College town hall. These passionate young people...will the party embrace them?

[madfloridian]

There are videos in the Video forum, in the Bernie forum, and a really powerful one here in the Primaries forum.

This was a town hall originating at George Mason University and being broadcast to other colleges. It is moving and powerful.

Since the stream kept breaking from overload, MSNBC finally picked it up.

As I watched it my mind kept coming back here to the attitude that those of us who support Bernie are not really truly real Democrats. There is some name-calling, some ridicule on both sides.....but there's recently a new theme. The underlying idea is that Bernie is not really a Democrat and is taking part in a political activity that belongs only to registered Democrats.

It has hit me that the Democrats have benefited from his votes with them, even though they did not at the beginning want him to be part of their caucus. He stands for Democratic ideals that too many in our party have moved away from through the years.

This picture hit home as did the huge crowds and enthusiasm.



About the picture:

Muslim Students Demand Bernie Sanders Denounce Islamophobia In The 2016 Race

But in one of the most emotional moments of the night, George Mason University senior Remaz Abdelgader stood up and demanded to know how Sanders would address the rising tide of Islamophobia in the U.S. Her voice breaking, she spoke of how hurt she feels when she hears anti-Muslim rhetoric from other candidates for president — including GOP frontrunners Ben Carson, who has said he doesn’t want a Muslim as president of the U.S.

“Being an American is such a strong part of my identity, but I want to create a change in this society,” she said. “I’m so tired of listening to this rhetoric saying I can’t be president one day, that I should not be in office. It makes me so angry and upset. This is my country.”

Sanders insisted she join him on stage and gave her a hug as the crowd of a couple hundred stood and cheered.

BTW that "couple of hundred" is pure baloney. Watch the videos.

Then, in response to her question, Sanders does something he rarely does: he spoke personally about his Jewish faith and family history, which includes losing relatives in the Holocaust, and said Americans need to learn from that past. “If we stand for anything we have to stand together and end all forms of racism in this country,” he said. “I will lead that effort as president.”

Sanders also talked about the ways people in power have used racism and prejudice throughout U.S. history to keep working class people from uniting.

This ridicule of us as supporters is getting worse. I would imagine the same ones would likely not be inclusive toward this crowd of enthusiastic young people, many of whom said in the comments that Bernie was the most honest man they had ever heard speak.

My late husband and I learned a lot from the Howard Dean campaign. My husband attended every DEC meeting until he got too ill to attend. I had been getting the emails from the district Democrats, but they stopped when he could not attend. We were told they were not allowed to send emails to those who missed more than 3 meetings. We did not beg for an exception because we were dealing with other stuff then.

The leaders of our strong Dean campaign here went to chair the DEC. Everytime they tried to bring even moderate change they were slapped down. You see, this area of Florida was one of the very first to embrace the then newly formed DLC. One even called it the "wind in our sails"...and he said if people didn't like it stick it to them anyway. The new chair finally stepped down when threatened with violence from the old guard here.

So it's a really simple question. Watch the video, see those wonderful young people who care about their country. Think before ridiculing those of us who support Bernie Sanders.

In my mind now it really comes down to this.

If you demand our votes for the nominee whoever it may be....then you should treat us as a respected part of the Democratic party. How you treat us is just about how you would treat those passionate young people.

Are they wanted in the party or not? It's really a simple thing to decide.

This video starts when the rally begins, before Bernie arrives. It also shows the big hug he gave Remaz Abdelgader.

[Scootaloo]

1. The party can't skate along by catering to the leftover Reagan Democrats

[delrem]

35. They're coming right out and saying it,

that to be a tad right of Reagan is to be "centrist", and a shitload of Dems are saying it.

That's pretty blatant. I wonder what we should expect for the future, from their leadership?

[rhett o rick]

61. When we speak of "The Party" we need to distinguish between The Party Grassroots

and The Party Elite Leadership. The Party Elite do the bidding of big money and to them, big money, either HRC or Bush should be the president and they are willing to spend billions to affect that. To that effect, The Party Leadership's job is to get HRC into the general even if doing so weakens the chance for victory. The Party Elite's first job is to deny the primary to a progressive.

At some point The Party Grassroots will revolt against The Party Elites like those that follow Sen Sanders who doesn't cater to the billionaires.

[erronis]

64. And I hope that, if Bernie doesn't win, that the Elite/DSW/3rd don't clamp down

So that popular uprisings like Bernie's will no longer be possible (allowed.)

