Defending Beef- a book report

The Case for Sustainable Meat Production The Manifesto of an Environmental Lawyer and Vegetarian Turned Cattle Rancher By; Nicolette Hahn Niman I have a friend whose daughter and son-in-law own a ranch in New Mexico. They presently have a herd of cattle of 19 head. Working together they are trying their best to raise cattle the right way which means range fed. He asked me to read this book and then write a report. He knows that writing reports on important books is something I enjoy doing. I have just finished reading, so here goes. As usual I will add my own comments. In my opinion, the author did a credible job of pointing out the advantage and the necessity of including beef in the food available to humans. Much of the world’s surface is unacceptable to crop planting. That is where cattle are the most productive. Their interaction with the earth is beneficial to it. They chew the grass, step on the soil and leave their droppings and urine as they move along. This encourages grass to growwhen exposed to sunlight. The depressions allow rain water to puddle and the nutrients to be added. She was, and still is, a vegetarian. She married a man who was and still is a rancher. She helps him on the ranch by doing any chore necessary. She firmly believes that living on a ranch among animals is rewarding and beneficial to understanding and appreciating the relationship. She doesn’t explain why she personally doesn’t eat meat. I believe that adds persuasion to the words she writes. She strongly condemns modern animal husbandry, particularly as practiced in the U.S.A. This process which is largely dependent on drugs is unnatural and has little or no concern for the wellbeing of animals. They no longer are considered animals but merely products to sell. For most of their lives they are confined to feed lots as they are being fattened as rapidly as science will allow. I spent 23 years of my life living in Iowa. The stench as you neared a confinement was atrocious. I often wondered how people could live and work in those conditions, never mind how it was to be a cow or pig herded together like that. The other phenomena I experienced was the step by step process of farmers being driven from their farms as the mega farms took over. I felt then and I still do today, that it was wrong. Raising families on farms is the healthy and wisest way to rear children. They learn work habits from an early age and assume their responsibilities as normal. Interacting with live stock of any kind brings them to appreciate what life is all about. There is another book I read which I recommend to you. It is called “Soil not Oil” by Vandana Shiva. I wrote a book report on it February 14, 2010. It was an article published in my third book entitled “Still Angry”. In it she points out the tremendous expense of energy in the production of food when the same result could be attained by families living on farms as millions did just 40 years ago. The largest farms receive the greatest government subsidies. They and Agri-business and drug companies all benefit the most while rendering the greatest harm to the environment through polluting land and water. I can assure you that in the current debate in Congress about granting the President authority to make trade agreements, that counties like Japan, who have traditionally defended the small farmer, are being pressured once again to let our mass produced and hugely subsidized agriculture overwhelm them and close them down. It is my sincere hope Japan will not cave. I might add that we continue to pressure Europe in the same fashion while they have continued to support small farms as being beneficial to maintaining their landscape and livelihoods of those families. After NAFTA was approved the process of lowering tariff protection was begun, in short order reducing to zero in Mexico. Millions of farmers were forced to enter the U.S. when they could no longer sustain their families with their produce and meat from their small farms. There is much in this book of a technical flavor far beyond my limited knowledge. It adds to the truth of Mrs. Niman’s words that she writes from knowledge and experience. The conclusions drawn make complete sense to me. If our elected leaders would only reflect on the harm their programs are inflicting on our country and the world they might find the wisdom to reverse the process towards small family farms. Not only are the chemicals harmful to the land she believes that they are harmful to people as well. She is convinced that obesity is caused more from huge intakes of sugar and carbohydrates than from eating meat. In conclusion beef and other livestock raised in a humane fashion are not only essential for the survival of humans but also add to human joy and good health. Grains alone cannot sustain human life. Grain together with domesticated livestock can and will. I highly recommend reading. Jack B. Walters May 31, 2015

