Indigenous communities living in the Amazon rainforest are well-known for producing their food through ecological cultivation strategies in defined portions of terrain called chagras. The soil is used to grow foods, including up to 100 different vegetal species, that can coexist in biological balance without altering each other’s natural life cycles. Chagras reflect a profound understanding of the relationship between humans and their environment, embodied in agricultural practices and reproduced through traditional knowledge about the interactions between plants, animals, minerals, and the spiritual ancestors shared by all community members.   Traditional Knowledge and the Chagra Photograph of individuals in a chagra. Source: Visión Amazonía.   Chagras are located next to malocas, traditional houses where daily life and ritual activities occur and where different families from the same community interact. Although the term chagra is used for the defined parcels of territory cultivated to provide food for the community, in a broader sense, the chagra agricultural model is a complete alimentary system based on traditional ecological, social, and spiritual knowledge of the biological relationships between vegetal species, relationships with the soil, production cycles, diseases, and plagues.   This system has survived for several centuries and has developed in conjunction with the biological and cultural evolutionary processes of the Amazon rainforest, which have allowed for the domestication of numerous species and the preservation of a broad genetic base for many plants and animals.   A man collecting with traditional basket. Source: Agencia de Noticias de la Universidad Nacional de Colombia.   Indigenous communities in the Amazon rainforest have preserved sophisticated knowledge of these relationships. The chagra presents balanced, reciprocal, and sustainable strategies to preserve the cohabitation of humans and vegetal and animal species in a shared environment. These practices have been passed from generation to generation through oral history and practice-based learning, which include the retelling of mythical stories and bio-spiritual explanations that all community members must learn from childhood.   Although the chagra model refers principally to the cultivation of food, some of the related practices linked to this alimentary system include hunting, gathering fruits and vegetables, and fishing. These practices have specific gender and age divisions and work in conjunction to ensure the well-being of the community and all organisms inhabiting the rainforest.   The Chagra Production Cycle  Woman collecting cassava in a chagra. Nancy Padua, 2021. Source: Open Democracy.   The chagra’s production cycle has been designed over centuries to avoid disturbing the natural balance of the ecosystem. The first step to setting up a chagra is selecting an adequate portion of land, which depends on the location, soil type, and surrounding vegetation. Before selecting the parcel, communities often need to negotiate with the land’s spiritual owners to allow human intervention, a task the local shaman or women often carry out. In a special ceremony, tobacco smoke is spread over the field to protect the cultivation process and establish shamanic relationships with the world of guiding spirits that guard the forest.   After the spiritual and spatial preparation of the terrain is completed, all the vegetation is cut during the dry season between December and February. This happens in two stages: the socola, where small vegetation is removed, and the tumba, where the bigger trunks are cut in collective efforts that can gather men from neighboring communities.   Any organic material remaining is burned to release nitrogen, with the resulting ash fertilizing the soil. The terrain is allowed to cool for a period of two weeks, after which the women of the community take over the protection and correct functioning of the chagra.   Photograph of some of the food collected from a chagra. Source: Agencia de Noticias de la Universidad Nacional de Colombia.   When the rainy season comes, between March and July, the levels of the rivers rise, and the sowing period begins. Women know the seeds’ different properties and each plant’s growing processes. Some of the main products grown and collected in the chagra include yuca (cassava), corn, banana, pineapple, coca, tobacco, and peanuts.   Some areas of the chagra are reserved for peppers and sacred herbs and plants. As different species start to grow, the women eliminate competitor weeds, burning them to transform them into nutrient-rich ashes, which are then used to fertilize the other plants. No species is considered a threat or waste, as most of them can be repurposed to benefit the chagra in some way.   