Israeli politician Ofair Kasif has publicly condemned the situation in Gaza as an “absolute apocalypse, a holocaust.” Kasif’s brave statement, the starvation of Palestinians, and the ongoing destruction in Gaza is why this lone voice from within the Israeli establishment is so vital, and how his blunt assessment of “no war, only a holocaust” challenges conventional narratives.
Category: News / Information
Slavery Abolition, & More, In Peace & Justice History for 8/28
| August 28, 1833 The Abolition of Slavery Act was passed by the British Parliament. As early as 1787, members of the Society of Friends (Quakers), particularly Thomas Clarkson and Granville Sharp, organized to end the slave trade.Since Quakers were barred from serving in the House of Commons, the cause was led by a member of the Evangelical Party, William Wilberforce, ending the international trade in slaves in 1807. By 1827 slaving was considered piracy and punishable by death. The complete ban on slavery itself through the British Empire didn’t happen until this day; Wilberforce was informed of the Act’s passage on his death-bed.  William Wilberforce ============================================ August 28, 1963 Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to a crowd of half a million gathered on the Mall in Washington, D.C. They gathered there for jobs and freedom.  The speech   organizing to build the march Film of the March and the speech 1983: Three hundred thousand marched in Washington on the 20th anniversary of MLK’s “I Have A Dream” speech for the second “March on Washington for Jobs, Peace and Freedom.” ============================================== August 28, 1976 60,000 joined the Community of Peace People demonstrations in Belfast and Dublin, Ireland. Peace People was founded by two women, Betty Williams and Mairead Corrigan to decry the painful violence between Catholics and Protestants, between unionists and republicans, and to move the peace process forward in Northern Ireland.  Betty Williams  Mairead Corrigan They jointly won the Nobel Peace Prize for 1976. More about Betty Williams and Mairead Corrigan From the Declaration of the Peace People: “ . . . We want to live and love and build a just and peaceful society. We want for our children, as we want for ourselves, our lives at home, at work and at play, to be lives of joy and peace. We recognize that to build such a life demands of all of us, dedication, hard work and courage . . . We dedicate ourselves to working with our neighbors, near and far, day in and day out, to building that peaceful society in which the tragedies we have known are a bad memory and a continuing warning.” The Peace People’s website |
https://www.peacebuttons.info/E-News/peacehistoryaugust.htm#august28
Some News Of The World
Because it’s really not all about US.
Little legs, big dreams: More than 100 teams compete in Lithuania’s international Corgi race
(video on the page)
By LIUDAS DAPKUS Updated 7:46 PM CDT, August 24, 2025
VILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) — Cute and adorable Welsh corgis, widely known for their association with the British royal family, are in fact a breed of passionate racers.
That’s at least according to the 120 teams from around Europe taking part in the Corgi Race Vilnius, in Lithuania’s capital, which drew an international bunch of furballs and their owners from countries including Poland, Latvia, Germany, Austria and Italy.
Thousands of Lithuanians gathered in the capital’s largest park on Saturday and Sunday to watch the events — a solo sprint, a contest for the “mightiest voice,” costume challenges, and group racing.
The event is set to culminate on Sunday with the so-called World Corgi Meetup, where dogs in Lithuania will be connected via a live broadcast with their peers in the United States, Ireland and Poland.
“This is so much fun and great emotion for the entire family, something bright that many people are craving for these days,” said retired teacher Janina Stoniene, who attended the race with her three grandchildren. The children said they admired the costume challenge as dogs were dressed in eye-catching outfits like Batman, a princess or an airplane.
A corgi named Amigo, sporting a factory-themed costume complete with two tiny chimneys and “Fur Factory” lettering, was named the proud winner of that contest.
Another called Mango, whose owners are from Lithuania, was the champion of the solo race.
