Table of Contents: Aug. 30, 2004

10 QUESTIONS: Jane Pauley on avoiding politics, living with bipolar disorder and why she loves Oprah and Ellen 8

LETTERS 9

NOTEBOOK

Doubts about the Army's new armored tank; Kerry counters critics of his war record; a new leader for al-Qaeda?; animal Olympics 15

IN THE ARENA: Joe Klein on Kerry's weakness for market-tested blather 19

NATION

YOUNG CONSERVATIVES Campus activists on the right are more diverse, more organized and better funded than ever. As they rattle the cocoon of liberal education, are they also coarsening campus life? 22

WORLD

LESSONS OF NAJAF Even if the battle for control of the Imam Ali shrine ends in Muqtada al-Sadr's retreat, the struggle for control of the country is far from over. Strike too hard, and the insurgency will only harden. Back down, and risk losing politically. Is there a way out of this dilemma? 30

LETTER FROM HAIFA STREET: Scenes from Baghdad's deadliest address 33

SOCIETY

CHAINS OF MEMORY One of several new black-history museums, Ohio's Freedom Center brings the horrors of slavery to light 36

COVER

HOW TO LIVE TO BE 100 The simple life may also be the longest one. How tending a garden, climbing the stairs and playing with your grandkids can lengthen your life 40

PORTION CONTROL: Scientists learn from super-low-calorie diets 44

OLDEST AMERICAN: Secrets of Verona Johnston's 114 good years 47

OLYMPICS 2004

SPEED OF MIGHT In a TIME photo portfolio, the power and grace of Olympic competition comes shining through 50

BASKETBALL: The U.S. loses at its own game 54

GYMNASTICS: Two comebacks, two golds, one controversy 55

SWIMMING: Michael Phelps wins hearts, medals and respect 56

ARTS

FALL PREVIEW The new season of books, film and TV brings true stories, inventive techniques and encores for favorite characters 58

YOUR TIME

LIFESTYLE: As SUV safety concerns escalate, crossovers are on the up 65

HEALTH: Smart strategies to prevent asthma attacks; new data on antidepressants for teens 67

MONEY: A home-insurance checkup; rating airline beds; cheaper drugs 68

PEOPLE: Alicia Keys gets political; Oprah's verdict; Rev. Johnny Cash 71

ESSAY: Garrison Keillor on the exquisite anxiety of parenthood 72

COVER: Photograph for TIME by Howard Schatz. Three generations: Colleen Gruber, 33; mother Cheryl Gruber, 58; grandmother Virginia Gerou, 77