"Let's just stop boomersplaining politics to millennials"

[kristopher]

Let's just stop boomersplaining politics to millennials
By CCBOhio
Saturday Feb 06, 2016 · 1:45 PM EST

The following is a response to “This Progressive Doesn’t Need Your Lectures” by syndicated columnist Connie Schultz (National Memo, February 4, 2016).

Dear Connie:

I wish I had learned about you under circumstances other than a heated Democratic primary election for president. I suspect we would probably agree on most issues.

But I cannot stand by and read your continued criticisms of the Bernie Sanders campaign and his supporters. You say they don’t understand you. Well, you clearly do not understand them.

In your latest column, you tell Sanders supporters who say they won’t vote for Hillary Clinton that they can’t call themselves progressives.

Here’s the thing: Many of them don’t. Some of Sanders’ supporters are not even Democrats. Sanders is attracting a broad cross-section of supporters including Democrats, Independents and even some Republicans. Right or wrong, some of them don’t like Hillary and feel no need to support the Democratic Party. They joined the campaign because they support Bernie.

One reason people from so many different walks of political life like Bernie is that he is consistent....

http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/2/6/1480395/-Let-s-just-stop-boomersplaining-politics-to-millennials

[Baitball Blogger]

2. I am at the tail end of the baby boomer generation.

1958. Too young to be part of its adult excesses, but always a spectator to their achievements -- good and bad. Let me just say that after the psychedelic Beatles glasses and black light posters, there is not much to be proud of after that. They grew up under the most idealistic era in this country, and as they grew older, they took more from this country than they gave back. Not the best role models for a planet with dwindling resources.

[Wilms]

3. Have to agree, but I'd like to add a point.

Many of the achievements weren't brought in by the Boomers. Rather, it was the "Silents" (of all names). When you look at the leaders and artists and musicians who drove that period, you realize that most of them were born before 1945.

[treestar]

4. Generally the older you get the more you know

and the more experience you have, so this is dumb. You'll learn when you get older, lol. I wasn't that way when I was younger, but it seems like a lot of people know it all when they are 18 or so and learn as they get older how little they knew then and still don't.

Bernie is exploiting and pandering and not doing anything to teach his young supporters about the basics as they've obviously forgotten the part about the separation of powers. And why he can be the miraculous Messiah who mesmerizes all of Congress where no previous president could.

[cali]

5. Or your neural pathways just become rutted loops

Bernie certainly is not pandering. He's been saying the same things for decades. But Hillary? Weatherman shameful pandering. I find that more tolerable than her corruption and text book cases of conflict of interest.

Have a super day!

[kristopher]

6. I don't understand your criticism

The part where you claim age imparts wisdom is clear, even though poorly supported by the evidence I've seen.

The rest of it however, doesn't make any sense at all. Would you mind elaborating?

[jeff47]

7. No, the older you get the more you abandon your hopes.

People deal with that by claiming it is wisdom.

[Fawke Em]

45. Good line!

[jeff47]

46. :hattip: (nt)

[ancianita]

109. Haha yeah we Boomers said that, too.

After you're in your fifties and sixties you'll be getting these same lines from younger people who think their cynical judgments of others' political lives is wisdom.

[jeff47]

112. You mistake me for someone far, far younger. (nt)

[ancianita]

120. Probably.

[Neoma]

49. My first political memory is Clinton vs. Bob Dole debate on TV.

I've kept up with current events steadily since 9/11. I was extremely upset about the inability to vote for John Kerry and my first vote was for Obama. I had hope that he'd be more of a FDR, I think he's more of a mixed bag of a president, good and bad. I mostly read about history, current events, science, generally non-fiction. I commonly discuss politics with people my own age on up to my 72 year old mother-in law. We're not dumb, we research on the computers in our pockets. We know full well how the Bush administration screwed over us and our parents and we know to be involved in the political process so that bullshit won't happen again.

