January 30, 2016

MLK Day Parade with Tampa Bay For Bernie. Finally found video. Wow, great job.

Tampa Bay For Bernie got together to celebrate the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King

Love the drumming beat throughout.

January 29, 2016

Guess what Paul Krugman said about Obama supporters in 2008.

Hate Springs Eternal

The bitterness of the fight for the Democratic nomination is, on the face of it, bizarre. Both candidates still standing are smart and appealing. Both have progressive agendas (although I believe that Hillary Clinton is more serious about achieving universal health care, and that Barack Obama has staked out positions that will undermine his own efforts). Both have broad support among the party’s grass roots and are favorably viewed by Democratic voters.

....Why, then, is there so much venom out there?

....I won’t try for fake evenhandedness here: most of the venom I see is coming from supporters of Mr. Obama, who want their hero or nobody. I’m not the first to point out that the Obama campaign seems dangerously close to becoming a cult of personality. We’ve already had that from the Bush administration — remember Operation Flight Suit? We really don’t want to go there again.

He doesn't care much for Berniebros either.

January 28, 2016

Central FL Social Security office is not user friendly for disabled, elderly.

And no one agency seems to take responsibility.

The Social Security offices are now geared to doing business on the telephone or online. If you get an efficient caring person working on your case, most goes well. You don't call them, they call you during the process.

There are just some things that can not be done by phone or online. They have cut resources until the elderly and disabled must wait outside in the weather with no restroom access, no access to water, until it is their time to go in.

Elderly, disabled queue up outside for Social Security services in Lakeland

Some mornings the lines outside the Lakeland office of the Social Security Administration start forming as early as 6:30. The office doesn't open until 9 a.m. but word has spread among elderly and disabled residents that those first in line have a shorter wait.

So over the next few hours they quietly queue up, among them on a recent day an elderly woman sitting in a wheelchair, a woman leaning on a walker, and a young woman toting an infant in a carrier. An older man with a walker leans his back against the building and grimaces.

There are no benches, no water fountains. Until the doors are unlocked at 9 a.m., there is no access to restrooms. And even then, no signs explain to those in the line outside that they can ask the guard's permission for restroom access. Some days, the guard announces no food or drink are allowed inside "so if you have anything with you, you might as well go put it back in your car."

The elderly and disabled people standing in line are feeling the ramifications of changes in government policies and of no agency taking responsibility to improve the conditions.

This is a long article, but a couple of things really stood out to me.

The Social Security data shows a wait time at that office of only 34 minutes. But that is after the person is inside, signed in, and seated.

On one day a person went up to the guard outside the door, told him she only needed paperwork, could she just get that. The guard told her to call the number on the door. She told him she had tried that, it didn't work, he told her she had to wait.

This part about one woman, age 61, who did not have a computer at home...really upset me.

Ocho, who has multiple complications from diabetes, had arrived at 8 a.m., mistakenly thinking that's when the doors were unlocked. She had been No. 12 in line, but had to leave and find a restroom, she said. When she returned, shortly before 9 a.m., she found about 45 people were ahead of her.

The director of the Social Security Administration's office in Atlanta said that when the lease was up in 2018 they would evaluate the situation further.

We fought very hard to keep our own party from cutting Social Security payments, but we never realized all the cuts they were making to services and availability.

January 27, 2016

NARAL spokeswoman who spoke against Bernie is also a DNC Regional Press Secretary.

In my mind there is something just not right about a press secretary for the DNC openly criticizing one of the candidates.

Here is the Slate article quoting her:

Bernie Sanders Just Can’t Get It Right With Women’s Groups

But Sanders is right that the general public can’t know whether Planned Parenthood backed Clinton out of genuine gusto or because the embattled healthcare provider made a political calculation that she was its most electable hope—and that she, like Planned Parenthood, might need all the help she can get.

NARAL rightly tweaked Sanders not for what he did say on Tuesday, but for what he didn’t. “When asked a direct question about why he would be the best candidate for women, he ignored the impending crisis that restricts access to abortion,” spokeswoman Kaylie Hanson wrote. Sanders responded to the controversy over his “establishment” comment, but not to the question at hand: of how he would fight for women’s rights in office. He’s made it clear that, in his mind, the economic critique at the center of his campaign trumps the importance of any identity politics, including gender.

But as Hanson points out, access to health care—and especially to birth control and abortion, which allow women to time their families around their economic situations and their careers—“is an economic issue, and one that's fundamental to a woman's ability to succeed.” Sanders had a great opportunity to make that point last night, and thereby to signal that he really deserved Planned Parenthood’s endorsement. Once again, he passed.

