It is the press who must ask the questions.  That is their job.  Who else will do it?  Charles Gibson is to be commended for asking the question of Governor Palin.

Frightened and dismayed today by reckless talk of first-strike bombing of Iran, I turned to history to learn how President Kennedy and Premier Khrushchev averted war in Cuba and effected the peaceful removal of the missiles and nuclear weapons.

Today, even in our own time, America continues to imagine we can resolve our differences best through military intimidation.  And, as our ancestors learned in the Civil War, our strength is not all-pervasive and the enemy does not always lay down its arms. 

How can America - the post-modern Mariner - resurrect our Albatross and loft it on wings to soar again?

At this season – and every year at this time - America will remember that dreadful September morning when we saw the towers fall.  Revenge - it’s a natural desire.  Who did it?  Where are they?  Just find someone to hit.  Anyone!   

Somehow, we must move beyond this temptation.

Shame on us.  Our “first-strike” policy overflows with opportunity for misjudgment and mischief, and contains no safe-guards against rash Presidential use.

Of our recent joys, you are our most precious - weighing in at two pounds, four ounces.  What a wonder to behold – to look at that photograph of you wearing your father’s wedding ring around your wrist!