Olympics

Hi - anyone out there?

The recent events in Tibet have brought this topic to mind again. I usually watch and enjoy the Olympic Games, but I will not be watching this time. A report in the news today said that sponsors are beginning to face pressure from activists. Today I wrote to Coca-Cola, McDonald's and Lenovo - some of the Olympic sponsors. Their websites should be easy to find - so I don't think I need to put them here - with my dial up it would take so long to load them and check.

Previously I'd written the USOC and NBC which will do the broadcasting. I would urge everyone to boycott watching the games, to let the sponsors know, and to encourage everyone you know to do the same.

What Is Going On Here?

We need to ask ourselves what is going on right here in America. Please read.

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/12/27/6007/

Birthday Greetings

Again it's time to send Birthday greetings to our second President. Happy Birthday to John Adams! We could use some of your spirit now to help solve the problems of this country. Maybe you could somehow send some decent advice to the current administration; they surely need it!

I've started David McCullough's award-winning biography of our birthday boy. I haven't gotten too far as there never seems to be enough time to settle in to read, but I am already very impressed with the painstaking research McCullough did. I should also note here that just recently we lost George Grizzard, the actor who so wonderfully portrayed John in "The Adams Chronicles" miniseries.

Although I have visited Quincy and the Adams sites, I still would like someday to revisit and attend the Presidential Wreath laying ceremony. Maybe one year they'll have it on a weekend day and I'll be able to somehow get a way up there. Meanwhile, here's a link to the sites to check out.

Free Burma!

More on Myanmar

While reading some web news yesterday about Myanmar/Burma, one poster on the abc news discussion suggested finding out what corporations do business in Burma and so help prop up the junta. Well, there is a news report about that very topic today. Chevron is a U. S. corporation involved. I e-mailed them to express my concern. You can read the article here. I hope that many will let these irresponsible corporate citizens know that we hope they will do more to help this oppressed people.

Myanmar

Dear Readers:

I am so heartbroken about the situation in Myanmar/Burma. The Burmese people need your prayers and your solidarity.

In addition to news from the regular media, check out the blog of a Burmese expatriate here.

The United Nations will be having a special session on Oct. 2. I e-mailed them to press them to help end the repression. If you go to the United Nations site, there will be a link to e-mail when you click on 'comments' at the bottom of their pages.

Also, if you go to the Amnesty International site, they have an action link for Myanmar with a sample letter to cut and paste into an e-mail to the Minister there urging humane treatment of those arrested, etc. They have the e-mail link and the fax number there that you would use.

We need to stand solidly for human rights all over the globe. With the crackdown in Myanmar, stifling of some protests in Pakistan, we need to be constantly on the alert.

The Emmys

I knew there was a good reason why I went with the football game last night. From what I've read about the Emmy Awards, I'm so glad I didn't watch them. I really don't like 4-letter words so I wouldn't have appreciated all the bleeping that went on. Then I read of Kathy Griffin's speech (apparently mostly cut from the broadcast, however). I hardly have words to describe how awful I think it was. Although I defend her right to such speech, in no way can I condone what she said. I think it showed no taste, no class, no respect whatsoever. And she defends this as being "funny" - and a great Emmy speech? Intellectually, I can say, ok, Freedom of Speech rules. Emotionally - my gut says give the award, show, live performances, platform to someone else. Someone who has some taste and respect for others' religious values.

Has our society gone so far down that these kind of antics and humor are considered acceptable? I'm sorry, but I find what went on pretty offensive. I get tired of these celebrities trying to shock and so keep pushing the envelope. Please show some shred of decency and common sense.

And to the rest of us: I think stepping away from the altar of celebrity worship would help. Let's stop reacting to every controversy, stop applauding bad language, and stop winking at bad behavior.