Hillary Clinton has been judged the winner of the first two debates. Tonight, many felt Trump needed a knockout to get back in the race. But I think this was Clinton’s best performance – perhaps by far. I think she wanted this to be a preview of her presidency. Her tone was the most straightforward and direct I have yet seen. She didn’t try to run away from her policy expertise. She embraced it. It was as if she was saying, “I am here. I am smart. I am qualified. I will not be intimidated or silenced. And I am ready to be president.”
Thanks for the quote from Dan Rather, Puddle. Yes, she's smart, has a world of experience, is who she is. I'm amazed at how much she's been able to be herself, which meant eschewing many female expectations. She refused to wear make-up at one point as a college student, and I believe as first lady in the governor's mansion. She swears, makes angry comments, sometimes wears the same jacket more than once for a public appearance, doesn't mince her words.
I think she did well last night, and frankly, I had nightmares about Trump. If he were to somehow be abducted to Jupiter, he would still be in my nightmares.
Hillary is complicated, abrasive, has made mistakes, has been impolitic in her comments, and also disingenuous, and maybe untruthful, but she is a woman of our times, is who she is without pretense, not submitting to practices and appearances she doesn't agree with. So, okay, I'm hoping and praying she is the next president and hoping and praying she will be ethical, courageous, wise, and far seeing.
Our highway 34, Big Thompson Canyon, is closed for 7 and 1/2 months because of repairs needed after the August 2013 flood. We took the alternate route yesterday, through Estes Park, down Highway 36, and it was a 3 and 1/2 hour roundtrip. I don't think we'll make it often.
Right on spot with new thread pic, Puddle...but sad and scary, I am proud to report that our local NC Dem headquarters called yesterday to ask me to volunteer today. I had to turn them down, just no extra energy anymore....I did love it when Howard Dean was running and for President Obama's first term. Second term I was here, but re-couping from a strange thigh and hip break. All helpers who come to my apartment are Hillary supporters....! Trump is so evil it is unbelievable. I would guess that the great majority of residents are Dems....but younger ones appreciate the nudge...to be sure and vote. Love to all.
I've always rooted for the underdog. Or mostly. In 7th grade it was the Yankees. The Yankees always won, which made everyone hate them, so I figured being unloved made you the underdog, even if you always won. So they were my guys. But I also learned that we don't love winners unless they're exceptionally humble. "Oh, it was just luck" plays much better than "Damn, I'm good!" What we seem to want to do with winners is pull them down to our level. We look better to ourselves if someone else doesn't look quite that good.
I've wondered for a long time how much of that is active in the Hillary Clinton dynamic.
Below is a conversation I had this week with Senator Pat Leahy's Field Director, Nate Ruby. Nate is a really good guy who worked hard for Bernie. You will see how jaded I've become this election cycle. There are four exchanges, but they don't all fit in one post. So please bear with me.
On 10/14/16, 4:01 PM, "Patrick Leahy" wrote: Yesterday, Senator Bernie Sanders announced his support for a strong slate of Vermont Democrats -- including our campaign. I am proud of what Bernie has accomplished, and I am so pleased to have his endorsement. Together, we will continue fighting in the Senate for the issues we both care deeply about: Addressing income inequality, reforming our campaign finance system, and combating climate change. In these final few weeks before Election Day, I look forward to campaigning with Senator Sanders in support of our entire Democratic ticket. Will you commit to continue fighting for the issues that Bernie and I have fought for, and will continue to fight for, with a donation of $20, $30, or more to our campaign today? . . . Thank you for being a part of this campaign. Sincerely, Patrick Leahy U.S. Senator
So, on Fri, Oct 14, 2016 at 4:18 PM, I wrote: Dear Senator Pat,
It was so good of Bernie to endorse you when you would not endorse him. How I wish we still had Bernie in this Presidential race. I believe that, at very least, the debates would have had a different focus. I find that he is still my choice for President.
I am so grateful for all you have done for us over the years that I will vote for you. But I want you to know it has taken me a long time to come around to this decision, because I felt that you and Howard Dean and Peter Shumlin slapped Vermonters in the face when you chose to support Hillary Clinton instead of the choice of the people of Vermont.
May all be well.
To my surprise, on 10/17/16, 9:28 AM, "Leahy Info" wrote: Hi …
Thank you so much for your note and your vote!
Senator Leahy has gotten behind Bernie during every one of his elections to be a member of the state delegation to D.C.. As part of the greatest delegation in the union, our Senators work together to ensure that we end Citizen's United, fight climate change, stand up for women's rights, racial justice... the list goes on. This has nothing to do with any portion of the presidential race/cycle.
As he and our campaign manager have now come on record many times. Senator Leahy has ALWAYS voted as a superdelegate along with the most national pledged delegates. There has never been an outpouring against the manner in which he casts his superdelegate vote before this year.
This past year you and I worked hard for Bernie. I put in 80 hour work weeks, and flew across the country to score him victories in New Hampshire, Illinois, Utah, and many of the later Western States. I did this because I knew that most superdelegates back the candidate with the highest number of national pledged delegates on their side. Unfortunately we did not have enough people knocking doors and making phone calls to reach our campaigns goal of getting the vote out for Senator Sanders. Both Senators along with our entire delegation cast a vote for Secretary Clinton at the convention.
After the outpouring of frustration from Vermont that the Superdelegates were not bound to their state's primary vote percentage. I was sure that, like Maine and Minnesota, at our state delegate convention someone would raise this issue and move to bind our superdelegates to our pledged delegates. Senator Leahy has been on record saying that this is something that he would support if Vermonters wanted to change the system. To the best of my knowledge, not a single soul out brought up doing this.
As an avid Sanders supporter, I would not be working for, let alone backing Senator Leahy for higher office if I thought he was not on the side of progress and justice in this country. Our opponent Scott Milne is running a negative campaign based around personal attacks. Senator Leahy is running a campaign, just like Bernie did, on the issues affecting the nation. Bernie knows this, and thats why he endorsed Senator Leahy. I'm glad to hear that we will have your vote in November, and thank you for reaching out.
Thank you warmly for writing back to me in the midst of these wild last weeks before Election Day. I am very moved that you took the time.
