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DNC Opens in Philadelphia

It's Day One of the DNC. Among the prominent speakers tonight are Michelle Obama,Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren.

Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Weston, chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, will not open the convention (she resigned this weekend.) The opening, at 4pm, will be done by Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, secretary of the Democratic National Committee.

The online streaming coverage seems messy, with intrusive comment feeds, live pundit commentary and multiple video frames. The You Tube channel for the DNC is here. [More....]

Bill Clinton is speaking Tuesday, but I'm skipping the rest of the night's program -- it's all mothers of deceased sons, including Trayvon Martin's mother. Wednesday: I'll watch Obama, but I have no interest in hearing from Joe Biden or victims of gun violence. Nor do I care to watch "ordinary people" tell their stories.

Having attended the DNC in Boston in 2004 and Denver in 2008, both of which I very much enjoyed, this year's convention seems far too divisive and overly focused on particular sub-groups rather than all Democrats. I hope they do more than say Trump will be a disaster. They need to expound on policy, and if all they do is harp on gun violence, there's little chance they'll sway any Republicans or Libertarians to vote for Democrats in November.

< El Proceso Scores Interview with Rafael Caro Quintero | Monday Night at the DNC >
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  • Display: Sort:
    surprised Michelle is speaking again (5.00 / 9) (#4)
    by CST on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 02:19:03 PM EST
    She might be the only person to have a speech at the RNC and DNC in the same year.

    A Daily News Bin tweet was funny (5.00 / 1) (#77)
    by ding7777 on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 07:20:23 PM EST
    I just hope Michelle Obama's speech at the Democratic Convention lives up to Michelle Obama's speech last week at the Republican Convention.

    Parent
    I don't remember enough about the other (5.00 / 2) (#6)
    by ruffian on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 02:58:04 PM EST
    conventions to know what subgroups were highlighted at that time- veterans probably? I think part of a convention is to let all of the base constituents of the party a chance to talk about what is most on their minds that year. Obviously no one has to watch anything they are not interested in.

    Also there are positive reforms (5.00 / 3) (#8)
    by ruffian on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 03:30:13 PM EST
    that can be made to police training that have been proven to  decrease violence. Most LEO agencies are not funded to train their officers in conflict de-escalation procedures that can work to defuse dangerous situations. Congress should fund such training immediately. This is an area where politics can actually save lives. I hope it is talked about at the convention.

    Parent
    ... and told his crowd of supporters that "they're not fringe players any more." Well, they will be again soon enough, if they keep acting as though they still are.

    his supporters are being (5.00 / 3) (#14)
    by athyrio on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 04:19:01 PM EST
    very selfish...they don't seem to realize that the big tent democratic party also includes others than the progressives....it is like saying that the republican party includes just the tea party....

    Parent
    Sanders sending out (5.00 / 2) (#13)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 04:16:50 PM EST
    Text messages that say

    REMAIN CALM

    hey Bernie, maybe you should have thought of that six months ago when you were encouraging and enabling every infantile impulse.

    What ever happens it's your fault.

    I like a man who can simplify (none / 0) (#21)
    by jondee on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 04:36:57 PM EST
    a complicated issue so it'll fit on a bumper sticker or even a postage stamp.

    The Republicans need men like you.

    Parent

    Sanders has begun to understand (none / 0) (#27)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 04:51:31 PM EST
    He has fked up.  Maybe beyond his ability to fix it.   With possible consequences for the country to disasterous to even imagine

    "I ask you as a personal courtesy to me to not engage in any kind of protest on the floor," he wrote in the text message to his delegate whips. "Its of utmost importance you explain this to your delegations."

    He signed the text, "Bernie

    When will you?

    Fwiw
    I think Bernie might take the stage tonight and tell the Bros to STFU.  that it's time to push pull or get the fk out of the way.

    They may finally meet the crabby old fart the rear of us have known for months.

    That would be awsum.

    Parent

    Who f*cked up (5.00 / 2) (#35)
    by jondee on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 05:12:33 PM EST
    while you were sleeping, was the people who threw the middle class to the wolves while smiling in their faces at election time, put the poor and marginalized way back in line behind their investment banker friends, built prisons instead of substantial jobs and education programs, kowtowed to the imperialist neocon warmongers, and trivialized the environment into another election year after thought..

    That's who f*cked up.

     

    Parent

    That profound (none / 0) (#37)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 05:22:22 PM EST
    I thought we were talking about an electtion.

    Parent
    Well we've allowed to perfect environmental (none / 0) (#42)
    by jondee on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 05:32:20 PM EST
    conditions to arise for a Bernie to spring up. It had to happen.

    Nature ain't always at our beck and call.

    Parent

    You know what? (none / 0) (#46)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 05:42:00 PM EST
    I agree.  I think it's true on both sides.

    Here's the thing.  People have tried to tell Bernie what he was doing, which began constructive, had become destructive.  It's been destructive for a while.  And it was not a secret.   It was written about widely by Bernie supporters.  No one should be, and few are, surprised by what is happening.

    He could have eased these people into this like every serious candidate has in modern history.

    But NOOOOO

    He's going to the fuking convention.  HES going to make sure every one has a "voice".  He was going to make sure his wife got a great salary.

    Bernie is going to reap what he sowed.   And he deserves it.  Sadly so are we all.

    Parent

    Donald's buddy Putin hacking (none / 0) (#60)
    by jondee on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 06:21:40 PM EST
    into computers sounds like good news in the long run for the Democrats..

    This is Nixonian dirty tricks stuff.

    The party that'll literally do anything to win is at it again. One more time for old time's sake..

    And I think Bernie will chill his overwrought people better than you think he can.


