EOMMD

End of the Month Meme Dump

Joe Kennedy III

Joseph Kennedy, III, Democratic House member from Massachusetts, and yes, a Kennedy, gave a great "response" to Trump's lie-filled State of the Union address. Hopefully we can grow a good crop of Democrats to take the place of the aged leadership of the Democratic Party. Joe looks promising, unless they murder him like they did to other members of his family.

new truck

Speaking of taking the truck to the beach, we recently finally traded in our 2015 Honda CR-V for a 2017 Ford F-150 truck. 

Been needing something like this ever since we moved to SPI. During our purchase, from Spike's Ford in Mission, Texas, we learned that the Ford F-150 truck is THE most-often-stolen vehicle in South Texas. Great! Now I'm a target!

This truck is loaded. It's the Platinum level, which is one step above the King Ranch edition. 4WD, power everything, SuperCrew cab with four full-sized doors, no sunroof (didn't want one), 3.5L V-6 Ecoboost, 5' bed, collision avoidance, blind-spot, cameras all over, etc etc.

 Rock and roll, baby!

winter beach

This "winter beach" concept is new to me. I'm a bit of a natural skeptic, so I'm not going to unquestioningly accept the assertion below, but I have seen one piece of supporting evidence so far: When the wife and I took our new truck out to the beach (Access 6 - the northernmost) yesterday, the dirt road leading to the beach was churned up like I had never seen it before. We were in the new four-wheel-drive truck, but I didn't want to push it and get stuck the first time I took it out to the beach. There was a new sign up at the entrance too which said "dangerous conditions - 4-wheel-drive ONLY". Hmm.

SPI currently experiencing a winter beach

South Padre Island, TX, Jan. 30, 2018: South Padre Island's beach and dune undergo a seasonal transformation from a "summer" beach to a "winter" beach. The island is currently in a period known as a "winter" beach. This is the season when beaches are eroded and flatten out often giving the appearance of a lower beach. The sand actually remains in the beach system and is stored within sand bars.

Storms in the winter create waves that are larger and more energetic. South Padre Island's dunes are the first line of defense against storm surges. Dunes are storm buffers, absorbing the wave and wind energy that otherwise would reach beach properties.

"The City works extremely hard to protect and maintain our beach for the enjoyment of residents and visitors," said Brandon Hill, shoreline director. "Also, our dunes provide habitat for local plants and animals."

you can go here to see how the city deals with the coastline.

Matt Dillahunty

Matt Dillahunty is a fairly well-known atheist living in Austin, Texas. He's done some pretty good videos over the years, and these two are jewels. Thanks to ProfessorPlum on Democratic Underground for digging these up again. These two are from the local Austin cable access TV station.

Matt is still talking to John in Part 2. Poor John.

be humble

I seriously don't know....what the fuck? I just don't know anymore. Oh, BTW, in many circles, this video by Kendrick Lamar is considered to be the best video of 2017. Oy.

Randy Rainbow

All About His Base

Devin Nunes

It sure does look like Republican House member Devin Nunes is carrying water not only for Trump for but Russia itself. WTF is going on with these Republicans? They are sure quick to cave to Trump on anything. The House voted like 420-3 to inflict new sanctions on Russia, Trump says no thanks and the GOP says, "oh well?"

marching signs

Yes, the real America came out again this past Saturday on the one-year anniversary of the rise of Agent Orange. Cities all across the United States. Here are some signs from the Oakland, California march. There is hope.

microKORG

So much amazing shit out there! And I love that shirt.

Perfect Piano

What an amazing, crazy time we live in. Wild technology. Wild bullshit in Washington.

There is an app for almost everything. Perfect Piano is a highly rated piano app and it's a lot of fun.

Here are more piano apps.

novation

Has it really only been one year since Agent Orange has been in office? Or should I say, since he started playing golf on the taxpayer dime?

