Looking Forward to the 250th Celebration of July the Fourth : The Rich, Richer and Mightier

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/financial-disclosure-1-billion-cryptocurrency-earnings-meme-coins-rcna352497 Trump’s financial disclosure lists $1.4 billion in crypto earnings, powered largely by meme coins The annual report also includes $80 million in income from settlements tied to his lawsuits against companies like ABC, CBS, Meta and YouTube. June 30, 2026, 6:27 PM CDT By Rob Wile President Donald Trump earned more than $635 million from a licensing agreement with a cryptocurrency group specializing in “meme” coins bearing his name last year, an amount that pushed his total crypto holdings past $1 billion, according to a lengthy financial disclosure form he released Tuesday. The figures from 2025 — the first year of Trump’s second term — were disclosed to the U.S. Office of Government Ethics in a 927-page document. By comparison, President Barack Obama’s final disclosure form was eight pages, while President Joe Biden’s was 11. Vice President JD Vance’s form for last year is 17 pages. Trump’s meme-coin earnings came on top of more than $236 million worth from additional crypto token sales, and an additional sale of equity worth more than $65 million associated with Trump family crypto venture World Liberty Financial. There’s also more than $290 million classified as income from cryptocurrency wallets associated with World Liberty. The $635 million was earned from a group called “Celebration Coins.” No digital footprint could be found for the group, and a representative for the Trump Organization did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday night. A recent letter from Senate Democrats said a company called “Celebration Cards” registered in Wyoming — which is now a major crypto hub — facilitated a crypto conference at Mar-a-Lago in April. “Neither the President nor his family has ever engaged — or will ever engage — in conflicts of interest,” a White House representative said in a statement Tuesday. “President Trump proudly made the United States the crypto capital of the world through executive actions, supporting legislation like the GENIUS Act, and other commonsense policies to drive innovation and economic opportunity for all Americans.” Unlike past presidents, Trump did not divest his assets or place them in a blind trust before taking office. The Trump Organization has said the assets are managed by third-party financial institutions, with trades executed through automated technology. “What strikes me as remarkable is how many pies Trump has his fingers in,” said Douglas Brinkley, a history professor at Rice University. “There is no precedent to compare it with. No president in the 20th or 21st century has had something that’s vaguely comparable.” Trump has faced bipartisan criticism for alleged conflicts of interest, assertions the White House has vigorously denied. Trump’s total crypto earnings totaled some $1.4 billion during his first year back in office, when he began making liberalized cryptocurrency regulations a cornerstone of his presidency. The disclosure also lists Trump’s investment accounts as buying and selling shares of the GEO Group, a private prison company and one of the largest contractors with ICE. Starting just 10 days after his inauguration, the disclosure shows Trump’s investment accounts made purchases of the prison company. As the number of immigrant detainees swelled from 35,000 to almost 70,000, the purchases increased with the total ranging from $143,000 to $445,000. The last purchase was listed in late November. The stock that was sold ranges from $67,000 to $180,000. Because many of the amounts listed on the disclosure form are reported as ranges, it is impossible to state exactly how much Trump earned last year from his tens of thousands of investments. Before Tuesday, Forbes estimated the president’s net worth at $6 billion, while Bloomberg put it at $7.6 billion. “This disclosure once again demonstrates that The Trump Organization continues to maintain a strong financial position, supported by world class, valuable assets, substantial liquidity and a conservative balance sheet,” a representative for Trump’s business firm said in a statement, adding that the form’s length “underscores our commitment to transparency.” “At nearly 1,000 pages, it represents one of the most comprehensive financial disclosure reports ever submitted and demonstrates a level of financial transparency unmatched in presidential history.” Other disclosures in the form include: • First lady Melania Trump making more than $10 million from licensing her image to the producers of the documentary “Melania.” • $80 million listed as income from settlements with ABC and anchor George Stephanopoulos, as well as CBS, Meta, YouTube and Sundar Pichai, chief executive of YouTube parent company Google. The proceeds from those settlements were paid to The Donald J. Trump Presidential Library Foundation Inc., according to the disclosure form. • Gifted tickets to sporting events for the president worth thousands of dollars by multiple professional team owners and the heads of various pro sports leagues including FIFA, NASCAR, PGA of America and UFC. