Eyewitness to Power: The Essence of Leadership, Nixon to Clinton

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

In this book by David Gergen from 2000, Gergen offers more access to the White House than a former President of the United States could. David Gergen served in a total of six capacities for four presidents. This makes David Gergen the consummate insider to the beltway and the inner workings of presidential administrations.

The first part of the title of this book is an ironically modest choice of words. David Gergen is not just an eyewitness to power. He has the expertise on power that reflects having been powerful and having researched political power with the greatest dedication. This book shows the insight of a great scholar, not a mere eyewitness.

The title is also misleading to readers who just want to read the observations of an eyewitness of recent presidencies. This book has too much complexity for an eyewitness book. It is not for readers who just want to read about what it means to watch a handful of presidencies in action. "Eyewitness to Power" is a book that grades the effectiveness of past presidents, explains what leadership itself is, explains what creates an effective leader, and even gives limited analysis of past presidents' psychology. "Eyewitness to Power" is not just a book that records presidencies from a firsthand perspective. It is a timeless work that delivers great insight.

The insights of this book do not just come from the perspective of an insider. Gergen is also capable of delivering his commentary because he is one of America's top political scholars. "Eyewitness to Power" gives a level of insight that must come from a writer who sees the presidency and the presidents from a distance as well as from inside the White House. Gergen delivers an in-depth look at the American presidency and also dissects the presidency with an outsider's curiosity.

However, Gergen's dissection of presidents and their administrations is not done in a critical way. Anyone looking for analysis that harshly criticizes the presidencies will not find that refreshing perspective. Instead, the reader will find the most generous portrayals of presidents and presidencies that are still wise. Gergen has criticism of former presidents in his book, but he portrays each former president in a flattering light. He clearly loves and admires any President of the United States that he has known. This book comes from the perspective of a writer with bias from emotional attachment to presidents and his personal investment in the careers of presidents as a White House staffer.

David Gergen also seems a little starstruck by presidents and the status of the American presidency. He makes direct comparisons between each president and greater leaders in an overly flattering way. The most extreme example is when he compares Nixon to Mahatma Gandhi in a couple of instances. Another example is his close comparison between FDR and Reagan.

Gergen is still not too generous to presidents to be a great journalist. He is candid about their lower qualifications for the presidency. He expresses deep personal frustration over examples of poor decisions by presidents. He also delivers a completely nonpartisan view of presidents and their work.

In our mass media age, journalists tend to put the President of the United States on a pedestal and then readily humiliate important figures for catchy headlines. This book contrasts with the usual presidential coverage by humanizing presidents, exposing their flaws, and analyzing their qualifications with great detail.

The Communist Manifesto Review - A Short, Concise Summary

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

Now largely discredited after it inspired - or some say was manipulated by - the murderous, brutal regime of Leninist/Stalinist Soviet Russia, The Communist Manifesto contains great insight into the limitations and superficiality of a Capitalist society; both the instability of the economic structure, and the shallow philosophical implications of consumerism inherent in a capitalist system. It predicts the overthrow of the elites in society by the workers, known as the bourgeois and the proletariat respectively, and the eventual abolition of all social, economic classes.

Marx saw a consistent pattern in history; that there has always been one minority ruling class exploiting the larger, workers class; his view of history is summarized in his assertion that 'All history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles. He implored all the various communist groups scattered around Europe to incite revolution, in order to overthrow the self-interested, apathetic ruling classes and establish a society where class did not exist: where material would be evenly distributed to prevent inequality.

"A spectre is haunting Europe--the spectre of Communism"

Published in 1848, The Communist Manifesto was penned mostly by Marx at the request of various communist groups in Europe. The stated aim of this enterprise was to create a document that clarified and illuminated the beliefs and doctrines of communism in the face of a concerted campaign from opposing political parties who were sabotaging communism by spreading a wave of malicious falsities. The book contains a highly moralistic message of despair at the exploitation of the many by the few; the large disproportionate between the value of an individuals work, and the amount of wage they receive for it. Marx witnessed in his day the consequences of the Industrial Revolution: the squalor, the poverty and the unrest, and felt indignation at such blatant exploitation.

Let the ruling classes tremble at a communist revolution

What shrouds this work in infamy is the application of it's principles and repute in subsequent years. Lenin, and then Stalin, ran an increasingly violent and cruel state under the guise of communist principles. Collectivization was utilized, as well as centralizing the means of production, yet Stalin embarked on genocidal campaigns, and brutally neglected a criminal amount of Russian people. It is not right to associate Stalinist Russia with The Communist Manifesto. The manifesto challenges both previous and current economic, and the consequent social, systems; and it further encourages us to review and reconsider our conceptions about the world. It is by no means the manual to violent dictatorships that it is often misconceived as, and even if you strongly believe in capitalism, it remains an interesting discourse on economics and human nature.

The proletarians have nothing to lose but their chains. They have a world to win. Workers of the world, unite!

Luke Bodell is a freelance author living in Bath, England. He runs a book review website that provides brief, concise reviews on books in Top 10 Lists, to help people decide new books to read.

Read many more at http://www.top10books.org/

Congress Looks to Avert Eurozone Struggles and Damage to Sterling US Credit Rating

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

This week, President Obama urged congress to reach a compromise on the so-called debt ceiling-the legal ceiling for federal debt-and agree on a new budget that would balance America's books. Policy wonks and politicos have prophesized that any prolonged, bipartisan stalemate would plunge America into economic turmoil anew. It seems the congressional "Gang of Six, "composed of the top lawmakers on either side of the isle, has finally agreed to move forward with talks to cut nearly 3.7 trillion dollars in federal spending over the next 10 years. Though it is unclear from what programs and jurisdictions this money will come, it is clear that reaching a final version any compromise and subsequent bill, in the bipartisan House and Senate, will be long and anguished.

Credit card bills become a headache for everyone

Much of America will be relieved that the US government isn't going to shutdown as it threatened many times earlier this spring. Some might recall the thousands of government employees furloughed because lawmakers couldn't reach an agreement over the federal budget.

Evidently, even the most powerful people in the country are struggling to reign in spending and control their credit.

These temporary lapses in government underscore the availability, or lack thereof, of new credit and new credit alternatives. US lawmakers are effectively engaged in what many credit card customers would recognize as a credit card negotiation.

Like all credit card consumers with revolving debt, many lawmakers are getting their first significant taste of the anxiety and pressure that comes when creditors call and you can't pay up-in this case, failure to pay up could mean years of political backlash from angry voters. What's worse, a federally sized "credit card negotiation" gone wrong could undermine the frail but recovering international economy.

Unlike the Eurozone

Over the past year, the US, despite opinions and forecasts to the contrary, has weathered rough economic forecasts with brassy conviction. Much of the Eurozone, in countries like Italy, Spain and Greece, has suffered a paralyzing series of severe economic shocks equivalent to nation-sized bankruptcy. Not a few times have financial earthquakes punished the Eurozone and pushed it to the brink. International creditor and banking confidence has been rattled by high unemployment in pivotal Eurozone countries and the reduction of hundreds of billions of dollars of European consumer debt to "junk" status.

Of course, no one can argue that the United States and the Eurozone haven't fallen upon similar hard times. Historically, however, there has always been a major difference in the outlook of American consumers and Europeans-American confidence usually prevails over hardship. That appears to still resonate with a bipartisan Congress this week: Americans move forward.

The Lee Law Firm aims to provide local residents with high quality legal representation at affordable rates. Their attorneys specialize in all aspects of mortgage loan modification. As Dallas foreclosure lawyers, the Lee Law Firm attorneys understand the pressures their clients face as the battle a financial hardship.

Game Change - The Audio Drama of a Presidential Campaign - Audiobook Review

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

Game Change, by John Heilemann and Mark Halperin and narrated By Dennis Boutsikaris, had Washington shaking even before it went on sale. It reveals some shocking information about the 2008 presidential campaign. The authors went out of their way to find out the back story and gossip from numerous angles on the candidates and on others around them. Senator Harry Reid, leader of the Senate, was singled out for racially insensitive words about then Senator Barrack Obama.

The authors leave no one out. They have written about Elizabeth Edwards, John Edwards's wife, going into tantrums and swearing like crazy about him and his antics. The authors expose more about the Sarah Palin selection and how rushed the process was. Not only was no one in the Republican leadership consulted, but little thought and consideration appears to be given to the choice. The choice was a tactic to knock the Obama campaign off guard and that part worked until Palin self destructed in numerous interviews.

