What happened on December 21, 2003

NATIONAL

BOOKS

Stage legends in a kind spotlight Gavin Lambert, Gavin Lambert is the author of many books, including "Nazimova," "On Cukor" and a forthcoming biography of Natalie Wood.
Bestsellers / Paperbacks
Bestsellers
Living by their wits Eugen Weber, Eugen Weber is a contributing writer to Book Review.
Stone solid satisfaction Mark Rozzo, Mark Rozzo is a regular contributor to Book Review.
The personal and the natural Robert Finch, Robert Finch is the co-editor with John Elder of "The Norton Book of Nature Writing" and the author of several books, including "Common Ground: A Naturalist's Cape Cod" and "Death of a Hornet."
Ode on a Grecian hinge Norman F. Cantor, Norman F. Cantor is professor emeritus of history, sociology and comparative literature at New York University and is the author of several books, including "Antiquity: The Civilization of the Ancient World."
Discoveries Susan Salter Reynolds
With no lust in its heart Michael Harris, Michael Harris is a regular contributor to Book Review.
The reporter as artist, setting the scene Barry Siegel, Barry Siegel writes for The Times and directs the literary journalism program at UC Irvine, where he is a professor of English. He won the Pulitzer Prize for feature writing in 2002.
A soldier remembers Clancy Sigal, Clancy Sigal, a screenwriter, is the author of "Going Away" and "The Secret Defector."
The Tramp's alter ego David Freeman, David Freeman is a screenwriter and the author of several books, including "A Hollywood Education," "One of Us" and the forthcoming "It's All True," a novel of Hollywood.
The shot heard 40 years later Gerald L. Posner, Gerald L. Posner is the author of "Case Closed: Lee Harvey Oswald and the Assassination of JFK."

NEWS

WORLD

CALIFORNIA | LOCAL

SCIENCE

Decoding Columbia: A detective story By Robert Lee Hotz, Times Staff Writer
Decoding Columbia: A detective story Robert Lee Hotz, Times Staff Writer
Decoding Columbia: A detective story By Robert Lee Hotz, Times Staff Writer

MAGAZINE

Dressed to Kilt adam tschorn / illustration by luc latulippe, Adam Tschorn last wrote for the magazine about holiday shopping.
Slippery Customers, Beware ANDREW ASCH
Life of a Salesman Marc Porter Zasada, Mark Porter Zasada is a Los Angeles-based freelance writer.
Crispy and Moist MARTIN BOOE
Giving Until It Hurts Martin Booe, Martin Booe last wrote for the magazine about Snotty Scotty and the Hankies.
Sanctuary in the Past John Balzar, John Balzar is a Times staff writer who last wrote for the magazine about the LAPD's bomb squad.
The Ace Card Is Always Your Brain MICHAEL T. JARVIS
Can a Car Culture Cure Its Bus Problems?
Lost In The Cyber-kudzu Matthew Heller, Matthew Heller last wrote for the magazine about the sons of convicted murderer Sante Kimes.
A Place in the Sun EMILY YOUNG
Second Chances Susan Heeger
More on Fuller Theological Seminary
Remembering Edward Abbey on Why Wilderness Matters

