CELEBRATING WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY

It is easy to forget that people who fought the British during the American Revolution were truly risking "their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor." The defiance of the committed, but out- gunned, American revolutionaries is reflected in Nathan Hale's last words before he was hung by the British, "I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country."

Right now, other people in other countries are risking everything by asking their government for true democracy and true civil rights. I admire these people, and fear for their safety.

I do NOT admire those people who use political slogans to justify murder of innocents, of civilians, of children, of people holding religious services. I do not know of ANY religion that believes someone who deliberately murdered an unarmed child will have a good life after death.