#peaceful resolution

[summerwages]

we have a few things to iron out...apparently...

[ivygorgon]

AN OPEN LETTER to THE PRESIDENT & U.S. CONGRESS

No more arms transfers! Ceasefire now. The hostages must come home.

637 so far! Help us get to 1,000 signers!

Last week, President Biden expressed his outrage over the Israeli military’s killing of seven World Central Kitchen workers directly to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Within hours, the Israeli cabinet voted to increase aid deliveries in Gaza — a welcome sea change in its months-long siege that can help tens of thousands of people avoid famine.

There’s no need to wait for the Israeli military to make another deadly decision for President Biden to do all he can to save lives now. President Biden should enforce U.S. law immediately to suspend U.S. military aid to Israel and ensure the indiscriminate killing of aid workers and mass starvation of Palestinians ends today. We need the focus to shift to peace negotiations, rescuing the hostages, and rebuilding.

The U.S. government is likely the only one capable of swaying the Israeli government from deepening the crisis and tipping the entire region into all-out war. It must do so. Americans overwhelmingly want the carnage to stop.

Thanks.

▶ Created on April 8 by Jess Craven · 636 signers in the past 7 days

📱 Text SIGN PXPEFM to 50409

🤯 Liked it? Text FOLLOW JESSCRAVEN101 to 50409

[zee-man-chatter]

Brilliant interview touching on points that few have considered. Scott Ritter, who is a former USMC Intelligence officer, and WMD inspector covers many aspects of how a war could escalate, and who might be involved, but more importantly, why they don't want to be involved. Also covered are the countries that are a far bigger threat than Iran, who again want to see a peaceful way out of this, but won't tolerate war crimes from Israel in the Gaza strip. Worth the watch!

[kazifatagar]

New: Is this why Jakel is defending a minister?

SHAH ALAM – Jakel Trading Sdn Bhd has decided against pursuing legal action over the Sri Pathrakaliamman Temple issue in Jalan Masjid India, Kuala Lumpur, calling it a final resolution. Managing Director Datuk Seri Mohamed Faroz Mohamed Jakel announced the decision on Thursday, following consultations with legal advisors and a commitment to a peaceful outcome. He defended Minister Datuk Seri Dr…

[kkdas]

Reconciliation and Martial Arts

I ran across one of my favorite stories from a book by Ram Dass & Paul Gorman called "How can I help?" It still warms my heart with the beauty of reconciliation that lives within all martial arts.

The train clanked and rattled through the suburbs of Tokyo on a drowsy spring afternoon. Our car was comparatively empty, a few housewives and their kids, and I gazed absently at the drab houses and dusty hedgerows.

At one station the doors opened and suddenly the afternoon quite was shattered by a man bellowing violent incomprehensible curses. The man staggered into our car, he wore laborer’s clothing and was big, drunk and dirty. Screaming, he swung at a woman holding a baby, and the blow sent her sprawling into the laps of an elderly couple. It was a miracle that the baby was unharmed! Terrified, the couple jumped up and scrambled toward the end of the car. The laborer aimed a kick at the retreating back of the of the old woman but missed as she scuttled to safety. This so enraged the drunk that he grabbed the metal pole in the middle of the car and tried to wrench it from its station. I could see that one of his hands was cut and bleeding.

And as the train lurched ahead, its passengers frozen with fear, I stood up. I was young then, some 20 years ago, and in pretty good shape. I’d been putting in a solid eight hours of Aikido training nearly every day for the past three years. I liked to throw and grapple, I thought I was tough but my marshal art skill was untested in actual combat.

As students of Aikido we were not allowed to fight. I could hear my teacher’s words, “Aikido is the art of reconciliation, he who has the mind to fight has lost his connection with the Universe. If you try to dominate people, you are already defeated. We study how to resolve conflict, not how to start it.”

