Bernie Sanders, NOT A RACIST

[BrotherIvan]

In response to those who say that Bernie Sanders disregards civil rights, here he is at the 50th Anniversary March on Selma. There are those who are currently implying that he is a racist. So here are photos of his participation and his statement.

SELMA, Ala., March 7 – U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) today joined U.S. Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) and other civil rights pioneers on the 50th anniversary of an historic civil rights march that led to enactment of the Voting Rights Act.

“In 1965, against racist legalized violence, incredibly brave men and women put their lives on the line to demand that all Americans, regardless of their color, have the right to vote. And they won. When people stand together for justice, nothing is impossible,” Sanders said.

President Barack Obama and members of Congress gathered at the foot of the Edmund Pettus Bridge to commemorate the events of Bloody Sunday in 1965, when baton-wielding police beat Lewis, the future Georgia congressman, and other peaceful protesters.

Later that year, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act, which protected voters from discrimination until the Supreme Court two years ago invalidated a key portion of the landmark law.

Sanders said he hoped the anniversary of the march will be a catalyst for Congress to undo that 2013 court decision.

“What Bloody Sunday was about was showing the entire country and the entire world how far some of the racist officials in Alabama would go to prevent African-Americans from participating the political process and from voting,” Sanders said. “What happened on that bridge that day was a huge step forward for democracy in America. But what is happening right now – not just in the South but all over this country – are efforts by Republican governors and Republican legislatures to make it harder for African-Americans, for low-income people and for senior citizens to vote.”

The election of Obama, the first African-American president, is a sign of the nation’s progress in the past half century, Sanders said. “But we also know that much more needs to be done. Today, African American unemployment is double the national average while African American household income is $17,000 less. The struggle for racial and economic justice continues,” Sanders said.

Sanders has ALWAYS been active in civil rights

http://www.npr.org/sections/itsallpolitics/2015/04/29/399818581/5-things-you-should-know-about-bernie-sanders

Sanders was an organizer for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and participated in the historic March on Washington in 1963 as a 22-year-old student at the University of Chicago. "It was a question for me of just basic justice — the fact that it was not acceptable in America at that point that you had large numbers of African-Americans who couldn't vote, who couldn't eat in a restaurant, whose kids were going to segregated schools, who couldn't get hotel accommodations living in segregated housing," he told the Burlington Free Press. "That was clearly a major American injustice and something that had to be dealt with."

So please, do not believe the lies and libel that are floating around DU. He has and is walking the walk, wearing his comfortable shoes, and not just doing it to get votes.

[WillyT]

1. Huge K & R !!! - Thank You !!!

[Katashi_itto]

311. He's bipedal though.

[bravenak]

2. I agree.

He is very pro civil rights and social justice. Thx.

[BrotherIvan]

60. ...

[bravenak]

61. !

[Jackpine Radical]

275. !!

[TDale313]

3. Disturbing that this is the tact some Hillary supporters are taking.

[NRaleighLiberal]

16. more like disgusting.

[glinda]

33. +1

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

41. Is anyone here really that surprised? I've seen this movie before.

[NRaleighLiberal]

42. not at all.

right out of the Faux news playbook, actually.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

45. It's gonna backfire.

[awoke_in_2003]

79. If this one turns out like the 08 primaries...

I am checking out for a while.

[Scootaloo]

44. It's predictable, is what it is.

Also kind of ironic for some of the posters engaged in it.

[Doctor_J]

47. disgusting but not surprising

They are barely democrats anyway, and their candidate is a republican.

[hrmjustin]

252. So we are barely Democrats?

[Jackpine Radical]

276. "We," Justin?

I, for one, would never accuse you of any sort of vitriol or of being barely a Democrat, and I think most people familiar with your posting history would agree. Some people, all over the place, are having trouble controlling their emotions at a time in world history when all sorts of stuff seems to be on the line. Try to stand back from it a bit.

[hrmjustin]

292. Thank you my friend.

[Jackpine Radical]

307. Yeah, that.

[orpupilofnature57]

278. Your not Democratic .

[hrmjustin]

291. Oh? Please explain.

[hrmjustin]

341. Waiting to hear why i am not Democratic.

[840high]

68. +1

[MissDeeds]

74. +1000

I can't believe this is even an issue. No one who knows anything about Bernie or his supporters could possibly believe this. I am so sorry that our political differences have sunk to this level. HRC supporters are driving people away from their candidate by such offensive, blatantly false accusations.

[LovingA2andMI]

156. They seem disparate

Similar to a time a little known Senator from Illinois wiped the Floor with Hillary in 2008.

[DisgustipatedinCA]

4. Of course he's not. What sort of creep would insinuate such a thing?

Glad you made this an OP.

[Wilms]

25. Seems you and the author of a Vox piece are the two with a "complaint".

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1251&pid=409175

So own it.

Oh, but now you're "interested interested to see how" a multi-racial community reacts. Oh, dear!

[merrily]

37. Bullshit. He is not tone deaf. Morever, there were poor people in 1963, yet he worked with SNCC at

time when that got you on the FBI's list, probably got your phone tapped and could also have gotten you killed. So, I guess class doesn't always trump race for Bernie.

Meanwhile a new term"racially tinged," had to be invented in 2008, before Hillary finally flat out declared her constituency to be hard working white people. The claim that favoring Hillary while condemning Bernie is about race is a joke, and one that is easily seen through.

I'll be interested to see how a less homogenous audience audience than Vermont reacts to him.

Why wait? Check twitter, facebook, reddit. Have you not read any of the articles posted on DU that say what a warm reception he'ss been getting wherever he speaks?

BTW, if you think he is tone deaf about race, why are you posting in the Bernie Sanders Group?

[bravenak]

52. I remember her saying that.

I keep that in mind at all times concerning Hillary. I'm black so, I knew she did not care much about my vote.

[merrily]

62. She and her campaign surrogates said quite a lot on the subject of race.

I followed that primary closely because I was very heavily invested in Obama in every sense of the word. Time after time, my jaw dropped. However, Hillary herself said nothing until it looked as though she might lose the primary entirely.

After the election, Game Change told us about the conversation Bill had with Ted Kennedy. Here in Massachussetts, word had already been out that Kennedy had called Bubba to tell him one more "racially tinged" remark and Ted was going to endorse Obama. I can't prove that conversation occurred, but Ted did endorse Obama, despite his longer relationship with Bubba and Hillary.

