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Summer Reading List

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June 16, 2004

Schools are letting out, or have already let out for the summer across the nation and I was recalling the practice of teachers who would send their classes on their merry way into the lazy, crazy days of summer with a "Suggested," or "Required Reading List" for students to use as a study guide so they could get ahead on their important readings and would therefore become better prepared for their next year of school. As a child, I viewed this practice as a reminder that even though you may think you are on summer break, you are not free of schoolwork. At first, I was intimidated by these lists and actually found (with the help of dear old Mom and Dad) a few of the suggested pieces to read. I then carefully stored them under my bed, out of sight (and out of mind) until the next school year started. One year I found an excellent use for the reading list. I went wild strawberry picking on my way home from the last day of school in hopes that my mother would make biscuits for strawberry shortcake, which she did. To protect my Roy Rogers lunch pail from berry stains, I lined it with the reading list. Wouldn't want to get berry stains on Roy or Trigger. When the school year did begin and we met up with our classmates we found that only the smart kids actually did the reading. Did you just notice that flash of light, too?

I am proposing a reading list for adults. This list is especially important for voters and for people who take a serious view of our government and the actions our military has been ordered to take since 9-11. The list is long and is not in a particular order. I prepared this list because I have been challenged to explain my heightened concern for American politics and to defend my positions on The Iraq War, terrorism, President Bush, and on many other issues related to these important current events. I realized that my opinion was not formed in an instant, but rather over a lengthy period of time where I started questioning everything and started reading everything I could find on pertinent topics. I realized also, that mainstream news media outlets are not a good source for objective information. For anyone who is willing to question the status quo, or who has not formed an opinion on our sorry saga, read the suggested articles and form your own opinion from that experience. This might be the best antidote for the rabid Republicans who vote the party line because they always have in the past or because their spouse or their daddy told them to. It is your vote. You decide.

I highly recommend the first ten titles as absolute must reads:

For the speed readers who just fly through text like a rocket, I suggest you go to your favorite search engine and enter the following key words to start new searches: Bush Lied; Rumsfeld Lied, Powell Lied, Rice Lied…well, you can see the common thread here. Enjoy your reading project and have a happy, safe summer! The quiz for this assignment will be in November, so do your best.

June 16, 2004

The Best of Miles Woolley

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