Hi there, Paco.

Just letting you know I'm 100% with you on this (yes I read your blog :-)

This lack of respect for our fellow human beings that is going around, and the "get what's yours, and to hell with the rest" attitude permeating culture nearly everywhere, are quite depressing sometimes. Makes you want to throw up your hands and go live in Greenland or Siberia, alone in your own little corner.

This reminds me of the choice Frodo had to make in Lord of the Rings:

he could stay in Bag End and ignore the big fearful things going on in lands far away. But if he did nothing, eventually the big fearful things were going to happen right in his backyard. And for the love of Hobbiton and the Shire and everything that is good, he set out to destroy evil and end its power forever, at whatever personal cost.

Just like each and everyone of our servicemen around the world.

A toast to Paquito and his comrades everywhere:

Here's to their personal sacrifice, and for all that is good.

I feel so VERY proud to be your mother. Your comments on war and values-- or the lack of them-- are so true. If our leaders would use this paradigm our world would be a better place to leave to our children. God bless you always, my son!