In my highly unscientific study of inner city residents, the leading cause of conflict is feeling disrespected. Which leads me to believe the leading cause of conflict in international conflicts is feeling disrespected. There seems to be a growing sentiment in the many poorest nations of the world that they just don’t get any respect. That’s why providing humanitarian relief is so important.

I am fully aware of the problems in this country. We have hungry children, deteriorating schools, high crime rates, poverty, rising prices and stagnant incomes. And what many people don’t realize is there are still places in this nation of plenty where people still use outhouses and get their water from a well. So, why should we take on someone else’s problems? Terrorism.

I believe the greatest threat to our national security has been indifference. If we had seriously negotiated peace in the Middle East in the early days, we would be at odds with al Qaeda, and it’s spawns. For decades young men who felt they were disrespected have blown themselves up in the name of their cause. Now the Western educated leaders of this foolhardy strategy have convinced the members of the uneducated masses that, God sanctions murderous suicide.

Today we have an opportunity to deny the spread of terror by stepping on to the continent of Africa. Africa has the highest rate of AIDS transmission in the world. It is my belief that a culture that refuses to address issues of sexuality and health dooms itself in the modern world to generations of orphans. We must provide aid. Children watch their parents die as the world watches. It is my fear that they will become angry and lash out at western countries. We have so much. We do too little. I would hate to see more U.S. men and women in battle dress uniforms in another land we ignored.

The time has come for us to speak up for those who are not heard. As American citizens, we are among the most generous givers in the world. We are creative. It is time we made Africa a part of our consciousness. It’s vital for the security of our nation to help strengthen others.