Peter Senese: Best-Selling Author, Filmmaker, Entrepreneur and Founding Director of The I CARE Foundation. Read about Peter Senese and the I CARE Foundation’s instrumental work reducing the U.S. outbound rate of child abduction by 38%, the creation of the landmark Hague-oriented ‘International Travel Child Consent Form’, engagements at the United Nation, and dozens of sworn testimonials by families reunited with their abducted children due to Peter Senese and the I CARE Foundation’s efforts.
As a novelist who has previously touched upon genetic science and mankind's desire to enhance our human condition in my theological thriller 'Cloning Christ', and in my upcoming work 'Quest', I have asked whether man is getting dumber?
Now, I have said for some time that over the past few decades, and in particular, the past 15 years, society has changed with way we consume information. Generally, we now 'surf' the Internet for 2 to 3 minutes for a glossary sense of information, whereas in the past, we would spike deep into data by actually reading an entire book.
I have maintained that in 'spiking' as opposed to 'surfing', our imaginations are cultivated, and ingenuity, invention, and progress take place.
Now, does this mean that the Internet is without benefit? Of course not.
But the question remains, are we smarter today than, let's say, 3,000 years ago?
Immediately, you can take a look at the landscape of inventions and technology in today's world and you might want to clearly say, "Are you kidding? Of course we're smarter today than back then."
But I beg you to hold on.
In a popular research magazine called 'Trends and Genetics' a new research report just published suggests that human gene development may have peaked thousands of years ago. In fact, Professor Crabtree of Stamford, who has studied human gene projectory and mutation states that human gene mutation or adaptability has slowed down significantly since the time we shifted away from being hunters and gathers of food.
This is all very interesting, especially since our IQ's continue to climb. We're getting bigger, taller, and our brain size is growing.
But as many neurologist have said in study after study regarding your brain's capacity, if you don't use it you lose it.
But Dr. Crabtree has a lot to say, and it sure makes some sense. So, is the human species failure to mutate and adapt making us dumber? Dr. Crabtree has a lot to say, and I think this is fascinating.
So is there a brain drain? Has our gene pool been getting diluted?
To listen to Dr. Crabtree's interview, click here.
On rare occassion a film comes along that is so brilliant, so inspiring, and so well executed by the actors, director, writers, and production team that the lessons shared by the storytellers has a sweeping impact on how you see yourself and the world we live in.
Steven Spielberg's 'Lincoln' is one of the best films I have ever seen.
To begin, the subject, 'Clever, Honest Abraham' as I would prefer to call our remarkable former president, is such a compelling character thrown into the mix of extraordinary circumstances during the time of civil unrest America faced nearly 150 years ago.
Lincoln, stars Mr. Daniel Day Lewis, who I believe is the best actor ever to appear in film. And Mr. Day Lewis delievers another brilliant performance . . . one that may in fact be the most important role of his life till this point. How good of a performance did Mr. Day Lewis give? He just raised the bar on 'Perfect'.
As expected, Mr. Spielberg's storyline, drawn from the extraordinary book publication about President Lincoln written by Doris Kearns Goodwin and the high-octane screenplay of Tony Kuschner (I once was a shareholder in one of Tony's production companies), portrayed a man so courageous, so benevolent, so intelligent, and so steeped in morals, that his life will forever change the course of the human race.
I was inspired. I am inspired.
Clearly, Abraham Lincoln faced great challenges during his presidency, and Lewis delivers these challenges perfectly in Mr. Spielberg's brilliant film.
In these challenges, Lincoln never wavered. He followed the course. He believed. And he let his faith in his belief guide him to do what was right.
As an advocate fighting to protect children from international abduction and human trafficking, there are times when it appears the wall we try to push back does not move.
I really appreciated seeing 'Lincoln' last night.
Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!
Do yourself a favor, seriously: go and see Lincoln. It very well might make you ask yourself this question: How can I be a better person?
* * *
It has been about 6 years since I sat on the steps of the Lincoln Monument with my son, talking about freedom and belief in yourself and others the way our great President Abraham Lincoln did. Two days ago, after a long day of meetings dealing with protecting children from abduction, I found myself sitting on those very same steps late at night thinking about this great man.
As we all know, the world is a much greater place because Abraham Lincoln existed. I am sure these last few days will have a long-range impact on my life.
