Alex Strait

Enlightenment stands in tyranny's way.

The word awkward is such an awkward word to say, spell and look at. That "wkw" jammed in so early on just trips me up every time.

Passion is fuel for true grit.

What does it look like when atoms transition from a liquid to a solid state?

Sound up 😀

Now, 250 years later, Hancock's name is synonymous with "signature." An echo of the "shot heard ’round the world"—not just musket fire in Massachusetts, but ink on parchment in Philadelphia.

Happy 4th of July! 🎉🇺🇸

The idea of self-governance and God-given rights of men spoke directly to peoples souls worldwide. They could envision a better life for themselves and generations to come—and they had a playbook and a real-life example to watch and learn from.

Many of today's sovereign states have founding declarations modeled to some degree on the 1776 prototype. When the British Empire lost control of the American colonies, it sparked hope in the hearts of millions around the world—tyrants could be beaten.

Hancock's giant signature represented an ideal, but it soon became part of a world-historic flash point. The American Revolution wasn't just a military victory; it became a symbol of freedom from tyrannical rule—and the world took note.

Hancock was a Founding Father and President of the Continental Congress. His signature is the most memorable on the Declaration of Independence. He wrote his name large—legend says to mock King George III’s poor eyesight, but that’s likely an entertaining myth.

"I'll get your John Hancock, right here" were the words I often heard at my favorite café. I found it a nice touch that broke the monotony at the cash register. The expression, now embedded in my culture, has an epic backstory. 🧵👇

One person's orthodoxy is another's heresy. One's angel is another's demon. What one calls Faith, another calls oppression. What they all share, regardless of creed, is conscience. Even in vehement disagreement, that shared spark of our humanity deserves respect.

Peace through strength means having the power to obliterate your enemies while having the wisdom to know when to hold it back.

If you follow any ideology, political, religious, or philosophical, and your answer to "What are the flaws?" is "None, if applied correctly," then I hate to break it to you, but you might be in a cult.

I'm going to the protest today and I urge everyone to attend your local demonstrations. We must have our voices heard as our country slides into hard authoritarianism. We still have a Democratic Republic, but we have to keep it. Be safe and peaceful and stand up. No kings! 🚫 👑

Deploying the military to aid the police is a risky decision. It fundamentally changes the psychological landscape and can embolden bad actors in any uniform to abuse their power. There are very good reasons why it should only be reserved for the most dire of situations.

Woman returning to apartment shot by non lethal ammunition in LA – video Woman returning to her home alone was shot at close range after officers refused to let her pass

When you shoot someone just trying to go home you're not a peacekeeper you're an agent of terror.

www.theguardian.com/us-news/vide...

MLK, and his movement, used the American Flag and no other as their primary symbol. Just something to think about.

Humans are a wonder to behold. We're a rich tapestry of threads that make up a brilliant whole. We depend on each other and we contribute to each other's beauty. That's something special and worthy of a feeling of pride for who you are and where you came from.

Happy Pride Month. 🌈

The proper response is to hold the line and believe in ourselves. To be able to look in the mirror and say, "I approve" without shrinking back in shame nor giving into self importance. A healthy love of self as a member of a long standing species whose strength lies in endurance.

Because that ridicule, that utter disdain and disappointment still lives and breathes in the hearts of those who know not what they do. And for some, the mask they've had since they were young will no longer come off. They have become the mask.

That was over a decade ago and my position has remained clear as is my conscience. I now understand, more than ever, why Pride is such an important cultural convention. Why it must continue unabated despite bitter resistance.

My original ominous intuition about the Bible's "stance" on homosexuality was affirmed. There was just always something off about how we singled out that one particular behavior and fostered a taboo. Subtly, over time, working the negativity into the culture through language.

So now in 2025 it's well established that we aren't much like the forging of the Great Blacksmith. We aren't the rigid product of a careful plan, but something different. We have a plasticity to both our lives and our biological heritage that easily leaves room for LGBTQIA+.

Since Darwin's discovery he's been vindicated in remarkable ways and with science that didn't even exist during his time. There are so many cross discipline convergences that evolution has become the de facto cornerstone of modern biology. He changed what it meant to be human.

On the other hand, if our species evolved through natural selection then the previous perspective gets turned upside down. The human story of genetics and biology tell of a richer story full of twists and turns. What was once called "deviation" now deserves a second look.

If we're designed like a blacksmith forges a tool then a strict observance to and the conservation of norms makes sense. On that worldview we're like a watch that can either tell time well or poorly. Any deviation from our design would be knowingly degrading ourselves.

But we're more than just athletic hunters, we also evolved big brains to solve complex problems and exist within sophisticated social structures. Learning all this put my past use of the pejorative "gay" within a rich anthropological context.

When I discovered what we were my perspective changed nearly overnight. What devotion I had to the Creed's position melted away like butter. We are persistent runners that evolved in what is now known as Africa. Bipedal great apes that used endurance running to tire out large prey.

So I began to do some serious research. I wanted to know what the correct ethical position to take on the subject matter was. I read about genetics and biology and it very quickly became apparent to me that the question was easier to answer than I had thought.