Quotes from my Forthcoming Book

     In an age when we are beginning to recognize that we are facing a species-survival situation, we had better learn to get along with one another. No one of us, nor any particular group of us, can do it alone. As we pass the torch to future generations, it is important that we continue to push these processes of advancement from Status to Contract and to Dignity. And that is where I believe the lessons from the Jewish experience can be helpful. In terms of survival, the Jews are, I contend, the most successful “tribe” in history—bar none.

Putin and the Ukraine

The Olympics and recent events in Kiev have placed Russia in the spotlight, and Russian Premier Putin has some choices to make. How big a bite of the apple will he take? The smallest would be to protect the naval base at Sevastopol. This is a given. Any Russian leader would go to war to assure Russia could keep its one warm water seaport. The Black Sea exits into the Mediterranean and that give Russian ships year-round access to the waters of the globe.

     The mid-bite would be to safeguard the Russian population of the Crimea. Most of that area identifies with Russia and speaks the Russian language. One resolution would be to partition Ukraine; one part Russian, looking east, and one part more Europeanized, looking west.

     The largest bite Putin could take would be to use military force to seize control of Kiev and the national parliament and re-install the ousted president.

     Unfortunately, my educated guess is that he will chose to take the largest bite. Five reasons: One, he's Putin. Two, he can get away with it; NATO is not going to invade Ukraine. Third, he can hold off Western aggression by cutting off oil and gas supplies to Ukraine and Europe. Fourth, Russia has used its army to assert its self-interest before, despite huge costs; obtaining a warm water port was the reason Russia invaded Afghanistan. Fifth and most important, Putin is opposed to popular uprisings forcing a change in government; his ongoing support for Assad in Syria is a prime example.

     Sadly, Putin is probably going to accomplish a fait accompli, sit back and watch Europe and the United States squirm. There will be no military war, but in Ukraine the war for democracy and government of the people, by the people and for the people, will intensify. It is not a happy scenario.

Professor Fouke, 80 and too busy to die. 

Designer Babies

Many genetic scientists are uncomfortable with the idea of "designer babies," and for good reason. There is no way to predict which gene will provide the crucial mutation at the crucial moment in species adaptation, and tinkering with the gene pool necessarily limits one of the most important factors in species survival, namely diversity. No joking matter.--Professor Fouke, 80 and on it.

Quotes from my Forthcoming Book

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has become grossly one-sided; after 65 years the argument that Israel constantly faces a grave existential threat is losing force and being replaced by an international call for justice. Israel’s current leadership must set the table for the generation in waiting to lead the country to a fair solution and peaceful coexistence with the Palestinians.

Nugent's Potty Mouth

I am troubled by Ted Nugent’s foul-mouthed criticisms of President Obama. It is one thing to disagree, but quite another to disrespect. There are many legitimate reasons for opposing Obama’s positions on a number of issues. But Nugent’s nasty name-calling—all too common these days—actually does more harm than good. Instead of arguing for a moral position, the right is simply throwing mud. This illustrates perfectly the ideological breakdown of the conservative/republican side of the political spectrum. Would somebody please shut Nugent and his ilk up, so we can get on with a real conversation?

—Professor Fouke, 80 years old and too busy to die.

Quotes from my Forthcoming Book

Those who already had their say in government—the noblemen/landowners—were horrified by the idea of the mob and the middle-class having a hand in their own governance. Those already privileged with power, in any society, are the brakes that slow down the progress from Status to Contract, and from Contract to Dignity—this was true in 18^th century England, and it is true in 21^st century America.

Kickstarter Mission Statement

Our fund-raising Kickstarter goal is $15,000 to cover the costs of editing, design, printing/publishing and rewards. If we receive more pledges this is how the money will be spent.

 

If an additional $10,000 is raised we will distribute copies of the book to 500 opinion makers, including rabbis, priests, pastors, professors, book reviewers, editors, and anyone whom our backers nominate.

 

If  and additional $10,000 raised (total of $35,000) we hope to publish a companion book, Jews Who Influenced a Goyim: Evangelizing through Example.        

 

If additional $12,000 raised (total of $47,000) we'd like to complete the founding of a non-profit Time to Survive Educational Foundation. 

 

Any sums over $47,000 will be spent on the work of the Foundation to promote a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and apply lessons learned from the Jewish survival experience to the survival of the planet.