A friend of mind made a really good point: "I'm finding these days that I'm more often trying to point out to people rather than being mad they should analyze why things happened or why the person is the way they are. Often you'll end up just feeling sad for them instead of hating them."

Food For Thought...

Illegal immigration is getting to be a major problem that is getting more out of hand here in San Diego. The news media tries to be very politically correct by referring to the "illegal aliens" as "undocumented workers." As a radio talk show today pointed out, does that make someone who breaks into your house an "undocumented guest"?

Tonight I think I found the mantra by which I have always tried to live by...


To laugh often and much,
to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children.

To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends.
To appreciate beauty. To find the best in others.

To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child,
a garden patch or a redeemed social condition.

To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.


Ralph Waldo Emerson

What's the deal here?

The news media and the NYPD get all upset because they nab "Desperate Housewives" star Cody "Zach" Kasch outside of a NYC bar puffing on a marijuana joint and issue him what is called a "desk appearance ticket." It is OK for Presidents to smoke marijuana yet "not inhale," but we go after regular citizens.... Something is wrong here methinks.

This past weekend was a pivotal mark in history for Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania when President Bush acknowledged the United States' (Pres. Roosevelt) mistake in participating in the Yalta Conference during World War II which divided Eastern European into spheres of influence. This agreement between the US, Britain and the Soviet Union paved the way for the enslavement of the Baltic States. My mother was a refugee -- who along with my grandmother and aunt -- escaped from certain death from the hands of the Russians in Latvia. My grandfather, a high-ranking judge in Latvia, was executed by the Russians. My mother was also on the list to be killed just because she was his daughter. President Bush also acknowledged how the Baltic States have been at the forefront of the democracy movement in Eastern European and the current war on terror, and how Russia must take responsibility for its past occupation and genocide.

It was a very hard decision for the President of Latvia to attend the commemoration of the 60th Annivesary of the end of World War II in Moscow...a celebration which really marked the beginning of the time when the Baltic States magically disappeared from world maps. The end of World War II for us Balts came with the destruction of the Berlin Wall.

You can read more about my Baltic connection (along with two links to two great videos -- a commercial and a music video produced by the Latvian Tourism agency) on my website at www.ivarsonline.com under the "Heritage" link.