fabiochiu/medium-articles huggingface dataset:
Could The Newer Generations be a threat to the GOP?
By: Penguin Politics
Tags: Biden, Elections, Trump, Politics

Could The new Generation be the GOPs biggest threat?

The New Generation, according to one study, overwhelmingly supported Biden over Trump in this years election with 65% of them supporting Biden. Younger generations support Democrat Candidates way over Republican Candidates, especially Donald Trump, where in one poll conducted, only 20% of Gen Z approved of his presidency. Its obvious The New Generation is increasingly Liberal, with very basic liberal views. Once The Majority of Gen Z reaches voting age, It could be a complete disaster for The Republican Party. This effect might’ve already kicked in, as the GOP has failed to win The Popular vote since 2004 Another poll conducted shows that 81% of Gen Z support The BLM protests and overall movement. But, there remains a question. Will the generation continue having their liberal views, or will it eventually fade out as they get older? We know that younger people vote democrat and older people vote republican, but what exactly does that mean? Does it only mean The Old people of today are more likely to vote red, or the older you get, no matter what generation, the more likely you are to vote red? We aren’t really sure as we haven’t seen The Newer Generation fully grow up yet. But, if we look at millennials (who are born between 1981 and 1996, making the age range 24–39) 53% still support Biden, while 40% don’t. And for Gen X, 49% support Biden and 46% support Trump. So, traditionally, Kids may seem more liberal but as they age, they slowly evolve into Republicans. And that might apply for the kids of today. And, we have to remember that not every republican candidate is not Donald Trump, and not every republican is a Trump Supporter, so The Numbers of Younger people supporting GOP candidates may be higher. We will have to wait and see for ourselves if The New Generation ages and loses their liberal democrat views.
Maybe When Biden is Over
By: Professor Robert Ott
Tags: Biden, Green New Deal, Trump, Climate Change, New Administration

ON THE “NO-ACTION ALTERNATIVE”: Legislation on climate change MUST undergo study by ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT — median 3 1/2 years, below — to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), including Socio-Economics and Alternatives (including No Action Alternative). So that means, the end of the Biden Era!

Figure 1. Distribution of EIS Completion Time, Council on Environmental Quality, Washington, DC, June 12, 2020, Environmental Impact Statement Timelines (2010–2018)

Simply put, earth-shaking legislation must submit to reason, and that means TIME. No similarly dramatic environmental measure is lawful without intelligent examination under NEPA. To quote our government regarding NEPA and related CEQ:

“… often called the ‘Magna Carta’ of environmental laws…NEPA established this country’s national environmental policies. To implement these policies, NEPA requires agencies to undertake an assessment of the environmental effects of their proposed actions prior to making decisions.” (Citizen’s Guide to the NEPA, 2020)

This includes the full study of SOCIO-ECONOMICS and ALTERNATIVES including “No-Action”. The original Green New Deal (GND) reads like a Mission Statement, and as such it eloquently and admirably lays out lofty goals and ideals. However, by diluting their remedy to target social DNA (a “shotgun” approach) the authors demonstrate what is commonly referred to as “Scope Creep”.

MAYBE AFTER YOU’RE DONE

To make real progress in the targeted goal of Greening America (and by extension planet Earth), the original resolution actually broadens its irrevocable Socio-Economic effects. Distinguished Senior Fellow Dan Kish of the Institute for Energy Research (IER) said on Oct. 27 this year that “there is no way to live without petroleum in today’s everyday life. The cost of doing it may not even be quantifiable.”

Per Kish and others, simply taking the steps of ending oil and natgas on federal lands and offshore leases, results in:

Loss of up to 7.5 million U.S. jobs in 2022. Decrease of $7.1 trillion by 2030 in gross domestic product (GDP). Household income drop of $5,400 annually. Household energy costs spiraling up by more than $600 per year.

(Tapscott, 2020)*

So listen up: any legislation along the lines of the defunct Green New Deal, would require submission to basic inspection under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and spinoff guidelines of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ). That is, Environmental Impact Statements on the legislation are REQUIRED, including study of Socio-Economics, particularly regarding the jobs most impacted.

Robert Ott, PMP

Professor of Energy and Conservation
Biden dévoile une équipe diversifiée chargée d’un programme climatique ambitieux
Tags: Biden, Politique, Opresse, Changement Climatique, Programme

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The Role of the Media in The Next Presidency
By: Khalid Jabari
Tags: Biden, Politics, Trump, News, Media Criticism

Whether Trump wants to admit it or not, he has lost the election and we are going into the next four years under the protection of a Biden presidency. There is no way to understate the positive impact this will have on BIPOC, Women, and LGBTQ people. This brief period of a hate-soaked society will go down in history as a reminder that even though we’ve accomplished so much, it can all be undone in an instant. And while all marginalized people will still need to watch their backs, we’ll all be able to rest a little easier knowing our President isn’t actively calling for violence against us.

