Youth Advocacy
Youth Advocacy
Year 3, Week 26 (216 total reports)
12.06.2023-17.06.2024
REVIEW and ANNOUNCEMENTS
Advocating for young people as the leading Republican Candidate shows signs of mental decline and increases calls for “Revenge Politics.”
Special Adolescent Care Link of the Week
Why Imperfect Is Better Than Perfect
https://www.inc.com/andrea-olson/why-imperfect-is-better-than-perfect.html
There is an article below this week about the effects of consistent childhood criticism, one of those effects is perfectionism. As an individual suffering from this mental holding cell, I found the above article on Imperfection, well… liberating. I’m slowly beginning to apply it to my daily life, despite my senior years. This article would encourage us to make “imperfection” not only a trait, but also a goal. I’m learning to strive for imperfection especially in tasks I do repetitively. My new goal is, “Passion, not Perfection.” It reminds me that doing things with focus and consistency are far more important than doing things perfectly (or not doing them at all because you can’t do them perfectly). Please consider this before you criticize those around you (especially young people), and please reflect upon this in your own self-talk. Personal wellness cannot occur without conquering this internal demon.
Best Links of The Week
18.06.2024
The Ancient Greek Meaning of the Word “Idiot”
https://greekreporter.com/2024/06/17/word-idiot-ancient-greek/
This article about the origin of the word, “Idiot,” hits two of my favorite hobbies: I love reading about ancient cultures and studying etymology. To understand etymology, the study of Greek and Latin are very helpful, since so many of our concepts come from those languages. Idiot is just such a word. As this article explains, idiocy was not initially applied to people who were just plain “stupid.” It had a deeper meaning relevant to abdicating the privilege of being involved in political life. Ancient Greece was the birthplace of democracy, not the system that we have today, but a forerunner of this system. It is no wonder that many of the writers of the US Constitution had their skills honed on the writings of Greek philosophers and not just their contemporary thinkers like Charles Montesquieu, John Locke, Edward Coke and William Blackstone (Mid 1500’s to Mid 1700’s). The “Classics” were standard faire in all Universities and (for those who could afford it) many private libraries. Debating the ideas of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. These were the “shoulders of giants” from which our US Democracy found its conception. As Republicans seek to defund public education and channel money into private schools, these concepts will not be readily shared. The upcoming US Election will be the most important in US History, please don’t be an “idiot” and sit on the sidelines.
17.06.2024
The First Three Months
This is one of the most important articles I have read this year. In it, Dr. Fauci provides a clinical diagnosis of what happened during the COVID crisis and the role that Trump played in exacerbating it. It also looks at the role of misinformation played by Fox News and their conspiracy machine; in particular, Laura Ingraham, who lies at the heart of the hydroxychloroquine debacle (which Trump suggested we inject along with bleach suppositories). In my mind, Dr. Fauci is the modern day, Galileo, and the Republican party, led by Marjorie Taylor Greene is the modern equivalent of the 17th century (circa 1610) Pope Urban VII. Certainly, that dark age of unquestioned, religious authority is where the GOP would like to lead America today. Please read this article, or better yet, get Fauci’s new book, “On Call.” In it, you’ll find one of the finest minds of this century, as he examines conspiracy theories, civility, and the role of science as it evolves with facts.
16.06.2024
'They're not human beings, they're animals': Trump blasts immigrants for taking jobs
The sole purpose of the Republican party has become to raise fears and increase national divide along religious, class, and racial lines. Playing to that theme, Felon Donald Trump went on another tirade yesterday seeking to dehumanize immigrants. Autocrats and dictators throughout history have learned that if you can dehumanize a group, you can treat them in any manner you desire. Think of Hitler and the Jewish people. It’s exactly the same in Trump’s case. Hitler’s dehumanization of Jews led to the concentration camps that were scattered throughout the land he stole from others. Trump has already said that he would put immigrants, journalists, and politicians (who weren’t loyal to him) into “camps,” while his revenge system (formally the Justice system) prosecutes—and even executes—them. It is all plainly clear in his interviews, speeches, and the words of Project 2025. The only thing that calling others inhuman (animals) proves is that you have sacrificed your humanity yourself.
15.06.2024
CEOs at Trump meeting: Ex-president ‘meandering’ and ‘doesn't know what he's talking about’
https://www.cnbc.com/2024/06/14/ceos-at-trump-meeting-not-impressed.html
The CEO’s discussed in this article were Trump-Leaning voters going in to a fund-raising event with him, but not so much coming out. Unlike the Republican Lackeys who returned the treasonous, molester, to the site of his insurrection and wildly cheered him on at every opportunity, the author of this article said that Trump was never applauded by the CEO’s—even once. Trump meandered without themes and had no plan to back his empty promises. The more Trump speaks, the more people will see how demented, vengeful, and vacuous he is.
