War changes everything. It changes people. It changes our priorities as a people.

There's more going on and more worth saying than my meager words or mailing lists can communicate. Nonetheless, I have lots to say, plus a growing sense of duty to get it said, and to a much larger audience. Why duty? Because the American way of life has been assaulted, and will remain under threat of assault for perhaps a decade by all accounts. There's news to report, information to share, and stories of warmth, heroism, inspiration and even laughter that will arise. We may particularly need this last group as part of our domestic arsenal in the days ahead.

Take Andrew for instance, a young man who recently exemplified for me at least part of why America is what it is today. Andrew has already completed a four-year term of service in the U.S. Military. However, he could still be called upon as a reservist. Before night had even fallen on September 11th, Andrew told me that he had his two bags packed, and was ready to go. In fact, he contractually extended the number of years he may be called back to full-time service. Andrew's smart, good-looking, popular and working his way into management. He has a lot to live for, and no reason other than protecting me and you to die for. But that's not the kicker...

As the time passes and he's not yet been called, we were discussing the economy the other day. It turns out that he had just sunk his life's savings and re-enlistment bonus into $10,000 of airline stock. Now that's going beyond the normal call of duty, well into the realm of true personal sacrifice, given the stock market at present. However, he considers it a strategic investment. He bought the shares at a very low price, and assumes that over the years he will profit substantially. Rifle in one hand, investment portfolio in the other!

You see, is Andrew "not only" ready to defend the American way of life with his own. Perhaps even more inspiring, he believes in the American way of life enough to pursue it, totally unabated by the fear of what "might happen." Facing the realities of this war in a way that few of us will, he remains hopeful about our country's future, preparing already to reap the rewards of the future he himself will help to bring about. He's more than a patriot, he's a capitalist - a true American indeed! And the attacks have not weakened who he is, or stopped him from pursuing his American Dream. What our enemies just didn't count on is that this attack has ignited Americans into becoming even more fully, exactly, who and what we are. Stories like this need to be told.

I've certainly been changed myself by recent events - a missionary, an author, a webdesigner, now realizing that my role in the world is expanding to include that of "self-appointed domestic war correspondent." On September 12, I wrote an article expressing my outrage at those who became "Hometown Terrorists" by jacking up the price of gasoline in response to the "opportunity" our common tragedy afforded them. I wanted everyone to know just how I felt about the greedy sob's. I wrote and sent it out to everyone I know, but my address book was rather small, compared to my passion. A week later, both grew with my "Letter To Britain," thanking them for honoring us with our national anthem (played Sept 13th at Buckingham Palace). This letter circulated by my efforts and by forward to thousands. Just today I received a hand-written airmailed thank you note from a man in Derbyshire, reporting that it had run in his local paper. With appropriate modesty and responsibility, I realize that my words can be helpful to the war effort.

Certainly my editorials have their place, but beyond that, I'd also begun posting on my site the perhaps odder but relevant stories that still come out of everyday life. But as I linked to the news story stating the "100% Chance of More Terrorist Attacks" on America, I was struck with wondering what's the point of heart-warming or oddball news links at a time like this? Especially I wondered is it right to post those things that would make many laugh, but that some would occasionally consider definitely "not funny." In these times, are humor or irrelevance, relevant? Do certain people have the right, or even the God-given role, of finding the shred of humor in all that is going on around us? Heck, even Letterman broke down on TV.

Then I stumbled across Chris White's photos of celebrities inserted into mock FBI Most Wanted posters. I'm sorry, but no matter what else is going on, a picture of the classic black and white "Stooge" Moe Howard, adorning a beard and turban and depicted as "Moesama bin Laden" - is funny! White's "disclaimer" unashamedly said that it is now the JOB of the humorist to make things just a bit easier for many with a good laugh. This does not diminish the tragedy, or in my eyes disrespect the dead. Rather, it celebrates the resolve of the living to keep on living.

Like Andrew above, Chris realizes that if he stops doing what he does best - what he loves - or stops being who he is because of our times, then the terrorists win. If the American way of life grinds to a halt out of stark fear, or some misplaced sense of what's inappropriate - or worse, if we surrender our fought-and-died-for civil liberties for a false idea of "safety" - then we will never, ever enjoy the American way of life again. If our nation is not going to be brought down, as President Bush said then we need "to hug our children, and take them to Disneyworld." We need to spend, we need to travel, and we need to love, perhaps even more so in October than we did in August. We may never get another chance. At times, we will certainly need a good laugh as well.

Apparently, the U.S. government agrees. Or have we forgotten the likes of Bob Hope entertaining our troops overseas in years past? Like honour and patriotism, or prayer and faith itself, laughter and heart-warming tales amidst the terror of war are essential to maintaining the morale and mental health of our troops. Only in this war, We The People are the troops more so than ever before. The battle has been brought to our soil, and it's going to get much, much worse. Our paid soldiers will not be the only targets, nor will they be the only heroes. The front lines of all previous wars could in fact be the grocery store check-out lines of this one.

That's why I'm e-mailing you. I hope hearing from me will help to keep you educated, inspired, and hopefully help to keep your morale high. Yes, they brought us to our knees. Their mistake. Serving a different "god," they didn't realize that's where our strength comes from. Even living among us, they failed to realize that in America, it only takes any one of us to light a match, to hold a candle, to fan the flame. That's why I'm e-mailing you.

The light-hearted Hand-Picked Headlines will follow this e-mail, and more serious stories or articles at times. I'm no Cal Thomas. I'm no Chris White, or Matt Drudge either. I'm certainly no G.I. Joe. I'm just a guy, and you're on my list. Enjoy this, delete it, forward it with a hearty recommendation for others to get on my list, or ask to be removed if you wish. Do anything you like, okay? It's a free country. But this is who I am, and for now anyway, e-mailing you is what I do. It's my self-appointed duty as an American citizen.

Sincerely,
www.guymalone.com

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"We took a vote, and decided to take on the terrorists."
   American on Flight 93 September 11th, 2001
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