Circle August 22 on your calendars

Some of us are already circling August 15, the day the People's Republic say they are going to test their new "artificial sun," a fusion reactor of sorts with very thin walls.

If we make it through the 15th, then we can properly start worrying about August 22. Why? Well, the Iranian president (nutjob) Mahmoud Ahmadinejad seems to think this would be a good day to light up the skies over Jerusalem.

Today Drudge carries a flash on a column in the Wall Street Journal by Princeton's Bernard Lewis warning that something catastrophic is possible:

"There is a radical difference between the Islamic Republic of Iran and other governments with nuclear weapons. This difference is expressed in what can only be described as the apocalyptic worldview of Iran's present rulers."

"In Islam as in Judaism and Christianity, there are certain beliefs concerning the cosmic struggle at the end of time -- Gog and Magog, anti-Christ, Armageddon, and for Shiite Muslims, the long awaited return of the Hidden Imam, ending in the final victory of the forces of good over evil, however these may be defined."

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad "and his followers clearly believe that this time is now, and that the terminal struggle has already begun and is indeed well advanced. It may even have a date, indicated by several references by the Iranian president to giving his final answer to the US about nuclear development by Aug. 22," which this year corresponds "to the 27th day of the month of Rajab of the year 1427. This, by tradition, is the night when many Muslims commemorate the night flight of the prophet Muhammad on the winged horse Buraq, first to 'the farthest mosque,' usually identified with Jerusalem, and then to heaven and back (c.f., Koran XVII.1).

"This might well be deemed an appropriate date for the apocalyptic ending of Israel and if necessary of the world. It is far from certain that Mr. Ahmadinejad plans any such cataclysmic events precisely for Aug. 22. But it would be wise to bear the possibility in mind."

No doubt Mr. Lewis simply fails to appreciate the linguistic nuances of Farsi and the colorful, metaphorical approach of the religion of peace (Islam) to the eschaton. After all, it's not like the West is at war with Islamofascism or anything like that.

Sleep well tonight, America.