Michael Fanone’s Statement to the American People on The Death of Charlie Kirk

Charlie Kirk is dead. Shot in the middle of a speech at Utah Valley University.

I am not going to sugarcoat it: I have nothing but contempt for Charlie Kirk’s politics. He made a career out of poisoning young minds with grievance, conspiracy, and hate. He profited off division. He defended the indefensible. He celebrated cruelty. I don’t grieve for his ideas, and I won’t sanitize what he represented.

But here’s the thing: violence has no place in American politics. None.

I know what it’s like to be on the business end of political violence.

I felt fists, flagpoles, and tasers on January 6th. I heard men scream that they were going to kill me in the name of Donald Trump.

That day taught me something too many of us are still trying to ignore: once political violence becomes acceptable—once you decide that your enemy isn’t just wrong but expendable—you don’t control where it leads.

If you cheered this shooting because you hated Kirk, you’re no better than the mob that chanted for Mike Pence’s hanging. If you shrug it off because it happened to the other side, you’re part of the same sickness that’s rotting this country.

The truth is, we’re running out of safe spaces for disagreement. Universities, statehouses, even the Capitol itself—each one has been marked by the threat of blood.

Democracy doesn’t survive in that environment. Free speech doesn’t survive. We don’t survive.

Charlie Kirk’s death doesn’t make him a martyr. It doesn’t redeem his politics. But it does mark another line we’ve crossed in this country—a line that should never have been crossed in the first place.

I’ll say it again: violence is not politics. And if we don’t reclaim that principle right now, we’re going to lose the very thing that makes this place worth fighting for.

“Meet some unforgettable people who may well change your life!” - Review of Listen, Listen to My Heart's Song.

Free on Kindle Unlimited

The review follows these introductory satements.

****

 “Meet some unforgettable people who may well change your life!”

“An inspirational book that makes you want to be a better person.” Pikasho Deka 
“This book showcases hope, kindness, and perseverance of human beings.”

"...Listen, Listen to My Heart’s Song is a touching compilation of snippets of life, love, happiness, loss, and the invaluable lessons to be learned as we navigate through life. The author tells the stories of others with wit, charisma, and with great care. Each story is conveyed with clever simplicity, allowing for the fullness of the message to shine through. The reader is encouraged to connect with each story and to reflect upon similar themes in their own lives, providing the right blend of enjoyment of others’ experiences and hearkening back to one’s own. Spanning the country and crossing the globe, we meet people from all walks of life in this book, learning and appreciating pieces of their lives as we go..."

“Listen, Listen to My Heart’s Song” celebrates the lives, and stories, of people I have been fortunate to know, if only for a flash of time. I have been lucky to live in several countries and travel a great deal of the world, meeting a wide range of exciting people willing to share their stories.
An African proverb says that: “When an old man dies, a library burns.”
When I first heard that, I was determined to share some of the stories people gently shared with me.
Read about a priest fighting his challenges as he reaches out to those with AIDS.
Meet Bronka, a survivor of Auschwitz and Buna who inspires all who had the opportunity to meet her.
This book is my thanks to them for their time with me.

Net Profits will be donated to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, The American Cancer Society, the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library, and the Woodland Park Zoo.

"...I appreciate the desire to tell others’ stories in Listen, Listen to My Heart’s Song by M. Barrett Miller. It provides both contributor and reader the chance to connect, albeit virtually and across the distance of time and place, and to enjoy the commonalities of humanity. The way the stories are told sets the tone for the book, making way for a respectful and pleasant look at lives all at once the same and yet very different from our own. The author is clearly well-traveled and well-connected with people he has known, and, in many instances, helped in one way or another. The author’s generous heart for humankind is the driving force behind the amazing content and touching stories. Listen, Listen to My Heart’s Song is the perfect remedy to a bad day, and the ideal pick-me-up when life feels overwhelming. Well done, Mr. Miller."

****

Reader's Favorite Book Reviews & Award Contests

           Reviewed by Natalie Soine for Readers' Favorite

Listen, Listen to My Heart's Song is a book of stories from various

people collected by author M. Barrett Miller, a graduate of Seattle

University and the University of San Francisco

. 

