Whistleblowers reported that the TSA has been surveilling former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard. It was for no discernible reason and it was after she criticized the administration. The weaponized program to surveil is called Quiet Skies. Investigative reporter Matt Taibbi received a reply from the TSA and here it is: TSA uses multi-layered security processes to […] The post TSA Responds to Surveilling Tulsi Gabbard appeared first on www.independentsentinel.com.

Elon Musk is discussing every issue Americans are concerned about with Donald Trump. It is enjoyable for someone like me who sees the country collapsing. Over 1.3 million people are listening. Here are two people giving us hope. Elon suggested a commission to reduce government spending which is causing inflation. Trump loved the idea. It […] The post The Best Thing About the Trump-Musk Discussion Is the Hope It Brings appeared first on www.independentsentinel.com.

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said during a conversation with X owner Elon Musk on Monday night that surviving an assassination attempt last month increased his faith and belief in God. Trump made the remarks during an X Space that millions of people tuned into as he reflected on the shooting one month ago in Butler, Pennsylvania. Trump said the moment that he was hit that he knew that he was struck by a bullet in the ear and that was one of the reasons that he dropped to the ground so quickly. He said that the fact that he turned his head at the exact moment where the would be assassin took the shot should make those who don’t believe in God reconsider their beliefs. “I’m a believer,” Trump said. “Now, I’m more of a believer.” PRESIDENT TRUMP: “I knew immediately that it was a bullet. I knew immediately that it was at the ear… For those people that don’t believe in God, I think we all have to start thinking about that.”#TrumpOnXpic.twitter.com/RQeHNbxX5s — Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) August 13, 2024 Several minutes later, Trump said that the fact that he turned his head to read a chart that was displayed at his rally was “an act of God” and “a miracle.” The conversation between Musk and Trump was delayed by about half an hour after the event crashed following a distributed denial-of-service (DDOS) attack. “There appears to be a massive DDOS attack on ?,” Musk posted on the site. “Working on shutting it down. Worst case, we will proceed with a smaller number of live listeners and post the conversation later.” Musk said that earlier in the day his team “tested the system with 8 million concurrent listeners.” There appears to be a massive DDOS attack on ?. Working on shutting it down. Worst case, we will proceed with a smaller number of live listeners and post the conversation later. — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 13, 2024

A sweet little child’s voice making animal sounds is the best. Even though we all have a general idea of what a pig, cow, or chicken sounds like, it’s still darling to listen to little kids figure it out. We’ve seen some hilarious videos of kids making animal sounds, but Emily Toft’s original take on the trend might be our favorite. Emily used her 2-year-old as a voiceover artist for a group of animals, and it was amazing. The child’s voice syncs up so perfectly that it’s hard not to imagine that’s what the animals actually sound like. And honestly, his version is way cuter than the real thing. View this post on Instagram A post shared by | Emily | Clean Original Mom Humor (@the_toft_family) One person joked in the comments, “You can’t just put up animal recordings and say your 2-year-old said them.” Someone had a suggestion for the animals out there, “I vote all the animals change their sound according to these kids immediately.” Others laughed at his sweet sounds, “The sheep living in lowercase ‘ahhh.'” “Still my favorite videos. The sheep will never not be funny to me,” a commenter wrote.   Emily Included A Throwback To A Favorite Meme In the early 2000s, a video of a gopher yelling, “Alan,” and then realizing it was someone named Steve went viral. Emily used that video of a gopher and had her young son reactivate the famous dialogue. People went crazy for it. “Alan! Alan! Made me laugh out hard at work,” an Instagrammer admitted. “Classic! Both the original ‘Alan! Alan!’ and ‘Steve! Steve!’ are ringtones on my phone for my appropriately named friends,” another person added. Emily, that little voice is precious. We love that you created an incredible keepsake for your son and shared it with all of us. We’re with the others! Those animals need to start using these sounds immediately. It’s for their own good. You can find the source of this story’s featured image here. The post 2-Year-Old Narrates Adorable “What Animals Sound Like” Video & You’ll Want To Watch It On Repeat appeared first on InspireMore.

