Again and Yet Again

We watched every episode of Ken Burn's Vietnam. My husband and I both lived through those years but this series revealed things we did not know and also brought a greater understanding of the soldiers who fought bravely, the men and families who stayed behind and the people and soldiers of both South and North Vietnam. When this war was happening during our time we were not exposed to the depth of the cover-ups or the extent of the anti-war protests in our country and around the world.

Most importantly, for me, it reinforced the feelings that war is damaging to civilians and soldiers on both sides. Mothers lose sons, wives lose husbands, children lose parents, friends lose friends. Some wars in our history have been fought with honor and commitment, others, not so much.

It was painful to listen to former soldiers, anti-war protesters, politicians and deserters who, over time, changed their minds about a war they fought for or against, or the country they abandoned. For many the pain lingers.

My thoughts reflect on those who lead our counties. Do they know history? Have the lessons of the past changed how we communicate with our present day enemies? History has a way of repeating itself. If only the leaders of countries knew their history, perhaps, just perhaps there would be less fighting, pride and self-serving and more communication leading to understanding. We can only hope.

But then history often repeats itself.

In Memory of Dennis

"Who is that standing in the back of the room," I asked Bob at one of the many auctions we attended.

Bob turned around. "I think that is a statue or something."

I looked back repeatedly. I saw no movement. "I wonder if that is going up for auction?"

Then, at last, I saw the tall, dark, thin man with long hair and an outstanding mustache move slightly. I nudged Bob. "It is a real person. He stood like a statue for most of the auction."

Months later at another auction we saw the man again. Bob engaged him in a conversation and discovered they had a mutual interest in trains. His name was Dennis and he attended most auctions, always on the alert for train paraphernalia or for items that might be of interest to our local Pioneer Museum on top of a hill in the middle of Hot Springs.

In time we learned that he was the curator at the museum where he had worked for 38 years. His love of history inspired him to make many improvements to the museum. He kept the place spotless from the first of April until the yearly closing in October. He cared for it much as a parent for his child. This museum is second to none in our country for its displays of Pioneer history from the area. The above photos show rooms with collections of artifacts from a by-gone era depicting our local history.

We say farewell and thank you to Dennis Papendick, a quiet and unassuming man who devoted his life to the Pioneer Museum. He was a treasure who rescued our treasures from the past.

Enough Aready!

The soft music is flowing from the radio. Bob turned off the news a while ago and I replaced it with soothing music. It is a brief respite from the stressful news of late.

I am tired of the negative news from everywhere. There are the multiple fires raging in the West, the threat of a nuclear war, the starving fleeing from the chaos of conflicts and genocide in Africa, Burma and Myanmar, the ingoing war in Syria, suppression in Iran, Russia and many other countries, the dysfunction in Washington, the terrible state of health care in our country, Harvey, Irma, etc. etc.

If course we watch and listen to the news. It is part of our psyche to be aware of the world in which we live, but there are times when enough is enough and we need a break from the suffering of those not as fortunate as we.

It is the awareness of the tragedies on this earth that makes us grateful to live where we live with the advantages we were given. We could have been born in Syria or as an untouchable in India. We also could have lived in poverty in an inner city in our country. It is true that this is the land of opportunity, but some circumstances prevent advancement for many limited by their environment and lack of education.

I look at my life. I was born to a solid family who valued learning and a strong worth ethic. I received an education that gave me many opportunities for a satisfying, useful career that provided independence and a life of security.

As I turn on the news I may become anxious, but in the end, I am grateful for all of the advantages provided me and now, in retirement, to enjoy the safe and beautiful surroundings of the Black Hills of South Dakota.

No hurricanes, no wars, no fleeing chaos, and for now, no fires. Gratitude is the word!

Words to Ponder

Quote:

"We were all humans until race disconnected us,

religion separated us,

politics degraded us,

and wealth classified us."

<Spirit Statement>

Small Town Politics

There are always two sides of every issue. This is especially blatant in the small town. The gossip flows swiftly, facts are distorted and exaggerated until everything is brought out in the open....if it ever does.

