Body in the Woods a Jack Ludefance novel

Award-winning author Behcet Kaya has once again brought his PI protagonist Jack Ludefance to life in a novel of suspense and mystery, filled with indelible characters laced with threads of credible circumstances, in his latest book titled Body in the Woods.

Photos from the Republic Ball

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Success Can Come When You Least Expect It

You have known me long enough to know I enjoy writing about things that are most important to me. The last several months have been a real eye-opener. I mean, you work hard in life trying to reach your goals, your dreams, but, sometimes you try so hard and never make much progress.

Right?

My wife and I lived in southern California for more than 23 years. The reasons we moved out there were two-fold. It had always been one of my wife’s dreams to live in California. And, my motives were obvious. I wanted to be in the entertainment business. I have been training in acting and theatre almost all my adult life and have numerous credits that I don’t even list them all on my resume on IMdB.

Thoughts on Film Developing

Hi folks. As excited as I am that one of my published novels, “Murder on the Naval Base” has been picked up for possible film development, I must remind myself to remain level headed.

I have no experience in developing a movie and I am beginning to learn how long a process it actually is. My message to other first-time movie developers is to be cautious. I have made mistakes and what I perceived as mistakes. I hope by sharing my story, others can avoid making those same mistakes.

By  SONER YALCIN

14 Ağustos 2017

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İSRAİL'İN NİYE HİÇ ADI GEÇMİYOR, DÜŞÜNDÜNÜZ MÜ?

Soner Yalçın, sınırımızda yaşanan, Suriye'de olanlara farklı bir açıdan yaklaştı ve "İsrail'in sessizliğinin" ne anlama geldiğine dair sıradışı bir değerlendirme yaptı...

27 Ağustos 2016 Cumartesi 00:21

İşte Yalçın'ın o yazısı:

Kayıp ülke!

Sınırımızda ne oluyor?
Yok Cerablus… Yok Afrin… Yok Menbiç…
Yok Suriye Ordusu YPG ile ateşkes antlaşması yaptı.
Yok Türk Ordusu Cerablus'a girdi; askeri operasyona “Fırat Kalkanı” adı verildi.
Vs. Vs.
Gazetelerde-ekranlarda sürekli hangi bölge kimin kontrolünde renkli haritalar yayınlanıyor-gösteriliyor. Kafalar sürekli karıştırılıyor.
Ekranlarda bolca uzman var. Ellerindeki çubuklar harita üzerinde dolaşıp duruyor; bolca stratejilerden bahsediyorlar. Takip etmek imkansız hale geliyor; örgüt isimleri-yer adları birbirine karışıyor.
Sahi neler oluyor?
Meseleye, mikro-küçük değil, makro-büyük açıdan bakarsak ancak işin aslını kavrayabiliriz.
O halde, önce şu gerçeğin altını çizelim:
Suriye meselesinde ABD var, Rusya var, İran var, Türkiye var, Fransa var, İngiltere var, Katar var, Ürdün var, Lübnan var, Suudi Arabistan var, Irak var, var oğlu var.
Hizbullah var, Hamas var, Müslüman Kardeşler var, El Kaide var, IŞİD var, Nusra var, PKK var, Barzani bile var.
Kim yok?
Kimin adı, küresel medyada hiç geçmiyor/geçirilmiyor? (Dış haberler; bu yayın merkezlerinden tercüme edilenlere dayandırıldığı için bizim medyada da yok!)
Kim bu ülke?..
Suriye'nin komşusu!
Üstelik Suriye ile yıllardır arası bozuk; kimi dönem savaş bile yaptılar.
Bildiniz, İsrail!..
Yok Cerablus… Yok Afrin… Yok Menbiç… Kafanızı bunlarla karıştırmayınız!
İsrail'in adı Suriye iç savaşında niye hiç geçmiyor bunu düşününüz! Örneğin…
Cumhurbaşkanı Ahmet Necdet Sezer öncülüğünde Türkiye-Suriye ilişkileri geliştirilirken İsrail tedirgin olmuştu.
Demek ki Suriye meselesi İsrail için çok önemliydi.
Yani… Küresel medya merkezleri (örneğin, Suriye Ordusu'nun konumunu uydularıyla tespit edip muhaliflere vermesi gibi faaliyetlerde bulunan) İsrail'i; gözlerden-kulaklardan saklasa da savaşın merkezinde bu ülke var!
Peki… Gelelim can alıcı soruya:
İsrail, Suriye'de neyin peşinde?