[bravenak]

72. Me too. I was following it closely, and it got so bad that I skipped voting in the primary that year

I had been for Hillary until the campaign got so bad, and since I'm way up here in Ak, I did not know much about Obama. I liked him, but I decided to let the rest of you all decide. I was kinda to the left of both of them and liked Reverend Wright.
I'm still to the left of Hillary and canno trust her on race issues. Women's issues, sure, but not BLACK women, and I'm one of those. I try to get interested in her, but I find it very difficult. She waits until the last minute to make statements and i hear nothing new from her that I have not heard endlessly elsewhere. She has a lot of words, but like they say, words are wind.

[merrily]

82. I know what you mean about Wright. Who do you suppose it was that released the videos of

his sermons, though? Not Obama, I'm guessing. And not a Republican, either, I'm guessing. There was no reason for them to start attacking any Democrat before the primary ended, esp. Obama. He was the underdog. Moreover, Republicans thought an African American could not win the general, so they wanted him to be the nominee.

In 2007, I picked Obama solely because I thought he had the best chance of winning the general. And, once he was my choice, I collected reasons why he should be my choice and tended to resist or deny contrary data.

The issues on which Hillary has been consistent are women, children and the environment. Her fellow directors at WalMart said she did speak up at WalMart for hiring more women and for the environment, but that's all. According to them, there was a strike and she did not speak up for labor. They said nothing at all about minorities--and that was Arkansas.

She's had her finger in the wind because she desperately wants to be the first woman President. Per a link in an OP I posted today in the Populist Group, in 2008, she and her campaign decided that embracing Bill's administration would help her, so she did. Now, it seems they've decided sounding like Warren and Sanders will help her, so she's doing that. So, I do not feel that I can trust what she says. However, Bernie has stood for many of the same issues since he was a student. He actually believes in them, even if threaten to hold him back politically. So, I trust him to protect women, children, the environment and so much more.

[bravenak]

85. I agree with everything you just wrote.

I feel like I have to get an idea of who a person is before I can give them my support. I am just not able to get a read on Hillary, sadly. I think it could be the fact that she seems to hide. I guess it may be prudent to hide but I guess that's just not me. I want to be excited this time like I was in 08.

[merrily]

91. I just noticed your sig line. I used to have one a lot like it,

until about a week before Bernie announced informally. Then I switched to the logo from Bernie's website, made a donation and signed up to volunteer. When he announced informally, I was ecstatic. I did not make the decision on the same basis as I made my 2008 decision.

[bravenak]

96. I'm just waiting until everbody is announced.

I pretty much know which way I'm going. Left.

[passiveporcupine]

308. This is exactly why I want Bernie

Bernie has stood for many of the same issues since he was a student. He actually believes in them, even if threaten to hold him back politically. So, I trust him to protect women, children, the environment and so much more.

He is not the consummate politician. He is a human being who cares about all other humans and their quality of life.

I'm not sure I agree with him on his stance on Isreal, but I'm not really sure that he is only pro Israel. I think he realized both sides have made mistakes. I'm just not sure on his stance on the settlements. I hope he doesn't approve of that.

Anyway...I would like to see a real 'human' run for President, who is not from the upper class. I love Obama, but I'm dissapointed that he isn't more progressive. I still think he's done a great job as President...especially considering the opposition he's been up against.

Bernie has a lot more money that many of us in the middle and lower classes, but he lives like a human, not a "rich" human. And class equality is very important to him, and I believe he is right in believing that it is the core issue affecting race and everything that is wrong in this country. Fixing class equality issues will help all ethnic groups, not just whites.

So, I will back him 100% in the primary, and if he wins the primary I'll be thrilled. If he doesn't I will support Hillary. Not because I like her, but because she is and will be better than the republicans running for POTUS in 2016.

[Bonobo]

89. I wrote an OP in 2008 re her "slum lord" label of Obama. nt

[bravenak]

93. Her campaign was filled with that kinda shit.

That and semi birtherism. I remember them bringing up Obama smoking weed and doing a line of coke or whatever, and they asked if he had been a drug dealer. Well, he is black and smoked weed so... Drug dealer! I hated that shit.

[BrotherIvan]

107. I missed the drug dealer thing

For fuck's sake!

[bravenak]

116. I believe she later 'apologized'.

But it was ugly. Even politico noticed how ugly. http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/1207/Shaheen_Did_Obama_sell_drugs.html

[BrotherIvan]

120. Now I'm mad all over again!

Gotta go get some booze for my rage eat. This is all just too much. I want to get off the world for a while.

[bravenak]

129. I know, I feel you.

Don't overdo it!

[Wilms]

131. I think you are mischaracterizing what happened.

So does the title of the Politico article. But the article itself explains what happened and it's not the impression I got from your post. It was bad enough without the spin.

[bravenak]

135. Mischaracterizing it how?

It was her surrogate, her campaign, and she later apologized. It was not the only ignorant action of the campaign. There was the thing where they would call him Barack HUSSEIN Obama. Sarah Palin stole that one. She was my governor. That's why I noticed. I wondered where she got that from and searched it. There were other issues of racial insensitivity in the campaign.

[Wilms]

158. You said, "they asked if he had been a drug dealer".

The Politico headline leads one to think that. But then it explains:

Shaheen said Obama's candor on the subject would "open the door" to further questions. "It'll be, 'When was the last time? Did you ever give drugs to anyone? Did you sell them to anyone?'" Shaheen said. "There are so many openings for Republican dirty tricks. It's hard to overcome."

That is awful. AND it's WAY different from the impression you get from the headline and your post.

[bravenak]

176. What you just posted makes them sound even worss.

My post was accurate. I was nice enough to leave out the Geraldine Ferarro stuff.

[Wilms]

185. It is what you linked.

And you can claim accuracy, but the information is there.

I already said it was bad enough. Why spin it.

Please play nice.

[bravenak]

188. I actually did not bother to spin it.

I just stated an opinion that you can take or leave. Don't tell me to play nice when I already am. Starting to think you are being condescending, and that tends to make me fucking mean. Chill.
Unless you can point to an inaccuracy, .

[Wilms]

192. I did point to it. Done playin'.

[bravenak]

193. Ahh, the tone argument.

Peace!