I watch in interest as my small town of origin takes sides on an issue, often similar to those in our town. There have been differences over a hospital, a library, mining and on and on. Both sides in both communities are passionate and vocal on their viewpoints. Compromises may come about. Victory for one side may leave bitter tastes in the losers. Whatever the outcome, feelings rumble below the surface, waiting for an opportunity to rise up to another challenge or to loudly state "I told you so!"

It is no different on the national level. There is passion on both sides and the voice of reason is often lost among the conflict. Calm, reason and compromise are reached at times, after the furor of the moment has receeded.

The latest in our community is a ruckus over the suspension of our city administrator. During the furor, sides were taken, a settlement was reached, our mayor resigned and our community was exhausted over the entire episode.

During the ruckus there was a ray of reason on our city council. That member wanted time, documentation and a decision based on facts rather than emotion. I was reminded of the doctor who attended me during my hospital stay. She wore a hijab. I asked her where she was from. She and her husband were doctors from Egypt and had become citizens of our contry.

I questioned her on the latest immigation laws and the possible effect on her travel plans to visit her family in Egypt. I was emotional but she responded to my frustration with the calm voice of reason and understanding.

"People are afraid."

There it was. Calm and inner peace showed through. I reflected on our difference. I was agitated. She was the serene voice of reason. A lesson learned.

I am grateful for calm and reason. It is still among us.

The Worst of Times

The first fear that I can recall is the one of being dragged under the bed by the "bogeyman". After my mother closed the bedroom door I panicked that I would be forced under the bed and be lost forever.

The other major fear of my childhood was a recurring dream that I was falling. One day I was told to let myself fall, and I did. After that that dream never returned.

Then there were the scary Grimm fairy tales and the most vivid was the fear I felt deep in the pit of my stomach when those ugly monkeys came flying over during the movie of the Wizard of Oz.

Fears will always be a part of who we are as a human being. It is when those fears cause us to make rash decisions or be frozen in panic that fear conquers us. After I faced my fear of falling, falling, falling, that fear vanished forever.

It was during World War II and the leader of our country said those famous words, "We have nothing to fear but fear itself." That quote comes back to me when I start reacting to the panic shouted by the media, our leaders and our friends and neighbors.

Those wiser than myself have said it best. During this time of fear I want to remember.

Fear may always be a part of who we are, but it is in facing our fears that we can continue to reason, to act and to make the best decisions for ourselves, our environment and the rest of humanity.

Never Goodbye

Many have left us, soon to be forgotten. Others will live on in us for the remaining days we have. Some have impacted us even though we do not directly recall them....their name, face, walk or voice. What matters is that they have left a piece of them inside of us, to help us strive for the best that we can be.

Then there are those who will never be lost to us....name, face, walk or voice. This week we lost a TV star who has left her mark on many of us who struggled to find our voice, our life, ourselves. It was during the 70's and I watched faithfully every episode of Mary Tyler Moore as Mary Richards, a reluctantly assertive woman who chose a career over a family, working in a then man's world, growing in confidence and self-assurance of herself as a woman with a career and friends, who did not desparately pursue marriage as an ultimate goal.

I had always wanted a career and, because of the times, believed I had to get married, raise a family. I watched woman during my formative years and decided quietly that I did not want to raise a family, at least not at the beginning. I don't think I ever shared these feelings with anyone until permission was given by the women's movement and my weekly absorption in the life of Mary Richards.

She was largely responsible for affirmation of my life choices at that time. Through her and others like her I found my voice and my life.

Thank you Mary Tyler Moore. Through your portrayal of Mary Richards you gave me courage through the bumps of life. You will not be forgotten as long as I and others who follow will find voice to whatever choices we decide to make. Our silence has been broken and through us, for future generations of women.

Another Viewpoint

The following is an article written by a respected journalist. It was too, too right on to not include in my blog this week.

Posting “News” Stories Doesn’t Make A Journalist

By Jim Kent

“Once upon a time”… I put aside writing to pursue careers in acting and music. To that end I studied at New York City’s Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute. I also had the opportunity to sit in with one of Rolling Stone’s “Top 100 Guitarists” for a few lessons.

