The story about Yonkers born musician Joel Diamond will astonish you with his Yonkas speak. I had the privilege of meeting Joel in NYC a few years ago, and I adore his refreshing and direct persona. He is truly a “Diamond in the Rough.” Barbara Lloyd McMichael writes about the U.S. National Park Service and its many heritage fruit orchards. Barbara also writes about the history, legacy and current controversy surrounding the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Our July book reviews are not light summer reading, but you might find them interesting. Submission by Michel Houellebecq is a complicated rendering of what happens to a liberal culture when it is suppressed by an orthodox, reactionary leadership. DEATH AND THE BUTTERFLY by Colin Hester captures the liminal space between life and death, where the beauty of the butterfly prevails. We welcome commentary by risk management expert Annie Searle who has been writing ASA News & Notes for Seventeen Years. Do you know the difference between Social Democrats and Democratic Socialists? Nick Licata explains the schism in the Democratic Party. Happy July! –Patricia Vaccarino
Diamond in the Rough by Patricia Vaccarino How Joel Diamond came to play at Carnegie Hall is a Yonkers story that began at the Hammond Organ Store on Nepperhan Avenue. Diamond was born blind in one eye, but when he walked into the organ store, he could play the keyboard. He was a prodigy.
Preserving America’s Heritage Orchards by Barbara Lloyd McMichael The U.S. National Park Service is known for its preservation of historic homes, monuments, and beautiful wild landscapes across the country: the Statue of Liberty, the Grand Canyon, and Yellowstone’s Old Faithful. But orchards are also a significant part of the NPS portfolio of cultural assets. From apples to plum trees, and from peach groves to pecans, the Park Service is the custodian of living agricultural history.
Is DSA electoral successes hurting the Democratic Party? By Nick J. Licata DSA is the primary organization challenging the perceived lethargy and incompetence of the Democratic Party’s policies, similar to what social democratic parties have promoted in Europe.
The Reflecting Pool: Three Reflections and an Interlude by Barbara Lloyd McMichael The mirroring effect of pools of water has proven to be trouble since the times of Greek mythology. Remember what happened to Narcissus? After admiring his reflection and honoring his vanity at the cost of all else, the fellow was cursed to spend eternity as a daffodil.
The Iran War was the result of Trump's narcissism by Nick J. Licata Trump was driven by his vanity rather than by the necessity of stopping Iran from attacking America. He bombed Iran and started a war.
Seventeen Years by Annie Searle Over seventeen years, ASA News & Notes has focused on public policy as well as risk analysis, often going beyond textbook definitions to understand persons or forces driving change.
Book Review: DEATH AND THE BUTTERFLY by Colin Hester DEATH AND THE BUTTERFLY cracks open the door and allows us to peer into lives that are far apart in time and culture, yet every character has been touched by the long-term effect of the tragedy of World War II. Three storylines, developed over multiple timelines, are interwoven to create a narrative that is equal parts prose and poetry. –Patricia Vaccarino
Book Review: Submission by Michel Houellebecq University Professor Francois is approaching the thick of middle age while the Islamic world encroaches on the French Liberal Body Politic. Women are wearing burqas, alcohol is prohibited (except for the Islamic elite), and all men are encouraged to have multiple wives, the younger the better. Francois will soon lose his job at the New Sorbonne University, unless he submits to the new reigning Islamic order. He must profess his loyalty to Allah. –Patricia Vaccarino