The Constitution Is Louder Than Schumer’s Fear Mongering

The dawn of the 21st century transformed the landscape of American warfare. Traditional battles gave way to complex urban combat, asymmetric threats, and insurgency-driven conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other hot zones. U.S. forces soon found themselves adapting to unpredictable urban environments, where enemies blended with civilians and improvised explosive devices lurked at every turn. ...

Vladimir Putin doesn’t mince words.No US president truly holds power. And now, even Donald Trump,once the loudmouth promising peace,shows his true colors by backing attacks on Iran. Just another puppet controlled by the Deep State, serving the machine while pretending to lead. pic.twitter.com/FDReh0Q05i — Richard (@ricwe123) June 13, 2025

Europe and the End of Old Java JamesHoare Mon, 06/16/2025 - 06:00

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In a cheerful, sea-themed room in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania, a small group of people gathered under balloon jellyfish and streamers. There were pastries, coffee, trivia games, and coloring pages. But what made the space truly special was the people. Everyone there was either living with memory loss or caring for someone who was. Rob Kennedy, diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s disease in his late 50s, has become a regular. Twice a month, he attends the local memory cafe, a welcoming place where camaraderie and laughter abound. “We all have a good time going around. You know, we all try to make it fun,” he said with a smile. The trivia questions don’t always get answered, but the joy of trying matters more than the score. Creating connection beyond clinical care Memory cafes are social gatherings designed for people with cognitive impairments and their caregivers. They aren’t clinics or therapy centers. Rather, they provide something just as vital: connection. With more than 600 such cafes now operating across the U.S., they’re an increasingly popular and affordable model for community-based dementia support. For Kennedy, who had to retire from his longtime job as a software engineer after his diagnosis, the cafes have brought both purpose and friendship. “I came in and I was miserable,” he said. “I come in now and it’s like, it’s family, it’s a big, extended family.” The invisible toll of dementia More than six million Americans live with dementia, and caregiving can be emotionally draining and socially isolating. A 2024 report by the Alzheimer’s Association found that 70 percent of caregivers feel stressed coordinating care. “One thing I have heard again and again from people who come to our Memory Cafe is ‘all of our friends disappeared,'” said Beth Soltzberg, a social worker in Greater Boston. That’s why the inclusion of caregivers is so critical. These gatherings aren’t just for patients; they’re for the people walking the journey beside them. No formal therapy is offered, but the act of being together is a form of healing. A simple, low-cost model with big impact Memory cafes are remarkably affordable to run. Some cost as little as $150 a month, covering snacks, coffee, crafts, and a rented space. Local foundations and volunteers help keep them going. “This is a labor of love,” said Paula Baillie, a board member for The Gathering Place, which hosts Kennedy’s cafe. Some, like those in Toledo, Ohio, partner with libraries, coffee shops, or even museums. At the Toledo Museum of Art, staff are trained in dementia sensitivity to help lead tailored tours. An answer in uncertain times As the aging population grows and federal health funding remains uncertain, these grassroots efforts have become more valuable than ever. They don’t rely on federal dollars, but organizers worry that cuts to public programs could still impact libraries and other shared spaces that host cafes. “They’ve operated on pretty small budgets and a lot of goodwill,” said Susan McFadden, co-founder of the Fox Valley Memory Project in Wisconsin, which oversees 14 memory cafes. Wisconsin now has over 100 memory cafes and a unique, state-funded network of dementia care specialists. Inspired by hospitality, rooted in care McFadden first learned about memory cafes in the United Kingdom. Her visit to humble venues (think church basements, senior centers) highlighted what memory cafes are really about: hospitality. “It’s reaching out to people you don’t know and welcoming them,” she said. That spirit inspired her to launch Wisconsin’s first memory cafe in 2012. Today, anyone can find a nearby cafe through national directories like Dementia Friendly America. And thanks to training modules developed by McFadden and colleagues, more communities are starting their own. “They’re not so hard to set up, they’re not expensive,” she said. “It takes community engagement.” A growing need for a growing challenge The demand is rising. By 2060, the number of Americans living with Alzheimer’s is expected to double to nearly 14 million. Meanwhile, the number of available family caregivers is shrinking. Experts like Dr. Jason Karlawish and Dr. Kyra O’Brien of the University of Pennsylvania say memory cafes offer something essential: joy. “For many, that’s a very gratifying experience, because dementia does reshape relationships,” Karlawish said. And as O’Brien added, “We know that patients have better quality of life when their caregivers are under less stress.” Memory cafes don’t pretend to have all the answers. But they do offer one powerful solution: shared humanity, dignity, and connection.The post Where memory lives: community cafes bring joy and connection for people with dementia first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Pride Month is more than just a parade; It’s a celebration of visibility, identity, resilience, and community. And nothing says “I’m here” like a Pride flag. Whether you’re waving one, wearing one, or spotting one in the wild, each flag has its own story and meaning. From the rainbow classic to the newer