14.06.2024
The One Constant
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/06/trump-election-disdain/678662/
While Donald Trump’s rants continue to mark his growing mental instability, yesterday he attacked Milwaukee (the host city where the Republicans are supposed to have their National Convention next month) and told minions that he might plan to lose the first debate to President Biden (just to keep the real President in the race) Atlantic names the one true issue that Trump displays no matter how off-the-rails he becomes: a foundational opposition to democracy itself. The author, Quinta Jurecic, follows this thread throughout Trump’s political life. It’s well worth the read and to be reminded of just how dangerous Trump—and his supporters—are to the American Democratic process.
13.06.2024
Let’s Talk About Trump’s Gibberish
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/06/trump-sharks-las-vegas-rally-speech/678667/
George Conway thinks that Trump has been enjoying positive polling in the press because his criminal trials have largely kept him silent, but now that he is back campaigning, rational people will remember just how dangerous he is. He has been appearing on stage with a man, Charlie Kirk, one of the leading hate-spewers who founded Turning Point USA, who declares that gay people should be stoned to death. Trump is in cognitive decline and the press and others, need to start paying more attention to this man—who can hardly put a whole sentence together—that will have access to the nuclear codes. This man who supports Putin and wants to tear apart NATO. This man who is a convicted felon and sex offender. This man is as dangerous as he is demented.
12.06.2024
Opinion | How long will feckless Joe Biden ignore the grave threat of sharks and electric boats?
https://apple.news/AlYygjVUkRd-GMvLJwxj_ow
Donald Trump lost his teleprompter in Nevada last week, so he riffed. He kept the people in his audience interminably long, and many began to simply walk out. In response, Trump said, “I don’t care about you, I just want your vote.” Is this the first truth Donald has told in months? As well as saying that, he began to talk about Sharks and Electric Boats; ““What would happen if the boat sank from its weight, and you’re in the boat and you have this tremendously powerful battery, and the battery is now underwater and there’s a shark that’s approximately 10 yards over there?” Clearly both presidential candidates are elderly, but only one is showing increasing signs of mental illness. Sean Hannity has already suggested that Trump skip the first debate and wait until he has secured the Republican Nomination. The more Donald Trump speaks without a teleprompter, the more apparent his cognitive decline. Not only is he a convicted sexual predator and felon, he is mentally unstable.
This Week’s Links
18.06.2024
The Ancient Greek Meaning of the Word “Idiot”
https://greekreporter.com/2024/06/17/word-idiot-ancient-greek/
Trump’s Ominous Reaction to Report He Wanted to Execute People
https://newrepublic.com/post/182791/trump-execution-threats
Steve Bannon Exposes Trump’s Chilling Top Revenge List
https://newrepublic.com/post/182797/steve-bannon-exposes-trump-revenge-list
Trump World Seems Worried
https://www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/archive/2024/06/trump-world-seems-worried/678717/
Pastor in Trump's "spiritual advisory" council admits to molesting 12-year-old girl - LGBTQ Nation
'If You Can Keep It': The Objectives of Project 2025 : 1A
https://www.npr.org/2024/06/17/1198911377/1a-06-17-2024
The Oily Truth About This Supreme Court
https://newrepublic.com/article/182809/supreme-court-fossil-fuels-chevron-barrett
What Does Dystopian Film “Civil War” Say About the Current Reality in the US?
Putin Came To Power Because Russian Reformers Of 1990s Focused On Privatizing Economy Rather Than On Creating New Political System – OpEd
10 surprising things you never knew about Pete Buttigieg - LGBTQ Nation
https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2024/06/10-surprising-things-you-never-knew-about-pete-buttigieg/
17.06.2024
The First Three Months
Krugman: Trump’s Mental State Is Visibly Getting Much More Alarming
https://newrepublic.com/article/182784/krugman-trumps-mental-state-visibly-getting-much-alarming
The effort to 'turn this country into a theocratic state' is being mainstreamed by the GOP
Trump World Reportedly Flirts With a Return to Mandatory Military Service
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2024/06/trump-world-mandatory-military-service-washington-post/
Biden campaign calls Trump a "convicted felon" in new ad about former president's legal cases
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/biden-trump-convicted-felon-ad/
New poll finds strong majority opposes gender-affirming care bans for trans minors - LGBTQ Nation
A Christian writer attacked Dolly Parton for being pro-LGBTQ+. It didn't end well for the writer. - LGBTQ Nation
People Who Felt Constantly Criticized as Children Usually Develop These 13 Traits as Adults, Psychologists Say
These apps track your driving habits and sell that information to insurance companies
16.06.2024
'They're not human beings, they're animals': Trump blasts immigrants for taking jobs
Voters must dive into murky legal waters around 'contempt of Congress' fracas
The Overlooked (But Real) Possibility of a Big Democratic Win
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2024/06/biden-campaign-2024-election-senate/678691/
When Are Trump Supporters Complicit?
