Restoring faith in humanity: the official thread

[CrimsonJazz]

Dear @Whitehouse, my name is Rodney Smith Jr., founder of Raising Men & Women Lawn Care Service in Huntsville, Alabama. Through our 50 Yard Challenge, over 6,000 kids across the country have signed up to mow free lawns for the elderly, disabled, veterans, active-duty military, first responders, and single parents. With America celebrating its 250th birthday this year and me also being born on July 4th, I wanted to humbly ask if a few kids from our program and myself could travel to Washington, D.C. to help mow the White House lawn for this historic celebration.

More than anything, I want these kids to see how a simple act of service something as ordinary as mowing a lawn for someone in need can lead to extraordinary places. What better lesson in community service than showing them that helping others can take them all the way to our nation’s capital? I’d also love to bring my American flag-themed mower in hopes that the President might sign it, so I can later auction it off and donate 100% of the proceeds to a nonprofit supporting veterans. It would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to highlight the importance of service, patriotism, and the impact young people can have when they choose to make a difference.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2062515334393794586

 

[TIDE-HSV]

Dear @Whitehouse, my name is Rodney Smith Jr., founder of Raising Men & Women Lawn Care Service in Huntsville, Alabama. Through our 50 Yard Challenge, over 6,000 kids across the country have signed up to mow free lawns for the elderly, disabled, veterans, active-duty military, first responders, and single parents. With America celebrating its 250th birthday this year and me also being born on July 4th, I wanted to humbly ask if a few kids from our program and myself could travel to Washington, D.C. to help mow the White House lawn for this historic celebration.

More than anything, I want these kids to see how a simple act of service something as ordinary as mowing a lawn for someone in need can lead to extraordinary places. What better lesson in community service than showing them that helping others can take them all the way to our nation’s capital? I’d also love to bring my American flag-themed mower in hopes that the President might sign it, so I can later auction it off and donate 100% of the proceeds to a nonprofit supporting veterans. It would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to highlight the importance of service, patriotism, and the impact young people can have when they choose to make a difference.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2062515334393794586

He has mowed lawns coast to coast...

 

[CrimsonJazz]

Paddy Pimblett fought a boxer with Down syndrome in a charity exhibition match. He let the guy score a knockout.

What great sportsmanship.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2065456591542116772

 

[CrimsonJazz]

He died at 30 because he gave his only chance at life to a child he didn’t even know.

His name was Giuseppe Girolamo — a young drummer from southern Italy who had been living his dream, performing aboard the Costa Concordia.

On the night of January 13, 2012, the cruise ship moved through the calm Tyrrhenian Sea like a glowing city on water. Music played, glasses clinked, passengers laughed, unaware of what was coming.

Some were heading to dinner. Others were dancing on deck, unaware the ship’s path had already turned fatal beneath the surface.

Then a violent grinding sound tore through the hull as the ship struck rocks near Isola del Giglio.

In an instant, everything changed. Power failed. Lights went dark. The vessel began to tilt at a horrifying angle as panic erupted and the order to abandon ship was shouted.

Passengers rushed in every direction, desperate to reach lifeboats.

Giuseppe, as part of the crew, had an assigned place in an evacuation boat. His survival spot was already secured.

But as he reached the evacuation point, he saw a frightened mother, Antonella, holding her small daughter. The lifeboat was full. There was no space left for them.

Without a moment’s pause, Giuseppe stepped aside.

He looked at them and simply said, “Please, take my place.”

He gave up his seat — the only guaranteed chance he had to survive — so the mother and child could escape instead.

Giuseppe could not swim.

As the lifeboat drifted away from the leaning ship, he remained on the deck, watching it fade into the dark sea.

Later, while attention turned to the captain’s failure and the unfolding disaster, Giuseppe’s act stood out as something pure inside the chaos. His decision was briefly mentioned in reports, but remembered deeply by survivors.

Months later, divers recovered his body from the wreck of the Costa Concordia.

