Local sushi bar in Key Largo, FL with adorable interior

Ike’s Bluff gives the reader an inside look at President Eisenhower’s approach to foreign policy from the perspective of the former Supreme Allied Commander of World War II. It is book that should appease the American history/Cold War buffs out there. In total, the book brings a more accurate, personal look on the 34th President of these United States. This is a quick summary of the thesis of this book. 

In short, the author argues that Dwight D. Eisenhower approached his foreign policy with the mindset of a poker player; one with an intense and persuadable poker face. Eisenhower is able to prevent nuclear war by threatening to use his mass arsenal of nukes on the USSR and Red China. His approach is all-or-nothing. In other words, if you’re going to step in a fight, you must go all the way and give them everything you got. However, deep inside,according to his personal writings and archives, the President is only bluffing. He wouldn’t do such a thing since he has experienced war and has seen the destruction of human life for himself during WWI and WWII. He is in fact, a peaceful man who desires disarmament, peace, and security in a free world. Yet, he never reveals his true intentions to his circle of advisers, cabinet members, or the media. He shows his war face to the Soviets and they completely buy it.  

Throughout his presidency, he avoids confrontation with the Soviets, and avoids quagmires and proxy wars that will become thematic with subsequent American presidents. He fights endlessly against the political culture of the period, one marked by a lust for unlimited and exorbitant amounts of defense spending. Unlike the presidents of today, Eisenhower was anti-militant, believing that spending so much on defense would lead to a garrison state. 

Yet, despite his attempts, he is unable to harness the hawks and Cold War warriors that surround him, each hungry to destroy the Communists. They beg for more cash and more weapons and they eventually get it. They warn the President and the American people that the Russians are catching up (in reality, the Russians are far behind) On his final speech as President, Eisenhower -in the manner of a prophet -warns the U.S of an emerging military industrial complex. 

In total, the book is enlightening and gives a new light to the 34th president, whom has been regarded as a do-nothing president by people to this day. In fact, he was far from that. He was the invisible hand that prevented nuclear war during his tenure has president.

Found a bottle of Orangina in #miami. Brightened up my day! #miami #orangina #favorites

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Happy Valentine’s Day…

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Behind the Beautiful Forevers was considered one of the best books of 2012. It is January 2013 and I have finally overcome it. I understand now the praise and beautiful words thrown at it and I too agree; this is truly a wonderful gem and one of the best, if not the best, of last year. I love it because it has two elements that I truly value. 1) It is a wonderful story of a community of poverty-stricken Indians who are rich in hope; a deeply and personal human story of people, young and old, pursuing their dreams and overcoming the obstacles that surround them. 2) It is a country profile that gives a reader an insight on India in the 21^st century; a nation drunk on cash and overflowing with a billion people, most living on pennies a day and dreaming each night of full stomachs. For this reason, it satisfies the history/current events craving in the corner of my belly.

The story takes place in a slum, inconveniently placed in the corner of a major international airport in Mumbai. The inhabitants are Annawadians for they live in the squalor they call home, Annawadi. The plot follows the lives of several inhabitants, each colorful with their mannerisms and characteristics fully drawn out masterfully by the author.  Each character is driven by their own self-interest, which for the most part involves saving enough rupees to escape the poverty that surrounds them and join the Middle Class. Each character employs his/her methods, for instance the young taciturn Adbul runs a profitable garbage scrapping business and works feverishly dawn-to-dusk. Asha is the strongman, in this case woman, who aims to one day run the slum by becoming the slum boss. She has a strong network of corrupt politicians and exploits government funds to pursue her interests. The lives of these two, and a plethora of animated characters, entangle after the self-immolation of the slum’s resident prostitute, Fatima the one-leg. What follows is a story of corruption, life, death, misfortune, and hope. 

fuckyeahgorgeouspiercings:

Are there certain types of piercings that you would like to see featured more of on here?  You graciously take your time to follow this blog, so I would like to make sure that you are enjoying, and are interested in, the content being provided.

Nape piercings.

mediamattersforamerica:

Zombies go hungry in the Fox News Brain Room.

Pure Terror!

My drawing of Caracalla with a nice little filter. Graphite on vellum.

My drawing of Marie Antoinette. Im progressing and improving bit by bit. I’m going to keep practicing eyes and proportion.

Saturday night drawing.