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/birthright-citizenship-argument-shifting-medicare-covers-weight-loss-d-rcna352515 One year after President Donald Trump signed the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” it has reshaped the country — altering who gets help from the government. The most consequential legislation of Trump’s second term reaches into nearly every corner of American life. It supercharges immigration enforcement. It rewrites student loan rules. It dismantles tax incentives for electric vehicles and clean energy. It creates a national school-voucher tax credit. And at its core is a seismic shift: extending roughly $4.5 trillion in tax cuts disproportionately benefiting corporations and the wealthy over 10 years while cutting about $1.1 trillion from healthcare and food assistance programs serving poor and working-class people. Supporters frame the act as a long-overdue correction. They argue it’s reducing dependence on government programs, rooting out waste, encouraging work and making American businesses more competitive. But many health policy experts, economists and antipoverty advocates see it as something else: one of the largest transfers of resources from low-income Americans to the rich in U.S. history. NBC News poll https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/different-worlds-americans-see-huge-divide-haves-nots-new-poll-shows-rcna350523 …A majority of Americans (54%) say most Americans share the same core values but disagree about policies and issues, while 44% say most Americans have fundamentally different core values, according to the survey, which was sponsored by More Perfect, a nonpartisan nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing democracy. There are notable splits along some lines, including age and geography. But even those are overshadowed by the overwhelming shares who see sizable divisions between Republicans and Democrats (80%) and between the wealthy and the not wealthy (81%). Do you think people from these backgrounds have more that unites them than divides them, or vice versa? More than unites – Not sure – More that divides Women and men 60% …. 38% People of different races/ethnic backgrounds 59% …. 39% Immigrants and U.S.-born citizens 55% …. 43% People who went to college and did not 50% … 48% Young people and older people 46% …. 52% People in cities and rural areas 43% …. 55% Republicans and Democrats 18% …. 80% Wealthy people and not wealthy people 17% …. 81% Notes: The poll was conducted May 29-June 7 and surveyed 3,000 adults nationally. The margin of error is plus or minus 1.8 percentage points. Some questions were asked of a half-sample, which has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points. Source: NBC News poll …Still, most Americans say they feel disconnected from those in power, according to the NBC News poll, which was conducted by Republican pollster Bill McInturff of Public Opinion Strategies and Democratic pollster Jeff Horwitt of Hart Research Associates. An overwhelming share of respondents — 82% — agree that most ordinary Americans, regardless of political party, have more in common with one another than with people in the country who hold a lot of power. And some voters believe wealthy Americans have far more access to that power. “When it comes to politics, those that have money are able to actually have a voice that is heard and have opinions that matter, versus those of us that don’t have money,” said Amanda Larson, a 50-year-old independent from Minnesota who works in childcare. “Our opinions don’t matter. What we need doesn’t matter.” Many Americans also believe those with wealth effectively operate under a different system of justice, with 86% agreeing that in the U.S., wealthy people can often avoid consequences that ordinary people would face for the same actions. “Laws and rules don’t apply to people if they can just pay their way out of it,” said Ann, a 26-year-old Democrat from Kansas who is unemployed. Inflation - Gas Price https://www.nbcnews.com/data-graphics/gas-prices-iran-war-state-national-cost-trump-rcna265835 Average gas prices have increased more than a dollar since the U.S. and Israel first attacked Iran. In five states — Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon and Washington — average gas prices are at or near $5 per gallon. In California prices are near $6, the highest in the nation. States toward the middle of the country are paying the least, according to AAA data. According to one analysis, the increase in gas prices since the start of the war has cost Americans more than $30 billion. The Cost of the Iran War https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/iran-war-cost-25-billion-dollars-us-munitions-hegseth-armed-services-rcna342714 Iran war has cost the U.S. $25 billion so far, Pentagon official says Acting Pentagon Comptroller Jules Hurst said most of the costs came from munitions. April 29, 2026, 10:55 AM CDT / Updated April 29, 2026, 2:10 PM CDT By Alexandra Marquez A top Pentagon official said Wednesday that the cost of the ongoing U.S. war with Iran is estimated to be $25 billion so far, as the conflict nears a 60-day mark. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/heat-wave-temperature-danger-rcna352470