“So this is a mango, like a fruit mango, and we are participating (for the) second time in Corgi Race 2025,” said Ignas Klimaika, a proud corgi lover from Vilnius. “Last year we didn’t manage to end the race perfectly. We had a really good training. We had trained every day, but this year we decided we just go without training, just to participate, just to enjoy all the lots of corgis,” he said.
But this year, Mango won the racing competition, while his owners screamed and waved to try to inspire him to triumph.
“He knows what he did and he’s really proud of himself,” said Ignas, who is already planning for 2026.
For Science!
Scientists Discover 866 New Creatures — Hidden Marvels Facing Extinction
March 20, 2025 Written by Matthew Russell
In a groundbreaking global mission, researchers have identified 866 new marine species, offering fresh insights into ocean biodiversity. The discovery comes after a two-year collaboration among scientists, governments, and research institutions.
This large-scale effort combines data from 400 institutions and more than 800 scientists to accelerate the cataloguing of life beneath the waves. The study confirms that much of the ocean remains unexplored, with only about 10% of marine species currently documented, leaving a vast number of creatures to be discovered, Faharas reports.
Photo YouTube / Your Wyoming Link
The Guitar Shark was found 200 meters deep off Africa.
Breakthrough Discoveries: Guitar Shark and Venomous Harpoon Snail
Among the newly identified species, the Guitar Shark stands out. Found at depths of approximately 200 meters off the coasts of Mozambique and Tanzania, this elusive shark adds to a critically endangered group, Afloat.ie reports. With only 38 known guitar shark species worldwide and a significant proportion threatened, its discovery sparks urgent calls for conservation measures.
Equally intriguing is the discovery of a venomous marine gastropod, Turridrupa magnifica. This creature, encountered in the South Pacific near New Caledonia and Vanuatu, possesses a specialized predatory mechanism. It employs harpoon-like teeth to inject toxins into its prey, a feature that opens potential avenues for developing novel pain relief and cancer treatments, according to Ocean Census. The promising medical applications of these peptides highlight the unforeseen benefits that emerging species can offer.
Photo YouTube / Your Wyoming Link
Scientists discovered 866 new marine species.
A Collaborative Effort Across the Globe
The ambitious mission, led by the Nippon Foundation and Nekton, kicked off in April 2023. It involved 10 global expeditions and 8 Species Discovery Workshops, creating an international network dedicated to marine research, IFL Science reports. By deploying divers, remotely operated vehicles, and submersibles, teams explored depths ranging from near-surface waters to nearly 5,000 meters below sea level. Such an extensive range allows researchers to capture a diverse snapshot of ocean life, from colorful reef fish to mysterious deep-sea creatures that dwell in near-total darkness.
The traditional process of species registration is lengthy, sometimes taking up to 13.5 years. This delay means that many species face extinction before they can be formally documented. Accelerated efforts, like the Ocean Census, aim to reduce this gap and develop conservation strategies rapidly, CBS News reports. The initiative has already facilitated a series of Species Discovery Awards, encouraging taxonomists worldwide to share their findings and enrich our understanding of marine ecosystems.
Photo YouTube / Your Wyoming Link
Discoveries inspire hope for future biotechnology advances.
Implications for Marine Conservation
The revelations extend beyond the thrill of new discoveries. They serve as a stark reminder that the ocean still holds many secrets critical to the health of our planet. With climate change, overfishing, and pollution increasingly threatening marine environments, the need for protective measures has never been more urgent.
A unified treaty reached by over 100 nations now aims to conserve 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030, CBS News reports. This commitment underscores the pivotal role that newly discovered species play in advancing marine conservation, as each new creature contributes to the broader ecological balance.
The comprehensive data gathered during these expeditions are now accessible through an online biodiversity platform. This initiative not only supports ongoing research but also informs policy decisions aimed at safeguarding marine habitats, according to Faharas. As more species become known, conservationists can design more effective strategies to protect fragile ecosystems. The discovery of species such as the Guitar Shark and Turridrupa magnifica becomes a clarion call for further exploration and immediate action to preserve oceanic life.