Nixon's Secrets-a book report

The Rise, fall, and untold truth about the President, Watergate, and the Pardon By, Roger Stone I found this book at my local Library. I’m almost sorry I did. It is a 600 page book containing numerous references to people, some of whom I remembered but others not. With so many names it becomes confusing. Out of pure stubbornness I plowed my way thru, finally finishing it this morning. Although very well written, by a man who had a close relationship with Nixon: I cannot recommend reading. Most of it concerns the many years before becoming President. While interesting and informative, I would have preferred more input while Nixon was President. Contrary to most I believe he was a strong President. There were many achievements. He reduced the tension between us and Russia. He opened up China where before him, that was not to be done. He saved Israel during their 1973 Yon Kippur War by immediately sending everything Israel needed to continue fighting Egypt and Syria. In retaliation the Gulf States drastically increased the cost of oil which caused chaos in the U.S. and Europe. With the economy devastated he installed wage and price controls, released the dollar from gold, He pioneered the affirmative action program leading to an increase in Federal purchases from black firms. He believed that blacks had been treated unfairly in America and he worked energetically to rectify that mistake. He created the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), halted dumping in the Great Lakes, passed the Clean Air Act, and opposed an amendment to protect school prayer. Other programs were accomplished; the Noise Control Act (1972), the Marine Mammal Protection Act (1972), the Endangered Species Act (1973) and the Safe Drinking Water Act (1974). Aren’t you amazed that a so-called Conservative President could accomplish these goals? He tried other social initiatives which were not approved but he did try. Good for him. As to Watergate, that is such a jumbled mess that it is hard even after reading to understand. I think I accept that there were groups in the government out to get him and they did. There was absolutely no reason to burglarize the Democratic Party headquarters. Nixon was well ahead in the polls and easily won his second term. Nonetheless it was Watergate that brought him down. Just for the heck of it, I am going to include the author’s comments about Hillary’s involvement in Watergate. In 1974 she was a 27 year old staff lawyer for the House of Representatives Judicial Impeachment Inquiry Committee. It was a partisan project. She helped to manipulate the political process and strip Nixon of his constitutional rights to a fair hearing. She was fired after it was uncovered that she was working to impede the investigation and undermine Nixon’s defense. Her boss said “Hillary’s lies and unethical behavior goes back farther-and much deeper-than anyone realizes”. I decided to add this little tidbit for those of you who think she is worthy of being our President. Jack B. Walters May 18, 2015

A Fighting Chance by Elizabeth Warren

I guess I am a person who is easily swayed. My good friend Darlene told me about this book and how much she admired Senator Warren. For whatever reason, I had only a slight knowledge about her. I knew she had defeated Scott Brown to become a Senator for the State of Massachusetts. It was an uphill battle all the way. Scott Brown is a handsome, likable guy who was elected to finish the term of Ted Kennedy who died while in office. At the time it was the most expensive Senate race in the entire nation that year. She actually outraised Brown with $42 million to Brown’s $35 million. She claims that more than 80% of her contributions were for $50 or less. One very interesting piece of information was that Brown agreed shortly after campaigning began, that to reduce the outside funding groups that they would contribute ½ of the outside groups’ costs to charity. Surprisingly both sides kept their promise and hereby reduced the power of those groups. This book is a biography of her life. She grew up in Oklahoma in a working class family with a stay at home mother until it became necessary for her to also take an outside job. She was ambitious from the start encouraged by her father but not her mother. Those were still the days when women were expected to become wives and mothers while the men earned the paycheck and were active in politics, not unlike my own experience. My world was a man’s world whether serving in the Air Force, being an Engineering College student or working in a tire factory. It was during my final eight years in the workforce when I held a position with the State of Iowa that I began to work alongside and with women who were either in equal positions to my own or were managers and professionals in my Department. It was during those years that I began to become a women’s rights defender. She attained a college degree and later graduated from law school. She really enjoyed being a teacher. She has children, grandchildren, dogs and family just like most families. She was teaching bankruptcy law at Harvard when she was asked by Congressman Mike Synar to come to Washington to review bankruptcy laws and make recommendations. She did accept and worked on the Commission for two years. The effort was to help those in need. At the same time they published their recommendations a big bank coalition had persuaded members of Congress to introduce a bill to toughen the rules. In 1998 she met with Senator Ted Kennedy and was able to get him to commit to leading the fight. It became a draw when the bank bill stalled and could not get passed. In 2003 she and her daughter published a book entitled “The Two-Income Trap” which got a lot of attention The financial crisis hit hard in 2008. On 11/13/2008 she received a phone call from Senator Harry Read asking her to come to Washington to be part of a five person Congressional Oversight Panel (COP). The purpose was to oversee the disbursement of the $700 billion fund to bail out the financial system (TARP). In 2009 she began to create interest in a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau as a separate entity. It became part of the Dodd-Frank Act to attempt to prevent another financial meltdown as had occurred in 2008. It was finally enacted into law on July 21, 2010. She was invited to the signing ceremony. President Obama asked her to help in setting up the agency but could not put forth her name to head as she was considered toxic and could never be confirmed. She was able to do it and it grew to something worthwhile to protect consumers. After finishing reading this book I went to Google to find out more about her. There are many videos to choose from. The more I watched and listened, the more I grew to appreciate how special this lady is and how determined to help everyday Americans striving to achieve the American dream against a stacked deck. Just this week she was a leader in defeating President Obama’s request for authority to negotiate the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement. She was publicly chastised by the President. He said she was wrong. The Democrats in the Senate wanted protection for American workers. All Republicans including McCain and Fleck voted for it, continuing their lack of concern for American workers. This agreement as presently written will, in my opinion, cost more American factory jobs creating more desperate cities’ like Detroit and Baltimore. NAFTA cost many American jobs. Those of you who shop regularly at Walmart will undoubtedly disagree with my statement. I hope she reconsiders and takes on Hillary in the race to the White House. She is an FDR type Democrat. Perhaps she could restore that party to the greatness it had in the days of FDR. Jack B. Walters Mat 13, 2015

