a new symbol for a new age

progressive movement.jpg
created by Caleb Cruse

cross-posted at dKos

i don't believe in god. but i do believe in the energy of an ever unfolding universe.

and that energy, which fully embraces the chaos of birth, death, dualities, black holes, exploding stars, gravity, atmosphere, voids . . . is part and parcel of our own heart beat. the knowledge we keep hidden from ourselves. the ancient magic and the reason to name the gods, to funnel that knowledge into some manageable knowable form.

but when we see and experience the un_orchestrated moment of the universal self, we know it as the feeling of joy.

and that is what happened in my analysis: the part of us connected to the whole, from one end of this universe to the other, in one millisecond, one split moment of seeing it, knew the truth of that little sparrow landing on a lectern in the midst of a roaring crowd.

welcome to the new age . . .

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pfiore8's picture

is a Bernie fan named Caleb Cruse, at least on Facebook, which is where I saw this. I think it's brilliant. Completely utterly brilliant.

Here's what Caleb had to say about the sparrow as icon:

I don't know how you guys feel about it, but I think we found our new Party's mascot. Not a large predator, or a stubborn beast of burden, or a massive imposing beast, nor even a prickly rodent. Just a tiny average bird. It's not aggressive, and just want's to live it's life in peace. A symbol of the people.

Please, if you have actual artistic talent, feel free to make a better version. I am not an artist ~ Caleb Cruse>

I don't know about you, but there is no improvement needed . . .

I'll give link to Caleb's FB page:
Caleb Cruse Facebook

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“There are moments which are not calculable, and cannot be assessed in words; they live on in the solution of memory… ”
― Lawrence Durrell, "Justine"

Lady Libertine's picture

link broken

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pfiore8's picture

i re did the link, but maybe you can't access Caleb's page w/0 being a FB member? I don't know. But i updated the essay to reflect the creator of the image and the title (i realized only after karma asked if I had created the image that I needed to make that clearer in the essay, and not just with a comment).

let me know if this one works.

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“There are moments which are not calculable, and cannot be assessed in words; they live on in the solution of memory… ”
― Lawrence Durrell, "Justine"

Lady Libertine's picture

yes thanks it works now

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Lady Libertine's picture

yes! ... perfect, peef!

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Lady Libertine's picture

pasting my comment in kitty's post (because Im lazy! and also out of coffee creamer so off to the store with me!)

"""""""
I just love this whole little 'event' on so many levels!

Its the very epitome of serendipidty! Completely utterly spontaneous, unscripted, astonishing and remarkable. It happened. I mean, it just ...happened! And of course, Bernie totally ran with it! ha!

I love how it's (among other things) so totally open to interpretation, ya know? If you believe this way or that, you can spin it to this or that, heh. Personally, I love the totem symbolism... I dont even care if it's really a 'sparrow' or what kind of specific bird it is, it's still, well, it's a frikkin BIRD! That it behaved the way it did, in the midst of a massive and noisy crowd of people, it just blows my mind. So responsive and it just zeroed in on Bernie at that podium.

In this place. In this time. At that moment.

Blows. my. mind.

I mean... whether you 'believe in' God/Gods/Goddesses or dog or gaia or FSM or nothingess, I just don't see how anyone can discount this little moment! It was so precise, so perfect... {sigh}

I saw a little bit of Rachel Maddow talkin' about it last night on her show, not to harp on this but SHEESH. In her intro, she went to great lengths to 'splain how a wild bird in a stadium really is not at all "weird" or odd or uncommon or anything particularly spectacular. Random birds flutter around inside large indoor manmade spaces like that ALL the TIME. Really, she said that. D'oh.

As many others have said already, this is something I won't forget for a long long time. Joy.

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pfiore8's picture

but she can't dent it ...

maybe this little bird is part of the light that exposes as well as illuminates.

i'm with you lady lib . . . it brings me joy.

