Meanderings: Now We Know Where We Stand.....

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June 04, 2009

Now We Know Where We Stand.....

In his Cairo speech of June 4, 2009 American President Barack Hussein Obama stated:

"The United States does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements. This construction violates previous agreements and undermines efforts to achieve peace. It is time for these settlements to stop."

As a lifelong supporter of Israel, this unequivocal statement of U.S. policy against Israel is chilling. Obama's proclamation that the settlements are illegitimate tells me that future attacks on the settlements will not be condemned by the U.S. What is the effect of this statement? It tells the Palestinians that they can attack at will without fear of retribution from the U.S. or the international community. Essentially, President Obama is blaming future victims of terrorist attacks for their own demise because it is they who chose to live in 'illegitmate settlements'.

When this happens, I hope he has the strength of character to face the families of these victims and repeat these words to them face to face.

June 04, 2009 in Politics | Permalink

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Reyes Reads 2009

Reyes Reads 2008

Brian Jacques: Eulalia! (Redwall)
If I had to pick one type of Redwall story as being my favorite, I would have to say that they would be the stories that feature the Badger Lords of Salamandastron. In the Redwall series, Badgers are noble creatures who inhabit a large mountain lair far from Redwall Abbey. They are fierce warriors who are sometimes overcome by a malady called the "bloodwrath" in which a red haze obscures their vision and they kill their enemies until all are vanquished or the badger loses his or her life themselves. The Badger Lords also command a Regiment of perilous fighting hares known as the Long Patrol that scours the region ridding it of evil beasts who would do others harm. In this Redwall adventure, a young Badger finds his destiny and an old Badger learns the meaning of his mystical dreams. A fine tale told in true Redwall fashion. (****)
Brian Jacques: Rakkety Tam (Redwall, Book 17)
Another adventure with the kindbeasts of Redwall Abbey, terrible invaders from the sea and swamps, and a Highland Hero named Rakkety Tam McBurl and his perilous sidekick Wild Doogy Plumm. Though it follows the fairly predictable "Redwall formula", one can't help but get lost in the narrative as the goodbeasts battle the bad with the fate of Redwall Abbey hanging in the balance. I have never been disappointed by a Redwall novel and this one holds its own with the best. (****)
Dalton Fury: Kill Bin Laden: A Delta Force Commander's Account of the Hunt for the World's Most Wanted Man
A fascinating look at the U.S.'s attempt to rid the world of one of its most notorious terrorists. Maj. Fury (a pseudonym) pulls no punches in his description of our successes and failures in this effort. Though it is written for a broad audience, there is some "inside baseball" that resonates more clearly with those who have some experience in the military; particularly in Special Operations. (*****)
Kyle MacDonald: One Red Paperclip: How a Small Piece of Stationery Turned into a Great Big Adventure
A fun story about a young Canadian man who through a series of exchanges trades up from one red paperclip to a house of his own. In this book he coins the word "funtential" which is the potential for fun in a particular situation. I kind of like that. (***)
Randy Pausch: The Last Lecture
Before you read the book, watch the lecture. It's available on You Tube, just type in 'The Last Lecture'; it's about an hour long. The book covers some of the same material as the lecture and also provides additional details and backstory. In order to experience the full impact of the book one must have some mileage in their life. This isn't a book that an average 20 year old will likely connect with. It's message is about finding meaning and focusing on what's truly important, because we never really know when life's game clock is going to run out. RIP Prof. Randy Pausch 1960-2008. (***)
Natalie Angier: The Canon: A Whirligig Tour of the Beautiful Basics of Science
Ok, I admit it, this one belongs on the Nerd of the Month Book Club. Maybe even as its selection of the month, but I find it difficult to resist books like this. Ever since I received my first Guinness Book of World Records from my classroom book order in 1972, I have been hooked on collections of information. This book revolves around a simple proposition: The author approaches well known scientists and asks the following question, "What do you wish everyone knew about your field?" The result is a well crafted snapshot of the essentials of science education. The author's playful chapter titles, "Probabilities: For Whom The Bell Curves," and "Geology: Imagining World Pieces," tell the reader that this will not be a dusty science text, but an entertaining peek into the study of the natural world. Though the title and location in bookstores (among the REALLY nerdy science books) cause the geek-o-meter to spin wildly, it is a much friendlier book than one might assume. Take a furtive peek at it at the library, you may be surprised. (***)
Anthony Bourdain: Kitchen Confidential Updated Ed: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly (P.S.)
I became a fan of Anthony Bourdain's through is show 'No Reservations' on the Travel Channel. Though he's irreverent, sarcastic, and sometimes a cynical, world-weary know-it-all, he's also a truth-teller and I like that about him. Kitchen Confidential is his no-holds-barred story about how he made his way from a summertime dishwasher in Provincetown, CT to executive chef in New York City. This book is not a chest-thumping a self-aggrandizement. If anything it is quite the opposite. It tells the story of how a drug addicted workaholic can make his way in one of the most cutthroat industries around, and along the way provide some interesting behind-the-scenes tidbits about how your local eateries REALLY operate. It's a quick, interesting read. It's definitely not for kids below high school. By the way, NEVER ORDER FISH ON MONDAY! (****)
Peggy Noonan: When Character Was King: A Story of Ronald Reagan
I have read at least a dozen biographies and accountings of Ronald Reagan and his presidency and this is by far my favorite. Why? Because it goes beyond the shallow liberal characterization that Reagan was a simple minded Hollywood stooge elected more for his charisma than his ability to lead a nation. Author Peggy Noonan examines the seminal events in Reagan's life that forged his values and developed the character that enabled him to stare down the Soviets and win the Cold War. Admittedly, Noonan is a fan of Reagan's and that admiration is visible in the telling of the story. Nonetheless, it provides a perspective on Ronald Reagan that is absent from the memoirs that would seek to aggrandize others at Reagan's expense. (*****)
Jostein Gaarder: Sophie's World: A Novel about the History of Philosophy
I learned of this amazing book while substitute teaching in a high school humanities class about 10 years ago. Since then I have read it and recommended it numerous times. If I were the head of an English or Social Studies department I would assign this to not only my students but their parents as well. The thinking that undergirds this compelling story is timeless. (*****)
Stephen Prothero: Religious Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know--And Doesn't
Much more than simply a listing of comparative religious practices, Prothero confronts the issue of religious literacy and illiteracy and its implications for our society. It's a fascinating read regardless one's personal religious affiliation or lack thereof. (****)

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