Tuesday Open Thread ~ What The Hell Was That?
“In politics, stupidity is not a handicap.” ~ Napoleon Bonaparte
Good Morning!
Welcome to Tuesday's Open Thread and the WTF happened last night edition of the Iowa Caucus. Originally, I had planned on writing about the results of the Iowa caucus for this morning's Open Thread. What I had not planned on was the clusterfuck that ensued, or the wind storm that knocked out my electricity forcing me to sit here in the dark at 1:00 in the morning pecking away at my iphone. So, I guess I'll have to make this brief and let you guys help out with whatever news there is this morning.
So, Let's Talk About The Clusterfuck
Iowa Will Not Release Caucus Results Until Tuesday Morning
The Iowa Democratic Party will not release results from the caucuses until Tuesday morning after discovering “inconsistencies” from some precincts, as a technological disaster turned the opening event of the Democratic nomination race into a political debacle.
Raise your hand if you thought implementing a smartphone software app for the Iowa caucus was a good idea? Oy vey, the Democrats sure know how to fuck up a caucus, don't they?
On CNN, Wolf Blitzer questioned the delay while a chyron told viewers the reasons for it were “unclear.” MSNBC meanwhile reported “there’s some question about whether a new smartphone app meant to speed up reporting has been more trouble than it’s worth.”
But approximately an hour into the delay, the Iowa Democratic Party finally produced an explanation: that it’s a matter of due diligence rather than technical malfunction or criminal activity. “We found inconsistencies in the reporting of three sets of results. In addition to the tech systems being used to tabulate results, we are also using photos of results and a paper trail to validate all results match and ensure that we have confidence and accuracy in the numbers we report,” IDP communications director Mandy McClure said in a statement.
Inconsistencies, eh? Sounds familiar...
Editorial: Something smells in the Democratic Party
What happened Monday night at the Democratic caucuses was a debacle, period. Democracy, particularly at the local party level, can be slow, messy and obscure. But the refusal to undergo scrutiny or allow for an appeal reeks of autocracy.
The Iowa Democratic Party must act quickly to assure the accuracy of the caucus results, beyond a shadow of a doubt...
First of all, the results were too close not to do a complete audit of results. Two-tenths of 1 percent separated Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton. A caucus should not be confused with an election, but it’s worth noting that much larger margins trigger automatic recounts in other states.
Second, too many questions have been raised. Too many accounts have arisen of inconsistent counts, untrained and overwhelmed volunteers, confused voters, cramped precinct locations, a lack of voter registration forms and other problems. Too many of us, including members of the Register editorial board who were observing caucuses, saw opportunities for error amid Monday night’s chaos.
The Sanders campaign is rechecking results on its own, going precinct by precinct, and is already finding inconsistencies, said Rania Batrice, a Sanders spokeswoman. The campaign seeks the math sheets or other paperwork that precinct chairs filled out and were supposed to return to the state party. They want to compare those documents to the results entered into a Microsoft app and sent to the party.
I'm at a loss to put into words why this process is run so badly. Incompetence? Fraud? Or both? Either way, someone should be held responsible. It's a political train wreck on such a scale we might as well call for a "do over".
Well, the battery on my phone is running low and the wind is still howling out there. Let's hope it dies down by the morning so I can get the electricity back on again.
Update:
I agree with Krystal. Release full results, or none.
Releasing partial results at this point is just a compounding disaster. https://t.co/xLsnJFUHln
— Krystal Ball (@krystalball) February 4, 2020
Comments
Good morning, Anja ~~
Attempt at cheating Bernie out of Iowa. What else could it be? Mayo Cheat (now trending on twitter) helped finance the app that the dimwit party used to try and cheat Bernie out of Iowa. Did they really think Bernie's people wouldn't be tallying the results on their own after what happened in 2016? Do they think the Sanders people are idiots? Oh, yeah, of course they do! What a bunch of dumbasses thinking they could get away with something like this in IOWA! Instead of a kitchen sink, they tried to throw the entire kitchen at Bernie!
I saw your original headline, Anja. I didn't sleep well after the clusterfuck showed up. I woke up at 2:45 am and looked at my phone - no results! I had to get up and looked at c99p right away. There was your original headline. I cracked up!
