May 7, 2024

A Palestinian and an Israeli, face to face. Both expereinced immeasurable tragedy and choose to work for peace.

How can Israelis and Palestinians achieve peace? Palestinian peacemaker Aziz Abu Sarah and Israeli peacemaker Maoz Inon discuss the immeasurable tragedies they've experienced growing up in the region — and how they choose reconciliation over revenge, again and again. With a fierce belief in a better future, they talk about conflict, safety, finding shared values and how they're building a coalition of Israeli and Palestinian citizens who are intent on creating a path to hope and peace.
https://www.ted.com/talks/aziz_abu_sarah_and_maoz_inon_a_palestinian_and_an_israeli_face_to_face?language=en

February 22, 2024

My descent into America's neo-Nazi movement -- and how I got out - inspiring & uplifting Ted talk

https://www.ted.com/talks/christian_picciolini_my_descent_into_america_s_neo_nazi_movement_and_how_i_got_out?user_email_address=c49c33ace59fac32f23ebae0ac497e3c&lctg=62d1aace1c794c328cdb9c81

At 14, Christian Picciolini went from naïve teenager to white supremacist -- and soon, the leader of the first neo-Nazi skinhead gang in the United States. How was he radicalized, and how did he ultimately get out of the movement? In this courageous talk, Picciolini shares the surprising and counterintuitive solution to hate in all forms.

January 1, 2024

Best Uplifting Photos of 2023

More at link along with background info on photos:
https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/best-uplifting-photos-of-2023-guaranteed-to-make-your-eyes-smile/?utm_campaign=newsletters&utm_medium=weekly_mailout&utm_source=01-01-2024

November 19, 2023

Building Bridges in the Midst of Conflict: 12 Organizations Working for Israel-Palestine Peace

Building Bridges in the Midst of Conflict: 12 Organizations Working for Israel-Palestine peace

October 25, 2023 | Source: Optimist Daily

There is a glimmer of hope in the heart of one of the world’s longest and most complex wars, yet it often goes unrecognized. While the sad reality of violence and division dominates the media, countless grassroots organizations are working tirelessly to bring peace and reconciliation to the Israel-Palestine conflict.

These are the region’s hidden heroes, made up of people who think that even at the darkest of times, peace is still attainable. Let us cast a light on 12 such organizations and their outstanding work.

Standing Together Israel:

As the region continues to be ravaged by violence, Standing Together, Israel’s largest Arab-Jewish grassroots organization, brings together Jewish and Palestinian volunteers. They labor relentlessly to assist victims of continuous violence while also campaigning for peace, equality, social justice, and climate justice. Their message is clear: the future they envision is one of peace, Israeli and Palestinian independence, full equality, and environmental justice.
(This is just the first of 12. Very inspiring reading.)

https://organicconsumers.org/building-bridges-in-the-midst-of-conflict-12-organizations-working-for-israel-palestine-peace/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=engagingnetworks&utm_campaign=OB+827+Saturday&utm_content=OB+827+Saturday

November 9, 2023

Question for KY folks: How does KY manage to turn out such polar opposites as Andy Beshear and Mitch McConnell?

Wondered this for a long time...What is it about Kentucky that it can turn out such opposites?

(Dont know what is going on here; i can't get the K K to stick on Kentucky)

September 10, 2023

Cat loves surfing with its humans. In the OCEAN!!!

What struck me as I watched this is how observant and attentive the cat's mom and dad were to its comfort and interest level, following that as they gradually introduced it to surfing. In that sense, the cat led them. The relationship between them and the cat is amazing and very sweet. This really comes across as they narrate the video.

August 13, 2023

Can we please stop talking about "voter fraud?"

It is Election Fraud, not voter fraud. The voters are not committing the fraud, except in a handful of cases. (I think Brad Ravensburger said they had two cases of dead people voting.)

This is not just a question of semantics; it's a question of framing, and very important framing because calling it voter fraud takes the attention off the real problem and focuses it on a non-existent problem that can be used to pass a whole lot of voter suppression laws.

July 4, 2023

Portland Trailblazers invited PDX Bridging Voices LGBTQ Youth Chorus to sing National Anthem

Portland Trailblazers invited Bridging Voices LGBTQ + Allied Youth Chorus to sing the National Anthem at their fourth annual Pride Night on December 4, 2019. This is WAY cool.

April 21, 2023

Baby elephant interrupts Kenyan reporter with kisses! Hilarious & sweet. You need this! !

Imagine you're a TV reporter who's trying to deliver a very important message. But out of nowhere, you're interrupted by a cheeky baby elephant hell-bent on smothering you with kisses — sounds ridiculous, doesn't it?

Well, this is exactly what happened to KBC journalist Alvin Patterson Kaunda a couple of days back.

In the video, which has since gone viral, Alvin is seen talking about the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. This Kenya-based organisation works towards the rescue, rehabilitation and release of orphaned baby elephants. And while things started out well enough, an elephant calf called Kidani decided that she wanted to steal the spotlight.

https://weather.com/en-IN/india/news/news/2022-11-18-baby-elephant-interrupts-kenyan-reporter-with-kisses-video

April 2, 2023

A rescue dog and goat are best friends. A shelter put them up for adoption as a pair.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-apps/imrs.php?src=&w=916

The staff at the Wake County Animal Center in Raleigh, N.C., had a dilemma when a goat named Cinnamon and a dog named Felix showed up together on their doorstep.

The shelter takes in thousands of dogs and cats each year, and generally doesn’t accept farm animals. But Cinnamon and Felix seemed affectionate toward one another, said Jennifer Federico, director of animal services.

“That was a first,” said Federico, who has worked at the shelter for 12 years. “Most of our dogs aren’t hanging out with goats.”

“Cinnamon follows Felix everywhere and it was clear they were raised together,” Federico said. “You don’t even need to put a leash on the goat — she’ll simply go where Felix goes. When she became upset, we knew they had to stay in the same holding pen.”
“It’s a weird duo, but it works for them,” Federico said. “Who are we to judge? They obviously love each other.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2023/03/29/rescue-dog-goat-shelter-friends-cinnamon-felix/?utm_campaign=wp_the_optimist&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&wpisrc=nl_optimist&carta-url=https%3A%2F%2Fs2.washingtonpost.com%2Fcar-ln-tr%2F3993a90%2F64297d03f19a510b04317353%2F596a9292ae7e8a0ef33fcd26%2F10%2F52%2F64297d03f19a510b04317353&wp_cu=34f101edbb832ec3f4bdaa05d6dd0d7b%7C429C6B465F9F55BAE0530100007FD354