The Bishop and the Butterfly: Murder, Politics, and the End of the Jazz Age

    My Feelings

    By LisB on Wed, 10/14/2015 - 8:40pm |

    Howdy.  It has been a while since I last blogged here, but I have been watching from afar.  I am glad to be back.

    As most of you did, I watched last night's debate, and as most of you did, I spent the better part of my late evening, and today, reading all the various pundits write about it.

    I think I am finally committed to one candidate but I must say that part of me had been wishing Joe Biden had stepped up several weeks ago.  Alas, I think we can all agree that's a non-story now.

    If I may share some thoughts with you, and some information with you, I would appreciate it, and I'd also like your feedback in turn.

    My first impression early on in the debate, was, "Wow, Secretary Clinton.  Just wow!".  She handled the debate like a pro.  Which, she is.  Only a few small gaffes, in my eyes, but some really spectacular moments for the most part.  My two favorites...her blistering comments about the Republicans and Planned Parenthood, and her response to Lincoln Chafee when he chided her about her Iraq war vote.  It took me a long time to overcome my concerns about Hillary Clinton which I was most vocal about in the primaries leading up to Obama's winning the presidency (and I'll never get over that vote of hers), but as I told my mother a year ago, I'd vote for her in a heartbeat in 2016.  Those of you who know me know I was not willing to say that several years ago.

    But, I digress.  About last night:  I had wanted to see more of Webb but I have to admit, I didn't like what I saw.  O'Malley did not impress me much, especially in the beginning of the debate.  I agree with some of your comments about him having gotten stronger throughout the evening, but he's certainly not going to the primaries.  Chafee, well...I'm glad he has lead an un-SCANDOULous life, as he reminded us three times.  Good for him.  As Josh Marshall put it, he seems like a really sweet and pleasant guy.  Enough said.

    So, onto the mensch (hat tip to Michael Wolraich).

    But first, a reminder...I'm a former Republican, remember?  And I've heard nothing from my family members except, "Oy vey...is this all we've GOT?".  And they are talking about the GOP.  And they have, like, 14 people running!  "Is this all we've got?", they ask.  That's really rather sad, GOP.  My mom was favoring the fired HP exec, my little sister favors Carson.  I don't talk politics with Mom and little sis in detail (as usual, again) but love them still.  I don't know upon whom the rest of my right-leaning family is pinning their hopes and am rather afraid to ask.  Too many mere acquaintances of mine favor Trump and I have no response to them other than to drop my jaw and stare.  So I am not going there with my family members except the ones I think are still leftist or independent.

    In trying to figure out the Trump phenomenon (a daunting task, I know) I finally realized that it's a populist thing.  Both parties are tired of the gridlock, the Wall Street influence, and the fact that we're all broke.  We're both trying to find someone who can shake things up while at the same time has no super-PAC influence.

    Trump v Sanders?

    Because that's one of the weak spots I noticed in Hillary last night.  When asked why she's an "outsider", she pointed out that she's a woman.  And we already knew that, we already did that, been there the last time she ran.  And with Carly running...really?  That's your sole answer?  And Bernie Sanders never once mentioned Clinton's name last night, while mentioning super-PACS -- nor even in his already famous quote, "Congress does not govern Wall Street...Wall Street governs Congress!".  He never once said her name but...please.  We know what he implied.

    And Bernie's taking off even more than Obama did, with the grassroots online ground game forming and the small donations pouring in.  And the excitement factor.  We all remember how well it worked for Obama, I would hope.

    I know you're going to throw the electability thing at me.  A Jewish Socialist, Lis...really?  But...

    I read this yesterday from Salon, and the deja vu came on so strong I had to step away from the computer for an hour.  And then this.  And then I watched his address at New Hampshire's No Labels where Trump had been noted to, for once, be rather low key, and I saw this post from last week at HuffPo wherein Bernie shares his recollections of his No vote on the Iraq War.  And yes, I had to step away for another hour, because I was starting to really feel a Bern.  And I wanted to keep researching before getting committed.

    Luckily, after that point I only had enough time to eat dinner before the debate started (yes, I'm in PA but I like late dinners) and so it wasn't until after soaking up the debate and watching several pundits on CNN and MSNBC that I was able to sleep.  But I didn't really sleep because I just kept thinking about the cheers after the debate while Bernie was addressing the union that had just endorsed him (all of them screaming Bernie! Bernie! Bernie!) and then hearing Chris Matthews say that Bernie was practically in danger of being mobbed by the crowd in the hotel (and sure enough, he was but he was more concerned about diminutive Andrea Mitchell than himself) and then wake up and go to work but I have to confess I spent most of the day online searching for more and more feedback from last night like this and this and this.