Dealing with a venomous snake, making a “bear away” and learning to sacrifice during challenging times are some of the lessons shared in the stories. 

The stories are educational and inspire people to become more involved with

welfare organizations, projects, and any programs focused on

helping those in need.

Listen, Listen to My Heart's Song is an absolute delight to read, filled with tales of adversity, survival, and courage. 

Author M. Barrett Miller does a fantastic job of capturing each person’s story

and their contributions to society. 

The variety of characters is interesting and easy to relate to, including African Americans,

Native Americans, and many more people from diverse cultures and

backgrounds. 

I especially enjoyed learning about the various charities supported by the sale of this book, i.e. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, The American Cancer Society, the Washington

Talking Book & Braille Library, and the Woodland Park Zoo. 

The book is well-written and a smooth comfortable read – highly

recommended for all adults and children. An inspirational journey that teaches people to follow their dreams and never give up.

****

Appearance: 4

The appearance of a book can make a significant impact on the

experience of a reader, whose enjoyment is often enhanced by an

enticing cover, an intriguing table of contents, interesting chapter

headings, and when possible, eye-catching illustrations.

Plot: 5

The characters of a book should be well defined with strengths and

flaws, and while they do not have to be likable, the reader does

have to be able to form a connection with them. The tone should be

consistent, the theme should be clear, and the plot should be

original or told from a unique perspective. For informative books --

those without plot and characters--this rating refers primarily to

your concept and how well you presented it.Development: 

Development 5

Development refers to how effectively you told your story or

discussed your topic. The dialogue should be realistic, the

descriptions should be vivid, and the material should be concise

and coherent. Organization is also a key factor, especially for

informative books -- those without plot and characters. The order in

which you tell your story or explain your topic and how smoothly it

flows can have a huge impact on the reader's understanding and

enjoyment of the material.

Formatting: 5

Formatting is the single most overlooked area by authors. The way

in which you describe scenes, display dialogue, and shift point of

view can make or break your story. In addition, excessive

grammatical errors and typos can give your book an amateurish

feel and even put off readers completely.

Marketability: 5

Marketability refers to how effectively you wrote your book for your

target audience. Authors may include content that is above or

below the understanding of their target reader, or include concepts,

opinions or language that can accidentally confuse or alienate some

readers. Although by its nature this rating is very subjective, a very

low rating here and poor reviews may indicate an issue with your

book in this area.

Overall Opinion: 5

The overall starred rating takes into account all these elements and

describes the overall reading experience of your reviewer. This is

the official Readers' Favorite review rating for your book.

Tune in for insight into what energetic young people are doing for all of us. ( You Tube link embedded )

 

Hidden Disabilities - Be Open to Everyone, Because Everyone is Fighting Silent Battles We Know Nothing About...

 

Most people picture disability as something visible: a wheelchair rolling down the street, a cane tapping across the sidewalk, or a prosthetic limb. But that is only the surface. Beneath the radar are hidden disabilities, conditions that do not show themselves at first glance yet shape people’s lives just as deeply as visible ones.

Dyslexia. ADHD. Lupus. Fibromyalgia. Depression. Stuttering. Parkinson’s. PTSD. These are the realities that live in silence, often dismissed because you cannot see them. They are the invisible weight people carry while working, learning, and just trying to live with dignity.

And while the rest of the world is quick to say, “You look fine,” the truth is that looks do not tell the story.

---

What Are Hidden Disabilities?

A hidden disability is any physical, neurological, or mental health condition that affects how you live or work but is not obvious from the outside.

Some examples include:

• Learning differences: dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyspraxia

• Neurological conditions: Parkinson’s, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis

• Chronic illnesses: lupus, diabetes, Addison’s disease, Sjögren’s syndrome, fibromyalgia

• Mental health challenges: depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder

• Speech differences: stuttering

What makes them hidden is not that they are small or unimportant. It is that people do not see them unless you speak up. Sometimes not even then.

---

The Double Burden

Living with a hidden disability means carrying two loads. The first is the condition itself: the fatigue, the pain, the meds, the endless appointments, the unpredictability. The second is the burden of being misunderstood.

