19 October 2015 - THE WORLD'S OLDEST DEMOCRACY

THE WORLD'S 

OLDEST DEMOCRACY

G'day folks,

Here is a subject that is often mentioned today, and many do not appreciate what it really means because they have always enjoyed it. However, think about those who live without it, and are fighting for it.

Oh, by the way, below is another 5-star review for 'KY!' by Yvonne Elder; an author and one of my greatest supporters. Also, I have a 5-star review for 'Sheeza', by noted Australian poet, Vicki Case, also one of my best supporters. 

Thanks, Yvonne. Thank you, Vicki.

The term democracy, which means “rule by the people,” was coined by the Greeks of ancient Athens to describe their city-state’s system of self-rule, which reached its golden age around 430 B.C. under the skilled orator and politician Pericles. It is probable that the Athenians were not the first group of people to adopt such a system (a few places in India have traditions of local democracy that claim earlier origins) but because the Greeks named it, they have a good claim at being the “first” democracy, even though large portions of Athenian society—most notably women and slaves—could not participate.

The title of oldest continuously functioning democracy is more hotly contested. Iceland, the Faroe Islands and the Isle of Man all have local parliaments founded in the ninth and 10th centuries, when Vikings pillaged, plundered and set up legislative bodies on the sea-islands of far northern Europe. Iceland’s national parliament, the Althing, dates back to A.D. 930, but it spent centuries under Norwegian and Danish rule. Man and the Faroes, meanwhile, remain dependencies of the United Kingdom and Denmark, respectively.

The United States is among the oldest modern democracies, but it is only the oldest if the criteria are refined to disqualify claimants ranging from Switzerland to San Marino. Some historians suggest that the Native American Six Nations confederacy (Iroquois), which traces its consensus-based government tradition across eight centuries, is the oldest living participatory democracy. Others point out that meaningful democracy only arrived at a national level in 1906, when Finland became the first country to abolish race and gender requirements for both voting and for serving in government.

 

Clancy's comment: Mm ... Anything worth having is worth fighting for. Don't take it for granted, and always exercise your rights.

5-Star Amazon Review for 'KY!' by author, Yvonne Elder.

 

"KY!" is a lovely, inspirational story about a brave and courageous young girl who discovers what is best in herself by overcoming the bullying of her peers. Just how she does it is the beautiful part, and I had tears in my eyes by the time I finished the story, which I couldn't put down until the end, by the way. 

I think this book should be required reading in middle schools across America. It's perfect for grades 6-9, and would inspire many discussions about how to cope with bullying, as well as the key topic of cultural diversity, which runs throughout the story, and is the source of Rida Khalid's bullying in the first place. She is Muslim and she loves to read, which makes her different from the other children at school. 

There are many surprises in this story and I will leave them for the reader to discover. "KY!" is also fine reading for any adult.

Love ya work, Yvonne! Thank you.

5-Star Amazon Review of 'Sheeza', by Vicki Case. 

 

Australia's award winning author - Clancy Tucker, is an exceptional literary talent. He has the ability to captivate your interest & emotions from the inaugural page. He then takes you on the emotional roller-coaster journey his book has in store for you.

Sheeza is no exception. This story absorbed me immediately. I found myself feeling the pain & anguish of a young boy who was struggling to fulfil his dream of owning a kelpie dog. One day fate; & a well-constructed argument with his mother; step in and his dream comes to fruition. His dreams of one day competing in a sheep dog trial with his dog are finally achievable. 

However, after a motor vehicle accident, Danny lost his leg & had it replaced with an artificial limb; constricting his movement/s somewhat. The kelpie pup that chose him at the pet shop also had a slight deformity in her leg. Together they formed an incredible bond & trained regularly with their goal in sight. 

On their novice attempt they win a sheep dog trial. Then, the selfish act of an individual shatters both their lives when Sheeza is stolen by a truck driver outside the pet shop where she was tied up while Danny paid the final amount he owed the store owner for her. They search & search for months but nothing. Then, one fateful day Sheeza is found many, many miles from home & returned to Dan.

Sheeza had my emotions throughout. I found myself crying tears of joy in some chapters & tears of heartbreak & sorrow in others. I felt as though I was in the story; that it could have easily been me.

I highly recommend this book to everyone. It is a great book that will stay with me forever.

I truly loved this story so much, Clancy. Thank you so much for giving it life. It’s another of your great books that would make an amazing movie.

Love ya work, Vicki!

Clancy's comment: There ya go, folks. These two reviews were freely provided by two exceptional women; an author and a poet. So, why not buy them for one of your kids or grandkids for Christmas. Better still, spoil yourself and buy a copy for you. Trust me. They will leave you feeling alive, and glad that you read them.

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