Sooo ...Is Barack Obama's family Muslim?

It is few hours before the anticipated 2nd debate between president Barack Obama and GOP's nominee Mitt Romney. Recently I have been asked the same 3 questions over and over again:

A. Is Barack Obama's family Muslim?
B. If he is from a Muslim background: Does that explain his attitude towards Israel?
C. If he is from Muslim heritage: Does that have anything to do with his anger about the Anti- Muslim
    film, and connecting the murder of 4 Americans in Libya on September 11th to that film??

                                                               ***

As for questions B and C - there are many answers & views.  But my answer to the first question is simple and factual.

A. In my new book "Mama Sarah Obama: Our Dreams & Roots" - Sarah Obama, Barack's step grandma, is describing how her family followed Islam for generations. She is also explaining, in detail, the circumstances under which her husband Hussein (Barack's grandfather) adapted Islam, and how the religion played an important role in their marriage (READ CHAPTER 2).

Later on - Sarah describes how Hussein was buried in a full Muslim service. (READ CHAPTER 7)

And then - how her son, Barack's father, was buried in a Muslim tradition. (READ CHAPTER 8)

So what??? Everyone should be proud of his (or her) religion and roots!

This became a problem after Barack announced that he was running for president. Naturally - there was lots of interest to his extra-ordinary background and personal story when he made the announcement. Suddenly - his family members in Kenya were told to be evasive about their religion. It might have been the work of a spin doctor in Obama's campaign. It might have happened without his direct knowledge ... But that pushed Sarah and her family into an awkward position ,,,

In "Mama Sarah Obama: Our Dreams & Roots" - I noted an amusing moment during an interview with Sarah and two of her kids. (READ CHAPTER  13)  It is actually based on one of my TV interviews with them. When I wondered loudly: "Are you Muslim?" the chatty Sarah, all of a sudden became silent. She mumbled back something, looking at her son. Her discomfort was screaming ...Until her daughter jumped in and spilled the beans: "OK, we are Muslims! She is Muslim. He is Muslim ..."

You can find my book: "Mama Sarah Obama: Our Dreams & Roots" at www.amazon.com, www.barnesandnobles.com, www.pipublic.com.

Clash of Two (beautiful) Cultures ...

While hosting members of Barack Obama's family at my home in the U.S., and working on their family autobiography and cooking book, I found myself opening up towards such a different culture.

Though I have traveled the world extensively, and interviewed heads of state in Africa, discovering East African culture gave me a lot of food to digest ...

Talking to Mama Sarah Obama and her family, about their roots, I found myself penning an extraordinary tale, which included elements, that are considered as criminal acts in the West.

Here are couple of examples:

A. Polygamy is an integral part of East Africa's culture until this day. Mama Sarah Obama was the 3rd wife of Hussein Onyango. The wives rotated in their role towards their husband, while Hussein was travelling. Her beloved step son, Barack Obama Sr. married Anna - a 17 years old American girl in Hawaii, while he was married (with kids) back in Kenya to a local.

While polygamy was normal in Kenya, bigamy is against the law in the West. And that clash ended Barack Obama Sr.'s marriage, as well as his opportunity to stay in the U.S. and finish his PHD from Harvard University in Boston, Mass.

B. Men in East Africa were used to beat their wives and treat them as lesser human beings. Some do it until this day. Doctor Rich Godfray, who has been travelling to Kenya and helping out the local hospitals, called me after he picked up my book. He had just visited Kenya, and was about to return there again with a colleague - a plastic surgeon ..Why? Because a woman was abused so badly, that she was now missing an eye, and part of her nose. She can not leave her little house ...

In Kenya - there are still men who believe, it is their right to beat their wives. Here - it is against the law. It is called: "Domestic Violence."

                                                                    ***

Since I was writing this autobiography (of the Obama family), from Mama Sarah Obama's point of view, I tried to understand more about their culture and values, instead of blocking myself by coming up with  quick judgement and describe their culture as "cruel."

On the contrary, when I took my time, I found out some other elements in the East African culture, that made us in the West look cruel ...

For example: How they treat their elderly with so much respect! In the West - how shall I say it nicely - we have a lot to improve in this area.

There are other interesting elements in the Obama family's life and culture that we can learn from. Like their cooking. Mama Sarah Obama - like her neighbors - does not have a refrigerator. Yes, her grand son is the President of the United States... But Mama Sarah is able to manage it without one. In their culture, because of necessity, all their food has to be  "fresh!": She grows her own vegetables and fruits in her own backyard. The milk comes from her cows. The fish from the nearby Victorian Lake. And she has free ranging chickens and other animals that she is raising for their meat. Everything is so simple, so healthy! So tasty!!!

                                                             ***

Some of the best compliments, I received about these two books, are making references as to how much the readers could not put the books down solely because of the strong empathy, they developed towards Mama Sarah Obama, during the process of reading these books. Simply put, they were able to connect easily with a woman from such a different culture, feel her pain, appreciate her struggle and share her achievements ...

So why won't we adapt this attitude and willingness to learn about other cultures (and religions) into our daily life??

Here are the links for the Obama's two books:

"Mama Sarah Obama: Our Dreams & Roots"

http://www.amazon.com/Mama-Sarah-Obama-Dreams-ebook/dp/B009518OB2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1348174337&sr=8-2&keywords=mama+sarah+obama

"Mama Sarah Obama: Home Cooking Recipes"

http://www.amazon.com/Mama-Sarah-Obama-Cooking-ebook/dp/B0095B4632/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1348174337&sr=8-1&keywords=mama+sarah+obama

Amazing reviews for the autobiography of Barack Obama's family ...

Just checking some of the reviews for my new book, the autobiography of Barack Obama's family. What an extra-ordinary story.

