General Anthony Zinni

Zinni expressed his concern for the lack of strategic thinking among our governmental leaders, stating that the world has changed dramatically over the past 20 years with significant events altering our social structures and well-being. And while he believes that the situation in Iraq was the “wrong time, wrong place, wrong war,” he thinks the U.S. cannot abandon the Iraqi people, but must instead “clean up the mess we made.”

Over the course of the evening, General Zinni lectured audience members on the upcoming presidential election, the War on Terrorism, the Iraq War and the U.S. government. While his topic, “The Battle for Peace,” was engaging and at times thought-provoking, he did manage to weave in a couple of comedic quips, which drew laughter from the audience.

On working with congressmen… “I walked into a congressman’s office on Capitol Hill who proceeded to say to me, ‘I have 30 minutes, tell me all you know about the Middle East.’”

On his political party affiliation… “I used to be a democrat, then I was a republican and then I was an independent. Now I’m just Roman Catholic.”

On America’s presence in foreign countries… “While driving overseas with one of my professional colleagues, he turned to me and said, ‘There’s the American culture center.’ I turned to my right, and in front of us was a Burger King and McDonald’s.”

2006-2007 Speaker Series

Ben Stein: "Lack of Community" Threatens Nation

By CHRISTOPHER SOTARDI - WCNC
E-mail Christopher: CSotardi@WCNC.com

	Ben Stein speaks to a full house in the Dana Auditorium

“A shared love of basic values will hold this country together,” said Ben Stein, the Learning Society's guest speaker Thursday night at Queens University of Charlotte.

Speaking before a sold-out crowd, the economist, actor, writer and game show host said that, while modern times are the best mankind has ever lived in, American society faces several problems -- both economically and morally.

Managing the baby boomer generation, Medicare, massive trade debts, income inequality, and education are all looming challenges that Stein said would have to be closely monitored in the United States.

The greatest challenge American society faces, according to Stein, is an overall lack of community -- which can be seen as the root of many of the nation's problems.

“We don't know much about our neighbors,” said Stein, “and Americans now see each other as looting opportunities rather than as friends and neighbors.”

According to Stein, the solution to the problem is a “spiritual solution:" going back to the value of serving one another.

A crucial aspect of beginning to serve one another is a respect towards the military, along with police, fire workers, and teachers, whom Stein considers the true “stars” of American society.

Stein, a conservative Republican, called upon the wealthiest Americans to receive tax increases solely for a raise in military pay and benefits. Once a vocal supporter of the war in Iraq, Stein now hopes to see troops returned home as soon as possible.

Stein concluded his speech by speaking about his father-in-law, a decorated soldier who served in WWII and Vietnam, as the type of person others should look up to for living a life of service. When a younger Stein once asked his father-in-law why he served in the military, he responded, “so you and my daughter won't have to.”

Stein devoted the remainder of his speaking time to answering questions from the audience, responding to an array of inquiries about economics, global affairs, and even Hillary Clinton.

“I think it’s very likely to happen, although it won't make me jump for joy,” said Stein of a possible Clinton presidential victory in 2008. “She's obviously a capable and hard-working woman... (but) she does have anger management issues.” Stein also said that Clinton is probably the best of the Democratic candidates for president.

Answering a question regarding China's rise in the global economy, Stein reminded the audience of the origin of modern China's work ethic. “(The Chinese) did it out of hard work, industriousness and ingenuity...and they learned from what America was in the 1940s and 1950s to become what they are today.”

Earlier in the day, Stein also gave a similar speech to faculty and students of the school. Despite a series of warnings about the United States' future, Stein remained optimistic.

“It's a great, great, great thing to wake up everyday in America,” said Stein, “the opportunities people have in America to make a great life for themselves and their families are incredibly wonderful.”

Story re-printed by permission of WCNC.com.

David McCullough:"Leadership and the History You Don't Know"

Learning Society of Queens hosts sold out lecture by author of “1776”

	Best-selling Author David McCullough speaks to a sold out crowd in Dana Auditorium.

As part of Queens University of Charlotte’s Sesquicentennial anniversary celebration, The Learning Society of Queens hosted best-selling author David McCullough on Thursday, October 5 before a sold out crowd of 1,000 attendees.  McCullough’s lecture, titled “Leadership and the History You Do Not Know,” was held at 7pm in Dana Auditorium of the E.H. Little Fine Arts Center on Queens’ campus. Earlier in the day, McCullough participated in an interactive session with Queens students at 4pm in Sykes Auditorium in the Sykes Learning Center.  He was introduced by Senior Jeremy Carlson, a political science major, at Queens.

McCullough is the author of the bestseller “1776” and is a two-time winner of the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize.  His books have been praised for their exceptional narrative sweep, scholarship and insight into American life and literary distinction.

Learning Society President John Culbertson said, "We are very pleased at the response to Mr. McCullough.  Our mission is to continually bring an outstanding speaker series to Queens and the Charlotte community each year, and this sell out is just another example of how our community responds when given access to experts like Mr. McCullough."

“1776” hit the New York Times bestseller list at number one. His previous work, “John Adams,” remains one of the most critically acclaimed and widely read American biographies of all time. His other books include “The Johnstown Flood,” “The Great Bridge,” “The Path Between the Seas,” “Mornings on Horseback,” “Brave Companions” and “Truman.”

Author David McCullough speaks to Queens students during a special interactive session in Sykes Learning Center.

His overall work has been honored by the National Book Foundation Distinguished Contribution to American Letters Award, the National Humanities Medal and the New York Public Library’s Literary Lion Award.  McCullough is the past president of the Society of American Historians.  He has been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and has received 38 honorary degrees.

The Learning Society of Queens is comprised of a group of leading citizens from the Charlotte area and surrounding counties whose membership fees provide the major funding for a national speaker series held annually at Queens.  Founded in 1988, The Learning Society provides Queens students, faculty and staff, and the Charlotte community with the opportunity to interact with experts on important contemporary issues and topics. Past speakers include Henry Kissinger, Carl Sagan, David Brinkley, Pat Conroy, Ralph Nader and Alan Keyes, Charlie Rose, Janet Reno John Irving and Charles Krauthammer. For more information on the Learning Society, please click here.

Queens University of Charlotte is a private, coed, Presbyterian-affiliated liberal arts university in the heart of historic Charlotte serving approximately 1,950 undergraduate and graduate students through its College of Arts & Sciences, the McColl School of Business, The Pauline Lewis Hayworth College and the Presbyterian School of Nursing.

Queens will celebrate its 150th anniversary throughout the 2006-2007 academic year with a variety of Sesquicentennial events planned for alumni, students, parents and the Charlotte community.  For more information, please click here.

Photos from this event are available for purchase online.