Then Senator Barrack Obama is shown to be heavily staged throughout the campaign. They show the two sides of the man, calm cool and collected when on the stump, profane with flashes of anger off the stump. "This #@!% would be really interesting if we weren't in the middle of it."--Barack Obama, September 2008

Hillary and Bill Clinton take their lumps too. President Clinton's inappropriate comments and Obama's observation that Hillary could not control her husband. The book also covers Obama's hard sell to get Clinton on board for Secretary of State. The book opens doors into other mysteries from the campaign like Giuliani's Florida gamble and why he left the race.

When listen to the book it's like living through the campaign once again, but you get to be the fly on the wall with inside view of what really goes on. You will get insights that will inform you, but also make you angry. This should have come out during the campaign, but the press was not doing its job well. Maybe that's the most damning insight of all. If you're a political junkie like me, get the audio book and enjoy the drama.

Listen to the audio sample of the Game Change Audiobook.

Do you have a long commute? Need to make that wasted time more productive. Audio books are the answer. Find 60,000 great downloadable audiobooks, that you can listen to on your iPod, iPhone, MP3 player, PC or burn to a CD.

Alex Nesbitt provides audio book reviews from CastLibrary.com Audiobook Store.

Ameritopia by Mark Levin

There are books that enjoyed, slowly digested your mind like a fine multi-course dinner, and reminded to fill lovingly. Mark Levin was one of these books to freedom and tyranny. And then there are books that your mind like a fantasy set to exceptionally to extend that it juicy taste is sweet, surreal, seem never to forget. Mark Levin Ameritopia is one of these books.

Levin begins by dissecting the ideas of these great thinkers to influence, as she designed America's Government most responsible for our founder. Levin not simply mention names like Locke, Montesquieu, Tocqueville, and then throw a few inspiring quotes to the reader. Levin correlates with their ideas, where they fit in the founding of the United States of America.

Levin in detail these philosophers influence on Jefferson, Adams, and Franklin, how they designed the Declaration of independence. He explains their impact in particular on Madison in the design of the Constitution in General, and the Bill of rights. Levin deals Alexis de Tocqueville of democracy in America, as the French scholar sometimes Americans their uniqueness in the world, and his hope that they keep their characteristic values and their commitment to freedom and limited Government.

And come this season of serious choice and with our freedom is perched precariously in the balance, Ameritopia could not have been better. I will shout this book of praise to all who will listen, and probably not some. This book is a classic. It is a pity, as Levin later in the book, at that time constraints prevented him to list the other crimes against the freedom during the last century of the progressive, Extras and Collectivists committed.

This miserable disaffected present themselves as Savior, that "made would save us from the"mistakes"our founder". You put their distorted perception of humanity with the chains of the big Government of the liberation of the individual unlimited for the benefit of humanity in slings. You want - such as the large it have collectivist?-Amerika fundamentally change. She would like to jeopardise what- how did these great American expressed? the last hope of people on Earth.

Levin makes everything! and Ameritopia for all readers of the scholars, students, to the uninitiated that is easy to digest. It is not only important that every American to read it; It is important that every American to read it. Ameritopia is not only a textbook for understanding, the concept and the design of the American Liberty. It is a battle plan for their retention.

Steve writes about issues in connection with the police, writing, freedom and Seattle at: http://www.stevepomper.com/. If you have questions, delete comments, concerns about these issues, please Steve a line.

"You Snooze, You Lose" - New Global Values and Morals

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

Prime Minister Brown of Britain, said it best, and I shall paraphrase: we have no Global Morals, nor Values, speaking economically.

Let me be frank, and speak for the whole world in general, we do have values, values being those things in life we value the most, but they've changed, and as far as morals go, those things that are under the heading of ethics-I used to have to take an ethics class once a year to keep up my counselling license-teaching me to maintain my principles, a code of behaviour, honour (respect, regard) not like today, it is a code of horror. We don't have the same old style, or type we had forty years ago. Mr. Brown should remember we took them out of the schools, with God, and Liberty, and saluting the flag, at least in America we did, and usually the world follows America, right to the abyss sometimes. Anyhow, we got want we planted, 'You snooze, you lose,' that is our new morals and values in a nutshell. If you don't like it, it's too bad, it is what we planted, and it is what is being harvested, and it is why were in such a worldwide crisis today. I feel sorry for the young generation; they have to live with the garbage we planted.

I had to teach full grown men, while in my counselling career, those coming out of prison, into a halfway house back into society, that without discipline, there are no limits to a person's behaviour; nothing to govern them by if you do not have a moral code (meaning good behaviour). They thought I was talking Greek. We got what we deserve; now we are complaining. Doesn't that beat all? What did Mr. Brown expect; flowers from planting in manure for forty-years. Trying to teach an old wolf morals and principles, and discipline, and values, is like trying to part the Red Sea, good luck.

A Review of Barack Obama's the Audacity of Hope

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

In his book, The Audacity of Hope, President Barak Obama addresses issues that catapulted him to fame and brought the hope that he would be a prominent presidential election candidate. The book is originally his speech in Illinois state elections for senate chamber which has been delivered in 2004 in only 20 minutes. Later in 2006 he published that speech under the title "Audacity of Hope" that has the same themes he touched upon in the campaign speech in 2004.

Chapter one

The first chapter of the book is dedicated to two American parties, Democrats and Republicans. In this chapter, Obama contents that the congress is now more partisan than other times and that these two parties should overlook the differences and show collegiality and fellow feeling. He is not a supporter of mere partisan stance by the democrats against Republicans, nor does he agree with the old and worn out partisan poses or the Republicans. He hopes that Democrats show a sense of cooperation, while adhering to the central trends of the party.

Chapter two

He then in chapter two has recourse to politician behavior in the American political and social scene, asserting that in the age of information, not any of the politicians can remain exempt from the public scrutiny in the case of blunder. He calls for more adherences to political values in the face of conflict for sheer power. He also objects that the Democrat loss of offices comes from the internal factions and also from a more divisiveness with the Republicans. He admits that political scene dose not permit politician to remain true to their values. He finally hopes that the leaders of the two parties converge in the direction that its outcome be the nation's profit.

Chapter three

Then in chapter 3 Obama gives an account of legislation debate in which the law makers are actually reluctant to amendments necessary to make the law up-to-date according to the needs and requirements of the day. Personally, Obama is in the front who support the idea that, though the constitution is the historical phenomenon, we can have special cased that according to which this constitutions shows flexibility of interpretation. He generally supports this flexibility, when facing the needs of an ever-growing world.

Chapter four

Obama in chapter 4 goes back to previous discussion of politics and politicians, saying that special interest groups have an influence on them, who seek out their special interest during any political event. Obama declares that in order to tackle the problem of being at service of special interest groups and increase the efficacy of any political system, politicians should be true to the morality and values of the party. He, then, calls for democrats' appeasing the power-seeking parties and attitudes, so that they are able to serve their constituency better.

Chapter five

Obama, in chapter 5, this time targets economy and US economy in particular and considers its impact in social, cultural and political domains. According to him economic inefficiency is to the loss of the poor and marginalized people, but his own meetings with the prominent and wealthy people attests that his view is ironically also true.

Chapter six

He then, touches upon school reform, which has been implemented through empirical research. Religion and religious faith is Obama's next resort in his book, by which he contends republican show- off of the religious faith. He gives an account of his journey from atheism to faith and that religious faith has strengthened his personal and moral convictions. Obama objects that since Americans are deeply religious, the only by which democrats can win this people's consent is remaining in a sense of ease to religious faith. He concludes that religious tolerance is the best way to, for the two parties to have common grounds for ideas, not a hotspot in which they lead full-fledged war.

Chapter seven

Race is dominant theme in chapter 7. In this Obama admits that, although the institutionalized form of racial discrimination has been ended, but with a look at American social scene, one can notice subtle form of discrimination is still present, however this prejudice dose not stem from fundamentally race-based attitudes, but from sheer ignorance of its perpetrators. Obama wants all Americans to disagree with any cases of discrimination in order to uproot this filthy phenomenon from Black experience of life.