    Parent

    I think he will try (none / 0) (#64)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 06:29:56 PM EST
    I do.  He doesn't want what is happening.  Clearly.

    About the Nixonian thing if you didn't, read the article I linked to (mistakenly, I meant to put it in the open) in this thread.  Says some interesting things on this subject.  

    I am very interested in what Bernie says.   I just want Nina Turner to stfu.

    Parent

    I don't think Bernie has any control over (none / 0) (#66)
    by vml68 on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 06:36:44 PM EST
    his delegates. They kept shouting "No TPP" while Congressman Elijah Cummings was speaking. Very progressive of them to heckle a Civil Rights hero.

    Parent
    How is this (none / 0) (#69)
    by TrevorBolder on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 06:45:27 PM EST
    Nixonian dirty tricks.

    The dirty tricks were what the DNC did to Sanders.

    Now, if you are intimating that the Russians coordinated with the Trump campaign, then yes, this would damage the rump campaign.

    But I rather highly doubt that occurred.

    Just the Russians making mischief, and Democrats should be thankful that the DNC has been called out for their dirty tricks, perhaps they won't try that again.

    Parent

    That's ridiculous (none / 0) (#70)
    by Yman on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 06:51:51 PM EST
    Nixonian dirty tricks.

    The dirty tricks were what the DNC did to Sanders.

    No, they didn't.

    Parent

    Actually (none / 0) (#75)
    by TrevorBolder on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 07:18:46 PM EST
    A more likely reason...Just payback!!!
    Putin doesn't get mad, he gets even!!!

    When mass protests against Russian President Vladimir Putin erupted in Moscow in December 2011, Putin made clear who he thought was really behind them: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
    With the protesters accusing Putin of having rigged recent elections, the Russian leader pointed an angry finger at Clinton, who had issued a statement sharply critical of the voting results. "She said they were dishonest and unfair," Putin fumed in public remarks, saying that Clinton gave "a signal" to demonstrators working "with the support of the U.S. State Department" to undermine his power. "We need to safeguard ourselves from this interference in our internal affairs," Putin declared.

    http://tinyurl.com/zkqrwxo

    Parent

    You know who did more (none / 0) (#40)
    by MKS on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 05:28:36 PM EST
    to stop the Reagan Revolution and roll back the Reagan style economics?  Bill Clinton.

    In a very conservative environment, he passed the biggest tax increase on the wealthy, ever, I think.   That did more to roll back the Reagan tax cuts for the wealthy than anything since.  

    Does Bill get any credit for that?  Nope.  Nada. Zilch.  Nothing.  He is a corporatist toady.

    Too many supporters of Marat and not enough of Danton.  

     

    Parent

    Roll back? (none / 0) (#93)
    by kdog on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 07:48:02 PM EST
    He took the deregulation ball and ran with it baby!

    But yes, he did charge a higher vig for the services rendered...I'll give him that.  

    Parent

    In a sea of GOP dominance, (none / 0) (#97)
    by MKS on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 07:59:07 PM EST
    Bill did great work.  Consider the degree of difficulty.

    Parent
    Lucy and her football . . . (none / 0) (#76)
    by JanaM on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 07:18:55 PM EST
    I hope you're right but I have serious doubts he will.

    Parent
    Hope (5.00 / 1) (#23)
    by ragebot on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 04:39:38 PM EST
    DWS is not reelected.  But probably not for the reasons you might expect.  Here is one of the more polite links to how the sugar barons bought and paid for her.  There are multiple other sources that are far less flattering to her votes to support big sugar.

    Most folks in Florida are now aware, or getting aware, of how almost every pol not just in Florida but nation wide has gone along with price supports and quotas on US grown sugar that raises prices consumers pay for sugar.  In return those pols have benefited from huge donations from the sugar barons who are destroying the Everglades.

    Maybe Hillary could back track on her support of the sugar barons the way she back tracked on support for NAFTA and TPP.

    Why did she support payday lenders? (none / 0) (#32)
    by midcenturymod on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 05:04:39 PM EST
    They have money Silly... (none / 0) (#81)
    by kdog on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 07:23:33 PM EST
    their marks aka borrowers, do not.  Why else would DWS support payday lenders?  They're certainly not inherently likeable!

    Now I gotta listen to the party who deported over 2.5 million souls since 2008 tell me how wonderful they are for immigrants because...Trump.
    No Mames Guey.

    Parent

    Russian hacking plot (5.00 / 1) (#36)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 05:20:47 PM EST
    Two of my earlier posts (none / 0) (#44)
    by ragebot on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 05:38:51 PM EST
    may be of interest.  One was about the VICE channel show Cyberwarefare episode titled "who is anonymous" which mentioned foreign governments had infiltrated anonymous.  When asked which foreign governments the anonymous members answered all of them.

    The second post was a blurb from the comment on the NYT's story about Russian involvement in the hack.  Here is the blurb

    APTs 28 and 29? As in there's 27 more advanced persistent threats that still probably have access to the DNC network? They've got more problems than just the Russians if that's the case.

    What's the over/under that the Russians were not the only ones who hacked the DNC, and were they really hacked by 30 different hackers including two from Russia.

    Bottom line is there are a lot of hackers out there, not just the Russians.  And my take is the most effective hacking efforts originate in China.

    Parent

    this is not an open thread (none / 0) (#62)
    by Jeralyn on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 06:24:40 PM EST
    It's about the convention. Please stay on topic

    Parent
    Sorry (none / 0) (#65)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 06:32:00 PM EST
    I meant to put that link in the open.