Today, is an incredible day for one amazing little boy and his mother. You see, today is Ahmari's 2nd birthday - and - he is celebrating it at home in the United States of America with his mother after a terrible ordeal that included having the child's mother do everything possible in order to bring her child home after he was internationally abducted under the rules of the Hague Convention.
I am so thrilled that today Ahmari and Brittany are celebrating the BIG # 2!! Ahmari is such a beautiful little boy - who happens to be the child of a spectacular lady - my dear friend Brittany!
Many individuals who follow and enjoy my novels have written to me asking various questions about my upcoming novel PREDATORS GAMES.
Well, this video may answer some of your questions ....
Okay - I'm goofing around. Stay tune ... I will be giving some real information. In the meantime, if you have not read THE DEN OF THE ASSASSIN, consider picking up a copy today!
It has been several weeks since Hurricane Sandy hit the eastern seaboard, causing much talked about but still hard to imagine and comprehend destruction. In the aftermath of the incomprehensible rage that left behind insanity, something so much more powerful than the tempest appeared: the empowering human spirit that knows how to rise up and push forward to advance our human condition. Call it what you want - but know it stems from the goodness each person has within - and it can be seen everywhere here in the New York metropolitan area and around the country.
Each day, as I try to play a humble role in helping others here, I see first-hand people from all walks of life banding together to assist those who felt the wrath of the perfect storm.
It is times such as this when we are reminded to the true capability of mankind, and, as demonstrated by our failures and faults, the need to do better. Much better.
* * *
Yesterday was a meaningful day for Maria and I: we spent part of the day at a synagogue in Brooklyn helping load supplies and food onto trucks that were headed to the Queens peninsula.
We were amongst a diverse group of New Yorkers simply trying to help those in need. And once again, I was reminded just how special it is to know the true meaning of being a New Yorker: to celebrate our differences and weave them together into the beauty that is the spirit of this magnificent city.
In trying to determine which organizations that may be best to provide support to, I have concluded that Catholic Charities would be my first recommendation to give support. Please consider visiting their website or calling directly at 718.722.6202.
Call me out of touch, call me a nerd, call me a prohibitionist, or call me smart . . . but I think that it was a very big mistake for the states of Colorado and Washington to legalize marijuana. A Real big mistake.
Once the 2012 election is certified, residents of Colorado and Washington State can legally smoke marijuana. Imagine that.
Yes, smoking a joint is still illegal under Federal Law. But state law in the Rocky Mountain state now allows for people to light up whenever they want - without a medical prescription. Same for Washington State.
Tourist are sure to flock to Colorado for this new recreational activity that may see more visitors roll up and than hit their amazing slopes. And if they don't want to travel to Colorado, they can travel to the Pacific Northwest - the new Amsterdam - and toke up while hiking Mount Baker or kyacking around Orca's island, or picking blueberries outside of Blaine.
As for me: I don't light-up. I really don't want others to light up because of the impairment issues. And I sure don't want my son to ever light up.
Of course, I understand there is a medicinal benefit to marijuana. And I appreciate the benefits of the use of the drug for medical purposes. So long as it is not abused.
But it hasn't really been abused, right? Hmm
It is also going to be interesting to see how the clash between federal and state law is going to oversee marijuana use in Colorado and Washington.
Surely there are going to be many legal court battles . . . and many advocates on both sides of the issue are going to be weighing in.
Could the legalization be all part of a masterplan by real estate developers and hotel operators in Colorado and Washington State to increase business in this sluggish economy? Will smokers and tokers decide to pick up and move to these two pot-friendly states that will allow residents to grow up to 6 pot plants of their own per household? Will there be a new chain of state hotels that mix fine accomodations with licensed pot distributors? Oh the possibilities. Seriously . . . I'm not sold on any of this.
This was taken from the Denver Post . . .
Voters approved an amendment legalizing recreational marijuana use in Colorado on Tuesday, making this one of two states to end prohibition of the drug but also raising new legal questions and setting up potential court battles.
The historic result, projected by The Denver Post on Tuesday night, drew raucous cheers and applause from the amendment's supporters, who gathered in hundreds at Casselman's in downtown Denver.
"We won! We won!" supporters cried as the results were splashed across a giant screen.
Amendment 64 led late Tuesday night with 53.3 percent voting yes and 46.7 percent voting no, with 1,863,535 votes or about 66 percent of active voters counted, according to the Colorado Secretary of State's office.
"This is really groundbreaking," said Beau Kilmer, co-director of the Rand Drug Policy Research Center. "No modern jurisdiction has ever removed the prohibition on the production and possession of marijuana for recreational purposes. ... Since no one has done this before, there are a lot of uncertainties."
