Category Archives: Ayn Rand

Palm Beach County school board leaders decided Wednesday to deny three challenges to books by Bill O'Reilly, Ayn Rand and Dean Koontz on the library shelves at Park Vista High School.

The person who challenged the books called them lessons in "hypocrisy" as they were written by two authors with ties to candidates who have supported Florida's book restrictions but whose own works include graphic sexual content.

The books in question were "The O'Reilly Factor for Kids: A Survival Guide for America's Families" by O'Reilly, "The Fountainhead" by Rand and "The Taking" by Koontz.

Kenneth Derrick, who is not a parent of a child at Park Vista, was not pushing for the books to be removed from the library.

Instead, he suggested the school district affix an advisory label to the books that calls out authors who support book challenges but include sexual content in their own novels.

The board voted unanimously to deny his request to add the labels to the books.

"This request by the challenger is kind of outside the Florida statute. It's outside of our policies and procedures as a school district," Superintendent Mike Burke said. "I would just caution the board that we have over 2 million books in Palm Beach County schools. I'd be concerned about if we start going down the path of advisory labels, that could be a subjective process. I'm concerned about his proposal."

Derrick did not attend the school board's hearing.

Florida law allows parents of students in the school system and county residents to challenge books they believe are pornographic or not age-appropriate for the students who can access them.

Derrick's challenges to the three books were denied by Park Vista's school materials review committee, its principal and Burke. The denials cited the committee's finding that the books are age-appropriate and that the school district does not typically add warning labels to books.

The three books are the second, third and fourth formal challenges in the past year to be appealed all the way to a school board hearing. Last July, a parent unsuccessfully challenged the Bible's availability to students at Olympic Heights High.

More: Palm Beach County school leaders vote to keep Bible in libraries after parent challenge

Of "The O'Reilly Factor: A Survival Guide for America's Families," Derrick pointed to descriptions of sexual conduct in the book's chapter titled "Sex" as the reason for his challenge.

"For example, on pg. 72: 'And according to many experts and studies, quite a few of you like to pretend that you're in the Clinton White House. I mean, you casually practice oral sex, even in your early teens,'" Derrick wrote in his challenge, along with other examples from the book's chapter.

He suggested a label be placed on the book that highlights the book's author supported Florida's laws "restricting the content of books in school classrooms and libraries, but he became angry when his books were removed for inappropriate content."

O'Reilly, a conservative television commentator and former Fox News host, reportedly became "furious" in January after two of his books were removed by Escambia County's school district. He previously supported the book challenge laws in Florida, which he said were necessary to "protect children" from a far-left agenda.

Derrick also challenged "The Fountainhead" for a description of what appears to be a sexual assault. The book was written by Alice O'Connor, using the pen name Ayn Rand, and published in 1943. Derrick says in his challenge that "many individuals who support Florida laws restricting the content of books in school classrooms and libraries often recommend that young people read this book."

Public schools in Orange County removed the book from libraries last year, according to The Orlando Sentinel.

Finally, Derrick challenged "The Taking" for descriptions of violent sexual conduct, including pornography and sexual assault committed by gangs. The novel was written by self-labeled conservative and Catholic horror novelist Dean Koontz and published in 2004.

Derrick argues that Koontz has "donated money to politicians who support laws restricting the content of books in school classrooms and libraries." Campaign finance records show that Koontz has donated to several Republican candidates for Congress in California over the past four years. None of those candidates appears to be connected to Florida.

Katherine Kokal is a journalist covering education at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at kkokal@pbpost.com. Help support our work; subscribe today!

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Books by Bill O'Reilly, Dean Koontz challenged in school: What happened?

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Challenges to books by Bill O'Reilly, Ayn Rand, Dean Koontz: What did the school board do? - AOL

Watch the interview for a taste of a valuable perk of ARI membership.

ARI Roundtables are an exclusive monthly online event for our donors, featuring intriguing guest interviews and exclusively released content. Since 2020 they have become a staple of the Objectivist community, providing an exciting forum to engage with some of the most productive minds influenced by Ayn Rands philosophy of reason, individualism, and capitalism. The event involves lively discussions and inspiring guest interviews, with breakout rooms hosted by ARI staff followed by a free-form hangout.

A key component of the Roundtables has been our interviews with guests who share insight into their careers and stories about the influence of Objectivism on their lives. Weve featured a broad range of guests, such as businessman Binh Dang , cognitive neuroscientist Prof. Dale Stevens, and philosopher James Lennox, just to name a few. The experience is packed with moving stories sure to provide spiritual fuel for those that want to engage with other valuers.

This past months Roundtable featured an exciting interview with tech startup expert and entrepreneur, Elle Morrill. She took us on a journey from her beginnings working at the age of 14 in positions ranging from stable hand and McDonalds crew member, to her own executive coaching business, all the way to her current position as a CEO and cofounder at Groupthink, a new AI-driven remote meeting app. Morrill recounted her learning experiences as a founder and manager and revealed some of the most valuable career advice she picked up on the way.

When asked about the impact of Rand on her life and career, Morrill highlighted how Rands portrayal of Dagny Taggart in Atlas Shrugged impacted her professional and interpersonal outlook. She also shared her thoughts on the role Objectivist ideas give her an advantage as a leader in her field.

Morrills charismatic personality and mind for business and personal growth really shone through as a testament to the cardinal value of productivity in ones life. You can now watch a recording of her interview, as a taste of one of the valuable perks that come with ARI membership.

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Tech Entrepreneur Elle Morrill Offers Inspirational Life Advice in ARI Roundtable - New Ideal

Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, but your government when they deserve it. I may have written this before, but it is still true. I love my country. I love even more this place called Northern Michigan. But I am embarrassed about how other countries see us now. Are we an underdeveloped third-world country? The uncivilized? The undemocratic?

I was always proud to be an American when I travel. I now want to say Im from Iceland, Sweden, or even the moon. Just somewhere there isnt rioting in the streets, kids killing kids, crowds attacking our capitol. I think it may be time to stay home and put a sign in my window saying Closed.

On another note, my family is attempting to take care of me. An impossible task or so my husband said. If you tell me I cant do it, you know I will.

I remember being told I could never carry a child. I now have five wonderful children. I was told I was too old to skydive, so skydiving I did. I like a challenge, but I want fate to be on my side. So Ill still whine about politics, but I will always vote.

Remember this from Ayn Rand, The question isnt who is going to let me, its who is going to stop me! So I say to all, Go for it and hug your loved ones.

The Association of Lifetime Learners is now 25 years old and is run as democratically as ever. It is still fun to be with friends, to share food, laughs, and love.

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America needs to clean up its act | News, Sports, Jobs - Alpena News

Throughout history, human migration has been a fundamental aspect of the human experience. From the earliest days of humanity, individuals and communities have ventured across landscapes and continents in search of better opportunities, resources, and safety. Whether it was the migration of early humans from East Africa to the surrounding regions or the millions of immigrants who sought a better life in the United States in recent centuries, the phenomenon of immigration is driven by individual decisions to pursue a better life and seek better opportunities somewhere else.

