Every time I turn on the news now it seems that there is another story about the Olympics and protests along the Olympic torch run. Protests along the torch's path have occurred in several countries. With the latest turmoil in Tibet the human rights violations in China have come to the forefront. Now, more and more people are calling for a boycott of the Olympics being held in Beijing this summer.
I can understand both sides of the argument. Those who want to boycott the games cite China human rights violations in Tibet, sell of weapons in Sudan, buying oil from Sudan and backing of oppressive military forces in Burma. A boycott would send a strong message to China. But would it really work in the long run to force China to change? Probably not. We would be embarrassing a nation of a billion people and shame would not likely force the government to change. Plus we would be punishing our own athletes who have been working their whole lives to get to this point. Perhaps the American administration has taken the right stance by trying to use diplomacy to settle this issue.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/131751
http://www.newsweek.com/id/131761
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Politics
I will be the first to admit that I am not a big fan of politics. I find the democratic system of government interesting but I am not fond of the political parties and elections coming up. The arguing, name calling and meaningless banter drives me crazy. And now election season is back. Except this time it feels like it has been going on for months and the end is still months away.
For the first time it seems like the primaries in my state will actually matter. Every before this one the primaries in NC are so late in the year that the candidate is usually decided and the candidates don’t really spend a lot of time here campaigning. Bu this year things are different. The television and radio adds are everywhere, especially the Obama adds. I kind of like the feeling that my state actually matters in this years primaries. It is too bad that I don’t really like any of the candidates though. It just seems like the candidates are the same every time even though they promise change. Of course I will still vote in this years election, but I can’t help but feel like nothing is really going to change no matter who wins.
For the first time it seems like the primaries in my state will actually matter. Every before this one the primaries in NC are so late in the year that the candidate is usually decided and the candidates don’t really spend a lot of time here campaigning. Bu this year things are different. The television and radio adds are everywhere, especially the Obama adds. I kind of like the feeling that my state actually matters in this years primaries. It is too bad that I don’t really like any of the candidates though. It just seems like the candidates are the same every time even though they promise change. Of course I will still vote in this years election, but I can’t help but feel like nothing is really going to change no matter who wins.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
The DMV
I have now turned 25 years old. And lucky me, my license expired this year on my birthday. I knew it was going to expire yet I kept putting it off until the last minute. And so, there I was on my birthday sitting in the DMV. I was eighth in line and only one officer was working. And I had class in 90 minutes. But luck was with me and the line moved quickly, that is until the girl two spots in front of me stepped up. She clearly did not want to be there and already had an attitude. When she got up there the officer asked what she was applying for and the girl told her. When the officer told her what documents the girl needed the girl literally started yelling at her in front of everyone. This continued for about five minutes before the girl finally turned around and stomped her way out the door.
Story over right? Not quite. I finally get up to the desk and start the process of renewing my license when the girl and her mother come back. As I am sitting there in the chair doing the vision test (and realizing I need new glasses) the mother starts screaming at the officer while looming over me from behind. I am literally have to slide down in the seat so the woman is not leaning on me. By this time another officer has arrived and he is staring at the girl and the mother with no clue about what is going on. I wanted to be anywhere but there. Finally the mother gets angry and leaves, slamming the door and waking the baby of a woman waiting in line. Teh baby starts wailing. By that point I am flying through the traffic signs test and trying my best to get out of there. Finally I get my license and practically run out of the office.
Just think, in five years I get to repeat this lovely experience. Or maybe this was karma coming back on for when I worked in the License plate DMV for five years.
Story over right? Not quite. I finally get up to the desk and start the process of renewing my license when the girl and her mother come back. As I am sitting there in the chair doing the vision test (and realizing I need new glasses) the mother starts screaming at the officer while looming over me from behind. I am literally have to slide down in the seat so the woman is not leaning on me. By this time another officer has arrived and he is staring at the girl and the mother with no clue about what is going on. I wanted to be anywhere but there. Finally the mother gets angry and leaves, slamming the door and waking the baby of a woman waiting in line. Teh baby starts wailing. By that point I am flying through the traffic signs test and trying my best to get out of there. Finally I get my license and practically run out of the office.
Just think, in five years I get to repeat this lovely experience. Or maybe this was karma coming back on for when I worked in the License plate DMV for five years.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Reflections on the NBC Part 3- The Random
This post will cover some of my random reflections about the covenant celebration.
First, I loved the hats. I have rarely seen so many colorful, feather-covered, sparkly, or awe inspiring hats like I did at this event. I go to a predominately white, middle class church and we do not typically (ever) wear hats. and I was not the only one among my group that was amazed by the hats that I saw as I walked around observing people. I found myself staring at the hats on several occasions.
Another thought I had was that I wished there had been more diversity present at the event. And I don't mean just race, but also more diversity in areas like class and age. For there to be real change all groups need to be involved, not just white middle-aged men and women.
I know I already mentioned this in a previous post but the walk to get to the plenary session was way too long. It wasn't bad for me but for some of the older participants is was not an easy walk to have to make several times over the three days. But at least the building had enough women's bathrooms.
I'm still not sure how I feel about Bill Clinton having been a speaker. While he was talking I was intrigued by what he said, but later I was thinking about his presence at the convention and the interest wore off. No matter what his politics are or what mine are, I don't approve of the man and what he has done. He is a man that has cheated on his wife numerous times and yet there he was speaking at a Baptist event. I know that it has been many years since the scandals during his time in office but it still made me uncomfortable that he was there speaking.
