37 Comments
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Mama Says's avatar

Yes, there are blessings to be gleaned from a traumatic childhood. It may take a lifetime to find your gemstones but it’s worth the dig.

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Maggie Reinwald's avatar

Very well said.

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Kristin's avatar

It certainly is! I do this daily with people..

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HeyLeise's avatar

Great column. Personal confession - when the news is depressing I death scroll red carpet pics

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dj l's avatar

don't know where I first saw this - perhaps in one of your daily links, Bill?

Anderson Cooper's interview w/ Stephen Colbert; can't pick & choose what to be grateful for. I love this!!!

https://x.com/AC360/status/1162183695270387712

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dj l's avatar

before anyone blames RFK Jr for the measles outbreak,

The virus has largely spread among rural, oil rig-dotted towns in West Texas, with cases concentrated in a “close-knit, undervaccinated” Mennonite community, state health department spokesperson Lara Anton said.

I'm not saying I'm for/against RFK Jr, however, he has had his children, all of them, vaccinated.

I will say it's documented that illegals crossing into TX are NOT vaccinated.

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dj l's avatar

I won't watch, hardly know any actors' names/faces, does that make me awful or just an oddball? At some point I'll find out winning shows & put some on my list to watch in the future, at home.

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Gavin Nichols's avatar

The Oscars is one of the myriad award shows where wealthy, privileged people can tell each other how wonderful they are. They probably spend more on their attire for the evening than I will make in a year.

Maybe there should be an award show for award shows...

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Gavin Nichols's avatar

The Oscars is one of the myriad award shows where wealthy, privileged people can tell each other how wonderful they are. They probably spend more on their attire for the evening than I will make in a year.

Maybe there should be an award show for award shows...

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Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

Accepting or expressing gratitude releases dopamine and serotonin, just like drugs -- only in more balanced quantities. Now there's an "addiction" to get behind.

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Dr. Mickey's avatar

Freedom of the press is not to be toyed with. Not publishing opposing opinions, not taking tough questions is not the way to keep a democracy.

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dj l's avatar

I totally agree. Biden avoided many many questions from the press. As did Harris. Trump should NOT be playing the same game.

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Danny Mat's avatar

Are you saying Trump told Bezos not to publish opposing editorials?!?

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dj l's avatar

What I said is TRUMP SHOULD NOT PLAY THE SAME GAME. I have no idea what Trump told Bezos to do/not to do. Does Bezos not have a mind of his own?

My comment had to do with Biden avoiding many questions from the press. Harris avoided the press altogether for the good part of the beginning of her campaign.

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Danny Mat's avatar

Okay, glad you typed louder to clarify bc with all the dangling participles and what not...

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Darrell's avatar

Yes trump told him. Bezos understands subtle political implications and wants trump to use his space platform.

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Danny Mat's avatar

Okay - source?...

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dj l's avatar

well, reading this, reading what Bezos says, not interpreting what the left, nor the right, wants to read into what Bezos says, is that he recognizes the public no longer wants to view the media as biased.

https://apnews.com/article/washington-post-bezos-opinion-trump-market-liberty-97a7d8113d670ec6e643525fdf9f06de?user_id=66c4c0955d78644b3aabe4bf

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Darrell's avatar

And trump sidesteps questions to paint his own picture of his reality.

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Darrell's avatar

Yes

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Darrell's avatar

This is about the media, not the politicians…unless they are trying to control the media. Like trump is. He doesn’t avoid the press, he just tells lies.

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dj l's avatar

I apologize for my confusing reply —- I had just read/heard of Trump denying some press from attending some of his press conferences, I believe. So THAT is what I thought I was referring to - 😜.

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Salmon's avatar

I used to watch the Oscar’s sometimes and enjoyed knowing who won. A couple of years ago I learned that actors can campaign for the award and that kinda ruined it for me.

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Butter Mybuns's avatar

I rarely look back—I'm happy where I am. Learn the lessons, keep what matters, and move forward.

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Butter Mybuns's avatar

We shouldn't dwell on the past in anger, but we must never forget—lest history repeat its worst moments. From war to pandemics, evil has thrived among ordinary people just trying to live. Only hindsight cuts through the noise, revealing what worked, what failed, and—most tellingly—who profited. Following the money isn’t just economics; it’s the science of power. It shifts our focus from "this seems good" to the real, lasting impact.

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Seattle Mom's avatar

Sometimes the only gratitude one can muster for the bad times is having survived them. And it will always take the perspective of time to feel even that.

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dj l's avatar

About the son & the conspiracy dad - I hate the slant of putting it on the right. Truly - if anyone studies psychology they can know such paranoia is not grounded in politics- it’s mental & in this case looks to be hereditary.

NOT EVERYTHING IS POLITICAL

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Butter Mybuns's avatar

Totally agree—politics just adds to the frustration. Our brains love confirmation bias because it’s the lazy option. Maybe the real lesson learned here is: wake up, grab coffee, learn first, then chill. Wait… isn’t that what we do anyway?

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Butter Mybuns's avatar

Post, and let the algorithms work their magic! 🤖✨

I clicked over to my news feed and found Fortune suggests the FORD method—Family, Occupation, Recreation, and Dreams—for better conversations. I’d add: be kind, actually listen, and maybe don’t talk only about your cat… unless it’s really cool. 😆

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Theresa Kay's avatar

Well, I understand learning from past experience. I believe I am a better person because of my past instead of blaming what I have been through, I use it as a way to view my world in a way that looks for better outcomes

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Dennis Capps's avatar

The talented Hollywood people make great movies I enjoy. The Oscar Awards proved them the opportunity to share their personal POLITICAL views which they do often. I will not be part of that audience.

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