Non-linear Fermi: Fifty years ago Enrico Fermi and colleagues struck a chord, which reverberates for the ages. Story

What a difference a few observations can make: Boston Globe columnist James Carroll cites breaking events indicating the Bushies' forced march to empire may have led them into a cul-de-sac. He then concludes:

All of this points to an administration whose policies are confused and whose implementations are incompetent. The efficiency with which the US military is moving into position for attack is impressive; thousands of uniformed Americans are preparing to carry out the orders of their civilian superiors with diligence and courage. But the hollowness of that civilian leadership, laid bare in the disarray of last week's news, is breathtaking.

That the United States of America should be on the brink of such an ill-conceived, unnecessary war is itself a crime. The hope now is that -- even before the war has officially begun -- its true character is already manifesting itself, which could be enough, at last, to stop it. Story