Youth Advocacy
Youth Advocacy
Year 3, Week 24 (214 total reports)
05.06.2023-11.06.2024
REVIEW and ANNOUNCEMENTS
Advocating for young people as Republican Theocrats seek to control reproductive rights and women’s bodies.
Special Adolescent Care Link of the Week
Bill Gates calls this book a 'must read'—here are its top 3 takeaways
https://www.cnbc.com/2024/06/05/bill-gates-david-brooks-book-must-read-top-takeaways.html
This excellent book by one of my favorite authors, David Brooks, speaks about Illuminators and Diminishers. The three prominent themes are: Curiosity, Empathy, and Self-Awareness. Use this book as a staff read and create a blueprint about how you can increase your Illuminator quotient and pass those traits on to those around you. My wife and I are thoroughly enjoying this book on Audio, Brooks is not only insightful, but he has an engaging wit and narrates the book himself.
Best Links of The Week
11.06.2024
59 Years Ago SCOTUS Guaranteed Access to Birth Control. Now, That and Much More Is Under Threat.
SCOTUS (the Supreme Court of Trump-US) is blatantly pushing a White, Christian, Nationalist Agenda and not even trying to hide it any longer. Alito’s flagrant support of January 6, the Proud Boys, Donald Trump, and Fascism are only exceeded in unethical behavior by Clarence Thomas’ hiding of bribes that amount to millions of dollars. Part of the Racist, Theocratic, Nationalist agenda is relegating females to property and owning/dictating their reproductive freedom. This could not be clearer in actions they are already taking and actions they have promised to take if their cult leader, Convicted Felon and Sexual Predator, Donald Trump, comes to power again. It is time to resoundingly throw out the misogynist racists in this government and rebuild the House and Supreme Court. This is not a question of what will happen, women ARE suffering because of decisions the far right is making; even against public opinion. VOTE THEM OUT! Remember ROEvember.
10.06.2024
Universal basic income can double global GDP while combatting climate change
Universal Basic Income (UBI) has proven itself to be a successful economic policy in many places where it has been implemented. This article points out that it is a “Trickle-Up Policy” and not only good for the economy, but also for combatting climate change. A couple weeks ago, I wrote about a Republican economic policy dating back to the Civil War called Mudsilling. The concept revolves around forming a permanent underclass by underfunding public education and social programs so that the rich and corporations always have a population of low income workers available to them. UBI does the exact opposite. It would recognize the value of people who are caregivers, who are underemployed, or want to continue their education but are unable to afford the cost. Today, as a former president and frontrunner candidate for the Republican party has his first meeting with his probation officer, it is an important time to examine the effectiveness or such Republican fallacies as Trickle Down Economics, Citizens United, and tax cuts to both the wealthy and corporations.
09.06.2024
Republicans want to control women so much they voted against protecting contraception
What is behind this devious and historic compulsion of Republicans to control women’s bodies? What drives their fear? In countries that are rampant with misogyny, one central component looms: Religious indoctrination. Jewish, Muslim, Christian; religions steeped in monotheism with a bias towards a male-God, all seem absorbed with controlling women as if they were the property of men. The result, repeated cyclically throughout history, is creating laws and norms that make women less-than-human with a fear-based desire to control them.
08.06.2024
Republicans Say Access to Birth Control Is Protected. They’re Lying.
https://msmagazine.com/2024/06/07/republicans-birth-control/
The Republicans let slip their true colors this week and—suffice it to say—they are not a rainbow of hues. They want to control women’s bodies from conception (child marriage) to birth. Then, they want nothing to do with the child, until the female child reaches child-bearing years. It’s ugly, but as Ms. Magazine points out, it’s true, despite endless attempts to disguise their motives. Ms. takes a historical perspective on how the Republican party has been trying to control women from conception to birth for decades—it is nothing new. This is their “Handmaids Tale” playbook.
07.06.2024
Carl Sagan's future 'celebration of ignorance' prediction from 1995 was spookily spot on
Carl Sagan brought science and a passion for research to millions of people in the early 80’s. I can remember watching Cosmos and being intrigued not only about his scientific revelations, but also his insights into human consciousness. This excerpt from an article he wrote in 1995, warns about the dangers of not only television, but also pre-dates and predicts many of the issues we face with our spiraling attention spans. Sagan and Canadian philosopher, Marshall McLuhan, as well as important futurists like Margaret Atwood, E.F. Schumacher, and Alvin Toffler, brought us important wisdom worth recollecting. As the US faces a significant threat of becoming a Theocracy, we need to pay attention to such critical warnings. Another futurist whose words have only become more focused and true over time is George Orwell. In my links below, there is an article about the significance of Orwell’s book, 1984, as frighteningly relevant now, in 2024, and it is well worth the short read. I particularly like the phrase, “Make Orwell Fiction Again.” A hat with this on it would match my hat that says, “Make Lying Wrong Again.”.