Seth Andrews

Sheesh! What a month! January has been chock full of crazy shit already: freezing cold, wildfires, mudslides, crazy markets, daily "bombshells" on the political front, and a whole host of family issues you don't want to hear about. So instead, how about spending a few minutes with Seth Andrews and let's make fun of Christianity!

dog-friendly restaurants

For being such a small island (there are about 3,000 permanent residents), South Padre Island has a lot of dog-friendly restaurants. Check it out. PI stands for Port Isabel, the town on the western end of the Queen Isabella Causeway.

Boomerang Billies

BurgerFi patio

Causeway Cafe (PI)

Clayton’s Beach Bar & Grill

Coconuts 

Joe’s Oyster Bar (PI)

Kelly’s Patio

Meatball Cafe

PadreRitaGrill patio

Palm Street Pier

The Palms Cafe

Parrot Eyes

Tequila Sunset

Wanna Wanna Beach Bar

Will & Jacks Burger Shack (PI)

Yummies Bistro

the wall is there!

This wall nonsense is such bullshit. It's just a way to fire up his racist base. We already HAVE a wall on the border everywhere it's makes sense to have it. Some of that border is so remote putting up a wall is insane and would be ridiculously expensive. Look up some of the terrain between Texas and Mexico. Natural obstacles, indeed. 

"Build the wall!" (what happened to Mexico paying for it?) Now the US is supposed to pay for it? 

It's such a red herring. Yeah, it's all them Mexicans (that pick your vegetables, do your lawn, etc, etc., and take jobs that Americans just will NOT do). 

Hey, why don't we have a wall all along the US Canada border? In some places, you can just walk over and easily meet up with anyone in a car. Canadians may be white, like Trump, but Canadians themselves are not trying to sneak across. 

Donald Trump's Mexico wall: Who is going to pay for it?

President Donald Trump has set in motion his plan to build an "impenetrable, physical, tall, powerful, beautiful, southern border wall" between the US and Mexico.

The border is about 1,900 miles (3,100 km) long and traverses all sorts of terrain.

Mr Trump says his wall will cover 1,000 miles and natural obstacles will take care of the rest.

Trump himself says natural obstacles will take care of "the rest". So not every single mile will have a wall.

The 650 miles of fencing already put up has cost the government more than $7bn, and none of it could be described, even charitably, as impenetrable, physical, tall, powerful or beautiful.

Adding even more to the expense, the new 1,000 miles would crisscross private land, which would have to be purchased, perhaps by legal force, or financial settlements made with owners.

check out the original, which appeared on the BBC back in Feb of 2017.

pelicans

So much crazy political news these days. And crazy weather. Sheesh.

So, I choose the weather.

Pelicans in Peril

from the Port-Isabel-South Padre Press

Another cold front hit the area this week, bringing with it potentially life threatening conditions for the Laguna Madre’s brown pelican populations. But, unlike the winter of 2016, where over 70 of the birds were killed by passing motorists on Highway 48, this winter has seen hundreds of the animals saved thanks to the response of numerous local volunteers and law enforcement. 

Tuesday’s cold front marked the second big pelican event in the area, thanks to the strong winds that accompanied the precipitous dip in temperatures. And, as was the case with the last event, at the beginning of December, the pelican team came to the rescue.  It was last year’s massacre of so many birds which prompted the formation of the group, which soon found partners with local, county and even state agencies concerned with saving the pelicans. 

“It started last winter. We heard about a bunch of pelicans down in the road. We heard about a couple of injured ones,” said Harlingen resident Justin LeClaire as the winter wind howled around him on the eastern shoulder of Highway 48 late Tuesday afternoon. “We came down for the injured ones and saw the slaughter… ever since, I’ve tried to be as a big a part of it as I can be,” he said. 

LeClaire is a wildlife biologist and has helped to spearhead rescue efforts anytime a cold front threatens to down the unwieldy birds on the busy highway. Another volunteer, Brownsville resident Renee Lockett, came to help out as soon as she could get off of work. “I have a passion for birds, especially pelicans. When I was out here the day after over 70 were killed in one night, it broke my heart and realized we need to make a change,” Lockett said. “We need to help resolve this problem for the sake of our wildlife,” she said. 

