NEWS & FEATURES

Most journalists yawn and say the Wilson scandal will blow over. But the stakes are incredibly high, says Dan Kennedy, and even if we find out who blew Valerie Plame's cover, we may never know the extent of the damage done by Republican hardball politics this time around.

It appears the Bush administration manipulated census figures to conceal the fact that the child-poverty rate has risen on its watch, David Bernstein finds. What lies will they conjure next?

Mitt Romney can believe in "airtight" scientific evidence of guilt all he wants, but the truth is, any system for administering the death penalty is going to share the flaws of its masters. Just ask the Green Beret veteran convicted of murdering his family in 1970. Harvey A. Silverglate, Andrew Good, and Philip Cormier report.

Dennis Keohane, a 32-year-old father of three, seems determined to knock the stuffing out of the funeral industry, says Chris Wright. But not everyone is happy about it.

Best-known for his heartthrob role on Felicity, Scott Speedman is branching out - and up. Tamara Wieder talks with him.

In the Phoenix editorial, we contend that John Dennis and Gerry Callahan got off easy with a two-week suspension. They should be fired.

In "Out There," Rebecca Wieder makes a uniform decision.

Genevieve Rajewski throws a bewitching bash in "Urban Buy."

Letters to the editor

Moon Signs

Dr. Lovemonkey

Plus, this just in:

EDITORS' PICKS

Fall Arts Guide: The most up-to-date arts-and-entertainment guide available in the city.

In Arts News, Rockin' Bones Laid to Rest Rockabilly legend Ronnie Dawson dead at 64, Allston Underground Cinema goes under, and more.

In Performance, Tooth or dare Quick: What’s got 9.5 fingers and a snake in its trousers? By Sally Cragin.

In Theater, Amazing Gracie Gorshin lights up a stogie at the Wilbur Theatre as George Burns. By Mark Bazer.

In Galleries and Museums, Science projects and Horizon lines Michael Joo at MIT; Glexis Novoa at WAM. By Randi Hopkins.

In Classical, Fresh and French Bernard Haitink conducts the BSO in Debussy's operatic masterpiece. By David Weininger.

In State of the Art, Dr. Rock Warren Zanes takes over as the Hall of Fame’s professor-in-chief. By Carly Carioli.

Plan your week:

MUSIC

Ted Drozdowski says Elvis Costello goes south on North.

Sean Richardson hears Dave Matthews get serious on Some Devil.

Franklin Soults on Bubba Sparxxx's Deliverance and OutKast's Speakerboxxx/The Love Below.

Christopher Blagg listens in on Mike Gordon's short solo jaunt.

Lloyd Schwartz on Barbara Cook and Marilyn Horne, Dubravka Tomšic at the BSO, and John Harbison's Ulysses.

In "Cellars by Starlight," Sean Richardson says Street Dogs fight fire with fire, plus a Boston Scene Report.

Live reviews of: R.E.M. at the Tweeter Center, Mission of Burma's return and Duran Duran at MixFest.

Also, short reviews of:

...and Roadtripping: Scene Change: Writer Neal Pollack plays the Attic, actress Gina Gershon hits the Middle East, pseudo-punks Good Charlotte make the rounds, and more

MOVIES

Peter Keough says Tarantino foots the Bill in Volume 1.

In "Filmculture" Gerald Peary says PC Rules in The Gatekeeper: Plus Richard Massingham, and a too 'underground' festival.

Also, short reviews of:

THEATER

Carolyn Clay says He She Them is an affair to forget.

DANCE

Marcia B. Siegel says Noche Flamenca does it right.

BOOKS

Steve Vineberg looks back at Saul Bellow's early novels - including an American masterpiece.

TELEVISION

HOTDOTS: THURSDAY 16, 9:00 (2) Frontline: Chasing the Sleeper Cell. This Frontline-New York Times combo investigation suggests that perhaps the FBI has its collective head up its collective ass after all.
By Clif Garboden

Joyce Millman watches Queer Eye save America's guys from themselves; plus Ellen's happy talk.

FOOD

SPECIALS