Early human migration patterns involved nomadic tribes moving in search of fertile land and abundant game, gradually populating diverse regions of the world. As civilizations developed, trade networks and the desire for new knowledge spurred further movement of people, leading to cultural diffusion and exchanges of ideas.

Fast forward to the modern era, and human migration has grown exponentially due to technological advancements in transportation and communication. The 19th and 20th centuries witnessed significant waves of migration, with millions of people crossing oceans and borders in pursuit of better lives and opportunities.

For instance, during the mid to late-19th century, hundreds of thousands of Irish immigrants made their way to the United States, driven from their homeland by the Great Famine (1845-1852) and a combination of other factors such as harsh socio-economic conditions, land dispossession, and limited opportunities. Upon arrival in the U.S., many Irish immigrants settled in cities like New York, Boston, and Philadelphia, where they initially encountered discrimination and experienced significant hardship as longer-established communities resented their arrival.

Yet, over time, Irish Americans established a strong presence in various sectors, contributing to the labor force, building infrastructure, and participating in politics. Their perseverance, resilience, and eventual integration into American society left a lasting impact on the cultural fabric of the United States.

Economic prospects, such as the California Gold Rush or industrialization, drew migrants to regions with the promise of prosperity. Meanwhile, political turmoil and persecution led to refugee movements seeking safety and freedom in foreign lands.

An interesting parallel can be drawn between this immigration with the internal movement involved in the Great Migration of African Americans in the early to mid-20th century. Millions of African Americans relocated from the Southern United States to the North, Midwest, and West, seeking improved living conditions, economic prospects, and freedom from systemic oppression. This mass migration reshaped the demographics of Northern cities, enriched cultural diversity, and played a pivotal role in advancing the civil rights movement.

While migration has historically played a crucial role in shaping societies and fostering cultural exchange, there has been a significant, albeit much shorter, history of restrictions on immigration. As national governments formed and established defined borders, they sought to control the movement of people across those boundaries. This was fueled in large part by the rise of nationalism as an ideology during the 19th century and later exacerbated during World War I. Concerns over economic competition, cultural assimilation, and fears of social disruption led to the implementation of various immigration restrictions and policies.

The United States, for instance, passed restrictive immigration acts, such as the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and the Immigration Act of 1924, which aimed to limit the entry of certain ethnic groups and nationalities. Similarly, other nations, such as Canada, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, introduced measures to restrict immigration, often motivated by perceived threats to their national identity and economic interests.

However, with the global appetite for further restrictions on immigration seemingly as strong as ever in recent years, the fundamental question of why immigration is good remains crucial.

Open immigration embodies the very essence of individualism, empowering people to seek out opportunities, to flourish, and to enrich their own lives. In doing so, they also happen to enrich the lives of others in the societies they voluntarily join and take productive roles in. Fundamentally, freedom of movement is about economics, freedom of association, and the ability of individuals to pursue their dreams.

The potential that open immigration holds to spur global productivity and prosperity is nothing short of astounding. As the walls crumble, a free flow of ideas, skills, and talents transcends borders, igniting a dynamic exchange of knowledge and expertise. The amalgamation of diverse perspectives fuels innovation and creativity, propelling societies to unprecedented heights of progress.

By fostering a welcoming environment for immigrants, we embrace the potential of fresh perspectives and the potential to unlock untapped reservoirs of human capital.

Skeptics may argue that an influx of immigrants will strain local resources and diminish opportunities for native citizens. However, history tells a different tale. From the Ellis Island immigrants who helped build America to the wave of entrepreneurs and skilled workers shaping Silicon Valley, countless examples demonstrate that immigration is not a zero-sum game. Instead, it represents a powerful force for economic growth, job creation, and cultural enrichment.

Immigration has been a huge driving force behind creating America as we know it today. Without immigrants, or with far fewer immigrants, it would be impossible to imagine the United States developing into the worlds dominant economic powerhouse as it did.

Each of these immigrants arrived on American shores seeking freedom, opportunity, and a chance at a better life. These newcomers brought diverse skills, ideas, and experiences that allowed them to thrive in the pursuit of their dreams, and in doing so, they inadvertently enriched American society.

For instance, German immigrants brought a tradition of craftsmanship and innovation. In the mid-19th century, German immigrants introduced lager beer production techniques, revolutionizing the American beer industry. Additionally, German immigrants contributed to advancements in various fields, including science, music, and architecture.

Similarly, Italian immigrants introduced their rich culinary traditions to America. They opened restaurants, cafes, and food markets, contributing to the establishment of Italian-American cuisine as a beloved aspect of American culture. Dishes like pizza and pasta became popular staples, transforming American tastes and creating a thriving industry.

Moreover, Chinese immigrants, particularly those who worked on the transcontinental railroad, contributed their labor and skills to one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects of the time. They also brought their cultural practices, including cuisine and traditions, which continue to be cherished aspects of American diversity. Chinese immigrants established vibrant Chinatowns in major cities, enriching the cultural fabric of these areas.

By attracting individuals with diverse skills and backgrounds, the United States has embraced a unique demographic landscape that fosters innovation, resilience, and economic prosperity. As a nation built on the dreams and aspirations of immigrants, the story of America is deeply intertwined with the enduring power of immigrations economic and demographic contributions.

Unfortunately, over the past century or so, successive administrations have pursued misguided, nativist policies, turning their backs on the very asset that made America what it is in the first place.

This is especially true in recent years, with the travel bans enacted by former president Donald Trump, reductions in the annual cap on refugee admissions, and numerous attempts to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

Opposition to immigration has been allowed to gradually place the American dream out of reach for so many ambitious individuals and deprive the country of further potential in the process.

America has a rich tapestry of successful immigrant stories, each exemplifying the potential of individuals able to pursue their dreams in the place of their choosing. Here are just a few specific examples:

Albert Einstein: The iconic physicist, known for his theory of relativity and contributions to quantum mechanics, was born in Germany and fled to the United States during the rise of the Nazi regime. His work revolutionized modern physics and had a profound impact on science and technology.

Sergey Brin: A co-founder of Google, Sergey Brin, was born in the Soviet Union (now Russia) and immigrated to the United States as a child. He helped create one of the most influential companies in the world, transforming the way we access information and communicate.

Anousheh Ansari: An Iranian-American engineer and entrepreneur, Anousheh Ansari made history as the first self-funded female space tourist. She immigrated to the United States from Iran as a teenager and later co-founded the Ansari XPRIZE, a competition to promote private spaceflight.

Andrew Carnegie: Born in Scotland, Carnegie immigrated to the U.S. in the mid-19th century and worked his way up from a factory worker to become one of the wealthiest men in history. He was a philanthropist and industrialist who played a major role in the expansion of the American steel industry.

Nikola Tesla: One of historys most brilliant inventors and electrical engineers, Nikola Tesla was born in Croatia (then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire). He arrived in America in 1884 and made significant contributions to the development of alternating current (AC) electrical systems, radio technology, and wireless communication.

Ayn Rand: The renowned philosopher and novelist Ayn Rand was born in St. Petersburg, Russia, and immigrated to the United States in 1926 as a young adult. She became a prominent advocate of individualism, liberty, and reason, presenting her philosophy of Objectivism through various works of both fiction and nonfiction. Her influential novels, such as Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead, continue to inspire readers to this day.

