[Gráinne]

I hear you. One of the striking differences to me, anyway, between now and the Vietnam years is the lack of protests. I was pretty young during the late '60's and early '70's, so my memory might be dim, but I recall a lot more protests on colleges (and attended Kent State much later) over Vietnam. I just haven't seen the same about Iraq, Afghanistan, or wherever we get involved. Protests may not affect policy, of course, but I think to the protesters it was a way to be heard and feel like they were doing "something". We just seem more apathetic today.

I like to write to the newspaper or online, whether or not it gets published. I follow more interactive sites like Huffpost. I don't know if the Red Crescent or Cross has been allowed in Syria but donating to that organization in the name of someplace they have gone might be an idea. I write my representatives, whether they act on it or not. But I hear you, and sometimes feel very powerless to affect anything.

I am sorry that you are personally affected by events in the Middle East-I mean much more than a broad issue like oil prices. I will keep the country and your friends in my thoughts.