It’s interesting that there was so much opposition this year to Pat’s choice of Hillary over Bernie, but not in past years. I suppose that’s because he has voted akin to Vermonters in the past, and this year we had one of our own running, whom he chose not to support this time. One hopes that superdelegates will remember when voting how they came to be superdelegates. It is a privilege granted by virtue of having been elected by their constituents, and not something independent of that reality. I hope those who championed Hillary early on will be more cautious in the future about championing one candidate before it is known who else may be running.
The inner workings of the Vermont (or National) Democratic Party are not something I am privy to, as I am not a Democrat. I stopped being a Democrat when I saw how Howard Dean was treated by his own party, in Iowa. I even have discussed this with him. Since then I have been an Independent.
I had worked hard at Dean HQ, preparing Meet Up Packets, doing mailings, answering phones, bringing food for the common table for those working impossibly long hours, etc.. I was a regular on the original Dean Blog. I’m not a slacker. I have volunteered for Peter Welch’s campaign as well as Doug Racine’s and before him Scudder Parker’s. I volunteered for Bernie’s campaign from the time we were all crammed into the little office on Main Street. I am an election official in my town and have run for local office. I helped get home schooling legislation passed in Vermont in the mid-1980’s. Currently, I am helping with the National Nurse bill now in Congress, because I have six grandchildren and care about their future.
It stung to read that you believe it was a lack of mouse pads and shoe leather that caused Bernie to not win nomination. Please do not blame the people for the inner workings of the DNC, and all those who chose Hillary long before the people were consulted. This would have been a completely different election cycle if Bernie hadn’t been cut out of the picture from early on in favour of another Clinton Administration. Moreover, Bernie fell on his sword, and I still ache about that.
As you can probably tell, I am intensely disillusioned about all things political these days. Why does it take 12+ years to get passed in Congress a bill that requires no appropriation, will highlight and support nurses, and has 95 bipartisan cosponsors as well as the endorsement of 119 organisations (including the Vermont Legislature twice)?!! Yet it’s been in subcommittee since January, and is still waiting for a hearing. There are so many layers and layers of power struggles that seem to matter more than We the People whom Congress is supposed to serve. And frankly I’m tired of it.
I’d like to see us do away with parties altogether. Give anyone who wants to run for President the same amount of money (no contributions, no Super PACs), and maybe six months (a year at most) to make their case to the American people. Then hold an Election with instant voter runoff and be done with it. No primaries needed. Then voters wouldn’t be tuning the whole thing out by the second year of campaigning, and we could finally have more than two viable candidates to vote for. However, I don’t expect significant election reform in my lifetime anymore.
So that’s where I am, and why I am unhappy about the lack of support by Pat and Howard and others from Vermont for Bernie, with the notable exception of Peter Welch. And there’s Bernie supporting them anyway. He’s just the best!
Pat has my vote because he has earned it. The good he has done outweighs my frustration. Thanks also to you for your long hours, hard work and caring. It matters, Nate, it really does. All the best to you.
Nice quote from Dan Rather, thanks for posting. I hope the winter is not too harsh on you, Pat and that you don't have to make too many trips down that road.
Shirlee, it sure would have been fun for you to be able to do some volunteering. I totally get it though! I had to give up being a PCO because my knees just could not take the up/down hills, driveways, stairs in my small precinct any more.
Great conversation, Listener! and Huzza!!! on the Canada Lynx!
I appreciate your sharing your messages and comments. I understand your disillusionment. I think that first happened to me in the 1968 elections. Eugene McCarthy energized us, was admired because he was the first to stand up against the Vietnam War. Then Robert Kennedy stood up and declared his candidacy. He had more prestige, influence, and money and soon was more in the news than McCarthy. After the 1968 Democratic Convention, Hubert Humphrey was the nominee, as if McCarthy didn't exist, nor his supporters. We voted for Humphrey anyway, but a sense of fairness, of listening to We the People was not there.
Then Howard Dean and the DNC maneuvering in the caucuses to make Kerry the nominee. Again, disillusion.
This year, the decision made before Bernie even entered the race, and the machinations that ensued. We have not contributed this year at all to the DNC, nor to the candidates except for Michael Bennett, our Senator. I'm disgusted with the money, the waste, the control by the DNC. That said, we still voted mostly Democratic, with two Republicans who have served us well in commissions.
There's no doubt that Bernie is/was the more appealing candidate: his integrity, years of service, strong message, and lovable personality made him an easy favorite for many of us. Would he have been elected? I'm not sure. I think the Socialist label and scare tactics would have been strong, and sometimes he comes across as an Old Testament Patriarch, which may have turned off some voters. In any case, it seems that it is Hillary's time.
Some random thoughts: Could she have a better opponent than Trump? Can you imagine a personable, experienced, moderate Republican opposing her? Another thought, that she's not bitter, not depressed or discouraged with her life and her service to this country is amazing. I'm convinced that the Right Wing misogynistic factions in this country have demonized her successfully. It's a lesson on the power of propaganda. Recently a former resident of this community remarked that Hillary had never even had a job in her life. The ignorance abounds! She supported her family for much if not most of her life. Bill, while she indeed must love him, is an old Southern boy, someone whose career she saved multiple times. He's pretty useless in my mind, and yet, she never betrayed him verbally or in public.
So, recognizing the real corruption that power brings, we continue to discuss, read, think, share, and do our best in a flawed system with flawed human beings. Thank you again, Listener.
Reporting (at Kos) that the Republicans are so afraid of their vote being stolen, they're waiting till election day. Good: now they get to experience the lines, the waits, the cold rain running down the backs of their necks.
Quick hello, I mentioned the ignorance about Hillary, saying this community. I meant the community I live in, Drake and Loveland, not the beloved blog. A smile here.
This is always the place to come for thoughtful discourse. 💛
I may be AWOL, as I'm decorating a Unity candle set for my DIL's sister's wedding. It was contracted, but I'm giving it, holders and all, as a gift. Wedding is in Nov, but I'd like to have this in their hands soon. Bill and I will be at the wedding as childcare givers for our grands! Bliss!
This is the BEST place for honest, open discussion and analysis of many things .....VERY....bigly;) important and smaller personal ideas, problems.....just bring them here!
