There is no great hero without a great adversary. A momentous achievement can only be so atop a mountain of failed attempts. When you encounter such in your time, know they’re not unreachable, not untouchable, not invincible.

This is a time for heroes and heroines, great and small. You, of all your forebearers, were chosen to be here in the midst of modernity; because you alone have the strength to overcome the greatest evils our people have ever faced.

Likewise, you were chosen to lead the charge in our great revival, to usher the spring from a long winter.

From Huter der Irminsul

Roth Note: Primitive people thinking they can dance and make it rain? There’s always more to the story …

Since the dawn of human history, humanity has turned its gaze toward the heavens. In the clouds, people saw far more than fleeting phenomena—they were bearers of hope, life, and renewal. Rain signified fertility, harvest, and survival. When it failed to fall, not only the earth suffered, but often the community as well. From this deep connection to the rhythms of nature, rituals emerged intended to link humanity with heaven and earth. One of the most striking of these is the rain dance.
In the shamanic worldview, nature is not a lifeless space but a living whole. Mountains, rivers, forests, animals, and winds possess their own spirits and are interconnected. Humans are not masters of this world, but part of its great cycle. Shamans were regarded as intermediaries between the visible and invisible realms. Through drumming, chanting, dancing, or trance, they sought—according to tradition—to align themselves with the forces of nature; not to dominate them, but to live in harmony with them.
It was against this backdrop that the rain dance acquired its profound significance.
It was never merely a plea for rain; it was an expression of trust, gratitude, and connection. With every movement, people reminded themselves that all life is interdependent and that giving and receiving are part of the same cycle.
The dance itself was rich in symbolism. Stamping feet connected the dancers to the earth, whose parched soil thirsted for water. Raised arms opened toward the sky as a gesture of receptivity. The circle formation—common in many places—represented the eternal cycle of becoming and passing away, of drought and rain, of death and new life.
The drum often provided the heartbeat of the ritual. Its steady rhythm evoked the pulse of life and helped leave the cares of daily existence behind. Chants told stories of ancestors, the forces of nature, and a longing for harmony. Every step, every sound, and every voice formed part of a shared prayer—not merely for rain, but for balance between humanity and the natural world.
In many mythologies, rain was regarded as a heavenly blessing. Gods of thunder, mighty serpents, dragons, or feathered beings presided over the clouds and waters. Water became a symbol of purification, fertility, and renewal. When the rain fell, it bridged heaven and earth, infusing all life with new vitality.
This symbolism extends far beyond the weather itself. In many spiritual interpretations, the rain falling outside mirrors an inner transformation. Just as parched earth craves water, the soul yearns for hope, compassion, and renewed vitality. Thus, the rain dance becomes a meditation in motion—a dance that touches not only the heavens but, above all, one’s own heart.
The four elements also converge in this ritual. The earth sustains humanity. The air grants the breath of life. The sun’s fire provides warmth and vital energy. Water completes the cycle, fostering new growth. In the rain dance, these forces merge into an image of the interconnectedness of all life.
Rain rituals are documented across numerous regions of the world—from the indigenous cultures of North and South America to Africa, Australia, and Asia. Each community developed its own unique ceremonies, songs, and symbols. According to current scientific understanding, there is no conclusive evidence that such rituals influence the weather. Their true power lay in their spiritual and social significance: they fostered communal bonds, inspired hope, and helped people navigate difficult times together.
Perhaps therein lies the timeless message of the rain dance.
It reminds us that all transformation begins within. To dance is to set in motion not only the body but also memories, feelings, and hopes. The first rain does not always fall from the sky; sometimes, it falls within the heart. There, it fosters trust, dispels inner dryness, and inspires the courage for a fresh start.
Thus, the rain dance remains far more than a mere historical ceremony. It is a powerful symbol of the profound connection between humanity, nature, and the cosmos. It reminds us that we are part of a living whole and that new life can emerge from patience, mindfulness, and a sense of connection—just as the first rain touches the earth after a long drought.

Once a fool and still a fool.

From Grok concerning correlations:

Crime

Multiple studies find that higher racial-ethnic diversity or lower White population share correlates positively with violent crime rates (homicide, assault, etc.) across U.S. states and counties. White population percentage often shows a negative correlation with violent crime, while Black and Hispanic percentages show positive ones.

Social Trust

Robert Putnam’s research (and subsequent meta-analyses) finds that higher ethnic diversity is associated with lower social trust, lower altruism, fewer friendships, and reduced community cooperation—residents of all groups tend to “hunker down.” This pattern holds more strongly at local scales and for trust in neighbors. Lower social capital can indirectly relate to weaker informal social control and higher crime risk.

Tomorrow after the 4:00 PM close of the US stock market, Trump will announce a major initiative with multiple expletives against Iran.

On Sunday night, he will announce new negotiations with Iran just before the markets open in Asia that will open the Strait of Hormuz.

This has been the pattern for a war that Congress has not approved. Of course, Trump may change it up since the release of his new $100,000 a month stock announcements on Truth Social.

Who would have thought that Iran would have more credibility than the United States?

Grok:

The April 2026 post shares two photos of sparse Navy meals—a tray with shredded meat and tortilla on USS Tripoli, another with gray processed meat, patty, and carrots on USS Abraham Lincoln—claiming acute food shortages and low morale during operations against Iran in the Persian Gulf.

Initial USA Today reports prompted denials from the US Navy and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who stated ships had 30+ days of food supplies and called allegations false, while releasing images of full meals.

Follow-up August 2026 reporting from multiple outlets indicates ongoing family concerns over extended deployments, rationing, moldy facilities, and morale problems on these vessels despite official assurances of adequate provisions.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I asked Grok today if this issue has been resolved:

No, the broader issues of strained conditions, morale problems, and supply challenges on the USS Abraham Lincoln (and related reports involving ships like the USS Tripoli) have not been fully resolved as of early August 2026.

The World Economic Forum has openly proclaimed 2026 the “Year of Water” and has introduced what it calls “Blue Davos,” bringing freshwater, ocean policy, food security, investment, and the so-called blue economy together beneath one institutional umbrella. The Forum states that its annual meeting will concentrate on “freshwater access and management, blue food security and ocean protection.” Those words may sound harmless to anyone who has never studied how political power actually expands, but management always means that someone will decide who receives a resource, how much they may use, what price they must pay, and under what conditions access may be withdrawn.

Why has water suddenly become the great global priority? Why are the same organizations that lectured the world about carbon now speaking about basin-level partnerships, water finance, private-sector participation, international agreements, and scalable systems of allocation? The Forum itself says that “the complexity of the water crisis demands these ideas are scaled up, and fast.” Whenever unelected organizations insist that an alleged crisis requires policies to be scaled rapidly, the public should immediately ask who will acquire the power, who will provide the capital, and who will control the infrastructure after the emergency has passed.

More…

h/t Magrit

A significant Russian strike on commercial logistics hubs near Kyiv did occur, with no ballistic missiles intercepted and clear damage to the named companies. The scale, exact dollar figure, and some military framing in the original post go beyond what Ukrainian company statements and mainstream reporting have confirmed.