Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Why no Dalai Lama?


As many know, His Holiness the Dalai Lama was invited to be our honored guest at the Special Olympics World Winter Games' opening ceremonies in Boise, and other events at Sun Valley. As is also public knowledge, His Holiness will no longer be attending these events. The Jan. 7 article published in the Idaho Mountain Express, "Special Olympics will do without the Dalai Lama," states His Holiness "had to cancel" his plans. I believe this explanation may not be accurate and/or complete. As a Special Olympics honorary board member and responsible citizen, I feel an ethical obligation to seek the truth.

It is my understanding that the only reason His Holiness is no longer coming to the Special Olympics is because his invitation was withdrawn.

If it is true His Holiness the Dalai Lama was disinvited to this event by no fault of his own, I will feel it necessary to formally resign from the honorary board and personally boycott the games. I do this not as a stand against the Special Olympics, but rather as a stand for the values I hoped to uphold when I chose to support this organization and my friends Pirie and Jim Grossman, whose heartfelt desire to promote love and acceptance is aligned so beautifully with the true mission of the Special Olympics. "To open minds, transform communities and promote the acceptance of all people."

I feel the reasons for His Holiness' disinvitation need to be investigated, discovered and publicized. In my experience, an uncompromising commitment to the truth and upholding ethical principles is the only antidote to fear.

I publicly, yet humbly, request additional detailed, verifiable data, so my understanding can either be verified or changed. Please provide this to the public and me in this forum.

Sara Bronfman

Ketchum




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