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Presents First Lady Laura Bush's thoughts on how her husband George W. Bush deals with adversity. On ordering Americans into harm's way; On his loss for Congress in 1978; How he stopped drinking in 1986; Losing the New Hampshire primary race in 2000; Importance of his Christian faith.

The author reflects on the film noir genre. He states that film noir's undercutting of Americana is made more palatable by a generous helping of dark humor. He offers information on the 1974 film "Chinatown," directed by Roman Polanski. He asserts that whereas gangster pictures showcase standard crimes, like murder and robbery, film noir flirts with stuff that makes one want to take a long, hot shower to wash away the sleaze of sadistic violence and incest.

The article discusses various aspects of American actress Jennifer Garner's television career after production on the TV program "Alias" ended, and it mentions Garner's work on the black comedy cable television program "Camping." Garner's childhood in Charleston, South Carolina is addressed, along with her appearances in films such as "Dude, Where's My Car?" and "13 Going on 30." The thriller motion picture "Peppermint" is assessed.

Offers a look on African American television comedy programs in the United States. Sample of comedy programs in the country; Observation on the programs; Comment on the show `The Hughleys.'

The article reports briefly on a collaborative project by New York artists Jennifer Dalton and William Powhida called "Our Condolences, Volume 1." The project satirizes the impact of the economic recession on the art world through a set of six "condolence" cards with drawings and darkly humorous texts.

Reports on the prevalence of humor within the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Directorate of Operations (D.O.) office. Response of CIA officers to the statement of a senior official at the D.O. upon his resignation; Examples of common jokes at the office.

Previews the performance of music performer Tenacious D at the Town Hall in New York City in September 2001.

The article focuses on self-published author Ann Charles. Topics include why Charles' books, such as "The Great Jackalope Stampede," do not sell well around Christmas, the unfavorable response of agents and publishers to her style of writing, her decision to self-publish, and the commercial success of her Jackrabbit Junction series of books, which includes 2011's "Dance of the Winnebagos" and 2012's "Jackrabbit Junction Jitters."

Focuses on Afro-American comedy recordings. Afro-Americans' use of humor as a way to cope with oppression during the period of slavery in the United States; Earliest sources of comedy on record; Humorous songs; Examples of comedians whose works were featured on records.

An interview with American photographer Roger Ballen is presented. When asked about his stylistic changes, Ballen asserts that adding drawings and sculptural pieces was the most important stylistic change. He also examines his photographs, including "Boarding House" and "Shadow Chamber." Moreover, he discusses the humorous aspects in his photographs and cites that all of his works has black humor as well as an element of tragedy and disturbance.

Addresses the debate in the United States over disclosing possible terrorist threats. Reactions to terrorist-attack warnings; The challenge of assessing credible threats; Concerns of the intelligence community regarding public advisories; Nuclear terrorism and perceived vulnerability of U.S. nuclear power plants; Attitude of government officials; Police response; Efforts to build a homeland-defense system. INSET: Sharing Secrets.

The article discusses the book "The Mute's Soliloquy: A Memoir," by Pramoedya Ananta Toer. Under city arrest for most of the time the 74-year-old writer, disdainful of the authorities' power or pleasure, decided to make his first trip out of Jakarta, Indonesia since 1965 and flew with his wife, Maimoenah Thamrin, and his longtime friend and editor, Joesoef Isak, to the United States. Pramoedya belongs to that painfully courageous clique of writers who, despite the efforts of their captors (in some instances, one might even perversely argue because of those efforts), create some of the world's finest books behind bars.

Presents several editorials which discuss different subjects. "Running in the Substitutes," which discussed the formation of a new team by U.S. Gerald R. Ford for his administration; "Is Kissinger Next?" which discussed problems faced by U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger; "Tipping at the Pentagon," which discussed disclosures that Northrop Corp. and other defense contractors have been 'tipping' officials at the U.S. Department of Defense; "Bad Appointments: Bad Politics," which discussed the appointment of people to President Ford's cabinet; "The Domestic Arms Race," which discussed the provisions of the gun-control bill introduced by U.S. Representative John Conyers; "Jailhouse Bugging," which discussed the routine taping of prisoner-visitor conversations at the San Mateo County Jail in Redwood City, California.

Focuses on the testimony given by William Colby, director of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) on depredations of CIA as of October 1974. Charges framed against CIA; Views expressed by Colby on the decorum of CIA operations at the hearing; Suggestions given by Colby for better control over CIA.

The article reports on the temporary agreement between the Communist Party and the Independent Union of Poland. Though both parties had their differences, they reached an agreement to resist Soviet Union intervention and invasion of Poland, which poses the gravest threat to Soviet Union. The agreement though not good news for Soviet Union was a good news for the U.S. as for the time being the Soviet Union invasion threat has been delayed.