Chapter eight

Chapter 8 of the book is a scene in which Obama arranges American role in international politics and relations. He asserts that US defense budget is not in accord with the new patterns and needs of international relations and that American must attempt to assume more responsibility in facing the new paradigms emerging after 9 September 2001. In Iraq war issue, he believes that unilateralism was misguided and it has been poorly handled by Republican administration. He admits more multilateral efforts in solving world problems and that the Americans needlessly have been complacent about their role and function regarding the world affairs.

Chapter nine

The last chapter is family in which Obama gives his own childhood accounts. Obama here contends that Republican's stance over the family in posing personal dogmas in the frame of the law is not true to the private aspects of personal life. He finally asserts that in order to provide a center for children to thrive in, the families should have an unshakeable foundation and for that, supportive policies and personal responsibility must be dominant among the collective attitudes toward family.

Liberal Media and Political Realities - Book Review

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

We've often heard conservatives and Republicans claim that the media is completely "Liberally Biased" and the reality is that although the numbers do not lie, there are conservative venues that also dominate, such as conservative radio and the Fox News Channel. All this political banter causes a great deal of unrest and a lot of sound and fury. Admit it, we all enjoy a little bit of chaos and controversy. But has it gone too far and have the Hollywood Celebrities jeopardized their stardom on a political agenda?

Rather than sit and debate what is right, who is left, and why, let me instead introduce you to a politically charged book, which speaks from the right, and from that point of view. Much of what is written is hard to debate, although one who is left leaning might find fault with it, and the author's references and cites. The book is:

"Hollywood Nation; Left Coast Lies, Old Media Spin and New Media Revolution" by James Hirsen (newsmax dot com). He also wrote; "Tales from the Left Coast" and both books are published by Random House, New York, NY; 2005 (this book).

This book goes through what the author calls "self-proclaimed and appointed Hollywood Experts on all political affairs." People like Barbara Streisand, Sean Penn, Michael Moore and countless others, as the writer addresses issues of misrepresentation, mixing up of facts, and actual intent to deceive in order to convince the audience of a political viewpoint.

Mr. Hirsen holds nothing back as he speaks of the New York or East Coast newsrooms and the Left Coast Studios. You will learn of their tactics, distortions, and how the celebrities use sex to promote their political agendas. There is also a very interesting chapter on Mel Gibson's movie; "The Passion of Christ" and the hypocrisy of Michael Moore's films. You will find this an interesting book; if you lean left you will be appalled, and if you lean right, it will preach to the choir. But, I guarantee you'll find it interesting.

Lance Winslow - Lance Winslow's Bio. Lance Winslow is also Founder of the Car Wash Guys, a cool little Franchise Company; http://www.carwashguys.com/history/founder.html.

Surviving the Death Row

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

Book Title: In a Different Time
Author: Peter Harris
Publisher: Umuzi Publishers

In a Different Time is a story of four South African men who were part of a specialised unit of the African National Congress (ANC) military wing uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK). During their trial, these men became known as the Delmas Four named after the small town where their trial was held.

In a Different Time is a true story of the Delmas Four - Jabu Masina, Ting Ting Masango, Neo Potsane and Joseph Makhura who were sent to South Africa by the ANC in exile to carry out acts of war in the country of their birth. The book is fast-paced, absorbing and beautiful written. Sometimes it reads like a crime novel except that it's all true.

The story takes place during the dying days of the Nationalist Party's rule (late 1980's). The Delmas Four had skipped South Africa while there were learners after the riots of 16 June 1976 popularly known as the Soweto Uprisings. History records that about 10 000 learners were peacefully protesting against the imminent use of Afrikaans language as a mode of instruction in all black schools. Police opened fire on learners sparking a national rebellion and an international outcry. The 1976 learners' riots resulted in about 576 civilians being killed by the apartheid security forces within a mere 10 months and 10 000 activists were detained in the aftermaths. It was the most significant international event in South Africa since the 1960 Sharpeville Massacre where police killed 69 peaceful protesters. It has been estimated that some 4000 young black South Africans went into exile in the 18 months following the Soweto Uprisings.

The Delmas Four were a direct product of the Soweto Uprisings. They left their country of birth as young, angry black males - with only one mission - to return and restage something akin to the French Revolution on home soil.

In a Different Time is the journey of these four men driven to extremes for an ideal of freedom. It paints a picture - at times poignant, at times devastating - of ordinary people caught up in extraordinary events. It's about bloodshed, bombs, gunfire and the butchery of the innocent. The Delmas Four is an epic story of a country at war with itself. The end of apartheid is intertwined with the fortunes and setbacks of the men of war on both sides of the conflict.

Narrated by their lawyer, Peter Harris, In a Different Time is a compelling account of the futility of war and the necessity of peace and democracy. The book begins with the capture of the Delmas Four in 1987. Harris receives a call from the ANC headquarters in Lusaka (Zambia) to go to the Pretoria Maximum prison and help four ANC cadres. He has never heard or met them. The enforced encounter takes Harris into the dark secrets of the ANC military wing, the determination of its cadres and the brutality of the apartheid security forces.

In a strange twist, the Demas Four tell their lawyer, Harris that they intend pleading guilty to the acts of sabotage, multiple counts of murder, and possession of illegal weapons. Despite his best attempts, the Four refused to budge. They told him that - in was all in the name of freedom and there were prepared to die for their cause. Indeed, they pleaded guilty and summarily sentenced to the death penalty.

The political events of the time (1990 Mandela's release) and the legal dismantling of apartheid offered the four men reprieve. As part of preparing for negotiations, all political prisoners were pardoned and released from prison. The death penalty was suspended, and it was subsequently outlawed in the new South Africa (after 1994).

Today, the Delmas Four have been fully integrated into society and play prominent roles in the media, government and security forces respectively. Their lawyer, Harris now heads a large management consultancy in Johannesburg.

Bhekisisa Mncube is a qualified journalist and member of the Book Review Panel at the New Agenda academic journal in South Africa. Mncube is the former senior reporter (politics) at the Witness newspaper. He is also a columnist (Witness/Echo), his column 'On the High Road' appears on Thursdays

What is Libertarianism? A Book Review

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

All of us in the United States have friends that are libertarians. After all, it appears that nearly 10 to 20% of our population during any given election call themselves libertarians. And this group of individuals often is the deciding factor in elections because they become the swing voters. But, if you are wondering what it is to be a libertarian, then I have a very good book that I like to recommend to you. The name of the book is;

"Libertarianism in One Lesson" by David Berglund, 1977

There was a book on Libertarianism which was translated in Polish and it caused a revolution in 1988 and 1989. 1990 communism was ousted in socialist nations collapsed due to the thought that "you own yourself." Libertarians believe; "No one has the right to force you to do what is not in your best interests," each person owns themselves - you cannot force others to do what is against their best interests. However, you must take responsibility for yourself.

There is a chapter on cooperation versus force in the book that is quite good. The book made me think about the possibility that perhaps, government could work as conglomerate franchised module in the service business for things like trash, power, enforcement, military, and dog catchers. I definitely enjoyed this quote; "If people are inherently good, you don't need a government and if the people are evil you don't dare have one," and "Government is us and they are no more noble than the bureaucrats in it," and since everyone in government comes from the population, if there are any problems, it's already our fault.

In fact, the book was full of great quotes, here's another one; "A government agency which falsely justifies actions against a citizen is not an acceptable government" in some ways one could say that Government is not real, it's a lie we all agree to live by, a fictitious entity, worth nothing without our consent. How can you have a social contract when government legislators and regulators make onerous and restricting laws against freedom and liberty? We must respect the rights of all; there is no superior human being in our government. Anyway, I think you would enjoy the discussion that went on throughout this book, it will really make you think.

Lance Winslow is a retired Founder of a Nationwide Franchise Chain, and now runs the Online Think Tank. Lance Winslow believes in fairness.

Media Wars Continue Along Political Party Lines

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

What you can and cannot say is constantly changing, and I am not referring to the laws, although they too are changing due to the introduction of "hate speech" rules. When we talk about what you can and cannot say, we generally mean political correctness, and with a constantly changing society it is amazing how far things can swing. Currently, you do not dare criticize President Obama, but just a year ago it was in Vogue to call President Bush just about anything under the son, with bloggers carrying on for 1,000 word posts.

Well, now things are drastically lopsided or so, conservative talk show hosts say, as they find their dialogue, sponsorship, advertisers, and FCC looking over their shoulder constantly. Perhaps, rather than explain all this to you, it might be better to recommend a very good book that gives credible evidence to this reality, the book is:

"Censorship: The Threat to Silence Conservative Talk Radio; The Fairness Doctrine Exposed" by Brian Jennings; 2009.

