Think Youth on the issues at the DNC

Think Youth Announces Coverage Focus for Democratic Convention

When Think Youth was informed of our attendance for the 2008 Democratic Convention, we were thrilled to be one of the few youth blogs covering the convention this year. Because of our status as an all youth contributor blog, a fair majority of our coverage will be related to youth issues and education. We will be roaming Denver for politicians, pundits, and journalists from all over America to ask them questions and get their take on the important issues. In addition to all day long updates through blog posting, we will also be communicating with our readers through photos, videos, live call-in podcasts, and live streaming video.

• Subscribe to us on YouTube where we will be uploading videos of the convention all throughout the week.
• Pay close attention to our Flickr for photos of the convention.
• For quick updates and announcements, follow us on Twitter.
• Listen to our daily live podcast through the Heading Left station on BlogTalkRadio.
• If you want to watch live video of us, or see one of the events we will be covering, watch us live on Ustream.

Special thanks to Joshua Davis, one of Think Youth’s editors, for designing and creating our special edition header as well.

Jared Polis for Congress!

I haven’t written on this blog for a little while now. I’ve been busy with school, and I just finished serving as a United States Congressional Page. But for me, this race for Congress in Colorado’s 2nd District is far too important for me not to do everything I possibly can to get the word out about one particular candidate in that race, Jared Polis. Jared is a 33-year old internet entrepreneur who’s made millions of his own money by working hard and coming up with new technology. He’s used his financial success to build schools for homeless children, and served 8 years as the Colorado State Board of Education Chairman. He also happens to be openly gay, and would, if he wins the primary on August 12th, make history by becoming the first openly gay male non-incumbent in Congress. Whoever wins the primary will almost certainly win the general election, seeing as it’s a seat that’s gone Democratic since 1975.

I am a 16-year old openly gay political enthusiast. I support Jared because for me, as cliche as it sounds, he represents hope for the future. He represents a generational change, as well as a historic oppurtunity. Both of his opponents are in their 50’s and 60’s, and have been involved in politics for many years. Jared is the only candidate who truly represents me and my generation, and therefore it is so important that he wins his race on Tuesday. I encourage everyone on this blog to actively support his campaign for the remaining 6 days, by donating as much money as they can at his website, www.PolisforCongress.com, and getting the word out about his campaign to their friends and family. Again, this is a historic and unprecedented oppurtunity; Jared is a rising star who could make history for my generation and the gay community; he could one day end up as Governor of Colorado, or perhaps even President of the United States. So let’s make sure he wins on Tuesday.

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.

Youth Activism & Involvement - From a Youth’s Perspective

Cross-Posted at Dailykos

I’m a high school student in Maryland, and I think that youth activism really needs to be addressed. Given all the attention being paid to young voters and encouraging young people to get involved in civics, I think its time that perhaps instead of adults thinking about how best to reach youth, an actual youth provide his opinion. We need to make some serious improvements.

Please allow me to preface this diary with a short introduction. I am a high school sophomore at a magnet high school in Greenbelt, MD, and very interested & involved in politics. I am also the Prince George’s County Delegate and Co-Chairman of the Governor’s Maryland Youth Council, essentially the only Youth Advisory group that is state-government sanctioned. Read more

Why Hillary Clinton should be the next President

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. Because, when choosing a president, we have to choose someone who deserves to be president. Hillary’s years of activism and public service has made her a deserving candidate for the presidency. Read more

Fri. December 7th Live Podcast: Mike Connery Interview

We 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.

[Download MP3]

Get Military Recruitment out of our schools

The other day at school during lunch, my small group and I were approached by a navy recruiter. He thought he would be able to relate to us more by telling Chuck Norris jokes. “Did you know Chuck Norris’ tears can cure cancer? Too bad he doesn’t cry,” the guy quipped. After listening to a handful of more Chuck Norris jokes that I’ve already heard, I asked him “If Chuck Norris is so great, can he end the war?” Some people reading this might perceive that as rude. But what is more rude is that the military is actively recruiting young adults while still in high school. Read more

Maybe Ron Paul Is Good After All

Libertarianism is about unrestricted freedom, and so is the Internet. So it’s not surprising that Ron Paul and the Internet where a natural match. He has uploaded the most videos to YouTube, and claims to have raised $3 million online in one day.

