I found it to be a quick and entertaining read.  A bit simple in plot and in the details compared to other caretakers of the main character, but enjoyable never the less.   All of it a bit predictable, but that is the way it is when you read all these novels.  It is very formulaic per se.  I enjoy getting into Bond’s character profile a bit more, and this gave me a little, but it was not satisfying enough.  Bond wasn’t as ‘particular’ as I would have preferred him to be.  At the end of the day, a good read and I am glad I chalked this one off the list.

Excellent book that presented how the world’s geography was not only discovered but the moment in time when everything came together and where it eventually took civilization as a whole. It has a tendency to be a bit dense here and there, but nevertheless it could be considered a quick read dependent upon your level of interest in world history.

A great book for anyone interested in the Civil War and the events & happenings that led up to the Gettysburg Address and its role in becoming one of the great speeches.

A good simple and comprehensive overview of labor law from an employer/employee perspective. I used this as one text for an undergraduate legal issues class and though I eventually supplemented with other materials (especially when it came to organized labor and independent contractors), it served its purpose well and I will probably use it again.

An acceptable book providing a very quick and simple overview of entertainment law. It really did not get too in depth with specific topic and in some instances was significantly lacking especially in contract and labor law. I think there may be better texts to use for an undergraduate legal issues class providing more in depth information. I doubt I will use this text again.

Good insight into the events that occurred in SC. I am glad I read it. In all my readings to date, I failed to understand the role of SC and the amount of conflict that actually took place there. I found it a fairly quick read and detailed just right for my liking thought the writing is a bit awkward. In the second half of the War, as described by the events in SC, it had a strong resemblance to the film The Patriot, where some of the characters in the film resembled the compilation of rebel (American) profiles as well as some of the British (the only exact profile I noted is Cornwallis). Though The Patriot unto itself is not based on a true story, the events that make up the film are indeed actual events and I found it all the more enjoyable. I was anxiously waiting for the battle where Tavington (the ‘bad’ guy) who strongly resembles the real life Tartleton, was killed in battle, but it never happened. It is nice when a book gives you that feeling of anticipation. (Note: in fact, after writing this review I took a look at a description of the film and indeed it makes the same claim and makes shows the character affiliations. Interesting.)

Excellent proposal. I second!

However, these proposed amendments and the like are what is required now to set things right, which I think is appalling. I would think that we should want to trust our government and not spend considerable time and effort in keeping in check. Why is government and honesty such an oxymoron anyway?

The question now is how to turn this idea into reality. I’ll have to think about that one a bit more.

For the moment, this entire notion really hits a nerve with me. Were the government subject to even a fraction of the same scrutiny as a publicly traded corporation (or any other for that matter that has any resemblance of an effective governance structure) most employees (elected or not) would have easily been replaced long ago.

The Federal, State, and Local governments simply needs to be purged off all incumbents and installed with non-career politicians. Those politicians that want to honestly and openly represent the constituents and do what is right for the entire community and those tax payers that elected them to the job all the while without regard to campaign donations or the next election cycle.

When it comes time for elections, I completely intend on voting for only one incumbent and all others even remotely connected to the current establishment, at all levels, can look elsewhere for votes. That is what I can do. What can you do?

I think it’s too late in the season for amendments or the idea of such, but let’s see what can be done sooner than later to set things right. Since the politicians are already taking pledges pertaining to other issues, perhaps the key points of this amendment may be a more substantive pledge for them to take.

Though I could go on, the important thing I wanted to bring up was FAA Inspectors are prohibited from working for the industry for two years after they leave in an effort to protect the public that they once served. However, politicians leave office to become lobbyist and agency heads, like that of the FCC, go to work for the very corporations that they were in charge of monitoring in the first place. And, for them there was no two year wait period. Were they not in a position of serving and protect the public too? Isn’t this a bit contradictory? (See: Ex-FAA Inspectors and FCC Commissioner)

At the end of the day, the only rule in government is self preservation and the rest of us are all on the receiving end of stick. Whatever your position, put down the smartphone and turn off the TV, exercise your rights. Vote and let your voice be heard! Else, we all face the status quo for another election cycle.

It is in the process of undergoing some updates that I hope to complete by the end of September 2011  Pay the site a visit later.

If you have ideas or suggestion based on what you see today, please leave me a comment.

Thanks,

Patrick