As many are eager to point out, a change of President doesn’t mean all the ills formed under the last President will suddenly disappear. And Republicans aren’t going to sit by and let any Democrats claim as such. Any issues that have been a Democrat talking point in the last four years will be under the Republican’s microscope, looking for any chance to say that things aren’t improving under a Democratic presidency. It will be critical to proactively counteract this, if the Republican narrative is allowed to gain any traction we’ll likely see another 2016-style surprise in 2028, if not in 2024.

Unfortunately, one of our greatest strengths will also help the Republicans in this. For the last four years the news has continually kept tabs on Trump, keeping us informed of every mistake he made, every rude gesture in front of foreign leaders, every kid detained and put in cages, and every weird tweet Trump sent. The news, or “the media”, has been the eyes and ears of the nation these last four years and without them exposing the truth of Trump’s reign, we’d likely be looking at another 4 years. However, the result of this is a hyper-sensitivity and an eagerness to get any story, no matter how small in scale, to the front of the nation. And I fear that what has been our greatest tool against Trump will become a weapon against us in the future. A small weapon, but a weapon nonetheless.

For this reason, we need mainstream news sources to remember what times were like before Trump, and to resist the urge to immediately amplify any story that could be used against President Biden. This is not an advocation for the suppression of news or to hide injustices from the people, but instead a suggestion to report with proper context and only once information has been gathered. And to narrow the scope of any incidents or stories to those involved, instead of indicting America.

America under Biden will do what Trump never could manage— become great again. And it’s the media’s responsibility to demonstrate that to all of us. To send the message that this is the way forward, and that we’re all better off with Trump out of office.
Biden Makes Corn Pop Secretary of Defense
By: Planet X Media
Tags: Biden, Secretary Of Defense, Democratic Party, Politics, News

TOP-SECRET BIDEN BASEMENT — Joseph Biden, some guy I think? Don’t know who he is or what he’s doing, but anyway this guy, Biden? Yeah, that was his name, I think. So this Biden guy has decided to make Corn Pop his secretary of defense. I don’t know what a secretary of defense is, or what a cabinet is for that matter. But yeah, Corn Pop I guess.

“He was a worthy opponent to me, a fierce adversary,” Biden announced to the press about his decision. “Once we can work things out and, you know, uh, work together and stuff, he should be a great addition to my, uh, running mate for town mayor. I mean, uh, sorry, senate.”

Biden’s speech on the topic lasted roughly 7 hours and was mostly unintelligible. However, Ozzy Osbourne and Kanye West have said it was the “most touching and heartfelt speech [they] had ever heard.”
Blockchain Superpowers Of Tomorrow, Succeed At Juggling Geopolitics, Digital Growth And Global…
By: Herbert R. Sim
Tags: Biden, US Elections, Trump, Voter Fraud, Blockchain

Above is my illustration of Blockchain and the game of Politics, a showdown between two presidential candidates — Donald Trump and Joe Biden.

The world is a constantly changing place — and from an economic standpoint, things are dramatically shifting, too. Two major superpowers, the United States and China, are embroiled in a dramatic trade war where tit-for-tat tariffs have been placed on goods — breeding uncertainty for consumers and businesses alike and making everyday products more expensive. The United Kingdom is still embroiled in a messy divorce from the European Union, and Russia is ratcheting up tensions with its neighbors in the West.

All of this geopolitical drama has two effects. Firstly, it can wreak havoc on the markets, wiping billions of dollars off the value of major companies and affecting employment rates in the world’s economies. Secondly, it is prompting some enthusiasts to passionately advocate for crypto and blockchain taking a bigger role in the economy. They say it could help bring down borders, making international payments faster and less expensive, while encouraging trade between nations.

That said, crypto and blockchain are also creating new geopolitical challenges. North Korea has faced allegations that a sophisticated group of hackers are launching cyberattacks on major exchanges in neighboring South Korea and other parts of Asia. Millions of dollars have been lost, with each incident shaking consumer confidence to its core. India has also been resolute in its decision to push ahead with a crypto ban. This could have ramifications for the likes of Facebook, which is hoping to launch a stablecoin that would benefit the unbanked. The Libra project is also creating tensions around the world, with many countries — the U.S. and the EU among them — concerned that the cryptocurrency could undermine traditional payment infrastructure and overtake the dollar and the euro.

Read the FULL article here: Blockchain Superpowers Of Tomorrow, Succeed At Juggling Geopolitics, Digital Growth And Global Expansion
Biden’s Transition Team Reflects America’s Diversity
By: Jaymie White
Tags: Biden, Diversity, Politics

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I’m not sure I agree with your comment that the only thing they listen to is protest and riots- I…
By: Kenneth Burke
Tags: Biden, Politicians, Politics, Republicans

I’m not sure I agree with your comment that the only thing they listen to is protest and riots- I don’t think they listen to anything except pollsters telling them what they need to do to stay in power.

This is what happens when politicians don’t have term limits- everything hinges on getting re-elected, not on doing what is right. And that goes for both sides of the aisle.

I always had the following question- being a Senator or Congressman is a job with terrible pay given all the headaches and living with a proctoscope up your ass. Why do so many fight to stay in office?