After the chagra completes its productive cycle, the shaman conducts a closing ritual, and the terrain is abandoned to allow it to recover. The community then moves forward with finding a new parcel of land to start the productive cycle of a new chagra over again. The parcel left behind is often used for hunting, as many rodents come to feed on the remaining cassava.   The Cultural Importance of the Chagra: The Principle of Complementarity Photo of a chagra, Valentina Fonseca Cepeda, 2019. Source: Infoamazonía.   Chagras are biological and social spaces for preserving traditional cultural knowledge. They are also an example of how communities exercise their right to food sovereignty in Latin American countries that often give more priority to the capitalist models that exploit the valuable natural resources located in ancestral territories.   Together with the malocas, chagras are sites where ancestral knowledge is taught to younger generations, instructing them in how to cultivate and collect food and reinforcing a strong sense of community and cultural identity. In addition to sharing this specialized knowledge, they are places for acquiring and learning social values related to ethics, health, nutrition, and rituals, which makes the whole process surrounding the chagra one of the cornerstones of social formation in these indigenous communities.   One of the main cultural principles of livelihood and well-being among these communities is complementarity and interdependence. This refers to the reciprocal relationships between men and women, as well as the physical and spiritual worlds. These relationships ensure the correct balance in life through collaboration and collective work. For instance, in the chagra, the principle of complementarity is reflected in how poisonous, itchy, edible, and sacred plants can coexist without any problem.   The principle of complementarity is the basis on which the cultural significance and biological functioning of the chagra are constructed. Through the tumba, burning, and cultivation of the terrain, the landscape is constantly revitalized by selecting and facilitating the growth of palms and trees that produce food for fish, animals, and humans.   A Bio-Spiritual Model for Protecting the Amazon Rainforest Photo of women in a chagra, Stefan Ruiz. Source: Gaia Amazonas   Contemporary exploitative capitalist models of agriculture could learn much from the chagra. They demonstrate ecological ways different species can co-exist and grow in a single defined space. Their logic opposes intensive agricultural systems based on fast rates for producing single species in single terrains, an economic dynamic that harms the soil and serves individual and institutional interests, often excluding the communities that own the ancestral territories. The model of the chagra is a result of broader socio-cultural structures of reciprocity between indigenous communities and the environment.   Historically, the cultural and biological integrity of the Amazon rainforest has been threatened by colonial and capitalist exploitation. Since the 1970s, the chagras have been becoming less and less diverse and extensive due to indigenous slavery and the exploitation of natural resources such as quinoa and rubber. Additionally, and more contemporarily, intensive palm oil and soy farming and extensive livestock farming produce increasing levels of deforestation that, day by day, are destroying the biological and social fabric of the rainforest.   Although this has forced many communities to abandon their territories, putting them in a situation of displacement, others are organizing themselves into political and activist groups, simultaneously fighting for their right to their territory and protecting the Amazon rainforest. These efforts include the preservation of the chagra as a holistic bio-spiritual model for coexisting with the environment, assuring a correct and balanced use of natural resources through relationships of reciprocity.   Women transporting just-harvested yuca, Juan Gabriel Soler. Source: Gaia Amazonas   Chagras are sources of knowledge and wisdom that could be used to solve the many problems generated by the world’s industrialization, where natural resources are becoming less and less available and where the effects of capitalist exploitation of the environment are altering the ecological balance of nature around the globe. The model of the chagra speaks to ecological harmony and considers biodiversity conservation and sustainable agriculture crucial knowledge for mitigating the effects of global warming and the unequal distribution of rights to the land in different countries.   Chagras are currently in danger of extinction, as many multinational corporations are expanding their power over their lands, causing immense damage to the forest. This results from illegal occupation of the land as well as through violent interactions with the communities. Nonetheless, many NGOs and organized indigenous communities remain, fighting for the protection of their environment and land justice in the Amazon rainforest.