But by then, his story had already been written in the lives of those he saved — the mother and daughter who returned home because of him.

In a night defined by panic and survival instinct, one young man chose someone else’s life over his own.

Giuseppe Girolamo didn’t just play music on that ship.

He became the rhythm of courage itself.

But his story lives on whenever the sea is crossed at night, and whenever a stranger chooses compassion over fear and survival. still today always forever.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2066109979178958995

 

[RollTide_HTTR]

The World Cup has definitely given me some real hope in humanity. Scots marching to Fenway, Nederland fans partying with Jameis Winston, German's road tripping through the south and having the time of their lives in places like Alabama and more.

What's going on in Lawrence Kansas might be the best story of the whole tournament...

How a love affair between Algeria and Lawrence became the story of ‘26 World Cup

 

[CrimsonJazz]

The World Cup has definitely given me some real hope in humanity. Scots marching to Fenway, Nederland fans partying with Jameis Winston, German's road tripping through the south and having the time of their lives in places like Alabama and more.

What's going on in Lawrence Kansas might be the best story of the whole tournament...

How a love affair between Algeria and Lawrence became the story of ‘26 World Cup

I've been digging those videos, too. It's nice to see an outsider's perspective when they are clearly blown away by their experience here. For all the whining and complaining we have to suffer through, the U.S. is still a pretty awesome place.

 

[JDCrimson]

The World Cup has definitely given me some real hope in humanity. Scots marching to Fenway, Nederland fans partying with Jameis Winston, German's road tripping through the south and having the time of their lives in places like Alabama and more.

What's going on in Lawrence Kansas might be the best story of the whole tournament...

How a love affair between Algeria and Lawrence became the story of ‘26 World Cup

ICE to alarm the public about protecting their dogs and cats in Lawrence KS in 3, 2, 1... Some ICE agent detains them who says they look like Somalis to me...

 

[crimsonaudio]

ICE to alarm the public about protecting their dogs and cats in Lawrence KS in 3, 2, 1... Some ICE agent detains them who says they look like Somalis to me...

Guessing it’s just too much to ask to have one thread that doesn’t become about politics completely unrelated to said thread? SMH

 

[75thru79]

Guessing it’s just too much to ask to have one thread that doesn’t become about politics completely unrelated to said thread? SMH

 

[DzynKingRTR]

I've been digging those videos, too. It's nice to see an outsider's perspective when they are clearly blown away by their experience here. For all the whining and complaining we have to suffer through, the U.S. is still a pretty awesome place.

They are really blown away by the size of our high school stadiums. They cannot even imagine these stadiums getting filled.

 

[Its On A Slab]

View attachment 57596

I keep hearing ...WOMP WOMP. I loved that skit.

 

[Its On A Slab]

Guessing it’s just too much to ask to have one thread that doesn’t become about politics completely unrelated to said thread? SMH

At first I thought I was on The Strip. This thread should probably be moved there.

 

[CrimsonJazz]

At first I thought I was on The Strip. This thread should probably be moved there.

My reasoning for starting it here is that there is a lot of emotional energy going into this board and I was trying to balance things out with some good vibes to go along with the outrage/anger/sadness/snark.

 

[Its On A Slab]

My reasoning for starting it here is that there is a lot of emotional energy going into this board and I was trying to balance things out with some good vibes to go along with the outrage/anger/sadness/snark.

Well, Hell. Take away all of that and there is no meaning in life.

 

[CrimsonJazz]

Well, Hell. Take away all of that and there is no meaning in life.

Road rage, air rage, desk rage, tech rage......when did we start feeling the need to compartmentalize our rage? I don't have time for that; I'm too busy screaming at people.

 

[Its On A Slab]

Road rage, air rage, desk rage, tech rage......when did we start feeling the need to compartmentalize our rage? I don't have time for that; I'm too busy screaming at people.

You should read some of my über-MAGA brother's texts. He's in rage mode 24/7. I mean, I can't imagine his cortisol levels.

