Editor's Desk Fall, 2005

“Creationism” and “intelligent design” are much in the news, and TNI publisher Ed Hudgins kicks things off with a provocative examination of the never-ending battle between science and faith. It’s simply one of the best essays on this topic that I’ve had the pleasure to read.

Our cover feature then takes you behind the scenes of the recent Supreme Court decision on “eminent domain,” Kelo v. City of New London. For an insider’s peek at how that controversial case evolved—and what it portends for the future of private property—I interview Institute for Justice attorney Scott Bullock, who represented the beleaguered homeowners before the high court. I also profile Logan Darrow Clements, who made headlines when he announced plans to turn the Court’s own anti-property ruling against one of its authors, Justice David Souter. Clements filed to seize Souter’s house via eminent domain, then build in its place the “Lost Liberty Hotel.” If this reminds you of scenes from a Certain Novel, it’s no accident: both of these leaders in the battle for property rights are Objectivists.

In “The Indictment of the West,” classics scholar Bruce S. Thornton returns to these pages with another beautifully written and reasoned essay that challenges ideological critics of Western values. Robert L. Jones is also back, this time with a fascinating look at the revival of “the standards” in pop music. I think you’ll agree that Robert’s survey ’s’wonderful, ’s’marvelous. (In the interest of full disclosure, I confess that I ordered him to feature that sexy siren of the standards, Diana Krall. Editorial rank has its privileges.)

The Internet provides countless individuals, self included, with a global platform for self-expression known as “blogging.” But my blog doesn’t begin to attract the daily audience commanded by Stephen Green’s VodkaPundit.com. In “Bathrobe Individualism,” Steve gives away the secrets that made him one of the most popular figures in “the blogosphere.”

You have probably noticed regular ads here for the book Ready, Aim, Right! by Mississippi media marvel Jack Criss. Who better to interview Jack and review his book than another media marvel, Sara Pentz? And speaking of media marvels: novelist, editor, columnist, blogger, and publisher David M. Brown reviews an outstanding new self-help book, Making Great Decisions in Business and Life.

This issue closes as I told you it would—with my commentary about what you can expect from TNI in the future. I aim to continue to provide the quality that you’ll encounter in the following pages. Starting next month, you’ll be treated to a completely redesigned magazine and some real surprises. I think you’ll love it.

Stay tuned…