Compass flopped
Two Reissued Photography Books Reconsidered (Arts: Movies - Photography - Downtime / Photography)
How two photography books, just reissued, shifted America's image of itself
Robert Rauschenberg: The Wild and Crazy Guy (The Well / Appreciation)
What made Robert Rauschenberg a great American artist? His embrace of just about everything
(Arts: Movies - Photography - Downtime / Downtime)
Singing from a starlet, history from Hollywood and gunslinging from a class act
Never Gonna Say Goodbye (Arts: Movies - Photography - Downtime / Websession)
PEOPLE
For 13 years he has hosted the documentary series This American Life on public radio. The television version is currently in its second season on Showtime. Ira Glass will now take your questions
SPECIAL SECTION
An innovative children's TV show out of Iceland pushes a healthy living agenda
They Might Be Giants (Innovators / Video for Kids)
Long popular in the rock world, John Flansburgh and John Linnell are now big with kids too
Pancake Mountain (Innovators / Video for Kids)
With a mix of puppets and rock bands, Scott Stuckey created a show that's fun and smart--and even a bit ironic
Yo Gabba Gabba! (Innovators / Video for Kids)
Two fathers, Scott Schultz and Christian Jacobs, know what it takes to appeal to kids
Pororo (Innovators / Video for Kids)
With the help of his giant, cuddly penguin, South Korea's Choi Jong Il lets kids dream big
TO OUR READERS
In a memorable evening, some of the world's most influential people honored those who had most inspired them