  Those interested in British politics enjoy pitting certain politicians against each other, comparing and contrasting the most impressive individuals from our past. When it comes to the question of Britain’s best prime minister, it’s hard to come up with an objectively correct answer. Yet some names certainly come up more than others during these discussions.   Clement Attlee is one of these names. As the leader of the Labour Party, he won an impressive election victory in 1945 and remained in power until 1951. Though far from perfect, his tenure as prime minister proved to be a political milestone, and many consider Attlee to be one of the greatest politicians in British history.   Clement Attlee’s Upbringing William Ewart Gladstone by John Everett Millais, 1881. Source: Royal Academy of Arts   Clement Attlee was born on January 3, 1883, in the village of Putney, an area that is now part of London. At the time, the Liberal Party was in power, and William Gladstone was in the middle of his second term as prime minister. The Conservative Party was the other main force in British politics. The Labour Party, on the other hand, hadn’t been created yet.   Being the seventh child and fourth boy, Attlee grew up in a large, religious family fronted by a wealthy father who worked as a solicitor. He was an intelligent child who liked reading books and poetry. He particularly enjoyed the work of Alfred Tennyson.   Attlee started preparatory school at the age of nine before moving on to Haileybury as a teenager. The school was a prestigious institution with idyllic grounds and an impressive reputation. Prospective students had to pass an entrance exam and have wealthy parents if they wanted to study there.   Attlee didn’t stand out from the crowd at Haileybury despite his early signs of intelligence. He was an adequate (but unexceptional) student, though his love of language and written communication remained, for he was a member of both the College Literary Society and the Shakespeare Society.   Like his older brothers, Attlee went on to study at Oxford University. He studied Modern History, specializing in the Italian Renaissance. He was also a member of the debating society during his time at Oxford.   The Dawn of a Political Career Keir Hardie by William John Monkhouse, 1905. Source: National Portrait Gallery UK   The Labour movement came into being towards the end of the Victorian era. A Scottish politician named Keir Hardie formed the Independent Labour Party in 1893 and the Labour Party in 1900.   Meanwhile, Clement Attlee was looking for a career change after disliking his work at his father’s law firm. His heart simply wasn’t in it, and he craved a greater sense of purpose.   In October 1905, Attlee went for a walk in Stepney in the East End of London with his brother Lawrence. They found a culture of poverty, poor housing, and insecure unemployment. This had a profound impact on Attlee’s view of the world, shattering the notion that individual failings and idleness were the source of poverty. Attlee offered his services to a charity in Stepney and helped working-class boys in the area.   Politically, Attlee wasn’t impressed with either the Conservative Party or the Liberal Party. The latter had won the 1906 election with a landslide victory and were embarking on an agenda of redistributive taxation and welfare reforms. But Attlee didn’t believe these reforms went far enough.   In January 1908, Attlee joined the Stepney branch of the Independent Labour Party. This was his springboard into the wider London socialist movement, and he soon established himself as a hard worker.   However, the party had little electoral success in the early years of the twentieth century. Even in working-class areas, it was hard to break the two-party stronghold of the Liberals and Conservatives.   Following the start of the First World War, Attlee joined the army in September 1914 and put his political career on hold. In April 1917, he suffered severe shrapnel wounds in Iraq, and in August 1918, he was hit by a piece of timber while being shelled in France. Thankfully, none of these injuries were life-threatening.   The Rise of the Labour Party Ramsay MacDonald by John Lavery, 1931. Source: National Portrait Gallery UK   When Clement Attlee returned from the army in January 1919, he found a new political landscape.   Before the war, only sixty percent of men could vote. After the war, all men and most women over the age of thirty could vote. Trade union membership also increased during the war years. These factors gave the Labour Party a boost.   After the collapse of David Lloyd George’s coalition government in October 1922, there was a general election in November. The Labour Party made significant progress, winning 142 seats and performing particularly well in working-class areas. Attlee himself became a Member of Parliament for the constituency of Limehouse in Stepney.   Though the Conservatives managed to win the next election in December 1923, they didn’t have a majority in the House of Commons, resulting in a hung Parliament. Labour, as the second-largest party, formed a coalition with the Liberals, enabling them to command a majority in the House of Commons. Ramsay MacDonald became the first Labour prime minister.   