I sat down to blog today and I thought, I should offer a Thought about War. But who am I to offer one? Obama said it all first, and best. For some time now, we have seen the forces of division and authoritarianism make headway around the world, mounting an assault on the ideas of democracy, rule of law, quality, individual liberty, freedom and expression of worship, and self-determination. What do I have to say other than War Bad, Peace Good? Instead, I thought I might spend some time learning about the Ukraine, a place I’ve never been, and don’t know much about except for the for the fact that currently, human beings — including an entire NICU of newborn babies — are hiding in a subway station turned bomb shelter. So instead of pontificating, here’s something to celebrate: scattered all throughout the Ukraine are PINK LAKES, like Henichesk Lake, pictured above. It gets its color from algae that’s attracted to the high salt content of the water. One of the many MANY reasons to protect this country and speak out against oppression, violence. War, Bad. Oligarchies, Bad. Peace, Good. Democracy, now. Humanity, always. Pink lakes, Forever.