Hmmmmm……

The opinions and words expressed are the author’s own and not those of his employer.
After The Storm (A Political Analogy)
By: John Ames
Tags: Biden, Election 2020, Trump, New Start, Storms

Boston had a snow storm yesterday; a big one and first in a long time. Coming as it did, just as the city’s Covid-19 restrictions were being tightened it seemed perversely appropriate.

Last evening the storm tapered off and digging out has began in earnest.

Saying it another way, Trump is leaving and Biden has just picked up a shovel.
Restore the balance of labor and capital
By: Travis Kellerman
Tags: Biden, Politics, Technology, Government, Economics

Photo by Mark König

Since you have more than enough moral, ethical, and justified counterpoints to chew on already, consider a "healthy economy" view from a place of semi-objectivity. The simple balance of labor and capital has been leaning dangerously into the capital side for decades. Labor has driven productivity in a constant, positive trend, yet wages and purchasing power have remained flat or receded.

The American economy and business culture have reached a point of such imbalance that a Federal government mandate must set a floor for wages. If the market and value metrics priced-in the true cost and benefit of labor to earnings, there would not be a need for intervention.

You frame the issue as one of a needed, short-term placation for a runaway distortion in market values - a continuation of the status quo. The last time we found ourselves with the type of imbalance of capital to labor, we saw the "Roaring 1920's" - with a similar inequality profile and valuation bubbles, multipliers on "technology potentials" and other capital instruments over the productivity of labor.

The failure and weakness of select business models to adjust to a higher minimum wage is not a justification to continue sub-productivity wages.

Support for small business adaptation can accompany the reform. Major retailers and service companies have already folded in the accelerated adaptation. The displaced workers are ready to re-employ and spike the productivity of adapted models. Respectable employment and advancement is a proven, powerful incentive for new skills. Unions have historically benchmarked this skill level for organized industries.

Short-term survival and long-term adaptation can prioritize restoring the balance of labor and capital as the definition of labor, relevant skills, and new economy business models are adapted together.
Finally! The Ancestors get government representation with appointment of Deb Haaland for Secretary…
By: Courtney Allen-Gentry Rn Msn Phn Ahn-Bc Hwnc-Bc
Tags: Biden, Politics, Election 2020, Indigenous, Native Americans

Finally! The Ancestors get government representation with appointment of Deb Haaland for Secretary of the Interior. Mother Earth rejoices!

Haaland, who is vice chair of the House committee on Natural Resources, will have a significant role managing public lands. “Right now,” she said in an earlier statement, “public lands emit close to 25 percent of the carbon emissions, the total carbon emissions of our country. And that’s because this administration has gone hog wild with leasing off land to the gas and oil industry.” Read more at Indian Country Today:
On the COVID crisis
By: Andrew Keen
Tags: Biden, Inequality, Nicholas Christakis, Covid 19, Andrew Keen

As we crawl toward 2021, the headlines remain all about COVID. Today, the U.S. set records for both new cases and deaths with three times as many people dying now than three months ago. Emmanuel Macron tested positive, so did Cedric Richmond, one of Biden’s closest advisors. Meanwhile, an F.D.A. panel endorsed Moderna’s vaccine meaning that millions more Americans will, hopefully, be inoculated in 2021.

My guest today on the daily Keen On show was the physician Nicholas Christakis, the director of Yale’s Human Nature Lab and the author of the Apollo’s Arrow: The Profound and Enduring Impact of Coronavirus On the Way We Live.

SEE THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE

Given that the subtitle of Nicholas Christakis’ book is about the COVID’s “profound” consequences, I wonder if he glosses over its political implications. Yes, he’s probably right that the pandemic might, at least in the short-term, re-establish the credibility of scientists like Anthony Fauci. But I suspect that Christakis’ natural optimism — displayed in recent books like Blueprint and Connected — blinds him to the potentially catastrophic long-term consequences of COVID-19.

.A few months ago, the Stanford historian, Walter Scheidel appeared on the show to talk about his new book, The Great Leveler. Scheidel argued that the deep levels of economic inequality that exist in America today are only ever undermined by war or pandemic. What COVID-19 has done is both expose and compound that inequality. So America today is a country simultaneously “enjoying” an unprecedented Wall Street boom, while 26 million Americans no longer have enough to eat.

I fear we’ve been so preoccupied with the always-on Trump circus to grasp how the pandemic has revealed the shameful truth about contemporary American inequality. The vaccines will, of course, eventually fix the pandemic. But fixing the country’s structural inequities — reuniting an America that has splintered into parallel economic, ontological and cultural worlds — will take a lot more than a Moderna or Pfizer vaccine.