Elon Musk: Born in South Africa, Elon Musk is now one of the most influential entrepreneurs in the world. He co-founded companies like Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink, and The Boring Company, revolutionizing the automotive and space industries and spearheading efforts in renewable energy and space exploration.

Hedy Lamarr: Austrian-born actress Hedy Lamarr, known for her Hollywood career, also made significant contributions to technology. She co-patented a frequency-hopping spread spectrum technology during World War II that laid the groundwork for modern wireless communication.

Andy Grove: Andrs Istvn Grf, better known as Andy Grove, was born in Hungary and survived the Holocaust before coming to the United States. He became a key figure in the tech world as the co-founder and CEO of Intel Corporation, significantly contributing to the growth of the semiconductor industry.

However, the benefits of immigration extend far beyond high-profile success stories, as immigrants of all backgrounds make invaluable contributions to a countrys economy. From small business owners to hardworking laborers, they play a pivotal role in sustaining industries, filling crucial job positions, and fueling economic growth.

Many immigrants are also entrepreneurs, establishing businesses that provide valuable services and create jobs for locals. Their entrepreneurial ventures infuse innovation and fresh perspectives into the market, driving competition and economic dynamism. By fostering an environment that welcomes immigrants, nations can unlock the entrepreneurial potential of a diverse pool of talents, leading to a more robust and prosperous economy.

Lets look at some examples of how this works in practice.

Restaurants and food businesses: Immigrant entrepreneurs often open restaurants and food businesses that not only provide employment opportunities but also contribute to the culinary diversity of the local dining scene. For instance, a family from India might establish an authentic Indian restaurant, hiring local staff for positions such as chefs, servers, and managers.

Tech startups: Immigrant entrepreneurs in the technology sector can create startups that lead to job creation. Silicon Valley, for example, is filled with companies founded or co-founded by immigrants, many of which employ local engineers, designers, and support staff.

Small retail shops: Immigrant-owned small retail stores, whether they sell specialty products, clothing, or home goods, can generate jobs for locals in sales, customer service, and management positions.

Construction and trades: Immigrant workers often find employment in the construction and skilled trades industries. Their labor contributes to local infrastructure development, which in turn boosts demand for construction-related jobs among locals.

Healthcare services: Immigrant doctors, nurses, and healthcare professionals address workforce shortages in the healthcare sector, providing medical services and creating jobs for administrative staff, technicians, and support personnel.

Farming and agriculture: Immigrant farm laborers often work in the agriculture sector, contributing to local food production. This, in turn, supports jobs for local farm managers, equipment operators, and distribution workers.

Arts and culture: Immigrant artists, musicians, and performers can enrich the local arts and culture scene, creating opportunities for local talent, such as event organizers, marketing professionals, and venue staff.

Tourism: Immigrant-owned tourism-related businesses, such as hotels, tour companies, and travel agencies, help draw visitors to an area. This boosts demand for jobs in hospitality, transportation, and tourism services among locals.

Education and language services: Immigrant educators and language instructors often offer language classes, tutoring services, and cultural workshops, creating opportunities for local educators and support staff.

Consulting and services: Immigrant professionals, such as lawyers, accountants, and consultants, can establish firms that cater to local businesses, leading to job opportunities for paralegals, administrative staff, and consultants.

These examples illustrate how immigrants contribute to local economies by creating businesses and job opportunities, ultimately benefiting both newcomers and the local workforce. Immigrant entrepreneurship and the diverse skill sets they bring can stimulate economic growth and innovation, fostering a more prosperous and dynamic community.

Anti-immigration sentiment is a complex phenomenon, and its popularity can be attributed to several factors. One of the key drivers is the fear of economic competition, with some individuals worried that immigrants will take away jobs from native-born workers or drive down wages.

Additionally, concerns about strains on public resources, such as healthcare, education, and welfare systems, contribute to anti-immigrant sentiments. People may also fear cultural changes or view immigrants as a threat to national identity, leading to a desire to preserve familiar social norms and traditions.

In the annals of American immigration, its crucial to remember the experiences of the Irish who arrived in the 19th century, who were infamously discriminated against in job postings and housing advertisements. Irish immigrants faced profound prejudice upon their arrival, with many locals harboring unfounded fears about the impact of their presence. Concerns abounded that they would take jobs from native-born workers, strain public resources, and fundamentally change the cultural fabric of the nation.

However, history has shown that these fears were misplaced. The anticipated threats to the existing local population never materialized as expected. Irish immigrants, like so many others who followed, contributed to the growth and dynamism of the United States. Their experiences underscore the recurring theme in immigration history: the unfounded nature of many fears and the positive contributions made by newcomers.

It is essential to challenge the foundations of anti-immigration sentiment and recognize the misconceptions behind it. Economic studies consistently show that immigrants typically complement rather than compete with native workers and contribute to job creation through entrepreneurship and business ventures.

With a population density of 87 people per square mile, significantly less than the European Unions 274 per square mile, America is clearly not full, as many opponents of immigration often claim. Particularly in the case of such a large area, more people do not correlate to fewer resources to go around.

Moreover, many countries with growing populations have experienced substantial economic growth and technological advancement without exhausting their resources. This is due to the ability of human beings to adapt, innovate, and find creative solutions to challenges, leading to a continual expansion of available resources and an improved quality of life for the population at large.

Additionally, the notion that immigrants are a burden on public resources is simply unfounded, as numerous studies demonstrate the positive net fiscal impact of immigration. For instance, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, immigrants in the United States have a higher labor force participation rate than native-born citizens.

Furthermore, the Cato Institute provided an analysis of the Census Bureaus 2021 Survey of Income and Program Participation in which they found that the average immigrant consumed 27.3 percent less welfare than their nativeborn counterparts in 2020. This figure stands in stark contrast with the misinformed trope about immigrants moving primarily to claim benefits and live off of other peoples taxes.

Ultimately, the only pro-liberty solution in reducing this further is, as Alex Nowrasteh puts it, building a higher wall around the welfare state instead of around the country.

In terms of the security risk, a factor often quoted by opponents of immigration, the research simply does not back up the fears. Studies have consistently confirmed that immigrants, both legal and undocumented, have a lower propensity to commit crimes compared to native-born citizens, countering the notion that more immigration means a greater threat to public safety.

Those who wish to see a more rational approach to immigration, focused on the principles of individual freedom, must continue to push back against ill-informed arguments and tropes. All who value liberty and reason must be bold and unapologetic in advocating for freedom of movement on the same level as freedom of speech or free trade. The evidence is readily available.

So why is it that, despite immigration carrying such obvious benefits, so many voters and politicians are determined to undermine freedom of movement? Beyond just falling for the common misconceptions around economic factors, it seems much of the opposition to immigration boils down to deeply irrational factors such as racism and xenophobia.