I have met Barack's Kenyan family first on 2008. I realized that the family's powerful story was yet to be told. What a bi-cultural powerful saga: An incredible climb inspired by a visionary woman, against so many obstacles, heart breaking moments, tragedies ...

When I agreed to do the project and hosted members of the Obama family at my home this summer, I have been witnessing additional strong  emotions. Such strong, that it became a task to portray Mama Sarah Obama the right way: The way women in the West can identify with her dreams, hard working, wisdom, caring for her big family ...All this despite clash of cultures.

So your reviews mean the world to me!

Amazon: 5.0 out of 5 stars An eye opener about women in Africa, September 2, 2012 By  Mary F. - See all my reviews This review is from: Mama Sarah Obama: Our Dreams & Roots (Kindle Edition) I heard about Mama Sarah Obama, of course - because of her grandson, the president of the United States of America. Whenever I watched the news and saw Mama Sarah, I could not really connect with her. In a way she was sort of being ridiculed by the reports. So when I started to read this book, I could not anticipate what I found out. This is a very smart woman. Barack Obama's grandmother is an entrepreneur. She understands more about economy and globalization than many of us. And it is her big ambition and determination that landed him (Barack Obama) eventually at the White House. From the book, I understand that he recognizes the importance of his grandmother in his life and has a tremendous respect for her. Who would not, once you read this book? And I am still emotional about the painful life that Sarah has endured and the fact that many other women in Africa are still facing it daily. 5.0 out of 5 stars I couldn't stop reading it, September 2, 2012 By  Edi Kee - See all my reviews This review is from: Mama Sarah Obama: Our Dreams & Roots (Kindle Edition) I must say that I did not understand many things about Barack Obama, and frankly did not care, until I started to read this book. In the middle of a very political season, this is the first time I'm starting to understand the Barack Obama factor. His grandmother autobiography is a candid account, discussing the clash between two different cultures. It is funny, painful, and you just can not let it down until you finish it. 5.0 out of 5 stars This is an original content! This review is from: Mama Sarah Obama: Our Dreams & Roots (Kindle Edition) We have all heard about Barack Obama's story from different sources. Now Sarah Obama, his grandmother, is telling her own story. She is a woman who had a big dream which ended at the White House. Mama Sarah Obama takes us through the bumpy road, from her home in East Africa into the making of the President of the United States. This book is a celebration of ambition, hard work and the importance of education. 5.0 out of 5 stars A delightful personal account of Barack Obama's Kenyan Grandma!,  September 8, 2012 By  A. Gift For You "btoomey259" (california) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    This review is from: Mama Sarah Obama: Our Dreams & Roots (Kindle Edition) I'm reading the powerful story of Mama Sarah Obama, and how her big dreams penetrated the psyche of her son, Barack Obama Sr., encouraging him to strive for higher education and big achievements. Ultimately, this wise woman from Kenya inspired her grandson, Barack Obama Jr., right into the White House as President of the United States! But it makes me wonder where she was during the Democratic convention? How come her grandson mentioned only his American side of his family in his speech? I'm reading this beautiful chapter in the book about Barack Obama's trip to Kenya with his sweetheart, Michelle, to get Mama Sarah Obama's blessing on his marriage and learn about his roots. Why ignore your African roots in your acceptance speech? Mama Sarah Obama seems to have had so much impact on President Barack Obama's ambition; certainly more than Eva Longoria or Scarlett Johansson. Although it's at the root of our collective American heart, maybe it's too uncomfortable for us to embrace/respect our cultural diversities and the occasional "shortcomings" of our ancestors? We ALL experience these things!! Daphne Barak presents Mama Sarah Obama's fascinating personal account of the Obama family's African history in a delightful, easy-to-read way. Be proud, educate yourself, dream big, and never forget those who helped get you here! 5.0 out of 5 stars Unwavering Dreams & Leaky Roofs - A wonderful read!, September 8, 2012 By  Hulagirl (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: Mama Sarah Obama: Our Dreams & Roots (Kindle Edition) I read Mama Sarah Obama's autobiography today in a couple of hours and it was time well spent! Some of the stories actually brought tears to my eyes. Daphne Barak really made me care about this woman, the African grandmother of President Barack Obama. It opened my eyes to the  Kenyan/African culture, how African women have been treated by men, the polygamy and  domestic violence; a culture whose attitude about women's rights is the polar opposite of those  expressed by Michelle Obama at the DNC. In spite of it all, Mama Sarah has always found a  reason to be optimistic. Even when she is struggling with a leaky roof and no money to fix it,  and with family feuds similar to those we all experience, she refuses to give up her hopes and  dreams for the family she loves. Imagine - the African grandmother of President Barack Obama, rubbing elbows at a presidential inauguration with the likes of respected icons such as the late Senator Kennedy. What an adventure that must have been for this steadfast tribal wife and mother from a small village on the shores of Lake Victoria! Barak describes it all in an intimate style that made me relate to each one of Mama Sarah Obama's emotions. This is a must-read for anyone (in either party!) interested in the fascinating multi-cultural background of President Obama. Next stop - I need to find out more about those yummy Kenyan recipes! Posted September 8, 2012 A captivating tale about an African woman and her ambitions, hop A captivating tale about an African woman and her ambitions, hopes and dreams. I enjoyed  learning more about President Barack Obama's African ancestry and traditions, the good ones  (love, encouragement, food!) and the bad ones (polygamy, wife-beating). Daphne Barak's style  of planting small hints at the beginning of this powerful story just to reveal a fuller picture later,  kept me glued to the book. With all of the theories about President Barack Obama's roots,  I was curious to read it. But Barak manages to strike a nice balance between dreams, myth  and reality. She did it in a respectful way to East African culture. Even when we find out down  the road about lies and distortions, you understand them in the full context of the human beings  involved. Barack Obama's grandmother comes across as a hard-working woman who can discuss  Africa with President George W Bush, receive delegations from Muammar Gaddafi in Libya,  and advise her famous grandson "You should work hard." I enjoyed that this is truly  Mama Sarah's story and not just a glorification of her grandson and his fame. By all means,  read it. It will inspire and touch you!   Posted September 8, 2012 I read "Mama Sarah Obama: Our Dreams and Roots" in one I read "Mama Sarah Obama: Our Dreams and Roots" in one sitting and found it  fascinating! People of all cultures fascinate me; I always find it interesting which details of  their lives they want to share with us. Daphne Barak kept me hooked, following the amazing  story of a woman in Kenya, Africa, whose hope and love for her family eventually helped propel her grandson, Barack Obama, to President of the United States. Many questions about Obama's  roots are answered here. I read over and over the part about the burial of his grandfather in a  full Muslim ceremony, orchestrated by his son, Barack Obama Sr, the late father of our President. Mama Sarah relates how her family has been Muslim for generations. I laughed out loud when  she described how she tried to avoid giving real answers about the Obama family's faith! And  how her daughter, Marsat (Barack Obama's aunt), interrupted with: "OK, we are Muslims  ..." Is is so difficult for us to grasp that people within families can practice different  religions? I am Catholic. Because I have a Buddhist brother, does that make me one too?  Nonsense! Our differences make us each unique and we should not be afraid of them. Barak's  well-written, poignant telling of Mama Sarah Obama's stories drew a picture for me of an  African girl who overcame the challenges of her gender, culture and disappointments in life  to make the world a better place for her children, step-children and her extended family of  loved ones all over the world. Now I know that Barack Obama's immense charisma came  not only from his father, but from his spirited grandmother as well! I loved the book!