Tomorrow, I’m interviewing Evan Osnos, the author of Joe Biden: The Life, The Run, and What Matters Now. What matters now — really matters — is whether Joe Biden has the political resolve to address the inequality crisis in America. If Biden doesn’t confront this issue, the next successful MAGA-style populist will be far less of a narcissistic buffoon than Trump. And what Nicholas Christakis calls the “profound” impact of COVID might be no less than the very destruction of American democracy.
Also, it will need a leader with foresight such as that of Eisenhower a hundred years ago.
By: Arindam Basu
Tags: Biden, Electric Car, Ev

…BMW i3 were all explicitly aimed at the narrow band of motorists seeking to make a green statement. The rest of the era — the one that attempts to bring EVs to the rest of the market — will only work if it’s not appealing to ideology, but to desires like “cool” and “savvy.” I t will be the same with Congress. Some members will respond to the clarion call of climate change. F…
This article shows a complete lack of understanding of change management.
By: Andrew X
Tags: Biden, Democrats, Trump, Change Management, Republicans

This article shows a complete lack of understanding of change management. Change is not a light switch.

You’re angry. So? You come with problems identified and complaints aplenty with zero solutions. I have zero use for people like this.
President-Elect Biden Will He Cancel $1.7 Trillion in US Student Loan Debt?
Tags: Biden, Debt, Students, Student Loans, Schools

Several congress members has asked with a open letter (PDF) signed by 238 advocacy organizations asked Biden to cancel federal student debt, and US Senate Minority leader Chuck Schumer has publicly called on the president-elect to use his executive powers to cancel up to $50,000 in federal student debt for individual borrowers.

A lot of students who sign on the dotted line later find themselves struggling to pay off their loans for decades. Once, you graduate from college you find yourself in financial debt before you start your career or even get a job. It seems as though it is unfair to begin life in a financial crisis. The problem is worse for students from minority communities. Research shows from several financial institutions that found that Black graduates of undergraduate programs default on their student loans at five times the rate of white students. It’s found that rates are also highest among those who borrow relatively small amounts. Again, it doesn’t seem to be fair.

This situation is a damn if do or damed if you don’t, it most cases for minorities borrowers it’s a up hill battle for them too finally see daylight in obtaining the degree then the financial agreements are being held over their heads and the challenges of not falling behind on the payments.

This is a serious political challenge for a incoming administration too be faced with a big decision to make and too get congress to agree. What are thoughts on this matter? Ask your community leaders to become involved and too help with this serious financial challenges facing a lot of past and recent graduates. Some students are being crushed by student loan debt, it’s definitely critical for some students to be ultimately relieved of this financial burden.

In light of pandemic challenges in the mean while the concept of student loan forgiveness has been championed by progressives, the idea is gaining ground with Americans across the political spectrum. Hopefully, with the general public shinning light on the issue possibly the government will step in and assist those in need. Now, we must wait and see what the future will bring in finding a solution to every growing financial crisis.
A safe, modern, and sustainable transportation system
By: Kamala Harris
Tags: Biden, White House, Pete Buttigieg, Kamala Harris

A safe, modern, and sustainable transportation system

As President-elect Biden and I look ahead to the challenges we will inherit upon walking into the White House, we are focused on containing this pandemic and delivering relief to all who need it.

We are focused on safely reopening our schools and responsibly reopening our economy.

And, as we’ve said many times, we are also focused on building America back better and doing what is necessary to lift up all Americans no matter where they live — whether it’s in big cities, rural areas, or anyplace in between.

One of the most important ways we will do that is by creating good, union jobs to build, operate, and maintain a safe, modern, and sustainable transportation system.

A transportation system that will help us grow our economy, tackle our climate crisis, and connect all Americans to jobs and opportunity.

We will transform our roads and bridges, transit systems, railways, ports, and airports, while powering them with clean energy.

Spark a renaissance in American passenger rail that will not only connect our country, but unlock job-creation and growth across our manufacturing sector.

And we will expand and upgrade our transportation system in a way that’s equitable. Serving communities of every size — urban and rural — all across our country.

The choice President-elect Biden has made to help spearhead this work is simply outstanding.

I got to know Pete over the last two years.

We traveled to the same states, attended the same events, and shared a debate stage many times.

We’ve had long conversations, he and I — about the future of our country, about the need for bipartisanship, and about family and faith.

And along the way, Pete and his wonderful husband, Chasten, have become very dear friends of Doug’s and mine.

Pete is an innovative problem solver. He has a sharp intellect and a deep commitment to uniting people across party lines and meeting our challenges together.

He is a trailblazing leader from the industrial Midwest who understands that we need to create opportunity for people of all backgrounds.

And he is a veteran and dedicated public servant who represents the very best of our country and the next generation of American leadership.

Now, Pete will bring his remarkable talents to bear — not just on behalf of the people of South Bend, but on behalf of people across our nation.

In 1966, upon creating the Department of Transportation, President Lyndon Johnson said, “America’s history is a history of her transportation.”

With Pete’s leadership, we are ready to write the next great chapter in that history, modernizing our infrastructure, creating jobs and opportunity, and helping to usher in a clean energy future for the United States of America.

Thank you, Mr. President-elect and welcome Pete.
Why Politicians Should Stick to Politics (Most of the Time)
By: Stick To Sports
Tags: Biden, Politics, Trump, Sports, Protest

Why Politicians Should Stick to Politics (Most of the Time)

Buried somewhere way down the list of things that ought to change once 2020 mercifully concludes, is the way that politicians deal with sports.