Charting a Course for Future Discoveries
This monumental effort in marine exploration opens the door to new scientific questions. Researchers now face the challenge of studying the biology, behavior, and ecological roles of these species. The data collected will fuel future expeditions and drive technological innovations in underwater research. A sustained commitment to cataloguing and conserving ocean life will help protect the planet’s largest ecosystem against ongoing environmental threats.
The Ocean Census project represents a major step forward in understanding marine biodiversity. Its findings remind us that the ocean remains a vast and vibrant frontier, rich with life forms that continue to captivate scientific curiosity and drive innovation. As nations work together to expand marine protected areas, these discoveries will serve as a cornerstone for global conservation efforts.
Political cartoons / memes / and news I want to share. 8-28-2025
“Should we try and buy now even though rates are high, or should we wait until Trump has bullied the Fed into destroying the economy?”
A school shooting.
Dispatch From Gaza’s Nasser Hospital | Dr. Tarek Loubani | TMR
How American Aid Sites in Gaza are Killing Palestinians
For me this was the hardest to watch. I have had to go without food while others ate. I was hospitalized and suffered clinical death due to malnutrition. At the table if I was allowed the meals could turn quickly for me from possible danger to happening harm. I spent a lot of time diving under the table to doge something thrown at me or in dodging the blows aimed at me. Being kicked under the table was common and if I yelped or complained I was the one punished. I learned to eat without looking at my food always looking around out the sides of my eyes because to look scared brought more violence. I was told I ruined their meals. I often could only choke a few bites out of fear and anxiety. I basically ate one meal a day which was at school and mostly was two hot dogs and a serving of french fries, and when school was out I would take a sandwich and stay away from the house. The only place I could eat freely and in peace was my grandparent’s home I went to on the weekends. What these people are going through is a war crime and a crime against humanity that the government of Israel and the military people must answer for. Never again applies to more than Jewish people. Hugs
Bright Lights In The Dark
I read about this in a few places yesterday, then last night, Joyce Vance’s came in, so here it is. She’s expert and dependable. -A.
No Bill! by Joyce Vance
The Good News You Need Read on Substack
When a grand jury returns an indictment, it’s called a true bill. On those exceedingly rare occasions where they decline to sign off on an indictment prosecutors present to them, it’s called a no bill. In 25 years at DOJ, I never had a grand jury no bill one of my cases. And I can only recall a couple of instances where it happened in the entire district.
Donald Trump’s new U.S. Attorney in the District of Columbia can’t say that. Former judge, Fox News host, and defendant in a defamation case where she is accused of spreading false information about voter fraud, Jeanine Pirro, recently received three no bills—all in the same case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office tried to charge Sydney Lori Reid with felony assault on three separate occasions this month, but the grand jury declined to do so. CNN reports that “In one case this month — related to an FBI agent and an immigration officer allegedly scrapping with a detainee — the federal grand jury in Washington voted ‘no’ three times.”
Proceedings inside of the grand jury are conducted in secret, so there is no way of knowing why the grand jury rejected the charge. Typically, if a grand jury expresses some hesitation over a case, prosecutors will bring in additional witnesses or offer counsel about relevant laws to help alleviate their concerns. To fail to indict not once, but three times, indicates a failure of both competence and judgment.
When asked about her failure, Pirro responded, “Sometimes a jury will buy it and sometimes they won’t. So be it, that’s the way the process works.” But that’s not true. The standard for obtaining an indictment is a low one: The prosecution need only persuade the grand jury that probable cause to proceed on the charges exists. That’s a far lower bar than the requirement that the government prove a crime was committed beyond a reasonable doubt before a trial jury can convict. Any prosecutor who doesn’t back off of a case where they can’t even convince grand jurors that probable cause exists, knowing that much more will be expected of them at trial, is wasting taxpayer resources. Prosecutors have plenty of cases. Move on and do a righteous one. But apparently, that’s not how the D.C. U.S. Attorney’s Office operates these days.