During our initial conversation, the rocker asked which field I thought was more difficult to break into: music or acting. He felt it was music, since “everyone and his brother” seemed to have a garage band (and things are only tougher now in a world where “anyone” can produce their own CD, You Tube video, etc.).

I agreed, even though acting in this country – then and now – was primarily a “who you know” not “how much talent you have” scenario.

It wasn’t until I returned to pursuing my current career that I learned writing is actually the most difficult of the 3 arts mentioned to succeed in.

To begin with “everyone” learns to write. Even today it’s among the first educational tasks for any child along with learning to read. You need to know how to write in order to get through school. But being able to string words into sentences, sentences into paragraphs, and paragraphs into term papers or even a college thesis does not a “writer” make.

Notwithstanding, everyone learns to write as opposed to learns a musical Instrument or studies acting. So many who aren’t actually writers consider themselves such and increase – and sometimes flood - the competition for those who are.

I know. It’s a rough world and in the end talent usually wills out…but only usually.

As an aspiring commentator, I quickly realized that this meant I would be competing, literally, with anyone with the slightest degree of name-recognition who had anything to say on any subject. Everyone’s a writer and everyone has an opinion. From politician to businessman to personality to jokester, the key to success was acknowledgement of specialization and expertise in any one area of interest.

And though I was able to get off to a relatively good start with a half-page commentary in U.S. News & World Report offering my “expert” opinion on the U.S. Marine Corps, it was a long and winding road from then to now.

Transitioning from commentator to journalist in the late ‘90s, I was confronted with a situation I hadn’t encountered before: a general attitude that “reporters never get it right” so there’s no need to trust them and, whenever possible, avoid them.

Although I’d been criticized for the opinions expressed in my commentaries prior to this, I’d never been judged due to another’s ineptitude. I quickly made it a point to carry a tape deck with me at all times – even before seguing from newspapers to radio, with the aim of getting names, dates and facts correct.

And though I may not have made a major contribution to journalists – or journalism – as a whole, I’ve prided myself in getting it right most of the time for straight news stories and offering common sense opinions in my commentaries that can generally be understood – even if not agreed with by all.

Enter social media. Where “everyone” was once a writer, now “everyone” is a journalist. Except, they’re not. And “they” might mean “you”.

Reposting information on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or your preferred social media site doesn’t make you a journalist. It makes you a “poster”. Sharing the misinformation that became the frightening norm during the recent presidential campaign – from both sides of the aisle and outside sources – made you a direct contributor to one of the most chaotic political experiences in U.S. history.

Being a journalist isn’t about making your team look like saints and the other team look like demons. It’s about presenting both sides to the best of your ability even if you detest the views of one.

Even commentators have to allow for a certain sense of civility in their writing as well as…oh, yes…verified facts.

So, if you want to play “social media journalist” you need to verify that your “story” is being presented by a real news source, not somebody’s blog or an “on-line news magazine” with a work force of…one.

Check on who’s posting, where they're located, who their staff is and then Google the headline. If you don’t come up with at least 2 mainstream news sources with the same story, don’t repost.

Sharing misinformation with the masses doesn’t make you a journalist; it makes you a dope.

Published on 12/8/16 in the Lakota Country Times

The Morning After

It appears to be true. The more educated and deeper thinkers went one way, while the rest took the other road.

This all reminds me of the history lesson: all great civilizations fell, some faster than others. Eventually they rise again in a different form. Our country, too, has been sliding down the slippery slope and now, we, too, angry and fed up with the status quo and the arrogant, have rejected the slower slide to opt for the sudden crash to the bottom of the heap.

It is no wonder. We are now number 26 in education in the world.

Get ready for a bumpy ride. It will be interesting to see how it all turns out.

Documentary about the White Helmets of Syria

A few blogs back I wrote of the White Helmets, a group of brave people from Syria who do not fight others, but who save others. Since 2013 there have been over 130 White Helmets who have lost their lives, but during this time they have saved 58,000 lives.

If you get Netflix you can download the 40 minute documentary. If you need hope, take the time to view this video. I know for me, I can always use more stories of hope.