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“There are moments which are not calculable, and cannot be assessed in words; they live on in the solution of memory… ”
― Lawrence Durrell, "Justine"

whyvee's picture

cow...so many people willing to SELL their souls. If it had happened to HRC it would be a different story. Unbelievable...

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JekyllnHyde's picture

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A riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma

Raggedy Ann's picture

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"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11

pfiore8's picture

just because ...

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“There are moments which are not calculable, and cannot be assessed in words; they live on in the solution of memory… ”
― Lawrence Durrell, "Justine"

ngant17's picture

with the common sparrow theme, i'm not sure which ones i like best, they all seem to be equally inspirational.

don't imagine this will be broadcast outside of bernie's camp. mute and ignore, all is to be quiet on the western front. he's going nowhere, just omit and delete, he'll go away soon.

otoh if some aimless bird should have randomly landed on trump or hillary, it would be the one big event of world history -- god finally has made the pick, you can't deny a miracle, drop out now sanders, ect.

but it didn't happen to them, it happened to us, for what it's worth, and that in itself should renew the energies of the faithful to keep rallying for our chosen one.

the bird could have landed after the speech, before the speech, and on anyone but bernie. it happened the way it did, it was not exactly a coincidence.

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pfiore8's picture

don't worry, lots and lots of people will see it . . . and how can Maddow, John Oliver, the late night hosts et al not show it?

it's wonderful, isn't it?

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“There are moments which are not calculable, and cannot be assessed in words; they live on in the solution of memory… ”
― Lawrence Durrell, "Justine"

sassytexan's picture

on his sign. A Future to Believe In. To me, that's even cooler. You know, they're pulling out horrible pictures of birds on dictators but our bird, if you want to be technical about it, didn't land on our politician. Our bird landed on our motto and chilled with our spokesperson. For some reason, maybe the way Bernie's hand seemed to conduct the bird's movements, the way the bird just hung out and accepted the applause, the rapture of the audience - nobody could have written a better moment. Love the idea of a sparrow for the Progressive Party. Let's do this.

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Martha Pearce-Smith's picture

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pfiore8's picture

where the Fox News banner was firmly in front of the lectern and the bird . . . it showed a cheering crowd but not the bird. dastardly, no?

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“There are moments which are not calculable, and cannot be assessed in words; they live on in the solution of memory… ”
― Lawrence Durrell, "Justine"

But hrc first, of course.
They did get 'no more wars' right.

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OLinda's picture

I saw something similar last night and thought, yes, that is our symbol:

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Martha Pearce-Smith's picture

"OUR" party has landed?

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First Nations News

OLinda's picture

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NWIA's picture

I think the idea of the finch/sparrow design is fantastic, but the one that inspired this post is a bit ghoulish with its upper part being severed from its lower half.

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riverlover's picture

The 13 original colonies and the rest stars. Your are bothered by the break that invokes a white bar. I understand the bizarre, but for me it hits right to seem transitional from Then to Forward. With a small bird, not an eagle, who is in fact a scavenger and may be apt. We steal.

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Hey! my dear friends or soon-to-be's, JtC could use the donations to keep this site functioning for those of us who can still see the life preserver or flotsam in the water.

kharma's picture

That video of Sanders and the bird better be all over the news this am.

Did you do the art work? It's professional.

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There is nothing which I dread so much as a division of the republic into two great parties.. This...is to be dreaded as the greatest political evil under our Constitution.--John Adams

pfiore8's picture

I will update the essay to incorporate my my first comment, which attributes the pic to a young man named Caleb Cruse who did it and i just love it!

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“There are moments which are not calculable, and cannot be assessed in words; they live on in the solution of memory… ”
― Lawrence Durrell, "Justine"

Raggedy Ann's picture

Lots of Drumpf had Cruz. No Bernie.

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"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11

Gerrit's picture

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Resilience: practical action to improve things we can control.
3D+: developing language for postmodern spirituality.

pfiore8's picture

hillarybird.jpg

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“There are moments which are not calculable, and cannot be assessed in words; they live on in the solution of memory… ”
― Lawrence Durrell, "Justine"

I don't.
But lol social media rocks, because otherwise we would only see that fake smile, that 'just like your abuela' scheme.

