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It’s been a long time since a speaker evoked such a buzz once we were adjourned. Today was the day - but more about that later. Melani Gordon, just back from attending the Vancouver Olympics, reflected on the incredible commitment of athletes to be the best of the best. Greg Zinser and Larry Showley led us in song, and Bert Wahlen opined the news, along with another interesting historical minute. Students from San Diego High were welcomed by Steve Oggel. RADM Len Hering introduced submariner RADM Bill French, Commander, Navy Region Southwest, as Club 33’s Military Liaison Member. Welcome, Bill. We also welcomed new member, British born Ian Falcon, whose youthful appearance belies his fascinating and varied background. Welcome, Ian.
Congratulations to Greg Zinser on becoming a Club 33 Fellow. Thanks, Greg, for all your wonderful service in Rotary. Bruce Drake asked us to bring non-perishable food to Rotary next week to support Scouting for Food. Dr. Richard Coutts gave us an update on Polio Plus. He told us the Gates Foundation has pledged $355 million dollars and asks that Rotarians match $200 million of it. Be on the lookout for a letter asking you to help – and open up your hearts and wallets in this critical effort.
Many in the audience breathed a sigh of relief when April Langwell told us the Rotary walk this Saturday was postponed. Stay tuned for the new date. President Dick Troncone, now officially a short-timer, has reached his stride in laying down two more fines for the Rotary coffers. Girl Scout, JoDee Jacob, made a pitch for Operation Thin Mints with Navy Chief Burghart and daughters Abby and Emily at his side. The Chief, with several Middle East tours under his belt, said he and his colleagues always welcomed “a little taste of home” when cookies arrived. And Melani Gordon asked us to join her on April 7th at Anthology when champions in new media will be recognized. Several Rotarians are in the hunt for an award. Check out www.influencesd.com.
A Del Mar Rotarian was gifted with a bottle of fine Belgian beer by COD Kobe Bogaert. Not bad for a twenty minute drive. When Dr. Yaron Brook of the Ayn Rand Institute began his presentation with a quote from General Sherman – War is Hell – we knew we were in for quite a ride. The Institute believes in objectivism; that reality exists as an objective absolute—facts are facts, independent of man’s feelings, wishes, hopes or fears. The speaker’s premise was that the war on terrorism is senseless, because terrorism is a tactic, not an enemy. The enemy, according to Brook, is Islamic radical totalitarianism - and those individuals and countries that support that enemy. Brook stated radical Islamists want absolute world dominance and must be crushed at all costs, and that the killing of innocents or use of nuclear bombs are just part of the mix. Dr Brook wants our country to stop being apologists. He contends we’ve lost our self esteem as a nation, along with our will to fight; that we’ve tried to make war friendly and soft by first dropping bombs, then care packages. He believes there is too much appeasement in our dealings with our enemy; that we must put our security first and foremost, regardless of the costs.
His solution after September 11th would have been to invade Iran, take over the regime through military force, and threaten the Saudis with the same. He’s convinced they would have caved, along with the other countries in the region. When asked how that drastic military action should have occurred, he demurred with “that would be the decision of the Generals.”
“Provocative, challenging, offensive, infuriating, thought provoking and bone chilling” were just some of the words and impressions I heard and felt as I walked from the room. Groups of people, in twos and fours, were in serious discussion everywhere, agreeing and disagreeing; expressing their beliefs or disbelief in the speech; or just trying to grasp the concept of it all. Comments overheard: “Great speaker, whether you liked his topic or not”…. “Rotary shouldn’t be afraid to be a forum for exigent opinions”..…”Wouldn’t a point-counterpoint have been interesting”……”Let’s not be afraid to challenge ourselves”….”Who invited that guy?”
All in all, quite a Rotary program. And remember, I’m just the messenger.
Editor of the Day: Patti Roscoe
Photography by Mike Conner
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