Omaha and Tibet

I made it to class today. It was okay. Its a small class with about thirty five people. I seem to be one of the youngest people in class, but this doesn't bother me. As long as I learn something, I will be happy.

Omaha is still trying to pull itself back together after the snow from Sunday. So far I really like this little town and I want to see as much of it as I can while I am here. The school where I am going calls it the Silicon Prarie, because a number of computer companies are located here.

I watched an episode of Frontline tonight that really bothered me. China is destroying Tibet. I know that this has nothing to do with me on a personal level, but I have felt an affinity with Buddhism for the past few years. I always listen to what the Dalai Lama says and read interviews with him whenever I can. As a matter of fact, Larry King had just interviewed the Dalai the other day. The program made a point of how Hollywood has romanticized Tibet for years, but there is a very real danger that Tibet might disappear completely in the near future. Tibet has been dragged into the twentieth century only to be crushed to conform to what China wants it to be. One example is that the Chinese government chose their own reincarnation of the religious leader whose name escapes me at the moment. They have no respect for the Tibetan people.

Buddhism has become somewhat trendy lately, but it makes more sense to me than any other organized religion in Western culture. Eastern religion is so much more peaceful than Western religion. Now China is trying to eliminate this beautiful culture.

I really have to renew my Amenesty International membership.