Remember Terry Anderson?

At age 49, Terry Anderson covered Lebanon’s civil war for The Associated Press for three years before his capture in 1985. He was released in 1991, and seemed remarkably well after his ordeal.

A BBC Correspondent, Alan Johnston, has been missing in Gaza for three months. A video was recently broadcast, indicating he is still alive. More than 148,000 people have signed an on-line petition calling for his release. I often doubt such things serve any useful purpose, but in this case, it surely can’t hurt to have many more people sign on. Add your name and e-mail address here, if you agree. Journalists aren’t part of the military, but they can perform an essential public service in being present and reporting on war. With all the thousands of dead on all sides over so many years, perhaps hoping for the safe release of this one man is futile. But just as many of us felt connected with Terry Anderson, I do care about Alan Johnston, and I hope he gets home healthy in mind and body, like Terry.