A reader: “Yes ! Yes! Yes! The thing I remember about the Columbine

school shootings was there was not a single report of the kids who were shot

fighting for their lives. There was a report of a kid begging for his life.

I saw not a single media commentator comment on this.

“I made certain my kids (now 21 and 23) clearly understood what was wrong

with that picture, and what my expectations are for me and for them should,

God forbid, we be put to the test.

“And we have, all of us, now been put to the test, haven’t we ? The global

test, you might say.

“Best Wishes ( and teach your children well)

“[Signed]“

This is a tricky one — I mean, very easy to talk about, but impossible to

know if we ourselves would measure up when put to the test. A large dose of

humility is in order. One reader has suggested that we should loudly

celebrate the Fabrizio Quatrocchis while just keeping decently quiet about

the Ken Bigleys. That is morally sound; though I’m not sure you can promote

and celebrate a thing while keeping silent about the opposite thing.

Philip Larkin, who was an atheist, said: “…Being brave / Lets no one off

the grave. / Death is no different whined at than withstood.” In an age

like this, when most people in the Western world don’t any longer believe in

life after death, that has strong appeal. Why not go out whining and

pleading? What difference does it make, when all’s said and done? My guess

is that a majority of Westerners feel that way in their hearts; and a HUGE

majority of those who are paid to form our opinions — teachers, media

folk — do. Who was it — can someone find the quote for me, please? –

said something like: “We live well nowadays, but we don’t live nobly.”

Right. Exactly.