Center for a New American Security

Happy Easter, everyone. I want to share a quick Easter message as well as a reminder that tomorrow is ANZAC Day. First, ANZAC Day:

Since I moved back to Washington, DC in January 2009, it has been a privilege to attend the sunrise service held on ANZAC Day each year. I should not have to remind U.S. readers that Australia and New Zealand have been America's most loyal allies, fighting alongside the United States in every major conflict since the First World War, including Vietnam. There is perhaps no better way to honor the ANZUS Pact and our Aussie and Kiwi friends than by attending the wonderful sunrise service held each year. So if you are in Washington and did not manage to make it to mass this morning, I'll see you tomorrow by the Korean Veterans War Memorial at 5:30. (21 Australian soldiers died in the Iraq War, in case you are wondering, while 23 Australians and two New Zealanders have been killed in Afghanistan.)

On ABC's This Week this morning, meanwhile, Christiane Amanpour had a special Easter edition in which she interviewed folks like Franklin Graham, who <sigh> seemed to question both the president's faith and place of birth while inevitably calling for more civility in public discourse, and Al Sharpton, who was ... well, Al Sharpton. Wedged in between those two gentlemen, though, was an interview with one of my favorite pastors, Tim Keller of New York's Redeemer Presbyterian Church. There is some great stuff in here, and, from 4:37 on, some stuff that will make those of use who blog and tweet take a harder look at our words and how we use them to either enrich or degrade the public discourse.

Abu Muqawama salutes our allies in Australia and New Zealand.

Heroes who shed their blood and lost their lives! You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and Mehmets to us where they lie side by side here in this country of ours. You, the mothers, who sent their sons from far away countries wipe away your tears; your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. After having lost their lives on this land they have become our sons as well.

                                             -- Ataturk