2004 Republican National Convention

As the Republicans gather in New York for their convention, they will try and put on a kinder and gentler face. They will try to pedal a liberal side, as if they ever had one, all the while their conservative agenda will come shining thro. The party is ruled by the religious conservatives who's belief is it's their way or the hwy. They want America to feel better about the direction of the country, about the direction the religious right thinks the USA should be headed. The agenda should be about our liberties at home not abroad and using the tools to make life better for the common man not the 5 percent who are rich or the religious right who preach hell fire and dam nation. The Republicans nor the Democrats as each stand alone is the correct choice rather a blend of the two would be much better, but that will not happen in the November 2004 election.

2004 Athens Olympics

A little over 1600 years ago, the first Olympics took place about 200 miles from Athens. The prize athletes vied for was not gold or all the endorsements that it would bring, rather a simple crown of olive branches. The athletes came to compete and show their skills. The contest transcended all their problems, political, religion or anything else of the time. There were no electronic score boards, million dollar sponsors, beer stands or hot dogs. It now seems to be all about million dollar sponsors, empty seats, and drug cheats, not about the shining moment of the athletes. When the games close I will not remember any of the winners of gold. I will only remember the Torch, its simplicity, ever lasting, never judging, or taking sides. The Torch opens and closes the games as it should. If only the world could be like the torch, never taking sides or putting one group of people against another, this world would be a happy place.