Time Magazine Contents Page

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One year after the schoolyard massacre in Stockton, Calif., gave gun control a new impetus, the N.R.A. looks for a way to maintain its clout. -- TIME poll describes a nation where many share a devotion to guns -- and a willingness to accept regulations. -- For and Against: leaders of the N.R.A. and Handgun Control speak about firearms. -- Washington Mayor Marion Barry may finally have run out of luck. -- The McMartin sex case abused children, defendants, judge and jurors for six exhausting years.

30

WORLD: With ethnic fighting rampant in the south, Moscow moves to crush the militants

But the war between Azerbaijanis and Armenians threatens to tie down the Soviet army as well as Gorbachev. -- Historic hatreds increasingly haunt Eastern Europe. -- The strange case of "Top Hat."

58

BUSINESS: The glitch heard round the world

AT&T's breakdown shows the vulnerability of computer systems everywhere. -- Blasts for a cigarette aimed at blacks. -- Andrew Tobias on saving energy.

67

ETHICS: "Outing" gays who stay in the closet

Frustrated by the slow pace of civil rights and the relentless spread of AIDS, activists adopt a fierce tactic to expose closeted gay politicians and clergy who obstruct the movement.

70

PROFILE: Ruben Blades

The singer, actor and politico has a knack for being different things to different people, and yet he's always true to himself.

77

MUSIC: A master at mixing old and new

"Omnivore" William Bolcom likes ragtime and reggae just as much as classical music, so he writes symphonies and operas that can include just about anything.

79

VIDEO: A racy new sitcom from Cosby's creators

TV's hottest producing team tries for another hit with Grand. But this small- town version of Upstairs, Downstairs proves that Carsey and Werner don't have a magic touch.

80

HEALTH: What to believe at the supermarket?

In an effort to assess proliferating nutritional claims, the American Heart Association introduces a controversial seal of approval. -- Naysaying on oat bran.

82

ART: Two centuries of black stereotypes

An exhibit at the Corcoran Gallery in Washington demonstrates that the images of blacks in American painting and sculpture have been mostly servile and degrading, with a few notable exceptions ranging from John Singleton Copley to Winslow Homer and Thomas Eakins. Bigotry had much to do with it, but so did history and artists' working conditions. The show offers too little aesthetic pleasure but plenty of social significance and maybe a bit too much prosecutorial zeal.

11 Letters

64 Environment

65 Education

69 People

74 Books

79 Milestones

84 Essay

Cover: Photograph by Neil Leifer