While the coalition didn’t last long (the Conservatives returned to power in October 1924 with a big majority), Labour’s time in power solidified them as a serious force in British politics. Their success continued in May 1929 when they became the largest parliamentary party for the first time.   However, they lacked the numbers they needed, and it would be many years before a governing Labour Party secured a majority on their own.   The War Cabinet Photograph of Winston Churchill by Yousuf Karsh, 1941. Source: National Portrait Gallery UK   Clement Attlee became leader of the Labour Party in December 1935. Under his direction, the party published Labour’s Immediate Programme (1937), clarifying his vision for what Britain would look like under a Labour government. The document included the nationalization of power and transport industries.   But there were bigger issues facing Britain (and the world) at this time. The growing threat of the Nazis during the 1930s developed into a global conflict when Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939. Though Attlee supported Britain’s involvement in the war, he disliked the current Conservative prime minister, Neville Chamberlain.   Winston Churchill replaced Chamberlain in May 1940. Though Churchill held conservative beliefs, he had a lot of respect for Attlee and gave him several ministerial positions in the coalition government during the Second World War. The most prestigious position held by Attlee was that of Deputy Prime Minister. This required Attlee to chair Cabinet meetings when Churchill was on military trips abroad.   (Other Labour politicians also played important roles in the coalition government. Herbert Morrison, for example, was the Home Secretary during the Second World War.)   Clement Attlee’s Time as Prime Minister Photograph of Clement Attlee from Vandyk Photographic Studio, c. 1950. Source: Government Art Collection UK   Following Adolf Hitler’s suicide and the Russian victory at the Battle of Berlin, the six-year conflict in Europe came to an end. Soon after, Britain held a general election, and Clement Attlee’s Labour Party scored a comfortable majority, taking 393 seats in the House of Commons.   Attlee had developed a firm grasp of administration and management during his political career, essential skills for any prime minister.   When it came to foreign affairs, Attlee’s government oversaw Britain’s withdrawal from South East Asia, marking the shift from empire to Commonwealth with the independence of India (1947), Pakistan (1947), Burma (1948), and Ceylon (1948).   Attlee also had to face the early stages of the Cold War. Well aware of the threat posed by the Soviet Union, he made sure Britain signed up to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, better known as NATO. In 1950, he traveled to Washington and spoke with the President of the United States, Harry S. Truman, about the Korean War and helped to prevent the use of nuclear weapons.   Domestically, socialist principles influenced Attlee’s management of the economy. The government made efforts to standardize working conditions, empower trade unions, and nationalize industries like coal, steel, mining, and the railways.   Yet Attlee’s greatest long-term achievement was the creation of Britain’s National Health Service (commonly referred to as the NHS). The health service came into effect in the summer of 1948 and gave free healthcare by removing fees or insurance premiums.   Attlee’s time in office also saw the creation of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a more comprehensive childcare service, with the latter helping to provide care for impoverished and orphaned children.   Clement Attlee’s Legacy Photograph of Clement Attlee shaking hands with President Truman by an unknown photographer, 1945. Source: The Digital Collections of the National WWII Museum, New Orleans   Debates concerning Britain’s greatest prime minister—as fascinating as they might be—can often get heated among those with an interest in British history. Political biases naturally come to the fore, with some refusing to acknowledge the flaws of Clement Attlee’s premiership.   The biggest red flag against Attlee’s legacy is the brevity of his time in government. Having put most of its pledges into practice, the Labour Party lacked the sense of excitement that had been key to the party’s success in 1945. This allowed Winston Churchill’s Conservative Party to emerge victorious in the 1951 election. Photograph of Clement Attlee by Yousuf Karsh, 1944. Source: National Portrait Gallery UK   Moreover, the nationalization schemes implemented by Attlee’s government had a short shelf life and were largely undone by Margaret Thatcher’s Conservative Party several decades later. It’s important to acknowledge these shortcomings and stress that Attlee was far from a perfect prime minister.   Nevertheless, Attlee still deserves credit for the changes his party carried out, both at home and abroad. The creation of the National Health Service proved Attlee was a politician ahead of his time. This, along with the shift from empire to Commonwealth and Britain’s decision to join NATO, helped to solidify his legacy.   Regardless of your own political biases, it’s hard not to commend the achievements of Attlee’s Labour government.

