Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Recent fun!
In the spirit of catching up after weeks of sporadic - perhaps nonexistent is a better word - posting, I would like to share a few important dates, comments, published pieces, etc. (also check out yesterday's post).
First, I recently had the honor of introducing Middle East expert Dr. Walid Phares at the Columbia World Affairs Council luncheon, here in Columbia, S.C. at the Capital City Club, February 21.
Here are my unedited introductory remarks:
"This is an honor for me personally – and it is in fact for all of us – because the Columbia World Affairs Council has – as it so often does – arranged to have a key participant in global affairs address the council and its guests: Today, Dr Walid Phares will specifically discuss our global war on terror and our ongoing struggle with the jihadists of the world.
Let me first tell you a bit about Dr. Phares, then I’ll share with you a couple of very brief personal thoughts.
"An expert in Middle Eastern affairs and global terrorism, Dr. Phares has been called on to review captured enemy documents from the former Iraqi regime, and he often assists in the translation of Al Qaeda messages. He has briefed the U.S. State Department, also the departments of Justice, Defense, and Homeland Security. He has testified before Congress and the United Nations Security Council. He has written seven books – including his latest, FUTURE JIHAD (which is available here today) - and his work has appeared in a variety of publications, including Global Affairs, The Washington Times, World Defense Review, The Denver Post, and many others. He also appears regularly as a guest commentator on CNN, FOX News, MSNBC, all of the major television networks, PBS, C-Span, and the BBC. And recently, he appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show.
"Dr. Phares holds degrees in law and political science from Saint Joseph University and the Lebanese University in Beirut. He also holds a Masters in international law from the Universite de Lyons in France, and a Ph.D. in international relations and strategic studies from the University of Miami. He is a senior fellow with the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies.
Dr. Phares’ lectures and his writings reflect the foundation’s goals of 'promoting pluralism, defending democratic values, and fighting the ideologies that drive terrorism.' His is a vision for a better world, much like the overall mission of the World Affairs Council, which embraces the global community and more specifically to those of us here today, builds relationships between South Carolina and the rest of the world.
"I’ve spoken with Dr. Phares numerous times, edited his stories for World Defense Review, which – by the way – never need editing, and I’ve chatted with him for my own stories in National Review Online and Townhall.com.
"In so doing, I’ve discovered something very special about him. That is: His life’s work is his calling to be sure, but it is because he not only loves his work. He loves people. He loves his students. He loves his readers. And he loves our global community.
"When I was interviewing him recently for a story in National Review Online, I asked him about the capabilities of the new Iraqi army and Iraqi soldiers, who – by the way - are now planning and conducting operations against the insurgents often independently of U.S. troops. But when I asked Dr. Phares about those Iraqi soldiers, he said – among other things - 'I've watched them, heard them, and spoken with some of them. These are among the most precious soldiers in the Arab Muslim world: because these are the soldiers who will fight in defense of democracy.'
And with that, I am proud to introduce the Columbia World Affairs Council’s distinguished speaker, Dr. Walid Phares."
____________________
Then there is the recent story about my nephew and his becoming a state wrestling champion, published in one of his community newspapers. Here 'tis as it appeared in 'The Kershaw County Current' (March 1, 2006).
Making “a few good men”
By W. Thomas Smith Jr.
January 28 will forever be a red-letter day for my family and me. Not because I was ‘chatting up’ my fifth book and discussing global terrorism with national anchor Julie Banderas on the FOX NEWS Channel: I was, to be sure, but then I’m always talking about something… somewhere.
As far as my family and I are concerned, however, the day belongs to my two nephews: Kershaw County’s own Maxwell Fowler, 14, and his brother Michael, 17.
That evening, in an overtime wrestling match producing a little blood, lots of sweat, and a gym full of tears, laughter, shouting, and the match-ending referee’s whistle; Max became a state champion (155-pound weight class).
Michael – in an equally emotionally charged act of manhood – was first out of the bleachers and at the mat, physically picking up his little brother (though Max actually outweighs him) as if the state laurels also belong to him. Therein lies the truth: They do.
Led by Coach Ted Monroe, Max and his team (the Lugoff-Elgin Middle School Leopards) walked away with two state champions – Max and Will Connell of the local Connell wrestling dynasty – and a legion of moms, dads, grandparents, aunts, uncles, buddies, girlfriends, sisters and brothers, like Michael, all of whom have been encouraging and supporting their men on the mat since the beginning of the season.
“Deserving,” is how Coach Monroe describes his team and their fans.
I would add: Committed, courageous, and wholly inspirational.
Recently, it has been suggested that America is no longer producing the “right sort of men” who will be able to lead the nation into its dangerous, complex, and uncertain future. My answer for anyone hoping to be disabused of that belief: Drive northeast from Columbia on Highway 1. Stop when you hear the roar of the crowd.
— South Carolina native W. Thomas Smith Jr. is the author of five books, and his articles have appeared in USA Today, George, U.S. News & World Report, BusinessWeek, National Review Online, and the New York Post. He writes a weekly column for Washington, D.C.-based Townhall.com
____________________
Click here (then scroll to the bottom of the page) to see a picture of my family's state wrestling champ. He's the tall good-looking kid with braces.
____________________
Finally, a quick note about chatting over a cup of coffee with my dear friend and fellow writer - actually, an accomplished poet, author, and magazinist (Hah! how about that word?) - Kay Day.
She blogs about our coffee prior to her speaking at the South Carolina Book Festival; and, days later, speaking to my magazine writing class at the University of South Carolina.
Kay chatted with my students about the plums and pitfalls of her writing career. She was in fact warming up in the batter's box {Yikes! cliche}while friend and editor Gordon Witkin of U.S. News & World Report was sharing some of his own professional experiences.