İlk amaçları

Farkındasınız…
Suriye iç savaşını mezhep temelli göstermek istiyorlar; Alevi, Sünni, Dürzi…
Suriye iç savaşını dinsel temelli göstermek istiyorlar; Müslüman, Hıristiyan…
Suriye iç savaşını etnik temelli göstermek istiyorlar; Arap, Kürt, Türkmen…
Yahudi bu işin neresinde?
Yahudi yok mu? Yok! Oysa…
Tevrat/Tekvin'e göre; Yahudilere -vaat edilmiş topraklar- “Arz-ı Mev'ud” verildi.
Burası…
İsrail, Filistin, Lübnan toprakları ile Ürdün, Mısır ve Suriye'nin kıyı bölgeleridir! Keza… İsrailoğulları “Kenan Ülkesi” denen bu yerleri yaklaşık olarak 500 yıl (M.Ö. 1500-M.Ö. 1000 yılları arasında) yönetti.
Siyonist Yahudiler bu bölgeleri tekrar ele geçirme isteklerinden hiç vazgeçmedi.
İsrail'in Suriye ile bitmez tükenmez savaşının kaynağıdır bu bilgiler.
Şimdi şu soruları sorabiliriz:
Suriye iç savaşı neden ülkenin kuzeyine sıkıştı kaldı?
İç savaştan önce Suriye'de hiç gücü olmayan ve parçalı bulunan Kürt örgütlerini kimler, nasıl, neden bir araya getirdi?
PKK-YPG nasıl oldu da Irak ve Suriye ordularını yenen IŞİD'e karşı ardı ardına zafer kazanıp topraklarını sürekli genişletti?
Ve neden PKK-YPG Akdeniz'e ulaşmayı en büyük davası haline getirdi?
Tüm bunlara sesini çıkarmaması ve sınırında olanlara müdahalede bulunmaması için kimler Türkiye'de, sürekli terör eylemi düzenletti; darbe girişimi planladı?
Soru aslında yanıttır:
İlk hedefleri; “Kürt Yahudi Devleti”ni kurdurmaktır.
Sonraki aşama “Büyük İsrail”dir!
Yok Cerablus… Yok Afrin… Yok Menbiç…
Diye kafanızı hiç karıştırmayınız…

Soner Yalçın-Sözcü

 Etiketler: soner yalçın, suriye, yahudi kürt devleti, israil

A Walk on the Beach

A Walk on the Beach

Hello, everyone.

It has been so long since I have written anything other than college essays and papers. For the past three years my excuse has been due to my attending university and earning my degree in political science. I kept thinking that after obtaining my degree, I could easily slip back into my writing mode.

Organic Farming

Organic Farming

Behcet Kaya

CSU Channel Islands

May10, 2017

Abstract

Human ecology is the complex relationships between people and their environment. One important aspect of that relationship is the interaction with farming ecosystems. The major disparity between organic farming versus conventional farming is the interaction on farming ecosystems such as biodiverse insects, microbiological taxa in the soil, and greenhouse gasses emitted into the atmosphere.

From a Turkish-American

I was born and raised in Turkey. When I was fourteen, I left my homeland. My high school and university schooling were in the UK between 1965 and 1975. In 1976, I came to the US and found my fist job in Atlanta. I have spent my 35 years of working life in the aerospace industry and nuclear power plants.

My purpose in writing this discourse is to try and define myself. Am I an American or am I a Turk? Can I successfully be both? 

Nowadays I am emotionally 90% Turk and 10% American. That is honestly how I feel. Yet, when I really look at myself and do an empirical study on myself, I am actually 70% American and maybe 30% Turk. From an empirical study point of view, I think like an American, eat like an American, and act like an American, believe like an American. In fact, I am more American than my American-Bostonian wife. 

Psychological Analysis of an Artist in Creating Sculpture

Psychological Analysis of an Artist in Creating Sculpture

Behcet Kaya

CSU Channel Island

Professor Lee

Psychology of Art

May 8, 2017

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the work of art and artists’ influences in the society and  evaluate the critical thinking of the mind of the artist and the viewer.

Carrizo Plain National Monument and the Protection of Sensitive Rare Species and Historically Cultural Value

Carrizo Plain National Monument and the Protection of Sensitive Rare Species and Historically Cultural Values

Abstract

 In 2001, President Clinton officially designated the Carrizo Plain National Monument in California a protected area. It is the largest remaining area of land of the original San Joaquin Valley habitat, making it of prime historic and scientific interest and value.

The monument is currently managed by three overlapping entities - the Bureau of Land Management, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Nature Conservancy. This arrangement is problematic as to whose responsibility is and to what. In addition, a major problem is both securing of funding and the allocating of that funding for the maintenance of the monument and the vital research that is being conducted within the monument. Going forward, there are many possibilities for better managing this important historical and cultural area.

