All of us here at the Chou-Chou Shu head office have been following the news of the Dalai Lama's recent award of the Congressional Gold Medal. We're huge fans of the Dalai Lama. In fact, just last week Tina picked up his little book "How to Practice : The Way to a Meaningful Life" which we've both been reading. I've got to admit, I still have a lot to learn. Somehow, the pictures of his Holiness hanging out with George Bush are a bit disturbing to me. I have read that the Dalai Lama considers George Bush to be a good friend. How does someone as enlightened as the Dalai Lama tolerate someone who is so... so FAR from enlightenment?

But I guess that's just it isn't it? It's that compassion thing of his. The Dalai Lama loves everybody, even George Bush. Enlightenment must be really really hard.

Being an avid "China watcher" now, I am also concerned by the PRC's public response to this award being given to the Dalai Lama. I wish I understood their point of view better. I hope that they take to heart the things he said in his acceptance speech. I hope George Bush does too.