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ChemBob's picture

Does anyone know who she was giving the evil eye to?

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Raggedy Ann's picture

Or maybe Bill.

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"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11

Daenerys's picture

that's terrifying.

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This shit is bananas.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CedAVAAW8AAkhHj.jpg

couldn't figure out how to get image here, sorry!

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CS in AZ's picture

This moment, a sparrow landing on Bernie's podium, in Portland, is pure perfection; a perect synchronicity for the ages.

That old book page about the symbolism of the sparrow... wow, it is so perfect for Bernie's campaign that it made me shiver reading it. And then there's the whole "Put a bird on it" bit from the show Portlandia, so "birds on things" is sort of Portland insider joke too apparently. Just amazing how this came together.

Rachel Maddow is correct that birds like sparrows do live inside stadiums and large buildings. I worked in a convention center and we had quite a few that lived in the rafters. But it is *not* common, at all, for them to be out and about, much less to actually land on the stage and the speaker's podium, during an event. That does not happen. They generally stay in hiding when the place if packed full of people. Rachel trying to minimize it is just sad. I used to love her show, but I stopped watching regularly because of her extremely grating habit of repeating the same facts, in an incredulous tone, over and over again. Once or maybe twice can be funny... after the sixth or eighth or tenth repetition it's just annoying. Sigh... anyway, who cares about Rachel Maddow or what she said about it. I think it's great!!!

And it *is* getting covered on the news. Today I saw it on top headlines on Google News first (and am SO glad someone had posted about it here! And a great essay about it too.) I remarked to my husband, wow, finally Bernie Sanders made the headlines! He said how? I said because a bird landed on his stage in portland and he looked at me like I was nuts. I had to show him the clip, then he got it!!! LOL... excellent way to start the weekend. Smile

I can't help but feel optimistic about today's primaries.

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pfiore8's picture

i think what Rachel really missed was our reaction. and why it feels like it means something important.

i just got back from taking my dog for a long stroll and thought about it . . . how amazing and even miraculous that this everyday bird moved us, hit something deep in us . . .

i'm so glad you're feeling up for the primaries. me too. energy forward and put a bird on it

pssst . . . . btw never heard that expression before because i have never seen portlandia

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“There are moments which are not calculable, and cannot be assessed in words; they live on in the solution of memory… ”
― Lawrence Durrell, "Justine"

CS in AZ's picture

We don't have cable TV anymore and we don't watch much tv nowadays, except for a few shows we still buy to watch online. I had never heard of Portlandia or heard that expression put a bird on it before I read this story and saw the clip this morning. I keep smiling about it. That bit at least was pretty funny. I'm not sure if the show overall is any good or not, or what it's about.

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pfiore8's picture

i will capture the image and post here as well.

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“There are moments which are not calculable, and cannot be assessed in words; they live on in the solution of memory… ”
― Lawrence Durrell, "Justine"

pfiore8's picture

sparrow.jpg

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“There are moments which are not calculable, and cannot be assessed in words; they live on in the solution of memory… ”
― Lawrence Durrell, "Justine"

sassytexan's picture

crap, that's beautiful.

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Arrow's picture

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I want a Pony!

Arrow's picture

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I want a Pony!

pfiore8's picture

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“There are moments which are not calculable, and cannot be assessed in words; they live on in the solution of memory… ”
― Lawrence Durrell, "Justine"

ngant17's picture

because the original progressive party was a bird of a slight different era.

sorry for lower casing everything myself, mynew keyboard isn't doing caps and i'm too cheap to get a new one. rather send the bucks to the campaign right now.

