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Sisterly adviceMy sister Jan, a retired Naval officer who until recently lived near the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, wrote this email to me yesterday. It was private, but I'm running it here with her permission. Some additional context: she has an advanced degree from the Naval War College. She knows her subject. — Be what you always are - a voice of sanity in world of noise. I can't help but think of the John Donne Devotions (I wish I had it all, but it ends) "No man is an inland, entire of itself." and then I think it goes on that "Any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankind." Is this a war? Wars are fought because someone, somehow, believes they can "win." That they can prevail. It almost doesn't matter at this point who "they" are. It is our reaction that matters. Yes, we must defend ourselves and we must take precautions. And for this reason alone, all our lives have changed today. Our vulnerability to insanity has been exposed. But... If we treat this as a war, it is not a war that can be won by using their weaponry or further death or destruction. That would only feed "their" arsenal of hate, and horror. And their willingness to die would only enhance their victory if we go that route. What do we have to fight them? We have our vision of mankind - of hope, of trust and love, of seeing the good in all before the evil in some. We have a character of curiosity and exploration that manifests itself in benefits for all. We have been called the leaders of the Free World. We now must show ourselves to also be the leader of the Sane world. This is a time to think of others, to act in the good of mankind. For Mankind is the victim of this day, not just the US. What can we do? Simple things: Give blood, volunteer in some useful way. Avoid speculation and most of all target condemnation before information. And trust - that our government, our national will and the international community will continue unite in grief and in resolve to keep insanity at bay. And tell those you love - that you do. Here is a link to Donne's Devotions. — DS
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