(See Kay's comments here.).
More to come. Stay tuned.
Best,
WTSjr
First, I recently had the honor of introducing Middle East expert Dr. Walid Phares at the Columbia World Affairs Council luncheon, here in Columbia, S.C. at the Capital City Club, February 21.
Here are my unedited introductory remarks:
"This is an honor for me personally – and it is in fact for all of us – because the Columbia World Affairs Council has – as it so often does – arranged to have a key participant in global affairs address the council and its guests: Today, Dr Walid Phares will specifically discuss our global war on terror and our ongoing struggle with the jihadists of the world.
Let me first tell you a bit about Dr. Phares, then I’ll share with you a couple of very brief personal thoughts.
"An expert in Middle Eastern affairs and global terrorism, Dr. Phares has been called on to review captured enemy documents from the former Iraqi regime, and he often assists in the translation of Al Qaeda messages. He has briefed the U.S. State Department, also the departments of Justice, Defense, and Homeland Security. He has testified before Congress and the United Nations Security Council. He has written seven books – including his latest, FUTURE JIHAD (which is available here today) - and his work has appeared in a variety of publications, including Global Affairs, The Washington Times, World Defense Review, The Denver Post, and many others. He also appears regularly as a guest commentator on CNN, FOX News, MSNBC, all of the major television networks, PBS, C-Span, and the BBC. And recently, he appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show.
"Dr. Phares holds degrees in law and political science from Saint Joseph University and the Lebanese University in Beirut. He also holds a Masters in international law from the Universite de Lyons in France, and a Ph.D. in international relations and strategic studies from the University of Miami. He is a senior fellow with the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies.
Dr. Phares’ lectures and his writings reflect the foundation’s goals of 'promoting pluralism, defending democratic values, and fighting the ideologies that drive terrorism.' His is a vision for a better world, much like the overall mission of the World Affairs Council, which embraces the global community and more specifically to those of us here today, builds relationships between South Carolina and the rest of the world.
"I’ve spoken with Dr. Phares numerous times, edited his stories for World Defense Review, which – by the way – never need editing, and I’ve chatted with him for my own stories in National Review Online and Townhall.com.
"In so doing, I’ve discovered something very special about him. That is: His life’s work is his calling to be sure, but it is because he not only loves his work. He loves people. He loves his students. He loves his readers. And he loves our global community.
"When I was interviewing him recently for a story in National Review Online, I asked him about the capabilities of the new Iraqi army and Iraqi soldiers, who – by the way - are now planning and conducting operations against the insurgents often independently of U.S. troops. But when I asked Dr. Phares about those Iraqi soldiers, he said – among other things - 'I've watched them, heard them, and spoken with some of them. These are among the most precious soldiers in the Arab Muslim world: because these are the soldiers who will fight in defense of democracy.'
And with that, I am proud to introduce the Columbia World Affairs Council’s distinguished speaker, Dr. Walid Phares."
____________________
Then there is the recent story about my nephew and his becoming a state wrestling champion, published in one of his community newspapers. Here 'tis as it appeared in 'The Kershaw County Current' (March 1, 2006).
Making “a few good men”
By W. Thomas Smith Jr.
January 28 will forever be a red-letter day for my family and me. Not because I was ‘chatting up’ my fifth book and discussing global terrorism with national anchor Julie Banderas on the FOX NEWS Channel: I was, to be sure, but then I’m always talking about something… somewhere.
As far as my family and I are concerned, however, the day belongs to my two nephews: Kershaw County’s own Maxwell Fowler, 14, and his brother Michael, 17.
That evening, in an overtime wrestling match producing a little blood, lots of sweat, and a gym full of tears, laughter, shouting, and the match-ending referee’s whistle; Max became a state champion (155-pound weight class).
Michael – in an equally emotionally charged act of manhood – was first out of the bleachers and at the mat, physically picking up his little brother (though Max actually outweighs him) as if the state laurels also belong to him. Therein lies the truth: They do.
Led by Coach Ted Monroe, Max and his team (the Lugoff-Elgin Middle School Leopards) walked away with two state champions – Max and Will Connell of the local Connell wrestling dynasty – and a legion of moms, dads, grandparents, aunts, uncles, buddies, girlfriends, sisters and brothers, like Michael, all of whom have been encouraging and supporting their men on the mat since the beginning of the season.
“Deserving,” is how Coach Monroe describes his team and their fans.
I would add: Committed, courageous, and wholly inspirational.
Recently, it has been suggested that America is no longer producing the “right sort of men” who will be able to lead the nation into its dangerous, complex, and uncertain future. My answer for anyone hoping to be disabused of that belief: Drive northeast from Columbia on Highway 1. Stop when you hear the roar of the crowd.
— South Carolina native W. Thomas Smith Jr. is the author of five books, and his articles have appeared in USA Today, George, U.S. News & World Report, BusinessWeek, National Review Online, and the New York Post. He writes a weekly column for Washington, D.C.-based Townhall.com
____________________
Click here (then scroll to the bottom of the page) to see a picture of my family's state wrestling champ. He's the tall good-looking kid with braces.
____________________
Finally, a quick note about chatting over a cup of coffee with my dear friend and fellow writer - actually, an accomplished poet, author, and magazinist (Hah! how about that word?) - Kay Day.
She blogs about our coffee prior to her speaking at the South Carolina Book Festival; and, days later, speaking to my magazine writing class at the University of South Carolina.
Kay chatted with my students about the plums and pitfalls of her writing career. She was in fact warming up in the batter's box {Yikes! cliche}
(See Kay's comments here.).
More to come. Stay tuned.
Best,
WTSjr
# posted by W. Thomas Smith, Jr. @ 12:24 PM 
