November 19th, 2008
Mid-East Oil Reserves and America’s War on Terrorism.
01/25/2005
There can be said a number of reasons why we have gone to war in Iraq, but that isn’t the purpose of this short essay. The approach to the problem of Iraq and its effects on the American government and its people is much deeper and can be much darker.
Using as an example the American wheat reserves and how unused reserves can control world wheat prices, the same can be said for oil.
With Iraq having the second largest oil reserves in the world, untapped, the economics of the animal show that someday, if not already, Iraq will be a major player in the pricing and distribution of world wide oil.
As the United States developed, over the decades, it’s economy grew to where it had a dominate effect on other countries of the world.
This means the language people spoke, the money they used, and the practices they carried were all effected by the world dominating economy — the American economy.
The value of US backed loans were as solid as any loan could be and many nations wanted to be a part of this U.S. based world economy as it meant wealth and development.
Along with this American economy, that spread around the world, also spread the thoughts that were common with American thinking. Marketing practices, the legal world, industry, and religion.
American religion and values, mostly Christianity based, spread around the world, replacing native religions with the Western World thinking (which had its roots in Europe).
This has gone on for over a hundred and fifty years, and now Christianity is found in every country on this earth.
But, the development and rise of Islam has been occurring in the background as Christianity covered the globe.
The two religions compete against each other for the hearts and minds of followers who will continue and increase the education of their different beliefs.
Reintroducing the Oil under Iraq.
Iraq is an Islamic nation. So is most of the whole Mid-East with one exception, but the point to remember is that in the middle of the Mid-East Islamic world, there are major oil reserve waiting to be tapped and when this happens it will effect the politics and religions of the world due to the economic influence that goes with it.
Probably effects will on European and American politics — the dominating economies of the world today.
Those effects will be: economics, and religion and its effects on how we live our lives.
If the Islamic world will develop and prosper through the wealth of its oil, its influence will spread throughout the world as American influence spread during its peaks development years.
Slowly, as Mid-East oil gains in power, the spread of the Islamic belief will alter American politics, policy, laws, and morality.
Christian based thoughts, which has been the foundation of American society, since before it was a nation, will shift to Islamic based thoughts as the power of oil takes hold.
Christianity, which is deeply rooted in banking, business, labor, and family will become a dying religion in Europe and America. The foundation begins to crumble.
In a double-think world, could it be the War America has caused in Iraq — is it a war against terrorism, against the people of Iraq, for control of future oil pricing, or is it a war where two of the most aggressive religions on the face of this earth are going to fight for control of the world?
Until Next Time…Supersonic Squirrel away!
Read more of the SuperSonic Squirrel at http://www.miamitopics.com
About the Author
SuperSonic Squirrel is the brother of the Editor at miamitopics.com. He is a concerned citizen who wants to share his concerns and issues.
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November 19th, 2008
Noam Chomsky’s ‘Manufacturing Consent’:
When Chomsky speaks about “thought control in a democratic society” is he properly called a Conspiracy Theorist? Is there a real plan that our leaders have? Does it go as far as what FDR said when he noticed ‘If it happened, it was planned’? As I often say throughout all my books - ‘If there is no plan; we need one. Let’s make it a plan or conspiracy based on Love.’ Chomsky was the educational and psychological guru for many years before he got a conscience after seeing the way his Neuro-Linguistic-Programming was used by government agencies and the medical model. He may not yet be telling the truth of what he knows about these things. Maybe he is not aware of the applications in conjunction with the work of Dr. Michael Persinger but in listening to his speeches a couple of times I say he is very much aware of the underlying ethos that rules our world.
HYPNOTIC METHODS IN MEDIA:
This is an entry from one volume of my Encyclopedia. The mind and the soul have ways of integrating that we have carried on a great length about under diverse entries such as Thalami, Aum (Om) and wholistic medical advances or Cancer cures. Under magnetism we mentioned Mesmer who is considered the ‘Father of Hypnosis’ by many. Hypnosis is just another way to achieve an altered state of consciousness like meditation or good sex. Like many avenues to the soul and away from the control of those who would keep us in the dark and treat us like mushrooms (feeding us the excrement of animals they think are as low as ‘they’ truly are); hypnotism has suffered the attacks of many well-respected ‘experts’. It has shown it has validity and value despite this often frontal assault on what actually ‘works’! The power of positive thinking became a major part of the culture and self-help genre in the 70s and it is a form of hypnosis sometimes.
