As an attackman for SUNY Albany, Lyle Thompson dominated college lacrosse like no player has before, setting Division I records for most career points and assists. He earned the Tewaaraton Trophy for the country’s most outstanding player—twice. Now playing in lacrosse’s indoor and outdoor professional leagues, Thompson is attacking a new target: the Dakota Access Pipeline.
Thompson, a Native American who grew up on the Onondaga Reservation in New York, spoke with New York Daily News this week about the proposed pipeline in North and South Dakota that has prompted an unprecedented level of protest in favor of native land rights.
“It’s just sad to me,” Thompson said. “You take this to another level and look at what America’s about and what exactly is going on there. You’re basically saying you don’t care about the people and you’re doing this for the money.”
The $3.7 billion pipeline, planned by a subsidiary of Texas corporation Energy Transfer Partners, would cut through the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation in North and South Dakota. It has been widely criticized for the environmental threats that potential leaks pose to soil, water in the Missouri River and Lake Oahe, and other sacred sites on the reservation.
In an attempt to stop the pipeline, thousands of people have been camping at the proposed construction site, including members of dozens of native tribes from around the country. The Standing Rock tribe also filed suit in August against the Army Corps of Engineers, the federal agency that issued the environmental permit.
This week, the Army issued a statement saying construction on the disputed land “cannot occur because the Army has not made a final decision on whether to grant an easement,” and determined that additional environmental analysis is needed. In response, Energy Transfer Partners filed a petition with a federal judge asking to continue construction, which President-elect Donald Trump has supported (Trump is an investor in Energy Transfer Partners.)
Thompson, for his part, has started retweeting #NoDAPL tweets to his 15,000 followers to raise awareness. He also has spoken out against the use of controversial sports logos depicting Native Americans in stereotypical and/or insulting manners, including the logos of the Washington Redskins and Cleveland Indians.
In his interview with Daily News, he minced no words about modern dispossession of native land.
“All you’re doing is disrespecting us,” Thompson said.
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.