Most of the stuff he's complaining about is false, misleading, and/or meant to just get a rise out of followers.

Life is too short. We were in a bar last night and the television was turned to a local channels. All those political ads that I no longer have to see since I don't have local TV, and pay extra for YouTube Premium.

I don't miss any of that at all.

 

[CrimsonJazz]

You should read some of my über-MAGA brother's texts. He's in rage mode 24/7. I mean, I can't imagine his cortisol levels.

Most of the stuff he's complaining about is false, misleading, and/or meant to just get a rise out of followers.

Life is too short. We were in a bar last night and the television was turned to a local channels. All those political ads that I no longer have to see since I don't have local TV, and pay extra for YouTube Premium.

I don't miss any of that at all.

Yeah, that's no way to live and I've met people like this on both sides. Their personal politics has become their new religion and they are fiercely loyal to it. Identity politics is absolutely ruining this country.

 

[CrimsonJazz]

Today at the beach, an elderly woman approached us and asked for help with her husband, who has severe dementia and likely less than a year to live. She shared his wish to surf one last time, like he did in his youth. My family and friends immediately stepped in to make his dream come true. We helped him ride a wave, and the pure joy on his face was unforgettable. It was a deeply moving moment, and I’m so proud of everyone for turning his final wish into reality.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2069013025676308537

 

[Bodhisattva]

"Bridger Walker is the boy who saved his younger sister from a vicious dog attack...

He received ninety stitches throughout his body, but saved his three-year-old sister from certain death.

"If someone was going to die, it must be me, I'm the older brother."

The World Boxing Council (WBC) recognized him as a World Heavyweight Champion for a day!

It will remain in the official historical record of the WBC.

For that one day, he was the best fighter in the world."

https://twitter.com/x/status/2061139487305163208

Be proud of your scars, young man. They are the mark of a hero!

 

[Bodhisattva]

He died at 30 because he gave his only chance at life to a child he didn’t even know.

His name was Giuseppe Girolamo — a young drummer from southern Italy who had been living his dream, performing aboard the Costa Concordia.

On the night of January 13, 2012, the cruise ship moved through the calm Tyrrhenian Sea like a glowing city on water. Music played, glasses clinked, passengers laughed, unaware of what was coming.

Some were heading to dinner. Others were dancing on deck, unaware the ship’s path had already turned fatal beneath the surface.

Then a violent grinding sound tore through the hull as the ship struck rocks near Isola del Giglio.

In an instant, everything changed. Power failed. Lights went dark. The vessel began to tilt at a horrifying angle as panic erupted and the order to abandon ship was shouted.

Passengers rushed in every direction, desperate to reach lifeboats.

Giuseppe, as part of the crew, had an assigned place in an evacuation boat. His survival spot was already secured.

But as he reached the evacuation point, he saw a frightened mother, Antonella, holding her small daughter. The lifeboat was full. There was no space left for them.

Without a moment’s pause, Giuseppe stepped aside.

He looked at them and simply said, “Please, take my place.”

He gave up his seat — the only guaranteed chance he had to survive — so the mother and child could escape instead.

Giuseppe could not swim.

As the lifeboat drifted away from the leaning ship, he remained on the deck, watching it fade into the dark sea.

Later, while attention turned to the captain’s failure and the unfolding disaster, Giuseppe’s act stood out as something pure inside the chaos. His decision was briefly mentioned in reports, but remembered deeply by survivors.

Months later, divers recovered his body from the wreck of the Costa Concordia.

But by then, his story had already been written in the lives of those he saved — the mother and daughter who returned home because of him.

In a night defined by panic and survival instinct, one young man chose someone else’s life over his own.

Giuseppe Girolamo didn’t just play music on that ship.

He became the rhythm of courage itself.

But his story lives on whenever the sea is crossed at night, and whenever a stranger chooses compassion over fear and survival. still today always forever.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2066109979178958995

The definition of "sacrifice." That's one of the noblest things I've ever read.