When Frank Buckles outlived every other American who’d served in World War I, he became what his biographer called “the humble patriot” and final torchbearer for the memory of that fading conflict.

Buckles enlisted in World War I at 16 after lying about his age. He died Sunday on his farm in Charles Town, W.Va., nearly a month after his 110th birthday. He had devoted the last years of his life to campaigning for greater recognition for his former comrades, prodding politicians to support a national memorial in Washington, and working with friend and family spokesman David DeJonge on a biography.

Only two known veterans remain, according to the Order of the First World War, a Florida group whose members are descendants of WWI veterans and include Buckles’ daughter. The survivors are Florence Green in Britain and Claude Choules in Australia, said Robert Carroon, the group’s senior vice commander. Choules, who served in Britain’s Royal Navy, was born in that country but now lives in Australia.

Born in Missouri in 1901 and raised in Oklahoma, Buckles visited a string of military recruiters after the United States in April 1917 entered what was called “the war to end all wars.” He was repeatedly rejected before convincing an Army captain he was 18.

The family is planning a burial in Arlington National Cemetery. Buckles had already been eligible to have his cremated remains housed at the cemetery. But burial normally requires meeting several criteria, including earning one of five medals, such as a Purple Heart.

After Armistice Day, Buckles helped return prisoners of war to Germany. He returned to the United States in January 1920.

After the war, he returned to Oklahoma, then moved to Canada, where he worked a series of jobs before heading for New York City. There, he landed jobs in banking and advertising.

But it was the shipping industry that suited him best, and he worked around the world for the White Star Line Steamship Co. and W.R. Grace & Co.

In 1941, while on business in the Philippines, Buckles was captured by the Japanese. He spent more than three years in prison camps.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

In an address to the nation’s governors, President Barack Obama offered Monday to let states design alternative plans to his healthcare law given they fulfill the goals of his law.

Obama also told state chiefs not to denigrate public workers as Republican governors in Wisconsin and Ohio back bills that would end collective bargaining agreements for public employees.

About half the states are suing to overturn Obama’s healthcare law, targeting its unpopular requirement that most Americans carry health insurance or face fines from the IRS.

Obama endorsed legislation by Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Scott Brown, R-Mass., that would allow states to submit alternative plans in 2014 rather than waiting until 2017 as the current law requires.

But first they would have to convince Washington that their approach covers at least as many state residents, provides equally affordable and comprehensive benefits, and would not increase the federal deficit.

Heritage Foundation Center for Policy Innovation Director Stuart Butler said in the New England Journal of Medicine that although states can propose alternative benefit requirements, “it still locks the states into guaranteeing a generous and costly level of benefits” since the Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius is the one who defines what “at least as comprehensive” benefits mean. In the end, the ultimate waiver authority rests with the Sebelius, not with the state.

Obama also said he understands the fiscal challenges facing cash-strapped states and says everyone should be prepared “to give something up.”

But he still stood by unions and urged that all stakeholders must have a role in discussions about state budgets and employees should not lose rights as governors look to cut spending.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

UPDATE: The U.S. repositioned some naval forces near Libya and threatened Monday that all options remain on the table to protect Libyans from Muammar Qaddafi, including the possible use of warplanes to patrol Libyan skies.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the United States is exploring the idea of a no-fly zone to prevent Qaddafi’s regime from bombing its citizens.

OUR EARLIER REPORT: Muammar Qaddafi’s regime clamped down in its stronghold in the capital, crushing an attempt Monday to hold new protests as residents reported skyrocketing food prices from the crisis.

The two sides in Libya’s crisis appeared entrenched in their positions, with Qaddafi’s opponents holding nearly the entire eastern half of the country, much of the oil infrastructure, and some cities in the West, and Qaddafi holding Tripoli and nearby cities.

In the two opposition-held cities closest to Tripoli—Zawiya and Misrata—rebel forces were locked into standoffs with Qaddafi loyalists.