I have no illusion that Bernie is going to be a miraculous messiah, I believe that voting for a house and senate that will work with Bernie is part of the revolution he is calling for us to create. I will be WAY more involved in writing letters, emails and calling my representative ONCE I KNOW THEY WILL LISTEN. My current one blocked my husband from his twitter feed. He also had his town meetings with gas companies where only its employees can voice concerns. Because of bullshit like that, a lot of people gave up on the political process. Bernie has energized people BECAUSE he isn't bought. It's the first candidate we've seen that isn't locked up in the current rigged up system. That to me, is important. It's important for people to know that the government can actually work for them, instead all we've seen is the government work for themselves, for decades. To know that we can have livable wage, free college and healthcare, instead of all our tax money going straight to the next war. It's important to know, because it gives people a will to push back against the current corrupt system, and that's exactly what I'm going to do.

[Warren DeMontague]

111. My first political memory is Watergate, so I wonder if I'm old enough to have any cred with the

wizened deep thinkers of Town Hillary.

One other thing I remember about that era, that was a guy who wanted the presidency at the expense of all else-- probably, too much. And he coveted the office for many, many years.

Zen teaches us that little good can come of that level of desire and attachment; wanting something to the exclusion of rational decision making.

Yes, when someone has spent so much time wanting the presidency, I foresee it not ending well at all.

[Wig Master]

67. People form a world outlook in young adulthood

and it pretty much stays the same for the rest of their lives, barring some catastrophe. These kids that are turning out for Bernie are left-wing and they're only going to get more left-wing as they age.

[navarth]

102. this.

[Warren DeMontague]

108. And Get Off My Lawn!

[Le Taz Hot]

8. This is divide-and-conquer establishment

bullshit. Boomers and Millennials have been working side-by-side volunteering for Bernie since he announced and we've all been doing just fine.

[kristopher]

10. No it isn't.

If that is your opinion, I'd wager you didn't read the piece.

[Le Taz Hot]

12. You misunderstand.

There has been an attempt to divide Boomers and Millennials within the Bernie campaign by the Establishment for months. My guess is it's because both demographic groups have been volunteering en masse with the campaign. It was just a general comment, not specifically addressing the article.

[kristopher]

15. IT's pretty damned difficult to misunderstand "this is divide and conquer establishment bullshit"

A simple apology might be more appropriate than denying and then deflecting.

[kristopher]

20. Considering the thrust is criticism of Hillary's positions I don't get your point.

[Le Taz Hot]

22. You don't get my point but you demand an apology.

Alrighty then.

[kristopher]

24. The fact that you don't have a point is why you should apologize.

[dana_b]

43. don't forget us Gen Xers!!

Or maybe it's better to stay low and out of this discussion - I dunno.

[LonePirate]

55. As a fellow Gen X member, we are quickly becoming The Forgotten Generation.

While I don't mind being omitted from this particular Millennials vs. Boomers discussion, it seems like the country transitioned from Boomers to Millennials without even a brief moment in the sun for Gen X. We don't even have a nickname!

[dana_b]

90. slackers

remember that? The slacker generation. Lol... Yeah, I don't remember slacking off (working since age 15) but meh - it made for an interesting story in Time for a short period of time in 1993.

[Joe Shlabotnik]

98. Yep I recall that.

Of course Can-US free trade, quickly followed by NAFTA had nothing to do with turning my manufacturing city into a Rustbelt retirement community. Talk about moving the goalposts.

[Le Taz Hot]

71. Oh, I don't.

It's just that the Boomers are a huge generation numerically but the Millennials outnumber even us, so, yeah, the Gen Xers don't get mentioned very much. You guys got squished in between us. Just for the record, I've worked with many people of all shapes, sizes, genders and ages on this campaign. That is a good sign, if you ask me.

[dana_b]

88. oh I know..

I'm half-heartedly kidding but it is funny (strange) to see so many Boomers v.s. Millenials articles and we are pretty much forgotten about. I mean - many of us are parents to Millenials (I am!) and have lots of Boomer relatives/friends but you're right, our generation is smaller than both of those generations.

I've worked also with all of the generations but mostly Gen Xers and Millenials. I think what we all want is pretty similar it's just that we disagree on methods of how to go about getting them.

btw - this is a weird question, but do you know if the Millenials were first called Generation Y?

[artislife]

99. An Oldie but Goodie

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/603741.13th_Gen

Talking 'bout my generation....oops...boomer group... I like them, though.


