Opinions
Biden must be more direct when talking to young people
Educate them about futility of third-party candidates
President Biden is doing a great job. But reality is, some young people are wavering in their support. I suggest when talking to young people, the president be more direct. What prompted me to write this was reading what some Morehouse College students are saying. Here is a suggested short speech.
āI want you to know how honored I am for the opportunity to speak with you today. I will speak from my heart, and be very direct. I know you have disagreements with me. Some of you may even think I am actually too old to be president. But I am a candidate for reelection, because I believe I can still make a difference. I know you are very smart. You know only two candidates running have a chance to win. The next president will be either Donald Trump or me.
You must figure out what issues are the most important to you. Then determine which one of us will be better for your future. Do the research on all the issues you care about. Recognize, no candidate is perfect, surely, I am not, but then no person is. I know many of you care about issues including climate change, student debt relief, womenās rights, LGBTQ rights, and civil rights. Issues like how the United States deals with the Israel/Hamas war, inflation, voting rights, abortion. Donald Trump and I disagree on how to handle each of those issues. We have vastly different views of the world. I believe the United States has a responsibility to lead. Our military, and our economy, are both the strongest in the world. We cannot hide, as he likes to say, behind the slogan āAmerica First.ā We cannot close our eyes, and our borders, and pretend what happens in the rest of the world doesnāt impact us.
I believe we must deal with the Iran-China-Russia axis. We must support Ukraine and continue sending weapons to help them win. If they do, we can keep our young men and women off the battlefield. Remember, we arenāt sending money, but weapons, which are made here, providing high-paying jobs to our own citizens. Some of you have issues with how I have dealt with the Israel/Hamas war. While I support Israel, I do hear you, and will do everything I can to move toward a free Palestinian state. Trump will not. He even moved the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, to make that point. I am pushing Israel to change its tactics, to protect the innocent women and children, in Gaza. We must do that.
I know many of you want more progress on student debt forgiveness, on fighting climate change, protecting a womanās right to control her own healthcare and body, and equality for the LGBTQ community. You want to see an end to the structural racism in our country. You must know by my actions that I share those goals with you. I also share the feeling all this is not happening fast enough. But you are all smart. You know our government was formed with a system of checks and balances; three branches of government ā legislative, judicial, and executive. While I may want to wave a magic wand to make these things happen, no one can. However, I commit to you, I will fight for them every day.
Some of you may be thinking, āThird-Partyā candidate. I ask you to remember, no third-party candidate has won since 1856, and our structure of the two-party system tells you one cannot win in 2024. In fact, for 36 years, none has ended up winning more than 5% of the vote. Then remember a few facts about Trump. He was found liable for sexual abuse. He has shown by words and actions, he is a racist, sexist, homophobe, who is also a climate change denier. He opposes student debt relief. He also tried to stage a coup after losing the last election.
Again, like it or not, itās either me or him. And again, while you may think I am too old, remember, he is my age. If you intend to vote for Trump, that is of course your choice. But if you donāt want him, and his MAGA cult, controlling your future, your choices are to stay home, vote for a third-party candidate, or vote for me. Two of those choices will help elect Donald Trump. So, I ask respectfully, after you do the research, that you give me your vote. Again, I am not perfect, but I will never stop working to make your, and your familyās, life better. I will always work for a more just, and safer world, for all of us.
Opinions
Fathers should speak to kids about drugs, alcohol
Highlight dangers of illicit substances, how to manage peer pressure
What does it take to be a good father? While there are many answers, it generally involves showing up daily, playing an essential role in their life, being there for them, and loving them unconditionally.
Fathers are there to provide abundant love and support. Most fathers know the sacrifice it takes to ensure their children are loved and cared for. A father is always there for their kids, offering guidance, support, and education. The greatest joy for any father is seeing their children thrive, do well in life, and be healthy.
However, things can get derailed in life, and teens and young adults take risks, such as experimenting with drugs or alcohol. Fathers have a responsibility to speak to their kids about drugs and alcohol and help them understand the risks and consequences.