The book discusses how Senator Jeff Bingaman wanted all talk radio to be balanced, of course, what he was really saying is that it is not right to allow a conservative talk show host to spout off without an equally powerful advocate of the liberal agenda to counter each and every topic. President Obama said he wants more diverse viewpoints on the radio, and now that he is President, he says that would only be fair.

The directive, FCC regulation, or Congressional Bill might end having the FCC sets up permanent advisory boards to insure that fairness is complied with, or so is one of the plans being floated. The author contends this is a Trojan Horse because, once they start scrutinizing it will ultimately have a chilling effect on free speech.

Further, it is asserted that Liberal Radio has failed in the past and cannot seem to compete with the audiences of conservative radio. And since there are few liberal radio personalities the politics are trying to level the playing field with regulation, something many who think about cringe. I think you might very much like this book.

Lance Winslow - Lance Winslow's Bio. Lance Winslow is also Founder of the Car Wash Guys, a cool little Franchise Company; http://www.carwashguys.com/history/founder.html.

Yale Professor on Politics in Defense of Government - Book Review

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

Ever wonder why folks do not trust our government, politicians, or politics in general in the US? If so, I'd really like to recommend a very good book to you. I think you will find the arguments interesting, and it will make you think about why things are the way they are;

"In Defense of Government; The Rise and Fall of Public Trust" by Jacob Weisberg (very well-educated and studied Political Theory at Yale); Scribner Publishers; 1ST Edition, (1996); ISBN-13: 978-0684816043.

This is a book packed with figures, facts, past period politics, and information. You have to read it slow as there are so many interesting things discussed. This book comes from a very liberal skew, but the author attempts to back up his points of contention and does a decent job arguing his belief system. Mr. Weisberg, although had never run a business, or run for public office himself, has a tremendous amount of opinions on the politics of the 1990's and how we got to that place in time.

Many of his arguments may disgust those with opposing views, but no one can deny these arguments, or their place in our nation's political discussion. The author is "heavy handed" with his critique of Ronald Reagan Republicans, and calls the freshmen Congressmen, and Senators that rode in on Reagan's Wave as Radicals. The author's views are what a hardliner republican might call; "bleeding heart liberal" and the book, even offers a relatively short introduction which is a story of such hardship.

This is a wonderful book that I'd recommend to my ultra-liberal family members, and the far left socialists in our society, they will just love it and be shaking their heads "yes, yes" the entire way. This book is a one-night read, but should be read slow to soak in all the information. The author appears to be a great conversationalist, and I'd like to buy him a cup of coffee sometime and set him straight on many of his views. Please buy this book and you will learn a lot.

Lance Winslow - Lance Winslow's Bio. Lance Winslow is also Founder of the Car Wash Guys, a cool little Franchise Company; http://www.carwashguys.com/history/founder.html.

On Liberty - A Book Review and Summary

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

On Liberty is often said to be one of, if not the most significant influences on the individualistic, tolerant culture of today. Its author, John Stuart Mill, was inspired to write this work after having his own liberty restricted all throughout his childhood by his demanding father. His father imposed a strict educational regime upon his son: Mill had read all the major Ancient Greek philosophical works by age 9 - in Ancient Greek! So he was groomed by his father, molded into a figure not of his own choosing, and he realized this at age 20, when he thought that everything about him was not a result of his own freedom, but he was almost a creation of someone else; this caused him to have a serious mental breakdown, and it took him a few years to recover from this catastrophic realization, now knowing the importance of individual liberty for our happiness.

"The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not sufficient warrant"

The fundamental underlying principle of Mill's whole philosophy is described as thus: 'Over one's mind and over one's body, the individual is sovereign', and that the only instance that this can be broken is if the sovereign will of an individual leads to the harm of another. So, for example, it has been used to try and legitimize all drugs, as an individual should be able to choose what they do to themselves, arguing it only affects themselves; but there are problems when others rely on you: a mother for instance, would not be justified in claiming her drug-use was only affecting herself, as the effects of the drugs would impair her ability to take care of her children; so there are great difficulties in defining exactly what constitutes sovereignty.

"The only freedom which deserves the name is that of pursuing our own good in our own way, so long as we do not attempt to deprive others of theirs, or impede their efforts to obtain it"

This really only constitutes physical/material harm however; Mill was also gravely concerned about social stagnation, brought about by widespread and sheep like adherence to societal norms and beliefs, that created a world of uniformity. So he felt that invasion of personal sovereignty extended to a cultural level, where people were made to feel alienated and ridiculous for holding unorthodox beliefs, and that this certain societal coercion and pressure restricted the spiritual freedom of all of society. This concept has been reproduced in pretty much every century ever since in one form or another, most recently the 'Beat Generation' of the 1950's and 60's. On Liberty is a book outlining the benefits of being highly tolerant of differences in society, and as such is a great read when keeping in mind the tolerance of many societies today.

"No one can be a great thinker who does not recognize that as a thinker it is his first duty to follow his intellect to whatever conclusions it may lead"

Luke Bodell is a university student and freelance author living in Bath, England. He runs a book review website that provides brief, concise reviews on books in Top 10 Lists, to help people decide new books to read.

Read many more at http://www.top10books.org/

Think Tank in America - The Beginning of US Superiority and Dominance - Book Review

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

Over the years I've been quite fascinated by the RAND Think Tank, and always wondered what RAND stood for. I come to find that it stood for R and D - and later folks called said it stood for R-A-N-D = Research And No Development, in other words, just thinking, not a lot of doing - the brain behind the US industrial base's brawn if you will. Later, after retirement I formed a Think Tank which operates online and today, I completely understand what it is all about.

Now then, along the way in my observational and educational fact finding and gathering, I've come across a number of books on the topic. One of the books which sits on the top book shelf in front of my desk describes the rise of US dominance and the brains behind much of strategy - it was not by accident as you may have been led to believe. It was deliberate and there was a plan. This book I'd like to recommend to you if indeed, you are interested. The name of the book is: "Soldiers of Reason - The RAND Corporation and the Rise of the American Empire," (uncorrected version) by Alex Abello, published by Harcourt, New York, NY, (2008), 362 pages, ISBN: 978-15-10181-3.

The entire history of RAND is here in this work, and if you want to know about the Cold War, International Relations, Military Strength, Gulf War I or II, Vietnam Era, Global Trade, or any of the other strategies the US has employed over the years, you will find the hand of RAND involved. Are these Whiz Kids perfect, oh for Heaven's Sake no, but often their ideas became created realities and thus became the new norm, and the game changers, that historians later report on.

If you are wondering how it all came to be, or how these strategies shaped the way things are in the USA, then you'd be wise to read this book and then think on it. Please consider all this.

Lance Winslow is a retired Founder of a Nationwide Franchise Chain, and now runs the Online Think Tank. Lance Winslow believes writing 21,600 articles was a lot of work - because all the letters on his keyboard are now worn off..

'Twilight of the Elites' is As Disturbing As it is Important

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

Twilight of the Elites: an important new offering by Professor David Flint, chair of the Australian Broadcasting Authority and Convener of Australians for Constitutional Monarchy (ACM), is sure to be one of the more influential texts of 2003. What the book lacks in terms of the breadth of its readership base, it makes up for in that base's strategic value: the conservative intellectual elite which has captured the Liberal Party, and now determines the nation's policy agenda. Twilight of the Elites is worth reading if only to gain a glimpse of the kind of thinking that is going on in government circles today.

The canvass employed by Flint is wide-ranging. From Indigenous affairs to foreign policy, from education to health and welfare, from republicanism to judicial activism: Flint's prognoses cut against the grain of what he identifies as "elite" opinion. This "elite", comprised of the "socially liberal left", we are told, count for only 10 per cent of the Australian population, as evidenced by the 2001 election showing of the progressive minor parties. (ie: Democrats/Greens) This being the case, the inclusion of that stalwart socialist, Paul Keating, within the ranks of this group, seems to defy belief.

According to Flint, this socially liberal "elite", entrenched within the media and within academia, has commanded power well beyond its numbers. Alleging that the "opinion-makers" of this "elite layer" have fostered a culture of intolerance and "political correctness", Flint draws upon the writings of 19th century French thinker Alexis de Tocqueville, to suggest a veritable spiral of silence: "[The] majority, feeling isolated, begin to retreat into silence rather than speak out for what it mistakenly thinks is a minority view."