Teachers may call you lazy. Bosses may think you are unreliable. Friends may brush off your fatigue with “just push through.” That skepticism can hurt more than the condition itself.

The invisibility creates a constant dilemma. Do you explain yourself every time, or do you keep quiet? Do you hide it to avoid pity, or disclose it and risk disbelief? That is the exhausting tightrope people with hidden disabilities walk daily.

---

Famous People Living With Hidden Disabilities

Hidden disabilities do not respect status. They are found in Hollywood, in stadiums, in the White House, and even on stage at sold-out arenas. These figures went public and proved that success and disability can coexist.

Actors and Entertainers

• Daniel Radcliffe – Dyspraxia. Coordination is tough, yet he carried Harry Potter through eight films.

• Whoopi Goldberg – Dyslexia. Labeled “dumb” in school, she became an EGOT winner.

• Keira Knightley – Dyslexia. Learned by listening, turned determination into a career.

• Orlando Bloom – Dyslexia. Found workarounds through acting and memorization.

• Ryan Gosling – Dyslexia. Homeschooling gave him space to learn his own way.

• Cher – Dyslexia. School was rough, music was not.

• Steven Spielberg – Dyslexia. Late diagnosis, early genius.

• Henry Winkler – Dyslexia. Best known as “The Fonz,” Winkler did not get diagnosed until adulthood. He later co-wrote children’s books featuring characters with learning differences.

• Michael J. Fox – Parkinson’s disease. Diagnosed young, went public in 1998, created a foundation that leads in Parkinson’s research.

• Selma Blair – Multiple sclerosis. Revealed her diagnosis in 2018 and became an advocate by showing both her struggles and her strength.

• Howie Mandel – OCD and ADHD. The comedian and judge has lived openly with obsessive-compulsive disorder and attention issues, using humor to fight stigma.

• Emilia Clarke – Brain aneurysm aftermath. Clarke survived two aneurysms and has spoken about memory and language struggles afterward, hidden challenges for an actor.

• Bella Hadid – Chronic Lyme disease. Lives with fatigue, brain fog, and pain from long-term Lyme, often invisible but disabling.

• Jessie J – Wolf-Parkinson-White Syndrome. A heart condition causing irregular rhythms. She also suffered a minor stroke but continues to perform.

• Morgan Freeman – Fibromyalgia. Developed after a car accident. Manages chronic pain not visible to audiences.

Musicians

• Justin Timberlake – OCD and ADHD. Routines and music helped him balance both.

• Solange Knowles – ADHD. Once thought it was just energy, now embraces it.

• Adam Levine – ADHD. Spokesperson for living with ADHD as an adult.

• Chris Martin (Coldplay) – Tinnitus. Constant ringing in his ears, turned it into advocacy.

• Selena Gomez – Lupus. Faced exhaustion, chronic pain, and a kidney transplant, yet continues to create.

• Lady Gaga – Fibromyalgia. Chronic pain, made public in her documentary Five Foot Two.

• Demi Lovato – Bipolar disorder. Speaks openly about stigma and advocates for mental health.

• Nick Jonas – Type 1 diabetes. Diagnosed at 13, he manages his music and acting career while carefully controlling his blood sugar.

Writers, Thinkers, and Innovators

• Agatha Christie – Dysgraphia. Dictated her books because handwriting was a struggle.

• Richard Branson – Dyslexia. Built the Virgin empire by focusing on vision instead of detail.

• Elon Musk – Autism spectrum (Asperger’s). Revealed during a Saturday Night Live appearance. He has said that being on the spectrum shapes how he approaches problem-solving, fueling his work at Tesla and SpaceX.

• Anderson Cooper – Dyslexia. Fought through school struggles, now one of the most trusted journalists.

Athletes

• Simone Biles – ADHD. Refused to hide her diagnosis and kept winning gold.

• Michael Phelps – ADHD. Swimming gave him focus and turned restlessness into discipline.

• Magic Johnson – HIV. More than 30 years after his diagnosis, still thriving and leading.

