Austin's E.L.A. Blog

Executive Power 27

2009-01-14T17:19:00.000-08:00

As Coleman reached the point where Wicker was setting up his sniper rifle and camoflauge, he asked, "any sight of Mitch." As quickly as Wicker had unpacked everything from his treck pack, he had assembled and was hidden among the bushes and grass. Wicker quickly scanned the area for positions that he believed any possible enemy sniper would be but all were empty. Colemen and Wicker both resolved to the belief that the genral was not at all scarred of the possible threat of an enemy because of his sign outside his tent and the non-secured area. Wicker also checked the conditions and stated that they were perfect for the potential 500 meter head shot.
This book is really full of intense action scenes along with slow moving intelectual parts back in D.C. The corrupt story line with a treason based situation grabbed my attention only about 1 chapter in. Any reader who enjoys non-fictional and govermental books should greatly enjoy this novel.

Executive Power 26

2009-01-10T13:12:00.000-08:00

After the couple denials that Moro tried to pass by Rapp, he introduced a business proposition that he stated would be better than the one he was currently in with Sayyaf. Moro was more keen on listening to Rapp after he presented the problem with a couple of people in his country knowing about his corrupt business with Sayyaf. Rapp stated that he would give him 100 grand to recieve the Andersons unharmed and another 100 grand after and only if he finished the job of completely eliminating Sayyaf and his regiem. Being sneaky, Moro stated, "Mr. Rap, America is a very wealthy country. What you ask of me will take more resources than you have offerred. If you wish to get the famiy of Americans back safely, I'm going to need more." As the situation grew to higher stakes, it ended with 300 grand being given to Moro if the tasks were completed but litle did Moro know that he was to die when he left the tent.

Executive Power 24

2009-01-10T12:37:00.000-08:00

Mitch Rapp was able to be a larger part in the rescue of the Andersons only because of the convincing that Director Kennedy had on President Hayes. So after meeting Rizal, Rapp was flown by helicopter to General Moros base camp in a jungle surrounded basin in the Philippines. Rapp was greeted by Colonel Barboza, Moro's right-hand man. And as soon as he walked off the helicopter, Rapp noticed the very un-gaurded camp in which Moro resided. The plan was to have Colmen and Wicker call Rapp when they were set up on the ridge with their sniper rifle set up to take down the General when he walked outside. But as Rapp walked and set next to the layed back General he didnt get a call. Rapp and a Moro had a question filled conversation regarding the truth behind Moro's corrupt situation and the paying-off too Abu-Sayyaf and the problem with the Anderson family. After numerous denials about relations with Sayyaf and the no-progress situation with the family, Rapp presented a file including phone conversations, and other key documents infront of Moro and he scanned all the documents.
"Mr.Rapp, you have me at a disadvantage. I have no idea what your talking about." (Moro)

Executive Power 23

2009-01-10T12:18:00.000-08:00

David has been working undercover as a secret intelligence agent to the corrupt Mohammed Atwa (head of Palestinian General Intelligence). En route to the meeting which included officials from Israel, Palestine, and Beirut, David had to be changed into differnt taxis so as not to cause a stir while he he was being transported to the meeting. David has been playing this secretive role for years and it has gained him great repect in the eyes of Atwa, enough for Atwa to trust David in delivering 2 million dollars in cash to the meeting. Little did all the people at the meeting know that the 2 million was conterfiet and below the stack of cash was 2 pounds of C-4 ready to blow by detonator. At one of the numerous parking garages that were used for secretive transfers from taxi-to-taxi, David was to meet 3 men that were to provide protection during the journey to the meeting. David didnt recognize 2 of them but noticed Rashid, a young thug who had a had a shady past with David during his time of "working for Atwa."
"David was done taking crap from the man who had plucked him from the street as a young teenager and tortured him for having too many jewish friends."
As Rashid leaned forward to take a swing at David, david remembered Rashids bad fighting skills and he took a quick step to the side. And with that he swung one of the two attache cases and hit Rashid right in the face knocking him unconscience.

