Harvey's Heroes

Amidst all the sad and horrible scenes of destruction we are seeing in Texas and Louisiana, left by Hurricane Harvey, we are also seeing so many heartwarming pictures as well, with countless heroes springing into action.  It always amazes me how tragedy can bind people together working for a common good.

Harvey is being called the worst disaster in Texas history, and full recovery is expected to take many years.  So far there are 50 confirmed deaths, numerous injuries, and property damage around $190 billion.  Many of the homeowners were not insured.  But as gloomy as the picture is, so many people are digging into their pockets and donating money to help folks they have never met.  I'm hearing stories of neighbor helping neighbor clean out their water-damaged properties.

The Humane Society of the United States, Catholic Charities USA, American Red Cross, Lutheran Disaster Response, United States Equestrian Federation, Episcopal Relief & Development, and AmeriCares, are just some of the organizations providing help to the victims of the storm.  Any one of these is a good place to donate if you want to help.  Some of these organizations also coordinate volunteers who want to go there (and other disaster sites) to help in the various ways needed such as public health, cleanup, and construction.

As time goes by, we are seeing more and more heroes.  I urge you to join them in whatever way you can.  Our country is strong and these people will rebuild, especially when we all pull together!

Stand with Texas

Now is not the time to argue about what Texas has done politically or they lifestyles of certain cities or what is liked or not liked about the Lone Star State.  When people are in trouble, the thing to do is to come to their aid.  Texas, and the Houston are in particular, is most certainly in trouble and they can use our help!

Right now they are still in the rescue phase.  Thousands have been trapped by the rising waters.  Relief is also important.  Shelters are in place and more may be needed.  Once everyone is safe and accounted for it will be easier to determine what additional assistance is going to be needed.  Then comes recovery and rebuilding.  Because of the severity of the damage, this could take a long time.  One thing that will determine how fast Houston comes back, is how many stand with her.  The more hands and the more money, the easier and faster the recovery.

The news keeps changing, so it is difficult for me to say with accuracy just how things are right now, but one thing is certain.  Texas can use our help.  Pray for them.  Donate for them.  Volunteer for them.  In other words, do something, if you are able.

Many organizations are working to help victims of Hurricane Harvey and I would suggest that you use a reputable group such as the American Red Cross, Team Rubicon, Catholic Charities USA, and Trusted World to make a donation. The Greater Houston Community Foundation is also taking donations.

The wrath of Harvey

Over the weekend the Gulf Coast felt the wrath of Hurricane Harvey, the first major hurricane to make landfall in the United States since Wilma in 2005 (which ended a record 12-year period with no hurricanes of Category 3 intensity).  Fortunately the winds did not cause the extreme damage that they might have, but the rain has been another matter.

There is intense flooding in Texas, especially in the Houston area.  I'm sure many of you have been watching on television and via social media.  The conditions have been heartbreaking.  While it is good to see how folks come together there with neighbor helping neighbor, Texas is going to need a lot more help.

What we are hearing right now is that money is of the most use.  Various organizations are setup to receive donations, and if you are able, I urge you to give.  I've seen a lot of negative comments on the internet about people thinking about the situation in Texas and offering prayers.  Some have said that "thoughts and prayers are useless."  I disagree.  There is never a bad time to think good thoughts about those in need and there is certainly never a bad time to pray.

Harvey made landfall with wind gusts up to 132 mph, causing property damage and knocking out power, but then came the rain.  Texas got the worst of it, but the storm still poses a threat to Louisiana.  As horrible as it has all been, the stories of heroes have certainly been beacons of hope!

The sun ain't gonna shine

As everyone already knows, the moon will photobomb the sun for a while today, and will cause the sky to darken completely within a 70-mile-wide band that begins in Oregon and extends southeast across the country to South Carolina, with Nashville being the major city to experience the event, the.first total solar eclipse in the US since 1979.  If you are not within that area, you still may experience a dramatic partial eclipse, or you can simply watch on television.

 

Over the weekend, I read a lot about this spectacular happening and watched video, including Frank Reynolds' coverage of the last one.  (Reynolds, by the way, was an outstanding newsman, and someone I can say made a huge difference in our world).  I found it interesting that we will experience another total eclipse in just seven years, whereas the last one was thirty-eight years ago.  Oh and I learned that eclipses don't all last the same amount of time.  For this one, much of the country will experience the eclipse for about an hour and a half, but the peak of the eclipse will last only for about two minutes and 40 seconds.
 

Of course none of this has anything to do with making a difference in the world.  I thought some of you might be interest, but it really is off-subject.  Please forgive me.  I'm sure there are a lot of cool stories related to this, and some might include actual heroes - people who really do make a difference.  Maybe you would like to share one in the comments section below.  Meanwhile, I hear my radio playing "the sun ain't gonna shine anymore" and "Total eclipse of the heart."  Let's make this a great day!

Jeff Adachi is a hero

Jeff Adachi is a hero. He is indeed making a difference in this world. There. I said it upfront in case you don't want to read this all the way through, but I can tell you more.

