Vol. 161 No. 2
NATION
The Senate's only physician is on call to restore the G.O.P. to health. But is he equipped for the job?
Erasing Trent Lott's Legacy
Republicans have a chance to chip away at the most loyal of Democrats
WORLD
A New Year's Eve alarm has its roots in Canada, but are there really al-Qaeda fugitives on the loose?
How Dangerous Is North Korea?
DICTATOR KIM JONG IL IS PUSHING THE WORLD TOWARD A SHOWDOWN OVER HIS NUCLEAR-WEAPONS PROGRAM
Star of His Own Show
Kim Jong Il has made an effort in recent years to appear less strange, but his outsize sense of drama is always on display
SOCIETY
The scientists' nightmare: How do you conduct a reasoned debate about complex moral issues when the news is coming from outer space?
NOTEBOOK
Bush's Tax Surprise
Verbatim
Troops on the Move
Those Cultured Orangutans
Faith-Based Initiative
The 10 Best 10 Best Lists
Flashbacks in Black and White (Media Watch)
Milestones (Milestones)
Numbers
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
Dialogue with North Korea would go a long way toward averting a real crisis
Hey, Kids! It's The All New 2003 Puzzle Page
Sick, Tired and Not Taking It Anymore
Surgeons are striking in West Virginia. Here's how to cure what ails them
BUSINESS
(Yes, a lot bigger...Here's how)
Getting Turf Conscious
Goodbye to old sod: stadiums are switching to a new synthetic grass that's both tough and tender
EDUCATION
Zero-tolerance policies are pushing more kids out of traditional schools. Here's where they go
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
In his last two books, Richard Price journeyed to the streets. In this powerful novel, he explores himself
Hint: It's Not Plastics (Books)
In What Should I Do with My Life?, a writer finds inspiration in people who have it all figured out
Old Wind in New Bottles (Television)
The Weather Channel seeks to turn yesterday's tornadoes into today's high drama with Storm Stories
Lying to Tell the Truth (Movies)
CHUCK BARRIS
What They Really Want is to Direct (Movies)
Top stars such as George Clooney, Nicolas Cage and Denzel Washington are climbing behind the camera
The Prince of Print (Books)
A biography of the New York Times's James Reston
No Coattails (Television)
Two series fail to create a West Wing dynasty
YOUR TIME
Newer and tastier varieties are giving chefs and consumers more choices
A Cool Taste Heats Up
Relearning to Pack
How to keep the new bag-screening rules from holding up your next trip
Get Real with Resolutions (Site-Seeing on The Net)
Never Say Diet
A picture may be worth a thousand calories in the battle of the bulge
Should Ex-Smokers Quit the Patch? (Second Opinion)
SPECIAL SECTION
They're what everyone's wearing this season. Here's why
Gang Green (Time Bonus Section / Inside Business)
Our expert panel examines how smart firms today invest in ways to make their plants and products cleaner