Who's been to San Francisco? I have, and it's a beautiful place. My late husband and I spent a week there before we flew to Singapore in 2005. Some friends of ours have a house out there and from their kitchen you can see San Francisco Bay. I called the city "God's Country." I've got a standing invitation to visit anytime.
San Francisco also has a large Asian population and it is one of the cities on the 2008 torch relay. They are alredy, if I am not mistaken, accepting applications for runners. It will be intersting to see who eventually is selected, and even more interesting to see who doesn't make the cut.
I would like to see the torch relay bypass the United States completely. If our President isn't going to follow the lead of Prince Charles and not attend the Opening Ceromony, at least let's send the right message and tell the Mainland Chinese where they can take their torch---out of our democratic country.
Some may argue democratic is a stretch in this country. But I am free to blog my thoughts and ideas, peaceful protest is allowed, and we are free to practice any religion we want to. But is that possible in Beijing? I think not.
Beijing continues to break promises. Let's not reward them further in the United States by running the torch relay here. The first step in that is not filling out that application, San Francisco. But if you are, I would like to see a Falun Gong, Tibet activist, or exiled Chinese use that opportunity to get the message across that time's up for China, and that we've had enough of their lies and deceit.
It's the right thing to do.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Monday, January 28, 2008
Prince Charles gets it right
It was announced yesterday that Prince Charles will not be going to the Opening Ceromony of the Beijing Olympics. In fact, he won't be going at all.
He's known the Dalai Lama for years. Activists in the free Tibet movement have urged His Royal Highness not to attend.
This time, someone listened.
HRH has been an activist himself for many years, championing causes such as design, the environment and natural foods. If you have a chance to try some of the Duchy Originals products that come from his farm, (especially the biscuits!), they are very good.
Prince Charles has done the right thing, and he has set a stellar example for his contemporaries, of whom, human rights is only lip service.
Well done Sir!
He's known the Dalai Lama for years. Activists in the free Tibet movement have urged His Royal Highness not to attend.
This time, someone listened.
HRH has been an activist himself for many years, championing causes such as design, the environment and natural foods. If you have a chance to try some of the Duchy Originals products that come from his farm, (especially the biscuits!), they are very good.
Prince Charles has done the right thing, and he has set a stellar example for his contemporaries, of whom, human rights is only lip service.
Well done Sir!
Friday, January 25, 2008
Friday's Random Thoughts
We're getting ready for Round Two of sleet and snow here. Warning: I am a bit cranky tonight---so don't say you didn't know!!
I cancelled my Miss America judge's certifcation this week. It allowed me to judge local and state pageants. I don't agree with the de-facto entry fees and the forced national platform. A local director that wanted me to judge agreed with me-and said they hope it "goes back to the old way" if enough people complain. Keep that in mind when you watch Miss America tomorrow night. (And BTW, I think Las Vegas an an inappropriate place to hold the contest, especially with many delegates under 21 and not even allowed in the casinos.)
It's spelled GIRL and not "GRRL!"
To the a*****e who almost hit me today driving down the road, there is something called KARMA!
Hope everyone at the Legacy conference is having/had a good time, and made it productive. Someone give me the scoop and dirt, if you know my email.
Fred Phelps is talking about having his followers picket the Heath Ledger funeral. He's the guy from Westboro Baptist Church who pickets the funerals of Iraq war vets. Heath contributed more to this world in his short life than Fred Phelps ever will do in his.
Doppler 2 Radar, TrueView Titan, PowerPlus One Million. Heck, how about just calling it a weather radar?
One of my good friends is calling it for Chicago 2016. I love you guys (you know who you are), but I stand on what I have said previously: Chicago out in the first round of voting.
I am looking forward to being in the UK this spring. I am ready for a break, especially after the griefs and dramas of the past year. Might pay London 2012 a friendly visit.
I love the 2-for-1 deals Publix has. They are a good value, and an opportunity to stock up on the basics.
Could someone tell me why the price of Lipton tea bags has shot up in the past year?
