You have reached your maximum number of articles. Log in or create an account FREE of charge to continue reading.
By entering your email and pushing continue, you are agreeing to Fox News’ Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, which includes our Notice of Financial Incentive.
Please enter a valid email address.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Dirty Franks in Philadelphia is the best bar in the world, and it was there that I met two young men, both 29, who work for the Department of Defense as engineers outfitting naval vessels. They are, as the kids say, pretty based, or are sure of themselves.
Advertisement
The pair of guys asked that I not use their names or pictures, they wouldn’t even tell me who they are voting for, though one of them smiled and said, “You can probably guess.” And I could.
They were both Zyn users (smoke-free nicotine that comes in pouches) and I asked if they were using it to quit smoking, or just took it up.
OBAMA SLAMS PRO-TRUMP MEN AT PHILADELPHIA RALLY; SPRINGSTEEN WARNS GOP NOMINEE IS ‘AN AMERICAN TYRANT’
“I smoke now and then,” one said.
Former President Trump speaks at a campaign town hall at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center & Fairgrounds, Oct. 14, 2024, in Oaks, Pennsylvania.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Advertisement
“But other people’s cigarettes?” I suggested.
“Yeah,” they laughed.
I was curious if they were in a union as DoD employees, “We have some kind of union,” I was told. “Once a year I have to vote whether to keep it, I always vote ‘no,’ but we always keep it.”
We talked about the state of the country, the things you are or aren’t allowed or supposed to say, and they don’t care about the orthodoxy.
The more I talked to these guys the more I realized, they aren’t just anti-woke, they are immune to it. As a Gen Xer, the accusation of racism or bigotry still carries an a priori pang, not so for these gents, they just don’t buy it.
Advertisement
A few hours before, I had met a 27-year-old with a degree from Drexel working at a law firm, and he exuded the same, I don’t know, I want to call it nonchalance, but there’s an unfamiliar swagger to it.
“One of them is gonna win, at least it will be over,” he told me, adding, “whatever.”
That final word hung like neon in my mind, “whatever,” the anthem of my generation.
Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a CNN Presidential Town Hall at Sun Center Studios on Oct. 23, 2024, in Aston, Pennsylvania. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
About a month ago, I started to notice that men in their 20s are way, way more open to former President Donald Trump than their peers in their 30s and 40s. It is a fascinating phenomenon, and I’m convinced that if Trump wins, it will be on the back of union members and Gen Z men.
But why is this happening? As the father of a 14-year-old … boy? Teenager? What do I call him now? Anyway, I have some insight.
Advertisement
When he was 11, he sent a text to me and his mother, also a journalist. It was a picture of a public-school form he had to fill out asking if he was transgender.
At 11 years old, I even got a column out of it, scooping his mom.
The point is that America’s young men have been swimming in a sea of madness for their whole lives, and they know it. And the same people who ask them, “Are you absolutely certain what your gender is?” are shocked to discover they don’t find Trump to be particularly abnormal.
That was the revelation I had that night!
As the night went easily along, one of the guys at Franks finally said, “can I get a cigarette?” the other chimed in, “me too.” I was more than happy to oblige.
Advertisement
CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION
And there we were in the chilly Philadelphia fall of red brick and moonlight, three men, smoking and talking about life without filters or guilt. You could see why Trump appeals to them. At the end of the day, he’s one of the boys.
That final word hung like neon in my mind, “whatever,” the anthem of my generation.
The next morning, I was smoking a cigarette with a to-go coffee cup outside my hotel and I let out a slight sigh. Because it’s Philly, some guy noted, “Dude, you’re the Ben Affleck meme,” which was a nice first laugh of the day.
Across the street, I saw a young woman on a stoop, long black hair falling on her knees, head down, she looked sad and lost. I had an instinct to ask if everything was OK, but I knew that would be weird.
Advertisement
A minute or two later, she stood up, looking fine and happy, and I realized she had just been looking at her phone. But it was amazing how much that pose mimicked the forlorn, almost 19th Century painting, image of her I had imagined.
Sen. JD Vance delivers remarks during a campaign rally at 2300 Arena on Aug. 6, 2024, in Philadelphia.(Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)
I have no idea if she is voting for Vice President Kamala Harris. The numbers would certainly suggest it, but I’m pretty sure the guys I met the previous night would be canceling out that vote.
The future of our country is in the hands of these young men and women, who are very different from each other, but also very sincere about who they are, and a reason for hope.
MIDDLETOWN, CT. (WFSB) – Attention drivers, a new form of speed enforcement is coming to Middletown.
They now become the first city in the state to install speed and red-light cameras to try and cut down on dangerous driving.