[heaven05]

313. ?????

spoiling are? No spin that I saw. Just your spin.

[cui bono]

270. That's like the "some people may say" excuse of pretending one is not inferring something

that they totally are.

[Wilms]

279. I got that. But it's still spin.

Call them out for what they ACTUALLY said. That's plenty enough, because it was bad enough. Why lie about it?

I've been tripped up by this kind of thing before and I don't like it. Let the republicans do that.

[cui bono]

285. Totally disagree. If they are planting the seed, as we both agree they were, it needs to be called

out.

It is an intentional smear effort and dishonest and disrespectful.

[Wilms]

293. Then call it THAT!

Making stuff up isn't calling someone out. I read bravnak's assertion and thought, "how awful". Then I read the link. It's headline suggested the same thing. But the body of the piece explained what really happened. Still awful, but I was wondering WTF is so hard about telling the unvarnished truth.

And here you are making excuses for it. Call me a purist, or whatever you want. I have a brain, like most Dems. And I'm willing to use it.
I don't need someone lying to me and claiming, "well, it's the same thing", when I call them on it. It's not the same, except for the spin.

It is the EXACT shit I go through with Foxnewser types. I don't even want Hillary running, let alone winning the nom. But liars bother me. OK? And then I come here and someone is all smug doing the same thing. In fact, bravnak wouldn't even agree to the difference, claiming the charge was "accurate".

You want to defend that? Go right ahead. And defend my foxnews addicted neighbors while you're at it, because they do the SAME thing. Nice company to keep.

[cui bono]

294. Yes, I agree with that. Call it what it is.

[Wilms]

306. I got one other problem.

Why don't we have a high-five emoticon?

Good talk, today.

[cui bono]

320. Maybe this will help:

I don't drink so I'll just clink and give it to someone else.

[heaven05]

314. I read no lie

that's a false allegation/accusation. Explain yourself!!!

[Wilms]

318. Nice try.

(And no exclamation points for you, either.)

[merrily]

174. Emphasizing Hussein is, I believe, more of a Muslim/terrorist thing than an African American thing.

Still lousy, though. Although....it was his Kenyan dad who was the Muslim from whom the President got all three of his names, so maybe it was a three-fer.

[bravenak]

178. True.

It was about otherizing him. I have one of those names (Arabic) so I took it personally.

[merrily]

182. I remember the first night I noticed your posts. I remember telling you

not to let anyone silence your voice. Little did I know then how enjoyable your posts are! Glad I spoke up.

All Arabic names mean something. Once, I asked a Syrian man what his name meant because it didn't even remotely sound Arabic. He told me he had asked his father. Turns out it was the variety of grape his ancestors in Syria used to cultivate.

[bravenak]

186. Thank you.

I looked mine up just now and it is a boys name that means brave, or lion. Weird.
http://www.names4muslims.com/info/najid.html
I have no idea why my mom named me that, but I weirded out and gave my youngest daughter the middle name Monet. I love art.
I love your posts too.

[merrily]

191. Did you know the meaning when you picked your screen name?

In that era, I loves me some Matisse. I had a book of his works once. Someone at work begged me to lend it to him, along with a book on art deco architecture and I refused. I'd been taught never to lend books because you never get them back. Either gift the book or hang on to it. But, I finally gave in. Guess what? He got fired and moved back to New York City and I never saw my books again.

Why did I give in, believing that, one way or another, I'd probably never see the books again?

[bravenak]

194. Ha! No, I didn't know what it meant at the time.

Just dumb luck or whatever.
I like Matisse too, there are some good pdf's of his work and picasso that I have in my ibooks. People running off with my books is one of the reasons I went digital. I mourn my lost books and ones that I almost finished but lost before I did. I always forget the names and never can find them again. These days I read alot of ebooks and pdf's.

[merrily]

196. Amazing! You got the energy of your Arabic name intuitively.

Yeah. You can even tour the Hermitage online. But, there is something about a coffee table art book that is very beautiful to me.

[bravenak]

197. Yeah, I love flipping the pages and smelling them.

You make me want to go buy another one. A real book.

[merrily]

199. The pages on these books were very thich and glossy. I don't even remember what was in the art deco

book beyond parts of the interior of Radio City Music Hall and the Chrysler building.

Sigh

[bravenak]

200. That is terribly sad.

[merrily]

201. In the scale of sad, it's very minor, no pun intended.

[bravenak]

202. Yeah, but I agonize over stuff like that personally.

I lost all of my HS yearbooks and still think about it all the time. I miss them.

[merrily]

138. Yes, also the owner of--was it Ebony?--mentioned the possiblity that Obama

had not only smoked marijuana but dealt drugs in a kind of "Who really knows" kind of way. She was two feet from him and hugged very warmly after his speech. No contradiction.

[BrotherIvan]

141. Oh damn, that is so evil

I'm glad I missed that. Why would she do such a thing? Ugh.

[merrily]

147. "Why would he?" is an equally interesting question. If I am wrong about it being Ebony, I am not

wrong that it was the African American owner of a magazine targeted to an African American audience.

Don't drink, though, Brother Ivan. Just keep supporting Bernie.

[BrotherIvan]

171. Yeah, I was confused

I thought Ebony was owned by John Johnson.

You can't stop me from drinking, but at least you and bravenak are making me laugh. I have no idea why this makes me so mad. I guess it's because I think racists are some of the worst beings on the planet. And so branding someone who has actually fought for the rights of black people *specifically* is just horrible. Shameful and disgraceful.

[merrily]

173. You're not the first person who has said that about bravenak and me.

I have no idea why this makes me so mad.

Of course you know why it makes you so mad. Racism is vile and smearing a civil rights activist with that label in order to elevate Hillary, whose 2008 campaign against Obama put a new term into our lexicon is beyond the pale.

[BrotherIvan]

175. You both have great information

I think this discussion was inadvertent but at least some of the truth is coming out. Whiplash. My butt is racially tinged and there are a lot of people who can kiss it.

[merrily]

184. Could it have been a relative or other successor? Johnson was from Arkansas and Bubba

gave him an award. Could have been another magazine entirely, though. I am going by memory and, as the question mark in my original post showed, I was not sure. At some point, I will google and find out and post.