Ayn Rand, the aforementioned author and philosopher who developed Objectivism, a philosophy founded upon reason, wrote on this subject in the 1960s in one of her works of nonfiction. She asserted that:

Racism is the lowest, most crudely primitive form of collectivism. It is the notion of ascribing moral, social or political significance to a mans genetic lineagethe notion that a mans intellectual and characterological traits are produced and transmitted by his internal body chemistry. Which means, in practice, that a man is to be judged, not by his own character and actions, but by the characters and actions of a collective of ancestors. Ayn Rand, The Virtue of Selfishness, p. 126.

Indeed, it stands firmly against reason to believe that certain individuals somehow have less inherent worth than others and should have barriers placed upon them based on their lineage.

Open borders can lead to significant economic gains for both sending and receiving countries. By allowing people to move freely in search of better opportunities, the global labor market becomes more efficient. Immigrants tend to move from places with lower productivity to places with higher productivity, thus increasing overall economic output. This movement of labor can lead to greater innovation, specialization, and the filling of labor gaps in industries that face shortages.

Moreover, it is immoral to stand in the way of peaceful people pursuing their dreams purely on the grounds of where they happen to be born. Allowing people to seek better lives and escape oppressive or dangerous conditions is a matter of basic individual rights. No persons potential should be restrained by arbitrary barriers.

In his book, Open Borders: The Science and Ethics of Immigration, economist Bryan Caplan argues that open borders have the potential to significantly increase global GDP. He suggests that eliminating immigration restrictions could lead to a world where people are free to move and seek better opportunities across borders.

According to Caplans analysis, removing barriers to international labor mobility could increase global GDP by an astonishing amount, approximately 2.5 times the current value.

The reasoning behind this argument lies in the concept of labor market efficiency. With open borders, individuals could move from regions with lower productivity and income to areas with higher productivity and income, where their skills and expertise are more in demand. This reallocation of labor to its most productive uses would lead to a substantial boost in economic output and growth on a global scale.

Economic models show that when individuals are free to move and seek better opportunities, they can reallocate their labor to its most productive uses. By matching individuals with the most suitable economic environment, open borders lead to greater specialization and efficiency in the global labor market. As a result, the global economy operates closer to its full potential, leading to a substantial boost in economic output.

Moreover, historical examples provide valuable insights into the potential benefits of open borders. Nations that have historically embraced immigration, such as the United States, have experienced periods of rapid economic growth and prosperity.

An increase in global GDP by approximately 2.5 times represents an extraordinary opportunity for unlocking human potential and fostering prosperity worldwide. Embracing open borders can unleash the full productive capacities of individuals, lead to cross-cultural exchange, and propel the global economy into an era of unparalleled growth and development.

For more content on related topics, be sure to check out the following articles:

The two ideas that made America

Mises on immigration: setting the record straight

The role of government: schools of thought in classical liberalism

Why a free society requires open borders

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How immigration creates a more prosperous world - Learn Liberty

(August 25, 2023 / JNS)

By Sarah Lehman

No trip to Israel is complete without a trip to Yad Vashem. And no visitor to the acclaimed Holocaust Museum leaves dry-eyed. The delegation that recently visited Yad Vashem with the Israel Heritage Foundation was no exception.

More than 30 politicians, professionals and business people accompanied Israel Heritage Foundation executive vice president Dr. Joseph Frager, executive director Rabbi David Katz and special guest, former Gov. Mike Huckabee, on a trip to Israel. The seven-day visit took place the first week of August and included meetings with Knesset Members, government ministers and other dignitaries who briefed the delegation on current events affecting the Jewish state.

These officials included Minister of Finance Betzalel Smotrich; MK Simcha Rothman, chairman of the Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee; Minister of Heritage Rabbi Amichai Eliyahu; Minister of Education Yoav Kisch, Minister of Environmental Protection Idit Silman; MKs Dan Illouz; Ohad Tall; Michal Waldiger; Boaz Bizmuth; and Brig. Gen. Amir Avivi.

The delegation visited many sites within Jerusalem, including the Western Wall and the City of David. They also toured Hebron and the Cave of the Patriarchs, Shechem and Rachels Tomb, Masada, Shiloh and Kidmat Tzion.

The first stop of the programs itinerary, however, was designated for a tour of Yad Vashem. As the Israel Heritage Foundation is an organization dedicated to advocating for the Jewish state, fighting antisemitism and combating Holocaust deniers, the visit laid the groundwork for asserting the significance of protecting Israel as the birthright of the Jewish people.

Indeed, Jerry Wartski, the foundations honorary president, is himself a Holocaust survivor. Having lost both of his parents in the Holocaust, he has a tattooed number on his arm to forever remind him of the nightmare of Auschwitz. To him, Israel is a home and a refuge from the tyrannies of the antisemitism he survived.

Frager pointed out that even though he has toured Yad Vashem previously, every time, its incredibly eye-opening and impactful.

He told the group that they are the new ambassadors with the task of safeguarding the memories of the 6 million Jews killed by the Nazis.

These new ambassadors are incredible people, Frager said of the delegation. Theyve come from all over the U.S.Utah, South Carolina, Florida, New Jersey. Many are in the public sphere and will go on to instruct thousands of people. They are very influential people. The real influencers.

Seeing it in person is a whole new world

One of the most impactful aspects of the trip was examining the museums Book of Names, which contains the names of 4.8 million Holocaust victims, and whenever possible, their date of birth, and their place of birth and death.

Group members poured over it. Former Rep. Katherine E. (Katie) Arrington, who came with her husband, Robert, from South Carolina, was shocked to find many names of her fathers family. She was overcome with emotion when she spoke to the group. My father passed away when he was very young, and his family wasnt very big. Now I find half a page of people that Ill never know. I pray every day that it never happens again. But if we dont pay attention and learn from history, it will repeat itself. Were on the brink of it now. We saw evil, and the thing that takes evil and makes it good are the people that are here.

Robert Arrington agreed: Its enlightening. As an American, Ive read the textbooks but seeing it in person is a whole new world.

Other delegation members also shared their impressions of their experience at the end of the tour. Jay and Lisa Lifton, philanthropists from Florida, invoked the memory of the 6 million victims: Never again. We take on the obligation of what that means.

Christine Heathman, the founder of GlyMed Plus products from Utah, said the experience at the Holocaust museum touched her soul. It also educated me. One of the things about education is power, and the power of this museum is going to enlighten the world and keep it from ever happening again, she said. Each and every one of us needs to share our experience.

New Jersey Assemblywoman Beth Sawyer recognized the special responsibility that her public position demands. This has been a very moving experience for me, as an American Jewish woman and a single mother. Ive learned so much today, and as a legislator, I have a moral obligation to ensure we educate all of our children so this will never be forgotten.

The tour guide also acknowledged that moral obligation and relayed a quote from Ayn Rand for Sawyer to bear in mind When the law no longer protects you from the corrupt but protects the corrupt from you, you know your nation is doomed.

The trip to Yad Vashem was not the first for attorney and international affairs consultant Jill Quentzel. I was here in 1981, she shared. Its interesting to see how it has grown. There are no cemeteries or tombstones for the many more ashes that came. Their final resting place is here.