No, c99pers, we cannot have nice things so just get over it.
Have an interesting, exploratory day, folks!
"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
Mayo Cheat
Maybe that shouldve been my headline?
There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier
lol!
It's trending #MayorCheat, but I like Mayo Cheat much more!
"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
DNCNN is spinning it
As Mayo Pete was robbed.
" In the beginning, the universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry, and is generally considered to have been a bad move. -- Douglas Adams, The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy "
Can we really expect anything
less than that? Poor aggrieved Mayo Cheat. This is exactly why I'm not changing my registration for the primary. I refuse to be associated with the dimwits. Unless Bernie is the nominee, I will vote third party or leave the top box empty.
"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
We knew there would be
shenanigans and now we know who is financing it - and has Mayo Cheat in his pocket - maybe Klobbered, too.
"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
Good morning, everyone!
Hope everyone slept well (or will tonight!) and that we get the result that Sanders won Iowa. The "irregularities" are getting bolder, and likely will get even bolder.
Just catching up on who is behind this app
Robby Mook. Well well well well.
Earlier yesterday, I wrote a post about the DNC's freshly launched troll army called "Hillbots, Assemble! Operation: Subvert Democracy." I thought it was a hilarious title and not a factual statement of what was to actually come.
Why people don't vote in American elections, why party unity is crap, why the DNC is worse than the GOP, why the Democratic party is divided, why Russia doesn't need to tamper in elections, ALL of this was answered last night in a gobsmacking display of fuckery in the wide open. The only possible silver lining is that it lights a fire under the undecideds to get off their behinds and into a Bernie Sanders campaign office.
Robby Mook posted a tweet last night disowning he had
anything to do with the app. "Why are you guys blaming me for this #shitshow? I didn't have anything to do with it."
Sure we believe that. Right.
The good news today is the sun is out. It has been a long time since I've seen it and am so excirted to soak up the rays. Unfortunately it's colder that the proverbial witch's.... out there.
Big Kudos to Anja for putting this together on her Iphone in the dead of night and the dark. Thanks, Anja!!
Scientists are concerned that conspiracy theories may die out if they keep coming true at the current alarming rate.
Robby Mook....
....
Scientists are concerned that conspiracy theories may die out if they keep coming true at the current alarming rate.
Good info
But at this point, they might as well just come right out admit what they're doing and dare us to do anything about it.
Funny, eh?
There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier
I haven’t seen any reports of Robby Mooks involvement
But I did see a tweet from Lee Fang who pointed out David Plouffe is on the board of a SuperPac that financed Shadow Inc.
Btw, can anyone tell me how to copy a link from twitter and use it here? FAQ’s page tells me to copy “embed” code from twitter and paste code into text editor. Twitter on my phone doesn’t give me an embed option only “copy link” and I’m not sure which is the text editor feature here?
There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier
On the right of the tweet there is a down arrow
click on that and you get 'embed tweet' or copy tweet link. If you want to post the tweet itself click the embed and you will be taken to where you can copy it. Paste it here and it should show up. If there are any emojis in it like hearts or flames, ect. delete them. If you get the error message when trying to post look again for an emoji.
Scientists are concerned that conspiracy theories may die out if they keep coming true at the current alarming rate.
Thanks Snoopydawg
I posted a tweet in my essay under "Update" from the AP about State Dems releasing the "partial" results by 4pm today and Krystal Ball's response.
There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier
Impotent fists of fury
So around 6 last night I took a tranquilizer and was passed the hell out by 8:30, patting myself on the back all the way down for making the healthy and responsible decision to force myself to sleep through the stressful part of the Iowa caucuses.
This morning, I wake up to read about what happened and...
::old woman shakes impotent fists of fury at the predawn skies::
I hear ya Sistah
But at least you got a good nights sleep which is more than I can say. Howling winds outside all night. No electricity. No heat. Heads! Finally woke up about an hour ago bleary eyed and am now sitting at my favorite coffee shop using their electricity and WiFi.
This is going to be a long day...
