Susan Estrich is one of my favorite, liberal writers (and I'm not a liberal). This article, though, expresses what I have been trying to say about these Olympic Games. Please take a few seconds to read and consider the article. Leave some comments, as well.
http://www.creators.com/opinion/susan-estrich.html?columnsName=ses
Friday, August 15, 2008
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
He Looks Different Today
I am watching Senator John McCain's press conference on the Georgia-Russia conflict. He looks different today.
The John McCain I have seen in the past months has disappointed me. His seeming lack of message has opened up my already damaged Republican Party to even more attack by the eloquent but ghastly unprepared and ineffective Democratic leadership. I admit that I was disappointed that John McCain was the nominee for the Republican Party. But he looks different today.
The backdrop for his conference is a blue curtain, with the American flag, golden tassles included, on his left and the Executive Seal of the United States, arrows and olive branches displayed, on his right. His suit is plain black, with a solid blue shirt and striped tye. His jaw is tense, his eyebrows are furrowed, his face is solemn, but his eyes have a new focus. He looks different today.
His opening statement was strong, straight-forward, direct. There is no question where he stands. He is clearly supporting Georgia as a democratically elected government. He says that we must act in the best interest of America and of democracy around the world. Maybe John McCain is a real Republican. He is speaking of long-term consequences for Russia's actions. He looks like a President. He looks different today.
I can hear two messages from the Senator during this conference. He is most concerned for democracy. He is expressing empathy for the human cost of the conflict. He will work to protect democracy. His second point is the rejection of politics within the situation. When asked repeatedly about Senator Obama's response to McCain's strong, initial statement, Mr. McCain dismisses all political talk for the sake of those involved in the conflict. He is quick to remain on message. He looks different today.
John McCain is moving quickly between reporters, answering questions quickly and succinctly. The graphic on his "McCain-sized podium" says very eloquently: "Country First."
I like John McCain. I have seen for the first time today his possibility, his potential. It's there. Today he looked not as if he was moving without purpose from event to event. Today he looked like he wanted it, bad. Today he looked like a leader of the American people, the American military, the American cause.
He looked different today. He looked like the President of the United States.
The John McCain I have seen in the past months has disappointed me. His seeming lack of message has opened up my already damaged Republican Party to even more attack by the eloquent but ghastly unprepared and ineffective Democratic leadership. I admit that I was disappointed that John McCain was the nominee for the Republican Party. But he looks different today.
The backdrop for his conference is a blue curtain, with the American flag, golden tassles included, on his left and the Executive Seal of the United States, arrows and olive branches displayed, on his right. His suit is plain black, with a solid blue shirt and striped tye. His jaw is tense, his eyebrows are furrowed, his face is solemn, but his eyes have a new focus. He looks different today.
His opening statement was strong, straight-forward, direct. There is no question where he stands. He is clearly supporting Georgia as a democratically elected government. He says that we must act in the best interest of America and of democracy around the world. Maybe John McCain is a real Republican. He is speaking of long-term consequences for Russia's actions. He looks like a President. He looks different today.
I can hear two messages from the Senator during this conference. He is most concerned for democracy. He is expressing empathy for the human cost of the conflict. He will work to protect democracy. His second point is the rejection of politics within the situation. When asked repeatedly about Senator Obama's response to McCain's strong, initial statement, Mr. McCain dismisses all political talk for the sake of those involved in the conflict. He is quick to remain on message. He looks different today.
John McCain is moving quickly between reporters, answering questions quickly and succinctly. The graphic on his "McCain-sized podium" says very eloquently: "Country First."
I like John McCain. I have seen for the first time today his possibility, his potential. It's there. Today he looked not as if he was moving without purpose from event to event. Today he looked like he wanted it, bad. Today he looked like a leader of the American people, the American military, the American cause.
He looked different today. He looked like the President of the United States.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
The Olympics
On CNN just a few seconds ago, I watched video of two Christians being dragged out of Tiananmen Square in Beijing, which will host the summer Olympics beginning Friday. The Christians were doing some sort of protest, and plain-clothes officers grabbed them and removed them from the Square. They tried to use umbrellas to keep the media from taking photos and video of the event - they didn't work.
China has become fairly capitalistic in their major economic centers, allowing free trade and working to create a very large middle class. Make no mistake, though, their political system is still communism. The government has censored the Internet during the Olympics, taken water from the farmers to water their elaborate floral designs in Beijing, and continues to practice religious persecution like that caught by the media today.
China is so stringent that Christians are now commonly smuggling Bibles into the country, sometimes pages at a time.
This is a country that doesn't believe that free thought, expression, press, and assembly are principles on which to build a society. So here's a great idea - let's let that country host the most international event in the world, an event that is supposed to inspire, encourage and show what is best about humanity through sport. Let's let China host the Olympics. The International Olympic Committee should be ashamed of its choice. Beijing and China do not represent the qualities of the Olympics.
My heart and prayers go out to the people of China - they are the ones that truly suffer from a communistic system.
Let us hope that these Olympics are focused on the athletes who deserve this opportunity and not the dreadful choice of host city by the IOC. Let us choose to be inspired during the next weeks by the stories of courage, perseverance and triumph that come from our athletes. Let us celebrate them with all our energy and national pride.
And most importantly, let us remember that the Olympics should represent what unites us and the glories of the human experience. We'll all hope that the IOC remembers these values when they choose future host cities.
China has become fairly capitalistic in their major economic centers, allowing free trade and working to create a very large middle class. Make no mistake, though, their political system is still communism. The government has censored the Internet during the Olympics, taken water from the farmers to water their elaborate floral designs in Beijing, and continues to practice religious persecution like that caught by the media today.
China is so stringent that Christians are now commonly smuggling Bibles into the country, sometimes pages at a time.
This is a country that doesn't believe that free thought, expression, press, and assembly are principles on which to build a society. So here's a great idea - let's let that country host the most international event in the world, an event that is supposed to inspire, encourage and show what is best about humanity through sport. Let's let China host the Olympics. The International Olympic Committee should be ashamed of its choice. Beijing and China do not represent the qualities of the Olympics.
My heart and prayers go out to the people of China - they are the ones that truly suffer from a communistic system.
Let us hope that these Olympics are focused on the athletes who deserve this opportunity and not the dreadful choice of host city by the IOC. Let us choose to be inspired during the next weeks by the stories of courage, perseverance and triumph that come from our athletes. Let us celebrate them with all our energy and national pride.
And most importantly, let us remember that the Olympics should represent what unites us and the glories of the human experience. We'll all hope that the IOC remembers these values when they choose future host cities.
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