She also found listings of family names in the Book of Names. Some of the Quentzel family ended up in Argentina, where we now have the Quentzel Jewish Museum of Buenos Aires. What I worry about the most is not only the evil perpetrators, but the people who know something is happening and dont talk about it or do anything about it. I agree that we are beginning to see this again in the U.S. and it scares me. You cant come here and not be moved.

Alfred Oaks, an agriculture entrepreneur and political influencer from Naples, Fla., also drew attention to the subject of good and evil. It really does touch the heart and shows you the worst of humanity. Good and evil. I believe that were facing this again, and its not going to be in the same fashion. We see whats happening now with the World Economic Forum and what their plans are. It can happen globally again because we can see how bad human nature can get. We have to learn from this past, and its so important that this museum is here. I hope more people come here and experience this, and learn from our past mistakes.

Expressing his gratitude to the Jewish Heritage Foundation, Dr. A. Sinan Gursoy, a cardiac electrophysiologist, said: Without the foundation, I would never have gotten the chance to see these things. Its hard not to be moved here, but Im a strong believer that good always wins at the end. The degree of sadness as you leave here makes you become stronger, and I think thats the message.

Rabbi Katz, who along with his wife is a descendant of the Holocaust from all four sides, agreed with Gursoys takeaway. He was astounded to have also found the name of his great-grandfather in the Book of Names and was moved at witnessing the horrors that Yad Vashem categorizes. He honed in on the spiritual element of the experience as well.

I was most touched by the faith that the Jewish nation had while perishing, like saying Shema Yisrael, which is a belief that G-d puts me in the world and G-d takes me out of the world. Ani maamin; I believe in Hashem, and this is something that we always have to take along with ourselves. We also have to be aware of the importance of respect and love, and reject hatred and lack of respect. If more people had respected and loved each other, this would never have happened.

Katz emphasized the importance of unity and how the collection of diverse representation within the delegation underscored this precept. We have such a special groupJews, non-Jews, religious, non-religious. We know what it means to unite and to respect each other. This is the message we have to give to the world. We need to respect everyone and every religion. That will bring us to a much better world and the bringing of the Messiah, which should come speedily, bringing everyone to Jerusalem to witness the building of the Third Temple. Then the 6 million will come back and serve our G-d forever.

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Yad Vashem tour by Israel Heritage Foundation visibly moves ... - JNS.org

From the earliest days, Hollywood and its overseas competitors and wannabes were addicted to Chinatown. In tandem with Limehouse fiction, Fu Manchu series, and Charlie Chan mysteries, the so-called China flicksor, ahem, yellow flicksexploited the stereotypical eerie ambience of Chinatown as the cinematic obbligato. With its exotically clad citizenry, crooked alleys, curio shops, opium dens, gambling parlors, brothels, hidden warrens, trapdoors, and an occasional flying dagger in the dark, Chinatown, whether in realist street scenes or carved out of cardboard and fantasy, appeared readymade for film noir.

In some ways one may say that Thomas Edison, who had made a short reel titled Chinese Laundry Scene in 1895, followed in 1898 by a technically more experimental Dancing ChinamenMarionettes, was a trailblazer of Chinatown Noir. The latter film, consisting of just one scene in which two marionettes dance on strings pulled by an invisible hand, presents strangely multijointed bodies that seem to be able to perform physically impossible feats. Edisons competitor at American Mutoscope and Biograph made Chinese Rubbernecks in 1903, a film that shows a Chinese laundryman grabbing the head of his coworker and pulling it until the neck stretches across the screen and then springs back. Such a feat, created with dummies, reflects cinematic fantasies about the supposedly robotic Chinese physique and anticipates the kind of techno-Orientalist portrayals, for instance, of Fu Manchu more or less as a mind-controlling, soul-snatching cyborg.

Rising from the steam and starch of her fathers laundry in Los Angeles, Anna May Wong (1905-1961) entered early Hollywood when many films were saturated with noirish Chinatown imagery. As I have pointed out in my book, Daughter of the Dragon, in those years when film technology was still in its infancy, the fascination with Chinatown became comingled with the very nature of cinema with its intention to capture reality on the one hand and to shock and awe on the other. A passing glance at the titles of those Chinese-themed pictures made close to Wongs Hollywood debut reveals how eagerly the producers had exploited popular fantasies of turn-of-the-century Chinatown: The Chinese Lily (1914), The Yellow Traffic (1914), The War of the Tongs (1917), Mystic Faces (1918), and City of Dim Faces (1918). Wong first appeared in the 1919 film The Red Lantern, starring Alla Nazimova, the First Lady of the Silent Screen who coined the term, sewing circle, a discreet code for a gathering of lesbian and bisexual thespians. In the film, released in the same year as the other star-studded China flick, Broken Blossom (directed by D. W. Griffith), Wong was an uncredited extra as a lantern-carrier whose face remains unrecognizable in the crowd.

From that unceremonious beginning Wong would rise to become a global star, one that redefined the genre of Chinatown Noir. Some critics may have dismissed her as a willing participant in the concoction and perpetuation of Chinese stereotypes, but that assessment overlooks the insurmountable hurdles she had to overcome and the extraordinary talent and tenacity she had demonstrated as a star coolie, if you will, surviving and thriving in Hollywoods proverbial Dream Factory. A stark departure from all the yellowface actors ranging from Nazimova to Mary Pickford, Myrna Loy, Barbara Stanwyck, and Luise Rainer, and frustratingly denied lead roles due to racist restrictions of Hollywood, Wong brought authenticity and nuance to her roles while trying to remain true to herself and to her heritage, undermining the stereotypes that threatened to define her.

Looking back at her astonishing career, which boasts of over sixty films, a dozen stage plays, several television series, and countless vaudeville skits, I would recommend to my fellow mystery aficionados a prime-cut selection of what I consider to be quintessential Anna May Wong movies by which she left an indelible mark on Chinatown Noir:

Piccadilly (1929)

A swan song of the silent era, Piccadilly was written by the bestselling British author Arnold Bennett and directed by the German auteur E. A. Dupont. A British film somewhat freed from straitlaced Hollywood but by no means devoid of racial bigotry, Piccadilly was a feast for the eye as it cast Wong in her most provocatively erotic and seductive role. The story involves Shosho (Wong), a scullery maid who snatches a job as the dancing star at the fashionable Piccadilly Club from Mabel Greenfield (Gilda Gray), a blonde whose Charleston routines begin to get stale. Using her erotic and youthful charm, Shosho also steals Mabels place in the heart of the club owner, Valentine Wilmot. In the final seduction scene, Shosho takes Wilmot back to her flat in Limehouse. Full of kitschy, derivative bric-a-brac like goldfish, pagoda lanterns, a Buddha portrait, and looming shadows of a dragon, the exotic dcor suggests a den of an Oriental seductress ready to ensnare her unsuspecting prey. Appearing behind a diaphanous screen, Shosho has slipped into a braless sequined dress dangling on two thin straps, plus a matching embroidered veil. Not surprisingly, she lures Wilmot into her web. In the end, Shosho was shot dead by Jim, her jealous Chinese lover.