    Parent
    Pffft (5.00 / 3) (#55)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 05:57:52 PM EST
    Chris Hayes quoting a Sanders supporter

    "It's like he's been feeding us Mountain Dew for the whole election and now he wants us to go to bed"

    Yep

    Exactly

    The viewing choices are dismal (5.00 / 1) (#67)
    by Jeralyn on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 06:41:14 PM EST
    CNN has the convention in the lower left of the screen with no sound while commercial after commercial fill the rest of the screen.

    On MSNBC they had the Gov of CT muted in the corner and some pundit rattling off about something in the main part of the screen. Then the extremely nerdy looking spectacled host said "Let's listen in to the Gov of Ct for 20 seconds or so"--

    C-span is better but Comcast doesn't carry it in HD here.

    DNC has a live feed (none / 0) (#87)
    by ding7777 on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 07:37:21 PM EST
    I tried this (none / 0) (#91)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 07:46:57 PM EST
    And it keeps freezing and crashing.  On both my iPad and desktop.

    Is it working for you?

    Parent

    yes (none / 0) (#96)
    by ding7777 on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 07:52:07 PM EST
    but I switched to Balloon Juice front page which has the you tube version

    Parent
    PBS has (none / 0) (#109)
    by BackFromOhio on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 08:29:46 PM EST
    the whole thing with occasional comments by Gwen Ifel (sp?)

    According to PBS, when Sarah Silverman put down Bernie do or die supporters, they erupted with chants of his name.  On TV, they could not be heard!  One way to limit the damage....

    Parent

    I am going to Armando's Twitter (5.00 / 1) (#94)
    by MKS on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 07:50:54 PM EST
    feed....Good info there.

    He got a ticket into the place.

    Sen Al Franken bringing it (5.00 / 2) (#98)
    by ruffian on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 07:59:24 PM EST
    He's great. Just the right touch.

    Some Excerpts (none / 0) (#101)
    by Molly Bloom on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 08:05:28 PM EST
    "I got my degree in right wing megalomania from Trump U
    had to empty my 401k and take out a reverse mortgage..."

    "The future is about passion and working hard this week is passion, Come Friday you work hard.... many of you have families and jobs... ignore them ... now knock on those doors and tell them Al Franken sent you"



    Parent
    Watching this crowd compared to the GOP (5.00 / 1) (#99)
    by ruffian on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 08:02:29 PM EST
    ghouls last week - restoring faith in human nature.

    I hope they televise Paul Simons performance.... (5.00 / 1) (#103)
    by kdog on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 08:13:08 PM EST
    That's one clear difference between the pageants....America's and the World's great musicians tell Republicans to stop playing their stuff, they bring their guitars to the Democratic pageant.

    He never plays... (5.00 / 1) (#110)
    by kdog on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 08:30:13 PM EST
    Bridge without Art...Paul must love him some Hillary.

    Parent
    No encore? (none / 0) (#115)
    by kdog on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 08:35:26 PM EST
    You really do suck Debbie! ;)

    Parent
    Paul was a Bernie supporter, as was Sarah (none / 0) (#119)
    by caseyOR on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 08:43:12 PM EST
    Silverman. Now they are both supporting Hillary.

    Parent
    God bless (5.00 / 2) (#104)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 08:22:05 PM EST
    Sara Silverman

    I don't think she will be (none / 0) (#105)
    by kdog on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 08:23:43 PM EST
    getting an ambassadorship...lol.

    Parent
    She tried valiantly with the tough love (none / 0) (#107)
    by ruffian on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 08:25:47 PM EST
    Sarah Silverman tells Bernie or Busters (5.00 / 1) (#106)
    by ruffian on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 08:23:49 PM EST
    They are being ridiculous, after her speech, as a Bernie supporter urging unity is booed by some.

    She and Franken ad libbing during wait for Paul Simon. Great stuff. We are like a bridge over troubled water.

    That was awsum (5.00 / 1) (#108)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 08:26:04 PM EST
    I hope Bernie says the same thing.

    Parent
    With Al standing there grinning. Priceless. (none / 0) (#112)
    by ruffian on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 08:32:40 PM EST
    Sarah killed it with that line (none / 0) (#143)
    by jondee on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 09:41:55 PM EST
    about the perennially three year old Donald yelling at people from his gold-encrusted sandbox.

    Parent
    I like Paul Simon but maybe its time to retire. (5.00 / 2) (#111)
    by desertswine on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 08:31:30 PM EST


    Yeah (5.00 / 1) (#114)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 08:34:17 PM EST
    That was embarrassing.  But you know what, the new album is good.  
    I think that was a bad choice of a song.  Difficult.  The voice was originally mostly Art.  

    Parent
    That's Art's song for sure.. (none / 0) (#118)
    by kdog on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 08:42:24 PM EST
    I'd bet it was requested.

    He shoulda went with Wristband off the new record. Clever tune, and poignant for our new Gilded Age.

    Or 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover...for the Bernie or Busters;)


    Parent

    I am watching PBS. Gwen Ifill (none / 0) (#120)
    by caseyOR on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 08:44:37 PM EST
    said she talked to Paul yesterday, I think, and he told her ho chose the song in the hopes of helping to bring everybody together.

    Parent
    Interesting... (none / 0) (#122)
    by kdog on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 08:51:21 PM EST
    I like to think we're together no matter how we vote...together where it matters.

    Parent
    Yeh I've got the new album, and I like it... (none / 0) (#141)
    by desertswine on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 09:38:31 PM EST
    but a studio recording is different from a live performance.  Wristband wudda been good.

