With federal gun control on ice, advocates look to other solutions for school shootings
Sunday, January 12, 2025
The solution to too many guns in schools is more guns in schools......brilliant!
States are preparing to help or thwart Trump's second-term plans
As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office, many elected officials in Republican and Democratic states are preparing to either aid or oppose his policies.
Do you live in a blue state, a red state, a state with Ron DeSantis as governor, or one where Republicans and Democrats share power?
Your answer might provide the best indicator of what to expect from your governor and state lawmakers as President-elect Donald Trump takes office and legislatures convene.
What not to say to someone with depression
What not to say to someone with depression
‘Everyone gets depressed’
There are many potential causes of depression that go beyond a stressful life event. Depression is not simply being sad sometimes, it significantly impacts a person’s ability to function and interact in life. Even if life presents challenges to everyone, living with depression is different than facing difficulties or having a stressful day. Telling someone to just get over it is invalidating a person’s experiences and concerns.
‘You just need a drink’
If you haven’t had depression, it’s natural to see it as having many bad days in a row. This is how it’s often portrayed in the media. But depression isn’t about needing a good time or forgetting what you’re going through by using alcohol. It’s possible that inviting them to do a fun activity can help them in the moment, even if it won’t “cure depression.” However, inviting them to use alcohol may be a tricky one. Here’s why. Some people with depression may find temporary mental and physical relief in alcohol. Because of all the other symptoms they may be dealing with like poor self-esteem and insomnia, they could have an increased chance of adopting alcohol as a coping mechanism.
‘Cheer up!’
Asking someone with depression to “cheer up” may be similar to telling someone with rheumatoid arthritis to “stop hurting.” Depression isn’t a personal choice. It often requires professional support for symptoms to improve, and even then, it’s a long and complex process. Depression can cause prolonged sadness and inability to find joy or pleasure in life. Depression can also make it difficult to do everyday tasks like maintaining proper hygiene. Even though not everyone with depression experiences the same symptoms, including sadness, the condition does affect mood. This isn’t something they can just remedy by “cheering up.”
‘Many people go through worse’
Validating how someone with depression feels is important. They often don’t know why they feel the way they do. This often leads them to experience guilt about having depression, particularly if their life is perceived as “good.” But depression isn’t about how good or challenging your life is. Saying this to someone dealing with depression can cause increased feelings of loneliness, being misunderstood, and wanting to isolate. You may not understand why they have depression, and that’s OK. Providing empathy and support, even when you cannot relate to what they’re going through, can go a long way.
‘You’re being selfish’
People with depression may be aware they’re not acting as usual, or that it’s difficult for them to socialize or complete some tasks. Again, this isn’t by choice. It’s not their intention to do anything to you or anyone else. They’re doing the best they can with the resources they have at hand. Maybe you’d handle it differently. That’s OK. But they aren’t you. A person dealing with clinical depression is likely having a hard time keeping up with their own personal life. They are not selfish; they are just not well. They may not have the capacity to be and do everything that someone else wants them to be or do.
Saturday, January 11, 2025
Israel’s image crisis and the limits of propaganda
As a growing number of Israeli voices openly condemn the actions of their military in Gaza, the Israeli government is taking extraordinary steps to conceal the identities of soldiers committing war crimes.
Climate change is putting the focus on Greenland, Canada and the Panama Canal
As Americans prepare for a second Trump term, it seems we are less focused on the prices of eggs, gas and homes and more on Greenland, Canada and the Panama Canal.
For many of us, it seems preposterous that President-elect Donald Trump would even float the idea of taking back the canal, using military force to seize Greenland or making Canada the “51st state.”
However, what isn’t preposterous to most Americans is climate change. Trump seems less intent on combating climate change and more intent on capitalizing off it.
Friday, January 10, 2025
Judge sentences Trump in hush money case but declines to impose any punishment
Donald Trump was sentenced Friday in his hush money case, but the judge declined to impose any punishment, an outcome that cements his conviction while freeing him to return to the White House unencumbered by the threat of a jail term or a fine. more
Thursday, January 9, 2025
Vanishing Voices: The Fight for Cultural Preservation
How conflict and neglect threaten humanity’s cultural heritage
Gov. DeSantis appointee says women should pick motherhood over higher ed
For years, political scientist Scott Yenor has advocated for overhauling colleges and universities, which he has argued undermine traditional American families by encouraging women to pursue careers and put off childbirth.
Now Yenor may get a chance to implement his policy proposals after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed him to the Board of the University of West Florida, a public school in Pensacola with about 14,000 students.
Drone video shows destruction from Palisades Fire
Drone video captured devastating destruction in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood after the fire burned almost the entire neighborhood.
Wednesday, January 8, 2025
Tampa Bay's best live music happening January 9-16
Judy Collins at the Bocher Concert Hall, Les Houches, France
While there's no national headliner, jazz is well represented—like it always is—in this week's roundup of the best live music coming to Tampa Bay. LuRue Nickelson obviously tops the lot, but there are so many other jazz gigs, like Nate Najar and Daniela Soledade's Peace Music Series gig happening, too.....listings HERE
Tampa's rental and move-in assistance program is back open
Tampa’s rental and move-in assistance program closed in December following a backlog because of the hurricanes.
Those in need of financial assistance for rent can apply through the city's online portal. If approved, funding from the program goes to the applicant's landlord for move-in fees or other rental assistance needs.
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