If Bernie doesn't make it there will be a ton of independent, young, disenfranchised and disenchanted voters who will want something real, the next time.

The repugs and the Main$tream democrats don't want to fight a battle against impassioned and thinking people. They'll continue to build artificial rules and roles to limit dissent. Can we all say "Heil"?

[antigop]

81. I predict there will also be a ton of independent, OLD, disenfranchised and disenchanted voters

nt

[Uncle Joe]

2. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, madfloridian.

[aidbo]

3. Thanks so much. I couldn't watch this live.

[madfloridian]

5. I got tears watching those students. They are organized and amazing.

They have found someone they respect and trust.

[PotatoChip]

49. Me too. That was truly inspiring.

For anyone who might not have the time to watch the entire video, at the very least, watch the final 5 minutes. You won't regret it.

Thank you madfloridian for the video, as well as the rest of your OP. You have made some excellent points.

[Ed Suspicious]

4. Bernie isn't perfect. He gets a little shouty.

He occasionally trips a little over his tongue. Etc. But he is breathing life into an often uninspiring Democratic Party and a dying democratic process. I love him but even more I love what he represents. He makes me less cynical.

[arcane1]

10. He's a candidate running for president, not an actor auditioning for the role of president.

And it shows

[Ed Suspicious]

11. +1

[BeanMusical]

17. +2

[Demeter]

42. +several brazillion

[JDPriestly]

38. Bernie thinks! That's perfect enough for me.

He has so much passion. I think that is why the young people love him so much. He alone of all the candidates speaks to their ideals -- to my ideals too and to the ideals of most of us.

His passion is inspiring.

[rhett o rick]

62. See what happens when an old man speaks out? He is called "shouty".

[Fawke Em]

74. Good point.

The Hill fans have even used that Simpsons newspaper about the old man shouting at the cloud.

Maybe their practicing ageism!!!!

[stage left]

78. He makes me less cynical, too, Ed.

He gives me hope. And the kids give me hope.

[840high]

6. k/r

[hedda_foil]

7. Thank you, Madfloridian, for your very thoughtful analysis. Afaic, every word you wrote is true.

And thanks for posting the video. I missed hearing about it earlier.

[madfloridian]

55. Sexist, racist, cultish....

Just a few words being tossed about.

If we are expected to show party loyalty, then we must be shown respect.

[noiretextatique]

72. shut up and vote for the 'pragmatic adult'

then get back under the bus

[artislife]

8. I loved watching this.

There are many types of Americans. We should join together and fight the 1%.

[Ed Suspicious]

9. Class is the only useful divisor.

[FloriTexan]

12. Kicking and Bookmarking

For my morning commute!

[madfloridian]

14. You get a lot done on those commutes.

Better than fighting traffic, right??

[angrychair]

13. Don't worry MadFl

I'm sure some HRC supporter will come along and explain how all these millennial are confused and don't understand the realities of the situation.

Wonderful event, wish I'd been there.

[madfloridian]

33. They are truly organizing. Over 200 campuses on the stream.

[Fawke Em]

15. Judging by how they treated this guy on this board? Nope.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251734059

Look, if the party elite who wants the Queen Bee coz she has female parts or it's her turn or she won't change the status quo, then they need to be absolutely gob-smacked at the polls this late winter/early spring.

If not, then they'll continue to lose the mid-terms and state elections with their Third Way, milquetoast candidates.

[BeanMusical]

22. +1

[arcane1]

66. Precisely!

[WillyT]

16. HUGE K & R !!! - Thank You !!!

[marmar]

18. K/R

[SoapBox]

19. 36,000 we're signed up on his website alone, early today...

And had viewings at campuses in all 50 states...all that in addition to who knows how many viewing on line (which crashed the feed) and MSNBC.

Oh ya...just a fringe thing.

Go Bernie Go!

[madfloridian]

32. Thanks for that info. Viewings in all 50 states.

No wonder it crashed.

[lovemydog]

20. The party absolutely should embrace them.

They're some of the best and brightest people the party has.

Great post madfloridian. Thanks for sharing the video too.

I hope the party embraces them, I hope many of them work with democratic socialists and with the democratic party. I hope they run for office at every level - local, State and federal.

[Uncle Joe]

21. I just viewed the whole speech, it was excellent and the ending was special.

Thanks again, madfloridian.

[silverweb]

23. K&R!

[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]Thanks for posting this!


[font color="purple"]Go, Bernie!
Ride the purple wave and join The Purple Revolution!

