Bernie is several chess moves ahead of most of the rest of us. He is incredibly wise and strong, and makes breathtakingly good decisions. That is what is keeping me calm right now. I find two things give me great hope for the future. First, I am enheartened by the yuge wave of young people who are intelligently engaging the political process now. Second, I am inspired by Bernie's vision through Our Revolution and Brand New Congress. I guess I'll keep working at the polls after all.
Mind you, none of that reconciles me to the shenanigans that went on in this election cycle! Bernie's honesty and grace is such a stark and amazing counterpoint.
Y'know, I think that my deepest sense of disappointment is that we aren't going to see this in our lifetime…though with Bernie we would have. His grace to keep on keeping on, and with such focus and caring, inspires me to put one foot in front of the other. I feel now that we older folks are hereby passing the baton to the younger generation, who will be in power within 20 years. Change will indeed take place.
It was always clear to me that the revolution was not solely about the 2016 presidential race. Yes, it's disappointing that we didn't pull it off right off the bat. But we still have important work ahead of us. And indeed, Bernie has *already* dramatically changed the nature of political discourse in the US.
As for "in our lifetimes," I assure you I have no intention of kicking off that soon. And actually, given the right people in Congress, it's not unimaginable that Hillary will follow through on some of the things she has promised. Yes, she moved to the left because she saw that was what was needed to win election, not out of conviction. But isn't it reasonable that she is likely to see the same thing is needed to win reelection?
And speaking of the right people in Congress, have I mentioned that I am actively supporting Alan Grayson in the Florida Senate primary?
Bill, it may be that your family members tend to live longer than mine. My mother died at age 73 and my dad at age 76. That gives me about 12-15 years, assuming I don't beat the odds. If 8 of those are spent on the Clinton dynasty, that doesn't give me tons of wiggle room.
My father died at age 48. Except for one uncle, all the men on both sides of the family died decades younger than I am now. But the women lived will into their 80s or 90s. One grandmother died at 98. I have every intention of equaling or beating her record. That gives me 18 years, which is plenty of time.
*grin* Bill. You sound like my dad. He told me almost twenty years ago that he intended to live into his nineties. It's early days yet. Tomorrow is his eighty-fourth birthday.
Alan, I had something of an epiphany ( or at least an 'oh...duh!' moment late last night, which made me feel a great deal calmer and more sure. Reading your comment on the last thread reinforced both the conviction and the calm.
I'd actually stated the position a few days ago on a Facebook thread, without entirely grasping the purport of my own words:
The Democratic Party has been controlled by its Right Wing for so long that there is no longer any place in it for Lefties like me.
Put another way - and this is when it finally fell into place - I've stayed exactly where I've always been. The party has moved to the right and abandoned me. Seen in that light my righteous anger - our righteous anger - is completely justifiable and I have nothing to apologize for to anyone, HRC bullies included.And I have no reason to move. Sometimes, perhaps often, compromise is necessary, and I feel a whole lot better about what Bernie did and why he did it than a few days ago. Still, I don't need to compromise. I'll go on supporting our revolution, since that's who and where I am. I'm sorry Trump is probably going to win. I'm scared out of my mind, in fact. But he's not going to win because of me or because of Bernie and our revolution. If he wins it will be because of HRC. Cold comfort, but it's all there is.
I have to do what I believe to be right. It's a tremendous comfort to know I have dear friends with me,as well as acquaintances and strangers, all working for the same goal. I pray earnestly we can get through the next years, under either Trump or Clinton, with our country and our world still intact!
The rhetoric tonight is that the bias against Hillary is people who have gender bias. I haven't heard one person say they aren't voting for her because she's a woman. There are just so many other reasons! The next thing they say is that the Bernie Sanders supporters objections sound very much like the objections of Trump supporters. Grrrr. Nice try. We are not at all on the same page and I think most people actually know that. For heaven's sake!
Mum has been saying that for weeks. How anyone can be so deluded as to think we bear any resemblance to Trump supporters beats me. But, there it is. She also claims we're violent. Even heard Sis repeating that lie the other night. They demonize us, turn us into the enemy...because we don't lie down and lick HRC's boots! And drink the koolade. They are cult members - which BTW is what they say about us. But of course it all makes sense. We threaten them. Naturally they regard us as the enemy. In some sense we are. The status quo always regards any threat to it with fear and suspicion.
