Bernie Sanders’ last campaign ad is bittersweet. It softly closes a door. And yet, another door that remains wide open, beckons to us.
While this campaign is coming to an end, our movement is not. Please stay in this fight with me.
~ Bernie Sanders
Remember: Bernie Sanders remains on the ballot. If your state has not yet held its Democratic Primary, you still have an opportunity to vote for him. These votes will award more delegates to Bernie. More delegates help Bernie push for progressive policies at the Democratic Party Convention in August.
#NotMeUs
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In a dignified and thoughtful address, Bernie Sanders told his supporters today that his 2020 presidential campaign is suspended. He spoke for about ten minutes. His words were selfless. He emphasized the continuing progressive justice movement. Only at the end, as he reflected on the beauty of the American people, did he come close to shedding a tear.
Bernie Sanders officially announces the suspension of his presidential campaign.
Though his campaign is suspended, Bernie will remain on the ballot. This allows him to accumulate as many delegates as possible, in order to impact policy negotiations at the DNC Convention in August.
I am not surprised by the news. But I am heartbroken. It’s very sad that our nation let THE politician-of-a-lifetime slip through its fingers… a second time.
Opinion: Bernie Sanders is too good for a wobbling U.S.A. Incorporated. Democratic voters opted for NO change. They WANT a President CEO to head the government. Easily impressed by business, money, and profit, these Democratic voters are blind to their own complicity in the escalating global climate emergency and an imminent economic collapse.
Facts: I’m relieved. I no longer need to worry about President Sanders getting assassinated. I’m confident. Bernie will continue building the anti-corruption justice movement for all Americans. (Whether they all appreciate it, or not.)
By virtue of a coalescing movement, Bernie Sanders will continue to guide the United States. He will do everything possible to steer our democracy through peril, and toward justice.
Admittedly, many people will still be ignorant of Bernie’s powerful political influence. After all, corporate TV supports the Elite Establishment, and isn’t going to tell their audience anything about class warfare or economic justice.
Yet I assure you, when Bernie Sanders operates under the media radar — that’s where he really gets things done. Whatever Democratic presidential candidates are anxious to promise American voters in 2024, it’ll be thanks to Bernie’s ongoing, untelevised, grassroots activism.
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Can’t find a face mask to wear in public to help slow the spread of COVID-19? You need to make one yourself, but don’t own a sewing machine?!?
(This is not an effective face mask.)
No worries. You can still be a good citizen.
Head to your junk drawer. Check the back of your closet. You probably have the necessary components on hand to make your own face mask, no sewing involved.
The CDC provides instructions on how to create face masks out of t-shirts and bandanas. The t-shirt method only requires shirt material and a pair of scissors. However, this method creates a mask with only one layer of cloth. Two layers of cloth offer more protection.
I tried the bandana method. All it takes is a bandana, two rubber bands, a coffee filter, and a little folding. See the easy instructions below.
How to fold a bandana into a face mask. Photo: CDC.gov
U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams demonstrates how to fold an old t-shirt into a face mask. See the video below.
Dr. Jerome Adams uses an old t-shirt to create a face mask. The result has several layers of material.
Good luck with your homemade masks. Practice pandemic safety. Stay well.
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What are you doing during the coronavirus pandemic and isolation? Right now, I’m praying a prayer.
Dear God, protect our loved ones and all people around the world. Help people fully recover from COVID-19. Help your scientists find a cure. Deliver us from this pestilence. And move us beyond.
Our Father Who art in Heaven… Thy will be done, On Earth, as it is in Heaven.
When asked about the wondrous miracles He performed, Jesus said: “All these things you will do, and more.”
Jesus lived a life that was sociable and generous, and it’s seems like He meant, “Not just me, but us, all together… get to perform miracles.”
There is holistic synergy, as we heal, we multiply loaves and fishes, we tend to the poor, we free prisoners, “and more.”
May miracles flow now, and always. Amen.
Praying during corona crisis.
During the corona crisis, we try to be wise. We wash hands, stay home, pray, talk on the phone, catch up on reading and dreaming. We envision the world beyond today. Meanwhile, may miracles of safety, healing, and provision flow to everyone who needs them.
