The Young American

Archive for the ‘Youth Issues’ Category

What Made the Difference Tonight: Youth Turnout

By Daniel Solis in Barack Obama, Election Day 2008, Youth Issues on November 5, 2008

Barack Obama knew something a lot of us didn’t know. He knew that young Americans wanted to find something to vote for and not against. At the beginning, many of us were skeptical of youth voter turnout. But, he proved us wrong on that Iowa night in January.

Like Obama said, the campaign took him from “the rocky coast of Maine to the sunshine of California.” All across America young people came out and supported change.

It led him to November on the night of this historic presidential election. Young people supported Barack Obama 68-30% over Senator John McCain. Young people ages 18-29 made up 18% of the electorate this year, slightly higher than 17% in 2004 and 2000. That may not seem like a large increase, but in a year where overall voter turnout reached massive numbers (estimates place overall voter turnout at around 60%) it sure made the difference.

It was the young voters who won tonight. Those that supported one specific candidate, President-elect Barack Obama.

Why Hillary Clinton should be the next President

By Daniel Solis in Democrats, Election 2008, Hillary Clinton, President Series, Youth Issues on December 8, 2007

These past few months I’ve been undecided on all Democratic presidential candidates. Unlike a lot of Democrats, this was not because I didn’t like any of them, but because I liked them all. After long deliberation and thoughtful consideration to all of the Democratic presidential candidates, I strongly believe that Hillary Clinton should be the next president of the United States. Hillary’s years of activism and public service has made her a strongly qualified candidate for the presidency.

I’ve seen people just flat out declare that they don’t like Hillary. Then when you ask these people why, they have absolutely no idea why they dislike her so much. This is the only problem Hillary will face in the general election. But when Hillary has a chance to step out onto the national stage, not being the one on Bill’s side, they will see what her core supporters see. A person that has what it takes to be a strong leader in this time of turmoil and important decisions to be made that will affect our future as youths of America.

When the American people look for candidates to support in an election, they choose the one who they agree with on most or all issues. Not only do I agree with Hillary’s stances on the issues, but I trust her.

If we really want change, how about we put an experienced, thoughtful, woman in the White House. Hillary will end the war, will stop global warming, will provide America with national healthcare, and she will make America a better place to live. But she can’t do these things without all of our help. So if Hillary does get the nomination, I’m asking all you Obama fans, Gravel fans, John Edwards fans, Kucinich fans, Joe Biden fans, Richardson fans, Dodd fans, and everyone to support Hillary because she will always make the right decision, and do what is best for America.

Fri. December 7th Live Podcast: Mike Connery Interview

By Daniel Solis in Interviews, Live Podcast, Progressive Politics, Youth Issues on December 8, 2007

fn_futuremajority.gifWe interview Mike Connery of FutureMajority.com as he discusses his new book, “Youth to Power” about progressive youth politics.

Co-hosted by Dan Solis and Mike Rushmore.

[audio:http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ThinkYouth/2007/12/08/Mike-Connery-author-of-Youth-to-Power-and-Future-Majority.mp3]

[Download MP3]

Who is the candidate for America's Youth?

By Daniel Solis in Election 2008, Youth Issues on November 7, 2007

When the campaign season starts, most candidates don’t worry about appealing to the youth vote. But if the candidates did appeal to young voters, there would be a substantial increase in youth voter turnout. In turn, young voters feel alienated and left out, because they are being left out by those same candidates. It’s kind of an oxymoron, and a sad waste of votes. Each group, candidates and young voters, are only hurting themselves and their involvement in the political process.

But this election season, it seems like the candidates are trying to appeal to young voters. You can add Barack or Hillary as your friend on MySpace or join their Facebook group along with thousands of other supporters. Sometimes they try to hard to appeal to young voters. I hardly doubt there are any young people who would love too have a ringtone of their favorite candidates’ speeches.

Young voters want change. They see change in a minority or woman running for president. That’s one of the ways they believe real change can occur. They want different, and more diverse leaders.

So I’m asking you, who is the candidate America’s youth should stand behind in 2008? And if Stephen Colbert hadn’t dropped out, maybe it would have been him.

