I sat in shock, watching the 2004 World Figure Skating Championships the other night for a couple of reasons. Firstly, because the Canadian Champion Emanuel Sandhu dropped from the top echelons to 11th and then back to eighth place, but because Michael Weiss had the audacity to skate to some entirely inappropriate American patriotic hymns in an international event.

At a time when the world, for the most part, is protesting the US foreign policy and the lying and warmongering of that countries president, I feel that this kind of blatant American "propaganda"-like action is a slap in the face for those who think that the US needs to back off. I cannot believe that this was an unintentional action. Mr. Weiss should have known better that to wave the American flag so strongly. He should have had more of a sensitivity.

I have recovered from the shock now. Now, I we can go on wondering about if Emanuel, who is an extremely strong skater, can ever acheive his potential?