Executive Power 17-18

2008-12-19T09:46:00.000-08:00

After meeting with Rizal, Rapp is in the beginning phase of his operation that only came true due to the work by CIA Director, Irene Kennedy. Rapp and an elite team flew into a private landing strip about an hour away from Manila. The landing strip was owned by a wealthy land owner who at the moment was gone so it was perfect for the operation to be started on his un-occupied landing area. We are introduced to Coleman, a somewhat leader of the group who was beside Rapp. All four men were dressed in jungle camo, night vision goggles, and their weapons dangling from their sides. As soon as they touch ground the jet flew off leaving the four prepared men waiting in the darkness of a dangerous country. One of the two SEALS joining the squad was Wicker, a short man who had a keen sense of sight and sound that made him perfect for assigned job, sniping. In Coleman's and Rapp's eyes, Wicker was the best sniping available in the U.S. armed forces. Only a minute after the men had left the jet, thy were quickly boarding a MH-60G Pave Hawk Helicopter that had quietly came over the ridge. Rapp was the last of the four to get in the helicopter and secure himself inside.
"Bring us in low, just above the canopy and we'll fast rope down," explained Rapp to the silent pilot. Without any more words said, they were off into the night ready to get a hopefully top secret job done.

Executive Power 15-16

2008-12-17T07:36:00.000-08:00

Mitch Rapp has been in a sticky situation revolving the Corrupt General Moro from the Philipinnes. Moro has been doing nothing to rescue the American family taken hostage by Muslim terrorists. After the meeting with President Hayes, Director Kennedy, and General Flood, Mitch was not a happy camper. He left the meeting with a failed a personal objective, to personally travel to the Philippines and save the American hostages. As he left, Director Kennedy persuaded President Hayes into letting Rapp try rescue this family.
At the beginning of chapter 16, we see Rapp in the CIA's private Jet on his way to the old Clark base nar the Philipine border. As Mitch exits the plane he walks up to a black Lincoln in the shadows behind and abandoned hanger. Mitch climbs in and hands files to Lieutenet General Rizal, an American ally and close friend to General Flood. After minutes of silence as Rizal reads the info he starts to understand the secrets that Moro has been holding from him and the rest of his country. Rizal describes the situation that would happen if all of the pre-determined plans were to unravle. They would capture Moro bring him to trial and hopefully have him be sent to death but this would enrage his enemies and seperate the country. Asking for another way is exactly what rzal was saying, he knew that as the terrorist found out their provider had been captured, they would kill the family.
"You can choose to go that route or we can try something else."
"Im listening."
Rapp hesitated only briefly. "I want his head."

School Prayer cited work 6

2008-12-09T15:37:00.000-08:00

Sorenson, Richard. “The Bible and the Board.” American School Board Journal May 2007: SIRS Researcher. SIRS Knowledge Source. Edina High School. 9 Dec 2008 http://sirs.com

As we hear from the informed Richard Sorenson, a West Texas school board tried to add a Bible based curriculum to its school and as you guessed it, was bombarded with complaints. These divisions between those that want Christian beliefs taught in schools and those that want more of a separation are participants in a foreseen long court problem. Court officials constantly look back and are reassured by the correct outcome when the read the 1st clause of the 1st Amendment. While many questions about the bible in school have arose, they have been finalized with concrete answers.

School Prayer cited work 5

2008-12-09T15:20:00.000-08:00

Lewin, Tamar. “A Matter of Mosque & State.” New York Times UpFront Oct 2007: SIRS Researcher. SIRS Knowledge Source. Edina High School. 9 Dec 2008 http://sirs.com

The New York Times has always been a reliable source so when the articles pertaining to religion based school problems arose, it was okay to be cited. Lewin tells of a story from the University of Michigan-Dearborn, in which bathrooms started to have pools of water develop on the ground because Muslim Students were using the sinks to complete a religious action, washing of the feet. Soon enough the school decided for a plan to build washing stations in several restrooms using $25,000. As soon as word got out, problems arose with the supposed favoring of a certain religion. As it was stated in the 1st Amendment of the Constitution, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” Question is, is this what Michigan is going against?

