Good morning Paul, I applaud you for returning to martial arts. However, I might note that your characterization of my piece as gung ho is unfortunate. I choose to be happy about getting older, and I choose to be enthusiastic about life, whatever it might bring. That doesn’t mean I am not very clear-eyed about the deep wrongs and ills that plague our country. I happen to agree with a good bit of what you say however, we differ in how we choose to engage. There is much you and I cannot control. However, what we can control is how we feel about what we encounter. That gives me enormous hope if for no other reason that nobody but nobody can control how I think and feel about what is around me. That doesn’t make me Pollyanna. It does put me squarely in control of my peace of mind, and my anxiety levels. Of course I am concerned by the idiocy I see. By the same token, I have direct influence over my mind, my body, my diet and how I choose to interact with those things. That is what I’m enthusiastic about. There’s a big difference- and an important one. Thanks for your comments.