Daughter of the Dragon (1931)

Adapted from a Fu Manchu novel by Sax Rohmer, Daughter of the Dragon was vintage Anna May Wong. Teaming up with two of the biggest stars for Asian roles of the periodWarner Oland (my favorite Charlie Chan impersonator; see my book Charlie Chan) and Sessue Hayakawa, Wong played the lead as Ling Moy, the daughter of the insidious Chinaman. While in Piccadilly Shosho was just a simple, unabashed hedonist, at best a seductress with no malice, only ambition for career success, in Daughter of the Dragon Ling Moy was more cyborg than human, who in Rohmers potent racial imagination possesses the uncanny power which Homer gave to Circe, of stealing mens souls. Inheriting the familys mantle upon Fu Manchus death, she turns into a man-daughter, a monstrous female figure, who, like Lady Macbeth, cloaks an almost masculine pride in her ability to double-cross and to execute a murderous plot. Wongs apotheosis as a dragon lady in this film may have drawn the ire of some racially sensitive viewers and historians, but Daughter of the Dragon is a perfect example of how talented artists, working within constraintsa virtual form of footbinding, if you willboth exploited and exploded the stereotypes cast by the film industry. Accentuated by a combination of highly stylized dialogues, flashy costumes, exotic sets, and theatrical actions, what Wong achieved with the dragon-lady persona was sharing with her audiences the thrill of being part of what might be deeply shameful, an almost illicit pleasure, exposing the stereotype as a cinematic construction rather than simple mimesis.

Shanghai Express (1932)

As a China flick, Shanghai Express was part of the enduring Hollywood tradition of casting a white actress, yellowface or not, in the exotic setting of faraway China. It is true that Josef von Sternbergs classic was a star vehicle, not for Wong, but for his own discovery and new German import, Marlene Dietrich. Carrying a motley cast of passengers, including a notorious China coaster, Shanghai Lily (Dietrich), and a reformed Chinese prostitute Hui Fei (Wong), Sternbgers hand-painted Shanghai Express chugs precariously through the maelstrom of wartime China. Using a Chinese-character clock as a timekeeper, the story unfolds like a murder mystery that has to be solved by a supersleuth before the train reaches its destination. The railroad journey might have set a good tempo for the plot, but the Austrian auteur was never known to be a zippy storyteller. Sternberg was far more interested in making love to his star with the camera. Every time Dietrichs character appears on-screen, she is almost always shot full frame, as if every gesture, look, or word was loaded with significance. Under special butterfly lighting, Dietrichs face glows in the dark like a silver moon, her wispy hair taking on lively thickness and incredible sheen. Even Ayn Rand, the patron saint of libertarianism, claimed that rarely had any time so impressed her as Shanghai Express, and when pressed for a reason, Rand spoke of the scene that was unforgettable to her: The way the wind blown through the fur-piece around Marlenes shoulder when she sits on the back platform of the train!

Next to the aura of the Blonde Venus, Wong held her ground remarkably well, as her character commands a force field of her own in the film. While Shanghai Lily prances around like a dressage mare in heat, Hui Fei plays solitaire and smokes cigarettes alone, minding her own business. Shanghai Lily may speak some clever lines, such as It took more than one man to change my name to Shanghai Lily, but it is Hui Fei who delivers the most hardboiled quips in the film, rendered in Wongs sultry voice with the steely firmness of Fu Manchus daughter. After she kills the degenerate warlord Henry Chang (Warner Oland), Shanghai Lily says, I dont know if I ought to be grateful to you or not. Speaking like a gun moll in a classic noir, Hui Fei replies, Its of no consequence. I didnt do it for you. Death cancels his debt to me. In this China saga, with all its guns, armies, and imperial powers, no one has the power or will to change the course of history, except for Hui Fei, the lowly prostitute, who has the courage to take down a supervillain to settle a personal account. In other words, Wongs character is the real engine driving the Shanghai Express.

Daughter of Shanghai (1938)

Dubbed the Anna May Wong story by studio insiders at Paramount, Daughter of Shanghai was released in 1938 when China was in the headlines every day after a full-scale Japanese invasion. In the film Wong played Lan Ying, the daughter of a San Francisco Chinatown importer. After the murder of her father, Lan Ying becomes a detective on the trail of smugglers, traveling as far as the Caribbean and occasionally having to don mens clothes. Because of the intensity of the action involved, the director, Robert Florey, asked Wong to trim her long fingernails. For a dozen years, she had diligently cultivated the stiletto tips of her slender fingers and protected them against breakage by wearing gold guards. Like Mary Pickfords golden ringlets or Veronica Lakes peek-a-boo cascade, these gilded cuticle attachments had served to exoticize her presence. Yet, for the sake of making her character more believable in the film, the proverbial dragons daughter sacrificed her nails.

In the context of all of her sacrificesshe had died, as Wong once put it, a thousand times deaths on-screenit is worth noting that Daughter of Shanghai was the first film in which her character is given a happy, romantic ending, although it was, of course, with an Asian man. In her star vehicle, Wong paired with the Korean American actor Philip Ahn, who played a federal agent, Kim Lee. The combined factors that Wong and Ahn were chums from high school and that Kim Lee proposes marriage to Lan Ying at the end of the film spurred the Hollywood rumor mill into wild speculations that the two Asian American actors were romantically involved, unaware that Ahn was, quite possibly, gay. In more likelihood these two actors, living in an era when homoeroticism was taboo, were using each other as a proverbial beard. In an industry where being outed as a homosexual could easily doom ones career, these two already marginalized Asian actors faced double jeopardy and would have to tread even more carefully in a pre-Stonewall world.

***

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Anna May Wong and Chinatown Noir: 4 Essential Films - CrimeReads

When we talk about "leadership books", we often come across books with titles like, "How To Win Friends and Influence People ", "Talent is overrated", " The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People", and many more. However, rarely you will find any fiction or a classic novel making up to the first page of Google on leadership lessons. It is ignorant to think that insights into and solutions for our most fundamental business and leadership challenges are all going to be found in business books. Leaders need to take a more conscious and purposeful look at ourselves and our reality in a broader context. While we don't intend to discourage you from reading business books, fiction books help leaders to push the right side of their brain - the creative, introspective, empathetic side, which is as crucial as the logical, practical, and rational aspects of their leadership. Here are the three novels that you should pick up to get fresh perspectives on leadership. The Fountainhead This book by Ayn Rand follows the story of Howard Roark, a master architect, who insists on following the integrity of his own vision. Regarded as one of the most influential books, it elucidates on ideas of integrity, values, conviction, the virtue of selfishness, etc. One of the key takeaways from this book is the phrase, the courage of your convictions. For any of us, there is no such thing as being a successful employee/ manager/ CEO/ Entrepreneur, without having the courage of your convictionsanother key highlight light of this book which talks about the struggle between first-handers and second-handers. First-handers use their own minds. They do not copy or obey, although they do learn from others. Roarks speech at the Cortland Homes trial is a pivotal moment in the book, when he says, Throughout the centuries, there were men who took first steps down new roads armed with nothing but their own vision. The great creators - the thinkers, the artists, the scientists, the inventors - stood alone against the men of their time. Every great new thought was opposed. Mans search for meaning In 1945, within months of his liberation from a concentration camp in Nazi Germany, Viktor Frankl sat down to write a book - Mans search for meaning, which went on to sell over 10 million copies in 24 languages. The book is divided into two parts - In the first part, the author shares his experiences during World War II as a prisoner at multiple concentration camps and shares the unfathomable circumstances he was forced to navigate. The second part is comprised of theoretical insights or rather key lessons learned from the first part. Amongst all the great lessons which continued to encourage and influence leaders across the world, one of the great lessons was the ability to choose our attitude, and thats what makes a leader. Frankl was a keen observer of human behaviour and thought. One of Frankls most profound observations was this: Even though conditions such as lack of sleep, insufficient food and various mental stresses may suggest that the inmates were bound to react in specific ways, in the final analysis, it becomes clear that the sort of person the prisoner became was the result of an inner-decision and not the result of camp influences alone. Fundamentally then, any man can, under such circumstances, decide what shall become of him mentally and spiritually. The Great Gatsby "The Great Gatsby," which McLennan calls an "American dream is not only a heartwrenching story of love and loss but also some enduring truths from a dynamic leader that are as applicable as ever today. However, a key learning here from the novels protagonist, Jay Gatsby is the importance of self-awareness. If Gatsby lacked anything, it was self-awareness. He really believed that by communicating eloquently, establishing and maintaining his brand, and relying on hope, he could change things. Sadly, he never realised that he couldnt change his reality. Without a clear sense of reality, no leader can achieve lasting greatness.