The words kept going on, over and over in my mind. I tried hard I even went so far as to cross the street to avoid the “Chemperas”, the pinball punks who lounged in the train station. But my forbearance exalted me, I felt both tough and holy. In my heart, however, I wanted an absolutely legitimate opportunity whereby I might save the innocent by destroying the guilty. “THIS IS IT!” I said to myself, getting to my feet. “People are in danger and if I don’t do something fast, they will probably get hurt.”

Seeing me stand up, the drunk recognized his chance to focus his rage. “Ah-Ha! A foreigner, you need to learn some Japanese manors!” I held on tightly to the commuter’s strap overhead and gave him a slow look of disgust and dismissal.

I PLANNED TO TAKE THIS TURKEY APART!

But! He had to make the first move. I wanted him bad, so I pursed my lips and blew him an insolent kiss. “

All right, you’re gonna get a lesson!” he said as he gathered himself for a rush at me.

In a split before he could move someone shouted,

“HEY! HEY!”

It was ear splitting, but I remember the strangely joyous lilting quality of it.

I wheeled to my left, and the drunk to his right, and we both stared down at a little old Japanese man well into his seventies, sitting there, immaculate in his kimono. He took no notice of me but beamed delightfully at the laborer as though he had a most important, most wonderful secret to share.

“Come here! Come here! Come here and talk to me.”

The big man followed as though he were on a string. He planted his feet belligerently in front of the old gentleman and roared above the clacking of the wheels,

“Well, why the hell should I talk to you anyway?!”

The drunk now had his back to me, if his elbow moved so much as a millimeter, I’d drop him in his socks!

The old man continued to beam at the laborer, “Wat’cha been drink’n?”, he asked, his eyes sparkling. “

I been drink’n Saki”, he said. Speckles of spittle spattered the old man.

“Oh! That’s wonderful, simply wonderful! You see, I like Saki too, every night me and my wife, (she’s 76 you know) we warm up a little bottle of Saki and we take it out into the garden and we sit on the old wooden bench and we watch the sun go down, and we look to see how our Persimmon tree is doing, my great-grand father planted the tree and we worry about weather it will recover from the ice storms we had last year, our tree is doing better than I expected though, especially when you consider the poor quality of the soil.

It’ s gratifying to watch when we take our little Saki, and we go into the empty of the evening - even when it rains.”

And he looked into the laborer’s eyes, his own eyes twinkling merrily. The drunk struggled to follow the old man’s monologue as he slowly began to soften, and his fists began to unclench.

“Ya, I love Persimmons too.”

“Ya? And I’m sure you have a lovely wife too!”

“No, my wife died.”

And, very gently, slowing with the motion of the train, the big man began to sob. “I don’t got no wife, I don’t got no home, I don’t got no job, I’m so ashamed of myself.”

And the tears rolled down his cheeks as a spasm of despair rippled through his big body.

And now it was my turn, standing there in my well-scrubbed youthful innocence; my “make this world right for Democracy” righteousness. I suddenly felt dirtier than he was. Then the train arrived at my stop and the doors opened. I heard the old man cluck sympathetically,

Tish, Tish, Tish, Tish, Tish. “My, My, My. My, My, My. My, My, My. Very difficult predicament. My, My, My. You come here, you tell me all about it.”

I turned my head for one last look as I stepped off the train. The laborer was sprawled on the seat, his head in the old man’s lap; the old man was softly stroking the filthy, matted hair:

“My, My, My, My. You tell me all about it. Such a difficult predicament. You tell me……….. “.

As the train pulled away, I sat down on a bench. What I had wanted to do with muscle had been accomplished with kind words. I had just seen Aikido used in combat and the essence of it was love. I would have to practice the art with an entirely different spirit from this day forward. It would be a long time before I could speak about the resolution of combat.

Like

Comment

Share

[political-us]

“No Other Land” wins Best Documentary at the Oscars 🏆

This film made by a Palestinian-Israeli collective shows the destruction of the occupied West Bank's Masafer Yatta by Israeli soldiers and the alliance which develops between the Palestinian activist Basel and Israeli journalist Yuval.

