The Young American

And so it begins. As part of a new year, we reinvent ourselves once more. This will be the last time, although I can’t promise.

So, why the blog name change from “Think Youth” to “The Young American“?

To be honest, I’ve wanted to change the blog name since August 25, 2008. We were in Denver for a convention, and just the mention of our blog’s name was a hassle. For some reason, to get the words “Think Youth” out of my mouth was a difficult part, but what was even harder was having the person who had to hear the blog name actually understand what I was saying.

“What is your blog’s name?” she said.

“Think Youth,” I said.

“Thank You? Thank Youth?” she questioned back.

“No ma’am. Think Youth,” I repeated. What followed was the actual spelling of the blog name.

“T-H-I-N-K Y-O-U-T-H!” it ended.

So, I hope that our new blog name not only sounds nicer, but is easier to say. “THE YOUNG AMERICAN.”

Most urls/links will automatically update and redirect to the new domain name, but just to be sure, please update your bookmarks, and thank you, not think youth:

http://www.theyoungamerican.org/

RSS Feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/TheYoungAmerican
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Update: Just a small update, I just realized that the contact and blogger application forms have been broken and were not actually sending anything. If you have attempted to contact us, or apply to become a blogger, please submit again because the forms now work. Thanks.

Equality for All

On the issue of gay marriage, equality must come before faith, and gay marriage should be legal. Proposition 8, which recently passed in the state of California, is a violation of the freedoms that all Americans should wish to enjoy.

Think Youth welcomes all point of views from all types of Democrats and Progressives. We realize that the Democratic Party is a big tent, but the views expressed in the post ‘California Says No Again: Are Blacks to Blame?’ are strictly the views of the writer.

Thank You

Koko Chassid

Dan Solis

Happy Use Your Common Sense Day!

The Daily Holidays website says that today, November 4th, is “Use Your Common Sense Day” and “Mischief Night.” And let’s not forget about the election we are having today either. Will America have take part in “Use Your Common Sense Day” and elect Democrats all across America, or will we have another “Mischief Night” like back in 2000 and 2004?

Check back with Think Youth all day and night as I Twitter a few interesting or missed news items, and blog about the state of the race.

Make your electoral college, Senate, House, or city council predictions in the comments below!

The American Dream Deferred

The American Dream Deferred

“America was established not to create wealth but to realize a vision, to realize an ideal - to discover and maintain liberty among men. “-Woodrow Wilson

It has been many years since the time of American Dreams realized. It would seem, since the birth of this great nation, that we the people have forgotten to realize the vision. A vision , that sculpted the mountain of the American way and made the U.S. the pinnacle of the World. Founded on the principles of liberty, freedom, and justice for all, we have throughout history contradicted the very principles that made us who we are. We as America have been the wind that has carried democracy, natural rights, and freedom throughout the valleys of the world, yet we deny many who are our fellow the natural right for well being.

Today’s America has matured from the days of slavery, denial of women’s rights, civil rights for all Americans, and public discriminatory racism to childish bickering of democrats versus republicans, conservatives versus liberals, and patriots and terrorism. When will the debauchery in America end. When will our greed and selfishness be replaced with Americanism and selflessness. People elect their representatives for irrational views than for the commonwealth of people and our nation. Our country bled the blood of countrymen for rights of freedom of religion but dictated politicians to the code of “Christianity”. Our spite of our fellow man and self interest blind our founding principles of the American way. The American dream.

Somehow we as a people have tarnished the glorious western light of liberty with pettiness and and foreign bullying. We arrogantly borrow from countries whose governmental ideologies differ from one another and then shove democracy in to nations whose culture and religion that conflicts with our concepts. The American Dream has evolved into the nightmare from the west, who dictates and forces our religion and democratic ideologies on the very difference that we cherish as America. How have we stray so far from home. Why do we roam for fear and force instead of exploration and innovation. We have allowed our fear to distort our vision of the world and manipulated Christianity to justify the cause.

It is that clouded judgment that has somehow made Christianity a qualification to be a real American. In a country founded on the bases of freedom of religion, we have become a nation that persecutes and isolate those whose religious preference differs from our own. In today’s world, we fight the crusade against Muslim nations and label it the war on terror so we can have a clear conscience. when we go to bed at night. Subsequently. we have become the very terrorist we despise and seek out. Not to point fingers but, it seems since Conservative Republicans took office eight years ago, hate, fear, and deception has been the fuel that drove our military into the heart of Muslim nations to wage war with and idea.