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Ditch your business books and pick up these three novels for a fresh ... - ETHRWorld Middle East

There are all kinds of readers in this world. There are the casual readers; the people who read a respectable handful of books a year, maybe when theyre on vacation or during those few precious moments in bed before turning off the light. Then there are the bookish ones; the readers who love ticking off books on their TBR list and updating their Goodreads page, maybe buying a few too many books from watching deliciously addictive BookTok videos.

And then, theres Rory Gilmore. Not just the character, but the persona of her. The I-dont-go-anywhere-without-a-book kind of reader, or the I-carry-four-books-in-my-backpack-because-I-dont-know-what-mood-Ill-be-in book nerds.

If this type of sitting under a tree reading a book persona is you, the kind that wouldnt even look up if two guys were throwing a football and one broke his nose and there was blood everywhere and chaos ensues, then you might be the perfect person to attempt the Rory Gilmore Reading Challenge.

If youre a religious follower of Gilmore Girls and find yourself always flicking it on as soon as the temperatures drop in September, then you know damn well that Rory reads a lot of books. Her bookshelf is teeming with titles, she converted her dresser into a library system, and piles of books are just waiting to be discovered under her bed. Shes always reading books, talking about books, smelling books. Its the only relationship of Rorys that truly lasted throughout the show, because lets be real, that girl is a hot mess when it comes to her dating history.

But shes not just reading any book on the shelf. Oh noRory reads a vast amount of literature throughout the series, from the pilot to A Year In The Life. And throughout the entire series, you can catch her either reading, holding, referencing, or pointing to different books of hers, adding up to a stunningly long list of 518 books.

The Rory Gilmore Reading Challenge is just thata challenge to read through the entirety of her list. Time to grab your bookmarks!

If you Google the Rory Gilmore Challenge youll likely come across a dozen different lists. The original list published by Buzzfeed only included 339 books, but after releasing the Netflix revival A Year In A Life, bookish-dedicated sites like Bookriot finalized their lists in the 400 range. These book lists focus specifically on the books that Rory associates with.

And yet, there are so many more references on the show that have gone unnoticed. So where does 518 come from?

Julianne Jules Buonocore, founder and president of The Literary Lifestyle, is the curator of the list and the creator of The Rory Gilmore Book Club. She has culled through the show multiple times to find every reference to a book on the showboth big and smalland continues to add to her growing list. Her book club has amassed over 13,000 followers around the globe, and she has already finished over 100 books on the list herself.

As avid watchers of the show, you likely know the volume of pop culture references coming from Rory and Lorelai, and Jules marks them all down. Im trying to get the really, really obscure thingsas obscure as a book is in the background, or a reference in a joke, Jules explains. For example, in the show, Lorelei says something like hey, Pony Boy, and if youve read or watched The Outsiders, you would know thats one of the characters.

While this particular Rory Gilmore book challenge list is slightly different compared to other lists onlineespecially in lengthJules still refers to it as the Rory Gilmore Book List given that she is the most bookish character on the show.

How you decide to tackle the list is completely up to you. With so many books on Jules list (which you can download for free), there is a big chance there are titles listed that youve already read before, like the handful of classic literature you probably read in high school.

While you could simply check off the books you already read, you could also be a purist and start from scratch, especially if you havent picked up any of those titles in a while. For example, do you remember if youve read Henry IV Part 1 and Part 2, Henry V, and Henry VI? (Yes, those are all on the list.) And when was the last time you picked up a copy of Charlottes Web?

Nevertheless, it is completely up to you how you want to tackle the challenge. And if you decide to do it, The Rory Gilmore Book Club is happening year-round over on Instagram with all kinds of challenges and check-ins from Jules as you tackle the list.

So the question standsare you up for the challenge? Ready to put Rory Gilmore to shame? Here are ten books on the list to get you started, with all of your favorite Gilmore Girls references to pair. A pairing just as sweet as Pop-Tarts and coffee.

Leo Tolstoy

With so many references to literature and tiny nods to the books that Rory, Lorelai, and the rest of the Stars Hollow crew have read, this is probably one of the most sentimental book references in the entire show. Its season three, and Rory talks about how she has journeyed in many worlds through her books in her valedictorian speech during her graduation at Chilton. In her speech, she says she rode a sad train with Anna Karenina. Then it gets really sappy when she starts talking about how much she wants to be like her mom, and we all end up in a puddle of tears in that momentbut maybe not as much as Luke.

Jane Austen

Ahremember the days when Dean Forester was tall, dark, handsome, and reading classic literature? Well, season one Dean was certainly a lot more intriguing thanahemseason two, three, four, and five Dean. Probably because season one Dean was okay with reading the books that Rory recommended, including Emma by Jane Austen, in which he responds to Rorys howd you like it? with Well I could tell you but, then Id have to kill you. Only if Paris knewshe would be so proud.

Ayn Rand

Did anyone elses heart skip a beat when they watched Rory call Jess and he answered all sweet and immediately started talking about books? Whatever your opinion might be about Jess Mariano, you cant deny that their banter about booksparticularly The Fountainhead by Ayn Randis especially sweet. Even if Jess doesnt know what this crazy woman is talking about.

Allen Ginsberg

Well, were on the Jess Mariano train, so lets stay there for a momentbecause we cant just walk away from the one book that started it all. Jess and Luke come over for a dinner party at the Gilmore house when he glances up at Rorys impressive shelf and says my, arent we hooked on phonics. He pulls Howl and Other Poems from the shelf, which Rory says he can borrow, but he thinks it must be way more charming to steal it and write in the margins instead. When he returns her now ruined book (or newly improved book, depending how you see it), Rory seems to take a liking to him, and as Taylor Swift once famously said, sparks fly.