Volunteers began arriving to the stretch of highway over Gayman Channel at approximately 2 p.m. It’s in the afternoon hours when the birds begin to seek out their nightly roosting sites on the small islands which dot the Bahia Grande that the danger begins. 

They attempt to fly from the food-rich waters of the Laguna Madre, westwards towards the Bahia. Along the way, the encounter a strong north crosswind that makes it difficult for the large-bodied birds — which are more adept at gliding than the precise flying of other birds, such as raptors — to remain aloft. 

Compounding the issue is the unique situation which occurs once the birds float over the wide, four-lane highway and its high volume of commuters travelling at 75 mph. The solid, 4-foot tall concrete jersey barriers meant to kept motorists safe create powerful downdrafts that suck the lift from beneath a pelican’s wings. Essentially, it’s like they hit an invisible wall causing them to plummet to the asphalt. 

“They definitely need a running start. And there’s kind of a void of airflow in between the barriers…. So they don’t have enough air to get picked back up,” said Stephanie Bilodeau, a coastal bird conservation biologist with the Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program. Bilodeau was helping to collect samples from the rescued birds, but said she would have been out helping to save them, regardless. 

Though Highway 48 has been around for decades, it wasn’t until recently that these pelican mortality events began to occur. Bilodeau hypothesized that may be related to the fairly recent restoration of the Bahia Grande. 

When the Brownsville Ship Channel and Highway 48 were first established, the Bahia’s inflow of fresh seawater was cut off. It remained that way for decades. Over time, the salt lagoon dried up and became an inhospitable place for shorebirds such as pelicans. But, after the flow was restored via a pilot channel, the area once again became inviting habitat for the once-endangered species. 

“When there wasn’t any water over there, pelicans weren’t going over there to roost because there weren’t islands. They’re roosting on the islands in the Bahia,” Bilodeau said. The bird’s recovering population also means there are more birds around to face the highway’s wintertime gauntlet. 

But the volunteers were seeing far fewer birds than last month’s event, where more than 200 were plucked from the highway and taken to safety. As the sun began to set behind a thick blanket of clouds Tuesday, approximately 40-50 of the birds had needed help. 

“It’s a very significant event still. A lot of birds would have died without us here,” LeClaire said. He and the other rescuers credited the heavy law enforcement presence with reducing the number of pelican fatalities. Only two birds had been reported dead. 

As the winds continued to bite, trucks belonging to the Cameron County Emergency Response department, Port Isabel Code Enforcement, Texas Game Wardens and others could be seen pacing the traffic back and forth, over and over again, keeping commuters to around 20-30 mph as they passed the most critical spot of highway near the channel. 

In some instances, law enforcement would bring traffic to a total standstill as volunteers clad in high visibility vests rushed onto the roadway to save an errant pelican. 

“We’re just very grateful to law enforcement, to the volunteers, to the public for being willing to slow down and allow us to save pelicans,” Lockett said.  “It’s just amazing, once people realize what’s going on, how much help is given,” LeClaire said. 

Local wildlife photographer Richard Moore, who first began bringing attention to the issue about six years ago and has continued to document subsequent events, commented, as well. “I think that the word is out — that the pelicans are having a serious problem and a lot of people want to chip in and do something to save them. They’re iconic birds,” he said.

Johannes Linstead

Johannes Linstead is a Canadian! He makes some excellent "world" music, or "New Age" or "Spanish-Afro-Cuban-Middle Eastern-Latin American" type music. Very nice stuff. 

and "Siempre"

God of the Gaps

Bill Moyers was a great interviewer. I somehow missed this appearance by Neil deGrasse Tyson.

And an interesting text on the topic here.

Poor California

Oh, California! With extreme beauty comes extreme danger, apparently. Well, weed is still legal!

Mudslides, Wildfires, Earthquakes, and Flu. 2018's off to a rough start in California.