06.06.2024
Be afraid: MAGA wants a Christian theocracy
https://www.washingtonblade.com/2024/06/05/opinion-maga-wants-christian-theocracy/
The vote against contraception rights by Republicans proves they want to take over reproductive rights for all US Citizens. One thing the vote did with clarity is force these fascists into the open. Take a look at who wants to take over your bodies and tell you what to do with them. This will only become worse if Trump gets a second term and is able to appoint more minions to SCOTUS (Supreme Court of Trump-US). Those who believe in religious freedom and bodily autonomy need to win by a landslide. Make this coming election an undeniable mandate for human rights and religious freedom.
05.06.2024
Why is the "Right to Contraception Act" considered necessary?
Without a doubt, the biggest threat to democracy has become a right-wing group of Christian theocrats trying to use loopholes in the constitution to force their beliefs upon others. This is not new in the history of religion. What is the issue with religious fanatics that their faith is so insecure they can’t allow for any non-believers? Freedom of any right (guns or religion) comes with a responsibility of upholding those rights for others. The responsibility of those wanting gun rights is to make sure others are protected from their irresponsible (or illegal) use. No one should be more fanatic about gun safety than gun owners. The responsibility of a religious liberty is to make sure that others are free to worship as they choose (or not worship at all). No one should be more fanatic about the freedom to worship (or not) than religious believers. As the congress in Louisiana seeks to make Mifepristone and Misoprostol into “dangerous drugs” and Zombie Comstock acts are brought back to life in states like Arizona, the right to bodily autonomy—and even the right to a woman’s emergency medical care or right to travel in the US—is being challenged across that country. This is only a Christian version of Sharia Law and should be revealed for the antidemocratic fascism it is. Protecting contraceptive choices would ensure federally what was never codified under Roe v Wade. If this bill comes before congress, it will make sure to reveal the true character of those seeking to undermine contraceptive choice in the US.
This Week’s Links
11.06.2024
59 Years Ago SCOTUS Guaranteed Access to Birth Control. Now, That and Much More Is Under Threat.
Once a Convict
Trump Is Lying to the U.S. Military
https://www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/archive/2024/06/trump-is-lying-to-the-us-military/678649/
What America Owes the Planet
The U.N. Security Council endorses U.S. cease-fire plan to end the war in Gaza
https://www.npr.org/2024/06/10/nx-s1-5000819/israel-hamas-war-un-security-council-cease-fire-gaza
Canada’s Big Worry: A US Civil War
https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2024/06/11/canada-us-civil-war-00162521
Do We Ever Fully Heal From Trauma?
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/invisible-bruises/202403/do-we-ever-fully-heal-from-trauma
Why Being Comfortable with Silence Is a Superpower
10.06.2024
Universal basic income can double global GDP while combatting climate change
America’s Loneliness Has a Concrete Explanation
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/06/dining-rooms-us-homes-apartments/678633/
The U.S. Economy Is Absolutely Fantastic
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/06/us-economy-excellent/678630/
Charted: the uneven landscape of abortion laws
https://www.axios.com/2024/06/09/map-uneven-abortion-laws-states-2024
Trump probation interview set for Monday after hush money conviction
Marjorie Taylor Greene Compares Trump To Jesus And All Hell Breaks Loose
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/marjorie-taylor-greene-trump-jesus_n_6666a19ce4b02fc48bf3c5f0
Biden visits a military cemetery that Trump reportedly said was 'filled with losers'
https://www.npr.org/2024/06/05/nx-s1-4993699/biden-trump-aisne-marne-cemetery-losers-suckers
Trump Is a Misogynist’s Ideal Feminist
https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-is-a-misogynists-ideal-feminist
Republican governor candidate says abortions are for women who can’t ‘keep your skirt down’
https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/06/10/lt-gov-mark-robinson-abortion/
High School Teacher Stresses Her Impatience With The 'Learned Helplessness' Of Her Students — 'I Didn't Think It Could Get Any Worse'
https://www.yourtango.com/self/high-school-teacher-stresses-impatience-learned-helplessness-students
09.06.2024
Republicans want to control women so much they voted against protecting contraception
The Right’s Truly Incredible Argument for Weakening Consumer Safety
Sextortion warning: In 6 hours, my son was dead
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2llzppyx05o
The amygdala: A small part of your brain’s biggest abilities
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/24894-amygdala
Short eye-opening video shows the world through the eyes of a kid with autism
https://www.upworthy.com/see-what-a-kid-with-autism-sees-for-90-eye-opening-seconds-rp3
08.06.2024
Republicans Say Access to Birth Control Is Protected. They’re Lying.
