This is not a test! Repeat, this is not a test!

***

If you’ve seen or heard the following terms at any point since recent elections in the US and Iraq, please contact the New York Times immediately:

• “The Arab Street”
• Al Qaqaa
• “steps to strengthen [Social Security]“*
• jobless recovery*

***

Thank you.

UPDATE: *Third item added. For this one, please contact Paul Krugman at the Times.
*Fourth item added.

It looks like my new project has already been noticed by the mainstream media. Well, close enough.

Remember that Americanism article we discussed in early January, which argued America has a divine mission to all mankind — to spread freedom?

And remember the Inaugural Address, paraphrased here about ten days later, which said basically the same thing?

Now with Iraq, Afghanistan*, Egypt, Ukraine and Lebanon moving in that direction, we find support for this concept from an unlikely source:

Promoting democracy is America’s proper vocation, and not just in fair weather.

Actually, that’s not quite true; it seems The New York Times editors wrote that back in January 13, 1988. As Glenn Reynolds says, “just call ‘em an early adopter.”

***

Remember our Malcolm Gladwell craze? It turns out there are more reasons why our interest here at fishkite was appropriate. Again, from an unlikely source:

Bush is the ultimate “Blink” President, to use author Malcolm Gladwell’s catchy term, and recent title, for instantaneous, subconscious decision making. The slogan on Gladwell’s book jacket—”Don’t Think—Blink!”—is a perfect mantra for an attention- deficit-disordered society, and an apt description of the electric jolt Bush has brought to politics and policy. It certainly was the subtext of the 2004 presidential campaign: Kerry’s thinking seemed tortured, paralytic; Bush’s blinking seemed strong and decisive.

Yes, but obviously some disagree with that analysis.

So while Bush might not be the *Blink* president, observe Gladwell telling Nightline that, thanks to events such as the elections in Iraq, the Middle East is at a democratic Tipping Point:

“That this notion that people of this region can powerfully reshape their futures seems to be spreading. You know, it resembles a spread of a virus. A kind of uncontrolled — in this case a positive spread, though. An uncontrollable phenomenon whereby an idea spreads from one person to another.”

Or, as President Bush put it:

…because we have acted in the great liberating tradition of this nation, tens of millions have achieved their freedom. And as hope kindles hope, millions more will find it. By our efforts, we have lit a fire as well - a fire in the minds of men. It warms those who feel its power, it burns those who fight its progress, and one day this untamed fire of freedom will reach the darkest corners of our world.

And that takes us full circle, my friends.

UPDATE: *Oops, I forgot to include Afghanistan earlier. Let freedom reign!

in C.S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters, Screwtape writes:

About the general connection between Christianity and politics, our position is more delicate. Certainly we do not want men to allow their Christianity to flow over into their political life, for the establishment of anything like a really just society would be a major disaster. On the other hand we do want, and want very much, to make men treat Christianity as a means; preferably, of course, as a means to their own advancement, but, failing that, as a means to anything — even to social justice. The thing to do is to get a man at first to value social justice as a thing which the Enemy demands, and then work him on to the stage at which he values Christianity because it may produce social justice.

Blogging for Bryant has the scoop.

And, yes, I intend to get back to this when I have time to do more than fire off one-liners. Too much goin’ on…

To President Bush:

“We didn’t criticize you when you fired those reporters at CBS.”

- via MSNBC

He’s got a point, except for the fact that:

• Bush did not (and could not) fire them
• They were executives, not reporters
• They still haven’t left yet

Other than that, yeah, what right do the Americans have to criticize you, Vlad?!

At the same time, if Putin thinks the U.S. government fired reporters at CBS, they indeed should have criticized us! The fact that Putin thought that and didn’t criticize America is proof that Russia has some serious problems.

“This is a struggle of good and evil. And we’re the good.”

- via Lawrence Journal-World

Memphis Flyer’s Jackson Baker is reporting that Marsha Blackburn hasn’t actually decided against running for Senate in ‘06, as previously reported.

Half-Bakered (Baker’s nemesis and namesake) has his review of last night’s Bryant meeting up now. I intend to respond to a few points he makes when I get a chance. I also note that Bill Hobbs is repeating his call for a Bryant blog.

More on this when I’m through with work and other important matters, like securing tickets to a few Cubs games. I’ve been stuck in the Cubs’ virtual waiting room for over five hours now…

Ed Bryant was in town today, speaking to members (and non-members) of Defenders of Freedom. I was there thanks to a tip from Alphapatriot at MemphisRedBlogs.

I just wanted to fire off this quickly, but I’ll be back. Details in a bit…

UPDATE:

Bryant was in good form tonight, despite the residual effects of having lost his voice over the weekend. He spoke about his campaign and what he sees as the most important issues facing the U.S. domestically (judicial activism) and internationally (the war on terrorism). Another theme he addressed was the religion/culture war at stake (assaults on the pledge of allegiance and the removal of historic Biblical imagery from courthouses).

Before and after his talk, Bryant personally met with anybody and everybody who walked up to him, and he took several questions during and after his presentation, on issues like: free trade, airline bailouts, border security, international relations and second amendment rights. Bryant addressed each question in a generous way, and while he wasn’t as specific as some might have liked in some areas, he was very clear about where he stands and referred us to his proud legislative record and political experience.

I took the chance afterward to ask him what he thinks of Jim Wallis, the author of God’s Politics: Why the Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn’t Get It. To paraphrase his response, Bryant said that the Religious or Evangelical Left (”a term I don’t believe ever existed before”) would fail because the Left’s base is so set against moral values and because traditional Christians were “sophisticated enough” to see through the Democrat’s new religious facade. They won’t be able to sustain it, because they don’t really believe it.

I hope he’s right. I’m not so sure. If the Left successfully sells its brand of Christian socialism, the Republican party is doomed. They probably can’t convince most voters, but if enough people like Wallis repeat the lie often enough, it’s bound to resonate with at least some of the people, especially those already looking for an excuse to look past the Democrats’ abortion stance, and I know a few of those. At the very least, it just makes it a little harder on Republicans because it’s yet another area where we are forced to play defense.

At the end of the night, after most of the people had left, I overheard a couple of insiders talking about Bryant’s chances of winning this thing. According to them, Bryant is not in a good position right now. Chattanooga Mayor Bob Corker has a huge financial lead and some influential friends in high places. See Bill Hobbs for a some background on Corker. Two additional problems: 1. the moderate Corker may benefit if Bryant and another candidate split the party’s conservative base, and 2. the Bush administration has a history of backing moderate Republicans, especially those with money and who are well liked by Democrats — Bryant himself was overlooked in 2002, in favor of Lamar Alexander. If the Bush people decide to back Corker, it could be harder for Bryant to win the primary.

Fishkite supports Bryant for Senate in 2006 because he’s a good, Christian man who stands up for what he believes, and is solid on the conservative philosophy of low taxes, small government, strong defense and traditional values. Bryant has a proven record, a brilliant mind and a friendly nature.

In my estimation, his campaign lacks only two things: money and a blog. Both of those things can be fixed.

So when you donate, ask them how the blog is coming along.

Secrets sent by postcard, via Alphapatriot.