(CNN) California evokes images of sunny beaches, majestic mountains, Hollywood celebs, coastal highways and all variations of good times.

But lately, the Golden State has elicited visions of a different kind -- houses buried in mud, scorched hillsides and flu-stricken hospital patients.

The rainy season had a horrendous start in Southern California, where heavy rains last week triggered deadly mudslides that killed at least 20 people. Raging rivers of mud and debris rushed down hillsides in Santa Barbara County, wiping out or burying homes down below. Rescuers are digging through mud, downed trees and power lines, wrecked cars and even boulders searching for survivors. Some were plucked off their rooftop by helicopters while mud surged through their home. At least eight people remain missing.

The affluent coastal town of Montecito was hit especially hard. A "deep rumbling" sound followed by massive mountains of mud awakened residents last week when the slides hit. Residents had little or no time to flee. Rescuers pulled children and babies from the muck, including a 14-year-old girl -- coated in mud from head to foot -- after she was trapped for hours.

The mudslide was so massive that it temporarily shut down US 101, a major West Coast highway, from Montecito to Santa Barbara. Oprah Winfrey, who lives in the area, wasn't spared. She shared photos of the damage on social media, including a video of her walking through knee-deep mud in her backyard.

Mudslides aren't anything new in California, but they were made much worse when the rains that spawned them dislodged vegetation in areas charred by wildfires. Protective brush on hillsides, which would usually be able to soak up floodwater, was consumed by fire, leaving little to no vegetation to prevent mudslides and debris flow.

Wildfires were an absolute menace in California last year. Blazes took 39 lives and torched 199,000 acres in the wine country fires in Northern California in October. One firefighter was killed in the Southern California fires in December. And the largest of those fires smoldered on into 2018. The Thomas Fire -- the 282,000-acre monster blaze that burned an area the size of Dallas and Miami combined -- wasn't 100% contained until late last week, according to theCalifornia Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. It's the largest fire in state history.

The flu season has slammed California so far. There have been 27 flu-related deaths of patients younger than 65, more than normally seen during this point of the season.

"Usually, at this time of year, we have reported in the neighborhood of three or four deaths in people under age 65," said Dr. James Watt, chief of the Division of Communicable Disease Control at the state Department of Public Health.

California is one of 26 states that the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has classified as having "high" flu activity.

More people in the state are in the hospital with flu-like symptoms, and there's been some shortages of medications, such as Tamiflu, in pharmacies.

There is some good news though. There is no widespread shortage of the influenza vaccine in California, so if you haven't had that flu shot yet, go ahead and roll up those sleeves.

Quakes and California go hand in hand, and the state's first big temblor came four days into the new year.

A magnitude 4.4 quake jolted the Bay Area in the early morning hours a week ago near Berkeley. It woke people up from Santa Rosa to Santa Cruz. It didn't seem to do much damage beyond some broken dishes and windows, but it forced delays on area commuter trains so that inspectors could check the tracks.

Thankfully there weren't any deaths or major damage, but it drove home another fact of life for Californians: The threat of the "next big one" may be right around the corner.

Original at CNN

really big button

Roy Zimmerman is trying a new tack.

Fire and Fury

Oy, this book.

The wife recently purchased the digital version of Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House by Michael Wolff. What it kind of reminds me of so far is the feeling that I would get when I would read a Stephen King horror book. King could really instill fear and dread in his words, and I get that feeling reading Wolff about Trump.

I don't know if I will be able to finish the book. I'm on page 25 of 321 and I am nauseous. I had to put it down for a while. This guy is so disgusting and abhorrent, it seems like one of the crimes of the century that he was elected. Maybe there was no actual crime committed, but it feels criminal. He is debasing everything he touches. He spreads filth and hate whenever he opens his mouth. A more-distasteful character I do not believe the White House has ever seen.

A snapshot: Prior to election day, no one in Trump world thought that Trump was going to beat Clinton, including Trump himself. They were all certain he would lose. But when he actually won, what was his response? Not humility. No, it was to rub everyones face in it, as if Trump truly deserved to win. I guess seeing him for months prior, that response should not be surprising, but it's really fucking sad.

