Bernie's Pin

[Empowerer]

I like Bernie Sanders alot but I'm getting weary of his "You're Establishment and I'm not" schtick.

It's pretty rich hearing a career politician who has been in government for the last 40 years
accusing everyone else in politics - apparently solely by virtue of being in politics - of being "Establishment."

As a privileged member of one of the most exclusive clubs in America, Bernie Sanders is the very epitome of Establishment.

Notice the lapel pin he always wears? That's his Senator pin, meant to identify him everywhere he goes as a member of an elite group; the only purpose of a Senate pin (which are worn with great pride and guarded by each Senator like a rare diamond) is to flag him as one to be given special treatment not accorded to the average person. For example, at the Capitol, Sanders' pin allows him not to wait in line at the entrance with the common folk and to walk around the metal detectors without being stopped or checked. And the elite treatment is not limited to the Capitol. The Senate pin guarantees special treatment at the airports (including no waiting in line at the security checkpoint, free parking right next to the terminal in an area off-limits to civilians, access to the luxury lounges, boarding and de-boarding before everyone else, etc.). Law enforcement officials around the country recognize that pin and give special consideration to the wearer.

The only purpose for wearing that pin is to get special treatment not accorded to the average person. A Senate pin screams, "I am a Senator! Clear the way!" I have never seen Bernie, in or out of Washington, without that pin. He even wore it tonight during the debate.

That's just one example of his status as a member of a very elite Establishment that he doesn't mind belonging to. There's absolutely nothing wrong with it and I don't begrudge him. But, given this, he really should spare the accusations about people belonging to "the Establishment," since he seems to be a card-carrying - or at least pin-wearing - member of the very "Establishment" that he decries.

[frylock]

1. frist!1!

[Agschmid]

3. Bernie flys coach and doesn't seem to use the lounge.

I agree he is an establishment politician...

But this pin thing is silly, he clearly doesn't use it to his advantage.

[Empowerer]

5. He may fly coach and may not use the lounge

But it does get him past security and - more important - makes people treat him with greater deference.

If you think he doesn't use the pin to his advantage, why does he always wear it?

[Agschmid]

9. Ummm he is a sitting senator... Of course he is treated differently.

If you are talking about security at the capital I'm fine with this... If you are talking about an airport in actually also fine with that.

Maybe he wears it because he is after all a senator?

This is a useless line of attack.

[Empowerer]

41. The ONLY purpose the pin is to identify him as a Senator so he will be treated accordingly, i.e.,

differently than the average person.

Nothing wrong with that.

But if someone complains about the elite getting special privileges, why would they be ok with him being treated differently than the average person at the Capitol or at the airport just because he's a Senator.

And even if you're ok with him getting special treatment at the Capitol or the airport, why is he wearing it in New Hampshire?

The purpose of the pin is to make sure that, even if someone does not recognize him, they know that he is an important person and therefore "entitled" to special treatment not accorded to you or me.

And, by the way, this is not an attack on Sanders. FYI - every criticism is not an attack on him, no matter how sensitive some folks are to the notion that anyone would have the temerity to suggest that he's not perfect in every way.

[JimDandy]

74. The Senate was in session today

Senator Sanders may have been in the capitol today to vote or to confer with colleagues--hence the pin. The Senate will be in session on Monday and will be in session for much of the time he is campaigning for President. This whole season, he will need to get from the campaign trail back to the Senate quickly to vote. I did not begrudge Hillary Clinton her use of it (images on google) during her presidential campaign and I do not begrudge Sanders or any other Senator the privileges they are afforded (fast security clearance, designated parking areas, underground tram and special elevators at the capitol, etc) in order to get their votes in on time.

This is just petty.

[Empowerer]

85. He wears the pin EVERY day

Even when the Senate is not in session.

I don't begrudge Sanders the use of the pin. But it is the very embodiment of his membership in an extraordinary elite and privileged club, and demonstrates a willingness to avail himself of the privileges that membership confers. He criticizes, not only Hillary Clinton, but the Senators and Congresspersons who support her for being "Establishment" when he is part of the same "Establishment" he claims to disdain.

[elias49]

100. I heard he wears it in the shower.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

151. I heard he had it tattooed on his butt.

[nadinbrzezinski]

117. So did Senator Akaka in Hawaii

Where we had coffee with hm, and a nice chat at Borders. By the way we recognized him, not the pin.

They are smart pins. There is a reason for that. They have been since just before 911.

Members of the house and senate are told to do so by the way as members in freshman class orientation. This faux poutrage is rather funny. I have not read such a funny series of exchanges in a long time. GD-P is rarely worthy, but this thread you started is comedy gold.

Thanks.

[DeeDeeNY]

119. this is getting weird

Just wondering how you see him and what he's wearing every single day.

[AlbertCat]

134. I don't begrudge Sanders the use of the pin.

Except when you do.

[madokie]

78. Does a leopard spots move?

seriously do they?
The reason I ask is I've read most if no everything you've written these last couple months and all you do is attack Sanders. Thats what you do
and then when someone calls you on it you get all beside yourself like you've been offended.

Whatever Empowerer, you say as you please but don't expect us to buy the shit you serve. I'm not having any part of it, sorry.

[AlbertCat]

132. Nothing wrong with that.

Then why are you going on about it?

[dana_b]

153. Because he's proud to be a member of the U.S. Senate?

I'd wear it too. I'm surprised that more don't! lol..

