My grandfather was a Republican whose word was sealed by a handshake and honored fully.
One of his three sons is a Republican, the other two were union workers and Democrat.
That one Republcan's son has one son steeped in the gun culture with a MAGA son. You see the progression here.
What horrified me was the 4th generation MAGA supporter...during the previous election cycle his sons were wearing T t-shirts to school! The youngest one was about 3rd grade. What's normal for those 3 young people?
I can remember as a child reading a Life magazine story about student protests in France, probably about the war with Algeria and the atrocities committed. I was horrified. Then a few pages later there was a report about what US students were doing--seeing how many could fit into a telephone booth.
I can remember thinking how BACKWARD American students were about what really mattered. And I opposed Vietnam from the get-go. And never thought any of the wars that followed were "normal" even as they raged forever based on lies.
I also remember the JFK campaign (my first time driving without an adult was to go to a rally for him). The big issue that dominated the news was the fact that he was Catholic, and wouldn't that make America be controlled by the Pope? My family was half catholic, and even thought the Catholic half was Republican, I thought this was dumb. JFK was an AMERICAN and American presidents didn't let themselves be controlled by foreigners. That's when I learned to really focus on the First Amendment.
For me, normal was looking at controversies and doing my best to understand them. And because it was the Cold War, we all learned in school about propaganda techniques and how to recognize them. Nowadays some schools are REQUIRED to teach right wing propaganda.
It terrifies me that for those kids, "normal" has changed so drastically. How many will think authoritarianism is the only way to "quell" chaos?? Certainly a lot of their elders do, who should know better and don't have the excuse of growing up when chaos was "normal."
My 22 year old son had said he wanted nothing to do with POLITICS since it only divides and has people only caring about rooting for sides. I wrote my sons a long text the other day saying much of what you discussed. Unfortunately my text won't open so they haven't been able to read it. I'll share your piece and add a few of my own because I came to similar realization as you.
I shared I care about politics not for a party to win versus another. Instead I care about politics because I want issues and problems solved by all our levels of government. I want democracy to reign with everyone having an opportunity to succeed and their voice to heard. That laws and how governments operate affect all of us in so many ways from the quality of what we eat and drink to the air we breathe to whether we can afford shelter, what we do in our jobs, who we marry and the right for appropriate healthcare. I shared that without Title IX Kaitlyn Clark wouldn't be known and the women's championship game wouldn't have been the most watched college basketball game.
To my son I'm only a Democratic party voter since he doesn't remember Republicans I might have voted for. He only knows Fox News and how it's changed his grandparents outlook to life as they are now. He doesn't remember grandparents with very different viewpoints nor living so fearfully.
I want them to realize that candidates winning doesn't mean they get everything they want but rather officials with different viewpoints work to solve issues and compromises happen and work happens. I want them to have elected officials who work to help all their constituents not just those who voted them into office.
I look forward to sharing your piece with my sons, plus my words. Thank you for writing so eloquently, plus all the work you do.
David, Excellent post and I couldn’t agree more with what you, Molly, and most importantly that then 20 year old student state. As the parent of three adult age children, now all in their thirties, I’d suggest setting the threshold age to those born in 1990 and thereafter. Essentially anyone that has grown up since age seven in the age of nonstop internet barrage. Which makes me add yet another reason to doubt the benefits of AI.
What a powerful post this morning, David. Definitely restacking and talking it up with friends. Thank you and Molly.
Thoughtful insight...
My grandfather was a Republican whose word was sealed by a handshake and honored fully.
One of his three sons is a Republican, the other two were union workers and Democrat.
That one Republcan's son has one son steeped in the gun culture with a MAGA son. You see the progression here.
What horrified me was the 4th generation MAGA supporter...during the previous election cycle his sons were wearing T t-shirts to school! The youngest one was about 3rd grade. What's normal for those 3 young people?
Scary.
I can remember as a child reading a Life magazine story about student protests in France, probably about the war with Algeria and the atrocities committed. I was horrified. Then a few pages later there was a report about what US students were doing--seeing how many could fit into a telephone booth.
I can remember thinking how BACKWARD American students were about what really mattered. And I opposed Vietnam from the get-go. And never thought any of the wars that followed were "normal" even as they raged forever based on lies.
I also remember the JFK campaign (my first time driving without an adult was to go to a rally for him). The big issue that dominated the news was the fact that he was Catholic, and wouldn't that make America be controlled by the Pope? My family was half catholic, and even thought the Catholic half was Republican, I thought this was dumb. JFK was an AMERICAN and American presidents didn't let themselves be controlled by foreigners. That's when I learned to really focus on the First Amendment.
For me, normal was looking at controversies and doing my best to understand them. And because it was the Cold War, we all learned in school about propaganda techniques and how to recognize them. Nowadays some schools are REQUIRED to teach right wing propaganda.
It terrifies me that for those kids, "normal" has changed so drastically. How many will think authoritarianism is the only way to "quell" chaos?? Certainly a lot of their elders do, who should know better and don't have the excuse of growing up when chaos was "normal."
My 22 year old son had said he wanted nothing to do with POLITICS since it only divides and has people only caring about rooting for sides. I wrote my sons a long text the other day saying much of what you discussed. Unfortunately my text won't open so they haven't been able to read it. I'll share your piece and add a few of my own because I came to similar realization as you.
I shared I care about politics not for a party to win versus another. Instead I care about politics because I want issues and problems solved by all our levels of government. I want democracy to reign with everyone having an opportunity to succeed and their voice to heard. That laws and how governments operate affect all of us in so many ways from the quality of what we eat and drink to the air we breathe to whether we can afford shelter, what we do in our jobs, who we marry and the right for appropriate healthcare. I shared that without Title IX Kaitlyn Clark wouldn't be known and the women's championship game wouldn't have been the most watched college basketball game.
To my son I'm only a Democratic party voter since he doesn't remember Republicans I might have voted for. He only knows Fox News and how it's changed his grandparents outlook to life as they are now. He doesn't remember grandparents with very different viewpoints nor living so fearfully.
I want them to realize that candidates winning doesn't mean they get everything they want but rather officials with different viewpoints work to solve issues and compromises happen and work happens. I want them to have elected officials who work to help all their constituents not just those who voted them into office.
I look forward to sharing your piece with my sons, plus my words. Thank you for writing so eloquently, plus all the work you do.
So well stated, David. Thank you again and again!
David Pepper outdid himself this time. One the best that I have ever read.
David, Excellent post and I couldn’t agree more with what you, Molly, and most importantly that then 20 year old student state. As the parent of three adult age children, now all in their thirties, I’d suggest setting the threshold age to those born in 1990 and thereafter. Essentially anyone that has grown up since age seven in the age of nonstop internet barrage. Which makes me add yet another reason to doubt the benefits of AI.