The Liberty Bell & Statue of Liberty: America’s Symbols of Freedom As the United States celebrates Independence Day, we reflect on two iconic symbols of liberty: the Liberty Bell and the Statue of Liberty. The Liberty Bell, recast in 1753, bears a biblical inscription that underscores a timeless…

The Liberty Bell & Statue of Liberty: America’s Symbols of Freedom

As the United States celebrates Independence Day, we reflect on two iconic symbols of liberty: the Liberty Bell and the Statue of Liberty. The Liberty Bell, recast in 1753, bears a biblical inscription that underscores a timeless call for freedom and justice, embraced by abolitionists in their fight against slavery. The Statue of Liberty, gifted by France in 1886, represents the unity of two republics committed to the ideals of democracy. These symbols remind us that the pursuit of liberty is an enduring responsibility, celebrating the 250th anniversary of the nation while emphasizing the ongoing efforts to uphold justice for all.

thegryphonowlchronicles.com

Meta has just lost a multimillion-dollar legal battle over its failure to prevent children being sold on its platforms. Here’s how the Guardian uncovered evidence that became part of the case against it www.theguardian.com/global-devel...

‘It started with a tipoff’: how a Guardian investigation exposed child sex trafficking on Facebook and Instagram

Meta has just lost a multimillion-dollar legal battle over its failure to prevent children being sold on its platforms. Here’s how we uncovered evidence that became part of the case against it

theguardian.com

If you believe that young White children will be harmed by learning a full and truthful history, try imagining how young Black and Indigenous children felt living through it. www.nytimes.com/2026/03/25/w...

U.S. Rejects Vote to Recognize Slavery as a ‘Crime Against Humanity’

nytimes.com

Wishing all nature lovers in the northern hemisphere a beautiful first day of Spring. Let's sow seeds of love today and everyday.

Some people don't want you to learn about Oney Judge. This article explains why you should. www.nytimes.com/2017/02/06/a...

In Search of the Slave Who Defied George Washington (Published 2017)

nytimes.com

Bravery. Valor. Dedication to the rule of law. These attributes characterized the actions of the officers who defended the U.S. Capitol 5 years ago against a violent mob bent on overturning a free and fair election. I was privileged to stand with them to tell their truths, and I salute them today.

Former representative Adam Kinzinger reflects five years later on resilience, resolve, and the Americans still choosing to defend democracy. www.mariashriversundaypaper.com/adam-kinzing...

What January 6 Taught Me About Courage and Cowardice

Former representative Adam Kinzinger reflects five years later on resilience, resolve, and the Americans still choosing to defend democracy. Listen to this article. 0:00/359.5147851× Five years ago ...

mariashriversundaypaper.com

Happy New Year.

" 'It was almost surreal … to watch the children around it, the people all laughing like it was a fun thing, my brain couldn’t process it,' said Kunz, holding back tears. 'What made me even more sad was that nobody else seemed to know what it was. Nobody cared.' ” share.inquirer.com/0ObCHR?utm_s...

An elementary school displayed a concentration camp phrase on a float at Hanover’s Halloween parade

One Hanover resident said he wondered if he had to fear for his safety in the town.

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Before you get your kilts in a twist, this article is not saying that all Scottish people are, or were, racist. It is saying that the ideas behind modern white supremacist ideology were introduced there. www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/...

How Scotland helped to invent modern racism

As the University of Edinburgh comes to terms with its overlooked role in developing racial theories, Enlightenment professors are examined in context

thetimes.com

There is still time to register for our upcoming Robert F Kennedy (Sr.) Human Rights book club featuring Stacey Abrams and her latest novel, Coded Justice! 🗓️ Wednesday, October 22 ⏲️ 3:00pm ET 🔗 Register: rfkhro.org/4gVmJJw

RFKHR Book Club: 'Coded Justice,' by Stacey Abrams - Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights

Join us for the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights’ Book Club Conversation at 3:00 pm EDT on October 22.

rfkhro.org

"By focusing on the names of holidays and places, rather than the reasons why those names matter, we let the conversation drift away from the more important question: What would it look like to win real change? Taking on this moment requires honesty....." www.thenation.com/article/soci...

Renaming Columbus Day Was Never the End Goal

Don’t let fights over names distract you from the real fights over Indigenous land, sovereignty, and rights.

thenation.com

To my friends in Canada, Happy Thanksgiving Chers amis canadiens, Joyeux Thanksgiving,

The power of a boycott.

Governor JB Pritzker@govpritzker.illinois.gov · last yr.

"Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that." Looking forward to seeing Jimmy back on the air.

Wishing all people of goodwill and peace celebrating the holiday, a Blessed Rosh Hashanah, Happy New Year, Shana Tova.