Why No Comments?

Recently I have been asked why I don't write about the political situation in our country at the present time. Here is my response:

First of all the media is already inundated with the political stuff. Why should I add to the noise?

Secondly, most folks have their minds made up and they only want to hear what reinforces their point of view. I feel no need to reinforce already established beliefs.

For those still in doubt about issues, hopefully they will research reputable sites.

On local elections and amendments voters have a more powerful say in any outcomes. That is where I put more effort into research in order to make the decisions I feel are best for our county or state.

Enough said about our current unusual political election. It may be time to read an entertaining book or to watch a bone-tickling comedy on Netflix. There is already too much hostility floating around our country. We all need to restore our sense of humor.

P.S. The search for power is seductive and, in the end, power can corrupt even the un-corruptible.

The White Helmets of Syria

"Whoever saves one life, saves all of humanity," is a verse from the Koran that is the center of the mission of Syria's first responders. During this destructive war in Syria many have fled, joined one of the armies or joined ISIS.

In the midst of this chaos there is one group of Syrians - teachers, doctors, engineers, construction workers, sons, daughters, parents - who did not flee the country or did not take up arms. Instead this group of dedicated volunteers goes into the worst of the destruction after every attack to save lives.

Among the worst of humanity, there has risen the best of humanity - The White Helmets. But how often do we hear about these brave men and women? The media covers ISIS and the worst aspects of the war, but leaves little room for this group of "non-fighters" who dare to rush into the direct aftermath of a bombing to rescue, to save, to comfort, with scant regard for their own safety.

I have seen some of them in some media shots (recognized by their white helmets) but they are simply identified as rescue workers. In fact the only coverage I have seen so far of these Syrians who do not hide behind a weapon is in a Time magazine and The Economist magazine.

In my last blog I wrote of the givers and the takers. Reading about these givers, the White Helmets, has given me hope. There is love among the ruins even in one of the most war torn countries in today's world.

We who live in the relative comfort and safety of our country can complain and demand and criticize, but, in the long run, even the volunteering that we do can in no way compare to the love and selflessness shown by these White Helmets who, in every case, face the ultimate sacrifice of giving their lives for others.

For all of you who are terrified of letting in those Syrian refugees, remember those who follow the true meaning of their faith in the words of the Koran. Are the words similar to the meaning in the Scriptures, as well as all of the different faiths followed by others in our world?

Maybe we aren't so different. Maybe in all beliefs there are the extremists and the takers, but I want to believe that the majority in all faiths are those who follow the words of love.

Cheers for FedEx

We are often inundated with the "ugly truths" about the greedy corporations avoiding taxes, polluting our environment, etc. But there are the extraordinary exceptions and they deserve equal billing.

Oh, yes, there are a few out there. In time there may be more if their shareholders speak up. Thanks to the shareholders who have influenced some big businesses to help save our planet for future generations.

Here's to FedEx. Their strategy is Reduce, Replace, Revolutionize. And, they are five years ahead of their plan! FedEx Express surpassed its goal to boost vehicle fuel efficiency by 30% by 2020 starting from 2005, in spite of the fact that most of the technology needed then didn't exist at the time.

Here was their strategy adopted in 2005:

REDUCE overall mileage by travelling the minimum miles by optimizing routes.

REPLACE with more fuel efficient models and reprogramming the models to run at the optimal levels for fuel efficiency.

REVOLUTIONIZE the fleet by adopting electric vehicles, fuel cells, natural gas and hybrids. They are also focusing on hydrogen fuel cells.

Result of this plan: They have saved more than 137 million gallons of fuel since 2008 and avoided nearly 1.5 million  metric tons of CO2e emissions.

What a win-win by FedEx. They saved their stockholders money while helping to save our planet!

(Information from the FedEx Annual Report 2016)

Sprouting Like Weeds

It is that time of year once again. The political signs are popping up all over town, much as the dandelions that preceded them a short time before.

The signs got me thinking. They all ask for our vote to represent them. But when they gain the seat how many of them represent us, or is it the large corporations or whoever feeds them the richest fertilizer?

