May 17, 2016

"Throw the Bums Out" -- how Democrats should handle crooks in power.

There are lot of well documented problems being reported with Nevada in particular but also Arizona and New York (plus others - this is a quick post).

It's a simple solution: Throw the Bums OUT. If people in charge of local and state parties appear to be acting in a corrupt or inappropriate fashion, THROW THE BUMS OUT.

Each state has different systems, but I know volunteers are the #1 power behind the Democratic Party. Fundraising for expenses and the occasional salary are always a concern, which is one of the reasons people like the Clintons currently own the majority of the party - they are celebrities, we are a celebrity worshipping culture, and "Clinton Cash" has been helping to fund establishment folk for a while.

So to my fellow Democrats who are justifiably angry with the crooked dealings demonstrated in Nevada, throw her and her cadre OUT. Of course that means someone else is going to have to take on the huge headache of "herding the Democratic cats" and dealing with the personalities and opinions and responsibilities and financial stresses associated with that type of work; maintaining the membership in a political party is NOT easy.

Do I believe the chair of Nevada behaved in an ethical fashion? NO! Do I think she gives a shit about my opinion? No. Do I think she is actually afraid of the Bernie supporters DOING SOMETHING to enforce consequences for her unethical behavior? No.

Personally, if I had been a delegate at that convention, I might consider splitting the Nevada Party, and petitioning to be recognized as the "real" Democratic Party. The delegates for the National Convention have been chosen, so the locals have some time on their hands, especially with a solid two years before the next midterm period.

Go check the state bylaws, and then take appropriate action. Do you need to collect signatures to have her replaced? Get to work! Churches split all the time when personality conflicts occur -- fight it out locally, and then let the national folks decide which group "really belongs" as representatives of the "Real Democrats".

Who know -- maybe realizing there are consequences for unethical behavior might inspire some positive change.

At the end of the day, what we are fighting about is the value of a name.

When leadership is unethical, Americans Throw the Bums Out.

But don't forget that someone has to be willing to do the work. Seems like there are a lot of people in Nevada, New York and Arizona who care...?

Good luck.

May 13, 2016

Enough with the "Poor Hillary (but she's such a Fighter)" posts --

A) I don't need a perpetual victim in the White House. Leaders aren't victims.

B) I need someone who is of UNIMPEACHABLY good character - the old proverb "Caesar's wife must be above suspicion" is TRUE.

C) We have a two party system, which means we depend on the Republicans to keep the Democrats honest, and vice versa. With Hillary's history, knee jerk Democratic response to Republican accusations are "smear" which endangers those checks-and-balances. President Obama has been able to have a scandal free administration (minus Hillary and her problems following common sense rules at the State Department), so it can be done, but apparently NOT with Hillary.

D) I need someone to fight for the good of the people in this country -- Hillary has an absolutely abysmal record of publicly standing up for Democratic Party principals: unions at Walmart, genocide in Rwanda, war in Iraq, marriage equality prior to Supreme Court decisions, or government transparency with 38 FOIA lawsuits caused 100% by her actions are all "no brainer" issues she never displayed "leadership" about.

E) Her glory in deceptive language might make for a great lawyer, but it confuses the hell out of the rest of us. She parses everything. For example, "security review" was true for five seconds, but after that she's been under investigation by people who do criminal investigations for a living so why keep saying "security review" except to deceive? Life is too short to have to research every word out of her mouth.

So please JUST STOP IT ALREADY. It isn't "poor Hillary, those mean GOP people just smear her all the time" because there are plenty of Democrats who have served in Washington longer who still have excellent reputations -- if you want to play the sexist card, start with Rosalynn Carter and move to Madeleine Albright for First Lady and Secretary of State respectively, then Democratic senators Dianne Feinstein, Barbara Boxer, Kirstin Gillibrand and Tammy Baldwin (to name only a few) who are powerful, respected and apparently not under FBI scrutiny so it must be something special about her.

The GOP is NOT that "powerful" -- she is just that...

Pick your own word, but please stop asking people to admire or feel sorry for her because she is a scandal-magnet.

You are embarrassing yourselves, and you don't even seem to notice it, which embarrasses the rest of us.

May 13, 2016

Business Opportunity (if Hillary is Nominee) - Investors Wanted!

Selling and installing Private Servers for ALL Government Employees

This idea is going to make a fortune! There are literally Tens of Thousands of government employees who would love to have their Own Private Server so they can STOP following laws, policies and security procedures. Think about it --

With a Private Server and a Private Email account, no more pesky FOIA concerns!

