Roger Burks

Opinion | Musk Said No One Has Died Since Aid Was Cut. That Isn’t True. (Gift Article) A journey through the front lines of global poverty shows that when the world’s richest men slash aid for the world’s poorest children, the result is sickness, starvation and death.

Elon Musk says that no one has died because he slashed humanitarian aid. I went to South Sudan to check if that's true. It's not. Meet Peter, Achol and Evan, ages 10, 8 and 5. The reckless actions of the world's richest men are killing the world's poorest kids www.nytimes.com/interactive/...

In fact, under the current threats, empathy is a revolutionary act. Make it your superpower. Care for your families and your neighbors, both at home and abroad. Support causes that help change your communities - and our world - for the better. Your empathy and caring actions will always shine on.

I don't agree with a certain billionaire's assertion that "the fundamental weakness of Western civilization is empathy." To me, empathy has been one of the greatest strengths of the United States, and one of the biggest reasons that our country and its generosity have served as a beacon for so long.

Bimby was born in 1910 and lived 86 years - including more than 20 of those in the house where I grew up. She passed away 29 years ago when I was in Peace Corps. I've missed her most every day since then, but I know she's with so many loved ones, including my dad, most likely sharing good stories.

Happy heavenly birthday to my maternal grandmother, who I called "Bimby." She taught me how to fix dinners that I still cook, showed me how to plant a garden, and once made a slingshot for me. She was the best storyteller I've ever known, and the biggest reason I have pursued a career as a writer.

YouTube video by Deutsche Grammophon - DG John Williams & Saito Kinen Orchestra - "Raiders March" from "Raiders of the Lost Ark"

Happy 93rd birthday to John Williams. So many of his songs are the soundtrack to my childhood - as well as continuing awe and inspiration today - but this will probably always be my favorite. It's music for dreaming and adventure, and I've played it many times in different places around the world.

The Alchemy of Hope The bad news is that the poison is here. The good news is you have the antidote.

The bad news is the poison is here. The good news is you have the antidote. Here's how - together - we can help alchemize the toxicity of the past few weeks and turn it to something else: hope. Action. The chance to make a difference. Take a look at my new Substack and let me know what you think.

Thank you for writing and sharing this, @nickkristof.bsky.social. As someone who's worked in humanitarian aid for over 20 years (and started as a Peace Corps Volunteer), I think U.S. foreign aid is one of best ways to demonstrate the generosity, goodwill and leadership of the U.S. and its people.

Opinion | The World’s Richest Men Take On the World’s Poorest Children (Gift Article) I’ve seen U.S.A.I.D. operate around the world, and it’s not woke — it’s lifesaving.

"To billionaires in the White House, it may seem like a game. But to anyone with a heart, it’s about children’s lives and our own security, and what’s unfolding is sickening."

Great @nytimes.com article by the always-eloquent @nickkristof.bsky.social, exploring what USAID has come to mean to him.

Everyone: let's be more compassionate. Be kinder. Grow stronger. Grow wiser. Help address injustices. Call out lies and disinformation. Stand up to cruelty. Fight against those who seek to harm the vulnerable. Help protect the marginalized. As always, let's be the change we want to see in the world.

Last night, like many others, I was devastated about David Lynch's passing. It felt like big red velvet theater curtains closing after a film, never again to open. But today brings new perspective; here's a #Substack post to help continue our Lynchian journey: rogerburks.substack.com/p/the-curtai...

Thank you, @markfrost.bsky.social, for the hauntingly beautiful work that you and David Lynch did together. #TwinPeaks first inspired me 35 years ago and continues to do so - your evocative, immersive storytelling is one of the biggest reasons I chose to become a writer. Rest in peace, #DavidLynch.

When I was getting into writing and creative work, David Lynch was one of my biggest inspirations - and he has been ever since. "Twin Peaks" remains my favorite show and his other works influence me very often as I go about my work. Rest in peace, Mr. Lynch, and see you again in the unified field.

I've just started a #Substack called "Somewhere with Roger Burks," in which I hope to explore new places, old memories, current events, global challenges, creativity, and the issues that connect us all. There are two posts so far, and I hope you'll join me for this journey: rogerburks.substack.com.

