Jasper Journal

Day two of the world cup. So far: three games; four goals total; no victories by anyone. Could anything be more boring!
I tried , I really did. I watched about an hour of the US-England game. I do not understand the passion for a game that has so little scoring. Endless forays back and forth with no results. This makes golf look exciting. At least in golf eighteen times, something happens.
So for those of you contemplating watching, do so at your own peril. And as a public service, I will present the best thing so far from this world cup: The official world cup video, This time for Africa, performed by Shakira. Now that is something to really get excited about! Enjoy.

Ever since I saw the movie Zulu as a teenager, I wanted to visit South Africa .  The sweeping panoramas of the veld, the mystique of the Zulu warrior, the heroism of the colonial British garrison , feedback from friends who  went , all added to my desire to visit.  I have changed my mind. Stories coming out of South Africa in the last several years have not been good. Crime is out of control and the government seems unable to do anything about it. The economy is in a downward spiral and racial and economic tensions are increasing. Now with FIFA awarding the world Cup to South Africa. all its blemishes are on display.

Although official play hasn’t started yet, there was a riot at one of the practice games. Visitors are being told what to do in case their cars are hijacked, and fans are being encouraged to wait till they get to their hotels to get drunk after games ( an impossible order for the England fans).

I feel sorry for the South African government. While they must have been overjoyed at the chance to host this epic event, ticket sales are off, and  they are on the hot seat to ensure a safe, incident free tournament. That is a very tall order in a country that is beset with numerous problems. I understand that FIFA really wanted to have a tournament on the African continent, but I think the timing here was off and a bad tournament will do more harm than good.  I hope I’m wrong.

Arrived back in Colorado yesterday after a wonderful  family cruisevacation to Alaska.  It was my first time to our 49th state and I was awed by its beauty, grandeur and independent minded people.  They are pretty self reliant there and proud of it.  I listened to a talk given by Libby Riddle the first woman to win the Iditarod. Eighteen days of dogsledding from Anchorage to Nome in blizzard-like conditions. Made me feel like a real slouch! We stopped in  Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Anchorage and sailed through  Glacier bay.  If you have the chance, go; It will restore your faith in all things beautiful.

Now that I’m back I see that the oil spill is still not fixed, but the president  and his administration are still on top of it , as they have claimed to be from day one.  The only good news is that the press is gradually starting to wonder if this guy has the leadership abilities he claimed to have.  Maureen Dowd is mocking him, as is Bill Maher, and even democrat pundits such as Kirsten Powers are puzzled by his recent actions such as vacationing  in Chicago during the memorial day remembrance service at Arlington. He is also being buffeted by his hamhanded account  of the obvious bribe offer in  the Pennsylvania senate race.The situation in the middle east and asia could not be worse and the economy is not getting better. So where is the smartest president we ever had?

While I was away my friend Bob sent me this bit, a takeoff from the old Dragnet series. Joe Friday really says it all. .