Rethinking The Unthinkable

Momentous events have a way of connecting individuals both to history and to one another. So it was on September 11. Even before more than 4000 people died in less than two hours, there were farewell messages from the sky. In their last minutes, doomed passengers used cell phones to reach loved ones. A short time later, office workers trapped high in the burning towers called spouses, children, parents. Never had so many had the means to say good-bye. During the hours afterward, the survivors scrambled to make contact with family and friends. "Are you all right?" they asked. As the enormity of it all began to sink in, the question hanging in the air was, Were we all right? Since September 11, many have noted a humbling irony: the more time we'd spent in the old world and the better we thought we understood its organizing principles, the less ready we were for the new one. Suddenly, familiar terms and concepts were inadequate, starting with the word terrorism itself. The dictionary defines it as violence, particularly against civilians, carried out for a political purpose. September 11 certainly qualified. But American's earlier encounters with terrorism neither anticipated nor encompassed this new manifestation. Commentators instantly evoked Pearl Harbor, that other bolt-from-the-blue raid, sixty years before, as the closest thing to a precedent. But there really was none. This was something new under the sun.

Did U.S. intelligence know of Japan's coming attack on Pearl Harbor? Did President Roosevelt know? If so, why did he withhold warnings from the commanders in Hawaii? The answers are embedded in the cogent analysis of The Pearl Harbor Myth. Based on voluminous data that does not appear in other books on the topic, it discusses in detail Roosevelt's developing strategy-both military and diplomatic-and his secret alliances to save the world from Hitler. It contains a wealth of fresh material on secret diplomacy; on secret military strategy, planning, and intelligence; and on disguised combat operations that began six months before the Pearl Harbor attack.

Too often we see reality in black and white, overlooking nuances that require the discernment of tensions between the brokenness of our world and our desires for reconciliation. Yet the gap between wounding words and actions and the hope for acts of reconciliation can lead to even more violence and despair. The authors of this volume explore these tensions and the valences of ‘brokenness’ and ‘reconciliation’ in Paul Tillich’s thought. Together, they contribute to a richer understanding of the thought of the German American theologian and philosopher, his commitments, and the constructive interpretations his work can induce for us today. Think of the ruptures and efforts of dialogue among divided Christian churches, or the commitment of the social worker; reflect on how love as agape, or the courage to be, can be at the heart of this constructive work; or consider the reconciliation processes of peoples torn apart by violence, to mention a few contributions from this volume. Collectively, these contributions raise the hope of a Tillichian creative justice, a hope that can stimulate a broad audience to go beyond the superficiality and instantaneity of social media to something deeper, more enduring, and transformative.

Break the chains of OCD with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Are you suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?You're not alone. Whether you've tried countless treatments or areseeking help for the first time, this expert, accessible guide isyour beacon of hope for breaking the chains of this cripplingdisorder. Managing OCD with CBT For Dummies usesmindfulness-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to eradicateOCD from your day-to-day life. Through clear and sensitivedirection, you'll find out how to identify and correct negativethought patterns, confront your problems with positive solutionsand recognise the power of cognitive thinking. Once a term only used by psychologists and counselors, CBT isnow in common use and has become the preferred treatment method fora variety of psychological issues, including anxiety anddepression, self-esteem, eating disorders, addiction, and manyothers. If you're planning on trying it on its own or inconjunction with other types of therapies, you'll be heartened toknow that a staggering 75% of people with OCD are significantlyhelped by CBT—which is why it remains the treatment of choicefor tackling the disorder by the National Institute for Health andClinical Excellence (NICE). Demonstrates how CBT encourages new thinking patterns to combatdestructive thought tendencies Explains the causes and symptoms of OCD Shows you how to use CBT to modify everyday thoughts andbehaviours with the aim of positively influencing youremotions Illustrates the importance of facing your fears and offerspositive strategies on exposure therapy There's no need to let OCD continue to control your life. Thishow-to guide helps you break down the negative patterns that havebeen keeping you hostage—and allows you to build a positivefuture free of the hold of OCD.

Understanding the effects of radical change on public personnel systems is critically important both now and in the future to all those interested in the quality of American democracy. Civil service reform is occurring at all levels of government both in the United States and abroad. American Public Service: Radical Reform and the Merit System is a collection of papers that examine the innovations, strategies, and issues found in the contemporary civil service reform debate. Offering diverse perspectives from expert contributors, this book presents matters concerning radical reform and the merit system at the federal, state, and local levels of government. This volume offers fresh insight into the effects of merit system changes on employees. Divided into four sections, this book... · Examines a portrait of contemporary reforms from across the country and concepts to interpret those data · Addresses whether the relaxation of civil service protections against partisan intrusion will result in corruption · Provides examples of ongoing changes and analyzes survey data from state managers · Discusses a variety of key issues, such as the impact on racial inequality of moving from a protected class employment status to an unprotected at-will relationship The book provides a baseline of data on reforms as well as an account of their current promises and pitfalls. Covering topics ripped from the headlines, this text also identifies pressing issues and makes suggestions for the future. Offering a variety of methodological approaches, it is ideal for all those interested in effective governance.