• Venus Williams – Sjögren’s syndrome. Battles fatigue but continues to compete.

Public Figures and Media

• President John F. Kennedy – Addison’s disease. Rare adrenal disorder, hidden during his presidency.

• President Joe Biden – Stutter. Practiced speeches in the mirror, now leads the country.

• Prince Harry – Anxiety and PTSD. His openness has encouraged others to talk about trauma.

• Robin Williams – Depression and Lewy body dementia. His hidden struggles showed how even joy can mask deep pain.

• Stephanie Ruhle – Dyslexia. The MSNBC anchor overcame reading challenges to build a successful career in finance and journalism.

• Wendy Williams – Graves’ disease. An autoimmune condition that causes fatigue, anxiety, and brain fog.

• Gina Rodriguez – Hashimoto’s disease. A thyroid disorder that causes exhaustion and cognitive fog, which she has spoken about.

• Sarah Hyland – Kidney dysplasia. Born with malformed kidneys and has undergone multiple transplants while continuing to act.

---

By the Numbers: Hidden Disabilities Around the World

Sometimes the clearest way to see the scope of hidden disabilities is through the numbers. Behind every statistic is a person living with a condition that others may never notice.

Learning Differences

• Dyslexia: affects about 1 in 10 people worldwide, up to 80 percent of people with learning disabilities in the U.S.

• Dysgraphia: estimates suggest 5 to 20 percent of students struggle with it.

• Dyspraxia: about 5 to 6 percent of children, many carrying it into adulthood.

Neurological Conditions

• Parkinson’s disease: more than 10 million people worldwide, 90,000 new U.S. cases each year.

• Multiple sclerosis: 2.9 million worldwide, women nearly three times more affected than men.

• Epilepsy: 50 million worldwide, with seizures that are not always visible.

Chronic Illnesses

• Lupus: 5 million people worldwide, 90 percent are women.

• Fibromyalgia: 2 to 4 percent of the global population, mostly women.

• Diabetes: 422 million worldwide, requires daily management though often invisible.

• Addison’s disease: rare, about 1 in 100,000 people.

• Sjögren’s syndrome: 4 million Americans, 90 percent women.

• Graves’ disease: about 1 in 200 people in the U.S., more common in women.

• Hashimoto’s disease: affects about 5 percent of the U.S. population.

• Kidney dysplasia: occurs in about 1 in 4,000 births.

Mental Health and Speech

• ADHD: affects 8 to 10 percent of children and about 4 percent of adults.

• OCD: around 2 percent of the global population will experience it.

• Bipolar disorder: 2.8 percent of U.S. adults each year.

• PTSD: 5 percent of U.S. adults in a given year, higher among veterans.

• Depression: 280 million people worldwide, leading cause of disability.

• Anxiety disorders: 300 million worldwide, the most common mental health condition.

• Stuttering: 1 percent of the global population, millions live with it lifelong.

HIV

• 39 million people worldwide live with HIV today. With treatment, it is a manageable chronic condition, but stigma remains.

---

Everyday People with Hidden Disabilities

It is easy to look at celebrities and politicians, but hidden disabilities live next door too. Think about the cashier who takes breaks more often than others because of diabetes. The student who reads slower because words scramble on the page. The parent who cancels plans at the last minute because lupus has drained every ounce of energy. The veteran who jumps at loud noises because of PTSD.

They do not get magazine covers. They get judgment, raised eyebrows, or whispered comments. They hear “lazy,” “dramatic,” or “making excuses.” Yet they keep showing up.

---

What Society Gets Wrong

The world often divides disability into visible and invisible. The visible is treated as legitimate, while the invisible is treated as suspicious. That mindset is dangerous.

Employers ask for “proof” before making accommodations. Schools delay testing because “the child looks fine.” Doctors dismiss symptoms as stress or attention seeking. Even friends and family doubt what they cannot see.

This disbelief compounds the disability. It creates isolation, guilt, and in many cases, shame. Hidden disabilities are real whether people choose to believe in them or not.