Do you know what I think might be happening in America? I think we have become so polarised that the two main political parties are on the verge of splitting in two. And I think it could be a healthy shift. We could then have four main parties and shake things up! We could have the Conservatives, Republicans (the Jim Jeffords kind), the Democrats and the Progressives.
My dear friend, Frank, who was in my spiritual guides peer group and was my spiritual guide for 14 years, had a heart attack on the 16th, and last evening he died. Apparently between his diabetes and his recent diagnosis of Alzheimer's he chose not to have treatment. For that reason I am relieved for him that he and his loved ones did not have to endure what they endured through his two sisters' long, slow decline with Alzheimer's. His passing is still a great loss in my heart. ♥ You all would have loved Frank. He was to turn 82 next month, and just a few years ago he was still being arrested for non-violent protest against nukes. A member of the clergy (UCC), a psychologist, and a bee keeper, Frank had a wonderful sense of humour. Having gone bald early in life, he wore a jaunty cap and wire rimmed glasses. With his white mustache, he looked a little like a sea captain. :-) I will miss his soft chuckle so much.
I'm sorry for the loss of your friend, Listener. It's a blessing he didn't linger though. And from your tribute, it sounds like his whole life was a blessing to many. Not everyone can say that.
Just now, on NPR, on the Convention floor, they interviewed the man in charge of about 2/3 of the Bernie Delegates. He said that the delegates in swing states say they will vote for Hillary, so that Trump cannot win. BUT! They plan to hold her feet to the fire on the issues every day. He said that should Clinton win she should know that there will be NO honeymoon period, as they will hold her feet to the fire on everything from Wall street to Waging War. That was good to hear,..that there is a plan among the delegates to watchdog her presidency, should it happen.
And, hey, that fits nicely with today's front page theme! Ha!
No good deed goes unpunished. I was brushing Nickie Kitty just now. She is exceptionally furry and it is very important to brush her in this hot weather. It seems like I take ounces of fur off her with every swipe of the grooming mitt. And you'd think that would help her feel more comfortable. But she always complains. I was brushing along, and everything seemed copacetic, when all at once she reared back and bit me! So now I am sporting a lovely set of teeth marks on the side of my forearm to go with the set on the top. They are not aligned; she has no esthetic sense. *wry grin*
This news item caught my attention on the web site of our local ABC affiliate where I usually check the weather forecast before going to bed.
===
VT man with loaded firearm arrested on French King Bridge Posted: Jul 28, 2016 5:50 PM EST Updated: Jul 28, 2016 6:16 PM EST By Jessica Michalski Connect
Erving Police say they arrested a Vermont man with a loaded large capacity gun late Wednesday night after encountering him on the French King Bridge.
Brian Mentz of Jacksonville, VT was taken into custody at 10:00 p.m. on charges of Possession of a Loaded Large Capacity Firearm and Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle.
Police also allege they found two additional loaded large capacity magazines in his possession as well as ".5 ounce of marijuana."
"Mentz was held overnight at the Franklin County House of Corrections in Greenfield on $10,000.00 bail," the Erving Police Department said on their Facebook page Thursday.
No further details were immediately available on the circumstances surrounding Mentz's arrest Wednesday night.
He was arraigned in Greenfield District Court and was released on his personal recognizance on Thursday
Copyright 2016 Western Mass News (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.
We Shall Overcome.
ReplyDeleteBernie is several chess moves ahead of most of the rest of us. He is incredibly wise and strong, and makes breathtakingly good decisions. That is what is keeping me calm right now. I find two things give me great hope for the future. First, I am enheartened by the yuge wave of young people who are intelligently engaging the political process now. Second, I am inspired by Bernie's vision through Our Revolution and Brand New Congress. I guess I'll keep working at the polls after all.
Mind you, none of that reconciles me to the shenanigans that went on in this election cycle! Bernie's honesty and grace is such a stark and amazing counterpoint.
Y'know, I think that my deepest sense of disappointment is that we aren't going to see this in our lifetime…though with Bernie we would have. His grace to keep on keeping on, and with such focus and caring, inspires me to put one foot in front of the other. I feel now that we older folks are hereby passing the baton to the younger generation, who will be in power within 20 years. Change will indeed take place.
