A Time for Mourning

The following is the comment I posted to the article that follows:

Journalism and truth died and someone forgot to tell me. I have a degree in journalism, and would have attended the funeral. For Truth, probably not. It has been ailing for a very long time in US America. Politicians killed it with a very slow poison. Still, sad to see it go completely.

AP just posted Nevada Democrats: Sanders campaign has violent streak.

From the Saddam Hussein school of democracy and political leaders straight out of Grimm's Fairy Tales, we get this:

LAS VEGAS — Nevada's Democratic party on Monday warned the Democratic National Committee that Sen. Bernie Sanders' supporters have a penchant for violence and may seek to disrupt the party's national convention in July, as they did during the Nevada convention Saturday.

The allegation is the latest fallout from a divisive Nevada Democratic convention that had to be shut down because security at the Paris Las Vegas hotel could no longer ensure order on Saturday night. The gathering closed with some Sanders supporters throwing chairs; later, some made death threats against state party chairwoman Roberta Lange.

I watched most of the streaming videos that night and followed the story closely on Twitter, while I did not see it, there is some possibility of chairs being turned over after Lange fled the room. It had not happened previously and as there were two people sitting at the table on the dais long after Lane left without lifting their head, it is very doubtful that there were are "throwing" of chairs.

There was one point when a person was on the floor (about midway through) and Lange yelled out something about violence, but it turned out the person had fainted...something about being diabetic, apparently there were a few people having to leave because of similar health issues. So, she lied about that incident and seems to now have gone all out.

There was ONE person who repeatedly kept giving out Lange's phone number and address and making statements about calling her. He never said anything about death threats, and there is no way to identify the person as a Sander's supporter. It could just as well have been an HRC plant.

The article has the usual quotes from the Sanders' campaign about not condoning violence, but the article is so amazingly biased in its coverage, including not explaining what the issues were (the implication is that Sanders' supporters went off their rockers becasue Sanders' did not win). Yes, there was name calling, but it happened on both sides. Apparently, you cannot call someone who has subverted democracy a bitch because she is part of the HRC horde, but it is okay to call a Sanders' supporter that (it can be heard on some of the tapes).

There were people there like Nina Turner, at least earlier, who could have clarified a lot of things for the press, but AP chose not to do what is normally required in any ethical journalistic endeavor. Associated Press (AP), United Press, and Reuters used to be the go to places for completely unbiased material. Times have really changed.

There is a bit more in the article, but I will leave you with this part as I do not think I can comment on it without throwing something. This is from a letter sent to the DNC from the Nevada Democratic party general counsel:

"We believe, unfortunately, that the tactics and behavior on display here in Nevada are harbingers of things to come as Democrats gather in Philadelphia in July for our National Convention," Schrager wrote. "We write to alert you to what we perceive as the Sanders campaign's penchant for extra-parliamentary behavior — indeed, actual violence — in place of democratic conduct in a convention setting, and furthermore what we can only describe as their encouragement of, and complicity in, a very dangerous atmosphere that ended in chaos and physical threats to fellow Democrats."

If Sanders is not the nominee, the Democratic Party has just guaranteed that I will vote for Trump.

Clinton-Rules.jpg

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riverlover's picture

Bring it on, indeed. Hold me back. This is devolving quickly now, with baiting.

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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.

WindDancer13's picture

However, they are also setting up a very dangerous situation, and I think it is deliberate. How many people will question the wisdom of going to Philadelphia knowing that there is very likely going to be problems with the police? Fear, it is such a great weapon. Will we have to give up any semblance of democracy or chance to get the country back because "they" would rather have the people fear the country rather than love it?

We, the US, have overturned governments for less.

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We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.--Aristotle
If there is no struggle there is no progress.--Frederick Douglass

we perceive as the Sanders campaign's penchant for extra-parliamentary behavior — indeed, actual violence — in place of democratic conduct in a convention setting

Remind me again: which side was it that changed the rules of the convention, doing so by not following their own rules, when it looked like they might lose? Wasn't the Sandernistas pulling the "extra-parliamentary" shit.

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You keep using that word...

Bisbonian's picture

Propaganda for public consumption.

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"I’m a human being, first and foremost, and as such I’m for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole.” —Malcolm X

WindDancer13's picture

that would buy that crap is the HRC horde. Maybe she is just trying to hold onto what she thinks she has. Their internal polls must not be looking so good.

Can you imagine what actual democratic countries are thinking of this right now? Hell, even the despotic ones are rolling on the floor.

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We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.--Aristotle
If there is no struggle there is no progress.--Frederick Douglass

WindDancer13's picture

"Extra-parliamentary" is making a motion that Robert's Rules of Order be observed. Wow, that really is out of line in a democracy! "A place of democratic conduct" is a rather loose way to describe a setting in which all democratic ideals were tossed out the window, unless they meant conduct as in a verb as in being escorted out.

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We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.--Aristotle
If there is no struggle there is no progress.--Frederick Douglass

This self-defeating behavior has to change if politics is to change. You cannot punish a political party by rewarding it.