[julierysava]

"Understanding Ceasefire: A Step Towards Peace"

Description: Ceasefire is a term often heard in discussions about conflicts and wars, but what does it really mean? In simple terms, a ceasefire is a temporary halt in fighting between two or more opposing parties. It is an agreement to stop the use of weapons and engage in peaceful negotiations.

Ceasefires play a crucial role in resolving conflicts and creating a conducive environment for dialogue and diplomacy. They provide a much-needed break from violence and allow for humanitarian aid to reach affected areas. Ceasefires can be unilateral, where one party declares a halt in fighting, or bilateral, where both parties agree to cease hostilities.

However, it's important to note that a ceasefire does not guarantee a lasting peace. It is merely a pause in the fighting, giving the parties involved an opportunity to negotiate a more permanent solution. Ceasefires can be fragile and easily broken if trust is not established or if the underlying issues are not addressed.

Despite their limitations, ceasefires are a crucial step towards peace. They provide a glimmer of hope in the midst of conflict and pave the way for further negotiations and reconciliation. It is through dialogue and understanding that long-lasting peace can be achieved.

Wooden basket 🧺 with fresh linen 🌺 and a cat.

Let's continue to support efforts for ceasefire agreements and work towards a world where conflicts are resolved through peaceful means.

[headlinehorizon]

Unmasking Antisemitism: Chris Christie's Take on the Rising Hatred

Former New Jersey Governor and GOP presidential candidate, Chris Christie, discusses the prevalence of antisemitism in the United States and the role of social media platforms in promoting hatred.

[hebrewbyinbal]

Today marks the start of the new Jewish year, תשפ"ד (pronounced: Tav Sheen Peh Dalet), and it's a time for reflection, renewal, and setting intentions for the days ahead.

Personally and on a global scale, I've chosen a word that resonates deeply with the current state of the world: Peace 🕊.

As I stand here, I can't help but feel that peace is not just a word but a beacon of hope, a guiding light we all need, perhaps now more than ever.

In a world that often feels divided and tumultuous, choosing Peace as my word for this year is a reminder that we have the power to cultivate harmony, understanding, and unity.

It's a wish for tranquility in our hearts, in our communities, and with strangers who are complete opposite to us (this may be the most important of all), a hope for a world where differences are celebrated, and conflicts find peaceful resolutions.

So, as we step into this new year, I wish that we all carry the word Peace in our hearts and actions, not just for ourselves but for all of humanity. Together, we can make this world a more peaceful and harmonious place for everyone. 🌍✨🕊️

#peace #peacewithin #peaceful #peaceofmind #roshhashana #jewishwisdom #newyear #happynewyear #shanatova

[ohrackham]

what was the point of lila thinking home was a feeling she didn't deserve and could never earn until she found diego. what was the point of them finding deep, meaningful love in each other. what was the point of lila opening her heart and confessing that all she really wanted was a family with him.

what was the point of developing diego and lila over two seasons, creating such a beautiful, chaotic bond, just to destroy it for no reason.

[ivygorgon]

AN OPEN LETTER to THE PRESIDENT & U.S. CONGRESS

Ceasefire, free the hostages, & ONLY CONDITIONAL AID for the Israeli government!

920 so far! Help us get to 1,000 signers!

I’m writing to demand the U.S. not send more military aid to the Israeli government until it stops starving and indiscriminately killing Gazan civilians. It’s time for a ceasefire and for the hostages to be freed—both Hamas’s leadership and Netayahu must be pushed to agree to this. More bombs will accomplish nothing. If the U.S. does insist on sending funding or weaponry to the Israeli government it must come with stringent, non-negotiable, and enforceable conditions. Blank checks are not an option. Thanks.

▶ Created on April 16 by Jess Craven · 919 signers in the past 7 days

📱 Text SIGN PVWGIX to 50409

🤯 Liked it? Text FOLLOW JESSCRAVEN101 to 50409

[alwaysbewoke]

[jmdbjk]

The year that was 2024:

But first...

