A Stangled Poet

Soleimani was Iran’s top military official and the second most powerful person in the country

People comparing this to drone strikes on people suspected of terrorism are missing this very important point. This was not a drone strike on a terrorist group. This was assassinating a high-level official from another country.

Trump had him assassinated without Congressional authorization. According to Pelosi, Congress wasn’t even notified. We found out about the attack when it was announced last night on Iraqi television.

Lindsay Graham is now saying he knew about the plan 2 days ago. This means he is either lying to make it seem less like Trump did this out of nowhere, or Trump is selectively briefing members of Congress who he’s friendly with.

The official justification for this assassination was Soleimani was “actively planning” an attack on Americans. Those of you who remember the lead up to the Iraq war may recognize this “preemptive strike” language.

Whether or not Soleimani was an “enemy” isn’t important. Putin is an enemy. North Korea threatens everyone. But there’s a reason we don’t just assassinate officials from other countries, even if they demonstrably don’t like us, and that’s because it can start a war

You might notice that those other examples I used have dangerous weapons of their own. That’s what is material here. Trump, in his zeal for destroying Obama’s legacy, threw out the Iran Nuclear Agreement. That agreement was a big deal because it brought Iran to the negotiating table for the first time in years. Now? Never again. But also, this is terrible for anyone who sincerely believes in the goal of global nuclear disarmament, because it’s essentially confirming that unless your country has the firepower to reasonably threaten others, there is no guarantee of safety, because the US won’t even hold to its own agreements. What incentive then is there to not build weapons of your own?

This act is just the latest bit of bizarre foreign policy decisions by the Trump administration. The Kurds helped us in the fight with Syria, and we betrayed them. Trump gives North Korea everything, including a public appearance with a US President, and they continue to threaten everyone with their missiles. Iran has an agreement with us, and we throw it away and kill their top general.

Level 17

Level 35

“Vestibular sense provides information about where the body is in relation to its surroundings. This is the sense that helps you understand balance, and it connects with all the other senses.

When the vestibular system does not develop properly all other senses will struggle to function properly. Without a strong vestibular sense, kids will have no choice but to fidget, get frustrated, experience more falls and aggression, get too close to people when talking, and struggle with focusing and listening. Because they literally cannot help it.”

“Here are a few ways to support your child’s vestibular sense:

Spinning in circles.

Using a Merry-Go-Round.

Rolling down a hill.

Spinning on a swing.

Going upside down.

Climbing trees.

Rocking.

Jumping rope.

Summersaults or cartwheels.

Using monkey bars.

Skating.

Going backwards.

Swimming.

Dancing.

Wheel-barrel walks.”

Yeeting kids, spinning them, flipping them upside down, tossing them in the air, and otherwise disrupting their balance temporarily, is Important For Their Development, specifically for their vestibular sense.

We all seek proprioceptive input, leaning against walls, pushing against the steering wheel when driving, giving your body a squeeze to wake yourself up, the list goes on! When we ‘crash’ kids into soft things like pillows or beds, we’re waking their bodies up AND calming their bodies down! In other words, getting them into this super nice zone of “just right” regulation. 

When I see a child who is bouncing off the walls and can’t seem to stand still for more than a few seconds? I start wrestling with them, crashing them into pillows, giving their body the right amount of input they need to feel good and organised. And suddenly, this kid is able to sit and play attentively or do their handwriting practice. It’s amazing! If you want to know more about why the vestibular and proprioceptive systems are awesome at making your body feel good, google those two words (and sensory processing) and read through some occupational therapy websites! 

Side note: As adults, does your body ever feel jittering/jiggly/wiggly/like it needs to move or calm down but you just can’t figure out why? That’s your sensory system saying Hey! I need to feel differently in order to function better! Here’s what you can do:

Jump up and down (vestibular and proprioception)

Give yourself big squeezes (proprioception)

Place your hands on a wall and do push ups (proprioception)

Do cartwheels (vestibular and proprioception)

Get someone to give you the biggest bear hug for at least 10 seconds (proprioception and social connection, also proven to help regulate your sensory system into just right zone!)

Get a drink of water and drink it through a straw OR blow bubbles into the water (way more fun!) (oral motor input and respiration)

Have a shower or a bath (tactile)

Stretch and do exercise (vestibular and proprioception)

Eat something crunchy or chewy (like chips or gum) (oral motor input)

Listen to some music that suits your mood (auditory)

etc etc etc! I’m sure you already have a strategy that your body has figured out works for you. I personally like to chew gum when I feel like i need to eat something but I’m not actually hungry and just need that chewing sensation in my jaw.