I will let the words of some anonomys reader back in 1996 describe some of what is discussed about in part in this book

There is much misunderstanding of the generation which followed the baby boom. This book paints a rich, deep picture of what forces shaped the 13th Generation (aka Generation X) into the reactive generation it is. Taking evidence from census data, sociological statistics and cultural trends, this book shows the 13th Generation as babies when demon-baby movies (Omen, Exorcist, etc.) were popular, as the generation most affected by the 1980's recession (just as it was entering the workforce) and the generation for which social security will be bankrupt by the time it retires. But the book is not apologist. Rather, the book is an in-depth example of the generational paradigm of history put forth by Stauss and Howe in _Generations_ and shows that such a reactive generation is part of a larger historical cycle that has been operating since before the Pilgrims landed on American shores. The book has a great layout for the short attention span audience. The sidebars give great quotes to support the text, there is an ongoing e-mail dialog between the baby boom authors and a gen-x critic, and the mostly black humor cartoons are well chosen to illustrate the text. A must read for anyone who wonders why Gen X folks just don't behave the way they "ought to," or for those Gen X'ers who wonder why the world is so messed up

[bettyellen]

61. It really is a stupid opinion piece. It is not news to anyone that a segment of Bernie's

support comes from people who are not Dems nor do they care about the Dem party or the supreme court.
I do think a lot of them would feel very differently if they could remember the Bush years, but I also know it is very hard to put old hands on young shoulders.

[kristopher]

62. Poor bettyellen's candidate isn't doing well...

so she chooses to tell tall tales about the content of posts that talk about the reasons why.

Good luck bettyellen, I'm sure your efforts will achieve all the success they deserve.

[bettyellen]

65. I'm actually volunteering for Bernie, but I can handle it if someone looks at his campaign with a

critical eye. It's not my first time at the rodeo, so I don't feel like there is any point to this put down artist bullshit snark that seems really popular here. Seriously, it feels like a high school cafeteria, with all the dumb ass cliquish behavior. Please tone it down if you're out campaigning, because it's fucking obnoxious.

[kristopher]

68. Sure you are, bettyellen, sure you are.

[bettyellen]

72. Are you calling me a liar? Way classy young man. Way to go.

[kristopher]

74. I'm probably older than you

And I DO NOT believe you. Take that however you wish.

[bettyellen]

77. So you are calling me a liar, thanks! No matter your physical age, this revolting cliquish crap is

immature.
I understand lots of people aren't interested in politics unless they get to start food fights like this one, and I happen to think that is part of the dumbing down of the whole system. Facile thinking from angry folks never impressed me much.

[kristopher]

79. This is my thread about an article I thought worthwhile. You're the disruptor.

I don't think anyone who supports bernie would find much to fault in the content, yet there are a few here who are on a mission to disrupt the thread. Dumbing down starts with trying to prevent people from sharing information because they don't like the implications.

[bettyellen]

82. You are snarking on Bernie supporters because they won't bash other Dems. Transparent.

Completely.

[kristopher]

84. ROFL - now it's just getting pathetic

[bettyellen]

85. You were hoping to get a lot of bashers. Maybe try again?

It shouldn't be THIS hard, LOL.

[Le Taz Hot]

66. I know.

Besides, the thread starter seems to need a nap. He/She seems a bit cranky.

[bettyellen]

70. Was hoping to start a war on the old folk. Because we built this ugly world, dammit!

[bettyellen]

9. Wow, more divisive crap. Awesome.

[kristopher]

11. What part do you take to be divisive?

Full quotes would be nice.

[bettyellen]

13. this part:

"'Let's just stop boomersplaining politics to millennials" [View all]

Let's just stop boomersplaining politics to millennials
By CCBOhio
Saturday Feb 06, 2016 · 1:45 PM EST

The following is a response to “This Progressive Doesn’t Need Your Lectures” by syndicated columnist Connie Schultz (National Memo, February 4, 2016).

Dear Connie:

I wish I had learned about you under circumstances other than a heated Democratic primary election for president. I suspect we would probably agree on most issues.

But I cannot stand by and read your continued criticisms of the Bernie Sanders campaign and his supporters. You say they don’t understand you. Well, you clearly do not understand them.

In your latest column, you tell Sanders supporters who say they won’t vote for Hillary Clinton that they can’t call themselves progressives.

