Youth Advocacy
Youth Advocacy
Year 4, Week 04 (246 total reports)
26.02.20245-04.03.2025
REVIEW and ANNOUNCEMENTS
Dr. Jerry Goebel, MBA, D.Min.
There is no other way to label this administration than the “Enemy Within.” Project 2025, Elon Musk, and President 47 are committed to destroying democracy in the United States and doing as much damage as possible abroad.
https://www.communitiesoftrust-jerrygoebel.com/youthadvocacy
NEW FEATURE: Visual Stories!
Visual Stories is my YouTube account, which shares presentations based on original music and designed to inspire parents, foster parents, educators, and youth workers. You can find it by going to YouTube and searching for “Jerry Goebel.” Please subscribe while you’re there. This week’s feature is “Chaos and Smokescreens,” about the two primary goals of this administration.
Top Links of the Week
04.03.2025
Linda McMahon has been confirmed as Trump's secretary of education
When administrators are appointed by cultic politicos, that’s not education, that’s indoctrination. McMahon has limited experience in education, no knowledge of educational theory, or curriculum development. What does she have? Fealty to her masters; President 47, Project 2025, and Elon Musk. What does that mean for the rest of us who truly advocate for the education of children? Prepare to resist. Education is about to become blatant indoctrination; into religious myths instead of science, whitewashed history (and I emphasize the “White”), adoration of the GOP leader, President 47, and pro-Russian propaganda. Our children will not learn real history, they will learn fundamental Christian theology that supports the principles of MAGA. I’m including a link to a new tongue-in-cheek song of mine with this post; “Indoctrination, not Education. Prepare to organize small group communities for helping your children learn the principles and a curriculum that will help them thrive in the world that is not MAGA-brainwashed.
03.03.2025
There's really only one way to refer to Trump now. "The Enemy Within"
Someone with no less stature than Susan Rice, former National Security Advisor and UN Ambassador, tells us that we have reached “Code Red” with this administration’s dealings with foreign governments, that this administration needs to be labeled as “The Enemy Within.” Our only hope, according to Rice, is to use this label constantly and widely. Broadcast it from the mountaintops and in all of your social media posts. Our nation is being dismantled and sold to the highest bidder from within. What can you do today to issue a “Code Red” warning to the people you know?
02.03.2025
Trumpism Isn’t Working
This article points out in very direct terms how the administration of 47, bolstered up by Putin, Musk, and Project 2025, is flailing and likely to get worse. All signs are pointing to a floundering economy, a deeply divided administration, and a drowning geo-political strategy. Those of us who did NOT vote for this felon/rapist to become President cannot afford to just say, “I told you so,” and turn away. We must use our voices and our talents to resist the further inept actions of this sophomoric administration. We must be prepared to resist long-term with economic boycotts or supporting demonstrations whenever possible. Keep informed and keep resisting.
01.03.2025
It Was an Ambush
Never has the office of the president been so disgraced as yesterday, when a democratically elected leader of a country struggling for its freedom against an authoritarian regime (Russia) was yelled at and lied to by two miscreants who hold the office of President and Vice-President. The only one who can be proud of yesterday’s meeting is Vladimir Putin. 47 was his mouthpiece and serviced the dictator well. It was sickening to watch and will, undoubtedly, serve to continue turning the rest of the free world (the sane world) against the US and this administration. Can this goodwill ever be recovered? Probably not. Europe and other allies like Canada and Mexico are better served remembering it was the vote of the American people (and the choice of others to stay home) that put these buffoons in office. Many are already making new alliances that don’t include the US, and abroad—where 60-year-old USAID has been crippled—China is stepping in to replace our dysfunctional absence. To those who elected this abhorrent creature to office, to Musk, and to Putin, you got what you paid for…
28.02.2025
1 thing that upended years of U.S. foreign policy — and other big Trump developments
President 47 is beholden (owned) by numerous donors, not the least of whom are Elon Musk and Vladimir Putin. They paid for the media machine that elected him, and they have expectations. Those expectations are becoming clearer that this despicable, rapist/felon is in office. It was clear before the election that 47 was neither energetic nor intelligent enough to create the flurry of actions his administration is enacting. He is little more than a bought-and-paid-for pawn of foreign interests. Those interests are becoming even clearer as 47 operates as a stooge for Putin on a global stage and a stooge for Musk on the national stage. The actions of this administration are undermining the government internally and the US/NATO internationally. Even some Republicans are beginning to grumble about the depths of deceit and the President is now displaying. It matters little; they caved into him; he is their plant now. They can’t run away from the toddler/monster they have empowered. Today is Economic Blackout Day (Feb. 28) in the United States. I truly hope that people will vote with their pocketbooks, realizing how little their votes have mattered. Hopefully, you also read the article below about “The Rhythm of Resistance.” We’re in this for the long term, but it is working. Perhaps today’s blackout will reveal the local power even more. Hang in there…
27.02.2025
The Rhythm Of Resistance: How Can I Play A Part In This Movement?