Please share your visions, prayers, and miracles in the comments below. Peace. ❤️
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The U.S. Congress was unable to pass a Corona Crisis Relief Bill without giving big corporations HUGE bailouts. Regular people, on average, will receive barely enough money to endure another two weeks. Frontline medical support funding was merely squeezed in, like an afterthought. WHY? Because global corporations rule the U.S. Congress.
Big Money Corrupts Government
Big Money has a corrupting influence on the American government. Here’s how it works… Money creates power. And then, power is misused to bribe politicians with campaign donations, insider stock information, the implied promise of future favors, etc. Legal or not, such corporate influence creates conflicts of interest that corrupt our elected officials. And know this: many Congress Members go along with shady practices because they’ll be politically punished if they don’t — not because they want to.
Power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
~ Lord Acton, 1887
The average voter hates corruption. But they think you can’t do anything about it. However, we must do something about political corruption, and fast. Corporate greed is the direct cause of our planet’s climate crisis. Now, the COVID-19 pandemic is pummeling us with immediate danger. Though corporate greed did not cause COVID-19, it has impeded an effective response to the disease, here in the United States, and is capitalizing on this crisis event — at the cost of American lives.
Rumblings of a General Strike
To attack corruption, we first need solidarity. Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaigns have built massive solidarity, exemplified by the #NotMeUs slogan. The idea of intersectional solidarity has gone mainstream. Now, because of the COVID-19 crisis, people are quickly figuring out that action is also required, and the rumblings of a #GeneralStrike abound. See Twitter examples below:
Frontline workers are terrified of catching COVID-19 and infecting their families and neighborhoods. As a result, some of them are causing inconvenience and discomfort for heartless bosses who won’t support worker safety — with labor strikes.
The labor strike is a time-honored tactic that leverages the power of workers. As desperation and unity grow, as people experience this coronavirus crisis together, expect to see THE General Strike take place, all across the U.S.A.
Anti-Corruption Yellow Vests
In addition to the General Strike, the county needs an organized, nonviolent Anti-Corruption Yellow Vests movement — to further disrupt the civil passivity of those aligned with the corporate establishment.
This is taking #NotMeUs to the next logical level. And while America’s modern Progressive Movement has been hugely inspired by Bernie Sanders’ political revolution, we’ll see everyone joining in — conservatives, independents, and non-politicals, alike — in order to experience the strength of solidarity and action that will save lives.
Today’s Playlist
Here’s the latest independent news playlist, with a progressive point of view. Listen, as you isolate. We’re all in this together. Solidarity!
Progressive independent news from the last few days.
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One of my obsessions is independent news. So while isolating during the Coronavirus Crisis, I’ll try to share a daily YouTube playlist of pertinent news and views. Listen to it while you’re knitting or doing push-ups.
Then call someone. Remind them they’re not alone in this. We are not alone, we are many.
Our Leaders Don’t Love Us
Rejection is difficult to deal with. And right now, it’s obvious that our elected leaders are not that into us.
From Trump wanting people to go back to work, to the Texas Lt. Governor’s willingness to die rather than save lives, we may assume: our elected officials do not love us.
(Except for Bernie Sanders, other progressives, and a few good Democrats. Possibly, a Republican or two.)
Proof: Follow the Money
How can you tell? Money follows love. This is true when Dad writes his will, and it’s true when Congress balances the budget. Now connect the dots… (this is the fun, puzzle part)… If Americans hardly get anything… for all the taxes they pay… (Ouch. Sniffle. This is the ugly part, when suppressed realizations come crowding in)…
That’s right. You knew all along. But instead of dealing with rejection with adult equanimity, too many Democratic voters bent over backwards in a desperate attempt to make Party Leaders love them — resulting in an excess of Super Tuesday votes for the iffy Joe Biden.
That’s right. Everyone knows Joe Biden is iffy, which brings us to our next conclusion… If Democratic leadership knows Biden is iffy, and is likely to lose the General Election…
That’s right. The Democratic Party put their weight behind Donald Trump’s second term. (He’s extremely useful for “resistance” fundraising.)