Brenda took me off to get a flu shot at the pharmacy yesterday....then we took a tour to another part of Greensboro......two long blocks of one storey fifties buildings...all small business places...needed to pickup Friday Supper. Good day ...blue skies here. Love to all
Hey, to me it's all just "sportsing" ~ except that my best friend in all the world is a life-long-suffering Cubs fan. They haven't won the World Series or even taken the Pennant since before she was born. They haven't won the Pennant for 71 years and haven't won in 108 years.
CONGRATULATIONS to all of Chicago! :-) To think we've seen the Red Sox and the Cubs win the Pennant in our lifetime...!
Clear blue skies and cold here also. Clear blue I love...the cold not so,much.
This is a wonderful area for birds coming, going, nesting. Yesterday, yesterday. LOe it.L a female cardinal in the shrubbery beside my window...hopped upon the small balcony ..and said hello.. With a peck on the window ! Love it...a little jealous of Brenda whose house is shaded by an old white oak tree. She has many birds year round. In bad winters she makes sure there is food on the ground for them :)
Shirlee, I think that's what climate change means at this point: six months of summer, two weeks of spring, two of autumn, the rest a warmish winter. And glad to say I'll be out of here before too much longer. Pity the grands that the other "adults" in the room have sat on their thumbs for so long.
Puddle, I so agree with you and being glad that we'll (Burt and me) will be out of here long before my kids, grands and great grands have to suffer thru what we've done to our planet.
Interesting that Trump is ahead with white voters, not even MALE white voters, just plain white voters. He has really brought out the ugly underbelly of our country. So sad...
I'm sorry for what we've done to the planet, but I think it began thousands of years ago with over hunting, over fishing, clear cutting, causing extinctions, and we've kept at it, though now we've used radiation, mining, and other methods of poisoning. I hope before we all head out that we can make commitments, begin restorations, re-establish species, and generally look at all on this planet as interconnected.
Recently, I read a talk given by Thich Nhat Hanh on Facebook wherein someone questioned the different kinds of consciousness of animals, plants, and other entities. Thay (means teacher, pronounced tie) answered that we are all interconnected, that our eyes couldn't see without all the parts of our body, of minerals, cells, other elements cooperating. He added that everything on the planet is connected. It makes sense to me.
When ever in human history have we had access to information all over the planet? When ever in human history have we had transportation, communication, technology, science, education, and medicine that we have in this era? When have so many lived so long, and when have we had the opportunity to continue to learn, communicate, and participate to this extent?
As usual, I'm an optimist, have hope, and oddly enough, I'm grateful to Trump for running. He has presented us a mirror of our worst selves, and we have the real choice of renouncing that and refusing to give it predominance. When 1 out 20 women are CEOs, when 1 in 5 is a member of Congress, we definitely need to change the culture, the stereotypes, the oppression that has resulted in this. Again, I'm an optimist.
Cloudy, cool day here. I am thinking about your redefinition of the seasons, Puddle. It feels very true.
Am in the middle of trying to vote, but they need my district and my precinct number. Promised Nancy to get her the ballot by tomorrow so can't wait to call the clerk's office. So am trying online. . . . Cripes.
O, dear. Was elsewhere writing a response, and laughing, and suddenly ma angel said "You are having WAY too much fun with this. You are a BAD person." And then I laughed at that. I AM a bad person.
I *did* defend her though--said she'd never blamed auto correct. And how much difference IS there between ascorbic and acerbic?
And now, I'll never be able to use either word without laughing. And being a bad person all over. And now it won't matter that I let Jerry (our local Down's kid) follow me around Junior High for two years without busting him.
Blue skies...and chilly nights (for me) here in Greensboro. Switching my thermostat to heat setting! Anything below 70 degrees is hard on my damaged joints.....and being 82 doesn't help. Physical therapist will be here today to take out the kinks.
I am SO,SO tired of Trump...but feel as though it is important to keep track of the idiot. Hillary and Michelle are in NC today at Winston-Salem. Would love to be there....
Had a dream last night--nightmare really. Woke hoping/praying that someone near him has him on suicide watch. This is NOT a man who takes losing well. I do not like him, but I sure don't wish him dead.
Hi Puddle, Shirlee, I've been having nightmares too about this election. I feel great anxiety. I don't think Trump is stable. He's definitely got mental/emotional problems. The concern is how has he achieved so much attention, so much power? What has appealed to the American public who usually choose the moderate candidate?
I read The Sun Magazine, and I just read an article with an interview by a psychiatrist and neurologist who says that childhood trauma stays with us, has shaped our brains, and when we feel anxiety, we lose that stability we've worked to achieve.
There are probably few if any adults who have not experienced trauma in growing up, whether it's feeling marginalized, lonely, inadequate or some event that brought stress, sadness, and fear. Those connections are in us. I wonder about Trump's childhood, with an already volatile personality and need to be important.
No, I don't wish him harm, just that he goes away, finds a kind of peace, and we the American people can try to find solutions for the many problems that face us in this time of extraordinary change.
This is the beginning of the nightmare: By any measure, Arsenio Hall was a Hollywood success: He had starred in popular films, packed houses as a stand-up comic and hosted a hit late-night television show bearing his name.
Donald J. Trump saw it differently by the mid-2000s. In his eyes, Mr. Hall was nothing.
“Dead as a doornail,” was his assessment of Mr. Hall in a previously unreleased interview from two years ago. “Dead as dog meat.”
Why such a harsh judgment? Because in Mr. Trump’s eyes, Mr. Hall had suffered the most grievous form of public humiliation: His celebrity had waned. His star had dimmed.
It was, in short, Mr. Trump’s worst nightmare.
“Couldn’t get on television,” Mr. Trump said with disgust. “They wouldn’t even take his phone call.”
"The concern is how has he achieved so much attention, so much power? What has appealed to the American public who usually choose the moderate candidate?"
Good questions, Pat. I believe the country is saying loud and clear from many perspectives that people are sick and tired of the status quo, tired of a do-nothing Congress, and tired of presidents who spend their first term in office trying to work with all sides. The problem is that the Republican heavy Congress refuses to allow forward motion (such as a Supreme Court Justice confirmation). Everyone is disenfranchised with government. I suppose if there is appeal it's the thought of sticking it to the status quo. Of course, we all could have had that, and peaceably, with Bernie. There seems to be a lot of free-floating anxiety this election cycle. Somehow I haven't dreamed about it at all.
