Thank you!

When I count my blessings on Thanksgiving, high among them are those of you who serve abroad, in military and civilian roles, to protect those of us who remain at home and to bring some order into a cruel world. Your courage and commitment make this world a better place.

I am not only thankful for the Americans.  Afghans, Iraqis, Sudanese, Pakistanis and many others are also trying to do the right thing.  And let’s not forget the Iranians, North Koreans, Yemenis, Somalis and others struggling to maintain dignity and free themselves from violence and oppression.  My thanks to you all.  May your struggles be fruitful!

And last but not least:  thank you readers for your kind attention, which I will try to reward with interesting perspectives and readings.  This has been a challenging and enjoyable first month of going public with what had once been quiet and private thoughts.  Your site visits and encouraging notes have spurred me on, and I thank you for the privilege of offering a few thoughts on the events of our day.

It is too much to hope that peace will always prevail, but I hope not too much to imagine that we can come to understand better why it sometimes does and sometimes does not.  That will help us better the odds, and improve the ways in which we deal with conflict.  Even the opportunity to imagine such things is worth being thankful for!