[merrily]

198. Wrong medium, wrong Johnson.

Johnson said, "As an African-American, I'm frankly insulted that the Obama campaign would imply that we are so stupid that we would think Bill and Hillary Clinton, who have been deeply and emotionally involved in black issues when Barack Obama was doing something in the neighborhood that I won't say what he was doing, [but] he said it in his book."[37] This statement was widely interpreted as a criticism of Obama's acknowledged use of marijuana and cocaine in his youth. The Clinton campaign denied this, submitting that the comments were referring to Obama's work as a community organizer.[39] In subsequent days, Johnson was roundly criticized for his comments as hypocritical given the prodigious glorification of drug use and sale by artists prominently featured on BET.[40]

On January 17, 2008, Johnson sent Obama the following apology:[41]

I'm writing to apologize to you and your family personally for the un-called-for comments I made at a recent Clinton event. In my zeal to support Senator Clinton, I made some very inappropriate remarks for which I am truly sorry. I hope that you will accept this apology. Good luck on the campaign trail.

On April 14, 2008, Johnson made comments to the effect that Obama would not be the Democratic Party's leading candidate if he were not black, in support of the prior statement made by Geraldine Ferraro. He also went on to say "I make a joke about Obama doing drugs (and it's) 'Oh my God, a black man tearing down another black man.' "[42]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_L._Johnson

As I heard it, something beyond what Obama said in his book was implied. Another time, I'll try to find video.

[BrotherIvan]

208. That is messed up

I don't understand why he would try to tear someone down like that, but when you're talking about the big money, I guess anything goes. That's what people don't understand. This game is for blood, for your name in the history books. And some people will do anything, including voting to send people off to die and people to be killed, to get it. Robert L. Johnson can kiss my butt too.

[BrotherIvan]

54. ^^

Lest we forget. Yeah, some people haven't.

[Recursion]

57. Sorry, I linked in off the front page

Didn't see this was BSG. Apologies.

[Recursion]

59. Wait, this isn't the Bernie Sanders group, this is GD

Clever

[merrily]

65. Apologies. I saw Bernie Sanders at the top, without realizing it was the thread name, not the group

name.

Guess you can make all the false claims about Bernie you want in GD.

[arcane1]

81. For what it's worth, they loved him on Larry Wilmore's show.

People want to treat his kickoff gathering as if it's the only public appearance Sanders has ever made.

It's transparent.

[merrily]

84. That's especially significant, because Stewart has been following the party line.

He loved Sanders when Sanders filibustered against Republicans. However, now that Sanders is challenging the Party's chosen, Jon has gone out of his way to mock him, including by putting some critter into a video of Sanders speaking and the standby "He's old," something Stewart did not exactly hurl at Hillary, who is only six years younger.

[arcane1]

94. Indeed, Jon was a complete dick about him a few episodes ago, and I was very disappointed in it.

Bernie was on Nightly Show not long ago and was asked if he's running for president, and it went well IMO:

[merrily]

189. I worship at Jon's feet for his brains, humor and overall talent, but Jon is straight party line.

He used to host something on MTV. At some point, he was doing something involving Vanilla Ice. Vanilla Ice showed up and smashed his own dvds or something like that. Jon said nothing, except something about the bit not being as funny when the artist was present. IOW, had Sanders been present when Jon was taking pot shots, Jon might not have taken the pot shots, just like he did not mock Vanilla Ice after VI showed up.

[cui bono]

274. He certainly doesn't mock Bill Kristol (sp?) and company when they show up.

I did just have one on to listen to while at work where I think it was Judith Miller he was really nailing her down. I wish he would do that will everyone.

[TM99]

15. It is the new line of attack

for a group of Clinton supporters.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026737025

It is factually incorrect, libellous, and fucking disgusting.

[BrotherIvan]

22. Beyond disgusting

In order to prop up a candidate that was straight up racist in 2008? I don't think so.

[smokey nj]

24. It's not new, they've been doing it since he announced.

They decided to take a page from the Karl Rove playbook and attack their opponent on his strongest point. It's just like the swift boating of John Kerry.

[stillwaiting]

230. It's also potentially their candidate's biggest weakness.

If people are reminded how the '08 campaign vs. Obama was handled, it could prove troublesome.

Best to attack the opponents on that front early (which is what Republicans ALSO do). Politics at its best (worst).

[merrily]

50. +1

[Bonobo]

100. For all the crap I get, at least I post actual videos.

Yeah, gleeful.

[uponit7771]

203. Indicating Bernie has a Kerry problem is NOT fucking disgusting, shit... I pray that it helps and hi

... his folk are reading DU!!

[TM99]

217. Good!

Then his folk are reading us push back against lies and distortions.

[Marr]

235. They do the same thing with gay rights, and it's just as galling.

Hillary was one of the very last to get on board with gay marriage. That's fine, ok-- she finally got there. But trying to use it as a cudgel against liberals is, frankly, sickening.

[BrotherIvan]

260. +1

[NYC_SKP]

304. That is a fucking fact. The whole movement against Obama went that way.

And fabricated out of whole cloth was a blacks v gays mess that managed not to get on Clinton but land squarely on Obama.

[NYC_SKP]

5. Sanders scores are HIGHER than HRC from the NAACP, the ACLU, and the Human Rights Commission:

And he's been a champion in Congress, known as the "Amendment King".

SANDERS:
Rated 93% by the ACLU, indicating a pro-civil rights voting record. (Dec 2002)
Rated 100% by the HRC, indicating a pro-gay-rights stance. (Dec 2006)
Rated 97% by the NAACP, indicating a pro-affirmative-action stance. (Dec 2006)

CLINTON:
Rated 60% by the ACLU, indicating a mixed civil rights voting record. (Dec 2002)
Rated 89% by the HRC, indicating a pro-gay-rights stance. (Dec 2006)
Rated 96% by the NAACP, indicating a pro-affirmative-action stance. (Dec 2006)

The Radical Education of Bernie Sanders

Sam Frizell @Sam_Frizell May 26, 2015



Bernie Sanders, member of the steering committee, stands next to George Beadle, University of Chicago president, who is speaking at a Committee On Racial Equality meeting on housing sit-ins. 1962.

Bernie Sanders was a prominent local activist in college, and not much has changed. Bernie Sanders won the first election he ever lost.