Unfortunately, Flint fails to recognise that the "spiral of silence" induced by "political correctness" is mirrored, in turn, by the populist opportunism of the major parties in regard to concerns such as refugee policy. While praising the United States for its tradition of "self-criticism", and alleging no link between media proprietorship and editorial policy, the author also ignores the tide of fear, aggressive nationalism and media conformity that overcame that nation in the period leading up to and including the recent Gulf War.

Having abandoned past claims to universalism, much of today's "liberal left" has substituted traditional socialist aims for an arbitrary hierarchy of identity - based movements and struggles. The new "postmodern intellectual hegemony" is commonly characterised as much by its abandonment of universalism as it is by its cultural relativism and its rejection of Reason.

In regard to this, Flint makes some telling points. Rejecting relativism, Flint asserts the primacy of Western traditions, including the foundational role of "Judaeo-Christian ethics". In doing so, Flint only recognises what the Left itself ought have recognised long ago: belief systems, and systems of government, are not only "different" but they adhere to certain social and ethical objectives that, ultimately, we must judge as either right or wrong. Those liberal political traditions inherited from Britain (Flint would probably contest this description), by this reckoning, have played no small role in preventing such extremes of violence as have been known elsewhere in the world.

Flint does appear to forget, however, that the legacy of the Enlightenment is also part of Australia's inheritance from the storehouse of Western tradition. And as Immanuel Kant, the great German philosopher, would have reminded us: secularism and Reason need not be perceived as being in opposition to faith.

Flint's defence of the "Judaeo-Christian tradition" also raises disturbing questions regarding the double standards exhibited by some proponents of cultural relativism. For Flint, it is astonishing to find that Christianity is "fair game" for an often degrading ridicule and caricature, while other religions and cultures are considered "above criticism" in the name of pluralism and relativism.

Determined to break decisively with that "black armband" view of history identified by conservatives with the "left-liberal elite", Flint unsparingly celebrates Australia's traditions and legacy. While his identification of the brutally Imperialist First World War as a "struggle for freedom and democracy" (!) is astonishing, his solemn recognition of Australia's role in defeating fascism in World War Two is cause for praise. (and also for reflection for those who see "nothing to be proud of" in Australia's past) For Flint, "practical reconciliation" between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australia, via the provision of education, health care and housing, is the alternative to a Treaty or an apology. But as survivors of Japanese atrocities during World War II could well testify, the recognition and dignity afforded by an apology is infinitely more valuable than material compensation.

Many of Flint's remaining prescriptions will be sure to raise concern. Despite the inequity and inefficiency of America's overwhelmingly private health care system (by Flint's figures, 12.9 per cent of US GDP compared of 8.6 per cent for Australia), the author makes plain his preference for this model as opposed to Medicare's universalism. While showing no concern for the impact of rising university fees on access and equity, Flint does flag his concern with the expense of welfare, singling out single parents for special attention. Determined to slash levels of progressive taxation and social expenditure (already well below the OECD average), Flint seems oblivious to the impact of "welfare reform" and spending cuts upon a layer of Australians who already barely subsist - often below the poverty line. Slashing government expenditure is thus raised abstractly to the status of "an end in itself", divorced from any social consequences.

Flint's avowed philosophical universalism is undermined by his stated belief that United Nations treaties (eg: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights), were only meant to apply to "less democratic regimes". Meanwhile his emphasis upon Australia's interests with regard carbon emissions negotiations shows little concern for Australia's responsibilities. Finally, Flint's insistence upon personal responsibility is incongruous in light of the apologies he makes for a Prime Minister who seems to know only what he wants to know (whether we refer here to "children overboard", or overblown assessments regarding the "threat" posed by Iraq).

Twilight of the Elites is nothing if not controversial. Its condemnation of figures for whom a shallow republicanism had become a surrogate for traditional social democratic values is stinging. Furthermore, its appraisal of media ethics raises serious questions about the blurring of the lines between report and commentary. While Flint's uncompromising conservatism will disturb many, there is no doubting that this volume is an important contribution to public debate in this country, comprising an open statement of much that government figures dare not argue publicly.

Tristan Ewins is an experienced freelance writer and blogger based in Melbourne, Australia. He specialises in PC Gaming, as well as political and social commentary. He writes for 'On Line Opinion' and blogs at the 'Blogger' blogs: 'PC Gaming Forum' and 'Left Focus'.

see:
http://pcgamingforum.blogspot.com/
http://leftfocus.blogspot.com/

State Succession and Historical Challenges Considered - Book Review

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

Nearly a decade ago, I entered a used book store in Calgary and found it most intriguing, it was an old two-story house, and every room was filled with used books for sale. I bought too many books, and since I was on vacation, I had them sent slow boat to China "no hurry" UPS, figuring by the time my vacation was over the books would arrive. Yes, I am kind of a bookworm amongst other things.

In any case one book I bought had intrigued me and it was on the dollar table there. I stuck it in one of my book shelves thinking that some day, I might need that information, and sure enough that someday appears to be upon me.

You see, today I run a Think Tank which operates online and we talk a lot about geo-politics. This book is about succession and it is well worth reading. No you cannot have my copy, as I have to keep this one for a reference - it is a topic that is re-occurring. Nevertheless, below is some information on the book in case you want to find an old copy somewhere - perhaps on eBay? The name of the book is:

"Succession - The Morality of Political Divorce from Fort Sumter to Lithuania and Quebec," By Allen Buchanan, Westview Press, San Francisco, CA, (1991), pages 174; ISBN: 0-8133-1132-2.

Although this book is almost 20-years old, it hardly matters, the implications of succession are all too common whether we are talking about former Soviet nations, European Union Nations, or even a US State such as Texas getting fed up with Washington DC's overbearing wielding of power. Texans don't seem to like that much.

It is eerily similar the historical accounts of succession and what brings men to devolve their former agreements to share synergies in a larger union. As a former franchisor, I understand the need to keep the union together, along with Abraham Lincoln's dilemma as the Civil War approached. After reading this book recently, I completely understand why the EU asked the IMF, and even the US to intervene with resources to assist in bailing out Greece to preserve the EU, as that would have far reaching implications world-wide.

This book is a great piece of research, and I'd put it up near some of wisdom I've found over the years reading Henry Kissinger's Essays, Winston Churchill's insight, or Allan Greenspan's memoir. If you are involved in a potential succession, I think you need to own your own copy of this book as well. So, please consider all this.

Lance Winslow is the Founder of the Online Think Tank, a diverse group of achievers, experts, innovators, entrepreneurs, thinkers, futurists, academics, dreamers, leaders, and general all around brilliant minds. Lance Winslow hopes you've enjoyed today's discussion and topic. http://www.worldthinktank.net/ - Have an important subject to discuss, contact Lance Winslow.

The Best of US Tax Act and Stimulus Program

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

Last year our government spent $150 billion on a Stimulus Program in an effort to increase consumer spending and hopefully bring our economy back into a growth mode. In fact consumer spending did increase by 5% in May 2008 but most of that can be attributed to escalating fuel and food prices. Those Stimulus dollars that didn't go to fuel and food went towards flat screen TV's or other foreign made merchandise, resulting in more of our American dollars leaving our shores.In late 2008 we that tax payers agreed to give the financial industry $700 billion to clear up their bad debt and put them in a position where they could get back into the lending business thus stimulating the economy. We now know that the $700 billion was a drop in an ocean of bad loans and the banks are still in trouble, thus unable to extend credit to others because of their own financial problems.

The talk is that possibly the banks need to be nationalized which means that we the taxpayers will assume all of their self manufactured bad loans and our children and grand children will be faced with bring the U.S. banking system back to solvency. In the past week we the taxpayers stepped forward again to fund a new recovery program with a price tag of $1 trillion. This time we are told that these funds will not go to the banks, they will go to create jobs. This is certainly something that our country needs, as jobs have been leaving our shores for decades only to be accelerated as industry, retail, sales and construction have come to a stop in the United States over the past quarter. Over the past six months we have recognized that the financial structure of the best capitalistic system know to mankind is failing. It's hard to understand because of its size and scope, but if you think of the problem relative to your household it's simple. You've been spending more then you've been bringing in, you've been using credit like you've been using water; as if there was no end to the supply.

