Too harsh? I think not.
First, Sanders was clearly eliminated almost two full months ago. You've had plenty of time to "mourn," whether you're in your 20s and new to political activism, or my age and beyond.
Second, he's proposed a semi-revolution, not a full revolution, in domestic policy, and other than a few cracks of recent daylight on Palestine, proposed little different on foreign policy.
Third, Plan B is out there, but the Green Party convention is just days away, and the end of July 31 is the end of a current deadline period to donate to Jill Stein and be eligible for matching federal funds to go to her campaign.
Of course, for some of you, maybe Bernie was "just right," neither too neoliberal nor too left-liberal (in American terms).
Well, he's out of the picture. And no, in many states, including here in Tejas, you can't write him in.
So, your choices are Jill, Hill, the pill (Trump) or nil (not voting). If you choose Hill, you listened to Sanders too much at the end, or you're wedded too much to the Democratic left hand of the two-party duopoly, but it's not too late to change. if you choose the pill, you're either voting purely out of anti-Hill/anti-Democrat spie and/or you've been seduced and traduced by trump. if you choose nil because Bernie was just right, you're either backing a person first, a message second, or else you didn't pay close enough attention to the message,
Per the first full paragraph, I've blogged about his elimination since it started looming. My message isn't so much for Berner kids as it is for older voters who should have a better mix of realism and idealism, or should have a better focus for idealism in the first place if they're really that idealistic.
July 29, 2016
I confess: I'm a #ManchurianBlogger
If you've been wondering why I've been defending Donald Trump from claims launched by everybody from Hillary Clinton campaign manager Robby Mook to old guard conservative pundit George Will, claims that he's some sort of Manchurian Candidate of Russian President Vladimir Putin, now you know.
Vlad the Impaler has bought me off. He gave me second pick on a bunch of Gazprom holdings and options that Ralph Nader didn't want, even though he had America Big Oil stocks when he ran against Bush and Gore in 2000, and even though he doesn't like the current lousy return on his investments to the point of yelling online at Fed chair Janet Yellen to stop quantitative easing.
So, Google Ads? Other monetization that pays not even pennies, just mills? Hasta la vista, baby!
So. other than the payout, why am I a Manchurian Blogger?
It's obvious, isn't it? I hate America.
I tout voting Green and calling out conspiracy theories because I'm a sexist hater of Hillary Clinton, since I'm not "with her."
Since I hate Hillary Clinton, I obviously hate the Democratic Party.
Therefore, I must hate hot dogs, apple pie, Chevrolet, Mike Bloomberg and more.
That's me.
Yep, Vlad bought me off so much that I hate critical thinking, all five freedoms of the First Amendment, the right for people to truly vote their conscience and not just talk about it, the right for people to have their vote matter, and much more.
No, Vlad doesn't have a second home in Chappaqua, New York. I think. Yet.
Maybe another round of leaked DNC emails will say otherwise.
Sorry; Vlad made me write that. And forge fake leaded emails.
All because I'm a Manchurian Blogger who hates America.
Vlad the Impaler has bought me off. He gave me second pick on a bunch of Gazprom holdings and options that Ralph Nader didn't want, even though he had America Big Oil stocks when he ran against Bush and Gore in 2000, and even though he doesn't like the current lousy return on his investments to the point of yelling online at Fed chair Janet Yellen to stop quantitative easing.
So, Google Ads? Other monetization that pays not even pennies, just mills? Hasta la vista, baby!
So. other than the payout, why am I a Manchurian Blogger?
It's obvious, isn't it? I hate America.
I tout voting Green and calling out conspiracy theories because I'm a sexist hater of Hillary Clinton, since I'm not "with her."
Since I hate Hillary Clinton, I obviously hate the Democratic Party.
Therefore, I must hate hot dogs, apple pie, Chevrolet, Mike Bloomberg and more.
That's me.