Walt Whitman

When Richard and Emily return from their trip in season five, they present Rory with a 100-year-old copy of Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman. Oh, and its written in Greek! The book becomes symbolic again in A Year In a Life when Rory leaves a copy of this book at Richards tombstone, a nod to a man who also loved to read and share his favorite books with his granddaughter.

Seymour M. Hersh

Maybe not the most exciting reading material, but our girl Rory had an odd obsession with Hersh after reading this bookand loved telling a bewildered Logan Huntzberger all about it. They meet at a bar to discuss notes for a story Logan is going to work on, and Rory admits to having been enraptured by Hersh after reading this report when she was 12 years old (my lord), which followed her polishing off the entire Nancy Drew series. Wow. This girl really can read.

Charles Dickens

So many good book moments in Rory and Jess meet cute, one of them being a cute reference to the book Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens. After Jess returns Howl to Rory and says goodnight, Rory replies by saying good night, dodger, and tells him to figure it out. In just a mere few seconds he does, calling out Oliver Twist to Rory as she walks away all cute and smiley. Oh, the innocence. Oh, the moments before we all had our hearts broken. Gosh dang it, Jess Mariano. You had us in a chokehold.

Jack Kerouac

There are a few references to this book in the Gilmore Girls series, one of the first is during Jess and Paris heated discussion in the Gilmore kitchen as they eat burgers and fries with salt and pepper dip. Another, and may we say one of the most iconic references to the book in the whole series, is when Lorelai Gilmore is talking to Emily at Friday night dinner and says Rory is on the roading it, pass the peyote.

Wiliam Shakespeare

A little ode to the boyfriend that never was, Chilton's bad boy Tristan Dugray. Before his heartbreaking exit in season two, our final few scenes with Tristan involve a recreation of Shakespeares classic Romeo and Juliet, where students reenact different interpretations of the play. And of course, how could we forget Paris valiant effort to replace Tristan on stage, and her demand for Rory to start sucking on an Altoid.

Marcel Proust

There may be a lot of bookish references around our girl Rory, but there are quite a few clever ones around Lorelai as wellincluding the heartbreaking return of Swanns Way by Marcel Proust. After borrowing the book from Max during a late-night tryst, Lorelai tries returning the book to Max at Chilton in an effort to break it off with him. But her attempt epically failed when she ended up in his arms kissing him instead. While we do love our Luke and Lorelai, theres something to be said about making out with a swoony professor after fighting about books. And of course, Rory cant help but mention her stroll down Swanns Way in her graduation speech, a tidy bow to finish off a significant chapter in her lifeget it?

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Your Guide to the Rory Gilmore Reading Challenge - The Everygirl

2007's BioShock was one of the best games of the decade, and refined some key philosophies while introducing its own mechanics, presentation, and narrative twists. It's a project that took the structure of System Shock 2 and subjected it to a libertarian spin. In many ways the Irrational-developed BioShock served as a direct response to Ayn Rand's works, but was also a stellar survival horror experience. 2010's BioShock 2 stayed in Rapture while the third game in the trilogy, BioShock Infinite, took to the sky in the floating city of Columbia. BioShock 4 will hope to continue the lofty legacy.

The series has been dormant since Burial at Sea, and though it's never been far from the minds of fans, games like Prey, We Happy Few, and Atomic Heart have done well to bridge the gap and fill the temporarily vacated hole that BioShock once filled. Now being developed by new company Cloud Chamber, BioShock 4 will be looking to reset the standard and swat away the impending competitor Judas, reestablishing its place as the king of first-person environmental storytelling. It's at an immediate advantage over the rest, as it was the one to put the bar so high in the first place, and can't be criticized for being just another BioShock clone.

RELATED: BioShock is Better Off for Embracing the Final Fantasy Blueprint

While Call of Duty prioritizes twitchy competitive combat and Battlefield insists on being realistic, BioShock is a first-person franchise that puts fun at the forefront. It's always been heavy on its science fiction influences and splicing (no pun intended) of narrative genres. Having a firearm in one hand and an elemental attack in the other gives players choice with each encounter, and makes battling through the setting enjoyable because there's always a trade-off for all the player's potential approaches.

In the first BioShock, for example, players can go in guns-blazing, or carefully use the environment and an ability to do damage in a more inventive way, like shocking a water puddle or using telekinesis to hurl an object from afar. The protagonist of BioShock 4 will surely have access to both guns and plasmids (though they may be called something different), which means that the game will have the same fundamental strength of its predecessors, ensuring it stays on the franchise's pre-prescribed path to success.

BioShock 4 being the newest entry in the series means there will be a lot of scrutiny, but this at least means that it won't have to reinvent the wheel and prove that it's more than just an imitation of Irrational Games' crowning achievement. Titles like the aforementioned Prey and Atomic Heart can be criticized, perhaps fairly, because they take too much from BioShock, whereas the fourth game in that series is building off the innovation of its predecessors. BioShock 4 may be struggling in development hell, but in a way there's less pressure in 2023, because it doesn't have the added requirement of changing the formula to make it different enough from the stories in Rapture and Columbia.

The only game that could perhaps say the same thing is Judas, developed by Ghost Story Games, which is made up of former Irrational Games staff and BioShock creator Ken Levine. Having that heritage could mean that those in the know believe it to be a more faithful continuation of BioShock, but the name means a lot, and BioShock 4 will stand alongside the previous games in the history books. It might be best, then, to rely on tried-and-tested gameplay conventions to help it resonate with existing fans as well as new ones.

BioShock 4 is in development.

MORE: BioShock 4 Can Still Beat Judas to the Punch

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BioShock 4 May Have an Edge Compared to Other Modern FPS ... - GameRant

White the current debt ceiling crisis unfolds, we are reminded again of the differences of the two main political parties.

Led by the Republican Speaker of the House, the members of his party seem to be following President Reagan, Steve Bannon, and Ayn Rand/Rand Paul in wanting to destroy the "administrative state" -- the community our nation has as one nation. Many want a default

A fundamental thread of the current GOP seems intent on emasculating the federal government and, yes, destroying the mutual care that we practice and the federal government represents. This GOP tribe would prefer reducing citizen rights throughout the country to states rights. Inevitably, some states will foster and buy greed, prejudice, and exclusion to their heart's content. The Conservative Supreme Courts decision to gut the Civil Rights Act demonstrates the effective deep ideological passion used to destroy both the government and citizens rights.

Big business controls so much money and spends lavishly on their lobbyists, yet maintains the federal government is the enemy. It is a deep lie that the government is the enemy, planted deliberately by former Justice Powell, Newt Gingrich, and Paul Weyrich. This lie has successfully persuaded many poorly educated representatives and senators to help commerce in place of serving their constituents common good. The lie started with the effective falsehood by Justice Powell that Business is under attack. That lie is a GOP principle.

Against this destructiveness, deregulation, control of individuals and greed, the Democrat Party fosters our natural impulse mutual helping one another. The Democrat Party wants to rein in banks, tax non-tax-paying businesses and their billionaires for their share and help you and me with less money to deal with our common problems. The truth is: When will Republicans wake up instead of blaming Democrats for being "woke"?

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LETTER: When will Republicans wake up? - The Pantagraph