Voters in Washington state approved a similar measure Tuesday; in Oregon a legalization issue failed.
The amendment will allow those 21 and older to purchase up to one ounce of the drug at specially regulated retail stores. Possession would be legal but not public use. Adults could grow up to six marijuana plants at home. It sets up a direct challenge to federal drug law, which regulates it as an illegal substance. Federal authorities have not said how they will respond.
"This demonstrates that the people of Colorado are just as smart as we thought they were," said Mason Tvert, one of the directors of the Yes on 64 Campaign. "They were fed up with prohibition and decided they want a more sensible approach."
Prohibition of drugs is a bad thing? Really?
Critics argued that passing the amendment would make Colorado a destination for drug tourists and prompt a federal crackdown. They cited concerns about increased use of the drug by children and more drugged driving.
Among the opponents was Gov. John Hickenlooper, who said in a statement Tuesday night that "the voters have spoken and we have to respect their will. This will be a complicated process, but we intend to follow through. That said, federal law still says marijuana is an illegal drug so don't break out the Cheetos or gold fish too quickly."
State criminal penalties for possessing the drug won't disappear until the election is certified, which could take up to two months.
The amendment doesn't spell out the details of how the commercial marijuana industry will be regulated. It leaves that up to the state Department of Revenue, which would oversee the specialty shops. Proponents envision something similar to the state's system governing medical marijuana, which involves security requirements, the monitoring of plants as they are grown and shipped and auditors who perform site checks.
Who is in charge?
"Colorado has a lot of work to do quickly in terms of setting up the appropriate rules and structures," said Rosalie Pacula, another co-director for Rand's Drug Policy Research Center. She noted that because the measure is a constitutional amendment, it will have to go back to voters for repairs if there are problems; the legislature will be unable to intervene.
The federal government's response is anyone's guess, she said, but it will likely be resistant. Other experts have said federal agents could arrest individual users, though that would be a departure from their usual focus on large-scale dealers.
In the year before the first stores open, the federal government may choose to challenge the measure in court by arguing that it is pre-empted.
Whatever happens, I sure hope that if you are going to choose to light up in Colorado, just like drinking, that you do it in serious moderation and remember that your body's ability to react slows, your perception changes, and you increase the chances that you might hurt yourself and others.
Be smart.
As for me, I will refrain from smoking. Instead, I'll continue to embrace my own drug of choice: pizza.
In the wake of Hurricane Sandy and the devastation it has caused on communities everywhere, I will be donating 100% of my author revenues generated from my various books, incluidng the critically acclaimed international legal thrillers 'Chasing The Cyclone', the international financial thriller 'The Den of the Assassin', and the theological thirller 'Cloning Christ', as well as all other publications.
Hurricane Sandy Has Destroyed The Lives Of So Many
Should you desire to purchase a hardcover copy of any of my books, I would prefer you purchase this direrectly from my website as I will be able to include a dedication of your chosing.
As for e-book purchases, may I suggest shopping on either Barnes & Noble or Amazon.
The needs of the individuals in the areas hit hardest by Hurricane Sandy are immense. I will donate all revenue to help others up until at least December 1st, 2012, at which time a deciscion will be made as to what will be done next as my book revenues previously helped finance the I CARE Foundation - which has successfully rescued and safely brought home numerous internationally kidnapped children.
At the moment I am in Southern Brooklyn, not to far from the Marine Park Bridge that crosses into Breezy Point, Riis Park, Rockaway Beach and Bell Harbor.
The eclectic communities that make up this area of Southern Brooklyn include Mill Basin, Mill Island, Bergan Beach, Marine Park, Flatlands, and Gerritsan Beach (which has gotten hit really bad). Few homes here have electrical power or heat. Many households have children or elderly people in them. And it is getting cold fast.
Every
2 to 3 minutes the blaring sounds of a fire engine, police car, or
ambulance bursts into the air ... there are a lot of ambulance sirens. Even when I am sleeping I hear them now in my dreams.
On
the streets, which are mostly void of working traffic signals, I see teams of police
officers standing in heavily dense intersections trying to keep the heavy traffic of frustrated and scared drivers
flowing. These policemen and policewomen out on the streets come from some of the most heavily
impacted areas of Hurricane Sandy- many have lost their homes, or in the least, been
displaced just like so many. But there they are - doing what they do . .