Data has shown that more than half of LGBTQ youth used alcohol in the last year, and more than one in three LGBTQ youth used marijuana in the previous year. Approximately 11% of LGBTQ youth reported regular use (defined as daily or weekly use) of both alcohol and marijuana.
Illegal drugs today are more readily available than ever before. According to the DEA, drug traffickers have turned smartphones into a one-stop shop to market, sell, buy, and deliver deadly fake prescription pills and other drugs. Amid this ever-changing age of social media influence, kids, teens, and young adults are easily influenced. Ā
Drug traffickers advertise on social media platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook. The posts are promptly posted and removed with code words and emojis used to market and sell illicit drugs. Unfortunately, digital media provides an increased opportunity for both marketing and social transmission of risk products and behaviors.
Fathers are responsible for protecting and preparing our children for the world. Drug education is essential. Take the time to speak to your kids about the dangers of illicit substances, how to avoid and manage peer pressure, and what to look for. Be prepared to share personal experiences and help them understand that some choices have consequences.
However, it can be challenging to see our kids struggle with things in life, and as fathers, we can also face our own difficulties, making it more difficult to help our children. The responsibility of raising children can be a lot; there are many challenges along the way, and the pressure of being a good influence can get the best of us.
All of this makes it vital not to ignore our mental health; children, especially younger kids, mimic what they see. How we cope with frustration, anger, sadness, or isolation impacts our children in several ways.
Our actions have consequences. Children see how we handle every situation, and while no father is perfect, we must be conscious of the fact they are impressionable when they are young. They look up to us, mimic our actions, and see when we are doing well in life mentally.
The key for fathers caring for children is to take the time to care for themselves. However, if you are struggling, contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Taking care of your mental health is the same as taking care of your physical health; it is an integral part of your well-being and contributes to you being the best father you can be.
Nickolaus Hayes is a healthcare professional in the field of substance use and addiction recovery and is part of the editorial team at DRS. His primary focus is spreading awareness by educating individuals on the topics surrounding substance use.
Opinions
In debate, Biden must stay on offense
President needs more lines like āI am running against a 6-year-oldā
On June 27, President Joe Biden will debate the man he has called a six-year-old. A great line, and he needs a few more like that. Unless there is a clear stumble by either candidate, we know what they will say. Trump will call Biden āsleepy Joe,ā among other names. But the reality is, people are used to it. They are not as used to Biden returning the favor. And Biden, aside from referring to Trump as a convicted felon, needs some lines that will make headlines the next day. Something with a little humor in it, but still making a strong point.
Trump is scary. The recent column in the Washington Post on how Russ Vought, the former presidentās budget director, is laying the groundwork for a broad expansion of presidential powers, is truly frightening. Now if it were me, I would be able to use my usual litany of words when referring to Trump: racist, sexist, misogynist, homophobic pig, found liable for sexual assault, and convicted felon. I may even go as far as suggesting society replace the word felon with āTrump.ā People at trials could be convicted of 34 āTrumps.ā But Biden canāt really use that. Maybe Biden can do something like look him in the eye and say, āYou canāt really believe all the BS you keep spouting!ā Then add, āThe world is a complicated place, and even most six-year-olds seem to have a better understanding and grasp of it than you do.ā
Then there is the focus on the very serious part of the debate. The discussion of issues including the economy, abortion, contraception, and foreign policy. Reminding people, it was Trump who killed the immigration bill in Congress, telling energy billionaires if they raise him a billion dollars, in essence bribe him, they can ādrill baby drill.ā The president needs to speak to African Americans, Latinos, women, and the young. He needs to tell each of those groups what will happen if the six-year-old he is running against, were to become president again.
Then he needs to look directly into the camera and say to the audience at home, āIt isnāt only Trump you need to fear, it is the people he will surround himself with. His sycophants and cult, who will let him get revenge on anyone who says a word against him.ā You can count on the fact it will be much worse than the last time around when he tried to stage a coup, because no decent person will work for him.