A Prayer to Stay on the Path of RighteousnessBy Laura Bailey Bible Reading"Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left;  keep your foot from evil." Proverbs 4:25-26 NIV Listen or Read Below: I stopped mid-stride, hitting the 15-second back button on my phone, the pastor's words ringing in my ears. My attention was fully engaged, and I listened intently as I replayed the message, "We dabble in sin, but Satan dominates." One of my favorite pastimes is walking the path in our pasture and listening to sermons from various preachers. This particular series focused on the choices we make each day, driving home that nothing we do is in isolation–people are always affected by our decisions. So, as I replayed  the phrase a few more times, I began to wonder in what areas of my life I had dabbled in sin, but it was starting to "dominate."  What started as a few purchases at one of my favorite online boutiques had turned into my overspending, hiding the stream of packages from my husband. A conversation with a group of gal pals about a friend going through a divorce quickly esclated into a full-blown dissecting of her family and lifestyle.  I convinced myself that I would just read a few lines of the author I'd heard was a bit racey, which led to me consuming the whole book and purchasing a few more.  There were countless times when I convinced myself that "it wasn't a big deal," "it's not hurting anyone," or " everyone else is doing it."  And while our choices may not always directly affect other people, our rebellion, no matter how insignificant we believe it is, is still sinning against a holy God.  Proverbs 4:25-26 says, "Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left;  keep your foot from evil." We must pay extra attention to have our eyes fixed firmly on Christ so that we will continue to walk in righteousness. It is a daily commitment, a faithful act of obedience to surrender our lives, every last detail over to our Heavenly Father. The author of Proverbs knows how easy it is for humans to "get off the path" or "choose a different direction." He warns us not to even turn our heads ( dabble) in the wrong direction, lest our feet follow ( dominate).  Engaging in sin often starts with something small and then escalates. Think about the progression of Eve's sin in the garden. Genesis 3:6, "When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it."Eve looked, touched, and ate the forbidden fruit. It was a gradual descent into turning away from God's good plan. Less we think we have more self-control than our biblical parents; we are guilty of the same. That's why it is imperative that we stop before we start, that we don't dare to dabble.  Staying on the path of righteousness takes work; many distractions and hindrances exist. But, each day, we have a choice: will we choose God and His ways, which are better than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9), or the way of the world that leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14)? Let's Pray: Heavenly Father, Matthew 7:13-14 tells us, " "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate, and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." We pray that we walk through the narrow gate, turn from the road of destruction, and find life. Each day guide us and moves our hearts to align with Your will and desires. When we choose our way, bring us back to You. Lord, we love You and are so grateful that You sent Your Son, Jesus, to die on the cross of our sins so that we may have eternal life. Be with us, as we live each day for Your glory.In Jesus' Name, Amen.  Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/lili_popper Laura Bailey is a Bible teacher who challenges and encourages women to dive deep in the Scriptures, shift from an earthly to an eternal mindset, and filter life through the lens of God's Word. She is the author of Beyond the Noise, and loves any opportunity to speak and teach women of all ages. She is a wife and momma to three young girls. Connect with her on her website,  www.LauraRBailey.com, Facebook and Instagram. Related Resource: Remember God’s Enduring Love for You in this Guided Meditation on Psalm 100! This guided Christian meditation from Psalm 100 will help you experience and praise God for his unending love for you. Become aware of God's presence with you, and praise God for his loyal and enduring love from the beginning of time and into the future. Listen to every episode of the So Much More Podcast on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode! Now that you’ve prayed, are you in need of someone to pray for YOU? Click the button below! The post A Prayer to Stay on the Path of Righteousness – Your Daily Prayer – October 5 appeared first on GodUpdates.

