Public Posts

On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress unanimously adopted the Declaration of Independence to announce the colonies' separation from the Kingdom of Great Britain, bringing a new nation into the world. Although the Constitution provides the legal and governmental framework for the United States, the Declaration, with its eloquent assertion “all Men are created equal,” is the founding document of the United States.
It is now up to us, as our laws evolve in fact and interpretation, to remain vigilant and not allow anyone, to exploit our natural differences, beliefs, opinions and backgrounds to divide us for their own selfish benefit.   More

"In an ideal world, getting medical care should be straightforward: You work with your doctor to figure out what ails you, then your doctor recommends a treatment that addresses the problem",........"Increasingly, insurance companies are using AI algorithms to decide which healthcare treatments to cover....."These coverage algorithms are a total black box – companies refuse to reveal how they work, often claiming they are trade secrets". More

June 20 2025 -  A solstice is an event in which earth’s poles are most extremely inclined toward or away from the sun, at about 23.5 degrees. Solstices happen twice per year, June and December, marking the change of seasons to summer and winter. During the June solstice, the sun is directly over the Tropic of Cancer at noon and it marks the Northern Hemisphere astronomical beginning of summer with the longest daylight. In the Southern Hemisphere, it marks the beginning of astronomical winter, with the day having the shortest period of daylight. More 

Memorial Day honors all service members who lost their lives while in service to the United States, during peace and war. It is a time to reflect on those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

            Immortality

   Do not stand 
        By my grave, and weep.
   I am not there,
       I do not sleep—
I am the thousand winds that blow
I am the diamond glints in snow
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle, autumn rain.
As you awake with morning’s hush,
I am the swift, up-flinging rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight,
I am the day transcending night.
    Do not stand
        By my grave, and cry—
     I am not there,
          I did not die.

Poem by Clare Harner, The Gypsy, December 1934 (page 16). The poem is often attributed to anonymous or incorrect sources. Read more about Memorial day:  U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs   -   National Museum of American History

Nationally, six-in-ten Americans say stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost, while 38% say they cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. More at Pew Research Center ➜

Albert Einstein (1879 – April 1955) - German-born theoretical physicist best known for developing the theory of relativity and his important contributions to quantum mechanics. His mass–energy equivalence formula E = mc2, which arises from special relativity, has been called "the world's most famous equation". He received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921, "for his services to Theoretical Physics and especially for his discovery of the law of the photoelectric effect" More

"The problem with climate change isn’t just the temperature – it’s also how fast the climate is changing today.
Historically, Earth’s climate changes have generally happened over thousands to millions of years. Today, global temperatures are increasing by about 0.36 degrees Fahrenheit (0.2 degrees Celsius) per decade". More at The Conversation ➜

Earth Day is an annual event celebrated on April 22 since 1970. It is a time to demonstrate support for environmental protection and an important reminder that we all have a role to play in protecting the planet. Earth Day 2025 theme  is "Our Power, Our Planet". Here are simple things we can all do to invest in our planet:
Recycle - Pick up litter - Reuse single use plastic items - Plant a tree - Build a birdhouse / bird feeder. Learn more about this year's theme and get more tips

Credit for the Earth Day idea goes to Gaylord Nelson, an American politician from Wisconsin and leading figure in the fight against environmental degradation and social injustice. Rachel Carson, a marine biologist and best-selling author provided the spark for this movement with the 1962 publication of her book, "Silent Spring" which showed the devastating effects of modern pesticides on the natural world.

"Alcohol, whether consumed regularly or only on special occasions, takes a toll on your body. From your brain and heart, to your lungs and muscles, to your gastrointestinal and immune systems, alcohol has broad harmful effects on your health – including causing cancer" More at The Conversation ➜

"Pastel-colored apparitions of tenderness, magnolias are titans of resilience. They have been consecrating Earth with their beauty since the time dinosaurs roamed it, long before bees evolved to give our planet its colors, pioneering the exquisitely orchestrated pollination strategies by which perfect flowers survive". Read more at the Marginalian

"The public and experts are far apart in their enthusiasm and predictions for AI. But they share similar views in wanting more personal control and worrying regulation will fall short". More at Pew Research Center ➜

"Power in the Middle East shifted in 2025, with Sunni groups gaining influence while Shiite factions linked to Iran weakened. Political turmoil, economic struggles, and escalating conflicts—especially between Israel and Iran—deepened instability, hindering regional diplomacy, development, and prospects for long-term peace." More at The Wilson Center ➜