The Problem:

Using the Antiquities Act of 1906, President Clinton in 2001 officially designated the Carrizo Plain National Monument in California a protected area. The Carrizo Plain is the largest remaining area of land of the original San Joaquin Valley habitat, making it of prime historic and scientific interest and value. This area is extremely vital to the survival of its habitats and the wild life it supports.

According to Bureau of Land Management the primary benefit of Carrizo Plain becoming a monument was to ensure the continued protection of the land and this area is vital to research opportunities and the knowledge learned from Carrizo Plain can be applied to other areas. Carrizo Plain houses many rare and biodiverse species. Carrizo Plain is also home to many recreational activities, including hiking, camping with permit, bicycling, and horseback riding, wildflower viewing, and hunting. These recreational activities for the public are allowed on publicly held land, but privately own lands are exempt (Bureau of Land Management 2017).

The national monument area and the overall Carrizo Plain, which includes both state owned land and private land, is currently managed jointly by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Nature Conservancy. These three agencies (two government and one nonprofit) all overlap each other in overseeing this particular area. This arrangement is problematic as to what responsibilities each entity controls. In addition, government agencies have very complicated bureaucracies to go through before any money is allocated or rules are decided upon and enforced (Bureau of Land Management 2017).

Going forward, the entities overseeing the monument propose that the existing regulations designed to protect sensitive natural and cultural resources will continue to be enforced (BLM). Livestock grazing, as part of a research program to maintain a healthy ecosystem, biodiversity and for rare species will continue, as will the exemption from any mining exploration (Bureau of Land Management 2017).

Contributory factors to the problem:

The major issue to the proper management of Carrizo is finding funding and the allocation of that funding to maintain the monument and continue its vital work. “Adequacy of Budged to Implement RMP. Members of the public have expressed concern that the BLM may not be able to implement the objectives and actions within the RMP due to budget constraints, and have questioned how the plan will take budget issues into account” (Albino page xxx 1.5.5, Adequacy of Budged to Implement RMP 2010).

Policy objectives:

It is my opinion that the private sector, i.e. a nonprofit entity, can manage the monument much more efficiently than any government agency. 

Policy options:

One possibility is that the Nature Conservancy could take over and be the primary overseer of the Carrizo Plain National Monument. As a professional nonprofit organization, the Nature Conservancy can manage and raise much needed funds from philanthropy and other sources.

Another possibility is that an endowment fund be established and another nonprofit organization be created and put in charge to manage the monument. This could easily be achieved by hiring professional fund raising people who are paid employees. There are billions of dollars available for the right professional to access. First, incorporate the nonprofit by filing a 501(C) (3) tax exempt status. Taking the example of the World Wildlife Foundation, a very successful entity can be incorporated similarly for Carrizo Plain National Monument “using 4% for administration, 11% for fundraising and 85% for program expenses” (World Wildlife Foundation).

An alternative to the nonprofit option is to create within the Bureau of Land Management a department just to undertake nonprofit fund raising. This undertaking must not be mixed with the bureau’s other businesses.

There is also a proposal in the “Proclamation of Carrizo Plain National Monument,” under the title “Alternatives Including the Proposed Action,” which suggests a more “Hands Off” approach to resource management; meaning limit or prohibit public access and grazing to the monument. “This would enhance the natural processes with minimal human interference. No grazing, no recreation, no smaller hiking trails network. Access to rock art sites must not be allowed. Only minimal interventions will restore the historic and prehistoric sites from natural decay and destructions” (CARRIZO PLAIN NATIONAL MONUMENT APPROVED RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLA AND RECORD OF DECISION).

Advantages of these suggested policy options:

The advantages of the nonprofit management of the Carrizo Plain National Monument, whether it be the Nature Conservancy or a new entity, is that the funds are allocated to places that are vital to the continuation of the research projects. The Nature Conservancy in particular has a stellar track record for raising funds. While park rangers manage the safety and security of the monument, other professionals conduct vital research. In that way everyone working for the park knows their particular specialties. Albino suggests, “Pursue stable funding source to address questions regarding the effectiveness of livestock grazing in meeting goals. Design studies to access the effects of the proposed livestock grazing program on plants and animals. Acquire remaining private lands to protect and enhance natural and cultural values” (Albino 41, 2010).

Disadvantages of the suggested policy options:

Creating a nonprofit department within the BLM would only add more complications to the existing issue. Government is very bad at handling money efficiently and would only add to government bureaucracy. Besides, the BLM has many other parks to manage (CARRIZO PLAIN NATIONAL MONUMENT APPROVED RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLA AND RECORD OF DECISION).

