Economist , June 7 (posted Saturday, June 7) The cover story observes that public opinions in France and Germany are moving against European Monetary Union--in different directions. The French have backed a party that favors loose interpretation of Maastricht Treaty criteria, while the Germans have cheered for the Bundesbank's strict financial bookkeeping. Nevertheless, the article predicts that an inclusive euro will be launched on schedule, through fudging the original criteria. The editorial laments that the treaty's "misguided" fiscal targets have harmed the "great opportunity that the single currency might have been" and argues that they should be revised immediately. A killjoy article on the McVeigh trial says it doesn't really vindicate the American judicial system, because the proceedings were biased and conspiracy theories were not aired. An admiring article on Israel's new Labor leader, Ehud Barak, speculates that the besieged Likud government is headed for more trouble and may turn to Barak for support. New Republic , June 23 (posted Friday, June 6) The cover story by Jonathan Rauch warns that workplace-harassment law is destroying the First Amendment. Courts have equated discriminatory speech with discriminatory action, causing lawsuit-shy employers to enforce "speech codes." Proposal: Apply First Amendment protection to workplace speech, even though there will be some unrestrained bigotry. The editorial celebrates the "obtuse and suicidal" choice of the French electorate, particularly because it will kill hope for a common European currency. An article argues that Timothy McVeigh's view of the Constitution--people may judge and overthrow a government that has exceeded its authority--is consistent with the vision of the Founding Fathers (but Lincoln forged a "new Constitution" based on "nationhood, equality and democracy"). And an article explains how the military has adopted a radical-feminist view of rape in order to survive in the '90s. New York Times Magazine , June 8 (posted Friday, June 6) A special issue on "How the World Sees Us" asserts that the United States has reached a new level of cultural domination and asks whether the world is enjoying it. Foreign writers in 18 countries respond. In the featured essay, a German political analyst announces the end of Cold War anti-Americanism: Europeans who used to hate obnoxious Americans (because of forced allegiance) now want to imitate them (because they are relentlessly innovative). Some other responses: A Nigerian denounces "the shameless glorification of self-exposure," a French nanny complains that American children are spoiled, and a German observes that Americans are obsessed with their teeth (hence the cover). An accompanying column frets that we are embarrassing ourselves by dumping the worst of American culture ("Rambo-esque violence and Disney-esque sentimentality") on foreign markets that enjoy having negative American stereotypes confirmed. Time and Newsweek , June 9 (posted Tuesday, June 3) Paula Jones makes Newsweek 's cover. The gist: The president's advisers and insurers want him to settle the case, because no matter what the outcome, pretrial discovery would be humiliating. Newsweek contributor George Stephanopoulos urges Clinton to seek a fast trial and clear the air for the 2000 campaign. Time 's feature argues that settling is trickier than it sounds: Can Clinton acknowledge Jones' claim and not admit to any wrongdoing? Time 's trend cover story concludes that Generation Xers are not slackers: They're materialistic, ambitious, and entrepreneurial. The piece is accompanied by the requisite sidebars about a go-getting movie director, a fabulously successful cosmetics manufacturer, and a hip young environmental activist. Both magazines write skeptically about the "Torah codes" phenomenon, which claims that the Bible contains encrypted messages prophesying events. (See Slate's "Cracking God's Code.") Time alleges that an Al Gore associate who owns a toxic-waste-disposal company received a lucrative Department of Energy contract after making large donations to the Clinton-Gore campaign. And the Golden Arches slump: McDonald's U.S. business is flagging, Time says, because Americans increasingly favor tasty food over fast food. Also, Time publishes a special issue devoted to American Visions , the TV show and book by the magazine's longtime art critic, Robert Hughes. U.S. News & World Report , June 9 (posted Tuesday, June 3) The annual retirement guide offers the usual advice: Buy better mutual funds and pay attention to your 401(k). One piece declares that anyone can become a millionaire by investing more, spending less, and buying used cars. A long article describes a massive, 40-years-in-the-making study of aging. Among its findings: People don't get crankier as they get older, at least half of senior citizens have no heart problems at all, and senility is not inevitable. U.S. News ' Paula Jones scoop: Her lawyers have stashed three copies of her affidavit about Clinton's "distinguishing characteristics" in hiding places around the country. A story notes that biologists have discovered dozens of new mammal species in the past few years, including a new whale and a "giant barking deer." The New Yorker , June 9 (posted Tuesday, June 3) The magazine profiles Nolanda Hill, who was business partner, best friend and, as she reveals, mistress of late Commerce Secretary Ron Brown. A brash Texan who made a fortune buying TV stations, Hill is under federal investigation for her business deals with Brown. Funniest tidbit: Brown loathed Clinton's touchy-feely Cabinet retreats, calling them "moongazing." An article rips celebrity doctor Susan Love for misleading women about estrogen and grossly distorting (or misunderstanding) Centers for Disease Control statistics. Love advises middle-aged women not to take estrogen, saying it raises breast-cancer risk. In fact, estrogen therapy vastly reduces the risk of heart disease and bone disabilities, while increasing that of cancer only minimally. Also, The New Yorker publishes from the 45-year correspondence between Gore Vidal and Louis Auchincloss. Weekly Standard , June 9 (posted Tuesday, June 3) Another "what's wrong with conservatives" cover package blames the conservative collapse in Britain, France, and the United States on the clever but vacuous politics of the left. But not to worry: The left's victories are rear-guard actions. Conservatives are winning the intellectual war. Editor William Kristol bemoans the "Clintonization" of Trent Lott and other GOP leaders, who have replaced their old firmness with vague, pandering rhetoric. A piece criticizes feminists for valorizing Air Force pilot Lt. Kelly Flinn and ignoring jilted wife Gayla Zigo. Also, at long last, a writer pans Rosie O'Donnell as a sycophant (in public) and a bully (in private).