A Prayer to Stay on the Path of RighteousnessBy Laura Bailey Bible Reading"Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left;  keep your foot from evil." Proverbs 4:25-26 NIV Listen or Read Below: I stopped mid-stride, hitting the 15-second back button on my phone, the pastor's words ringing in my ears. My attention was fully engaged, and I listened intently as I replayed the message, "We dabble in sin, but Satan dominates." One of my favorite pastimes is walking the path in our pasture and listening to sermons from various preachers. This particular series focused on the choices we make each day, driving home that nothing we do is in isolation–people are always affected by our decisions. So, as I replayed  the phrase a few more times, I began to wonder in what areas of my life I had dabbled in sin, but it was starting to "dominate."  What started as a few purchases at one of my favorite online boutiques had turned into my overspending, hiding the stream of packages from my husband. A conversation with a group of gal pals about a friend going through a divorce quickly esclated into a full-blown dissecting of her family and lifestyle.  I convinced myself that I would just read a few lines of the author I'd heard was a bit racey, which led to me consuming the whole book and purchasing a few more.  There were countless times when I convinced myself that "it wasn't a big deal," "it's not hurting anyone," or " everyone else is doing it."  And while our choices may not always directly affect other people, our rebellion, no matter how insignificant we believe it is, is still sinning against a holy God.  Proverbs 4:25-26 says, "Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left;  keep your foot from evil." We must pay extra attention to have our eyes fixed firmly on Christ so that we will continue to walk in righteousness. It is a daily commitment, a faithful act of obedience to surrender our lives, every last detail over to our Heavenly Father. The author of Proverbs knows how easy it is for humans to "get off the path" or "choose a different direction." He warns us not to even turn our heads ( dabble) in the wrong direction, lest our feet follow ( dominate).  Engaging in sin often starts with something small and then escalates. Think about the progression of Eve's sin in the garden. Genesis 3:6, "When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it."Eve looked, touched, and ate the forbidden fruit. It was a gradual descent into turning away from God's good plan. Less we think we have more self-control than our biblical parents; we are guilty of the same. That's why it is imperative that we stop before we start, that we don't dare to dabble.  Staying on the path of righteousness takes work; many distractions and hindrances exist. But, each day, we have a choice: will we choose God and His ways, which are better than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9), or the way of the world that leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14)? Let's Pray: Heavenly Father, Matthew 7:13-14 tells us, " "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate, and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." We pray that we walk through the narrow gate, turn from the road of destruction, and find life. Each day guide us and moves our hearts to align with Your will and desires. When we choose our way, bring us back to You. Lord, we love You and are so grateful that You sent Your Son, Jesus, to die on the cross of our sins so that we may have eternal life. Be with us, as we live each day for Your glory.In Jesus' Name, Amen.  Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/lili_popper Laura Bailey is a Bible teacher who challenges and encourages women to dive deep in the Scriptures, shift from an earthly to an eternal mindset, and filter life through the lens of God's Word. She is the author of Beyond the Noise, and loves any opportunity to speak and teach women of all ages. She is a wife and momma to three young girls. Connect with her on her website,  www.LauraRBailey.com, Facebook and Instagram. Related Resource: Remember God’s Enduring Love for You in this Guided Meditation on Psalm 100! This guided Christian meditation from Psalm 100 will help you experience and praise God for his unending love for you. Become aware of God's presence with you, and praise God for his loyal and enduring love from the beginning of time and into the future. Listen to every episode of the So Much More Podcast on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode! Now that you’ve prayed, are you in need of someone to pray for YOU? Click the button below! The post A Prayer to Stay on the Path of Righteousness – Your Daily Prayer – October 5 appeared first on GodUpdates.

The Biden administration on Friday announced “$2 million in Emergency Relief funds provided through the ‘quick release’ process for use by the South Carolina Department of Transportation.” The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced the “immediate availability” of the funds. “The initial funds will offset costs of immediate repair work needed as a result of Hurricane Helene flood damage,” the Department of Transportation stated in a press release. “Hurricane Helene has taken the lives of our fellow Americans, and devastated homes and businesses — but the people of South Carolina are not in this alone,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “The Biden-Harris administration has been on the ground since the hurricane hit, we will be with South Carolina every step of the way as they recover and rebuild, and today’s emergency funding to help get transportation networks back up and running safely will be followed by additional federal resources,” he added. The Biden-Harris Administration is delivering additional emergency relief to South Carolina to restore roads and bridges damaged by Hurricane Helene. More