---

Why This Matters

This list is not trivia. It is proof. Hidden disabilities do not block success, but stigma and disbelief often do. Radcliffe and Gosling turned dyslexia into motivation. Michael J. Fox turned Parkinson’s into a global mission. Lady Gaga turned fibromyalgia into a rallying cry. Elon Musk turned his autism spectrum diagnosis into innovation.

For every celebrity who goes public, there are millions who live in silence, facing school systems that do not accommodate and jobs that refuse to adjust. That gap between recognition and reality is the true injustice.

---

My Take

The biggest myth is that if you cannot see it, it must not be real. But dyslexia is not laziness. ADHD is not irresponsibility. A stutter is not incompetence. Lupus is not “just being tired.” Parkinson’s is not weakness. Chronic pain is not dramatics. Autism is not a lack of ability.

Invisibility can cut both ways. It saves you from pity but forces you to constantly prove your reality. That takes a toll.

I have seen how quickly people rush to dismiss hidden disabilities. The same people who hold the door open for a wheelchair user might laugh off someone who admits they live with bipolar disorder. Until that changes, we will never achieve true equality.

---

Where We Go From Here

Hidden disabilities are everywhere: in classrooms, offices, stadiums, and even the Oval Office. The next time someone shares their story, do not say “But you look fine.” A better response is “How can I support you?”

That shift, from doubt to understanding, is how we build a society where hidden does not mean ignored.

---

Editor’s Note

This subject is not just theory for me. I was born with cerebral palsy and use a wheelchair every day. Some people notice my disability the second I roll into a room. What they do not see are the hidden parts: the muscle spasms that flare up without warning, the exhaustion that hits after a simple outing, or the constant fight to find reliable care.

That is why I write about disability the way I do. Whether visible or invisible, every disability is real. We should not have to prove it over and over.

— Daniel Carvajal

You Want Some Action? How About Taking on the SAS!!

Free on Kindle Unlimited

 Stefano

5 out of 5 Stars

Fast paced and gripping

Reviewed in Italy on 1 September 2025

“This book hooked me right from the start. It’s a tense, action packed thriller with a storyline that feels both unique and unpredictable. The mix of terrorism in Northern Ireland, intrigue around the Royal Family, and the shadowy role of the SAS kept me turning the pages late into the night.

The characters are engaging and the suspense never lets up: you’re always wondering who you can trust and what’s coming next. By the end, I was left wanting more. If you enjoy fast-paced thrillers with political twists and high stakes, this one’s definitely worth picking up.”

http://tiny.cc/faas001

The World No Longer Takes Trump Seriously

 

In a half dozen months, 47 has done more to hurt America than any country has been able to do for generations. 

                                                                ****

Tom Nichols is a staff writer at The Atlantic and a contributor to the Atlantic Daily newsletter.

"The leaders of Russia, China, and North Korea are not good men. They preside over brutal autocracies replete with secret police and prison camps. But they are, nevertheless, serious men, and they know an unserious man when they see one. For nearly a decade, they have taken Donald Trump’s measure, and they have clearly reached a conclusion: The president of the United States is not worthy of their respect.

Wednesday’s military parade in Beijing is the most recent evidence that the world’s authoritarians consider Trump a lightweight. Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and North Korea’s maximum nepo baby, Kim Jong Un, gathered to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II. (Putin’s Belarusian satrap, Alexander Lukashenko, was also on hand.) The American president was not invited: After all, what role did the United States play in defeating Japan and liberating Eurasia? Instead, Trump, much like America itself, was left to watch from the sidelines.

But the parade was worse than a mere snub. Putin, Xi, and Kim stood in solidarity while reviewing China’s military might only weeks after Putin came to Alaska and refused Trump’s pleas to end Russia’s war against Ukraine. The White House tried to spin that ill-advised summit into at least a draw between Putin and Trump, but when the Kremlin’s dictator shows up with no interest in negotiation, speaks first at a press conference, and then caps the day by declining a carefully planned lunch and flying home, that’s a humiliation, not an exchange of views.