. responding. And it amazes me.
Many of my friends have reached out to me asking what they could do to help. I have said to each of you at this time pray ... and when ready plan on providing assistance at the local organizational level in communities in New York and New Jersey that have been badly hit because, as I experienced during 9-11, these local community organizations are able to help those individuals who fall through the cracks ... and Sandy didn't simply make a few cracks - it blew out more than a few walls.
There goes three more firetrucks, a small convoy of the national guard and two more ambulances.
I know that I am bouncing from place to place here, but my own mind is 'walking in a circle'.
The
day before Hurricane Sandy came to shore I was thinking that I should
have returned back home in Los Angeles: my nice heated pool, my boat, and a
round of golf were all on the day's agenda. However, I decided to stay
here in New York because, well I am a New Yorker. Weighing in on my decision was the fact that I knew I
had many family and friends who may bear the brunt of this storm,
especially since the weather forecasters were talking about it coming
into the the Hudson Harbor and Long Island's Atlantic Ocean.
There goes an two Con Edison utility trucks. Why are they empty?
It was only five days ago since Hurricane Sandy ascended onto the New York and New Jersey shores but the havoc it has caused feels more like it has been a month of no heat, no power, no gas, limited food, limited access to most things ... and no answers. Many individuals are simply trying to figure out who to turn to, how to turn to them, and what to turn to them for.
Have you ever walked around in circles for 5 minutes? Try doing it for 5 days. It will seem like 5 weeks.
Have you ever lost an important photograph or your favorite sweater? Well, think about losing all of your possessions.
Have you a place to lay your head tonight? For many thousands, the same can't be said.
Which reminds me, a word to everyone who does not have heat: lather your body in Vaseline - the petroleum jell will close your pours, serving to keep your body's heat in while also acting like a wind and water deterrent.
Hurricane Sandy has causes such a mess.
Long Island's city of Long Beach and most of the homes in it are now gone. This was the home of my brother John and Kelly. My brother, like many who made Long Beach there home, was a 9-11 hero firefighter. He nor Kelly didn't deserve this. Thank God my brother has Kelly. Long Beach was also the home of several other family members: their homes are either gone or severely damaged . . . but you know, even the houses that have been severely damaged are useless since their is now power, the water in contaminated, the sewer systems have failed, the majority of the stores and restaurants have been destroyed, the schools shut, and garbage from the flood-soaked houses - food and furniture and clothing - liter the streets: Christmas has come early for the rodents.
Long Beach as it was once known is gone.
But the spirit of those who lived in Long Beach is time-tested and resilient. These folks, like my brother and Kelly, know how to come back, and come back stronger than ever.
God willing, that is what we will see.
Closer to where I sit here in Brooklyn - very close to the once sandy beaches of the Rockaway Peninsula that I grew up on as a young boy and young adult playing in the refreshing waters of Riis Park- is Breezy Point, which sits on the westernmost part of the Queens peninsula. It is a community very similar in many ways to Long Beach.
There go two more firetrucks, their lights streaming and the sirens screaming.
As many of you know, over 100 homes were destroyed by an unthinkable fire that occurred during the height of Hurricane Sandy. Many more were lost due to the Atlantic's swells that caused the ocean to meet Jamaica Bay.
Many of my friends including my brother are firefighters. I can't imagine what it was like for the firefighters who responded to the Breezy Point nightmare, especially because Sandy's fierce and furious wind along with the rain created an unreachable inferno fireball that was once the home of many of New York's first responder firefighters and police officers.
My cousin George and his wife Stella had a home in Breezy Point. My heart breaks for George and Stella. Last month, they lost their son and grandson in an early Sunday morning automobile accident. Now Sandy.
Another ambulance.
As I think about how many first-responders have personally been hit hardest by the storm who are out there now or will be out there later this evening, I immediately think of two pals of mine. My dear friend Paul, who I have been friends with for over 25 years and who has made a difference with the I CARE Foundation our our efforts to rescue internationally kidnapped children is a sergeant with the Port Authority and has his hands more than full dealing with the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel and its still 30 million gallons of water inside that tunnel, and the Queens Midtown Tunnel and the 12 million gallons that sit inside that tunnel. Paul lives in Staten Island - which has been hit so bad. In fact, on Paul's city block, one of his neighbors - a father - drowned the night of the storm when a surge of water flooded his home when he was in the basement, causing the doors to close on his life forever.
