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Saturday, August 31, 2013

Book Review: CRISIS and COMPASSION - Memoir Traces Economics Professors' Worldly Rags to Riches Story

LETICHE BOOK COVERBook Review:

Crises and Compassion: From Russia to the Golden Gate (Footprints Series)

Bay Area and Berkeley's own John M. Letiche started life as Ianik Letichevsky, a citizen of the newly constituted Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. The son of a brilliant but dictatorial father and a loving, cultivated mother, he went on to a remarkable career as an accomplished scholar, professor of economics, and adviser to governments.

Letiche, now in his nineties, provides an intriguing look at the changes that have occurred during his lifetime.


 Amazon reviews (5  reviews - 5 *****)


***** 5 stars
By clairevdd 

Dr. Letiche provides adventure and thorough analysis of the time in which he lived. His early years in Russia and then in Canada are fascinating for a view of how people were coping with uncertainty and instability in the world. One is drawn into the thinking of a very sensitive child who shows wisdom beyond his years. Of course, the fact that he ended up teaching Economics at UC Berkeley during the sixties makes him seem one of us westerners. He brings a great sense of balance in his evaluation of many African heads of state during a grueling, sometimes dangerous working tour of the country. He showed insight and balance in his analysis of the behavior of the Chancellor of the University during the turbulence of the Free Speech Movement. Guns in Africa, tear gas in Berkeley; there is plenty of action.Dr. Letiche shows generosity of spirit in revealing his personal foibles and skillfully emphasizes the traits that form his own philosophy. What better way to get to know this extraordinary man, other than knocking on his door and having a good listen in conversation with him.

 

*****   5 stars  2 of 2  

By JML 

"Dr. Jack Letiche's twentieth century journey instructs, entertains, and inspires the reader who will finish the book better off on any account, but above all for the time spent with the life and mind of a great thinker and global citizen."

Jeremy Kinsman, Canadian Ambassador or High Commissioner in Moscow, Rome, London, and Brussels, and Regents' Lecturer 2009-10, University of California, Berkeley 

 Book Reviews, Best Sellers, New York Times Books, Berkeley, Compassion, Crisis, Economics. U.C. Professor, John Letiche, Memoir, Professor,

Memoir Traces Economics Professors' Amazing Rags to Riches Story - JOHN LETICHE, Bay Area Arts

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Moms Mabley Tribute to MLK Wouldn't Be Aired Today

 


        '60s Comedian and black activist Moms Mabley probably   couldn't sing her tribute to #Martin Luther King today on mainstream media because of what  some consider  her 'Steppin' Fetchit' persona (even though she was really quite the opposite in her modern views)  .. In fact, she probably couldn't even get on the air in today's politically correct   mainstream media,  despite the fact she was one of the strongest advocates for the black cause during the height of the civil rights movement and following the death of #MLK. (Credit to songwriter DION DEMUCCI and MERV GRIFFIN / Productions for making this clip availablefor public viewing)


Despite all the civil rights legislation and dollars spent have race relations not improved since 1963? White folks will say they have improved, by a sizable number, but black folks will say 'no', they have NOT improved, despite all the civil rights legislation and implementation the past 50 years,  according to Gallup surveys.  

 Why haven't things improved ?  Today, black
unemployment is higher than it was in 1963. But, so is birth to unwed mothers in the black community, an astounding 73% today as compared to 25% in 1963. Perhaps, therein lies at least
an important part of the reason. There were more intact black families in 1963. MLK would likely say that throwing money at the problem is not the main answer-
SEE below and more @ ' MLK would be alarmed by black-on-black violence, lack of family values' 


Moms Mabley Tribute to MLK Wouldnl't Be Aired Today 




It is hard to believe that 50 years have elapsed since the famous “I have a #dream speech” of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the Mall in Washington. I was an 11-year-old child in Detroit languishing in the midst of poverty, but very interested in the strides that were being made in the civil rights movement.
I was the only black kid in my seventh-grade class and over the previous two years had risen from the bottom of the class to the top. My mother had forced us to read, which had a profound positive effect on both my brother Curtis and myself. I was quite optimistic that things were getting better for black people in America.