“Hypnosis is a level of consciousness that is being neither awake nor asleep. Hypnosis is a state of heightened suggestibility normally characterized by focused or concentrated attention and often bodily relaxation. Music, focusing on deep breathing, isolation tanks, meditation, focusing on a word such as ‘calm’ over and over, running, massage, saunas, even warm baths can alter consciousness. {Fasting can accentuate any INTENT, as well.}
Any atmosphere that encourages imagery can alter consciousness. This may include:
*The scent of burning incense
*Lighting effects with flickering candles in darkness, stained glass windows
*Emotion-arousing music, repetitive sounds, chanting
*Symbolism with specific architectural designs, decor with pictures and ornate carvings, robes, etc.
*Point of fixation such as an altar, picture, candle flame, or cross
*Ceremony with certain rituals
*Sermon with repetitive ideas or sounds and specific voice inflections
*Silent meditation with eyes closed, focusing attention away from the outer world to the inner world of the mind
Any and all of these factors {Plus repetitive propaganda and peer expectation.} may aid the creation of an altered state of consciousness, which some people call the superconscious state of a ‘higher self’ state. The unfortunate fact is that this state also is capitalized on by more than 5,000 cults in America, which exploit followers under the guise of healing, personal growth, and self-actualization.
My most memorable show of the eighties was at the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) in Vancouver, British Columbia. We held 33 evening concerts in 17 days. More than 50,000 people saw our presentations with up to 5,000 spectators at a single performance. The shows were done on a huge stage that was often over-crowded even though it could hold more than 200 people.
The expectancy of the crowd reached the point where I could walk on stage and within
seconds have 50 to 100 people collapse in seconds and fall to the floor. All I had to do was go to the center of the stage, look over the entire crowd, raise my right hand and simultaneously drop it, and in a commanding voice shout ‘Sleep’. This was a quick way to get the show moving, and that was important for full entertainment impact. The audience couldn’t get enough of the show and enjoyed the humor the volunteers’ antics created much more than how the actual hypnosis worked.” (7)
About the Author
Columnist in The ES Press Magazine
World-Mysteries.com guest expert
Author of Diverse Druids
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November 15th, 2008
If democracy is any more up for a redefinition anywhere, now would be the time and the Middle East would be the place. Events in Iraq and the elections of the Palestians had a contageous effect in other Middle Eastern countries too. For the first time in at least 50 years, we see grassroots demand for updated versions of democracy in countries that have long been dominated by authoritarian regimes; Egyptians have been demanding to be allowed a multi party system, in Lebanon the fall of a strongly Syrian influenced government went accompanied by street rallies and even in Syria, where street bans are most stringent, the people going out on the streets were unusually defyant. What are the chances that the grassroots demand for democracy will actually begin to intersect with supply from home governments?
Go to any Arab country and read the headlines of background sections of newspapers and you’ll surely find yourself immersed in series and series of studies on the merits of true democracy, women’s rights as well as the links between Islam and women’s rights. You could argue that news in the Arab world is taken in a literal sense here but after the sixth week, you’ll find yourself harboring less than democratic feelings for the editors of the papers for their lack of ingenuity.
Slowly, however, all the theorising is being replaced by real live examples of efforts to effect greater democracy in Middle Eastern countries. Not least to the satisfaction of senior US officials including President Bush, who reiterated that the time has come for the Middle East to shrug off the shackles of authoritarian regimes only last week.
Both in policy circles and on the ground, change is taking place, observers say. To descrIbe where the two parties interlock would be to cover the story of the century no doubt. A lot has been said already about the spread of democracy in the Middle East, but events are finally beginning to provide the poignancy that the rhetoric went short of for decades and decades.
Why the euphoria? In the Middle East, grassroots still really means grassroots. That is why ever since the 9/11 attacks, the think tanks (who have a reputation of providing the most dependable information on the societies they are active in)’ refocus from the Israeli Palestinian piece efforts to ways of combating terrorism has been more on the money than ever.
After the 9/11 attacks, many institutions overhauled their agendas and soon their work started to reflect the exact concerns that were alive on the policy making level. Topics included research into promotion of democracy in a way that endorses, rather than undermines stability; the war on terrorism, along with the diminution of extremism and radicalism as well as the nation-building process in Iraq.