It was always clear to me that the revolution was not solely about the 2016 presidential race. Yes, it's disappointing that we didn't pull it off right off the bat. But we still have important work ahead of us. And indeed, Bernie has *already* dramatically changed the nature of political discourse in the US.
DeleteAs for "in our lifetimes," I assure you I have no intention of kicking off that soon. And actually, given the right people in Congress, it's not unimaginable that Hillary will follow through on some of the things she has promised. Yes, she moved to the left because she saw that was what was needed to win election, not out of conviction. But isn't it reasonable that she is likely to see the same thing is needed to win reelection?
And speaking of the right people in Congress, have I mentioned that I am actively supporting Alan Grayson in the Florida Senate primary?
Me too, Bill.
DeleteBill, it may be that your family members tend to live longer than mine. My mother died at age 73 and my dad at age 76. That gives me about 12-15 years, assuming I don't beat the odds. If 8 of those are spent on the Clinton dynasty, that doesn't give me tons of wiggle room.
DeleteMy father died at age 48. Except for one uncle, all the men on both sides of the family died decades younger than I am now. But the women lived will into their 80s or 90s. One grandmother died at 98. I have every intention of equaling or beating her record. That gives me 18 years, which is plenty of time.
Delete*grin* Bill. You sound like my dad. He told me almost twenty years ago that he intended to live into his nineties. It's early days yet. Tomorrow is his eighty-fourth birthday.
DeleteOh, come on, you guys! Think big! I've been telling people for the last twenty years that I plan to live to be 120, and I mean it.
DeleteOnly the good die young, eh Susan? ;-)
DeleteApparently I need to start misbehaving more!
XOXOXXX
Oh, the good always die too young, even if they're 100 and the evil ones always die too late, even if they're 30.
DeleteAbsolutely, Susan!
DeleteJust realized I made a mistake earlier. Dad will be turning eighty-three, not eighty-four.
DeleteAlan, I had something of an epiphany ( or at least an 'oh...duh!' moment late last night, which made me feel a great deal calmer and more sure. Reading your comment on the last thread reinforced both the conviction and the calm.
ReplyDeleteI'd actually stated the position a few days ago on a Facebook thread, without entirely grasping the purport of my own words:
The Democratic Party has been controlled by its Right Wing for so long that there is no longer any place in it for Lefties like me.
Put another way - and this is when it finally fell into place - I've stayed exactly where I've always been. The party has moved to the right and abandoned me. Seen in that light my righteous anger - our righteous anger - is completely justifiable and I have nothing to apologize for to anyone, HRC bullies included.And I have no reason to move. Sometimes, perhaps often, compromise is necessary, and I feel a whole lot better about what Bernie did and why he did it than a few days ago. Still, I don't need to compromise. I'll go on supporting our revolution, since that's who and where I am. I'm sorry Trump is probably going to win. I'm scared out of my mind, in fact. But he's not going to win because of me or because of Bernie and our revolution. If he wins it will be because of HRC. Cold comfort, but it's all there is.
I have to do what I believe to be right. It's a tremendous comfort to know I have dear friends with me,as well as acquaintances and strangers, all working for the same goal. I pray earnestly we can get through the next years, under either Trump or Clinton, with our country and our world still intact!
The rhetoric tonight is that the bias against Hillary is people who have gender bias. I haven't heard one person say they aren't voting for her because she's a woman. There are just so many other reasons! The next thing they say is that the Bernie Sanders supporters objections sound very much like the objections of Trump supporters. Grrrr. Nice try. We are not at all on the same page and I think most people actually know that. For heaven's sake!
ReplyDeleteMum has been saying that for weeks. How anyone can be so deluded as to think we bear any resemblance to Trump supporters beats me. But, there it is. She also claims we're violent. Even heard Sis repeating that lie the other night. They demonize us, turn us into the enemy...because we don't lie down and lick HRC's boots! And drink the koolade. They are cult members - which BTW is what they say about us. But of course it all makes sense. We threaten them. Naturally they regard us as the enemy. In some sense we are. The status quo always regards any threat to it with fear and suspicion.
