Cachinnatees, I think it's time I introduced you to my father. He's one of the most amazing people I know. He did a good job raising me and he taught me to value most of the good Baker traits in me. His name is Bill. He spent 30 years in Middle Eastern Intelligence for the US Air Force. 
He was uniquely suited for the job thanks to having been raised an Arab. His parents were missionaries in Israel and he grew up in Nazareth. He spoke English pretty much only at home with his parents, so Arabic is really his first language. And culturally, he was raised an Arab as well. The photo on the left is the one I'm authorized to use. It's from his active-duty days. (Military men can be very particular with how they present themselves!) He is my hero and my daddy.
One beautiful thing about my father is his heart for the people of the Middle East. He absolutely refuses to take sides between Arabs and Israelis. He sees them as brothers and wants only peace for them. His words moved me from anger to pity when I came to him asking for an explanation as to why Palestinians were dancing in the streets after 9/11. The mission that his parents had was an orphanage in Nazareth. As such, he was raised with Arabs, Israelis, Muslims, Jews, and Christians all living together in peace as brothers and sisters. Now that's gospel, my friends.
He wrote a book a few years ago to serve as a Westerner's introduction to Arabs and Arab Culture. If you've ever wondered about who these people are, why they do the things they do, and how they relate to each other and the world around them, it's well worth picking up. You can get it from Amazon here.
He's now one of the most popular professors on Baylor University campus. He hasn't had a class yet that wasn't full to capacity or beyond. His students universally praise his effectiveness and style. He teaches Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies.
He's working on a second book right now which I think chronicles the conflict in the Middle East. He enjoys interacting with people and teaching them about the land and people that he loves. So for a while he has been telling me that he needs his own website. Well my Father's Day gift to him is this, his website. I've set it up blog-style so he can interact with everyone and post discussion topics and excerpts. Hope you enjoy it, Dad!
He's awesome and he's my daddy. Happy Father's Day, Dad.
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12 Cachinnations
What a cool thing to do my friend. It is an awesome thing when a boy's hero is his father.
We can only hope to leave such a great legacy.
I will be frequenting your dad's site. Looks great.
Posted on 6/18/2006
Awwww. What a great tribute.
And, oh my stars...you are the spitting image of your father!!!
:)
Posted on 6/18/2006
Hooray for the Colonel!!! I'll have to tell him stories from this side of the world when i get back...but i'm sure his are better!!
Posted on 6/18/2006
I wish I had a dad like that. Er--I mean, I love you dad!
Posted on 6/18/2006
I didn't know your dad was a prof at Baylor! (Or any other of the intriguingly rad things you mentioned.) Thanks for introducing us to him.
Posted on 6/18/2006
Yeah... he's awesome. And check back on his site in coming days. I'll be adding more new features. And if you're interested in his book, (and it's good), check back later this week. I'm adding a Paypal account for him where you'll be able to get the book at a discount.
Posted on 6/19/2006
oh my goodness!?!? Your dad wrote that?
I have a friend at an undefined place in the Middle East who read that as part of his training to go and be a missionary!
Wow... small small world
Posted on 6/19/2006
That's my dad! A lot of people heading to the Middle East for missions, business, or political reasons are making the book manditory reading for their teams. It really informs the reader about who these people are and why they do the things they do. It also has a lot of practical advice on how to not offend and how to show warmth and affection in culturally acceptable ways. Good stuff.
Posted on 6/19/2006
Thanks for sharing this, Cach. I had no idea, you guys are like famous and stuff.
A very cool Dad, indeed. Perhaps it begins to explain a little bit more about why you're such a fascinating and colorful character. :-)
Posted on 6/19/2006
what a wonderful post!
Posted on 6/19/2006
sounds like an excellent fellow. thanx for sharing. Sincerely.
Posted on 6/19/2006
Notice he authorized the non-smiling picture. Those military guys are so particular. You should get a picture of him like yours...mid-guffaw.
What a great way to honor your dad!
Posted on 6/19/2006