What was taking place was a shift toward new realities. Initially, the organizations were accused for totally missing out on any alarming signals that the wider Arab societies might have issued ahead of the 9/11 attacks, but this was soon forgotten. More pressing issues such as bigger scope for democracy in more Arab countries were gaining momentum as the invasion of Iraq and the effort to build a democracy in that ravaged country became a matter of western style branding of a seemingly revamped phenomenon.
As Washington was showing itself ready to ‘entertain an unprecedented level of political risk and uncertainty’, the idea of Arab autocracy was slowly beginning to become more and more old fashioned. All nice for who was buying into it when listening to hyper modern tv reports, but what did this work out on the ground? How is the US making good on its promise to actually effect greater and true democracy in the Arab world. Good question. How do you go about effecting deeper democracies in countries which hardly have any other idea of ruling other than by what they deem decent autocratic approach.
To truly affect Arab countries in the heart of their political systems would first neccessitate an overhaul of the legal system, in order for constitutions to be reformed, And this is something that needs most governments’ approval before it can go underway. The way an opposition party recently has started out in Egypt is an example of just how precarious it is to tread this water. To be legitimate, a party needs approval from the incumbent rules, who control the entire judicial system.
The push for democracy hits a brick wall here. You can have as many programs as you like assessing the possibilities for democracy in a society, but so long as working out the practical recommendations of such programs remains an illegal activity, democracy will be a higly desirable, yet unachievable goal.
What is needed is a change in countries’ judicial systems if any of the over-researched ideas can begin to become plausible in reality. In a paper entitled ‘Beyond Liberalisation’, Daniel Brumberg, an associate professor of government at Georgetown University hits the nail on the head, drawing a sharp distinction between democracy and political liberalization. The latter is about promoting a freer debate and competition in the media, civil society, and political parties. Democracy rests on rules, institutions, and political practices through which voters regularly and constitutionally replace or modify their leadership by the exercise of representative political power.
“Political liberalization is a necessary but far from sufficient condition for democracy, which is something that is effected when you have a most opportune intersection between demand and supply”, says Brumberg in his article which is published in the Wilson Quarterly. Work on creating the necessary ingredients for the democratic pie has long gone underway and hopeful signals are being heard that the puzzle might begin to come together.
Civil society organizations are virtually agents of what Brumberg terms ‘a demand-driven model of slow reforms’. And now more than ever, given their refocused agendas. The grassroot demand combined with greater participation in the discourse on the possibilities of democracy is slowly bearing fruit.
Incumbent Arab regimes are protected from all too dramatic challenges but will have to bow down to people demanding their rights. What was taking place in Lebanon and Syria the last few weeks was a good testcase of how a power struggle is done the peaceful way. Events have proved that governments do not necessarily cede control when street rallies take place. In a sense the Arab people’s love for their leaders is something Western states might even envie. If democratisation in the Middle East becomes a reality, these societies are likely to flourish in ways hardly seen elsewhere.
It will be interesting to see if the US role in the Middle East will stay largely the same as its Cold War programs to aid democracy, a policy whereby the country aided its friends by supporting government structures and undermined its foes in the hope that communist regimes would collapse. Later on the friendly stance was seen as inducing terrorism. It remains to be seen whether in future, Arab states will lend themselves as easily for such accusations.
About the Author
Angelique van Engelen is a freelance writer who has lived in the Middle East for over three years and currently runs www.contentClix.com.
She also contributes to a writing ring http://clixyPlays.blogspot.com
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November 15th, 2008
Former Governor of Alaska, Jay Hammond, died at age 83, peacefully at his home in Lake Clark, Alaska. He served Alaska as its Governor from 1974 to 1982, the years during which Alaska built an incredible oil pipeline, banked a large amount of the oil lease revenues, and created a dividend program that every resident of Alaska benefits from yearly.
Very few men are ever fortunate enough to be so productive during their public life. Not surprisingly, Jay Hammond was respected and admired by a huge population. He was the “quintessential Alaskan,” as state senator Fred Dyson put it.
Jay Hammond came to Alaska following his service as a Marine fighter pilot during World War II. He bought an amphibious plane and worked as a bush pilot and trapper. Later he worked for the US Fish and Wildlife Service. He developed a keen eye for protecting and preserving the environment. Even as a developer of Alaska’s natural resources, Hammond ensured that development did not proceed at the expense of environmental protection.