The Stars and Stripes ---- To fly or not to fly an American flag on July 4th, 2026

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/america-turns-250-say-stars-stripes-now-red-flag-rcna345939 June 29, 2026, 5:01 AM CDT By Corky Siemaszko As nation turns 250, many Americans say the Stars and Stripes is now a red flag The American flag: To some, it’s Old Glory. To others, it’s a MAGA hat on a stick. https://media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com/image/upload/t_fit-560w,f_avif,q_auto:eco,dpr_2/rockcms/2026-06/260625-rebecca-dyer-quote-lr-71c4e8.jpg .... The country may be 250 years old, but until the mid- to late-19th century, flags were displayed mainly on government buildings, historians say. It wasn’t until after the Civil War and the 1876 centennial celebration that Americans started flying their own in earnest. Bruce Watson stands in front of an American flag The battle over who can lay claim to America’s flag, historians say, has been raging since at least the Vietnam War, when both Democrats and Republicans waved it at demonstrations for or against the conflict that divided the nation. “The right used it to make the point that patriotism meant that the U.S. could do no wrong even when it did,” said Alex Wagner, an adjunct professor at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship & Public Affairs. “People on the left used it to make the point that we as Americans shouldn’t be fighting a war that’s at odds with our national principles, like that of self-determination.” But it was the hard right that “seized the flag” and began smearing all liberals as unpatriotic, said Sean Wilentz, a historian at Princeton University. “Conservative and right-wing politicians went along with this, exploited it, and the dialectic of disaffection worsened,” Wilentz said, adding that Trump has amplified that brand of patriotism. Even so, Wagner said, Americans should be embracing the Stars and Stripes.“Our flag is ever-evolving, like our country,” he said. “The United States has evolved from 13 colonies to the 50-state union that it is now, and the flag has changed along with it. It’s not MAGA’s flag. It’s not Trump’s flag. It’s the American flag, and it belongs to all of us.”

Niết Bàn Là Gì

Niết Bàn Tự Tánh / Niết Bàn Vô Sanh: Chỗ an tịnh vốn sẵn có nơi mỗi hành giả và chúng sanh. NB này vốn ngay ở đây. bây giờ, không đến không đi. Niết Bàn Hữu Dư Y: hành giả chứng ngộ NB khi viên tịch, nhưng vẫn còn thân, và còn lãnh chịu nghiệp báo của thân mạng do nghiệp trước. Niết Bàn Vô Dư Y: hành giả chứng ngộ NB khi viên tịch, nhưng không để lại dấu tích, không chịu quả báo nào của thân mạng. Niết Bàn Tùy Thuận: hành giả nhập NB khi viên tịch, và vì nguyện lực mà hướng về nơi/cảnh giới nào cần hành giả đến để độ chúng sanh.

Rùa mù tìm bộng cây

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0oPAscKjj0&list=PLhazaQWsGv6f_fDROLwBkVmRfCGoSUtSC&index=3 #002-Nhặt Lá Bồ Đề Tập 1 phần 1- Rùa mù tìm bộng cây-NS Thuần Tuệ