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pfiore8's picture

i realized, for me, that was the way to use it_ as the symbol of movements that fight for living things. because we don't need any more political parties. we need a movement comprised of many smaller movements like #BLM, First Nations, LGBT, the anti frackers and anti pipeliners, the animal rights people . . . we need people who've been successful in small but powerful ways coming together in a movement with a conductor as wise as Bernie.

because, in the end, we must coalesce without becoming a melting pot. that was the wrong image. a tossed salad, an orchestra . . . varied in colors, sizes, sounds and fabulous when mixed.

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“There are moments which are not calculable, and cannot be assessed in words; they live on in the solution of memory… ”
― Lawrence Durrell, "Justine"

There was a good article in The Inquisitr about the symbolism of the sparrow

Bernie Sanders’ Sparrow Carries Symbolic Significance

But what’s really the symbolism of the sparrow? For those with spiritual leanings, could it be a sign from a higher power? A quick look makes it clear that it could not have been a more appropriate type of bird than a sparrow.

GodWeb, a site dedicated to breaking the Christian Bible into understandable pieces, has this to say about the sparrow.

“…or the sparrow that signifies God’s concern for the most insignificant living things.”

Spirit Walk Ministry, an organization dedicated to inclusive spirituality, describes the symbolism of the sparrow.

“A common visitor, a love of old buildings, the triumph of common nobility, symbol of peasants and the common people. If a Sparrow totem has entered your life, ask yourself if you know your own self-worth. The sparrow will show you that even a common little bird can triumph.”

Another interesting interpretation is a blog from 2007 from Symbolic Meanings Blog by Avia Venfica.

"All too often we take the sparrow for granted — small though she may be, she is certainly powerful … She reminds us we do not have to have the big stuff … to be important, and we do not have to have the loudest voice in order to be heard.”

She then notes that the symbolic meaning of the sparrow includes creativity, simplicity, joy, protection, friendliness, community, and productivity.

“Sparrows derive power from their numbers.”

In other words, the sparrow is a communal bird that works for the benefit of its group. Sound familiar?

More at the link

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pfiore8's picture

and used exactly that in it!!!!!! great minds!!! and now I don't need to update this piece because you've included it.

love it!!!!

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“There are moments which are not calculable, and cannot be assessed in words; they live on in the solution of memory… ”
― Lawrence Durrell, "Justine"

Lady Libertine's picture

the synchronicity is strong in this one...

"Good Friday" (and Easter weekend); the full moon was March 23 Wednesday; the equinox March 20.... = our American Spring?

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pfiore8's picture

giving me goosebumps with the synchronicity thing...

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“There are moments which are not calculable, and cannot be assessed in words; they live on in the solution of memory… ”
― Lawrence Durrell, "Justine"

Raggedy Ann's picture

It's timely and poignant. What a beautiful, symbolic thing to happen!
(edited for typo)

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"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11

ngant17's picture

and god will have to remain anonymous for the time being.

granted a sparrow is not exactly the pure white dove of peace, but otoh i'll take it for what it's worth. since bernie called it that way, he gets to call it like he saw it.

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hester's picture

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Don't believe everything you think.

pfiore8's picture

it could be a sparrow.

but either way, it's awesome.

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“There are moments which are not calculable, and cannot be assessed in words; they live on in the solution of memory… ”
― Lawrence Durrell, "Justine"

Miep's picture

He said most likely a female house finch.

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Stay on track. Stay in lane. Don't throw rocks.

pfiore8's picture

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“There are moments which are not calculable, and cannot be assessed in words; they live on in the solution of memory… ”
― Lawrence Durrell, "Justine"

Miep's picture

Any way you look at it. I just *had* to write my birder brother when I heard about it, because he is also a major Sanders supporter. And he said that, so,.. Smile

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Stay on track. Stay in lane. Don't throw rocks.

hecate's picture

it is a finch.

And so it would be there all night. And it would be there when Jem waked up in the morning.

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pfiore8's picture

nice one!

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“There are moments which are not calculable, and cannot be assessed in words; they live on in the solution of memory… ”
― Lawrence Durrell, "Justine"

Alison Wunderland's picture

they're both birds that co-exist their environment.