Hammond was elected to the state legislature in 1959 and served several terms. He then became mayor of the Bristol Bay Borough and served as a state senator. In 1974 he was elected Governor for the first of two terms.
During his tenure as Governor, Hammond oversaw the building and the opening of the Alaska Pipeline, the oil pipeline that runs from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez. He preserved a large portion of the oil lease revenues in the form of a Permanent Fund. The Fund has been in existence now for over 25 years, a form of saving account for the state.
The Permanent Fund might have been spent any number of times, but Hammond inspired the State to create a Dividend program to provide incentive for keeping the Fund intact. The Dividend program provides a yearly payment to every resident of Alaska. The Permanent Fund is like a large pension fund that every Alaskan is proud of and benefits from. Thanks to Jay Hammond, the Fund enjoys protection and will remain in place for many years to come.
Jay Hammond and his wife, Bella, lived for the past many years at Lake Clark where they homesteaded originally 50 years ago. Lake Clark is an awesome and gorgeous large lake in the Aleutian chain of mountains not too far from Anchorage via float plane. Remember, it was the adventure of being a float plane pilot that brought Hammond to Alaska originally.
Hammond was a humble man and displayed a warm sense of humor. Once, during a re-election debate in 1978, he was asked if he believed he was the best choice to be Governor. Hammond replied, “No, there are plenty of other Alaskans who can do a much better job than I could. Unfortunately, none of them are running.”
The consensus was that Jay Hammond was the best man for the job, and he will be remembered that way.
About the Author
Garry Gamber is a public school teacher. He writes articles about politics, real estate, health and nutrition, and internet dating services. He is a founding member of http://www.GoodPoliticsRadio.com and the owner of http://www.TheDatingAdvisor.com.
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November 15th, 2008
Terry Dashner
“Is it possible to Appease evil?”
Neville Chamberlain in 1938 tried to appease Hitler, but Hitler would not be appeased. You see, 1938 was a terrible time for Europe. Hitler’s Nazis were running through sovereign nations like a hot knife through butter. England and its European allies were deeply alarmed to say the least, and they hoped to negotiate peace with Hitler without having to go to war against him. Chamberlain, Prime Minister of England, flew to Munich to meet with Hitler.
From this meeting comes the Munich Agreement which effectively allows Adolf Hitler to annex Czechoslovakia (I guess the Czechs were suppose to like the agreement or lump it). Chamberlain’s belief that satisfying each of Hitler’s escalating demands for control of more and more territory was nave. Nevertheless, the Prime Minister flies home and meets the British press on his arrival. Holding up a piece of paper for all to see, Chamberlain cries out, “We’ve achieved peace in our times.” One year later, Hitler invades Poland and the Munich Agreement is now worth no more than the paper it’s written on. England is forced to declare war on Hitler, and Chamberlain falls to Winston Churchill. Hitler could not be appeased.
Someone real smart once said that those who fail to learn the hard lessons of history are doomed to repeat them. I’ll give you a modern day example. Obviously modern Europe has not learned the lessons of Chamberlain’s appeasement policies because they are turning a deaf ear to Iran’s nuclear weapons capabilities and saber rattling against Israel and the West in general. Iran is boasting of her ability to strike Israel with nuclear weapons and no one is denouncing them but the United States. I guess the Europeans think to do so would be promoting a policy of “preemption” and that is evil. (One of the major problems with America’s war in Iraqaccording to many Europeansis America’s preemptive policies toward terrorists.) I believe that very soonwithin the next couple of yearsIran and Israel will be at war. I also believe that Iran will use nuclear weapons against Israel. Will this be the beginning of the end?
Does the Bible say much about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ? It says more about His return than it does about His first coming. Even the Old Testament prophets spoke about the restoration of the nation Israel and the Messiah’s Kingly rule from Jerusalem, over all the earth. In John’s Gospel, chapter 14 and beginning with verse one, it says: “You believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions. If it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go to prepare a place for you, I WILL COME AGAIN and receive you unto myself that where I am, there you may be also.”