From observation of this nation’s past decade, one notion is true the American dream has been lost, abandoned for hate, diminished by fear and discouraged by deception. When will she return, when lady America grace American shores with her glory. It is not certain the time nor the hour, but merely determined by the minds and hearts of the American People who dream the dream of dreams.- William R. Gilbert, Jr.

Wake Up America

Why America? Why?

What are we fighting for in Iraq?

What are we trying to win?

What are we trying to accomplish?

What are we winning?

Where is the honor in fighting in Iraq when we invaded on false pretenses?

What is the mission we are trying to accomplish?

We used the names and the lives who were lost on 9/11 in vain to validate a dishonorable war in

Iraq.

What are We doing America?

Why have we lost sight of our true American Ways?

When will America act like America and have the unity that makes us the “United” States?

We all must be able to compromise on our views,feelings, and opinions in order to do good for the Whole.

“He who exercises government by means of his virtue may be compared to the north polar star, which keeps its place and all the stars turn towards it. “- Confucius

We as a Nation must grow together as one. Since the days of our founding fathers we have been

the light of the world’s horizon and to ensure that our light shines into the future collectively as

one we must resound the voices of liberty across the world.

Wake Up America.

- William Gilbert, Jr.

Michigan Blogger On Board

Hello! My name is Dexter Zhuang, and I am a new Think Youth blogger hailing from the ‘burbs of Southeastern Michigan. I am excited to help out the cause! A senior of Novi High School, I avidly participate in lovely activities such as of Debate, Forensics, Model UN, City Youth Council and others. Debate is the one that takes up the most time but has helped me achieve the most success.

I am the Editor-in-Chief of the Michigan Youth Political Alliance, a youth community blog much like this one that I started no more than two months ago. Blogging is my passion and has afforded me opportunities I could not have found anywhere else. For example, through blogging I have collaborated with MiVote, a student political YouTube for my state, to increase student political awareness and participated in the Emerging Leaders Forum, a discussion between young adults 16-35 years of age on how to make progress in our beloved state, at The Center For Michigan.

In the summer of 2007, I attended Operation Bentley, a city and state government program at Albion College. In the summer of 2008, I attended the Ben Franklin Transatlantic Institute, an international student diplomacy program at Wake Forest University, as one of 12 Americans. There, I took a class on media and blogging taught by Dr. Ross Smith of Wake Forest and was hooked immediately. Since then, I have become extremely active in the blogging world.

My political opinions are mostly liberal on social issues and conservative on economic issues. However, I hardly consider myself a libertarian. I just think that the engine of economic growth lies with the private sector though the government should sometimes prime the engine a bit. I am a big fan of Thomas Friedman’s economic concepts.

In my past time, I love playing ultimate frisbee and going out for sushi. I enjoy going to rock concerts and large social events. My hopes and goals for the near future include traveling the world–namely European countries–and finishing up my college applications. In the far future, I would like to work in some field related to business, government and law, perhaps as a lawyer or professor.

A little about me…

My name is Charlee Ottersberg, and I am a High School Student in Colorado, a main focus for this years elections. I enjoy engaging myself in challenging courses, as well as debates with my fellow classmates. I plan on starting a debate club at my school within the next year.

I do not consider myself Democratic or Republican, but in the middle, Independent. I am not going to base my vote (although i cannot) on party guidelines. I have always enjoyed politics, but ever since the recent year, i have become engagingly more interested. I believe that the youth in America should have some sort of influence on how the delegates vote, considering their decision also effects us. I am excited to be a part of the Think Youth Writing staff.

Think Youth Welcomes James Ivker!

Hello All,

My name is James Ivker and I am a 17 year old Senior from Wayland, Massachusetts. I have only recently become interested in the crazy world of politics. Last fall I joined a program called Youth and Government in which high schoolers run a mock government in the State of Massachusetts which culminates in a three day conference at the Massachusetts State House while students try to pass legislation. Through this program I have realized the beauty of the political system. I consider myself to be liberal but am open to ideas from any part of the political spectrum. I believe that we as a country should do whatever we need to ensure that our country can reach its peak in greatness. Thus said, I find that the majority of ideas presented to improve our country in my view come from the Democratic Party which is why I associate with them. However, after spending a week this summer in North Carolina at the Youth Conference on National Affairs I have seen that we are all Americans with the ability to compromise in order to better ourselves and our fellow countrymen. I sat with 600 high schoolers whose goal was to pass “proposals” that would improve America. It didn’t matter if you were a tree hugging liberal or a bible clutching conservative or somewhere in between, we were all Americans.