In addition, the BLM has too many regulations and ideas on its books, and the result is always the same - inefficient management of whatever area they are in charge of. In the case of Carrizo, these current policies are not carrying out the full potential of the monument. For example, the BLM often comes up with ideas to raise funds, such as allowing ecotourism and other grazing methods, but these barely keep up with the needs of the monument. The fact of the matter is, ecotourism which, for example, was brought to Baha California to stop excessive fishing, did not work. The poor fisherman did not benefit from whale watching tourism. We must learn a lesson from this about allowing the public the privilege of enjoying recreational activities in the designated area of Carrizo Plain National Monument. It is not solving the problem. The funds gained from these activities barely feed the employees of the monument.

Evaluation criteria:

All of these proposed methods can only be achieved by having sufficient funds, and that can only be done by a nonprofit organization. It might be necessary that this particular area be handed over to a separate entity. Not an NGO, but the formation a separate whose only responsibility is to oversee Carrizo Plain National Monument and that agency part of a nonprofit organization. One only has to look at the successes of both the Nature Conservancy and the World Wildlife Foundation to know that this is highly feasible.

Final Policy Recommendations:

I agree with and support the proposal to cut off public access, grazing and any other human interference. This would help preserve these prehistoric sites from further destruction. Replacement of the monies lost from these activities can only be achieved by having sufficient funds for the monument and these funds can best be raised by a nonprofit entity.

In my opinion, a new executive order bill must be put in place by the president of the U.S. to turn over the management of the monument to a nonprofit entity, either the Nature Conservancy or a new entity. This nonprofit organization should hire scientists, anthropologists, ecologists, biologists, geologists, and whoever else it needs to run the monument. Federal funds must be allocated to the startup and formation of the nonprofit 501 (3) (C) for the Carrizo Plain National Monument. Within the first year funds will be collected. As time goes by, the nonprofit for the Carrizo Plain National Monument will stand on its own accord.

  

Cited Works

Albino J, (2010). Carrizo Plain National Monument (N.M.), Resource Management Plan. 

CARRIZO PLAIN NATIONAL MONUMENT APPROVED RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLA AND RECORD OF DECISION. Retrieved March 12, 2017, from http://www.npshistory.com/publications/blm/carrizo-plain/rod-rmp-2010.pdf

https://topnonprofits.com/lists/best-nonprofits-on-the-web/

Rep. Capps attends 15th anniversary Carrizo Plain National Monument event. (2016, Jun 01). Targeted News Service Retrieved from http://summit.csuci.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.proquest.com.summit.csuci.edu:2048/docview/1793527140?accountid=7284

Retrieved from:

https://books.google.com/books?id=jhYyAQAAMAAJ&pg=RA1-PA117&lpg=RA1-PA117&dq=How+much+funding+it+take+to+manage++Carrizo+plain&source=bl&ots=QAAbgu1mz0&sig=59IpDps9nhMvqG0VayWQcIT0o3Q&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjg6_SFs6XTAhVLlFQKHeFDCeoQ6AEIOTAE#v=onepage&q=How%20much%20funding%20it%20take%20to%20manage%20%20Carrizo%20plain&f=false

Retrieved from:

https://www.blm.gov/nlcs_web/sites/ca/st/en/prog/nlcs/Carrizo_Plain_NM/partnerships.html

https://www.blm.gov/nlcs_web/sites/ca/st/en/prog/nlcs/Carrizo_Plain_NM/heritage.html

River Dams

The study of the Snake River dams gives us a perfect example of how dam improvements can make a difference in the environment, as well as provide valuable knowledge that the rest of the world can apply to other dam projects.

It is interesting to note that civilizations have used dams as early as the Mesopotamian and Egyptian eras BCE. They used dams for flood control as well as to irrigate their crop fields.

According to Lt. Col. Vail, the study done by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the four lower Snake River dams provides valuable data that is very important to take into consideration.

Fundraising Dos and Don’ts

What I learned from my fund raising class really opened my eyes wide. I had this misconception that when one fundraised, one had to appeal to the donor’s apathy to give for a good cause.

Well, the good cause part is okay, but what I did not really realize is that nonprofit leadership is the service to do good in our society.

Our society has accepted open market capitalism for the  reason that other systems have failed to provide a good living to all people. So, in a capitalist system, citizens are free to accumulate wealth.