Standing at the threshold of 2025 I look back far past 2024 to that day in June 2022 and the grief, disbelief... the shock and trauma those of us experienced while watching the Festa Dinner video. That dinner had been pre-recorded a few weeks prior and they released it on June 14. The members had to be scared of what our reactions would be when we watched it. 

At that time we still had no idea how military enlistment would unfold, that news was still months away for us after the October concert in Busan. All we knew was BTS was going to pause but we did not really know what that meant. And it wasn't just the fans who went into a tailspin, Hybe stock took a dip, the secretary of Ministry of Culture Sports and Tourism begged BTS to come back. The news of a BTS hiatus began to hit international news media across the globe. The emotional devastation was real.

That day and following days, it seemed like 2025 was forever in the future. What would we be like in 2025? What would the members of BTS be like? What would the music industry landscape be like? What would the world be like? It was two and a half years away from that day. Back in June 2022, 2025 seemed like a lifetime away in the future, a bleak, dark unknown.

We attempted to pull ourselves together and look for the positives... "we'll save so much money!” and "we'll have time to learn Korean!" HAH! The real winner: “I can catch up on content!” LMAO!

Here we are now, two and a half years later. My god the shit that's transpired since. A lot of it was not on anyone's radar.

2024, the year of fighting...

Throughout the year and as the year wore on, we fought boycotters, haters, mantis and solos. We fought the media, each other, other fandoms... it was a constant battle to clear the mess. Our main weapon? Our love for BTS and the members and our commitment and determination.

We should be better at recognizing bad actors, at recognizing organized hate. I hope you all are blocking it, muting it because it is an energy drain to dwell on it and it exists. Some people are compelled to lash back at it. I'm not one of those. I prefer blocking/muting. Do what is right for you.

So here's a recap of 2024...the first quarter of the year started out calmly.

January: We were basking in the BTS documentary series Beyond the Star and waiting for a sign of our men completing their basic training. We were hoping to find out where they would be stationed for the rest of their military service.

February was relatively quiet. Except for this.

Tae's song "Fri(end)s", released mid-March.

Hope on the Street Vol. 1 released end of March with the six episode docu-series running through April.

We were hitting our stride, understanding that they'd prepared so much for us while they were away. Even k-media reported on the unusual amount of content produced by BTS to span their enlistment time. It was reassuring and we were spoiled. Looking back, it was the quiet before the storm...

This "quiet before the storm" has never quieted before the storm like this quiet before the storm quieted the first quarter of 2024.

In April we witnessed a real eclipse in the sky and then while we were having the best time unraveling the mystery of the Monochrome merch popups, the shit hit the fan with the Min Hee Jin revelations. And that circus was just beginning. Maybe I'm just naive or too much of a positive person but I never fathomed that there were people out there this demented, this twisted, this delusional, controlling and narcissistic that they thought they could single-handedly bring down a huge company like Hybe via public opinion. And as time went on and continues to go on we learned she was not alone. That woman is sick and evil.

I recalled back in 2021 seeing people be paranoid about the young company, Hybe, hiring ex-SM employees. I wanted to believe these former SM employees they hired saw the opportunity to escape a toxic workplace and therefore defected to Hybe. Now we know the paranoia was justified.

The end of April and into May I watched Begins ≠ Youth, the drama series based on the BTS Universe. It took years for that series to finally see the light of day. It was very intriguing. There was a lot of controversy about Xclusive, the platform it was delivered on. My theory is it was an experiment to see how fans would react to a blockchain/NFT product. I have a huge post in my drafts about it but we moved on from it quickly, so I did too. The series was great though.

The rest of May was a month where we were trying to remain calm, trying to remain positive. We as a fandom felt very beat up. Anticipation was through the roof for Jin's military discharge and Festa.