And the rubes out there will just love this kind of stuff: "Trump liked to say that one of the things that made life worth living was getting your friends' wives into bed." Then Wolff goes into detail about the kinds of things Trump would do to accomplish just that. I'm sure all the yahoos out there will just salivate over this. Getting your friends' wives into bed? Well, who hasn't fantasized about that?! 

After reading only 25 pages out of 321, I am so nauseated, I don't know if I will be able to finish it.

Gag. This piece of shit is the president.

Year in Review

This is a look back at the 2017 year through the eyes of the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF). This group, of which I am a member, is fighting hard to maintain the separation of state and church. (State really should get top billing). Join us! The next annual convention will be in San Francisco in early November 2018. You can get a good look at the previous convention in Madison, Wisconsin by clicking here.

no-dig gardening

I am collecting materials for our garden(s) in our lot next door. While I have ideas for the first couple of raised beds, we have a huge canvas next door. Hopefully by this time next year, it will be lush and full of life. But I may need some professional help!

blockchain

Some say it's the "new internet". I read this and I think that I am starting to "get it." 

from Techlicious

Blockchain 101: Your Guide to the Tech Behind Bitcoin — and Much More

If you've been hearing about the blockchain, it's likely to have been in conjunction with bitcoin, the volatile virtual currency that recently spiked to (and subsequently slumped from) a value of $10,000 for a single bitcoin.

You may also have read about the growing interest in ethereum, a software platform with its own associated cryptocurrency (ether) — both from investors and kitten-crazed gamers. Blockchain technology is the framework that underpins both bitcoin and ethereum — and it might be the engine that transforms a ton of other digital services, from personal data security to royalty payments for artists and musicians.

What's the blockchain?

A blockchain is a digital ledger of transactions that are created and validated by a vast network of computers. These transactions are validated in blocks, by computers that decrypt powerful encryption that ensures the trustworthiness of these blocks — if a block of data on one computer's ledger doesn't match that on the other computers validating that blockchain, it's discarded.

Where a credit card company or PayPal, for example, would usually be the central body that verifies a financial transaction, a blockchain of transactions — the most well-known being the bitcoin blockchain — is validated by the syncing of every block across the computers working on that blockchain, making it effectively impossible for a single computer or network to hack or change a transaction.

Once created, these transactions can't be copied or modified, which makes a blockchain a permanent record of an ever-growing number of validated transactions. For example, the bitcoin blockchain is a record of all the bitcoins that have been exchanged; the ethereum blockchain is a record of all the transactions that have been made on ethereum software. 

"The blockchain allows people to be certain of the transfer of value over the internet without needing a trusted third party such as a bank or clearing house to guarantee that it has happened," says Michael Gord, CEO of MLG, a blockchain solutions consultancy.

Lower costs, automatic payments, smart contracts

Because it ensures that digital transactions can be trusted, blockchain technology is currently most closely associated with finance applications, and many banks are starting to invest in the development of blockchain technology rather than cryptocurrencies specifically. Its potential is even vaster, though, when it comes to record-keeping where security is paramount: property sales, health data, insurance and online voting, for example. (However, most blockchain applications require digital tokens — such as a cryptocurrency like bitcoin — to reward, or compensate, mining computers — the computers doing the work to validate the transactions.)

Part of the reason that blockchain technology is being used for applications beyond cryptocurrency is that it allows for "smart contracts," meaning that digital goods or money can be automatically exchanged when certain conditions are met.

In a smart contract, as soon as payment is made via the blockchain — or some other trigger, such as uploading ID — the contract is executed, and any conditions and penalties are automatically applied.

"Blockchains enable trusted delivery of digital goods, services and agreements, without the added cost of an organizer," says Jean-Noel Georges, global program director at consulting company Frost & Sullivan. "This is huge for finance, law and government, as well as the fundamentals of many other industries."