"Mama Sarah Obama: Our Dreams & Roots"

It is political conventions time in the U.S.A!

Lots of talk about Clint Eastwood and THAT empty chair, Mitt Romney's Mexican roots, Barack Obama's African roots.

A movie about Obama's roots - "2016: Obama's America" - went from one theatre in Houston to more than 1000, in only few weeks. It is almost the equal to viral ...

But my question is: How do all these events above, relate to our future? What are our priorities, as voters?

In the midst of a global financial crisis, when some countries like Greece are expected to default, we are supposed to be electing the next leader of the free world: A capable leader, to correct the declining economy in the U.S. and work shoulder to shoulder with foreign leaders, to achieve this goal. I can not remember such crucial elections, since I became a voter. Its outcome would define not only our future, but it will touch many peoples' lives around the globe.

I think, that Romney's financial skills should matter to voters more than his Mexican roots. Even when it comes to Americans from Mexican origin.

Barack Obama's roots are fascinating. The personal story of the U.S. President is extraordinary. It is a natural material for movies and books. The man who based his 2008 presidential campaign, based on the resemblance to JFK, and was supported by the Kennedy clan, has a lovely grandmother in an isolated village deep inside Kenya.

His family members there are proud Muslims. So was his late father, who managed to climb from his village all the way to Harvard University. The Obama family's tale describes a clash between two cultures. For example: Where in East Africa - polygamy is still part of the culture, where as it is against the law in the U.S. Barack Obama Sr. learnt it the hard way. While women have been beaten by their husbands in East Africa, it is against the law in the U.S. It is called here: "Domestic Violence".

Yet - does Barack's background effect his performance as a leader?  If the answer is "Yes", then - the debate about his roots is important!

If the answer is: "No", then - his personal story is powerful indeed. A great material for authors, directors ... I am one of them, so I should know ..

That is why I agreed to Penn the autobiography of Barack's grandmother.  It is a powerful tale of a woman who had a big dream ...She wanted to have education and was not allowed to ...Pushing her bright son (Barack Obama Sr.) toward the highest education, resulted in amazing achievements ...But after obstacles and tragedies, it would be her grandson, Barack Obama Jr. who would complete the dream.

 Here are the links for my book "Mama Sarah Obama: Our Dreams & Roots"

*  http://pipublic.com/  

*  http://www.amazon.com/Mama-Sarah-Obama-Dreams-ebook/dp/B009518OB2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1346766870&sr=8-1&keywords=mama+sarah+obama%3A+our+dreams+%26+roots

*  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mama-sarah-obama-daphne-barak/1112749042?ean=2940015137323

About roots & votes ...

It is political conventions time in the U.S.A!

Lots of talk about Clint Eastwood and THAT empty chair, Mitt Romney's Mexican roots, Barack Obama's African roots.

A movie about Obama's roots - "2016: Obama's America" - went from one theatre in Houston to more than 1000, in only few weeks. It is almost the equal to viral ...

But my question is: How do all these events above, relate to our future? What are our priorities, as voters?

In the midst of a global financial crisis, when some countries like Greece are expected to default, we are supposed to be electing the next leader of the free world: A capable leader, to correct the declining economy in the U.S. and work shoulder to shoulder with foreign leaders, to achieve this goal. I can not remember such crucial elections, since I became a voter. Its outcome would define not only our future, but it will touch many peoples' lives around the globe.

I think, that Romney's financial skills should matter to voters more than his Mexican roots. Even when it comes to Americans from Mexican origin.

Barack Obama's roots are fascinating. The personal story of the U.S. President is extraordinary. It is a natural material for movies and books. The man who based his 2008 presidential campaign, based on the resemblance to JFK, and was supported by the Kennedy clan, has a lovely grandmother in an isolated village deep inside Kenya.

