Rest in Peace Andrew Breitbart

"When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive - to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love." -Marcus Aurelius

In the 2000 film Gladiator, former Roman general Maximus has a conversation with his gladiatorial leader Proximo. The older man spoke of meeting the great Marcus Aurelius. This had been the day he won his freedom. Maximus laughs and asks sarcastically, "You knew Marcus Aurelius?". Maximus had been close to Aurelius. Defensively, Proximo answers, "I didn't say I knew him, I said he touched me on the shoulder once!"

There are great warriors and brilliant people on this earth. Most of us will never have the pleasure of meeting them, let alone know them as friends. But the great ones don't have to share with us a deep relationship to touch us in a profound way. Andrew Breitbart was one of those people.

I never met Andrew, knowing him only by his efforts. I did interact with him a few times on Twitter and felt blessed to do so. I guess you could say he figuratively touched me on the shoulder once. He was brave, unashamed, and kind though many of his opponents would say otherwise. Andrew wasn't afraid to tell the truth in a world where the truth is only acceptable as long as it shields the right people from harm. He led a crusade against the bias of the media the way a great general leads men into battle.

Andrew was liked by many and shared his life with a wife and children whom he loved very much. His family will never be the same without him. We will never be the same without him. But we must soldier on. We must keep up the good fight for Andrew.

Marcus Aurelius said, "Let it be your constant method to look into the design of people's actions, and see what they would be at, as often as it is practicable; and to make this custom the more significant, practice it first upon yourself." Andrew Breitbart searched himself, readied himself for battle, and charged ahead. We must do the same in his honor and for the future of this country.