There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier
ugh I wish
One of the first things my stupid multitude of health issues stole was sleep so no matter what I take I haven't had a decent night's rest in 20+ years. Definitely should have saved that xanax for today, lol.
Hope you get your power back soon!
Another way to view these events.
One of several documents I have been studying:
A Report on the Fatally Flawed 2016 Democratic Primaries
...foretells what we can expect to see during the 2020 Democratic Primaries. So far, so good.
Many people do not realize that the 2016 Iowa Caucus results were deeply corrupted, and many of the precincts suddenly "lost" their paper records just hours after the caucus ended. When Sanders campaign officials remained behind rather than traveling to New Hampshire in order to verify his loss to Hillary Clinton they were met with dead ends all over the state. In 2016, the Des Moines Register also went on the hunt for those records and were met by the same stone wall. The newspaper has held nothing but disgust for the Iowa Democratic Caucus since then. Their 2020 poll was deliberately compromised and destroyed, but the trigger wasn't pulled until the very last minute when there was no other choice. Had they gone ahead and published it, they would have lost all future credibility. [In the face of a Buttigieg win.]
There have been academic studies since then, both domestic and international, looking into the matter, although they have not been well reported to the public. The 2020 Democratic Caucus is built upon this foundation of corruption. Based on what happened in Iowa in 2016, the Democratic officials in charge of this caucus would surely destroy the results rather than allow Bernie Sanders a win that showed a lead of such profound proportions, indicating a pent-up demand. This event is not unexpected.
There are hundreds of observers, like me, watching this caucus who were expecting a distorted outcome, if perhaps not such a spectacular one. Do not expect a public expose to follow. The Democratic Primaries are not legally regulated. In the US, political parties are private clubs. They are completely independent of the Federal Government. Club officials are free to choose their nominee by whatever method they wish to. Primaries are no more than publicity stunts used to raise funds. The outcomes have no legal standing.
This confusion and distraction is intentional, when things go wrong. These blow-ups will never result in people learning to think about Private Political Club Primaries with the correct paradigm in place. The People will remain thoroughly unenlightened about the sketchy election process they engage in, even after this experience. They have invested everything in a false god, and they are not about to face the reality of what that means for them.
[edit = typo + one bracket comment]
That about sums it up.
a big fucking club, and we ain’t in it!
We need more and better parties, and an honest electoral system with an auditable paper trail. Failing that, we’re just spinning our wheels.
“The story around the world gives a silent testimony:
— The Beresovka mammoth, frozen in mud, with buttercups in his mouth…..”
The Adam and Eve Story, Chan Thomas 1963
You give the people
no credit for understanding the situation whatsoever.
‘Tis true that False Gods abound
And the process is wholly corrupted, my friend. Let’s us keep hope though, that enough people will see what is actually happening and tell those who do not.
There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier
Why is a partisan corporation allowed to run an election?
We knew the DNC would do everything they could to screw Bernie. Now we see one of the methods they’re using. Caucuses favor Bernie? Wreck the caucuses. Regular primary? Rig the machines.
This is not a primary. it’s a war. And the elites are winning.
Because it looks better than dictatorship.
Result is the same, though.
The ruling classes need an extra party to make the rest of us feel as if we participate in democracy. That's what the Democrats are for. They make the US more durable than the Soviet Union was.
I have been hearing that question,
, since 1979. And we aren't any closer to changing the answer.
"I’m a human being, first and foremost, and as such I’m for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole.” —Malcolm X
Because the DNC is a private corporation.
That's what they've gone to court to argue. That and the idea that they have the right to chose their nominee however they want. That's what came out of the case filed against the DNC by Sanders voters over the 2016 primary.
Idolizing a politician is like believing the stripper really likes you.
Which is why states need to kick parties out of the process.
Hold a "primary" using RCV, one in which everyone gets to vote, then put the top two candidates after applying second-third-etc choices on the general election ballot. That could be done for the remaining primaries/caucuses this year.
Context.....oh wait
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=187&v=vFjh8lBB6T4&feature=em...