"The USDA has given the state (PA) until Friday to provide personal data — including names, addresses, and SSNs — about those who receive food assistance. And if it doesn’t get the data, it has threatened to withhold more ... nearly half a billion dollars each year." whyy.org/articles/sha...

Trump admin. threatens to withhold $460M in food-stamp funding if Pa. doesn't share personal data

A long-simmering battle between Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and the White House over the state’s food-stamp program is set to come to a head by the end of this week.

whyy.org

A free and democratic society cannot silence comedians because the President doesn’t like what they say. This is an attack on free speech and cannot be allowed to stand. All elected officials need to speak up and push back on this undemocratic act.

"ABC announced on Wednesday evening that it was pulling Jimmy Kimmel’s late night show 'indefinitely' after criticism of comments he made on Monday about the motives of the man who is accused of fatally shooting the conservative activist Charlie Kirk last week." www.nytimes.com/2025/09/17/b...

ABC Pulls Jimmy Kimmel Off Air for Charlie Kirk Comments

nytimes.com

Trump administration cslls for altering Independence Park exhibit that describes slavery under George Washington, reports say. Friends, invest in history books. Become a family library. www.inquirer.com/politics/nat... @inquirer.com

Trump administration to alter Independence Park exhibit that describes slavery under George Washington, reports say

The President's House Site, which memorializes the nine people enslaved by George Washington in Philadelphia, will be altered by the Trump administration, according to reports.

inquirer.com

“The last straw was an action so outrageously offensive... that I could not bear to spend one more second on their subscription rolls. They fired their last remaining Black opinion writer and the newsroom’s moral beacon, Karen Attiah.” — Inquirer columnist Will Bunch

The Washington Post has broken my heart | Will Bunch Newsletter

Plus, the best Democrat in America right now.

inquirer.com

THE CLEAREST WAY INTO THE UNIVERSE IS THROUGH A FOREST WILDERNESS.” - JOHN MUIR

How should we structure our time? A Zen monk suggests that we let our inner states dictate what we do when.

Can You Really Live One Day at a Time?

Productivity culture encourages us to live inside our tasks and projects. But nature offers its own organizational system.

newyorker.com

Some people grow old, but others age well. Robert Redford's life was marked by character, grace, and intensity that never faded with time but instead became stronger and more defined. He will be missed. 😢 Condolences to his family and many friends. #RobertRedford www.nytimes.com/2025/09/16/m...

Robert Redford, Screen Idol Turned Director and Activist, Dies at 89

nytimes.com

In a civilized society, a person who suggested murdering unhoused people would be forever shunned

Brian Kilmeade apologizes for saying mentally ill homeless people should be killed

Co-host of Fox & Friends issued on-air apology for ‘extremely callous’ remark

independent.co.uk

This may explain why there’s an aggressive response to people who merely post Kirk’s own words. It threatens the existence of the alternate Kirk - the motivational speaker that had been marketed to young kids and white Christian groups through selective quotation & clips.

ML@mlpoole.bsky.social · last yr.

Starting November 1st, New Mexico will become the first state to offer free universal childcare to all its residents. It's expected to save families over $12,000 per child annually. This is a huge step forward — and a reminder that we have the power to fix the system.

Happy Birthday, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson #Brainpower

Just a gentle reminder that white-nationalist “Groypers” like Troy Robinson have long plagued Charlie Kirk’s operations because he wasn’t racist, homophobic or antisemitic enough. www.dailykos.com/stories/2019...

Alt-right trolls make life miserable for Charlie Kirk and his Turning Point USA 'Culture War' tour

Charlie Kirk’s attempt at creating a young conservative movement, called Turning Point USA, has long had a complicated relationship with the youth-oriented, white nationalist alt-right. This week,

dailykos.com

This story, of equal or greater important to the Kirk shooting, is getting no material media coverage. The 16-year-old who shot two students in a Colorado high school on the same day Charlie Kirk was killed was a virulent white supremacist and antisemite. www.denverpost.com/2025/09/11/e...

‘Radicalized’ Evergreen High School shooter appeared to hold antisemitic, violent views in online accounts

Social media accounts that appear to be connected to the 16-year-old shooter are littered with references to mass shootings and antisemitic views, The Denver Post found.

denverpost.com

"I want to be clear: I extend empathy to Kirk, and I pray for his family, not because of who he is, but because of who I am." Qasim Rashid Why Have Empathy For Those Who Never Extended It? --- Please read the full article here: www.qasimrashid.com/p/reflection...

Reflections on the Death of Charlie Kirk

Empathy in a not so empathetic time is not a sign of weakness -- but of humanity

qasimrashid.com