Tuesday Open Thread ~ Clusterfu$k 2020
If his IQ slips any lower, we'll have to water him twice a day ~ Molly Ivins
Good Morning,
Welcome to Tuesday’s Open Thread. Well, it's been one helluva week. I don't know what you've been doing to get through it, but I've been spending a lot more time than I usually do drinking with friends. It's helped, but it ain't a long term solution. For now, I'd like to start today's topic by imagining the DNC as a large garbage truck that just pulled up to your house and dumped their rotting entrails into your livingroom and then told you that ole foggy-bottom Joe is the best candidate to beat Sanders Trump. Never mind that an immorally unctuous political machine has set up an electoral process that is one gigantic fuck-you in a long string of fuck-you's to voters whose votes were not counted, who were subjected to a myriad of depress the vote tactics, and who were constantly told they were toxic Bernie Bros because they called politicians out on their lies. Jesus Christ. It's 2016 all over again. The Democratic Establishment writes off every voter under the age of 50 years old, while the "Vote Blue No Matter Who" contingent insist that same block of voters remain engaged. It's insane. The progressive left is not going to saddle up to the veal pen because "Trump is worse". Really? Worse than what our own party has already done to us and continues to do to us with brazen impunity? Nah-uh. So, hear this; if Bernie is not the nominee, I will write his name on the ballot come November as a reminder to the Establishment that my vote has to be earned. Oh, and to the seriously damaged human beings who are the power behind the DNC, Fuck You Too.
Dallas County asks to recount Super Tuesday election results after 44 thumb drives discovered
Dallas County Elections Administrator Toni Pippins-Poole discovered her office did not count about 10% of the ballots that voters cast on Super Tuesday.
She is now asking a court to let her conduct a manual recount of the votes, after she discovered 44 thumb drives containing ballots that were not included in the final results.
A hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday at Dallas County District Court, where a judge is expected to hear the matter.
It’s uncertain which precincts are involved, how many votes are at issue or whether the apparent winners from any races will change.
It is also uncertain if the 44 thumb drives represent 44 individual voting centers or joint centers where votes were cast in both primaries.
Still, the drives represent almost a tenth of the total vote centers open on Super Tuesday, officials told WFAA.
"Of the 44 thumb drives, 16 were not received in a timely manner to the Elections Department and 28 were from voting machines not scheduled to be used but were used by volunteer election officials," Pippins-Poole said in a statement Saturday evening addressing the blunder.
Tweets of the Week
Joe Biden is mopping the floor in states that he never visited, where he opened zero field offices, and where he spent next to nothing on TV.
— Matt Viser (@mviser) March 4, 2020
They literally just added 19,000 votes to Biden in Texas and Bernie's total literally didn't even change! That's statistically impossible. WTF is going on??
— Eldon Katz (@eldon_katz) March 4, 2020
Instead of asking why youth turnout was so low, maybe we should ask why there were four hour waits at university polling stations such as the single voting place set up at UCLA for 40,000 students
— Hilary Agro (@hilaryagro) March 5, 2020
This happened a mere 12 weeks ago. Have people lost their goddamned minds? https://t.co/CRFXzoo2hm
— Luke Savage (@LukewSavage) March 6, 2020
Democratic insiders know Biden has cognitive decline issues. They joke about it. They don’t care.
— Matt Stoller (@matthewstoller) March 6, 2020
This is the election right here. Team Bernie has got to flip voters on electability or it’s all over. https://t.co/MzHaysHhen
— Krystal Ball (@krystalball) March 6, 2020
bernie isn’t really running against joe biden, a candidate who hasnt done a real rally, live fundraiser, interview, town hall, or basically any public event in days.
he’s running against a media apparatus that’s given biden close to $100 million in coverage in the last 14 days.
— isi breen (its pronounced ‘izzy’) (@isaiah_kb) March 7, 2020
I will not make jokes about Biden' obvious early stage dementia. It is not funny but cruel that he is being pushed out there to be ridiculed & criminal that DNC would sacrifice him & hopes of their supporters just to maintain control of their party.
— Ajamu Baraka (@ajamubaraka) March 7, 2020
What more likely source for threatening the Trump White House with infection could there be, other than AIPAC? https://t.co/WOCqionciy
— Max Blumenthal (@MaxBlumenthal) March 8, 2020
Jerking off in the town square to make myself powerful enough to destroy the coronavirus https://t.co/QZi6oL3F2o
— rob delaney (@robdelaney) March 7, 2020
I am super-interested in the American politicians who said NOTHING about a Nazi flag being displayed by bigots at a @BernieSanders rally.