In fact, work product (currently dubbed "government records&quot is totally deletable with no consequences.

And silly security concerns with hackable systems will now mean nothing -- Hillary's entire tenure was backed up "on the cloud" and the two companies who helped her out had zero security clearance, so our friendly staff won't have to worry about anything other than reminding clients to upgrade their anti-virus protection and be wary of opening stuff about traffic tickets (like the emails Hillary got that were viruses so other people can control your computer).

With Hillary as the example, there is a ton of money to be made. Concerns about breaking laws about government record keeping (like the Executive Order President Obama had in place his first week) won't be an issue, and as long as we urge clients to delete quickly (instead of waiting a few years like Hillary did) no evidence (unless the FBI gets a copy of stuff, but they probably wouldn't consider this a crime, right?) of any possible "shady dealings" need remain - bribery and corruption emails will now be as private as yoga lessons and wedding plans (and just as transparent),

At the end of the day, if a Cabinet Level Official can email with military commanders, foreign dignitaries, and staff about everything from location of nuclear weapons to inner circle meetings dealing with countries in civil turmoil without worry about confidentiality, data security or nonsense "over classification concerns", there really isn't a lot that people in the IRS, DOD, NSA, CIA or EPA (just to name a few possible clients) need to worry about either, right?

Servers for everyone! Let's Get Rich!

Thank you, Madame President, for leading the way on this issue -- government work doesn't create government records - it creates opportunity for business people everywhere to help hide how government policies and processes happen, and we can make a FORTUNE by encouraging lower echelon people to follow your example!

Whose in? Remember: If it's NOT a crime when Hillary breaks the rules, it isn't when anyone else does, either!!!

May 11, 2016

"Hold your nose for Hillary!" = Not Inspirational

Shock of ages, polls suggest "Donald Trump is a Scary Whacko" is simply not going to be enough to propel Hillary to the White House. It requires a level of cognitive dissonance most people can't perform:

1) They must forget Clinton Scandal Fatigue. Seriously, the woman can't even get emails without triggering congressional investigations, and some people think that's magically going to change?

2) They must forget how entertaining the first couple of seasons of The Apprentice actually were -- Bill might have won against Kwame, but Amy should have, and don't even get me started on Omarosa! There were fourteen seasons and a couple of spin-offs; Trump learned the media game well, and he's been playing it. Meanwhile, the number of people who can find Malaysia on a map in this country is vastly outnumbered by those who know who Omarosa is (don't pretend you don't), and Trump was heavily edited to seem smart, decisive and the Boss. Celebrities deferred to him, for heaven's sake, and we're a celebrity worshipping culture. AARRGHH!

3) Clinton trade policies have devastated American manufacturing, so "let's have Bill do some more!" is going to turn the Rust Belt Red. Statistically, in 1992 in Michigan 25% of workers belonged to Unions, but in 2012 that number is less than 17%. Check out a totally depressing map here -- http://www.npr.org/sections/money/2015/02/23/385843576/50-years-of-shrinking-union-membership-in-one-map Great job, Bill! NOT!

4) "She's a woman!" isn't good enough. Wisdom and compassion are requirements, too. "Send those immigrant kids back!" was about as "anti-mother" as a person could get.

5) Her failures outnumber her successes. Thirty years she's been fighting for equal pay for women?Percentage wise, still less than 80% so she kind of sucks at it. Reproductive rights? Still an issue, with less access than ever before. Peace in the Middle East? ROFL! Fortunately she didn't support marriage equality, because without her help, that is now the law of the land.


"Trump Sucks!" He really isn't qualified for government work because government isn't a business -- it is service to our fellow citizens. The people who volunteer to GOTV, get petitions signed, and phone bank generally don't do it because of fear -- they do it because they want to make a positive difference in the world and help their neighbors. Party leadership may appreciate the fundraising dollars the Clintons bring in that help cover their salaries, but please note the amount of free labor the Bernie people bring to the table.

"Hold Your Nose for Hillary (Because Trump Sucks)" is going to give Trump the White House.

Want a fear based campaign? That's the one non-Hillary supporters are already living with, because Hillary is a terrible candidate, and Democrats are not good at doing what we're told (herding cats is a great analogy).

But maybe all the smart people will vote for her anyway.
As a strategy, it makes me think we're doomed.

If she gets the nomination, time travelers may be our only hope....

In the meantime, I'm still feeling the Bern!

May 8, 2016

My 10,000 Post & Almost 12 years on DU!