As Barrack Obama said in his address to the Democratic National Convention in 2004, “The pundits, the pundits like to slice-and-dice our country into Red States and Blue States; Red States for Republicans, Blue States for Democrats. But I’ve got news for them, too. We worship an “awesome God” in the Blue States, and we don’t like federal agents poking around in our libraries in the Red States. We coach Little League in the Blue States and yes, we’ve got some gay friends in the Red States. There are patriots who opposed the war in Iraq and there are patriots who supported the war in Iraq. We are one people, all of us pledging allegiance to the stars and stripes, all of us defending the United States of America.”

A quick hello to everyone at Think Youth

Hello there Think Youth readers and staff! I’d like to take a minute to introduce myself. I’m Stephanie, the newest member of the Think Youth writing staff. I live in the greater DC area (Maryland side) and I’m currently 13 years old. I’ve considered myself a liberal until recently, when I was alerted by my delegate friend from Marin County that we now call ourselves progressives, so I guess I’m a progressive then.  I currently support Barack Obama, although I originally was a supporter of Kucinich, and while I (obviously) cannot vote, I’m doing all I can to support both of them in their respective campaigns (Obama for president, Kucinich for congressional reelection).

I do have a political blog, although it is relatively new, called My Liberal Agenda- feel free to check it out and/or comment on it. Besides politics, my hobbies include reading, writing, art,  philosophy, and debate. You’re most likely to find me either glued to the computer, watching The Daily Show or The Colbert Report (I’m slightly addicted to fake news), arguing with Faux News even though I know they can’t hear me, or reading whatever book I can get my hands on.

Anyways, I’m very happy to join Think Youth, and I hope to be seeing (er…reading) all of you around soon.

July 28th at 7PM EST:Think Youth Live Podcast with guest David Sirota

A month in the making…

Monday July 28th at 7 PM Eastern Time (4pm PT), David Sirota will be coming on the Think Youth Live Podcast to discuss his book “The Uprising: An Unauthorized Tour of the Populist Revolt Scaring Wall Street and Washington.”

David Sirota is a successful author and nationally syndicated newspaper columnist. He has appeared on Comedy Central’s “The Colbert Report” and has been profiled in “Newsweek”.  Sirota’s most recent book “The Uprising” has received positive reviews from the Washington Post and Publishers Weekly.

From Sirota’s Web Site:

The Uprising is all new, firsthand investigative reporting from across the country, showing how populism has become a dominant political force in both national and local politics.

Our Podcast will return to it’s classic Blog Talk Radio format, so you can listen HERE

And call in at: (646) 478-4931

Think Youth invited to “The Big Tent.”

In May, the Think Youth staff received word that the site had been granted credentials to cover the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver. Today, we are pleased to announce another development. It has just come to our attention that Think Youth has also been granted passes to “The Big Tent.” This is very exciting news. For those who have not yet heard of The Big Tent, here is some information about it from the website:

The Big Tent will be the place to be for new media journalists, bloggers, reporters, and non-profit leaders covering the Democratic National Convention in Denver this summer.

We’re creating a 9,000 square foot, two-story structure that will house the work space for journalists, bloggers and new media, a Digg Stage with prominent national leaders, as well as a Google Retreat with a YouTube kiosk where you can make your own YouTube videos. The Big Tent will be open throughout the Democratic National Convention, Aug. 25- 28.

In the New Media Lounge, your pass will be a ticket to to enjoy all the benefits of the blogger / new media lounge, including free WiFi, work space, television-coverage… And you get to hang out with some of the top bloggers, new media journalists, and non-profit leaders in the country.

The Big Tent is being made possible by a number of sponsors including Digg, Google, New Belgium Brewing, and The Wright Group. We would also like to recognize the hosts of The Big Tent: ProgressNow, Daily Kos, and The Alliance for a Sustainable Colorado.

