About the bird visiting the Bernie event in Portland...

[mak3cats]

This touched me deeply. I mean deeply. I'm a 56 year old woman, atheist, nature lover, tired and cynical, glass-half-empty type. I have no children, so have no parental fears about the future (can't imagine how horrifying those are these days). When I viewed the Portland event, I was moved beyond words. If I was forced to worship a deity (something possible in a Cruz presidency), my deity would have an animal form. I can't express exactly what I feel about the Bernie bird, but it's profound...

[Awknid]

1. I agree!

[retrowire]

2. I lol'd at this line here...

"If I was forced to worship a deity (something possible in a Cruz presidency)"

hahahahaha

Have you considered being a deist? A couple of our forefathers were after all.

[mak3cats]

40. If I became a deist, my deity would still be an animal...

I wonder about that: I lived in New Orleans for much of my formative years, even though I was born (and live now) in NY. I shamelessly killed many a cockroach during that era. But the insects I live with now get a free ride; at worse I gather one or two up and put them outside (my beau is spider phobic, but is a nature lover too, so gives them a chance by letting me rescue them). Based on my luck, though, when I hit the afterlife (if it exists, which I don't believe in either), the entity sitting on the throne is going to be a damn cockroach, I just know it!

[senz]

84. Do you know those are Buddhist beliefs?

I spent a few days at a Buddhist retreat and was instructed not to kill any insects in my cabin room. They too believe in reincarnation and the idea is that you don't know who an insect might be. They're not theists either, and it sounds like your belief system may be compatible with theirs.

(I don't like to kill insects because it seems like it would hurt to be crushed. Although I will swat mosquitoes and pesky flies "in self-defense" with an apology and a RIP.)

[Oilwellian]

87. I lived in New Orleans and Slidell for many years

and I know of what you speak when it comes to roaches there. I've always thought they should become the state bird because they freaking fly! LOL Plus, you can have a spotless home and still have roach issues. The ground there is so soft, it's a perfect environment for them. Now I'm in Virginia and haven't seen one roach in my over 25 years here. There really is a God. LOL

[flamingdem]

60. Ethan Allen comes to mind

He used to shoot at church steeple bells when he'd ride into town.

[WheelWalker]

3. Birds have the vision to see.

[DemocracyDirect]

4. The Universe endorses Bernie.

[questionseverything]

66. good things can still heppen

"But ask the animals,
and they will teach you,
or the birds in the sky,
and they will tell you..."

job 12

[glinda]

73. cool

[babylonsister]

5. I have an important bird in my past, so I do

get you. That bird touched me, and then there were more birds... Grateful.

[Nyan]

6. It was an extraordinary moment.

That bird perched right on "Future to believe in" sign and faced Bernie.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

11. next to the water bottle, Bernie had just been discussing fracking and clean water.

[jillan]

16. Wow - that is almost eerie. Eerie in a good way.

[suffragette]

48. It was a perfect moment.

[glinda]

74. There are no coincidences.

[deepestblue]

7. Video of Trump vs. #FeelTheBird

From the video:

"The day Donald Trump won 4 states in the primaries, lightning struck Trump Tower in Chicago. The day after the Bloomberg National poll announced Bernie Sanders pulled ahead of Hillary, this happened..."

[jillan]

18. I cannot get over how talented people are, that was amazing.

[dchill]

29. The bird was amazing.

[delrem]

45. That was just beautiful!

What right thinking person wouldn't want to put an end to the PNAC wars?

Also I think Sanders has a history of being able to work with other politicians, to get things done.

I can easily see him as the next US president, bringing sense to US politics.
He has strong backup - there are a shitload of good Dems.

[ljm2002]

50. What a beautiful moment...

...and thank you for posting the video, I kept hearing about it but had not yet seen it.

Well here's hoping that bird is a harbinger of the primaries still to come! Regardless of any outcomes, though, that moment was beautiful and profound.

[smiley]

77. I can watch that over and over...

and get chills through my body each time.

Deeply moving and symbolic.

[FlatBaroque]

8. you are not the only one

I have watched it a hundred times from different angles, and each time I watch I find another person in the frame and then revel in that person's joy. There was one woman wiping tears from her eyes and that just broke me up.

[senz]

33. I love his smile at the end. It moved him, too.

He inspires so much hope in people.

I think the whole nation has needed this campaign.

[angstlessk]

9. When I was diagnosed with cancer, and for sure I was dying

I did not look up to a deity, I looked down to an ant colony, and why they gave their lives readily for the colony, for their GENES

I understood, I will die, but the most important part of me will live on...my GENES.

I understood that somehow the GENES I possessed came down from 1,000+ generations.

I was the prodigy of how many mothers through history who did not die before my ancestor lived?

We today are ALIVE by some 'miracle' that enabled all of our ancestors to live long enough to give us birth!

[wendylaroux]

10. Beautiful.

[jillan]

20. That was beautiful. And very profound.

[senz]

34. Connection. It deepens life, gives meaning.

I'm glad you made it, angstlessk.

