Emotional Reunions, Hopeful Anticipation, Racing Against Time
Hope for peace grows as the ceasefire deal between both sides is struck The release of more hostages by Hamas could extend the ceasefire, bringing joyful reunions and anxious hopes for an end to the bloodshed
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On Christmas Eve in 1914, British soldiers on the Western Front heard festive carols emanating from the German trenches.
The UK's Imperial War Museum reported that British and German soldiers met in no man's land the following day and exchanged gifts, took photos, and even played spontaneous games of football. They even took the time to bury the casualties and fix the trenches and dugouts. However, the truce only lasted a few days and then it was back to war, where approximately 8.5 million soldiers from all sides would ultimately lose their lives.
The truce between Israel and Hamas that began on Friday was not related to a holiday. This agreement to cease fighting for four days and exchange hostages and prisoners was negotiated over several weeks with the assistance of Egypt, Qatar, and the US, instead of happening unexpectedly. Hostages released by Hamas and prisoners freed by Israel happily embraced their fathers, mothers, and siblings, seven weeks after the terror attack on October 7 sparked the war.
The agreement raised hopes for an eventual cessation of violence, with the potential for the ceasefire to be prolonged if Hamas releases more of its captives. However, there is also a concern that this agreement may not endure for long, similar to the truce in 1914.
Commenting on the deal, Frida Ghitis suggested that it may inadvertently bolster Hamas, providing the group with an opportunity to claim credit, regroup, and strengthen its position. Regardless of how Palestinians in Gaza feel about the organization responsible for the recent conflict, there is a general consensus that as long as Hamas remains in power, the future for Gazans appears grim.
Two clocks
The deal is a bitter pill for Israel to swallow. It involves negotiating with a terrorist organization that has recently killed and harmed over 1,000 citizens of the country and continues to express its commitment to destroying Israel, emphasizing this goal repeatedly. This situation presents a moral and strategic dilemma of the utmost severity.
"Former Middle East negotiator Aaron David Miller, who worked for both Democratic and Republican administrations, has observed that Israel and the US are working on different timelines, with Israel showing little urgency to declare its mission against Hamas accomplished. On the other hand, with pressure coming from European allies, key Arab partners, and a divided Democratic Party, the US timeline is moving much faster. Even within the Department of State and among congressional staff, there is growing opposition to the administration's passive stance in the face of unprecedented Palestinian loss of life. President Joe Biden himself is likely realizing the need to address the devastation and death in Gaza for Palestinians, in addition to concerns about Israel."
Christopher McCallion, a fellow at the Defense Priorities think tank, argues that Bidens' "democracy vs. autocracy" foreign policy weakens the US and does not promote global stability. The US finds itself embroiled in major geopolitical crises, with forces in the Middle East deterring Iran and Hezbollah from intervening against Israel, facing the threat of another major war in the region. Additionally, American troops have been targeted by Iranian-backed forces in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, leading to retaliatory strikes. In Eastern Europe, the US is in a proxy war with Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, and in East Asia, there is the risk of a catastrophic showdown with China over the political status of Taiwan.
Sheryl Sandberg discussed the global effects of the Israel-Hamas war, calling for a shift from politics to humanity. She emphasized the universal agreement that rape should never be used as a weapon of war. Sandberg also highlighted the heinous acts committed by Hamas terrorists on October 7, including widespread sexual violence, as reported by Israeli investigators and witnesses.
"We have made great strides in acknowledging and supporting survivors of rape and assault in numerous situations. However, the stories told by the bodies of women about their final moments are being disregarded this time. The silence on these war crimes speaks volumes."
For more:
Amy Klein: Taking a trip to the firing range was something Id never do before October 7
Sam Altman is back
Clay Jones
The board of OpenAI became widely known on November 17 after the chaotic removal of CEO Sam Altman, who has since returned to lead the company and its widely used product, ChatGPT. Despite the criticism and backlash that followed their failed attempt, the board members may deserve appreciation for shedding light on the company's internal operations. This is significant as OpenAI plays a crucial role in the ongoing artificial intelligence revolution that is transforming the business and society.
In a statement by Jill Filipovic, OpenAI has been rapidly developing new technologies and sometimes making them available to the public before some employees believe they are fully ready. The company has reportedly created an AI technology so dangerous that they have decided not to release it, while also refusing to disclose any details to reporters or the public.
According to Filipovic, AI is an exciting but potentially dangerous technology, not in the sense of affecting social media or individual well-being, but in the sense of potential harm to human societies and lives.
Rosalynn Carter
The life-altering potential of AI is undeniable. Even if it doesn't result in the demise of humanity, it will undoubtedly reshape human existence at an unprecedented pace. Therefore, we all have a vested interest in the way it is being developed.
In the East Room of the White House on February 17, 1977, President Jimmy Carter engages in conversation with first lady Rosalynn Carter before signing an executive order to create the Presidential Commission on Mental Health.