We’ve all heard the saying, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” Young people think they’re the greatest at everything and quickly discount the older generations. This is dangerous, and when an older person beats a young whipper snapper at their own game, it’s pretty epic. Ross Smith and his 98-year-old grandmother love to entertain on social media. Ross and “Granny” are always good for a laugh, and it appears Granny has a few tricks up her sleeves. Make those trick shots. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ross Smith (@rosssmith) Ross and Granny caught Olympic fever like the rest of the world at the end of July, and Ross wanted to show us all what Granny could do. He put together a compilation of her greatest trick shots, which are incredibly impressive. At nearly 100 years old, Granny nails her shots time after time with grace and a sweet celebration at the end. Ross set the performance to the Olympic theme music, which is actually a combination of “Bugler’s Dream” by Leo Arnaud and “Olympic Fanfare and Theme” by John Williams.  Fans Positively Love Granny And Ross Ross captioned the video, “Granny should be in the Olympics for trick shots! How in the world does a 98-year-old do this?! It blows my mind.” Many agreed, “Granny is the creator of Trick shots…THE OG.” This person wrote, “Wow!!!!!! She is fantastic!!!! It must’ve been a great activity for her. I am so sure she has tried so many times to get them in. Salute to the beautiful 98-year-old grandma.” Some wondered how it was possible. This person clapped back, “She never stopped playing, that’s how! This is exactly who I want to be when I’m 98 —- taking the fun everywhere I go with me. Moving and grooving!” Another person wrote what many were thinking, “I can’t tell if this is for real or just REALLYYY REALLYYY good camera magic.” No matter who makes the shots, Ross and Granny are a great pair, and their millions of followers keep coming back for more. One thing is certain, Granny always wins the Gold. You can find the source of this story’s featured image here. The post Grandma Masters The Trick Shot & We Can’t Believe Our Eyes appeared first on InspireMore.

Sadly, the 2024 Summer Olympic Games are over. For 16 days, the world’s eyes were on Paris as we watched elite athletes compete for a medal. Both records and hearts were broken during the Olympic games, and the memories will last a lifetime. Thankfully, we live in an age where technology allows us to stay connected and share videos and images of our favorite things. Photographers are true artists who can capture moments in time for us to treasure in very special ways. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Pubity (@pubity)  Photographer Hector Vivas from Mexico created a series of layered photos from the Olympics that are a must-see. One image shows Simone Biles in dozens of positions on a mat, and another depicts several soccer players during a game who appear to be covering the field. A fan-favorite image is one of divers in different moments during the dives before hitting the water. You could look at the images over and over and over and continue to notice something new. Fans Love Hector’s Olympics Layered Photos Pubity shared some of the images on its Instagram page, where the post has more than 420,000 likes. People are stunned at what Hector was able to do. Many remarked on his undeniable talent, “Whatever he’s getting paid, it’s not enough.” “Bro needs more recognition and appreciation. Pure talent,” this person agreed Some felt like his images reminded them of something else. Like this person, “It’s like ‘Where’s Waldo?'” People chose their favorites. This person liked the horses, “The equestrian one is amazing.” And this loved the beauty of Paris, “The Eiffel Tower photo is insane.” Although the Olympics are over, many beautiful memories remain, like Hector’s amazing layered photos. The 2026 Winter Olympics are less than two years away and will take place in the Italian cities of Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. Hector, we hope you’re ready. We can’t wait to see what you’ll do with figure skaters. This story’s featured image is by Hary Christian via Shutterstock. The post Photographer Creates Layered Photos Of Olympic Athletes And They’re Truly Mesmerizing appeared first on InspireMore.