So Kaylie is saying that Bernie did not go far enough to signal he deserved the endorsement. That really should not be an issue in this conversation right now....

Because NARAL has given Bernie Sanders 100% rating through the years.

Bernie on Women's Rights

What has Bernie actually accomplished as far as pro-choice legislation?

During his 16 years in the House of Representatives and 8 years in the Senate, Bernie has consistently supported a woman’s right to choose a safe abortion.

In addition to co-sponsoring the 1993 Freedom of Choice Act, Bernie voted numerous times to allow women to travel interstate for abortions, supported permitting federal funding of organizations that conduct abortions, voted to increase access and funding for family planning for women, and co-sponsored the Women’s Health Protection Act of 2013, which prohibited many limitations on abortions. In March 2008, Bernie voted against defining an unborn child as eligible for State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and in turn defining life as beginning at conception.

In light of these votes, Bernie has repeatedly received ratings of 100 percent from NARAL Pro-Choice America, and ratings of 0 percent from the National Right to Life Committee, indicating a pro-choice stance.

Much more at the link.

Kaylie Hanson in her role as NARAL Spokeswoman is free to say whatever she likes about Bernie's stances.

However Kaylie Hanson in her role as DNC Regional Press Secretary for the Northeast should be a little more careful and show neutrality when speaking of Democratic candidates.

January 26, 2016

Totally inane for NARAL, Planned Parenthood to battle with Bernie with 100% rating from them.

Bernie has a 100% rating from both groups. Yet here we are in the middle of mud-slinging by both groups toward Bernie because he dared used the word "establishment" in a general way.

Planned Parenthood has just been fighting for survival after the right wing attacks about a video. They have been seeking help and support to survive all the defunding nonsense going on.

So then they for the first time ever come out with an endorsement of Hillary. The use of her name around right wingers is like waving a red flag toward a bull in a bull fight. They have in effect declared their medical group which does so much for women....tied to the Clintons and the Democrats right after they have fought a big fight.

They have aligned themselves with the Democrats, and now they have started a battle with Hillary's opponent. NARAL has joined the battle as well.

As far as I can tell these are the words Bernie spoke to Rachel.

But there`s been a series of high-profile endorsements. Groups like
Planned Parenthood and NARAL, they`ve gone out of their way to make very
early endorsements for Secretary Clinton. Just today, Human Rights
Campaign, the gay rights group, announced their Clinton endorsement.

Are you competing for those groups` endorsements and not getting them or
are you not trying to get them?

SEN. BERNIE SANDERS (I-VT), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Look – well, no,
Rachel. I would love to have the endorsement of every progressive
organization in America. We`re very proud to have received recently the
endorsement of MoveOn.org. We have received the endorsement of Democracy
for America. These are grassroots organizations representing millions of
workers.

What we are doing in this campaign – it just blows my mind every day,
because I see it clearly – we`re taking on not only Wall Street and the
economic establishment, we`re taking on the political establishment. So I
have friends and supporters in the Human Rights Fund, in Planned
Parenthood. But, you know what, Hillary Clinton has been around there for
a very, very long time. Some of these groups are, in fact, part of the
establishment.

Rachel's show Jan. 20

He said some of these groups are in fact establishment. He did not say Planned Parenthood, he mentioned two groups.

I haven't found a corporate funding page for Planned Parenthood, but I did find a very long one for Human Rights Campaign.

HRC Corporate Partners

The donors are listed as Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze.

I think the word establishment is interpreted differently by many of us. In the theme of this highly weird primary in my mind it refers to the Democratic leaders who want to protect a party that is now geared to moderate/conservative themes.

So here's Bernie, who most likely misspoke, with a 100% rating from NARAL and Planned Parenthood, being attacked by those two as well as HRC and the Hillary campaign and surrogates.

In case you want more info on Bernie and womens' rights...here is his On the Issues page.

I have not kept up with NARAL and HRC endorsements through the years, but since I have for years donated to Planned Parenthood, I do pay attention to what they do.

They are in my mind a medical group that is there for women even those in poverty.

They have actually NOW become in my mind a political group that is attacking a candidate to whom they gave a 100% rating.

It's utterly inane.

January 24, 2016

Former NH Dem chair: Bernie "is a guest in our house."

From Kathy Sulllivan's Twitter feed:

Kathy Sullivan
?@NHKathySullivan

I really get offended when Bernie Sanders says what is wrong with the Democratic Party. He is a guest in our house.

