JAMES PETRAS is a Bartle Professor (Emeritus) of Sociology at Binghamton University, New York.

He is the author of more than 62 books published in 29 languages, and over 600 articles in professional journals, including the American Sociological Review, British Journal of Sociology, Social Research, and Journal of Peasant Studies. He has published over 2000 articles in nonprofessional journals such as the New York Times, the Guardian, the Nation, Christian Science Monitor, Foreign Policy, New Left Review, Partisan Review, TempsModerne, Le Monde Diplomatique, and his commentary is widely carried on the internet.

His publishers have included Random House, John Wiley, Westview, Routledge, Macmillan, Verso, Zed Books and Pluto Books. He is winner of the Career of Distinguished Service Award from the American Sociological Association’s Marxist Sociology Section, the Robert Kenny Award for Best Book, 2002, and the Best Dissertation, Western Political Science Association in 1968. His most recent titles include Unmasking Globalization: Imperialism of the Twenty-First Century (2001); co-author The Dynamics of Social Change in Latin America (2000), System in Crisis (2003), co-author Social Movements and State Power (2003), co-author Empire With Imperialism (2005), co-author)Multinationals on Trial (2006).

He has a long history of commitment to social justice, working in particular with the Brazilian Landless Workers Movement for 11 years. In 1973-76 he was a member of the Bertrand Russell Tribunal on Repression in Latin America. He writes a monthly column for the Mexican newspaper, La Jornada, and previously, for the Spanish daily, El Mundo. He received his B.A. from Boston University and Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley.

ABOUT The Politics of Empire: The US, Israel and the Middle East by James Petras...
      
This book provides a unique conception of US empire building, linking overseas expansion with:

- the growth of a police state and declining living standards;

- advanced technologically driven global spying on adversaries and allies with declining economic competitiveness and military defeats;

- large scale, long term commitments of economic and military resources to wars in the Middle East to the detriment of major corporate interests, but for the benefit of a pariah state, Israel; and

- the power of a foreign state (Israel) over US policy via its domestic pro-Zionist power configuration The interplay of these four specific features of US empire building has no past or present precedent among imperial states.

Because of Israeli-Zionist influence on US imperial policy, the main targets and objectives of imperial wars are located in the Middle East. The objectives of Israeli and Zionist- influenced US policy in the Middle East is to enhance Israeli regional power and the dispossession of the Palestinian people. The trillion dollar cost of US wars for Israel, however, has alienated the vast majority of US society and driven a wedge between the political elite backing new wars for Israel, and the public prioritizing of domestic economic welfare. This study highlights how the domestic foundations of empire building have deteriorated and forced the imperial presidency to modify its approach, seeking diplomatic negotiations over new military interventions, specifically in the cases of Syria and Iran.

Imperial politics is viewed as a multi-sided power struggle between military and economic elites, Israel and the Zionist power configuration, overseas resistance movements and nationalist regimes, and the US public. The resolution of this power struggle is more than an academic question; it will determine whether the US will become a full blown police state, ruled by the pawns of a racist-colonial state engaged in endless wars or return to its roots as an independent democratic republic “free of foreign entanglements”.

Doug Briney embodies all things country: His personality is warm and inviting, some would say down-to-earth, recalling the disposition of many a Southern Gentleman from yesteryear. With a 2013 Independent Country Music Association (ICoMA) Award, a 2014 Nashville Universe Award nomination, and a 2014 ICoMA Nomination for Best Single (“Super Country Cowboy”) this God-fearing road warrior, with the warm baritone voice and love for all things southern, has toured throughout the midwest, performing at honkytonks and churches from Nashville to Kansas City to Texas and back. 

Now, Doug is ready to release the 2^nd single from his Top 10 Roots Music Report album, Super Country Cowboy (TMG.) A touching and poignant tribute to our current troops, as well as to armed forces members throughout time, “Unknown Soldier” is being released, appropriately, on Memorial Day.  Written by Tedd French and Bob Dellaposta, the song is a natural fit for Doug, who has a son currently serving.  All summer long, Doug will be donating proceeds from the sales of the track, through his website, to Veterans Charities. 

Steve Meadors has been coined as the proverbial "technical wizard" all his life. Anything he has touched, he has been able to implicitly understand, reassemble, or reproduce if need be.  A graduate of Michigan Institute of Technology, Steve served five years in the U.S. Navy, gaining extensive experience in pneumatics and hydraulics.  He then dabbled in the fields of construction, telecommunications, and computer programming.  Later in his career, he specialized in high-end security system integration, perfecting an exhaustive list of technologies such as photo imaging, access control, surveillance, fire, alarm, time and attendance, and intercom.  Managing  a vast number of multi-million dollar projects, Steve installed, programmed, integrated, and repaired these systems for Fortune 500′s, hospitals, universities,and military installations.

He also specializes in electronics, electrical systems, blueprint review, and electronic circuitry design.