Yep, Vlad bought me off so much that I hate critical thinking, all five freedoms of the First Amendment, the right for people to truly vote their conscience and not just talk about it, the right for people to have their vote matter, and much more.
No, Vlad doesn't have a second home in Chappaqua, New York. I think. Yet.
Maybe another round of leaked DNC emails will say otherwise.
Sorry; Vlad made me write that. And forge fake leaded emails.
All because I'm a Manchurian Blogger who hates America.
Preznit Kumbaya filtered through suburban Methodism
If you missed Hillary Clinton's acceptance speech, that's about what you missed, From there it went to corporate micromanagement, neoliberal style, on a scale eve smaller than hubby's 1996 renomination.
It was dry in content and boring in delivery. She needs a speech coach. She may never be great but she can be better.
Goddam Sachs apparently paid Hillary Clinton for $675K of Sominex.
And it had its share of lies. Hillarycare was no more universal than Obamacare. Ted Kennedy, not her, did the heavy lifting on CHIP. "It Takes a Village" was ghostwritten, and controversially so.
But, beyond that, it was boring, above anything. And fear-driven next, though that theme was more the convention overall. Along with a GOP-like American tribalism that was disconcerting.
It was dry in content and boring in delivery. She needs a speech coach. She may never be great but she can be better.
Goddam Sachs apparently paid Hillary Clinton for $675K of Sominex.
And it had its share of lies. Hillarycare was no more universal than Obamacare. Ted Kennedy, not her, did the heavy lifting on CHIP. "It Takes a Village" was ghostwritten, and controversially so.
But, beyond that, it was boring, above anything. And fear-driven next, though that theme was more the convention overall. Along with a GOP-like American tribalism that was disconcerting.
July 28, 2016
Wanted: Hackers, real or fake Chinese; Target: RNC
With disputes over whether the Russkies are or are not behind the hack of security-vulnerable Democratic National Committee servers, and the resultant Democratic, and fellow traveler, nuttery, doubled down on, about how Donald Trump is some Muscovite Manchurian Candidate, that;s the background for the header on this blog post.
The goal would be finding out if Trump is a hypocrite on free trade. (Actually, Ivanka's shoes told us that a week ago.)
More than that, re Trump's comments on NATO, actual Chinese hackers would want to know his position, to the degree it's not been articulated, on SEATO, Japan, South Korea, etc. And maybe he has different thoughts in private.
More seriously yet, the US government intervened in Boris Yetsin's 1996 re-election and many other places. We have little room for complaint.
The goal would be finding out if Trump is a hypocrite on free trade. (Actually, Ivanka's shoes told us that a week ago.)
More than that, re Trump's comments on NATO, actual Chinese hackers would want to know his position, to the degree it's not been articulated, on SEATO, Japan, South Korea, etc. And maybe he has different thoughts in private.
More seriously yet, the US government intervened in Boris Yetsin's 1996 re-election and many other places. We have little room for complaint.
July 27, 2016
Continuing to refudiate #Hillbots on lesser-evilism
In refudiation of a Hillbot, on Disqus, who claims
differences between Stein and Clinton / (Trump) aren't bigger than differences
between Clinton and Trump, and asked me to list differences for "adults" to judge:
Stein is not a Middle East warmonger; Trump and Clinton both
are. Clinton's a warmonger elsewhere, like deliberately, needlessly provoking Russia.
And, no, Hillbots, Ralph Nader didn't really cause Gore to lose in 2000; Gore's death was primarily self-inflicted.
Let's recall that in Jan. 2008 Hillary Clinton urged NATO membership for Georgia, then declined to call for its defense when Russia attacked— Seth Ackerman (@SethAckerman) July 21, 2016
Stein is not a friend of banksters; Trump and Clinton both
are. Stein wants single-payer; neither Trump nor Clinton do. Stein wants more
protection for employees than either Trump or Clinton. Stein certainly believes
Black Lives Matter in a way neither Clinton (Ricky Rector, superpredators) do.