YouTube video by CNN Jimmy Carter's grandson jokes about grandparents' home

Every eulogy during President Carter's funeral services was poignant and inspiring - about faith, humility and a life of service. This one, I think, was best of the bunch - Jason Carter sharing beautiful, funny and touching memories of his "pawpaw." What a lovely testament to a profoundly good life.

Rest in peace, President Carter - a man who truly exemplified the best of what it means to be an American. He served his country - and especially the most vulnerable among us - at all stages of his life. We should celebrate, learn from and follow his example of service; it's needed more than ever.

That's the beauty of truly great writing - it changes over time, depending on which age of our life, and keeps holding significance. To me, this quote is a bridge between that time and this one. I hold on to the "gold" from that time, along with this song by Stevie Wonder from the wonderful film.

YouTube video by Stevie Wonder - Topic Stay Gold

I believe that "Stay gold, Ponyboy" is one of the most beautiful phrases in American literature. Johnny's quote from the last part of "The Outsiders" by S.E. Hinton - and I won't spoil the context - is eternal and I experience it differently now (at 54) than I did when I first read the book (at 12).

#MerryChristmas to all, and to all a good night! #GodJul

St. Lucia’s Day carolers on boats in Copenhagen’s canals tonight - one of the prettiest and most unique winter celebrations here in Denmark as Christmas and solstice near

YouTube video by TheBestMovieClipsOnThePlanet Ted Lasso (2020) - Darts Scene

"Be curious, not judgmental." While Walt Whitman didn't actually say this, Ted Lasso certainly did, and it's a quote worth considering (and applying). Yes, it's probably also because I'm from Kansas and love all things Midwestern, but I keep coming back to this clip for inspiration. Barbecue sauce.

Watch Somebody Somewhere (HBO) | Max Watch Somebody Somewhere (HBO) on Max. Plans start at $9.99/month. A Kansas woman finds the passion and joy missing from her life thanks to a group of outsiders in this comedy series.

Here's another (wholehearted) recommendation: Somebody Somewhere. I might be biased because I grew up in #Kansas (and I love my home state, ask anyone), but this show captures the feel of someone returning to their Midwestern hometown so well. Wonderful characters, funny and so human - a must watch.

Statelessness | Chahut Média

Another good resource to learn about #statelessness - its causes, challenges, real stories and how it can be solved - is this recent, excellent podcast series: www.chahut.ch/statelessness. We have practical solutions, lessons learned and pledges for action. We need political will to make it happen.

The #IBelong Campaign: A Decade of Action to End Statelessness, 2014-2024 | Refworld

I've been working with the @unhcr.org statelessness team and thanks to colleagues, advocates and especially people with lived experience, have learned a lot about this very solvable issue. Together we created this report on a decade of action to #EndStatelessness (www.refworld.org/reference/ne...).

Watch A Man on the Inside | Netflix Official Site A retired professor gets a new lease on life when a private investigator hires him to go undercover inside a San Francisco retirement home.

If you're looking for something to watch - and need some laughs and sweetness - check out "A Man on the Inside," created by the team behind "The Good Place." It's a much-needed, feel-good bit of humanity with some genuinely touching (and insightful) moments. We binged it all in just a couple days.

This #Thanksgiving, I'm grateful for family, friends and health. And I'm also enormously thankful for my committed colleagues at @unhcr.org, as well as folks with whom I'm worked at Mercy Corps, CARE and other teams along the journey. Your creativity, compassion and action are needed more than ever.

Cooking can be kindness and meditation. The combination of onion, garlic and spices is always the start of something good. In this case, it's this amazing @nytimes.com recipe for Lemony Chicken Stew: cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1024.... Double the lemon and red pepper flakes to make it even better.

Refugees welcome.
@bsky.app

First snow of the season in our neighborhood in #Copenhagen #Denmark

Video Iowa woman took photos of her parents waving goodbye for 27 years From 1991 to 2017, photographer Deanna Dikeman documented parting moments with her parents in Sioux City, Iowa, until their passing.

I've watched this many times - it's a beautiful piece and reminds me of the goodness and humanity that the arts can convey. It made me think of my father's passing last year, and how I should go visit my mother. You can see more of the artist's stunning work here: deannadikeman.com/leaving-and-...