R.W. Bradford
(1947–2005)
founder

Stephen Cox
editor

Mark Rand
managing editor

John Hospers
Bruce Ramsey
Jane S. Shaw
senior editors

Jo Ann Skousen
entertainment editor

Kathleen Bradford
Jim Walsh
assistant editors

Brien Bartels
David T. Beito
David Boaz
Alan W. Bock
Douglas Casey
Eric D. Dixon
Brian Doherty
Lanny Ebenstein
Andrew Ferguson
David Friedman
Bettina Bien Greaves
Ronald Hamowy
Jon Harrison
Gene Healy
Robert Higgs
Gary Jason
Bill Kauffman
Dave Kopel
Bart Kosko
Richard Kostelanetz
Sarah McCarthy
Wendy McElroy
William E. Merritt
Robert H. Nelson
Randal O'Toole
Ross Overbeek
Durk Pearson
Patrick Quealy
Scott J. Reid
Ralph R. Reiland
Sheldon Richman
Timothy Sandefur
Sandy Shaw
Mark Skousen
Tim Slagle
Fred L. Smith Jr.
Martin M. Solomon
Clark Stooksbury
Thomas S. Szasz
Martin Morse Wooster
Leland B. Yeager
contributing editors

S.H. Chambers
Rex F. May
cartoonists

October 2008
Volume 22, Number 9

4 Letters Our readers get the first word.
7 Reflections We prep for a party, hit the dirt, eat some lead, say no to saying no, double down at the buffet, wonder about Waziristan, dismiss the French, foment a fast food rebellion, and make a deal with the devil.
Features
17 The Next President, the Next War Bush has made a lot of mistakes in the Middle East, and there's little chance that his successor will do much better. The region, as Jon Harrison explains, remains a structural nightmare.
25 Bob Barr: Enter the Pol Bruce Ramsey interviews the Libertarian presidential candidate and finds a wily and experienced politician.
27 The Calvinist Connection David Kopel shows why religion and liberty need not be opposites.
Reviews
33 Supreme Injustice J.H. Huebert diagnoses the damage the Supreme Court does to liberty.
35 Darwinian Capitalism Martin Morse Wooster surveys the evolution of the free market.
36 Capitalist Fiction "Harangue," "The Cinder Buggy," "Satan's Bushel" . . . there's something special, Bruce Ramsey says, about a novelist who comes up with titles like that.
42 Invasion of the Superheroes Never before, Jo Ann Skousen says, have movies had so many superheroes. What's the meaning of this?
42 The Domestication of Hellboy Andrew Ferguson on "Hellboy II: The Golden Army."
44 Anarchy, Law, and the Joker Jim Walsh on "The Dark Knight."
46 The Rise of the Comic Book Movie Gary Jason examines the government's role in the spawning of superheroes.
48 Flouting Convention Tim Slagle on Hancock.
49 Adrenaline for Fun and Purpose Jo Ann Skousen on "Wanted."
50 Too Incredible Todd Skousen on "The Incredible Hulk."
52 Booknotes

51 Notes on Contributors Blame them.
55 Terra Incognita Reading is almost believing.