In Zawiya, some 30 miles west of Tripoli, residents said they were anticipating a possible attack by pro-regime troops to try to retake the city.

In Misrata, Libya’s third largest city 125 miles east of Tripoli, skirmishes took place overnight between rebel forces controlling the city and troops loyal to Qaddafi, according to residents.

Each side controls part of a sprawling air base on the outskirts of the city, and neither was able to make any gains in the latest sporadic fighting, they said.

Qaddafi opponents have moved to consolidate their hold in the east, centered on Benghazi—Libya’s second largest city, where the uprising began. Politicians there on Sunday set up their first leadership council to manage day-to-day affairs, taking a step toward forming what could be an alternative to Qaddafi’s regime.

The opposition is backed by numerous units of the military in the east that joined the uprising, but so far, the units do not appear to have melded into a unified fighting force. Qaddafi long kept the military weak, fearing a challenge to his rule, so many units are plagued by shortages of supplies and ammunition.

In the capital, several hundred protesters started a march in the eastern district of Tajoura, chanting against the Libyan leader and waving the flag of Libya’s pre-Qaddafi monarchy, a witness said.

But they quickly dispersed once a brigade of pro-Qaddafi fighters rushed to the scene, the witness said.

One resident said the price of rice has gone up 500 percent amid the crisis, reaching $40 for a 10-pound bag.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Pirates hijacked a Danish sailboat with four adults and three children aboard as they were crossing the Indian Ocean, Denmark’s government said Monday.

Most hostages captured in the pirate-infested waters off East Africa are professional sailors, not families. Pirates are not known to have captured children before.

The Danish Foreign Ministry said the ship sent a distress signal on Thursday. On board was a Danish couple, their three children—aged 12 to 16—and two adult crew members, also Danes.

Two days before the Danish sailboat sent the distress signal, four Americans were killed by Somali pirates in a hostage standoff. They were the first Americans slain by Somali pirates since a wave of attacks began six years ago.

Danish news agency Ritzau, citing Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Charlotte Slente, said the boat was believed to be heading toward Somalia.

Earlier Monday, the European Union Naval Force said Somali pirates hijacked a Greek-owned cargo vessel with 23 crew on board.

The MV Dover was seized Monday in the north Arabian sea, 260 miles northeast of the Omani port of Salalah, the naval force said. The MV Dover was on its way to Yemen from Pakistan when it was attacked. It was registered with shipping and naval authorities.

There are three Romanians, 19 Filipinos, and a Russian aboard the Panama-flagged vessel. There is no communication with the ship and no information regarding the condition of the crew.

In a separate incident, pirates released the MV Izumi on Friday, the naval force said Monday. The Panama-flagged vessel and its Filipino crew of 20 are believed to be making for a safe port. There is no information on the condition of the vessel or the crew. The ship was taken in October.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

High fuel prices are putting the squeeze on drivers’ wallets just as they are starting to feel better about the economy. They’re also forcing tough choices on small-business owners who are loathe to charge more for fear of losing cost-conscious customers.

Gasoline prices rose 4 percent last week to a national average of $3.29 per gallon. That’s the highest level ever for this time of year, when prices are typically low. And with unrest in the
Middle East and North Africa lifting the price of oil to the $100-a-barrel range, analysts say pump prices are likely headed higher.

Gas prices rose as the chaos in Libya disrupted shipments of high-quality crude, which is well-suited to making gasoline. That sent refiners scrambling to find other sources of high-quality oil.

Analysts and economists worry that by lowering profits for businesses and reducing disposable income for drivers, high gasoline prices could slow the recovering economy.

Over a year, analysts estimate, oil at $100 a barrel would reduce U.S. economic growth by 0.2 or 0.3 of a percentage point. Rather than grow an estimated 3.7 percent this year, the economy would expand 3.4 percent or 3.5 percent. That would likely mean less hiring and higher unemployment.

