As the 2024 election looms closer, former President Donald Trump appears to have soIidified his position as the frontrunner on the Republican side of the contest.
Despite ongoing efforts from the left, Trump’s popularity and poll numbers have surged, especially among minorities, posing a significant challenge for Democrats.
Incumbent President Joe Biden faces competition from third-party candidate Robert Kennedy Jr., and there are widespread rumors about potential repIacements for Biden on the Democratic ticket. Concerns about Biden’s age and declining mental state persist, coupled with a lack of strong contenders within the Democratic Party.
Speculation has swirled around California Governor Gavin Newsom and Vice President Kamala Harris as potential candidates, although both are perceived as underperforming. Unless an unexpected bid emerges from figures like Michelle Obama, the Democratic Party faces limited options.
This sets the stage for a probable showdown between Biden and Trump in 2024. Anticipating a worst-case scenario for Democrats, with Trump securing another term, some Hollywood celebrities have already begun discussing the possibiIity of leaving the country.
Notably, in 2016, several Hollywood liberals vowed to leave the country if Trump won, but none followed through. Nevertheless, similar threats have resurfaced for the 2024 election.
Barbara Streisand recently reiterated her intention to leave the country if Trump were to win again. During an interview promoting her autobiography, Streisand stated, ‘I will move. I can’t live in this country if he became president.’ However, whether such promises will materiaIize remains to be seen.”
My Dad Went Fishing with His Buddies and Overlooked My 18th Birthday
Ryder’s 18th birthday should have been a memorable day, but his father’s absence left him feeling disappointed. Instead of celebrating with his son, his father chose to go on a fishing trip with friends, leaving Ryder devastated and questioning their relationship.
Growing up, Ryder’s life was normal until his parents started arguing when he was seven. By eight, his father was no longer living at home. Ryder vividly remembers his mother explaining the divorce, reassuring him that it wasn’t his fault. After the split, his mom worked hard as an elementary school teacher to provide for him, while his dad became more of a distant figure, often preoccupied with hobbies and weekends spent fishing.
As Ryder approached his 18th birthday, he hoped his father would finally prioritize him. He planned a small party with his mom and friends and even sent a message to his dad. When his father responded with: “I’ll try to be there”, Ryder felt a flicker of hope. However, on the big day, despite all the decorations and a cake baked by his mom, his father didn’t show up.
After waiting hours without any contact from his dad, Ryder called him, only to learn that he was still on the lake, seemingly indifferent to his son’s special day. Ryder felt crushed and hid in his room until his mom found him. He struggled to mask his disappointment, feeling invisible and unimportant.
A week later, his father called, offering to give Ryder a gift. Despite his anger, Ryder agreed to visit. When he arrived, his dad handed him a shiny fishing rod, a gift that felt more like a reminder of his absence than a thoughtful present. Ryder felt betrayed, realizing that his father would never truly prioritize him. When his dad invited him to join a fishing trip with friends, Ryder politely declined, knowing deep down that their relationship would never change.
As he left, holding the fishing rod, Ryder felt a shift within himself. He recognized he didn’t need to chase after someone who didn’t want to be there for him. In the months that followed, he focused on the people who truly cared—his mom and friends. He threw himself into music, practicing the guitar and helping his mom around the house to show his appreciation.
One evening, while washing dishes, his mom asked if he had heard from his father. Ryder shook his head, feeling at peace with his decision to stop waiting. His mom expressed sadness about their relationship, but Ryder reassured her that having her support was more than enough.
Over time, Ryder learned that his self-worth wasn’t dependent on his father’s attention. His experiences taught him an important lesson: sometimes, people won’t fulfill your expectations, and that’s okay. The fishing rod remains in his closet as a reminder not of what he lost, but of what he gained: self-respect, resilience, and the ability to move on from what he couldn’t change.
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