Okay, I got the message. Thanks for letting me know I stepped out of line when I quoted Mao Tse Tung in a recent Surfnetkids newsletter. He was a mass murderer, and therefore doesn't deserve the privilege of being quoted.

His quote "Women hold up half the sky" has lead to some good, however, as it has been usurped by at least two movements that I know of. First is the Half the Sky Foundation that supports Chinese orphans. And second is the Half the Sky Movement based on the book of the same name by Dr. Tererai Trent and Sheryl WuDunn. This organization supports and advocates for women in developing countries.

Although I haven't read their book, I have been on a "women in developing countries" binge in my reading habits lately, having really loved both "Three Cups of Tea" by Greg Mortenson and "A Thousand Splendid Suns" by Khaled Hosseini. If you have a book club, or simply enjoy tackling somewhat difficult subjects in your reading, I wholeheartedly recommend "A Thousand Splendid Suns." It weaves the story of two women in Afghan over thirty years of turmoil, and the incredible way their lives intertwine. I loved it, it was very moving.

Getting back to my original topic of quoting evil men, please add your thoughts here. I'd love to hear more on the pros and cons of whether or not Mao Tse Tung quotes should be used in an educational setting.