[Empowerer]

154. He has every right to be proud to be a Senator.

But he treats other Senators with disdain, claiming that THEIR membership in the Senate makes them part of the "Establishment" and therefor they can't be trusted.

[dana_b]

157. oh wow, I disagree with you there

but I don't think that we'll come to an agreement on that one.

[brooklynite]

115. He's been upgraded to a chartered jet......and is sitting in the first class section

Bernie Sanders' campaign for the Democratic nomination took a big step up Monday.

Yes, almost beating Hillary Clinton in the Iowa caucus helped, but a more tangible sign was that the campaign had chartered a jet to make the trip from Des Moines to Manchester, New Hampshire for immediate deployment for the Granite State's primary on Feb. 9. Sanders famously travels coach on commercial airlines. Sightings of him stuffing his luggage into the overhead bins is a minor Internet meme.

The plane carried Sanders, his wife Jane, and campaign staff and their gear in the more spacious forward cabin, as well as a full compliment of journalists - referred to as the "Travelling Press" - in the economy seats. The flight took off shortly after 1 a.m. Tuesday, a few hours behind schedule but still ahead of the blizzard forecast for the Des Moines area Monday night.

--Burlington Free Press

[nadinbrzezinski]

116. You forgot the other half of this

He got secret service protection.

The secret service truly would not allow coach and the general passenger lounge. This shocks me or surprises me in the least. DHS approved the SS after the campaign requested it due to real threats

[Empowerer]

121. That's not true

It's not the Secret Service's call. A presidential candidate under their protection can travel however he choose. The SS can recommend - and recommend strongly - how they prefer he travel, but, in the end, it's totally up to him and his staff to decide what they want and it's the Secret Service's job to make whatever he chooses as safe as possible..

If Bernie wanted to keep flying coach or hang out in the passenger lounge, he could. I'm not suggesting that he should or that it would be smart, but he has the freedom to do it and the Secret Service can't stop him if chooses to do it.

[nadinbrzezinski]

122. LMAO

now that is funny.


You really should try standup

[wildeyed]

147. Not anymore.

Too busy now. His ideals became inconvenient so he compromised.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/bernie-sanders-taking-rides-private-planes/story?id=36033253

[Purveyor]

4. Epic fail, epic fail, please try again...

[Empowerer]

18. "Epic Fail" is usually the response of teenagers who have no comeback

I assume you are not a teenager, so you really should be able to do better than that.

[2pooped2pop]

55. You post crap about Sanders all the time.

Why would you think to try and fool us by starting with "I like Sanders"? It's obvious that you don't and are just trying to stir shit.

[Empowerer]

63. Your problem is that everything seems to be black and white/ either/or for you

You assume it's impossible to both like someone and be critical of them.

But unlike you, I don't hate people with whom I disagree. And I don't assume that everyone I agree with is beyond reproach and can't be criticized.

I don't belong to a cult.

[2pooped2pop]

65. Mhm

[TheSarcastinator]

98. and you wonder why Team Shillery is losing the youth vote

You just can't stop shooting yourselves in the foot.

[SheilaT]

6. I would not recognize the Senate pin.

Oh, I'd probably notice that someone was wearing a pin, but I would have no idea what it meant.

Which means, that while I'd recognize Bernie Sanders, I wouldn't have any clue that some other person I didn't already recognize was a member of this particular club.

Oh, and I probably wouldn't accord any special privileges, either. I'm a genuine egalitarian. I think pretty much everyone should be treated the same as everyone else. And I used to work at National Airport, in Washington, DC, where I almost daily dealt with people who thought they were very important. Not only did I not recognize most of them, but I honestly didn't give a flying fuck who they were. I treated everyone the same.

[Empowerer]

17. It's not intended for you to recognize. But security, law enforcement around the country recognize

it. And it is VERY recognizable around Washington. Everyone at or near the Capitol knows that pin. Every Maitre d' in town knows it - or they don't keep their jobs for long.

I don't know where you worked at the airport, but everyone in a position to ease people's way - ticket agents, security, parking attendants - knows that pin. And if you worked at that airport, you certainly know about that special parking lot right next to the terminal reserved exclusively for Senators and Members of Congress - with access granted simply by showing their special plate or flashing their Senate or Member pin.

[SheilaT]

31. Aha! Thank you for clarifying.

I worked at DCA from January 1969 to August 1979. We usually had a recent booklet with photographs of the Senators and Representatives, and we were more or less expected to recognize the ones who were flying on us.

When I worked there, the only special parking lot was for the Supreme Court Justices and it pissed us off mightily that over the major holidays it was filled to capacity with various staff members cars, most of whom apparently thought they were far too good to park elsewhere or perhaps even take public transportation to the airport. Need I tell you we despised all of them? And that every single employee had tales of various idiot Senators, Representatives, and their asshole flunkies. My personal favorite was when Admiral Rickover sent one of his flunkies to the airport to buy a ticket somewhere. And at the military rate. I told the flunky that I couldn't really issue a ticket since he was not the person travelling. The flunky was a complete jerk to me, insisted I write the ticket, which I did, and I also wrote on it in very large letters: MUST PRESENT MILITARY ID.

Don't ever fuck with the ticket agents. They have more power than you realize.