His family members there are proud Muslims. So was his late father, who managed to climb from his village all the way to Harvard University. The Obama family's tale describes a clash between two cultures. For example: Where in East Africa - polygamy is still part of the culture, where as it is against the law in the U.S. Barack Obama Sr. learnt it the hard way. While women have been beaten by their husbands in East Africa, it is against the law in the U.S. It is called here: "Domestic Violence".

Yet - does Barack's background effect his performance as a leader?  If the answer is "Yes", then - the debate about his roots is important!

If the answer is: "No", then - his personal story is powerful indeed. A great material for authors, directors ... I am one of them, so I should know ..

But for voters???

The beauty of an Autobigraphy

I have just finished my third book. It turned out to be double book project.

One is the official autobiography of a woman with a dream ...A woman who inspired one of the most powerful stories of our time.

Many wrote about her. Some speculated about feelings, others focused on certain periods and details of her extraordinary life. But this is the first time this woman is telling HER story, HER life, in her own words.

It made me think about the word: "Autobiography," a word, many publishers like to use, in order to give the product more publicity and hopefully - better sales.

Autobiography literally means  "My Life." And that exactly is! Only you (each one of you) can understand the mixture of feelings, actions, ambitions, achievements, disappointments ...It means all these factors that you have experienced. You may need a professional writer or interviewer to help you put it into a certain format, but it has to be your voice.

I recently had lunch with one of the editors of The Wall Street Journal. He was very excited about my upcoming book. We discussed a certain book, written about another member of this famous family. The editor mentioned that the book described deep feelings of this personality, although the writer has never discussed any of that with the topic of the book ...

I have not read the book. Therefore I said, it might have been a good read. Yet - if this personality is so interesting, wouldn't you, the reader, want to learn about it from the personality himself (or herself)?

In an era of "New Media," where politicians and celebrities communicate directly with their audience via "Twitter," "Facebook," and other similar social mediums, I guess the answer to the questions above is: "YES! Loud and clear!!"

And that is the power of an autobiography: Someone who wants to share his (or her) story with others, tell it as he (or she) sees it fit. There may be a confusion of dates, or contradicting facts ...Yet this is the story he (or she) wants to tell. It may even give you a deeper insight into the teller's life, deeper than he (or she) meant to. And this is the beauty of an autobiography.

* My upcoming 2 books (an autobiography and a cook book of this famous family) coming next month.

Meanwhile look at my previous books: www.pipublic.com

Picture Perfect Huma Abedin

Huma Abedin is the news again ... Hillary Clinton's loyal right hand who has become a house hold name due to her husband,  nowadays disgraced congressman Anthony Weiner, sex-twitter, is making headlines because of two issues:

A)  Her Saudi Arabian origin.
B) A Hello! style photo shoot: At home with her husband and little baby, Jordan, speaking with "People" Magazine.

I know Huma well. Everyone who is friendly with Hillary Clinton - does! We used to joke that Huma is like an extension of Hillary. She is a beautiful woman, hard working, who has earned the trust of her boss, during challenging times like elections or personal issues with Bill.

If Huma were to suspect that someone was not loyal  or discreet about Hillary, this person would be removed from her inner circle at once. Loyalty has always been a priority to this talented woman. So to listen to some Republicans, speculating about her loyalty to the U.S., just because her family is from Saudi Arabia - is laughable. I would not make this an issue but because some circles are repeating these claims, I am bringing it up now.

When one throws dirt - some of it sticks. And some circles these days are trying to refer to her as a "Muslim mole!" That's what I call, paranoia.

God bless the former G.O.P. presidential candidate John McCain, for defending Huma and reminding all of us, that we are a nation of immigrants, which come from different cultures and religions. Whenever I talk with McCain, I tease him about some extremists around him.

                                                                   ***

One day, I asked the non-stop working Huma: "What about YOU? What about your private life?"
She giggled  ... Her personal life was a secondary to her being available to Hillary. When she got married to Anthony Weiner, she thought, she finally arrived: "I never knew, I could have it all..." as Barbara Streisand said it famously when he got married to James Brolin.

Weiner was an ambitious politician who eyed to become the Mayor of New York. After divorced Michael Bloomberg, New York could use a First Lady. And who would be better for that role, other than the savvy and beautiful Huma Abedin?

The picture-perfect marriage was broken up one day, when Weiner's tweets of his private parts to several girls. His initial denials pushed the sex scandals to the front pages worldwide. By then, embarrassed Huma was pregnant with her first child. Weiner was forced to resign from congress. He disappeared from the headlines.

Until now ...

Huma reportedly arranged an interview and a photo shoot with the "People" magazine. The couple looks like lovey-dovey. It is viewed by many, as an attempt for a political come back. A premature one, some view.

Maybe? Yet - what do we expect from this young woman? To keep hiding, because of her husband's humiliating conduct? Are we going to punish her twice??

The smiling-loving photo does remind indeed a political candidate, running for and office, with his supportive wife, next to him.

Who would cope with such situation better than Huma? She must have known that it would be compared to the 1992 interview of then presidential candidate Bill Clinton and "standing by my man" wife Hillary after the Jennifer Flowers scandal.

Soooo ...What?

Huma looks sunning in these photo spreads. She is smiling with Anthony. Nice photos.

Only one thing bothered me though ...Hillary would never do that! When Hillary was a first lady, she protected the privacy of the 'First Daughter' Chelsea, like a lioness would. Hillary and I discussed that. She always said: "People can attack Bill ..They can go after me ..But leave my daughter out of the picture!" 

Literally. I can not remember any official photo shoots of Bill, Hillary and young Chelsea together.