DeleteDo you know what I think might be happening in America? I think we have become so polarised that the two main political parties are on the verge of splitting in two. And I think it could be a healthy shift. We could then have four main parties and shake things up! We could have the Conservatives, Republicans (the Jim Jeffords kind), the Democrats and the Progressives.
ReplyDeleteMy dear friend, Frank, who was in my spiritual guides peer group and was my spiritual guide for 14 years, had a heart attack on the 16th, and last evening he died. Apparently between his diabetes and his recent diagnosis of Alzheimer's he chose not to have treatment. For that reason I am relieved for him that he and his loved ones did not have to endure what they endured through his two sisters' long, slow decline with Alzheimer's. His passing is still a great loss in my heart. ♥ You all would have loved Frank. He was to turn 82 next month, and just a few years ago he was still being arrested for non-violent protest against nukes. A member of the clergy (UCC), a psychologist, and a bee keeper, Frank had a wonderful sense of humour. Having gone bald early in life, he wore a jaunty cap and wire rimmed glasses. With his white mustache, he looked a little like a sea captain. :-) I will miss his soft chuckle so much.
ReplyDeleteIt is always hard to lose someone important to you, but you always keep a little bit of them with you in your memories.
DeleteI'm sorry for the loss of your friend, Listener. It's a blessing he didn't linger though. And from your tribute, it sounds like his whole life was a blessing to many. Not everyone can say that.
DeleteWorthy comments. Thank you, as they offer real balm. ♥
DeleteYou're good people, y'know that?
Has everyone seen this? It was on the Beeb last night.
ReplyDeleteJupiter's Great Red Spot 'roars with heat - Click
Just now, on NPR, on the Convention floor, they interviewed the man in charge of about 2/3 of the Bernie Delegates. He said that the delegates in swing states say they will vote for Hillary, so that Trump cannot win. BUT! They plan to hold her feet to the fire on the issues every day. He said that should Clinton win she should know that there will be NO honeymoon period, as they will hold her feet to the fire on everything from Wall street to Waging War. That was good to hear,..that there is a plan among the delegates to watchdog her presidency, should it happen.
ReplyDeleteAnd, hey, that fits nicely with today's front page theme! Ha!
Sounds good.
DeleteYes, it does fit the theme. And is exactly what I expected.
DeleteNo good deed goes unpunished. I was brushing Nickie Kitty just now. She is exceptionally furry and it is very important to brush her in this hot weather. It seems like I take ounces of fur off her with every swipe of the grooming mitt. And you'd think that would help her feel more comfortable. But she always complains. I was brushing along, and everything seemed copacetic, when all at once she reared back and bit me! So now I am sporting a lovely set of teeth marks on the side of my forearm to go with the set on the top. They are not aligned; she has no esthetic sense. *wry grin*
ReplyDeleteThis news item caught my attention on the web site of our local ABC affiliate where I usually check the weather forecast before going to bed.
ReplyDelete===
VT man with loaded firearm arrested on French King Bridge
Posted: Jul 28, 2016 5:50 PM EST
Updated: Jul 28, 2016 6:16 PM EST
By Jessica Michalski
Connect
(Image Courtesy: MGN Online)
(Image Courtesy: MGN Online)
ERVING, MA (WGGB/WSHM) -
Erving Police say they arrested a Vermont man with a loaded large capacity gun late Wednesday night after encountering him on the French King Bridge.
Brian Mentz of Jacksonville, VT was taken into custody at 10:00 p.m. on charges of Possession of a Loaded Large Capacity Firearm and Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle.
Police also allege they found two additional loaded large capacity magazines in his possession as well as ".5 ounce of marijuana."
"Mentz was held overnight at the Franklin County House of Corrections in Greenfield on $10,000.00 bail," the Erving Police Department said on their Facebook page Thursday.
No further details were immediately available on the circumstances surrounding Mentz's arrest Wednesday night.
He was arraigned in Greenfield District Court and was released on his personal recognizance on Thursday
Copyright 2016 Western Mass News (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.
Fun Factoid: According to the WGGB weather forecast page, today was our eighth straight day of temps of 90 or higher, the longest heatwave since 1995.
ReplyDelete