I never knew that the term "Never Again" only pertained to
those born Jewish
"Antisemite used to be someone who didn't like Jews
now it's someone who Jews don't like"
Heard from Margaret Kimberley
I have MSNBCIA on
Morning Joe and guests are talking how it looks like a socialist won but nobody is sure and Buttigieg declared victory and the Democrats are doomed because Bernie's past is chumming around with Soviet leaders in a schvitz.
Wait, now five candidates declared they won. This is not helped by my hangover.
They should be talking about how everybody sitting on the DNC should be forced to resign and the party disbanded.
They should be talking about that
But you and I know why they won’t.
Celery juice and alkaline water is great for hydration from a Hangover. Feel better.
There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier
See, this is why Pete Buttigieg is smarter than you.
Buttigieg campaign paid firm that developed voting app blamed for Iowa caucus delays
The ruling classes need an extra party to make the rest of us feel as if we participate in democracy. That's what the Democrats are for. They make the US more durable than the Soviet Union was.
He also declared victory when 0% precincts reported
which... yeah of course he would when he conspired to steal the win. And the Hillbot Troll Army is in full effect on Twitter, upset about name-calling and PLEADING FOR UNITY. Trump is the *real* enemy (or Russia is? Who knows).
I’m actually embarrassed that I didn’t see this coming
As soon as the Selzer Poll was cancelled and his name first came up.
Shame on me. I know better.
There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier
Everything is going exactly to plan!
1. Insure the primary process is a clusterfuck with no clear winner and everyone pissed off
2. Parachute in an outside candidate at the convention as a "compromise", maybe someone who has run before, maybe has a bit of name recognition...
3. ???
4. PROFIT!
Idolizing a politician is like believing the stripper really likes you.
UNDERPANTS!
Boxers or Briefs?
I personally like the ones with tweety bird on them.
There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier
LOL.
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tO5sxLapAts]
Hahahaha!
Funny how the mind works, eh?
There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier
OMG they killed democracy!
You Bastards!!!
Idolizing a politician is like believing the stripper really likes you.
Brilliant!
underpants?
Mr. Beans machine/adventures with dirty laundry
And by all means, blame the caucus
process, don't blame the party that told you years ago they can and will choose the nominee. Nope, it's all that democracy floating around a caucus that is the problem, not our cheating, lying Democrats. s/ just in case...
Only a fool lets someone else tell him who his enemy is. Assata Shakur
Indeed.
It's really not a secret. Long before the recent bouts of "is it nefarious or is it incompetence?" shenanigans, the DNC laid it all out in court. Bernie could win every single primary vote and the DNC could deny him the nomination for reasons. They wouldn't even need to give reasons, they could just do it.
And trust that they understand a Sanders win would end their gravy train. I said elsewhere I've long felt the outcome has already been decided (anybody but Sanders) and it's just a matter of how they get there. Short of blowing up the whole party, I don't know how you get around that when they have legally asserted their right to neutralize the one weapon we have (the vote.)
Sorry to be a downer. I really would like to be wrong, and I'm not trying to discourage anyone from doing what they feel is the right thing to do. Sanders winning would be the best case scenario, though he'll still have to fight the establishment of both parties to accomplish anything at all. But I'm afraid things are going to get much worse before they get any better, if there's even time for that.
Quick edit to add: a huge positive note is that all this stuff is getting mainstream attention. Contrast that to 2016 when all the oddities and irregularities were dismissed as just on-line "Bernie Bros." raging. Yeah, they're saying that too, and they'll continue to do so, but at the same time, it's not just a handful of Sanders partisans saying this stuff on-line. This is the part of the story I really didn't see coming. As bad as this stuff is, the more attention it gets, it only helps us.
Idolizing a politician is like believing the stripper really likes you.
The Results according to Bernie
More detail:
So now that Bernie's folks have released 40% of the results,
, the DNC is working furiously to create the other 60%, that, with some semblance of plausibility, produces the results they want.
"I’m a human being, first and foremost, and as such I’m for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole.” —Malcolm X
I know your read of the situation is likely. I just hope that
some logistical roadblock stops them, such as Bernie's team continuing to collect more data after this release.
A few things I am certain of :
1) Bernie won, which is why they continue to drag out the clusterfuck.