I am recruiting delegates for the Georgia Dream Girls USA pageant and Georgia International Pageants. Email me for details if you know my contact info. You or someone you know could be the next titleholders! My directors are sweethearts. (People are surprised when they meet me that I have a life outside the Olympic world.) It's called balance.
We're back on Monday! (if we have finished digging out---LOL!)
I cancelled my Miss America judge's certifcation this week. It allowed me to judge local and state pageants. I don't agree with the de-facto entry fees and the forced national platform. A local director that wanted me to judge agreed with me-and said they hope it "goes back to the old way" if enough people complain. Keep that in mind when you watch Miss America tomorrow night. (And BTW, I think Las Vegas an an inappropriate place to hold the contest, especially with many delegates under 21 and not even allowed in the casinos.)
It's spelled GIRL and not "GRRL!"
To the a*****e who almost hit me today driving down the road, there is something called KARMA!
Hope everyone at the Legacy conference is having/had a good time, and made it productive. Someone give me the scoop and dirt, if you know my email.
Fred Phelps is talking about having his followers picket the Heath Ledger funeral. He's the guy from Westboro Baptist Church who pickets the funerals of Iraq war vets. Heath contributed more to this world in his short life than Fred Phelps ever will do in his.
Doppler 2 Radar, TrueView Titan, PowerPlus One Million. Heck, how about just calling it a weather radar?
One of my good friends is calling it for Chicago 2016. I love you guys (you know who you are), but I stand on what I have said previously: Chicago out in the first round of voting.
I am looking forward to being in the UK this spring. I am ready for a break, especially after the griefs and dramas of the past year. Might pay London 2012 a friendly visit.
I love the 2-for-1 deals Publix has. They are a good value, and an opportunity to stock up on the basics.
Could someone tell me why the price of Lipton tea bags has shot up in the past year?
I am recruiting delegates for the Georgia Dream Girls USA pageant and Georgia International Pageants. Email me for details if you know my contact info. You or someone you know could be the next titleholders! My directors are sweethearts. (People are surprised when they meet me that I have a life outside the Olympic world.) It's called balance.
We're back on Monday! (if we have finished digging out---LOL!)
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Where is the conscience?
I am really baffled at how silent many Olympic writers are about what's been happening lately. It was touched on before here, but I think it bears repeating. There are some out there who have editorialised (you know who you are), but there are others out there that I have to shake my head in amazement and say "what are you thinking?"
We in the west are the conscience and the voice. That is a tremendous responsibility. To pretend that problems don't exist is to be part of the problem and not the solution.
But I am still hopeful some of you can be turned around. For once, take a chance, and tell it like it is instead of coddling these people and being enablers.
Don't make me mention who you are.
We in the west are the conscience and the voice. That is a tremendous responsibility. To pretend that problems don't exist is to be part of the problem and not the solution.
But I am still hopeful some of you can be turned around. For once, take a chance, and tell it like it is instead of coddling these people and being enablers.
Don't make me mention who you are.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Belgian NOC muzzles it's athletes
Yesterday the Belgian NOC decreed that it's athletes can not discuss politics while inside Olympic facilities (including the Olympic Village) in 2008.
What a load of crap.
To the athletes of Belgium, I say listen to your conscience and speak your mind, no matter what subject it is.
I would like to think we live in a society that welcomes the free exchange of ideas. I have been to Belgium before (in 1988) and had a great time. The people were friendly, the food fattening (sigh), and the history incredible. But their NOC's attempts to muzzle their athletes is just plain wrong.
Part of the Olympic experience doesn't happen on the competition field. It happens in the Village, in the towns, and meeting the local folk as well as getting to know your fellow athletes. Telling someone you can't talk about certain issues is just plain wrong.
My gut feeling this order came to the Belgians via Lausanne. It's well known Jacques Rogge had consistantly dodged the issues that have arisen in regards to Beijing's election as a host city. AFAIK, no other NOC has issued an order similar to this. It's shameful what they have done.
We are either part of the solution or part of the problem. No guess as to where the Belgian NOC stands in this equation.
For shame. And it should have never happened. You've played right into their hands.
And that is just what Beijing was looking for.
