markmahaney

Internet Analyst

[markmahaney @markmahaney]

There's been some public focus on Down Syndrome recently because a famous YouTuber decided to terminate a pregnancy due to Down Syndrome. I don't have any comment on that particular situation. But I do have some thoughts on Down Syndrome. I published the below article a long time ago...

My first son, Noah, was born on March 12, 2000 with Down Syndrome. The tests administered during pregnancy for Down Syndrome and other conditions somehow didn’t indicate Downs - so, yes, Noah was a bit of a surprise. Later on, around the age of three, Noah also started presenting as autistic.
There’s an article that I think is given to many parents when their children are born with developmental disabilities. It’s called something like, “Welcome to Holland.” The analogy goes like this: A family plans a full, fun vacation to Italy, but the plane gets diverted and they end up in Holland. The point is that while Holland may not be as fun, beautiful, romantic, and interesting as Italy, it still has its charms - windmills, dikes, wooden shoes, and more…
I’ve thought about that article many times over the years. And I’ve thought about how I’d retitle and rewrite it. I think I’d go with the title: “Welcome to Life.” Having Noah has been a blessing. And a blessing. And a blessing. Did I “plan” for Noah? No. But neither did I “plan” for the three other boys who became his brothers. And they are each wonderful, challenging, delightful, puzzling, loving, patience-testing, and inspiring in their own ways.
But Noah is different. He’s more the 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th on that list, and he just “is.” And he’s also the boy that most makes me appreciate the smaller things - the most important things in life. Everything comes more slowly with Noah. But it does come. And when it comes, you really, really, really appreciate it. When at 12, he walks up to the counter and verbalizes “chocolate ice cream” for the first time, you appreciate it. When at 14, he strolls over to a friend and for the first time high-fives him and loudly shouts “Hey Buddy,” you appreciate it. And when at 16, he starts to say “thank you” – before and after a request, you appreciate it. Noah is 18 now and likes to dance extemporaneously while shouting “DJ Khaled.” And I appreciate it.
People and parents can have all types of different reactions to, or experiences with, special needs children. I fully understand that having special needs children can be challenging, scary, perhaps terrifying for parents. I have also witnessed/experienced the uncertainty and awkwardness that individuals (children and adults) can have when encountering special needs children. It’s all very understandable.
It’s just that my experience with Noah has been wonderful. He is both my most playful child and my wisest soul. He is a source of immense tranquility to me. No expectations. Just experiences. Noah is unconditional love to me. And, for that, I am extremely grateful.
As a parent of a special needs child, I sometimes get asked if there is anything friends can do to help. There isn’t really. At least, there’s nothing special you need to do. Just be yourself and, if you want, make an extra effort to engage with Noah. I have this friend, Darlene – a neighborhood Mom with two active sons of her own. She once told me that she was going to do everything possible to get a hug from Noah one day. Noah is usually non-verbal and doesn’t interact with many people. Darlene had her work cut out. But she persisted. And she succeeded! Noah gave her a hug! And that moment was magical!! For Noah, for Darlene, and for me!
No expectations. Just experiences. #downsyndrome

[markmahaney @markmahaney]

My $.02 political opinion. I am voting for Matt Mahan for CA Governor. Reasonably moderate/centrist Dem. Willing to take on his own political party. Has done an impressive job reducing homelessness in San Jose. Skeptical of tax increases. Results oriented. Tough on crime. Am a big fan of the effective, results-oriented, centrist wing of the Dem Party coming out of NorCal (Lurie, Mahan).

[markmahaney @markmahaney]

https://t.co/VyEMYiOY0v

[markmahaney @markmahaney]

@DivesTech @CNBCClosingBell @ScottWapnerCNBC @Stephanie_Link @MalcolmOnMoney @CNBC I just wish i could match Dan’s style!

[Farm Girl Carrie 👩‍🌾 @FarmGirlCarrie]

Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia explains the U.S. Constitution:

(Great one to bookmark.)

[markmahaney @markmahaney]

@jrichlive @herbgreenberg Yup

[markmahaney @markmahaney]

@jrichlive Go Green!

