Mark Stewart – författare

Since 2001, the United States has created or reorganized more than two counterterrorism organizations for every terrorist arrest or apprehension it has made of people plotting to do damage within the country. Central to this massive enterprise is 'ghost-chasing,' as less than one alarm in 10,000 is an actual threat-the rest all point to ghosts. And the vast majority of the leads deemed to be productive have led to terrorist enterprises that were either trivial or at most aspirational. As John Mueller and Mark Stewart suggest in Chasing Ghosts, this is often an exercise in dueling delusions: a Muslim hothead has delusions about changing the world by blowing something up, and the authorities have delusions that he might actually be able to overcome his patent inadequacies to do so. Mueller and Stewart systematically examine this expensive, exhausting, bewildering, chaotic, and paranoia-inducing process. They evaluate the counterterrorism efforts of the FBI, the National Security Agency, the Department of Homeland Security, and local policing agencies. In addition, applying a new set of case studies, they appraise the capacities of the terrorist 'adversary' and discuss what they calls 'the myth of the mastermind.' They also assess public opinion, a key driving force for counterterrorism efforts. The yearly chance an American will be killed by a terrorist within the country is about one in four million under present conditions. However, polling data suggest that, although over a trillion dollars has been spent on domestic counterterrorism since 2001, Americans continue to be alarmed and say they do not feel safer. No defense of civil liberties is likely to be terribly effective as long as officials and the population at large continue to believe that the threat from terrorism is massive, even existential.Mueller and Stewart do not argue that there is nothing for the ghost-chasers to find-the terrorist 'adversary' is real and does exist. The question that is central to the exercise, but one the ghost-chasers never really probe, is an important and rather straight-forward one to which standard evaluative procedures can be applied: is the chase worth the effort? Or is it excessive given a serious consideration of the danger that terrorism actually presents?

In the years following 9/11, the United States spent billions and billons on powerful surveillance and security systems and created a massive new government agency, the Department of Homeland Security. John Mueller, one of America's most trenchant critics of America's drive for enhanced security at all costs, has argued that while these measures have largely been unnecessary, the public succumbed to an alarmist media and a shrewd governmental scare campaign and came to support these measures. The price, Mueller has contended, has been a massive misallocation of resources. In previous books, Mueller focused on why national security threats are 'overblown,' but in Terrorism, Security, and Money, he teams up with Mark Stewart, a civil engineering professor and recognized authority on risk assessment for the built infrastructure, to put forth a more rational and cost-effective approach to managing domestic security. Instead of offering a critical account of the situation we're in, Mueller and Stewart instead focus on providing solutions based on the risk assessment science. After cataloguing the mistakes that the US has made (and continues to make), like spending wildly on ill-considered plans to mitigate unlikely threats, they offer tools-based probabilistic risk assessment that have the potential to redirect our efforts toward a more productive--and far more cost-effective--course.

In the years following 9/11, the United States spent billions and billons on powerful surveillance and security systems and created a massive new government agency, the Department of Homeland Security. John Mueller, one of America's most trenchant critics of America's drive for enhanced security at all costs, has argued that while these measures have largely been unnecessary, the public succumbed to an alarmist media and a shrewd governmental scare campaign and came to support these measures. The price, Mueller has contended, has been a massive misallocation of resources. In previous books, Mueller focused on why national security threats are 'overblown,' but in Terrorism, Security, and Money, he teams up with Mark Stewart, a civil engineering professor and recognized authority on risk assessment for the built infrastructure, to put forth a more rational and cost-effective approach to managing domestic security. Instead of offering a critical account of the situation we're in, Mueller and Stewart instead focus on providing solutions based on the risk assessment science. After cataloguing the mistakes that the US has made (and continues to make), like spending wildly on ill-considered plans to mitigate unlikely threats, they offer tools-based probabilistic risk assessment that have the potential to redirect our efforts toward a more productive--and far more cost-effective--course.

The objectives of Book 1 are to establish good basic habits of paper positioning and pencil hold, and to develop the fine motor skills needed for accurate, consistent writing. The book takes the young writer from basic pencil handling and co-ordination exercises through to formation of letters and simple short words. The 28 worksheets contain an entertaining mix of games and puzzles, which parents (or grandparents!) and child will enjoy doing together. Billy Beetle, Sam Spider, Willie Woodlouse and Sally Snail lead the left-handed child through the worksheets. The illustrations are aimed primarily at the 6-7 year-old, when many left-handed children become more conscious of the difference between their writing style and that of their right-handed peers. However, the overall design is suitable for any age: we've heard from grateful users nearer to retirement age than to next year's Year 2...

The second book of the Left Hand Writing Skills series, containing a further 28 worksheets, begins with revision of the essential letter formation exercises in Book 1. The following worksheets focus on the flow of letters into word formation. Through extensive practice with patterns, different forms of letter-joining and full word formation, the left-handed writer should have begun to establish the fundamental good habits of hold, position and control which handwriting requires. The antics of Pencil Pat and his gang keep up the level of enjoyment and satisfaction as the child works through these exercises.

The third book of the Left Hand Writing Skills series consolidates the development of good writing habits. The writer can now apply all that has been learned to writing with a pen. Ink is the real test of success for the left-handed writer! First, to create words which are accurately formed and legible, and then to avoid spoiling them by smudging as the left hand follows the pen across the page. Successful smudge-free writing can overcome the frustration of so many left-handers. Essay-writing, homework, and other essential written work can all become a source of satisfaction: no longer a cause of disappointment. The 27 worksheets provide further variety in activities and interest, all linked to handwriting. From early Egyptian tablets to Leonardo's curious mirror-writing, to invitations, shopping lists and menu cards. Fascinating illustrations and full colour presentation once again keep the interest of the left-handed student while the correct left hand writing habits are finally fully absorbed.