Tulsi on CNN Town Hall
Tulsi did very well tonight on the CNN Town Hall.
A variety of questions. She managed to avoid being dragged into the loaded questions--in some ways, I was looking for more detailed responses. In other ways, I was actually pretty impressed how she avoided the traps. But overall, very much a thumbs up.
Google Trends for the 45 minutes she was on showed interest in Tulsi nationwide beat most of the other main candidates, which isn't so surprising, but I found it interesting which state audiences were most interested in doing searches about her: Hawaii, Idaho, Arizona, Texas (where the Town Hall happened), Louisiana, Michigan, Indiana, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, and Florida look darkest to me.
Interested to hear what others think.
Comments
Yeah. I think she nailed it
She elevated the narrative above the questions, using higher ideals to avoid the label traps. Impressed with her scope of experience -- 15 years national guard, city council, military, committees. Spoke well of her spiritual nature, stop the drug war, sexual violence in the military, cold war, nuclear weapons, endless wars, money in politics, pre-empted the labels question. infrastructure investment, Medicare for all, import meds. She is self confident,well spoken, green jobs, etc.
Will make the rest of the clowns have up their games to match her smarts, honesty and courage. Raises the bar on the rest of the pack.
Great Presentation
What I liked about Tulsi's discussion was how she boiled down complex issues into easy to understand points that a less informed audience could understand. This was especially true when she added perspective to Rep Omar's allegedly 'ant-Semitic' comments by asking us to consider the deeper issue of Israeli politics which are surely relevant. Overall the key to her success was in avoiding the politics of labeling where we fail to consider relevant details of any discussion.
Avid Agnostic
Thanks for posting
this thread--I'll weigh in, later, since I have an early day, tomorrow.
In short, have mixed feelings. On basis of some of her foreign policy stances (and fact that she has some military experience), Mr M and I were considering voting for her--if she runs as an Indie, eventually.
But, she'll need to clarify several issues regarding domestic policy, for us to have full confidence in her.
Since you seem to follow her closely, have you seen her policy stances on Social Security and Medicare, by any chance? I was pushed, but didn't find those topics under "issues" (on her campaign website).
Also, I noticed that regarding MFA--her issue page was outdated. The references were all to Conyers' HR 676--now, defunct. Of course, I can't support a MFA Bill that isn't an expansion of the Traditional/Original Medicare program (enacted in 1965). (Both Bernie's and Jayapal's MFA Bills would dismantle our current Medicare system.)
Thanks for sharing info about her. If Gabbard can better clarify/refine her stances on several issues, she has a chance to become a strong contender. (IMO)
Blue Onyx
I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive.
~~Gilda Radner, Comedienne
Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.
~~Cicero
The obstacle is the path.
~~Zen Proverb
Everyone thinks they have the best dog, and none of them are wrong.
I assume
Am I correct in assuming you have not yet seen the Town Hall? Because she mentioned Medicare for All there.
She was asked kind of a loaded question about if we get MFA, all those insurance people will be put out of work, so are you really for it?
Impresively, she basically said--yes, the bloated bureaucracy would be eliminated and put out of work, but people wouldn't go bankrupt or lack care due to not being able to afford medical treatments, preventative care would be improved, and she mentioned requiring that MFA be able to negotiate cost of medical drugs and procedures in order to bring the cost of medical care down with the rest of the world. She said private insurance would probably still exist, but that MFA would cover the essentials, and lift us out of having the worst medical results for the highest cost.
She didn't shirk away from making a hard decision there with regard to "the insurance industry going out of work." The response was basically--yeah, so what, look at how much it improves everything else.
A true leader.
Edit to add: She did not have much time, and so I can't say for sure what exact type of MFA she would support. I assume Congress would need to come up with such a proposal (with the president's help, of course). Still, I think she answered it well.
I have not seen the town hall yet,
mostly because we do not have tv. But having seen Tulsi's previous appearances (via YouTube) on various television talk shows, the two things that impress me about Tulsi are her leadership skills and her intelligence. She is a real and thoughtful leader, something this country desperately needs.
Do I hear the sound of guillotines being constructed?
“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." ~ President John F. Kennedy
Hey, thanks for the reply, apenultimate! I listened
to the Town Hall on XM Radio, as I have the others--but, I tuned in about 10 minutes after it started (due to taking the Pup out
).
