Editor's Desk, by Robert James Bidinotto
by Robert James Bidinotto“The high frontier.”
It’s a term used a lot by space enthusiasts, because that’s how they view the far reaches of the universe—as an inviting new territory for exploration and settlement. But others are even now viewing space as a platform from which to launch attacks against earthly adversaries.
Since this month marks the 38th anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing, it seemed a good time to consider the promises and threats that space travel poses. In “Individualism in Orbit,” Ed Hudgins surveys the prospects for private space development—but simultaneously wonders whether our moral and cultural values are up to the task. Ed also pays due deference to the influential Cosmos television series by the late astronomer Carl Sagan, which helped to galvanize the interest of “beellions and beellions” of people in space exploration. On the other hand, in “Strike from Space,” space expert Taylor Dinerman surveys developments in space weaponry and wonders whether our government is paying proper heed to emerging threats from satellites and exotic weapons.
The other major focus this month is my interview with the man whom many critics and readers regard as the world’s best thriller writer—novelist Lee Child. My wife Cynthia and I went to New York City a few weeks ago to spend a fabulous afternoon with Lee and Maggie Griffin, his ever-helpful website guru and publicist. Our conversation—captured on tape and in great shots by photographer Brian Killigrew—was everything I could have hoped for and more. Don’t be intimidated by its length: Once you start reading, you’ll quickly see why I ran it long.
I also review Lee’s terrific new bestseller Bad Luck and Trouble, which went into its fourth printing the day it was released (!) and debuted at #2 on the New York Times bestseller list. If you wonder what conceivable relevance all this has to this magazine’s philosophy…read on.
In his “Private I” column, TNI’s senior editor Roger Donway examines Rudyard Kipling’s famous poem “If—.” A strange topic? Not really, because its themes and ideas are as timely as they are timeless. Roger also takes a look at Mark Steyn’s controversial new book America Alone, which takes a grim look at global demographic patterns that have far-reaching implications for our national security.
I used to work with David Hogberg at a previous editorial job in Washington, so I’m please to welcome him to TNI this month. Health care and Social Security are this writer’s beat, and Dave dissects the latest coercive fad inside the Beltway—“individual mandates” for health insurance. What’s that? you ask. Dave explains.
Robert L. Jones, our entertainment editor, didn’t find a worthy new film this month, but he did find a worthy old one just released for the first time on DVD. It’s director Billy Wilder’s Ace in the Hole, a searing psychological and moral drama. Like me, Robert also managed to find a new novel worthy of praise—Christopher Buckley’s Boomsday, a satirical takedown of baby boomers and the Social Security system.
Lots of great stuff in here this month. But, you might wonder what’s coming down the road. In my closing “Soliloquy,” I mark the occasion of my second anniversary in this chair to outline my vision for the magazine’s future. And to thank the many people who are turning that vision into a reality.
I hope it’s a vision you, our reader, will enthusiastically share.