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“If there is no justice for the people, may there be no peace for the government.”

riverlover's picture

It costs me nothing to change my voter registration. I can do that online, I think. Vague reasons to stay in, like primary voting (NY) are becoming less appealing every day. I may be forced to feel the shove.

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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.

You can always change just for a primary, if you wish to.

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WindDancer13's picture

in this state (MI) because when went to City Hall to change to Independent, I was told that people here are not registered by party, just to vote. You have to ask for the ballot flavor that you want. If I move to another state, I will certainly register as independent until such time a party forms that meets my values.

As far as I can tell, there is a need for a party system in order to work out platforms and candidates and all, but we do need three or four to choose from.

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We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.--Aristotle
If there is no struggle there is no progress.--Frederick Douglass

WindDancer13's picture

get the nomination, and he endorses HRC. Basically, he will torpedo all that he has done in the last year if he does that. Even if he does win, there will remain a need to form a viable third part.

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We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.--Aristotle
If there is no struggle there is no progress.--Frederick Douglass

jwa13's picture

not a certainty yet (and $hillary always could be indicted any time now, on any of several felony charges), he -- and the country -- would be best served if he remained aloof from the mud-wrestling contest that will ensue.

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When Cicero had finished speaking, the people said “How well he spoke”.
When Demosthenes had finished speaking, the people said “Let us march”.

lunachickie's picture

I think you're seeing the swan song of the American Democratic Party as we've known it since World War II.

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WindDancer13's picture

going to be easy. At least in other periods, there was a responsible press. We don't have that any more.

We need to start compiling manuals on how to combat the State system. How have other countries toppled dictators from within? This one is a good beginning, I think: The Monkeywrench Gang by Edward Abbey.

Easily Abbey's most famous fiction work, the novel concerns the use of sabotage to protest environmentally damaging activities in the Southwestern United States, and was so influential that the term "monkeywrench" has come to mean, besides sabotage and damage to machines, any sabotage, activism, law-making, or law-breaking to preserve wilderness, wild spaces and ecosystems.

And now democracy.

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We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.--Aristotle
If there is no struggle there is no progress.--Frederick Douglass

Including my local CongressPerson, Barbara Lee. Never Hillary or any other amoral sellout though. Bernie or Jill for me.

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Beware the bullshit factories.

WindDancer13's picture

of explaining that the CBC-PAC was NOT the CBC when everyone was acting like the CBC had endorsed HRC.

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We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.--Aristotle
If there is no struggle there is no progress.--Frederick Douglass

and the Clintons and the oligarchy propaganda machine. That huge, poisonous fume emanating pile has grown exponentially since then.

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Beware the bullshit factories.

Cant Stop the Macedonian Signal's picture

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"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha

"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver

I guess they want 1968 again.

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WindDancer13's picture

say, oh well, never mind. Maybe we should start an ActBlue for gas masks, padding and bail. Gawds, i wish the FBI would hurry up.

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We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.--Aristotle
If there is no struggle there is no progress.--Frederick Douglass

Haikukitty's picture

to turn a peaceful protest into a riot - or to give the riot cops an excuse to call it one.

I have zero doubt that the Clinton camp will make sure there are a few people wearing Bernie gear who will do something violent. That's child's play for people that corrupt.

Not a reason not to go, but best to be aware of what is likely to go down.

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Hawkfish's picture

They don't actually need to "do" anything. They just need to set up an environment of rhetoric like TOS does every day. Someone will go over the edge and they can deny all knowledge. If the person they push is a Bernie supporter, their hands look even cleaner.

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We can’t save the world by playing by the rules, because the rules have to be changed.
- Greta Thunberg

WindDancer13's picture

Have everyone going to Philadelphia dress as American Revolutionaries...George Washington, etc, and carrying a LOT of American flags (respectfully, of course), and Lady Liberty. Tough job having to attack the Founding Fathers, et al. AND the flag.

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We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.--Aristotle
If there is no struggle there is no progress.--Frederick Douglass

lunachickie's picture

they want an excuse to get them a jail full of political prisoners.

Hope we're up to it, because that is coming next. Count on it.

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WindDancer13's picture

internment camps. Well, for some of us that might at least keep a roof over our heads, because with the economic policies coming if she is elected, people are going to need room and board somewhere. It might not be The Ritz, but better than living on the streets.

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We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.--Aristotle
If there is no struggle there is no progress.--Frederick Douglass

prisoners (at best). This kind of drumbeating provides cover for a full-on assault against those "nasty violent anarchists". and that kind of aggressive, even murderous response to protest has been seen time and time again in this country. (The US, BTW, has a record of the most egregious violence against union organizers, too).

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WindDancer13's picture

of riots/violence at the Republican convention if Trump wasn't the nominee seems a bit, ummm, hypocritical now. It would be interesting to see if Trump would make a statement to that effect and reference the REAL reason why Sanders' supporters are upset. He gets a lot of coverage. I cannot imagine the media being able to totally ignore it if he happened to mention things like campaigns stealing democracy, the DNC threatening violence, or Sanders' supporters being set up.

Yes, the US has some very bad habits.