Wed. August 22nd Live Podcast

By Daniel Solis in Democrats, Election 2008, On the Fringe, Youth Issues on August 22, 2007

From Wed. August 22nd, co-hosted by Dan Solis, Johnny Camacho, Jeff Pritchard, Savage apologist KoKo Chassid, Jordan Stearns and Thomas Senecal. We discussed how Hillary believes the new Iraq War strategy is “working” and how Dennis Kucinich has “Jusdom”.

We also spoke to Bill Bowman the author of “Savage Lies“ about Michael Savage and the Fairness Doctrine. Thanks Bill, “Keep the faith”.

sal-mohamed.jpgWe tried to talk to Sal Mohamed but he HUNG UP on Think Youth. When questioned about how being born in Egypt makes him ineligible to be elected President of the United States, Sal hung up.

“(I was) born physically, by body in Egypt, at the same time, born spiritually, by soul in America and in 1977 when I came to America, the body and soul came together.” [Grant Miller Media]

We called Sal back, he shut off his phone, and hilarity ensued.

The entire podcast:

[audio:http://boss.streamos.com/download/blogtalkradio/show_47109.mp3]

[Download MP3]

Ask Sal Intros, by Johnny Camacho:

[audio:http://www.thinkyouth.net/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/asksalall.mp3]

[Download MP3]

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Cops attack teen skateboarders

By Daniel Solis in Civil Rights, Freedom of Speech, Youth Issues on June 27, 2007

Earlier this week some 50 high school students expressed their right to freedom of speech by bravely confronting Bush on the use of torture and demanding an end to it

But, on June 21st in the town of Hot Springs, some teens rights were brutally put to a stop. Arkansas Officer Joey Williams took the law literally into his own hands. He assaulted kids riding on skateboards.

Hot Springs, Arkansas (KTHV) – Hot Springs police are looking into an officer’s actions after an Internet video appeared to show him choking three teens who were skateboarding near the city’s famed Bathhouse Row.

We’re living in a country where innocent kids, who want to go out and just have some fun, are instead are getting beaten and harrassed by the police. I’m not anti police, and no one should be, but when police use excessive force to end a problem, because they are too stupid to fix the situation the right way, there is a problem.

The tape of the beating was posted Monday on YouTube:

There is still no official word on exactly why the teens were assaulted. Think Youth is keeping in touch with the both sides involved, an update will come shortly.

School says no "BONG HiTS 4 JESUS"

By Daniel Solis in Civil Rights, Freedom of Speech, Youth Issues on June 26, 2007

For America’s youth, freedom of speech just got a little less free.

WASHINGTON (CNN) — The Supreme Court ruled against a former high school student Monday in the “Bong Hits 4 Jesus” banner case — a split decision that limits students’ free speech rights. [CNN.com]

It all started back in 2002 in Juneau, Alaska during a Salt Lake City Olympics torch run. Students raised the controversial poster just as a joke. The school administration took it seriously and saw it as promoting drug use.

“I find it absurdly funny,” he [Joseph Frederick] said. “I was not promoting drugs. … I assumed most people would take it as a joke.”

The school’s attorney in the case was the infamous Kenneth Starr who led the impeachment of Bill Clinton. Keep in mind this is a public school, and not a private one. The time it happened the students were outside of the school, but on a field trip. Shouldn’t we be allowed to say what we want as long as it’s not hurting anyone safety? I get why schools don’t allow shirts with guns on it, but c’mon this is going too far.

NOTE: Student rights while in school will be discussed this Friday at 5pm pacific (8pm eastern) on the Think Youth Live Podcast.

Students Confront Bush About Torture

By Daniel Solis in George W. Bush, Torture, Youth Issues on June 26, 2007

ph2007062501438.jpgOn Monday June 25, 2007, 50 high school seniors graduating in the Presidential Scholars program gave Bush a letter demanding the end of torture citing human rights violations. It’s great to see our generation taking a stand already. The letter’s most important part said:

“We do not want America to represent torture. We urge you to do all in your power to stop violations of the human rights of detainees, to cease illegal renditions, and to apply the Geneva Convention to all detainees, including those designated enemy combatants,” the letter said. [washingtonpost.com]

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