[BeanMusical]

24. Thank you for that great post and the video.

[Luminous Animal]

25. Kick. Beautiful post, my dear Madfloridian. Just Beautiful.

[madfloridian]

34. Thank you for that.

[cantbeserious]

26. Thank You For Sharing

eom

[Depaysement]

27. They want your votes but not your ideology

"Sanders also talked about the ways people in power have used racism and prejudice throughout U.S. history to keep working class people from uniting."

[JDPriestly]

37. We see that here on DU.

As if our country can fight racism and change our justice system if we are separated on other issues like gender issues or economics.

We have to be united and all work together to change our country for the better.

[madfloridian]

40. Well said. Want our votes, but not our ideology.

[Depaysement]

75. Thx

Btw, I like reading your posts.

[Depaysement]

28. The original post is brought to you by . . .

. . . the democratic wing of the Democtratic Party.

[left on green only]

29. Perhaps A Number Of Them Will Be Like Me

when I leave my Green Party just long enough to vote for Bernie, and then return back to where I belong, right after the primary election. There are probably a lot of other people who are smart enough to do that in order to ensure that Bernie has enough votes to make it over the top.

[Duppers]

30. These passionate young people are inspiring.

Bernie is inspiring. Thank you for posting this!

MadFl, One little thing-- I've solved my problem with mean Hillary supporters here: a huge ignore list. I refuse to be bothered or intimidated.

[rhett o rick]

63. The Oligarchy abhors young people and will try their best to disenfranchise them. nm

[Iwillnevergiveup]

31. How many times

can we say, "He hit it out of the park." He did. Again.
And I'm going to stick my neck out to predict we haven't heard the last from the young woman up on the stage with Bernie.

[JDPriestly]

36. Best Bernie ever. Thanks.

[sabrina 1]

39. MF, the 'Bernie Supporter' thing is a TALKING POINT! Most Likely paid for by some of that Dark Money

allowed by Citizens United!

This what the Hillary campaign seems to be preoccupied with, smear campaigns. Not much about issues.

[madfloridian]

53. Must be. It's too widespread to just be coincidental. The word "cult" being used now.

I am not going to be called a "cultist" again, not going to be treated as the enemy of the party....and then warned about party loyalty. That works both ways.

No one is going to treat me again like happened in 2003....and then expect the fall in line vote.

There is even a post now using the word "unhinged."

And worse.

I've been a Democrat all my life, and I want to remain as one. But I don't want to be called a cultist, unhinged.

Candidates have always been fair game, but during at least 2 primaries in recent times they are going after the supporters.

[sabrina 1]

54. Yes, I do not have any doubt. And this is the party we are told we must be 'loyal' to. You're not

the only one.

Sounds like a Rovian tactic. I remember on a forum where some Third Way members were chatting a few years ago, on a Dem forum. They were talking about how Dems needed to start using tactics like Roves, against Repubs. I guess they decided to use them against their party members now.

[Scuba]

41. Note that the MSM polls include NONE of these voters, NONE.

[GreenPartyVoter]

45. Good point!

[madfloridian]

70. I know one Iowa poll only counted 24% under age 49...and had to have voted previously.

That left out so many people who are supporting Bernie Sanders.

[Betty Karlson]

44. No the party will not embrace them!

The party doesn't even want them polled, because polling anyone under 35 would lead to polls which show Clinton second. And DWS can't have that, can she?

[madfloridian]

71. Calling those of us here "unhinged" is really over the line.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1107&pid=23225

There really is no excuse for this kind of stuff.

[WHEN CRABS ROAR]

73. Conduct your own unscientific pole, here's how.

On a large 2 foot by 3 foot foam board write

HONK
FOR
BERNIE

Go to a busy intersection and hold the sign up high so the drivers can read it.

A couple of things will happen, it might get loud with horns honking and others will realize how many supporters he has.

Now is the time for a real progressive populist movement, but the message needs to be clear and not overly complex and it needs to be repeated over and over to drive it home into the minds of the people.

Then Bernie will win.

[BuelahWitch]

46. The moment with Bernie and the Muslim student

was truly beautiful. That video was the first thing I saw when I woke up this morning. It totally made my day!

[Vattel]

47. Beautiful post madfloridian

[madfloridian]

59. I am to the point that if you want my vote you show respect for my views.

[LWolf]

48. K & R

[Shankapotomus]

50. Jury Results for post #43

I didn't know you could post videos in jury comment. Check out Juror #6 ...

