Blog Archives
Overcoming The Dysfunction
Reclaiming the American Democratic Impulse presents a comprehensive analysis of the political climate in the United States, past and present, and the nation’s future. What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
My intent in writing this book is to provide citizens with a coherent strategy for overcoming the dysfunction in the current United States government and resolving the irreconcilable cultural differences in American society. The primary idea presented in the book is that the political and economic history of America provides examples of how more citizen participatory democracy would be a better solution than the centralized ruling class elite decision-making model currently in operation. In other words, the best solution is more citizen democracy, not less.
How much research did you undertake for this book and how much time did it take to put it all together?
I began research on this book in 2018 by reading historical accounts of the events of 1775, and the ensuing revolution. Much of my time was involved in uncovering the obscure history of the Articles of Confederation, and the logic of the original founders in creating a state sovereignty framework of government. I worked on writing this book over a 15 month period.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I just published my most recent book in April 2023, titled George Mason’s America: The State Sovereignty Alternative to Madison’s Centralized Ruling Class Aristocracy. The book offers a synthesis of the radical i indvidualistic ideology of George Mason, the methodology of constitution creation of James Buchanan, of George Mason University, and the principles of entrepreneurial capitalism of Joseph Schumpeter. My intent in writing this book is to offer a strategy for forming a new nation based upon the ideology of liberty of George Mason and Thomas Jefferson.
I have been mulling over how to incorporate moral and religious principles into a new constitution. If it is true that citizens derive their natural rights from the grace of God, then it would seem important to offer some concept of God in a democratic republic. I have begun research on the Jewish Old Testament, especially the 10 commandments of Moses. Stay tuned.
Author Links: GoodReads | Reedsy Discovery | Twitter | Substack | Locals | Website
What to do after Obama?What do freedom-loving American citizens do to restore the rule of law after Obama’s lawless administration?In his recent book, The Liberty Amendments, Mark Levin suggests the enactment of 10 amendments to the U. S. Constitution, using the second method of amendment outlined in Article V of the Constitution of 1788.While his suggested amendments could possibly offer relief from the dysfunction in the American political system, his suggestions contain two debilitating flaws that would not remedy the loss of individual freedoms from the tyranny of Obama’s centralized, socialist government power.This book examines how a new constitution, which includes both Levin’s suggested amendments, and the telos of liberty as the end goal, would be a better path than his idea of amending a hopelessly broken representative republic.That pathway back to freedom means reclaiming the American Democratic Impulse
Reclaiming The American Democratic Impulse
Laurie Thomas Vass’s book, Reclaiming the American Democratic Impulse, presents a comprehensive analysis of the political climate in the United States, past and present, and the nation’s future. The author offers an unfiltered and unbiased view of the Constitution, laws, policy-making, and the legacy left by politicians. In the introduction, Vass discusses President Obama, providing highlights from Mark Levin’s book, The Liberty Amendment, which offers a fascinating discussion on socialism. Throughout the subsequent chapters, Vass tackles every critical topic related to democracy, including political parties, collectivism, anti-individualism, the presidency, the rule of law, and the origins of Madison’s British Social Class.
The author presents a fair and professional outlook on American democracy, highlighting the importance of exercising rights and fulfilling responsibilities at the political table. Vass’s approach is even-handed and straightforward. The language used is accessible, and the author’s arguments are supported by significant reference materials. Chapter six, in particular, is a standout chapter, where Vass offers a comprehensive breakdown of why she wrote the book, what it means to reclaim the American democratic impulse, its components, and how it affects the political climate. The final chapter is equally thought-provoking and summarizes the author’s thoughts on democracy in America.
After reading Reclaiming the American Democratic Impulse, readers will have a sober understanding of the Obama legacy, be able to analyze constitutional amendments and comprehend why representation from impartial figures matters. This book is excellent for patriotic individuals and those interested in matters of public leadership.