[markmahaney @markmahaney]

Think we’re making a big mistake here. 1. NATO is arguably the most successful military alliance in history, and our aggressive moves re: Greenland are undermining it. With Putin and the CCP getting more brazen, we need to boost NATO, not weaken it. 2. We don’t need more taxes — and these extra tariffs are yet another tax on American businesses and U.S. consumers. And 3. This looks like another arbitrary abuse of power — the use of tariffs on allies to pursue political/personal goals.

[markmahaney @markmahaney]

Finished this series and listened to the Joe Rogan 2 hour+ interview with Ken Burns. I got lucky enough to meet Burns several years ago and told him he was a national treasure. Very few people have studied the U.S. as closely and thoughtfully as Ken Burns. And his documentaries are riveting. Some of my key takes from Revo: 1. How truly indispensable Washington was…2. How violent the Revo was 3. How much of a civil was the Revo was and 4. How profoundly & positively the Revo impacted history. Thank you, Ken Burns!

[markmahaney @markmahaney]

@jrichlive @GavinSBaker Jeff Richards!

[markmahaney @markmahaney]

Know any young men between 15 and 25? Then get them this book. (Now my sons know what’ll be under the tree…). Written by a very soulful friend of mine. Wonderful writer! Rollercoaster writer. Get ready for booms, busts, shocks, and expletives. Trying to address something of a crisis among young men — too much isolation, too many drugs, too few friends, not enough ambition, too much screen time, too much porn, too many addictions, too much aimlessness, too many suicides. After admitting that all these were his achilles heels growing up, except the suicide part. A shout out to young men to stand up, better account for themselves, embrace their socially-necessary roles of being protectors and providers. Be strong AND sensitive. Embrace man…ners. Overcome mistakes. Strive. Be kind. There is no such thing as toxic masculinity. Just some men who act like a-holes. Don’t be one of them. Loved this book! More importantly, deeply, deeply appreciated this book.

[markmahaney @markmahaney]

Ukraine — I hope we can find a secure peace for all Ukrainians, but I am deeply, deeply skeptical that anything but overwhelming force will make Putin agree to this. He is not to be trusted — has broken 5 peace deals already. And we need to stand firm against him — for the sake of freedom and for the sake of national security. He will eventually attack more countries if he is not contained. Our interests and our ideals converge here. Let’s stand firm, America.

[markmahaney @markmahaney]

“San Francisco is on the rise,” Mr. Lurie said on Thursday. “We appreciate that the president understands that we are the global hub for technology, and when San Francisco is strong, our country is strong.” Amen

[markmahaney @markmahaney]

Love to see this. I think it’s reasonably accurate too. Def a renaissance here in SF. Partly due to new mayor, tho I think progress began about 1-2 years ago. But Lurie has clearly accelerated it. AI boom has definitely helped. And the city just begins with so many advantages — beautiful scenery, great weather, very easy access to nature, a cosmopolitan culture, and a progressive culture that is very embracing of a very broad array of backgrounds. Shining City by the Sea. Let’s go, San Francisco!

[markmahaney @markmahaney]

There’s no “enemy within,” Mr. President. We’re all Americans. There are violent criminals. And you fund the police to stop them. And there are violent political activists — on both the Left and the Right. And you fund the police and the FBI to stop them. You certainly don’t pardon them, as you did with those Jan 6th protestors who violently attacked OUR Capitol. Our nation deserves better than this. Our nation IS better than this.

[markmahaney @markmahaney]

Charlie Kirk. Brian Thompson. One was killed for his ideas, the other for running an insurance company. Both represented 2 of the key elements of liberal democracy: free speech & free markets. Add in rule of law & civic responsibility (love your neighbor) and you have a society that maximizes benefits for all. Leaders can support or undermine this outcome. But the people who have the most impact are…the people. Grace. Humility. Earnestnes. Integrity. We can all make our country better. My $0.02

[markmahaney @markmahaney]

@DavidSacks Very sad to see the news. Prayers up for Charlie’s family.

[markmahaney @markmahaney]

“San Francisco Needs to Save Itself”: @maxraskin interviews @DanielLurie 100% support this guy. 100% support San Francisco!!! https://t.co/JvAmgxYLNH