Real Life Heroes #1: Marguerite Nunnally of Atlanta, GA

There are those who say that in today's world, heroes like the ones of yesteryear are to be found only in history books, or works of fiction. There are those who say that in today's world, everybody looks out for Number One, unable to see beyond their own selfish, short-term interests. There are those who say that today's world is so riddled with corruption and injustice that it is foolish and naïve to believe that one person can make a difference.

In this irregular series of posts I am launching today, I'm going to show you living, breathing proof that the people who say those things are just plain, flat-out, dead-assed WRONG. As I learn about them, I will post here links to stories of real people, people just like you and me, who not only could, but did make a difference when fate placed them in a position to do so. People who somehow, somewhere found the courage to act—to save a life, to right a wrong, or just to help someone in need—often risking everything they owned, their careers, their reputations, sometimes even their lives. People who could have all too easily walked away...except that their consciences simply would not let them. People who did the right thing—for no other reason than because it was right...and in so doing, crossed over the line which separates ordinary people from Real Life Heroes.

These people are the ones that inspired me to write "Come the Dawn." They are shining examples of the very best in humanity, in a time when we are all too often confronted with the very worst. They amaze me, they give me hope, they make me proud, they put a lump in my throat...and they challenge me to do more with my own life. I hope reading about them will do the same for you...and if you feel moved to contribute a story of a Real Life Hero you know, or know of, by all means please do.

This is one of them, right here where I live: a lady who teaches at a local private school and was so moved by a bunch of students in a far-off African nation, by their eagerness to learn and willingness to work despite the Damocles' sword of an incurable—and invariably fatal—disease hanging over them, that she decided to get them some things that might help. And then it took off from there...

Marguerite Nunnally and the Terranova School

Consumers win one, lose one

On the upside in today's business news: YES!!! US Airways finally threw in the proverbial towel and gave up trying to buy our local major carrier, Delta Air Lines. This means that the Atlanta area economy does not need to worry any more about losing yet another Fortune® 500 company HQ, as it has been doing all too often already in the last decade or so. (Story here.)

Downside: Comcast Cable (otherwise known as The Evil Empire) announced today it will hike its cable TV rates yet again on its residential customers (whose number includes Your Humble Correspondent and his partner), for the fourth time in as many consecutive years. From around $40 back in 2003 (here in Atlanta; your local rate may vary), the monthly rate for basic service now balloons to about $50. And you thought deregulation and competition would lower rates... (Story here.)

Sigh. Ya win some, ya lose some...

In Memoriam: Mary Tyler "Molly" Ivins, 1944-2007

With thanks to faxpaladin for the tip: The progressive political world has lost one of its funniest, smartest and most eloquent voices. Columnist and author Molly Ivins has died of breast cancer at 62. Her employer, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, reports the sad news here. With Art Buchwald, this makes two great newspaper people lost in 2007 already. Dammit to frigging hell.