In the past few years, Steven has invented some cutting-edge radionics machines, orgon, zero point, scalar wave, electromagnetic pulse, and healing devices. He has exclusively designed his own circuit boards for all of these devices.

Besides his superb all-encompassing technical acumen, Steve's most resounding qualities are his patience,meticulousness, and willingness to teach others. He is a master team player and phenomenal visionary.

His ultimate goal is to provide technologies that eliminate humanity's pain and therefore, assist in planetary evolution.

Jake Kloberdanz CEO, ONEHOPE

Jake Kloberdanz is CEO and Co-Founder of ONEHOPE, a social enterprise that donates half of profits to partner nonprofits benefitting a variety of causes. Jake Kloberdanz has been recognized by Businessweek as one of the “Top 25 under 25”, OC Metro’s “Top 40 Under 40”, and was the youngest nominee for Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young in 2009. Jake was also recently featured as a TEDx speaker and is an active member of the Young Entrepreneur Council.

Jake has successfully raised over $10M in financing since starting ONEHOPE Wine in 2007 and helped grow sales by over 100% over the last 6 years.  ONEHOPE has successfully worked with hundreds of nonprofit partners and has donated over $1.2M to various nonprofits. With the success of the cornerstone product, ONEHOPE Wine, Jake has led the company to become one of the fastest growing wine brands in the U.S. In addition, Jake’s company was ranked in Inc. Magazine’s 500|5000 in 2012 and 2013 – an annual exclusive list of America’s fastest-growing private companies.

Jake has been profiled in numerous outlets including, Leaders Magazine, Entrepreneurs and SUCCESS Magazine as an expert in integrating cause into our culture, brand or business model. His business model theory, known as Cause-Centric Commerce, defines turning impact into a long term and sustainable one by helping build cause into companies’ and individual’s everyday business model, culture and lifestyle.

He was a three-year Scholar Athlete at UC Berkeley graduating from the Haas School of Business and took home two national championships in college rugby. He has served over 5,000 volunteer hours since 2001 and was also an active member in the alpha beta chapter of Sigma Chi.

Devoted to the practice of meditation Beth  Lynch has worked with all ages. Teaching simple techniques to help guide one into a sacred space. It is in this space the most powerful & natural alignment vibrationally takes place. Right down to the cellular level. Lynch teaches the power of understanding the spiritual/energy system as well as the humanness (personality) can free all ages to understand & know their purpose, never feel alone and live a healthy & abundant life.

Alice Collins, Patty Peterson, Susan Edwards, and Barbara Matthews

Alice Collins, Patty Peterson, Susan Edwards, and Barbara Matthews are Certified Self-Ascension Intuitive Counselors with thriving healing practices located in three states in the US.. Each has dedicated herself to offering quantum healing services to as many people as possible while forging a solid uplifting presence in their respective communities. Each has a unique perspective and background with much to share on quantum healing in today's society!

Are you wishing to work and play without constant pain?

Monika Szumilak, NCTMB is a Nationally Certified Massage Therapist and Expert Level Myofascial Release Therapist passionate about the healing arts.  With many years of experience in her own healing and in assisting others to heal, she is deeply committed to discovering new and more effective pathways that help us find more freedom in our bodies.  Increased freedom enables us to express who we are and do what we love.  Freedom and health in our bodies help us find more joy, peace and satisfaction in our professional and personal lives and in our relationships.  It is the key to a fulfilling existence.  

Do you want to wake up each morning with gratitude, joy and excitement, saying Yes! to life?

Monika's goal is to use the John Barnes MFR approach to assist you in achieving release from chronic pain and limiting conditions such as backache and sciatica, limited range of motion and limited athletic performance, headaches or neck pain and stiffness.  Her commitment is to use her advanced skills and knowledge, experience and intuition to help you regain freedom in your body and your life. With thousands of hours of training and experience in manual therapy, and with a highly skilled and intuitive touch, Monika is here to guide you in your healing journey towards a life that you truly love.

Do you yearn for a deep, long lasting relief?

Monika's work has been described to provide a safe and nurturing space for her clients to release physical and emotional blockages and return to a pain-free active life they desire.  She has an ability to deeply listen to her clients and guide them to achieve a long lasting profound change in their health and to access greater levels of physical and emotional freedom.

GP Walsh is a man of extraordinary talent. A Speaker, Author, Spiritual Teacher, Energy Healer, Workshop Leader, Master Coach. Master Meditation Teacher and a recognized EFT Expert, he has been coaching and healing for over 30 years and has touched thousands of people with his irreverent humor, his bold assertions, his contradictions of conventional wisdom and his unyielding compassion.

Nicknamed “The Irreverent Sage” he has been called a prophet, a wise man, a sage, a rebel, a spiritual misfit, a trouble maker and a few things less nice. With a rare honesty, a biting wit, the timing of a comedian, and insights that can make your head spin, GP has the unique ability to take the most arcane, ambiguous and impenetrable life teachings and bring them into language that anyone can understand.