It was the late 1950s, and Sanders was still a teenager, running to be class president at James Madison High School in Brooklyn, New York. His platform promised to raise scholarship money for kids in Korea orphaned during the recent war. “It was an unusual thing for a person so young to be involved in,” remembers Larry Sanders, Bernie’s older brother. When the votes were tallied, the future Senator from Vermont fell short, coming in third, but the outcome set a precedent he would love to repeat on the national stage. The winner adopted the Korean scholarship idea and made it happen.

snip

In Chicago, Sanders threw himself into activism—civil rights, economic justice, volunteering, organizing. “I received more of an education off campus than I did in the classroom,” Sanders says. By his 23rd birthday, Sanders had worked for a meatpackers union, marched for civil rights in Washington D.C., joined the university socialists and been arrested at a civil rights demonstration. He delivered jeremiads to young crowds. The police called him an outside agitator, Sanders said. He was a sloppy student, and the dean asked him to take a year off. He inspired his classmates. “He knows how to talk to people now,” said Robin Kaufman, a student who knew Sanders in 1960s Chicago, “and he knew how to do it then.” He was a radical before it was cool.

[BrotherIvan]

6. Thank you for adding that

[AtomicKitten]

10. Thanks for posting this; I thought of it immediately.

Please pin this in the Bernie group if you haven't already.

Bernie's numbers are spectacular and really informative comparatively.

[merrily]

70. This should definitely be an OP.

[TDale313]

78. absolutely!

[ozone_man]

287. Thanks for posting this! n/t

[cui bono]

296. Please post as OP if you haven't.

We need to inundate the board with OPs showing how Bernie fights for civil rights, LGBT and women's rights.

The stupid meme of him only being good on economic justice is insane and they don't want to let go of it, no matter how many responses they get proving it incorrect. Sorry, for all their talk of Sanders' supporters being rude, etc... they are the ones plotting as if this is a war. I got banned from their War Room for pointing it out.

[NYC_SKP]

303. I posted this, please give it a kick.

three recs, no replies.



http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026741111

TIA

[seabeyond]

7. i have not seen anyone claim, suggest or even imply sanders is a racist. beyond stupid. nt

[BrotherIvan]

13. YOU have

And plenty of people were in the posts where you did. Did you forget? You then tried to paint me as a racist and only caring about "white and men" EVEN AFTER I TOLD YOU I WAS A PERSON OF COLOR. Remember???

And here is a post just from today

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026737025

[LuvNewcastle]

32. That post is loathsome.

It makes my stomach churn to see someone around here lecture Bernie about racial issues. Politics can make some people stoop so low.

[merrily]

125. Yep.

[arcane1]

51. I wish I hadn't seen that.

It amazes me that anyone could stoop that low, especially since the man has been running for only a month!

People are going to start running out of material.

[BrotherIvan]

56. Lower than low

Soooooo damn low!

[BeanMusical]

149. That poster is a bottomless pit when it comes to stooping to new lows to smear someone they hate.

Nothing is too low for them.

[pa28]

133. I kind of feel sorry for the person who penned that OP.

Plumbing that low just ain't healthy.

[seabeyond]

66. nope. you are wrong. link it.

[BrotherIvan]

83. Where to begin...

First there was this one where you start off being a "supporter" and then go on and on about him only being for "white and men" and not caring about social justice

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026608288

That went on for a few threads that I don't care to link to right now. Then you wrote some of your own OPs about social justice, again implying that anyone who doesn't implicitly discuss it first must be against it.

Culminating in the Scandinavia thread where no one didn't get that you were implying that Sanders was both racist and sexist. But when presented with facts, as usual, you skedaddled.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026613443

So yes, there is plenty of evidence, IN YOUR OWN WORDS, where you are saying that Bernie is a racist and sexist because he only cares about white males.

[seabeyond]

95. You do not, you haven't, and I am sure you will not ever use my own words. You can't do that.

You can accuse me of bullshit you are if you actually use my own words. Nothing in any of those post you link up ops to suggest sanders is racist.

You are wrong. You proved nothing but tgat you are wrong. Especially if IN MY OWN WORDS.

Hey, dude. I am still a supporter

And a real mind blowing fucking heads up? A real duh! IF I thought he was racist or sexist or could not handle the job, I would not still be leaning toward him this primary.

Way out there I know. But in support of a candidate I want to win, I feel it important we shore up votes where we can to attain more votes.

Odd, I get it. But by my calculations tgat should work better than being exclusive... Like sander supporters are on du. Which I call out. You betcha

Find something, anywhere, where I am not about actually supporting sanders and not burying head in the sand.

[BrotherIvan]

105. Evidence, it's like kryptonite

Your post in the Scandinavian thread is post #1. So ya, I think people got the gist.

Buh bye.

[seabeyond]

109. You have got nothing. You accused me of saying sanders is racist and that is blatantly wrong

[BrotherIvan]

114. People can read your words

The internet: it lasts forever.

[seabeyond]

117. Yes they can. You obvious can't since you have to make shit up. But ya, a little integrity,

People will clearly come away from my posts honest enough not to falsely accuse me that I say sanders is a racist

[ucrdem]

121. And yours. You claimed she said something she didn't.

It couldn't hurt to be civil about acknowledging that mistake could it?

[BrotherIvan]

154. There's no mistake

Read the threads. I wasn't the only one pushing back. There were LOTS of posters. But it just kept on going. I know that you're the backup...

[merrily]

179. Bullshit.

[cui bono]

298. Don't you have another OP to write and rec?

You are continuously wrong and you are wrong again here.

seabeyond claimed Sanders economic program was for white males only. She actually said his plan is to benefit Wall Street and corporations and then let it "trickle down". Yes, she said that. "trickle down". About Senator Bernie Sanders.

[seabeyond]

300. omg, if you tell people what i say, quote me. you interpretation is such a fail, i cannot follow you

around correcting you.

his demographics.

middle
upper middle income
white
male
youth universtiy students.

seabeyond also claims....

his plan against corporate and wallstreet will benefit

middle
upper middle income
white
male
youth universtiy students.

not that it will benefit corporations and wallstreet. see? kinda a huge difference, right? wanna get it right, or do not supposedly quote me, in such a huge error.

the trickle down, is his economic justice will trickle down to the minorities in a social justice.

[BrotherIvan]

309. You're still doing it!

[seabeyond]

310. one of clinton demographics is women. is that me calling her a misandrist?

