Spring Weekly ReaderVolume 9, Issue 38, May 24, 2012 The Plano Rotary Club www.PlanoRotary.com Report from Bedlam UPCOMING Report from Bedlam MEETINGS rince John promised to replace our stand (because “it leans May 24 – Van Taylor – Texas House of Representatives PP Amer Flag to the Left”) before he leaves office. He District 66 was applauded not out of any patriotic sentiment, but for the fact of his promising to h May 31 – Sgt. Patrick Sowers – Operation Once in a Lifetime leave office. Someone called that “hope and change.” June 7 – Jon Taylor, PhD – “Dr. Jon’s Comedy Hypnosis” He called the rabble to order at 12:18, having June 14 – David McSpadden – Former District Governor Superintendant Richard Matkin who skip convinced LB the Good to give (having already interviewed him) lauded. June 21 Chief G. Rushin – Plano Police Department the Invocation and Jason Camille Ussery claimed a walk-in guest, Rice to lead us in the Pledge. Phillip Pantler (former Rotarian), and someone June 28 – President’s Final Meeting (“Thanks, Bob!”) John credited unkind asked “Who picked who[m] up?” Flash with greeting, Randy Wright gave his tersest and most vocal musing that he must be drumming up business. (“but correct,” Randy reminded us) introduction yet (Babbitt, after all, was a “Rotarian.”) for guest Tim sergeant skippy came McCord, and John MAY to the podium shaking his commented that it BIRTHDAYS head and muttering, “Tough Randy “sounded more crowd,” on hearing our and more like (Scary reaction to the flag stand. Bob) Epstein.” skip gave a lengthy CV in his May 01- Samuel Huffines, Sr. Susan iron butterfly Shuler received $2,000 introduction of former Mayor on behalf of her Plano Children’s Medical Clinic. May 05- Gary Basham Jeran Akers (Preston Trail May 05- John Priest Club) concluding with his current bid for office. John May 06- Christopher Parr fined skip $5 which Jeran May 09- Jason Rice cheerfully offered to pay. “Then make it $10,” quipped May 13- Gerald Brence John. In addition to the May 20- Kelly Palmer Mayor, we had Art Fisher May 21- Robert Epstein visiting from Pittsburgh, May 27- Mary Jo Dean Kansas, Rotary. Captain Kirk rose to announce yet May 27- Lynn Schwartz Ben Criste welcomed one more venue at which we might socialize: 6 May 29- Randy Wright both Julie Holmer and pm Tuesday night at Top Golf in Allen (sorry, David Rankin to Plano Bruce). It’s an upscale driving range where we’ll Rotary. Wayne Hendrick slam a few balls, slam back a few drinks, and introduced his second adjourn to Uncle Julio’s for dinner. Those successor, newly-minted PISD interested may RSVP to Bob Pikna. ([email protected]) continued on page 2 Ben Criste reported on Cruisin’ in the as an international region. In 2003, the World Affairs Park, our non-sanctioned Soap Box Council founded Dallas Protocol, a partnership with the Derby. He first congratulated Randy City of Dallas, which is responsible for coordinating the Wright on his superb organization of a City’s international outreach, including relations with successful day. Then he told us that the Diplomatic Corps and supporting the Mayor and City with contributions of $6,500 (Ray Council. He is the moderator of Global IQ with The Huffines), $1,000 (Octavio Ortiz, Economist, the Council’s monthly webcast.” David McWhorter and Verizon), and “In 1977, Jim earned a BA degree in Political Science others, with a $10,500 raffle, we from Washington and Lee University; in 1983, he netted $18K after expenses. “The earned an MA in Foreign Affairs from the University of weather was our biggest enemy,” he said. We had 67 Virginia in International Law and Organization and racers, 40 pre-registered and 27 walk-ups at $12/3 races. Middle Eastern Studies. He has a French Baccalaureate We managed 142 races. Ben also thanked the many from the Academy of Grenoble… From 1992 to 1999, volunteers, including John Parker, Jim Cooper, Jim was Director/Southern Region of the Institute for John Ernst, Lynette and Ken Pieper, Lee Dunlap, International Education in Houston. Early in his career, Nancy Humphrey, Carrolyn Moebius, Rick he was the Director of Education and Media Outreach at the Middle East Institute in Washington, DC, and Horne, Rick Maucieri, Julie Holmer, Kenny IRON worked for 10 years as a commercial banker in Houston, MAN Wilson (who offloaded ½ the truck before anyone else TX…” arrived!), Earnest Burke (who arrested the run of I CAN FLY “He serves on the Board and was President of the a driver who didn’t brake), Rutledge Haggard, Maggie Greater Dallas Chapter of the Association of & Russ (Plano Conservancy), and Non Pareil. Fundraising Professionals in 2010. Jim is also Adjunct Professor of International Relations at the University of North Texas. Jim’s wife, Terrell, is Chief Operating Officer at the Dallas Museum of Nature and