    And...well, here I am.  Bernin'.

    Can a mensch win the election?  Well, if Donald Trump and Ben Carson can be frontrunners for the Republicans...why the hell not?

    Comments

    Spend some time in you tube and watch his interviews from the past year.  Do the same with Hillary.  

    I think you will like this also.  It was done by the BBC and it is 4 hours long.  The last 1 hour ends with Clinton's election and the marketing and focus groups that was used to help win the 1996 election. This is the promo on the series. 

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_YLy6yZeaw

    It will give you a lot to think about.  I watched the whole thing because it was like a good book and couldn't wait to get to the elections. 


    by trkingmomoe on Wed, 10/14/2015 - 10:06pm

    Thanks, Momoe.  I will.  BTW you did a great job filling in for Dick Day while he was on sabbatical. 

     


    by LisB on Wed, 10/14/2015 - 10:12pm

    The BBC Century of the Self will give you a better understanding of your family. 

    The door went and fell off the Out house this past week with GOP unable to come up with a good speaker nomination. 


    by trkingmomoe on Wed, 10/14/2015 - 10:41pm

    Hey Lis, welcome back! Great piece (Oxy told me to say that).

    I love Bernie, I'm glad he's running, and I plan to vote for him--knowing that my vote won't make much difference in New York. If my vote actually mattered, I probably wouldn't. Could the mensch win? It's a crazy election year, and anything can happen, but I'm not willing to bet the presidency on anything-can-happen.


    by Michael Wolraich on Wed, 10/14/2015 - 10:29pm

    Thanks, Mikey!  I have the same feeling here in PA, where we actually are more Dem than people think.  But let me be clear, I will support Sanders for now, and embrace Clinton with open arms when and if necessary.  I've learned my lesson.


    by LisB on Wed, 10/14/2015 - 10:48pm

    Michael and I would be two New Yorkers planning to vote for Bernie, for pretty much the same reasons.  But I'm excited that Hillary will likely be our nominee.  I really think she's going to be a great president.  She might be, in my lifetime, the person who has studied hardest for the job.  Usually, when people talk about "experience for the presidency," I tune out.  It's a singular job. It's not like running a state or a company or an Army division. But HRC has about as much experience as one could hope to get in a lifetime and she's whip smart.

    Gotta love, Bernie, though.

     


    by Michael Maiello on Thu, 10/15/2015 - 8:31am

    Agreed :)

     


    by LisB on Fri, 10/16/2015 - 8:46pm

    I'm more hopeful now with the candidates we have than I ever have been in my life. I'm sure that means I'll be totally crushed when a republican wins. But we don't just have two smart, knowledgeable articulate candidates. They are closer to my views on the issues than in any prior presidential  election. They're not just talking about things like climate change they're prioritizing it and pushing for not just a carbon tax but also for a massive increase in solar and other renewables. That is my top issue.

    Much as I like Sanders I just can't vote for him.. He's saddled himself with the socialist label and that's a death knell in the general. He has to come up with a good story to explain what he means by socialist and why he choose that label. Socialist isn't a problem for me as a far left liberal but he needs an explanation that works for the moderate voters and the swing voters. He's not only not come up with a good story he's making it worse by declaring he's not a capitalist. He might be able to win the democratic primary with that line, by a hair, but I don't think he wins the general with it.


    by ocean-kat on Thu, 10/15/2015 - 12:03am

    Thanks, Kat, and I appreciate the feedback.  I myself had no problem with Bernie's self-proclaimed label but I know what a deficit it is, now, firsthand.  I talked with a Republican voter tonight, after work, and she is for Carson.  She could not believe that I might align myself with a socialist, who, in her eyes, is a Commie.  I patiently explained the difference, but she was so skeptical that she asked me, tonight, if I'm a believer in our own Constitution.  In her eyes, Dems want to overthrow it.

    But, she also tried to tell me of two little boys who died at the hands of the Clintons in Arkansas and she declared that Democrats are the path to evil, in her eyes.