You know, especially on a local level, I believe that most candidates mean what they say. They want what is best for the town, county or state. Then something happens. I guess at times it is reality, the need for approval or to belong. It is tough being a good politician. What is a good politician? Is it someone who represents the majority of the people and the best for a community? Then again, do they really know what is best for the group they represent, the environment that surrounds them, the consequences of their decisions? One decision usually leads to unforeseen results, unexpected outcomes. Life is not simple and it is no simple matter to predict future aftermaths of a present decision.

So as I drive by the signs sprouting up amidst the dandelions and the fresh, spring, green lawns, I can only wish those running for office will manage somehow, someway to cling to honesty and values that really represent what is in the best interests of those they are asking to elect them to an office. My wish is that they will listen deeply to all sides and in the end, thoughtfully and carefully make decisions that are not only for the present, but will carry on for the hope of future generations.

Dandelions will sprout among the grass. Those who use chemicals may rid their grass of weeds, but what are the consequence to the birds, bees and other insects? The poisoned worms are eaten by the robins. Do politicians look to getting rid of "the weeds" or do they see the long-term consequences for the rest of humanity?  Food for thought.

Who Has Walked in Their Shoes?

This world we live in can be a confusing place. It is difficult understanding others, let alone ourselves. I guess it does have to start within ourselves. The greater self-understanding, the more we can walk in another's shoes, accepting or rejecting their beliefs without condemning the person.

This week we watched a documentary and listened to those who participated in the FLDS group, those who wrote about this group or those who are welcoming the ones who left the group and are trying to adjust to a strange new world outside of the one they were born into.

The group is a cult, an offshoot of the Mormon church, the FLDS, who now reside within the borders of our beautiful Black Hills. It is not an easy thing to ignore this group when they live so close, practicing polygamous marriage, blind obedience, raping of young girls by the elders and money laundering and cheating our government of money, all within the boundaries of a "religion". We know the protections that surround a "religious" group ....fifth amendment, no taxes and no invasion of privacy. It is all in our constitution, these protections. There are those in power who are reluctant to go after them because they hide behind "religion".

Yes, this particular group even got more water rights without proving how many residents would be using the water. Our South Dakota water board approved the request of Seth Jeffs, brother of Warren and leader of the Pringle, SD compound, by a vote of 9 to 1. Was it in respect of "religion" or was there a money exchange under the table? We may never know for certain but what we do know is that this cult knew what they were doing when they settled in our Black Hills. They found scenic privacy and a government that often looks the other way. It is ingrained in South Dakota politics from accepting requests for uranium mining from a foreign government to cover ups involving high ranking government officials.

Things were put into perspective by Sam Brower, the writer of Prophet's Prey, a book about his long-time investigation of the group that follow the leader, Warren Jeffs, and his brothers who continue to lead the cult while Warren commands from behind prison walls. Brower believes that Warren is insane and the government should look upon this group, not as a "religion", but for what it really is.....an illegal syndicate.

The members follow blindly, having been immersed in this cult since birth. They turn over all of their money to the "church" and work hours on-end in construction of buildings such as Walmart and Costco or making parts for the government space programs. Meanwhile, the elders live in luxury, impregnating young girls, ejecting the young men who ask too many questions or prove to be a rival for the under-age girls, money laundering, exploiting the food stamp program, cheating honest taxpayers and our democratic system, all in the name of "religion".

So, in a nutshell, we have an insane leader with greedy, sociopathic elders and obedient followers who have little chance of breaking away from a fear-instilled group. Those who do manage to break free will face years of recovery time. Even though the world they left was filled with fear and blind obedience, it was the only world they knew. Who of us could ever "walk in their shoes" or completely understand?

It is too easy to judge and condemn. Until we have experienced brain-washing, fear of the unknown and change, it may be best to read, listen, learn and then try to influence the press and powers that be to look upon this group as what it really is...a true crime syndicate controlling its members through ignorance, isolation and fear.

I applaud the members of the large audience in Hot Springs, SD, who came to the presentation to raise their awareness. The questions asked showed me that there are folks here who care and who want to learn and in one way or another, try to help those who are enslaved by a mentally disturbed, but very clever, controlling leader.

