Wrong Language

Six Muslim leaders were forced off a plane because they were praying in Arabic. How dare they?

For the uninformed, Muslims are required to pray five times every day. And the prayers must be recited in Arabic, no matter what the native language.

When my grandmother was a girl her family spoke almost exclusively in German. Until World War I when speaking German became suspect. She reverted to speaking Englsh and completely lost her German.

Will we learn from history, or will we repeat it? Why is speaking Arabic becoming anathema?

Like Vietnam

The southeast Asian country which was once considered to be a chaotic hotbed of subversive communist activity is now becoming a political and economic success story. Vietnam now stands for more than just a failed war.

More amazingly, The Decider believes the U.S. can take credit for the success of Vietnam. Has he forgotten 1975? I guess he was too drunk back then to pay attention.

Vietnam succeeded after foreign powers left. And that's what has to happen in Iraq. The process may not be pretty, but it will be better than continuing to treat the country as one large battlefield.

I don't think the United States of America would have gotten off the ground, either, if the French--who actually won the Revolutionary War--had stayed and dictated the running of the new country. Even after the French left it took the fledgling country another 11 years to write a workable constitution.

Yes, George, we should cut and run. For the sake of eventual stability in Iraq.

A Woman's Place

When I was in high school, my favorite t-shirt said, "A woman's place is in the House. . .and the Senate." I was a young woman who was going places--I am woman, watch me roar--and no one could stop me. And I was definitely not going to let myself be tied down by a husband and children. Not me.

Thirty years, a twenty-fifth wedding anniversary, and six children later, my views have changed somewhat. I still refuse to believe I am inferior because of my gender. But I'm practical enough to realize that no one, man or woman, can do it all. When I was twenty-five I chose a family and I'm glad I did.

My views about women have changed too. Before, I applauded every achievement made by any woman. Now I am more discerning. I judge every woman by her character and not just her gender.

And today the amazing actually happened. A woman was chosen as the new Speaker of the House. Third in line to the presidency. Not quite there yet, but getting closer than ever.

I'm not sure how I feel about Nancy Pelosi's rise to power. I admire the way she raised five children and still excelled in her political career--I know that's no small feat. And it does feel satisfying to think about the strides women have made.

But I have often disagreed with Congresswoman Pelosi. Not because she's a Democrat or a woman, but on an individual level. I hope she's the right woman for the job, but I'm not celebrating yet. As with any other politician, I want her to show me that she has the right agenda which will benefit the whole of American society.

I am woman. I have never felt I needed to apologize for that. But I can't expect my gender alone to open doors--just as my gender should not have closed doors on mine and previous generations. I must prove myself. We all must prove ourselves. That is the real test.

It's only a massacre if the wrong people die

I came back to the internet to read disturbing stories about Gaza and Iraq. Civilians murdered. In at least one case an entire family cut down.

But it doesn't matter, does it? The dead children won't grow up to be terrorists. The dead mother won't give birth to more "Islamists." (Whatever that is.) The dead father won't take up arms.

When Americans are killed, it is tragic. The same goes for Israelis and, to lesser degrees, to other Westerners.

But when mothers, fathers, and children are cut down in places like Gaza and Iraq it is necessary. War is hell. Someone's going to get hurt. That will teach them.

How long can a civilized nation accept and embrace such blatant lies?

Show me state of mind

Last Tuesday night I was watching the election results, cautiously hoping for a change in Congress. It happened. Now what?

The voters clearly called for an end to the status quo, starting with Iraq. But is that what the newly elected leaders heard?

Words are flying now about gradual withdrawals and ultimate goals. Words mean little. We will have to see what they do next year.

I have been voting since 1976. At first I experienced the euphoria of casting my ballot to bring about change. That didn't last long. After that I voted because I hoped it would possibly make a difference. I still hope for that.

I must admit I didn't vote last Tuesday, but it wasn't intentional. I can no longer vote in St. Louis--though it's my hometown--and we weren't able to get back to Wisconsin in time. I did encourage my nieces to vote and they both made me proud.

Do our votes matter? I still hope so, though I'm not very hopeful. Will the new elections bring about policy changes or only cosmetic ones? I won't hold my breath.

As we say in St. Louis, "I'm from Missouri. Show me."

The Usual Mayhem

I don't recall any outstanding news stories from today. Let's see. . .

A bomb exploded in Iraq. People died. (Does anyone remember hearing of daily explosions there before the U.S. invasion?)

There were murders. Different names, different cities, different motives. I wonder exactly how homicides today. Do those left behind care that their loved one is just a flash on the news and a statistic?

There were thefts. Money, jewelry, cars, electronics. Theft means more to me now that I've been a victim.

There was fighting and conflict in homes and on streets. Someone has to be the winner.

Right now, I imagine, a drunk driver is weaving down the street. A child is cowering, at the mercy of a cruel parent. A marriage is breaking. How many are crying?

But nothing noteworthy happened today. Just life as usual.

Without the net

I just came back from St. Louis, where I had a very nice visit with my mother.

She doesn't have internet. She's quite computer literate, but doesn't believe in wasting time surfing.

She's right. We had more time for other things without the distraction of instantaneous global communication.

But I've spent much of today catching up with my addiction. Only 390 unread emails to go.