"Children of the Americas" is a series of articles in the Miami Herald. The latest one deals with hunger in Guatemala, where more children are hungry and malnourished than in any other country of this hemisphere. Earlier articles deal with Haiti, Honduras, and Argentina. (You may have to register to read these articles, but there is no charge.)

While trillions fund regime change and foment civil war, a few million would feed these children. A few million would fund projects like those sponsored by Heifer International and World Vision to provide a sustainable life for these families.

On a related note, did you know that Heifer International has programs targeted to orphans and mothers who have been devastated by the HIV/AIDS epidemic in southern Africa. In Uganda, Kenya, and other places, milk can increase the protein in diets so that AIDS drugs are more effective, as well as provide family income to purchase medications. As if I needed it, I have one more reason to support Heifer International.

Apocalypto will not be on my agenda in the foreseeable future. It's disappointing to have to say that because the culture and history of MesoAmerica is one of my strong interests. I've made a couple of trips to the Maya Weekend at the University of Pennsylvania, and I've learned and forgotten how to read a few basic Mayan glyphs.

The reason I'm not going to see Apocalypto is the same reason I still have not seen The Passion of Christ. I just don't believe that this sort of intense depiction of violence serves any useful or edifying purpose. I have read enough about the removal of beating hearts and the atrocities committed against Jesus to get the picture. I don't need to see someone's morbid depiction of it.

I read and heard a couple of provocative reviews of this latest Mel Gibson bloodfest, so I'll pass on the links.

Professor Zachary X. Hruby of U. C. Riverside's review on MesoWeb

L.A. Times and Morning Edition movie reviewer, Kenneth Turan on NPR