And now the sequence of events in no particular order.

Tonight, savagery in the streets of Iraq. Ten Americans die in a single day, four of them civilians murdered, mutilated and dragged through the streets....What drives American civilians to risk death in Iraq? In this economy it may be, for some, the only job they can find.

Courage is being afraid but going on anyhow.

My cousin just died. He was only 19. He got stung by a bee - the natural enemy of a tightrope walker.

Be careful. Journalism is more addictive than crack cocaine. Your life can get out of balance.

I had just turned 10-years-old when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and plunged America into World War II.

A college degree is the key to realizing the American dream, well worth the financial sacrifice because it is supposed to open the door to a world of opportunity.