Essay "The Cove"

The Cove

The documentary, “The Cove,” represents the abject, inexcusable cruelty of humans in depicting the large-scale slaughtering of marine mammals, namely dolphins and whales by Japan. A group of passionate activists banded together and, over several years, tried to make the public aware of what was and is taking place. The sadness of this is that dolphins are not only intelligent beings, but also self-aware beings like humans.

GANGSTER
https://www.imdb.com/videoplayer/vi122795545

5545/

LAWYER http://pro.imdb.com/video/user/vi726775321/

Review of the movie, "Fences"

Where do you find a slice of life? The perfect upbringing of President Trump’s children? Life at an IHOP restaurant at 2.00 am in the morning? Or, maybe both? 

“Fences” is a slice of life, real life in America, although we were once taught to believe that only white folks were entitled to a house and a job.

Originally a play on Broadway written by August Wilson, Mr. Willson can claim his rightful place alongside other masters such as Eugene O’Neill, Edward Albee and Tennessee Williams.

“Fences” is now a movie, directed and starring Danzel Washington. His powerful presence and performances rate him as one of America’s most imposing character actors alongside other masters such as James Earl Jones and Sidney Poitier. I have not seen the play, but have just finished watching the movie, and it is impossible to emotionally detach one’s self from the power and the depth of it. 

As both director and star, Denzel has created one of the most powerful dramas I have ever feasted my eyes on. Of course the director and the actor are only as good as the writer who created this masterful play. It all works and comes together blissfully.

The movie portrays the everyday life of an African-American family in 1950’s Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. Danzel’s character, Troy, is a garbage collector whose life has seen hard times since his teenage years. He wants to instill life-visions opposite his own to his children, although the times has changed.

Other characters include Troy’s wife, Rose, played by Viola Davis, and Troy’s friend, Bono, played by Stephen McKinley Henderson. Troy reminisces with his friend Bono about wrestling with death itself while sharing a bottle of gin.

Troy’s seventeen-year-old son, Cory, played by Javon Adepo, wants to play football, but Troy won’t have it. Raynell, played by Saniyya Sidney, is Troy’s oldest son. He is a musician and tries to borrow money from his father. Troy talks about the meaning of money when Raynell returns the ten dollars he had borrowed. Troy suggests that he put the money in the bank instead of borrowing from him, then he would have the money the next time he needed it.

Troy’s brother, Lyons, played by Russel Hornsby, is a disabled WWII veteran with a metal plate in his head, which creates delusions and strange behavior. He roams the streets carrying his horn. Troy was able to purchase the home he and his wife and son live in with his brother’s disability money. The relationship between Troy and Lyons is a very challenging part of the movie.

All of the cast members played their parts flawlessly, beautifully, harmoniously. Throughout the movie, all the characters are in the right places, particularly evidenced in the scenes between Bono and Troy which takes place in front of the house. Through Troy’s perfectly executed monologues, we learn of his troubled younger life.

During one of the close-ups on Bono, the background scene is taken in by rubble and junk. It is here in one of the many powerful scenes, that  Bono warns Troy to make things right. He is referring to Troy having an affair and his wife, Rose, may not stay married to him if she finds out. 

Troy’s relationship with his son Cory is rocky and similar to many fathers who try and live the life they missed through their children. Cory has a chance for a football scholarship, but Troy is against it because of his own misfortune. He was a great baseball player in the minor Negro Leagues, but was never able to realize his dreams of becoming major league player. Troy thinks that his son won’t have a chance at the scholarship because they go to white folks. Not realizing times have changed, Troy’s arrogance drives a wedge between him and Cory.

Washington tries to smother his dark side with charm, but it emerges with vengeance when he and Cory confront one another in a fight scene. Washington has a role tailored for all his Denzel’-ism. “Fences” is tailored for Denzel. The time frame of the dialogue is perfect where Troy levels with his son Cory, “N*ger, as long as you live in my house, you put a ‘Sir’ on the end of it when you talk to me.” He speaks like a white boss.

Troy’s wife Rose brings to her scenes very powerful acting as evidenced in her emotional crying scene, which is both painful and heartbreaking. She plays a wife who always smooths her husband’s rough edges and tells him when he is wrong.

As parents we either endure and try to improve our children’s lives, or we deny them the opportunities that they might have, but some parents are more givers than others. In the case of Troy, he denies his son the chance at a football scholarship, while Rose is more giving. We can relate well to our own parents. 

The most heartbreaking scene takes place when Troy’s family is getting ready to go to his funeral. Cory does not want to attend and Rose tells her son, “You are just like your father.” Finally, we see Cory accepting the truth, trying to hold back his emotions, but finally giving in to his tears.