The resistance is working, but it’s going to be a long haul. A favorite and primary tactic of the administrations of 45 and now 47 has been to break the law and wait for the public (and the courts) to catch up. As MLK said, "The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” This article does a good job of teaching how to resist long-term. It reminds us about the importance of self-care and relationships that will prevent our burnout and foster our energy for the “arc of the moral universe” to catch up to the immorality and illegality of the Putin/Musk, Project 2025, 47 administration. It was in their design plan (according to Stephen Bannon) to throw so much at the press and public that people would not be able to keep up. That is exactly what they are doing. Creating Chaos and Smokescreens is a highlight of this administration. They will continue this strategy in the hopes that the press, the law, and the public can’t keep up. This strategy obviously worked well in getting 47 reelected. But, it too, is not a long-term strategy and the cracks are already showing at the seams of this administration. They don’t have the capacity to lead, only to rule. They are Rulers, not Leaders. Let’s make sure our strategy is long-term and not one that will burn out in a couple of months.
26.02.2025
The Adolescent Style in American Politics
This article by Paul Spella in The Atlantic truly spells out who adores President 47 and his rulership elite: People stuck in their adolescence. People who still think that getting front-row seats at UFC fights, having a yacht, and a third wife are prime examples of the lifestyles of the rich and famous. People who see themselves as being privy to that lifestyle someday without realizing that the exclusive 0.01% will put up all barriers possible for them to make it there. These people may spend like they are tycoons, but they are living on debt or the edge of bankruptcy—if not financially, then morally. They want to return to the days pictured in the misogynist television series about pseudo-wealth, Madmen. This article can be summed up in Spella’s statement, “at his core, Trump is an adolescent president, surrounded by adolescent flunkies, cheered into office by adolescent men.” Level-headed people do not vote for a convicted felon and rapist to lead them. Mature people have no desire to gain a fortune through the manipulation of others. Breaking the law (or pushing it to its ethical edge) is not the way they want to get ahead. Mature people want steady leadership, they want people who honor their allies, whose personal values are not up for sale to the rich and powerful. Mature people see through the smokescreens and chaos of a liar bent on solely making himself richer. If it perplexes you that this type of person is now President of the United States, if you wonder why anyone would vote for an administration so obviously driven by greed, misogyny, and racism, then you probably did not vote for 47 and do not support what the GOP has become under him. If this is not the type of government that you want to pass on to your children, do not feel you are alone. Resistance is on the rise, and you can be an active part. Join the boycotts, support the demonstrations, lend your voice. Raise an alternative vision. Because this administration is an adolescent administration, it is driven by the adolescent motivations of immediate gratification and continual self-pleasure. It is not destined to lead; it can only rule. Rulership is not sustainable; controlling people by bullying is not sustainable. The costs of such behavior are already showing up as cracks in this administration. Resist; don’t succumb. Hold on to your mature beliefs and keep your eye on the real agenda of Project 2025 and the puppet president, undermining democracy in the United States of America.