Life can be very confusing and disturbing, but there is hope, proven by those who stood on the stage at our Mueller Civic Center in Hot Springs. They are raising awareness and are putting their time and energy into helping those who have fled the group, seeking a better life for themselves.

And, after all, it is in helping others that we truly help ourselves. It is the key to happiness. We may choose to remain islands or we can reach out in this confusing world and give a hand to those who are struggling to break free from mind control and find the path to self-awareness and their own inner peace.

Justice. Sweet, Sweet Justice!

There are those times when some of us believe that there is no justice in this world. Crooks go free, leaders send the youth to fight and die, the rich protect their assets from the IRS, the rich get richer and ......etc. etc.

There you have it. The world is not fair, never is and never was.

But then, once in a while, justice has a say. You can sense a sigh of relief. Finally, finally some get their dues. Yesterday in nearby Custer, South Dakota, the leader of the FLDS cult was arrested on charge of money laundering and fraud in regard to food stamp money. Hundreds of federal agents in Utah and Arizona were breaking down doors and arresting cult members in those compounds, while in our next door county a lone Custer County Sheriff was quietly arresting the leader of the FLDS compound near Pringle, SD.

I need write no more. You can google it for yourself. It is quite a story. But here in our neck of the woods, folks are rejoicing and saying, "Finally. Finally they got the goods on a cult that lives tax free, obtains water rights for more members (and they won't say how many), obtain services illegally from the federal government, live secretly with the older men marrying many young women who often get pregnant in their early teens and live their lives in servitude to the authoritarian elders, and who eject any of the younger men who may interfere with their polygamous life style. And, they do all of this in the name of "religion" and keep the women behind walls of ignorance, obedience and fear.

We can only speculate about the outcomes of these arrests. Maybe new leaders will rise up and the cults will continue as before, but they won't be stealing millions of dollars from taxpayers and diverting the money into enriching their pockets through aliases, disguises, false identifications, moving and hiding members from one compound to another. Well, at least not for the time being.

So secrets are revealed and justice, wonderful justice is in the works for a group, that in the name of religion, abuses and uses. How sweet the word sounds....justice. At long last there is a wind of justice blowing through our land. And none too soon. It is needed today, more than ever.

Meanwhile in our neighboring county we have a sheriff who, on his own, with no impressive backup, quietly arrested the man who a short time before, was in our state capital, requesting more water rights for his group of "he didn't know how many", and he got it! Unbelievable, but he did. Now he is in jail. The sighs of many funnel the comfort of a justice, long overdue. At long last!

Love, Not Hate

By our parents and our teachers we are taught.

My granddaughter and her classmates are learning to care about others. They have made blankets to send to servicemen in Afghanistan, Africa and Saudi Arabia. Lucky children. Their parents and teachers have taught them to reach out to others. They have inspired hope.

  They are being taught love, not hate. They are our promise for a hopeful future.

The Other Side of the Story

More hope!

As I wrote in my last blog, I intend to focus more on hopeful stories than the negative. (While still keeping informed on everything, including the negative, difficult to ignore when inundated by the media.)

Let's travel to St. Louis, MO. In the 1840's there were brawls when the Germans were against the Irish immigrants. It happened again with the newly arrived Italians. In the late 20th century there was tension with the influx of Hispanic and Asian immigrants.

It was the same story when the Bosnian refugees, fleeing civil war in Yugoslavia, settled in St. Louis in the 1990's. Most of them were Muslims and the citizens were fearful and resentful of these latest immigrants.

This fear and suspicion lasted for several years during which time these immigrants built their new lives. Soon they owned businesses, earned college degrees and transformed a former crime-ridden area with abandoned buildings into a thriving community in south St. Louis. Their community has lower crime and unemployment rates than among the general population. They started more businesses, are more skilled and are more likely to have an advanced degree. They are also less likely to be on welfare, food stamps or assistance from the government.