Often Jesus denounced the religious people of His day because they could predict the weather by reading the signs in the atmosphere, but they were ignorant regarding the prophetic words of His first and second comings. In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus was quick to point out that His Second Coming would be announced by signs. He said that when wars escalate, extreme weather patterns prevail, pestilence destroys thousands, earthquakes are common, stars fall from the heavens, and the sun turns dark, then we are to know that Jesus is near, even at the door. Now I’ve never been much of a “star gazer” but recently something keeps prompting me to look up. I believe that the Holy Spirit is directing me to stay alert to the signs of the times because spiritual lethargy in this hour would dull my senses to the sudden coming of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. And I certainly don’t want that to happen. What about you?
(Sources cited are Available)
Keep the faith. Stay the course. Stay ready.
T. Dashner
About the Author
writes American history articles that showcase our Christian heritage (918-451-0270).
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November 12th, 2008
BiodefenseStocks.com Reports on Today’s Technology and Countermeasures Working to Defend against Biowarfare and Bioterrorism
Homeland Security Department Elevates Bioterrorism to Higher Level of Priority
POINT ROBERTS, WA.; July 20, 2005 - www.BiodefenseStocks.com (BS), and www.HomelandDefenseStocks.com (HDS), investor news portals for the Biodefense and Homeland Security sectors, report on today’s technology and countermeasures working to defend against threats of bioterrorism through an exclusive article - “Countermeasures against Bioterrorism and Biowarfare - Are We Prepared?” Companies participating in the nation’s biodefense efforts include CryoPort (OTC.PK: CYRX), a manufacturer of a disposable cryogenic shipper for infectious materials; Hollis-Eden Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: HEPH), developer of the drug Neumune for treatment of Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS); Aethlon Medical (OTCBB: AEMD), a developer of viral filtration devices that rapidly reduce the presence of infectious disease and toxins in the body; Roaming Messenger (OTCBB: RMSG) an interactive messaging solution provider that enables the delivery of critical information; and MDM Group (OTC.PK: MDDM), a developer of vaccines and screening solutions through their Biodefense Division.
BiodefenseStocks.com and HomelandDefenseStocks.com are investor and industry news portals for the biodefense and homeland security sector. The BS and HDS websites do not make recommendations, but offer unique free information portals to research news, exclusive articles, interviews, investor conferences and a growing list of participating public companies in these sectors.
Report Excerpt: Countermeasures against Bioterrorism and Biowarfare - Are We Prepared?
By Ann-Marie Fleming, www.BiodefenseStocks.com and www.HomelandDefenseStocks.com
July 2005
As the Homeland Security Department increases the priority level placed on bioterrorism, and the government pushes forward in the development of Project BioShield, the necessity for evolved and adaptive technology and methods to prevent and resolve such threats, becomes a major focus for National Security and the industry at large.
Security Secretary Michael Chertoff recently presented the results of the Department of Homeland Security’s Second Stage Review, which consists of an evaluation of the Department’s operations, policies and structures. Subsequent to the release of the results of this review, a renewed sense of priority regarding the nation’s ability to detect biological attacks became apparent. As Chertoff states, “we must also prepare for terror attacks of even greater consequence — attacking transit systems with biological, radiological or chemical agents. We now have in place a network of bio-sensors, but we will accelerate the development and deployment of the next generation technology in bio-sensors to more quickly detect biological, radiological, and chemical attacks.”
According to a report by Civitas Group, “In terms of the severity of consequences, the threat of a terrorist attack against the homeland involving a nuclear or biological weapon is the most worrisome scenario facing the United States today.” With that said, the report revealed that the biological sensor market is still fairly undeveloped, but is experiencing significant forward progression as a result of the government’s focus on such technology and biological threats. According to Mark Shaheen, a Principal at the Civitas Group, “The Second Stage Review indicates the intention of the Department to take a more significant role in biodefense, as evidenced by Chertoff’s creation of a Chief Medical Officer who will be a direct, more senior official with responsibility for biodefense issues at the department; this is a positive sign.”
Government programs such as Project Bioshield that was implemented to help spark participation in biodefense from the private sector, and in particular from biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, has further emphasized the prioritization of the threat level associated with bioterrorism. However, Mr. Shaheen explains, while there is significant market potential for biosensors, the impact of BioShield is yet to be fully determined.
