he debate over affirmative action, which continues to rage in courtrooms and legislative bodies throughout the country, tends to bring out the wishy-washiness in its participants. If you take a stand against affirmative action, you risk seeming racist; if you argue for it, you risk seeming P.C. It's refreshing, then, to hear some strong, well-articulated opinions from those who don't mind looking bad. That's certainly the case with Orlando Patterson, a Harvard sociologist whose conclusions about race in America have irked those on both sides.

Other, thematically related articles look at the aftershocks of the University of Texas's race-free admissions policy, which it had to implement after several courts found its law school's affirmative-action plan unconstitutional. Included are pieces on:

• the university's early segregationist policies.

• Lino Graglia, the notorious UT professor whose racial comments got him into hot water.

• the school's current racial battles.

• the effect the court ruling might have on the rest of the nation's universities

• the new "ten percent" plan put forth by affirmative action proponents

Weekly Wire wouldn't be Weekly Wire if we didn't also have a huge swell of articles and editorials about the Bill Clinton/Monica Lewinsky "situation." Here they are, happily summarized for easy reference:

• An attorney's take on Starr and Clinton's deft moves

• A fantasy golf game with Mr. President

• Why people don't care about the scandal

• A Republican's letter of support to future president(?) Al Gore

• More right-wing ruminations on Gore

• Reflections on Clinton's human nature

• A goofy dialogue about oral sex and adultery

Want to know what all these checkboxes are for? Click here to find out, or just ignore them.

Odds & Ends
Timed-release news capsules from the flipside. [18]
Devin D. O'Leary

Mr. Smarty Pants
Our resident know-it-all unearths the latest trivia. [19]
R.U. Steinberg

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Orlando Furioso
Harvard sociologist Orlando Patterson says you're all wrong about race in America. [2]
Tom Scocca

Doomed to Repeat It?
Former students, professors, and lawyers remember the early days of segregation at UT Law School. [4]
Christina Smith

Gagging Graglia
Free speech and hate speech at the University of Texas. [5]
Lisa Tozzi

It's Hard to Say
The battle over race and education still rages on the UT campus. [6]
Marc Levin

Law of the Land
Will the Hopwood decision change the world? [7]
Nicole Kleman

Cream of the Crop
Can the Ten Percent plan improve on affirmative action? [8]
Audrey Duff

Geek Revival
Barbara Walters provides the soft focus for a kinder, gentler Microsoft. [9]
Jim Hanas

Killer Quakes in Guatemala
22 years ago this week. [10]
Sue Schuurman

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Starr Chamber
Attorney Harvey Silverglate says Kenneth Starr is his hero -- in a perverse sort of way. [11]
Harvey Silverglate

What Matters Most
A fantasy game of golf with Stud Americanus, Bill Clinton. [12]
Bruce Dobie

The Strategy of Scandal
The country is in great shape, so what does it matter that the guy is lonely? [13]
Jack Moczinski

Memorandum
A GOP wiseguy offers Al Gore some sound advice about Election '00. [14]
Daniel Casse

Who'll Write Al's Story?
Republican Daniel Casse makes observations about Gore and the media. [15]
Daniel Casse

Letters at 3AM
Pondering the Clinton/Lewinsky scandal and human nature. [16]
Michael Ventura

Oralisms at Their Best
Angry young man or cranky old fart? You decide! [17]
Cap'n O

Now What?
Can't get enough news? You're in luck -- more news is created every day. Our Now What? page offers a plethora of recommended links to help keep you living in the present. [20]

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