Table of Contents

10 QUESTIONS: George Carlin on what's really dangerous for children 8

LETTERS 10

NOTEBOOK

Scandal over the Medicare drug benefit; USA Today's reporting fabrications; Kerry vs. Bush, on vacation 17

MILESTONES: Taiwan's election 21

COVER STORY

Terror's Next Wave As the U.S. continues to search for al-Qaeda's top leaders, a deadly network of their followers is taking charge. Why there may be more Madrids 24

SEEKING BIN LADEN: How U.S. forces court Afghan villagers' help in the biggest manhunt 30

NATION

Playing Defense How the U.S. has faltered in its effort to make the homeland secure, leaving the most vulnerable cities at risk 32

BUSINESS

Bean-Counters' Ball Armed with new federal laws, accountants are more powerful than ever, and have the fees to prove it. But can the changes prevent another wave of corporate scandal? 38

SCIENCE

Beaver Trap Their numbers are booming, and that means trouble for humans. Can we ever live in peace with the beasts? 42

CRIME

The Last Don Joseph Massino, the only New York Mafia boss who isn't doing hard time, now faces a murder trial. An in-depth report 44

SOCIETY

A Pastor's Purpose With his Purpose-Driven message, Rick Warren has become one of America's most powerful ministers 54

ARTS

Rules of Amusement Why Hollywood (and Tom Hanks) can't resist the lovably eccentric world of Joel and Ethan Coen 58

CELEBRITY FILM: So, is Ben Affleck a movie star or not? 62

EXHIBITIONISTS: Three terrific artists at the Whitney Biennial 63

YOUR TIME

HEALTH: Poor hospital hand washing puts patients at risk; are those fish-oil pills a little off? 81

TECHNOLOGY: Web phone calls for the masses; Vietnam, the video game 82

LIFESTYLE: Audio walking tours get a hip new soundtrack 84

PEOPLE: Jay Leno's literary career; Courtney Love's latest meltdown; the Janet Jackson effect 87

ESSAY: Lev Grossman on America's strange case of amnesia 88

COVER: Photomontage. Bin Laden face by AP