True. America's generous character, when uncontaminated by leftist political agendas, comes through for those in need. And those in need, not the agendized politicians from this and other countries, often have eyes to see, as well as having the moral decency and character of which honest gratitude is a bi-product.

Thank you for that good news, Mr. Galen. When U.S. aid -- public or private -- does good, doesn't line corrupt pockets, and improves peoples lives -- and the people realize it! -- that's a cause for joy. From Livingstone and Stanley, to the Bushes and PEPFAR, to Merck, to Hillary cutting the ribbon at the Pediatric Clinic, it's good to be reminded of the good we can do and have done. Noble generosity, noble gratitude, and unalloyed good news are in short supply. Thank you, Mr. Galen. I agree that Dr. Livingstone would approve.

When the Atlanta story broke, I knew it was only the tip of the cheating iceberg. My teacher husband was routinely told by his principal, in an offer-he-can't-refuse tone of voice, "I know you'll 'help' Jose, since he's a senior football player, and he needs to pass.' Same corruption, less fanfare. My husband retired early. But when government mandates like N.C.L.B. mete out draconian punishments for low student performance, which is sometimes the school's fault, sometimes the parents' fault, and sometimes a product of students' aggressive apathy, the ethical, good teachers will leave the profession, and the lackadaisical administrators and teachers will become unethical.

The most logical thing is to PLACE THE CHILD FOR ADOPTION. I've worked with quite a few women who did.They universally expressed a sense of healing, i.e.,"The rapist didn't win. Life won.The baby has life, a family has the baby, I have my life back, and I did a good, brave thing." That said, if I had a young daughter who was raped, traumatized, and hysterical at the thought of carrying a child to term, I might be tampted to help her get an abortion. I pray I--we--wouldn't. I would be haunted the rest of my life, and so, I believe, would she. Morally, I believe the child has as much right to life as any other. Pragmatically, the abortion exception may save lives by getting more pro-life laws past. Politically, Akin blew it big time

A clear, interesting analysis: the difference between de-stigmatizing, on the one hand, and affirming, on the other.