[Empowerer]

46. I love it! Great story!

[jberryhill]

105. Whenever I approach a ticket counter...

Before approaching the counter, I make sure my boarding pass and ID are oriented in the same direction, with the names vertically-aligned.

Then I light two aromatherapy candles and offer a varied selection of botanical bath products to the agent in question and ask, "How might I make your day more pleasant?"

Generally followed by, "This is my luggage. I packed it myself at home and it has been in my possession at all times since then. No one has given me anything to carry. I am not carrying any spare lithium batteries [that's the new one]. I am ready, willing, able and indeed eager, to perform all emergency exit row functions. So, umm.... what are upgrades looking like?"

[SheilaT]

128. While I sincerely hope that such rituals often

result in an upgrade for you, never underestimate the power of sacrificing a goat right before you leave home for the airport.

[jberryhill]

131. Oh, yes, I use that as my carrion item

Since they seem to always be talking about passengers having carrion items.

[SheilaT]

133. Oh, good.

With your bright and cheerful attitude I hope you get upgraded every time.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

136. In all my years, I don't think I've ever spent more than 20 seconds at a ticket counter or gate.

Who are these people that spend 20 minutes with an agent?

Same for the bank. I even recieved a comment from a teller last week. - "gee, you are always in and out so quick!" . Yeah, I don't have you balance my accounts and I check my accounts on line.



I was joking the other day after calling my bank that I wished there was a button to press to "dispense with the pleasantries and let's get to the matter at hand". We could call it the Chicago option.

I ordered a new card and they sent me one with the same number as the old compromised card. It took one decline and three or four phone calls to figure it out. Every call I had to listen to "the script" and out how they value my business and would be delighted to help me and we see you've been a valued business customer bla bla bla.

I know it's their job but can't we have an option to not hear all the bs?

Press one for the Chicago way:

Citibank what do you need
New card
What's your mother's maiden name
Rumpelstilskin
Ok it's on it's way
Click

[jberryhill]

139. "gee, you are always in and out so quick!"

I hear that a lot, too.

Don't know if I ever heard it from a bank teller, but I suppose it's possible.

[angrychair]

36. So, is that taught at the police academy?

Or a special class after they join the force?

[cherokeeprogressive]

96. I'm sure there's a picture somewhere of the Podunk, IA Police Chief bowing to the pin.

[Ned_Devine]

7. If I had one of those pins, I'd definitely wear it. You wouldn't?

[Empowerer]

19. Of course, I would. But I don't go around railing against people for being in the "Establishment"

[Ned_Devine]

34. Oh man, you're really reaching with this one

I would have thought twice before posting something of this caliber. I hope you didn't and that's why it ended up getting posted. There's still time to delete this OP

[beam me up scottie]

47. You started a thread for the sole purpose of "railing" against someone you think is establishment!

[Empowerer]

56. I don't "rail"

[cali]

81. Your op proves that you do. Petty railing at that.

[Empowerer]

86. It's not surprising that you think anything less than blathering adoration of Bernie is "railing"

But it doesn't make it so.

[cali]

92. Um, no. Unlike you I do criticize my candidate

Who is also my Senator. I think he deserves criticism on his gun record. And I think he should be criticized for his support for the fucking obscene F-35.

[Beacool]

8. What a shocker!!!

Sanders IS part of the establishment he always speaks against.

I wonder if someone informed him of that fact.

[DefenseLawyer]

10. Keep trying

One of your 10,000 attacks is bound to get some traction sooner or later. This one is a bit of a dud.

[beam me up scottie]

11. You can be anti-establishment and still be part of the government.

Bernie knows he has it better than most and wants the same for the rest of us. That's why he fights the establishment. You will NEVER hear him whine about his circumstances.

[Empowerer]

22. He's part of the government establishment and seems willing to take full advantage of the privileges

it offers him, privileges not available to the average person.

Nothing wrong with that at all - unless you go around criticizing people for being part of an establishment and taking advantage of special privileges not available to the average person . . .

[beam me up scottie]

29. Oh bullshit. He's there to fight for us not for the privileges.

Hillary is a multi-millionaire who hasn't washed a dish or done the grocery shopping in decades and you guys want to claim "she's an outsider because woman" crap all the time.

Vermonters love Bernie because he's not part of the club.

[leftofcool]

75. But he has been cashing a government paycheck for how long now?

That makes him establishment, period! And since he is cashing that paycheck on my dime, he needs to get back to work.

[beam me up scottie]

83. Fyi working for the government doesn't make you "establishment".

And he's been working for that check in case you hadn't noticed, would you appreciate it if someone told Obama to "get back to work" because he's "on our dime"? Frankly that sounds like something a right winger would say.

[Empowerer]

91. No, it doesn't. But Bernie seems to think being a mayor, a congressman or a Senator does.

And, by his own definition, he's a charter member.

[Cali_Democrat]

12. He basically accuses everyone of being establishement except himself.

You're right, his shtick is getting old.

[Live and Learn]

13. Meh. nt

[uppityperson]

14. offs. eom

[MrMickeysMom]

15. I think you're getting "establishment" mixed up with serving in congress a long time...

These things are mutually exclusive.

Example: A teacher with one year experience who never learns anything but to survive the classroom is compared to a teacher who after fighting to understand the classroom, realizes the strengths and weaknesses of the lesson, what is popular to go along with versus what is good for the class. The second teacher is not "establishment", but the first just got in line and didn't learn a thing... very much the establishment.