My friend, the late Benazir Bhutto managed to keep her three children out of the limelight too, although she was the first woman prime-minister of Pakistan. Nobody recognised them, when Benazir, Asif and I had lunch in New York.  Read more about it in my book "My Benazir" (www.daphnebarak.com or -www.pipublic.com)

Huma chose to include her baby son Jordan in these photo spread. What an adorable baby.  It is her judgement. Yet, it is a decision, she will not be able to reverse. Unlike Hillary, she will not be able to say: "Leave my children out of the picture .."

Marilyn, Amy, and Benazir ...

Dr. S. David Bernstein has just come with his conclusion about Marilyn Monroe's death ...

It would be 50 years, next month, to the death of the ultimate sex symbol. Almost everyone has an opinion about what happened that fateful night, August 1962: Did the vulnerable actress try to kill herself over her obsession with then President J.F.K. and his brother R.F.K.? Was it just an accidental overdose? Or - what she killed by ..The FBI? Mafia? ..

Conspiracy theories have lives of their own. Any attempt to argue against them, just fuels them more.

The latest revelation by Dr. Bernstein claims to be a proof, that Marilyn didn't have suicide on her mind a day before her death! Why? 


Because of a check, signed by her. Yes! The actress purchased a white chest of drawers worth $228.80 just 24 hours before her death. Bernstein argues that people who decide to take their own lives engage in shopping sprees. Purchasing drawers - say Bernstein - proves that Marilyn intended to use them. That means, she planned to be around ...

                                                                                  ***

It reminds me of my interview with Linda Tripp. Remember "The Most Hated Woman in America" (way before Casey Anthony)? Tripp was the White-House employee who befriended Monica Lewinsky and taped details about her affair with then President Bill Clinton. 


I asked her why she hated Bill Clinton that much. Tripp paused. Then she said: "I was Vinct Forst's assistant ... I was the last person who saw him alive ..." Forst was a top Clinton's aide who was found dead, after reportedly shooting himself. It triggered a lot of conspiracy theories. Tripp continued: "He asked me to get him a hamburger for lunch. It was his usual order. He ate it and left the office ...Few hours later - he was found dead. Daphne, a person who thinks about death would not order a hamburger ..."

                                                                                ***

While spending time with musician Amy Winehouse, it was clear to me that this talented girl had so many demons to deal with. She shared with me painful moments. Yet - there were moment of self-adoration. She talked about to be "living forever" like other musicians who died young.  Yet - she was full of life and dreams. But a year ago - she was found dead, with 3 empty bottles of Vodka, next to her body. My book "Saving Amy" which is based on the 6 months I had spent with her and her family, may explain more.

And my beloved friend Benazir Bhutto was a loving mother. She had a goal: To return to Pakistan and become its leader once again. Yet - the timing she chose had red flags all over it.  It was so risky that it had been viewed by some of my friends as "suicidal." Sadly - she was assassinated on December 27th, 2007. You may understand more about Benazir's state of mind, during her last years, in my book "My Benazir."

                                                                             ***

If we could just develope an X- machine to human beings' minds.

* Links  for "My Benazir" and "Saving Amy" are on: www.daphnebarak.com.

You can also visit: www.pipublic.com

Why I route for Mike Tyson!

I am so happy Mike Tyson has a new lifestyle and new show on Broadway!

I have known the troubled heavy weight champ for years. I was proud to say, we were friends, when it brought kind of reactions like: "You are friends! You are joking, right?"

I was not. I have always found Mike, a hungry person for education. When he was not under the influence, he would behave like a true gentleman. Yes, yes ...

So at last - after coping with the tragic death of his 4 years old daughter on May 2009  - he cleaned up. He is pursuing his acting career, after successful appearances in "Hangover" and its sequel. He is telling his story on a Broadway stage. How cool is that!

Promoting his gig, Mike is now admitting , that he has been battling addictions. Yes, he has made lots of mistakes, including mistreatment of women.

BUT NO! He keeps insisting that he did NOT rape Desiree Washington.

One can think: what is the big deal? After all - the ex-world heavy weight boxing champ had served his full sentence in prison. If he is going public with "the new, reformed Mike" - why to insist on this single account??

Why? Because he might be telling the truth.

***

I am making this story public for the first time.

After Tyson was indicted for raping Desiree Washington, I conducted the only TV interview with her father Donald, at his home. It was in a poor neighborhood. Donald shared with us videos of his daughter, a wannabe beauty Queen, as a cheer leader. The father's account was painful, but - I must say - it smelled funny. It looked like money - or lack of it - was a big factor there.

After that, then Tyson's body guard, Rudy Gonzales brought us exclusive footage of the champ, dancing with women. It featured lavish lifestyle, lots of sex and booze. BUT Rudy was convinced, Tyson was set up. Rudy stated, that he had taken care of similar situations with other girls: "After spending the night (with Mike), we sent them home with limos, bought them watches, flowers, made them feel good …"


Desiree Washington met Mike Tyson at his hotel suite in Indiana after midnight. By then, Rudy Gonzales was long gone: he was let by Tyson's management to go for the night. So there was nobody there to give Desiree a song & a dance after the sex was over.

     

When Tyson was in jail, haunted by Tyson's firm denial, and Gonzales' candid account, I called my friend, lawyer Alan Dershowitz who was working on his appeal. 


Dershowitz's claim-to-fame came when he won the appeal for his client Claus von Bülow, a British socialite of German and Danish ancestry who was accused of the attempted murder of his wife Sunny von Bulow, by administering an insulin overdose in 1980 which left her in a persistent vegetative state for the rest of her life, but his conviction in the first trial was reversed and he was found not guilty in both his retrials. A film, starring Glen Close, had made Dershowitz a household name. 


But when Dershowitz assured me: “Daphne, I am doing anything I can for Mike. Don't worry ..." I continued with my gut feeling. 