    Parent
    More info on the 'regular people' speaking at (5.00 / 1) (#149)
    by ruffian on Tue Jul 26, 2016 at 12:29:39 PM EST
    the convention. These are people that have had personal relationships with Clinton as she has tried to help them through their difficulties, whatever they may be. They are there to provide insight into her commitment and caring about people.

    Just some context as you see the speeches.

    DWS should leave town (none / 0) (#1)
    by Michael Masinter on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 01:38:35 PM EST
    What a disaster DWS has been. Too bad she's not leaving town after being booed off the stage at Florida's meeting this morning.  

    If that's your metric .... (5.00 / 2) (#3)
    by Yman on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 02:11:06 PM EST
    ... for who should leave town, you'll need a bigger bus.   So far,  disgruntled Sanders delegates have booed Nancy Pelosi and Bernie himself,  and it sounds like they're just getting started.  

    They're going to turn this convention into a bigger circus than the GOP convention.

    Parent

    ... that there is no us in them, then they're off to a really great start. The Achilles' Heel of the far left and the far right in this country is their chronic inability to play well with others in the political sandbox. Both factions claim to speak for the "Real America," yet both prove to care about only themselves and their own opinions.

    Parent
    Perhaps they don't "play nice"... (5.00 / 1) (#10)
    by kdog on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 03:42:44 PM EST
    because it's a rigged game?  Hard to play well with others when those others expect you to eat sh*t and like it.

    "If voting changed anything, they'd make it illegal"

    - Emma Goldman, Did Not "Play Nice"

    Parent

    Yeah,sure, it's a rigged game, kdog. (5.00 / 1) (#16)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 04:24:26 PM EST
    Never mind that 4 million more Democrats voted for HRC than for Bernie.

    Politics is a full-contact sport, and one which tends to not favor those who are content to sit in the bleachers and bi+ch about how the game's been juiced.

    If you don't like the way the game's going, then get off your a$$, step onto the playing field and do something about it.

    Parent

    It's very clear... (none / 0) (#41)
    by kdog on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 05:32:12 PM EST
    Democrats don't wanna play with me, why would I wanna play with them? So people like Debbie can talk shjt behind my back while pretending to be impartial and the big money donors get the spoils? Ill play a game, but I won't play the fool.

    If I play at all it would be Emma's game...no tsar, no president, no king.  

    Parent

    Oh, please (5.00 / 1) (#48)
    by Yman on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 05:42:58 PM EST
    The Bernie campaign was attacking the DNC for weeks/months before these emails were written.  Given all the crap they threw at the DNC, the responses were pretty mild.  Moreover, the DNC staff is human.  Some of them likely DID favor the candidate who was actually part of their party for several decades, as opposed to the newcomer who badmouthed the party for many years until he needed its infrastructure.

    Parent
    But of course... (5.00 / 1) (#51)
    by kdog on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 05:53:03 PM EST
    Nobody needed a wiki email dump to know the establishment and money in the party wanted Bernie to fail...a preference is fine, partiality is not.

    But its not me you need to worry about, only Bernie or Liz would make me even consider a D. It's the angry delegates and party members you need to worry about. Will they go Trump? No. But they might not go Clinton.    

    Parent

    I'm not worried about either one (none / 0) (#57)
    by Yman on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 06:06:21 PM EST
    BTW - Did you just call them "party members"?

    Heh.

    Parent

    If there is hope... (none / 0) (#59)
    by kdog on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 06:10:43 PM EST
    It lies with the proles;)

    Parent
    Given that you're not even ... (none / 0) (#68)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 06:43:40 PM EST
    ... a registered Democrat, kdog, please don't be telling us how our party ought to be run. The respective party hierarchies have had their thumbs on the scales since the day the Constitution was ratified and the Founding Fathers split into two opposing political camps under Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton. And they're generally not fond of insurgent campaigns for obvious reasons. It's regrettable, but it's also to be expected if you're an insurgent who's worth his salt. And when you expect it, you plan for it in any event.

    Parent
    You got that right.... (none / 0) (#73)
    by kdog on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 07:04:59 PM EST
    there's been a thumb on the scale since King Solomon, never mind George Washington.

    Im glad you think it's regrettable. I say regrettable and unacceptable. That's not telling you how to run it, just telling you why some won't roll with it. Hence the DNC chair gets heckled from her own convention. That ain't me Babe, thems Dems booing their lungs out Man...not independents by default, but Democrats.

    Parent

    And it seems the people . . . (none / 0) (#83)
    by JanaM on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 07:30:03 PM EST
    it wasn't only the "establishment and money" that wanted Bernie to fail. Did you forget all the voters who chose another candidate?

    Parent
    That sentiment (none / 0) (#52)
    by TrevorBolder on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 05:55:07 PM EST
    Is widely felt in both parties right now

    Parent
    Why do we have to play with you? (none / 0) (#126)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 08:58:07 PM EST
    We've been around this matter time and again, so I'm not going to belabor it any further. Suffice to say that while you may talk game, you certainly don't got game. In fact, you couldn't even be bothered to vote in the primary for the Democratic candidate whose campaign you were regularly touting in these threads.

    So, please don't flatter yourself by comparing yourself to Emma Goldman. She was committed heart and soul to her cause, and was willing to risk her freedom and even her life for it. You've made it quite clear that you're neither.

    Whether or not you support Hillary Clinton this fall is entirely up to you. But quite frankly, since you've taught me to not depend on it, I'm not. My time is better spent elsewhere with people who are actually open to the possibilities, and thus willing to put their time and effort where their mouths are.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    Three paragraphs of not.... (5.00 / 2) (#130)
    by kdog on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 09:03:21 PM EST
    belaboring further;)

    I would never compare myself to Emma...she was part of the solution, I am part of the problem. She was selfless, I am selfish.