It’s super insightful.
— Shaun King (@shaunking) March 7, 2020
To succeed in politics, it's vital you not alienate the coalition allies you need to succeed with insults and personal attacks.
This is something the mentally imbalanced, racist, sadistic, misogynistic incel Bernie Bro losers in their grandmothers' basements have yet to learn.
— Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) March 7, 2020
I’m really curious how any of the people endorsing Joe Biden that are under 60 plan to have an electoral base after 2020.
— Nomiki Konst (@NomikiKonst) March 7, 2020
My diabetic boyfriend was just informed his insulin copay is $1,300, so I'd advise Liz Warren people upset about snake emojis to get the fuck over it
— john teufel (@JohnTeufelNYC) March 7, 2020
Democratic Establishment: maybe if we close our eyes really tight no one will notice Biden’s cognitive decline.
Rest of the world:
— Benjamin Dixon (@BenjaminPDixon) March 8, 2020
Biden is unelectable. https://t.co/CnMmskNkMJ
— Secular Talk (@KyleKulinski) March 8, 2020
Comments
Molly Ivins
I often wonder what she'd have to say about all of this.
And the Dem establishment is lost. They're on a self-destructive downhill slide into the gutter, and I don't think they can stop themselves. They're a dead party walking.
Except they're not walking very well anymore, just staggering and stumbling while yelling about how wonderful they are and how everyone else stinks and we'd better do what they say OR ELSE!
"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 wondered the same thing
When I came across her quote. I have to think she'd be just as horrified as we are. But at least she could make us laugh.
There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier
Good morning, Anja ~~
I'm pretty fed up with the whole thing. I'm certainly not insane, so I'm not expecting a different result today. They are going to rig this thing three ways to Sunday. We aren't allowed to have nice things. We are allowed to have corona virus, homelessness, low wages, expensive medicine, and two-three jobs to live. We better get used to it because they are going to ensure Joementia is the nominee so that Herr Drumpf is re-elected. I will never vote for Joementia.
Feeling better this morning. A bit of a sore throat and my cough is subsiding. I think I got on it pretty fast. Hopefully.
Have a decent 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
Good luck with your ailment, whatever it may be.
That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --
Thanks, el ~
I actually tracked down who I got it from. The virus started with a co-worker's granddaughter, ran through their family and I got it from the grandma. I'm much better today and should be back on my feet by tomorrow.
"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
Sorry to hear you're not feeling well
Not a great time to be sick. I gather you have no fever?
There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier
Low-grade fever
for two days - gone now.
"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
Whew!
Glad to hear that.
There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier
I'm pretty fed up with all of this too
But I'm not dead yet. Went hiking the other day and met a wonderful couple who were both active in the local DSA here. Been thinking of becoming a member myself and working on labor issues. The Establishment may have the power, but I'll be damned if I'm gonna bend over for them while they fuck us in the ass with a 2x4 and hand them the Vaseline.
There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier
I have a sore throat as well--
but no fever, aches and pains, difficulty breathing, or cough. So I think I either have another cold or, most likely, allergies. My acupuncturist doesn't detect any assault on my immune system in my pulses.
Hope you feel better.
"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
Good Morning
good point about Biden and the free media coverage given to him. Just like with Trump. Bernie, not so much, and mostly on the negative side. More and more it seems like we've seen this show before.
It's just so spectacularly obvious
What the media is doing. And for anyone with a few working brain cells, you'd almost think this is satire and not real life. For anyone buying into this Joe electable bullshit, here's hoping their prepared for the big shock of Trump 2020.
There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier
Close your eyes and pretend it's all a bad dream
...That's how I get by." --Jack Sparrow
This shit is bananas.
I wish I was that good at pretending...
There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier
Yeah, me too.
I could really use a drink. There's just too much going on right now. If it weren't such a terrible idea I'd be drunk. Which is also what Jack Sparrow would do, heh.
This shit is bananas.
Just sayin'
I agree
Better to cast the only vote you have for the better candidate all around. Like I said above, they have to earn my vote, and pushing Joe Biden onto the electorate is not doing it. Can't believe anyone has to say that aloud. It's upside down world right now for sure.
Hope you're hanging in there, Wally, and taking care of yourself. These are trying times for the soul. Need to replenish if we're going to ride this out until November. Solidarity, dude.
There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier
I've used the portmanteau "Joementia", but there's a better one.