For every 25-cent increase in the price of gasoline, the nation spends an extra $3 billion filling up its cars and trucks, said Tom Kloza, chief oil analyst at the Oil Price Information Service.

Americans are less prepared to absorb the spike in gasoline prices than they were the last time prices rose this high, in 2008, because unemployment is higher and real estate values are lower, said David Portalatin, an analyst for the market research firm NPD Group.

Diane Swonk, chief economist at Mesirow Financial in Chicago, says this year’s cut in payroll taxes offers consumers a buffer against higher fuel prices. Still, she expects all but the wealthiest Americans to cut back on discretionary spending.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Over at Andrew Brietbart’s Big Hollywood, blog editor John Nolte will soon begin a countdown of the “Top 25 Greatest Christian Films.” Readers submitted their nominations, which Nolte winnowed to 100 for his viewing list. Starting in March, he’ll be reviewing the films in ascending order, ending with his pick for No. 1 on Easter weekend. Some of the nominations are quirky, to say the least. Dogma and Elmer Gantry strike me as anti-Christian, while A Man for All Seasons and Friendly Persuasion are celebrations of good character that don’t necessarily depend on a Christian context. As for The Life of Brian . . . huh?

It made me start thinking, not for the first time, about what makes a “Christian film,” or what makes a film Christian. Is it good morals with a nod toward God (e.g., It’s a Wonderful Life)? A story from the Bible (The Ten Commandments)? Or a story that reflects biblical truth without explicit reference to Christ or doctrine (Lord of the Rings)?

Truth is truth, and any story that illuminates the gospel, even if in a purely secular context, is worth telling. But the gospel also has to be preached, and preaching is the death of art. That is, the life of Jesus told on film may move the viewer to sympathy, sorrow, revulsion, or any number of emotions, but without a clear exposition of why He came and what His death and resurrection meant, it’s just a story. Any conversion tale operates on the same principle: Even unbelievers can sympathize with Caleb Holt (Fireproof) or Cadi Forbes (The Last Sin Eater), but as soon as the Christian father or preacher start speaking the gospel, the story seems to fall flat. At least for those who don’t believe it—at that point, “Fireproof stops becoming relatable to us all and only to the already, or easily, indoctrinated,” wrote Ed Gonzales of L.A. Weekly.

That’s not to say the Holy Spirit can’t work through a story—in fact, He works through “The Greatest Story Ever Told”—but art can’t preach, and preaching seems to be God’s method of choice for communicating the gospel. That leads me back to the original question: can a film be “Christian”? If so, how?

The Wall Street Journal’s John Fund is a walking political encyclopedia. I was fascinated by his recall of regional election statistics a few weeks ago when he spoke at the Pennsylvania Breakfast at the Conservative Political Action Conference. He grabbed my attention again on Saturday in his latest column, where he presented a correlation between embattled Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s passion for speaking the truth and his electability . . . even against great odds.

Prior to winning the governor’s race in 2010, Walker served two-and-a-half terms as county executive in heavily Democratic Milwaukee County (he won a special election in 2002, followed by general election victories in 2004 and 2008)—the first Republican elected to a countywide position. In ’08, John McCain garnered just 31 percent of the vote in Milwaukee County (to Obama’s 59 percent) while Walker hauled in a remarkable 59 percent. Four years before that he received 57 percent of the vote.

How does Walker explain those numbers?

“I would go on reality tours [to discuss Milwaukee County’s problems],” he told Fund. ‘Critics would call them ‘gloom-and-doom’ tours, but in the end people came to agree with me on what needed to be done. I won because people will ultimately respond to the truth. There is an unseen reservoir of support out there for leaders who will do the right thing.”

This wasn’t the first time Walker spoke about truth to the media. In the spring of 2009, this son of a Baptist minister told radio host Glen Meakem, “Truth, passion, and most importantly, the right message can go a long way and it can transcend any sort of political punditry or consultant’s demographic sheet. In the end, people are drawn to truth and drawn to genuine candidates who really believe in something and stand for something—and even more so if you not only say it, but then go out and do it. I believe that candidates can go out and get elected and get reelected anywhere in this country because people are craving for it.”

