Thanks to television, on Tuesday, January 19, I heard a member of the U.S. military say to a group of Haitians, “If you don’t stand in line, we’re not going to help you.” I hope the Haitians didn’t understand him.

I can’t watch more TV reports from Haiti. I simply want to do something to help. I think I have found the best way for me to do that.

Since Wednesday President Obama has told the people of Haiti and of the world that help is on its way. From the very beginning he said to the people of Haiti, “You will not be forsaken.” But there are some questions that the United States should consider.

I spent the Christmas holidays in my hometown of Cheyenne, Wyoming. It is always interesting to return to the U.S. and to get back in touch with a bit of the reality there.

A few days ago I bought a copy of the Venezuelan daily, El Nacional, and asked God for forgiveness. Many years ago it was my favorite newspaper here. Now I feel I am sinning whenever I put two more bolivars into their coffers.

The June 29 coup in Honduras did not surprise me.

The Venezuelan newspaper I bought this morning in Caracas carried two pictures of demonstrators in Iran yesterday.

The National Guard is in charge of security at the Simon Bolivar International Airport in Caracas, Venezuela. Recently a guardsman approached me and asked if I would be so kind as to remove one of my shoes.

I realize that I am late in sharing most of the traditional greetings that are due at this time of the year. But…

Today is November 18, 2008, and I am in Georgetown, Guyana. Thirty years ago today, Jim Jones encouraged and caused the suicide of over nine hundred people in Jonestown, Guyana, a place that no longer exists. Simply being in the country today forces one to reflect on what happened that ominous day.