The article offers information related to the political conditions in Iran. It highlights the nonviolent revolution of the people of Iran, to end the tyranny of their Shah, that triggers the leftist to war, causing chaos instead of freedom. It cites several bewildering forces involved in the war including the troops loyal to the Shah, ethnic separatist, mojahedeen (literally crusaders) who backed the new government of Iran Prime Minister Mehdi Bazargan and the leftist Marxist feyadeen (sacrificers). It states that with the support from the Palestine Liberation Organization, the leftist was primarily responsible for an outburst of anti-Americanism which attacked the U.S. embassy in Tehran hostaging U.S. Ambassador to Iran William Sullivan.

Focuses on the election of Senator Robert Dole as Senate Majority Leader during President Ronald Reagan's second term in office in the U.S. Factors that contributed to the reemergence of Republicans in the U.S. Senate; Challenges facing the Reagan Administration in reducing the federal trade deficit; Background on Dole's political career.

Presents comments of various critics on the U.S. motion pictures. Black humor experienced by Peter Clader in 'Our Lady of the Assasins'; Mood set by 'The Emperor's Club,' according to Jay Stone.

Highlights developments related to world politics. Facts related to the controversy about Vice President Spiro T. Agnew's involvement in leakage of information; Details of the violent eruption in the Middle East; Importance of the United Nations for world peace; Others.

The most unfortunate result of the publicity surrounding the spate of billion-dollar cost overruns on major military weapons systems is that it has numbed public outrage against continued or increasing waste and inefficiency. The U.S. General Accounting Office report that overruns on sixty-one selected weapons systems totaled an astounding $33.4 billion. Late last month, the announcement by Senator William Proxmire and Representative S. Moorhead that the beleaguered Air Force C-5A, the giant cargo plane, was unable to meet its major tactical mission because of severe technical deficiencies fell on deaf ears.

The article presents information related to U.S. politics. The Chinese Government must have a public relations genius on its roster. The invitation to the U.S. table tennis team made front-page headlines all over the world and may mark the beginning of better relations between the American and Chinese Governments. U.S. President Richard M. Nixon's principal political instrument on his journey to the Presidency was hostility toward communism in general, and toward Chinese communism in particular. That he is not totally uneducable is indicated by the beginnings of a halfway conciliatory attitude toward the People's Republic of China.

The article offers news briefs concerning issues in U.S. and world politics. An article comments on the perceived excessive force used by the Michigan National Guard during riots that were taking place in Detroit. Another article reports that the Hukbalahap (Huks), a communist militant group in the Philippines, has regained strength in the country.

Examines the success of the book publishing industry in the U.S. and explores how the industry can maintain its cultural leverage and function in the society. Role of independent trade publishers in the literary output of the country; Overview of the non-book publishing sources supplying the venture capital for creative publishing; Impact of the consolidation trend on trade publishers opposing mergers; Benefits of the growth of the industry for authors.

This article discusses the issues related to the United States foreign policy and five approaches to issues ranging from the environment to the world economy to foreign aid. Americans now want "missile gap" to be replaced by "moral gap." Exposing the moral contradictions can push public opinion toward demanding a humane, principled foreign policy that would extricate the United States from its flawed and ultimately dangerous posture as the "good guy" emperor of everything. The article discusses implications of employing Bruce Babbitt as a U.S. diplomat and its effect on U.S. foreign policy.

An interview with cartoonist Charles Johnson is presented. Johnson discusses the significance of studying at Evanston Township High School in Evanston, Illinois, which was one of the best high schools in the U.S. in the 1960s, what it was like to be a professional cartoonist at the age of 18, and his cartoon about U.S. President Richard Nixon with his long nose.

Presents several editorials which discuss different subjects. "Slow Death of the B-1," which discussed the decision made by the U.S. House of Representatives to disapprove funds allocated to make two more prototypes of the B-1 bomber; "Our Client in Nicaragua," which discussed political developments in Nicaragua; "The Panama Embarrassment," which discussed political developments in Panama.

The article focuses on the success of the professional career of Joan Rivers as a comedian, a host, and a musician in 1983 in the U.S. It states that Rivers' twelve-city tour in February 1983 was sold-out and her first album "What Becomes a Semi Legend Most?" was released by Geffen Records Inc. It adds that she will be taking over the "Tonight," television show of Johnny Carson and will be hosting the "Saturday Night Live," of National Broadcasting Co. (NBC).

Focuses on exhibitions of Scandinavian culture in the U.S. Evaluation of Icelandic manuscripts exhibited in various libraries of the country; Overview of the exhibition of printmaking held at the New York City-based National Academy of Design; Assessment of the art exhibition of Danish abstract-expressionist Asger Jorn and Swedish artist Öyvind Fahlström held at the New York City-based Guggenheim Museum.

The article presents facts and comments on several issues concerning the U.S. One comments on the act of selling U.S. arms to Iran in an attempt to free hostages and help support moderates in Khomeiniland. Another comments that countless and increasing billions of dollars are being spent to dispose of waste by the feds as well as every state. Lastly, another comments on the entrance fees for national parks.

Examines the problem associated with the promotion of authentic African American culture during the post-racism period in the U.S. Background of African American comedians Bert Williams and George Walker; Factor which contributed to the popularity of African American performers among whites; Change in the racial attitudes of whites; Ways of producing authentic African American culture.