The hassle of filling out insurance claims could be one of the first problems solved by blockchain technology. Major insurers have joined forces to investigate how blockchain technology can streamline — and automate — the many validating and checking processes involved in insurance claims. AXA customers can currently use a blockchain-based insurance service, fizzy, that links with flight departure databases to automatically pay out for flight delays as soon as a delay hits a two-hour minimum mark. Down the line, similar apps could be available for other standard claims such as car repairs or certain medical bills.

Similarly, the startup Bloom could help people without credit scores get access to credit by making more data from around the world available on a blockchain, so lenders can securely and easily assess prospective borrowers' financial history and personal background.

Online payment fees can also fall when payments are made over a blockchain. A consortium of Japanese banks is exploring the use of blockchain technology for interbank transfers by a Google-backed startup, Ripple, which would lower costs for customers of smaller banks by removing the middleman.

Micropayments between computers

The ability of the blockchain to automate digital payments could solve one of the great struggles of online media: how musicians and other content creators get paid for the use of their work.

Musician Imogen Heap is the founder ofMycelia, a music platform that uses blockchain technology to track the downloading and streaming of songs and automate licensing and royalty payments for all creatives involved (songwriter, producer and performer).

The Singapore-based startup TRON is working on something similar, aiming to track all digital media and when it's played in order to automate payments from consumers' computers to websites or content creators.

Users need to have an account with a cryptocurrency that these companies accept as payment, which can be a hurdle for the less tech-savvy — but that's where apps like Coinbase and Revolut come in.

In operation since the early days of bitcoin, Coinbase is an app for Android and iPhone that allows users to trade in the cryptocurrencies bitcoin, ether and litecoin. Revolut is an European online-only "neobank" that, along with offering fee-free exchange of traditional currencies, will also allow users to exchange 25 world currencies for bitcoin, ether and litecoin. Both these apps could do away with the current hurdles to cryptocurrency adoption — where to buy it and how to hold it. (Note: These are volatile currencies that can fall in value very quickly — and also, of course, spike. See our guide to bitcoin.)

Why cryptocurrency?

There are a few good reasons why you might want a cryptocurrency wallet: to make anonymous cash transfers online, to speculate on the value of certain cryptocurrencies (assuming you have the stomach for the risk), or simply to partake in what many are predicting will be a complete transformation in the way the internet is used and monetized.

In his book Blockchain Revolution, Don Tapscott says, "The blockchain is the first native digital medium for value just as the Internet was the first native digital medium for information. We are convinced that this new platform will help us reshape business."

For example, if cryptocurrency wallets become a common feature on smartphones and computers, websites could receive automatic micropayments for streaming content without requiring users to enter credit card details. Media companies that have grappled with how to charge for content access could choose to request per-article payments instead of putting up sitewide paywalls — without losing readers to the hassle of inputting payment information. And, these sites could reduce their dependence on revenue from online ads, which rely on the tracking of consumers' online behavior — which, in turn, could reduce privacy concerns. (Check out our guide to learn how to browse anonymously.)

Blockchain is a new internet

Some experts have likened blockchain technology to the internet, with the potential to revolutionize everyday services. "I see the blockchain impacting all industries in a similar way that the internet had an impact on all industries," MLG's Gord says. "I think that financial services, healthcare and supply chains will be the first industries to be disrupted by blockchain technology — but all businesses will have blockchain rails eventually."

Online voting in government elections could one day be secured by blockchain platforms like FollowMyVote and Polys. Another example is apartment rentals — including Airbnb-style transactions — which could be facilitated using digital key entry that's sent automatically on receipt of payment and disabled at the end of the rental period; the entire contract would be visible and unalterable on the blockchain.

As our lives are increasingly lived online, proving who we are is an increasingly important aspect of daily transactions — banking, healthcare, all forms of communication. IBM research predicts that identity management is one service that can be securely and better managed by blockchain technology.

"Blockchain allows people to secure their digital identity and provide access at their discretion, rather than, for example, every doctor having access to their complete patient history," Gord says.

