The Most Dangerous Thing by Laura Lippman

A novel about five children between the ages of 9 and 15 who were close friends. They came from three different families. The children were traumatized by the death of an Afro-American male who they had befriended in the woods near their home. The story revolves around the reaction of the families to the death. The author gives great description of the reactions of the characters to the central event. She displays considerable in site into human nature, sexuality, and intertgenerational conflicts.

Stuart

Israel's Predicament - The Wall Street Journal.

I thought you would be interested in the following story from The Wall Street Journal.

Israel's Predicament

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904265504576566431045060822.html

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Stuart 

Triple Agent by Joby Warrick

On December 30, 2009 a Jordanian Physician posing as a double agent blew himself up at the Khost Army base in Afganistan taking with him a number of CIA agents who were hunting down Osama bin Laden and other el-Kaida terrorists. The CIA was so anxious to follow any lead that it let its guard down after receiving useful tidbits from what turned out to be a triple agent working for the enemy. A number of good people were lost. The war on terrorism is now pitting unmanned aircraft against fanatical suicide bombers.

Stuart

Dear Janice,

Dear Janice,

Things are getting pretty interesting up in Pittsburgh. Sandy told me about Jake's parenthood. I think about him often. After Sandy told me the news I remembered a time about 15 years ago when we were waiting in Washington for a tour of the White House. It was a sunny day. Ted was at his conference/course and you and the kids were with us while we waited. Jake was having trouble with the long wait and was bouncing around. We were doing your best to entertain him. Finally he crashed and burned. He banged himself up and began to wail. Many a good mother would have scolded and told him that he got what he deserved. You, instead, picked him up, cradled and comforted him. You were/are a special mother, Janice.
I know that now that Jake is a father he can not help but remember all the love that he received from you and Ted. It is amazing that he was able to keep it from you for so long. 14 months... wow! If we can believe what he says conception probably occurred shortly after he returned from Outward Bound and that childbirth occurred around the time he turned 18.

I hope that you guys are able to sell your house on Longue Vue soon. When do you plan to move to the townhouse? Sandy showed me the photos of your place. I am sure that it will be a relief not to have to maintain the big house with the big stairway to the bedroom. I will miss your backyard just like I missed your acreage in Newcastle. I hope that there will be enough room for us to stay with you when we come visit.

Today I hit singles with my friend Mike for about an hour and a half. We beat each other up and literally crawl off the court. One day I will get enough confidence in my forehand to swing through in a match. When I checked the cell phone after playing I saw that there was a message for me from Arden Court. I held my breath. Dad fell again and the Hope Hospice nurse was concerned about a rash on the left side of his face. I changed my shirt and drove over there. Lisa, the nurse on duty saw me and said that she noticed that Dad's gait had changed and that it was her opinion that it was the progression of his disease and not medication related. The rash is likely a skin infection resulting from one of the scabs on his face. I suggested to the nurse that they prescribe an antibiotic. Dad was restless. He was sitting in the dining area when I arrived. His head was drooped and he would not make eye contact with me or the caregivers. Fortunately, Holly was there. Together we tried to comfort Dad while he repeatedly sat down and got up and tried to lift the table and then the counter top. He is so unstable. It is more likely to fall than remain upright. I gave him my hands and we stood up in the hallway and together we shuffeled back toward his room. When we got to his room Holly was called away to help with Roger. Roger is a resident at Arden Court who has been there for only 18 months. When he first arrived it was hard to tell that he had any deficit but now it is obvious. He has aged two decades in two years.
I told Holly that I could handle Dad while she helped the other aide with Roger. Dad did not want to go into his room for some reason so we just held onto each other in the hallway swaying from one side to the other as if we were dancing. He would alternate pushing and pulling, leaning forward and back and then from one side to the other. All I cared about was not crashing. After dancing for about two numbers Dad was ready to enter his room. We stood together holding each other for a few minutes and then finally he settled on the edge of his bed. He did not want to lay down at first so I just stood there holding on to him. He leaned on my arm while I surveyed the photos that are mounted on his wall. No photos of Mom. You and Dad smiling together outside of the townhouse. You and me at Callaway. Joshua and some big fish. Me in front of the house on Lakeshore Drive. Dad holding court on the cruise ship with Jason the clown, serious Josh and Jake staring off into space. I just transported myself into those places while Dad leaned on my arm and tried to mumble something that I could not understand. When I was able to guide Dad to a semi-secure spot on his bed I sat in the armchair next to him. A few minutes later Holly returned and together we gently got him to lie down. We put the bumper mattress next to his bed and he closed his eyes. Holly is so sweet. She remembered how delighted Sandy and I were a few days ago when we visited and he kissed Sandy and looked at me and said "HiYa son!"

I shipped my bike to Portland, Maine. In two weeks I am going to fly up and join a reunion of our Crossroads Crosscountry riders. Sandy is going to stay in Fort Myers, nurse her leg/back and keep an eye on Dad while I bike back to Daytona, Fl. I have not told Mom yet. I am not looking forward to telling her. It is just something that I need to do.

I love you guys. We had a great time together in Alaska and California. We did a great job putting together the photo books for Mom. I got to relive the whole experience last week when I visited her. I miss Abby. Ted... keep a sharp eye out for the "Stuarts" sharing the road with you.

Love,

Stuart

Stuart

Sarah's Key by Tatiana Rosnay

Sarah's Key by Tatiana Rosnay
The novel of the Jewish Roundup in Paris France during WWII.
Over 4000 children were herded into the Veladrome de Hiver before they were sent to concentration camps.
50 years later then French President Jacque Chirac made a speech reminding the French of "the black hours that will stain our (French) history.

Stuart

Sarah Vowell... Assassination Vacation

An outrageous, morbid, stream of consciousness coming from a history buff/contributor to "This American Life."

Stuart