June 25, 2007 at 10:28 pm ·
Does it pay to take a bullet for the Executive Branch?
Whether I. Lewis Libby sits in jail at all, no longer matters. His recent fame is enough to revive a flatlined literary career. St. Martins Press reissued his one book, "The Apprentice: A Novel", published in 1996 during his 2005 indictment. Demand from booksellers led to a 25,000 copy reprint in paperback. At one point, used first editions of Libby’s book fetched as much as $2,400 on Amazon.com despite the consensus that this was an uninspired freshman attempt at a thriller. The novel is set in Japan with overtones of bestiality, pedophilia and rape to move the story forward.
When perjury becomes patriotism, and this brand of patriotism has a Presidential pardon attached, to be followed by cable news and talk show appearances upon his release, I can only imagine that a million dollar book deal and a tie-in cable program are in the offing. Add to that a writing partner and a literary pardon.
The dust jacket has already been written:
"…he has served the nation tirelessly and with great distinction… I have always considered him to be a man of the highest intellect, judgment and personal integrity…
-Vice President Dick Cheney
"I know Mr. Libby to be a patriot, a dedicated public servant, a strong family man, and a tireless, honorable, selfless human being. Our country is fortunate to have had his service."
-Donald Rumsfeld, former Secretary of Defense
I was deeply impressed by his dedication, seriousness, patriotism and essential decency.
-Henry Kissinger, former Secretary of State
…he has helped us successfully navigate through the end of the Cold War, and… played a decisive role, after the terrorist attacks of 9-11, in the development of effective defenses for the country against a biological attack…
For more than four years, he drove himself day-after-day, often for twelve to fourteen hours per day, sometimes to the point of exhaustion, for no reason other than the enormous sense of responsibility he felt at having been placed in a position where he could make a major difference…
Mr. Libby has played an influential role… as an advisor to the Vice-President, in developing policy and strategy on a wide range of other issues, including responses to various terrorist threats, the North Korean nuclear issue, the problem of Yasir Arafat and the Middle East peace process, and the policy and strategy for wars in Afghanistan and Iraq
-Paul Wolfowitz, former Deputy Secretary of Defense and former World Bank President
Scooter presented a personal interest in protecting the freedoms and rights of all Americans, men and women, of all races, religions and creeds… with a love of the Constitution… Scooter’s humane outlook on policy matters is consistent with the kind disposition he has towards people on the personal level.
-Douglas Feith, former Under-Secretary of Defense
We can look to Oliver North, on this the 20th anniversary of the Iran-Contra hearings. North’s "patriotism" has sold half-a-million copies of his books to date. North recently signed an eight-book deal with Christian house B&H Publishing Group.
In the May issue of Publisher’s Weekly, Rachel Deahl writes:
The contract calls for North to do four fiction titles plus four nonfiction titles based on his Fox News Channel show, War Stories. North will co-write the novels with Austin Boyd, a former navy pilot and published author.
B&H previously published North’s fiction—his military-inspired titles include Mission Compromised, Jericho Sanction and The Assassins—and, according to the publisher, his books have sold nearly 500,000 copies.
Moving forward, the house plans to aggressively market the former lieutenant colonel, releasing a new fiction and nonfiction title from him annually over the next four years, starting in 2008. B&H publisher David R. Shepherd said that the house will "double team the North publishing plan," with groups from both the fiction and nonfiction sides working with him. North’s first book, from the planned War Stories tie-in series, is scheduled for April 2008.
I heard an excellent essay on PBS’ Bill Moyers Journal this week. Moyers quotes,
So it may well be, as THE HARTFORD COURANT said editorially, that Mr Libby is “a nice guy, a loyal and devoted patriot…but none of that excuses perjury or obstruction of justice. If it did, truth wouldn’t matter much.”
Does truth matter at all when it can be spun into a fictionalized or dramatized autobiography ala O. J. Simpson, Jessica Lynch, James Frey and Oliver North.
