Day: August 5, 2024

On a seemingly ordinary day in July, a horrifying scene unfolded in Malibu Creek Canyon, California. Hikers stumbled upon a heart-wrenching sight: a German shepherd named Argon, his mouth and neck tightly bound with zip ties. The gentle giant, once a symbol of strength and loyalty, was reduced to a helpless victim of cruelty. Rescuers swiftly intervened, freeing Argon from his tormentor and providing immediate medical attention. Dog Found Zip-Tied in Calif. Canyon Diagnosed with Cancer After Rescue in ‘Cruel Blow’ A second chance at life The German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County (GSROC) heard about Argon’s plight and immediately offered their help. Moved by the dog’s suffering, they took him in, providing a safe haven and expert care. However, their initial examination revealed a shocking discovery: Argon had lymphoma. This new challenge added another layer of complexity to his already harrowing ordeal. A second chance at life A fight for survival Despite the grim diagnosis, GSROC remained steadfast in their commitment to Argon. A comprehensive treatment plan was devised, including chemotherapy. The rescue team understood the gravity of the situation and the potential toll the treatment would take on Argon’s already fragile state. Their primary focus was on ensuring… CONTINUE READING…

In a somewhat rare public appearance for the both of them, former First Lady Melania Trump and Barron Trump, the 18-year-old son of former President and likely 2024 GOP candidate Donald Trump, were caught on tape walking through Mar-a-Lago, headed to Easter brunch in the opulent home and club. Barron’s towering height and Melania’s radiant beauty captured the attention of the internet. The video of the two shows the 6-foot, 7-inch tall Barron towering over his mother, who at nearly six feet tall is far from short himself. The two were dressed in their Sunday best and were headed through the estate to meet the rest of the family for the Easter festivities. That was presumably the same brunch at which the former president was photographed alongside his grandkids, with the internet noting his apparent weight loss. Comments about Barron and Melania particularly came in response to a post on X (formerly Twitter) from the New York Post in which that outlet included pictures of the two walking through Mar-al-Lago in their Sunday best and said, “6-foot-7 Barron Trump towers over mom Melania in rare appearance with The Donald.” Replying to that post, people said things like “Wow. Mrs. Trump is gorgeous” and “He’s throwin that thumbs… CONTINUE READING…

Famous self-defense icon Kyle Rittenhouse recently reversed course on comments he made stating he would not be voting for former President Donald Trump in light of his record on the Second Amendment.  However, Rittenhouse eventually reversed course on his commitment to write in Ron Paul, claiming that he is now all-in for Trump. Just hours after his controversial anti-Trump statement was uploaded to social media, Rittenhouse gave an update on his prior remarks.  He claimed that after speaking with Trump’s team, he was confident that Trump would defend the Second Amendment.  Rittenhouse further claimed that his critical comments were “ill-informed” and “unproductive,” while emphasizing that he is “100% behind Donald Trump.” “Over the past 12 hours, I’ve had a series of productive conversations with members of the Trump’s team and I am confident he will be the strong ally gun owners need to defend our Second Amendment rights. My comments made last night were ill-informed and unproductive. I’m 100% behind Donald Trump and encourage every gun owner to join me in helping send him back to the White House,” he followed up after his critical comments. Rittenhouse said in his original statement, “Hi, I’m Kyle Ritterhouse, outreach director for Texas Gun Rights…. CONTINUE READING…

Along a Roman road flanked with beech trees hides a tale of wizardry and xenophobia.   In the 1700s, an outbreak of smallpox occurred in the small town of Wilton by Salisbury. The locals were confused as to the origin of the outbreak until they remembered the Hansel sisters of Denmark. The four sisters were accused of witchcraft and without fair trial they were brutally murdered in the woods and buried separately so they couldn’t plot against the villagers again. According to local lore, four beech trees miraculously appeared over their graves . Currently only three out of four still stand. Nowadays people visit the beech trees and leave trinkets as offerings to the sisters. One tree is particularly well decorated while some of the others are only surrounded by logs.  Know Before You Go To find the tree enter Grovely Woods via The Hollows (cul de sac), follow the footpath up until you reach a fork of two footpaths, when you reach this point take the path on the right to reach the Roman road. Walk along this road and look to the left, about a quarter of the way along the road you will see the witches trees. 

