Service is the Rent We Pay

SERVICE IS THE RENT WE PAY FOR
THE PRIVILEGE OF LIVING ON THIS EARTH.
IT IS THE VERY PURPOSE OF LIFE,
AND NOT SOMETHING WE
DO IN OUR SPARE TIME.

~ Shirley Chisholm

Of Note: Ever heard of Rinderpest? No? That is not surprising because most people in the developed world haven't either. Rinderpest is an animal disease, whose name means "cattle plague" in German. It has been blamed for speeding the fall of the Roman Empire, aiding the conquests of the mighty Genghis Khan while hindering those of Charlemagne, and opened the way for the French and Russian revolutions while at the same time keeping Africa from flourishing. The good news this week is that the United Nations has declared it eradicated. It is only the second disease in history next to smallpox to claim that distinction. The New York Times said: "The long but little-known campaign to conquer Rinderpest is a tribute to the skill and bravery of big animal veterinarians, who fought the disease in remote and sometimes war-torn areas across stretches of Africa bigger than Europe, in the Arabian desert and on the Mongolian steppes." This tale of conquest and service begun in the late 1940's is so incredible it will undoubtedly be a movie someday. Until then, we can just thank the heroes of this story in a little prayer of gratitude as they move on to other scourges facing men and beasts.