The next time there is a war (Heck, how about this time since we’re right in the middle of one that we’ve been promised will be a long one?) let’s build a monument that honors all the casualties. Not just our dead, not just soldiers, but their dead, too, and any neutrals who happened to get in harm’s way. I imagine something like the Wall, with the name of every known victim inscribed on its surface, beginning with the dead from the September 11 attack on the World Trade Center and continuing through all the Afghani soldiers and civilians who have died in U.S. air raids on that nation. For good measure, we should have a section that is blank — representing the names of those who will never be identified as victims. We should build two copies of the monument, one in New York City on the site of the World Trade Center and another in Afghanistan, perhaps near the caves where Bin Laden and Al Qaeda appear to be making their last stand….

Diversity is a good thing. Embracing the beliefs of others, learning about the festivals and rituals of other religions only helps us to understand and appreciate each other more. Which might actually help bring about the oft heard plea: Peace on Earth.