People On Highway Billboard Signs Waving at Me

 

As I navigated the familiar asphalt ribbon that stretched before me, the evening light began to dip, casting a warm glow on the world outside my car window. The rhythmic hum of the tires on the road was a comforting backdrop to my thoughts, a gentle reminder that soon I'd be home, shedding the weight of the day behind.

But then, something unusual caught my eye. The highway billboard ads, those static giants that usually blended into the scenery, seemed alive. The models, mid-smile, were waving—at me. Their bright eyes and infectious grins felt oddly personal, as if they knew my journey and were inviting me into their world.

I squinted at the first billboard, an advertisement for a new energy drink. The young woman with cascading brunette hair held her can up high, her outstretched hand beckoning. Next to her, a man with an exuberant grin held a sign proclaiming, “Join the adventure!” Both figures seemed to pulse with energy, their poses dynamic and engaging, almost as if they were encouraging me to break free from the monotony of my daily commute.

I chuckled at the absurdity of it all. Who were they really waving at? Surely, they were just photographs printed on vinyl, yet in that moment, they felt remarkably human. My mind drifted, imagining their stories—what brought them to that billboard? Had they, too, once been stuck in traffic, dreaming of a life beyond the confines of their frames?

As I continued down the highway, more billboards came into view. Each one seemed to join in the wave, and with it, a growing sense of camaraderie washed over me. A family promoting a local theme park, a couple advertising a new romantic getaway, a group of friends extolling the virtues of a new streaming service—all of them with their hands raised in an exaggerated wave, a silent cheer for the everyday traveler.

“Alright, I see you!” I found myself laughing, waving back at the cheerful faces plastered on the billboards, momentarily forgetting the stress of the day. It was a strange connection, this acknowledgment of the mundane, but it sparked a sense of joy within me.

In that surreal moment, the highway transformed. No longer just a route home, it became a shared experience, a collective nod to the lives we all lead, each of us trying to find our place in the world. I smiled as I drove, feeling a little lighter, a little more connected—to the billboards, to the city, and to the beautiful chaos of life itself.

You Should Be More Like Mr. Rogers

 

Mr. Rogers, known for his warmth, kindness, and genuine interest in others, has many qualities that can inspire us. He has many key traits and practices that are worth adopting.

1. Empathy and Understanding: Mr Rogers listens actively to others without interrupting. He shows that he cares about others feelings and thoughts.nAnd he uses gentle language and tone when communicating.

2. Authenticity: Mr. Rogers is true to himself. He is always authentic, which makes him relatable and trustworthy. He shares his feelings and thoughts honestly, fostering deeper connections.

3. Encouragement: Mr. Rogers offers words of encouragement to those around him and celebrates their successes, no matter how great or small. Mr. Rogers remind others that it’s okay to be themselves and embrace their uniqueness.

4. Kindness and Respect: Mr. Rogers treats everyone with respect and kindness, regardless of their background or situation. He engages in acts of kindness, whether big or small, to brighten someone’s day.

5. Create a Safe Space: Mr Rogers fosters an environment where people feel safe to express themselves which is done not only in conversations but in groups, or communities. And he never hesitates to show that he values their opinions and contributions.

6. Curiosity and Learning: Mr. Rogers stays curious about the world and the people in it. He asks questions and is always open to learning from others. He promotes a love for learning by sharing knowledge in gentle and engaging ways.

By embodying these qualities, we can create a positive impact in our interactions and relationships, much like Mr. Rogers did.

What specific traits would you like to start with?

People Don’t Understand What it's Like to Be a Plant

 

Plants have a fascinating and unique way of experiencing the world around them.

Plants have evolved to respond to their environment in intricate ways, such as turning towards sources of light or releasing chemicals to defend against predators.

Research suggests that plants can communicate with each other through chemical signals and even cooperate in mutually beneficial relationships with other organisms.

While plants don't experience time as humans do, they do have internal mechanisms that respond to changes in light, temperature, and other environmental cues.