Here’s the thing: Many of them don’t. Some of Sanders’ supporters are not even Democrats. Sanders is attracting a broad cross-section of supporters including Democrats, Independents and even some Republicans. Right or wrong, some of them don’t like Hillary and feel no need to support the Democratic Party. They joined the campaign because they support Bernie.

One reason people from so many different walks of political life like Bernie is that he is consistent....
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/2/6/1480395/-Let-s-just-stop-boomersplaining-politics-to-millennials
17"

[kristopher]

16. In other words you have don't have any idea of what you are complaining about...

... you are just typing a meme that you think will disrupt the thread.

[bettyellen]

18. It's your meme, and pretty meaningless to actual liberals-because they know better.

[kristopher]

19. Still waiting for specifics....

You see, that is the telling part; you can't provide a specific complaint or point to anything other than your own unsubstantiated claim that the OP is somehow anti-liberal?

You're wrong.

[bettyellen]

25. The ageist stuff is intentionally extremely divisive. Catapult the propaganda, I am sure Rove would

be very pleased to see this here.

[kristopher]

31. Still haven't read the article, have you?

But go on with your misapplied checklist of meaningless talking points.

[bettyellen]

63. I did, and thought it was the same old divisive shit, LOL.

I get it, and still think a whole lot of young people do not remember the Bush years at all. I knew a lot of young people who sat out voting for 20 years because no candidate was pure enough for them. Now they are older and so jaded, they don't even think Bernie is perfect, LOL, but they are voting these days. Because sitting it out is not always an option. Politics works like that, sadly.

[kristopher]

64. And yet you still can't discuss the actual content #noyoudidn't

[bettyellen]

75. you seem to think there is something new/ noteworthy in that OP. no one else sees it, LOL.

but it seems the anger and distrust really resonate with you more than anything else.
Good luck with that, dude.

[kristopher]

76. Yes i think it offers a few insights.

Hillary supporters however, probably don't like what they read.

[bettyellen]

78. Oh, them's fighting words! LOL.

Is that what you wanted? HA HA. Seems like that is all you're trying to do here, is provoke people. And you;re pissed it isn't actually working and the responses you have gotten are that people here think the article is stupid. Whoops.
Again, Rove would have you over to tea, anytime.

[kristopher]

80. I'm just sick of disruptors.

[bettyellen]

83. Don't feel bad! I think one person here enjoyed your article.

Maybe you two could start a food fight or something?

[kristopher]

86. Don't need to.

I honestly feel a great deal of pity for you. Anyone that feels that disrupting discussion on the internet is a path to changing the outcome of this election is seriously confused at a very basic level. It isn't a political act, it is the act of someone who hopes to make those around them as miserable as they are.

[bettyellen]

91. Oh dear- you really do not realize how negative this bashing shit is? Like you've been blowing

sunshine out your ass with this OP or something? Come on now, you're just pissed your little game didn't start a millennial / boomer skirmish here, as it was designed to. No one fell for it, this time.

Not sure where you get these nutty ideas about "changing the outcome of this election "-or did you think this OP was going to do that? Are you new here (the internet) or something? Because it doesn't work that way.

[kristopher]

93. The only conflict is Hillary supporters whinging about losing the young voters.

You are proving just how hard that is hitting home.

[artislife]

100. It is the dismissiveness that will ultimately sink her candidacy. nt

[kristopher]

104. Precisely. nt

[Warren DeMontague]

107. "boomersplaining" is divisive but "zomg o no racist sexist berniebros" isn't?

[bettyellen]

114. I have seen dozens of people accusing others of "inferring they are racist" and yeah-

that shit is divisive. And a stupid way to deal with it when someone points out you're arguments are tone deaf. Get it? Tone deaf does not equal racist. Never has.

[Warren DeMontague]

115. Yep. tone deafness is RAMPANT among the boomersplainers.

Same with the manhattan 4 million dollar condo crowd who cant figure put why flyover people want a $15 minimum wage.

[bettyellen]

116. You really want to get into boomsplaining and bernie bros, then you go it alone. Later Warren!

Not doing it and allowing you to ignore the phony complaints here about being called racist.
That was just more divisive bullshit, like this boomsplaining crap. Have fun rolling in the mud.

[Warren DeMontague]

117. We live, as we dream, alone.

that's how it goes.