Namely, to borrow a phrase, politicians should “stick to politics” whenever possible.

Sports shaped Donald Trump’s presidential campaigns and presidency to an unprecedented degree. We have never seen a presidency so tightly intertwined with sports and may never see one again — unless perhaps a retired athlete is elected (I’d sign up for a Tim Tebow-versus-Jaylen Brown contest in 2044).

Trump’s reaction to Colin Kaepernick’s anthem protests was one of the defining moments of his 2016 campaign. His response to subsequent athlete protests became one of the defining elements of his presidency and 2020 campaign.

It is not hard to imagine that a President Joe Biden will have a much different relationship with sports than President Donald Trump has had.

While The New York Times describes Biden as an ardent sports fan and accomplished ex-athlete, it also says to expect a “quieter sports advocate in the White House.”

Will that change in approach feel refreshing? I would expect so.

Is it hypocritical to urge pols to stick to politics while supporting athletes’ burgeoning political voices? I will explain why it is not.

Even if you disagree with the stances many athletes have taken in recent protests, it would be tough to argue that any of these protests or social justice efforts are detracting from athlete job performance levels. In the case of college athletes, we are not even talking about a job; they are not employees. But I still would not expect to see any impact on their performance levels.

Understandably, fans and alumni want to feel a genuine connection with their teams and schools. Differences of opinion between athletes and fans can cut into that connection.

But ultimately, as long as an athlete is giving one hundred percent effort between the lines, and acting as an upstanding citizen outside the lines, I am not sure what else said athlete owes his or her fans.

By definition, mayors, governors, congresspeople, senators, and the president, are all employed to serve “the people.”

Vitriolic attacks on private citizens for exercising their rights to free speech aren’t serving anyone.

Sports is an important aspect of American society, and by all means, if there are legitimate sports-related problems worth troubleshooting, our elected officials should be encouraged to help.

That should apply whether you are hungry to see sports serve as a unifier, or prioritize the role sports plays as a change agent. Look no further than ongoing efforts to allow NCAA student-athletes to profit from their names, images, and likenesses. Very few recent legislative pushes have been more bipartisan.

But beyond good-faith efforts to help when important issues arise, politicians should stick to politics.
Biden Announces Attorney General
By: Caleb Fultz
Tags: Biden, Satire, Attorney General, Politics

WASHINGTON — After several weeks of deliberation by the Biden transition team and much speculation by outside observers, President-elect Biden announced Florida Senator, former U.S. Attorney, Doctor, and military veteran Joanna Beden as his Attorney General. Beden was not present for the announcement however.

Beden, 47, a woman of Hispanic, Asian, African-American, and Native American descent, is a groundbreaking choice. Furthermore, she also marks the first LGBTQ+ Justice Department head.

Besides the bold historical significance of Biden’s choice, she brings a wealth of experience as a two term Senator from a swing state with major legislative accomplishments that have satisfied both the moderate and progressive wings of the Democratic Party. Before entering elected office, she was a US Attorney and graduated from Harvard with a bachelor’s degree, gained a law degree at Yale, and went to Cornell medical school according to the Biden transition team press release.

While President-elect Biden and others members of his transition team are elated at a pick that, rather magically, soothes the various groups in the Democratic Party vying for influence and history, there was considerable confusion and incredulity from the press corps, the current Senators from Florida, other politicians, and ordinary people who are aware of politics. This confusion stems from the fact that no Joanna Beden seems to exist.

The incumbent Senators from Florida, Republicans Marco Rubio and Rick Scott, pointed that the last Democrat from Florida was Bill Nelson and that it would be impossible for Beden to be a Senator from Florida. Nevertheless, a spokeswoman for the transition team insisted she was a real person and that Marco Rubio was in fact a figment of Republican imaginations. Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader, confirmed the transition team’s statements saying he had never heard of Marco Rubio and that Joanna Beden was the senior Senator from Florida. Rubio was reportedly consternated at the Democrat’s position regarding his existence.

Journalists from the New York Times and the Washington Post pressed transition officials and Biden himself to provide more evidence. They merely provided a press release as evidence. Later in the day, the incoming Chief of Staff, Ron Klain, offered up a crudely drawn picture of a woman, which appeared to have been drawn in crayon and signed “Joe Biden.” Another image provided was simply Biden with Snapchat’s female filter applied over his likeness.

It is becoming increasingly evident that Beden is not a real person, despite evidence offered by Biden. However, the effort seems to have worked and has brought widespread praise ranging from Neo-Nazi farmers in Ohio to “woke” suburbanite racial activists.
MIDNIGHT CHAOS IN THE GARDEN OF GOOD AND EVIL
By: Cristina Aloe
Tags: Biden, Christmas, Catholic, Hanukkah, Morality

Yes, there are many things that need to change in the Catholic Church. The raffle tickets must stop. The acceptance of all human beings must increase. Women must be given their places of authority as leaders. There is one step we maybe should take backwards, and allow our Jewish friends to guide us. Morality in this country left, when a bunch of men in a room, behind closed doors, got pressured into changing a ritual that kept Catholics a little bit closer to Heaven. The Latin Mass cemented in The Catholic congregation in America a sense of identity and a sense of what was right and what was wrong. Today, that line is beyond blurred, almost gone.