I'm reading the November issue of Harper's. There's an article by Chris Offutt, entitled "In the Hollow" and he talks about rural versus city voters. He argues that there used to be a divide between rural and city, but when television, phones, trains came to farm country, people became attuned to the city. Now there are not enough jobs, not enough to do, and a feeling of neglect, of being disrespected. That's where he thinks the Trump supporters have come from. They are angry. Also, the Democratic Party didn't do anything for rural voters either, and the Republicans want to take away what they do have. It makes sense, though expecting that Trump will do anything for infrastructure and opportunities is an empty dream.
There's another article that was enlightening. This was by Thomas Frank who wrote "What's the Matter with Kansas". The article is "Swat Team: The media's extermination of Bernie Sanders--and real reform." He argues that journalists are losing jobs daily, that newspapers are going under, and journalists can't make a living anymore. Also, the media and the publishers are Ivy League and a class by themselves, not at all sympathetic to the rest of the country. Their ignoring Bernie and arguing against his policy proposals had a huge effect on the nominating convention. It wasn't just the DNC that had made up its mind, according to Frank.
And so we continue on. I do fear a Trump presidency, and hope that it won't happen. With Hillary and a Democratic Congress we do have the opportunity for repair, renewal, revisioning, and a better, fairer, more just and sustainable future.
It's a hot day here, almost 80 degrees. When did we ever on October 27th have this kind of weather.
I did it, I did it, I did it!!!! I finished the Unity Candle set for the wedding. Yay!! Now I need only box it up. I'll try to think of a way to share a few photos with you by the Wedding Day (Nov 19th). :-)
puddle, have you watched the Horatio Hornblower series? I know there's a lot of battles, but the integrity of Horatio and others might be a real comfort in these times that try the soul (and the slumber).
Thanks, Pat! That's an interesting take on the situation. I'm not sure I agree that the city voters are happy and the rural voters are angry. I think rural people are generally more happy than city, by virtue of having more personal space and scenery. And I say this as one who grew up in the city, then chose to live in the country. The rural voters around here are happy folks for the most part. Of course, we have excellent representation in Congress and we have Bernie to vote for if desired.
THIS was interesting to me (especially in view of all the vote fraud accusations against Hill in the primaries). . . .
Last spring, Slate’s Michelle Goldberg wrote about how surprised she was to find out that her New York neighborhood voted for Clinton when it seemed that all her neighbors were feeling the Bern. She spoke with several Hillary voters who said they had just decided to keep quiet to avoid confrontation. Imagine how it must be in Trump enclaves with people who wear “Hillary for Prison” T-shirts (or worse).
Thanks for the suggestion, listener. I'm thinking not--$78 for Run Time: 2760 minutes, is a much better deal than $15 for 1200. . . . Aside from which, I really hate battle scenes, and Fkoyle's War is a man who *didn't* go to war. . . . Aside from which, I *love* Michael Kitchen. . . . So, Bob's yer uncle, lol!
No, guess not, lol! Fact remains that even though I'm not wild about mysteries, I truly do NOT like wars. If I think about wars too much, I start not to like men.
About an hour ago, some neighbor's yappy little dog gave us a visit. And Beau went beyond nutso. By the time I got covered and downstairs, only sign was the motion detector light on the front porch was on. So called Nancy to see if both of hers were home. (Were.) So we chatted a bit about the election, and how glad we are that it's almost over. And I'm about to go back up. Hope the ankle biter gets home okay.
Still here...tired of Trump....Trump Tired....Tired of Trump..... He who said he was self funding his campaign is now asking several times a day for money...to MAGA. I get the townhall.com daily online...just to see what evil they are up to.....
For the last three or four days I have had 3 or 4 emails daily ...addressed to "Friend". and yes, asking for money. Unlike Dem sites which :):).usually give options starting with $10. and up, Trump. starts with $ 50. and up... gives me great delight to delete...and waste their online budget!
Lots of early voting happening in Greensboro :) :) :)
Be careful about that, Shirlee--I have a virtual friend elsewhere I blog, who's getting hit with, I kid you not, a thousand plus begs a day from the Repugnants. Evidently, one she *was* subscribed to had a bake sale with their email lists. . . .
What I do is I have a window up permanently with one google page on it with just donald in the window. News. Occasionally I read a story, but the headlines pretty much do it.
Got an email last night from my Ex. Haven't heard from him for four or five years. Wanting to know how I am, and who I think's gonna win. He's near San Diego, is not speaking much English these days, never much understood the culture. Answering in a bit. I think maybe kind of fun.
The last Assange dump has emails from Podesta et al.. Evidently Podesta believes in UFOs. Coast to Coast was *ecstatic*!! So it seems that Assange is not much of a reader of the culture either--not seeing ANY sign that anyone else gives a rat's arse, lol!
54 comments:
Dan Rather:
Hillary Clinton has been judged the winner of the first two debates. Tonight, many felt Trump needed a knockout to get back in the race. But I think this was Clinton’s best performance – perhaps by far. I think she wanted this to be a preview of her presidency. Her tone was the most straightforward and direct I have yet seen. She didn’t try to run away from her policy expertise. She embraced it. It was as if she was saying, “I am here. I am smart. I am qualified. I will not be intimidated or silenced. And I am ready to be president.”
http://occupydemocrats.com/2016/10/20/dan-rathers-newest-debate-analysis-read-every-american/
Good Morning,
Thanks for the quote from Dan Rather, Puddle. Yes, she's smart, has a world of experience, is who she is. I'm amazed at how much she's been able to be herself, which meant eschewing many female expectations. She refused to wear make-up at one point as a college student, and I believe as first lady in the governor's mansion. She swears, makes angry comments, sometimes wears the same jacket more than once for a public appearance, doesn't mince her words.
I think she did well last night, and frankly, I had nightmares about Trump. If he were to somehow be abducted to Jupiter, he would still be in my nightmares.
Hillary is complicated, abrasive, has made mistakes, has been impolitic in her comments, and also disingenuous, and maybe untruthful, but she is a woman of our times, is who she is without pretense, not submitting to practices and appearances she doesn't agree with. So, okay, I'm hoping and praying she is the next president and hoping and praying she will be ethical, courageous, wise, and far seeing.
