John Edwards: Why do we care?

Carrie, of Stop Screaming, I'm Driving! wrote this weekend about the revelation re: John Edwards' extra marital misdeeds. She poses the question, "Can a leader be excellent as a leader and horrible at his or her personal life?"

Well, history has shown us that yes they can. FDR died in his mistress' arms, a mistress with whom he maintained a relationship for years, all the while holding the United States and the Allied forces together through WWII. And there is of course, Thomas Jefferson and quite frankly the majority of the past presidents, (sad but true.)

In the same way, being a morally excellent person does not make you any more qualified to be a great president, look at John Adams and Jimmy Carter, both devout, faithful men, both unable to manage the political juggernaut of the American presidency.

As for John Edwards, I was sad to hear of his affair, especially for his family. However, I am curious why I need to know about it, and why all the hoopla now- he is no longer a senator, no longer a candidate for anything. He is simply a private citizen. While it certainly makes for salacious gossip, and we Americans love hearing when our celebrities and politicians stumble, it really means nothing to anyone but his family, it has no bearing on anything now. We can talk about "what could have happened..." but that is a waste of time ans serves nobody's interests except perhaps the media moguls hoping to make a little extra coin.

Ted Stevens of Alaska however IS a senator, and while he didn't have an affair (as far as we know) he has been indicted on seven counts for financial mis-allocation, specifically using campaign money to remodel his house and lying about it. Nobody is talking about this. There is no public outcry, no demand for his resignation

So apparently it's OK for a sitting senator to use public money and remodel his house with it, nobody has a problem with that. We don't mind if people lie about how they use money, we don't mind if they lie, cheat and steal, financially or politically, you know, things that actually have something to do with governance; we're good with that. Just don't lie, cheat or steal with your pants down; that will get you tied to a stake with a fire built at your feet.

Revelations, not surprising

Friday night, China opened up the Olympics with a ceremony so large, so breathtaking, so perfect, that the world stood amazed. We personally did not watch, in our own silent protest. We have however, seen clips and photos on the news and in the papers in the days since.

Most everyone who saw the show have reported they stood (or sat on their sofas) in awe, simply amazed at the sheer precision of the thousands of "volunteers" working in unison. Many have continued to discuss their astonishment at the 2,008 drummers, the breathtaking fireworks and finally, the angelic little girl who sang "ode to the motherland." Her voice, pure. Her face, cherubic.

And then today, revelations that not only were the fireworks faked, (oh yes, they were,) but the little angel who sang was in fact, not singing at all. She was miming, pulling a Milli Vanilli, if you will. Why? Because the real singer, she wasn't "flawless" enough.

Oh she was cute, just not cute "enough." Because whatever child sang had to give just the right impression of the great country. The country who does not allow free expression, does not allow religious freedom, the country who has been jailing anyone in their country who has spoken ill of the government while there.

The same country who is right now, jailing, torturing and sometimes killing Muslims (the Uighurs) in Western China, on the claim that they are terrorists with links to al Qaeda, although little evidence has been found to support China's claims and most human rights groups have long accused China of persecuting the Uighurs because of their ethnicity.

They may put on a spectacular show, they may have a nice water cube and bird's nest, but let us not forget what China is, a place where nobody questions authority, where every act is made to honor the great leader on punishment of exile or even death if one dares step out of line.

Sacre Bleu!

Dear French Men's Olympic swimming team....

You were saying?


Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Why we need more women in politics

If you have seen the news over the past five days, then you should be aware of the growing violence in Georgia, a country south of Russia, which was part of the former Soviet Union.

What is happening is this:
Georgia is an independent country, as is Russia.
Within Georgia is a province called South Ossetia. In 1992, South Ossetia declared independence and have been basically taking care of themselves since that time, however no other country recognizes them. Moscow does however support the separatist movement for independence in South Ossetia and has even granted passports to their citizens for years.

Why? Because the people in South Ossetia are ethnically Russian, kindred with Northern Ossetians who live on the other side of the border in Russia.

So what's the problem now? Well...big problems began with the election of the new Georgian president, who vowed to bring the separatists back into the fold. In response to his election, South Ossetians passed a referendum demanding their independence. The Georgian president is also a friend of President Bush and vowed Georgian troops to Iraq. He however did not have any troops. So we sent some of our own to train theirs, as well as M16s and fighter jets. Georgia, in return for arms and training, sent their newly trained troops, wearing US surplus uniforms, to Iraq to help the American cause.

Then in April, NATO said that Georgia would be allowed into the alliance.

Moscow was enraged by the NATO deal, who hates NATO and is against Eastward expansion in general.

