This book reflects poor black America’s human condition and cruel reality historically in this country. Most poor people and people of color see enough of life’s dark side to know for sure what’s really going on. All of the social double standards and blatant contradictions that continue to define the democratic process for most of America’s poor and forgotten people of color, still finds the American Dream to be a figment of their imaginations. This book is meant to show how American History is merely his story. The powers that be continue to impose their will on much smaller nations decade after decade in the name of freedom and democracy. Yet, nothing about our might makes right, preemptive strike mentalities has changed most poor Americans lifestyles. If anything it has merely reduced the level of comfort and security most people in this country live in daily, by heightening our nation’s risk of being attacked. So the fear factor continues to control what really goes on in this country from decade to decade. This is why our nation will never be a genuine United States of America.

"[A] truthful look into the world of Methadone treatment with a mix of compassion and humor. It is a great read for those in the recovery field and provides insight for those who do not understand the life of addiction and recovery."--Lori Carter-Runyon, executive director of Hilltop Recovery Services.

No committed Christian would support the proposition that a human being may be killed because he has yet to receive his future state of being (eternal life). Yet, the pro-Roe, Catholic politician supports the position that a human fetus may be killed because it cannot be certainly demonstrated that this fetus has received that state of being which makes him a human being. Suppose the fetus is not yet a human being, and is aborted. Is the pro-Roe, Catholic politician prepared to demonstrate that this fetus does not, hereby, lose his opportunity to receive eternal life? Is not this politician supporting the denial to another what he would not think of denying to himself: eternal life in Jesus Christ? Since Roe, fifty million human fetuses have been launched into eternity by pointy medical instruments. Roe and its progeny say that all of this killing is constitutionally permissible because, in keeping with the English common law, the human fetus does not qualify as a due process clause person. What if the Roe justices got this wrong—for lack of a 'working knowledge' of the status of the human fetus and abortion at the English common law? Philip Rafferty, through a working knowledge of abortion prosecution at the English common law, demonstrates that the Roe justices certainly got this wrong. So forget everything you think you know about the abortion controversy. It's time to knowWhat's Really Going On.The overruling of Roe v Wade is considered a dead issue. Rafferty has risen up this dead issue on Roe's own burial grounds. And he has done so with unparalleled, pointed legal scholarship. Ken R. Hughey American fighter pilot and Hanoi-Hilton Prisoner of War

An easy-to-understand overview of the state of our planet and its future, using eye-opening and accessible charts, graphs, and infographics. By 2050, the global population is expected to reach 9 billion. What's Really Happening to Our Planet? uses a graphic approach to chart the dramatic explosion of the human population and consumption and its impact on the planet. Based on unmatched scientific data, What's Really Happening to Our Planet? brings together major areas of public concern, such as deforestation, climate change, water shortages, and inequality. Easy-to-reference charts and infographics illustrate key findings, while clear, jargon-free text explains the science behind the figures. In addition to charting global trends and showing how they are connected, this book articulates how we can live more sustainably in the future. What's Really Happening to Our Planet? is a new and heart-stopping analysis of the latest chapter in human history and offers a fresh perspective on our future.

Patterns of the Future explains the current world using the theory of long-term development waves (Kondratiev waves). Markku Wilenius, Professor of Futures Studies, argues that we are now entering the sixth wave: the age of intelligent, integrated technologies, helping to restore the balance between humans, technology and nature by radically improved material and energy efficiency and a wiser use of human potential.The unfolding sixth wave will challenge our current values, institutions and business models. Using a systems-based approach, Patterns of the Future analyses how corporations and the public sector can navigate in the sixth wave. Case studies look at specific examples of this, using high-profile companies to demonstrate both the best- (and worst-) case scenarios of innovation for change.This book spans concepts from multiple disciplines in the social sciences, making it relevant not only to undergraduate and graduate students in futures studies, environmental studies, economics, and business, but also national policymakers, think tanks, corporate operators and indeed for any one seriously interested in the future.

Forget the 10,000 hour rule— what if it’s possible to learn the basics of any new skill in 20 hours or less? Take a moment to consider how many things you want to learn to do. What’s on your list? What’s holding you back from getting started? Are you worried about the time and effort it takes to acquire new skills—time you don’t have and effort you can’t spare? Research suggests it takes 10,000 hours to develop a new skill. In this nonstop world when will you ever find that much time and energy? To make matters worse, the early hours of prac­ticing something new are always the most frustrating. That’s why it’s difficult to learn how to speak a new language, play an instrument, hit a golf ball, or shoot great photos. It’s so much easier to watch TV or surf the web . . . In The First 20 Hours, Josh Kaufman offers a systematic approach to rapid skill acquisition— how to learn any new skill as quickly as possible. His method shows you how to deconstruct com­plex skills, maximize productive practice, and remove common learning barriers. By complet­ing just 20 hours of focused, deliberate practice you’ll go from knowing absolutely nothing to performing noticeably well. Kaufman personally field-tested the meth­ods in this book. You’ll have a front row seat as he develops a personal yoga practice, writes his own web-based computer programs, teaches himself to touch type on a nonstandard key­board, explores the oldest and most complex board game in history, picks up the ukulele, and learns how to windsurf. Here are a few of the sim­ple techniques he teaches: Define your target performance level: Fig­ure out what your desired level of skill looks like, what you’re trying to achieve, and what you’ll be able to do when you’re done. The more specific, the better. Deconstruct the skill: Most of the things we think of as skills are actually bundles of smaller subskills. If you break down the subcompo­nents, it’s easier to figure out which ones are most important and practice those first. Eliminate barriers to practice: Removing common distractions and unnecessary effort makes it much easier to sit down and focus on deliberate practice. Create fast feedback loops: Getting accu­rate, real-time information about how well you’re performing during practice makes it much easier to improve. Whether you want to paint a portrait, launch a start-up, fly an airplane, or juggle flaming chain­saws, The First 20 Hours will help you pick up the basics of any skill in record time . . . and have more fun along the way.