Our highway 34, Big Thompson Canyon, is closed for 7 and 1/2 months because of repairs needed after the August 2013 flood. We took the alternate route yesterday, through Estes Park, down Highway 36, and it was a 3 and 1/2 hour roundtrip. I don't think we'll make it often.
Have a good day, friends.
Right on spot with new thread pic, Puddle...but sad and scary,
I am proud to report that our local NC Dem headquarters called
yesterday to ask me to volunteer today. I had to turn them down,
just no extra energy anymore....I did love it when Howard Dean was
running and for President Obama's first term. Second term I was
here, but re-couping from a strange thigh and hip break. All helpers
who come to my apartment are Hillary supporters....! Trump is so evil
it is unbelievable. I would guess that the great majority of residents
are Dems....but younger ones appreciate the nudge...to be sure
and vote. Love to all.
I've always rooted for the underdog. Or mostly. In 7th grade it was the Yankees. The Yankees always won, which made everyone hate them, so I figured being unloved made you the underdog, even if you always won. So they were my guys. But I also learned that we don't love winners unless they're exceptionally humble. "Oh, it was just luck" plays much better than "Damn, I'm good!" What we seem to want to do with winners is pull them down to our level. We look better to ourselves if someone else doesn't look quite that good.
I've wondered for a long time how much of that is active in the Hillary Clinton dynamic.
Below is a conversation I had this week with Senator Pat Leahy's Field Director, Nate Ruby. Nate is a really good guy who worked hard for Bernie. You will see how jaded I've become this election cycle. There are four exchanges, but they don't all fit in one post. So please bear with me.
On 10/14/16, 4:01 PM, "Patrick Leahy" wrote: Yesterday, Senator Bernie Sanders announced his support for a strong slate of Vermont Democrats -- including our campaign. I am proud of what Bernie has accomplished, and I am so pleased to have his endorsement. Together, we will continue fighting in the Senate for the issues we both care deeply about: Addressing income inequality, reforming our campaign finance system, and combating climate change. In these final few weeks before Election Day, I look forward to campaigning with Senator Sanders in support of our entire Democratic ticket. Will you commit to continue fighting for the issues that Bernie and I have fought for, and will continue to fight for, with a donation of $20, $30, or more to our campaign today?
. . .
Thank you for being a part of this campaign. Sincerely, Patrick Leahy
U.S. Senator
So, on Fri, Oct 14, 2016 at 4:18 PM, I wrote:
Dear Senator Pat,
It was so good of Bernie to endorse you when you would not endorse him. How I wish we still had Bernie in this Presidential race. I believe that, at very least, the debates would have had a different focus. I find that he is still my choice for President.
I am so grateful for all you have done for us over the years that I will vote for you. But I want you to know it has taken me a long time to come around to this decision, because I felt that you and Howard Dean and Peter Shumlin slapped Vermonters in the face when you chose to support Hillary Clinton instead of the choice of the people of Vermont.
May all be well.
To my surprise, on 10/17/16, 9:28 AM, "Leahy Info" wrote:
Hi …
Thank you so much for your note and your vote!
Senator Leahy has gotten behind Bernie during every one of his elections to be a member of the state delegation to D.C.. As part of the greatest delegation in the union, our Senators work together to ensure that we end Citizen's United, fight climate change, stand up for women's rights, racial justice... the list goes on. This has nothing to do with any portion of the presidential race/cycle.
As he and our campaign manager have now come on record many times. Senator Leahy has ALWAYS voted as a superdelegate along with the most national pledged delegates. There has never been an outpouring against the manner in which he casts his superdelegate vote before this year.
This past year you and I worked hard for Bernie. I put in 80 hour work weeks, and flew across the country to score him victories in New Hampshire, Illinois, Utah, and many of the later Western States. I did this because I knew that most superdelegates back the candidate with the highest number of national pledged delegates on their side. Unfortunately we did not have enough people knocking doors and making phone calls to reach our campaigns goal of getting the vote out for Senator Sanders. Both Senators along with our entire delegation cast a vote for Secretary Clinton at the convention.
After the outpouring of frustration from Vermont that the Superdelegates were not bound to their state's primary vote percentage. I was sure that, like Maine and Minnesota, at our state delegate convention someone would raise this issue and move to bind our superdelegates to our pledged delegates. Senator Leahy has been on record saying that this is something that he would support if Vermonters wanted to change the system. To the best of my knowledge, not a single soul out brought up doing this.
As an avid Sanders supporter, I would not be working for, let alone backing Senator Leahy for higher office if I thought he was not on the side of progress and justice in this country. Our opponent Scott Milne is running a negative campaign based around personal attacks. Senator Leahy is running a campaign, just like Bernie did, on the issues affecting the nation. Bernie knows this, and thats why he endorsed Senator Leahy. I'm glad to hear that we will have your vote in November, and thank you for reaching out.
Best,
Nate Ruby
Field Director
One more:
Hallo Nate,
Thank you warmly for writing back to me in the midst of these wild last weeks before Election Day. I am very moved that you took the time.
It’s interesting that there was so much opposition this year to Pat’s choice of Hillary over Bernie, but not in past years. I suppose that’s because he has voted akin to Vermonters in the past, and this year we had one of our own running, whom he chose not to support this time. One hopes that superdelegates will remember when voting how they came to be superdelegates. It is a privilege granted by virtue of having been elected by their constituents, and not something independent of that reality. I hope those who championed Hillary early on will be more cautious in the future about championing one candidate before it is known who else may be running.
The inner workings of the Vermont (or National) Democratic Party are not something I am privy to, as I am not a Democrat. I stopped being a Democrat when I saw how Howard Dean was treated by his own party, in Iowa. I even have discussed this with him. Since then I have been an Independent.
I had worked hard at Dean HQ, preparing Meet Up Packets, doing mailings, answering phones, bringing food for the common table for those working impossibly long hours, etc.. I was a regular on the original Dean Blog. I’m not a slacker. I have volunteered for Peter Welch’s campaign as well as Doug Racine’s and before him Scudder Parker’s. I volunteered for Bernie’s campaign from the time we were all crammed into the little office on Main Street. I am an election official in my town and have run for local office. I helped get home schooling legislation passed in Vermont in the mid-1980’s. Currently, I am helping with the National Nurse bill now in Congress, because I have six grandchildren and care about their future.
