March 2006 Issue.
The article by editor Lewis Lapham is "The Case For Impeachment: Why We Can No Longer Afford George W. Bush," the inside lead is "Is There A Case For Impeachment." But the front cover says it all.
There will be a Town Hall meeting with Harper's editor Lapham, Congressman John Conyers, Michael Ratner of the Center for Constitutional Rights, and Elizabeth Holtzmann, member of the House Judiciary Committee during Watergate, Thursday March 2, 8pm; Town Hall; 123 West 43rd Street, New York City; $10.00 at the Town Hall, or through Ticketmaster (212) 307-4100.
The March issue of
Harpers Magazine costs $7.00. If you go to their website, they will give you a map of the newstand nearest you where the issue is on sale.
BLAST FROM THE PAST
Harper's Magazine; 1974; Abbie Hoffman and Arthur Schlesinger -- author of The Imperial Presidency
MORE ON HARPER'S
Major Publishers Appeal Kiosk Ads
Media Week
Stephanie D. Smith
FEBRUARY 27, 2006
On behalf of a handful of magazine publishers, Harper's Magazine filed a brief on Thursday in support of an appeal of a New York Supreme Court decision that forces newsstand vendors to replace display space previously used for magazines and newspapers with advertising.
The filing -- from publishers The New York Times Company, Daily News, The Hearst Corporation, Advance Publications, Magazine Publishers of America and NYP Holdings (parent company of the New York Post) -- argues the decision runs afoul of First Amendment rules that protect freedom of speech. They contend that the ads will take away retail space from magazines and prevent consumers from seeing the full gamut of available titles.
"Most newsstands display newspapers and/or periodical publications, or portions thereof along the sides of newsstands, and thus assist the public in determining what publications are available at the newsstand, and often which issue of a particular publication is then available for sale," the brief states. "Freedom of speech includes not only the right to speak or publish one's observations or opinions, but it must, as of necessity, encompass the freedom to circulate and distribute those observations and opinions."
Newsstand vendors lost their case against the Department of Transportation last August. Harper's president and publisher Rick MacArthur became intrigued in the case after reading a small news item about the decision.
While Harper's does not rely hugely on newsstand sales -- the title sold on average 43,420 newsstand copies during the second half of 2005, up 7.3 percent compared to the year prior, according to Audit Bureau of Circulations -- MacArthur was interested in the First Amendment implications.
"It cannot be good for magazines and newspapers for free distribution for points of views if the city regulated the newsstands and content at newsstands," said MacArthur. "If the city controls the content of the newsstands, or can pressure the ad content, they can pressure the operator to display certain magazines."
So, while editor Lapham is brave enough to break through the "I" word barrier, he is fighting on another front so that his message gets through.
Burning question: Can a US magazine that has a total circulation of just 250,000 with only about 50,000 issues on the newstands (based on June, 2004 circulation figures) make a dramatic impact on the political scene today? Sales figures for this March, 2006 issue will be the answer.
There's a new party in town... The Impeachment Party. I wish you all an active and inspired March, 2006.