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Extreme weather events are becoming more commonplace thanks to climate change. For homeowners and for those on the market, considering a home’s potential vulnerability to natural disasters is becoming a top priority.  Proximity to work and good schools, or the number of bathrooms are still important, but flood zones, weather patterns, and resilient grids matter too.  “Too few consumers are empowered to ask simple, upfront questions about disaster-resistant home features that can prevent costly damage and save lives,” says Leslie Chapman-Henderson, the president and chief executive of Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (or FLASH) a non-profit that helps prospective homeowners prepare for natural disasters. According to Darius H. Grimes, president and chief executive of Disaster-Smart Inspection Consulting, those who already own homes are seeking strategies for making their homes more resilient. “If people were more aware of the risks, they would be much less likely to suffer a total loss,” Grimes stresses. Preparation can make a huge difference. Here are four steps that homeowners and buyers alike can take to assess the risk of their (potential) home, as well as ways to better protect it against disaster. Tap into available resources A good first step is to visit FLASH’s website, flash.org. From their drop-down menu, users can select their state and see the top threats in their area. The site asks for a zip code, and based on that information can share that region’s disaster history.  For instance, those living on the Gulf Coast or Eastern Seaboard will already know about hurricanes. What they may not know is their property may also be in an earthquake zone.  FLASH can help them see what’s up.   FLASH also offers a free tool called the “Buyer’s Guide to Resilient Homes.” The guide provides a framework for determining the best ways to protect a home and offers resilience and disaster-preparedness checklists. Another good resource is disastersafety.org.  They offers both DIY and professional suggestions that will help home and business owners protect their properties. On inspecttoprotect.org, users can look up the building code for the time a certain home was constructed. Users can also find their community’s disaster history, and whether or not the code under which the home was built complies with current standards. If not, the site recommends retrofits and upgrades. For those living in a wildfire zone, contact your local fire department to learn how to connect with an inspector who can assess your risk. To determine a structure’s risk of flooding, realtor.com allows users to check neighborhoods using the map view for flood zones. Review your home checklist Once a thorough understanding of a home’s risk is achieved, users can look to the “Buyer’s Guide to Resilient Homes” to help them come up with more questions and checklists to ask themselves, or that can be given to a real estate agent or inspector. “We give people questions to ask on the front end, then things to do—a recipe for things they can tackle,” says Chapman-Henderson. Get a specialized inspection As Grimes says: “you get what you inspect, not what you expect.” While buyer and seller inspections are standard for the completion of a sale, they don’t usually include assessments for the risk of natural disasters. To get a specialized inspection, search for an inspector who specializes in peril.  (We know, it sounds awful.) For those who already own their home, you can seek a fortified home evaluation that assesses what your home is already equipped with to withstand a storm as well as ways the home can be improved. This is a new field, so some hunting may be necessary. If it’s proving difficult to find a suitable inspector, insurance agents will usually have a recommendation. If not, the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety maintains a membership list of insurers who could point you in the right direction. The expected price tag on a specialized inspection is between $500 and $1000, according to Grimes. Take appropriate steps Once the risks are determined, there are many affordable strategies to mitigate the effects of potential natural disasters. Here’s a few tips for common weather events. Hurricanes Chapman-Henderson recommends caulking and bracing roof ventilation soffit vents to reduce the amount of water blown into the attic during hurricane-force winds and rain. Trees that may pose a hazard to the home during high winds should also be trimmed. Floods Older foundation vents should be replaced with engineered hydrostatic vents (flood vents). Check that the sump pumps are in working order and that the batteries are fully charged. Furnaces and air conditioning systems should also be flood-proofed or elevated. Thunderstorms To keep electrical equipment safe, disastersafety.org suggests installing a lightning surge protector. If hail is common in the area, installing screens around air conditioning units will protect them from damage. Wildfires Ensure that there is a five-foot minimum buffer around the home that is free of yard debris and dead plants. Also, covering attic vents and chimneys with wire mesh or installing non-combustible metal leaf guards over gutters can reduce the chances of wildfire embers getting into the home or igniting debris. Here’s to keeping our homes safe and secure!The post Is your home at risk for natural disasters? Here’s what to do if it is first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Simone Biles, one of the best and most beloved gymnasts of all time, once again demonstrated her unrivaled abilities by departing the 2024 Paris Olympics with three gold medals and one silver. However, her achievement extends beyond the medals. Biles’ path has become as much about mental health as it