It stung to read that you believe it was a lack of mouse pads and shoe leather that caused Bernie to not win nomination. Please do not blame the people for the inner workings of the DNC, and all those who chose Hillary long before the people were consulted. This would have been a completely different election cycle if Bernie hadn’t been cut out of the picture from early on in favour of another Clinton Administration. Moreover, Bernie fell on his sword, and I still ache about that.
As you can probably tell, I am intensely disillusioned about all things political these days. Why does it take 12+ years to get passed in Congress a bill that requires no appropriation, will highlight and support nurses, and has 95 bipartisan cosponsors as well as the endorsement of 119 organisations (including the Vermont Legislature twice)?!! Yet it’s been in subcommittee since January, and is still waiting for a hearing. There are so many layers and layers of power struggles that seem to matter more than We the People whom Congress is supposed to serve. And frankly I’m tired of it.
I’d like to see us do away with parties altogether. Give anyone who wants to run for President the same amount of money (no contributions, no Super PACs), and maybe six months (a year at most) to make their case to the American people. Then hold an Election with instant voter runoff and be done with it. No primaries needed. Then voters wouldn’t be tuning the whole thing out by the second year of campaigning, and we could finally have more than two viable candidates to vote for. However, I don’t expect significant election reform in my lifetime anymore.
So that’s where I am, and why I am unhappy about the lack of support by Pat and Howard and others from Vermont for Bernie, with the notable exception of Peter Welch. And there’s Bernie supporting them anyway. He’s just the best!
Pat has my vote because he has earned it. The good he has done outweighs my frustration.
Thanks also to you for your long hours, hard work and caring. It matters, Nate, it really does.
All the best to you.
Canada Lynx spotted in southern Vermont! They used to be native here, so that's very cool.
http://www.wcax.com/story/33437342/officials-confirm-canada-lynx-spotted-in-londonderry
Nice quote from Dan Rather, thanks for posting. I hope the winter is not too harsh on you, Pat and that you don't have to make too many trips down that road.
Shirlee, it sure would have been fun for you to be able to do some volunteering. I totally get it though! I had to give up being a PCO because my knees just could not take the up/down hills, driveways, stairs in my small precinct any more.
Great conversation, Listener! and Huzza!!! on the Canada Lynx!
Got my absentee ballot today. Printed in the teeniest tiniest print. Love it.
listener, that was a lovely exchange. ♥
Hi Listener,
I appreciate your sharing your messages and comments. I understand your disillusionment. I think that first happened to me in the 1968 elections. Eugene McCarthy energized us, was admired because he was the first to stand up against the Vietnam War. Then Robert Kennedy stood up and declared his candidacy. He had more prestige, influence, and money and soon was more in the news than McCarthy. After the 1968 Democratic Convention, Hubert Humphrey was the nominee, as if McCarthy didn't exist, nor his supporters. We voted for Humphrey anyway, but a sense of fairness, of listening to We the People was not there.
Then Howard Dean and the DNC maneuvering in the caucuses to make Kerry the nominee. Again, disillusion.
This year, the decision made before Bernie even entered the race, and the machinations that ensued. We have not contributed this year at all to the DNC, nor to the candidates except for Michael Bennett, our Senator. I'm disgusted with the money, the waste, the control by the DNC. That said, we still voted mostly Democratic, with two Republicans who have served us well in commissions.
There's no doubt that Bernie is/was the more appealing candidate: his integrity, years of service, strong message, and lovable personality made him an easy favorite for many of us. Would he have been elected? I'm not sure. I think the Socialist label and scare tactics would have been strong, and sometimes he comes across as an Old Testament Patriarch, which may have turned off some voters. In any case, it seems that it is Hillary's time.
Some random thoughts: Could she have a better opponent than Trump? Can you imagine a personable, experienced, moderate Republican opposing her? Another thought, that she's not bitter, not depressed or discouraged with her life and her service to this country is amazing. I'm convinced that the Right Wing misogynistic factions in this country have demonized her successfully. It's a lesson on the power of propaganda. Recently a former resident of this community remarked that Hillary had never even had a job in her life. The ignorance abounds! She supported her family for much if not most of her life. Bill, while she indeed must love him, is an old Southern boy, someone whose career she saved multiple times. He's pretty useless in my mind, and yet, she never betrayed him verbally or in public.
So, recognizing the real corruption that power brings, we continue to discuss, read, think, share, and do our best in a flawed system with flawed human beings.
Thank you again, Listener.
Should be on commissions,not in commissions.
Reporting (at Kos) that the Republicans are so afraid of their vote being stolen, they're waiting till election day. Good: now they get to experience the lines, the waits, the cold rain running down the backs of their necks.
Quick hello,
I mentioned the ignorance about Hillary, saying this community. I meant the community I live in, Drake and Loveland, not the beloved blog. A smile here.
This is always the place to come for thoughtful discourse. 💛
I may be AWOL, as I'm decorating a Unity candle set for my DIL's sister's wedding. It was contracted, but I'm giving it, holders and all, as a gift. Wedding is in Nov, but I'd like to have this in their hands soon. Bill and I will be at the wedding as childcare givers for our grands! Bliss!
Hey! I posted a gold heart here and I can see it. Can you? Here, I'll try a few more...
💛💜❤️💙💖 🌟 ☔️🐣 🐌📪
This is the BEST place for honest, open discussion and analysis of
many things .....VERY....bigly;) important and smaller personal ideas,
problems.....just bring them here!
Brenda took me off to get a flu shot at the pharmacy yesterday....then we took a
tour to another part of Greensboro......two long blocks of one storey
fifties buildings...all small business places...needed to pickup Friday
Supper. Good day ...blue skies here. Love to all
Does anyone hear from Jo? I miss her.
Bright blue and very cold. 35º With the first wind chill factor tonight this side of summer. Finally!!
Is it just me, or has anyone else noticed that der turnip is beginning to look, erm, sort of "erased"? Like he's fading away? Just this last week.
CUBS WIN PENNANT! Whoo hoo!!
Hey, to me it's all just "sportsing" ~ except that my best friend in all the world is a life-long-suffering Cubs fan. They haven't won the World Series or even taken the Pennant since before she was born. They haven't won the Pennant for 71 years and haven't won in 108 years.
CONGRATULATIONS to all of Chicago! :-)
To think we've seen the Red Sox and the Cubs win the Pennant in our lifetime...!