Dementia.
These people have spent their lives looking at everything from the lens of money, but that lens is a shattered mess, held together with duct tape.
True enough
But you have to admit that "Joementia" is fairly creative on its own. Rolls off the tongue pretty easily, is clear in its meaning, and it's catchy. About the only thing in this very pathetic state of affairs that slightly amused me is thinking about someone coming up with that name.
There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier
You're right, I should have said "another one".
I love "Joementia", especially because of the cognitive dissonance when your mind starts reading it as "Joementum".
However, I don't think I'll ever see "dementia" again without wanting to capitalize it.
There are a lot of things I won't look at in the same way
After this election. Like Corn Pop, Razor Blades, and Joe's hairy legs.
There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier
Good morning on this very dreary day outside...
Have to agree with what you said about what is ahead. Know already, the "vote blue no matter who" is not a two way street. Am finding some solace in cleaning out several of my rooms in the place in Texas and distributing it to people who can make use of it.
We are supposed to be have a festival this weekend in town with rock stacking, music and other events. Hope the rain does not ruin everything. Of course we need the rain so cannot wish it away.
Hope all can find something beneficial for themselves during this time.
Life is what you make it, so make it something worthwhile.
This ain't no dress rehearsal!
Very dreary here today too
Seems appropriate. Sorting through and organizing ones things can be very cathartic. Lightening the load both literally, and metaphorically. I'm glad to hear you are doing ok. I am too for the most part. Still miss my sweet Pierre and this political stuff isn't helping my sad mood. Have had a headache since yesterday, but think it's either from a caffeine withdrawal, or all the wine I've been drinking, or both. As I mentioned upthread to RA, went on a hike the other day and met some wonderful people who are members of the local DSA. Been thinking of becoming a member for awhile, but am more motivated now. I work with a lot of young people who have been active in this election for the first time in their lives and they are feeling very demoralized. Perhaps getting involved in a community of like minded folks like the DSA might help them hold onto the bigger picture? We'll see. I'll try. I know it'll help me.
There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier
If anyone is interested in listening to
this week's Intercept podcast, I highly recommend it. What inspired me the most was the talk between Jeremy and Aja Monet and Astra Taylor. These two inspiring women, towards the end, talked about the movement Bernie has built. As they say (I'm paraphrasing) Bernie has built a movement that, with or without him, we need to carry forward. We, the American people, cannot unhear what Bernie has shouted about the oligarchy. We must move forward, with or without Bernie as we confront the future.
The oligarchs are going to do everything in their power to stop us from electing Bernie. They may be successful. If they are successful in getting Herr Drumpf rep-elected or electing Jomentia, it will be why revolution must be imminent or we will become like the Palestinians. Think about that.
edited for typo
"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
Just finished listening to it
based on your rec in the older thread, , and I agree it's very good (if long), and the culmination at the end with both Aja Monet and Astra Taylor is simply superb. Right there it touches all the right notes, gets down to what really matters in this election and also in the movement itself. I was especially moved by Aja's words; they are so spot on that if the Bernie campaign could find a way to weave them into an ad narration aimed esp. toward people of color and women, they would surely help him win votes. I also love her point that the movement Bernie started will continue whether or not he becomes president. We need this, the movement, with all the heart and soul of a movement (gives me 1960s nostalgia envisioning it), and the type of heartfelt understanding Aja expresses could help us find our way forward.
Thanks so much for bringing this to people's attention.
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
How do we get people to stay involved if Bernie isn't?
How do we get them to reconceive of the movement as about more than elections?
Those have always been the questions.
"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
Lee Camp had a good rant...
about the rigging -
the exit polls from stupid Tuesday are way off
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t78Ff26-V8s]
edit to add: oops I see someone covered that here last night. How about this one instead?
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvOjlfRpXHQ]
And to change gears... a PSA about Vit D and infection prevention
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5yVGmfivAk]
Worth your consideration IMO. Italy has quarantined itself. 20 cases in GA, and none in AL yet. Take care friends!
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
Stupid Tuesday
Or Cheating Tuesday. Thanks for the videos. Watching them now...
There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier
Lee Camp makes a good point
If the Establishment wanted to assure us that the elections were fair, then they should open source everything so we could see for ourselves. In the absence of that, one has to make the assumption that the Establishment has no intention of showing us the raw data.
There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier
The middle vid, about Biden's lies,
shows how beautifully he fits in with Liz and Hill. Amazing.
