Compassion Grass dies out as fast as it grows. It does nothing for its losers. In humanity there is a strong ever-present concern for the unfortunate. We admire those who demonstrate a special capacity for compassion, often identifying it strongly with Jesus Christ, history's great compassionate figure. We scorn those who seem to possess none of it.
Compassion has the power to move mountains.
As much as anything, it stimulated NATO's readiness to confront the Kosovo catastrophe and, utilizing collaboration and competition, continue to seek its reversal. It seems a natural for developing into another great turning point in human history. Unless, of course, we fall apart here at home and back down. The latter is a risk ironically inherent in our own democratic system, which lends itself to bitter political competition as its highest priority. At some level of gravity in a situation as ready as this for turning a pivotal corner, our politicians should put collaboration first and competition second for a change.