[bettyellen]

119. True, but then you "leave no mark".

[Warren DeMontague]

121. From the Sage it is so hard at any price to get a single word

That when his task is accomplished, his work done,
Throughout the country every one says: "It happened of its own accord"

[flamingdem]

14. Just what we need, more fuel for millenials and boomers to

dislike one another. I call bs.

[kristopher]

17. And I call BS on your miscasting of the content of the article.

Is there an epidemic of illiteracy sweeping DU?

[1StrongBlackMan]

29. Cute. eom

[Maedhros]

47. You should be a little less thin-skinned.

The posters you are chastising are essentially agreeing with the OP that 'boomersplaining' is indicative of divisive politics, yet you jump all over them.

Lighten up, Francis.

[Le Taz Hot]

23. But we don't dislike each other.

At least that's been my experience.

[kristopher]

27. You still haven't read the article. Amazing.

The piece is about how the 80%+ of young voters who support Bernie are tired of HILLARY advocates telling them they don't understand the issues on the table.

But you keep on thinking whatever the fuck you want to imagine.

[Le Taz Hot]

34. Dude(tte), seriously.

I've no idea why you're foaming at the mouth here. This is just weird.

[kristopher]

37. Yes it is. You are making bizarre, non-factual claims about the OP.

A Hillary supporter wrote that young Bernie voters don't understand what they're doing. They replied:

I wish I had learned about you under circumstances other than a heated Democratic primary election for president. I suspect we would probably agree on most issues.

But I cannot stand by and read your continued criticisms of the Bernie Sanders campaign and his supporters. You say they don’t understand you. Well, you clearly do not understand them.

In your latest column, you tell Sanders supporters who say they won’t vote for Hillary Clinton that they can’t call themselves progressives.

Here’s the thing: Many of them don’t. Some of Sanders’ supporters are not even Democrats. Sanders is attracting a broad cross-section of supporters including Democrats, Independents and even some Republicans. Right or wrong, some of them don’t like Hillary and feel no need to support the Democratic Party. They joined the campaign because they support Bernie.

What aspect of that dynamic do you fail to grasp?

[Maedhros]

48. Yeah, you're just lashing out blindly at everyone.

/ignore lis.

[kristopher]

54. No, I'm address people who are misrepresenting the content of the OP

If you have something meaningful to contribute on the topic of the thread, I'd be interested in hearing it. If all you want to do is try and make it look like those distorting the information in the op re being reasonable, then don't let the door hit you on the way out.

[bettyellen]

96. But, but....no one read or understaaaands the article!!! Waaaaah.

[kristopher]

106. Lots of people did.

Just not you and a few others who elect to disrupt rather than discuss.

[Wig Master]

21. Let's also stop it with the _____splaining portmanteaus?

Maybe?

[navarth]

125. [phone]

[AOR]

26. I understand the sentiment in the post...

but this is not what movements need. What a mass left movement to force political change needs is solidarity across all divides. Across gender, across race, across age, ect. These divisions are useful for those who are defending the status quo and business as usual. They are not helpful at all in building solidarity. What the working class needs is the solidarity of leftists in advancing the causes and demands of the working class. What the working class doesn't need is solidarity and unity with opportunists and reactionaries who thrive on creating division to maintain the status quo and business as usual.

The very real division is between those who stand with defending the power and privilege of the ruling class and the rest of us who don't. Reactionaries and those defending the status quo come from all walks of life and all demographics as do those seeking change. We don't need solidarity with reactionaries - those creating division and defending business as usual and the status quo - of any stripe.

[kristopher]

28. "those creating division and defending business as usual"

That is who the criticism is directed at. The Hillary campaigners are aghast at the fact that they've lost more than 80% of under 30 women and those under 30 women are getting sick of hearing they don't understand what's at stake and what the issues are.

[AOR]

39. True but those campaigners are reactionaries...

not all "boomers" are reactionaries or Clinton supporters. Some of the fiercest leftist activists for the demands of the working class and social and economic justice come from the "boomer" generation. I've had the opportunity to learn much from many of them being a bit younger.

[kristopher]

51. Are you interested in discussing the actual article, or ...

...do you want to write your own on a completely different topic?

[AOR]

69. What more would you like to discuss ?

Sounds like a back and forth between a "boomer" and a "millennial" talking about their subjective "feelings." These are the politics of identity. The politics of identities are meaningless and distracting bullshit to the bottom line of working class power. Leftist politics is about power and resources and who controls them... not about feelings and identities.