I am also impressed with her poise, and think she's presents well.
Regarding her comments on MFA, they were very general, and, I'm very much into specifics/details. As I've mentioned in another comment, her campaign website has a now defunct MFA Bill listed on her issues page. When the transcript is released, I'll comment on her comments, and link to the old Conyers Bill. I could be wrong, but, Common Dreams made it sound as though that Bill no longer exists, since its number has been reassigned. See below.
If I were her, I wouldn't be evasive when answering questions--even so-called trick ones. For almost two days, now, CNN talking heads have beat up Hickenlooper for avoiding the same question she dodged--about being a capitalist. After all, Jake Tapper and Chuck Todd [in the actual debates] will not allow any of the candidates to evade their questions. Better to answer all questions, and take the heat for it, now.
Apparently, when CNN asked Harris, and even Warren, the same question, they were not afraid/reluctant to admit that they are capitalists. And, when Cable News hosts get an 'answer' that they approve of, they ask all the other candidates what their views are--then proceed to beat them up, relentlessly, if they disagree with the status quo. Or, if they refuse to answer the question. Unfair as h*ll--but, that's the game! And they (corporatist media) set the rules. It's for this reason, that alternative media can play such an important role in campaigns.
Thanks for raising her profile. Considering that she's relatively new to having such an intense spotlight on her, think she's doing great. Again, we're impressed with her demeanor.
Have a good one!
Blue Onyx
I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive.
~~Gilda Radner, Comedienne
Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.
~~Cicero
The obstacle is the path.
~~Zen Proverb
Everyone thinks they have the best dog, and none of them are wrong.
I call that a courageous answer.
Access to nice, well paid bilingual office jobs with insurance companies and HMOs is a matter of importance in many immigrant communities.
Mary Bennett
Wouldn't many of the people
put out of work be hired by MFA to administer it?
There is no way that the current Medicare could handle all of that volume without some staff increases (or it would outsource like it currently does).
Also, did she say anything about how Medicare has outsourced its work or stopping it from outsourcing?
dfarrah
you simply would have to listen to the town hall
event, apenultimate had provided the link for. She answered all those questions about "her policy stances on Social Security and Medicare". And she is capable to not make one issue the only one to pay attention to. She is prepared to tackle more than one issue, thank God.
https://www.euronews.com/
Could you possibly summarize her Social Security
stances or policies?
I'm going to read the CNN transcript when it's posted, and comment on her MFA discussion. Of course, it took almost a week, IIRC, for CNN to post Bernie's Town Hall transcript. So, anything you can share in the meantime, would be helpful.
Thanks!
Blue Onyx
I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive.
~~Gilda Radner, Comedienne
Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.
~~Cicero
Everyone thinks they have the best dog, and none of them are wrong.
It all depends on what the definition of is is.
She said she supported reparations which means a committee to look at it. Better than most but certainly not the vision many have in mind. She did a masterful job on dodging tough questions. Like the writer, I get it and both admire and hmmm at it.
I don't trust any of them. Smart doesn't mean ethical or just. Anti-war doesn't mean pro Medicare and Social Security. If I don't trust Bernie, I sure as hell don't trust Tulsi or Warren. If we could cut off the best pieces of the three to form one candidate, we'd really have something.
I've looked for her comments on Venezuela. Besides being opposed to intervention, is she repeating establishment talking points about him being a dictator? I've looked. Can't find anything.
I remember another obscure Senator with a great song and dance. He was from Chicago. Not trusting any of them to mean what they say, and even more than that, to do what they say. Taking nothing any candidate says at face value.
If they screw around with Medicare in order to bastardize it enough to pass some corporate coup, every person on Medicare or who has someone they love on Medicare will vote next time for someone who makes Trump look good.
"Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich."--Napoleon
Who's the "best" imperfect Dem ?
Will you eventually be willing to settle and vote for the "best" imperfect Dem in your primary?
Are you also taking into consideration who is the most capable of beating Trump?
I don't know the answer to that now.
I suppose if it is Bernie, Tulsi or Warren, I will vote for them at least one time. If any of the others, likely not. I voted Green in MI in 2016 and don't regret it one bit. Obama was the worst two votes of my life.