When we hear The Catholic Mass, in Latin, with the Priest turned towards The Cross, we remember, who we are, and that we are nothing without Him. Catholicism is not a Priest. It is not The Pope. It is not The Parish Council. Catholicism is loving your neighbor more than yourself. Catholicism is forgiveness. We must do whatever we must do to bring these values back, or morality will disappear, along with the Catholic churches that have already closed their doors, forever.
Fantasy cars, fake Trump electors
By: Ken Festa
Tags: Biden, Election 2020, Trump, Elections, Military

A long time ago, I was in the US Army Reserves. For some reason, I spent 10 weeks in Ft. McClellan, Alabama, learning how to drive trucks. I was a terrible truck driver, but that’s not the point of this story.

When you’re in a training situation like this, you have very few rights. Get up at 3:30 or so, do some exercise, get breakfast, train all day, clean stuff, get to the bunk around 10 at night, pass out for a few hours of sleep, get up and do it again. The only free time that we had was on Sunday afternoon. If it was an especially easy week, maybe we get Saturday afternoon, too.

This was 1982, before such a thing as direct deposit or ATMs. So when you get paid and you need cash, when do you have time to go the bank? Like, if you need money to buy toothpaste, what do you do ?On one of those rare Saturday afternoons we got a break, we went straight to the bank to try to cash our checks.

Of course, the only thing open at the bank was the drive-through teller. None of us had a car (even if one of us had a car, we wouldn’t have been allowed access to them during training). Checkmate, right? Nope. One of my buddies came up with the brilliant idea to pretend that we were in an invisible car. They talked me into being one of the “passengers.” Our driver dutifully pantomimed the steering wheel, as we maneuvered in lock-step through the drive-in lane. The teller laughed and waved us off. I felt incredibly stupid. The word “sheepish” doesn’t do justice.

I was reminded of this story when watching the videos of Trump’s fake electoral voters trying to deliver their votes. Didn’t they feel tiniest bit embarrassed for participating in this farce. It’s one thing for a crew of 18-year-old knuckleheads to engage in a ridiculous pantomime. It’s another for grownups to try to participate in a serious Constitutional process by doing essentially the same thing.
We all now know that the venerable WSJ is subject to the same 21st pressures with respect to…
By: Chira Lois
Tags: Women, Biden, College, Social Media, Education

We all now know that the venerable WSJ is subject to the same 21st pressures with respect to readership and relevance and is thus not above New York Post style clickbait 🙂
If I have to watch one more minute of Fox News, I’m going to stab myself in the eye.
By: Sterling Page
Tags: Biden, Life, Election 2020, Trump, News

If I have to watch one more minute of Fox News, I’m going to stab myself in the eye.

I’m staying with my dad while he recovers from a significant health scare. I wouldn’t be anywhere else than here to help the old man. He’s my Daddy-O and we’re going to get through this.

But I swear if I hear one more news personality spin the same story as the previous five, I’m going to start slamming vodka and tonics out in the back yard until I pass out. I don’t care if it’s only twenty degrees. The booze will keep me warm. Right?

It’s not that I disagree with them. It’s not that I agree, either, come to think of it. It’s just, holy fucking shit, shut your big white shiny teeth.

There, I said it. Whew. I feel much better.
I Was Surprised By A Tear At Biden’s Speech
By: James Hannon
Tags: Biden, Democracy, Election 2020, President Elect, Fascism

I am in full agreement with Thomas Paine: the world is my country, all mankind are my brethren, and to do good is my religion.

Nevertheless, listening to Joe Biden tonight I noticed unusual moisture collecting in the corner of at least one eye.

I know that my feeling for America is an accident of birth.

I know the history. I know that any speech saying we have always been inspired by democracy is racist hogwash and whitewash. And I think patriotism, love of one country over another, is short-sighted and dangerous. And love of country is corny.

But if the lyrics of “Life Every Voice and Sing,” what many call the African-American national anthem, can recall the history of slavery, and further injustice and suffering, and yet speak of hope and conclude with

Shadowed beneath thy hand

May we forever stand

True to our God

True to our native land

then maybe I can forgive myself for a sentimental attachment.

This IS my native land and I do have love for it, for the people, the land, and the history (parts of it). Men and women have worked hard and fought hard to preserve a semblance of democracy here. And died for it. And I take it VERY GODDAMN PERSONALLY that Trump, the malignant narcissist, and his cowardly, careerist enablers have assaulted our nation.

To paraphrase David Ortiz, “This is our fucking country,” and we are not going to allow that bunch of greedy and gutless pukes to destroy it.