“I’m so happy it’s getting done. Obviously this is a school zone. We have some of America’s most precious people over here. We need to be taking care of them,” said Kaden Powers, an employee of Spencer Elementary School.
“That’s absolutely ridiculous. I’m from the Bronx and I literally moved away because those speed cameras,” said Symphony Winborne, Middletown.
Advertisement
Washington and Marlborough have also implemented the cameras.
One camera will be put on Washington Street, where drivers have been clocked going as high as 70 miles per hour in a 35 mile per hour zone.
Another will be installed on Westfield Street, where Spencer Elementary School is.
A third will be placed on Country Club Road, where there is a sharp turn by Highby Road and Knox Boulevard. Mooney Elementary School is also near the area.
“I have lost people from car accidents. God forbid a student is hurt. That would be the worst thing in the world. I don’t wanna ever see that happen,” continued Powers.
Advertisement
He hopes that the cameras will make people slow down, especially when so many young kids are walking around.
“If it’s in the school zone, then of course we want to keep our kids safe, but just to put it in the middle of all this,” continued Winborne. “So much traffic moving back-and-forth it’s going to be impossible.”
She’s afraid that they might cause more accidents with people slowing down to prevent getting a ticket.
“They see these cameras they stopped early and then all of a sudden you’re reducing the likelihood of a fatal accident, but you’re encouraging the likelihood of someone stopping to see and getting rear-ended,” said Dr. Kimberly Przeszlowski, an assistant professor of criminal justice at Quinnipiac University.
She stated that as long as the locations of the cameras are data driven and police departments are transparent about whether serious injury crashes or fatalities are down, the technology is doing its job.
Advertisement
They will also be used to catch people running red lights.
First time offenders will be hit with a $50 fee.
After that, the violation goes up to $75, and violators will also likely get an additional processing fee of $15.
The tickets will be mailed to the address on the car’s registration.
Baxter, a chocolate lab, joined the Maine Department of Public Safety in 2022. He was found dead in a state vehicle Wednesday afternoon.Maine Department of Public Safety Communications
Maine’s first official comfort dog, a 3-year-old chocolate lab named Baxter, was found dead in a state vehicle Wednesday afternoon, officials said.
The Department of Public Safety called the death “accidental.” It did not list a specific cause, but noted that the vehicle’s air conditioning had failed.
Advertisement
“DPS is currently reviewing the circumstances surrounding Baxter’s death,” the agency said in a statement. “The state vehicle… is undergoing a thorough inspection to identify potential malfunctions that may have led it to unexpectedly stop running, which caused the vehicle’s air conditioning to cease operating.”
Baxter was routinely transported in the same vehicle where he was later found, according to the statement.
At the time of his death, the car was parked at the Bangor Regional Communications Center. Baxter served all three centers run by the Maine Bureau of Emergency Communications, where he supported the emotional well-being of first responders.
Baxter joined the bureau in 2022. “His calming and cheerful presence will be deeply missed by all those who interacted with him,” according to the statement.
“The Department extends its deepest condolences to Baxter’s handler and his family, as well as the entire emergency telecommunication team.”
Advertisement
Rita Chandler can be reached at rita.chandler@globe.com.
There are several reasons why New England is such a popular destination for vacationers and tourists alike during the Summer. And with all the great aesthetics, and of course, an overwhelming wealth of history, Massachusetts is at the heart of all those potential Summer travel destinations. And it’s not just the big cities within the Bay State. There are definitely some small towns that have a certain appeal that give off that perfect Summer vibe. In fact, we now know where you can find one of the best Summer travel destinations in the U.S., right here in Massachusetts.
The popular publication known as, ‘USA Today’ revealed its list of its 10 Best Summer travel destinations. While this Massachusetts spot didn’t necessarily make the top 10, it was a runner-up, which still puts it among the top Summer travel destinations in the country. With that, you may have guessed that it’s towards the east coast in the Bay State. That particular town is Nantucket.
Here’s what ‘USA Today’s 10 Best had to say about Nantucket being one of the best Summer travel destinations in America:
In Nantucket, Massachusetts, summer provides a memorable escape for visitors who can enjoy pristine beaches, historic lighthouses, and charming cobblestone streets lined with boutique shops and eateries. The island also hosts several notable summer events, such as the Nantucket Film Festival, celebrating screenwriting and storytelling, and The Happy Place Wellness Symposium.
Advertisement
It seems like it’s definitely the type of go-to destination no matter what season we’re in. That’s just one more destination to head to for your next road trip, especially during the Summer. Enjoy, Massachusetts!
10 MA Towns That Don’t Sound Like They’re in Massachusetts