Stein, unlike Trump (multiple bankruptcies) or Clinton (Walmart board,
literally unbelievable cattle futures profits) doesn't have a shady fiscal past.
See how easy it is to spell out HUGE differences, Hillbot?
(I know that most Dems, when talking about "huge"
differences, are talking about two hot-button social issues, usually linked
with Supreme Court review. I've repeatedly noted that "Oh, but the SCOTUS"
worries don't impress me, and that when raised beyond worries to arguments, the
SCOTUS votes on many issues, some of which Dems don't have the best track
record at all times.)
Beyond that, Hillbots who assume every Green voter is an
uninformed 6-year-old just give me more reasons to vote Green.
And, no, Hillbots, Ralph Nader didn't really cause Gore to lose in 2000; Gore's death was primarily self-inflicted.
July 26, 2016
#DemsInPhilly, Day 1
I've already dissected the Sanders Sellout, so let's look at the rest of last night.
Sarah Silverman was apparently a putz. Smart move there, DNC, And Silverman.
Al Franken? He was who I thought he was. He's becoming ever lower in the Dantean seven circles of hell for SNL alums. As I said on Twitter, he's dropped past Adam Sandler and into the David Spade malebolge.
Michelle Obama? Not bad at all in style and delivery. Content? Good — by the Bushian soft bigotry of low expectations, or more accurately, by the soft bigotry of low comparisons. That's the best I got; sorry, not drinking the Glenn Thrush Kool-Aid.
Elizabeth Warren? I commented briefly last night. Brains has more today, and I agree. Lackluster in delivery and low on factual content. If she ever wants to move up beyond the Senate, she either blew it totally, or else engaged in a new version of triangulation. Of course, she's even more a part of the bipartisan foreign policy establishment than Bernie, so there's that, too.
And pre both Brains and Thrush, I think that's as good as it gets from her.
Tonight? A roll call nomination vote. The Slickster is the main speaker/.Does he tell Berners "I feel your pain"?
Sarah Silverman was apparently a putz. Smart move there, DNC, And Silverman.
Al Franken? He was who I thought he was. He's becoming ever lower in the Dantean seven circles of hell for SNL alums. As I said on Twitter, he's dropped past Adam Sandler and into the David Spade malebolge.
Michelle Obama? Not bad at all in style and delivery. Content? Good — by the Bushian soft bigotry of low expectations, or more accurately, by the soft bigotry of low comparisons. That's the best I got; sorry, not drinking the Glenn Thrush Kool-Aid.
Elizabeth Warren? I commented briefly last night. Brains has more today, and I agree. Lackluster in delivery and low on factual content. If she ever wants to move up beyond the Senate, she either blew it totally, or else engaged in a new version of triangulation. Of course, she's even more a part of the bipartisan foreign policy establishment than Bernie, so there's that, too.
And pre both Brains and Thrush, I think that's as good as it gets from her.
Tonight? A roll call nomination vote. The Slickster is the main speaker/.Does he tell Berners "I feel your pain"?
TX Progressives look at RNC, DNC
The Texas Progressive Alliance salutes MLB Hall of Fame inductees Junior Griffey and Mike Piazza, and also salutes The Wizard, Ozzie Smith, on being named to the HOF's board, as it brings you this week's roundup.
Off the Kuff looks at the effect of the voter ID ruling, for this election and going forward.
Ted Cruz squandered another opportunity to repair his frayed relations with the GOP, as PDiddie at Brains and Eggs saw it. How many more chances do you think he'll get?
CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme was appalled at the GOP hatefest of a convention. Chanting violence and fomenting hatred of others encourages recent bad actors in death. Looking forward to a sunny week at the Democratic Convention.
SocraticGadfly takes a look at the DNCLeaks, specifically the comment about Sanders' religious beliefs, and then wonders if this was related to a question for Sanders at a March town hall.
Neil Aquino continues his sidewalk blogging campaign.
