Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Gary Taubes Meets Dr. Oz
An interesting post from Gary Taubes about his recent taping with Dr. Oz. Insightful about TV, conventional wisdom (CW), science, and a terrific summary of what Taubes is about from his friend Bob Kaplan. Go the the end of the Taubes post to see Kaplan's very interesting summary. This is something to read as you consider any Fat Tuesday binge (like your truly).
James Zogby on Arabs & the U.S.
Mr. Zogby, of polling fame, spoke today @ the Iowa City Foreign Relations Council about Arab-U.S. relations as he discussed them in the book I've lined to. His main points:
1. We don't listen--as a nation, as leaders, and as a people--to Arab voices. (The same could be said, as he noted, for individuals and concerning other groups.)
2. Most Arabs care about what we care about: jobs, family, education, health care, etc. Most are not oil sheiks or terrorists. We have a very skewed view.
3. Many, like Newt Gingrich (specifically mentioned), speak with authoritatively but know really nothing. Perceptions don't match realities.
4. At the beginning of the Iraq War 11% of Americans could find Iraq on a map. Now 36% can find it. Wow.
Fine talk, and he seems like an astute and thoughtful fellow.
1. We don't listen--as a nation, as leaders, and as a people--to Arab voices. (The same could be said, as he noted, for individuals and concerning other groups.)
2. Most Arabs care about what we care about: jobs, family, education, health care, etc. Most are not oil sheiks or terrorists. We have a very skewed view.
3. Many, like Newt Gingrich (specifically mentioned), speak with authoritatively but know really nothing. Perceptions don't match realities.
4. At the beginning of the Iraq War 11% of Americans could find Iraq on a map. Now 36% can find it. Wow.
Fine talk, and he seems like an astute and thoughtful fellow.
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