Acknowledgments

This web site, or the book that follows it, would not have happened without some important people in my life.

First and foremost, is my lovely wife Holli. Those who have followed my online writings know that I usually refer to her as My Lovely Wife (or MLW), and nothing could be more true. Through this entire process, she has stood by my side. When I was wrong, she told me so - and then allowed me to be wrong until I learned better. She knew before I did some of the choices I would make, but knew that I only agonized over them because of my love and respect for her.

My children. I am not a perfect father - I make mistakes the same as anyone else. But I want my children Emily, Griffen, and Matthew to know that I love them dearly, and even when I make mistakes, or when they do, I still love them. I set out on this quest because I could not live demonstrating dishonesty to my children. I want them to know that truth and honor and virtue can all exist together.

My father John Hummel Sr once taught me that my rights end at the edge of my nose. He aggravated the hell out of me growing up, but he always did so in a way that expanded my mind.

And finally - to all of my online friends, who encouraged, who gave advice, who gave understanding. People may think the world is callous and cruel - but I have seen the goodness of perfect strangers who have so much empathy as to reach out to a complete stranger and say "Hi. Let's be friends!" This book is dedicated to all of you out there who emailed and Twittered and Livejournaled and were just good and decent people.