What Connie Shultz "thinks" is irrelevant. It's the same as the thousands of posts that start with -- "I" proudly support ____ (fill in the blank) and here is why. Really ? Who the fuck are they and who gives a shit who they support. Leftist politics is not about "I" it's about WE.

[kristopher]

73. We could start with you actually reading the article.

That take-away is not taken from the content.

[AOR]

87. I read em both...

so CB is speaking in defense of millennial generation and not a millennial. The post stands with that qualifier. Now what would you like to discuss ? How about the fact that the responder to Shultz has every intention of supporting Hillary Clinton is she is the nominee. Lets talk about the cognitive dissonance in such a stance. While we're at it how about we discuss what becomes of the Sanders movement if he loses and the majority of his supporters go groveling back to Clinton, the Democratic Party, and business as usual ?

[kristopher]

89. We could talk about a lot of unrelated hypothetical such as Clinton supporters going R.

[AOR]

97. Sorry...not sure where you're trying to go with this thread...

what exactly is the point you're trying to make with the OP. You seem defensive to a variety of responses you're getting. I agree that Clinton supporters implying that millennials are uniformed in figuring out their political stances is bullshit. I don't know what else to say really.

[kristopher]

103. Not much more than that.

It's bullshit and to that I'd add that the Bernie supporters resent pressure based on the assumption they are supposed to support Hillary.

As to my opinion about the significance I think it exemplifies a lot of what is wrong with Hillary's campaign. It is angry and bitter - witness the disruption in this thread. I'd usually let it slide, but I just wasn't in that frame of mind tonight.

[AOR]

113. Agree on all you've stated in regards to the Clinton campaign...

I was initially trying to point out that the neoliberalism that wraps itself in the politics of identity is in fact angry, bitter, and extremely detrimental to solidarity of working class movements. The Clinton machine is the poster child for neoliberalism.

[navarth]

30. what the fuck is 'boomersplaining'?

I just skimmed the post and the article, which seems to be pro-Bernie. What's with this term 'boomersplaining'? Please and thank you.

[kristopher]

33. It isn't complicated - Hillary camp is talking down to the demo they've lost.

The Hillary campaigners are aghast at the fact that they've lost more than 80% of under 30 women and those under 30 women are getting sick of hearing they don't understand what's at stake and what the issues are.

[navarth]

35. that's all good, but

this term boomersplaining lumps all people of my age group into one stereotype...don't you think?

I doubt that I need to explain to you or anybody of ANY age group that we're not all the same....right?

The reason I bring this up is I run across far too many ageist stereotyping assholes on DU, where I expect people to know better.

Thanks for your reply.

[kristopher]

38. Only if you're too lazy to read the article.

Or prone to knee-jerk, totally uninformed judgements.

Otherwise, no I don't think it lumps all people of OUR age group together.

[navarth]

40. please don't get hostile

I didn't get hostile with you. Are you a Bernie supporter? I am.

Are all 'boomers' Hillary supporters? No. Are all 'millenials' Bernie supporters? No.

So what's the problem if I call out the nomenclature? Why you mad bro? I'm serious.

[kristopher]

50. I'm not mad, nor am I angry.

The article isn't about "all boomers" it is CLEARLY about Hillary supporters lecturing Bernie supporters.

[navarth]

56. Quite so. I wasn't commenting on that.

And you still sound pissed. Take it easy, man.

[kristopher]

57. Whatever diversion floats your boat.

But if you want me to be your bud (a strange fixation if you ask me), then stop misrepresenting the content of the OP.

It isn't a generalization about anything except the people from Hillary's campaign who are talking down to those who they think owe fealty to Hillary and the Party apparatus...

[navarth]

59. Good grief man

Where did I misrepresent the OP?

You are arguing with someone who's on your side. (If you're being honest about being a Bernie supporter).

I don't like the term boomersplaining because it's divisive, that's got nothing to do with what you're pissed about. You have no fucking idea how many times I've had to go up against divisive, ageist assholes on this site. So maybe you don't know where I'm coming from.

If I wanted to fuck with you, this conversation would be much different. But I'm not interested in fucking with you. Just keeping it real with stereotypes.

