Mitt Romney on an NBC interview with Brian Williams is asked to give his "experienced opinion" on if Great Britain is ready for the Olympics. Romney gives a measured response, "It's always hard to know for sure. They did have the problem with the private security firm and a threatened strike by customs agents, but there will always be problems. They should be ready."
Two nights earlier Jon Stewart spent his whole show belittling Great Britain. No response.
That same day, Brian Williams put these same questions to the Mayor of London who gets a good laugh. No response.
Romney's comment turns into an international incident. The Mayor of London belittles Romney, and then the Prime Minister, the head of state, David Cameron puts down Romney's experience in running the most successful winter Olympics ever, and Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, by saying, "It's easy to stage an Olympic games in the middle of nowhere." Which, by the way, offended the governor of Utah and the Mayor of Salt Lake City.
What came into my movie buff mind was:
Otto: Oh, you English are *so* superior, aren't you? Well, would you like to know what you'd be without us, the good ol' U.S. of A. to protect you? I'll tell you. The smallest freaking province in the Russian Empire, that's what!  
Otto: If it wasn't for us, you'd all be speaking *German!* Singing "Deutschland, Deutschland über alles..."
Ah, but then who said life is fair. Thanks Britain for showing your thin skin and your smallness! lb

Posted on Facebook today: Their have been many tributes pouring out on the Internet and in the press to Stephen Covey. I keep thinking of my anachronistic quote in Lessons In Honor (page 362) from brilliant, young contemporary composer Paul Cardall. In the liner notes of his CD he writes: "There are things that we never want to let go of, people we never want to leave behind. But keep in mind that letting go isn't the end of the world; it's the beginning of a new life."

Posted on my Facebook page yesterday: Stephen Covey has died at the age of 80 from injuries suffered in a bicycle accident in April his daughter Catherine Sagers just announced 25 minutes ago. Stephen has been my friend, colleague, and business partner for more than 40 years. Our mutual sharing of ideas and principles had a profound effect on my life and my career. He was kind and caring right up to our last contact a short time ago. He will be missed by me and by many. Blessings for peace upon his family. Lin

Launch of LESSONS IN HONOR

It has been an exciting seven days. The Website www.linbothwell.com went live one week ago today. Then on Independence Day I got word that my book was now "live." So Independence Day was the official launch day for the the book and the website. The last 72 hours have been a blur of ten hour days with me notifying family and friends and calls and e-mails pouring in. We are off to a good start. I was asked when copies would be available in one of the big local stores and I replied, "That is step #37 in the marketing plan, and I am on step three!" So stay tuned. Thanks for your support. Cheers! Lin '64