This morning I awoke to a story in the New York Times about a young couple stoned to death in Afghanistan. The couple was condemned to death by the Taliban for eloping by more than 100 men who lived in the town where the couple grew up. As I shuddered imagining the scene of this gruesome act, I was reminded once again of how fortunate we are here in America. For most of us, we are here by a pure twist of fate lucky enough to have been born as a result of a struggle for a better life by relatives that came before us. While I thank God for my good fortune, I am saddened by the injustices suffered by many as a result of being deprived of the basic freedoms we often take for granted. May God bless you all my friends, family and neighbors and may we never forget how fortunate we are.