relief is on the way, and we will continue to support every affected community as they rebuild and recover. pic.twitter.com/6JVVQ7luFj — Secretary Pete Buttigieg (@SecretaryPete) October 4, 2024 Per the Department of Transportation: As part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s robust response to Hurricane Helene, USDOT is supporting response and recovery efforts in impacted communities. Secretary Buttigieg has received regular briefings from USDOT operating administrations and has communicated with Governor Henry McMaster. Additionally, this week he visited FEMA Headquarters to be briefed on the ongoing impacts of Hurricane Helene and the emergency response and recovery actions. He also joined Cabinet colleagues to brief President Joe Biden at the White House. In South Carolina, Hurricane Helene caused widespread infrastructure damage, with substantial damage in twelve counties, including to roadways, culverts, and bridges. Emergency Relief “quick release” funds will be used by the South Carolina DOT to open and maintain critical access on US-276 in Greenville County. This route is strategically important for maintaining emergency communications and operations. FHWA’s Emergency Relief program provides funding to states, territories, tribes, and Federal Land Management Agencies for highways and bridges damaged by natural disasters or catastrophic events. These Emergency Relief funds, provided through the “quick release” process, are an initial installment of funds toward restoring this essential transportation link. Additional funds needed to repair damage in South Carolina will be supported by the Emergency Relief program through nationwide funding allocations. The FHWA Emergency Relief program complements Bipartisan Infrastructure Law programs and provisions by encouraging agencies to identify and implement measures to incorporate resilience in the design, restoration, and repair of damaged infrastructure, to better withstand future damage from climate change and future weather events. Elsewhere, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced $157 million in assistance for Lebanon. “The U.S. is at the forefront of humanitarian response to the growing crisis in Lebanon, announcing nearly $157 million in assistance today. We are committed to supporting those in need and delivering essential aid to displaced civilians, refugees and the communities hosting them,” Blinken said. The U.S. is at the forefront of humanitarian response to the growing crisis in Lebanon, announcing nearly $157 million in assistance today. We are committed to supporting those in need and delivering essential aid to displaced civilians, refugees and the communities hosting them. — Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) October 4, 2024 The Biden administration wants Americans to clearly understand they hate them and will continue to demoralize them. $157 million to Lebanon. $2 million to South Carolina. pic.twitter.com/lsA3ADMLly — Storm (@stormrobinson) October 5, 2024 I know the money comes from different departments/allocations, but STILL: $157 Million to Lebanon $2 Million to South Carolina …ON THE SAME DAY pic.twitter.com/alVTGez1cH — John Hasson (@SonofHas) October 5, 2024 The United States government will provide $157 million to Lebanon after Israel launched a massive air strike campaign against the country. From Al Jazeera: Huge explosions rocked the Lebanese capital’s southern suburbs overnight, shaking the ground and sending plumes of smoke into the skyline. Residents in Beirut said the bombardment was so intense that car alarms went off and buildings shook as Israeli fighter jets pounded the densely populated outskirts, including the international airport’s perimeter. A source close to Lebanon’s Hezbollah group told the AFP news agency that Israel conducted 11 consecutive raids in what has been described as its most violent attack so far on Beirut. The Israeli military has not issued an official statement and Hezbollah has not commented. Israeli media reported that Hezbollah’s Hashem Safieddine – a possible successor to leader Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli attack last week – was the target of the air raids. Israel’s military said on Friday that it had eliminated the head of Hezbollah’s communication networks, Mohammad Rashid Sakafi, by conducting a “precise, intelligence-based strike” in Beirut on Thursday. Hezbollah did not immediately comment on Safaki’s fate. The Israeli military also hit Lebanon’s Masnaa border crossing with Syria in a separate attack, cutting off a road linking the two countries that was being used by hundreds of thousands of people to flee Israeli bombardments in recent days. The U.S. government provided Israel over $8 billion the week Hurricane Helene made landfall. $2 million dollars to South Carolina. $157 million dollars to Lebanon to clean up Israel’s mess. $8.7 billion to Israel itself a week ago. pic.twitter.com/9Ol8e9y3S9 — Andrew Torba (@BasedTorba) October 5, 2024 Ukraine also got its $8 billion. Per CNBC: U.S. President Joe Biden announced more than $8 billion in military assistance for Ukraine on Thursday to help Kyiv repel Russian invaders, using a visit by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to make a major commitment. The aid includes the first shipment of a precision-guided glide bomb called the Joint Standoff Weapon, with a range of up to 81 miles (130 km). The medium-range missile gives Ukraine a major upgrade to the weapons it is using to strike Russian forces, allowing the Ukrainians to do it at safer distances. Americans get the crumbs compared to foreign nations.

There has always been a voice for the voiceless: A new book by Melania Trump is due to come out in a few days. Among other things, the former First Lady discusses her pro-abortion position. In the book…

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