So in response, Russia sent in troops and fighter jets to South Ossetia to "support the separatists and cool hot heads." Violence has thus continued to escalate until now it seems war is inevitable.

Georgian troops were sent into South Ossetia last week (for reasons inexplicable to me) but have since pulled back and the Georgian government has declared a cease fire in an attempt to stop the pervasive Russian bombing.

Russia has continued to bomb Georgia and refuses to acknowledge the cease fire, under the guise that they are stopping a Georgian-led genocide. Although Moscow contends Georgians have been slaughtering Ossetians in droves, their accounts are not consistent with those of the UN or the World Health Org.

And here's something VERY crucial, Georgia has within it's border a pipeline, an oil pipeline to be precise, one that runs to mid-east Asia and the only one that is not under Russian control.

So what does this mean? It could mean very little, or it could mean we are all headed for trouble.

If Russia continues to bomb and escalate the violence, NATO allied forces have said they will have to intervene. Saturday night, Vice President Cheney said the Russian aggression "must not go unanswered."

Georgia is America's ally. If America would come to Georgia's aid, most likely Russia would then call in old Cold War friends. Also likely, Iran and possibly North Korea could join Russia, a reality nobody wants to see.

And what is the point, really? A bunch of saber rattling, bombing and more bombing. Answering violence with more violence.

Are there no women in the room telling these men to unclench and sit down for a minute? It's obvious the chests are being thumped a bit too much and little thought is being made.

I'm not saying that men don't think, please do not misinterpret. What I am saying is that sometimes a different perspective is necessary. "This aggression must not go unanswered...?!?" What? How will that solve ANYTHING?!?! Sure it will solve the immediate problem, but what is the long-term effect?

Sometimes there is another answer available and sometimes everyone needs to sit down and shut up.

Let us all take a moment and study Thomas Aquinas and just war theory again, shall we?

It's obvious this is a power grab, it's obvious this is about ego. It's frightening that the ego and want of power of a few men can alter the course of history. It is shocking that we continue time and time again to repeat the same patterns regardless of the information and warnings we have at the ready.

A Conversation, observed

E: "Dada!"
Bryan: "Yeah, punkin?"
E: "Dee da, gerrba blahboo dah!!!!"
Bryan: "Really?"
E: "Yeah!"
Bryan: "Oh"

E: "Dada?"
Bryan: "Yes, punkin?"
E: "Ggrrrr, EEEyaaa draaddda grrrbbllaabaa deeedaaa yaayaa bah!"
Bryan: "Is that so?"
E: Nodding with emphasis, "Yeah!"

E: "bahbo bahbo bahbo bahbo bah!"
Bryan: "What else?"
E: (giggling) "Hi!"
Bryan: "Hi"
E: "Errrbedee brabedeee eeya ya ya ohhhhhhh"
B: "Oh."

Land of the Free?

The Olympics have been a bit of a strange topic in the Scott house this year. Usually in love with the games, we have both felt a bit torn about supporting them due to their location. On one side of the issue, we feel we should support the athletes as they have nothing to do with the politics. On the other side, there's the politics: who wants to give support to the Chinese overlords? We certainly do not.

And so we decided to abstain from watching the opening ceremonies, usually a favorite for us. We would watch the athletics, but fewer than usual.

And so tonight, we tuned in to watch Michael Phelps not only win his first gold medal of the games, but also break a world record. It was exciting, it was heartwarming, it was Olympic magic.

That is until we watched the medal ceremony. He stepped up, they announced the National anthem. The piped in music began to play, incorrectly. Not only was the anthem WRONG, (playing the instrumental version of "and the twilight's last gleaming," three times in a row without moving on) the song finally progressed and when the apex of the song was about to be reached, the part where the lyrics read "and the land of the free!" The part when everyone screams and whistles and shouts for joy, well the song stopped. Silence. No More. They just cut it off, right at "and the land of the..." Nada.

They didn't start it up again, they didn't hit rewind. That was it. Medal ceremony over. Get off the stage, Americans.

I'd like to point out that President Bush was there, in the stands, waving a flag. As was the former President Bush. Now as most of you know, I am not a big fan of our current sitting president. However, he is the president and must be treated with a certain amount of respect. I find it pretty audacious to disrespect the president and our country on such a grand scale. I find it not at all coincidental that not only was our National anthem played incorrectly when the PRESIDENT was there, but that they cut if off at the line "land of the free." Some may think it was a mere accident, but I think not, and here's why.

