I'm truly disheartened by the lack of substance we show the rest of the world on a daily basis. We are, and have been for a long time, the exporters of culture, be it iPods, Coca-Cola, X-Box, MTV, reality-show fever, etc. Is that our legacy?

It's the fall of the Roman Empire all over again.

How about recognizing the people in our culture who truly are influential, both in a micro and macro sense? The teachers, police and firefighters who serve our communities on a daily basis. The social activists, political and religious leaders who do what's right, often at the expense of their personal lives. Not for fame, glory, tabloid attention or for that multimillion-dollar contract extension, but because it strengthens our community. Because it's the right thing to do. MORE