An interesting note was reported in Yahoo news titled Mexico apologizes for Miss USA jeers.
The article states,”A Mexican tourism official issued an apology for the jeers aimed at Miss USA in May during an international beauty contest in Mexico City.”
In addition, the story reminds us that “Rachel Smith, the U.S. entrant into the Miss Universe competition, was booed by some of the audience after she slipped and fell during an evening-gown competition. Her fall and the audience reaction briefly attracted international attention.”
The apology was given by “Gabriel Szekely, chief of staff for Mexico's tourism department,[who] wrote in a letter that he regretted the "unfortunate events" of the pageant.”
Moreover, Mr. Szekely offers,"We understand the concern of the people of the United States about the incorrect behavior of a small group that attended the event,”…. He adds, "We apologize for the inconvenience, and be sure that Miss Rachel Smith will always be welcome in Mexico." Well at least her greenbacks and bikini calendar.
I say Mexico you are not forgiven. First you treat this person, beauty pageant competitor or not, like persona nongratta then you think a simple apology many days after the fact will do as amends.
I remember very little sympathy and a lot of dancing on Miss USA’s grave by the local Hispanics here in stink water-el paso-texas.
Now to change the subject, there is also a story reinforcing the idea that the Bush military plan in Iraq is working. In a story titled Sunni fighters find benefits in alliance with U.S. and subtitled Groups coming forward to aid local policing efforts we read of the following facts.
"Finally, we decided to cooperate with American forces and kick al-Qaeda out and have our own country," said the tough-talking, confident 21-year-old, giving only his nom de guerre, Abu Lwat. Then he offered another motive: "In the future, we want to have someone in the government," he said, holding his cigarette with a hand missing one finger.
In addition, the following statements are made. “Across Iraq, a variety of Sunni insurgent groups, political parties and tribes are coming forward to help provide fighters for local policing efforts, with an estimated 5,000 having been rallied in Baghdad alone in recent months, according to Col. Rick Welch, head of reconciliation for the U.S. military command in the capital.”
Now, this article does offer a realistic perspective by noting "Some of the insurgent leaders may have a political agenda and want to run for office at some point," said Welch, who has helped negotiate with Sunni insurgent groups including the 1920 Revolution Brigades, the Army of Truth and the Islamic Army.”
Hence, I know that it is to early to start jumping up an down. In addition I know that a lot of the cooperation between Sunnis and Americans may be because of the Sunnis are protecting their piece of the petroleum pie. However, I will at least congratulate the Sunni people for being part of the solution not the problem.
Also, a quick note I read that American soldiers killed 32 and detained 12 bad guys. Yesterday I read that Ethiopia disrupted 500 troublemakers. I guess we are taking it to the enemy good.
In another story on Yahoo news it is reported that Secret to Overcoming Shyness Revealed ... Tentatively. This story is written by MelindaWenner of Special to LiveScience which appears to have been first posted on LiveScience.com on Wed Aug 8, 3:00 PM ET.
I consider the following quote as the principal statement. “People can overcome their shyness with preparation followed by slowly engaging themselves in new social situations, according to psychologists.”
There are two methods of approaching people’s hang-ups you can desensitize, which is a slow introduction to the aversive object. You can also just throw them in the water and hope they swim.
In this article the approach is “preparation”. This to me means a slow introduction to the anxiety-causing event until the person overcomes his or her phobia. Yes people have phobias of social events, especially when romantic implications are involved. In addition, forgive my unclear psychology. My brain is to tired to put things in their appropriate science lingo.
However, the point is a good one. If you cannot encounter opportunities for meeting the opposite sex in hopes of romance, you need to give your self time, take things slowly, and work at overcoming your anxiety.
I tell people not to focus on self-defeating self-dialogue like “I am to ugly to be loved” or “things never work out for me.
People who are constantly criticizing themselves negatively rarely pursue life.
In addition, as the article suggest if you take time and deal with things in a positive and healthy manner you can to come learn to meet people and find a mate.
The last story that caught my eye was on the congress opening its sessions with prayers from all faiths. In this article it goes on to label fundamentalist as cooks.
I firmly believe that the King James Bible is the only inspired word of God and that there is but one God. In addition, it does trouble me that elected representatives would choose to anger the religious sensitivities of the majority.
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