[cui bono]

312. That is not how you said it before.

And you know very well what the term "trickle down" denotes. That is a conservative principle of economics that is laughed at by liberals, so when you use that to describe Sanders' policy you are not only completely wrong, you are attempting to connect him to conservative economic principles. You yourself say his economic policy is for white males only, even now that you've rearranged your wording.

How is that not meant to be racist?

[seabeyond]

315. i have said that repeatedly. over and over and over again. i do know what trickle down

denotes. and it absolutely what it is for the middle and upper middle class. being one that will benefit, you betcha, i get it.

no, i am not trying to connect him to conservatives. dont you tell me what i am doing. i am making a factual point, this is just the group below the 1% getting theirs, and unless we hear more, it is only about trickle down.

no. i have never said economics for white men ONLY. ever. wrong again.

the people hearing him are middle class, upper middle class, white and men, youth university students.

from day one, i have stated what i feel his demographics are and how he has to open that up.

and it is not meant as racist because there is not a dem i know that is racist, that will not appoint appropriately for the supreme. i support sanders and i would not support someone i feel is racist... or sexist.... as some claim i say, also.

i cannot help that i do not fit in your little box you want to put me in. but, i have been absolutely consistent with what i have said this last month.

you do not get to say i say shit, when i do not

[cui bono]

317. Okay, I hope you don't think he is a racist then.

I and a lot of other people took what you were saying in the Scandinavian thread and another from that weekend that you thought he was racist.

When we say things like that about the Cons economic policies it is about them being racist though. You are saying his economic policies are for white males, don't you think that's defining it as racist? Perhaps you might want to rethink your wording, or really, your understanding of his policy. I see nowhere where what he says is only about white males.

And I don't agree that by attacking Wall Street/corporations it is a white male economic policy. How do you arrive to that conclusion? And why?

Also, when I posted of him having marched for civil rights in the 60's your response was "that was friggin' decades ago". So yes, you are dismissing his work towards civil rights as if you think he doesn't care about it now, which after your many posts raiing about him that weekend is going to be taken as you think he's racist now.

[seabeyond]

322. I would not support him and would clearly state he is, if I thought that was the case.

[LanternWaste]

266. Much as people can read your allegations...

Much as people can read your allegations... regardless of the irrelevant petulance of how long the internet may or may not last.

[sheshe2]

204. That is why we have this Op.

I was accused of calling him a racist, when I never did. BI posted the links, so you read it.

I never said he was a racist, yet they put those words in my mouth and spread them. They 'splained to me what I said. They 'splained what is in my heart and head. They 'spained it to me.

They were wrong. No matter. They seem to know me better than I know myself.

Sea, I never called him that.

[BrotherIvan]

210. Your OP is there for all to read

It is shameful.

[cali]

213. you insinuate and infer that he is

Vile. Have YOU done a one hundredth of what Bernie has to advance civil rights?

[Bluenorthwest]

234. There was much that was just nasty about that OP, perhaps the most virulent being the 'white

Protestant American tradition' being hung around the neck of a Jewish son of an immigrant whose family had been decimated in the Holocaust. I see that as very ugly.

Not to mention the photo of the abuse by the Chicago PD, unrelated to Bernie in any way, disgusting to attempt to tie him to that, and frankly another abuse of the victim, exploited by you to serve your agenda. Not good. Not honest. Just rotten.

[demmiblue]

240. +1

[BrotherIvan]

257. Well said

[Lilith Rising]

268. I've been avoiding the story about the CPD precisely

because I did NOT want to see that picture. And there it was right in my face for no damn reason!

[cui bono]

299. +1,000,000

That was the most disgusting OP I've seen on DU. It's the sort of thing the OP would have posted and complained about if the RW had done it, and it is exactly the sort of thing that they actually do.

Despicable. Shameful. Pathetic. Vile.

[BeanMusical]

157. +1 Plenty of evidence indeed.

Nauseating.

[840high]

69. Disgusting.

[gollygee]

228. That doesn't claim he's racist

it says he hasn't said enough about issues of racism. That isn't the same thing.

[merrily]

92. Busted.

[seabeyond]

97. Where???

[merrily]

98. The link in Ivan's post.

[seabeyond]

102. I did not claim, suggest or imply sanders was a racist in any post in that op he put up

Where is the busted??

[Bonobo]

106. It's true, you never said Sanders was a racist.

Your tactic is to point out over and over that his supporters are middle-upper class white men who don't care about social issues and minorities.

So no, you never implied he was a racist exactly, just that his movement is.

[BrotherIvan]

111. And doesn't care about social issues *wink wink*

you know, minorities, women and gays *nudge nudge*. Just education, jobs, and healthcare for white people!!

[seabeyond]

123. Wrong again. You really need to read what I post. Populist on du do not.

Sanders campaign is exclusively economic justice issues going to a particular group.

And a zillion times I have said he is just starting we will have to see where he goes. But wtf dude right? Why actually READ my own words

[BrotherIvan]

127. You just said it again!

Sanders campaign is exclusively economic justice issues going to a particular group.

[seabeyond]

136. It is a fact jack. It is his campaign. Fuck... Nothing to be shy about. I like the economic

Justice shit too

Not a gotcha moment

[BrotherIvan]

140. It's like a trainwreck, I can't look away

Your "support" just keeps drying up. It's so ephemeral, yet meaty. You go on with your bad self. Keepin it real. Amirite?

[seabeyond]

145. No. It is like you falsely accused me of saying something I didn't and can't back it up

[BrotherIvan]

146. I'm rooting for you

[seabeyond]

148. You are wrong and then reduce yourself to that? For a win? Whatever

[seabeyond]

150. Thru out the whole sub thread you accuse me of shit but never address what I actually post

[MannyGoldstein]

180. Bernie Sanders supported marriage equality 17 years before Hillary

Yet you claim he's only about economic justice.

That is incredible. But consistent.

[seabeyond]

241. wrong again. his campaign has been "only about economic justice." that is not on me.

that is a fact.

incredible that you cannot, will not own that.

if i did not recognize he will handle the social justice issues, i would not be supporting him. because i recognize his demographics and where he is limiting himself in support, shows me more a supporter than people like you that just call others names, instead of want sanders more inclusive, gaining more votes.

[cui bono]

319. Prove that the man is "only about economic justice".

The campaign JUST started, so you can't define it as anything yet.