On a personal note, we couldn’t be more thrilled or grateful that Think Youth has been given this opportunity. There is no doubt in our minds that having access to The Big Tent facilities for the duration of the Democratic National Convention will greatly increase our ability to provide readers of Think Youth with coverage of the highest quality.

- The Think Youth Staff

Hello Think Youth Friends

Think Youth welcomes Estevan Montemayor

Hello all,
I am a new writer for Think Youth. I am proud to write for this blog because it allows youth to express their views on politics and there aren’t many places where youth may do that. I am very involved with politics. I am a student commissioner for the Youth Commission of San Diego. It is an organization that selects youth from each council district and the youth aid the council with proposals and advice for youth related issues in the San Diego city government. I also am an active member of California Young Democrats and Young Democrats of America. I try to help get out the vote even though I can’t vote my self. I have been a very active campaign volunteer for the Hillary Clinton campaign and many local campaigns in San Diego. I work in phone banks, blogs, emails, fundraisers, rallies, and work door to door. Lastly I am a proud Mexican and I try to fight for the equality of Hispanic rights everyday I can. I was motivated to get involved in politics because when the youth get involved things change. So I hope you all dare to get involved and help change this country because we are the future and we need the best future we can get.

Hello, my fellow Progressive Youths

Hello, my fellow Progressive Youths, I am the newest addition to the list of writers for this Think Youth website. Allow me to introduce myself: I’m Elizabeth Cable, a 15-year-old Student, Political Activist, and a Mike Gravel (for president in 2008) supporter. As for my political affiliation, I consider myself a progressive Independent (I couldn’t call myself a Democrat anymore after I realized that both political parties are completely corrupt). I was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, but I now live in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia, with my parents, my younger brother, four cats, and two dogs. Because of the seven dear animals that inhabit my house, it could be safely compared to a barnyard.

I was completely in the dark about the politics of the United States and of the world until about three or four years ago, when I was around the age of 12. My parents allowed me to chuck Middle School and take up homeschooling instead. As soon as I did so, my true education began, and a new (political) dimension was added to my thinking. This was because my mom often liked to talk to me about how horrible George W. Bush was, saying what a terrible liar that he was, how he had lied us into a war with Iraq, how there really were no weapons of mass destruction. This was back in late 2003 and in 2004.

Freed from the confines of the school system, hearing all of the political talk and adding a great deal more to it myself, I eventually became well enough informed and capable of free thought, and I have continued along that path into the present-day. Unfortunately, not every citizen is able to inform themselves, due to the entertainment culture of the media, the stresses of daily life, and the general lack of accessibility to real information.

And I would like to note here that, while Freedom of Speech is guaranteed in our Constitution, Freedom of Thought most certainly is not. (This may sound extreme, but, if there is freedom of speech in a country, the government must make sure that what comes out of our mouths is the right thing.) All of the forces that encourage members of a society to adopt that society’s set of norms and ideas are devices that very successfully quash freedom of thought. Forces such as these are the family (usually), churches, the media, the government itself, and the schools.

So this I why I am inclined to agree with this statement of Bertrand Russell’s: “We are faced with the paradoxical fact that education has become one of the chief obstacles to intelligence and freedom of thought.” At least, I have found this to be true in my own experiences. And I should think that “No Child Left Behind” is certainly not helping with this problem.

I look forward to posting further articles on the Think Youth blog, and I apologize if you have heard all of this before: it’s all new to me.

Introducing Mike Rushmore @ Think Youth

Hello everyone, I’m Mike Rushmore, the newest contributor to Think Youth. I’m an American, but for the past two years or so I’ve lived in London. Thanks to the internet, I’ve been able to stay up to date on politics in The States. I’m a Liberal Libertarian. On social issues, I usually support more individual freedoms (save for my being in favor of stricter gun laws). On economic issues, I usually try to support more social programs and regulations when it stops things like monopolies or pollution, but like the idea of a free market (though a market of monopolies isn’t really a free market). I tend to be extremely opinionated, but I’m always open to new ideas and willing to change my mind if the facts are there. So far for the 2008 election, I’m hoping that Ron Paul gets the Republican nomination, and Kucinich gets the Democratic nomination.

I am really looking forward to blogging here at Think Youth, and I also do some vlogging at www.youtube.com/user/xakaxunknownx.

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