[Duppers]

49. Very beautiful. Yet that's the parental fear

that Make3cats' wrote about. That's the essence of my sadness, as a mother, over the coming sixth extinction.

It's ALL going to end ...too soon and with suffering. The roaches will survive, they always do, and perhaps a few small animals and a few sea critters.

I struggle daily with this knowledge. I too have faced my mortality, with horrible fear and deep depression at first. But then I gained courage that astonished my hubs. I've held on to that courage until the last few years. Knowledge can be brutal but I prefer knowing than sticking my head in the sand and making the situation worse for younger generations. The sand heads are cowards who are contributing the most to the problem. I suppose I agree with Bertrand Russell.

[IDemo]

12. Great graphic from Twitter:

[mak3cats]

13. This is effing perfect! (eom)

[jillan]

21. And that bird really did make a difference. It warmed so many people's hearts today.

STILL berning up Twitter.

#BirdieSanders

[cantbeserious]

25. Perfect

eom

[KeepItReal]

63. Awesomeness

[rhett o rick]

14. I am with you all the way. It was a sign. nm

[Rosa Luxemburg]

24. It was definitely a sign!

Hillary will be training birds to fly to her!

[senz]

35. Her aides are busy doing it as we speak!

[Wednesdays]

58. I could just imagine a flock of chickens

[me b zola]

15. I was very deeply moved by this

...and I think that it is safe to say that Bernie was too. The look on his face, the peace and joy he seemed to radiate. The crowd, their reaction. The entire thing was touching beyond words.

[glinda]

75. he understood it

[Biaviians]

17. My first posting on a forum

I was completly overjoyed when I saw this little bird today!

[IDemo]

19. Terrific how that has been the feeling of so many today

And welcome to DU, Biaviians!

[mak3cats]

22. Thank you, and welcome...

...to DU, and especially our group!

[jillan]

23. We are so happy that little bird brought you over here. Welcome to DU!!

[Biaviians]

28. Thankful for this group!

I found this site a week ago and have been enjoying myself. When I want to know what's going on in the world of Bernie I come here and never miss a thing.

[senz]

82. Welcome, Biaviians!

Be careful around General Discussion: Primaries.

[SamKnause]

53. We welcome you with open arms.

[agracie]

57. Hello and welcome !

[GreatGazoo]

61. welcome to the flock !

[glinda]

76. welcome!

[southerncrone]

26. Found this interesting & seems to fit Bernie & his campaign to a T.

Sparrow Associated Traits:
Powerful, Productive, Friendly, Persistent, Integrity, Simplicity, Caring, Creativity, Vigilant, Communal, Empowerment

Much more at link.

http://www.sunsigns.org/sparrow-animal-totem-symbolism-meanings/

[mak3cats]

30. It's hard to tell from the photos...

...but it looks more like a type of finch to me. I'm just an amateur birder, and a lot farther east, so I could absolutely be wrong. I would really like a definitive ID of the bird.

(But I'm sure that any bird would more likely fit Bernie than her Highness. Thanks for the interesting link!)

[Wednesdays]

59. IIRC, what we call

a sparrow (house sparrow) is in fact a type of finch.

[riderinthestorm]

68. The Audubon Society identified it as a female house finch nt

[sarge43]

85. For the record a group of finches is called a charm.

She charmed us all.

I was struck by Senator Sanders' reaction. He was in the moment. I think he knew something unique had happened.

[FreakinDJ]

27. On Good Friday - thats not a coincidence - thats a sign

and Bernie replies "That's really a Dove asking for world Peace"


Now before the Hillary supporters start diminishing this or insinuating some sort of avian conspiracy ...


Ask yourself one question - what are the odds that a Little Birdy would land on the podium of the Jewish Candidate who is "Honestly" working for people of all color. And then Bernie replies "That is really a Dove asking for World Peace" - on Good Friday !

[senz]

36. Aren't you glad this is the Bernie Group and they can't come in with

the usual sour cynicism and ridicule?

[grasswire]

31. I was there today

I saw it as a sign. And I believe that many other people did too.

The audience just exploded with cheer. No one will ever forget the moment.

[mak3cats]

32. I read your post about being there...

Thank you! Since I'm obviously lurking in my own thread, I'm interested in what everyone else feels. I'm still feeling rather other-worldly about it. Maybe I should go to bed?

[senz]

37. I'm so glad you were there, grasswire!

You have worked so hard here for Bernie.

[grasswire]

41. thank you for saying that, senz

You're no slouch yourself!

[senz]

43. Wow, thanks!

[3catwoman3]

38. Strangely moving, to be sure.

I would love to see if on the Jumbotron.

Thank you, little bird, for a touching and memorable moment.

[senz]

39. Since RFK, I haven't seen a campaign suffused with this much numinosity.

The Christian symbolism alone has been striking and uncanny to the point that I back off thinking about it.

