Editor's Desk

"Senseless slaughter." That is the way the left characterizes the carnage taking place in Iraq. But that’s not entirely true—at least, not in terms of motives. Whatever its military and policy failures, the Bush administration at least always justified the Iraq war as serving vital U.S. national security interests.

But what would you think of those who advocate selfless warfare—warfare that serves no conceivable national interest except to make those who wage it feel idealistic? Far from being pacifists, most contemporary leftists actually endorse such “altruistic” military interventions. In “The Democrats’ Model War,” managing editor Sherrie Gossett examines, brilliantly and in depth, the war that liberals (including presidential candidate Hillary Clinton) regard as their blueprint for how to use American military power: the bombing and invasion of Kosovo. If you are appalled by how badly the Republicans have screwed things up, you’d better hope that the likes of Hillary Clinton don’t again get the keys to the White House. In any case, you’ll be profoundly impressed with Sherrie’s stellar debut in these pages, and, like me, demand that she contribute frequently in the future.

We also launch two new features in The New Individualist. Senior editor Roger Donway, a man who always has fresh perspectives on important issues, begins a monthly opinion column appropriately called “Private I.” His debut piece explores a recent controversy involving campus speech-and-behavioral codes, and, as you might expect, Roger compels us to rethink the principles at stake. Next, reporter Scott Wheeler, who joined us last month as TNI’s investigative editor, inaugurates a monthly intelligence report. Each issue, Scott will tap his impressive sources inside the U.S. government and around the world for important facts and perspectives that aren’t being reported anywhere else. I’m certain that you’ll be excited and delighted by what Roger and Scott will bring to each issue of the magazine.

Next up, the indefatigable Ed Hudgins corrals noted “skeptic” author, editor, and lecturer Michael Shermer for a penetrating and provocative interview. Those among you who subscribe to the Objectivist philosophy will marvel at the extent to which Shermer’s worldview dovetails with your own. Ed’s interview with Dr. Shermer certainly raises hopes for an intellectual cross-pollination that will greatly benefit both camps.

Regular readers realize that Roger Donway is too valuable a writer to limit to just one article per issue. Along with this month’s column, Roger also gives us a positive review of historian Paul Johnson’s newly-published tribute to Creators: From Chaucer and Dürer to Picasso and Disney.

 As for the movies, I saw Casino Royale, the new James Bond film, on opening day, and I have been raving happily about it to everyone I encounter. This serious thriller shatters the tongue-in-cheek mold of previous 007 outings, returning the franchise to its literary roots in Ian Fleming’s work. And Daniel Craig is the best Bond since Sean Connery—if not the best ever.

Entertainment editor Robert L. Jones follows with two other film reviews. The first is of Flags of Our Fathers, director Clint Eastwood’s cynical cinematic take on James Bradley’s biography of his father, one of the six soldiers who achieved icon status by raising that famous flag on Iwo Jima. Robert is none too happy about Eastwood’s vandalism of Bradley’s uplifting book. But he is delighted and surprised by Duane “The Rock” Johnson’s first dramatic turn as an inspiring, real-life football coach in Gridiron Gang.

My closing editorial this month probes the ugly spectacle of those quote Americans unquote who welcome U.S. humiliation and defeat around the world. What makes them turn against their own country? A prominent proponent of this anti-American outlook recently ’fessed up. However, unlike our brave (but politically-hamstrung) soldiers, when confronting such turncoats, I am not required to take prisoners.

But don’t call it “senseless slaughter.” I know what I’m doing.