I'm not kidding, there are more sirens going off. I can't see what they are attached to, but I think they are firetrucks.
My very good friend is a Suffolk County police officer. He lives in one of the areas of the Queens Peninsula that has been hit hardest: Rockaway Beach. Fortunately for Chris he lived in a high-rise. But that didn't prevent the Atlantic from racing into his building. Chris didn't need this: before becoming a highly decorated police officer Chris was part of the FDNY. Tonight, this man will patrol areas of Suffolk Country prone to heavy crime and looting. Ever since Sandy has shown up, I pray for my friend's safety because he is out in an area that is simply not cool. Not cool at all. And so if you pray, please keep Chris in your prayers because he has another major challenge going on: his daughter had been internationally abducted and he is doing everything legally possible to bring her home. Sandy was one real bitch.
The other night I ran into my old friend Joe. Joe, like my brother John, is a FDNY hero now disabled due to the time he served the Great City of New York. Joe lived in Rockaway. Then the Atlantic showed up courtesy of Sandy.
Who invited Sandy? Seriously, Sandy was one real uninvited bitch.
My oldest childhood friend is Sam. There goes another convoy of flashing trucks - National Guard, Black SUV's, and a few FEMA trucks - and some glaring alarm is going off. I'm on sound overload.
My friend Sam lives in Staten Island. I have been trying to reach him. I can't. We have been friends since he was three years old and I two years old. I am worried about him and his family.
Back in Manhattan, most everything below 34th street is still shut down. Imagine being stuck in a building downtown with no power and no working elevator. Now imagine being on the 30th floor of a building.
In my role with the I CARE Foundation, we had sent out an Amicus Brief to help stop an abduction. The package was put into a Fedex drop located in one of the buildings downtown. I'm not sure if it was picked up by FedEx . . . I can't reach the building as it is closed, and I don't have the immediate access to the FedEx slip to track it. This weighs on me heavily: I take great pride in been able to help protect children who are at great risk of being internationally abducted by one parent from another.
I have many friends in New Jersey. Many are now homeless. Many more have no power, no heat, and no food. And it is cold.
Fuck you, Sandy.
Two hours ago I heard from my dear friend Eugene. I love Eugene, and was deeply worried about him, Clarice, Philippe and Lindsey. They have no power and heat. But they are okay, and the children are staying at Eugene's sister's home - who so happens to have heat. Police car, DOT, ambulance, police car, Con Edison utility truck.
Hurricane Sandy happens to be the worst storm to hit our shores in a very long time. The size and force of Bitch Sandy was so vast and powerful that it literally wiped out very large communities, while severely damaging many others. With so many people now homeless, with so little power in the region, and with the cold winter now on us, the people impacted by this monster storm unlike anything in American history need your help.
First, seriously ... prayer does work. So pray.
Secondly, if you are going to donate money, please donate a percentage of your money to nationally recognized organizations. In addition, please consider reserving a part of what you intend to give to local organizations run by community leaders in respective areas that have been severely hit. From my own personal experiences, I have seen that local organizations have the ability of assisting individuals in immediate need or individuals who might fall through the cracks for whatever reason. And God knows, right now there is a lot of cracks.
Most of all, please give what you can because so many people need help.
In the coming days I will share a list of some organizations worth considering.
Odd, 9 empty tractor trailers just passed by.
New York City is one of the most special places in the world because of the people that live here. New Yorkers come from all over the world ... some even live in other places (Hello Ned Treanor!) . . . but they have share something remarkable: a tremendous sense of determination and belief in one another and themselves.
One final thing: to the Sandy's of the universe out there ... this morning ray of sun is symbolic of the spirit of those who live in the New York area. All that was lost will be rebuilt.
Over the past few days I have had the opportunity to spend time in some of New York's most severly hit areas connected to Hurricane Sandy.
Let me make this clear: Sandy is a Bitch.
The devastation that has occurred in Breezy Point, Riis Park, Rockaway, Long Beach and Gerritsan Beach is so much more than any words or photographs can ever express.
In the coming future these communities - which have been either completely wiped out, or severely crippled - will need great assistance. Please keep an eye out on those organizations that are specifically being created for direct aid into these communities - as it is critical that aid gets to individuals in immediate despair.
Most of all, please keep all the individuals impacted by Hurricane Sandy in your prayers. Many have lost their life, scores more have been injured, tens of thousands have lost their homes, and millions have been impacted.
Here are a few photographs I though worth sharing:
