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'First In The South' Democratic Forum

The 'First In The South' Democratic Forum took place tonight in Rock Hill, SC at Winthrop University. Hosted by Rachel Maddow and broadcast on MSNBC, it was a well designed and visually effective chance to get a personal, less "stumped" look at the Democratic candidates. In order of appearance: Martin O'Malley, Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton. How did it go?

First, let's completely disregard Chris Matthews and his cohorts both before and briefly afterwards. Moving on ...

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Bernie Sanders - Off The Bench

It is fairly easy to understand Bernie Sanders. After all, he's barely changed his positions for decades, he still personally prefers to avoid getting personal (especially about himself), and he's proudly a self-proclaimed Independent Democratic Socialist. Since there isn't a Democratic Socialist Party, technically he's a registered Independent running for president on the Democratic ticket with a Democratic Socialist agenda. But he's Bernie, and it's the Democratic party, so one plus one equals two and a half when it comes to a Revolution.

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Techno-ignorance

Could you get by without the internet? Google? Word processing? GPS?

Most of us, when asked, would quickly and easily say sure, no problem, we'd adjust. But when was the last time you used (or saw) a telephone book or a map? Actually looked up reference material in a book? When did you last write something of length in longhand?

If you immediately reach for your phone before your feet touch the ground in the morning, hesitate. There will never be a reason or a way to discard the importance of technology - but it may be just as important to be able to survive it.

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Democratic Debate - Afterthoughts

Webb and Chafee are gone; one too complaining and strident, the other just oddly weird.

O'Malley helped himself by being present and forceful, a friendly lefty who turned Baltimore mayoral issues into neighborhood crime control success.

Sanders held his own and then some - he stuck to his platform without being defensive, didn't buy into the moderator's desire for conflict and came across as genuine and compelling.

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Danger In Donald's Name

Donald Trump is becoming a dangerous leader of an ignorant, angry base of people who don't give a damn about politics. They aren't looking for ways to improve our economy, policies to help the middle class or the wealthy, taxes up or down, nor do they care about wars in general - their focus is clearly on nationalism with a very white bent. "Immigration" means keeping non-whites out, "unemployment" means a Mexican took your job. "Poor" equals black and dangerous, "religion" means Christian.

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Danger In Donald's Name

Donald Trump is becoming a dangerous leader of an ignorant, angry base of people who don't give a damn about politics. They aren't looking for ways to improve our economy, policies to help the middle class or the wealthy, taxes up or down, nor do they care about wars in general - their focus is clearly on nationalism with a very white bent. "Immigration" means keeping non-whites out, "unemployment" means a Mexican took your job. "Poor" equals black and dangerous, "religion" means Christian.

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Missing

I watched a documentary about Glenn Campbell on CNN. Yes, him. The country music star known for such hits as "Rhinestone Cowboy" and "Wichita Lineman", the teen actor alongside John Wayne in "True Grit" and an honest-to-goodness shucks ma'am down home good 'ol boy TV show host. He was also diagnosed with Alzheimer's a few years ago. The documentary focused on his last album and tour after learning of his illness ... though it's not quite right to say they learned of it. It was just official.

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Bite The Bullet

Guns don't kill people, people kill people.

That's true. Unless you get pistol-whipped or somebody throws it at your head really hard, the gun won't kill you. What tears through flesh, arteries, organs and bone leaving a person dead or dying is the bullet.

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To McDonald's With Love

My best friend and I worked at McDonald's when we were barely fifteen. We obviously lied about our age, but the manager didn't care. He was the oldest employee at twenty-two and liked bossing teenagers around - when we weren't all getting high in the break room after hours.

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Baltimore On Alert

Freddie Gray was put to rest today amid calls for peace, justice and answers. Hours later, young people - high school age - began assaulting police officers, burning police cars and looting at least two businesses. The Baltimore Sun reports:

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Never believe that a few caring people can't change the world. For, indeed, that's all who ever have.

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