Just yesterday, President Bush gave his regular Saturday morning radio address regarding human rights in China. His speech included a strong admonition on Chinese freedom. His words were not well received by the Chinese government (which is true for all dissenting opinion, which is the point of his address.) And thus, they were greatly offended by him.

Tit for tat, they botch our National anthem, they cut it off at the line that refers to our nation as the "land of the free." They do this at the opening medal ceremony where an American wins, the one most everyone will watch because it's Michael Phelps, America's hero; the ceremony President Bush is attending. It's embarrassing, it's offensive. It gets the point across.

I am certain our national anthem will be played correctly for the remainder of the games, however. No more "mistakes" will most likely be made. This wasn't a technical difficulty, this was a political statement, and it was very, very clear.

Ahh the Olympics, so nice that we can join together as nations, united in one common goal.

Trouble

Yes Sir, I said Trouble.

Right here in River City.

We have Trouble and that rhymes with Double, and by double, we mean ear. Ear infections, that is.

We have a poor little tot and she has a bad infection. Both ears are full of the gross contamination.

She has a nose dripping goo and a raspy little chest. When it comes to getting sick, she aims to be the best.

She's on amoxicillin for the 5th time this season, the same darn infection has been every time the reason.

So if I look a bit fatigued and my eyes a little wild, you know to blame my genetically cursed child.

In case you missed it...

Steven Curtis and Mary Beth Chapman were on Good Morning America Wednesday to discuss the tragic loss of their little daughter who died in May after their teenage son accidentally hit her with his car.

While facing horrible tragedy, their family remains steadfast, united in love and hope. They are a remarkable family.

Click here to watch the clip, however prepare yourself, it's very sad.

It's been a while....

So enjoy this picture...

Here's what we've been up to:

My ankle, which we thought was only sprained (after all the jumping with joy), is in fact fractured. I have been walking around in a boot with no crutches or cane, driving to and from Wenatchee and generally going on as if nothing is the matter, other than the large, cumbersome boot and the shooting, stabbing pain that would shoot up my foot. I assumed said shooting would eventually subside, since I am after all, not unaccustomed to pain.

Turns out, I have a hairline fracture of the medial malleolus and all the walking in the boot, without the crutches or cane has been causing more damage. Silly me.

Of course, I can't use crutches, what with the bad arm, so now I have a cane. A super duper, snazzy green (you know, for the environment) cane with a spongy rubber handle. It's really sexy, too.

In other news, Mamaw has been visiting all week. For those of you playing the home game, Mamaw is Bryan's grandmother, his father's mother, she lives in Florida. Meemaw is my grandmother, my father's mother, she lives in Arkansas.
Mamaw, pronounced maaa-mawww, is widowed.
Meemaw, pronounced meee-mawww, is also widowed, but recently married her former brother in-law at the local court house without telling anyone until it was done and is (I am told) as giddy as a school girl.

Both are charming, lovely Southern ladies, I can see why you are confused.

Pictures to be posted of the visit soon. She will depart tomorrow morning and then Bryan departs for LA on Sunday. I cannot tell you how happy I am about that development.

I have meetings next week for school, not to mention physical therapy and doctor's appointments. Evie will get to try out day care a little earlier than planned. It's a good thing we were already paying.

okkaaay.....

In case you didn't know, Evie likes the phone, nay, LOVES the phone. Her favorite activity is to walk around the house with her "cell" phone on her shoulder, and "talk." If we are on the phone, she cries reaching for it. We don't give the phone to her, and thus nine times out of ten, my phone conversation is interrupted by me apologizing to the party on the other side, while whisking the screaming tot to her pack n' play or her room while she screams and flails in protest at my obviously evil parenting methods by denying her access to the telephone.

Today, her "cell" phone went missing. When I say her cell phone, I mean an actual cell phone that once belonged to my mother. We had it sitting in a drawer for an unknown reason, and when Evie started taking interest in EVERY. SINGLE. THING. we were using, I pulled that old phone from the drawer, removed the SIM card and battery and gave it to her. She has been absolutely thrilled ever since.

But, as I said, her phone went missing today. I suspect it is in the couch or in the toy box. But I have yet to go digging.

Apparently, she had some calls to make, and no time to wait for me to look around. She reached for the real cordless phone on the table, we told her no. She reached for the TV remote, we told her no.

And thus, she compromised. She pulled the ribbon barrette from her hair and setting it to her ear, began a conversation. She is now pacing through the house in a circle, around the stairs, talking. I'm not sure who the conversation is with, but it is VERY serious, and at times, very heated. There has even been some pointing and gesturing.

The hair barrette phone has never left her ear.

Whatever works, I suppose.