https://abc7chicago.com/post/gus-walz-son-tim-walz-tearfully-cheers-father-he-accepts-democratic-vp-nomination/15217641/
Was anyone not moved to tears by the sight of Gus Walz, the neurodivergent son of Vice-presidential candidate Gov. Tim Walz and his wife Gwen, crying and pointing out that his Dad was speaking at the DNC?
Why yes, as it turns out. The MAGA cruelty machine churned out a clip of Gus Walz crying with the caption “BETA MAXXING." For those unfamiliar with MAGA meme speak, the slang term "beta" or "beta male" is a derogatory phrase derived from loosely interpreted studies of animal behavior. The term is frequently associated with so-called feminine qualities being present in a man. “Maxxing” is, unsurprisingly, maximum.
Among other things on the ballot this fall, there is a choice about who men want to be in these times and that choice is on display in these conventions.
Gov. Walz was preceded by House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries quoting a hit song by Taylor Swift, reminding the assembled that Trump is like the guy Americans broke up with who is trying to stalk his way back inside.
“Donald Trump is like an old boyfriend who you broke up with, but he just won’t go away,” Jeffries said.
This wasn’t just a pop culture reference, it highlighted the kind of guy who is creepy and won’t listen to women when they say “NO!”
Jeffries reminded people that Trump is basically a creepy guy with women. That kind of guy is why women say they prefer the bear.
That Jeffries recognizes this demonstrates his own compassionate character.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, in his speech, highlighted his own family life as he and his husband are the fathers of two little kids. I found his description of them trying to get the kids to wash their hands and sit down and eat their macaroni and cheese so on point.
It was a homey example of what has changed due to the Democrats pushing for LGBTQ equality. “The makeup of our kitchen table—the existence of my family—is just one example of something that was literally impossible as recently as 25 years ago when an anxious teenager growing up in Indiana wondered if he would ever find belonging in the world,” he said. But over time, that changed, he said. “This kind of life went from impossible, to possible; from possible to real; from real to almost ordinary, in less than half a lifetime,” Buttigieg said. “But that didn’t just happen. It was brought about through idealism and courage. Through organizing and persuasion. And storytelling and, yes, through politics. The right kind of politics.”
The wrong kind of politics is defined by toxic masculinity, a rejection of any emotion other than anger (since other emotions are deemed “feminine”), the choice of threat and force over persuasion, and promoting the drive to “win” in any situation.
Toxic masculinity is highly correlated with domestic violence and with the psychology of mass shooters. Two-thirds of mass shootings are linked to domestic violence.
Governor Tim Walz signed two public safety bills into law including a “red flag law” and expanded background checks for gun transfers. The red flag law allows authorities to ask courts for “extreme risk protection orders” to temporarily take guns away from people deemed to be an imminent threat to others or themselves.”
98% of mass shooters are men, clearly demonstrating the lethal effects of toxic masculinity.
Gus Walz showed us another way. He is a model of decent masculinity, letting his emotions of love and respect show clearly.
Hope-filled! Even better when you follow the links (underlined words)!