| Yet Again The Old (Very Old) Truths Hold True |  |
By John Freivalds
JFA Press
Alas history, even ancient history repeats itself.
Yet Again The Old (Very Old) Truths Hold True
Every Presidential election cycle finds politicians like Sanders and Warren saying what they think is new only to find out later is the same old (very old) truths, and that they destroyed what they were campaigning for in the first place.
|
Freivalds: Draining the swamp (and Washington's other tall tales) |
 |
Published 2/18/2020
By John Freivalds
The Roanoke Times. Roanoke, Virginia
Freivalds runs an international communications firm in Lexington.
Donald Trump is not the first president promising that he would drain a swamp. Actually it was George Washington but it was not Washington D.C. — it was the Great Dismal Swamp in southern Virginia he promised to drain. We all look at Washington as the father of our country and able to walk on water and think only democratic celestial thoughts. But on the eve of his birthday (Feb. 22) it might be useful to look at the other things he was such as a land speculator, slave owner, and yes, a terrorist to get a full understanding of the man.
| Was George Washington a Terrorist? |  |
By John Freivalds
Duluth News Tribune
With George Washington's Birthday upon us (February 22) I think it is time to reexamine how we interpret our history. If you would believe some historians the revolutionary war which brought America freedom was nothing more than dumping tea in Boston Harbor. But George Washington, by today's American terrorism standards, was not a freedom fighter but a terrorist. We frown and condemn terrorists as they engage in asymmetric warfare as the military would term it. But we need to take off our rose-colored glasses and see what's really at play: terrorists are seldom considered "legitimate."
|
Letter: Why do Iranians hate the U.S.? Let me count the ways |
|
Published 1/22/2020
By John Freivalds
The Roanoke Times, Roanoke, Virginia
The historical amnesia that seizes the political class in the U.S. amazes me. Politicians can only spout what appeals to people at the moment. The U.S. policy has dumped on Iran for almost 70 years. It started in 1953 when Iran’s elected president was overthrown in a coup engineered by a conservative secretary of state. Once he was out, the U.S. installed the pliant Shah. He bought U.S. arms and allowed women to drive and wear dresses. Oh yeah, he wore suits and spoke perfect English. He created the SAVAK, a brutal secret policy trained by who else - the Mossad Israeli’s secret service. He got exceedingly corrupt (crowned himself emperor) and was overthrown. And when he sought and was given asylum in the us the embassy was seized and hostages taken. A series of Mullahs (akin to fervent evangelicals here), who wore robes and spoke no English or “American” as many in Trump’s base would say, took over.
|
Letter to the editor: AGN Man of the Year |
 |
Paul Engler
Published January 14th 2020
By John Freivalds
Amarillo Globe-News Amarillo, TX
I met Paul Engler in 1971 in the Iranian desert as he was exploring business opportunities. I have known him since, and we who know Paul each have a Paul Engler story. This one belies his true nature in spite of what he has done in his business career. Paul told me this one.
Paul and a business partner in Cactus Feeders went to New York to visit some money guys on Wall Street. They arrived a day before the meeting and spent the night at the Pierre Hotel, one of the most expensive anywhere. Paul was to meet his partner at the offices of the money guys in the morning. The meeting started and Paul wasn’t there. So his partner called Paul still in his room at the Pierre.
“Paul you’re supposed to be here. What’s up?”
Paul responded, “I never have spent so much for a hotel room before, so I thought I’d sit and enjoy it a spell.”
Thank You.
John Freivalds/Wayzata, MN
| Amarillo Globe-News Man of the Year 2019: Engler’s philanthropy, compassion hailed | |
Paul Engler
Published December 31st, 2019
By Amarillo Globe-News
While some of the nomination letters extolling the virtues of Paul Engler as 2019 Amarillo Globe-News Man of the Year hailed entrepreneurial success, the vast majority focused upon philanthropic impact.
In an endeavor Engler launched with partner Tom Dittmer in 1975, Cactus Feeders was founded with the vision of feeding cattle on a large scale in the Texas Panhandle, officials said, noting the initiative reversed the trend of shipping raw materials, namely grain and homegrown beef, out of the state. Since its inception, the company has been a leader in operational efficiency, research and safety standards, officials said.
