I’d like to reiterate what Charles said the other day about being proud of LGF’s reaction to the Boston bombings.

Even though I recently marked my 3-year anniversary here, I still wasn’t entirely sure how people would react when the next major terrorist attack by Muslims on U.S. soil happened. I was dreading it in fact, because I’ve made friends here, enjoyed the conversations, and would hate to leave.

I can see now how unfounded my fears were—despite the anger & sadness at the injuries and senseless loss of innocent lives, the vast majority of you have reacted with restraint, compassion, tolerance, reason, and steadfast commitment to respecting the freedoms & protections that our Constitution affords all of its citizens. To me, that is the very definition of American exceptionalism.

As a matter of fact, reading your reactions and being able to join in has helped immensely because it has allowed me to publicly share in the sadness & anger over the horror of what happened—something that was impossible in the days, weeks, and months following 9/11, which made it doubly painful.

For that, I give all of you (and especially Charles, for leading the way) a huge THANK YOU and a big bear hug {{{LGF}}}. I’m proud of you and proud to be counted as a member of the LGF community.

Honest men esteem and value nothing so much in this world as a real friend. Such a one is as it were another self, to whom we impart our most secret thoughts, who partakes of our joy, and comforts us in our affliction; add to this, that his company is an everlasting pleasure to us. —Bidpai, Tales of Kalila and Dimna