                                                                                 *** 

The hotel suite, where the alleged rape had taken place, was close to the public. Shortly after the conversation with Dershowitz, I called the hotel's duty manager, played my charm and asked to check into this suite. While my Fox TV cameraman and producer were settling in, I put on a bath rob, and tried to feel what Desiree had been going through …

According to her story, Tyson jumped on her in the bedroom area. The suite was an L shape: a living room, a bedroom, and a bathroom connected to the bedroom. I realized for a frightened girl, there was no other place but to run to the bathroom from the bedroom area. And that way, she would have locked herself in, but she would have had no way to go out and seek help.

Intrigued with this observation, I left my cameraman and producer in the bedroom area and I ran into the bathroom, and locked myself in …

WHAT DID I SEE THERE???

Not one - but two (2) phones in that locked area. I checked the phones. They were working. I called downstairs and asked the concierge for a wake up call and newspapers for the next morning. Then - I called room service and had a lovely chat about the menu options for my breakfast … And no, neither my cameraman nor my producer, who were just outside of my door, heard any of my conversations on the phone.

SO HOW COME A FRIGHTENED GIRL DIDN'T PICK UP ONE OF THESE PHONES AND ASK FOR HELP???

I called Dershowitz the next day, and told him: "Mike did not rape her!"

Dershowitz told me that he knows that too. But he added: "I had already filed the appeal .."

***

Years later - I was having lunch with Mike, and Joe and Katherine Jackson in Las Vegas, Nevada. Their son Michael had just been indicted for alleged pedophilia. They were devastated. I invited Mike to give them support. We discussed the legal system.

Then I turned to Mike and I told him about my visit to the hotel suite which changed his life and sent him to prison. His mood suddenly changed. He looked at me and said: "Daphne, I paid so many people, trusted them ...You know, I did not rape ...You know that because you - unlike them -  cared to check it out  .."

About being interacting, engaging, and organic ...

I promised to write this blog to a clever woman, named Rebecca.

We met  few days ago, at a conference dealing with advertising and the two words everyone is using: "New Media."

Professor Al Lieberman attached two other words to "New Media": Fear Factor. The wiser and older man was joking how everyone has been trying to figure out where would this "New Media" take us. We all show excitement, said Lieberman, without admitting how scared we are from this new world and its effects on us. 

Rebecca and I shared a glass of wine outside the room, full of CEOs, COOs, SVPs of leading  companies, and talked about the vocabulary that were being used so often in presentations, round tables, or by business executives in Hollywood, Madison Avenue (N.Y.), Wall Street and others these days. 


When a "suit" throws in the following words in a speedy manner, using a confident body language: what does it really mean??

Here is my two cents:

"OUTSOURCING" - What it means practically, that this person is getting a lot of money from you for a specific job, done (for much less money) by a third party - usually another company.

"DELEGATING"  - The same (above), only that the third party is working for the same company.

"PROACTIVE"  - A term being used often by PR or Marketing executives, in an authoritative manner. They tell you how they were doing damage control ( in return for your payments) before any damage was done. WAIT A MINUTE ...WHAT???

"INTERACTIVE" - The mantra of many executives, claiming to know how to involve you and the audience better than others. How do they know?? They would insist they do. One of the key words they will use, repeatedly is "testing."

"TESTING" - Executives love to tell you about how many "testings" they will do for you, weather it will be with "focus groups" or using Internet campaigns ...A Budget for "testing" may include "outsourcing" or "delegating" or any other above listed.

"ENGAGING"  - It is the younger sibling of "interactive." Some executives will be happy to share with you that the younger generation (the dream of any advertiser) is less patient than others. In fact - they will add quietly, as if they are sharing with you a secret, that the younger generation has  zero patience and that you have to engage them very quickly: with one word.  ...If this executive's long presentation has succeeded to engage you (and your bank account) to his company, then ...WAIT A MINUTE! WHY DIDN'T HE USE ONE WORD AS HE PREACHES?? ...

"ORGANIC" - I have to admit that this new word got me (and Rebecca) a bit puzzled. It was used by one of the speakers in the room - a lovely woman - so often, that we lost our well meant "engagement". It usually followed  up the word "testing." Outside - we tried to guess, if it had anything to do with organic fruits or vegetables? Does it mean that the content is more pure? Or - like organic food products - more expensive?? 

"OUT OF THE BOX"  - A relatively old expression, which refers to thinking differently, originally. It may be a long term solution? A big vision? Recently - this term is used so frequently, that I sometimes try to remember what "the box" is ... And if we think out of "Out of the Box" - where does it take us??

* In my book "My Benazir" - I describe how Benazir Bhutto was so excited about her first ever blackberry. The highly educated leader told me happily that she could have a fast access to news, gossip ...She was so obsessed with it over lunch, that she forgot for a minute her perfect manners, and the important issues, she needed to discuss with us until ...Read more in "My Benazir"  (www.daphnebarak.com) 

The Popular Camilla ... At Last!

Watching the former Camilla Parker Bowles - the Duchess of Cornwell today, standing confidently next to the Queen, during the Jubilee celebrations, brought me to think about days, that Camilla and her family had less reasons to smile.

The love story between Prince Charles and Camilla (and the triangle with the late Princess Diana) is  well known. Much less known what Camilla and her family had to go through, during these years, when she was described as, "The Other Woman ..."

I have been privy to some of it, because of the time I spent with her younger sister Annabel Elliot, her husband Simon and their children. Marc Shand her brother shared with me some painful moments. And there was this lunch with Camilla's son Tom in Cannes, when he came to see me in the midst of a scandal unravelling,  hidden behind under a cap.

I will skip the private moments, instead I will share with you Since these were private moments, I am just going to hint about what this family had been facing until then.