Okay whatever, I'm not doing any good here. Best of luck.

[kristopher]

60. No matter how many time you misrepresent it, the OP has nothing AT ALL to do with ageism.

[navarth]

101. Dude

I am not trying to misrepresent the OP for fuck's sake. Let me try and make it clear because you're doing a whole lotta hating for no good reason. I won't speculate on why any more.

HRC supporters of ANY FUCKING AGE have no business telling millenials or ANYBODY ELSE that they're not progressive if they don't support HRC. It has NOTHING to do with AGE.

So I call out the 'boomer' reference. Because THAT'S what discredits the OP. And I've explained it enough times for any idiot to understand. I'm not trying to discredit the OP; I'm saying we don't need to be FUCKING DIVISIVE and AGEIST when we make our point.

I'm done here. You go on and accuse me of whatever you like. If you still think I'm the enemy then you're either a ratfucker or you're in such a bad mood you can't see straight.

Either way, I hope it gets better for you. I mean it. Now if you want to hate on me some more, knock yourself out. It's pointless, but maybe it will make you feel better. Then some good would come from this exchange.

[kristopher]

110. OK that's fair enough. But you are provably wrong.

There is a statistical element showing where the nexus of Clinton's support lies and it IS with boomers (and I'm one). There is also the fact that you are ignoring that and choosing to make it about some sort of BS on us geezers being discriminate against. Give me a fucking break. We've sucked all the marrow out of the bones tossed to us by the 1% and the youth of this country have every reason to be bitter at both our hogging of resources (lack of intergenerational equity) and our failure to protect the republic we inherited.

[navarth]

118. You just can't stop yourself

I know a lot of people of all different generations. NONE of them spew this hate you got.

Is this thread supposed to be helping Bernie? Good job....

[kristopher]

124. Spewing hate? That is straight from basic policy courses in grad school

If you don't objectively understand the issue of intergenerational equity, that is your failing, not mine because I do.

[navarth]

126. My failing? Very well

...and by the same token, if you can't keep from spoiling your own thread with your inability to discuss questions as anything other than an attack...well there you are.

I sincerely don't mean you any harm. But you're your own worst enemy in this thread. You could have handled it with some diplomacy and defused the generational question easily. But you're seeing a Hillary attack under every bed.

Your vitriol is a problem. Catch more flies with honey than vinegar. Or maybe it's not a problem? You seem to just want to fight. If that's the case, mission accomplished.

[kristopher]

127. People who have been proven wrong are consistently inclined to lecture me on manners.

I guess that is easier than just acting like an adult, admitting you were wrong and continuing the discussion from that point.

[navarth]

129. proved my point.

You just can't help yourself. Do you ever change minds? Do you ever reach anybody? I mean really reach anybody? Doubtful.

This doesn't help Bernie.

[kristopher]

130. Perhaps you should worry more about your own approach and stop hectoring me.

You are hyperbolic, uninformed and proud to be that way apparently. But as long as you want to keep making personal attacks on me, I'll be happy to respond in kind.

[navarth]

131. I'm hectoring you??

Ok man. I see I'll never get through. You're seeing everything as an attack, and you've been doing it since my first reply. This makes it impossible to discuss.

Go ahead and have the last word. I can waste no more energy here.

[kristopher]

132. Thank you for your input.

[navarth]

133. We got off on the wrong foot and I'm sorry about that.

We should be allies. The important thing is Bernie and his campaign IMO. I looked back and I can see why you might have thought I was a disruptor. I'll be more careful next time.

[kristopher]

134. All is good.

Peace.

[bettyellen]

81. Nailed it. I don't think this is honest Pro-Bernie advocacy at all either.

And if it is honest, then it just so misguided it sucks, LOL.

[kristopher]

92. All my OPs are in my journal.

You would need to read the OP before you can judge anything.

[bettyellen]

94. Everyone read the stupid article, LOL. It may have been new info to you, but it is the same old

divisive shit we've seen around here for months. Seriously. There are no noteworthy revelations in it.

[kristopher]

95. Methinks the anonymous poster doth protest too loudly...

[valerief]

32. "Boomersplaining politics." I love it!!!!