I enjoyed my excursion to Atlanta and am glad I went. I hope that good things will happen now that the initial celebration is over. I know it will be a struggle, but there is hope.
First, I loved the hats. I have rarely seen so many colorful, feather-covered, sparkly, or awe inspiring hats like I did at this event. I go to a predominately white, middle class church and we do not typically (ever) wear hats. and I was not the only one among my group that was amazed by the hats that I saw as I walked around observing people. I found myself staring at the hats on several occasions.
Another thought I had was that I wished there had been more diversity present at the event. And I don't mean just race, but also more diversity in areas like class and age. For there to be real change all groups need to be involved, not just white middle-aged men and women.
I know I already mentioned this in a previous post but the walk to get to the plenary session was way too long. It wasn't bad for me but for some of the older participants is was not an easy walk to have to make several times over the three days. But at least the building had enough women's bathrooms.
I'm still not sure how I feel about Bill Clinton having been a speaker. While he was talking I was intrigued by what he said, but later I was thinking about his presence at the convention and the interest wore off. No matter what his politics are or what mine are, I don't approve of the man and what he has done. He is a man that has cheated on his wife numerous times and yet there he was speaking at a Baptist event. I know that it has been many years since the scandals during his time in office but it still made me uncomfortable that he was there speaking.
I enjoyed my excursion to Atlanta and am glad I went. I hope that good things will happen now that the initial celebration is over. I know it will be a struggle, but there is hope.
Reflections on the NBC Part 2- The Bad (or not so good)
In my previous post I covered the good parts, or at least the parts of the covenant celebration that I liked. But on the other side there were parts that I did not like as much or that did not seem to work as well with the event as a whole.
One part of the covenant that I was disappointed in was the sermon by the only female pastor that preached during the plenary sessions. Julie Pennington-Russell's sermon was bad, but it was not very engaging and the message of the sermon did not come through as strongly as it needed to. And the speakers on Friday morning were also not very engaging and the morning session seemed to drag on much longer than two and half hours. Maybe it was due in part to last minute change it speakers or maybe a lack of interest in the topics on my part. I don't know. But the Friday morning session was by far my least favorite.
I was also not impressed with the music in general. Some of the choirs that performed were very good, and the violin player was especially enjoyable. But when the songs were chosen for everyone to sing the songs that chosen often did not fit with the mood of the event and stifled an upbeat mood. I think the music program could have used a little more careful planning because it hindered as opposed to lifting the mood of the sessions.
My last suggestion about the covenant would be a change in location. While the building was more than adequate in size, it was almost too big and the long distance required to walk to each session was hard on some participants. Perhaps a location where less walking would be required might be better for future events.
One part of the covenant that I was disappointed in was the sermon by the only female pastor that preached during the plenary sessions. Julie Pennington-Russell's sermon was bad, but it was not very engaging and the message of the sermon did not come through as strongly as it needed to. And the speakers on Friday morning were also not very engaging and the morning session seemed to drag on much longer than two and half hours. Maybe it was due in part to last minute change it speakers or maybe a lack of interest in the topics on my part. I don't know. But the Friday morning session was by far my least favorite.
I was also not impressed with the music in general. Some of the choirs that performed were very good, and the violin player was especially enjoyable. But when the songs were chosen for everyone to sing the songs that chosen often did not fit with the mood of the event and stifled an upbeat mood. I think the music program could have used a little more careful planning because it hindered as opposed to lifting the mood of the sessions.
My last suggestion about the covenant would be a change in location. While the building was more than adequate in size, it was almost too big and the long distance required to walk to each session was hard on some participants. Perhaps a location where less walking would be required might be better for future events.
Refelctions on NBC, part 1- The Good
Before attending the New Baptist Covenant in Atlanta back in January I wasn't sure to expect from the experience. I went to the website and looked around and got some idea of what was going to ossur but I still wasn't sure what to really expect. I was excited about some of the speakers, especially John Grisham. Others, I was not as excited to see. But I thought that going into the event that my lack of expectations was not neccessarily a bad thing because I was more open to what was going to occur.
My repsonse to the covenant were mixed. I enjoyed many of the speakers at the event, especially John Grisham and Tony Campolo. Both speakers were easy to relate to and enjoyable to hear, especially with Campolo's humor. I also enjoyed the special interest sessions that I attended on Thursday. The messages about reaching out to the impoverished in our society really seemed to strike a cord with the audience, and with me.
The overall unity theme of the celebration was convyed through the sermons, sessions, and messages. In that respect the purpose of the celebration to promote unity was expressed in a convincing manner. And the celebration appeared to have been well organized and planned out. In many ways I think the event was a success in that in was a goood start to for the future of Baptists. If more Baptists can work and agree to unify in shared goals great things can happen.
My repsonse to the covenant were mixed. I enjoyed many of the speakers at the event, especially John Grisham and Tony Campolo. Both speakers were easy to relate to and enjoyable to hear, especially with Campolo's humor. I also enjoyed the special interest sessions that I attended on Thursday. The messages about reaching out to the impoverished in our society really seemed to strike a cord with the audience, and with me.
The overall unity theme of the celebration was convyed through the sermons, sessions, and messages. In that respect the purpose of the celebration to promote unity was expressed in a convincing manner. And the celebration appeared to have been well organized and planned out. In many ways I think the event was a success in that in was a goood start to for the future of Baptists. If more Baptists can work and agree to unify in shared goals great things can happen.
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