Reportage by Nfubi Kwaadutu
Magellan's Log Correspondent
N'Djamena, Republic of Chad

Background from the Editors of Magellan's Log:

As early as the morning of November 8, 2000, the editors of Magellan's Log sensed the ground was shifting under our political, nay, our GEOpolitical feet. The beads of sweat on Dan Rather's brow, Peter Jennings's slightly crossed eyes, Tom Brokaw's clenched teeth as election night wore on led us to two conclusions:

1. The rule of law in the United States was about to come to an end, to be replaced by the Rule of Rehnquist.

2. And the center of power on the planet was shifting visibly 3,000 miles to the east, to N'Djamena, capital of the Republic of Chad, for the name of that nation previously known only for the pictures of its starving populace was on the lips of every American.

There wasn't much we could do about Rehnquist et al. But the gods smiled and delivered into our email box a communiqué from one Nfubi Kwaadutu, aspiring Chad journalist.

In the days and weeks since the Coup of 11-7-00, the tide of events has made ever clearer the critical role of Chad in the New World Order:
--The presumed appointment of Ms. Katherine Harris to be "ambassadortrix" to Chad,
--The activity in N'Djamena preparing Ms. Harris's new official residence,
--Rumors about Linda Tripp's imminent arrival as Ms. Harris's official person-in-waiting,
--Word that, since Chad has no reciprocity agreement with the United States (or anyone else for that matter), Bill Clinton will soon be opening a law office in N'Djamena, and on and on.

What could we do but throw our pages open to Nfubi Kwaadutu's insightful reportage from his nation's capital? Is Nfubi Kwaadutu the new Walter Lippman? The next James Reston? We think there's a real possibility that his is the first authoritative, trustworthy voice of the post-coup era. We welcome him to our pages. No citizen of the global community can henceforth consider him- or herself well-informed without reading Nfubi's insightful dispatches.

If this doesn't get us--and him-- a Pulitzer, we don't know what will.

The Chad Reports

Report No. 1 was the following short letter from Nfubi:

Dear Magellan,
[Re: Election 2000] Now that George W. Bush is forming his hypothetical cabinet (Colin Powell for Secretary of State? Why not Secretary of Defense?), and Katherine Harris is being rewarded for her unswerving electoral loyalty with a long-sought appointment as Ambassador to Chad, is it not high time for your fine internationally focused publication to open a bureau in this proud, progressive, prosperous and picturesque country?
                                             Most respectfully,
                                            Nfubi Kwaadutu
                                             N'Djamena, Republic of Chad

Report No. 2: Excitement in N'Djamena about Mme.
                          Ambassadortrix Harris.

Report No. 3: Growing Adoration of the Soon-to-arrive
                          Ambassadortrix.

Supplementary Report: Exclusive World-scoop Photos of Mme.
                          Harris's New Residence in N'Djamena.

Report No. 4: Mme. Harris Denies Involvement in Congo
                          Bloodshed.

Report No. 5: Linda Tripp's Rumored Appointment as Mme.
                         Harris's Assistant, and other matters.

Report No. 6: National Love Affair with Linda.

Report No. 7: In which the ambassadortrix reveals her softer side.

Report No. 8: Trouble in N'Djamena following a report that Jeb Bush may displace the beloved Ms. Harris.

Report No. 9: When the lights go down in N'Djamena.

Report No. 10: Tripp opens bi-partisan destination resort!

Report No. 11: Sen. Thurmond enjoys Chadian hospitality.

Report No. 12: Africa Calling.

Report No. 13: Importation Intent.

Report No. 14: The Call of the Sacristy.

Click here to read Nfubi's Nfan Mail.

END

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