I'd like to start by thanking the admins for creating this site and helping keep me sane during the horrible Bush years: THANK YOU, SKINNER, EARLG and ELAD. You guys have created an AMAZING on-line community.

I joined this site during the summer of 2004 while volunteering for John Kerry, and it ended up dramatically impacting my life in a variety of ways. The first "big time" began on election night 2004 (while sick with bronchitis/unable to sleep) when I was able to identify some statistical anomalies in New Hampshire, and with the support of people here on DU, ended up leading the charge for a recount there, then got involved in election integrity issues; I made several friends "in real life" at that time (Andy Stephenson is still missed), and still pay attention to election integrity issues.

DU has been a strong support place for me in my personal life as well. My father passed in 2005, my twins were born in 2007, and I have shared family dramas and challenges in many a post, with support given and received. I was honored by a "front page" pin about my experience as a Red Cross volunteer during Hurricane Katrina, proud to announce having "beaten a bank" during an illegal foreclosure proceeding, and my efforts to help families of premature infants and special needs children were strengthened by the people on this board. I am grateful for all of you for those times.

Politically, I have evolved during the last twelve years. Originally, I was a "firm Independent", a status that didn't change until 2012 when President Obama made me realize it was time to embrace the fact that:

1) supporting Democrats with my votes,
2) volunteering and donating to them, while
3) agreeing with the party platform at an extraordinary high level
4) consistently for decades

meant that I really was a Democrat. I remain proud of President Obama's efforts, and grateful for his leadership.

On this board I have argued political positions and policies, debated the merits of candidates, jeered at Republican foolishness, and fretted over flame wars that burned brightly, then faded like the memory of candlelight. On two separate occasions my participation on this forum prompted (offline) death threats, which I am grateful were never more than bluster. I am at this milestone, having typed ten thousand posts, and wanting all of you to know how much I appreciate this board, and the people who have joined me in participating in it.

I made a decision to post this in "GDP" because I am going to mention this presidential election. I am currently a Bernie Sanders supporter. If Hillary Clinton becomes the Democratic nominee, I will not be able to support her, and will switch my voter registration back to Independent. I will continue to support down ticket Democrats, but not any "super Delegates" who vote for her at the Convention.

Like a large percentage of Americans, I believe Hillary Clinton is an untrustworthy liar who has used her political power and position to personally enrich herself and her family. I believe her judgment to be bad, her stated positions to be in opposition of her actions, and her pandering to be insincere because bluntly, I can't tell which team she is lying to. I don't trust her on abortion, LGBT, foreign relations, environmental concerns, civil rights, privacy, or even common sense use of computers. She has been an abysmal failure as an advocate for women and children, and I am honestly expecting her to be on the receiving end of a criminal indictment in the near future.

This change in my opinion from a simple concern about "immediate family of a living President running for office" (I considered it Republican corruption with the Bushes) to active disdain for her came as a shock to me, but has grown stronger the more I have investigated her actions, and should not be confused with support for the Republicans or even "passion for Bernie". I had previously supported and defended the Clintons against what I thought was unwarranted hostility, but Hillary's actions during her tenure as Secretary of State, combined with the questionable fundraising over at the Clinton Foundation, now has me angry at myself for having been fooled by the letter after their names because corruption is corruption and I know it when I see it.

I have been struggling with this issue since mid-March when I began to grasp the significance of what I had previously dismissed as "those stupid emails". I am lucky that DU is still in "primary season" but if the worst happens, and Hillary does get the nomination in July, then this place which has meant so much to me for the last twelve years, may not welcome me anymore. I have already begun my grieving process over that, but in the meantime, I choose to be hopeful. And yes, I know that my honesty about this issue has many people eager to type a "good riddance and don't let the door hit you!" reply.

I know you, DU. Kind words don't get near the views as a little bit of fussing at each other.

Maybe it's part of what I've grown to love about you so much?

Twelve years. Ten thousand posts. The primary is not over, and I hope to be here when it ends. If I am not, please take this milestone post as a positive memory because I REALLY want you to know this:

I appreciate you. I'm grateful for all of you. Thank you for EVERYTHING. You have been (and hopefully will continue to be) an amazing part of my life. No matter what happens --

THANK YOU!!!

May 7, 2016

A Head Start Teacher, a Psychiatric Aid and Carpenter --

I love Bernie Sanders' resume. I love the fact he worked for a living, then became a Mayor, then a Representative, then a Senator and is now running for President.

I love that he worked with kids, the mentally ill, and with his hands "fixing things". I think he has wisdom from his age, and an ability to look at the big picture.