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We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.--Aristotle
If there is no struggle there is no progress.--Frederick Douglass

Given that the establishment seems to be turning on him in full force. Trump might call out both establishment parties for the crooks they are, especially if it becomes clear that Trump will not be President. That will help either Bernie or Jill Stein.

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Beware the bullshit factories.

Wink's picture

but Trump's exposure of our rotten parties can only help America.

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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.

Bisbonian's picture

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bisbee_Deportation

I am sitting a few feet from the ballpark, as I write this. One of my distant relatives was among the deputized.

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"I’m a human being, first and foremost, and as such I’m for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole.” —Malcolm X

HoosierDeb's picture

I ran across this on a couple of the pro-Sanders reddit articles:

The Nonviolent Bernie Supporter “Tool kit”

I'm not a delegate, nor have I ever protested... however, this seems like a well-reasoned step-by-step action plan that can be taught prior to the Convention. There are also links within that list that address such training. If Sanders delegates from different states go in with a coordinated plan, they might be able to effectively utilize their power for an honest outcome.

One can hope....

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Despair is NOT an option!

lotlizard's picture

When I said that a few days ago, I thought I was indulging in a bit of hyperbole.

Reality just called to inform me that it’s not hyperbole.

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truth. John Pilger is a hero of mine, adn his latest piece is a must-read IMO:
http://www.telesurtv.net/english/opinion/A-World-War-Has-Begun-Break-the...

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Wink's picture

but the death of journalism in America was the reason I started our "radio station" (such as it is). I got sick'n'tired of Fox and el Rushbo being "The News and Talk authority" that passed for journalism in this country, and decided, "I can find better voices than these asshats." Well, it has been more of a struggle than anticipated, but we still hang in, continue to grow. I originally envisioned a hundred (or more) "radio stations" like ours from sea to shining sea manned by "citizen journalists" getting the alternative message out on "the airwaves." Is still our goal, but RL work humbles us. Bernie was the obvious candidate for me becuz he expresses mostly what's wrong with American politics, "the media" being a big part of the problem. We attempt to provide that alternative voice every day.

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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.

WindDancer13's picture

you don't provide information on how to access your programming. = )

Your efforts may become even more important than you think. I am of the opinion that if HRC is elected that we are going to find some changes to the Internet that will limit freedom of speech and access. So keep up the good work and I hope it begins to spread soon.

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We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.--Aristotle
If there is no struggle there is no progress.--Frederick Douglass

Thaumlord-Exelbirth's picture

and I worry that they may get exactly what they want. I can neither condone nor condemn such violence, but understand those who would resort to it. One can only be treated like an animal so long before they react like an animal would.

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WindDancer13's picture

Even Gandhi's and MLK's peaceful demonstrations evoked violence from those in power, but the optics were bad. It is part of the lie to make it look as if it is coming from those who seek justice. There would have been no American Revolution if today's elites had been in charge of the media and the institutions (e.g., Democratic Party) that it would have disrupted.

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We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.--Aristotle
If there is no struggle there is no progress.--Frederick Douglass

Lenzabi's picture

Seems to me that the Democratic establishment has decided to go all out with the WWE style narrative.

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So long, and thanks for all the fish

TheOtherMaven's picture

I realize now that I watched its slow protracted death on live TV, back in early 1994. I don't know how many people remember the Kerrigan-Harding case, but that thing was nonstop spin from the get-go. First it was, "who would want to injure such a sweet innocent skater?" Then it was, "She's got grit to be fighting her way back". Then it was "Oh, she's not so nice after all, she's got a bad temper and a vitriolic tongue." Then it was, "Poor Tonya never had a fair chance". Then it was, "Oh, boo hoo, the poor little Ukrainian orphan made them both look bad." Then it was, "Nancy's really nastier than Tonya, she dissed The Mouse". And spin, spin, spin until the viewing public got bored and completely lost interest.

"The facts" have never mattered since then. It's been nothing but, "How can we spin this thing to max out ratings?"

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There is no justice. There can be no peace.

WindDancer13's picture

This 1886 example has always stuck in y head.

Maine is best known for her loss in Havana Harbor on the evening of 15 February 1898. Sent to protect U.S. interests during the Cuban revolt against Spain, she exploded suddenly, without warning, and sank quickly, killing nearly three quarters of her crew. The cause and responsibility for her sinking remained unclear after a board of inquiry investigated. Nevertheless, popular opinion in the U.S., fanned by inflammatory articles printed in the "Yellow Press" by William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer, blamed Spain. The phrase, "remember the Maine, to Hell with Spain", became a rallying cry for action, which came with the Spanish–American War later that year. While the sinking of Maine was not a direct cause for action, it served as a catalyst, accelerating the approach to a diplomatic impasse between the U.S. and Spain.

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Yes and no. Journalism has gotten progressively worse as it has become a means for profit rather than a means to inform.

At least in some points in our history, there have been great, integrity-driven journalists. They are few left now, and they won't be found in any major media outlet.

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We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.--Aristotle
If there is no struggle there is no progress.--Frederick Douglass