Adachi, the elected Public Defender for San Francisco County, oversees an office with over 150 staff, including 100 lawyers. He's not just the manager though. You will just as likely see him in the courtroom, fighting for his client. I just read that he has tried over 100 jury trials. He does what every attorney should do, but what so many don't. He looks out for those he represents. 

 

There's also Jeff Adachi the film maker. Check out The Slanted Screen, You Don't Know Jack: The Jack Soo Story, and America Needs a Racial Facial to find out what I mean.  This would especially be a good week to check out that last one, an eight minute film about race in this country.  (The other ones are noteworthy too, dealing with the underrepresentation of Asian actors in the US film industry).

Adachi is an annual participant in the LGBT Pride Parade in San Francisco and a huge group from his office usually accompanies him.  You'll also see him on the evening news, speaking out whenever there is a local injustice, and raising his voice to see that justice prevails.

I could easily go on and on about how this man has made a difference in the lives of many, as an attorney, a film producer, and an activist, but trust me - Jeff Adachi is a hero.  Our world could use more folks like him!

Disgusted by the hatred

This was not a weekend to be proud of.  On Friday night, things began with a large group of white men carrying torches though the University of Virginia  campus in what they called a “pro-white” demonstration, protesting plans to remove a statue of the Confederate General Robert E. Lee. It quickly spiraled into violence Saturday morning and at least three lives were lost.  Many voiced opinions over the weekend, but none have condemned the hatred as strongly as Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe.

On Saturday morning, Governor McAuliffe declared a State of Emergency saying in part "It is now clear that public safety cannot be safeguarded without additional powers, and that the mostly out-of-state protesters have come to Virginia to endanger our citizens and property. I am disgusted by the hatred, bigotry and violence these protesters have brought to our state over the past 24 hours. The actions I have taken are intended to assist local government and restore public safety."

On social media there were some who made jokes.  Seriously.  How can hatred and prejudice be funny?  Some leaders made statements, but didn't condemn the hate and the violence.  There were Confederate and Nazi flags and salutes and there were even supportive messages from the Ku Klux Klan.  Terry McAuliffe was quick to condemn all of the violence and hatred.  "You pretend that you are patriots, but you are anything but a patriot," McAuliffe said, with Charlottesville's mayor and police chief beside him.  "We are stronger than you," he added, speaking to white nationalists.  "You have made our commonwealth stronger. You will not succeed. There is no place for you here."

The Democratic Governor would be heard from several times over the weekend.  There were counter protests as well.  There was a lot of anti-hate comments on social media, but will that translate into action?  It is clear that a huge racism problem exists.  Will the haters be driven away though or will everyone just forget about it in a day or so?  Governor McAuliffe said he was "disgusted by the hatred."  Shouldn't we all be disgusted?

"You are not patriots," Governor McAuliffe said at his press conference. "You came here today to hurt people and that is not patriotic.  My message is clear.  We are stronger than you. You will not succeed. There is no place for you here and there is no place for you in America."  Governor McAuliffe should inspire us all - there should never be a place for hatred in America.

A trip to Barn Sanctuary

Animals are such wonderful creatures. I've always enjoyed the visits I have made to farms and to the woods where all kinds of animals exist in a nice peaceful setting.  I've written here before about the importance of treating all animals with decency and respect, but I want to mention the Barn Sanctuary, which I just heard about.

Now generally I like to have a lot of information about any organization I write about, but I just couldn't wait.  I saw a tv news report and immediately said "What a great idea!"  It seems that in Chelsea, Michigan there is now a place that provides shelter to cows, horses, turkeys, pigs, chickens, ducks, sheep, and goats who have been rescued from cases of abuse, abandonment, and from natural disasters.  I watched videos and pictures on their facebook page, and my heart melted.

As I said, I don't know a lot about them, but I intend to find out more.  They do have a website at https://www.barnsanctuary.org/ that does a great job of telling their story and how we can all get involved.   I'd love to take a trip there, and they will soon be open to the public.  Until then, be kind to all animals.  They deserve our love and respect just as much as humans do.

Gentle on my mind

The incredible singer, songwriter, musician, tv host, and actor, Glen Campbell died yesterday morning at memory care facility in Nashville.  We will remember him for "Gentle on My Mind," "By the Time I Get to Phoenix," "Wichita Lineman," "Galveston," "Rhinestone Cowboy," "Southern Nights," and many other hit songs.  We will of course remember "The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour" on television, along with his many other tv appearances and his film roles in "True Grit" and "Norwood."  To say that Glen Campbell brought joy to people for many years, would be an understatement. 

Campbell is forever been known for his final years as well.  It was inn June of 2011 that he announced that he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.  At a time when most people would want privacy, especially celebrities, Campbell let the world have a glimpse of this disease and how it was effecting him.  We also heard reports from friends and family members and listened to him perform one more time.  Campbell's courage in revealing his illness brought more attention to Alzheimer's.

Please go to http://alz.org/ to learn more about the disease and what is being done.  This is an organization that Glen Campbell supported.  A donation in his honor would certainly be appropriate.

All day yesterday, tributes came from performers and others who had worked with Campbell over the years or who had been touched by his talent.  Please feel free to add your own memories in the comments section below.  Also, donations can be made to the Glen Campbell Memorial Fund, by clicking HERE.  Forever he will be gentle on my mind.