School Prayer cited work 4

2008-12-09T14:30:00.000-08:00

Boston, Rob. “60 years of Controversy.” Church & State Feb 2008: SIRS Researcher. SIRS Knowledge Source . Edina High School. 9 Dec 2008 http://sirs.com

Like numerous other sources, Boston reaches the readers attention by giving us some understanding on important “religion-in-public-schools” trials during our countries past.
In Zorach v. Clauson, the court ruled that a released time program was to be banned in a New York school. Students were being allowed to leave school during the day for religious instruction offsite. This is a clear form of disregard to the ruling of Separation between church and state because schools were taking time that was affecting state tax money to let kids leave for religious time outside of school. Likewise during Epperson v. Arkansas, the Supreme Court ruled out the decision that Arkansas public schools were not going to teach Evolution. Teachers were not teaching this scientific thought of life because it went against Genesis in the bible.

School Prayer cited work 3

2008-12-08T14:29:00.000-08:00

Finley, Bill. “Church and Team: Where to Draw the Line?” New York Times Aug 2006: SIRS Researcher. SIRS Knowledge Source . Edina High School. 9 Dec 2008 http://sirs.com

Bill Finley, a journalist bringing the information to people through the trusted New York Times. He takes on the problem of the banning of prayer especially during school sponsored sports events. Marcus Borden has gathered his team like hundreds of other teams before a game for a prayer in Brunswick New Jersey. Though Borden makes it clear by explaining, “It was never a matter of my trying to impose my religion on anyone just a typical prayer that would ask my players to show courage and determination on the field.” Still board officials ordered Borden to, “Avoid taking part in any pregame prayer.” Still Borden and other coaches in other school districts bow their heads and take a knee when the captains lead a team prayer.

School Prayer cited work 2

2008-12-08T13:57:00.000-08:00

Frantz, Karen. “School Prayer by Any Other Name.” Humanist Jan/Feb 2008: SIRS Researcher. SIRS Knowledge Source. Edina High School. 9 Dec 2008 http://sirs.com/
Karen Frantz describes the situation that has been unraveling in Illinois. Along with other states, Illinois has decided to include an optional “moment of silence.” By law makers, the Silent Reflection and Student Prayer Act has developed a scene where students if they choose to can use the time to pray or meditation for the day. This was only made to happen after the state and schools were bombarded by supporters and opponents of the religious situation. This decision can be seen as a ify problem with the posed threat of teachers joining prayer and nudging students during silent time

School Prayer cited work

2008-12-06T08:46:00.000-08:00

Dotinga, Randy. “Public Schools Grapple with Muslim Prayer.” Christian Science Monitor Jul 2007: SIRS Researcher. SIRS Knowledge Source . Edina High School. 8 Dec 2008 http://www.sirs.com

Randy Dotinga is a respected Christian Science monitor that is stating facts and information regarding the problem with public schools and the law mad in 1962 to ban praying. He gives information about numerous school districts that are shifting their daily schedules to accommodate Islamic prayer times. Brad Dacus, president of the Pacific Justice Institute states, “Christians are less religious and less inspired to worship and praise the Lord and come together.” Dotinga also talks about Akram Shami, a devout Muslim, who explains, “Five Prayers are apart of our fundamental faith.”

Executive Power 13-14

2008-12-03T18:37:00.000-08:00

As we move from the setting of the Oval Office from CH 12 to central Baghdad we once again reunite with David. He is sitting in his hotel thinking about all the problems he is encountering in life. There is numerous pages describing the kinda place he is living in since he was born. David tells of the numerous spies watching on the sides of streets in downtown Baghdad. Spies working for Saddam, Israel, Palestine, and who knows the others. As quickly as it came, the thinking leaves and David is onto planning for his job that needs to be accomplished. He gets intel that Genral Hamza is staying in a hotel 5 blocks from their previous meeting place. David puts on his disguise and without telling the General, books a room two stories above the Generals. Once he is all set up in his room, David dresses up in all black, with leather gloves and a black cotton beanie that he pulls over his face. We put together the inferences that after David picks up a coil of rope and a silenced pistol he is about to complete some business.
"Loosening his grip ever so slightly, David slithered slowly down the rope until his foot touched the railing of the balcony beneath." (pg 200)
As David opens the glass door on Hamza's balcony he finds the General in bed with a very underaged girl. David quickly shoots the body guards next to the front door and shoots Hamza. As quickly as he arrived he is out the bacony and climbing to his room.