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Participating Public Companies:
Hollis-Eden Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: HEPH), Aethlon Medical (OTCBB: AEMD), MDM Group (OTC.PK: MDDM), CryoPort (OTC.PK: CYRX), Roaming Messenger (OTCBB: RMSG)
(HDS and BS are compensated for Featured companies on portals - see disclaimer for details)
BiodefenseStocks.com includes public companies in the sector and industry information on Bioterrorism, Agriterrorism, Vaccines, Countermeasures to Bioterrorism, Biological & Chemical Detection, Emergency Response and Preparedness, Biological, Chemical, and Radiological News.
For a partial list of companies involved in Biodefense Click Here: http://www.biodefensestocks.com/BDS/Stock_List.asp
HomelandDefenseStocks.com includes a growing list of public companies in the sector. Click here for a partial list of companies involved in homeland defense and security technology and solutions in Airport Security, Biodefense, Biometrics, Defense, Internet Security, Integrated Security, Military, Border and Port Security.
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Additional HDS Homeland Security Web Sites:
www.NationalHomelandSecurityKnowledgebase.com: including comprehensive Homeland Security information resources, Homeland Security news, Homeland Security marketplace, directories and a collection of links on Homeland Security related topics.
www.BorderAndPortSecurity.com
www.NonlethalStocks.com
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InvestorIdeas.com free “Investor Incite” Newsletter consists of company and industry updates, investment research and developing trends in key areas such as Homeland Security, Renewable Energy, Nanotechnology and more.
TO SIGN UP, click here: www.InvestorIdeas.com/Resources/Newsletter.asp
Disclaimer: ECON Investor Relations Inc is the owner of the domains www.BiodefenseStocks.com and www.HomelandDefenseStocks.com. Our site does not make recommendations, but offers a unique information portal to investors to research news, articles, and recent research. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any specific products or securities. All investments involve risk. Although we attempt to research thoroughly, we offer no guarantees as to the accuracy of any information presented. We encourage all investors to use our sites only as a resource to further their own research. All information relating to featured companies is sourced from public documents and/ or the company and is not the opinion of ECON or its related web sites. The site is currently compensated for by its “featured companies.” CryoPort, Inc.: Five Thousand Dollars per month. Aethlon Medical, Inc.: Three Thousand Dollars per month plus restricted shares equivalent to Five Thousand Dollars per month. MDM Group, Inc. pay an amount equal to approximately thirteen thousand five hundred. MDM Group Inc. shares per month for consulting services provide for both MDM Group Inc. and its subsidiary, Harrington Group Ltd. (HGR). Roaming Messenger, Inc. (OTCBB: RMSG) Three thousand dollars per month, plus three thousand dollars per month equivalent in shares. Featured Companies on HDS / BS current list of stocks. www.InvestorIdeas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp
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BiodefenseStocks.com and HomelandDefenseStocks.com are investor and industry news portals for the biodefense and homeland security sector. The BS and HDS websites do not make recommendations, but offer unique free information portals to research news, exclusive articles, interviews, investor conferences and a growing list of participating public companies in these sectors.
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November 12th, 2008
The report of the Congressional Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians (Personal Justice Denied) makes no mention of MAGIC intelligence or the men who penetrated the Japanese Foreign Ministry code, an event that had a major impact on the conduct of WW II. After a two-year so-called “study” and twenty hearings, nine commissioners and their 34-member staff concluded that decisions made regarding ethnic Japanese in WW II were based on hysteria, racism and a failure of political leadership. They are wrong on all counts. Is there anyone on this planet who belives them? Their report is so flawed that the Dept. of Justice advised Congress not to accept it. In spite of this, the report is being distributed for use in schools. Trying to get the public’s attention on this is about as productive as winking at a girl in the dark.
About the Author
Retired high school science teacher.
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November 12th, 2008
dual citizenship can’t help but water down patriotism.
Anti-American combatants John Walker Lindh, the notorious “American Taliban,” and Yaser Esam Hamdi, a citizen of both the United States and Saudi Arabia, were captured by U.S. troops in Afghanistan. But neither Mr. Lindh nor Mr. Hamdi will be stripped of his U.S. citizenship, because in 1967 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that citizenship is an inalienable right that can only be lost if it’s voluntarily renounced.
The number of Americans who are also citizens of other countries is soaring. And the growing prospect of U.S. citizens serving in foreign, even antagonistic, armies and governments, and foreign citizens serving in our own army and government and voting in our elections, raises disturbing questions about loyalty and national identity.