Walker’s career demonstrates that truth-telling is a winning strategy. Once again he is relying on it in his current battle with Democrats and public sector unions. People are craving for it—that’s the truth.

The European Union slapped its own arms embargo, visa ban, and other sanctions Monday on Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi’s regime, part of an escalating global effort to halt his bloody crackdown on critics in the North African nation.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton came to Geneva on Monday to press EU diplomats, including Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, for stronger action against Qaddafi’s regime.

Even before Ashton announced the new sanctions, France pledged to send two planes with humanitarian aid to Libya’s opposition stronghold of Benghazi while Germany mulled a two-month cutoff of oil payments to Qaddafi’s regime.

The moves came after days of increasing protest against the hundreds, and potentially thousands, of deaths caused by Qaddafi’s military resistance against the popular uprising in his country.

Ashton said the European measures, including a freeze on assets, aimed to reinforced the UN Security Council-mandated sanctions against Libya approved over the weekend. The EU action was significant because Europe has much more leverage over Libya than the United States—85 percent of Libyan oil goes to Europe and Qaddafi and his family are thought to have significant assets in Britain, Switzerland, and Italy. Switzerland and Britain have already hit Libya with a freeze on assets.

The EU also embargoed any equipment that could be “used for internal repression,” Ashton said, urging nations to coordinate actions to help people across North Africa and the Middle East.

A more complex set of negotiations, she said, were being held over the possibility of creating a no-fly zone over Libya.

In Paris, French Prime Minister Francois Fillon said planes were taking off for the eastern city of Benghazi with doctors, nurses, medicines, and medical equipment.

Germany’s foreign minister, Guido Westerwelle, proposed cutting off all oil and other payments to Libya for 60 days to make sure that Qaddafi’s regime does not get more money to hire mercenaries to repress anti-government critics.

The UN Security Council has instructed International Criminal Court to look into possible crimes against humanity occurring in Libya.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Have you ever been to a meeting where you were the least competent person in attendance? That happened to me recently. Now there are some meetings where a person can be least competent and not mind it. For example, a star athlete would not feel threatened to stink at a meeting of a horticultural society, and medical doctor would not feel threatened to be the dunce at a meeting of civil engineers. Each has his own specialty and feels secure in it.

But my meeting was not that kind of thing: I was in a group with six other women that had gathered for the purpose of writing Bible questions for a church curriculum. That’s “writing” and “Bible,” the only two things in the world that I am remotely good at. (Which is to say that I stink at everything else. I recall that author Anne Lamott said if it weren’t for writing she would be totally unemployable.) So if you are at a meeting that calls on what you are supposedly good at, and if it turns out you are the worst person in the room, you may be in for a rough spiritual ride.

I remember a guy named Ahithophel in the Bible (2 Samuel 16-17) who was the special counsel to the King and who committed suicide one day because at an important meeting he attended his counsel was rejected. That had never happened to him before, and so after the group dispersed he did the only thing he could do: He went home, put his things in order, and hanged himself. If he was not a counselor, he was nothing—he had no self.

As I was contemplating Ahithophel while sitting at the questions writers’ meeting, sucking on my pen and having my few suggestions vetoed or ignored, the Holy Spirit started working His sweet ministrations on me. He reminded me that I am not the measure of my gifts; I am a child of God. It’s rather funny that the passage the seven of us were discussing happened to be one in Galatians about being sons of God. My poor sisters got nothing valuable from me in terms of question-crafting. But the Lord was applying the Bible text about “Abba, Father” to my heart even as the women spoke on into the night.

To hear commentaries by Andrée Seu, click here.

Hi!

Random question of the day: What’s your favorite genre of movies?

This is our daily (except for Sundays) open thread, where you can 1) answer my question, 2) talk about something else, or 3) say something truly encouraging to the commenter before you.