But I’m no where near endorsing Ron Paul. My point is that the people are taking back the press - and this is due to the Internet. Today the local elections occur in my state of Virginia. After doing my usual round of blog posting I went to check how many visits I had on my local blog. And today that blog had a record number of visits - greater than when one of our residents was killed in India (don’t you love local news).

But I’m not here to brag about it’s visits. Most of the people who visited my site where searching for information about one of the candidates. Due to the local newspapers inability to have a reasonably good online presence, those searching for information came to my site. Hopefully I influenced some peoples views.

But there’s one problem, in Reston I’ve found only a handful of other blogs, most echoing generally my beliefs. On my blog I do have an agenda to pass, and that’s where the danger enters in. Those searching for information get only one view. That’s why blogging and other Web 2.0 activities are so important, especial for people who can’t vote, but still want a say, like teens and “illegal” immigrants.

The web has become an inseparable part of our Democracy and everyone needs to contribute. Maybe you don’t have time to write a blog post - but certainly if you’re already online you can post a comments. But it’s time for more than just geeks, liberals, and youth to give back the power of the press. If America will work we all need to use our first amendment rights.

Who is the candidate for America’s Youth?

(Images credit: hkktz)

When the campaign season starts, most candidates don’t worry about appealing to the youth vote, because we don’t come out to 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.

I’m sure Barack Obama likes to think he has the youth vote locked. But the latest polls actually show Hillary leading in the youth vote. Young voters want change. They see change in a minority or woman running for president. That’s the only way 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.

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.

Teen Accused of “Child Molestation” Freed

Genarlow Wilson, now a man, has been ordered set free by the Georgia Supreme Court. In 2005, the then 17 year old was accused of child molestation for having oral sex consensually performed on him by another 17 year old.

I don’t know about you, but when was the last time you heard of someone thrown in jail for consensual sex? Being that this occurred in Georgia I just assumed racism, with a persistent district attorney appealing his first “cruel and unusual” punishment ruling, which would have let him walk free earlier. But then I found the Attorney General Thurbert Baker, was Democratic and -gasp- black.  I assume others in his office must have pressured him into not looking a person who was lenient on people of his own race, which lead him to fight for this man to be put in prison for something, many, many people do every day.

But thanks to Jack and Jill Politics, I realized the 17 year old girl may have been white, and thus reason for a legal “lynching.” If so this explains the harsh sentencing. But whatever the reason behind this, I’m glad that the justice system, has at least this time, restored the justice part of their name.

A Personal Declaration — People under 18 should be able to vote!

Here’s an essay I wrote for English, a “Personal Declaration” about how people under 18 should be able to vote. Check out this and this for some more information/support. Hit “Read More” for my writing.

Read more

Young Adults Can Go To War, But Can’t Own Guns

The mayor of Cleveland wants to ban guns for people under 21. Not just from buying a gun, but from possessing a firearm. Considering that you have to register for selective service in order to participate in modern society, it seems you should be able to posses a fire arm.

And what happens when you pick and choose who can have guns? Since African Americans supposedly shoot and kill more than the average American, should guns be banned from us too? Or what about families that have mentally ill members? The mayor did have the ban idea right, it just needs to be applied fairly, which means on everyone.

Of course you know I’m anti-gun, and I feel the military should be the only one with guns. But there needs to be a complete ban for people of all ages. And what are our under 21 soldiers supposed to do when they come back to Cleveland, turn their weapons over to the police until they leave the city? I hope the mayor realizes a haphazard response won’t decrease crime.

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