Wednesday, August 13, 2008

red flag Olympics

I am over the Olympics already and really, they have barely begun. I realize this is a slightly un-American viewpoint-but that's part of the problem to me. I am mad because it is China, saluting China and all their human rights errors. I am mad because it gives G.W. Bush a platform to be all "he, he, he, I am the president of the greatest nation in the world and if those Chinese would just get religion all would be better for them!! and shame on Russia for all that naughty violence...!! more he, he, he's" I even think Bob Costas couldn't believe rambling Mr. Bush. And my third complaint against the Olympics is that it really isn't an even playing field. Some countries can afford to pay their Olympic athletes, some cannot, some practice under extreme condition like the swimmer who has been training without an Olympic size pool. I just don't think the smaller countries come out ahead. Well, and the fourth thing is what a lot of money for pomp and look-at-me fireworks...the money spent on the opening ceremony alone could have brought good feng shui and food to many Chinese workers.

Friday, August 8, 2008

These is my words...

I must be on some kind of history kick this summer. After reading Hattie Big Sky my mother-in-law (another book lover) recommended These is my words by Nancy E. Turner. It is done in a journal format and really explored what it must have been like for a woman in the Arizona/New Mexico Territories when Tucson was just becoming a town. I loved the book but hated all the anti-Apache sentiment that goes with this time period. Like trying to read Little House on the Prairie to your children and all the horrible "red-faced Indian" conversations that take place between Laura and her family. In These is my words though I really loved how the main character, Sarah Prine grows as a character. After many run-ins early in her territory history with angry Natives (and we know they are angry for good reason!!!) she grows to trust a particular Indian that has helped her husband. Even when she is the recipient of prejudice because of this friendship she sticks by it and welcomes the man into her home and misses his help when he is gone.