Joe Biden laid it out tonight. I was proud of him, proud of us, and proud of all the voters, campaign workers, phone canvassers, postcard writers, election workers, judges, secretaries of state, attorneys general and governors who said, no fucking way.

La lucha sigue. The struggle continues. No pasaran!
Manifesto of a Poetry Reader
By: Literary Impulse, Shabd Aaweg
Tags: Fiction, Literary Impulse, Poetry, Creative Non Fiction, Letters From Li

I like a poem when I connect with it. Sometimes a few words, sometimes the entire poem. Aesthetics is secondary to that connection, which cannot be reasoned for.

I find the overuse of metaphors off-putting. I cannot understand what is going on when there is an ‘overuse’ of metaphors. A poem, like a home, shouldn’t be overly decorated. It implies a childishness, that the ‘poem’ is being forced out of a collection of words. A good poem is something, reading which feels ‘no effort’ has been put onto it. Words should not be thrown so lightly.

I am sorry if I don’t like every poem of yours. It is usually about the moment. Sometimes it is also about mood. In fact, every poem by a single person cannot be a masterpiece. But we connect with some a lot more. And hence we begin to like every poem by them.

A verse of a few lines strikes “more people” only because it has a greater chance of being interpreted/misinterpreted. A verse of a few lines has the benefit of being contextless.

I wish art were beyond the forces of economics and mutual friendships. That it was beyond the politics of status quo. But there are very few artists in the world. (Even though everyone is an artist) So I find the formation of poetic communities/tribes natural and in fact, important.

Poetry should never die. Reading a wonderful poem helps a lot, besides giving a pleasure that touches areas of my mind-body nothing else can.
Where I Am From
By: Cassandra Sigmon
Tags: Family History, Poetry, Memoir, Creative Non Fiction, Personal Growth

Where I Am From

Photo of the Redwood Forest

During one writing class I took, the teacher challenged us to write a “Where I Am From” poem.

At the beginning I was a little skeptical, because she gave us a template to write the poem, based off of Where I’m From by George Ella Lyon. I thought, “Who writes poetry off of a template?”

But after doing the exercise, I changed my mind. It was an eye-opening experience taking a deep look into my identity. I think everyone should have a “Where I’m From” poem.

The Template

The “Where I’m From” template has become pretty popular with writing teachers. It’s structured, but allows plenty of room for creativity. You may have seen it before, but in case you want to try your own “Where I’m From” poem, here is the template.

I am from ______________________________

(specific ordinary item)

From ______________________ and ________________________

(product name) (product name)

I am from the _____________________________________________

(home description)

___________________ , _________________ , ____________________

(adjective) (adjective) (sensory detail)

I am from _________________________________________ ,

(plant, flower, natural item)

___________________________________________________________

(description of above item)

I’m from ________________________ and ________________________

(family tradition) (family trait)

From ___________________________ and _________________________

(name of family member) (another family name)

I’m from the ___________________________ and ____________________

(description of family tendency) (another one)

From _________________________________ and _____________________

(something you were told as a child) (another)

I’m from __________________________ , ___________________________

(representation of religion or lack of), (further description)

I’m from _______________________________________________

(place of birth and family ancestry)

_______________________________ , ___________________________

(a food item that represents your family) (another one)

From the _____________________________________________________

(specific family story about a specific person and detail)

The _________________________________________________________

(another detail of another family member)

______________________________________________________________

(location of family pictures, mementos, archives)

______________________________________________________________

(line explaining the importance of family items)

My Own “Where I’m From” Poem

My own “Where I’m From” poem, despite being written from a template, is one of my favorite creations.

Why?

Because it’s me.
Tell Your Story — Submission Guide
By: Chris Sowers
Tags: Nonfiction, Personal Essay, Writing, Creative Non Fiction

Tell Your Story — Submission Guide

Photo by Egor Myznik on Unsplash

Thanks for visiting Tell Your Story.

We’re striving to be the home of the best narrative creative nonfiction on Medium.

We’re not an advice publication. Or a personal development publication. We don’t publish stories about quitting your day job so you can pursue your side hustle. You won’t find any tips and tricks for getting the most out of your morning routine here.

In fact, you won’t find any tips and tricks for anything here.

So what will you find?

Great writing. Stories that touch your emotions. Stories that don’t always wrap things up in a nice tidy bow. Stories that may or may not end happily ever after.

If you have a piece that feels a little homeless on Medium, maybe we can be its home.

Comment on this story with “I’d like to contribute,” and we’ll add you. We’ll be looking forward to your draft.

Note — we edit carefully, and are likely to work with writers through a couple of drafts prior to publishing. Please only submit if you’re willing to work through this with us.

Thanks for checking us out. If you’ve got a bit of narrative creative nonfiction that doesn’t seem to fit one of the many great “how to” publications on Medium, we’d love to consider it.

Hope to hear from you soon!
Two Days and Counting
By: Sean Bennett
Tags: Relationships, LGBTQ, Goodbye, Love, Creative Non Fiction

Two Days and Counting

2 days and counting.

That's how long we had before he went back home to the other side of the world.