                                                                           ***

We were in a cocktail party for a charity in London. Simon Elliot was sent by Annabel to support the charity. I invited both of them, but Annabel was at her country home that night. Simon and I were chatting when Prince Charles entered the small room. He started to shake hands, making small talk. Cameras were flashing  ...I suddenly noticed Simon literally hiding behind me, mumbling: "Daphne, I need to leave, you understand ..."

I did. Simon and Prince Charles had been friends. In fact, he played a role in finding the "High Grove" - Prince Charles's country home (next to Camilla's home then). But he couldn't afford a photo of him and the Prince, being taken.  In a way, not only Camilla was a mistress, her entire family needed to behave like one too.


Camilla has a very close tight family. In couple of our fun lunches at Annabel and Simon's place, we were joined by Annabel's dad Bruce Shand. Since their mother died from Osteoporosis, the siblings kept their father close by until he died few years ago.

It is also a very creative family.  Her brother Marc wrote a book about elephants.  While Annabel liked to travel around the world, and collect antiques, interesting vases, pillows ...We used to have lengthy fun lunches, and then - I couldn't resist buying some of  it ...My home is full of these items.

But beside these fun moments, I learnt about painful ones too. Camilla's siblings had to think twice before they came close to any one or event talked to them.

Simon shared with my boyfriend and I, how people convinced them to do a photo shoot of their house to a design magazine. Sure! Annabel's taste deserves to be featured in a prestigious outlet, why not?  "Then,"  shared with us a visibly shocked Simon, "We found a photo of our bedroom in a tabloid, with a headline: 'Here is where Prince Charles and Camilla  meet secretly ...'


Such incidents pushed the Elliots and the rest of the family to a constant "on guard" mode, suspecting anyone and anything. Can you blame them??

                                                                       ***

Yet my impression was that the family united behind Camilla and her soul mate, Prince Charles.  They were patient about the slow process of getting Camilla accepted by the public. I recall Annabel's 50th  B Day: This was a huge step forward. Charles and Camilla attended, AND it was their first photo-op as a couple. It made headlines around the world. The next day Annabel was laughing with me: "Daphne, now - everyone in the world knows how old I am ..."


                                                                            ***

So the increasing popularity of Camilla is a relief to a very supportive family. It also gives a story of true love - a happy ending.

Prince Charles & Kindle ...

It is the Queen's Jubilee: a leader who has been popular for decades, adjusting successfully to such extreme political, social and high-tech changes ...


When H.M. Queen Elisabeth was crowned, there was no fax ... email? Yet today, her husband Prince Phillip is my Facebook friend!


It takes a smart woman and a true leader to interact with her subjects (and the rest of the world) so successfully. Some say, the Queen might have had a mis-step right after Princess Diana died in a car accident on 1997. My friend Dickie Arbiter who was at H.M.'s press office at the time, remembered it  differently in a TV interview with me. He has portrayed the Queen as sensitive leader, who was shaken by the accident, the tragic death and the reactions of the people.


                                                                          ***


That brings me to an emotional moment with Prince Charles. I have known him for years, and supported some of his charities with pleasure. The Crown Prince is a true believer in creating new business opportunities. He is very involved with the charities, he had agreed to be a patron of. Among them - some arts. For example: "The Philharmonia" orchestra. It is a great  house for many talented musicians and devoted employees. I have supported and attended events with Prince Charles, at his country home (High Grove), St James Palace, and Windsor Castle ...


At one of the recent events - a delightful evening with music and theater - the Prince made an emotional plea for the sake of true arts. He was articulate, funny, personal (it was a small group) ...I couldn't agree with him more, but ...Yes! There is one point, I respectfully disagree with Charles ...


                                                                          ***


When His Royal Highness was telling us about, how he is longing to maintain the sensation of a live concert (like the one he was treating us that evening), or the feeling of reading a real book, "not downloading it on Kindle ..."


Well ... with all due respect to his hard work and devotion to the arts, I must say: The content is the king!! It was phrased, years ago, by Sumner Redstone,  the media mogul, behind Viacom. Yet - he is still a winner!


It is all about the original content!! Music? Films? Text? Paintings? ...The way we choose to receive this content, is secondary. Our busy schedule can dictate us to prefer our Iphones? Ipads? Audio books? Kindle??


I have received grateful messages from people who downloaded my second book: "My Benazir" on the their kindle and other tools. That means, that they read it in their comfort zone, when they could enjoy it the most!!  You can do the same:  http://www.amazon.com/My-Benazir-Leaders-ebook/dp/B007TGXAKA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1334258164&sr=8-1

Teach the Elephant to Dance ...

Since I started blogging recently - as every insecure girl - I need constant feed backs ...Here (below) are some of the comments, I have been receiving. It helps me to focus on why I decided to write this blog, and what content should I include.

I would love to have your ideas, suggestions or comments. Words like "engaging"  or  "interactive"  have been overused by now. How about: "including???"




Rebecca K (A Washington based executive at a new media company):

"Daphne,You are a woman of character and true to your words. Your blog successfully addresses the issue that is a concern of executives who represent the Fortune 500 companies. The use of these business terms, (although not sure about organic) is an attempt to "Teach the Elephant to Dance" based on the "Fear Factor" you mentioned.  

Their fear is the knowledge that New Media represents on-demand access to content any time and anywhere and that the future is now.  Humankind is creating, publishing distributing and thereby consuming media content real-time on any digital device.
Another valuable thought you shared and with which I agree is re Millennials and speed? vs. service. Really - having discussed the issue of speed with Millennials from all walks of life iI have surmised that they are about exemplary service over speed. It will always be true that regardless of the speed it takes to deliver services that are exemplary will be exemplary as the word suggests and in truth the essence of what all humankind desires - value for one's self and the value for the money we earn (or inherit) and spend. It is a very large "elephant" mistake to assume speed is the virtue and that all other generations are about "in my day".  The day is now and the future is here.  In my day and in my way, I wrote this loving response to your candor and truth.  You are amazing!  love and respect, Rebecca
I enjoyed your blog and look forward to the more to come."