I am proud to support him for President.

May 6, 2016

In Hillary versus Trump, Trump WILL Win. It's about the blood on her hands.

She simply drips with it. Where to begin? In no particular order, you can start with her vote for the Iraq War Resolution where she assures everyone --

which turned out to be a lie. While we can number the American dead and wounded, the Iraq numbers are uncountable. In the speech above, she pledged her trust and loyalty to then President Bush, and we all know how THAT turned out. As one of his followers, she is responsible for a portion of it.

But there is more. Can we count the dead in Libya? The Republicans will babble on about "Benghazi" but she owns the failed state and the dead should haunt her. The New York Times put together a short two and a half minute video explaining what happened and why our people are still dying, thanks to her tenure as Secretary of State:

http://www.nytimes.com/video/us/politics/100000004216623/hillary-clintons-legacy-in-libya.html

But there is even more. The suffering in Honduras can be laid at her feet, and her own UNREDACTED emails prove it --


It goes back further for me; I remember the silence of the White House she and her husband ruled during the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Four years later, testimony by Physicians for Human Rights talked about how people were still being killed and said --


But no one mentions that debacle, because it occurred under her husband's leadership, and she was "only" the First Lady, with no influence, knowledge or bully pulpit to shout from...

Of course. Mistakes were made, and thousands died. The unanswered question will always be "why didn't she even TRY?" I would have had so much respect for her if she had gotten into a public screaming match with Bill about "stopping a genocide" instead of privately fighting over their troubled marriage issues. Sigh.

But this post is about Trump, and this unpleasant truth: his business failures did not kill thousands, and hers did. The positions he advocates are embarrassing, but hers have created disasters for countless. When given the opportunity to stand up for what was right, whether that be for victims of genocide, children with AIDS in Africa, unnecessary war in the Middle East or even democracy in South America, she was either invisible or on the wrong side.

And this video -- where Trump stands up against the GOP establishment and a hostile crowd -- is where he probably got the Presidency, if he runs against Clinton --

ON EDIT: Please view video for "compare/contrast" on how Trump addresses Iraq, as well as how he verbally destroys establishment Republicans.



Yes, he's a buffoon and horrible and he has lowered the level of public discourse and he's a misogynist and racist and did I say horrible yet? But she's NOT a leader; he is, and he will call her out for the blood debt she has created, and there is not a member of this board who can defend her in these areas, because we all know what an absolute disaster her "foreign policy" experience has been not just for our suffering people, but for all of the planet.

If she runs against him, she will lose, and so will the down ticket Democrats, because it will be on a "throw the bums out!" rebellion.

This is my analysis of the situation. Yours may vary. During this primary, I will continue to support Bernie Sanders.

May 5, 2016

Who to believe? Hillary on MSNBC Tuesday or CNN on Thursday?

TUESDAY, MAY 3, 2016

THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016

Somebody is lying -- who?

May 4, 2016

NBC News: Hacker 'Guccifer': I Got Inside Hillary Clinton's Server

Who knew NBC was a member of the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy?

ON EDIT: A little more at link, and elsewhere "the network that shall not be named" has more information, including his claim he has 2 gigs of proof -- IT BEGINS...

May 4, 2016

Ignorant, delusional, LYING asshat BULLIES who state or imply I support Trump...

because I am able to articulate MANY of my legitimate concerns about Hillary Clinton's judgment and actual qualifications, and am continuing to voice my support for Sanders during the Democratic primary, are now going to be referred to THIS thread to save me from having to repeat myself.

ACCORDING TO SKINNER --

And in the current Terms of Service --

"In Democratic primaries, members may support whomever they choose."

The Democratic Primary is NOT OVER. There will be a contested convention. The convention takes place at the end of July, 2016. Don't like that? Not. My. Problem. Think that insulting fellow Democrats is demonstrating support for your candidate?

It's not. It is just BULLYING and turns people off from participating in the process.

Right now I am a DEMOCRAT who is supporting a DEMOCRAT and also supporting the DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLE of letting people vote. Millions of people are extremely unhappy with Hillary Clinton, and telling us to sit down and shut up or mockingly telling us that we don't belong in the Party is Total Asshole Behavior.

So if I am sending you to this thread because you state or imply that something I post makes me a Trump supporter, not only are you LYING, you are ALSO being rude, obnoxious, and crossing lines that damage not only this site and its membership, but also support for Democrats in general in the real world by tempting me to believe ALL Hillary supporters are abusive, bullying trolls.

You need to knock it off. And an apology might help, too.

End Rant.