But first, Namjoon released Right Place, Wrong Person, the studio album and subsequently, the accompanying documentary, Right People, Wrong Place. Both the album and documentary are critically acclaimed, winning awards and landing on "best of" lists across the globe.

Finally, it's June. Jin's discharge was so emotional for everyone. We were able to see everyone except Yoongi greet him outside the gates. But it was amazing seeing all 7 together in still photos afterward. It was a collective sigh of relief that we truly are beginning the downhill side of their military enlistment. Jin has been working his ass off since that day, his album Happy and its title song Running Wild doing well.

I know we've got our opinions about the South Korean government but that day, for me, seeing Jimin and Jungkook in their uniforms, as soldiers, just hit a spot in me that I can't describe. I felt proud of them. And I hope after their discharge they can tuck away that sense of accomplishment in a safe space and flip the bird at the bureaucrats running their country.

Jimin dropped his second album, Muse, in July, the mystery solved of what all those other producers were doing with Jimin the second half of 2022. The title song Who continues to chart. His songs are wonderful. I'm so proud of how far he's come during this solo era. I miss him.

And then Are You Sure?! happened. Even though we KNEW it was coming, I can't believe we got that show. I can't believe they did all of that. Naked Jimin except for a small pair of black shorts... naked Jungkook. Just so much naked after years of Victorian era artist protection CG over every square inch of bare skin. Watching that show, so much of what I knew in my mind of how they are together was mostly confirmed.

I said this months ago: After Jungkook’s 2023 Weverse lives, the Are You Sure?! series, their companion military enlistment and his documentary I Am Still the theatrical release and the Disney+ docu-series, it is clear that Jimin is Jungkook’s touchstone, a significant presence through at least this part of his life. We can’t know what the future holds, I would never dare to assume what their own personal desires or goals are for themselves, but I do know that Jimin will play a big part in it and I hope we still get to see some of that play out when it happens.

I'm still processing. I digressed. It happens when it comes to me, Jimin and Jungkook. Moving on.

August... my god. My dear Yoongi. We are still waiting to see him again, to see with our own eyes that he is actually ok and to figuratively take his hand in ours, to reassure each other and keep moving forward to leave this year far behind. I know he knows we are here. I can't stand the wall though, of not being able to see him. Does that make sense? I mostly keep my thoughts to myself about him because it really hurts my heart to think about him having to suffer through all that. August and into September were hard, hard… so hard.

Fast forward to October when Hobi stepped out of those doors on the day of his discharge, it seemed like time had flown by as if we just watched him leaving for training camp, even though it was sooooooo long ago.

And now he's lived in LA for almost a month, been in Japan and seen with more people... A possible fashion collab? Songs/album in February? We don't know anything for sure yet but info has leaked. A tour in spring? I'll be there if I can snag tickets.

We've seen glimpses of Tae and his buff self. His collab with Bing Crosby was ground breaking and hopefully will become a holiday classic just like the original. Also, happy birthday, Tae!

[Photo shared by Taehyung on his Instagram stories.]

December began shockingly with South Korea's President Yoon attempting to impose martial law. My heart dropped. Our guys were on red alert, scrambling. It lasted a few hours before being overturned by their national assembly.

Mid-December, while on a vacation leave, Jungkook surprised us with a 2 and a half hour live just like he used to do. He looked so good. He sounded good. From what I saw, he's still the same Jungkook.

Do you realize, if martial law had remained in effect, we would not have seen Jungkook? There would be no celebrating. We would all be in limbo. Who knows what that crazy shithead (now impeached-president Yoon) would have done if martial law was still in place. The slow reveal of information about the planning of it is chilling and should be a reminder to us all to not take things for granted. Their National Assembly are still trying to get everything under control, the turmoil is not over yet.

Somehow, the Universe is working overtime to get BTS through their service and I hope it continues to do so because we still have just under six months left. At this point, I believe anything could happen.

Counting down the hours to 2025

We are about to enter the holy Borayear of our Lord Min Yoongi 2025. Bestie and I talked a lot about what the possibilities might be for 2025.