While plants may not have consciousness in the same way humans do, their complex behaviors and responses to their surroundings are truly remarkable.

The world of plants is a rich and diverse one, full of wonders and complexities that continue to fascinate researchers and nature enthusiasts alike.

The Role of Historians in Preserving History

 

This is why we have historians, to preserve how life was before the tyrants took over. History is for generations later so they can continue if and when the tyrannical government comes to an end.

Historians play a crucial role in documenting and preserving the past, especially in times when tyrannical governments threaten democratic values. Their work ensures that future generations have access to the lessons of history, which can guide them in recognizing and resisting tyranny. As noted in discussions about historical governance, the Founding Fathers of the United States were deeply influenced by historical precedents when crafting the Constitution, aiming to avoid the pitfalls that led to the downfall of ancient democracies.

Learning from the Past

History serves as a valuable teacher, providing insights into the nature of tyranny and the conditions that allow it to flourish. For instance, Aristotle and Plato warned about the dangers of demagogues exploiting free speech to gain power, highlighting the importance of vigilance in protecting democratic institutions. This understanding is vital for contemporary societies facing similar threats, as it emphasizes the need to defend democratic structures against potential tyrants.

The Cycle of Tyranny

Tyranny often follows a cyclical pattern, where initial leaders may rise to power through popular support but eventually lead to moral decay and oppression. This gradual process, referred to as the "tyrant's progress," suggests that tyrannies are typically overthrown in subsequent generations as the initial leaders' successors fail to maintain their grip on power. Historians document these cycles, providing a roadmap for future generations to recognize and combat the signs of emerging tyranny.

Conclusion

In summary, historians are essential for preserving the narratives of the past, particularly in the context of tyranny. Their insights not only inform current political discourse but also empower future generations to learn from history and strive for a more just society. By understanding the lessons of history, societies can better prepare to confront and dismantle tyrannical regimes when they arise.

Sources

https://www.aft.org/ae/summer2017/snyder

https://brill.com/view/journals/agpt/38/2/article-p208_3.xml?language=en

Released from Captivity

 

Amy's life abruptly changed on the night she had been abducted. On that night she was walking alone in the parking lot at work—another late night at the office. It all happened so fast, like something out of a movie; something that was so unbelievable. A white van slowly drove up to her. Around this time she started to feel nervous. Amy actually thought about retreating back to inside the office building. How she later wish she had done this on that fateful night. Instead, she disregarded her instincts and continued walking to her car.

Just as the van had passed a few feet, the red brake lights illuminated. Amy stopped dead in her tracks and had a terribly sick, adrenalized feeling. There was clearly something about to happen. But before Amy could turn to run away, the back door of the van opened up and a stranger grabbed her as Amy screamed for help. With brutal force he dragged Amy into the van, and then closed the back door. From what Amy remembered of that fateful night, the stranger had some sort of makeshift caged doorway that led from the back to the front. He ran through this doorway; locked it shut and then sat down in the driver's seat.

As the van raced through the streets and highways that night, Amy struggled in vain to escape. She initially tried opening the back the door—even kicked. But you see, the van had been rigged in such a way that none of the doors could be opened from the inside. It was exactly like a police van. Amy looked around for windows to possibly bust through. Of course the van didn't have any. It was the perfect sort of van for abducting somebody as no one on the outside could see the captor struggling to escape. All Amy could hope for was the possibility that security cameras in the parking lot having filmed the abduction taking place. Maybe it would have recorded the license number of van.

But, of course this never happened! The company where she worked didn't have security cameras in the parking lot!—so cheap!

And where was Amy taken?

The abductor drove to an old abandoned farm out in the country where he parked at a nearby horse barn. At one time the barn had equine residents occupying the several stalls. But it was now the place where Amy would spend countless days… weeks… months, enduring repeated rape and torture. Many of these acts would be completely vile, enough to damage one's spirit. But through all of it, Amy would do her best to remain strong.

***

It was on a bright, early morning when Amy's captor entered the barn and walked up to the stall where she was confined. "Something's happened to me." he announced.