Long Term Assisted Living Insurance

https://discoverycommonsnorthshore.com/resources/long-term-assisted-living-insurance-what-it-covers https://discoverycommonsnorthshore.com/resources?topic=financial-planning https://discoverycommonsnorthshore.com/resources/7-questions-to-ask-during-a-memory-care-community-visit 7 Questions to Ask During a Memory Care Community VisitGet answers with these essential questions to ask memorycare community staff during your tour to find the best fit for your loved one.Choosing a memory care community for someone you love takestime, preparation, and the right questions. During a tour, you're not justevaluating a building; You're looking at how team members interact withresidents, how daily routines are structured, and whether the community feelssupportive, calm, and respectful. A strong memory care visit checklist can helpyou compare options with more confidence and make this process feel a littlemore manageable.Knowing what to ask during a memory care tour also helpsfamilies focus on what daily life may actually look like. Every community hasits own approach, so thoughtful conversations can reveal which setting feelsmost comfortable for your loved one.1. How Do You Support Daily Routines and Programs?One of the most important questions to ask a memory carecommunity is how residents spend their day. Ask what kinds of programs areoffered, how they are adapted for different cognitive abilities, and whetherresidents can participate at their own pace. Communities that specialize inmemory support often build routines around familiarity, sensory engagement,music, reminiscence, and meaningful moments that help residents feel grounded.You can also ask how team members support personal routinessuch as dressing, grooming, meals, and transitions throughout the day. Listenfor answers that reflect dignity, flexibility, and person-first communication.In some Discovery Senior Living communities, families may also hear about SHINE® Memory Care, a personalized approach designed tosupport engagement, comfort, and daily connection.2. What Safety Features Help Protect Residents?Safety is often at the top of any memory care visitchecklist. Ask how the community balances security with comfort, and how theenvironment is made for residents living with dementia. The best tours willhelp you see how safetyfeatures are part of daily life instead of feeling restrictive.Look for details such as:Secure outdoor spaces for fresh air and movementClear sightlines in common areasGood lighting that reduces confusion and shadowsVisual cues that support easier navigationSystems for monitoring changes in behavior or routineIt's also helpful to ask how the community responds toemergencies, wandering risk, or sudden changes in a resident’s condition. Theseare practical but important choosing memory care questions that can givefamilies peace of mind.3. How Are Care Plans Personalized?No two residents living with dementia have the same needs,preferences, or life experiences. That's why one of the most valuable memorycare selection questions is how the community personalizes support. Ask howcare plans are created, how often they are reviewed, and how families areincluded in the process.You may also want to ask:How do you learn a resident’s background, routines, and preferences?How do you adjust support as needs change?How do you respond to distress, confusion, or changes in behavior?How do you help new residents settle in?Strong answers should show that personalization goes beyondpaperwork. Families should hear how the community gets to know the person, notjust the diagnosis.4. What Training Do Team Members Receive?When evaluating memory care communities, training matters.Ask what dementia-specific education team members complete and how often theyreceive ongoing training. You want to understand whether the community equipsits team with practical communication techniques, redirection strategies, and acompassionate understanding of memory loss.It's also worth asking about consistency. Familiar faces canmake a big difference for residents, so find out whether the same team membersregularly work with the same residents.5. How Do You Involve Families?Family communication can shape the entire experience. Whatto ask during a memory care tour should always include questions about how thecommunity keeps loved ones informed and involved. Ask how oftenupdates are shared, whether families are invited to participate in meetings,and what happens if there is a change in condition or routine.Some good questions include:Are families invited to join meals, events, or celebrations?How are updates communicated?Are there education programs or support resources for families?Who should we contact if we have a concern?If the community values family collaboration, that usuallyshows up clearly in how they answer.6. What's Included in the Monthly Cost?Financial clarity matters just as much as clinical orlifestyle support. Ask for a detailed explanation of what's included in themonthly rate and what may cost extra. This is one of the most practicalquestions to ask a memory care community because it helps families avoidsurprises later.You can ask about apartment size, levels of support,medication assistance, transportation, dining, and any additional fees tied tochanging needs.7. What Makes Your Memory Care Approach Different?This final question often brings everything together. Askwhat makes the community’s memory care philosophy unique and how that approachshapes daily life for residents. This can tell you a lot about whether thecommunity is simply offering supervision or creating thoughtful, meaningfulexperiences for people living with dementia.At Discovery Senior Living communities, families may hearabout features such as chef-prepared dining, engaging daily programs, andsignature offerings like SHINE® and GLOW® Memory Care in select locations.During your visit, pay attention to whether those features are reflected in theatmosphere, the interactions you observe, and the overall sense of warmth andrespect throughout the community. https://discoverycommonsnorthshore.com/resources/budget-for-senior-living-understanding-costs-and-payment How to Budget for Senior Living: Understanding Senior Living Costs & Payment Options Planning a move to senior living is one of the most meaningful financial decisions a family can make. Understanding senior living