Pages: 200 | ASIN : B00IRGCC78
Secrets of the Kashmir Valley
Secrets of the Kashmir Valley is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the untold truths of the Kashmir Valley. Farhana Qazi does an excellent job of bringing to light the true stories of women in this region who have suffered immense pain, loss, and terror. The stories are not only filled with sadness but also with hope for a better future.
The author effectively conveys the reality of life in one of the most militarized zones in the world, where the Indian government has imposed strict control, making it difficult for the voices of the Kashmiris to be heard. Despite the constant fear of detention, curfew, and violent raids, the women of Kashmir continue to celebrate happy occasions, but always with the underlying fear of what might happen next.
This emotional book highlights the atrocities committed by the Indian army, including mass graves, restrictions on basic human rights, and the countless incidents of rape, even of women as young as 17 and as old as 80. The writing style is simple yet powerful, making the reader feel the pain and suffering of the women in the region.
Secrets of the Kasmir Valley is a moving and eye-opening account of the struggles faced by the people of Kashmir. These powerful stories bring awareness to this country and what the people endure. For those that want to learn more about this region and understand what it is like to live there as a woman, this informative and passionate look at life in the Kasmir Valley will shed light on the decades of suffering and the unstoppable desire for survival.
Pages: 186 | ASIN : B08D68Y5FL
Way Worse than Attica
The shocking story of one of the most violent prison riots in American history began simply enough. Plagued by various personal and civic rights infringements, inmates of the Penitentiary of New Mexico turned to litigation to force change. But all this produced were two consent decrees with mandated reforms that were totally ignored by the authorities. Frustrated by the failure of the prison’s administration to follow through with the agreements, the inmates resolved to take the prison, attract media attention and create public awareness about their deplorable living conditions. What followed was a bloodbath. Designed to be one of the most comprehensive and accurate accounts of the 1980 riot at the Penitentiary of New Mexico, Dirk Cameron Gibson’s Way Worse than Attica employs a scholarly and methodical approach in detailing the real-life event.
Dirk Cameron Gibson writes for two main reasons: to ensure an event of such magnitude is well documented and to present lessons from the 30-year-old fiasco that are still relevant today. What’s impressive is the combination of sources deployed to give a detailed account. It reflects the kind of rigor, attention to detail, expansiveness, and precision you’d expect from an academic, especially an Emeritus professor. It also inspires confidence in the accuracy of his work.
I also like how it’s not just a historical account but a detailed and nuanced analysis of the riot, the surrounding events, and their implications. It’s not just about what happened but also why it happened and why it’s worth paying attention to decades after. The prose is easy to get through, and the storytelling is gripping. In terms of structure, Gibson also wins as he presents a cohesive material despite the many parts he has to account for.
Way Worse than Attica is a well-written and meticulously researched account of the 1980 penitentiary riot. Focusing on not just the “what” but the “why” and the after impacts of the inmates, their families, and the correctional officers, this is a well rounded look at the entire event. Readers that enjoy history and prison documentaries will find this a fascinating book.
Pages: 468 | ISBN: 1665533498
Approaching The Crossroads
The Transformation of America provides readers with a stimulating read and a sketch of growing up in pre-1960 America and contrasts those times with contemporary society. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Just before his death Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendelll Holmes talked about death tugging at his ear saying come with me. He then went on to say that there is that little finishing canter when a man has one final task to complete before death finally arrives. On my 90th birthday I decided that there was one last task I wanted to complete before death finally overtook me. And that was I wanted to write about my life in my early days and what it was like growing up in an America that the majority of the current population have no first hand knowledge of and contrast that to what life is like in America today.
There are probably thousands of books published every year and the average American cannot possibly take the time to read through many books containing hundreds of pages. In fact, many of these books probably go largely unread. For this reason I have purposely kept my book short but I am confident that I have been able to include the most essential aspects of the issues I have discussed in a clear, concise and unbiased manner. By eliminating surplus and irrelevant words the impact is much more likely to leave the reader with much to think about.