REASON FOR ALERT

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


JURY RESULTS

You served on a randomly-selected Jury of DU members which reviewed this post. The review was completed at Thu Oct 29, 2015, 07:37 AM, and the Jury voted 4-3 to HIDE IT.

Juror #1 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: Really tired of this bs
Juror #2 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Sounds pretty accurate to me.
Juror #3 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #4 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: And this is what GD has come to.
Juror #5 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: Nothing wrong with being a Sanders supporter but poster might consider toning it down a bit.
Juror #6 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation:

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.

[LiberalArkie]

51. That was so good.

[raouldukelives]

52. Huge K&R. nt

[jeff47]

56. Of course not.

The old guard will maintain "third way" style politics as long as they can. Their policies can not fail, they can only be failed.

[berni_mccoy]

57. K&R

[madfloridian]

58. Third Way doesn't want Hillary to pass the "imaginary" line.

http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/7/71/1053811/sweet-william-daley-warns-hillary-clinton-lean-back-center

Daley, predicting Clinton will win the nomination, cautioned, “We all get the fact that you’ve got to win a primary to get the nomination.

“But as we all know, because we’ve seen it, there is some sort of imaginary line there, whether you are on the right or the left. If you cross that in the primary process, it is very difficult to get back to where the general election is, and that is in the middle. Romney found that out. He really probably didn’t believe it ’til election day or the day after . . . You find that out, only too late.”

They usually send out Cowan or Kessler, but Daley this time.

It's their interpretation of "the middle", of where the people actually are that is harming our country so much.

I am so very tired of politics as they have been going.

[in_cog_ni_to]

60. They have no choice but to accept Millennials or LOSE.

It's really that simple. They ARE the future of the party and if they don't want them, they're digging their own political grave.

PEACE
LOVE
BERNIE

GREAT POST, mad!

[madfloridian]

65. I think they might rather lose. Remember all the calls for "bipartisanship" "post-partisanship"?

Post partisanship actually means just one party...so maybe they would rather lose than have activists take over the reins.

[winter is coming]

67. The party will gladly take their time and their money, but not their input.

And then castigate them for not supporting the party.

[bvar22]

68. Bernie not a Democrat?

Then how is this explained:


FDR Economic Bill of Rights

In our day these economic truths have become accepted as self-evident. We have accepted, so to speak, a second Bill of Rights under which a new basis of security and prosperity can be[font size=3] established for all—regardless of station, race, or creed.[/font]

Among these are:

*The right to a useful and remunerative job in the industries or shops or farms or mines of the nation;

*The right to earn enough to provide adequate food and clothing and recreation;

*The right of every farmer to raise and sell his products at a return which will give him and his family a decent living;

*The right of every businessman, large and small, to trade in an atmosphere of freedom from unfair competition and domination by monopolies at home or abroad;

*The right of every family to a decent home;

*The right to adequate medical care and the opportunity to achieve and enjoy good health;

*The right to adequate protection from the economic fears of old age, sickness, accident, and unemployment;

*The right to a good education.

All of these rights spell security. And after this war is won we must be prepared to move forward, in the implementation of these rights, to new goals of human happiness and well-being.

[font size=3]America's own rightful place in the world depends in large part upon how fully these and similar rights have been carried into practice for all our citizens.[/font]

Please note that the above are stipulated as Basic Human RIGHTS to be protected by our government,
and NOT as COMMODITIES to be SOLD to Americans by For Profit Corporations.

There is much more Bernie in the above that anyone else who calls themselves a "Democrat"
in today's Republicrat Party.




You will know them by their [font size=3]WORKS.[/font]

[blackspade]

69. Will the party embrace them? Nope.

[Fawke Em]

76. Mad, here's a news clip that speaks directly to your OP:

&feature=youtu.be

[madfloridian]

77. Wow, what a super interview. I love hearing from college kids with open minds.

They are ready for change for sure.

Great video. Thanks.

[Maedhros]

79. The Party won't "embrace" them, they will try to manipulate and use them,

then tell them to sit down and shut up after their usefulness has been exhausted.

[fbc]

80. They party should embrace them, or they will not embrace the party.

Younger people want real progressive politicians, not wishy-washy compromisers.

[Enthusiast]

82. Kicked and recommended!

[WI_DEM]

83. Of course they are wanted

and if Bernie wins the primaries and gets the delegates needed to nominated he will be the nominee.