SO...according to her the Democratic Party belongs to her and those in her group, and Bernie only came to visit.

This is two primaries now that the candidate I support was/is not welcome in the party, and is not expected to be a leader. The Third Way's predecessor, the DLC, went so far as to hold a press conference to announce Dean would not be president.

Now party leaders are making sure Bernie is not welcome, and by that theory neither are his supporters. New ideas, fresh thinking, eager minds, not wanted. Just go away.

It is not Kathy Sullivan's party. It does not belong to her. Unfortunately it has become the Clinton party, and we are unwelcome intruders.

All that being said, I was raised Democratic. I voted for the party's candidates from my first eligible election.

I have strongly supported Democrats in the past in every election. I was loyal when I voted.

But now those who question where the party is going, and who are willing to fight to take it back to where it once used to be.....apparently are considered "guests" along with their candidate.

Not the GOP, but our own party has already used racism against our candidate. They have treated his Democratic Socialism as almost communism. Not the GOP, our party is doing it.

I am still trying to understand why the party leaders do not care at all if we are offended and marginalized. I am still trying to understand why they think we can be treated as "guests" in the party, insulted publicly by media and spokespersons for Hillary's campaign, talked about as if we are not very bright....and then be there next November for whatever candidate the party decides to run to keep our candidate from being the nominee.

At this point in time, I don't think I am considered a true Democrat because I support Bernie Sanders.

There are huge implications for the party when lifelong Democrats like I am are feeling that way.

I don't think they have thought through to the general election in November.

January 22, 2016

David Brock's newest media outlet goes after Bernie fiercely today.

David recently bought Blue Nation Review

The leading article today says that only Hillary can defeat Donald Trump. That of course goes against the many polls that have shown otherwise.

President Trump – Get Used to It Unless Hillary Stops Him

f Bernie were to become the Democratic nominee, he’d face an assault on his character the likes of which would make the attacks on Hillary look like child’s play. As I wrote yesterday:

Bernie will be turned into an aging cartoon Commie, a flip-flopping America-hater, a 60s holdover writing bizarre essays about free sex and child rape fantasies, a non-Democrat Democrat whose embrace of the NRA undermines his claims to purity, a politician who voted against the Amber Alert system, a draft dodger, and a man who thinks women’s rights are a distraction. There’s an entire library of fresh, juicy opposition research on Bernie Sanders tucked away in RNC headquarters, awaiting the mother of all oppo drops.

My friend and business partner Eric Burns made a fascinating observation today: Trump is the master at taking down other men, but clueless when it comes to competing with a woman. He made a mess of his exchange with Fox’s Megyn Kelly and put his foot in his mouth with Carly Fiorina. He’s been flailing with Hillary, claiming she lacks “strength and stamina” – perhaps one of the least believable political attacks of the entire cycle.

Trump eviscerates male opponents with a few tweets. He’ll have a field day with Bernie Sanders, and so will the GOP attack apparatus.

Have you noticed? David is already attacking Bernie so the GOP won't have to bother in case he wins the primary.

Isn't that amazing?

Here is more of David Brock's media which can and most likely will be used to attack Bernie Sanders.

Discover the Networks

Left-wing activist who was formerly a conservative journalist
President and CEO of Media Matters For America
Complains about the “undue influence” of the “right-wing media”
Founder of American Bridge 21st Century



See also: Media Matters For America

American Bridge 21st Century

Progressive States Network

Citizens for Responsibility & Ethics in Washington

After I read Brock's Blinded by the Right years ago, I had a kind of respect for him in spite of his ugly attacks on our side. His attack dog role against a good man right now is causing me to lose that respect.

January 21, 2016

Enough of the racism attacks toward Bernie OR Hillary. From Slate, featuring David Brock.

Now Slate is using the racist meme against Bernie Sanders. That is such a contrived argument, and it is not helping Hillary Clinton when it is used by her spokespeople.

That is a part of the primary that has made me the angriest. Neither of our candidates is now or ever has been racist at all.

Top Clinton Ally: "Black Lives Don't Matter to Bernie Sanders"

In 2008, when most black Democratic primary voters supported Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton argued that he couldn't win the general election because white voters didn't like him; she infamously said that Obama's appeal "among working, hard-working Americans, white Americans" was limited. Her campaign representatives and surrogates, meanwhile, suggested that there was something a little shady, un-American, and possibly even Muslim about Obama. Her campaign's belief seemed to be that white people would—and perhaps should!—be suspicious of a candidate who was too popular with black people.

