This is beyond beautiful. I think you are on the right track redefining masculinity. If I were a guy, I’d be livid that folks like Trump/Musk and Co want to define what a real man is. I’ve got to believe that most women find thugs repellent.
As the saying goes, if you have to constantly remind people that you're a real man, you may not be. "By their works you will know them." The psychology of personal inadequacy as it is embodied in Felon47, Muck, and their cult followers is material for more than a few books and several careers.
And yet the majority of white women voted for this vision, presumably gor other reasons but they have known since 2016 that they get this toxicity as part of the package.
That is true. However as someone pointed out (and had never occurred to me before) many white women aren’t casting their own votes they’re just voting how their husbands require, to prevent conflict or even violence at home.
You are right of course. Recall the Evangelical preacher who castigated any woman who would not follow her husband's voting instructions. A true-to-life "Handmaid's Tale". But how terribly sad -- and worse -- after all the efforts and strides made for women's equality in the 60's and 70's.
It is beyond sad, wretched and pathetic that after all of those strides that were made for equality in the 60s and 70s, we let the world regress because of the pathetic insecurities of idiots and those who never should have been born.
I commend you for tackling this subject which I believe is at the root of the lawlessness and outrages being done by Trump and his cronies. They believe that their ignorant bullying and their willingness to destroy existing norms(without worrying about the consequences) make them look strong in the eyes of the American people. This country badly needs to be
Yes, the majority of white women who voted chose this. Some are his waiting base; others are looking for tax cuts; still more - like their male cohort - are unwilling to choose a leader who is not like nearly all the others. Amygdala poking and self-interest play an enormous role, and the politics of explicit dominance (which is predominantly one-sided) leads others to bow down at the risk of standing out. Peer pressure is deep and wide.
Standing out, though, is what we need to do. None of us were born to stand-in. (h/t Solomon Missouri)
There are policies championed by the Democratic Party which many women feel are extremist and which throw them and their daughters under the bus. It is unfortunate that they can't even be named, much less openly debated.
I voted for Harris, and contributed to her campaign, as I have voted for and contributed to Democratic candidates across the board since I could vote and had a job. I fully understand that Trump is a demented, racist, narcissistic, fraudster with a Hitler complex. I am an atheist and a socialist -- and a feminist who has realized, belatedly, that transgenderism is a political ideology not friendly to the interests of women and vulnerable children.
Mr Kunce, I'm not sure what to do with this story. But your description of all the churches puts me in mind of Emo Philips' religion joke. Philips' delivery style was very annoying, but the joke is a masterpiece. If you don't know it, you can find it on youtube. It's sort of like the story you told, except for the outcome. Regards to Benyam and Tesfai. And Turu.
As for JFK's book, the over-riding theme was Senators who sacrificed to keep the Union together. It's an important book with which about half the Senators today are either not familiar, or they don't agree. As I always say, it's fine with me if they don't agree. They should move to some other country.
And I still don't know what the fuck is wrong with the voters in Missouri.
If the men in power (and the men and boys who text at my teenage daughter, "Your body, my choice," or the one who physically assaulted her at school, or the ones who.. my word this is an endless list) could forgive and resist violence and retribution as a show of strength, could embrace accountability and earnest making amends, we would not be here.
My first presidential election was JFK vs. Richard Nixon, and as a kid, a kindly neighbor held me on his shoulders so I could see JFK campaigning in person. I never understood (nor even forgave) Eleanor Roosevelt for not supporting him and continuing to support Adlai Stevenson, who obviously was not going to win after his two earlier failed attempts. It took until now for you to reveal Eleanor's real reason for her failure to support Kennedy--that he was not courageous enough to speak out against McCarthy. I should have known! Eleanor Roosevelt was always on the side of right and she always did the right thing.
The first time I saw JFK was during the campaign in 1960. My parents, who named my younger brother Adlai Stevenson, supported Stevenson strongly, and my father, who had met Kennedy in the late Forties, did not care for him much. We were allowed to watch the convention in 1960 on my grandmother's tv, and my brother and I marched around the room waving Stevenson signs!
Damn! I'm sure it's my sinuses and this beautiful day that are causing my eyes to water. Tesfai's story is as incredible a profile in courage as I've ever heard or expect to hear. It would be inconceivable that any American would do other than welcome immigrants to the "land of opportunity" if I hadn't seen it start to happen. Like some others here, I welcome your next run for office and profoundly hope that this time is a winner. What this state sent to the Senate in your place isn't fit to polish Tesfai's shoes.
Lucas- between your wife's story and today's, you convinced me to financially support your articles. Both show how important immigrants are to our country by bringing love, decency, and hard work with them. Those who support the Narcissistic Felon could learn so much from them. I look forward to more solid stories like these from you. Thanks.
