In Other News

The news has been depressing in recent years. Terrorism. Tsunamis. Hurricanes. Global warming. The horrendous erosion of our civil rights. Even so, now and then there's a news item that warms the heart. Recently a few such have caught my eye.

Amidst the horror of the recent shooting in an Amish schoolhouse was a report that touched me deeply. 13-year-old Marian Fisher told the killer, in a plea to save others, "Shoot me first." Oh my God. And what's more, her 11-year-old sister, Barbie, said, "Shoot me second." Those Amish are something special. How many parents do you know can teach their children such sacrifice?

In related news, I was impressed by how the media covered the Amish during that horrible time. They exhibited awesome respect (most of them) in giving the Amish as much privacy as they could while still covering a newsworthy event.

Knowing that our humanity still survives even during these trying times gives me hope for the future. In today's news I was struck by the humanity displayed by a canine hero, a dog that rescued her owner from a fire, and then, despite the pleas of her owner, went back in to rescue the cat. And died trying.

No matter how many fanatics seek to hurt others and destroy what others have built, there remain those who will sacrifice themselves to save their fellow man. It gives me hope.


Blog Tag: News