Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad recently was asked to speak at Columbia University. I thought it was an interesting approach. Have the leader of a nation our Government accuses daily of trying to produce nuclear weapons and supplying terrorists with weapons to come to the U.S. I thought it would be interesting to question him in an open discussion. I was not however, impressed with how Columbia University’s President introduced him. President Lee Bollinger called Ahmadinejad a “petty and cruel dictator.” He continued on with comments made by Ahmadinejad about the Holocaust. Calling him “either brazenly provocative or astonishingly uneducated.” I started thinking. You asked this man to come to your University to speak. Sure go ahead and ask him tough questions. But why would you, even before he steps up to the podium, rip into this man and make him feel unwelcome. How does that reflect on the American population. I’m sure it effected his view on the U.S. I think the whole experience was ruined from that introduction. I don’t agree with the way Ahmadinejad operates his country or his comments made towards the Holocaust, and the U.S., but I thought it was bad form on Mr. Bollinger to lay into him like he did.
I recently started reading a new book. Its called “The Secret History of the American Empire: Economic Hit Men, Jackals, and the truth about Global Corruption”. Its written by John Perkins. Its a book about how big corporations make their millions of dollars at the expense of people working in sweatshops. I’m only in the early stages of the book, but from what this guy explains is shocking. His old job, as and Economic Hit Man, is a ruthless and relentless job of making Corporations rich. He comes to grips with what he is involved with, quits doing what he does, and as years pass by decides to tell his story to the world. He has another book that precedes this one called “Confessions of an Economic Hit Man.” I suggest that anyone that has ever bought a pair of shoes made by Nike, jeans by Gap, and other big company’s with products made in Indonesia read what this man has to say. It will blow you’re mind away.
A new month means new beginning’s. I will attempt for the umpteenth time to quit smoking heaters. I went 3 months during the summer, but after my last race that went to hell. I also plan on getting a new car within the month. I really want a new Civic, and will officially start my hunt tomorrow. I heard Breckenridge has been getting snow already and can’t wait to get back out to Summit County. Well, time to get back to that book. TTFN
daily quote – “Don’t become a Buddhist. The world doesn’t need more Buddhists. Do practice compassion. The world needs more compassion.” The Dalai Lama
:With cycling season winding down the daily bike term will take a little hibernation until next spring:
