The Olympics

Generally speaking, I do not involve myself in National concerns or politics.
Yes, given my past municipal experience in politics you can challenge me. However, I want to make it clear that my past involvement with politics, although I did win some valuable gains for the local people, was a frightening experience with opponents who had no human concern beyond their personal achievement of power. Given that situation, I retired from politics.
Really,what I want to talk about, is our Canadian Olympic representatives.
Yes, each of them was under severe pressure, but they came through with their best effort. Unfortunately, many of them have come under criticism for poor performance or questionable behaviour.
Bottom line, our Olympic players have exceeded all hopes! They have surpassed all previous achievements.
More particularly, the women athletes, especially the hockey team, have been subject to extreme criticism. They are too good! Is that something that should be considered?
In oppositon to this idea, I could cite the record of the Canadian men's team in the history of Olympic hockey. Yes, in the past, the men's team have destroyed all opposition. However, their opponents improved over time. In the forseeable future,it is clear that the international opposition to the women's team will also improve. But to denegrate the achievement of our women is, basically, sexist.
We should celebrate the simple fact that the Canadian women have gained more medals in this Olympic venue than their male counterparts.
Roger W. Harrington.

For all writers

One wonders, at times, where the truth lies for the successful writer. Is it in the money, or is it in the sheer joy of writing?
For most writers, the journey towards a given truth is a torturous path. For others, the needed common phrases trip off the tongue and a novel is born.
Yes,there are genre writers. These writers are content not to produce a significant literary work, but to continue to reel out novels that sell in a particular genre. Some of them, very successful, have stooped to repeating a large section of a former novel to fill up their latest work.
The public does not complain. Truth has no value here.
As a writer, I ask you where is your truth?
Yes, in these difficult days for writers, you may never find a standard publisher. But I urge you to stay true to your vision.
Be well,
Roger W. Harrington

More thoughts on Art

I discussed, the other day, the question of the purpose of art with a prominent world artist.
Most writers and artists have a vision to bring to their audience. This ideal can be as broad as a panoramic view of nature and as narrow as a particular social image; a view of the world around us or something as simple as a look at ourselves.
In this present world of limited leadership, I posed to my friend that art might be the director of our future. Perhaps I was too caught up in my idea. My thesis was rejected.
However, there is a place for art in our lives. Art may not be the full designator of our purpose, but, in small bits and pieces, it can give us hope, clarity and an understanding of our lives. We can learn from the artist and the writer. Perhaps we can learn only small things, but each thing we learn can build on the character we protray to others.
In a limited way, the artists we admire give us a clear window to certain truths.
That is the purpose of art.
Good luck in your work,
Roger W. Harrington.