Haters Not Welcome

Good news out of England. Haters are not welcome. "The Home Secretary has banned two extremist anti-gay preachers from entering Britain, a move that follows a decision to refuse entry to Geert Wilders, the Dutch anti-Muslim MP." Whole Story. I understand that one of the reasons we fought for freedom from England was to have the right to freedom of speech (okay, so it may have been more about the money), but I like the idea that this country tries to keep people whose words incite hate and violence out. I understand it's a slippery slope, but I am very pleased the the Rev. Phelps will not be given a forum here in England.

On a lighter note, the Brit Awards were on last night--the awards for British pop music. I had a good time watching them. Duffy led in the awards. A newcomer out of Wales, she has been all the rage here this year. I felt a little foolish. Back when I was home at Christmas, I gave my friend Olivia (big music fan) a Kings of Leon CD for her birthday, thinking I could introduce her to a little British pop/rock music. I thought they were Scottish. Don't know why. Imagine my surprise when they were up for Best International Group. So I googled them and found out they are actually from Nashville, TN. In my defense, their big success has been here in the UK.

Just one note on Maddie. I may have mentioned this before, but it came up again this week. Maddie never refers to people as being "white" or "black". When she describes someone, she talks in terms of shades. Light skinned people. Dark skinned people. Sort of dark skin. Really dark skin. Lighter than Kei but darker than Ruhann. Of course no one is lighter than she is right now! I hope she never sees anything--people, ideas, life--in black and white.