Will the real China please stand up?

There is no denying that the 2008 Beijing Olympics have been an amazing production. China has done the Olympic games justice. The facilities are state of the art, the games have ran with out distraction, and Chinese history has definitely been on display. But as the world watches the greatest athletes in the world compete for their countries and compete for themselves, who is competing for the Chinese people?

In the United States of America we expect our government to fight for us. The characteristics that keep our country the greatest in the world are freedom, liberty, and the ability to choose, among many others. The American system encourages and rewards individuality, while not always promoting complete equality, we have come to embody it. It is tough to compare the greatest country in the world with any other, but as China has become a supposed global power it is legitimate. China is and has historically, since Mao Zedong's rise to power in 1947, been a Communist regime. The Communist system is one that represents the idea of the common good and does what it must to maintain the existence of the state. In China, the state trumps individuality and freedom is not essential. While Communism is built on the idea of equality it by no means embraces it.

Maybe the real China has stood up. As these Olympics approached the Chinese government continued to crack down on its people, tightening the grip of repression in the interest of the Communist state. Many Chinese were jailed in fear of their desires for individuality, many citizens homes were destroyed to build the giant athletic complexes and throughout the games the government continues to silence its critics through authoritarian control. By no means is the Chinese government fighting for its people. Its people are fighting for their government because they do not have the freedoms, the liberties, or the choice to fight for anything else. The real China is not standing because has it is not allowed.

My Country is better than your Country

There is something about the Olympic Games that brings out the American in me. It really doesn't matter what I'm watching, badminton, volleyball, swimming, and yes even gymnastics. It is about my country beating your country. Yes, I know Visa has come out with these wonderfully made commercials narrated by Morgan Freeman presenting a globally minded motto of "go world," but come on, does anyone really want to see there fellow countrymen lose. The answer is no. I appreciate the effort that all of these athletes put out, the grueling hours that they have spent training dedicating there lives to a dream, but once you dive in to that pool, once you step on to that court, once you grab on to those high bars, may the better man (or woman to be pc) win. Most likely that better man will be an American. USA! USA! USA!

Lesser of Two Evils

As we rapidly approach the November election I'm somewhat dreading having to cast my vote for President. Don't get me wrong, I will vote. I believe that it is my duty as a citizen to go to the ballot box, but it will most likely be with reservations. Being somewhat conservative politically it seems that it would be easy for me to just vote McCain and never look back, but barring a miracle, I will most likely cast my vote and hope that who ever wins will not destroy the great country we have established over the last 232 years. Are these candidates really all we have to offer? Can't the greatest country in the world find two individuals willing to run for President that we can really trust? Nope, instead we are relying on two citizens that so far have not consistently showed the qualities that it takes to lead the free world.

On one side we have an unknown, inexperienced, candidate who is some how mystifying a large cult like following of the American population with ideas of hope, unity and change. Can anyone say Marxist/Socialist? Just listen to him, how he wants to give us something to believe in, how he is going to look out for our welfare and give every American the opportunities to succeed, how he is going to restore our image abroad. Sounds like more government to me. No thanks, we have enough, thanks for stopping by though. He's pretty charismatic, I will give him that, but so to was Hitler, Moussilini, Stalin, get it. Socialism, Facism, Communism, they historically don't work and last time I checked the US has had some pretty good success with the system it is running. I'm just saying, watch out for this guy, I'm not trying to put him in the same category as those three dictators, but he offers striking strategic similarities. History repeats itself. Don't believe me, wait and see.

On the other side we have a candidate who I would really, really like to support, but he is making it hard for me. I'm not sure what he is, is he conservative or is he liberal? I think the honest answer is that he is both. He does offer some solid policies on less spending and tax cuts, which anyone in there right mind would support, but then he refuses to be strong on the border and he is killing me with this emphasis on global warming. Can someone step up and say that we need to stop the illegal immigration into our country, it is getting ridiculous. I thought he might, but no, instead he is to focused on the global warming issue. I'm not here to say that global warming is a hoax, there is some evidence to support it, but I'm not sure that it is the scientific consensus that it is made out to be, in fact I know it isn't. So why are we talking about creating these ridiculous policies of huge government regulation and long term financial investments? Can't we just drill? I'm sure Alaska wouldn't mind, they will get a huge payout and maybe we could lower gas prices. Yeah!

Message to whoever may win: Government, you need to go sit down, you are getting in the way of the wonderful system that we Americans know and love, we don't need your hand in everything, more often than not lately you have screwed it up, so why don't you just go sit down and we will tell you when we really need you.

Thats all I have for now. Sorry about that, I'm just a little excited. Can't wait to see what happens next. It is going to be a doozy. GO AMERICA!

Back from the Disabled List

So it has been a while, a long while, but I'm poised to make a come back. I afraid that this blog thing has become exactly what I hoped it wouldn't, a terribly neglected form of communication. All hope is not lost though. As I finish my first term of summer classes tomorrow and of course begin the next term of classes the next day, I vow to write more, I hope. Here's to a new beginning...cheers.

