If You Think You Understand Life in Pakistan, But Have Never Been There

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AppId is over the quota

Pakistan has been in the World News a bit lately and it is unfortunate what we've seen. The Taliban is on the run and some of them are heading to other nations like Somalia. The Swat Valley is being dismantled by the Pakistani Military, but some of this is for show and the Taliban has folks on all sides of the game, and there are brothers fighting against each other today for control. There is a lot more to it than you know.

So, if you think you understand how daily life is in rural Pakistan or in the more remote regions, but have never in your life been there, then boy do I have a great book recommendation for you. I noted this author's interview on C-SPAN and then went to the bookstore the next day, and took a look see for a few hours in the coffee shop there, I couldn't put it down, so, I purchased a copy for myself. After reading through it, I must say this author is a good read, so let me recommend it to you:

"To Live or To Perish Forever; Two Tumultuous Years in Pakistan," by Nicholas Schmidle; Henry Holt and Company Publishing, USA; (2009); ISBN-13: 978-0805089387

The author met many in the Taliban, went to secret camps. He writes with a bit of objectivity, yet, presents suspended unattached commentary about the complexity of their society. This is indeed an awesome piece of journalism in my opinion and Nicholas Schmidle is cool "journal" like read, he's a very good story teller, as the CSPAN interviewer noted and after reading the book I could not agree more with his assessment.

There are some very scary situations and stories in the book, and some very interesting parties and celebrations. Most fascinating is how he describes the presence of poetry and philosophy in the 250 pages very cool book. I bet you'd like to read it too. Please consider this.

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.

Hezbollah is an Interesting Case Study - A Book Review

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AppId is over the quota

We all know Hezbollah had hijacked Lebanon and sent rockets by the 1,000s into Israel. Still, even after all this chaos, for some reason it has the power to unite huge numbers of people waving yellow flags, banners, and shirts marching by the 10s of thousands in the streets. Obviously, they understand the power of publicity and public relations. Indeed, that might be an understatement. In fact, Hezbollah is known for paying homeowners in $100 US Dollars whose homes were hit by Israeli forces after, Hezbollah actually started the war.

Unfortunately, these $100 bills are counterfeit, one can only guess it is the thought the counted? To better understand their methods, use of the media, and personal relations with the media, you have to go and visit them to really see what is going on. Perhaps, for this reason and realizing I have no desire to meet these folks; I'd like to recommend a very good book to you on this topic, one which has all sorts of interesting insight into the culture and conflict in the Middle East;

"The Media Relations Department of Hizbollah Wishes You a Happy Birthday," by Neil MacFarquhar; Public Affairs Publishing; 2009; ISBN-13: 978-1586486358

Neil has been a Middle Eastern foreign correspondence his entire career and he speaks the language quite well. He gives us a very good over view of the conflicts between Hamas, Hizbollah and the Israelis. He also has some good insight leading all the way back to the Iranian Revolution as well. The book is very interesting, and at times rather hilarious as to all the insanity. Such as his explaining of the Iranian dog Fatwas.

His experiences in Libya are also completely interesting and his time in Libya, and his stories are cool, even though in telling them he is never allowed to return, barred for life, which he said is rather upsetting, but he doesn't care to ever go back, it's just that he felt that was rather mean-spirited.

I completely enjoyed the book, but a few things bothered me such as the Muslim saying; "beat your wife every day, if you don't know why, she does." I recommend you read this book, and hold judgment as to what you think of the cultures and real issues of the region until you do so. Please consider all this.

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.

"In-Dependence from Bondage" by Lloyd D. McCarthy: Book Review

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AppId is over the quota

In-Dependence from Bondage: Claude McKay and Michael Manley: Defying the Ideological Clash and Policy Gaps in African Diaspora Relations

by Lloyd D. McCarthy

Africa World Press (2007)

ISBN 9781592214655

Reviewed by Richard R. Blake for Reader Views (2/07)

"In-Dependence from Bondage" is a compilation of the world views of the well known Poet, Claude McKay, and the world renowned Afro-Caribbean Socialist, Michel Manley. Both men, although of different generations, are known for their dedication to social change as it relates to the exploitation of the peoples of African descent in the Western hemisphere. Claude McKay's poetry was one of the great forces in bringing about what is often called the Negro Literary Renaissance.

Over a period of nearly four centuries approximately 4,000,000 Africans were transported to North America and the Caribbean Islands as the results of slave trading. Scattered, dispersed, and separated from their family and culture, these peoples persevered to maintain their traditions, religion, language, and folklore. Lloyd McCarthy, in this book, focuses primarily on the Jamaican perspective; however, it is relevant to the social, political, and economic conditions everywhere. I found the poetry of Claude McKay thought-provoking and enlightening on the African Diaspora and the plight of these exploited peoples.

McCarthy successfully illustrates the impetus, impact and corrective tactics currently being considered which are central to combating white racism, classicism, and Western imperialism. McCarthy gives the reader a definitive compilation of the writings of Claude McKay and Michael Manley. He has analyzed their works using references from dozens of authors and their interpretations of the ideological clash and policy gaps in African Diaspora relations. His research is well documented with complete and thorough endnotes.

McCarthy also is an Afro-Jamaican, and instills the influence of his personal history and heritage in his writing. He reveals his own empathy for the peasants and the working-class outlook, and the political perspectives that McKay and Manley expressed.

This work is a major contribution to the study of African Diaspora as it relates to globalization, policy planning, and international relations with developing and impoverished nations. McCarthy also presents valuable insight into how literature, biographical narrative, and intellectual history are interconnected with politics. The book is a wake up call to the peoples and nations of the African Diaspora to find collective solutions to survive globalization.

"In-Dependence from Bondage" holds promise of becoming the guidebook or blueprint for the liberation movement and should be read by our Washington politicians as well as all New World Africans.