This year, as Slate's Jamelle Bouie wrote yesterday, Clinton is facing a primary opponent who's popular with white voters but not black voters. A widespread protest movement, meanwhile, has helped put issues of racial justice at the top of many Democratic and liberal Americans' minds. It is under these circumstances that a longtime Clinton ally, the notoriously aggressive Democratic operative and pro-Hillary Super PAC founder David Brock, just declared disparagingly to the AP that Bernie Sanders' new TV ad is evidence that "black lives don't matter much to Bernie Sanders."

To be fair, there are a lot of white people in the ad ... literally thousands of them. White people everywhere, as far as the eye can see. Does that mean Bernie Sanders—who has made extensive though generally ineffective efforts to make inroads with black voters—doesn't care whether black people live or die? Eh, probably not.

Either way, though, it is heartening to see that Hillary and her supporters have made such personal progress in their understanding of the importance of black lives and black votes.

Ben Mathis-Lilley edits the Slatest. Follow @Slatest on Twitter.

That pathetic article was written by the editor of the Slatest blog. That's sad.

January 20, 2016

Ed Rendell, Harold Ford suggest party might call on Biden to run if Bernie wins 1st 3 primaries.

Ed Rendell publicly suggests it's good Biden dropped out as he might be needed after March 1.

He suggests that it's a very good thing that the vice president will be available after the smoke clears on March 1 (which I gather is Super Tuesday).

I would like for someone with much knowledge of party primaries and general elections to please explain to me how the Democratic Party could just decide to run someone else against Bernie if he wins the 1st 3 primaries. I want a really good explanation because to me that would be simply outrageous.

AND if it turns out this is legally acceptable, is it morally acceptable? Is this really what party leaders want to do?

I can't find Rendell's words in text anywhere so I transcribed them from the video at MSNBC during an interview by Andrea Mitchell. This portion starts about 6 minutes in.

Debate tone contentious over issues, not personalities

Sunday night’s debate exemplified how tight the presidential race has become on the Democratic side, due mostly to a surge in support for Bernie Sanders. Former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell and MSNBC contributor Steve Schmidt discuss the debate’s biggest talking points. Duration: 7:37

Here is my take on the gist of their conversation.

Andrea Mitchell suggests if Hillary loses SC after losing NH and IA that the Democratic Party would start looking elsewhere. She suggests the only place to look would be the Vice President.

Ed Rendell replied like this: The VP by withdrawing by deciding not to run, held himself open to that contingency.

He goes to say that if Hillary Clinton has legal problems, he (Biden) is available.

He says if Hillary's legal problems continue, if Bernie wins SC on top of IA and NH it would mean a real race.

He further says they would have to see March 1 after the smoke clears. He says it's not likely to happen but it could be the eventuality and is certainly out there. By that I assume he means Biden would step in.

Harold Ford also spoke out on MSNBC about what might happen.

Instead of celebrating the rise of a new star, establishment Democrats are freaking out about the possibility of Bernie Sanders winning both Iowa and New Hampshire.

Case in point: former Tennessee congressman Harold Ford, Jr., who on MSNBC agreed with Joe Scarborough that establishment Dems could recruit John Kerry or Joe Biden to run if Bernie sweeps both early primary states.

SO...where are they going with this? Whose idea is it that Joe Biden is now free to step in if Bernie takes the 1st 3 states?

Do party leaders really think this is the way for the party to survive and thrive?

Or does it mean they've already gone down that road too far to change?

January 19, 2016

7000 for Bernie in Birmingham tonight.

Press Release:

Sanders Marks King Holiday on Civil Rights Tour in South, Addresses 7,000 at Birmingham Rally

“The vision he had for the future in many ways remains unfulfilled,” Sanders said. “If we are serious about remembering his legacy, we will continue the fight for racial justice, economic justice and for a nation in which all people live with dignity. We still have a long way to go.” Sanders also stopped at the Civil Rights Institute, a museum where he touched the bars of the Birmingham jail cell where King was held.

Sanders later addressed a packed nighttime rally at Birmingham’s Boutwell Auditorium. There were 5,700 supporters jammed inside. Another 1,400 braved unusual sub-freezing weather to watch on a jumbo TV in an overflow area outside. “There must be a mistake. Somebody told me Alabama is a conservative state,” Sanders said to loud cheers.

In his remarks at the rally, Sanders also invoked the memory of King. “To truly honor Dr. King we must fight to carry out his radical and bold vision for America. He saw the relationship between racism and economics and war. That was his courage.”