Is mental illness becoming trendy online? — The extremes that young people will go to for attention seem to grow more and more outrageous. TikTok is one of the most popular social media sites, used primarily by Millennials and Gen Z kids. …

Crazy conspiracy theories continue to dominate Republicans’ complaints of election fraud… — A group of New Mexican Republicans has refused to certify the primary vote due to a baseless conspiracy theory put out into the ether by Donald Trump’s former lawyers, Sydney Powell and Rudy Giuliani, and My Pillow Guy, Mike Lindell. Three Republican members of the Otero County Commission, led by…

Is the American right aspiring for an authoritarian state? — Tucker Carlson is one of Fox New’s most controversial “journalists.” He hosts a nightly show called Tucker Carlson Tonight in which he promotes conspiracy theories, tells flat-out lies, and attempts to “own the libs” with his dystopian rendition of journalism. I’ve become so desensitized to the lying and conspiratorial nature…

They’re building “an army.” If you care at all about democracy, please read on… — As a passionate proponent of democracy, I have to use the small platform that I possess to sound the alarm bells. As we all know, the GOP didn’t handle its election losses very well in 2020. Former president, Donald J. Trump still contends that he won the election, and that…

Republicans continue to get more creative about why mass shootings are a constant occurrence in America… — Some things in life are certain. Like death, taxes, and Republicans blaming anything other than guns for the absurd amount of mass shootings in America. So, I was anything but surprised when I heard about Fox News infotainment host, Laura Ingraham, blaming mass shootings on marijuana use. The segment was…

Deep down, I’m just a hurt little girl in a 39-year-old woman’s body… — My hands shook violently as I tightened my grip around my iPhone to keep it from falling to the ground. I stared at the illuminated screen for what seemed like hours, trying to work up the nerve to make the call. My stomach was rumbling, and I had the distinct…

Music is the soundtrack to life and trauma… — I was challenged by the fabulous Melanie Workes to write an article listing some of the songs that are most likely to make me cry! This article could go on forever, but I’ll spare you the pain of reading never-ending documentation of my sorrows. Before I begin the list, I…

I never thought I’d be able to quit… — I promised myself and my kids that I would quit smoking when I turned 40. I’m 39 today, and my 40th birthday is rapidly approaching in October. I don’t want to quit, as I love smoking and it’s my last “crutch” upon which I can lean when I’m feeling stressed…

Get to know the writer behind the screen… — Last week, I was tagged by the lovely Dominique Williams to do the “Ten Things You Didn’t Know About Me” Challenge. I thought this would be a fun way to introduce myself to the Medium community. Frankly, I never thought I was very interesting, but the ideas kept flowing as…