If you learn anything about Bernie Sanders it's that his historical record shows him to have fought and after learning how to succeed and challenge in a non-establishment club of rome, his values were the ones that Democrats liked all along, and what each and every family understands.

It's not a football game of win for me-me-me-I-I-I (just listen to how many times these words are used by Hillary in the debates and speeches.. It's a focus on how WE-WE-WE can leave this earth sustainably for future generations, and create a fair labor and international trade system, innovation of sustainable means and world peace by placing our examples before our allies in this world. It's staying out of the way of religious wars or wars of aggression and occupation.

It's progressive and it's about time you understood how this is quite different from the established form of those who are governed by their pay-masters in K street and Wall Street.

[Empowerer]

24. Why does he wear that Senate pin - the most obvious symbol of his membership in one of America's

most exclusive clubs, a symbol whose ONLY purpose is to signal to people that he is entitled to special privileges?

[beam me up scottie]

30. Who says that's what it's for?

[Empowerer]

37. Everyone who knows anything about how the Senate works and what those pins mean says that's

what it is for.

That's the ONLY purpose for that pin - it's a form of ID for Senators. He doesn't wear it because it brings out the color in his eyes . . .

[beam me up scottie]

40. Everyone meaning you. The poutrage du jour gets more absurd every day.

HOW DARE HE WEAR A PIN OR BE PROUD OF A POSITION THAT HE EARNED???

[MrMickeysMom]

80. Effing A!

I woke up to your comment on this. GMTA, you know.

[beam me up scottie]

84. Isn't this place a hoot?

What will that EEEEVIL Bernie do next?

[TheSarcastinator]

97. "poutrage du jour" is all Team Shillery has left

It's sad. Their ship is sinking quickly.

[MrMickeysMom]

79. Perhaps you're jaded on the role these people fill when they're elected?

ANY of the roles, in fact. The role of mayor, representative, or senator... The office itself has duty. I respect those offices. Apparently HE does, too!

The privilege is to serve. I was privileged to serve in local government. Have you no knowledge that he thinks that, too? Are you so jaded that you think all these offices are a joke because so many of them (certainly not Warren, or few others) don't honor that office?

It's not a club, and it's time we put people into office (all the congressional seats that are up. Check within your own state, for example) who DESERVE the office.

[Empowerer]

87. I'M not jaded - but I'm also not going around calling everyone in the Senate and House "establishmet"

for no stated reason other than that they are in the Senate and House.

Secretary Clinton: And I'm very proud and grateful to have the support of so many elected Vermonters and former officials. Two former governors, the current governor, the current other senator. I really appreciate that.

Senator Sanders: I will absolutely admit that Secretary Clinton has the ... support of far more governors, mayors, members of the House (of Representatives). She has the entire establishment or almost the entire establishment behind her."

If all of those people whom Clinton referenced are members of the "Establishment" by virtue of their government positions (and Sanders offers no other reason for so designating them), Sanders, who has spent the last 35 years holding three of those positions (and he ran unsuccessfully for the fourth), by his own definition, is also a member of that same "Establishment."

[MrMickeysMom]

93. You still missed the point...

He's not on that list. The list of who isn't the establishment is not a long one...

The names she associated with her are not people who are anything more than members of a big club who wouldn't let you or me join. They are responders to different masters, not befitting of their positions. They have less or little or NO respect for the positions for which they once may have aligned. Their sole focus is to retain that position, not to act on behalf of that position.

Let's be specific about who in Congress ISN'T the establishment, and maybe we can narrow down some statesmen of the legislative body.

Again... it wouldn't be all that long a list. Again, this supports who the establishment ARE. Just keep looking at who falls in line behind her bid for the presidency.

[Admiral Loinpresser]

16. That dog won't hunt. n/t

[neverforget]

27. Pin hunting!

Kinda like snipe hunting

[Ron Green]

20. Do you really like Bernie Sanders a lot?

Then why this particular post?

[Empowerer]

35. Yes, I really do.

If I like him, I can't criticize him or point out a problem? I wasn't aware that liking him means that he is infallible or above reproach.

I'm not into cults . . .

[Dustlawyer]

21. So you would suggest that he not be in office and still fight against the people purchasing

our politicians, or just not fight? Seriously? I bet he wears that pin when he flies coach or rides on trains too, huh?

He hasn't cashed in for his position, but his position requires the things you mentioned to get his job done. He doesn't accept money from the wealthy cadre who already own almost every D.C. politician. Those small perks don't influence his position on campaign finance reform.

[Empowerer]

26. Nope

I'm suggesting that while he's criticizing others for belonging to the Establishment and taking advantage of special privileges, he is taking advantage of special privileges accorded to Senators that aren't available to anyone else.

[Bonobo]

23. Pingate. nt

[Bjornsdotter]

28. +1 n/t

[beam me up scottie]

57. Pintitlement!

[Fumesucker]

69. Pinterest

Oh wait...

[stage left]

104. Made me laugh out loud.nt

[lumberjack_jeff]

110. It's pindemonium. n/t

[bullwinkle428]

118. PINGHAZI!!!1!1!11!!

[99th_Monkey]

25. I LOVE Bernie, yet I do agree with you. He's painting himself into a very tight corner

and Hillary's using it against him very effectively, not mortally, but still .. he needs a course-correction
asap.

