AUG 20, 2013 ROTARY IN REVIEW:
J.R. Martin

Seriously, Vice-President John invited Chuck Field to channel his inner Ray Charles and belt out America the Beautiful.  Dennis Boom took Ray’s place at the piano as it takes more than one Club 10 member to fill in for The Genius of Soul.  The rest of the Club played the role of The Raelettes. 

Carol Bufton delivered the invocation.  Vice-President John noted President Jim Kosmo had surgery this week.  Keep him, and his speedy recovery, in your thoughts and prayers. 

Jill Petsel introduced the half a dozen (or more) guests, including Blake Martin, the 5^th grade son of the day’s speaker and Eric Meyer a Rotarian from Paris.  The number of guests would suggest someone leaked advance word that some tasty shredded pork was on the day’s menu.

John thanked Jeff Otto and Sarah Kolar for their service as door greeters.  Vice-President John further acknowledged your humble scribe (Joe Beckman).  Were Marlee Matlin in attendance, we may have learned he muttered under his breath as he said this words to the effect of, “This is what we’re stuck with?  My neighbor’s 5^th Grader could string together more interesting prose than this stiff.” 

Doug Bruce  talked a bit about the upcoming McKeown Roast.  “A lot of funny stuff” is allegedly on tap, including “professional roaster” Tom Farnham.  It will be at the Town & Country Club next Tuesday night, folks.  Sign up now!

Speaking of “on tap,” Michael‑jon Pease talked about the Rotary After Hours program.  Strategically armed with his “emergency wine bar kit,” Michael-jon channeled his inner Mark Stutrud to offer a toast noting that, “Happy hour is whenever two or more Rotarians are gathered with a cocktail and fellowship occurs.”  The next meeting is today (Wednesday) night at W.A. Frost at 5:30 p.m. (details here). 

Intrigued, your Scribe sent out an instant message from his post at the back of the room.  The plan was clear: a group of high school toughs would assemble and your Scribe would soon be in possession of his very own “emergency wine bar kit.”  (The kit was so cool, your Scribe momentarily forgot his preference for fermented malt/hop beverages over wine.)  Demonstrating a keen sixth sense and rock solid priorities, Michael-jon departed almost immediately, thwarting this plan and protecting this valuable asset.

Jay Pfaender introduced our speaker, the author J. R. Martin.  A member of the Hudson Day Break Rotary Club, his current book Selling U.S. Out is a non-partisan examination of the trade and economic policies that brought about the current economic crisis. Published in July 2012, Selling U.S. Out has already been nominated for nine national and two regional awards, and is receiving excellent reviews from Americans across the social and political spectrum.

A former Navy cryptologist, Mr. Martin has business experience on 5 of the 7 continents.  He has since held key leadership positions in the semiconductor, computer, and medical device industries. 

Selling U.S. Out notes the relationship between the growing trade deficit and the increase in national debt.  These changes tie closely to an expansion of “Free Trade” agreements beginning in the 1970s. 

Martin terms trade agreements “pillars of national security,” a concept recognized by our Founding Fathers.  He postulates that free trade agreements are inferior to RECIPROCAL Trade Agreements, which are “mirror image” agreements. 

Martin’s passion for his subject matter is evident. He closed by noting that he wrote Selling U.S. Out as a clarion call to our generation to take the tough steps necessary to keep the United States as an economic leader.  The book, which retails for $25, is available to Rotarians for $15 per copy.

Vice President John thanked Mr. Martin.  John made a donation in his name to the Read with Me program of the Saint Paul Public Library. 

Joe Beckman
Scribe