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
Morning, Anja, thanks for the OT and rant; good column.
Weevils! Lesser weevils are a coming for sure. Abbreviated heirarchy of DEvils/Demons:
Lucifer - "whose rebellion against God caused him and his followers to be cast from heaven (Guiley)." emperor of hell
ranked above Satan TOP Evil
Beelzebub - "prince of the Seraphim and next to Lucifer (Michaelis)" reigned over the witches' sabbat aka Father of Lies A LESSER Evil (We're #2, Rah!) Of all the lesser weevils, the description "Father of Lies" clearly identifies the Dem Establishment.
Asmodeus - "he burns with the desire to tempt men with his swine of luxuriousness, and is the prince of wantons (Michaelis)." Not the least evil, just one of the many lessers who is less evil than the Dem establishment.
Pictures needed. To be expanded later, during the general.
have a good one.
That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --
Alternative list for future reference, note location of
(Great) Satan::
Lucifer
Beelzebub
Satan
Abaddon
Mammon
Belphegor
Asmodeus
That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --
I had no idea there were more than one
Interesting what one learns on C99! Might come in useful if we were to attribute which politician has the characteristics of which devil?
There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier
I can’t help but wonder what Jill Biden is thinking.
Is she biden her time until Joe gets into the White House where she can act like Wilson’s second wife Edith Bolling Wilson who arrogated to herself the role of “steward” of her stroke-ridden husband the president’s official duties? Or is she allowing Joe to be the sacrificial lamb to be crushed by the evil Trump, thus insuring four more years of indignant emails and fundraising?
"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"
Maybe she really doesn't have a choice?
Coercion in whatever form it takes can be, er, very persuasive. Still, ya gotta wonder what's going through her mind as she contemplates having to "help" her husband stumble across the finish line. Can't be something that ages well as one approaches the end of their own lives, that's for sure. Well, better them than me. I plan on having no such troubling thoughts when I leave this world.
There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier
I still remember her saying that we, the voters,
were going to have to “swallow a little” and accept Biden. She seems to be right in there on this.
"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"
I don't think there are a lot of people
When tested, who side with their "better angels" and do the right thing when given the choice. Certainly not people close to power and wealth. I have my own theories about why, but I suppose it's anyone's guess.
There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier
Swallow a little what?
n/t
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
That expression gave me nightmares. Ugh.
"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"
You know what.
You're supposed to suck dick and swallow.
Fuck that shit.
There is no justice. There can be no peace.
Just because she has to do it
Doesn't mean we have to.
There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier
+1
This shit is bananas.
Yep, that graphic
pretty much sums up my feelings...
But don't forget this...
C99, my refuge from an insane world. #ForceTheVote
Yeah, its like they forget we remember
Love Sam's response. Can't imagine, though, how frustrating it is being part of a small coterie of journalists who aren't insane.
There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier
Hey Anja and all
Kinda like Gjohn, have gone into a reflective funk.
Starting to realize the DNC (do not care) party is going
to cheat their way thru another circus.
I like the idea of mass escape from the captive parties.
Things like: - bring a camera, take a picture of your ballot
- stand outside the poling place and ask people
if they want to share their choices with a clipboard
- bring a scrap of paper and indicate your choice, then
stuff it in a box on the way out
- like several here, if there is nothing to hide, then make
the process transparent
- most importantly, wrench the control of 'right to vote' away from
the ruling class - one person, one vote up front
- if they don't want to give us a voice, yell louder
- it is our right to be heard without the shenanigans
peace, out
question everything
Can I join you?
We could sit outside of the polling place together with a table, some ballots, and a sign that says "We actually count your votes".
There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier
Late day 'ello, Anja,
Sorry i missed your OT and conversation. I'm depressed, damn the machine especially the entrenched political ones controlled by money from corporations and billionaires.
Pretty simple, voters vote against their best interests, again. DNC remains transparently corrupt as is the MSM, especially the networks, cable and radio.
Fuck-a-duck!
Now, do deal with virus concerns; yippee; did i say i'm depressed?
Oh, hell, and you are right, they don't make enough booze to escape this country's politics.
Let's find some good cheer, it's like the pony joke, must be in there somewhere.
Went out drinking again last night
Because I didn't want to see the results of last night's primaries. Woke up feeling hung over but at least I had a good time. No escaping the reality that we live with a very corrupt country with a government and a political system that will do anything to stay in power. How can any clear minded person who sees this not be depressed?
Solidarity, wine, and time, my friend. Be well.
There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier