Reader beware!

Hello all!

Well, I've fallen into the well-known difficulty of every new blogger I've talked to...your thoughts don't get put on the blog without some time and typing. Duh! Let alone deciding what's appropriate to discuss with your readers (if there are any!) I've actually stayed awake a few minutes during here and there thinking "oh, I should blog about that!" then sleep descends, and my memory is wiped clean . . .

However, I did have a friend say something to a group of us the other night that got me thinking. Bear with me, this is a little convuluted but I'll get there . . .

One of my dear friends, is (how do I put this politely?) a fierce "non-supporter" of President Bush. Is that p.c. enough? :-) Anyhoo - several of us had dinner together last week, and my previously mentioned friend states that she was watching the opening ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics and was really offended by President Bush's behavior. Evidently, every time the camera scanned to him he was talking to someone instead of watching the ceremonies. She thought this was highly disrespectful of the athletes and the whole ceremony. So, when I finally got the chance to watch the ceremonies that I had DVR'd at home, I was particularly interested in watching the president.

Now, let me say here, I voted for Bush. I know, I know! However, I also voted for Clinton. I know, I know! I am an Independent who may decide never to vote again!

To make a long story, longer - the first shot of Bush showed him, sure enough, yakking away to Putin (you know, the Russian dude). I thought, okay, maybe they're talking about the Georgian conflict going on as we watch the Olympics - hopefully, there was a little negotiating going on there. Then the next half dozen shots of the Bushes over the rest of the ceremonies showed the following: Bush & Laura watching the ceremonies, George looking through binoculars at the ceremonies, Laura fanning herself while she and W. watched the ceremonies, the Bushes standing and waving as the U.S. athletes came onto the field. And that was pretty much it.

My whole point is this: are we, as humans, so set in our ways of thinking about others, situations, world events, politics, religion (you name it) that we truly may only see what we already believe we'll see? Does one glimpse of what we believe to be true set us on a dogmatic course of belief? For me to observe this behavior from my normally level-headed friend made me wonder. How set in my own beliefs am I? How many times have I done the same exact thing? I am seldom wrong I'll have you know! (Read: sarcasam please.)

I've always felt that one of the greatest dangers we face as individuals is absolute belief in our own superiority of knowledge. This is where the Middle East is so dangerous. This where our own religious beliefs are so dangerous except maybe the part about "judge not, lest ye be judged." I know that I really got up on my soapbox on this one, but can't we cut each other a little slack please? Whether it's Bush or Clinton. Or each other.

OKAY, so what does all of this have to do with running a mystery bookstore and cheesecake joint? Everything and nothing. Just remember that the overriding premise of a great mystery book is justice, and order restored in the world (as one great bookseller I know stated recently). Deciding who's the bad guy can be a little tricky, but at least in a great book he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. And as far as I'm concerned a great book and slice of heaven restore order to my world!

Mysteriously yours,

Pam

My bookmark is currently in James Rollin's Sandstorm.