is about gymnastics, demonstrating to the world that caring for one’s mental state is as important as honing physical skills. Biles, 27, is not only dominating on the mat but also winning in life by putting her mental health first. After dealing with the “twisties” at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, Biles made her well-being a priority—a decision that has clearly paid dividends. “More than my wildest dreams,” she remarked on Instagram following her most recent Olympic victory, showcasing her ability to strike a balance between mental and physical greatness. Her recovery is a source of hope and inspiration for everyone dealing with mental health issues. Here are five effective behaviors from Biles’ mental health playbook that we can all apply to our lives. Embrace mindfulness to calm a busy mind In an age of endless distractions, mindfulness is a lifesaver. Biles has embraced this practice wholeheartedly. After winning gold in the individual all-around event, she posted a peaceful photo of herself, eyes closed, sitting quietly on the sidelines. The caption was simple yet profound: “Mental health matters.” The response was amazing, with both fans and mental health specialists applauding her for emphasizing the value of mindfulness. Dr. Joshua Norman, a sports psychiatrist at Ohio State University, says, “Mindfulness practices are a great way to ground yourself and reduce anxiety.” This is a technique that can benefit everyone, not just Olympians. Dr. Jaime Zuckerman, a clinical psychologist, stresses the importance of this habit: “It helps you to get out of your head and stay within your body,” she says, implying that even a quick meditation moment prior to a stressful event can have a significant influence. Therapy can happen anywhere In an era when mental health resources are becoming more accessible, Biles demonstrates how therapy may be easily integrated into a hectic existence. Before the individual all-around final in Paris, she casually stated in a TikTok video, “I did have therapy this morning, so I feel a little bit better.” This candid admission resonated with many, including Hillary Ammon, a clinical psychologist, who expressed her joy at Biles’ openness: “This incredible athlete, who so many admire, is comfortable sharing that even she needs therapy before a competition.” Therapy, whether virtual or in-person, offers invaluable support, and Biles’ example normalizes seeking treatment, regardless of location. Dr. Lily Brown of the University of Pennsylvania emphasizes the accessibility of virtual therapy, writing, “The added benefit is [that virtual therapy is] accessible to more people.” This versatility enables anyone—from busy professionals to parents—to get the mental health care they require. Set boundaries and stick to them In today’s hyper-connected society, setting boundaries is more important than ever. Biles, who has frequently been in the spotlight, has realized the value of safeguarding her personal life. She recently responded to internet detractors of her husband, NFL star Jonathan Owens, with a strong message: “Leave us alone.” Hillary Ammon describes Biles’ attitude as “a refreshing reminder that you can set your own boundaries.” Dr. Brown concurs, emphasizing that boundaries are crucial for everyone: “We’ve become a society where our boundaries have been lowered… But it’s OK to give yourself permission to just focus on the relationships that matter.” Biles’ experience serves as a compelling reminder of the need to set good limits for our mental and emotional well-being. It’s okay to put yourself first In a culture that frequently demands constant people-pleasing, Biles has demonstrated the fortitude to prioritize her own needs. When she arrived in Paris, she was overwhelmed by the attention at the Olympic Village café, where admirers kept asking for selfies. Rather than deal with the anxiousness, she stocked up on food and ate in her room. “It takes courage to put yourself first,” says Dr. Norman. He goes on to say that making these decisions “helps encourage a healthy environment” around you. Dr. Zuckerman agreed, highlighting the importance of avoiding the trap of being a people-pleaser: “If you say yes to everything, you end up with a watered-down version of yourself.” Biles’ actions demonstrate the importance of self-care and the bravery to prioritize one’s own mental health, even if it means making unpopular decisions. Use social media with care Social media can be both a blessing and a curse, but Biles has learned to navigate it on her own terms. Before leaving for Paris, she told Today that “Limiting social media and stuff like that is going to be [important].” While she chose to abandon X (previously Twitter), she maintained contact with her followers on Instagram and TikTok. Dr. Brown points out the importance of being mindful of social media use, noting that it can have a significant impact on mental health: “The research on social media is only in its early days… Ask yourself how much time you want to spend on it and what is healthy for [you].” Biles’ judicious usage of social media serves as a model for others to achieve a balance that benefits rather than harms their mental health. Biles’ path is about more than simply recovering her position as the world’s best gymnast; it’s also about regaining her peace of mind. Her candor regarding her mental health issues and successes serves as a model for others going through similar experiences. “Simone highlights that mental health is health,” Dr. Brown stresses. “To be in your best physical condition, you also need to be on top of your mental health—and she’s thriving because of it.”The post Simone Biles’ mental health victory: 5 practices we can all learn first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

'I was alone and unconscious. And then conscious'