I’ve said it before: I am way behind in reading my copies of The Atlantic. Today I picked up the January issue while eating lunch, and found a whole group of thought-provoking essays in the Agenda section; all of them are online and free (in fact, the only thing not free online is a half-page reminiscence by Richard Rubin. I’ve read it in hard copy; you won’t miss it). I recommend them. In fact, the issue is almost entirely devoted to the “War on Terrorism” and “Homeland Security.” Go graze the link; Michael Kelly has some thoughts on a possible resurgence of small-l liberalism, by which he means a belief that government can accomplish things. Jonathan Rauch wonders how the far left seemed to come around to the same view as the radical mullahs in the days immediately following September 11. David Brooks puts forth an interesting idea about the character-building aspects of suburban American life as distinct from the “horny-handed son of the land” ideal. There’s an essay by Bernard Lewis, the author of What Went Wrong, a monumental book which attempts to explain why Muslim civilizations have not modernized with most of the Western world, despite a head start in the Middle Ages.
Inside: Grey Bear successors, NPR, and a Polish legend

Can this be a successor in fame to the Peruvian Grey Bear? (If the bears have no resonance for you, go ask Jon). More frivolity: cartoonists with blogs (toonblogs? blogcars?). London’s Financial Times weighs in on blogs; hasn’t everyone else?
NPR’s ombudsman tries to explain its “no-link without permission policy.” Wired has several interesting stories today; this one intrigues me because Watergate has always struck me as a completely unnecessary burglary. Nixon was well on his way to a landslide victory over McGovern, so what the hell did those guys want at DNC HQ? They also interview Lech Walesa, the former president of Poland and leader of Solidarity. Apparently he drops in to political chatrooms occasionally.