TXSharon writes an advance on a Railroad Commission sunset review town hall.
===============
And here are some posts of interest from other Texas blogs.
Cort McMurray worries thay by having a catchy name, "Texit" is more likely to become a thing.
TFN shows us who's behind that controversial Mexican-American Studies textbook.
Chuck Smith reminds Dan Patrick that his words matter, too.
Better Texas Blog notes that pre-K needs to be a part of the school finance debate.
The Texas Election Law Blog calls the Fifth Circuit ruling on voter ID a "pyrrhic victory".
Space City Weather explains what sea breezes are and how they work.
Somervell County Salon also questions issues behind the DNCLeaks.
Off the Kuff looks at the effect of the voter ID ruling, for this election and going forward.
Ted Cruz squandered another opportunity to repair his frayed relations with the GOP, as PDiddie at Brains and Eggs saw it. How many more chances do you think he'll get?
CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme was appalled at the GOP hatefest of a convention. Chanting violence and fomenting hatred of others encourages recent bad actors in death. Looking forward to a sunny week at the Democratic Convention.
SocraticGadfly takes a look at the DNCLeaks, specifically the comment about Sanders' religious beliefs, and then wonders if this was related to a question for Sanders at a March town hall.
Neil Aquino continues his sidewalk blogging campaign.
TXSharon writes an advance on a Railroad Commission sunset review town hall.
===============
And here are some posts of interest from other Texas blogs.
Cort McMurray worries thay by having a catchy name, "Texit" is more likely to become a thing.
TFN shows us who's behind that controversial Mexican-American Studies textbook.
Chuck Smith reminds Dan Patrick that his words matter, too.
Better Texas Blog notes that pre-K needs to be a part of the school finance debate.
The Texas Election Law Blog calls the Fifth Circuit ruling on voter ID a "pyrrhic victory".
Space City Weather explains what sea breezes are and how they work.
Somervell County Salon also questions issues behind the DNCLeaks.
July 25, 2016
#DemsInPhilly: The Sanders Sellout
No, I'm not talking about the endorsement of Hillary Clinton.
The lis in support of that, the last the worst, is what I'm talking about.
Sorry, Bernie, but I'm unfamiliar with Hillary Clinton ever fighting for universal health care. I have no idea what you're talking about.
There were enough problematic statements before that (chief among them being your fudging on just how much to hike the minimum wage) but that was an outright corker.
Then, one minute after you finish your speech, your social media staff Tweet asking for money to continue your revolution.
MAYBE, after November, penance and an apology from you.
Not now. That money is going to Jill Stein and the Green Party.
I was almost certain to vote Green even if you had gotten the nomination. Nonetheless, your campaign offered the hope of pushing Democrats leftward, and if not that you personally offered the possibility of being a useful cudgel against party leadership.
You've now forfeited that.
==
My only major takeaway from the first night? God, was Elizabeth Warren awful.
The lis in support of that, the last the worst, is what I'm talking about.
Sorry, Bernie, but I'm unfamiliar with Hillary Clinton ever fighting for universal health care. I have no idea what you're talking about.
There were enough problematic statements before that (chief among them being your fudging on just how much to hike the minimum wage) but that was an outright corker.
Then, one minute after you finish your speech, your social media staff Tweet asking for money to continue your revolution.
MAYBE, after November, penance and an apology from you.
Not now. That money is going to Jill Stein and the Green Party.
I was almost certain to vote Green even if you had gotten the nomination. Nonetheless, your campaign offered the hope of pushing Democrats leftward, and if not that you personally offered the possibility of being a useful cudgel against party leadership.
You've now forfeited that.
==
My only major takeaway from the first night? God, was Elizabeth Warren awful.
Of #DNCLinks and Putin and Russia and 3 sides at #DNCinPhillt
This story is why Iranian philosopher Idries Shah said "There are more than two sides to an issue."