So let's look at the man. Did you ever watch the video I posted of his rant for women's rights? You never rec'd the thread, which is odd for a Bernie supporter to not do considering I sent you the link. I also posted the video in response to more than one of your posts and you ignored it. Odd again considering you present yourself as a staunch fighter for women's rights.

[seabeyond]

323. yes. it did just start. and another i consistently say. he has just started. we have time to listen

[cui bono]

326. Why are you ignoring that he has been in public office for decades?

Just look at his record and you won't have to be so 'concerned'.

So did you not watch the video? Seriously, you consider yourself a staunch supporter of women's rights, why do you keep ignoring that Bernie is a great fighter for women's equality?

[NaturalHigh]

354. You know, you can have your own opinion, but you don't get to make up your own facts.

Just sayin...

[seabeyond]

115. As you said I never stated, implied or suggested he is racist. Talking about his demographics

In a campaign race should be allowed, acceptable, a given. Not a cry if accusing the man of racism. Pure bullshit.

So yes... As you state, I have never called the man a racist or implied or suggested as u am being accused in this subthread

[Bonobo]

122. Correct, you only said that it is like the Tea Movement

and comprised of heterosexual white men who ignore social issues.

[seabeyond]

128. Again YOU are wrong. I SAID there is an op in populist group that says du should be up and

They should be to the dems what the teabaggers are to the repug.

Do you get how tgat is different then what YOU have falsely accused me of?

[merrily]

119. Oh? Saying Sanders is only about white men is not calling him racist AND sexist?

Guess my standardized test scores in reading comprehension in elementary school were way higher than I deserved then. Wonder what I did to get that favoritism from the standardized testing people? Did I sharpen my number 2 pencil better than the other kids who took the test that year? Bring a healthier snack?

[seabeyond]

134. Seriously? His economic discussion addresses middle and upper middle, white and men. Demographics.

Pesky things discussed in a campaign run. And AGAIN... Not way can be construed I called sanders racist

[BrotherIvan]

160. Whoomp there it is

Don't even need to go to the links I provided. You are doing a fine job here.

[seabeyond]

243. is this kindergarten? we are not allowed to discuss political campaigns when talking sanders?

he needs that extent of protection cause you see him as that weak? too sad.

[BeanMusical]

164. You know, if I was the type to sling unfunded acusations like some are doing...

I could always say that the people smearing Bernie are anti semites. Hum?

[BrotherIvan]

181. We haven't even started on that

It's coming though.

[seabeyond]

244. identifying his base supporters is slinging shit? really ya all, put a bubble round sander cause you

and others think the man is so weak and incapable. personally, i think sanders is so much more. so suggesting he increase his base, for me, is true support. not having to bubble him up from facts.

fuck

[cui bono]

327. Where does he say only white and men?

[seabeyond]

328. he hasnt. nor have i said he said that. you guys are the ones saying, that is what i am saying.

[cui bono]

330. No. Just no. You are the one who for weeks now has been adamantly claiming his economic policy

is for white males only. You've stated it over and over again.

Prove it or stop saying it.

[seabeyond]

333. for white, comma, for men, comma, for upper middle class and middle class and for our youth.

over and over and over again.

yes. i have

you keep yelling only.... WHITE MEN

that is all you say, .... WHITE MEN

do you see a difference.

whites, men, middle class, upper middle class, youth in university.

they are all separate. that is what his passionate issues speak to. wallstreet, banks, corporate, .....

it hits those demographics.

i do not know why you have not gotten it with the number of times i say it. it is not a tough one.

[cui bono]

334. Prove it then. Show me that's what he is about.

You've been presented with plenty of evidence to the contrary. So let's see what you got?

Remember how he fought for civil rights? He stands up for women on the congressional floor. He supports LGBT.

So show me how he's only for whites, males, comma comma comma.

[seabeyond]

336. i did not say he was only FOR whites and men. fuck. quit making shit up.

[cui bono]

344. Actually that's exactly what you have said.

Last edited Fri May 29, 2015, 01:47 AM - Edit history (1)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026608288#post13

i do not care how we tell the american people that sanders is not about white and men, when it presents itself white, men.

And if you think you didn't say that, or if you didn't mean to say that, then what are you trying to say?

Clearly you are not expressing yourself well if so many people have the same take away and you have to keep telling them what they think you said is not what you said.

It seems to me that you keep saying things that make out his policy to be racist but then won't admit that that infers that he is racist. Why else would someone have policies that are for white males if they are not for white males?

Maybe, since you are a Sanders supporter, you should stop posting things that are seen as very negative and smears. Lay off the white male thing for a while. If you don't feel like googling his past as a public servant, wait and see what he's about now that you are paying attention. But seriously, if you don't know that much about him you'd be doing yourself a favor and avoiding all this aggravation you seem to be feeling by googling his past as a public servant. I guarantee you, that since you are a Sanders supporter, you will be very pleased with what you find.

[cui bono]

345. Where is this info about his policy? Link please.

You have never substantiated this claim.

[LanternWaste]

267. Yet a lot of half-witted hacks inferred it as such.

"So no, you never implied he was a racist exactly..."

Yet rather a lot of half-witted hacks inaccurately inferred it as such. They also pretend to have knowledge of other posters tactics...

[YoungDemCA]

290. Right. And you or your group has never said anything bad about women...

[merrily]

113. Not the OP, but you posted on that thread. That's where.

He also says there are other threads. I take him at his word.

[BrotherIvan]

124. I got linkz too

Mad skills yo.

[seabeyond]

142. No you don't. They were fails with what you accuse me off. You failed to prove I called sanders a

Racist

But you guys need no proof. You do not need tge actual words. That is sad... Meh

[BrotherIvan]

143. Holla!

[BeanMusical]

170. Lol!

[Bonobo]

355. Sad to see you telling a POC what the meaning of a racist is. Whitesplaining anyone? nt

[seabeyond]

139. And nowhere in the thread does it show I called any dem, ever, a racist. So... You will accuse

Someone if something you are admittedly clueless about? Hey, that is on you. Doesn't gave anything to do with me

[merrily]

177. Riiight. your claims that Bernie is all about white men says nothing at all about racism or sexism.

Poster, please.

[seabeyond]

245. his DEMOGRAPHICS with what he campaigns on. why does words not actually sink in for you and

others?