[Empowerer]

32. We agree again, my friend

Mind you - I am NOT criticizing Sanders for wearing the pin or taking any special privileges as a Senator. I actually believe that it's not unreasonable for Senators to do this. But accusing others of being elitist leaves him open to criticisms for hypocrisy if he, too, is taking advantage of his membership in this exclusive club.

Next time you talk to him, pull his coat and tell him Empowered says to back off a little on this one.

[99th_Monkey]

45. Bernie will not --and need not-- depart from his basic message

I do not feel like Bernie's core message is somehow "flawed" when pointing out
that there IS an "establishment order of business as usual" within the Beltway,

an establishment that is selling out the American public hand-over-fist for bribes
from corporate interests, albeit often just to get re-elected, or so they think.

Actually, what I think Bernie's 'course correction' is, is stop accusing people of
being "establishment" and focus instead on simply "telling the story" of a better
way, the story of the many businesses and commercial enterprises that are
exemplary, corporations which point the way towards a 'future we can believe in"
... like Ben & Jerry's .. as a kind of starting place, but also of other businesses that
pay a decent wage because they understand it's "good business" to do so, in terms
of both customer AND employee retention, to build a business on trust and honesty.

Worker-owned businesses also come to mind in this context. Prof. Richard Wolff
supports Bernie, and is an ardent advocate of worker-ownership as a mean by
which to democratize the workplace and anchor capital and jobs into local
communities.

THIS ^ stuff is out there, and Bernie's very aware of it but for some reason is
reticent about rolling it out for public viewing. This would be my recommendation
to Bernie, if only I could tug on his coattail and say a few words.

[catnhatnh]

33. Bernie wears a pin

Which makes his net worth of under a million dollars exactly the same as the Clinton's who took in over a quarter of a billion dollars since Bill was president....OK-got it.

[Empowerer]

38. Whoosh!

[Armstead]

39. More comic relief?

If he were a member of the Establishment, he'd have joined the Democratic Party decades ago, become a "centrist" and pushed the interests of Big Business, and after serving his time in Congress retired to a cushy revolving door job with Goldman Sachs or some otehr corporate entity for big bucks.

[beam me up scottie]

44. DING DING DING! We have a winner!

[mhatrw]

50. But then he'd be Bernie Frank. nt

[beam me up scottie]

51. !

[Change has come]

158. LOL

I love Barnie but you just hit the nail on the head!

[Mnpaul]

156. If he were a member of the Establishment....

wouldn't he have more endorsements from them?

Maybe he is behind in his dues

[mindwalker_i]

42. This argument has some similarities to what people say about Al Gore

He flies around and fights against global warming, but uses a plane and is rich. So Gore is burning plane fuel while railing against putting carbon in the atmosphere. Similarly, Bernie is in the top part of government, but is fighting against insiders.

That's kind of the easy way to think about it. One can't fight the rich and powerful is one isn't rich and powerful, however, so it requires a little more thought and nuance. Hillary, IMHO, along with a lot of republicans is using her power to help herself. She has a fairly long history of it. Republicans also have a long history. However, Bernie has a long history too of usuing his position of power to help those without it. That he forgoes perks of his position, like flying coach, helps.

[nadinbrzezinski]

43. My city council members wear their pins

Everywhere.

My member of congress does as well

This might shock you, to me it implies a public servant, whether my council member, or sanders, ready to go back to chamber if an emergency vote is called.

By the way, police are not trained to recognize them outside of the beltway, since 99 percent of cops (and that is a low estimate) will never come across a member of the Senate. They got better odds if they are members of the special detail tasked with VIP protection for state police.

[Empowerer]

52. Actually, police outside of the Beltway ARE briefed on this information, especially when a Senator

or Member is traveling in their jurisdiction. Often the Capitol Police or the Senator's staff notifies the local police that the Member is going to be in their area.

Trust me - they don't wear those pins to prove they are a public servant . . . they could just show an ID card if that were the case. The purpose of the pin is to identify them as a Senator without them having to tell people themselves and to make sure they are treated with the deference it is assumed they deserve.

Senators and Members are accustomed to and expect to get their you-know-whats kissed and kissed right. Of course there are exceptions, but I'm not aware of many of them who go out of their way to move around anonymously so that they can be treated just like everyone else. And the fact that Sanders wears his pin everywhere he goes indicates that, even if he doesn't expect his whatsis to get kissed, he definitely expects to be treated differently than most people - otherwise, there'd no need to wear that pin.

[nadinbrzezinski]

67. I cover these folks as media

Yes, I have been very close to Nanvy Pelosi, boehner, my members of congress, both that represent me or from my county.

The reason they wear those pins is because they are smart pins, at least to the level of congress. My city issues just fancy enamel pins. And the local cops are briefed only if they need to know. For example, a need to know would be the Speaker of the House coming to town. The traffic mess and the protective detail that go with it are part of it. When my two Senators show to the Federal Building offices, the local cops learn of it when the CHP informs them of the security convoy, which they never are part of is moving the package through downtown Sometimes the poor dispatchers sound irritated...but hey it is fun

Those pins, in Congress, allow the security staff to wave them in, just as it allows my local security to wave city employees in.

You might try that with people who have no clue. Oh and if the Senator comes to my town for the stump, now that he has Secret Service protection, you can bet that they will kindly inform my local cops...that need to know thing. I am sure that will grate the Senator, but that is the way it is.