Nor has Trump fared very well with the other two members of this cheery 21st-century incarnation of SPECTRE. In the midst of Trumpian chaos, Xi is adroitly positioning China as the new face of international stability and responsibility. He has even made a show of offering partnership to China’s rival and former enemy India: Chinese diplomats last month said that China stands with India against the American “bully” when Trump was, for some reason, trying to impose 50 percent tariffs on India.

Likewise, the North Koreans, after playing to Trump’s ego and his ignorance of international affairs during meetings in the president’s first term, have continued their march to a nuclear arsenal that within years could grow to be larger than the United Kingdom’s. Trump was certain that he could negotiate with Kim, but the perfumed days of “love letters” between Trump and Kim are long over. Pyongyang’s leadership seems to know that it costs them little to humor Trump politely, but that they should reserve serious discussion for the leaders of serious countries.

Trump responded to his exclusion from the gala in Beijing by acting exactly like the third-tier leader that Xi, Putin, and Kim seem to think he is. As the event was taking place, Trump took to his social-media site—of course—to express his hurt feelings with a cringe-inducing attempt at a zinger. “May President Xi and the wonderful people of China have a great and lasting day of celebration. Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong Un, as you conspire against The United States of America.”

Now, the reality is that Russia, China, and North Korea are conspiring against America, but it is beneath both the dignity and the power of an American president to whine about it. Trump continued his unseemly carping with a demand that China recognize the valor of the Americans who died in the Pacific:

The big question to be answered is whether or not President Xi of China will mention the massive amount of support and 'blood' that The United States of America gave to China in order to help it to secure its FREEDOM from a very unfriendly foreign invader. Many Americans died in China’s quest for Victory and Glory. I hope that they are rightfully Honored and Remembered for their Bravery and Sacrifice!

This message does not exactly project confidence and leadership; instead, it sounds like the grousing of a man beset by insecurities. A more self-assured commander in chief would have ignored the parade and, if asked about it, would have said something to the effect that the United States has always respected the sacrifices of our allies in World War II. But not Trump: He petulantly declared that he would not have attended even if the cool kids had invited him.

Authoritarians are unfortunately in good company in treating Trump as an incompetent leader. Even America’s allies have recognized that Trump may be their formal partner, but that they mostly get things done with the American president by soothing his ego and working around him. After Trump emerged from the summit in Anchorage essentially parroting Putin’s talking points, seven top European leaders rushed to Washington to tell Trump that he had done well and that they truly, really respected him, but that perhaps he should hold off on being a co-signer of Kremlin policy.

Trump’s damage to American power and prestige would be less severe if the president had a foreign policy and a team to execute it. He has neither: Trump ran for president mostly for personal reasons, including to stay out of prison, and his foreign policy, such as it is, is merely an extension of his personal interests. He holds summits, issues social-media pronouncements, and engages in photo ops mostly, it seems, either to burnish his claim to a Nobel Prize or to change the news cycle when issues such as the economy (or the Jeffrey Epstein files) get too much traction.

Worse, Trump is no longer surrounded by people who care about foreign affairs or can competently step in and create consistent policy. In his first term, Trump had a secretary of defense, James Mattis, who helped to create a national-defense strategy, a document that Trump might have ignored but was at least promulgated to a national-security establishment that needed direction from someone, somewhere. Now, at the Pentagon, Trump has Pete Hegseth, who shows little apparent inclination or ability to think about complexities.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio was supposed to be one of the new “adults in the room,” but he has instead become a man in a Velcro suit, with the president sticking jobs and responsibilities onto him without any further guidance. He has been reduced to sitting glumly in White House press sprays with foreign leaders while Trump embarrasses himself and his guests. Meanwhile, the director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, is spending her time trying to root out the spies she thinks hate the president. Unfortunately, the agents she’s hunting are Americans, which must bring a smile to Xi’s face and perhaps even produce a belly laugh from former KGB officer Putin.

America is adrift. It has no coherent foreign policy, no team of senior professionals managing its national defense and diplomacy, and a president who has little interest in the world beyond what it can offer him. Little wonder that the men who gathered in Beijing—three autocrats whose nations are collectively pointing many hundreds of nuclear weapons at the United States—feel free to act as if they don’t even think twice about Trump or the country he leads."