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The 'Dueling Twins'
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| Enter the 'HALL' of the Dueling JAMES Twins! |
Could it be separated at birth? One
on the path for wisdom, the other gone afoul! Which one is which?
Introduction: James vs. James
I was minding my own business the other day when I got an e-mail from
the political columnist James Hall. Wait a minute, I thought, that's me!
But it wasn't, exactly. Now, James Hall isn't a completely unusual
name. In fact, there are quite a few of us around. You may have heard of James Hall the gospel singer, James Hall the rock
musician, James Hall the Detroit Lions football player, James Hall the writer of detective fiction like Tropical Freeze, while
an earlier James Hall co-wrote Mutiny on the Bounty and its two sequels. After a particularly horrendous train or airplane
accident you may have even seen James Hall the Director of the National Transportation Safety Board on television explaining
what went wrong.
But another James Hall, political columnist, on the internet? That
floored me. Especially when I found out that he's a self-described conservative populist. (In my mind the term's an oxymoron.
Populists represent the common people, who we know are mostly Democrats. Perhaps he's the populist of the country club set.)
In any case, James has written for Rense.com, Ether Zone, and has his own website, "Breaking All The Rules," at http://batr.org/ where he frequently writes under the pen name of Sartre, demonstrating
a keen interest in philosophy. Wait a minute--I enjoy philosophy, too, though I lean towards the English Liberals rather than
European Existentialism.
After politely introducing himself, James said he had read my work
and agreed with almost nothing I wrote. What nerve! Then he challenged me to a James versus James debate, to see which one
of us most deserves to write about politics in our name.
So over the next few weeks, we'll air our opinions and let you, our
beloved readers, decide who best merits the name of James Hall, political columnist. May the best James win!
Without further ado, here's James writing about the meaning of third
parties in Amercan politics.
James, From the Left
When I examine myself and my methods
of thought,
I come to the conclusion
that the gift of fantasy has meant more to me
than my talent for absorbing
positive knowledge.
Albert Einstein
Upon discovery that a column was being published under my name sake
was surprising. When I read that it was penned from 'Fantasy Land', I was shocked. And after discovering that it is an illusion,
written with errors, I must correct the record.
Therefore, the sword fencing must begin! The foil that false fantasy
promotes, must be repulsed. The epee art is more than self defense. It is a quest to clear confusion from the public arena.
The Duel between Gentlemen, requires a victory. TRUTH reigns supreme.
The task for the sincere is to understand the correct nature of that
Reverie, to slay that Chimera, and replace it with Vision of TRUTH and WISDOM!
For this task I accept the challenge to rid the bewilderment and bring
sanity back to the Magic Kingdom . . . And follow the lead of those who know the difference.
James - 'The Right'
The dissenter is every human being at those moments
of his life
when he resigns momentarily from the herd
and thinks for himself.
Archibald Macleish
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James Hall - From the Left
How does a liberal columnist survive among so many conservatives and libertarians at TAP,
The American Partisan? Well, it helps to grow up in a conservative state and in a family of Republicans. As a child James
leafleted for Barry Goldwater's presidential campaign, supported the Viet Nam War, and read Ayn Rand. As James grew older
his opinions changed, and he learned to fight for them, outnumbered as he was.
As an almost life-long resident of
Orlando, Florida, it seemed quite natural to go and work for the Walt Disney Company, which James did for 23 years, beginning
as a ride operator and finishing his Disney career as a technical writer.
Along the way James' liberal activism was
honed as a member of District 1908 of the Transportation/Communications Union at Disney, where he served as a shop steward,
district trustee, and finally as President and Treasurer, representing the interests of 3,000 Disney employees. His arguing
skills were honed in disciplinary hearings, safety meetings, and the negotiating table at Disney, while his writing talents
were put to use as a writer and editor of the district's newsletter Signals for nine years.
James says, "The most
fascinating part of my job was as a member of a team negotiating labor contracts in concert with other unions and Disney management
where issues of pay, personal safety, work rules, and health insurance are involved. Try it yourself sometime to see how important
issues become when millions of dollars are on the table."
James also managed to get an education and a Master's degree
in Liberal Studies. He has also taught Rhetoric and Composition at Valencia Community College and his written work has appeared
in e-zines like Blue Ear Magazine, Philosophy News, and the Coastal Voice. He is currently a columnist for The American Factor
and is working on a nonfiction book with former TAP columnist Ian Foster.
Says James, "My twin passions these days
are for science, which tells us what the world is actually like, and political philosophy, which tells what we could make
of it."
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James Hall from the Left Profile
Email James Hall from the Left
The 'HALL' of the Dueling JAMES
Twins!
Where the rubber of the 'Real
Crossfire' meets the road . . .
Send SARTRE your remarks
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James Hall - 'The Right'
SARTRE is the pen name of JAMES HALL, a reformed, former
political operative. This pundit's formal instruction in History, Philosophy and Political Science served as training for
activism, on the staff of several politicians and in many campaigns. A believer in authentic 'Public Service', independent
business interests were pursued in the private sector. As a small business owner and entrepreneur, several successful ventures
expanded opportunities for customers and employees. Speculation in markets, and international business investments, allowed
for extensive travel and a world view for commerce. He is retired and lives with his wife in a rural community. Their daughter
has earned degrees from the University of London.
"Populism" best describes the approach to SARTRE's perspective
on Politics. Realities, suggest that American Values can be restored with an appreciation of "Pragmatic Anarchism." Reforms
will require an Existential approach. "Ideas Move the World," and SARTRE'S intent is to stir the conscience of those who desire
to bring back a common sense, moral and traditional value culture for America.
Not seeking fame nor fortune, SARTRE's
only goal is to ask the questions that few will dare ... Having refused the invites of an academic career because of the hypocrisy
of elite's, the search for TRUTH is the challenge that is made to all readers. It starts within yourself and is achieved only
with your sincere desire to face Reality.
So who is SARTRE? He is really an ordinary man just like you who invites
you to join in on this journey.
SARTRE's home page is at BATR (Breaking All The Rules).
Visit SARTRE at Breaking All The Rules
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