May 18,2008. From the quietude of Western Colorado it is nearly paralyzing to fathom the monumental events that have unfolded in Sichuan Province China, Myanmar and South Africa over the last two weeks, let alone in Iraq & Afganistan over the last 6 years. But like all of us that share the sensations of helplessness that emerge in the wake of such events, I feel compelled to voice a simple expresion of my grief and to offer my thoughts of support to those I cannot aid directly. I am also compelled to thank NPR's Melissa Block & Robert Siegel for their poignant and heartfelt reporting over the last week; their words and stories have made the world smaller yet, and they inspire me at these most difficult times. Peace.