Richard S (an Editor-in-Chief of nationwide magazines)

"News, wit and perspective on who's making headlines by the one person who connects with everyone, Daphne Barak."

Roger B (a  UK based business man)

"Amazing Blog Daphne, don't tell me you've met God, I mean my hero Mr Bob Dylan. If you are going to then I need a temp. job carrying a bag or cleaning the floor :). Good Blog, Clinton is hilarious".

Sue W (a New York based editor of a nationwide magazine)

"Daphne connects with her readers in the same way she connects with her famous celebrity friends and political figures through her blog which is always delightful, insightful and sometimes explosive as she writes about up-to-the-moment events in the world of the famous and sometimes the infamous!"

April G (an American business woman, and author)

"I went to the Daphne Barak blog looking for gossip and glamour and instead found thoughtful questions and intelligent perspective on the most current people and topics of our day."

Mark M (a New York based financial consultant)

"Daphne Barak's blog gives me an access to hard-to-get information in real time. It is useful in my job, and it is a lot of fun."


Udi B (a high-tech engineer)
"A very interesting personal blog. It sheds light on subjects that are not at the main light, from someone who met the people involved, with a deep understanding of the human behavior and motives."

The President's Medals of Freedom ...

I am looking at the list of this year's recipients of the "Medal Of Freedom", given by President Barack Obama: I have met some of them, and it brings back some emotional or funny moments with them ...

The "Medal of Freedom" is the highest award bestowed by the US. It was established by John F. Kennedy in 1963.


Glancing over the list, one may become sarcastic, pointing at Obama's urgent needs, in order to get re-elected. Targeting the Jewish community is an urgent need for him. Although many American Jews have traditionally supported the Democratic party candidates, they have issues with Obama and his commitment to the state of Israel. What a better way to correct it then awarding Israeli President Shimon Peres with one? Add to that (Jewish) musician Bob Dylan (Robert Allen Zimmerman)? A  Polish man, Karski, who was among the first to document the Nazi genocide against the Jews in Europe (and sadly died a decade before being awarded ...) And even former Secretary Of State Madeline Allbright  - the woman who discovered her Jewish routes, in the latter part of her life??

The Spanish community is crucial as well during such tight elections.  There comes Dolores Huerta. She is not only Latino and ex partner of Cesar Chaves: She is a woman.  Cynics would say: Target two (communities) by giving one award ...

                                                                              ***

Making a point on the cynics, does not take away any of the achievements by these recipients.
Not at all!!


Here are personal moments with some of them.

Dolores Huerta:

She looks tiny, even fragile. But this woman co-founded the National; Farmworkers Association, with civil rights leader Cesar Chavez. Although she is 82 years old, her energy may challenge each one of us. She wanted to meet up with me. Okay, I was willing to visit her in Bakers Field, where she lives. In the next couple of days - Dolores came up with other options. She was in a meeting in one location, taking part of a conference in another one, lobbying in a third one ...I got tired only to listen to her travelling agenda. Then - she told me, she was travelling everywhere by a bus or a train.  A little woman, with a big mission.

At the end - we met up at my hotel in Beverly Hills. The hard working woman enjoyed good wine, many laughs, snapping fun photos ...She told me about her goals, needed to be achieved for Latino women. When we hugged late at night, I wanted to give her a limo, to take her back to Baker's Field. No, she insisted, she had a ride back.

Only the next morning, I learnt, that, "the ride" was a couple of hours of bus ride. 

Shimon Peres: 

I have known him since I was a little girl. His son and my brother went to the same boarding school. The politician who had to fight so hard to become popular during his long career, is the most popular Israeli President ever. His latest visit in Hollywood got everyone from Barbara Streisand to the owners of Google, Dreamwork and Facebook behaving like groupies next to him. He has already won the Nobel Peace Prize. Another prestigious award is anything a man can ask for. But ...

"Are you lonely at the top?" I asked him at the President's place. Peres took a moment to think, before answering slowly:  "Every man feels lonely sometimes ...Yes, I am ..." 

Bob Dylan:

I don't know how many of you watched a concert of the one and only Dylan ...I went to the one in Paris, where then President Nicolas Sarkozi and wife Carla Bruni attended. Dylan is a genius, no doubt. He just stood at the same spot during the whole show, singing his tunes. When the audience asked for an encore, after he finished, the stage was left empty. We thought, he would come back ...After five minutes, we got it: he wasn't.

But the funniest story (about how cool he is) came the next day. As I was having lunch with one of his inner circles, I learnt that: " President Sarkozi wanted to have a private meeting with Dylan ...You know how Dylan is ...It was difficult to arrange ...So after the show - Carla hurries Sarkozy to backstage. There - he (Sarkozy) was so excited to meet and greet Bob ...After an awkward moment Bob warmed up. He even gave Sarkozy his belt ...Then - he left."

Dolores Clara Fernandez Huerta (born April 10, 1930) is a noted American labor leader and civil rights activist who, along with César Chávez, co-founded the National Farmworkers Association, which later became the United Farm Workers (UFW). Huerta has received numerous awards for her community service and advocacy for workers', immigrants', and womens' rights, including the Eugene V. Debs Foundation Outstanding American Award and the United States Presidential Eleanor Roosevelt Award for Human Rights.^[1] As a role model to many in the Latin community, Huerta is the subject of many corridos (ballads) and murals.