I know people who know people in Iraq, but I've never known anyone there myself. My cozy academic circle is fully insulated from the peril and danger that are daily facts of life for members of our armed forces in the middle east. I read about the deteriorating situation *over there* as though it's happening on the moon, or in a history book. And when I'm bored, I read about something else.

My friend Jeffery is being sent to Baghdad. I told him I was sorry and I wished him luck- really I didn't know what to say.