I’m not really a crier. Hey, I’m a guy. We don’t do that kind of thing. That doesn’t mean I’m not an emotional person. I enjoy a good chick flick every once and a while (as long as it’s good). I love the big emotional climax. I love to see the two lovers finally get together. I just don’t cry when these things happen. If it’s really good I’ll get misty eyed, but hey, that’s about all I can muster. When I cry we are talking complete mental breakdown. Run away.

That said, about the closest I’ve ever come to actual real tears running down my cheek while watching TV happened this Sunday when I watched the “article” on 60 Minutes about the earthquake in Pakistan. What’s going on over there is just horrible. They aren’t nearly close to getting the help they need. That said, 13 NYC paramedics went to help with no prompting or any connection to Pakistan. They just wanted to help.

The part that really got to me though was when the paramedics were talking about American aid, how America is the country that has spent the most money helping out the victims, mostly because they believe the humanitarian aid will help combat terrorism. That’s not why those paramedics went, but they do recognize that for generations those 13 men are going to be remembered as Americans who came to help them. 13 American men with no money, just their time and their skills, came to help out the “enemy” in their time of need, asking nothing in return. And those actions are more powerful than any 100 million-dollar propaganda campaign could ever be to change Muslim opinions on America.

That the simple act of human kindness could make such a big difference on a worldwide scale really touched me.