Enter Coronavirus Crisis
But the joke may be on Democratic leaders, instead of voters. Enter Coronavirus Crisis. The more poorly President Trump handles the current crisis, the more likely Biden could win the 2020 Election.
Establishment Democrats have backed themselves into a corner. The only way to avoid an iffy President Biden, is to nominate former front-runner Bernie Sanders.
Responsible News Provider Capitulates
PBS may be the first mainstream media outlet to accept these new circumstances. Instead of blocking Bernie Sanders, last night they aired Bernie’s Coronavirus town hall on the PBS News Hour.
What else can a responsible news provider do? President Trump wants to send people back to work prematurely, assuring many more Americans would die. A sicko Texas Lt. Gov says elders are willing to die, in order to save the stock market. Speaking of stocks, some U.S. Senators buy and sell them, illegally, based on insider information — capitalizing on the Coronavirus, while failing to warn the public.
You recognize that people are feeling frightened, helpless and alone. Bernie's leadership & caring will restore hope & confidence in a benevolent government. #NotMeUs ♥️
Tired of Bernie-Bashing? I added two progressive political news commentators to Independent News Outlets. One is new on the scene. The other is an old favorite. Neither presumes to lecture Bernie Sanders about where he “went wrong” with his presidential campaign — which is so very refreshing!
The Concise Christo Aivalis
Newcomer Christo Aivalis presents a concise, cogent delivery of the day’s progressive political news. Though his hair can be a terrible mess, you never think he just rolled out of bed. He’s sharp.
His commentary is prepared and professional. His commentary is smart. He admires the policies of Bernie Sanders. Christo happens to be Canadian.
Bernie Sanders SLAMS Reporter: “‘I’m dealing with a f**king global crisis” | Christo Aivalis
Tim Black Has a Way With Words
The seasoned Tim Black is a creative political commentator. He knows how to break the rules of communication, so his ideas break through to an audience. Besides having a way with words, Black is funny enough to be a standup comedian.
But he’s serious.
Tim Black is committed to the policies of Bernie Sanders — for his people, black Americans, and for everyone else. He goes at political commentary with the heart of a progressive activist.
Biden Voters Mostly Want Bernie Policies | Tim Black TV
Expose Your Friends & Family to Independent News
You’ll find a useful selection of news and commentary sources at the top 12 Bold Independent Progressive News Outlets, including numerous “honorable mentions.” Share it far and wide. We need to guide more people into independent news.
Challenge your friends and family to add at least one non-corporate news source to their daily consumption of cable news media. Imagine the lively discussions you’ll be able to have with them, as they begin to learn what they never knew.
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In the twinkle of an eye, the Democratic Establishment rallied behind Joe Biden for Democratic Nominee — and were hugely successful. Joe surged ahead of Bernie Sanders and snatched away the title of “front-runner.” Battle won. All is fair in love and politics, etc. But if beating Donald Trump in the 2020 General Election is the ultimate objective, then the war has been lost.
Biden Is the Weakest of Candidates
Joe Biden has a poor record. He fumbled on the Iraq War, NAFTA, bankruptcy law (which created the present day student debt crisis), and gay marriage. He threatened Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and veteran benefits four times, while attempting to freeze government spending, and helped deregulate the banking industry. Joe Biden is, and has always been, a corporate Democrat. He was nicknamed the “Senator from MBNA.” (MBNA was the largest independent Delaware-based credit card company, until acquired by Bank of America in 2006.) Biden’s work for credit card companies aroused Professor Elizabeth Warren’s ire.
Over time, Biden’s exertions on the bankruptcy bill began to shape his national reputation. “His energetic work on behalf of the credit card companies has earned him the affection of the banking industry and protected him from any well-funded challengers for his Senate seat,” Warren wrote in the Harvard Women’s Law Journal. “This important part of Senator Biden’s legislative work also appears to be missing from his Web site and publicity releases.”
~ Tim Murphy, Mother Jones
These are the shortcomings with which Donald Trump would crucify Joe Biden’s integrity.