Our Country has changed greatly over the past decades and it will continue to change in future decades. I have tried to highlight in an accurate and unbiased manner the major issues facing the American people today and have attempted to provide solutions to them. Realizing that everyone who reads this book will derive their own conclusions and may or may not agree with everything I say I will simply leave it as a legacy to be judged on its merits alone.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
Writing this book was not difficult as writing comes easily to me and I have simply described things in what I consider to be a fair, accurate and unbiased manner. Perhaps writing the book did bring back some moments of sadness when I briefly described the relationship I had with a young Japanese woman while on leave from Korea. It was a very happy relationship and I remember our last night together before I had to return to Korea when we were both in tears. But I returned home, got married and resumed my life. About ten years ago I wrote her a letter as she had given me an address. The letter came back two months later undelivered with Japanese writing all over it. I then contacted the Japanese Embassy. They suggested I should contact the City of Tokyo which I did. I received a very nice email from a City Official telling me how impressed he was that I was still interested in this woman but saying that there was no way they could trace her and that in any event they could not give out personal information. Two days later I received a second email from this City Official telling me how sorry he was that they could not help me. He went on to tell me that his father had served on a Japanese submarine during the war and that he was still alive and not to hesitate to contact him if he could be of help in the future. As for the Japanese woman, our love affair turned out to be a case of two ships passing in the night but there will always be a place for her in my heart and I hope someday to meet up with her in the next world so we can spend eternity together.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
My purpose in writing this book was two fold. One was to provide a glimpse of what it was like growing up in the 1940s and 1950s and to show how the Country began to change during the 1960s. We went from a nation of tranquility and innocence to a nation of liberalism creating a whole spectrum of problems that have only grown worse leading to a violent and divided nation today. The second purpose of the book is to describe the major issues facing the American people today and an attempt to provide some satisfactory solutions in solving them.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from this book?
Our Country is approaching the crossroads between democracy and dictatorship. We have gone from the wishes of our forefathers for a government of the people by the people and for the people to where government is gaining more and more control over the people often ignoring the will of a majority of the people. Our Country must be governed by the will of a majority of the American people. It is up to the American people to unite and rise up to ensure that freedom, democracy and the right of individual choice will always be preserved.
I am going to reflect the views of what I remember of the past and what I predict for the future not as what I would liked things to have happened in the past or what I would like to see happen in the future but rather I am simply calling things as I see them in a fair objective and unbiased manner. And while I do not claim to be the most intelligent person in the world I do have a distinct advantage over the younger generations in that over nine decades I have acquired wisdom and experience which along with my intuitive ability to put things in proper perspective gives me this advantage. In spite of what may seem to be insurmountable problems that exist in the United States today I have every confidence that America will always remain the most important nation in the world and that the American People will find a way to overcome any obstacles in their path.
The Transformation of America
William Hynson’s The Transformation of America begins with an interesting memoir starting with his birth in 1932 up to the 1960 election. He spends much of this section contrasting his childhood with today’s world, for instance, how his family’s doctor charged just five dollars for house visits, or the huge popularity of radio shows which are now largely forgotten. The second part of the book focuses on the many changes in American society from the 1960’s on, both good and bad, like women’s liberation, the booming drug culture, and the influx of illegal immigration. The last chapter discusses American demographic changes, particularly how Whites are en route to becoming a minority within the US.
Hynson provides readers with a lot of thought-provoking ideas and information that I would love to have seen expanded on. For example, he mentions having traveled around East Asia while in the Army during the Korean War. This part alone make a great travelogue or memoir because I found what was given to be fascinating and I wanted more details. Later, the author discusses his company hiring women for roles beyond secretarial work for the first time in the early 1970’s. I would have loved to have understood the mindset of the men and women in those situations because those changes were culturally important.
