Almost daily, we hear or read about the malfeasance of some trusted individual, whether a key employee at a business or an elected official at some level of local, state or federal government.

Around the world, many large nations are under pressure from ethnic or tribal minorities within their borders. Kosovo recently declared independence from Serbia. Kenya is torn by tribal rivalries over disputed election results. Chechnya desires freedom from Russian control. The Basque people of Spain want to be separate from Madrid's oversight.

But will any of these peoples truly be happier and better off going their own way? Will they be able to provide themselves a better government and a better life than what they are leaving behind?

As I was watching the CNN coverage of the riots in Serbia the other day, the news camera zoomed in to some of the action on the street in Belgrade. Several protesters were standing in the back of a pickup truck as it made its way through the swarming throngs of people.

Intermittent fires were burning in buildings in the background. As the truck moved along, one of the men in the back of the pickup casually turned towards the camera, lifted a bottle to his mouth, took a long drink, and offhandedly tossed the empty bottle away.

"Don't sweat the small stuff – and it's all small stuff." So goes the popular saying. We look for a way to avoid stress and to avoid the consequences of our actions. Yet, when it comes down to it, we are ultimately responsible for our actions – and everything counts.

The Star-Spangled Banner calls the United States, "the home of the brave." Past generations were moved by the bravery and self-sacrifice of American soldiers during World War II.