Here's to 108 Summers gone by:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-jfbo_xp3k
I'll be "Praying to heaven for hell to freeze."
Hoping they get a 2004 outcome! :-)
Clear blue skies and cold here also. Clear blue I love...the cold not so,much.
This is a wonderful area for birds coming, going, nesting.
Yesterday, yesterday. LOe it.L a female cardinal in the shrubbery beside
my window...hopped upon the small balcony ..and said hello..
With a peck on the window ! Love it...a little jealous of Brenda
whose house is shaded by an old white oak tree. She has many
birds year round. In bad winters she makes sure there is food
on the ground for them :)
Happy Sunday, ..Love to all.
Shirlee, I think that's what climate change means at this point: six months of summer, two weeks of spring, two of autumn, the rest a warmish winter. And glad to say I'll be out of here before too much longer. Pity the grands that the other "adults" in the room have sat on their thumbs for so long.
Puddle, I so agree with you and being glad that we'll (Burt and me) will be out of here long before my kids, grands and great grands have to suffer thru what we've done to our planet.
Interesting that Trump is ahead with white voters, not even MALE white voters, just plain white voters. He has really brought out the ugly underbelly of our country. So sad...
much love to all, ladies. off to work!
Good Morning,
I'm sorry for what we've done to the planet, but I think it began thousands of years ago with over hunting, over fishing, clear cutting, causing extinctions, and we've kept at it, though now we've used radiation, mining, and other methods of poisoning. I hope before we all head out that we can make commitments, begin restorations, re-establish species, and generally look at all on this planet as interconnected.
Recently, I read a talk given by Thich Nhat Hanh on Facebook wherein someone questioned the different kinds of consciousness of animals, plants, and other entities. Thay (means teacher, pronounced tie) answered that we are all interconnected, that our eyes couldn't see without all the parts of our body, of minerals, cells, other elements cooperating. He added that everything on the planet is connected. It makes sense to me.
When ever in human history have we had access to information all over the planet? When ever in human history have we had transportation, communication, technology, science, education, and medicine that we have in this era? When have so many lived so long, and when have we had the opportunity to continue to learn, communicate, and participate to this extent?
As usual, I'm an optimist, have hope, and oddly enough, I'm grateful to Trump for running. He has presented us a mirror of our worst selves, and we have the real choice of renouncing that and refusing to give it predominance. When 1 out 20 women are CEOs, when 1 in 5 is a member of Congress, we definitely need to change the culture, the stereotypes, the oppression that has resulted in this. Again, I'm an optimist.
Cloudy, cool day here. I am thinking about your redefinition of the seasons, Puddle. It feels very true.
Have a nice day, friends.
Third time posting is the charm?
Zephyr is First today!!!
. . . . . ☆ . ☆. ☆ ☆. ☆. ☆ . ☆ . ☆. ☆. ☆
. . . . . || . . || . . || . || . || . || . || . . || . || . || . . .
. . . ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
. . . |♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡|
. . . |♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡|
. . . |♡♡♡ HAPPY ♡♡♡ BIRTHDAY♡♡♡|
. . . |♡♡♡♡♡♡ ZEPHYR ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡|
. . . |♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡|
. . . |♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡|
. . . ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~)
President Obama endorses Zephyr Teachout for Congress
http://www.midhudsonnews.com/News/2016/October/24/Teachout_Obama-24Oct16.htm
Preview lies wicked bad. But you get the idear. ;-)
Am in the middle of trying to vote, but they need my district and my precinct number. Promised Nancy to get her the ballot by tomorrow so can't wait to call the clerk's office. So am trying online. . . . Cripes.
Done! Needed a magnifier and a flashlight, but DONE!!!!
This is my "district" BTW
District Information
Congressional: 0002
House: 0055
Senate: 0011
Magisterial:
I wanna "I voted!" sticker, wah-------------------
I'll see if I can send you one...might need to be after I work at the polls, but you never know. ;-)
Here's what happens when the really stoopid and/or biased gets a fact between its teeth. . . .
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/we-re-in-the-universal-derp-implosion
O, dear. Was elsewhere writing a response, and laughing, and suddenly ma angel said "You are having WAY too much fun with this. You are a BAD person." And then I laughed at that. I AM a bad person.
I *did* defend her though--said she'd never blamed auto correct. And how much difference IS there between ascorbic and acerbic?
And now, I'll never be able to use either word without laughing. And being a bad person all over. And now it won't matter that I let Jerry (our local Down's kid) follow me around Junior High for two years without busting him.
listener--don't worry about it. I was in a snit. Over snit now. xox
Blue skies...and chilly nights (for me) here in Greensboro. Switching my
thermostat to heat setting! Anything below 70 degrees is hard on my damaged
joints.....and being 82 doesn't help. Physical therapist will be here today to take
out the kinks.
I am SO,SO tired of Trump...but feel as though it is important to keep track of the
idiot. Hillary and Michelle are in NC today at Winston-Salem. Would love to
be there....
Love to all ....
Had a dream last night--nightmare really. Woke hoping/praying that someone near him has him on suicide watch. This is NOT a man who takes losing well. I do not like him, but I sure don't wish him dead.
Hi Puddle, Shirlee,
I've been having nightmares too about this election. I feel great anxiety. I don't think Trump is stable. He's definitely got mental/emotional problems. The concern is how has he achieved so much attention, so much power? What has appealed to the American public who usually choose the moderate candidate?
I read The Sun Magazine, and I just read an article with an interview by a psychiatrist and neurologist who says that childhood trauma stays with us, has shaped our brains, and when we feel anxiety, we lose that stability we've worked to achieve.
There are probably few if any adults who have not experienced trauma in growing up, whether it's feeling marginalized, lonely, inadequate or some event that brought stress, sadness, and fear. Those connections are in us. I wonder about Trump's childhood, with an already volatile personality and need to be important.
No, I don't wish him harm, just that he goes away, finds a kind of peace, and we the American people can try to find solutions for the many problems that face us in this time of extraordinary change.
This is the beginning of the nightmare:
By any measure, Arsenio Hall was a Hollywood success: He had starred in popular films, packed houses as a stand-up comic and hosted a hit late-night television show bearing his name.