Anyways, what is going on? The Mariners are sucking, the Sonics are leaving, the Olympics are coming, the weather is warming, the economy is falling, the election is approaching, the earth is melting, the Dark Knight is thriving, the Aquafest is calling, the gas prices are escalating, the Mexicans are immigrating, the Iranians are plotting, the Chinese are growing, the Canadians are admiring, the Brittish are coming, the Polar Bears are dieing, the Hawaiians are surfing, the Cubans are swimming, the Rossi is coming, the Obama is placating, the Osama is hating, the McCain is living, the war is fading, the country is wavering, the people are waiting, the end is nearing...and all in one breath.

Hunt and Peck

Just had surgery yesterday so I'm typing one handed, it is terrible. The operation lasted three hours and as far as we can tell, it went well. Cammie and I spent last weekend on the Oregon Coast and it was perfect. First time we have got away since the honeymoon and it was needed. She works so hard all the time, she deserved that break. I'll tell you all about the trip when I can move my arm. I also decided to take summer school so i should graduate in August. Don't worry Bob you'll get there too. Anyways, i'll be chillin on the couch today trying to get back in the game. Until next time.

Golf, Horseracing, and a Chinese Fire drill

Apparently it is June, you couldn't tell considering we probably had the worst weather of the year this week. That didn't stop golf today, although it definitely didn't help my game. I hadn't picked up a golf club since September and it was obvious. Although I did put it together for a couple holes I ended up shooting a 105. I think I'm going to play on Tuesday with my friend Kyle again, but this time we are playing at some course that offers all you can play for one day a month so we are planning on playing at least 36 holes. Let's hope I stay under 200.

I watched a horse race for the first time in my life today. I had to watch the Belmont Stakes because I heard so much about Big Brown's pursuit of the Triple Crown. Although I can't really call horse racing a sport I do have a new formed respect, that was a pretty intense couple of minutes. I was actually really rooting for Big Brown, I mean everyone wants to witness history, same reason I watch the Mariners. (worst team in the steroid era) I just wish I would have put some money on Da' Tara, 38 to 1 odds, somebody is feeling lucky today. It just sucks that now we have to listen to Sportscenter beat a dead horse, was that to soon, I mean cover this story like it was the only sporting event this year. I'm watching the Miami v. Arizona college baseball game and I think they have interrupted with Belmont highlights at least ten times.

So yesterday I was driving home from school and I witnessed something really funny and really ironic. As I was merging on to 520 it started to back up because there was a stalled car up ahead. Creeping to a stop a looked to my left and I observed one of the most well executed Chinese fire drills in the history of earth, performed by three Chinese people in a Hyundai. (if you don't know what I mean by Chinese fire drill you need to follow the link I set up, check that, go their anyway, it is interesting I promise) I was caught off guard to say the least. I've seen many Chinese fire drills, or at least a few in my day, but never executed by three Chinese people. I didn't know what to do, I actually started looking for a fire, I mean wouldn't a Chinese fire drill performed by Chinese people just be a fire drill? I still haven't figured out what was going on, but either way it was historic. Even though my golf game was weak and Big Brown was a flop, I did have a memorable experience this weekend, thanks China.

Music to my Ears

Not much time today, but did want to share a song that I heard on my Ipod today. I think it tells a great story and has a great message. I put a link to it under "hammer holds" in the links column. It is some random video, but it was the song I was looking for. Let me know what you think or at least, listen.


The Hammer Holds- Bebo Norman

A shapeless piece of steel, that's all I claim to be
This hammer pounds to give me form, this flame, it melts my dreams
I glow with fire and fury, as I'm twisted like a vine
My final shape, my final form I'm sure I'm bound to find

So dream a little, dream for me in hopes that I'll remain
And cry a little, cry for me so I can bear the flames
And hurt a little, hurt for me my future is untold
But my dreams are not the issue here, for they, the hammer holds

And the water, it cools me gray, and the hurt's subdued somehow
I have my shape, this sharpened point, what is my purpose now?
And the question still remains, what am I to be?
Perhaps some perfect piece of art displayed for all to see

So dream a little, dream for me in hopes that I'll remain
And cry a little, cry for me so I can bear the flames
And hurt a little, hurt for me my future is untold
But my dreams are not the issue here, for they, the hammer holds

The hammer pounds again, but flames I do not feel
This force that drives me, helplessly, through flesh, and wood reveals
A burn that burns much deeper, it's more than I can stand
The reason for my life was to take the life of a guiltless man

So dream a little, dream for me in hopes that I'll remain
And cry a little, cry for me so I can bear the pain
And hurt a little, hurt for me, my future is so bold
But my dreams are not the issue here, for they, the hammer holds

This task before me may seem unclear
But it, my maker holds

(www.lyrics-download.com)