12 February 2004

New York's currently: mostly cloudy, highs in the upper 30s, with light and variable winds

South Koreans claim to have created world's first mature, cloned human embryos

Justice department wants hospital records to defend law banning partial-birth abortions.

Despite Bush's pledge, White House staff backs away from releasing military files.

The joyfully readable smoke and mirrors of press secretary Scott McClellan under fire over Bush's Guard service (see also: what exactly is gutter politics?), and Walter Robinson's original research that started the scandal.

Valentine's Day becoming hot in Iran, despite government's wishes and threats to arrest couples.

Backstory on how Pakistan built its nuclear network.

Stereotypes exploded! Blacks to teach whites how to be cool in new reality show.

Militant groups vow revenge after 15 Palestinians die during raids in Gaza. Related: Open letter from Bush to Arab leaders, as written by Friedman.

[Good art] is the work of a free, unfettered, uncorrupted imagination. Whereas bad art is the soft, messy self-indulgent work of an enslaved fantasy. Pornography is at one end of that scale, great art at the other end. Illuminating old interview with Iris Murdoch.

George C. Wolfe leaving the Public in the fall to write.

Blame New Jersey for the expiration date on your bottled water that has nothing health-based behind it.

Poet Anne Carson heats up Showtime's lesbian drama.

Year of film festivals in New York.

Video: Only clip of Skull & Bones initiation; Killer card moves; High-speed cameras.

Grown men get together to build forts from sheets and pillows.