    There are a lot of misconceptions about socialism and redistributing wealth.  Misinformation and phobias don't help.  I understand the struggle and the things we are up against.  We went through this before, trying to back an African-American presidential run. 

    But the climate in today's politics is making it almost necessary to go for an outlandish outsider.  Status quo is no longer being accepted, and it shouldn't be. 

    I fought like crazy for Obama to be elected, and I am proud and happy that he is in the White House.  But did he get all of his promises fulfilled?  No.  And it wasn't just because of obstructionists in Congress.  It's because he folded on some of the promises he made to us.  The system forced him to fold.

    The system has to change.  Especially now when the GOP is in such a state of chaos that they can't even find a Speaker able to take on the craziest aspect of their party -- which they allowed in order to gerrymander the system -- we need more change than Barack was able to provide.  I applaud Obama for the healthcare reform he started (and Hillary, before him, yes), but it's not enough to pander to the industries that bought our political parties anymore.

    I have not commented politically for a long time while watching Obama play out his presidency.  I have been very happy with him as a man and person and President, but I have not been happy with the system that keeps allowing progress to...progress.

    Hillary Clinton in the White House would not change anything right now, is my fear.

    That's why I'm willing to hope on Sanders.  He is asking for us to be engaged beyond a win.  He is asking for us to be more active for our lifetimes, and not just after he wins anything.  He is calling upon us all to do something now, and in the future.  And he's doing it very honestly, more honestly than Obama.  Right now, I find this heartening more than anything else I've seen since...Obama.

     


    by LisB on Thu, 10/15/2015 - 12:58am

    LisB, good to read your upbeat words. A guy here who can't stand Obama can't wait until the healthcare enrollment opens up again. He explains to me how the elimination of pre-existing conditions is not going to prevent him from signing up. As far as the Clintons go, they have a $50 million dollar mansion which was charged to the government. He loves Trump because the schmuck is not afraid to speak his mind.


    by Oxy Mora on Thu, 10/15/2015 - 1:20am

    I was asked tonight, by the same lady I mention above, whether I believe in God and the flag.  I told her I'm an agnostic who has a flag flying off the deck on the front of my house.  She didn't know what an agnostic is, but liked that I have a flag. 

    I asked her if she has healthcare benefits and she said, no, just three part-time jobs.  All of her jobs are under the table.  I asked her what she thought socialism is, and she said, "I don't know, it's just scary.  It upsets me."  I told her I have a part-time job and that, through the county we live in, I qualify for health, dental and vision care...things I did not have two years ago.  She said she was happy for me and that she will look into seeing what she might qualify for too, but that she doesn't trust the system enough to be honest with them in order to seek out what she might need.

    She said that if she ever gets a billion dollars, she would keep it to herself rather than have to dish out a large tax payment towards young people of color who just want to sit at home and play music and video games.

    I gave up on the conversation after informing her who Buffet is and what he has to say about fair taxes on the uber rich.

    I know what we are up against.  But what we are up against doesn't know anything.  And that is scary.

    If nothing else, let Bernie educate the masses during this debate.  If nothing else, let's let him get us further into this important conversation than we've been able to get into, so far.

     


    by LisB on Thu, 10/15/2015 - 1:55am

    LisB, excellent (no crap) last paragraph---"getting us further into the conversation".Let me give it a try.

    Republicans have managed to make the word "liberal" a dirty word. And it is Bernie who has brought us to the point where Democrats are calling themselves "Progressives" from the national stage. That's significant because our entire culture is undergoing a structural change. Our rural friends who have been a tool in such things as the Southern Strategy haven't gotten much for their R voting and in addition, the society itself is moving ahead culturally in what could be called a progressive (small "p") manner. In effect, the tools of the Southern Strategy are being cast aside---personally and tactically.(That's on the assumption that Trump will not only fail but has poisoned the Republican well by rank extremism).

     If the R party is ever to become competitive in the national election, they will have to forego the immigrant bashing and racial whistle blowing because many people who are in the swing, including millenials, are probably sick and tired of hearing the damn immigrant bashing.

    So, Bernie has brought us to a point where the capital "P" and the small "p" have coalesced. When you think about it, it's a ground swell change, that is, in the aftermath of the debate, what is Not being said is "those damned Progressives are at it again" where in the recent past the narrative would have been "liberals" "welfare queens", etc. For, even the worst of the Republican politicians are loathe to demean "progress". Through Bernie's effort, including pulling Hillary in his direction, we may have the opponents cornered. (note that the R's are tearing Berne apart in what I believe is a recognition of the fact that a coalescence around the concept of progressivism is their worst nightmare.)

