NEWS & FEATURES

Over the past few weeks, the Republican Attack Machine has already outdone itself. And yet, says Dan Kennedy, all indications are that the venom-spewing directed at John Kerry will only get worse.

So-called conservative organizations descended on the State House to "protect marriage" and denounce "judicial tyranny." Scratch the surface, however, and you'll find zealous extremists who hate gay people and don't want to see them granted any rights whatsoever. Kristen Lombardi reports.

Americans have long fretted over the racial gap in educational test scores, suggesting all kinds of explanations for why it's so persistent. Now, says Davis S. Bernstein, several experts are offering up a new theory, which Boston's new crop of public-school reformers would be wise to heed.

Americans have become inured to sex on TV. So what to make of The L Word, Janet Jackson's "wardrobe malfunction," and the other dirty stuff we see? Chris Wright has the exposé.

After years spent in broadcasting, Peabody Award-winning journalist Robin Young couldn't be more pleased by where she's landed: as co-host of NPR's noontime newsmagazine, Here and Now. Tamara Wieder talks with her.

In the Phoenix editorial, we caution that you get ready for Bush to drag us through the filthy fantasies of the extreme right, and suggest that African-American leaders should reconsider their shamefully self-serving stand on gay rights.

In "Out There," Kris Frieswick masters the art of doing nothing.

Letters to the editor

Moon Signs

Plus, this just in:

MUSIC

Brett Milano talks with Mary Lou Lord, who's taking the slow road back into the spotlight.

Matt Ashare is sour on Courtney Love's America's Sweetheart.

Josh Kun on Sun Ra and his Arkestra disciples.

Sean Richardson says Toby Keith and Kenny Chesney have emerged from Garth's shadow.

Our readers come clean about the best of their worst.

Jon Garelick on how Joe Ely, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, and Butch Hancock have kept the Flatlanders alive.

Live reviews of: Chris Whitley, Ben Zander and the NEC Philharmonica

Also, short reviews of:

THEATER

Sally Cragin says a new Sly Fox is groomed for Broadway.

Carolyn Clay says Lyric Stage serves bluegrass and treacle with Spitfire Grill.

DANCE

Marcia B. Siegel on the Monkeyhouse at the CMAC.

ART

Christopher Millis on Barbara Gallucci's Levittown, plus work at BU, Yezerski, and Naga.

BOOKS

William Corbett gets caught up in John Boorman's excellent Adventures.

TELEVISION

HOTDOTS: THURSDAY 26 9:00 (2) Frontline: The Invasion of Iraq. Special attention will no doubt be paid to Saddam's brilliant strategy of not using his weapons of mass destruction when the largest army in the world started blowing up his country.
By Clif Garboden

FOOD

SPECIALS