As somebody else put this above...it is the same kind of crap used against Gore. Next I will hear Sanders invented the Internet.

Oh and I will add one final thing. Some of our members do travel and move anonymously. Yup, seen it.

[mhatrw]

48. Bernie wears an elist pin, while depositing money in Hillary's bank account requires an elitist PIN.

[jillan]

49. Bernie is part of the Pin Establishment! OH NOES!!

[beam me up scottie]

53. I hear he uses it to stab lackeys who don't move fast enough!

[jillan]

61. I think he has a voodoo doll of Lloyd Blankfein in his desk & uses it to put spells on him.

You think you're too big too fail? Well take this! Jab!


Oh No! Not the Pin!

[silenttigersong]

54. Hope this helps

a group in a society exercising power and influence over matters of policy or taste, and seen as resisting change.
synonyms: the authorities, the powers that be, the system, the ruling class; More
the hierarchy, the oligarchy;
informalBig Brother
"they dare to poke fun at the Establishment"

[Empowerer]

58. Sanders seems to define it differently

He has dismissed every Senator and Congressperson who has endorsed Clinton as being "Establishment" and has strongly intimated that their membership in Congress is what puts them in that category - and he has not detailed any reason for their Establishment bonafides other than the fact that they are politicians.

But he doesn't seem to place himself in that same category, even though he's a member of the same elite group that he seems to think makes them Establishment.

His definition, not mine or, apparently, yours...

[left-of-center2012]

59. WHO CARES !

I doubt the average person would even know what it is,
if indeed that is what it is.
So he's proud to be a US Senator and wears his senate pin.
So what?

[Empowerer]

60. Given your reaction, apparently you do

[left-of-center2012]

62. Nope

Don't give a shit

[Hiraeth]

64. I wonder where Bernie sits in the "establishment" dining room.

Because YES you can be in the establishment and still left out of the establishment.

If you ever ate lunch in a public school cafeteria you will know of what I speak.

[fourcents]

66. What wearing that pin means for Senator Sanders means is....

What wearing that pin means for Senator Sanders, it means is he is still actively voting working in the senate and incredibly not missing many votes like others campaigning (Rubio). Yet he does not announce it being the humble man he is.

[Empowerer]

88. Senator Sanders has shared with you his personal motivation for wearing his Senate pin?

Interesting.

[dooner]

68. Magic pin

what fool believes a pin could allow you to skip security anywhere? If it was that powerful, pins would be very popular and illegal. You can probably buy one just like Bernie's online if you really believe in its magic. Open sesame!

[Empowerer]

89. Only someone who doesn't know this world would insist it doesn't allow the wearer to skip security

everyone who knows how the House and Senate works knows that this is the primary reason for the pin.

And no, you CANNOT buy them online or anywhere else. The pins are specially made for the Members and are issued by the Sergeant-at-Arms and are not available to the general public.

Some of you may remember about 10 years ago when Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney was detained briefly for striking a Capitol Police Officer because he would not let her skirt the magnetometer at the Capitol. And why didn't he? Because he didn't recognize her as a Member. And why didn't he? Because she was not wearing her Member pin.

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/explainer/2006/04/capitol_police_vs_fashion_police.html

The U.S. Capitol Police referred the case of Rep. Cynthia McKinney to the Department of Justice on Monday. The congresswoman allegedly struck an officer last week after he stopped her and requested her credentials. McKinney called the incident racial profiling and said the officers should recognize members of the House even if they're not wearing their official lapel pins: "It is true that at the time I was not wearing my pin. But many Members of Congress aren't wearing their pins today." How many members of Congress actually wear their official pins?

Most of them do—at least in the House. With 435 representatives walking around, it can be hard for staffers, lobbyists, and police officers to remember who's who. Even the members themselves sometimes rely on the pins to identify their colleagues. Each election cycle brings 30 or 40 (or even 87) new faces to the floor, and the pins help the veterans and the freshmen to get acquainted. The official Senate pin isn't as popular, since there's less turnover and fewer people to keep track of.
. . .
Each chamber has its own pin, and the designs change from year to year. In the House, the chair of the Administration Committee gets to choose the pin. * Some designs are more popular than others: Rep. Mark Foley told Roll Call he thought the newest design was "stunning. I didn't think much of the last pin and I didn't wear it often—it looked like it was trying to accomplish too much."

You don't have to wear your pin, but it's the best way to get past the security lines if the guards don't know your face. In the Roll Call article, Foley declared himself "not a big pin-wearer, I don't like to damage the suits." Cynthia McKinney has refused to wear her pin for more than 10 years.

When a member of the House retires—like Tom DeLay just did—he gets to keep his old pins but won't get any of the new designs. That doesn't mean DeLay will lose his access privileges. Under current rules, DeLay will get a special "former member of Congress" pin that he can use indefinitely. The representatives' spouses also get pins (of a different color).

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/reasons-congressional-orientation-basically-college-orientation/story?id=26868990

Pins are the new lanyards.

On a college campus, you can spot a freshman a mile away by lanyard swinging from her neck. On the Hill, just look for the lapel pin.

Of course, the members-elect won't receive their pins until January, when they're sworn in. But while freshman members may be looking forward to sporting the official pin, some of the more senior lawmakers aren’t so into the pin -- House Speaker John Boehner reportedly isn’t a pin guy.