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/06/when-are-trump-supporters-complicit/678704/
What happens when you give a low-income family $26,000 in their child's first year? We think we've found out
https://phys.org/news/2024-06-income-family-child-year-weve.html
The salary a single person needs to make ends meet in every U.S. state
The 10,000-Hour Rule to Master Any Skill Goes to Waste Without This Key Element
Why Imperfect Is Better Than Perfect
https://www.inc.com/andrea-olson/why-imperfect-is-better-than-perfect.html
15.06.2024
CEOs at Trump meeting: Ex-president ‘meandering’ and ‘doesn't know what he's talking about’
https://www.cnbc.com/2024/06/14/ceos-at-trump-meeting-not-impressed.html
Fauci Exposes Trump’s Unhinged Behavior Amid Covid Crisis
https://newrepublic.com/post/182753/anthony-fauci-trump-behavior-covid-book
These Are The Billionaires Supporting Trump’s Campaign
Texas’ ‘Death Star Bill’ tramples democracy in the name of corporate power
https://therealnews.com/texas-death-star-bill-tramples-democracy-in-the-name-of-corporate-power
Florida has unraveled climate goals for years. DeSantis struck the latest blow.
https://www.politico.com/news/2024/06/15/ron-desantis-florida-climate-change-00163504
Brooks and Dionne on Supreme Court rulings and controversies surrounding the justices
Labor Unions Are Getting Stronger. What Does That Mean for the U.S. Economy?
https://www.cfr.org/in-brief/labor-unions-are-getting-stronger-what-does-mean-us-economy
What the bump stock ban could mean for guns in the U.S.
https://www.npr.org/2024/06/14/nx-s1-5006107/bump-stock-ban-gun-rights-machine-guns
Clarence Thomas and Sam Alito star in "Oh, Clarence!"
https://boingboing.net/2024/06/14/clarence-thomas-and-sam-alito-star-in-oh-clarence.html
US Catholic Bishops formally apologizes for ‘trauma’ inflicted on Native American communities
https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/14/us/catholic-bishops-indigenous-apology-reaj
A study has been following 'gifted' kids for 45 years. Here's what we've learned.
9 Things Not to Say to Someone With ADHD
https://www.wondermind.com/article/not-to-say-to-people-with-adhd/
14.06.2024
The One Constant
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/06/trump-election-disdain/678662/
Fauci Exposes Trump’s Unhinged Behavior Amid Covid Crisis
https://newrepublic.com/post/182753/anthony-fauci-trump-behavior-covid-book
Donald Trump’s Message to Milwaukee
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2024/06/donald-trump-milwaukee/678681/
Donald Trump's Wild New Debate Claim Has People Saying, Hmm OK
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/donald-trump-2024-debate-claim_n_666bea9ee4b0dabf8cf730ae
Pete Buttigieg just read Martha Ann-Alito to filth for her Pride flag rant - Queerty
The bloody history behind the $38 million Chiquita verdict
https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/14/americas/colombia-chiquita-banana-intl-latam
Republicans want a weaponized justice system after all
Universal Basic Income Could Double World's GDP And Slash Emissions
https://www.sciencealert.com/universal-basic-income-could-double-worlds-gdp-and-slash-emissions
13.06.2024
Let’s Talk About Trump’s Gibberish
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/06/trump-sharks-las-vegas-rally-speech/678667/
Trump Rants About Sharks, and Everyone Just Pretends It’s Normal
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2024/06/trump-shark-rant/678666/
Donald Trump shares stage with rightwing activist who's discussing stoning gay people to death - LGBTQ Nation
George Conway Predicts Exactly When, Where And Why Support For Trump Will Start To Drop
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/george-conway-donald-trump-advantage-trial_n_666ab349e4b076909e1d3433
Pete Buttigieg calls out Alitos’ ‘insurrectionist symbology’ after complaint over Pride flags
https://www.advocate.com/politics/pete-buttigieg-responds-alito-flag
‘Vote for Abortion’ Bus Tour and Rally Show the Power of Grassroots Organizing
https://msmagazine.com/2024/06/12/abortion-bus-tour-rally-arizona/
Need to Get People's Attention? Say Their Favorite Word
https://www.inc.com/ryan-oakes/need-to-get-peoples-attention-say-their-favorite-word.html
12.06.2024
Opinion | How long will feckless Joe Biden ignore the grave threat of sharks and electric boats?
https://apple.news/AlYygjVUkRd-GMvLJwxj_ow
Robert Reich: Alito’s Admission – OpEd
https://www.eurasiareview.com/12062024-robert-reich-alitos-admission-oped/
Is Israel Guilty of Perfidy?
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/06/perfidy-israel-free-hostages-hamas/678651/
Federal court permanently blocks Florida's law against trans health care
https://www.advocate.com/news/florida-trans-care-ban-blocked