Today the mayor of St. Louis is welcoming Syrian refugees in spite of the backlash from terrorists attacks in Paris and California. So far only 29 have settled there. The 1950's census made St. Louis one of the larges cities in the United States. By 2010 the city had lost over half of its population due to the decline in manufacturing and the ensuing flight to the suburbs. The mayor knows from history that the refugees can revitalize the city.

There have been some immigrant Bosnians who supported the terrorists in Iraq and Syria, but they have been the minority. The mayor of St. Louis has a vision for a revitalized city. It happened with the Bosnian refugees and his hope is it will happen again with the Syrians fleeing war, poverty, hunger and scarce opportunities for an education.

With this attitude of a mayor who knows his history and looks toward a re-energized city, there is hope for the latest refugees pursuing refuge in our United States, a land of immigrants and a land of opportunity for all. From the beginning we have been a country of those fleeing war, religious or political persecution or those seeking for more opportunities for themselves and their children.

Way to go, St. Louis!

Working Together to Preserve Knowledge

So we welcome in another new year! For me, I look to hope, often difficult to find these days. But there is a story that has inspired me to continue my search for hope amid the darkness.

The stories of those who want to destroy and separate people flood the news. But, there are other quiet stories that often go unnoticed. Those under-the-radar tales are the ones I want to focus on for this new year of 2016.

This one is a gem of inspiration. The Catholic monks from St. Johns in Collegeville, MN are helping to save a trove of ancient manuscripts, presently at risk, the ones most at danger, Islamic literary treasures that have survived floods, heat and invasions over the centuries.

Islamists have been ruthless with libraries and holy sites. Evacuations to save these ancient treasures have been on-going since 2012. Presently many ancient texts are being stored in five different places throughout our world. St. John's Abbey monk, Father Columba, travels to Ethiopia, Mali, India, Iraq, Israel and Lebanon to join with Dr. Haidara of Timbuktu and other stewards of learning to save manuscripts of music, science, logic, rhetoric, remedies and learning for perpetuity. The teams photographed 50,000 endangered volumes in a decade.

Back in Minnesota in the basement of the Abby, manuscripts from the culture of Europe are stored. Today machines are copying more efficiently. Over one and a half millennia, knowledge has been a matter of survival for the Benedictines. Their longevity is rooted in their intellectual abilities. So, as a policy, any relevant text was copied. Through the centuries of threats, from the Vikings, the Reformation, Napoleonic wars and World War II, all were destructive to the libraries of Europe. What happened in Europe in the 20th century is now happening in other places in the 21st. "It is the same mix of ignorance and barbarism, but more heavily armed," says Father Columba.

So at this time, following their history of preserving philosophy, science and all knowledge, St. John's Abbey has a team of latter-day scribes scattered throughout the world, risking their lives to save images of ancient texts on microfilm. The majority of manuscripts are Korans, Hadiths and studies on grammar and rhetoric, but the scanners capture everything, including those dealing with human rights, health and law.

When people look at what the Benedictines are doing with Muslim communities, they ask them why they do this. Father Columba responds, "this is the time God has given us. We can't pretend we live in the sixth century when Benedict wrote his rule. or the 13th, or the 1950's, before the sexual revolution. We live now. and part of the reality is cultures which are threatened trying to figure out how to work together on this fragile planet."

Paris Bleeding

Not again! Innocent lives wiped out by fanatics. We, in the States may be far removed from the horrors of the latest attacks but we are affected. We are moved, saddened, angered by the stupidity of extremists. These acts of terrorism in the name of a cause....??????  Life brings enough trials to everyone at one time or another, without the needless acts that affect not only the loved ones of those injured or killed, but also to those who share the faith of the radicals, but not the radicalism, and who by association are looked upon with a general hatred, fear and scorn by others not of their faith.

All of these acts against others are senseless, barbaric and loveless. Many are punished by the few who are filled with rage. Their fury takes over any compassion, love or hope in themselves and for others. All that is left is despair.

Today I fled to my haven of peace. I sat by our river....soothing, peaceful and restorative. We who live in the sanctuary of the beautiful Black Hills are fortunate, and during the shocking news the past two days, are grateful, ever so grateful to watch this latest tragedy unfold far away.