Not knowing what to expect, Amy only stared at him from the ground behind the wooden gate.

"I just don't understand what has happened to me." he continued.

Amy never knew his name; just knew his face and hated his guts. She hated everything about him, and would take great pleasure in killing him.

"I feel guilty." explained the captor. "I feel guilty for what I have done to you, and for all these many months of raping you—many times torturing you. You must really hate me. I realize this."

Amy remained speechless. She wasn't going to say a word because knowing her captor; this could go in any direction. Was he about to break the news that he would finally kill her to rid the feelings of guilt? Sick people are like this. They do horrible things and then suddenly feel guilty for what they have done, and then see murdering the victim as the way to fix all the problems. But, much to Amy's surprise, that wasn't his plan.

"I need to set you free." he said. "I need to call the police; have them come here and show them to you; confess to what I have done, and then let them take you home to your family. They must be worried sick about you."

The mention of her family brought tears to Amy's eyes.

The captor could see this. "Yes, I know. In my selfishness and malicious deeds, I neglected to realize that you have loved ones who are worried sick about you. And you probably have children, don't you?"

Amy nodded her head. Thirty four years old, she was married with three children. A day didn't go by that she didn’t think about her family.

"Well... I think that's enough talk." concluded the captor. "I think we should just get the police here." he reached for the cell phone in his pocket, pressed some buttons and then waited.

"Yes, I've done a horrible thing... I am the one responsible for abducting the missing woman, Amy Leeson... Yes, I'm her captor... she is still alive... I have her here... I've decided that I need to turn myself in and serve my time in jail... You can take her home to her family... Please come quickly before I change my mind.... I'm at the old abandoned farmhouse that can be seen off highway 31... Up that gravel road... You can see the silo from the highway as you approach... It's in the barn... I have her locked up in one of the stalls, and she's waiting..."

By now, tears were streaming down Amy's eyes. She could not believe what she was hearing. In all the time of her captivity, she truly believed that she would die. But now, through an unheard-of act of an abductor, he was setting her free.

And then the captor walked out of the barn. Amy could see his shadow as he stood outside and waited. Amy worried that perhaps this might turn into a race against time. He might suddenly change his mind; kill Amy and flee before the police arrived. Again, the captor was a very sick man as evidenced by the horrible things he had done to Amy.

Some time passed as Amy heard the sound of a vehicle traveling up the gravel road which led to the barn. It was so close that she could hear the engine before it was turned off. The door opened and then Amy's captor spoke.

"Hi, yes, I'm the one who called."

The voice of the police officer answered, "We received a 911 call; something about the abduction of Amy Leeson. She's alive in there?"

"Yes sir... And I'm her captor. I've done horrible things to her for a number of months. Now it's time to let her go. And it's time for me to go to jail.”

Not long after he said this, a police officer entered the barn and saw Amy lying in the stall. You see, the captor always kept Amy tied up in restraints against a pole. When he was done with her he just retied her; just let her sleep sitting up and tied against a pole. She remained there, now, staring up at the officer.

"Everything is okay now, Ma'am." reassured the officer. "Are you Amy Leeson?"

"Yes..." answered Amy while breaking down in tears.

"Like I said, it's all over." Then the officer looked over to the captor. "Can I have the keys to get in the gate?"

"Yes sir..." agreed the captor while handing the keys over.

The officer unlocked the padlock and slid the bolt over to open the gate. And then entered, but then closed the gate behind him while suddenly smiling mischievously. The officer turned back to the captor and cited, "She thinks this is real, doesn't she? She actually thinks she's going home today."

Amy was flabbergasted. Was this just a trick?

The captor called out while exiting the barn, "Well I hope you get your money's worth! Enjoy!"

Too good to be true; this was just another cruel moment of torture; this time mental torture of raising Amy's hopes of possibly going home, only to be smashed back down. The police officer wasn't a police officer at all. He apparently paid money to rape a woman in captivity. He merely wore a police costume to add to the sick moment of mental torture.

And it was a brutal hour for poor Amy!

The End!