Perception can be very strong.
Hello All,
Can you believe that next month will mark 29 months of blog postings for me? In that time, I have published 166 posts- not bad for somebody who hates writing. Oh and additionally, this data further provides one simple fact- I am not an author anybody need worry about missing a few days, OK weeks, and feeling left behind with so much “catch up” reading.
The year was early in 1981. Donna Griffiths, a schoolgirl in Pershore, Worcestershire, UK, begins an uncontrollable series of sneezes that end on September 16, 1983 - after 978 days. The first De Lorean DMC-12 automobile, a stainless steel sports car with gull-wing doors, rolls off the production line in Dunmurry, Northern Ireland. The Oakland Raiders win Super Bowl XV, defeating the Philadelphia Eagles 27-10 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. United States President, Ronald Reagan was shot in the chest outside a Washington, D.C. hotel by John Hinckley, Jr., two police officers and Press Secretary James Brady was also wounded. In addition, I was preparing for the U.S. Olympic Team tryouts to compete in the 1984 Winter Olympics.
Though I did not successfully make the tryouts, I can remember to this day my disappointment as I realized I would not be participating in the Opening Ceremonies, representing the United States as I would walk behind our flag before the world. Yes, I was also a life long skater- hey, it was the 1980’s, (but I still hated disco). I remember now, back then, as I looked forward to this one event. The honor, experienced by so very few. That moment in a person’s life when they can stand on the world stage and say, “Yes, I am part of something that is larger than the borders surrounding every country.” A simple walk, as you are part of a team for your nation’s cheer. Moreover, at that moment there will be no competition, only a celebration spanning the globe and each person holds an opportunity to meet the heroes of every country. There is only respect, camaraderie, and joy; and mostly, no politics.
The 1936 Summer Games held in Berlin, Germany, marked several world firsts and no nation boycotted the games. Not only did the Germans hold the first televised games; but 1936 was also the year when Jesse Owens won four Gold Medals. Well, each of us know, understand, and appreciate the significance of this history. The main point, those games were not boycotted.
Today I read where two Presidential hopefuls, Clinton and Obama, are questioning the United States participation in the Opening Ceremonies, if not the Games as a whole, this year in China and are publicly speaking on these decisions. Well, I am going to Reach for some perspective here, when I ask, “Who will truly suffer from this action”? I think it will be the Athletes. The Chinese Government has not acted to the best of Human Rights, in some peoples perception- China is its own country and if world laws are broken then take it to the World Courts. While I may not fully agree with China’s views/actions toward Tibet and Sudan, I certainly see no reason for taking any Honor, Respect, and/or Dignity away from the United States Athletes who have spent many years in preparation for these upcoming events.
Are there no other events within our borders requiring attention/focus during this time of argument, mud slinging, and any antonym of the words "teamwork" or "cooperation" for the candidates to present?
In closing, I would like to say, the United States President, FDR, in 1936 did not boycott any ceremony by removing U.S. athletes, and destroying their time honored dream. Either I need to have a better grasp on the World News, Or, these two Presidential Hopefuls should learn some perspective in their decisions- those Athletes are also voters!
Be Safe,
Reach
Can you believe that next month will mark 29 months of blog postings for me? In that time, I have published 166 posts- not bad for somebody who hates writing. Oh and additionally, this data further provides one simple fact- I am not an author anybody need worry about missing a few days, OK weeks, and feeling left behind with so much “catch up” reading.
The year was early in 1981. Donna Griffiths, a schoolgirl in Pershore, Worcestershire, UK, begins an uncontrollable series of sneezes that end on September 16, 1983 - after 978 days. The first De Lorean DMC-12 automobile, a stainless steel sports car with gull-wing doors, rolls off the production line in Dunmurry, Northern Ireland. The Oakland Raiders win Super Bowl XV, defeating the Philadelphia Eagles 27-10 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. United States President, Ronald Reagan was shot in the chest outside a Washington, D.C. hotel by John Hinckley, Jr., two police officers and Press Secretary James Brady was also wounded. In addition, I was preparing for the U.S. Olympic Team tryouts to compete in the 1984 Winter Olympics.
Though I did not successfully make the tryouts, I can remember to this day my disappointment as I realized I would not be participating in the Opening Ceremonies, representing the United States as I would walk behind our flag before the world. Yes, I was also a life long skater- hey, it was the 1980’s, (but I still hated disco). I remember now, back then, as I looked forward to this one event. The honor, experienced by so very few. That moment in a person’s life when they can stand on the world stage and say, “Yes, I am part of something that is larger than the borders surrounding every country.” A simple walk, as you are part of a team for your nation’s cheer. Moreover, at that moment there will be no competition, only a celebration spanning the globe and each person holds an opportunity to meet the heroes of every country. There is only respect, camaraderie, and joy; and mostly, no politics.
The 1936 Summer Games held in Berlin, Germany, marked several world firsts and no nation boycotted the games. Not only did the Germans hold the first televised games; but 1936 was also the year when Jesse Owens won four Gold Medals. Well, each of us know, understand, and appreciate the significance of this history. The main point, those games were not boycotted.
Today I read where two Presidential hopefuls, Clinton and Obama, are questioning the United States participation in the Opening Ceremonies, if not the Games as a whole, this year in China and are publicly speaking on these decisions. Well, I am going to Reach for some perspective here, when I ask, “Who will truly suffer from this action”? I think it will be the Athletes. The Chinese Government has not acted to the best of Human Rights, in some peoples perception- China is its own country and if world laws are broken then take it to the World Courts. While I may not fully agree with China’s views/actions toward Tibet and Sudan, I certainly see no reason for taking any Honor, Respect, and/or Dignity away from the United States Athletes who have spent many years in preparation for these upcoming events.
Are there no other events within our borders requiring attention/focus during this time of argument, mud slinging, and any antonym of the words "teamwork" or "cooperation" for the candidates to present?
In closing, I would like to say, the United States President, FDR, in 1936 did not boycott any ceremony by removing U.S. athletes, and destroying their time honored dream. Either I need to have a better grasp on the World News, Or, these two Presidential Hopefuls should learn some perspective in their decisions- those Athletes are also voters!
Be Safe,
Reach
posted by Reach | 8:52 PM
1 Comments:
Aren't the Olympics about athletes, not politics? Oh, I understand some of the reasoning behind statements such as these, but c'mon!
I really hate that everything in our lives must take on a political overtone. Well, I suppose I should take solace in the fact that little kids don't play "politics" as we used to play "army" or "cowboys and Indians" or "house." Oh, wait .... maybe they do! After all, there is something "politically incorrect" in everyone of those childhood games.
Sighhh. Our world is too complicated (or is it convoluted?) for my taste.
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