Now the tap has been turned off, you lay off the gardener, the maid, and the cook. The bank is at the door and your cars have been repossessed. What do you do? You get a second job and mom goes to work. Simply put you cut your expenses and you maximize your income.This is exactly what our government has to do. Cut all the pork out of the federal budget and raise taxes. The budget is being addressed and President Obama says he is going to raise taxes on anyone making over $250,000 per year.

This is a start but will not get us out of debt; but there is a way. The Best of the U.S. Tax Act will increase the federal tax on gasoline by $3.00 per gallon, put a $2.00 per pack tax on cigarettes and a $1.00 per six-pack of beer and fifth of whiskey. We consume 390 million gallons of gasoline per day, 50 million packs of cigarettes per day, and 21 million gallons of beer per day. In one year a $3.00 gas tax would generate $427 billion a year ($.4.7 trillion in 10 years), a $2.00 cigarette tax will generate $36 billion a year ($3.6 trillion in 10 years) and a $1.00 six-pack beer tax will generate $7.4 billion per year (7.4 trillion in 10 years). This is a total annual increase in income of $447 billion. These funds should be allocated to payoff our debt, and get our nation back on its feet.

We could address, national health insurance, we could have the best schools in the world, fund renewable energy research and we could fund cancer, Parkinson's, and stem cell research. In conjunction with the increase in these taxes we need fund The Best of the U.S. Stimulus Program. A $150 billion program offering consumers a free U.S. made automobile that gets 36 MPG or better when they turn in their gas guzzler for destruction. This program would take 7.5 million gas guzzlers off the road reducing fuel consumption by up to 833 gallons per year per auto or 6.25 billion gallons total. This would eliminate our need for 320,512,800 barrels of oil resulting in $45 billion not leaving our country each year; thus the program investment would be recouped in just over three years.

The auto replacement program represents 6% of the U.S.'s passenger cars and would reduce our nations overall fuel consumption by 4%, each year the program is in place. The Best of U.S. Stimulus Program, over 10 years, would reduce our oil consumption by 40%; we currently produce 25% of our need. With the added drilling in Anwar and the Gulf we could be producing 50% of our need within 10 years leaving less 10% needed from offshore; which we could get from Canada and Mexico. These figures do not account for the millions of Americans who would switch to more fuel efficient vehicles outside of The Best of U.S. Stimulus Program as a result of purposely pushing the price of gas up above $5.50 per gallon. U.S. auto makers sold 17 million cars in 2007 and sold 11 million cars in 2008 resulting in the probability of bankruptcy for one or more of the three. Under The Best of U.S. Stimulus Program each manufacture would be challenged to produce a four passenger auto and a six passenger mini van that achieved 36 MPG or better. The winner of the challenge would be guaranteed the sale of 7.5 million vehicles each year of the program.

The Best of the U.S. Stimulus Program will also address national health care. Today only 60% of U.S. citizens are covered by health insurance and yet our hospitals are over crowed. The current health care industry employs 14 million of us and accounts for $2.6 trillion of our gross national product. With national health care, which would provide health care for the other 40% of us, we could easily create another 5 million jobs. National health care is estimated to cost $36 million a year which could be paid for with our cigarette and beer tax. If this falls short we can put a tax on obesity by putting a federal tax on fast food. Join me in encouraging President Obama to increase the federal gas tax by $3.00, the cigarette tax by $2.00 per pack and the beer tax by $1.00 per six-pack and to create The Best of the U.S. Stimulus Program. Let's take control of our economy, our energy needs and our health care; it's easy if we have the will power to take control of our lives.

Kerry is the owner and developer of http://www.bestofus.com/, and http://www.smartestofus.com/. Both sites are dedicated to the recognition of intellectual and professional excellence. BestofUS.com lists over 60,000 of the best professional service providers in 10 professions. SmartestofUS.com strives to identify the smartest people in the United States while promoting our individual intelligence as the U.S's greatest asset
Kerry has also written two novels, Tall Grass, and The Stock Lord, he is an artist and an armature photographer.

A Review of "A Journey" by Tony Blair

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

If you're interested in the premiership of Tony Blair, Amazon is as good a place as any to seek out the recently published, must read book, entitled "A Journey" by Tony Blair. If you've read "The Third Man: Life at the Heart of New Labour" by Peter Mandelson you will have noticed that Blair's account follows a very similar path.

Tony Blair seems to be public enemy number one at the moment, but I find it hard to agree that his ten years in charge of Britain were as bad as is being made out. After all, Labour's historic election victory in 1997, where they defeated the Conservatives by the largest election swing in political history, couldn't have been a fluke could it? I am in no way saying that Blair was blameless in the futile war with Iraq, but don't forget that the vast majority of the House of Commons actually voted to take us into war. Ask yourself why it is that Thatcher was claimed to be a hero for defeating an already demoralised Argentinian army in a pointless conflict, thousands of miles away and completely unrelated to the interest of our country?

There have been a lot of enquiries post Iraq and all of the evidence seems to suggest that his judgement, however deluded, was based on professional evidence. To say that Blair deliberately deceived the house of commons is basically untrue. It was Blair who was deceived, not Parliament. It is also worth pointing out that Blair is actually a lot more like Clinton then he is Bush and his friendship with Clinton was a lot more natural.

I have read this book (unlike, I'm sure most of the authors of the negative reviews which I have read) and can honestly say that it seems to be an honest description of proceedings, written in a fluent and stylish manner. Blair makes the reader seem that you are in a one on one exchange with him, not an easy feat! The entire book is written in such a way so as to be easily understood without losing any of its intellectual "meat".

It is true that Blair's ego sometimes got in his way, but show me a successful leader who didn't have an inflated ego. In my book, it is imperative that a leader should have a big ego, which is simply another way of saying that they should be super-confident.

So Blair was a confident and extraordinary leader and I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say that Britain misses him. Obama, Cameron and Brown have all had the opportunity to put right the west's activities in the Middle East but none have been brave enough to do anything about it. It seems to me that Blair has been made a scapegoat by many deluded persons who should probably look elsewhere for one. Tony Blair is fundamentally a decent, honest family man, which is plain to see when reading this book.

Visit [http://www.tonyblairamazon.com] to read more impartial reviews of Tony Blair's controversial new book, "A Journey". When you get there, subscribe to the RSS feed to enable you to keep updated with any reviews that get added about Tony Blair and Amazon [http://www.tonyblairamazon.com].

Political Book Review - The US Transfer of Top Secret Military Technology by Bill Clinton

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

Every once in a while you find out that what you think you know about politics and current events of the time, turn out to be a complete 180 of the reality. Then sometimes you suspect foul play but cannot put your finger on it. Well, what if I recommend a very good book to you that will get you much closer to the truth than you probably wanted to get? Please read:

"Betrayal - How the Clinton Administration Undermined American Security" by Bill Gertz (also a reporter for the Washington Post specializing in defense and national security issues); Regency Publishing, Inc, an Eagle Publishing Company, Washington, DC. 1999. ISBN 0-89526-317-3

In case you've wondered exactly what all the fuss was over the Chinese and Clinton Administration and the transfer of top secret technology, but never thought to ask. Well, this is the book for you. And it is well documented, footnoted and enough to scare the hell out of you, and wonder why treason hearings were not conducted. Apparently, there is so much executive power in America that you can cover up just about anything as Gertz demonstrates in the first two chapters.

But is it really all politics and will we ever know you'll ask yourself? Well, keep reading, as it gets better, or worse, as he goes into the implications of nuclear technology, stress on the Korean Pennisula, missile and satellite technology. And how the Russians play a part and how the US is played off against the game.

Indeed from a political perspective one could say, as Bill Gertz does, what will become of the Clinton Legacy, and how will history portray the betrayl? I recommend this book to anyone that studies history, the flow of nuclear arms knowledge or the rapid advancement of the Chinese Military war machine. Please consider this.

Lance Winslow enjoys community philanthropy - Lance Winslow likes small business. Lance Winslow has also been involved in the Oil Industry; http://www.oilchangeguys.com/aboutus.shtml.

Did President Obama Side With Israel's Enemies?

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

In his Middle East address this week, President Obama called Israel to return to the 1967 borders. Unfortunately, these borders are indefensible, which means that if Israel did heed this call, the nation would be set up for terrorist extermination. In fact, what keeps its terrorist attacks down is its military presence in the West Bank. But guess what? In his speech, the president also called for Israel to withdraw its forces from the West Bank.