We sat cuddling on my couch, vaguely taking in a Melissa McCarthy film that at least managed to lighten the mood with a few chuckles here and there. We both knew what we were really thinking about, though, and it wasn't the ‘normal lady turned international superspy’ storyline that was playing out on screen.

We were never ‘together’, that's the weird thing.

We met shortly after his visa renewal was called into doubt and then, just a few weeks later, he was summoned back home by his family.

He didn't want to leave. I didn't want him to leave. But leave he did.

While he was here, we existed in a peculiar state of affection. Not dating per se, but somehow more than just friends, anchored to each other by some forlorn idea of what could have been.

But we knew it couldn't be. We knew that from the start.

But sometimes that doesn't matter. Or at least, not enough to put you off.

To be honest, if I had been offering advice to someone else in that situation, I probably would have suggested just keeping it strictly platonic. After all, it seems idiotic to send your heart sprinting off the starting line when you know there's a million-mile drop just around the next corner.

But, I have always been terrible at heeding my own advice, so I sent my heart forth regardless, like a pulmonary lemming, edging slowly towards the inevitable edge.
Winding
By: Addey Vaters
Tags: Non Fiction Books, Nonfiction, Creative Non Fiction, Creative Writing, Flash Nonfiction

Winding

Image by DanaTentis on Pixabay

Every morning we’d drive the same route to school. A right turn, past the Baker’s Springs sign and on to Duplex Road. The road was so narrow two cars could barely pass by without brushing up against each other. It had been serviceable thirty years ago when the sprawling Nashville suburbia in which we resided was a collection of farms and grassy green meadows, but now it seemed minuscule. Too small to even be called a road.

We wound past neighborhood after neighborhood — rows of two-story houses lined up next to each other, each abode covered partly by reddish brick and partly by plastic siding with indentations meant to look like wood grain. There were always mailboxes at the end of each driveway — the kind that were stuck up on wooden beams looking stately while peering out into the street with their red flags waving.

Soon we’d pass all the neighborhoods and submerge ourselves in green. A canopy of trees overhead — oaks and poplars, walnuts and dogwoods, maples and magnolias. The sticky air forced everything to be green, each leaf swaying under the weight of the moisture it held.

Out of the green, we’d emerge into a bygone era. Splintered and greyed wooden fences surrounded log cabins and majestic whitewashed clapboard homes alike while cows and horses grazed lazily in the morning sunlight. This part of the drive was never bad — no matter what lay on the other side of it.

We’d pass the Coca-Cola man, with his white-streaked log house covered head-to-toe in red memorabilia. We’d drive by the old gas station, with its tall rusty gas pumps and rolling glass-paned garage door. We’d pass the creaky old church with its bright red door and worn out pews.

Every morning, without fail, we’d drive this route — leaving at 6:45, stopping at Kirstin’s house to pick her up, and driving the fifteen minutes past and out of town to get to the high school. The radio would play, we’d sing along, and once we arrived we’d stumble out onto the sidewalk with our backpacks and lunch boxes and brace-faced smiles.

Every day we’d take that winding road — through it all to get to our destination. To the tests and papers, dances and plays, football games and band practices. It was something to get through to get to the ending. It was just a drive — just a winding drive into the day beyond.
Interview: Nature Writer Isaac Yuen of Ekostories
By: Forrest Brown
Tags: Environment, Interview, Creative Non Fiction, Blog, Podcast

I was refreshing my memory on an Ursula K. Le Guin book last December when I stumbled upon Isaac Yuen’s writing through a Google search. The book was The Left Hand of Darkness, and it ended up being part of an essay I wrote about climate fiction. Isaac had written about The Left Hand of Darkness well before me, and after browsing around on his site a little bit more, I realized he’d written about several other works that had a big impact on me—namely Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino and The Legend of Zelda: The Windwaker.

After reading several of Isaac’s pieces, I found the contact form on his website and sent an admittedly impulsive email. I was still in the early stages of doing Stories for Earth, and I thought it would be great to invite Isaac to be my first interview guest. It didn’t work out, but Isaac was very kind in his reply and we exchanged a couple more emails about Ursula K. Le Guin.

Nearly a year later, and Isaac and I finally made that interview happen. It’s weird to think now that I originally talked to Isaac in September, but I don’t need to tell you what a time warp 2020 has been. Isaac currently lives in Vancouver, Canada on unceded Coast Salish territory, but he spoke with me from Berlin, Germany.

We talked about Isaac’s background as a writer, how the two cities he’s called home—Hong Kong and Vancouver—shaped his perception of nature, diversity in the nature writing space, and more. Isaac was also kind enough to read two short stories, his most recently published “El Lugar de Los Sueños” in The Willowherb Review and “Journeys to HYRULE_” in Newfound.

It was extremely gracious of Isaac to share some of his time with me. I hope you enjoy our conversation, and be sure to read Isaac’s work at the links below.

→ Visit Ekostories

→ Read “El Lugar de Los Sueños” in The Willowherb Review

→ Read “Journeys to HYRULE_” in Newfound