Nature has its mystery and profundity. Sometimes a pulse or hum or lightness is sensed in a woods or meadow rich with life. I've noticed animals or birds will sometimes approach a person who is very innocent, someone who doesn't frighten them. There are unseen connections we don't understand.

I am not at all surprised that a little bird visited Bernie in front of thousands of cheering people.

[grasswire]

42. On Good Friday, for a Jew.

It boggles the mind.

This is how people used to feel about "miracles" I guess.

[JDPriestly]

44. Yes. It's an omen.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

54. The Evangelists will now ditch Trump

this is a sign

[glinda]

78. I have been adopted by a Pileated.

He calls to me inside the house to come out and feed him. Sometimes not even to feed him. He dive bombed me one day by flying straight at me and then lifted up over my head to show me his colors. He has done that couple of times now. I love him so much that I had someone felt a sculpture of him for me.

[senz]

81. Yes, they know things we don't know in ways we can't imagine.

I like that; I don't want my homo sapiens brain-type to know everything. With other species, we do well to remain open and receptive. The Native Americans had it best: honor nature, it is wise and we can learn from it.

Seems pretty clear your Pileated friend has taken a personal liking to you. You got a friend.

An old friend of mine who stuck by me during a rough time in high school, who stayed loyal and very kind when I needed it, had a bird adopt her some years later. It was one of the types that lives long, but it wasn't as big as a parrot. Anyway, it alighted on her front between her shoulder and chin, would not let go, so she took it home, got a perch for it, and it lived happily in her house ever after. As far as I know, it's still with her. Who can understand these things? But Amy had a good, good soul, and I'd imagine other creatures can pick up on things like that.

If I were a bird, I'd hang around Bernie.

[glinda]

86. Indeed. Read my sig line in regards to your observation.

[Left Coast2020]

46. Out of curiosity I just checked YouTube....

....thinking there would be at least 1-million hits on this.

Sadly it only has 135,000 so far.

But maybe it will get there.

[LiberalArkie]

55. An individual video of this event would be hard to hit 1 million as there are

probably hundreds of different ones out. I think I have seen about 50 different links here.

[Duppers]

47. Soul sister

Add 10 yrs, parental fears (1 son), and cleverness , and we're the same person. I was also very strangely moved.

Feeling the Bern.

[Lorien]

51. I feel the same way. I spend many hours in nature photographing birds

It's much easier for me to get a good photo of an egret, great blue heron or bald eagle than a decent photo of a small finch or songbird. They're nervous animals, they never stay still for more than a second or two, and they fly away at the first sign of movement. That one flew down from the ceiling in the center of a YUGE crowd, with so much movement and noise...it's just unbelievable! I have a friend who trains birds professionally for a show at Disney's Animal Kingdom, and I doubt that even her best bird would have dared to land where that finch landed, FACING Bernie for several seconds. Completely out of character for the species! I'm a complete atheist (raised as one too) and never believe in "signs", but that moment shook my beliefs. It was magical.

Probably my best small bird photo. Weaver birds are very common in South Africa, but still tough to capture in a photo!

[Stardust]

52. Amazing photo!

[snagglepuss]

56. What a fantastic photo. Beautiful!

[Plucketeer]

72. I'm like you and the originator of this thread

And I like to shoot pictures of nature as well - and it IS tough to get these little guys with their twitchy temperament. So I too, was blown away as I watched this feathered guest inspire like he'd never imagined. It was a magical moment, to be sure.

[glinda]

79. beautiful

[TBF]

62. Namaste and solidarity always

nt

[Lorien]

64. Hey Bernie!

[senz]

83. Oh, love it.

Perfect, Lorien!

[libodem]

65. Awwww

[Iwillnevergiveup]

67. I feel ya, mak3cats

It was profound.

[riderinthestorm]

69. I'm share your perspective (atheist too) and I too felt universe moving there

it was an uncanny moment and I thought "The gods are watching over him".

[vank210]

70. PLEASE SIGN! Petition to arrest Donald Trump for incitement of violence.

I know this isn't the correct place for this message but I'm unable to post a thread since I'm still a new member but I believe most people here may find this interesting too.
https://petitions.wh...ndenburg-v-ohio

There is a petition going around to arrest Donald Trump for incitement of violence at his rallies. He has done so many terrible things from making fun of people with disabilities, to saying he would pay for the legal fees of anyone who punches people at his rallies and everything in between, such as racist comments and comments objectifying/degrading women.

Billionaires shouldn't be immune to the law and should have to pay the price when breaking them. Almost enough signatures have been collected to get a direct message from the White House!! EVERYONE PLEASE SIGN AND SHARE THIS INFO BEFORE THE APRIL 12th DEADLINE!!
https://petitions.wh...ndenburg-v-ohio

[lordsummerisle]

71. i know its a cliche by now

But it was definitely a magical moment...

[Ghost Dog]

80. Animals tend to approach me and find peace.

I can see that Mr. Sanders radiates a similar vibe.

Peace be with you, mak3cats.