The most masculine man I ever knew was my stepfather. He had joyous laugh and laughed often, but never at other people. He married my widowed mother who had 5 children, ages four (me) to 14 and never, not ever, spoke to us in a harsh tone or in anger. He supported Mom's decisions, but if (when?) he disagreed with her we never knew it. Dad demonstrated by action what his four daughters should look for in a husband. He stood up (quietly, but without backing down) to neighbor - a big, cruel man - who had let his big dogs terrorize us when we walked past his house...and the problem was solved. Without violence, but with conviction. He was my hero and my dad. He showed us that a "real" man walks the walk. He worked as a laborer at a bentonite packing plant without complaint, just satisfied that he made enough to support his large family by working overtime and holidays when he could (and it was shift work that changed his hours weekly). My mother always said she didn't know how she got so lucky as to find two such men in her lifetime.
I don't know how someone like 47 can be considered to be masculine by any definition.
Your story is inspiring and I thank for passing it along to us.
I knew two teachers who disappeared while I was a Peace Corps volunteer in Ethiopia during the coup in 74-75. We had been evacuated from our site but returned later. Later we heard that one had been killed trying to leave the country. That was the beginning of the Dirge, Ethiopa's long internal crisis.
Now I fear for my own country as we undergo a bureaucratic coup. Yes, Lucas, we must stand strong. Stories inspire.
Absolutely beautiful story. Worth keeping to remind us what forgiveness and fairness means. And, to continue hoping that you will one day serve in the U.S. Senate. All best wishes.
Lucas, these are such wonderful stories you're telling! And you're using people you know well to do it. This is truly what "real men" are. They're quiet heroes who just seek to do the right thing. So glad that the story got told and Benyam finally got answers to his questions that included his Dad's forgiveness.
This is beyond beautiful. I think you are on the right track redefining masculinity. If I were a guy, I’d be livid that folks like Trump/Musk and Co want to define what a real man is. I’ve got to believe that most women find thugs repellent.
As the saying goes, if you have to constantly remind people that you're a real man, you may not be. "By their works you will know them." The psychology of personal inadequacy as it is embodied in Felon47, Muck, and their cult followers is material for more than a few books and several careers.
Maybe a new writing career awaits you 😊
Thanks Susan.
We do. I find them abhorrent!
And yet the majority of white women voted for this vision, presumably gor other reasons but they have known since 2016 that they get this toxicity as part of the package.
That is true. However as someone pointed out (and had never occurred to me before) many white women aren’t casting their own votes they’re just voting how their husbands require, to prevent conflict or even violence at home.
You are right of course. Recall the Evangelical preacher who castigated any woman who would not follow her husband's voting instructions. A true-to-life "Handmaid's Tale". But how terribly sad -- and worse -- after all the efforts and strides made for women's equality in the 60's and 70's.
It is beyond sad, wretched and pathetic that after all of those strides that were made for equality in the 60s and 70s, we let the world regress because of the pathetic insecurities of idiots and those who never should have been born.
That is quite horrifying. When my maternal grandmother got the right to vote, the first thing she did was cast her vote to cancel her husband’s.
I commend you for tackling this subject which I believe is at the root of the lawlessness and outrages being done by Trump and his cronies. They believe that their ignorant bullying and their willingness to destroy existing norms(without worrying about the consequences) make them look strong in the eyes of the American people. This country badly needs to be
Introduced to a new and more valid definition of masculinity. Thank you for taking on this mission!
Small correction: The majority of white women "who voted" voted for this vision.
Right you are, of course.
Why didn’t the rest of them vote?
Yes, the majority of white women who voted chose this. Some are his waiting base; others are looking for tax cuts; still more - like their male cohort - are unwilling to choose a leader who is not like nearly all the others. Amygdala poking and self-interest play an enormous role, and the politics of explicit dominance (which is predominantly one-sided) leads others to bow down at the risk of standing out. Peer pressure is deep and wide.
Standing out, though, is what we need to do. None of us were born to stand-in. (h/t Solomon Missouri)
There are policies championed by the Democratic Party which many women feel are extremist and which throw them and their daughters under the bus. It is unfortunate that they can't even be named, much less openly debated.
Extremist? Which policies? Ha
Td to fathom.
That one really gets me. It’s beyond my bandwidth to understand. The other one is the folks who see DT as the embodiment of JC.
I voted for Harris, and contributed to her campaign, as I have voted for and contributed to Democratic candidates across the board since I could vote and had a job. I fully understand that Trump is a demented, racist, narcissistic, fraudster with a Hitler complex. I am an atheist and a socialist -- and a feminist who has realized, belatedly, that transgenderism is a political ideology not friendly to the interests of women and vulnerable children.
Awesome story. You continue to show what a real American is like. Can't wait to support your next run for Senate
Me too.
