The US boycotted Moscow 1980 (due to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan for those of you too young to remember), and the Soviet Union boycotted Los Angeles 1984 to return the favor.
This year, I'm conducting my own personal boycott of Beijing 2008, because I simply don't give a damn about it.
OK, its more than that. I'm more than disinterested - I'm overtly hostile to the whole idea of athletics as an expression of nationalism. Personally, I don't care if the US, China or Zimbabwe win gold medal for creative and artistic tumbling, lifting heavy objects or water sports. And as a member of an increasingly obese society, I'd prefer that people engaged in athletic pursuits as a personal activity rather as passive observers.
Then, there's the whole matter of commercialism. How much is this all costing? How much is being spent on telecommunications, merchandise, advertising, sponsorships, etc, etc? Couldn't we find a better way to spend our money that one more form of entertainment?
Friday, August 15, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Cynical Politics or Senility
We've lately witnessed a barrage of increasingly strident and grossly deceptive statements and political advertisements emanating from the McCain Campaign. In these he's attempted to label his opponent in a variety of unflattering ways. Today, he's trying to equate Obama, (a law school lecturer, Illinois state senator, and now US Senator) with Paris Hilton and Brittany Spears.
This from the so-called Straight Talk Express.
Its rather pathetic to see Mr McCain degrade himself in this manner. Faced with the death of his candidacy last year, McCain evidently sold his sole to Karl Rove and been resurrected as the second coming of George Bush.
Don't be deceived. John McCain is offering us another 4 years of George Bush. He's embraced Bush's philosophy of government and policies. He's adopted Bush's campaign funders, advisers and strategies. No amount of dirt and deception can disguise that fact.
This from the so-called Straight Talk Express.
Its rather pathetic to see Mr McCain degrade himself in this manner. Faced with the death of his candidacy last year, McCain evidently sold his sole to Karl Rove and been resurrected as the second coming of George Bush.
Don't be deceived. John McCain is offering us another 4 years of George Bush. He's embraced Bush's philosophy of government and policies. He's adopted Bush's campaign funders, advisers and strategies. No amount of dirt and deception can disguise that fact.
Conservation works
Over the past couple of weeks, oil prices have fallen more than $20 from record highs. Now, I know that some might attribute this to prayer for at the pumps, but a more parsimonious explanation can be found in the fact that Americans have dramatically cut back on driving. Billions of miles less driving.
The lesson is that Conservation Works, because supply and demand works. The less obvious conclusion is that if we want affordable energy, we should use it wisely. Conservation is more than a personal virtue. Conserving energy - by driving less, parking the SUV or turning down the thermostat - is one way we can advance our personal interests and a common interest at the same time.
So, even if gasoline prices continue to fall, keep doing what you're doing America!
The lesson is that Conservation Works, because supply and demand works. The less obvious conclusion is that if we want affordable energy, we should use it wisely. Conservation is more than a personal virtue. Conserving energy - by driving less, parking the SUV or turning down the thermostat - is one way we can advance our personal interests and a common interest at the same time.
So, even if gasoline prices continue to fall, keep doing what you're doing America!
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