We wanted to share the following message from our friend, former Oregon state senator and gubernatorial candidate Jason A. Atkinson, who left politics behind so he could make a movie that would change the world. We think that’s pretty cool.
Dear GOOD readers,
Politics follow culture, which is why, five years ago, I set out to put culture first by telling the story of the Klamath River, one of the largest salmon runs emptying into the Pacific Ocean—and home to the longest-running water war in the West.
I wanted to take politics out: Don’t preach to the already converted, don’t play winner/loser gamesmanship—just tell the raw, honest truth. And along the way, encourage Americans to make an emotional connection to what I know to be a very significant place, home to an incredible group of people.
There are four dams in the Klamath River. They hold no water for agriculture—yet they still manage to heavily pollute the waters of one of the most majestic rivers in the United States. To the tribal nations who live there, the devastation of the Klamath bears the same symbolic weight as the Confederate flag does to African Americans in South Carolina. But in the case of the Klamath, no one really knows the story—it’s never been national news.
Even though you might not have ever heard of the Klamath River, it represents the very fiber of American culture. And our feature-length documentary A River Between Us, a cinematic call to action, is about people doing the right thing, for the right reason, under the incredible pressure of generational hatreds, forging a new path based on the best our country has to offer.
Success would result in the biggest-ever river restoration win in the United States—bigger, even, than the Everglades. But it won’t be easy to make that happen. I spent a career in politics trying to get there. 46 groups—including ranchers, farmers, and even Berkshire Hathaway have agreed to a deal. California and Oregon have already set aside money for dam removal. The only problem? Congress won’t let it happen.
So now, I’m reaching out directly to you. Before our film is released next Tuesday, my goal is to raise the Klamath’s national profile as much as humanly and virtually possible. We’re seeking social awareness and social media support in numbers, across the country. We just need a little more help to make this happen, here and now.
I know that when we succeed at spreading the word about what’s going on there, history will be ours to shape. That’s because this river presents an incredible opportunity to President Obama to leave behind an unparalleled conservation legacy, while healing centuries of large-scale, racially driven conflict.
A River Between Us is the lever; the story is the political cover; the groundwork is done. And when the Klamath conflict is demonstrated to the President to be the legitimate, urgent concern I know it be, I believe that he will act. Together, we will change the course of history. I hope you’ll help me make it happen.
Sincerely,
Jason A. Atkinson
Wiman hiding her face behind a bunch of cashCanva
A mansion and its reflection in the swimming poolCanva
Salzburg at nightCanva
Fancy homeCanva
Happy volunteersCanva
Parents of young children get more time with them if they work from home.Photo credit: Canva
Juicy subject matter
Giphy from The Blacklist.
We could start a rumor.
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.