I am trying hard not to listen to, or read any, news right now since it is all so bleak and there’s not a darn thing I can do to make it better. We’re jammed into a real mess this go round that lands smack at the feet of our government and Wall Street.

In the midst of all of the latest stock market meltdown however, we lost 30 military personnel – 22 of them being elite Seals – in Afghanistan when their helicopter was blown up by a ground missile and that news seems to be getting lost in all the hubbub about the market. I’m someone who is strongly opposed to America’s participation in almost every war (WWII being the exception for me) and Iraq and Afghanistan are no exceptions. What a tremendous waste of resources and efforts and most especially lives. I don’t think anyone in Congress should get to send us to war unless they are sending a son or daughter as part of the deal. I think that one little condition would keep us out of every battle but the most pressing and find us paths to peace much more quickly.

I put my distaste for war aside however, regarding those willing to serve. I have huge respect for all military personnel who step forward to defend us. They stand up for all of us and none more bravely then the Navy Seals. Since they do their courageous work in secret, we will never fully understand what we owe the 22 men that died this weekend on that helicopter. All I have to offer is my thanks and respect. And I want to say to their families — to their wives and children, parents and siblings — thank you so much for your support and love of these brave men. These are heavy sacrifices we are paying for our war involvement and we are a weaker nation for losing them.

They got the bad guy this weekend. It’s a good thing. I am increasingly against violence and killing but certainly in this case, like too many, bin Laden set that course for himself. I wish we would downplay it though on the media and in the celebrating style that is being featured. It will just bring more haters into play and that’s exactly what we don’t want. Not to mention, that currently, I have cherished family members travelling in Europe that I want to have experience the least amount of hassle and then return home to us here safely.

It really is sad that bin Laden chose this course for his life and so many others around him. With his immense wealth he could have done so much good for his country and even the world by bringing food, education, work opportunities, housing – hope – to his country and its people. When are we going to learn as human beings that war and hatred is NEVER the answer? It doesn’t even take wisdom to see that just meeting basic needs like – food, shelter, water, health care, education – would build hope and opportunities for all and, consequently, change the world. If we put the money we put toward war to just those things, our world would be a far different , far more enlightened, safe, marvelous place to be – for everyone not just some.

And lastly, maybe most importantly today, setting aside my anti-violence stand, I want to do a shout out to the 2500 incredible men who are Navy Seals. It was Navy Seals that were involved in this raid on bin Laden’s hideaway. These men (and they are all men currently) serve our country in ways that we will never know or fully appreciate without any glory – just service over self. I am in awe of their abilities and commitment – and results when we know of them – and thankful there are individuals like them that are willing to give up so much in service to all of us. I know violence is a part of what they have to do, but I also bet trying to avoid violence and get people out or a job done in as quick and silent a way as possible, is a bigger part of what they try to do. They are the ultimate problem solvers, willing to take great personal risk to keep our lives safe. To every one of them, former and present, THANK YOU. Your bravery, service, commitment and sacrifice is humbling.