2) The DNC criminals would have released at least preliminary data, if Joe Biden did well.
3) The app problem is a feature, not a bug. If they really worried about RUSSIAN!! interference why insert more vulnerable technology into the mix unless it served a more nefarious purpose. The best thing about a caucus is that it is harder to electronically hack. So why have an app unless that is the intention?
Bernie's campaign had their own app
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkGAN6MmcXc&feature=youtu.be]
"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
...and it wasn't the Russians.
"I’m a human being, first and foremost, and as such I’m for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole.” —Malcolm X
Excellent video. Niko opines that the chaos began when the DNC
realized that Bernie had his own app and was tabulating the results independent of the caucus officials, and thus could expose them.
No, not chaos, entrepreneur ~
that's when "quality control" needed to step in.
"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
Err ...uh .. yeah, yeah...quality control. That's what I mean't
Hope your electricity is back on, Anja
I told a friend I predicted a grand theft by the DNC in Iowa.
Damn, I am getting good at this.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Yes but this is so blatant,
So much drama. I thought they would employ more finesse. Never mind, recent history shows they employed similar techniques, just a variation on a theme. Why then does it feel so dire this time?
My thought inspired by morning coffee is this:
The progressives are more of a presence now than in 2016. Bernie had an even bigger, better campaign in place.
And the results were worse than in 2016.
Some here believe the theft will only generate more and more voters and participation. Others believe it is just pointless to fight against the machine.
Just comparing the Iowa caucus now and with 2016, how can anyone prove that the more the people fight for democracy, the closer we get to that prize?
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
There is no proof
It's a crap shot for a crappy situation. My question is how long before the whole edifice crumbles now that the facade is irrevocably striped away.
No electricity yet
Didn’t get much sleep. Have a 2-10 shift today and am in NO mood to hearing a lot of infuriating talk about the electoral process from either Trump voters or useful vote blue no matter who idiots.
Such is life today. Perhaps it’ll get better rather than worse?
There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier
I tried to post a link from NC about the clusterfuck
and keep getting an error message, tptb are censoring us?
This happens when trying to post the link along with comment
caucus99percent
free-range politics, organic community
Error
The website encountered an unexpected error. Please try again later.
EDIT: worked on 4th try
https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2020/02/iowa-democrats-and-elite-incompe...
I never knew that the term "Never Again" only pertained to
those born Jewish
"Antisemite used to be someone who didn't like Jews
now it's someone who Jews don't like"
Heard from Margaret Kimberley
g...
I took a look at the logs, read the FAQ posted below. There were 2 little fire/flames emoji things that need to be removed. That was the problem.
FAQ: Why do I keep getting an error and my essay or comment wont post?
Thanks, had no idea they were even there
I never knew that the term "Never Again" only pertained to
those born Jewish
"Antisemite used to be someone who didn't like Jews
now it's someone who Jews don't like"
Heard from Margaret Kimberley
So...what DID happen last night?
I'm in Australia right now, so a little out of sync; 1-paragraph summary, anyone?
In the absence of further information, I'm guessing it has something to do with this bombshell: https://politics.theonion.com/dnc-mulls-asking-donald-trump-to-run-as-de...
In the Land of the Blind, the One-Eyed Man is declared mentally ill for describing colors.
Yes Virginia, there is a Global Banking Conspiracy!
TLDR: Mayo Pete and former Clinton campaign people ratfucked
the party paid a company for an app that was supposed to report on precinct results. Mayo Pete's campaign people have ties to this company, Clinton's people have ties to this company, and Mayo Pete declared victory in Iowa with 0% of the precincts reporting.
This same app is supposed to be used for Nevada
for that caucus. The coincidences abound!
The news is Nevada will not be using that APP.
Russians!
"I’m a human being, first and foremost, and as such I’m for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole.” —Malcolm X
The key
.Even if Bernie wins in the end, while the Iowa vote is still in doubt the news coverage will switch to the State of the Union speech and the impeachment vote and Bernie will be denied the momentum he would have carried into New Hampshire.
My sentiments exactly: #MayorCheat
#MayorCheat is trending on twitter
The "Democratic" Party
is little more than a global embarrassment at this point.