Donald J. Trump saw it differently by the mid-2000s. In his eyes, Mr. Hall was nothing.
“Dead as a doornail,” was his assessment of Mr. Hall in a previously unreleased interview from two years ago. “Dead as dog meat.”
Why such a harsh judgment? Because in Mr. Trump’s eyes, Mr. Hall had suffered the most grievous form of public humiliation: His celebrity had waned. His star had dimmed.
It was, in short, Mr. Trump’s worst nightmare.
“Couldn’t get on television,” Mr. Trump said with disgust. “They wouldn’t even take his phone call.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/26/us/politics/donald-trump-interviews.html
"The concern is how has he achieved so much attention, so much power? What has appealed to the American public who usually choose the moderate candidate?"
Good questions, Pat. I believe the country is saying loud and clear from many perspectives that people are sick and tired of the status quo, tired of a do-nothing Congress, and tired of presidents who spend their first term in office trying to work with all sides. The problem is that the Republican heavy Congress refuses to allow forward motion (such as a Supreme Court Justice confirmation). Everyone is disenfranchised with government. I suppose if there is appeal it's the thought of sticking it to the status quo. Of course, we all could have had that, and peaceably, with Bernie. There seems to be a lot of free-floating anxiety this election cycle. Somehow I haven't dreamed about it at all.
Hi Listener,
I'm reading the November issue of Harper's. There's an article by Chris Offutt, entitled "In the Hollow" and he talks about rural versus city voters. He argues that there used to be a divide between rural and city, but when television, phones, trains came to farm country, people became attuned to the city. Now there are not enough jobs, not enough to do, and a feeling of neglect, of being disrespected. That's where he thinks the Trump supporters have come from. They are angry. Also, the Democratic Party didn't do anything for rural voters either, and the Republicans want to take away what they do have. It makes sense, though expecting that Trump will do anything for infrastructure and opportunities is an empty dream.
There's another article that was enlightening. This was by Thomas Frank who wrote "What's the Matter with Kansas". The article is "Swat Team: The media's extermination of Bernie Sanders--and real reform." He argues that journalists are losing jobs daily, that newspapers are going under, and journalists can't make a living anymore. Also, the media and the publishers are Ivy League and a class by themselves, not at all sympathetic to the rest of the country. Their ignoring Bernie and arguing against his policy proposals had a huge effect on the nominating convention. It wasn't just the DNC that had made up its mind, according to Frank.
And so we continue on. I do fear a Trump presidency, and hope that it won't happen. With Hillary and a Democratic Congress we do have the opportunity for repair, renewal, revisioning, and a better, fairer, more just and sustainable future.
It's a hot day here, almost 80 degrees. When did we ever on October 27th have this kind of weather.
Take care friends.
I had planned to watch The West Wing these last two weeks, now find I can't. Too much politics already. Thinking about Foyle's War instead.
I did it, I did it, I did it!!!! I finished the Unity Candle set for the wedding. Yay!! Now I need only box it up.
I'll try to think of a way to share a few photos with you by the Wedding Day (Nov 19th). :-)
puddle, have you watched the Horatio Hornblower series? I know there's a lot of battles, but the integrity of Horatio and others might be a real comfort in these times that try the soul (and the slumber).
Thanks, Pat! That's an interesting take on the situation. I'm not sure I agree that the city voters are happy and the rural voters are angry. I think rural people are generally more happy than city, by virtue of having more personal space and scenery. And I say this as one who grew up in the city, then chose to live in the country. The rural voters around here are happy folks for the most part. Of course, we have excellent representation in Congress and we have Bernie to vote for if desired.
THIS was interesting to me (especially in view of all the vote fraud accusations against Hill in the primaries). . . .
Last spring, Slate’s Michelle Goldberg wrote about how surprised she was to find out that her New York neighborhood voted for Clinton when it seemed that all her neighbors were feeling the Bern. She spoke with several Hillary voters who said they had just decided to keep quiet to avoid confrontation. Imagine how it must be in Trump enclaves with people who wear “Hillary for Prison” T-shirts (or worse).
http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2016/10/about-those-secret-voters.html
Thanks for the suggestion, listener. I'm thinking not--$78 for Run Time: 2760 minutes, is a much better deal than $15 for 1200. . . . Aside from which, I really hate battle scenes, and Fkoyle's War is a man who *didn't* go to war. . . . Aside from which, I *love* Michael Kitchen. . . . So, Bob's yer uncle, lol!
No, guess not, lol! Fact remains that even though I'm not wild about mysteries, I truly do NOT like wars. If I think about wars too much, I start not to like men.
About an hour ago, some neighbor's yappy little dog gave us a visit. And Beau went beyond nutso. By the time I got covered and downstairs, only sign was the motion detector light on the front porch was on. So called Nancy to see if both of hers were home. (Were.) So we chatted a bit about the election, and how glad we are that it's almost over. And I'm about to go back up. Hope the ankle biter gets home okay.
Still here...tired of Trump....Trump Tired....Tired of Trump.....
He who said he was self funding his campaign is now asking
several times a day for money...to MAGA. I get the townhall.com
daily online...just to see what evil they are up to.....
For the last three or four days I have had 3 or 4 emails daily
...addressed to "Friend". and yes, asking for money. Unlike
Dem sites which :):).usually give options starting with $10. and up,
Trump. starts with $ 50. and up... gives me great delight to
delete...and waste their online budget!
Lots of early voting happening in Greensboro :) :) :)
Love to all....
Be careful about that, Shirlee--I have a virtual friend elsewhere I blog, who's getting hit with, I kid you not, a thousand plus begs a day from the Repugnants. Evidently, one she *was* subscribed to had a bake sale with their email lists. . . .
What I do is I have a window up permanently with one google page on it with just donald in the window. News. Occasionally I read a story, but the headlines pretty much do it.
Got an email last night from my Ex. Haven't heard from him for four or five years. Wanting to know how I am, and who I think's gonna win. He's near San Diego, is not speaking much English these days, never much understood the culture. Answering in a bit. I think maybe kind of fun.
The last Assange dump has emails from Podesta et al.. Evidently Podesta believes in UFOs. Coast to Coast was *ecstatic*!! So it seems that Assange is not much of a reader of the culture either--not seeing ANY sign that anyone else gives a rat's arse, lol!
New Thread!!!
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