Dual citizenship is often an inadvertent consequence of birth: A child of foreigners is born on U.S. soil or a child of a U.S. citizen is born in another country. But, increasingly, citizens of other countries become U.S. citizens by choice. And many immigrants opt to remain nationals of their home countries even as they gain U.S. citizenship, along with the political rights and public benefits it affords them.
Immigration advocates don’t fret about U.S. citizens’ ties to other countries. American identity, they argue, isn’t based on ethnicity or culture, but on the twin principles of liberty and self-determination. And they insist that all of us benefit when permanent residents of the U.S. pursue citizenship and deepen their commitment to those American values.
Many proponents of dual citizenship seem to buy into the logic. American Jews who want to move freely between the U.S. and Israel, and even vote in both countries, are among them.
It was a Jewish naturalized U.S. citizen who moved to Israel and voted in an election there whose case established the constitutional right to retain U.S. citizenship. And since the Supreme Court so ruled, thousands of Americans have served in foreign armies, most of them in the Israeli army, and voted in foreign elections.
The globalization movement has also spurred interest in dual citizenship. Beneficiaries of the North American Free Trade Agreement and the European Union are happy to see executives move without effort from one country to another and harvest the rewards of multinational corporate trade.
Then there are foreign countries that seek to benefit from the financial and political clout enjoyed by their nationals abroad. They seem unstoppable in their encouragement of expatriates to claim dual citizenship.
Mexico, the native land of more foreign-born U.S. residents than any other, is the most blatant example. The Mexican Nationality Law invites former Mexican citizens who have been naturalized in the U.S. –; or elsewhere, for that matter –; to have their Mexican citizenship restored without losing their naturalized citizenship. The Mexican government treats these new American citizens as “bi-nationals” and wants them to vote in both the U.S. and Mexico, while Mexican politicians campaign for their votes and their allegiance.
There’s no question that dual citizenship can make it easier to travel, work and own property in other countries. But passports aren’t credit cards to be collected and used interchangeably whenever it’s convenient.
Immigrants may sincerely profess their love for both their native and adopted countries, but dual citizenship can’t help but water down patriotism. And shared national loyalties, sooner or later, may come into conflict.
Congress shouldn’t be winking and nodding to new citizens who swear allegiance without meaning it. Instead, it should empower the State Department to revoke one’s citizenship when his loyalty to another country can be proved. To do less undermines our nationhood.
About the Author
Marc Lane is a business and tax attorney, a Master Registered Financial Planner, a Registered Financial Consultant, and a Certified Investment Specialist. Marc is the author of 30 books on business organization, taxation, and personal finance. His newest book, “Advising Entrepreneurs: Dynamic Strategies for Financial Growth” draws from his experience working with those who have successfully built their businesses. Marc is an Adjunct Professor of Law at Northwestern University and an Adjunct Professor of Business at the University of Illinois. His practice areas include Individual Taxation, Corporate Tax Planning, Business Tax Planning, Estate Planning, Investments, Retirement Planning,Elder Law, International Trade, Business Law, and Wills, Trusts and Estates. Additional articles, case studies, and a free email newsletter are available at www.marcjlane.com.
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November 8th, 2008
Perform Random Acts of Facilitation
If you happen to be a member of any kind of group that meets regularly, I’m calling you to play your part in saving the world from millions of wasted hours in boring, poorly facilitated meetings!
Premise
Any participant in any group, at anytime, can commit a Random Act of Facilitation to clarify, focus, and increase the consciousness of any group. Many individuals, working independently will collectively create a healthier, sustainable future if they are willing to engage in the regular practice of Random Acts of Facilitation.
Please. Not another boring meeting!
Lets face it, the vast majority of meetings being held this moment, and those thousands more that will be held in the next hour, and every hour thereafter, ad infinitum, will be boring as hell, and a poor use of time. Why? Because they aren’t being effectively facilitated. Your average participant doesn’t figure they need a facilitator to help run a routine meeting. Right? After all, we’ve all been to hundreds of meetings. It’s no big thing to hold a stupid meeting. Is it?
No you’re absolutely right. It’s easy to hold a “Stupid” meeting. Unfortunately, that’s the way most of them turn out. And it’s because few of us see the importance of “meeting process.” This is America by God! This is the land of opportunity, of production. We’re the land of independence. The land with the “can do” attitude. We know how to get things done here!