https://msmagazine.com/2024/06/07/republicans-birth-control/
Tom Hanks shades Vladimir Putin at D-Day memorial: 'Funny how often it comes out of the ego of one human being'
https://ew.com/tom-hanks-shades-vladimir-putin-at-d-day-memorial-8660437
Biden in Normandy delivers a wake-up call address to Americans
https://www.politico.com/news/2024/06/07/biden-normandy-d-day-speech-00162288
Charles Schulz's 1970 letter to a schoolchild describes the fake patriotism of today's MAGA movement
Why Politics Get Nasty
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-emotional-toolkit/202406/why-politics-get-nasty
Wow! I Wonder Why So Many People Have Offered Clarence Thomas Such Expensive Gifts!
https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/a61042201/clarence-thomas-gifts-worth-millions/
The Deepfake Crisis That Didn’t Happen
Trump’s Bizarre Moments With Dr. Phil and Hannity Should Alarm Us All
https://newrepublic.com/article/182480/trump-dr-phil-hannity-bizarre-moments-alarm
3 Ways to Master the Art of Constructive Disagreement
Bill Gates-backed startup creates Lego-like brick that can store air pollution for centuries: 'A milestone for affordably removing carbon dioxide from the air'
https://www.thecooldown.com/green-tech/carbon-capture-plant-based-bricks-bill-gates/
Every Parent's Biggest Regret
Why Leaders Who Are Mentored Outperform Those Who Aren’t
07.06.2024
Carl Sagan's future 'celebration of ignorance' prediction from 1995 was spookily spot on
What Does George Orwell's '1984' Mean in 2024?
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/what-does-george-orwells-1984-mean-in-2024-180984468/
Trump Warns He Has “Every Right” to Attack His Enemies
https://newrepublic.com/post/182351/trump-promises-retribution-enemies-violence
Jim Jordan and Matt Gaetz Put on a Clown Show in the United States Congress—Again
https://apple.news/A8x-nYnsiTH-h8P6OtYhSgQ
Report Exposes Christian Nationalist “Threats” to Democracy in the US
https://truthout.org/articles/report-exposes-christian-nationalist-threats-to-democracy-in-the-u-s/
Trump: "If you don't have heaven, what's the reason? Why do I have to be good?"
A Bad Week for Backers of the Big Lie
Clarence Thomas Is Hiding Even More Money Than We Knew
https://newrepublic.com/post/182386/supreme-court-clarence-thomas-hiding-money
How Ronan Farrow's reporting on Weinstein led to the criminal case against Trump
https://www.npr.org/2024/06/06/g-s1-3170/ronan-farrow-me-too-trump-weinstein-catch-and-kill
Sarah Huckabee Sanders' extreme "anti-woke" agenda was just dealt another blow by a judge. Happy Pride! - Queerty
Christian families sue for the right to mistreat LGBTQ+ foster children - LGBTQ Nation
Professor and Entrepreneur Scott Galloway on Why Young Men Are Struggling, Education System Is ‘Biased Against Boys'
https://www.mensjournal.com/news/scott-galloway-biased-education-system-chris-wallace-max
Do Students Need Facts or Stories?
https://www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/archive/2024/06/do-students-need-facts-or-stories/678614/
A school assignment asked for 3 benefits of slavery. This kid gave the only good answer.
06.06.2024
Be afraid: MAGA wants a Christian theocracy
https://www.washingtonblade.com/2024/06/05/opinion-maga-wants-christian-theocracy/
Republicans Proudly Declare They’re Against Making Contraception a Federal Right
Fact check: Trump falsely claims he didn’t call to lock up Hillary Clinton
https://edition.cnn.com/2024/06/02/politics/fact-check-trump-false-claim-lock-up-hillary-clinton/
CNN asks Tom Hanks if he is worried about another Trump presidency. Hear his response
https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/06/world/video/tom-hanks-d-day-saving-private-ryan-trump-digvid
A different kind of youth activist: Meet the high schoolers who invented a microplastics solution
Bill Gates calls this book a 'must read'—here are its top 3 takeaways
https://www.cnbc.com/2024/06/05/bill-gates-david-brooks-book-must-read-top-takeaways.html
05.06.2024
Why is the "Right to Contraception Act" considered necessary?
The Real Reason for Louisiana’s New Mifepristone Law
https://newrepublic.com/article/182248/louisiana-mifepristone-misoprostol-controlled-substance
Multiple Trump Witnesses Have Received Significant Financial Benefits From His Businesses, Campaign
https://apple.news/AiZIsuUE9Tny1-2mj6vyFjg
The GOP’s Single-Message Machine
https://www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/archive/2024/06/the-gops-single-message-machine/678591/
Alarming Report Warns Of ‘Greatest Threat To American Democracy You’ve Never Heard Of’
'It's very possible': Trump floats imprisoning his political opponents
Donald Trump's 'Nonsensical' Jab At Rising Sea Levels Is Hit By Wave Of Mockery
Striking New Polls on Trump Verdict Wreck One of MAGA’s Dumbest Scams
A Second Coming?
https://www.cfr.org/blog/second-coming
ACEs Affect Nearly Two-Thirds Of Americans — So Why Aren’t We Talking About It?
https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/adverse-childhood-experiences-aces-toxic-stress