The New Reloigious Freedom Laws

Ever since a bakery refused to supply a cake for a gay wedding there has been a flurry of efforts to grant religious freedom for faith based companies. An uproar has been the result. In my opinion these efforts are being pushed by Christian adherents who feel threatened. They are making a huge mistake which we all will regret when those of a different faith demand respect for their religious beliefs. I have in mind the growing population who are Muslims. They could demand the right to have four wives, beat their wives and kill female members who have violated the Koran as we have learned so very well this past decade. Will their right to their beliefs be allowed to stand in opposition to our moral code that we try to live by as American citizens. Politicians and citizens wake up before it is too late. Jack B. Walters

American Sniper

American Sniper Produced and Directed by Clint Eastwood This film is an outstanding achievement by Mr. Eastwood. I was stunned by the realism portrayed knowing beforehand that it was a true story about an American hero who put his life on the line over four tours of duty on behalf of his country, his family and his comrades. It seemed as if I was watching it in real time. In spite of the tragic scenes there were lighter moments that caused me to chuckle. You felt the anguish as Kyle had to decide whether to shoot and take a life to save our own soldiers. As the tours continued the strain was easy to feel. A best actor award certainly is Bradley Cooper’s to take. Those who have condemned this film should be ashamed. All Americans should see this to understand what our soldiers have been living with for over 13 years while the rest of us enjoy our day to day activities without giving it a thought. If you haven’t seen it yet I urge you to do so with the hope it will be as meaningful to you as it was to me. Jack B. Walters January 27, 2015

My response to the State of the Union Address

I listened carefully to President Obama’s speech last night waiting to hear what he would say about Islamic terrorism. His comment was very short. "We will continue to hunt down terrorists and dismantle their networks, and we reserve the right to act unilaterally, as we have done relentlessly since I took office to take out terrorists who pose a threat to us and our allies." "It's why we continue to reject offensive stereotypes of Muslims---the vast majority of whom share our commitment to peace." My immediate reaction was that he will not ever link terrorism to the Muslim community. Not recognizing the connection leaves our military and law enforcement in a quandary as to what they should be doing. I firmly believe now that the reason neither he nor anyone else in a high administration position attended the rally in Paris. It was not an oversight or a lack of staff support. The European leaders had finally, after decades of denial clearly stated that the attack was by Islamic terrorists. Obama would not support that and so he stayed home. Eric Holder was in Paris. All that was needed was a phone call to have him show up. If he got a call it was to not show up. I do not condemn all those who profess their allegiance to Mohammed but at the same time I believe that they for the most part are taking passive positions against terrorism with only a few exceptions. Those who dare to speak out are endangering their own lives. There is very little wiggle room. I believe we have been made suckers with our multi trillion dollar expenditures in the Middle East and that our evolvement has merely strengthened and encouraged more to join the crusade. Right now we are bombing Sunnis while at the same time Shias are taking over Yemen. If it was up to me I would withdraw completely and let them sort it out. I would suspend all financial support. Jack B. Walters January 21, 2015

Predictable Tragedy in Paris, France

Listening to CNN this morning I heard that in order to not place any of the far flung journalists in danger they are going to limit their commentary about the killings in France by Muslim terrorists. With due consideration, I disagree. This response is the same as Sony when they cancelled the opening of a film after threats by N. Korea that patrons going to a theatre showing the movie would do so at risk of losing their lives. Extortion like this is as old as the hills. The sure fire way to destroy an economy is by threats. In today’s world with government leadership afraid to speak out the terrorists will continue to win. The first time I was alerted to death threats for anyone who dared to insult Mohammad was years ago when Salman Rushdie published his book “The Satanic Verses”. He has been hiding ever since. Then Ayaan Hirsi Ali and Theo van Gogh collaborated to produce a ten minute film depicting four punishments that women could receive for various offences. In 2004 Gogh was murdered while walking down a street. His throat was slit. The knife thrust into his chest had a warning to Ali that she was next. She has been in hiding or been protected ever since. In 2005 another Danish cartoonist, Kurt Westergaard published a Mohammad cartoon. He was attacked in his home by an assailant with a knife. He was rescued and the assailant was sentenced to 10 years in prison after which he would be expelled from Denmark. There were over 200 deaths of non-Muslims in Muslim dominated countries as they expressed their outrage. This current attack which killed Editor Charlie Hebdo and 11 others is a deadly reminder that Islam is bringing the war to Western nations including the United States. More will follow as they must destroy our cultures in order for Islam to reign supreme throughout all nations on Earth. We have little or no defense since leadership refuses to acknowledge that there is uniformity to these actions. They strive to convince us that it is only small groups of radicals. Our President will not allow any disparaging remarks about Islam by those in the military. The gunmen in France while carrying their attack shouted “Allahu akbar”. May I remind you that Major Nidal Malik Hasan shouted the same words while killing 13 and wounding 30 in Ft Hood, Texas. Under Obama’s edict it was considered work place violence instead of what it really was a Muslim terrorist attack on Americans. It is up to us to speak out and demand clear, concise policies to recognize the threat and to take unified action to stop it from spreading. Denying it just will not be successful. Jack B. Walters January 8, 2015