As for his writing career, despite Mr. Libby’s rising star meter among cable news and his apologists in the White House and GOP, no amount of PR can excuse an ill-conceived plot and cheap literary tricks. A presidential pardon for Libby erodes faith in American government. One more literary pardon, contributes to the decline of civilization.
Posted by Christine Palma |
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Filed under: Publishing, Politics, Middle East
June 14, 2007 at 6:21 pm ·
Sharon Weinberg writes on Wired:
A 2003’s "Soldier’s Guide to the Republic of Iraq," issued by the Army on the eve of the U.S. invasion, tells troops that Arabs see "little virtue in a frank exchange" and are "by American standards… reluctant to accept responsibility."
Those are just a few of the surprising passages found while leafing through the booklet, prepared by the Army’s 101st Airborne Division. Here are some excerpts from the "cultural considerations" chapter:
•There is little virtue in a frank exchange.
Getting down to business may always occur at a later meeting or a more informal setting such as dinner.
•Arabs, by American standards, are reluctant to accept responsibility…
if responsibility is accepted and something goes wrong, the Arab is dishonored.
•Arabs operate by personal relations more than by time constraints.
Arabs, by American standards, are reluctant to accept responsibility.
•Arabs do not believe in upward mobility or social status;
they gain status by being born in the right family.
•Arabs do not shake hands firmly.
If an Arab does not touch you, it usually means that he does not like you.
•It is said that the Arab likes to feel your breath in their face.
As you back away, the Arab will continue to shuffle forward. This is known as the "diplomatic shuffle."
•An Arab sees friendships with anyone outside the family as meaning,
"you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours."
I imagine that if Arabs published a guide called "How Americans Tick," it would include these truisms penned by Americans:
From Stephanie Faul’s "The Xenophobe’s Guide to the Americans":
•Friends without friendship
Americans are friendly… However… a few happy moments with an American do not translate into a permanent commitment of any kind. Indeed, permanent commitments are what Americans fear the most. This is a nation whose fundamental social relationship is the casual acquaintance.
•Americans shoot from the lip
American speech is remarkably straightforward. They tell it as it is, even when it’s not a particularly good idea to do so. Linguistic subtlety, innuendo, and irony that other nations find delightful puzzle the Americans, who take all statements at face value, weigh them for accuracy, and reject anything they don’t understand.
•Always aim to win
Winning is central to the American psyche. As American football coach Vince Lombardi put it, ‘Winning isn’t everything. It’s the only thing’. Virtually every event in American life, from school graduation to marriage to buying an automobile, is structured so that one party wins, or at least comes out looking better than any of the other participants
From "Working with Americans" (the book and the website) by Allyson Stewart-Allen and Lanie Denslow:
•We Are The World
The attitude towards non-American ways of doing business is generally intolerant.
…There’s generally a very insular view of business in the US. Often the view is there are the Americas (called so recently now due to NAFTA’s influence), and the "Rest Of the World" (R.O.W.) Don’t be surprised if your US based colleague doesn’t know about the key issues in your city.
•My Way or the Highway
Consistent with the certainty that everyone is created equal, they view people as special, unique and entitled to ‘express themselves’. Whether it is structuring the hours they work, ordering coffee, or a pair of jeans Americans are independent. They want choices and to have their opinions recognized.
•Hip, Hip, Hooray for Our Team!
Americans in business work to create a team spirit around a clear and defined purpose (like planning or product launches)… The idea that all people should have the same opportunity is a key to the American’s idea that no one (customer, supplier) should get preferential treatment. US companies are shocked by offers of bribes or kickbacks since that would be rigging the rules of the game, and the rules should be the same for and apply to everyone.
•Hi There, Glad to Meet You, What’s the Bottom Line?
Americans simply believe that creating relationships will wait.
…Communication is direct and to the point. Notoriously informal, Americans never intend to insult. They focus on moving quickly, completing tasks, getting results, often neglecting the personal aspect of business. Americans love memos, agendas, numbers (sales, market
share), and data. Facts not feelings.