In the section on demographic change, Hynson cites various statistics about the declining number of Whites compared to other racial groups in the United States. I was fascinated by this and I wanted to understand the implications of this demographic shift. This is a serious and sensitive subject and Hynson provides readers with an intriguing overview of the topic. The Transformation of America provides readers with a stimulating read and a sketch of growing up in pre-1960 America. Readers interested in history, politics and sociology will find this book of great interest.
Pages: 82 | ASIN: B0B8F3BYNF
The Fate of Humanity is Already Decided
The Story of Humanity: Ecology & Consequence follows the natural history of humanity, from emergence to demise, and provides readers with a saga of misadventure from a remarkably adaptable creature. What inspired you to write this book?
I am long a student of history. All of my Spokes books are laden with history stories. I wanted to encompass humanity’s experience as a creature with a destiny, addressing in holistic perspective the how & why of that destiny.
What is a common misconception you feel people have about technology today?
While appearing to many as a boon, technology has proven a detriment to humanity’s survival. One of my favorite quotes in The Story of Humanity: Ecology & Consequence is by British war commander & prime minister Winston Churchill: “What might now shower immeasurable material blessings upon mankind may bring about its total destruction.”
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Humans are an ape in thrall to tools. Rather than exercise prudence & discipline – and learn from the wise among us, the Collective of humanity have blithely followed their biological urges. Women were key to humanity’s wellbeing. Their subjection sorely dimmed the prospects of societies in the areas of education, economics, the arts, justice, and social balance. Rather than cooperate, man’s inclination to individualism, materialism, and dominance of others have been the powerful forces which set humanity’s destiny. As I wrote in The Story of Humanity: “Though taken as natural, the original sin of men was laying claim to what belonged to all. The idea of ‘owning’ Nature ultimately doomed humanity.” As a political economy and cultural folkway, plutocracy has been the kiss of death.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your book?
The major takeaway to The Story of Humanity: Ecology & Consequence is that the fate of humanity is already decided. The end times now are simply a culmination of world civilization. There is no possibility of hurriedly altering that vector.
Author Links: Website | Twitter
The Story of Humanity: Ecology & Consequence
The Story of Humanity: Ecology & Consequence is a fascinating read that will make you ponder your life and that of other beings. Author Ishi Nobu gets the reader in a state of mind where one reflects on human activity and the consequences of our actions. Can man preserve the earth until the end? Will extinction happen gradually? What are some of the past events that have made the world to be the way that it is? Through this thought-provoking book readers get answers to some questions while they ruminate about others. The Story of Humanity is a book about human existence and extinction, the state of the earth, animal and human relations, and nature. Reading about the universe and our ecology has never been more fun.
The book has five engaging chapters which tell various stories. The chapters are titled ‘A Fateful Ape’, ‘The Reign of Thought’, ‘The Evolution of Civilization’, ‘The Toll of Industry’, and ‘An Inevitable End’. Each of these chapters appear individually, but are still related in some way. The connection between chapters is revealed to keen readers and shows how much care the author has put into writing this book. Reading through the chapters was a pleasurable experience. The question the author poses, his style of narration, his diction and the vocabulary in the book are all excellent.
What happens after human extinction? After reading The Story of Humanity, questions of that nature will linger on your mind. As you read about the story of humanity, evolution of hominids, past and current trends, and issues like capitalism and politics, readers will reflect on the human experience and think about the universe from a different point of view.
What I enjoyed most about this book were the stories in each chapter. Even when discussing serious subjects Ishi Nobu tells the stories in a manner that even young readers would enjoy. Nothing too complex for the average reader, rather, the author applies words that are familiar to many.
This book is a stimulating read for readers that love indulging in subjects about human experience, the world, nature and civilization. The Story of Humanity: Ecology & Consequence is a stimulating and intellectually invigorating book that will inspire readers to think bigger.
Pages: 252 | ASIN: B0BGMQ9KKQ
LITERARY TITAN 