[dooner]

148. Here you go

Why don't you buy one and let us know how many doors open for you...

http://www.amazon.com/United-States-Senate-Seal-Lapel/dp/B00KAJ4NWC

https://www.google.com/search?q=Senate+Pin&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8#q=Senate+Pin&tbm=shop&spd=6552452734889456157

[Empowerer]

149. That's not an official Senate pin - that's a cheap souvenir.

As I said to someone else who tried this, if you don't believe me, I suggest you put on that pin, go to the Capitol and try to skirt the magnetometer or stroll onto the Senate floor and see what happens . . .

[R B Garr]

70. Thank you. Agreed. He makes almost $200,000/yr.

He's as Establishment as it gets.

[Armstead]

137. You don't think he could have cashed in by now iof he chose to?

Remind me again of the corporate boards he shilled for and retired with a golden parachute into lucrative speaking and "consulting engagements?

[R B Garr]

142. $175,000 to $200,000 yearly salary is cashing in.

His wife got a $200,000 golden parachute from a small, struggling former employer.

But he's a lifelong elected official. That's Establishment.

[Armstead]

143. If not paying elected officials a salary is your new crusade, have fun

Good luck with that.

Likewise if you want to end severance packages, good luck with that one too.

[one_voice]

71. I'm going to put this here..

because. wow.

AUTOMATED MESSAGE: Results of your Jury Service

Mail Message
On Fri Feb 5, 2016, 12:24 AM an alert was sent on the following post:

Bernie's Pin
http://www.democraticunderground.com/12511145630

REASON FOR ALERT

This post is disruptive, hurtful, rude, insensitive, over-the-top, or otherwise inappropriate.

ALERTER'S COMMENTS

Sole purpose of this post is to stir up trouble and dissension between DU members. Hateful, spiteful, totally inappropriate.

You served on a randomly-selected Jury of DU members which reviewed this post. The review was completed at Fri Feb 5, 2016, 12:31 AM, and the Jury voted 1-6 to LEAVE IT.

Juror #1 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: I'm not seeing what the alerter is here. Even if I disagree with the premise of the post, it's still not inflammatory to my eyes.

Be Strong and Primary Calmly.
Juror #2 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Seriously?
Juror #3 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #4 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Serious? No, just no. Leave it.
Juror #5 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: leave. This is worth disagreeing with, but it hardly warrants a hide.
Juror #6 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #7 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given

Thank you very much for participating in our Jury system, and we hope you will be able to participate again in the future.

[Binkie The Clown]

72. It must be a conspiracy because...

... because Google found me many images of U.S. Senators wearing Senate pins, including (gasp) senator E. Warren and former senator H. Clinton.

[kath]

73. LOL!

OMG - even though the day is yet young, I think we have the Hillarious Hillarian of the Day Award winner right here, folks!

[cantbeserious]

76. Disagree - Know Thy Enemy - Oligarchs, Corporations, Banks And Their Media Minions And MIC Henchmen

eom

[djean111]

77. Oh dear! The newest meme du jour is really really reaching!

Bwahahahahaha! So - the guy who is an outsider, who we are told cannot govern because he doesn't even work out in the Senate gym, is now Mr. Establishment because of a pin. Bwahahahahaha!

[Empowerer]

90. He's not "Mr. Establishment because of a pin." He has the pin because he's part of the Establishment

Very simple.

[djean111]

112. Here is another simple thing - you know that the Senate is not the "establishment" that

Bernie is referring to. Also, for Hillary to tout being SOS as fantastic experience creds, and then whine that she is not part of the establishment is a joke.

In any event, I will not be able to support a politician who is, establishment or no establishment, in favor of war, fracking, cluster bombs, increased H-1B visas, the TPP.....we used to call politicians who were for those things Republicans.

[livetohike]

82. Thank you. I was wondering what the pin was and I agree with

everything you said. I'm tired of his buzz words, especially The Establisment of which he is a member receiving all the benefits of his position.

[H2O Man]

94. weak

[TheSarcastinator]

95. Really?? This is All You Got??

How pathetic, Chumley. You're gonna have to try harder if you want to earn that biscuit.

[Myrina]

99. Welcome to the club ...

.... of morons on my Ignore list. It's gotten quite large over the past few months.
I'm sure you'll find lots of folks you know on it.

[Goblinmonger]

102. Jury's in

FWIW, I was #6

On Fri Feb 5, 2016, 09:36 AM an alert was sent on the following post:

Welcome to the club ...
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1251&pid=1147313

REASON FOR ALERT

This post is disruptive, hurtful, rude, insensitive, over-the-top, or otherwise inappropriate.

ALERTER'S COMMENTS

Calling a DUer a "moron" isn't even close to be acceptable.

You served on a randomly-selected Jury of DU members which reviewed this post. The review was completed at Fri Feb 5, 2016, 09:40 AM, and the Jury voted 3-4 to LEAVE IT.

Juror #1 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #2 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #3 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: Just place on 'Ignore'. You don't have to call names.
Juror #4 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: A not totally unjustified response to such a moronic thread as this one. People who spend all their time here antagonizing and dividing others can't really expect sunshine and lollipops in response.
Juror #5 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: eh
Juror #6 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Given that Sanders supporters are often called "racist" and "sexist" here, I think "moron" is pretty tame. Additionally, the OP did type "alot," so, there's that evidence to be added to the list, too.
Juror #7 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Well, the only fault around here is it's supposed to be spelled moran.