Of course, like everyone else, we know nothing for sure, only what we've gleaned from the member's themselves, official announcements, news releases and hints here and there. What we DO know for sure is there will not be a void. We have two Tannies back with us. Music will be released, content produced:

January 4 is Jin's OST.

Not directly BTS related but we as a fandom would like some closure and satisfaction surrounding the MHJ drama because trials will begin in January.

Hobi has something coming. Certainly Hobi will have another EP, perhaps HOTS Vol. 2? which would be supported with a tour. There's been a leak of info. We are on high alert.

For the others, perhaps a few one-off singles before June. Between us, we don't think Tae has another album's worth of music. Jungkook either.

A Yoongi collab perhaps?

Namjoon, probably nothing. Poor baby is so ready to be discharged.

The Jimin x Benny Blanco music, whatever that may be.

Maybe that rumored JK x Tae subunit song. Or maybe it's not a song?

Jin mentioned another album but the timing is tight to squeeze it in before June.

Then the HYYH 10th Anniversary in April, whatever that may entail. A retrospective perhaps?

Attempting to predict how their discharge days will play out is difficult. Jin and Hobi splitting up to meet Namjoon and Tae at their respective bases? And then all four of them head to Jimin and Jungkook the next day to greet them as they exit their base? We wait with anticipation.

After the Boraholy month of June 2025, we expect group activities to ramp up. What those will be is anyone's guess. Weverse lives for sure. Also, dance practice videos. We expect new music. We also expect performances. Perhaps a one-off "we're baaAAAaack!" type concert? Or not. But performances of some sort. They've been looking forward so much to performing I can't see them waiting any longer than they have to for at least one performance somewhere, somehow.

And toward the end of 2025, a comeback album and the world tour announcement. May the odds be ever in your favor. Just kidding. I'm getting those tickets.

Our speculation continues... could new music consist of more subunits?

I could be wrong but I do not think they will revisit a Bon Voyage or In The Soop format. They might pick up Run BTS but it won’t be like it was before. I can’t even see them doing what Jin’s doing in many Run Jin episodes. Not as a group.

I think (I hope) that Yoongi picks up Suchwita again. I hope he does not change one iota of the format. He can address his incident again if he chooses, reiterate he apologized, paid his fine and now we’re moving on to live our big life. That’s it. I hope if this happens his first guest is BTS as a group. 

Maybe that last thing is really wishful thinking on my part but even considering Yoongi might ditch Suchwita or change it just doesn’t align with who he is. He is a “fuck you” type of guy. 

Anyway. 2025 has a promise of hope and happiness and relief and closure. But now, I think we all know to be wary, that anything can happen. 

Bottomline to all of this, to wrap up the year and look forward to the new year is that BTS is COMING BACK. SEVEN MEMBERS STRONG.

The reality is, it will be three years from that day back in 2022, when we finally see them as a group again. The members are slowly becoming more active. We have less than six months to wait and we know how fast that can go. 163 days left for Jimin and Jungkook, 162 for Namjoon and Tae, 173 left for Yoongi.

We must enjoy every moment we can until June 2025 and hope for the best! FIGHTING.

[hinaliix]

Vashmeryl my beloveds 🫶

[thatrandomblogsays]

HOTD AU where Aegon is crowned king and at his coronation he’s like:

“Thank you, thank you, as my first act of king I abdicate to my sister. Sayonara you weeaboo shits.”

He immediately flies off to dragonstone to give her the crown, and what are the hightowers going to do? Crown aemond? That’s usurping/disobeying the former king. TG technically only has 2 dragons now.

Someone goes “but my liege what about having your blood on throne?” So aegon just betroths his child to Jace and Baela’s future child before taking his family to a beach vacation.

[manofthepipis]

obvs i'm so so so excited about chapter 3 and 4

but i completely forgot snowgrave was a thing

what the hell is gonna happen there