If King could be resurrected and see what was going on in America today, I suspect he would be extraordinarily pleased by many of the things he observed and disappointed by others. He, like almost everyone else, would be thrilled to know that there was a two-term black president of the United States of America and a black attorney general, as well as many other high government officials, business executives and university presidents.
Perhaps just as thrilling would be the sight of black doctors, lawyers, airline pilots, construction foremen, news anchors, school superintendents and almost any other position imaginable in America. The fact that seeing blacks in such positions no longer raises eyebrows is a testimony to the tremendous progress that has been made in America over the last 50 years.
There are some areas, however, where I suspect he might be less than thrilled. The epidemic of black-on-black violent crime indicates that there has been a significant deterioration of values in the black community. Not only are the lives of their fellow blacks and others being devalued by street thugs, but the lives of unborn babies are being destroyed in disproportionate numbers in the black community.
There was a time when blacks were justifiably angry that the larger community discounted their value, but now, ironically, many members of the black community themselves place little or no value on these precious lives that are snuffed out without thought. I think King would be waging a crusade against the marginalization of black lives in America.
Another area of great concern would be the fact that 73 percent of black babies are born out of wedlock. When this occurs, in most cases the educational pursuits of the mothers are terminated and the babies are condemned to a life of poverty and deprivation, which makes them more likely to end up in the penal system or the welfare system. This is a burden not only for the black community but for the nation at large.
Although I believe King would be very concerned for all parties in these tragedies, his energies would be primarily channeled into an attempt to give these young women the kind of self-esteem that would preclude their yielding to the charms of individuals who really don’t care about them and are only interested in their selfish pleasures.


King was a huge advocate of education and would be horrified by the high dropout rates in many inner-city high schools. He, like many others, was vilified, beaten and jailed for trying to open the doors of education to everyone, regardless of their race.
If he were alive today, he would have to witness people turning their backs on those open doors and choosing to pursue lives of crime or dependency. I do not believe he would simply complain about these things, however.
Rather, he would be raising funds to create programs that would show these young people that they do have real choices that can greatly enhance the quality of their lives.
Perhaps the biggest disappointment for King would be the wholesale adoption of a victim mentality that makes people feel that they are entitled to being cared for by others rather than working tirelessly to create wealth and opportunities for their progeny.
The amount of wealth that resides within the black community today is staggering. If the black community, like Jewish, Korean and other cultures in America, learned how to turn over dollars within their own community at least a couple of times before sending them out into the larger society, they would create wealth.
I believe King would advocate such economic policies and would encourage those who benefit from the wealth to reach back and pull others up by providing jobs and opportunities. I think he would stress the fact that this kind of philosophy will foster freedom and independence for the black community, regardless of whether anybody else helps or not.
Finally, we should all remember the aspect of his dream in which he desired that people should be judged by their character and not by the color of their skin. In part, this means no one should assume that a black person would adhere to certain political orthodoxy any more so than a white person would.



Read more: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/aug/28/i-have-a-dream-50-years-later/#ixzz2dHgR9zrm
Follow us: @washtimes on Twitter

Sunday, August 11, 2013

LOSS - In memory of family and friends who have passed away.

In memory of family and friends who have passed away.
I miss you, I think about you.
I will never forget you.




If someone you hold close to your heart passes don't think of it as a loss - think of them as an angel watching over you from heaven giving you guidance , strength, love and courage to live on.


















LOSS - In memory of family and friends who have passed away.


Thursday, August 8, 2013

#SF GIANTS MAJOR DROP OFF -BASICALLY SAME TEAM THAT WON WORLD SERIES LAST YEAR


Re #sf giants incredible drop off. Same team that won series in last place...think about it ...http://newyork.cbslocal.com/audio/1667-cbs-sports-minute/8-8-brandon-tierney-cbs-sports-minute-on-admiring-athletes/


#SF GIANTS MAJOR DROP OFF -BASICALLY SAME TEAM THAT WON WORLD SERIES LAST YEAR



Thursday, August 1, 2013

ROAD TO SUCCESS - Laugh More, Worry Less, Watch More Mayberry and Follow the Road To Success


Wishing You  HAPPY DAYS






Pray More, Worry Less, Laugh More, Stress Less,
Hug More and Hurry Less





The World Needs More Mayberry and Less Honey Boo Boo


The Original ROAD TO SUCCESS Poster
Now Celebrating it's 100th Year!

Back for a limited engagement, our famous Road To Success print approx 26" x 17",
circa 1913, pointing the way to true success. Boy, does the world need this today! 
It can be yours for a mere $15 or two for $20 plus $5 shipping
- We're been selling them since 1982 and still have some remaining from 30 years
so send now.. Makes great gift for students , business or anyone seeking the true path
to success (You'll  love all anachronistic   expressions of the day.


LIKE POLITICS BUT HATE WHAT THE GOVERNMENT IS DOING?
 LIKE SPORTS BUT HATE PEDs IN BASEBALL? 
LIKE WORDS OF WISDOM IN PICTURES AND CARTOONS? 
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