My only point is caution. Lots of people swallowed Obama hook, line, and sinker to their chagrin. Rather than repeating that, I hope people keep their eyes open and take everything with a grain of salt no matter if it is Bernie or Tulsi or who knows who else. Don't you agree?
"Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich."--Napoleon
Agreed.
I voted Green in 2016, too, but in a state that was a lock for the Dems.
I honestly don't know how I would have voted in a contested state.
Are you a registered Democrat or independent or third party member, if you don't mind answering or me asking?
I've always believed that the primaries give us the best chance of putting forward the "best" candidate running. Otherwise, we will get stuck with Biden vs Trump.
I was a BernieOrBust in 2016
Now I am an Independent. My first Green vote or President was in 2016. I left the Democratic Party in frustration during Carter. Since then, I bounce in, bounce out. I always vote. Until 2016, I always voted for a Dem because lesser of evils and all that jazz. I even voted for Reagan his first terms. My first and only Republican. Took me more time to regret that vote than my first vote for Obama. Obama changed his tune so fast after getting elected, I was sure he got whip lash. Of all the Presidents worthy of my disdain including Trump, I hate Obama most, Trump second, Clinton third. If I HAD to pick two Presidents that I admired, I would pick FDR ad JFK, not that I know all that much about either of them. FDR was before my time and beloved by the masses, and JFK was before I got political. I am a child of the 60s, but I didn't protest or join a commune.
"Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich."--Napoleon
Hope you bounce back in this go-round . . .
. . . in time to register Dem again to vote in your primary. Or maybe you're in a state with open voting.
Suffice it to say, I'm not a big Rosa Luxemburg fan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeYFyJbMlfs
... nor big on the Dude's marmot-fancying antagonists in The Big Lebowski.
Hang in there. . . don't ever give in to despair:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJUhlRoBL8M
Michigan is open voting.
If it isnt Bernie, Tulsi or Warren, I refuse to vote Dem. I'd rather have Trump than another corporate Democrat like Obama. Twice as dangerous because all the Democrats pretend he a noble and great buy when he's a smiling murderer just like Ilhan said.
"Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich."--Napoleon
Yea, you Michigan guys . . .
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjWTgAV4zDk]
Hi, DK! Won't get any arguments
outta me, especially, when you say,
There'll be a lot of Dems doing the "Rosty Rumble" if they do follow through on converting TM (Traditional Medicare) into a managed care system. (IMO)
Decided to incorporate the 90's video of Rostenkowski fleeing a town hall meeting into my signature line--as a not so subtle reminder to the PtB.
My new motto: Expand TM--don't dismantle it, and replace it with a managed care
schemesystem!Have a good one!
Blue Onyx
I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive.
~~Gilda Radner, Comedienne
Everyone thinks they have the best dog, and none of them are wrong.
I do not trust them...
"Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich."--Napoleon
I"m coming in late to this thread,
but I wanted to note that they're already doing this to traditional Medicare, via "Medicare Advantage" plans.
"Don't go back to sleep ... Don't go back to sleep ... Don't go back to sleep."
~Rumi
"If you want revolution, be it."
~Caitlin Johnstone
This comment really
bothers me: She did a masterful job on dodging tough questions.
I hate politicians who dodge questions or change the subject. If the question is a 'gotcha' question, then challenge it as such, challenge the underlying assumptions, and explain your position on the core subject. (but this is easy for me to say, huh?)
dfarrah
I'm sorry.
I just meant it differs based on one's point of view. One man's chocolate is another man's poison.
"Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich."--Napoleon
Oh, so sorry, I should have
been clear.
The comment is not the problem, the politician's behavior that you described is. I was telling the politician to quit dodging.
Sorry I was not clear.
dfarrah
Oh.... after a reread, I see it..
"Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich."--Napoleon
Are these helpful?
http://www.ontheissues.org/House/Tulsi_Gabbard_Social_Security.htm
https://www.votetulsi.com/node/25033
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
Thanks, Lookout! Pls check your PMs. ;-D EOM
Blue Onyx
I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive.
~~Gilda Radner, Comedienne
Everyone thinks they have the best dog, and none of them are wrong.
I am so sorry, but I know you are the expert on MFA
to the last detail, and you know that I am not. Therefore, I apologize for my tone in my comment to you, but I know very well that I can't argue with you about MFA.
