Scene One. Talking to ourselves. Setting, the vaguely pink ballroom of the largest convention hotel, Anywhere U.S.A.

Weeks later, the firepower lingers. Out of the barrage of coverage from the war in Iraq, one graphic image stands out: that of the young soldier triumphantly draping the head of the statue of Saddam Hussein with the American flag.

Architectural Record loves the single-family house. For almost 50 years, since we published architect Ulrich Franzen’s own home near Rye, New York, in 1956, this magazine has promoted Record Houses as laboratories for design.

While the story exaggerates the depth of change, isn’t the news astounding?

What if you got what you asked for? That happened when architecture and planning leaped to the forefront of media attention late last year.

Gold may not tarnish, but it can wear thin.

Aggression is a particle, desire is a wave.”

Still the Modern buildings come down.

Architects and other designers deserve a public advocate.

We may have been wounded, but we’re still here.