Mr Kunce, I'm not sure what to do with this story. But your description of all the churches puts me in mind of Emo Philips' religion joke. Philips' delivery style was very annoying, but the joke is a masterpiece. If you don't know it, you can find it on youtube. It's sort of like the story you told, except for the outcome. Regards to Benyam and Tesfai. And Turu.
As for JFK's book, the over-riding theme was Senators who sacrificed to keep the Union together. It's an important book with which about half the Senators today are either not familiar, or they don't agree. As I always say, it's fine with me if they don't agree. They should move to some other country.
And I still don't know what the fuck is wrong with the voters in Missouri.
Agree completely!
What an incredible story, beautifully written and so touching. I was crying by the end. Bless you, Lucas. We badly need you in the Senate!
I second that!
A moving story beautifully written.
If the men in power (and the men and boys who text at my teenage daughter, "Your body, my choice," or the one who physically assaulted her at school, or the ones who.. my word this is an endless list) could forgive and resist violence and retribution as a show of strength, could embrace accountability and earnest making amends, we would not be here.
My first presidential election was JFK vs. Richard Nixon, and as a kid, a kindly neighbor held me on his shoulders so I could see JFK campaigning in person. I never understood (nor even forgave) Eleanor Roosevelt for not supporting him and continuing to support Adlai Stevenson, who obviously was not going to win after his two earlier failed attempts. It took until now for you to reveal Eleanor's real reason for her failure to support Kennedy--that he was not courageous enough to speak out against McCarthy. I should have known! Eleanor Roosevelt was always on the side of right and she always did the right thing.
The first time I saw JFK was during the campaign in 1960. My parents, who named my younger brother Adlai Stevenson, supported Stevenson strongly, and my father, who had met Kennedy in the late Forties, did not care for him much. We were allowed to watch the convention in 1960 on my grandmother's tv, and my brother and I marched around the room waving Stevenson signs!
Damn! I'm sure it's my sinuses and this beautiful day that are causing my eyes to water. Tesfai's story is as incredible a profile in courage as I've ever heard or expect to hear. It would be inconceivable that any American would do other than welcome immigrants to the "land of opportunity" if I hadn't seen it start to happen. Like some others here, I welcome your next run for office and profoundly hope that this time is a winner. What this state sent to the Senate in your place isn't fit to polish Tesfai's shoes.
Lucas- between your wife's story and today's, you convinced me to financially support your articles. Both show how important immigrants are to our country by bringing love, decency, and hard work with them. Those who support the Narcissistic Felon could learn so much from them. I look forward to more solid stories like these from you. Thanks.
The most masculine man I ever knew was my stepfather. He had joyous laugh and laughed often, but never at other people. He married my widowed mother who had 5 children, ages four (me) to 14 and never, not ever, spoke to us in a harsh tone or in anger. He supported Mom's decisions, but if (when?) he disagreed with her we never knew it. Dad demonstrated by action what his four daughters should look for in a husband. He stood up (quietly, but without backing down) to neighbor - a big, cruel man - who had let his big dogs terrorize us when we walked past his house...and the problem was solved. Without violence, but with conviction. He was my hero and my dad. He showed us that a "real" man walks the walk. He worked as a laborer at a bentonite packing plant without complaint, just satisfied that he made enough to support his large family by working overtime and holidays when he could (and it was shift work that changed his hours weekly). My mother always said she didn't know how she got so lucky as to find two such men in her lifetime.
I don't know how someone like 47 can be considered to be masculine by any definition.
Your story is inspiring and I thank for passing it along to us.
Thank you for this story of bravery and mercy.
I knew two teachers who disappeared while I was a Peace Corps volunteer in Ethiopia during the coup in 74-75. We had been evacuated from our site but returned later. Later we heard that one had been killed trying to leave the country. That was the beginning of the Dirge, Ethiopa's long internal crisis.
Now I fear for my own country as we undergo a bureaucratic coup. Yes, Lucas, we must stand strong. Stories inspire.
Not related to Tom Fina, are you?
My name was wrong-- Ellen Finan. I am sister to a Tom Finan ( and daughter, granddaughter,etc).
My apologies!
I appreciate that you seem to know that stories change people’s minds, not abstract ideas or arguments.
What a beautiful story. Especially now. Thank you.
Well done. And lucky you to have had this experience.
Absolutely beautiful story. Worth keeping to remind us what forgiveness and fairness means. And, to continue hoping that you will one day serve in the U.S. Senate. All best wishes.
Or POTUS!
What a great idea, Mr. Kunce!! I look forward to reading more of YOUR Profiles in Courage and positive masculinity.
Lucas, these are such wonderful stories you're telling! And you're using people you know well to do it. This is truly what "real men" are. They're quiet heroes who just seek to do the right thing. So glad that the story got told and Benyam finally got answers to his questions that included his Dad's forgiveness.