Listening to what I heard she said about MFA and private health insurers at the townhall event, I found it easy to understand. I couldn't find any transcript.
Sorry that I can't be of more help other than suggesting you watch and listen to the video of the CNN townhall event, if you can find the time.
As I am biased towards Tulsi Gabbard, I need to hold myself back to not show too many emotions.
There have already been critical voices here that are as nihilistic as some have accused Big AL to be on other issues. So, I better say nothing.
https://www.euronews.com/
No problem, Mimi. No offense
taken. You have a right to say anything you feel like saying (IMO).
I did miss the first few minutes--so, didn't know but what Gabbard got a Social Security question during that timeframe.
No expert here--unless "reading the MFA Bills" qualify one as such.
Hey, Mr M and I like her, too. For us, however, it's still important that we get as much info as possible about her, and her stances--good, bad, and indifferent. Actually, that applies to all the candidates.
Have a good one!
Blue Onyx
I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive.
~~Gilda Radner, Comedienne
Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.
~~Cicero
Everyone thinks they have the best dog, and none of them are wrong.
good points
devil in the details
you might find this page helpful
https://www.tulsigabbard.org/ where she lays out her positions on many issues.
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
Tulsi on Native Hawaiian issues - from the page you linked to
her view points with regards to Native Hawaiian issues go to my heart:
Yep, always the same ... when it comes to indigenous peoples. She knows what she is talking about. Thanks for pointing to her page.
https://www.euronews.com/
Can you expand on this?
I was not aware of this. I'm not sure I support a Medicare for all that is not an expansion of the present system, i.e. including drugs, no co-pays or deductible, extend age from 65 down to zero, but still funded by payroll taxes and using the current SSA. If Bernie wants to totally disrupt the system and institute an American version of the UK National Health, no, I'm not for it. It probably would be better for most, but not me. I want my choice of doctor. I want my doctor to be a free agent and not a government employee. National Health is better than the USA system without insurance, but not the USA system with bad insurance.
I've seen lots of changes. What doesn't change is people. Same old hairless apes.
Hi, Voice--I can, and will expound
over at EB (Evening Blues) Thursday evening. Through this Wednesday, we'll be dealing with a super hectic schedule of medical (Mr M's) and vet appointments.
Actually, I've participated in the equivalent of the British NHS--the US active duty military healthcare system, and received excellent medical care. Including being medevaced to the Lower 48 on a couple occasions--at no cost to us*--including the actual Medevac Flight, and all medical services, prescription drugs, etc. (Including neurosurgery.)
Hard to beat, eh?
*aside from being a taxpayer
Blue Onyx
I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive.
~~Gilda Radner, Comedienne
Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.
~~Cicero
Everyone thinks they have the best dog, and none of them are wrong.
I'll watch for it!
A friend of mine was cycling in France (late '90s) and hurt his knee badly. He doesn't speak french so he crossed the channel to England. BTW. my friend has a very Anglo name. He was treated in Britain, first rate as you say.
We had a very good company insurance policy, so he told the doctor, "I know that as an American citizen I am supposed to reimburse National Health for my costs. I have American insurance." The doctor replied, "That sounds like an awful lot of paperwork. Why do you want to do that? Enjoy your stay in England, sir!" I kind of wonder about any health number like Medicare number that was supposed to entered. I suppose the hospital let it slip through the cracks, especially as my friend had a name not obviously foreign. He was very pleased with the quality of care, also. Still, I don't like the idea of doctors all being civil servants. I was a civil servant, so it's not prejudice. Still, I like Germany's system better, where doctors are independent but there is a single payer with a controlled price.
I've seen lots of changes. What doesn't change is people. Same old hairless apes.
Our presidential election
cycle is now 20 months.
20 months out and CNN is running "town halls."
With absolutely no one paying attention.
{smh}
the little things you can do are more valuable than the giant things you can't! - @thanatokephaloides. On Twitter @wink1radio. (-2.1) All about building progressive media.
Super Tuesday is less than 12 months away
And this time around, it will include California and maybe even New York. It seems a clear front runner will be established on the evening of March 3rd, 2020.
Of course, there's a reason it was set up so early. But it seems that Harris has not lived up to expectations. And it seems that Biden and Robert Beto (sic) are set to announce soon.
