"Sit still and pay attention."

Famous last words.

My children and I went to see Wesley Clark and Jay Fawcett yesterday. It was a good crowd filled with proud Democrats who had strong ties to the military. My boys were the youngest in a group that stayed mostly on the dark side of sixty. However, they listened to the speeches with an intensity usually reserved only for Buster. Both Clark and Fawcett talked about service to our country, the importance of Israel and the Middle East, and the disastrous direction our current administration has chosen. Afterward, General Clark asked for questions.

My youngest son stood on the chair and raised his hand. I almost died. Looked at him quickly and he said, "I have a question." Shrugged my shoulders and he did the same. What could I do? Besides shut my eyes and pray he didn't ask something silly about Bugs Bunny.

"I'll take a question from the young man in the second row," General Clark said.

To. My. Son.

"Why is Israel important?" Youngest asked.

Kid paid attention. I tried not to beam. What may seem obvious to us is not always so obvious to a six year-old. I looked toward our speakers for the answer.

"Israel is a strong democracy and ally to our country," Jay Fawcett said. "Israel shows the world that there is an alternative to fundamentalist government in that part of the world and we should embrace that alternative because it gives the entire region hope."

Couldn't have said it better myself.