    Thanks for returning, LisB. You're enthusiasm is contagious


    by Oxy Mora on Thu, 10/15/2015 - 10:44am

    Hi LisB,

    Great to read you here!  

    I love Bernie and I am working hard to get him elected.  AND the reality is that at least in Colorado people have been self organizing and going to caucus trainings, becoming precinct captains, attending local democrat meetings etc.  Most, myself included, have done more work and donated more than they have ever done in their lives before.  Life long Republicans, Greens, and Independents are registering as Dems just to vote for Bernie.  Non-voters are stepping up and working for Bernie.  AND Bernie doesn't even have staff here in our state yet.  The reality is we 'know' the we have to DO something.  This Election is The People Vs Rule by Corporations & Billionaires and Bernie is leading the fight on the side of The People.  

    I think we will have to turn out in extraordinary numbers but we can definitely win this!  


    by synchronicity on Thu, 10/15/2015 - 1:08am

    Hey, Synch, good to see you too!  Glad to hear you and CO are working hard at 2016. 

    I think the point I'm getting to, as conviluted  as I always am, is that we DID this already, for Obama, but it wasn't Obama that let us down.  It was, perhaps, us.

    We need to stay engaged after the win, and that is something Bernie is already stressing.  His "revolution" he speaks of can only happen if we all make it so. 

    I was very naive in thinking Obama's careful consideration of all points, and his plodding work, would do it without us.  And I felt thrown under the bus a few times when he allowed corporations and the insurance agencies to come first.  Perhaps I'm still naive in thinking that Bernie's influence, and supporters, might be different.  That's why I'm blogging with you all now, to get your feedback and knowledge.

    To me, it can't hurt to try to help him push the agenda we so badly need.

    But...that's MY feelings :)

    Glad to hear yours are the same.  xo.


     


    by LisB on Thu, 10/15/2015 - 1:09am

    From what I am seeing Bernie Sanders is waking up a LOT of people to realities they have been 'asleep' to.  Bernie talks about the way President Obama had us with him and then right at the beginning kind of said 'I'll take it from here' and affected our privacy, took the public option off the table, etc' so he pushed us away in my view just when he had the political capital to get us fighting with him.  

    At this point I frame the election beyond Bernie.  This Election is The People Vs Rule By Corporations & Billioniares.  Bernie lays it out that way.  It takes Hillary off the table in my view as a leader.  AND it sets the stage for a fight that goes forward Bernie, or not.  You can't put the ketchup back in the bottle.  You are right.  A political revolution is building and over 80% of Americans want to get Big $ OUT of our Politics!  

    Watching what the corporate media did after the debate in promoting Hillary as a big winner has more people than ever waking up to their manipulation and corruption.  It's like one by one people are 'taking the red pill' and waking up to a different reality and they can't go back.  

    This revolution will continue weather or not we get Bernie Sanders as our president but that is the fight we fight first.  And as you say we will fight with him when he is our president to change the dynamics of how things work in this country.  

    Occupy was a beginning for many people and one of the first organizations to endorse Bernie Sanders (don't ask me how they did that).  BlackLivesMatter is part of this revolution whether or not they support Bernie.  The dying labor unions are a part of this revolution.  Bernie is providing an amazing catalyst for the American people to choose a different future.  I am incredibly grateful to him. Instead of retiring, he is choosing to engage in the fight of his and our lives.  This will definitely NOT be stopped by an election win or lose.


    by synchronicity on Thu, 10/15/2015 - 3:06pm

    http://www.salon.com/2015/10/14/bernie_sanders_and_the_mainstreaming_of_...


    by LisB on Thu, 10/15/2015 - 1:27am

    We, obviously, just need to get rid of all the phobias and let college students do their thing :)

     


    by LisB on Thu, 10/15/2015 - 1:28am

    There isn't a candidate who will do one of the most vital things: dismantling what Glenn Greenwald called "this bloated military empire".


    by Aaron Carine on Thu, 10/15/2015 - 7:44am

    I responded to this.

    It got losted somehow.

    I am sorry.

    This is an important post.

    Thank you and so many folks have acknowledged this.

    Almost 2k hits.

    Well done!


    by Richard Day on Wed, 11/04/2015 - 3:17pm