I honestly don't see how any candidate can pull in the sufficient number of delegates to claim victory on the first ballot at the convention come mid-July 2020. Does anybody here think going to second ballot (when the superdelegates' votes kick in) can be avoided? If so, how? Does anybody believe that if it does come to a second ballot, that anything good can come of it?
What are the odds
they will even manage to count all of CA votes? I was shocked that they just said, oh my and didn't even try - on purpose of course.
"Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich."--Napoleon
Not good but . . .
. . . there aren't any other life-affirming options but to vote and fight on. I mean you can decide not to be a registered Dem or not to vote in the primary, but given the increasing threat of nuclear war and the 12 year window to put some kind of kabosh on climate change, I just don't see that as a viable option. I simply don't see a Spartacist uprising in the making during the coming decade.
Agree. I see none.
The Left can scream
all they want about not voting,
or that it doesn't make any difference, blah, blah, blah,
but if there is zero action (other than staying home and not voting),
what difference does That make??
If 75% of the electorate actually voted it would make such a Yuuuge difference
that their (Establishment) rigging wouldn't make any difference.
Alas... "if we keep voting we're just 'buying in' to the system." {smh}
the little things you can do are more valuable than the giant things you can't! - @thanatokephaloides. On Twitter @wink1radio. (-2.1) All about building progressive media.
You could always do what Rosa did . . .
. . . and wind up very, very dead. And accelerate the rise of fascism.
Hang in there and never despair. Always look on the bright side of life.
Expect the unexpected?
But then again no one ever expects a Spartacist revolution —or the Spanish Inquisition!
if it goes to a second ballot, we can welcome 4 more years
of Trump. In fact, I believe this swamping of Dem candidates is designed to do exactly that. SOP for the Inauthentic Opposition Party (IOP). The corpo Dems prefer a Rethug president to ANY true progressive having the opportunity to dial back the Empire a little bit and helping the rabble out.
"Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." - JFK | "The more I see of the moneyed peoples, the more I understand the guillotine." - G. B. Shaw Bernie/Tulsi 2020
I posted the exact same theory
here on several occasions. If nothing else from 2016, I learned just how deeply corrupt the Democratic party is and nothing has really changed since then.
Do I hear the sound of guillotines being constructed?
“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." ~ President John F. Kennedy
Not that your view may be incorrect,
but presidential primaries frequently have numerous candidates starting out.
dfarrah
Understood, and I may be wrong, but
this time, a number of them seem to be acting as stalking horses for the Clinton wing of the party. There are far too many Clinton surrogates in this crowded field which is what has led me to believe that they are trying to dilute the vote to force the convention to the second round of balloting when the super delegates will choose the party's standard bearer.
Do I hear the sound of guillotines being constructed?
“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." ~ President John F. Kennedy
Yes, there are alot
of Clintonites in the mix. ugh
dfarrah
Not just that
but it seems that they are there to stop Bernie from getting enough delegates and to attack him. Why all of a sudden is reparations the most important issue that everyone has to have an answer for? Wolfe asked Bernie about them and tried to pin him down, but Bernie asked him what Warren and Harris has come up with then he gave his answer. And yet people are still asking him what he's going to do.
Then there's Castro who is being passive aggressive against Bernie and what he's running on. People who are Hillbots on Twitter are constantly deriding him for everything he says. The PUMA asswipes are out in force.
Clinton Machine Quietly Launches Smear Campaign Against Bernie Sanders
Which AIPAC/MIC/pharma/bank bought politician are you going to vote for? Don’t be surprised when nothing changes.
Indeed. And 'They' don't
exactly go out of
their way to hide it. It's almost like
'They' (the Clinton wing) add another Clintonite candidate to the clown car of candidates once a week.
the little things you can do are more valuable than the giant things you can't! - @thanatokephaloides. On Twitter @wink1radio. (-2.1) All about building progressive media.
Great answer, as always, snoopy
I cannot believe just how nasty the Clintonites are. As long as the Clintons are running the party, it will never allow for a fair primary. Bernie has to know this. I still think Tulsi is running for two reasons. First to get her issues out into the public and second to position herself for a future run.
Do I hear the sound of guillotines being constructed?
