Washington Monthly

Media misrepresentation of Rwanda The US media virtually ignored the civil war in Rwanda when it started in 1990, and instead reported on the plight of endangered gorillas there. The press said nothing about US and French military aid in Rwanda, the many lives lost and human rights crimes until 1994.

The GOP's master strategist.

William Kristol - Cover Story Kristol has great influence in molding the Republican platform against Pres Clinton's policies. He served under William Bennett in the Reagan/Bush administrations, and masterminded the family values campaign and Bennett's educational reform policies. Kristol's political career is discussed.

The Great Transition: American Soviet Relations and the End of the Cold War.

The right three strikes.

Three strikes and out law The three strikes and you are out law of sentencing three-time felons from 25 years to life in prison must have provisions for distinguishing violent and non-violent crimes. California's law convicted a thief with this sentence. The law would also augment overcrowding in prisons.

Washington's nice problem.

Too many nice people in Washington DC politics The niceness of legislators and administrators in the federal government ultimately leads to stagnation in political reform and wasteful spending. They are too afraid to upset lobbyists and other interest groups for fear of losing their political posts. Various politicians' activities are discussed.

What the jury doesn't know...could hurt you.

Using criminal's past as evidence Juries should be allowed consider a criminal's past record when deliberating a trial. Judges are allowed to consider this information, and juries also should be trusted with it. They could then prosecute criminals more objectively and prevent repeat offenses.