Not that we didn't know that already.
Gëzuar!!
from a reasonably stable genius.
The "Democratic" Party;
experts at dismantling the tiny vestiges of democracy we have left.
One election at a time...
Sigh. I knew when I read that story about the software app and included it in my OT last week there was going to be consequences. But I really wasn’t envisioning it to be this obvious. Makes no sense to steal it this way when under the radar suits their purposes so much better. Have to wonder if things went wrong and their incompetence is in full force and in full view?
There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier
Time for them to change their name to the
Jackass Party. Becuz isn’t it obvious?
"The object of persecution is persecution. The object of torture is torture. The object of power is power. Now do you begin to understand me?" ~Orwell, "1984"
To the folks in South Bend, Indiana...
Better double and triple check the results from your last mayoral election.
Why are you such a homophobe?
/s
Mythophobic...
and pistanthrophobic.
Ha! Right?
I almost wonder if knowing for sure is going to make me feel any better.
There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier
Heh...
How apropos
There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier
Glad I went to bed early
How desperate are the Establishment?
It's not just stealing the Iowa caucus, it's delaying the results until it's lost in the news cycle. State of the Union today, impeachment aquittal vote tomorrow, then it's on to New Hampshire.
How many people had their cell phones recording the proceedings? How are they going to claim that votes were cast for centrists when the videos show overwhelming support for Sanders?
All that will be lost in the news cycle. Hushed up until the state convention when they will grant the delegates to someone who will pass them along to Bloomberg.
And this is just the first contest.
"The greatest shortcoming of the human race is our inability to understand the exponential function." -- Albert Bartlett
"A species that is hurtling toward extinction has no business promoting slow incremental change." -- Caitlin Johnstone
The elites aren't even trying to hide it anymore
When I saw that the results still haven't been reported this morning I thought of Jeffrey Epstein's death that happened the day after my essay where I commented "If he lives long enough to get to trial." He was killed outright in front of us and the media just moved on without any discussion of the bombshell report of all the players named the day before.
Look at how many important news stories that we read on alternative websites that never make the mainstream news. We are being herded like cattle to believe whatever the hell the power elite wants us to believe. Many do. We here see through it.
And look at what happened during the last election. 200,000 thousand Bernie supporters kicked off the voter rolls. Party affiliations changed. 2 million primary votes from CA never counted. The media reporting Hillary had already won it the day before the primary.
Tim Cavanova's outright theft of a win against Debbie Wasserman Schultz where they filmed ballots being carted off and then destroyed. The guy who ran elections in Georgia still allowed to run while he was the candidate. Lots of shenanigans there. Too many other discrepancies to count. Oh yes, it's going to be rigged and as someone upthread said, it's okay because the DNC argued in court they can do it..
Scientists are concerned that conspiracy theories may die out if they keep coming true at the current alarming rate.
It's 'fu*k-a-duck time ...
If reason can possibly prevail in this age of social media, Iowa's cluster-fuck whether by malicious intent or incompetence argues for supporting Bernie Sanders. We do indeed need a political revolution sweeping away entrenched power brokers and bringing a new dawning as well as new deal to this country.
Good morning, Anja,
Noticed in mirror. i'm red-eyed from staying up into the morning and stressing. Hoping we can capitalize on this situation, we should.
Dealing with the funk and trudging on; hoping those wonderful blue skies of California brighten your day and garden.
Good Morning Smiley,
Like you, I'm hoping we can turn last night into a win. I don't think any of us got a good nights sleep. Can't imagine how the caucus goers for Bernie are feeling this morning.
It's sunny and bright here in California after a night of angry winds. I guess even the weather didn't get a good nights sleep?
There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier
Hope power returns, Anja,
Like you, my room is dependent on electricity for everything, and it can get very cold here.
Been a long time since i visited a coffee shop. Don't get out much anymore and if i do, it's an early afternoon with a couple of old friends.
Appears more to me that if Sanders can make it to your state, we most likely will fight an oligarch for the election, let's hope, it's the battle we need and can win, imho, if it's played as fairly as can be expected, i think we can overwhelm the ballot boxes.
