Several nations’ leaders have declared that uncontrolled ebola in Africa is a threat to world Security.  ISIS has killed another hostage, British aid worker David Haines, and has released another video declaring catastrophic consequences for countries that don’t ultimately submit to Sharia law. Scots will decide today if they will remain part of the United Kingdom. Wild fires rage out of control in California.  Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson has been suspended for spanking his son with a stick. Israel and Palestine have not agreed to take necessary steps that would allow people on both sides of their shared border to live in peace. The Russian-speaking region of Ukraine remains a festering sore that must be tended carefully by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko to keep it from erupting into widespread political sickness that could have global consequences… but I am not losing hope.  

Sailing up the Rhone river toward Lyon the Vantage boat River boat Discovery II stopped today in a French village not much changed in many ways since it was founded in the 13th Century.  Viviers, with its inviting corridor of sycamore trees leading into the cluster of very old houses, has seen wars and plagues come and go. The latest bombardment came during the Second World War when Nazis knocked out an important bridge that crosses the Rhone.  The bridge was rebuilt long ago. A little way up the river from the Medieval town a nuclear power plant generates electricity for this region of France. Some people think French dependence on Nuclear energy to meet the country’s energy requirements is risky.  Others see it as a sign of progress. Whatever else is happening out in the rest of the world, peace reigns on board River Discovery II.