And I'm a boomer. But I'm also a Bernie supporter. I even sent him money when he was running for the senate, and I'm not even a Vermonter. My point is I'm a boomer, but I'm no Boomersplainer. I just want just policies and integrity in the White House.

[kristopher]

36. The article is directed at Hillary supporters attacking young Bernie voters

I wish I had learned about you under circumstances other than a heated Democratic primary election for president. I suspect we would probably agree on most issues.

But I cannot stand by and read your continued criticisms of the Bernie Sanders campaign and his supporters. You say they don’t understand you. Well, you clearly do not understand them.

In your latest column, you tell Sanders supporters who say they won’t vote for Hillary Clinton that they can’t call themselves progressives.

Here’s the thing: Many of them don’t. Some of Sanders’ supporters are not even Democrats. Sanders is attracting a broad cross-section of supporters including Democrats, Independents and even some Republicans. Right or wrong, some of them don’t like Hillary and feel no need to support the Democratic Party. They joined the campaign because they support Bernie.

[valerief]

44. Oh, I got that. I was just adding my two cents about being a boomer

who wouldn't think of Boomerspaining to millenials.

[kristopher]

53. +1 with one exception

I ask if they vote, and if not, I will always give them about 3 sentences on why it might be a good idea to get into the habit.

[valerief]

123. Ah, yes, well, that's a given! But that's not Boomersplaining. That's just common sense. nt

[Fawke Em]

41. And some of us are progressives who are tired of the Democratic Party running right

and refuse to support that any more.

I've never had to register with the party to vote because it's not required in my state, but I'm a reliable (read: always) Democratic voter. I was full on-board with Obama in 2008 and never looked back. I think he's been a really good president and kept us from falling over the financial cliff, but he didn't take that one extra step and push the money-changers out of the White House. We have to have that now.

I know it and so do many of these Millennials. Boomers looking for the first female president - only - need to realize that the mere fact that Clinton has a vagina won't solve these big issues. I'm a woman. I support Bernie. My mother is a Boomer and she supports Bernie. Why? Because he has the bold vision to restore the middle class.

[kristopher]

42. +1

[truedelphi]

52. In every campaign up until 2012, it was explained to American voters that no

Candidate can win the Presidency UNLESS they pick up significant numbers of non-aligned voters.

Obama did just that in 2008. In addition to getting the votes of formerly dis-interested Democratic young people, he picked up voters across the political spectrum and had a major win. (He even got the vote of my Tea Bagger neighbor, who like me, believed Obama when he stated that he would cause problems for the Big Bankers and get tough with them if they didn't behave. A promise he forgot once elected.)

One of the reasons that this point is no longer mentioned by the Democratic Leadership is because they do not want to admit that the past forty years of Both Parties giving the middle class the shaft while enabling the Big Bankers, Big Military and Big Energy firms has left more and more people inside the demographics of voters who consider themselves not all that loyal to either party.

[malokvale77]

58. Sorry to see so many here jumping on your case.

I understand very well what this article is saying.

I'm the mother of 2 gen Xers and the grandmother of 3 millennials. They are all very politically aware and don't need me to boomersplain anything to them. My daughter and granddaughter refer to what the older female Hillary supporters are doing as "femisplaining".

I am very proud of the younger generations and I'm working with them for a better future.

[Warren DeMontague]

105. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

that's gonna leave a mark.

[Odin2005]

122. This is right on the mark. The oldest Millennials are 34, quit patronizing us...

...as if we were still little kids needing guidance from mommy and daddy. I am getting SICK OF IT.

[navarth]

128. Can't blame you for that.

And as a 'boomer' I must say that I object to anybody patronizing you. I certainly haven't engaged in any such thing. It's stupid and insulting. To me as well.

Who is patronizing you? The HRC camp? It's a bad tactic on their part if true. The problem with this thread is arguments about lumping all 'boomers' or 'millenials' into separate boxes. That's stereotyping, not a good practice for liberals. It makes no sense, and it's divisive.

But then, I've never been a fan of the 'splaining' meme anyway.

Age ain't nothin' but a number. I work with people half my age all day long and we're fine. My Mom is 91 years old and we're fine. It ain't about the age. You and I are Bernie supporters. Let's stay together and not divide ourselves by age group. Addition not subtraction.

Does that work? I don't mean to be jumping on you at all, just trying to make sense of all this.