    Parent

    The fact of course being (none / 0) (#24)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 04:40:28 PM EST
    Voting has been made illegal for many and there in renewed push to make it as difficult as possble.  There is a reason for that.  That quote is a stunningly ignorant and destructive thing to say.

    What you would expect I guess from a anarchist and author of a book called "My Dissillusionment In Russia" in 1923.

    Parent

    She went to Russia to see with (none / 0) (#45)
    by jondee on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 05:41:22 PM EST
    her own eyes what was going on there and came back and accurately reported what she saw, to the outrage of many on the left who had hung their hopes on the revolution.

    What should she have done, gone on vacation with the Oscar de la Renta of the twenties?

    Parent

    I had no idea who that even was (4.00 / 2) (#49)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 05:44:33 PM EST
    I googled.  She sounds like a nut to me.  Anarchy is a bullsh!t fantasy.   Usually of bored rich people.

    Parent
    A nut? (5.00 / 2) (#58)
    by kdog on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 06:08:47 PM EST
    Perhaps, thinking she could change the world and all...but the best kind of nut.  Working class hero nut. One of the great women of the 20th century.

    Parent
    Did you see the movie "Reds"? (5.00 / 1) (#78)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 07:21:13 PM EST
    CaptHowdy: "I had no idea who she even was. I googled.  She sounds like a nut to me. Anarchy is a bullsh!t fantasy. Usually of bored rich people."

    Maureen Stapleton played Emma Goldman to Warren Beatty's John Reed and Diane Keaton's Louise Bryant, and won the 1981 Academy Award as Best Supporting Actress for her work.

    What Rosa Luxemburg was to Germany, Emma Goldman was to this country, as both were unflinching voices of the damned and downtrodden. Goldman was the daughter of Russian Jews, and emigrated to this country as a teenager with her half-sister Helena in the 1880s after her father's failed attempt to arrange a marriage for her at age 15.

    She was politically radicalized by the injustice of Chicago's notorious "Haymarket Affair," in which eight well-known anarchists were arrested, tried and convicted for the murder of seven policemen and four civilians at a labor rally bombing. It was a crime which none of them likely committed, yet four of them were hanged for it.

    Goldman first came to the attention of authorities during the Panic of 1893, when she advocated that the poor and unemployed take the fight to the rich and powerful. She was arrested and imprisoned for inciting a riot.

    Eight years later, she was initially arrested in 1901 and charged with having planned the assassination of President William McKinley, a crime for which she had no involvement whatsoever. The attempts by authorities to shut her up and frame her only further radicalized her.

    Emma Goldman was one of the Gilded Age's more colorful, passionate and fascinating characters. She was an uncompromising revolutionary who's worth getting to know better, if you have time.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    She wasn't rich (none / 0) (#56)
    by jondee on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 06:05:38 PM EST
    and she spent half her life in jail or in exile.

    She also hired a ghost writer to pen her runaway bestseller It Takes A Shtetl.

    Anarchy didn't mean the same thing back then that it means today. Conservatives back then managed to do with the word what they've done today to the word "liberal".

    Parent

    I am a long time admirer of Emma (none / 0) (#80)
    by caseyOR on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 07:23:21 PM EST
    Goldman. She most definitely was not a nut. In today's political world she would be a liberal/progressive, not a member of the Black Bloc.

    She came to this country to escape the Russian pogroms. She devoted her life to fighting for the rights of women and children, birth control, free speech and workers rights.

    In 1919 Goldman and approximately 250 other "radical aliens" were deported to the Soviet Union under the 1918 Alien Act,a rather dubious law championed by young J. Edgar Hoover.

    Anarchism was, in those days, a viable leftist political philosophy, not the nonsense spouted by the so-called "anarchists" who dress all in black and come to protests solely to instigate violence.

    My guess if is if you read Goldman's writings, Howdy, you would find that you agree with Emma quite a bit.

    I do think my friend kdog does Goldman a disservice when he cites her as a reason not to participate in the political process of today. 2016 is not 1916. While I do believe that she would be very much a member of the very left wing of the Democratic Party, I also believe, based on my extensive study of Goldman's writings, that she would do everything she could to see Trump defeated.

    Parent

    I don't know Casey... (none / 0) (#85)
    by kdog on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 07:36:44 PM EST
    I can't see Emma getting down with this Shi+.

    I think she'd be outside the Wells Fargo Center until she was chained and sent to Central Booking. Much has changed for the better, but much else has not changed at all.

    Speaking of which... who's bright idea was to hold the convention in an arena named after a criminal enterprise?

    Quicken Loans Arena and Well Fargo Center...that just says it all, doesn't it.

    Parent

    You make her sound like (none / 0) (#89)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 07:40:43 PM EST
    An interesting character.  I'll take your word for it.

    That said I stand by what I said about that quote about voting.  It's a stupid thing to say.   I really hate anarchists.  And you are correct I really am only acquainted with the modern version.  Which in my experience invariably turns out to be a spoiled rich kid that doesn't either understand the role the state needs to play with the disadvantaged or really give a shIt.

    That my experience with anarchists.   I rank them below Moonies.

    Parent

    Goldman also spoke out vehemently (none / 0) (#133)
    by jondee on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 09:08:28 PM EST
    in favor of women's reproductive rights, women's suffrage and "free love"

    She probably caught at least as much flack for that as she did for her radical political stance.

    Parent

    Emma Goldman was arrested and imprisoned ... (none / 0) (#144)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 09:42:44 PM EST
    ... in 1905 for publicly advocating birth control, which was then illegal.