“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." ~ President John F. Kennedy
yep. Much like Bernie
in 2016, whom I suspect
never expected the kind of response his campaign got.
the little things you can do are more valuable than the giant things you can't! - @thanatokephaloides. On Twitter @wink1radio. (-2.1) All about building progressive media.
bing! Exactly. n/t
the little things you can do are more valuable than the giant things you can't! - @thanatokephaloides. On Twitter @wink1radio. (-2.1) All about building progressive media.
They can wear Clinton around their necks
I'm not really worried about the clintonites. Klobuchar, Biden, et al., Are flying and unwanted set of policies. I think the bigger danger comes from progressive poseurs who will weaken true progressives, sorry of like Obama but more devious; at the moment I think Harris is one (might be others but at the moment they are pretty obscure).
I'm afraid you're right.
I hope you're wrong but I don't see anything good happening unless peace and justice loving people register Dem and unite in voting for Bernie.
I love Tulsi and like Warren, but I don't think Tulsi or Warren can win the nomination.
At some point, preferably before the first primary, folks will have to look at the polls and make a monumental decision that will impact us and our children like no other that I can remember in my long lifetime.
The democratic party is an imperialist war party.
Registering for that party is registering for U.S. imperialism, not peace.
And Bernie voted to move the embassy
Not an example of being a peace-loving Independent, either. It was actually an act of flagrant aggression.
So how do you propose to change that or defeat them?
And in what year do you project to accomplish either objective?
I'm just making a statement of fact Wally.
Every criticism of the democratic or republican parties doesn't require an accompanying alternative solution to duopoly politics. As far as time goes, I think the duopoly has had plenty of time to prove it's not capable of serving the interests of the American people.
For what it's worth
I think the less time people feed off the "Political" news, be it on MSNBC or CNN, along with the mainstream social media outlets, the better they'll sleep. Who knows, maybe entirely blocking what the vomitus political paparazzi wants us to ingest, might even compel us to create value right in our own communities and still be able to live a conscientious life?
There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier
Please do keep in mind...
that this is a political website, so by definition one would expect politics to be discussed, no?
Hmmm...
I thought I indicated I was referring to Mainstream news, as in the alarmist propaganda they are shoveling out as part of their inculcation agenda. NOT this site. Sorry for the confusion! I didn't mean talking about Politics, per se.
There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier
Facing malevolence in a red dress
she did an outstanding job.
The host tried pathetically to trip Tulsi up on the socialist and capitalist question, but she didn't take the bait.
She should have thrown it back in the hosts lap by asking: define capitalism please? Or define socialism?
I was impressed.
Neither Russia nor China is our enemy.
Neither Iran nor Venezuela are threatening America.
Cuba is a dead horse, stop beating it.
That red dress
was dreadful. OK, as an accomplished seamstress, I give myself permission to make such remarks. I give her, or CNN's stylist, props for avoiding the "sexy" tight T-shirt or sleeveless shift look, but the dress itself, with its' black piping was the opposite of a professional look. The allegedly "boring" business suit, with a shirt or blouse, not a T, would have been a much better choice.
Mary Bennett
That red dress was dreadful.
As was the bulldog inside said dress. When she shrieked 'you're not a capitalist' at Tulsi, she showed her hand. Yuch. Can't these 'news' stations get better interviewers? A couple questions from the audience seemed seeded. The 'teacher' with her destroying insurance company jobs, and the bushy dude in the shiny green coat with the religion and conversion questions seemed a bit planted. I think Tulsi is smart enough to recognize those type of traps and handled them well.
The missing question
Did anyone notice they didn't ask Tulsi for her views on reparations?
As it happens, unlike any of the other Dem hopefuls, Tulsi has already taken action regarding reparations. She was one of 35 co-sponsors of Rep. Conyers' House Resolution (H.R. 40 in the 115th Congress, 2017-18). Here's the official summary of the bill:
The bill didn't make it out of committee in 2018.
Since Rep. Conyers is now retired, the bill has been re-introduced in the current congressional session by Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee. It's H.R. 40 in the 116th Congress. Once again, Tulsi Gabbard has signed on as a co-sponsor.
You wouldn't know that from the CNN Town Hall, though. Because they didn't ask her about it. Every other Dem candidate has been asked about their views on reparation. The news media twisted Bernie's answer around and beat him over the head with it, while promoting Kamala and Warren as "proponents" of reparation.