Thank you very much for participating in our Jury system, and we hope you will be able to participate again in the future.

[Empowerer]

106. Good to know that DU's standards have sunk so low that it's not appropriate to call a DUer a "moron"

Useful information.

[Goblinmonger]

107. This your first time in GD:P?

Welcome. Let me give you a tour. It's fucking crazy in here. People say shit about other people all the time. If you leave at the end of the day and the worst thing someone called you is a moron, it was a good day.

Hope you enjoy your time here. Don't forget to tip your waitstaff.

[Empowerer]

123. No, it's not - I am surprised that the level of debate here has descended to the level

that not only is childish and ignorant name-calling substituting for debate among certain low-information participants and is condoned and protected, but that the people engaging in it are so proud of behaving like immature asses that they boast about it in full view. I guess that's what happens when a site becomes dominated by coarse ignoramuses.

[Goblinmonger]

124. "dominated by coarse ignoramuses"

We can't be all as sophisticated and awesome as you, now can we.

Need help finding the door? You probably wouldn't take directions from a "coarse ignoramus" anyway. Perhaps your valet can help you.

[Lordquinton]

126. QED

[Warren Stupidity]

129. IPSO FACTO

[tkmorris]

125. You posted this OP and then call people "coarse ignoramuses"?

See, this is why I usually don't get involved in these little wars in GD: P. I just can't say things like that with a straight face.

[Warren Stupidity]

130. A coarse is a coarse of coarse a coarse

A horse is a horse, of course of course,
and no one can talk to a horse of course,
that is of course, unless the horse,
Is the famous Mister Ed!

Go right to the source and ask the horse.
He'll give you the answer that you'll endorse.
He's always on a steady course.
Talk to Mister Ed.

People yak-it-ti-yak a streak
and waste your time of day,
but Mister Ed will never speak,
unless he has something to say...

A horse is a horse, of course of course,
And this one will talk 'til his voice is hoarse.
You never heard of a talking horse?
Well, listen to this...

I am Mister Ed

Now you have the same ear worm I have!

[kath]

113. Juror #7, I love you!

(Who has a copy of the "Get a Brain, Morans" pic? :rofl

And #6's comment about "alot"...

[notadmblnd]

101. you come here to cry about a pin?

She is supported by almost the entire democratic establishment, from liberals to conservative dems. So use that argument for her, but don't claim she isn't establishment because of her gender even if that's the (ill advised) line Hillary herself is using.


With Bernie it's more complicated. He's an outsider elected to the Senate. That's an exclusive club but he's still not part of the democratic establishment. They have not been shy about letting us know that.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12511147342

Props to fellow DU-er Cali for the post- that is such an apt response to your post.

[G_j]

103. wow

a pin? you have to be kidding

[pinebox]

108. Bernie is so establishment

His net worth is $528,014. http://moneynation.com/bernie-sanders-net-worth/
Hillary's net worth is $31.5 million http://moneynation.com/hillary-clinton-net-worth/

But she's dead broke right?
Nobody has time for Ann Romney.

[Empowerer]

109. But Sanders doesn't say that his definition of "Establishment" is based on being in the Senate AND

having a high personal net worth.

For example, last night, when he dismissed all of the Senators, Members of Congress, governors and mayors who have endorsed Clinton because they are "Establishment," he didn't offer up their net worth as proof of their lack of worthiness. His only criteria was that they were senators, governors, mayors and members of Congress.

You can try to twist this all you want, but Bernie is being an outright hypocrite on this, regardless how you try to spin it.

[G_j]

114. he said the democratic establishment

FYI

[Empowerer]

120. No, he didn't

He said, "I will absolutely admit that Secretary Clinton has the ... support of far more governors, mayors, members of the House (of Representatives). She has the entire establishment or almost the entire establishment behind her."

[kath]

145. I know you can't respond but I'm sorry your post below was hidden.

Told a lot of truth, and I loved the pic!!

[Lordquinton]

127. Omg you guise

He wears his badge of office!!1!!

My friend has a special badge that lets her park where other people can't, and gets special treatment at airports, and she can even bring dogs into restaurants!

[beam me up scottie]

135. I wonder what the op thinks about service members who wear their uniforms and medals in public?

[Empowerer]

150. Not sure why you're wondering

I have repeatedly said I don't have any problem with Bernie wearing his pin or getting special privileges as a result - I'd do it if I were he. But he wears that pin and gets those special privileges because he's a member of the very elite "Establishment" that he claims not to be a part of.

[AlbertCat]

138. If Sanders is really a man for the people.... he should campaign in sweats and flip flops!

I tell ya! It's down right hypocritical!

[nadinbrzezinski]

140. The cheap suits are close

[Warren DeMontague]

141. that's it, you convinced me. I'm switching to Hillary because of this.

Said no one, ever.

[SixString]

144. DU wRECk.

[99Forever]

146. The desperation runs deep...

....in this one.

[yawnmaster]

155. Related question: has Bernie ever had a non-political job? I couldn't find any info. eom

[Jamaal510]

159. The only thing richer

than that is the media portraying him as the non-establishment candidate. Either they all (including MSNBC's talking heads) are intent on pushing a narrative to generate confusion and rile people up, or they don't know the meaning of the term "establishment". You can't be non-establishment if you've been part of that same establishment for years!