Ironically, the president stated that negotiations should begin with territory and security. However, his plan (which will likely be accompanied by pressure on Israel to submit to it) would remove Israel's security. In fact, the call for Israel to withdraw to the 1967 borders (which, in reality, would be the pre-June 1967 borders, or the 1949 armistice borders), he seeks to bring the Jewish nation into what some have been termed "Auschwitz borders," referring to the infamous concentration camp. In other words, as mentioned above, these borders would set up Israel for elimination.

In taking this stance, the president has aligned himself with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, who is no friend of Israel. However, in calling for a "full and phased withdraw of Israeli forces" from "occupied Palestinian lands," he is putting a smile on the faces of Hamas leaders, as it has been Israel's military presence that has, thus far, prevented Hamas from overtaking the West Bank. If Hamas would, in fact, overtake the West Bank at a point in which Israel is moved back to the 1949 borders (which would involve a land mass less than what was originally dispensed to the Jewish nation in 1948), every city in the Jewish nation would be within rocket attack. At that point, the entire country would be living in fear-every minute of every day.

This is truly a sad day for Israel, but, unfortunately, it is just as sad for the United States. The reason for that is because God has promised to bring trouble upon those who bring trouble upon Israel (see Genesis 12:3). Based upon the president's speech, the U.S. should plan for much trouble ahead.

Fortunately, God will prevent Israeli leadership from falling into the trap of acquiescing to the president's insane plan. How do we know that? It is because the Bible tells us that, as part of the end-times treaty-the seven-year covenant that will begin the final seven years leading to the return of Christ (see Daniel 9:24-27; also see Apocalypse 2012: The Ticking of the End Times Clock-What Does the Bible Say? for a detailed explanation of this treaty) - Israel will be granted permission to rebuild the Jewish temple on the Temple Mount. We know that for at least three reasons.

First, Daniel 9:27 shows the interconnectedness of the rebuilt temple with the final, seven-year treaty by revealing that when that treaty is broken (in the middle of the seven-year period), there will be "an end of sacrifice and offering". Israel cannot have "sacrifice and offering" without a temple (which is why Jews have not been able to offer up sacrifices to God since A.D. 70); thus, the temple will be rebuilt prior to the mid-point of that final seven-year era.

Second, in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, the apostle Paul reveals that "the man of sin"-the future end-times character (called "the beast" in the book of Revelation) unveiled at the mid-point of that future, seven-year period-will enter into the Jewish temple to proclaim himself as god to be worshipped. Thus, this passage also shows a rebuilt temple within the first three and a half years following the signing of the seven-year treaty.

Third, the Lord Jesus also reveals that the temple will be rebuilt prior to the mid-point of that seven-year era. For in Matthew 24:15, He warns that "the abomination of desolation" will take place when the "desolator" stands in "the holy place," which is the temple. This "abomination of desolation," also mentioned in the book of Daniel, will occur three and a half years following the initiation of the end-times treaty.

So why does the rebuilt Jewish temple indicate that Israel will not withdraw to the 1949 borders? No Jewish individual longing for the rebuilt temple would even think of allowing it to be rebuilt anywhere but where the first two temples have been built, which is on the Temple Mount. In addition, this rebuilt temple is called "the temple of God" in 2 Thessalonians 2:4, indicating it will be built on the same site (the Temple Mount) where God's temple previously existed and where Abraham was called to offer up his son Isaac (and where God provided a substitute offering for Isaac, typifying the substitutionary atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ)-a truly holy site.

The Temple Mount is outside of the pre-June 1967 borders. It resides in East Jerusalem, which is the place President Obama is proposing (in deference to Yassir Arafat) as the capital of a new Palestinian state. Certainly, then, if Israel were to withdraw to the borders being proposed by the U.S. president, the Jews would not hold onto East Jerusalem or the Temple Mount.

So, God will not allow Israeli leadership to submit to President Obama's proposition; for His plan for Israel is much different than that of the president's stratagem. However, while Israel will fortunately escape the consequences of that insane proposal, unfortunately, the U.S. will not. As nations have experienced in past history, leaders' decisions to bring trouble to Israel result in trouble for the entire country.

Thus, this is one decision that will backfire on the president-and on the nation. Watch in the days ahead to see what consequences will transpire. We already know that the U.S. is not found in Bible prophecy (indicating that it will have stepped far away from Israel, which is at the center of the prophetic picture, by that point)-most likely due to decisions such as this plan by the president; however, this alignment with Israel's enemies will undoubtedly bring greater consequences than that. We will see.

Doctoral work, Phoenix Seminary; Th.M., New Testament Greek, Dallas Theological Seminary; B.A., English, University of Northern Iowa

Conference Speaker

Author

Indispensable Reading: The Watchers, The Rise of America's Surveillance State

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

Shane Harris's The Watchers, the Rise of America's Surveillance State is a must-read for anyone interested in the war on terror. Harris, who has covered counterterrorism and electronic surveillance for National Journal since the 90's, has composed a book that is thorough, well-written, informative and non-partisan. It offers a discussion of the rise of wiretapping in the post-9/11 era from the perspective of those inside the intelligence community, or "the watchers." In following figures such as Admiral John Poindexter and NSA director Mike Hayden, Harris's narrative traces the origins of the war on terror to the suicide bombing of a U.S. embassy in Lebanon in 1983, and it discusses all the significant developments in the government's efforts to create a surveillance apparatus in response, from the 1994 Communications for Law Assistance Act, which required phone companies to build products with equipment that enables the government to install wiretaps, to the Protect America Act of 2007, which legalized most of the practices initiated in secret by Bush years earlier.

Along the way are many fascinating revelations, such as a chapter-long explanation of Obama's shift in favor of immunizing communications companies from legal retribution shortly before the 2008 election; John Ashcroft's near refusal to sign a document approving Bush's surveillance system in 2003, which would have "rocked the corridors of Washington" (262) by causing a mass exodus among members of the NSA, making the illegal spying program public and hence destroying the President's chances for re-election in 2004; and Bush's woefully late realization, in 2007, that cyber warfare poses a serious threat to national security, prompting him to call for "another Manhattan Project if we need to" (329).

The Watchers revolves largely around John Poindexter, who faced serious legal issues while serving as Ronald Reagan's national security adviser during the Iran-Contra scandal and resurfaced as a key figure in devising a surveillance system to combat terrorism. Branded Total Information Awareness, or TIA, the project was supposed to bolster intelligence capabilities and protect privacy.

Officials sought some of the core proposals of the program well before 9/11. For example, and most riveting, Erik Kleinsmith headed a private company that uncovered public information on the internet to learn about Al Qaeda in 2000. His team had obtained a wealth of vital intelligence that might have been sufficient to thwart the 9/11 operation. But he had technically broken laws and was forced to delete all his findings on pain of imprisonment. After the attacks, however, Bush surreptitiously granted authority by executive order to pursue virtually every counterterrorism measure available. As a result, the NSA now has the right to spy on any conversation involving a terrorist suspect over the internet or via phone without a warrant, so long as one of the parties participating in the conversation is outside the country. As for domestic calls, warrants are still required, but they are easy to obtain, and there is little oversight to prevent abuse. So, if you are in France and call a friend in New York, government agents can listen in without a warrant and with impunity if they decide you are a terrorist suspect. And such determinations are often made on the basis of guilt-by-association. But should you call your New York friend from Florida, the government technically must obtain a warrant.

As such, Poindexter's vision of safeguarding privacy has been left out of the equation. Harris explains that Poindexter initially "proposed an 'immutable audit trail,' a master record of every analyst who had used the TIA system, what data they'd touched, what they'd done with it... Poindexter wanted to use TIA to watch the watchers" (190). But it eventually became clear that the only assurance we have that "their information wouldn't be misused now came from the government agents conducting the surveillance" (342). Harris continues, but "they were the watchers. Who was watching them?" (342).

Consequently, according to the author, bi-annual reviews of surveillance activity during Obama's presidency have repeatedly shown that the watchers regularly spy on Americans who have no connection to terrorism, collecting phone calls and emails of innocent people. Unfortunately, the reviews are conducted after the fact and impose no regulations to curb the systemic law-breaking.