Prosecutors, who have 30 days following an arrest like Reid’s to obtain an indictment, told a judge they now plan to bring misdemeanor charges against Reid. Misdemeanor charges can be brought by prosecutors without the need to present them to a grand jury for approval. But we already know at least some of the facts in the case, because a statement of facts was filed in support of the arrest warrant.
The affidavit alleges that Reid assaulted FBI agent Eugenia Bates. Reid was video recording agents outside of the D.C. jail, where at least two individuals were being arrested as “known gang members” and transferred into ICE custody. Reid was directed to step back, and according to the affidavit, she “got in Officer Lang’s face.” He said she smelled of alcohol and tried to interfere with the transfer of custody. According to the government, an officer pushed her against a wall, but she continued to struggle after being told to stop.
Here’s the heart of the allegation against Reid: “Agent Bates came to Office[r] Lang’s assistance in trying to control REID. REID was flailing her arms and kicking and had to be pinned against a cement wall. During the struggle, REID forcefully pushed Agent Bates’s hand against the cement wall. This caused lacerations on the back side of Agent Bates’s left hand.”
To convict on the federal felony assault charge, the government would have to establish that Reid forcibly assaulted a federal agent. A “forcible assault” is an intentional threat or attempt to cause serious bodily injury by a person who has the apparent ability to do so, including any intentional display of force that would cause a reasonable person to expect immediate and serious bodily harm or death. The statement of facts alleges that Reid “intentionally and forcibly obstructed the transfer of suspects into FBI custody and made physical contact with FBI Agent Eugenia Bates and inflicted bodily injury in violation.” The grand jury didn’t buy, despite having three opportunities to do so, that there was probable cause, let alone proof beyond a reasonable doubt, to believe that some or all of that happened.
The lacerations, which were pictured in the statement of facts and presumably shown to the grand jury, seem relatively minor. And it’s difficult to see, at least with this statement of the facts, how a grand jury could conclude, as it must, that Reid was the cause of those “lacerations” or even acting voluntarily when they happened. Assuming they could prove all of that, even small cuts like these could hypertechnically constitute assault. But it’s easy to imagine a grand jury viewing charging it as a felony as overreaching.
Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan will hold a hearing in the matter on Thursday morning at 11:30.
The grand jury process still works as a check and balance on prosecutors, as the Constitution intends. Trump may want you to think he’s all-powerful, but guardrails are still in place. His administration can’t bring felony charges without a grand jury’s approval, an important protection not just for Ms. Reid but for others, as DOJ’s portfolio of revenge investigations continues to grow.
We talked previously about a grand jury in Los Angeles that declined to indict. Now, it’s spread to D.C. And grand juries are only the first layer of guardrails in the criminal justice system, where they are joined by trial juries, judges, and the appellate process.
You’ve heard the line—the one that says prosecutors can indict a ham sandwich, that it’s just that easy. Next stop in D.C., seeing whether they can indict a Subway sandwich. They should think twice after their experience in Ms. Reid’s case with bringing marginal prosecutions to please the president. That’s not justice.
(snip)
We’re in this together,
Joyce
W.E.B. DuBois, & The Peace Torch in Peace & Justice History For 8/27
August 27, 1963 DuBois in Ghana W.E.B. DuBois, the black American sociologist, scholar, author, pan-Africanist, communist, and one of the founders of the NAACP, died in Accra, the capital of Ghana, where he had expatriated. He had been charged and tried in the U.S. for being a “foreign principal” in 1951 because he chaired the The Peace Information Center. The Center was dedicated to banning nuclear weapons but Secretary of State Dean Acheson designated it a Communist front group. W.E.B. DuBois background |
August 27, 1967 The Peace Torch Marathon arrives at the Mall. The San Francisco Peace Torch began its two-month journey to Washington, D.C. for a demonstration against the Vietnam War. |
https://www.peacebuttons.info/E-News/peacehistoryaugust.htm#august27
Scottie's Playtime 