During the turmoil of the Russian revolution and subsequent dictatorial regimes, one never heard of those governments not allowing the people to learn to read. They very vigorously, however, controlled what was read.

We have a similar situation today. So much of our media is focused on the goings on in Washington. And there should be a focus. After all, the impeachment of a public official is part of the work of the people. We are, hopefully, above thinking only that financial issues are important, although, it does seem that those form the more important focus of many.

Mr. Clinton did say, "Undeniably, character does count for our citizens, our communities, and our nation, and this week we celebrate the importance of character in our individual lives. Core ethical values of trustworthiness, fairness, responsibility, caring, respect, and citizenship form the foundation of our democracy, our economy, and our society. Instilling sound character in our children is essential to maintaining the strength of our nation in the 21st century" (speech for National Character Week, Oct. 1997).

Character, or the lack thereof, ought to matter to everyone. When we elect someone to the hall of fame, for example, we elect a person, not just a record. What someone does on the court or field is important, but so is what he or she does off the field. We do one another a great disservice when we divorce performance from the man.

So much of our news exposure is to the salacious and the consumeristic mentality. One need only watch TV for a few minutes and see that the main focus is about sex and money. In addition, the majority of our news is about the USA or Europe. Exception noted when the Pope is out and about other countries.

We hear little about the rest of the world. For example, little is reported on the situation in Sudan where slavery is rampant; or the Congo where five missing Missionaries of Charity fate is unknown; or India, where peace marches to protest the violence against Christians were held; or in our own country, the American Academy of Pediatrics said that doctors should encourage teen abstinence (The United States has by far the highest adolescent birth rate of all developed countries -- nearly double that of the United Kingdom -- and approximately 1 million US teenagers get pregnant each year, the group noted.); or the fact that a new Catholic law center to defend the religious rights has been formed in Ann Arbor, MI. The Thomas More Center for Law and Justice is going to give people of faith a chance to fight back; or, the journalist expelled from Cuba for helping a local Christian union; or, the renewed violence in Indonesia's Spice Islands between Christian and Muslims; or, the "race" in Britain between ten couples to time the birth of their child for the new millennium.

The list could on and on. There is much about which to be concerned. Let the media know you are interested in more than Washington and Wall Street. They are important, but they are not the world. Thank God.