All this might be acceptable if it were clear that the efforts consistently intercept accurate information about terrorists. However, the surveillance program is so massive that analysts are overwhelmed by excessive data and false leads and therefore have trouble connecting dots. As Harris explained on CSPAN when promoting his book, this phenomenon was on display last December during the failed Christmas Day attack, when the bomber was able to board a U.S.-bound aircraft even though his father had contacted the CIA to warn them about his son's radicalism. Since intelligence agencies receive a barrage of such reports every day, it's more difficult for experts to decipher which admonitions are worth heeding.

Harris's main point is that we must have a serious national conversation now about how we should monitor the watchers and protect our privacy. Because when the next attack occurs, which is inescapable according to Harris and every expert on the matter I've heard, this discussion will be merely "academic." The government will crack down even harder and still further revoke basic rights in the name of national security.

For more articles check out my blog: http://scholarlywritingreviewed.com/

[http://scholarlywritingreviewed.com/]

How to Identify the Wall of Separation Between God and State in the US Constitution

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

"Original Intent" is a book by David Barton about Supreme Court rulings that have stripped the Constitution of the founders' original meaning. It was published in 2000 by WallBuilders of Alemedo, Texas.

David Barton Argues Against

Separation of Church and State

The book emphasizes religious aspects of the Constitution, especially the doctrine of separation of church and state. Mr. Barton attempts to show this was not part of the original intent of the founding fathers.

The author discusses eight Supreme Court landmark religious liberty cases which followed the 1947 Everson case. The latter introduced the "wall of separation" terminology. In these he claims the Supreme Court rewrote the original intent of the founders.

Later chapters demonstrate how the new subjective standard of judicial opinion is altering the Constitution and Constitutional law in fundamental ways. The law is in a state of flux because the Constitution has become whatever the justices say it is. This new era of positivistic law began in the 1930s and 1940s.

Thesis Is Flawed

The problem with the book is a flawed thesis. The founders did in fact intend to separate the new government from the authority of biblical law. Surprisingly, David Barton actually applauds this.

David Barton states that "there is simply no historical foundation for the proposition that the Founders intended to build the 'wall of separation' that was constitutionalized in Everson..." (p.179). The actual words, "wall of separation" do not appear, but the wall is nonetheless set in place by Article VI, Section 3.

This provision disestablishes Christianity as the "coin of the realm" so to speak. When the Constitution says that "no religious test shall ever be required for any office...," it makes it illegal to require an officeholder to swear to govern by the Bible. It thus established the U.S. Constitution as a pluralistic and secular document. This is clearly a "wall of separation," divorcing the legal system from its religious foundation.

David Barton alludes to Article VI, but praises its effect. He asserts that, "...it was therefore not within the federal government's authority to examine the religious beliefs of any candidate" (p.34). He adds with approval that "The Founders believed that the investigation of the religious views of a candidate should not be conducted by the federal government, but rather by the voters in each state."

That is the heart of our problem. A declaration of religious neutrality by the Federal government. This would be like Moses coming down from Mt. Sinai and declaring that he wasn't going to favor any particular religion, but would leave it to the tribes.

On the contrary, it is the primary duty of government to require that its officials are committed to Christ and the Christian religion. It is cultural suicide to neglect this duty. The law of God is the only source of justice, and God expects the officeholder to swear to uphold it. David Barton fails to grasp this most basic biblical principle of civil government.

Innocuous Civil Religion

David Barton and the founders prefer a milquetoast civil religion, rather than undiluted Christianity. To quote the author, "I agree fully to what is beautifully and appropriately said in Updegraph v. The Commonwealth... -- Christianity, general Christianity, is, and always has been, a part of the common law: 'not Christianity founded on any particular religious tenets'...(p.70)"

"The Christianity practiced in America was described by John Jay as 'enlightened,' by John Quincy Adams as 'civilized,' and by John Adams as 'rational.'" (p.127). As long as Christianity remains a toothless, feel-good religion, devoid of doctrine, David Barton and the founding fathers are apparently happy with it.

And this leads to another root problem. David Barton virtually always refers to civil government in terms of what it must not do respecting separation of church and state. He ignores the responsibility government has to govern pro-actively in submission to Biblical law. As noted above, his Christianity is toothless when it comes to obligations for the civil magistrate.

This rejection of God and Biblical law as the basis for the new government leads inevitably to disregard for the Constitution we see today. When they rejected the absolute standard, the founders guaranteed that their posterity would end up adrift in a sea of subjectivity and oppression.

In the end, Mr. Barton calls for a return to the "original intent" of the founders to create a limited government based on Christian principles. But the flaw in his thesis makes this impossible.

Departure from the original intent of the Constitution is not our problem. Rather, our problem lies in the seeds of humanism and religious neutrality that were planted originally in the Constitution and are bearing their evil fruit today.

For more information about the anti-Christian features of the U.S. Constitution visit http://www.america-betrayed-1787.com/us-constitution.html Dennis Woods is webmaster and also a political pollster and fundraiser in Oregon, using the Dog Catcher Campaign Strategy: http://www.america-betrayed-1787.com/gary-north.html

A Review of Mark Levin's "Liberty and Tyranny"

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

The number one best-selling non-fiction hard-back book in the United States at the time of this review is Mark Levin's 'Liberty and Tyranny' (Threshold Editions/Simon and Schuster). Its subtitle says it all: 'A Conservative Manifesto'. This book consists of just 245 pages including its 38 pages of notes--yet, it contains more knowledge of current politics and the relevant economic and historical knowledge than any other book one is likely to find out there in the waste land of American popular non-fiction today. It is also a philosophical work--and probably the most important American philosophical work to be published since Ayn Rand's philosophical novel 'Atlas Shrugged' (1957).

Mark Levin is "huge fan" of Ayn Rand, and so it is fitting that sales of 'Atlas Shrugged' have also dramatically surged upward since our current Presidential Administration got elected into office in November of 2008. 'Liberty and Tyranny' was begun, and most of it written, at least 18 months before it was released for mass consumption on March 23rd, 2009. So, much of this book proves prescient. The Conservative manifesto of 'Liberty and Tyranny' must be scaring the hell out of the Liberals, the Democrats, and the RINOs--those who seek to give us Hell on Earth for our lives (but not for theirs). These are times which try people's souls; this book is a bright and burning lantern in the darkness, which explains its huge sales. If enough people read and understand this book, the mad Libs will be in more trouble than they have been since 1980.

The great power of 'Liberty and Tyranny' lies in the fact that it centers entirely around ageless, timeless principles--the principles which manifest Conservative thought and deed. No Liberal has any principles; all that citizen Liberals want is for the government to guarantee that nobody can be "better" than they are, and all that Liberal politicians want is power, as much power as they can possibly have over everyone else's lives. There are no principles in their views--only fear and power-lust, nothing more.

Mark Levin lays out in exquisite detail and clear, concise, consistent prose precisely where Conservative principles have their origins, the objective evidence for why they work, and their historical precedents. He actually does not call the Liberals by that name throughout most of the book, as that label has historically been applied in different ways and could cause some confusion; instead, he calls them "Statists": those who worship government and/or work in the government who want to expand its power relentlessly and, in truth, infinitely.

Conservatism is what gives us liberty; Statism is what puts us under the iron fist of tyranny. Conservatism has precious little to do with what the Statist makes so many gullible Americans of all classes believe it does. Levin proves this premise true over and over and over again, whether writing about the need to read the Constitution as it was written and derive its original meanings and intents from historical context and extratextual letters, journals, and notes written by the Founders; or the insipid evil of mad Liberal science on issues like the spurious grounds for banning of DDT and the massive man-made global warming fraud; or the evil of Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid; or the need for the federal government to do just the one thing that it was ever supposed to do: preserve the American civil society.

'Liberty and 'Tyranny' tells us that "so distant is America today from its founding principles that it is difficult to precisely describe the nature of American government." Levin also reminds us that President Ronald Reagan said, "Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction". The book ends with the epilogue of "A Conservative Manifesto" and lays out a 10-point call-to-action plan that all need to hear in these dark days.

Read Mark Levin's 'Liberty and Tyranny'. Meaningfully mark it up. Read it over again. Read it slowly. Give it to your children and grandchildren as presents--and when you do, put a little sticky note on the cover saying, "I'm sorry for what I've done to you."

You can find Mark Levin's "Liberty and Tyranny" at the conservative books [http://www.american-conservativevalues.com/books/conservative-books.html] section at American Conservative Values [http://www.american-conservativevalues.com/].