So, yes, let's go forward positively, 'not me, us.'
Thanks for the thread, Anja --
Couldn't sleep for all the disgust and despair, scoured the web for more info so here's a small sampling of sites that may be of interest to folks here:
Zerohedge has good coverage of the incident, sprinkled with excellent, sometimes amusing, Tweets -- Controversy Erupts After Buttigieg Declares Victory; Sanders Challenges As Mayor Pete's Links To App Company Emerge
BTW, Tara McGowan is the apparent CEO of the company that owns “Shadow.” Twitter responses to her open enthusiasm enthusiasm for Mayo Pete (who spent money on “Shadow”) are a fun read: https://twitter.com/taraemcg/status/1088071074468642818
The LA Times reports a bit more on “Shadow” - Tech firm started by Clinton campaign veterans is linked to Iowa caucus reporting debacle
The wonderfully straight-laced WSWS (who does not consider Bernie a socialist) correctly sums up and condemns last night’s fiasco: With Sanders headed to victory, Iowa Democratic Party blocks release of caucus results
The Intercept’s report is predictably larded with subtle anti-Sanders observations: SANDERS CAMPAIGN’S INTERNAL CAUCUS NUMBERS SHOW THEM LEADING IOWA, WITH BIDEN A DISTANT FOURTH
Good coverage by Yves Smith on Naked Capitalism (although "incompetence" is too generous): Iowa, Democrats, and Elite Incompetence
Optimistic news from the very young but talented Niko House:
(Earlier) BREAKING: Did Bernie Sanders Just Catch The Iowa Dems Red Handed In Huge Rigging Scandal
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkGAN6MmcXc]
________
(More recent) BREAKING: Bernie's Campaign Reports Their Own Results In Iowa W/ Bernie Well In The Lead!!
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1O_MqcYWEw]
___________
It should be clear by now that the Democratic Party will not let Bernie win the nomination. We the people of the United States need our own party. asap
Lurking in the wings is Hillary, like some terrifying bat hanging by her feet in a cavern below the DNC. A bat with theropod instincts. -- Fred Reed https://tinyurl.com/vgvuhcl
Good stuff Laurel, thanks!
What a night. Was so difficult to keep my mind on work when I kept going back to the break room every ten minutes to look at my phone. Found out my boss thinks Bernie supports want "free stuff". And then come home to knocked out electricity and a wind storm that blew away the lanterns I had decorating my fig tree. Disappointing night all around.
There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier
Short summary
from The Hill.
Krystal
clear
BBC correspondent: Trump fears Biden most, raring to face Bernie
So disgusted! Minutes ago on German TV, covering Iowa, the BBC’s Washington D.C. correspondent just claimed that Trump fears Biden most (proof: Ukrainegate!) and wants to face Bernie as easiest (2nd easiest: Warren).
That simply doesn’t seem true to me at all. Just the opposite.
BBC = part of the Lügenpresse (lying press) —
Oh, sounds too much like what right-wing German populists say? Sorry, not sorry:
https://caitlinjohnstone.com/2020/02/02/the-primary-mechanism-of-your-op...
Bernie with 60% of his p-chairs reporting, he wins both
first and second totals, didn't mention delegates. Beating everyone by a few percentage points, three four or five if i heard correctly, a win anyways, but seeing reports from other place that delegates may have gone to booleg.
here we go, the numbers
Thanks Smiley!
Let's go on to New Hampshire!
There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier
Watching a documentary on French-German joint TV channel “Arte”
about the rise of precarious employment, the destruction of the middle class, and the vast divide between elite metropolis dwellers and common folk in the provinces, etc. which phenomena can be observed across most European countries.
They’re actually letting ordinary people talk about their ever worsening lives and situations — first-hand accounts, rather than just statistics, theses, and generalizations from “experts" and academics from the professional-managerial class.
Increasing impoverishment and marginalization is driving people to support causes like Brexit, right-wing nationalist parties, or movements like France’s Yellow Vests.
Well, duh. I’m just an ageing Asian–Pacific Islander with faltering mental faculties marooned in Europe on a minimal pension, and I coulda told anyone who’d listen all that three years ago.