costs and knowing your senior living payment options makes it easier to create a plan that supports quality of life while protecting long-term financial stability.Monthly fees typically include housing, dining, personalized services, and lifestyle programming that enrich daily life. With thoughtful assisted living financial planning, families can move forward feeling informed and prepared.This guide explains what senior living costs, what is usually included, and how to budget wisely.Breaking Down Monthly Senior Living CostsMost senior living communities bundle services into one predictable monthly payment. This simplifies budgeting and eliminates the stress of managing multiple household bills.Costs vary depending on the level of support provided.Independent LivingIndependent living generally has the lowest monthly rate because residents do not require daily assistance. Fees often include a private apartment home, chef-prepared meals in a dining room setting, housekeeping, maintenance, scheduled transportation, and access to social programs and wellness offerings.Many Discovery Senior Living communities enhance this experience with diverse amenities, beautifully designed common areas, and signature programs that encourage connection and engagement.Assisted LivingAssisted living includes support with daily activities such as medication management, bathing, dressing, and mobility. Monthly rates reflect each resident's personalized service plan, meaning the cost aligns with the level of support provided.At Discovery Senior Living communities, residents benefit from restaurant-style dining, thoughtfully designed wellness programming, and compassionate associates who focus on comfort and dignity.Memory CareMemory care typically represents a higher monthly investment because it includes specialized support, secure environments, and team members trained in dementia care.Discovery Senior Living's SHINE® Memory Care program is Alzheimer's Association-recognized and built on six pillars, including personalized programming, supportive dining experiences, family collaboration, specialized team training, purposeful environmental design, and Montessori-based life engagement. These elements work together to support residents living with dementia in a structured and respectful setting.What Does Senior Living Cost?When looking at senior living costs, it's important to look beyond rent alone. In most communities, the base monthly fee covers:Utilities, basic cable, and internetMaintenance and emergency response systemsMultiple daily meals prepared by professional culinary teamsHousekeeping and laundry servicesTransportation for appointments and outingsA full calendar of social, educational, and cultural programsThe national average cost of senior living is around $5,000 per month. However, bundled pricing can often be more economical than remaining in a private home, where property taxes, repairs, groceries, utilities, and transportation quickly add up. Reviewing a detailed cost breakdown helps families compare value accurately.Additional Expenses to ConsiderAs you explore how to budget for senior living, remember to account for personal and optional expenses. These may include:Salon servicesSpecialty toiletriesGuest mealsPet feesMove-in and community feesSome communities also charge additional monthly fees if care needs increase beyond the original service plan.Planning for these possibilities provides a more complete understanding of total costs and reduces the likelihood of financial surprises.Senior Living Payment Options and Financial ResourcesSeveral senior living payment options can help families manage costs. Funding often comes from a combination of personal savings, retirement income, and outside resources.Common options include long-term care insurance policies, Veterans Aid and Attendance benefits for qualifying individuals, proceeds from selling a primary residence, annuities, pensions, Social Security income, and structured investment withdrawals.Discovery Senior Living communities often provide guidance to help families understand pricing models and explore available resources. Starting the assisted living financial planning process early allows time to evaluate each option carefully and choose a sustainable approach.bBegin by identifying all income sources, including Social Security, pensions, retirement accounts, and investments. Then compare those resources against projected monthly expenses.It can also be helpful to evaluate how current homeownership expenses will change. Costs such as property taxes, maintenance, landscaping, utilities, and groceries may decrease or be eliminated once a move is made.Families often benefit from consulting a financial advisor with experience in senior housing planning. Professional guidance can clarify tax implications, asset protection strategies, and long-term projections.When touring communities, ask detailed questions about pricing structures, annual rate increases, and whether community fees are refundable. If a community offers multiple living options on one campus, it may provide continuity and reduce relocation expenses if needs change over time.Making a Confident Financial DecisionUnderstanding what senior living costs involves more than comparing numbers. It requires evaluating the overall value of housing, services, dining, and daily programming in one predictable monthly structure.With a clear picture of senior living costs and available senior living payment options, families can make informed decisions that support wellbeing and financial responsibility.If you're beginning to explore your options, Senior Living Near Me can help you compare communities and take the next step with confidence.

Niềm An Lạc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBaj8xQtPrY Niềm An Lạc - HT Thông Tạng - 16.08.24

Buông

Kiếp người nặng gánh phong trần Lang thang vô định xác thân ở đời Long đong trôi nổi khắp nơi Đâu là cõi tịnh thảnh thơi đạo thiền? Thân bằng quyến thuộc tùy duyên Sắc không còn mất, chẳng liên lụy mình Đàn ca múa máy linh tinh Khóc cười thế thái nhân tình chán chê Hạ màn, hết đóng tuồng hề Quay vào, ta lại trở về chính ta Tròn đầy bản thể tịch minh Xưa nay vẫn thế mà loay hoay tìm! Tìm chi nữa; ngay ở đây: Thỏng tay "buông" hết những dây ưu phiền Cuối đời quẳng gánh nhẹ tênh Một trong tất cả - thênh thang vô bờ. June 25, 2026 June 23, 2026 (Updated June 24)