Happy Birthday, Valda!

Looking forward to introducing you to P.f. Chang's tomorrow!

We'll have to try one of those lettuce wraps . . .

No, seriously. We'll have to!

Watchman Nee

That's the Anglicized name of a Chinese man who was born Ni Tuo-sheng in 1903.

He made the change after being converted to Christianity by an English missionary.

And, apparently, he wrote a lot of books about his new-found religion.

A buddy of mine gave me a copy of the first chapter of one of those books, "The Normal Christian Church Life," as supplementary reading material as we plow thru the Book of Romans.

I can't say that I'm a big fan of his writing style. It took him an entire chapter to relate a concept that I'm pretty sure could be just as effective if condensed down to a single paragraph.

I think I'll just stick to reading what St. Paul had to say . . .

Opening Olympic Observations

I know, that's a lot of "O" words, but I imagine there were a lot of folks around the world saying "O!" tonight as they watched the opening ceremonies in Beijing's "bird nest" tonight.

The Chinese are really going the extra mile to put their best foot forward and impress the "community of nations."

I found it all more than a little intimidating.

Spectacular to be sure, but intimidating nonetheless.

Maybe, that's just part and parcel of a nation of 1.3 billion.

They call it "harmony." I call it "mindless collectivism."

The mass scale of it all reinforced that notion.

Now, I will admit there were some shining individual moments that weren't as intimidating as the thousands of drummers, acrobats, dancers, etc.

I mean, who could fail to be inspired by the little earthquake survivor who marched into the stadium beside Yao Ming? (Even if his little Chinese flag was upside down on its little flag pole.)

It was also kinda cool how the final torch bearer was raised to the perimeter of the bird's nest a la Broadway Peter Pan to light a cauldron that appeared out of nowhere at the last minute.

And, who can do fireworks better than the Chinese? I mean, they invented that, didn't they?

But, I was somewhat dismayed by one of the NBC commentators who is already suggesting the opening of the London games in 2012 is going to be a let-down compared to tonight's festivities.

Oh, well. I guess low expectations are easy to beat. And, I for one will be much more interested in the individualism the Brits are certain to display.

Until then: higher, faster, stronger . . . I think those are the official words, right?!

Huckabee comes to Orlando!!

I was proud to see Mike Huckabee came to town last night to address the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers at Disney's Yacht and Beach Club.

Might I add, he was the ONLY Republican candidate to accept the union's invitation?!

Again, he is showing himself to be unique in the GOP field for his willingness to reach out to a broad spectrum of Americans.

Unfortunately, the local press paid him less attention than he is due, because our favorite former first lady was also in town. Star-struck as they were, they just gushed about her canned speeches about how bad George Bush is and how much better we will be when she is our fearless leader, etc. And, of course, she ended up whining about her plight, being the "best known but least understood" candidate.

Boo hoo, Hillary. To quote your illustrious husband, "I feel your pain."

On the other hand, Mike Huckabee may be one of the lesser-known candidates, but he is the easiest to understand. He speaks about real issues that affect real people, and he speaks in a way that connects with them.

Case in point, look at the respect he gained from the union members last night when he spoke about our China trade policy. He accused the communists of manipulating the value of their currency to flood U.S. markets with their cheap, unregulated goods. He talked specifics. And, he made sense.

Too bad the other speaker was too busy whining about her celebrity and the evil Bush to make any real points of her own. And, too bad the media continues to allow her to get away with it.

I think I'm going to write a letter to the editor in protest . . .

In the mean time, major kudos to Mike Huckabee (again!) and thanks for coming down to see us in Central Florida! Come back soon!