SPORTS

OPINION

War Crimes: Whose Jurisdiction?
Best-Laid Plans of Occupiers Amy Wilentz, Amy Wilentz is the author of "Rainy Season: Haiti Since Duvalier" and the novel "Martyrs' Crossing." She is at work on a book about the recall and California.
Raising an Army of Entrepreneurs Joel Kotkin, Joel Kotkin, a contributing editor to Opinion, is a senior fellow at the Davenport Institute for Public Policy at Pepperdine University. He is writing a book on the history of cities.
The Hundred-Year High Peter Garrison, Flying magazine columnist Peter Garrison once flew to Japan in his home-built airplane.
The Price of Not Telling
Today's Tax Choices Will Shape the Future for All Mark Baldassare
There Are Better Ways to Win the Drug War
Halliburton Says the Accountants Did It
Accountable Charities Honor Donor Support
Words Aren't Needed for Railroad Safety
Teams' Nicknames Aren't the Real Problem
A People's Victory in the War on Drugs
A Fine Would Have Been Fine for Too-Tall Home
The Powerful Send an Ominous Message
A Daughter Lays Down a Burden of the Past
Flyover Complaints Could Have Been Worse
Pills and Profits
Gross Mismanagement Ails King/Drew Center
The Senate Super Bowl of '06: Rudy vs. Hillary John Ellis
A Cheaper Route to College
Big Fish Caught With Small Bait William M. Arkin, William M. Arkin is a military affairs analyst who writes regularly for Opinion. E-mail: warkin@igc.org.
Bright Light Must Shine on Energy Policymaking Carl Pope and Paul Rauber, Carl Pope is the executive director of the Sierra Club, and Paul Rauber is a senior editor for the organization. They are the co-authors of the forthcoming Sierra Club book, "Strategic Ignorance," on the Bush administration's environmental record.
Rathole Under the Palace Jerrold M. Post, Jerrold M. Post directs the political psychology program at George Washington University. He was founding director of the CIA's Center for the Analysis of Personality and Political Behavior. His most recent book is "The Psychological Assessment of Political Leaders."
Frankie's Journey Toward Manhood Frank del Olmo
Democratic Forces in Full Retreat Robert Service, Robert Service, professor of Russian history at St. Antony's College, Oxford University, is the author of "Russia: Experiment With a People."
It's Time to Get Tough on Assault Weapons
A Symbol of Sex Without Mystery Katie Roiphe
I'm an Idiot, You Moron Stephen Bayley
The Haidl Case Gets Messier
Do Not Snub This!
Community College Spending Is Uneven
Dictator's Fall: The World Weighs In
Article on Dam Releases a Flood of Memories
Expensive Purebred Cat Should Have Been Kept on a Short Leash

TRAVEL

ENTERTAINMENT

REAL ESTATE

Simple charms of a 'Mayberry' lifestyle Susan Carrier, Special to The Times
New law to assist low-income buyers From Times Wire Reports
November sales reach a 15-year high From Times Wire Reports
Briefly From Times Wire Reports
Newlywed 'Dolly' in new home Ruth Ryon, Times Staff Writer
Broad Beach beauty Ruth Ryon, Times Staff Writer
Where charity begins Allison B. Cohen, Special to The Times

BUSINESS

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What happened on December 21, 2003

NATIONAL

The Talk of Las Vegas Is Operation G-String John Johnson, Times Staff Writer

Border Patrol Agent Drowns After Rescue From Associated Press

Three Charges Dropped in Airman's Spy Case From Associated Press

3 Nations Celebrate Land Transfer Anniversary From Times Wire Reports

Death Sentences Dip Again Henry Weinstein, Times Staff Writer

Airline Pilot Faces Drunkenness Charge From Times Wire Reports

Police a 'Disgrace' at Protests, Judge Says From Times Wire Reports

Modest New Hampshire Hopes for Gephardt Nick Anderson, Times Staff Writer

Boston's Big Dig Tunnel Finally Opens to Traffic From Times Wire Reports

Womanizing Officer Is Penalized for Conduct From Times Wire Reports

A Flawed Terrorist Yardstick Richard B. Schmitt, Times Staff Writer

Where Political Influence Is Only a Keyboard Away Matea Gold, Times Staff Writer

Gore Son Accused of Marijuana Possession From Associated Press

Side Job Was Unusual for Her Small Town -- Too Unusual Lianne Hart, Times Staff Writer

Hot Seat Is Getting Hotter for Governor Elizabeth Mehren, Times Staff Writer

BOOKS

Stage legends in a kind spotlight Gavin Lambert, Gavin Lambert is the author of many books, including "Nazimova," "On Cukor" and a forthcoming biography of Natalie Wood.

Living by their wits Eugen Weber, Eugen Weber is a contributing writer to Book Review.

Stone solid satisfaction Mark Rozzo, Mark Rozzo is a regular contributor to Book Review.

The personal and the natural Robert Finch, Robert Finch is the co-editor with John Elder of "The Norton Book of Nature Writing" and the author of several books, including "Common Ground: A Naturalist's Cape Cod" and "Death of a Hornet."

Ode on a Grecian hinge Norman F. Cantor, Norman F. Cantor is professor emeritus of history, sociology and comparative literature at New York University and is the author of several books, including "Antiquity: The Civilization of the Ancient World."

Discoveries Susan Salter Reynolds

With no lust in its heart Michael Harris, Michael Harris is a regular contributor to Book Review.

The reporter as artist, setting the scene Barry Siegel, Barry Siegel writes for The Times and directs the literary journalism program at UC Irvine, where he is a professor of English. He won the Pulitzer Prize for feature writing in 2002.

A soldier remembers Clancy Sigal, Clancy Sigal, a screenwriter, is the author of "Going Away" and "The Secret Defector."

