Pundits have been praising Rep. Paul Ryan, the Wisconsin
Republican who chairs the House budget committee, for the courage displayed in
his 2012 budget proposal. But their definition of "courage"
must be different from mine.
When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, the
persecuted Orthodox Church began its resurrection. Nothing better illustrates this revival than the restoration of the cathedrals and churches.
Pulling works of art from the rubble of buildings destroyed in a
disaster may seem trivial compared with providing food and medical care. But it helps ensure the
culture's long-term recovery.