It's one of the hottest topics in the run-up to the Dem primary. Yet they didn't pose the question to the one candidate who has actually done something tangible about it.
You can read the full text and legislative history of both bills here:
https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/40/
https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/40
"Don't go back to sleep ... Don't go back to sleep ... Don't go back to sleep."
~Rumi
"If you want revolution, be it."
~Caitlin Johnstone
I haven't read the bills yet,
but thank you for linking them and promoting the significance of reparations.
You're welcome
As you can see, what the bill would do is set up a committee to investigate possible reparations programs and make recommendations to Congress. If (when!) Tulsi's campaign gets traction, it will be interesting to see how the ADOS people respond.
"Don't go back to sleep ... Don't go back to sleep ... Don't go back to sleep."
~Rumi
"If you want revolution, be it."
~Caitlin Johnstone
she is amazingly smart and courageous and precise
if it is needed.
It would be a dream come through if she had influence on all foreign policy issues the rest of the world is suffering under.
Too bad the townhall was scripted so much. I hope she has more events that are less scripted and more spontaneous when it comes to who is questioning what to her.
Thanks for the link and covering it here.
https://www.euronews.com/
After listening to her remarks
I want to believe again. I was impressed with what seemed like a very natural self-confidence and assurity in her beliefs, which match many of ours. Somehow it makes me more angry at Obama for destructing hope, even though she may represent a truer version. I hope ‘hope’ finds a way forward.
"Dripping in white male privilege"
The GOP is set to flood Iowa TV with an anti-Robert Beto (sic) commercial depicting him as "dripping in white male privilege."
Strange dark times we're living through but I couldn't help but laugh.
A video of the commercial is in this article:
https://www.politico.com/story/2019/03/10/beto-orourke-2020-attack-1214805
Some day maybe I'll even figure out how to work them nifty insert buttons.
I don't like the rethugs...
...but I gotta agree he's a moneyed elite - out of touch and for profit over people. I put Beto and Kamala in the same corporate dim box...along with booker, gillabrand etc.
Edit: to add the 2 min ad
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFkXBprH9wY]
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
Now that I've seen the ad, . . .
. . . I think it's probably too over-the-top. Set aside for the moment that it's disingenuous in its praise of Obama; that's the foil to highlight Beto's questionable merit. But it goes on relentlessly against Beto, to a degree that I suspect it will backfire, getting Beto's name out there for anyone who didn't know of him, and provoking an impulse to defend him, especially against the Club for Growth maniacs.
Not that it matters: Beto will not get far.
I found the Obomber praise odd....
...but I guess they are trying to speak to past supporters. I still have friends that think he was a great president. When I ask about bailing out bankers not homeowners, escalating 2 inherited wars and adding 5 more, being a global fracker in chief, approving drilling permits and pipelines, caging children on the border, placing sanctions on Venezuela for being socialists, promoting the Honduran coup, and so on...they are not phased.
He was pretty and spoke well. I see Trudeau and Macron in a similar light... good looking guys doing the bidding of the moneyed elite. And that's exactly what Beto would do too.
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
I was pleased. If you ask her a detailed, substantive
question, you get a substantive answer. But she is careful to avoid labeling, "gotcha" questions"i.e. are you a Capitalist. do you support MFA, is Assad an enemy,... that seek to create headlines rather than foster intelligent debate/discussion. Her website is full of substance and legislative track record. Last night's format did not allow a lot of time for detailed policy discussion.
It was a good introduction to who she is. The dialog on military rape was particularly good. She is a deeply spiritual, but doesn't make a big fuss about it. She is very patriotic without the blood-thirsty nonsense of a McCain. We need her voice in the debates but it probably isn't likely she'll make POTUS this go-round.
Most likely, Bernie's VP, if they can best the DNC/Corporatists. Every month she gets my $27. I haven't been this encouraged since I went to Chicago in support of Gene McCarthy. I sure hope this turns out better than that.
chuck utzman
TULSI 2020
"I haven't been this encouraged since I went to Chicago in
support of Gene McCarthy. I sure hope this turns out better than that."
Tim Black had really good segment on her.
"If I should ever die, God forbid, let this be my epitaph:
THE ONLY PROOF HE NEEDED
FOR THE EXISTENCE OF GOD
WAS MUSIC"
- Kurt Vonnegut