Recommended Reading ...

David D. Kirkpatrick,"In Secretly Taped Conversations, Glimpses of the Future President," NYTimes, 20 Feb. Douglas Wead, former aid to G. H. W. Bush, secretly taped conversations with George W. Bush between 1998 and 2000. Now, he has played some of the tapes for reporters. Never trust an evangelical.

Hilary Andersson,"Born To Be a Slave in Niger," BBC. 11 Feb. Although slavery was outlawed last year in Niger, slaves are eight percent of its population. Andersson introduces you to Assibit and Fatima, who inherited their status as slaves.

Andrew Meier,"Burnt Offerings," Financial Times, 19 Feb. On the Tulsa, Oklahoma, race riot of 1921 and the current legal struggle for reparations. Thanks to Chris Bertram at Crooked Timber for the tip.