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pfiore8's picture

yes, exactly. great symbols both. hearty, survivors, noble, and splendidly ordinary.

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“There are moments which are not calculable, and cannot be assessed in words; they live on in the solution of memory… ”
― Lawrence Durrell, "Justine"

Redstella's picture

Love this new symbol. It already has a lore! It is perfect. Reminds me of the saying - they thought they would bury us, they didn't know we were seeds. Go Bernie!

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GreyWolf's picture

[video:https://youtu.be/iHmLljk2t8M]

As somebody else said, "The synchronicity is strong."

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pfiore8's picture

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“There are moments which are not calculable, and cannot be assessed in words; they live on in the solution of memory… ”
― Lawrence Durrell, "Justine"

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pfiore8's picture

yes, me too. as soon as I saw it, i adopted it.

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“There are moments which are not calculable, and cannot be assessed in words; they live on in the solution of memory… ”
― Lawrence Durrell, "Justine"

Lenzabi's picture

The Universe moves in synchronicity and serendipity, a wondrous thing. I am a spiritual person of the Paganist ways. So, I like that way the bird felt safe around Bernie. Brave little Finch!

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So long, and thanks for all the fish

pfiore8's picture

are you new to C99P? if so, welcome!!!!!! if not, glad to run into you. I saw you left a comment in this essay at TOP (the other place, as some of us refer to it around here).

anyway, I liked your comment about the bird feelings safe with Bernie. it was a good comment.

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“There are moments which are not calculable, and cannot be assessed in words; they live on in the solution of memory… ”
― Lawrence Durrell, "Justine"

Lenzabi's picture

I got here a week or so ago. I post on both as so far the KoS-Police have yet to bust me for anything they may consider unflattering to the anointed one they back. But yeah, the Bird felt safe enough, that means Bernie has very good and positive energy. Latest diaries backing Bernie are avoiding the bans, but also, sadly avoiding the needed critiques that would have Hillary backers discuss openly and possibly be convinced to vote for Bernie (if they have not voted already) by exposing and getting them to see the issues she still very much has trailing her, and that she will most likely snap back to Neo-liberal right of center ways as I see her likely to do.

Leopards may change the way they growl, but they do not change their spots, especially well entrenched ones.

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So long, and thanks for all the fish

Lenzabi's picture

I got here a week or so ago. I post on both as so far the KoS-Police have yet to bust me for anything they may consider unflattering to the anointed one they back. But yeah, the Bird felt safe enough, that means Bernie has very good and positive energy. Latest diaries backing Bernie are avoiding the bans, but also, sadly avoiding the needed critiques that would have Hillary backers discuss openly and possibly be convinced to vote for Bernie (if they have not voted already) by exposing and getting them to see the issues she still very much has trailing her, and that she will most likely snap back to Neo-liberal right of center ways as I see her likely to do.

Leopards may change the way they growl, but they do not change their spots, especially well entrenched ones.

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So long, and thanks for all the fish

GreyWolf's picture

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Jazzenterprises's picture

birdie.jpg

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Progressive to the bone.

pfiore8's picture

and I keep trying to catch up with you to tell you how awesome I think your avatar is!

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“There are moments which are not calculable, and cannot be assessed in words; they live on in the solution of memory… ”
― Lawrence Durrell, "Justine"

happened in Portland. ty.

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"It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society." --Jiddu Krishnamurti

GreyWolf's picture

samuel.jpg

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Szaephod's picture

BerdieSymbol2.png
Cheers!

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The spirit of party serves to enfeeble the Public Administration,
agitates with Jealousies and false alarms, and opens the door to corruption,
which finds access to the government itself through the channels of party passions.
George Washington

If that little bird goes down in history as having won Bernie the Presidency.

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Beware the bullshit factories.

bodysurfer's picture

12376358_10153653826604862_7412233877121623541_n.jpg

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All I need are some tasty waves, a cool buzz, and I'm fine. -- Jeff Spicoli