What a load of crap.
To the athletes of Belgium, I say listen to your conscience and speak your mind, no matter what subject it is.
I would like to think we live in a society that welcomes the free exchange of ideas. I have been to Belgium before (in 1988) and had a great time. The people were friendly, the food fattening (sigh), and the history incredible. But their NOC's attempts to muzzle their athletes is just plain wrong.
Part of the Olympic experience doesn't happen on the competition field. It happens in the Village, in the towns, and meeting the local folk as well as getting to know your fellow athletes. Telling someone you can't talk about certain issues is just plain wrong.
My gut feeling this order came to the Belgians via Lausanne. It's well known Jacques Rogge had consistantly dodged the issues that have arisen in regards to Beijing's election as a host city. AFAIK, no other NOC has issued an order similar to this. It's shameful what they have done.
We are either part of the solution or part of the problem. No guess as to where the Belgian NOC stands in this equation.
For shame. And it should have never happened. You've played right into their hands.
And that is just what Beijing was looking for.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
UN and the IOC's cooperation: not good
The UN today reaffirmed it's satisfaction with the IOC's stance on various world issues. I am not so sure this is an alliance we should be praising.
The UN is about one of the most corrupt organisations in the world. It has a legacy of payoffs, bribes, and gosh knows what else going back years. Just when we thought the IOC was getting cleaned up, comes this hookup.
If you have been to New York, and walked by UN HQ, you know the building is in a mess. There was a report on one of those news magazine shows about the conditions inside. OSHA would have a field day if they could start writing violations, but many of the people who work there have diplomatic immunity, and as such are untouchable.
In the future, I would like to see the IOC be more careful with it's alliances, and in that way, it will lessen the chance for another IOC-related scandal to show it's head, just as the IOC was on track to getting itself cleaned up of the scandals that has dogged them in recent years.
The UN is about one of the most corrupt organisations in the world. It has a legacy of payoffs, bribes, and gosh knows what else going back years. Just when we thought the IOC was getting cleaned up, comes this hookup.
If you have been to New York, and walked by UN HQ, you know the building is in a mess. There was a report on one of those news magazine shows about the conditions inside. OSHA would have a field day if they could start writing violations, but many of the people who work there have diplomatic immunity, and as such are untouchable.
In the future, I would like to see the IOC be more careful with it's alliances, and in that way, it will lessen the chance for another IOC-related scandal to show it's head, just as the IOC was on track to getting itself cleaned up of the scandals that has dogged them in recent years.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Youth Olympic Games: Moscow or Singapore?
Tough call, this one.
Both deserving cities, each with their own unique perspectives. Each could host quite well.
Since Sochi is already hosting the Winter Games, I am calling this one on Singapore. They hosted a very successful IOC Session in 2005, and aside from the searing heat, it was a well-oiled machine. Both cities are friendly and accomodating (in my experience.) But with the recent IOC vote on Sochi (which was the lowest rated city out of all the bid cities), it would be tough to predict what could happen when the postal vote is done.
It's Singapore's time to shine again-and awarding the Youth Olympic Games will be one more jewel in their crown.
I would be happy with either city. But I doubt the IOC will award two Olympic Games to one country so soon. But you never know the mood of the voters, so the impossible could certainly be possible and see Moscow come out on top.
This is one vote that certainly will be interesting-bet on it.
Both deserving cities, each with their own unique perspectives. Each could host quite well.
Since Sochi is already hosting the Winter Games, I am calling this one on Singapore. They hosted a very successful IOC Session in 2005, and aside from the searing heat, it was a well-oiled machine. Both cities are friendly and accomodating (in my experience.) But with the recent IOC vote on Sochi (which was the lowest rated city out of all the bid cities), it would be tough to predict what could happen when the postal vote is done.
It's Singapore's time to shine again-and awarding the Youth Olympic Games will be one more jewel in their crown.
I would be happy with either city. But I doubt the IOC will award two Olympic Games to one country so soon. But you never know the mood of the voters, so the impossible could certainly be possible and see Moscow come out on top.
This is one vote that certainly will be interesting-bet on it.