•Business before Pleasure
The first priority in business is the deal at hand, not the relationship with you . Americans focus first on selling the contract, signing the Proposal and then invest in learning more about you so don’t take it personally. When the pleasantries are skipped at the start of your meeting, and you’re not even offered a cup of coffee, you’ll know why cause it’s a "deal thing." This experience can be quite startling if you’ve met your American counterparts before and been charmed by their informal and friendly greetings, only to see them appear to vanish.
Apparently open and welcoming, they can also be private and cool. Here again, the rule of the clock, the busy life, and the adherence to schedule can negate the early welcome. Just remember, no rudeness is intended, Americans don’t know they may appear rude!
•The Clock is King
Americans tend to live by the clock and the calendar. They are certain that time is a scare resource to be used carefully, divided, allotted to specific activities.
•You Look Marvelous
The Package tells the story (in people and products). There is a tendency in the States to initially focus on only the cosmetic aspects of a deal, (a person) rather than the content presented. How slick and professional was the presentation? Did the team look good? Were they dressed right? In a land where books are written about the Brand Called You, marketing and packaging are seriously important.
•New IS Improved.
…If it’s new, it’s great. Unlike many European cultures that are suspicious of people who suggest new is better; Americans generally embrace newness of all descriptions, brands, buildings, and services. It suggests to us that the newer service, technology, idea must be better than the older one believing the Darwinian theory says the weakest will die out. A country founded on breaking away from established rules, institutions and traditions, the preference for NEW is deeply imbedded in the American psyche.
•Follow the Guides
Americans use outside advisers as a regular part of our business life. You’ll find a variety of consultants, accountants, lawyers, and executive coaches.
•Plan, Plan, Plan till your Daddy takes your PC away
Americans now seem more determined than ever, in the wake of September 11, 2001 to try to plan for and predict all eventualities. They believe that by planning for something, youÕre prepared and can act quickly and profitably to either exploit a commercial opportunity, or avoid a risk. The drive to plan, organize is related to both the Go For It! Attitude and the Rule of the Clock. There isn’t much time and there are lots of goals to accomplish. To do that, create a plan!
Posted by Christine Palma |
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Filed under: Stereotypes, Middle East
June 8, 2007 at 2:55 am ·
Bob Barker retires. More significant than helming the sloppy enthusiasm of Price is Right is his longtime animal rights advocacy.
From Wikipedia:
Bob Barker is well known for his work in animal rights. He became a vegetarian in 1979. That same year, he began promoting animal rights. Barker began ending each episode of The Price Is Right with the phrase: "Help control the pet population; have your pet spayed or neutered" in 1981 and was named national spokesman for "Be Kind to Animals Week" in May of that year. On A&E’s Biography program, Bob credited his wife, Dorothy Jo, with him becoming more aware of animal rights and becoming a vegetarian because she had done so. Bob said that Dorothy Jo was ahead of her time in terms of animal rights. Bob took up animal rights in order to keep doing something that his recently deceased wife had done. Fellow game show hosts Jack Barry and Bert Convy eventually followed Barker’s lead in promoting animal rights on the air.
During the first ten years of The Price Is Right, fur coats were often featured as prizes. After Barker became involved in animal rights, he insisted that the show not offer prizes that harmed animals, a demand to which CBS agreed; animals and fur coats have not since been offered on the program. Barker also forbids the re-airing of older episodes in which fur coats and live animals are offered.
Barker hosted the Miss USA/Universe Pageants from 1967 to 1987. In 1987, he requested the removal of fur prizes and stepped down as host when those in charge of the pageant refused.
Bob Barker’s DJ&T Foundation has contributed millions of dollars to fund animal rescue and park facilities all over the country. He works closely with Betty White as an advocate for animal rights.
Posted by Christine Palma |
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Filed under: Media and Entertainment
