China, American Prosperity, Pres. Clinton, American Security, Apollo Missions - All at Nixon Library

The Nixon Library is now part of the National Archives and Records system.  Their programming is great as the new director, Timothy Naftali, works to bring relevance and balance to the institution. Marine 1, the former Nixon helicopter, is parked on the lawn and is always a hit with the kids.

During this fall, the Nixon Library will talk about America's place in the world, relationships with China, Pres. Bill Clinton's administration from an insider's perspective, and the Apollo missions.

All of these programs are free and open to the public!  To RSVP or for more information, please email [email protected] or call (714) 983-9120.


National Issue Forum:  "America's Role in the World: Building a More Secure Future"
Thursday, October 22, 7:00-8:30 p.m. 

Few things are as important or as fluid as the United States position in the international arena.  Deliberate America's role in international affairs in a nonpartisan community forum sponsored by the Nixon Library, Yorba Linda Public Library, and National Issues Institute.  All ages are welcome.  Light refreshments will be provided.

For more information on National Issue Forums visit
http://www.nifi.org/ 

Zachary Karabell Discusses Superfusion: How China and American Became one Economy and Why the World's Prosperity Depends on It 

Wednesday, October 28, 7:00 p.m.

CNBC contributor, historian, and economist Dr. Zachary Karabell visits the Nixon Library to discuss his latest book. The author of the prize-winning work The Last Campaign on the 1948 presidential election, Karabell this time explores America's complex and vital economic relationship with China.  Publishers Weekly gave Superfusion a starred review calling it, "Essential reading for anyone curious about the increasing economic integration and interdependence between China and America, the public opposition in both nations and the implications for the U.S. as it faces competition from a nation it cannot coerce."  

More information about the book is available via the publisher at
http://www.simonandschuster.biz/content/book.cfm?tab=1&pid=653543. 

National Issue Forum:  "Regaining American Prosperity: Building an Economy that Works for Everyone"
Thursday, November 5, 7:00-8:30 p.m. 

Worried about the economy? Ready to discuss solutions?  Deliberate the issues in a nonpartisan community forum sponsored by the Nixon Library, the Yorba Public Library, and the National Issues Institute. All agesare welcome.  Light refreshments will be provided.

For more information on National Issue Forums visit
http://www.nifi.org/ 

Pulitzer-prize winner Taylor Branch discusses his private conversations with President Clinton 
Tuesday, November 10, 7:30 p.m.

During the 1972 campaign, Bill Clinton and Taylor Branch shared an apartment.  During Clinton's administration, the two men secretly shared over seventy conversations.  Join us as Branch discusses his highly awaited and much discussed book, The Clinton Tapes:  Wrestling History with the President derived from these conversations. 

More information about the book is available via the publisher at
http://books.simonandschuster.com/9781416543336 

Lessons from Apollo 
Thursday, November 12, 7:00 p.m.

In celebration of the 40th Anniversary of Neil Armstrong's first steps on the Moon, join a panel of experts-- including a rocket scientist, geologist, and astrophysicist-- as they discuss the importance of the Apollo missions and the future of space exploration.  Afterwards, museum staff will lead special tours of our "Man on the Moon!" exhibit.

Comments

[Reggie Greene / The Logistician]

Here’s a thumbnail of what it takes, in my view, for a society to be prosperous:

1) An inventive / innovative class; people have to want to invent things and processes;

2) Cross-culturalization, where multiple inventors get together and compare their inventions, and newer \ better inventions are created;

3) Seaports or trade route intersections;

4) Business flowing from invention / innovation;

5) Decent Jobs flowing from business, so people can take care of their families with pride;

6) A reasonably decent life flowing from more people having jobs; and

7) Education encouraging the repeat of the process

Either some force in society sets this in motion, governs the process, and maintains it, or it does not. If you leave it to chance, you might be on top for a while but you will not be on top indefinitely. But that is a cost of freedom, when you do not direct people what to do with their lives.

My suspicion is that China will be the next world power because they tell more people what to do, and they are more controlling. More free? Of course not. But more planning, organization, consistency, and coordination take place under their model. We in the U.S. use the “herding cats” model, and there are benefits and costs associated with it.

We’ve needed more inventors for years, and few in our country have paid attention to that issue.