Science, and they have two adult children.” Jim said that he has lived in Plano for 10 years, and he thanked us for the opportunity to talk today on Afghanistan Today & Tomorrow. He showed us, tongue-in-cheek, what a “friendly neighborhood” in which Afghanistan finds itself. From the It fell to John to congratulate Ben for his unfailing poppy fields to the oil-producing pleasantry and outstanding job. He then called Ean regions the fighting rages. Sullivan, Louise Davis, and James Youngblood to Participants pray for snow that brings the podium to make Paul Harris awards. Ean extolled a lull in the combat. the virtues of the Foundation, got his tongue caught in But it was ever thus: Afghanistan has been a stage his eye-teeth and thus could not see what he was saying. for almost continuous warfare from Alexander the Jan was called in to interpret. Louise received her pin Great through the Mongol Invasions to the Soviet and and certificate while James got a pin with one jewel in it US occupations. The latest rumble has lasted 15 years! implying a second $1K to PHF. On Jim’s last trip to the region he met with President Hamid Karzai, high school and university students and activists. And with the exception of three parliamentarians, all were at least courteous. Chuck Morgan introduced the day’s speaker: Jim Falk, President of the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth, “a nonprofit, non-partisan, educational organization dedicated to creating a more A perpetually subjugated people, they have a saying: informed citizenry on matters of national and “You may have the watches, but we have the time.” Jim international significance, and to enhancing North Texas was impressed with the youths opposing almost 90,000 armed US troops with slingshots. We are Plano Rotary Club winnowing away our forces there; France is about to announce withdrawals. The US will Board of Directors maintain “continuous footholds but not bases.” 2010-2011 Their opposition (Taliban, Al Quaeda, drug lords, President etc.) overwinters in caves then rides to battle in John Ernst the Spring on motorcycles. But they’ve begun President Elect talks with the government, and some even “want Lynn Schwartz to support the Afghan Government.” Because of security Vice President concerns, his visit was Karla Oliver restricted to Kabul. It has Secretary suffered quite a change from Kirk Bell the miniskirts and nightclubs Treasurer protected against that predation, the farmers of the 70’s. The Taliban had a Earnest Burke lot to which to react! The could grow the much more profitable Past President traffic is thick with Toyota pomegranates. John Ernst Corollas, and the shops are Karzai has said of cheek-by-jowl pharmacies. Pakistan, “I would have cut Sergeant at Arms People fear the return of the Taliban whose off its head like a dragon.” It Skip Jenkins hanging park is now a commemorative park. is inconceivable to Jim that Membership Chair When Jim asked Karzai what legacy he the ISI (Pakistani Intelligence Ben Criste hopes to have, his answer was to leave a stable Service) was not complicit in bin Laden’s residency in Membership Vice Chair country (in 2014 he steps down) moving toward Casey Stewart Democracy with equal rights for women. An Abbottabad. aide told Jim in an aside that he had seen Karzai Hope for Afghanistan rests not exclusively Service Chair “on a good day.” on petroleum but also minerals of all kinds. $1T Alan Feigenbaum Warlord Abdul Sayyaf have been made of them by India, China, and Service Vice Chair once supported Osama bin even Canada, but the US has reaped $0. Bob Pikna Cary Israel asked how the World Affairs Laden but has now switched Public Relations Chair Council is funded. Jim said “by its 3800 his loyalties to the Afghan Nathan Barbera government. Everyone has an members.” Grants from Exxon and others as Public Relations Vice Chair AK-47 (Russian assault rifle) well as Dallas diplomatic services flesh out it and every home is an armed coffers. Thad Stammen camp with guard bunkers. Scary Bob asked about prospects for peace in Club Admin. Chair Jim says that his views on the Middle East. Jim thought Tunisia is doing Octavio Ortiz Afghanistan have evolved since his visit. He now the best job, and Egypt is moving forward. Syria Club Admin Vice Chair believes: is too dangerous yet, and Jim is concerned, not Chuck Morgan 1. The Taliban must be contained. about the Muslim Brotherhood but even more Foundation Chair 2. Afghanistan must become safer for radical factions. Middle Easterners just want Ean Sullivan women. jobs and an end to corruption. Foundation Vice Chair It is the most dangerous country in which to John offered Jim our medallion and a be a woman (followed by the Congo, Pakistan, India, promise of donation in his name to Shoes for Rick Maucieri and Somalia).