The first debate will take place 18 weeks before the Nov. 5 election. So much can change between then and the election. Remember when we talked about an October surprise? In todayās world there could be July, August, and September surprises as well. Between now and election day we will be treated to an overload of polling, most of it wrong. We will read hundreds of headlines, many of them clickbait. If you watch TV you will get to listen to hundreds of talking heads, many knowing no more than you. The difference being, they are being paid to spout off on the election, giving not facts, but their opinions.
It seems every four years we hear this could be the most important, the most crucial, election of our lifetime. Well, this time those who say it just may be telling the truth. One candidate, convicted of 34 āTrumps,ā is telling you he will be a dictator, and using Hitlerās words. He has the likes of Russ Voight advising him, and openly says he will seek revenge. Nothing could be more frightening. He is telling the young he doesnāt care about climate change, and telling the poor their programs will be cut because he will cut taxes for the rich.
He calls our soldiers, those who sacrificed their lives and died in wars, āsuckers and losers.ā He called John McCain āa war hero because he was captured,ā saying, āI like people who werenāt captured.ā This frightening, sick man, with the world view of a warped six-year-old, will lead the United States if we arenāt willing to stand up to him, and his MAGA cult. Yes, I am afraid! And you should be too! If you are a woman, a minority, a member of the LGBTQ community, or just poor, be scared, be very afraid! If Trump and his cult win, you will lose what little you think you now have.
Peter Rosenstein is a longtime LGBTQ rights and Democratic Party activist. He writes regularly for the Blade.
Opinions
Why you should celebrate pride with a musical about GenderCannibalism?
Rose: You Are What You Eat, through June 23 at Woolly Mammoth.
Because when I came out as trans my aunt told me it was because I ate my twin in the wombā¦and thatās what the show is about
Becauseā¦remember that time when you decided to dress like exactly like your older sister; or you stole your mothersā makeup or your brotherās tie; or you decided to dress up like Katherine Hepburn for halloween when you were (i dunno) 10; or you started to look eerily like your loverā¦..thatās all gender cannibalism
āBecause because because because becauseā¦.ā because if you know that song this was made for youā¦and if you donātā¦itās okay, weāll work on it
Because you can probably find a cute date at the show irl instead of just swiping in your phoneā¦think of theater as an in person dating app without as much drunkenness as the bar
Because maybe that cute date is me
Because you can sing along to music written by a bunch of queers from Philly and D.C.
Because we are all so hungry and so so thirsty
Because I guarantee you will leave feeling fed
Because cannibalism puns are tasty
Because itās a comedy
Because there are pay-what-you-can tickets
Because it plays all of June
Because we are consuming gender all the time but rarely watching what and how we eat it
Because itās an anti-assimilationist endeavor: the corporations canāt co-opt āgender cannibalismā for pride month (but there is merchandise available at the showā¦)
Because itās only 75 minutes
Because I dance around in tighty whities with socks on my hands
Because there is a free clothing swap and treats in the gallery next to the show
Because why not?
Because you will be cast as my Mother, and thatās the role of a lifetime (or at least my lifetime)
Because you wonāt know what will happen; you canāt pause or rewind the show; you will be taking a risk; you will find itās more than just entertainment; you will feel me talking right to you
Because Iāve been writing this show for 34 years and am finally ready to share it with you
Because Iāll be in the lobby afterwards to say hi, and receive hugs, stories, and phone numbers
Because I made this piece for you, my dear deviants, trans folx, genderful ones and for the people that care for us. It is a good laugh and a good cry and meant as a gift, a way to end your day feeling loved, nourished and worthy
Because donāt you want to be nourished and reminded that you are loved and worthy?
And frankly because art needs you to survive and you need art to thrive
Because I took the time to write this letter to you and you took the time to read it, and neither you nor I want to waste that investment
Because you wonāt want to miss it
Get tickets to Rose: You Are What You Eat, playing through June 23rd.
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