Buying into blockchain

So when should you get on the blockchain bandwagon? For now, the most mature blockchain businesses are cryptocurrency services, notes Georges, while other applications that can replace the intermediaries in industries such as banking and insurance are in development.

However, the revolution could be coming sooner than expected: Though widespread adoption of blockchain is thought to be five to ten years away, 67% of central banks are experimenting with blockchain technology.

While investing in cryptocurrencies is one way of buying into blockchain tech, it's likely that down the line, consumers will simply use apps that run on a blockchain, with as little fanfare as we browse the web now — and all the convenience. 

Original.

press conference!

We have to maintain our humor, no matter how pathetic and horrible this president is.

what about Norway?

Our "president" continues to demonstrate what a childish, racist asshole he really is. Our homegrown racists are soooooo proud of this piece of crap. (click the toon)

need a kidney

Every now and then you come across a story that (somewhat) restores your faith in humanity, like this one.

Disney Magic: Dying Man Finds Kidney Donor When Plea Goes Viral

A combination of Disney magic, the power of social media, and the kindness of strangers has changed the life of one single father from New Jersey forever.

Robert Leibowitz, 60 years old, has suffered from a chronic kidney disease for decades.

His condition steadily worsened to the point that Robert now requires lengthy dialysis treatment several times a week. He managed to get on a wait list for a kidney transplant, but these things move at an agonizingly slow pace. Prospects were dim.

With his health deteriorating, Leibowitz and his 5 children decided to take a trip to Disney World in the hopes of creating some lasting memories.

This is when the Leibowitz kids had a genius idea: appeal to the Disney crowds to help their dad. They made a T-shirt for Robert to wear as they walked around park. It read:

“In Need Of Kidney, O Positive, Call 917-597-2651” 

Facebook Famous

While wading through the crowds at Disney World, Robert and his children were approached by a woman named Rocio Sandoval. Struck by the message on his shirt, Rocio asked if she could take a picture and post it on her Facebook page.

Before long, Leibowitz’s plea for help started to gain traction. A handful of shares turned into hundreds, then thousands. The post had gone viral.

“Her picture just blew up! When we were boarding the plane, it was at, like, 40,000 shares. That’s when the calls started coming in,” recounts Leibowitz’s son, Max. From all over the country, social media users began dialing the number to offer their kidneys to Leibowitz. However, kidney donations require a perfect match, so finding the right donor can be tricky.

Finding a Match

With the Facebook photo of Leibowitz’s fateful shirt nearing 90,000 total shares, it finally reached an ICU technician in Indiana. The technician remembered that a friend, a man named Richie Sully, had just found out his blood type a day before — O Positive.

Upon hearing of Leibowitz’s plight, Sully wasted no time calling the number on the shirt. He informed Leibowitz that he was a match.

But here’s the incredible part. In order to follow through, Sully took a 15-hour bus ride from his home in Fort Wayne, Indiana to New York City in order to undergo the final compatibility tests and meet the man he would be donating his kidney to for the first time.

With all the tests completed, the transplant operation has been set for January 18th.

Asked about this selfless act of good will toward a complete stranger, Sully replied: “the way I was raised, if someone needs help you give it to them”.

The Kind Stranger

The beauty of this triumph is not merely that Robert Leibowitz can now receive a new lease on life. Thanks to the generosity and sacrifice of someone who had never even met Leibowitz, the story takes on a much deeper meaning. The willingness to travel all that way and undergo surgery to save a stranger’s life – that is compassion personified.

And to think, it was all sparked by a T-shirt and a visit to Disney World. Fittingly, the park’s slogan is “Where Dreams Come True”. While this story probably speaks more to the power of social media than Disney’s dream-making abilities, it’s a wonderful coincidence nonetheless.

Everyone says they want to make a difference in the world, but few people know how to put those words into action. Heading into 2018, we are encouraged to know that people like Richie Sully are out there — ready and willing to help in any way they can.

Original.