Morning CoSo. 🕯️
As promised, today I have a piece that explores the history of political kidnappings, in war and for profit, with an eye to pushing back on armchair analysts.
As "easy" as these exchanges might look at a distance, there is a lot of pain and fraught history behind negotiating ceasefires and prisoner/hostage swaps.
There also isn't a great success rate.
This weekend, may we all be thankful for our safety, & grieve for those still waiting for their own.
https://onlysky.media/mclark/wartime-hostages-and-armchair-analysts/
Rebecca! What a joy to catch you at first bounce. 🤗
Happiest of Thanksgiving weekends to you. The added bonus of the US version of Canada's harvest-fest in October is an extra opportunity to extend gratitude to lovely critters in our lives.
Thank you for your presence, your light, and above all else for honouring your truth. 💛 A heart not in discord with itself is a heart that can do wondrous things in the world.
I'm so glad I get to witness some of yours.
Happy workout, you!
@MLClark And I am glad to get witness your light my friend. I think it would be a better world if we paused each month to take stock of our many blessings.
It is true that there are times that are darker than others, but that is when the light of hope and fellowship shine brightest.
In these times of war and strife, those simple joys I feel are among the most important.
Thank you for nourishing the sacred seed within my spirit, and in yours as well.
@MLClark An excellent read. Thank you ❤️
Thank you for sitting with it, Stuey.
There's so much grief-work to do in these hard times, that it really is best not to go at it alone. ❤️
@MLClark
The quality of reporting and thoughtful analysis I have access to has gone up noticeably because of you and so many others here in CoSo.
Thank you.
Emphasis on the "so many others here" - because this ecosystem of active readers and excellent subject experts has definitely helped me come at my work with more clarity of purpose.
In my last social media ecosystem, everything was superficial signal-boosting and SEO management to get higher on search results. And the humanist in me was having a *really* hard time believing there was any use in aspiring to more under neoliberalism.
Engaged humans make the difference.
So thank *you*.
@MLClark Good morning groovy soul! I am not officially here yet, but I happened to catch this on my way out to the gym.
On this day of Thanksgiving here in the sates, I wanted to express my deep and profound gratitude for your friendship and kindness. You are a bright star in my sky!