symbols of inclusion, here’s your friendly, informative guide to the many LGBTQ+ Pride flags you might see and what they stand for. The original LGBTQ+ Pride flag The rainbow flag is arguably the most recognizable LGBTQ+ symbol in the world. Originally designed by Gilbert Baker in 1977, each stripe represented something different: pink for sex, red for life, orange for healing, yellow for the sun, green for nature, turquoise for magic, blue for serenity, and purple for spirit. “Flags say something,” Baker once said. “You put a rainbow flag on your windshield and you’re saying something.” Due to fabric shortages, the version we see most today includes six colors. But the design keeps evolving. For instance, in 2017, black and brown stripes were added to acknowledge LGBTQ+ people of color. Bisexual Pride flag Created in 1998 by Michael Page, the bisexual flag features pink, purple, and blue stripes to represent attraction to the same gender, a blend of both, and the opposite gender, respectively. Page wanted to spotlight the way bisexual people are often unseen, saying the flag symbolizes how “the purple blends into both the blue and pink.” You might recognize the color scheme from “bisexual lighting,” a pop culture trend seen in films like Atomic Blonde and Janelle Monáe’s “Make Me Feel” video. Trans Pride flag Navy veteran Monica Helms designed the trans flag in 1999. The blue and pink represent traditional male and female colors, while the white stripe in the middle stands for non-binary and transitioning individuals. The flag didn’t gain widespread recognition until 2013, but today, it’s proudly flown around the world. Progress Pride flag In 2018, designer Daniel Quasar created the Progress Pride flag by adding a chevron with black, brown, pink, blue, and white stripes to the rainbow. This inclusive update was designed to center queer people of color and the trans community, ensuring that the most marginalized voices are not left behind. Lesbian Pride flag Though there are several variations, the most common lesbian flag is made up of pink and orange shades. Some versions feature a red lipstick print to represent “lipstick lesbians,” while others favor symbols like interlocking Venus signs. The flag might not be as widely seen at parades, but it’s deeply meaningful in online communities. Intersex Pride flag The intersex flag, created in 2013 by Intersex Human Rights Australia, avoids traditionally gendered colors. Instead, it features a yellow background with a solid purple circle. “The circle is unbroken and un-ornamented,” the group explained, symbolizing wholeness and autonomy. It’s a powerful reminder of the ongoing fight for intersex bodily integrity and self-determination. Pansexual Pride flag This vibrant flag first appeared online in 2010. It features pink (attraction to women), blue (attraction to men), and yellow (attraction to non-binary or all other genders). The exact origins of the flag remain unknown, but it’s now a common sight at Pride events around the world. Asexual Pride flag Created through an Asexuality Visibility and Education Network (AVEN) community contest in 2010, the asexual flag includes four horizontal stripes: black for asexuality, gray for gray-asexual and demisexual identities, white for allies, and purple for community. It proudly represents those with limited or no sexual attraction. Polysexual and polyamorous flags The polysexual flag (pink, blue, and green) represents attraction to multiple, but not all, genders. It’s related to pan and bisexuality but is its own identity too. Polyamory, or consensual non-monogamy, has its own flags too. The latest version, designed by Red Howell, includes magenta for love, blue for openness, gold for energy, and purple for unity. It replaces an earlier flag that used the Greek letter pi and traditional red, blue, and black stripes. Non-binary and genderqueer flags The non-binary flag, created by 17-year-old Kye Rowan in 2014, has four stripes: yellow for gender outside the binary, white for multi-gendered people, purple for blends of male and female, and black for agender identities. The genderqueer flag, designed by Marilyn Roxie in 2011, features lavender (androgyny), white (agender), and green (non-binary). Both flags honor the vast spectrum of identities beyond the male-female binary. Genderfluid flag This flag embraces shifting gender identity. It features five stripes: pink (femininity), blue (masculinity), purple (a mix of both), black (no gender), and white (all genders). It’s a vibrant reflection of gender in motion. Subculture flags: twinks, leather, and bears Not all Pride flags represent broad identities—some reflect beloved subcultures. Twink flag: While less common at marches, the pink-heavy twink flag celebrates youthful, effeminate gay men. It often includes interlocking male symbols. Leather flag: Designed in 1989 by Tony DeBlase, this black, blue, and white striped flag with a red heart represents the leather and BDSM communities. Bear flag: Introduced in 1996 by Craig Byrnes, this warm-toned flag celebrates hairy, rugged gay men. The colors reflect fur tones and the global diversity of the bear community. Flags are more than fabric From inclusive chevrons to unbroken circles, every Pride flag is a visual shout of identity, belonging, and pride. Whether you connect with one or many, these flags remind us that there’s room for everyone under the LGBTQ+ umbrella.The post Your colorful guide to every LGBTQ+ Pride flag and what they represent first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

When your mind races with anxiety, fear, or doubt, you're not powerless—you’re invited into a Spirit-led transformation.

Change can feel scary, but God’s blessing goes before us with peace, protection, and purpose for every new path.

The Fox is one of the end-game Shinbakufu targets inAssassin’s Creed Shadows. Reaching him involves a multipart questline filled with stealth opportunities, combat, and some minor political intrigue, all centered on the town of Obama in the Wakasa region.