The Tramp's alter ego David Freeman, David Freeman is a screenwriter and the author of several books, including "A Hollywood Education," "One of Us" and the forthcoming "It's All True," a novel of Hollywood.

The shot heard 40 years later Gerald L. Posner, Gerald L. Posner is the author of "Case Closed: Lee Harvey Oswald and the Assassination of JFK."

NEWS

As Teens, AIDS 'Babies' Have a Secret to Share Martha Irvine, Associated Press Writer

Card Counters Say Casinos Stack the Deck to Exclude Them Adam Goldman, Associated Press Writer

Their Wish Is for Yuletide Clemency Michael Hill, Associated Press Writer

Robbers Hit the Jackpot at Mississippi Casinos Matt Volz, Associated Press Writer

Norwegian Rescuers Going the Distance Doug Mellgren, Associated Press Writer

Connoisseurs Hope Presidio's Bottles Don't Bomb Michelle Locke, Associated Press Writer

France Still Leaving Its Impression on Africa Mort Rosenblum, Associated Press Writer

Bus Gunfire Tied to 16 Shootings From Associated Press

Condit Sues Tabloids Over Intern Stories From Associated Press

Community Clinics Diagnose a Way to Stay Healthy Shannon Dininny, Associated Press Writer

Cubs Fan Has Money to Burn to Try to Strike Out the Jinx Bennie M. Currie, Associated Press Writer

Tech-Savvy Shanghai Is Too Wired Ted Anthony, Associated Press Writer

Community Is Drained by Well Wars Alexandra R. Moses, Associated Press Writer

Do You See What I See? Christmas Specials Jay Bobbin, Special to The Times

Yosemite 'Remodeling Project' Controversial Brian Skoloff, Associated Press Writer

Military Declares War on Payday Lenders Russ Bynum, Associated Press Writer

Wildfire Means a Solitary Bus Ride Arthur H. Rotstein, Associated Press Writer

Unlikely Allies Resist Drilling Plan Judith Kohler, Associated Press Writer

WORLD

Informant Is Focus of Tribal Speculation Laura King, Times Staff Writer

Purported Bin Laden Tape Is Months Old, Al Jazeera Says From Times Wire Services

Spanish Premier Visits Iraq Laura King, Times Staff Writer

10 Soldiers Killed in Chechen Rebel Attacks From Times Wire Services

4 Killed in Venezuela Attack From Reuters

11 Killed in Bus Crash Near French Border From Times Wire Services

Israeli Troops Stage Raids and Searches From Times Wire Services

Suspect in Turkey Bombings Says Al Qaeda Financed Attacks From Associated Press

U.S. Marvels at Openness of Libyan Leader David G. Savage, Times Staff Writer

3 Charged in '98 Raid on Colombian Village T. Christian Miller, Times Staff Writer

Lebanon Bombers Sentenced From Reuters

Plan for a Strong Presidency Catches On Paul Watson, Times Staff Writer

Rights Group Says Prisoner Was Tortured From Times Wire Services

Thousands March in Argentina Over Jobs From Reuters

Philippine Rescuers Search for Slide Victims From Associated Press

Bhutan Hunting Down Guerrillas From Times Wire Services

Cracking a Tribal Code to Catch Hussein Patrick J. McDonnell, Times Staff Writer

U.S. Navy Seizes Narcotics in Arabian Sea From Associated Press

U.S. Puts Its Latest Arms in S. Korea Barbara Demick, Times Staff Writer

Italy to Aid Troubled Food Group From Reuters

CALIFORNIA | LOCAL

Julia Tavalaro, 68; Poet and Author Noted for Defying Severe Paralysis From a Times Staff Writer

Army Staff Sgt. Richard A. Burdick, 24; Killed in Vehicle Ambush in Iraq Jose Cardenas, Times Staff Writer

Thomas D. Wood, 79; President of Marymount College During Change Mary Rourke, Times Staff Writer

Yuletide Parking Is Same Old Story Dana Parsons

Buyers Got 'Sweetheart' KOCE Deal Jeff Gottlieb, Times Staff Writer

Safety Isn't Cheap in Ventura County Catherine Saillant, Times Staff Writer

Robert Stanfield, 89; Former Leader of Canadian Conservatives From Times Staff and Wire Reports

2 People Killed in Apparent Gang Attack From a Times staff writer

A Pacifist by Any Other Name Wouldn't Stand Out on Ballot Bob Pool, Times Staff Writer

New Smog Rule Would Worsen Southland Air, Foes Say Gary Polakovic, Times Staff Writer