Pat Schwind Presents: Strategic Edge Thursday, 06/04/2009

Dr. Tamara Zivic of World Hunger Education, Advocacy & Training (WHEAT): Can We Eradicate World Hunger?

Minutes of 05/21/2009

1. Attended 05/21/2009 : Ted Goldberg, Rich Woods, Frank Rickey, Mark Sordahl, Pat Schwind, Ed Stroup, Beryl Rousseau, Ruth Brooks, Mariska & Fred Ciarico, Ed Casper, Cecil Ash, Dr. Paul Eppinger, Pastor Jeff Niell, Glenda Lambert, Olga Strickland & our speakers: Staffan Berg, Bill Gemmill, local Attorneys Marc Victor & David Braun, & retired molecular biologist, Powell Gammill.

2. We debated the topic: Do Gay & Lesbian Folks Choose to be Homosexual, or are they Just Born That Way? This was scheduled many months ago after I finally found somebody from the "Family Values Camp", with the guts to come out in public & take a real stand on the issue. That was suppossed to be Sharon Slater of 'Family Watch International'. However, 5 days before the debate, Sharon called & said that she didn't realize that it was the same day as her daughter's 8th grade graduation. I told Sharon, "great, this could be a fantastic 'lesson in life' & a 'two-for' all in one, for an 8th grader: she'll learn that life's often disappointing, (Mom can't be there all the time), & adults keep committments." But I guess Family Values aren't what they used to be.

   My friend Staffan Berg TD'd the idea months ago, but on 5/19 agreed to 'step up' & make the "Gays choose to be Gay" case, so I didn't have to beg a volunteer from the audience. He did an amazing job. Staffan is a local flower shop owner & "Moonie", (Unification Church of the Rev. Moon), who was introduced to his wife 3 days before they were married in a 'mass marriage ceremony'. That was decades ago, & he seems quite happy. He feels that one may not actually be born homosexual, but that SSA, (same sex attraction), "is a result of childhood traumas & unresolved issues".

   He sighted a few cases where some 'once gay' friends & prominent people were converted to heterosexuality. This contrasts greatly with the analysis of my gay friends Dave Braun & Bill Gemmill, who consider the idea of someone choosing to be homosexual, in a homophobic society, simply ludicrius. Bill sited the case of the guy who founded "Exodus", the most famous "conversion club", who's now back in a gay relationship. Dave said that every homosexual child goes through years of confusion, before finally admitting their orientation, even if they never figure out the "why me" part of it.

   Biologist Powell Gammill strongly believes that homosexuality is not a genetic trait, because "it would eventually be bread out of the gene pool". However, he also feels that it's "not a choice", & has no scientific explanation. The most moving speaker had to be my good friend & libertarian Marc Victor, who gave a rousing speach reminiscent of "Give me Liberty or give me Death". He passionately argued that restricting the rights & freedoms of gay folks is the same evil as suppressing women, Blacks or other minorities, & that religious convictions are really the root of the persecution problem. It was a great time! I wish I had more space for more details.

3. Our next meeting is this Thursday, 06/04/2009

   Please arrive before 7:30 AM at “JIM’s CONEY ISLAND CAFE”, 1750 No. Scottsdale Rd., Tempe, at the southwest corner of Scottsdale & Cavalier, Click Here for a map, 1 block south of McKellips, ~ 1 mile north of the 202 Freeway.

   Our speaker will be Dr. Tamara Zivic of World Hunger Education, Advocacy & Training (WHEAT): Can We Eradicate World Hunger?

   Bring Guests!

4. Future Speakers
   • 6/18- Atheist Monti Gaither: How Religion has Messed Up the World, Forever!

   • 7/2- Open Discussion; We will meet despite the “4th” Holiday.

   • 7/16- Ex-Cop Seymore Smith: One Man’s Struggle vs. an Unjust System; Commentary from the Az. Justice Project.

   • 7/30- Ahmad Daniels: A Black Marine's Struggle for Civil Rights in the Vietnam War.

   • 8/13- MMA Fighter & Heritage Capital Consultant Mike Van Arsdale will discuss "Energy, Diamonds & Dubai", & then give a real live MMA Demonstration in the parking lot, on thick carpet. Yeah, it'll be HOT, but we can handle it.

   • TBD- The Holocaust: History's Greatest Genocide or Outright Hoax? Pat Schwind & hopefully a real 'expert', will debate Holocaust Denier Friedrich Paul Berg. I just need more time to get "up to speed".

   • TBD- Nuclear Power: I need a 'Greenie" to debate my good friend & nuclear engineer, Joe Napier.

Sincerely, Pat Schwind, MBA