First, I've already rejected the insinuations of Hillary Clinton's campaign manager, Robby Mook, that Donald Trump is some sort of Manchurian Candidate of Vladimir Putin. Trump, an egotistical blowhard, has no real ideology and can't otherwise be bought like that. I reject lesser versions of this, as well. And I reject any other Dem-friendly spinners claiming a Russian plot.
Second, at the same time, I reject some anti-Clintonistas of the left claiming Russia had nothing to do with this.
We know cybersecurity sucked on DNC computers already last December, over the issue of a Sanders staffer peeking at donor info. Actually, from stories then, we know it sucked before then.
I'm assuming Guccifer 2.0 is possibly connected to Russia's FSB. Even allowing for cybersecurity analysts sometimes being blowhards, the whole lot of them pretty musch says this has at least a few Russian fingerprints.
I'm assuming Russkies tried to spy on BOTH major parties, in fact, and found RNC computers more secure.
That said, even that may not be a warranted assumption. Putin's FSB would actually have to be pretty inept to be behind this. That said, the FBI has now announced it will investigate further. And contra the hints by Adam Johnson on the first link in this paragraph, the feds are often tight-lipped on such things.)
And, even if the FSB IS behind the hack? Everything after that was opportunism.
Third, the religious bigotry of Marshall? The blatant pro-Clinton tilt? That was all true regardless of Russian spying or not.
And that's another reason to vote Green. No true apologies for any of this. An even more blatant Clintonista to run the DNC.
First, I've already rejected the insinuations of Hillary Clinton's campaign manager, Robby Mook, that Donald Trump is some sort of Manchurian Candidate of Vladimir Putin. Trump, an egotistical blowhard, has no real ideology and can't otherwise be bought like that. I reject lesser versions of this, as well. And I reject any other Dem-friendly spinners claiming a Russian plot.
Second, at the same time, I reject some anti-Clintonistas of the left claiming Russia had nothing to do with this.
We know cybersecurity sucked on DNC computers already last December, over the issue of a Sanders staffer peeking at donor info. Actually, from stories then, we know it sucked before then.
I'm assuming Guccifer 2.0 is possibly connected to Russia's FSB. Even allowing for cybersecurity analysts sometimes being blowhards, the whole lot of them pretty musch says this has at least a few Russian fingerprints.
I'm assuming Russkies tried to spy on BOTH major parties, in fact, and found RNC computers more secure.
That said, even that may not be a warranted assumption. Putin's FSB would actually have to be pretty inept to be behind this. That said, the FBI has now announced it will investigate further. And contra the hints by Adam Johnson on the first link in this paragraph, the feds are often tight-lipped on such things.)
And, even if the FSB IS behind the hack? Everything after that was opportunism.
Third, the religious bigotry of Marshall? The blatant pro-Clinton tilt? That was all true regardless of Russian spying or not.
And that's another reason to vote Green. No true apologies for any of this. An even more blatant Clintonista to run the DNC.
July 24, 2016
The selling of #CitizenKaine, especially to #Sandernistas
Despite him being, at a minimum, the most conservative Dem Veep nominee since Joe Lieberman, Democratic Party peripheral groups are zipping their lips and even telling lies about him, further selling their souls to the left-hand side of the duopoly.
Kaine supports Virginia's tough right-to-work law? But he'll be GREAT for workers, insist the AFL-CIO, SEIU, etc.
Kaine supports abstinence-based sex-ed, and favors a fair amount of restriction on late-term abortion? But Cecile Richards/Planned Parenthood, and NARAL rate him 100 percent. (That's even though NARAL gave the state of Virginia an F while Citizen Kaine was governor.)
Kaine is also a friend of the banksters and of TPP.
So, Camp Clinton is going to try to sell Citizen Kaine to the #Sandernistas and the #BernieOrBust folks.
Have fun with that.
That said, readers here know I love serving some heavy schadenfreude at times.
So check out the poll at top right about how much, or how little, crow Bernie Sanders himself may eat in turd-polishing Citizen Kaine.