Former President Jimmy Carter fondly spoke of his late wife, Rosalynn Carter, who passed away at the age of 96, as his equal partner in all his achievements. They had been married for 77 years, a milestone that is nearly equivalent to the life expectancy of an infant born in present-day America, as pointed out by Kate Andersen Brower.
Before Jimmy Carter ran for president, he was the son of a peanut farmer little known outside Georgia. His wife, Rosalynn, campaigned passionately for him, with the Peanut Brigade going door-to-door in Georgia, and Rosalynn traveling to media outlets across the country for interviews to introduce voters to her husband. Rosalynn Carter later became an outspoken advocate for improving mental health care. After leaving the White House, the Carters returned to their hometown and embarked on a highly successful post-presidency.
Saving too much?
When the topic of retirement saving comes up, it's usually about the challenge of accumulating enough funds to enjoy a stress-free life after leaving the workforce. However, entrepreneur Bill Perkins, the writer of "Die With Zero," has suggested that there's another potential risk that certain Americans should take into account: saving excessively.
According to data from the Federal Reserve Board, the median net worth of US households reaches its highest point when the head of the household is between 65 and 74 years old. This suggests that many individuals may pass away before they have the opportunity to enjoy the wealth they worked so hard to accumulate. While they may have plenty of money, they may be lacking in the meaningful life experiences that money is meant to provide.
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Sara Stewart emphasized the importance of being open about money in a recent article. She highlighted comedian Maria Bamford's determination to include extensive financial details in her memoir, expressing her own love for money and the need for transparency. Bamford's advocacy for radical transparency around money reflects a growing trend towards normalizing discussions about earnings and financial matters, in turn reducing shame and stigma surrounding these topics.
Nick Anderson/Tribune Content Agency
Trump means it
During his tenure in the White House, Donald Trump defied numerous presidential conventions, yet frequently encountered resistance from influential entities in Washington, such as longstanding government officials within the executive branch and key members of Congress. With aspirations for the 2024 GOP presidential candidacy, Trump is already devising plans to overhaul the government according to his own ideology, aiming to significantly expand the authority of the office, as cautioned by Julian Zelizer.
Trump has collaborated with the Heritage Foundation to develop a strategy for appointing loyalists to key agency roles. The objective is to carefully vet tens of thousands of individuals to ensure their allegiance to his presidency. While presidents of both parties have exercised executive power, not all have intentionally targeted their adversaries without legal justification. This Nixonian approach is a unique and concerning threat to the Oval Office, as it goes beyond the usual consolidation of power. Trump has demonstrated a willingness to disregard institutional and normative safeguards in place.
For more:
Dean Obeidallah: What this judge said about Trump is bone-chilling
Dana Summers/Tribune Content Agency
The pulse of the Earth
New lava at the eruption site of volcano Fagradalsfall on Reykjanes peninsula. Europe, Northern Europe, Iceland.
Martin Zwick/REDA&CO/Universal Images Group/Getty Images
Iceland's natural beauty, shaped in part by its location on tectonic plates, is also its greatest vulnerability, as the evacuated residents of Grindavik are aware. Canadian journalist Catharine Fulton, living in Reykjavik, vividly remembers seeing an active volcano for the first time during the eruption of Fimmvörðuháls in March 2010, which was followed by the infamous Eyjafjallajökull eruption a month later. This eruption generated ash and popularized memes about its difficult-to-pronounce name.
"In what seems like a daydream to think back on now, I donned a snowsuit, boots, balaclava, and helmet and rode a snowmobile over the crunching, crackling, crevassed surface of Sólheimajökull glacier as the sun set to witness a fissure vent spewing glowing fountains of liquid magma high into the air, while a lavafall cascaded down the soot-black side of the newly formed crater."
What she witnessed was a "magnificent and multisensory experience. The glow of the lava against the night sky, the waves of heat from the eruption providing intermittent relief from the paralyzing cold atop the glacier, and the sound of the earth churning. That sound remains the most vivid memory—the sound of the Earth's pulse."
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Napoleons hubris
Joaquin Phoenix as Napoleon.
Ridley Scott, director of the upcoming film "Napoleon" featuring Joaquin Phoenix, has conflicting emotions towards the historical figure, according to Noah Berlatsky. While Scott condemns Napoleon's excessive pride, he is also undeniably intrigued by it, relishing in the chance to create grand visuals and Hollywood storytelling. The film serves as a cautionary tale about larger-than-life personalities and a demonstration of the media's reckless fascination with such figures.
In the beginning of the movie, Berlatsky notices that the main character exudes an air of confidence and bravery, reminiscent of classic Hollywood action heroes like those in Top Gun or Die Hard. However, as the film progresses, it becomes apparent that the private persona of the character is laughable, while his public image is revealed to be monstrous. Despite his initial success as a general, he eventually becomes overconfident, leading to disastrous outcomes. The movie ends with a sobering note revealing the devastating human cost of Napoleon's wars: 3 million lives lost.