    Parent
    Or is voting... (none / 0) (#47)
    by kdog on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 05:42:37 PM EST
    corrupt lesser evil over and over perhaps more destructive?  The slow death of a dream.  

    Disenfranchisement is just a Republican tool to maintain money and power, not to halt progress. Same as franchisement is a Democratic tool to maintain power and money, not to aid progress. If minorities and ex-cons tended to vote R you bet your arse the tables would be turned.  

    Parent

    Only about themselves.. (none / 0) (#12)
    by jondee on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 04:15:42 PM EST
    One thing's for sure: in the future the DWS's of the world should think about communicating with invisible ink and secret handshakes the way the Freemasons used to do.

    Parent
    And Hillary Clinton received 4 million more of them than did Bernie Sanders.

    You want a place at the political table, then you need to muscle up, be willing to throw a few sharp elbows and also take a few shots in return. If you're just going to whine about how unfair everything is, you're going to find yourself shoved aside without so much as a second glance or thought.

    Sad to say, but political change doesn't spontaneously burst forth from the goodness of people's hearts. They'll care enough to do something about it, only if you are substantial enough to command their attention and make them care.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    Who was it, Joe Hill? (none / 0) (#29)
    by jondee on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 04:53:28 PM EST
    who said "Don't mourn, organize"?

    The problem around these precincts seems to be that if people organize too well, they may run the risk of outraging the dignity of the personality cults that mysteriously congeal around certain career politicians who somehow have gotten confused with people's early childhood memories of mommy and daddy.

    Parent

    Spoken like someone who's ... (none / 0) (#142)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 09:39:09 PM EST
    ... never done any organizing whatsoever. You obviously know nothing about party organization, so please don't even go there. I'd lay better than even money that -- and be honest here -- you probably don't even know how many precincts there are in your own district.

    And therein lies the likely problem. If you feel this strongly about things, then please stop complaining, get out there and get involved on a local level. Take the time to educate yourself about the politics of your own community, and you'll likely find that there are others of similar mindsets who'd be more than willing to make common cause with you, if you but seized the initiative and made the effort.

    And who knows, by doing so, you might find -- as I did when I started 25 years ago -- that the Democratic precincts and districts in your region or state are so loosely organized as to be ripe for the plucking. I'll even show you how to assess the prospects and do it, if so asked. Because in order to get things accomplished politically, you have to start by working to maneuver yourself into a position where the powers-that-be ignore you at their own peril.

    In my old east Honolulu region, I worked like hell at organizing my four districts. I'm proud to say that by the time I moved to Hilo last year, that six-mile stretch of Oahu's southern coastline from Diamond Head to Makapuu Point is where one out of every eight card-carrying members of the Democratic Party in the entire State of Hawaii presently resides -- including our State Party Chair and two Democratic National Committeemembers.

    And our capacity to turn out the Democratic vote in that region is substantial. When Gov. Ige was elected in 2014, more than 40% of his margin of victory was derived in east Honolulu.

    That's called clout. How you attain it is by organizing, organizing, organizing. There is no easy short cut.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    Perhaps they don't play nice (none / 0) (#15)
    by sallywally on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 04:20:45 PM EST
    Because they lack insight, judgment, perception, self-awareness and humility.

    Parent
    Of course claiming those qualities (none / 0) (#18)
    by jondee on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 04:32:17 PM EST
    exclusively for your particular favored faction is a sure sign of humility.

    Parent
    Oh, many factions have those qualities. (none / 0) (#50)
    by sallywally on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 05:48:42 PM EST
    Just not those who will turn even on their hero if he asks them to think beyond their faction, something they really shouldn't need to be told.

    Parent
    Maybe he was never... (5.00 / 2) (#135)
    by kdog on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 09:13:29 PM EST
    a hero or an idol...and a sizeable segment of our country wasn't walking behind him, but walking with him?

    Parent
    More on DWS (none / 0) (#2)
    by Michael Masinter on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 02:06:32 PM EST
    How come DWS waited so long? Why did she hold on to a job she so poorly performed when her continued presence was hindering what should have been her primary goal once the primaries were over -- the election of Secretary Clinton. Did DWS think the convention was all about her? That she was the actual candidate? Falling on her sword would have  been easy and honorable; instead others finally had to run her through.  

    She has a new job (none / 0) (#11)
    by TrevorBolder on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 04:00:10 PM EST
    Will be working for the Clinton campaign,

    Rather than allowing Wasserman Schultz's career to go down with her resignation, Clinton has awarded Wasserman Schultz a new role as honorary chair to the Clinton campaign's 50-state program.

    "There's simply no one better at taking the fight to Republicans than Debbie--which is why I am glad that she has agreed to serve as honorary chair of my campaign's 50-state program to gain ground and elect democrats in every part of the country, and will continue to serve as a surrogate for my campaign nationally, in Florida, and other key states," Clinton announced.



    Parent
    New job? (5.00 / 1) (#61)
    by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 06:22:12 PM EST
    She has been working for Clinton all along.
    Same job, different title.

    Parent
    honorary chair...wonder how many (none / 0) (#19)
    by ruffian on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 04:34:58 PM EST
    of those there are?

    Parent
    I thought (none / 0) (#25)
    by ragebot on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 04:40:58 PM EST
    Clint Eastwood was the one with an honorary chair; but it was empty.

    Parent
    Nationwide search? I doubt it (none / 0) (#71)
    by Michael Masinter on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 06:53:24 PM EST
    Giving Debbie an honorary title is fine as long as she doesn't actually do anything. But what does that say to the rest of the country -- loyalty uber alles? Conventions aren't held to preach to the choir; they are staged to reach the rest of the voters, who will now see rancor.  

