There's a bit in the Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy (written in 1979) where the heroes come upon an intergalactic flight has been grounded for thousands of years.
Its automated systems told it not to launch until it was fully stocked up with lemon-soaked paper napkins, for the comfort of its passengers. But the surrounding civilization collapsed, and the napkins never arrived.
Consequently it put all the passengers into hibernation (waking them once every few hundred years for coffee and biscuits) until such time as another civilization might arise, and restock its lemon-soaked paper napkins.
The Guide is a more accurate and prophetic account of modernity than most Very Serious Science Fiction writers could dream of creating.
Ayer sentí la necesidad de sentarme con mis hijos en la cama y hablarles.
Hablarles con cuidado.
Hablarles a su justa medida.
Por primera vez pude decirles dónde estaba su papá.
Pude decirles con certeza que estaba vivo.
Eso, después de tanto tiempo, ya es algo inmenso.
Pero cuando me preguntaron cómo estaba,
ahí tuve que detenerme.
Porque esa respuesta no estaba —ni está— en mi capacidad de dársela.
El daño que le están haciendo a nuestros hijos es inhumano.
Rafael es padre de familia.
Rafael es inocente.
Rafael no ha cometido ningún delito.
Nuestros hijos están creciendo sin la presencia de su papá.
Y no solo lo necesitan de regreso:
lo necesitan sano de mente, de espíritu, física y emocionalmente.
Necesitan a un padre estable, presente, completo.
Los niños no tienen por qué pagar.
Las familias no tenemos por qué pagar consecuencias que no nos corresponden.
Esto no es política.
Esto es un llamado a la dignidad.
Al respeto de los derechos humanos de una familia entera.
Qué rabia me da ver esto, no porque esté ocurriendo, porque es algo positivo, me da rabia porque esto muestra lo fácil que era atraer inversión a Venezuela pero esta gente JAMÁS QUISO ni tuvo la VOLUNTAD para atraerla, que rabia.
Some missions punch harder than others — and this one hit deep. Extracting María Corina Machado (@MariaCorinaYA) from Venezuela was one of the most complex, high-stakes operations I’ve ever been part of — and also one of the most meaningful.
Getting María home to her children after two long years was the only outcome that mattered — and I’m so grateful we made that happen. We tried to get her back in time for the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony, but I guess I lived up to my reputation… always running a little late.
We wanted to make sure she was safe and that security and safety were preserved.
Timing aside, she is exactly where she belongs: safe from the Maduro regime, free of oppression and worse, and with her family. For the first time in two years, with a beautiful @NobelPrize as a symbol of her resolve.
What struck me most wasn’t just the danger or complexity of the mission — although very dangerous — but it was María herself. She’s a mother, a fighter, and a relentless defender of freedom and democracy. Watching her courage, grace, and unwavering resolve throughout this journey reminded me why we do what we do. What we as veterans fight for. She has been an inspirational hero of mine for many years and her fight resonates deeply with everything Grey Bull Rescue stands for.
This mission tested our team in ways few will ever fully understand. I am endlessly grateful to the team at @greybullrescue — their skill, courage, tenacity, audacity, and commitment made it possible to succeed under conditions most people can’t imagine.
María, it was my honor to stand beside you… even though cold and wet. You are my hero!
@realDonaldTrump@WhiteHouse@GovRonDeSantis@marcorubio@JayCollinsFL@LindseyGrahamSC@SenMullin@RepMariaSalazar@RepCarlos@CBSNews
"She's the first Nobel Prize winner that we've ever rescued."
An American private rescue team took 15 to 16 hours to get Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado out of her country and safely on her way to Norway to collect her Nobel Peace Prize, and to be reunited with her family on Wednesday. The secret mission was a land, maritime and aviation operation by the Grey Bull Rescue Foundation, according to a U.S. special forces veteran Bryan Stern, who heads it.
In an exclusive interview with CBS News' @lilialuciano, Stern spoke about the difficult, high-profile mission, which he says he viewed as "saving a freedom fighter's life, a mother's life." https://t.co/Lf6ETG1KJJ