That’s absolutely correct. We are great at getting things done. We are masters at producing. Where we now need a little help is on “how” we get things done. On our people processes.
Join the Random Acts of Facilitation Movement.
Each and everyone one of us who have sat through boring, non-productive, out of focus, “I’m wasting my time here” meetings can stop complaining and start doing something now!
I am calling on each and every one of you, no matter how low on the totem pole you might reside, to begin a personal campaign I’m calling, “Random acts of Facilitation.” As a devotee of this movement, you are directed to begin asking questions about the meetings you’re in. Questions that will invigorate and empower you and your peers. Here is your assignment, and I urge you to accept it:
- You will begin to see to it that a clear agenda is presented at the meeting. If it isn’t, request that one be developed either in the moment or that the meeting disband and reconvene at a later time until one is prepared.
- If a meeting is begun among strangers without any introductions or simple acts of relating, you will speak out and suggest spending five minutes to go around the room and have people share something about themselves. After all, do you want to do business with total strangers when you don’t have to?
- If someone is hogging the airtime, you will speak up and thank them for their great input and suggest that others be heard from too.
- Long before you’ve been meeting for 3 hours straight without a break, with your eyeballs floating, you’ll request a short recess to accommodate personal needs and to just stretch and rejuvenate yourselves.
- When the energy is so heavy in the room you feel like you’re smothering, you will say something funny to make people laugh. The fog will lift and things will start moving again. You will risk being the “fool.” People will thank you later.
- When someone suggests a valid action during the meeting without assigning a responsible party and completion date, you will jump in and suggest that it be assigned, without feeling obligated to take it on yourself.
- Trust your intuition. When something feels “off,” say so. You don’t have to have all the answers. Just know that your intuition never lies and if you feel something, others may as well. Your courage will inspire others to speak. The collective unspoken, given voice, will bring previously undiscovered wisdom, knowledge, and energy into the room. Great things will happen. Can you handle that?
That’s it. You’ve got your marching orders. You can do this! I have faith in you. Now go forth and boldly go where no lowly meeting participant has gone before. Into the mysterious and powerful universe of group synergy, where there’s a surprise around every corner. Where magic happens! Bless you my fellow changemeisters.
About the Author:
Steve Davis, M.A., M.S., is an Facilitator’s Coach, Infoprenuer, and free-lance human, helping facilitators, organizational leaders, educators, trainers, coaches and consultants present themselves confidently, access their creativity, empower their under-performing groups, enhance their facilitation skills, and build their business online and offline. Subscribe to his free weekly ezine at www.MasterFacilitatorJournal.com.
About the Author:
Steve Davis, M.A., M.S., is an Facilitator’s Coach, Infoprenuer, and free-lance human, helping facilitators, organizational leaders, educators, trainers, coaches and consultants present themselves confidently, access their creativity, empower their under-performing groups, enhance their facilitation skills, and build their business online and offline. Subscribe to his free weekly ezine at www.MasterFacilitatorJournal.com.
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November 7th, 2008
John Wayne had a profound effect on people but kept his sense of humor.
For the last twenty years of his life, John Wayne often had a profound effect on people that crossed his path. Meeting him in person for some was like meeting Abraham Lincoln or George Washington. Yet the Duke usually stayed humble and almost always kept his sense of humor.
One time he was out with a group of friends who all were all eating and drinking heavily. The Duke excused himself to go to the men’s room and when he came back his pants leg was wet. “Hey Duke what happened?” one of them asked.
“Nothing. Happens all the time. I’m used to it.” “What happens?”
The Duke looked annoyed. “All right, if you must know I’m standing in the men’s room and there’s some yahoo standing next to me and he says’ Oh my god you’re John Wayne and he turned. . .’
About the Author
Author/Narrator Stephen Schochet researched Hollywood and Disney stories and lore for 10 years while giving tours of Hollywood. He had the unique idea the stories could be told anywhere and that’s what led him to create the audiobooks “Fascinating Walt Disney” and “Tales Of Hollywood”. The Saint Louis Post Dispatch says,” These two elaborate productions are exceptionally entertaining.” Realaudio samples can be heard at his website www.hollywoodstories.com.
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