Executive Power 9-12

2008-12-01T17:19:00.000-08:00

At the beginning of chapter 12 we open up to the fancy extravegant Oval Ofiice. Mitch Rapp and Kennedy are sitting in a sofa when President Hays, his political advisor, Jones, and General Flood walk in. Mitch and Jones are describe to have not such a hot history. They have been at each others throats since Hayes came into office. At this meeting, Hayes hears about the failed mission in the Philipines. Kennedy makes it clear that the purpose of this meeting was to inform the President that Assistant Secretary of State Amanda Petry ( who had full knowledge of the plan) released the mission to an uninformed Ambassidor Cox in the Philippines. This would have seemed as a harmless case of wrong communication, but Cox along with Gneral Moro of the Philippines have been paying these terrorist money so they will not attack them. This in turns angers the General and the ambassodor that American missions were following through unaware to them on their own soil. So, it seems childish but they wait for the SEAL's attack at night and they fight back killing two soldiers.

Executive Power 3-8

2008-11-18T15:15:00.000-08:00

After the indroduction to Mitch Rapp and the deadly situation in Indonessia, there are numerous new characters brought into the story. Some of these characters include a British undercover MI6 agent named David who is in the midst of conversation with Prince Omar on his private yahtt on the Mediteranean Coast. Across from the boat on a small sailboat was Alan Church, another MI6 agent who was listening through an earpiece to every single word said on the yahtt. Later that night David disguised himself with a bandana, beard, and clothes in order to transform himself into another person. This person was meeting Saddams top general to talk about bombings in Israel. General Hamza believed that he was talking to a Saudi Arabian about possible "plans" for the General.
"You should slit the throat of the first person who gets in your way. Hamas and Hezbollah are on a mission from Allah and anyone who trifles with them should be dealt with harshly." (General Hamza)
Hamza is a lot like his boss, Saddam Hussein who is taking lives at all cost. David along with Mitch and the rest of their own countries are fighting hard to destroy Islamic Terrorist groups and hurtful goverments like Saddams.

Exectutive Power Prelude & 1-2

2008-11-11T18:35:00.000-08:00

Executive Power by Vince Flynn is realistic novel about Mitch Rapp who is a CIA opprative and the situation involving a leaked Navy Seals operation in the Philippines. Executive Power consists of two storylines that are told about every other chapter. In chapter 1, Mitch is on his honeymoon with Ana, his new wife. Ana is a White House Corespondent for NBC so Mitch and her have been associated with one another for quite some time. We hear about their conversations about their future together.
On a more harsh note, in chapter 2 we are introduced to Lieutenant Jim Devolis who is about to begin a recon mission deep in the heart of the Philippino jungle. They're goal is to make a staelthy entrance to a Islamic terror camp who at the moment is holding an american family hostage. Flynn describes the time from when Devolis' recon team leaves from the deck of the aircreaft carrier to the time when they are crawling on the jungle floor.
"Devolis took a second to check their flanks and looked down the beach in both directions. That was when it happened. A three-round burst that shattered the still night. Three loud distinctive cracks that Devolis instantly knew came from a weapon that didnt belong to any of his men." (Narator, pg 30).
From this passage we can make the inference that they are under attack. The great description that Flynn uses brings the reader closer and closer into the story. One thing that I notice is the similarities between the writing style of Cormic McCarthy and Vince Flynn. They both have a style that consists of very straight-to-the-point ideas. They get the message across easily and it works out perfectly.