Few diseases have had a greater impact on the history of human civilization than smallpox. The bubonic plague certainly wins for its baroque presentation. Malaria and HIV are concurrent with our times and thus feel more real. But smallpox takes the contamination cake. It has been around for more than 3,000 years in all parts of the world. Before the vaccine was discovered in 1796, more than 400,000 people a year died from smallpox in Europe alone. According to the World Health Organization, smallpox killed one in ten children in Sweden and France and one in seven in Russia. The disease killed Louis XV of France and other European monarchs. Queen Elizabeth I had the disease as a child and wore heavy make-up to conceal her pockmarks. In the French and Indian Wars, blankets containing smallpox were purposefully given to Delaware Amerindians, in an early instance of biological warfare. Through extensive worldwide vaccination efforts, the disease was eradicated in 1979 – the only disease to be completely eradicated through human intervention. By the end of the 1800s, efforts were made in Western Europe and the United States to eradicate the disease by universal vaccination. But before that time, many cities built… CONTINUE READING…

Second chances: A heartwarming tale of rescue and love The world of animal rescue is a complex mix of emotions. On one hand, there’s the overwhelming sadness that comes with witnessing the plight of abandoned and neglected animals. On the other, there’s the immense relief and joy of seeing a rescued  dog finally find a safe and loving home. This story perfectly captures this duality, following the journey of Gregory, a beagle who received a second chance at life thanks to the kindness of strangers. Second chances: A heartwarming tale of rescue and love From almost euthanized to sanctuary salvation Gregory’s story, like many others, began on a bleak note. He faced the harsh reality of being surrendered by his owners due to expensive medical needs – heartworm disease in this case. This situation is tragically common, with countless  dogs being euthanized because their medical conditions become a financial burden for their owners. However, fate intervened for Gregory in the form of Joe Kirk and his wife Schenley, the dedicated couple behind Hound Rescue and Animal Sanctuary in Findlay, Ohio. Hound Rescue is a beacon of hope for animals in need. Their mission focuses on finding new homes for neglected dogs and providing foster… CONTINUE READING…

Normally, we at The American Tribune are able to stay up to date on Biden’s embarrassing physical incidents, from his collapsing at the Air Force Academy to his various falls and trips on the Air Force One stairs. However, there was one good one from 2023 that we missed: Biden banging his head on Marine One hours after he fell over at the Air Force Academy graduation. As background, on June 1 of 2023, President Biden tripped and fell when turning to exit the stage after the commencement address. Stumbling, he fell forward onto his hands and right side. He then had to be helped up back onto his feet by a number of attendants on stage: two Secret Service agents and an Airman, with another Secret Service agent hovering in the background. When the slip occurred, the previously enthusiastic, if not jovial, crowd took in a collective, silent breath and stared, stunned at the President when he fell and struggled to get back on his feet. White House communications director Ben LaBolt tried to explain Biden’s fall on Twitter, saying, “There was a sandbag on stage while he was shaking hands.” Watch the awkward fall here: Another commenter on Benny’s post argued that… CONTINUE READING…

Perched majestically atop the rugged cliffs at the northern edge of the Mizen Peninsula, Dunlough Castle, also known as Three Castle Head, commands a striking view over the vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean in southwestern Ireland. Founded in 1207 by Donagh O’Mahony, it is one of Ireland’s oldest fortresses, showcasing the enduring legacy of Norman architecture and dry stone masonry. The history of the castle is rich. When the first Norman settlers arrived in Ireland in 1169, the O’Mahonys, though in decline, still held considerable power as the princes of Eóganacht Raithlind, stretching from Cork westward to Mizen Head. Their influence waned rapidly with the encroachment of the MacCarthy dynasty from Tipperary in the early 12th century, diminishing even more as the Normans established control over southern Ireland. Despite their rivalry and alliances with groups like the McCarthys and O’Briens, the O’Mahonys found themselves outmatched by the Normans who followed King Henry II’s initial invasion. In 1177, King Henry II of England bestowed “the kingdom of Cork” upon Cambro-Norman knights Robert Fitz-Stephen and Milo de Cogan. De Cogan, allocated lands in west Cork, embarked on a westward expansion towards the Atlantic, displacing local families from central Cork. In response, the O’Mahony… CONTINUE READING…

Among the rolling green fields of Dorset, England, lies a set of terraced, ascending circles known as the Badbury Rings. The raised land isn’t the site of some strange space landing, but the product of an Iron Age hill fort, earning the status of scheduled ancient monument. For centuries, the Badbury Rings were held on private land and withheld from archaeological investigation. In 1982, the National Trust took over ownership of the estate. A decade later, the Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England began inspections of the site. They found 28 potential hut sites within the ramparts, showing signs of civilization within the rings. They also dated virtually all the unearthed pottery to the late Iron Age. It is believed that the innermost ring may date back to as early as 500 B.C. Various tribes are said to have lived within the protected hill fort before Roman arrival. By the end of the Late Iron Age, the fort is thought to have been depopulated and speculated to have migrated to nearby towns like Vindocladia.  By the 5th to 6th century, the fort was revived by Bokerley Dyke to keep Saxons out of Dorset. Some historians speculate that Badbury Rings may have also been the site… CONTINUE READING…