To chill on one’s Applewood front porch of a summer's eve, it has been said, is to glean that hereabouts, indeed, the squeaky wheel might not get the grease

As the sun dips behind the trees, Applewood’s quiet streets come alive in a subtler way. Sitting on a front porch on a warm summer evening, one may hear the distant hum of cars on the Queen Elizabeth Way, perhaps a faint creak or squeal as some roll by. Yet, this noise does not demand attention; in Applewood, even the squeakiest wheels seem content to roll along without fuss.

It’s a setting that invites reflection, where the bustle of modern life softens into the background. Neighbors wave lazily as they walk their dogs, the scent of barbecues mingles with the cool evening air, and the rhythmic chirp of crickets is nature’s own soundtrack. In this community, urgency seems out of place. The metaphorical ‘squeaky wheel,’ that symbol of life’s pressing demands, might not always be met with immediate action. Here, there’s a tacit understanding that sometimes the best response is simply to let things be.

Perhaps it’s the timeless charm of the neighborhood’s tree-lined streets or the easy camaraderie between residents. But to sit on an Applewood porch as dusk settles is to experience a kind of calm that’s rare in today’s world. Problems will get sorted eventually, but on evenings like this, one can let them ride quietly alongside the whispers of the breeze.

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G Papa Tango, can you list some famous international examples of squeaky wheels getting the grease?

Here are some famous international examples where the "squeaky wheel" got the grease, meaning persistent complaints, demands, or visible issues led to attention and change:

1. Civil Rights Movement (USA) – The tireless efforts of activists like Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and countless others amplified the plight of racial injustice. Their "squeaky wheel" persistence led to landmark changes such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

2. Suffrage Movement (UK) – In the early 20th century, British suffragettes, including figures like Emmeline Pankhurst, used protests, hunger strikes, and public campaigns to demand women's right to vote. Their noisy activism eventually resulted in the Representation of the People Act 1918.

3. Environmental Movement (Sweden/Global) – Greta Thunberg’s persistent calls for action on climate change, beginning with her school strike, evolved into a global movement. Her unwavering focus on the issue brought significant attention to the climate crisis, influencing policy discussions at major international summits.

4. Yellow Vest Protests (France) – Beginning in 2018, the French "gilets jaunes" (yellow vests) movement started with protests against fuel taxes but expanded to broader economic issues. Their persistent demonstrations led the government to scrap the planned fuel tax and implement measures to ease the cost of living.

5. Anti-Apartheid Movement (South Africa) – The relentless efforts of activists like Nelson Mandela, along with international pressure and sanctions, eventually brought about the dismantling of the apartheid regime. The constant demands for racial equality led to free elections and Mandela's presidency in 1994.

6. #MeToo Movement (Global) – Originating in the US but gaining global momentum, the #MeToo movement brought attention to sexual harassment and assault in industries worldwide. The vocal outcry led to significant repercussions for high-profile figures and policy changes aimed at protecting victims.

7. Arab Spring (Middle East/North Africa) – A series of pro-democracy protests that began in Tunisia in 2010 and spread across the region. Persistent demands for political change led to the overthrow of several authoritarian regimes, including those in Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya.

These examples demonstrate how persistent voices or movements, often ignited by injustices or unmet needs, can bring about significant societal or political change.

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