On a lighter note, Joe Biden is plagued by bouts of plagiarism, tall tales, and gaffes. In recent years, there seems to be an impediment between his brain and lips. Does Biden suffer from stuttering or dementia? Is he a liar, frustrated movie script writer, or confabulator (attempting to fill in memory gaps)? Is he too lazy to express ideas in his own words? These are the Biden foibles that would inspire Trump’s cruelly comedic derision.
“Electability” Is a Manufactured Issue
Just before Super Tuesday, the Corporate Democratic Party exerted its considerable clout in order to back Joe Biden, a candidate who is clearly unable to effectively challenge Donald Trump for President. Why, if “electability” is so important?
Obviously, “electability” is not important. What’s important to Democratic leadership is to block Bernie Sanders from the nomination. “Electability” was, all along, a manufactured issue — devised for the purpose of instilling fear in voters. The cry of “electability” was meant to distract voters from values or policies to be won, and to reduce their focus to just one thing: beating Trump. “Electability” is a propaganda technique.
Why do corporate Democrats reject Bernie Sanders? Because Sanders rejects corporate money. Therefore, Sanders cannot be influenced by wealthy special interests. While Sanders is a boon for democracy, he’s an existential threat to an elite Washington power structure.
Still, it is true that some American voters want to quash Medicare for All and the Green New Deal. They don’t want a political revolution. They don’t want big changes. They are safe and comfortable, enough. And because they stoutly disapprove of Donald Trump’s words and actions, they are morally pleased with themselves, enough. After all, “enough is enough.” But don’t such voters deserve at least an Amy Klobuchar to get behind?
Bernie Sanders speaking at a rally in North Carolina.
The Self-Sacrifices of Bernie Sanders
Bernie Sanders could have run for President completely independent of the Democratic Party. He wouldn’t be dealing with a demoralizing assault on his campaign right now, and could have avoided useless Democratic debates sponsored by the corporate news media. Bernie Sanders does not need the Democratic Party. He has his own volunteer army, a coveted email list, and free-flowing cash bubbling up from the grassroots.
Sanders sacrificed his freedom from the Democratic Party in order to prevent the worse-case scenario: a split vote that would allow Trump to win a second term. Sanders is serious about beating Trump.
Sanders does not need to begin every criticism of a Democratic colleague with she/he “is my friend.” He does so because he’s a realist, not an egomaniac, and recognizes it is possible one of his Democratic opponents could win the nomination, instead of himself. In which case, he doesn’t want his supporters too turned off by the competition — to the extent they wouldn’t support the eventual Democratic nominee, if not Bernie. That’s how serious Sanders is about beating Trump.
Plenty of Sanders supporters criticize him for not aggressively attacking his opponents. However, that isn’t Sanders’ way. His goal is to reform a corrupt and dysfunctional political system, not to humiliate or destroy individuals. Most politicians are ordinary people, yet the incentives and pressures to conform to a corrupt system are extraordinary. Does Bernie’s holding back from attack sometimes weaken his case? Yes, I believe it does. People are impressed by force. But that’s a risk Sanders takes. Because there must always be enough strength left standing to keep fighting a dangerous demagogue, even if Bernie were to fall from the race. That’s how serious Bernie is about beating Trump.
The Wisdom of King Solomon
From the perspective I’ve put forth, Bernie’s way of campaigning may remind us of the story about two women who fought over one baby. (Based on 1 Kings 3:16-28.)
To end their dispute they were having over the baby, they went before King Solomon to be their judge. Each woman pulled the child toward herself, as she defended her own case as the legitimate mother. After a while, the child was being vigorously pulled in both directions at once, in danger of serious injury. Then, one woman released her grip on the baby. The other woman clutched the babe to herself in victory.
But wise King Solomon noticed the woman who sacrificed her own desires, for the sake of the baby. And he knew exactly who the real mother was.
Again, I ask, is Bernie Sanders the only one who seriously wants to beat Trump? Most likely. He’s the only one willing to sacrifice everything in order to get the job done.
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Progressive Graffiti 