    What a sorry way to start the convention, all easily avoided had DWS left two months ago.

    Parent

    Nahhhhh (5.00 / 1) (#84)
    by Yman on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 07:36:01 PM EST
    They would've had their tantrum either way.

    I wasn't a big fan of DWS before, but now I'd like to see her appointed to a cabinet position.

    Parent

    I don't agree that if DWS had been (none / 0) (#74)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 07:10:32 PM EST
    Axed earlier it could "all have been avoided".   A lot of this stuff was just going to happen.  If it had not been DWS it would have been something else.

    In fact I think it might have acted as a bit of a release for some of the anger.

    Parent

    I think Obama had over 100 (none / 0) (#147)
    by jbindc on Tue Jul 26, 2016 at 07:55:47 AM EST
    More on DWS (none / 0) (#92)
    by ragebot on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 07:47:58 PM EST
    seems like some of the emails from wikileaks relate to some employees of the Democratic party, implied as being directed by DWS, were at least keeping track of DWS's opponent for her seat in congress.  Respected local Miami paper is reporting her opponent will file this as a violation with the FEC.

    Parent
    My fave tweeter is in Phil. (none / 0) (#9)
    by oculus on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 03:31:57 PM EST
    Maybe he has a press pass?

    Goog gawd (none / 0) (#17)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 04:27:36 PM EST
    Chuck Terd Tom Brokaw and two unidentifiable poondits are providing some of the most vapid and ignorant "commentary" I have ever ever heard.

    Holy hell.

    It's going to be a long week.

    If the punditry bothers you (5.00 / 1) (#26)
    by CoralGables on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 04:47:02 PM EST
    just watch it on C-SPAN.

    Parent
    It's like the reason people watch reality shows (none / 0) (#28)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 04:53:13 PM EST
    It makes me feel better about myself.   But I may take your advise.

    Parent
    lol! (none / 0) (#38)
    by midcenturymod on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 05:25:49 PM EST
    Let me guess... (none / 0) (#20)
    by ruffian on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 04:36:13 PM EST
    that historian Beschloss is one of them

    Parent
    Nah. (none / 0) (#30)
    by midcenturymod on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 05:01:26 PM EST
    It's some vapid WSJ Trumpette and a young guy I'm not familiar with-guess we'll get to know them better before long!

    Parent
    Omfg (5.00 / 1) (#33)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 05:05:20 PM EST
    Nina Turner is now explaining that we must "acknowledge the pain of the Sanders supporters"

    Gawd

    Fuking get over yourself

    Parent

    It was something (none / 0) (#31)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 05:02:26 PM EST
    Wasn't it?

    Parent
    Watching convention on (none / 0) (#113)
    by BackFromOhio on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 08:33:17 PM EST
    PbS - Have Mark Shields and David Brooks -& Gwen &Judy

    Eva Longoria now - does not look like her!

    Parent

    Nina Turner is on my last nerve. (none / 0) (#34)
    by midcenturymod on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 05:11:35 PM EST
    She has been a strong voice for Sanders but she needs to tone it down. She is not helping the unification at all.

    LOL . . . (none / 0) (#79)
    by JanaM on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 07:22:02 PM EST
    and I'm sure she doesn't want to.

    Parent
    Much is being made of (none / 0) (#39)
    by ragebot on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 05:27:52 PM EST
    this being a binary election, e.g. Clinton or Trump.  My take is it goes deeper than that.  For the Republicans it was binary in the establishment v outsiders; and the same for the Democrats.

    That is why both parties are having such discord.  For Cruz, the Bushes, and all the rest of the Republicans there was no way to reconcile with Trump.  His trade policy and tolerant social stance towards gays was at the opposite extreme.  While Hillary has moved towards Bernie in terms of TPP and some other issues she seemed to be on the opposite side earlier a significant number of Bernie's supports simply do not buy it.

    Everyone I have talked to F2F agrees this election is not like any other election in our lifetimes.  Both sides seem to have way too many folks who are unhappy with their candidate.  

    I agree with that (none / 0) (#43)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 05:34:32 PM EST
    I've been saying that for months.  It's why I was saying Trump would win the nomination back when people were making fun of me for saying it.

    I also said I believed he could win the general election.   I still think so.  IMO anyone who thinks this is in the bag for Hillary is dangerously delusional.  There is something in the air.   Or maybe the water.

    Parent

    Agreed. (5.00 / 1) (#72)
    by KeysDan on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 07:02:17 PM EST
    Not in the bag.  And, the Clinton campaign seems to have underestimated what Bernie wrought. They, apparently, felt that if they dealt with Bernie, the old pro politician, as they did, the rest would follow.  

    Still hope that will be the case after some Bernie venting.  But, this was the reason that I felt that the Clinton campaign needed to be more attentive, and not say we don't need you guys, we have Trump.

      The vice presidential selection was made on the basis of what Mrs. Clinton wanted, and it is probably the right call in so many ways.  But, it did seem to be an affront to some Bernie types.  I am optimistic that by Thursday, things will be worked out, in largest measure.

     But, this is the stuff on which the media feeds, and what is worked out in the Democratic Party will not necessarily be reported as such.  Rather, here comes false equivalence to a screen near you.

    Parent

    538 (none / 0) (#54)
    by TrevorBolder on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 05:55:13 PM EST
    Actually has Trump up, 58% chance of winning the electoral college.

    And CNN poll has Trump up also.
    He received a big convention bounce.

    Madame Sec will need a bounce from this convention

    Parent

    And NBC and CBS polls (5.00 / 1) (#148)
    by jbindc on Tue Jul 26, 2016 at 07:57:08 AM EST
    Say Trump got no bounce.

    Parent
    I thought the Reps were in disarray. (none / 0) (#63)
    by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 06:25:57 PM EST

    So far the Dems have the gold disarray medal locked up.

    It's gonna be fine (none / 0) (#82)
    by ruffian on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 07:26:32 PM EST
    Look's like more disarray because the hall is actually full.

    Parent
    Will Rodgers (5.00 / 3) (#90)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 07:42:06 PM EST
    "I am not a member of any organized political party. I am a Democrat."

    Parent
    Appeal to White Voters Without College Degrees (none / 0) (#86)
    by RickyJim on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 07:37:17 PM EST
    According to Nate Cohn in the NY Times Trump is leading Clinton 58% to 30% in this group, which represented about half the voters in 2012. However it is true that Obama won that year despite Romney having a 55% to 37% lead among that group in pre-election polls.  However Cohn, I think correctly, says that Clinton's weakness in this demographic is the main reason the race is close.

    It will be interesting to see if the Democrats address this problem during the convention.  Certainly their opening lineup doesn't.

    It is a shrinking proportion of the electorate (none / 0) (#117)
    by ruffian on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 08:41:53 PM EST
    Which of course is part of the frustration among that group. What part of common good can they not relate to?

    Parent
    i agree (none / 0) (#88)
    by linea on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 07:37:29 PM EST
    re: "this year's convention seems... focused on particular sub-groups rather than all Democrats"

    i can't imagine there would be anything of interest to me. no reason for me to watch.

    while it's not a topic i care too much about... it seems odd that treyvon martin is the poster child for... what? a federal law overturning the voters in florida on state laws related to self-defense and carrying a loaded weapon? is that even possible? what's being proposed here?

    If you are intersted in the answers to (5.00 / 2) (#95)
    by ruffian on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 07:51:45 PM EST
    those questions I guess you will be watching the speeches. Oh wait, you said you were not interested.

    Parent
    do you (none / 0) (#100)
    by linea on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 08:03:45 PM EST
    believe the parade of "mothers of deceased sons" ends with a new policy proposal? perhaps one that would have changed the outcome of the trayvon martin incident? i'll be happy to watch that segment and discuss it with you.

    Parent
    I don't know, that is why I will watch (none / 0) (#102)
    by ruffian on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 08:10:09 PM EST
    To see what they have to say. I think racial profiling is a national problem. You can go back to the many threads on the Martin case to see what we all had to say about its role in that case.

    Electing a president that acknowledges that and other racial issues is something I support.

    Parent

    i'll watch the (none / 0) (#116)
    by linea on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 08:41:24 PM EST
    sara silverman segment. when it's posted. i like her {smile}.

    Parent
    I like Booker, but a litany of Trump evils (none / 0) (#121)
    by ruffian on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 08:46:42 PM EST
    Gets boring.

    What's the yelling (none / 0) (#123)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 08:52:54 PM EST
    Is it "black lives matter"? I cant tell.  Is there a point of heckling Booker I don't know about?

    Parent
    I heard a "war hawk" chant... (none / 0) (#124)
    by kdog on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 08:54:44 PM EST
    presumably not directed at Booker.

    Parent
    Nice (none / 0) (#128)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 08:59:17 PM EST
    Maybe that's why Bernie looked like he would like to leave.

    Parent
    T came after some earlier chant from (none / 0) (#127)
    by ruffian on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 08:59:14 PM EST
    someone else that I could not mak out. Luckily for Booker it was right when he was at the part of his speech that referenced young black activists and it stopped.

    Parent
    Finishing strong though (none / 0) (#125)
    by ruffian on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 08:56:06 PM EST
    I'm a sucker for historical references

    Parent
    This is well timed (none / 0) (#129)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 09:01:01 PM EST
    As an open for Warren

    Lots of shuffli g of the schedule (none / 0) (#132)
    by ruffian on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 09:08:00 PM EST
    over the day. Armando and Kagro were talking this morning that it was unacceptable  tonight for Michelle to get delayed until after 11, if Bernie went long. I think they rearranged to have her go earlier.

    Parent
    Great video about Michelle (none / 0) (#131)
    by ruffian on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 09:05:17 PM EST


    She's hitting it out of the park (5.00 / 2) (#134)
    by BackFromOhio on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 09:10:15 PM EST
    It's an interesting (none / 0) (#136)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 09:14:38 PM EST
    Reinforcement to the commercial with the kids watching Trump on tv that's been running constantly.

    IMO very effective ad.  And probably an effective line of attack.

    Parent

    She gets it (none / 0) (#137)
    by ruffian on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 09:19:18 PM EST
    Anyone wanna knock Chicago now? (none / 0) (#138)
    by ruffian on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 09:21:22 PM EST
    Proud of her - best thing out of that town for a while.

    Parent
    She was great (none / 0) (#139)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 09:22:58 PM EST
    Is she sick of all this or maybe Senator Obama?

    Parent
    What made Michelle's speech so great (5.00 / 2) (#145)
    by BackFromOhio on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 09:49:45 PM EST
    was how heart felt it seemed, her references to whom she trusts to safeguard her children's future, and how she brought home, in language everyone can relate to, the importance of having a president who is not only knowledgeable, but who takes time to think through the issues before taking action. The speech was just pitch perfect in every respect.  

    Parent
    One more thing (5.00 / 2) (#146)
    by BackFromOhio on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 09:51:29 PM EST
    she made me proud to be an American and a Democrat.

    Parent
    I think she has better things to do (none / 0) (#140)
    by ruffian on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 09:26:36 PM EST