Friends, have you received the latest issue of National Review? Hope so. The digital version is here. Among the contents is “Pop Economics” by Kevin Williamson. (No, “Pop” does not refer to Dr. Pepper, etc.) Ramesh Ponnuru asks, “Whattup with Mitt Romney?” (He does not put it quite like that.) David Klinghoffer reviews Norman Podhoretz’s new book, intelligently (of course). John Derbyshire has an exquisite essay on his admiration of the 18th century.

Etc., etc. It’s a very good issue, though it is not my place to say that, given that I’m with the mag and all . . .

My own contribution is on Arizona: its politics and culture. What on earth inspired me to investigate that? Well, first, it’s interesting on its own. Second, you may remember an anti-Obama protest in Phoenix, while the president was giving a speech to the Veterans of Foreign Wars. This anti-Obama protest was also a pro-gun rally, or stunt: A bunch of citizens stood around bearing their weapons, openly. They are allowed to do so in Arizona, as this is a “permissive open-carry state.” So are ten others.

The rally, or display, provoked a reaction, nationwide. Arthur Frommer, the travel guru (Frommer Guides), said he would personally boycott the state. He hinted that he would encourage a wider boycott. And this got many Arizonans — political leaders, tourism officials — quite nervous. They had been through this before, with the MLK Day issue, 20 years ago. (Geez, has it been 20 already?)

So I thought I’d go to Arizona and do a little nosing about. Let me make just a few notes — jot just a few impromptus — here.

‐Friends, I was going to give you more — including a trip to the roller derby in Phoenix (!) — but I see I have gone on for a very, very long time, and I will save this stuff — along with immigration-related thoughts — for another time. Take a look at that piece in NR, and the new issue as a whole. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. Thanks and see you!

#JAYBOOK#