[merrily]

251. Sorry, that is not true. He's never campaigned on white men only.

Your claim that he is not a strong advocate is also untrue.

As for your question, as many posters have already told you on many threads, your words are often unclear.

[seabeyond]

255. these are simple words. what he is running on, what he says, what is important to him,

what he is passionate about, is heard by.... are you ready????

it is heard by middle class, upper middle class, white, men, young college students.... that is what his reads reach. that demographic.

i do not know how to make that more clear for you

it is a simple formula, political concept.

that is what i am talking about.

[merrily]

263. Again, it's not true.

[seabeyond]

264. you and i disagree. that simple. i think it is playing out. you do not. we will see in time.

[merrily]

339. Yes, we disagree, but that was not the issue. Point is, Brother Ivan busted you.

[seabeyond]

340. no, he did not. he lied. he said i called sanders a racist. i did not call sanders a racist.

he found no posts where i called sanders a racist. you found no posts i called sanders a racist. further, you said you were too lazy to look, you would just trust the poster.

cant get busted, when there is nothing to bust me with

and what a silly fuckin childish game you are playing.

[merrily]

342. Yeah, you did. You did not use those those words, but saying he is about nothing but white men means

that.

you said you were too lazy to look,

Nope. That's a flat out lie. Obviously, I looked at the links he did give or I would not have known what words you used. Duh. I mentioned that he had said there were other threads for which he was not providing links at the moment and said I was taking his word (about the existence of other threads). Not a word about being too lazy to look.

Your words are there. Their meaning is obvious. Too bad you can't admit it, but, now that you've devolved to making up stuff, too, we're done.

[seabeyond]

343. 'yeah, you did called him a racist. you didnt use those words, but by gosh.' what bullshit

[seabeyond]

331. we disagree. nt

[cui bono]

329. That is wrong. I don't know how you are getting that at all.

Where does he say his economic policy is for white men only?

[merrily]

167. Right in the thread where Brother Ivan said it was.

Granted it was semi-incoherent, but that's not unusual. It was clear enough.

When asked how you could say you supported him if you believe that, you, in Brother Ivan's words, skedaddled. You were busted right on that thread and you are busted on this thread. Your refusal to own it doesn't change a thing.v

[cwydro]

248. Then you're not paying attention. nt

[seabeyond]

254. i most certainly am paying attention. lol, like, i am one of the ones being accused of continually

calling sanders a racist. so ya. i think i kinda am paying attention to what is happening. ya think?

[cui bono]

297. You did it yourself. Repeatedly.

Just search Scandinavian. It's all there out in the open, unless you self-deleted.

[seabeyond]

301. no. you are wrong. i did not call sanders a racist.

[cui bono]

332. You described his policies as racist and danced around calling him a racist in the

Scandinavian thread and other threads that weekend.

You may not have said it directly, but that is what you were describing. Why is it, that if you are a Sanders supporter, all you seem to do is describe his policy in a bad light and get into arguments with those who are championing him?

[seabeyond]

335. i did NOT describe his policies as racist. what crap. he is talking about wallstreet, corps, banks,

these are mostly middle class, upper middle class issues.

he is not talking about social justice, which draws in minorities.

his issues are speaking to this crowd. that does NOT make it fuckin racist.

k.

it cannot be this hard to talk political process with anyone. i gotta figure you are not even trying a little.

so, once again. done.

i have not called, implied or suggested he is racist. i support sanders. i know of no democrat that is racist. sanders certainly is not racist. i would not support a man i thought racist.

make what the fuck you want to out of that. you will anyway

[cui bono]

346. You are conflating Wall Street, corps and banks *being run by mostly white males* with

Bernie wanting to take them on being about white males.

Bernie is their enemy, not their friend. He wants to regulate them and rein them in. He wants them to stop gouging the people. He would have bailed out the people and not the banks if he could have.

You are confusing the issue of being against something with having policy that only deals with that. He is against the banksters because he wants to help all the working people of this country. I don't know why you think that taking on Wall Street means his policy is about white males, quite the opposite since he is AGAINST them.

I'm beginning to see that you are just not understanding his stances and policies if that's what you think. You really should go investigate it more before you say his policies will help only white males.

And you want him to draw in minorities. Well I told you that he fought for civil rights, that he marched in the 60's and your response was "that was friggin' decades ago". That does not sound like you are posting about him in good faith. You could have said, that's great, I didn't know that, but no, you chose to dismiss it as if it were no big deal. The fact that it was decades ago shows that he has been fighting for equal rights for a long damn time.

Also, I posted and pm'd you with a link to the video where he rants about women's rights on the senate floor. Did you ever watch that video? You never rec'd the thread, which is odd since you present yourself as a staunch advocate for women's rights and as a Bernie supporter. I've asked you at least a half a dozen times now if you bothered to watch the video and you won't answer.

So... did you watch it? Why didn't you rec the OP?

You see, you say you are a supporter but you simply don't act like one. So that also makes people suspicious of what you say.

So I would go research his stances, here's a good OP about him:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026741111

There's plenty of posts showing his record for equal rights for all is stellar. You must have seen them. You can find that out for yourself if you care to.

But if you are sincere, all you have to do is check his record. He's been a public servant for decades now. Go look. But please stop with the "social justice" meme. It's old. It's stale. It's been debunked so many damn times no one is buying it. And you are still using it after you apparently are refusing to educate yourself and find out that it's not true because you never watched the video where he rails about women's rights.

[Hiraeth]

8. Thank you. K&R

[Divernan]

23. That's the spin I've seen in your posts, for sure.

[Wilms]

31. Yep.

Him and a Vox author. I pointed this out up thread.

[Recursion]

53. (Sorry, linked in off the front page and didn't see this was BSG)

Apologies

[Wilms]

63. It's not the BSG.

Personally, it wouldn't matter to me. What does matter to me is specious assertions. If there is some data to support the claim, that's one thing.

[merrily]

73. Ignore the insults and double standards. The tactics are so old, they're beyond boring at

this point. They've long since moved on to mind-numbing and then to unworthy of notice or mention.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=5767160

[merrily]

101. I first saw it when someone else linked it. Right then, I became a brentspeakbot.

[deutsey]

231. Once I finally figured out what the hell that poster was saying

I wished I hadn't wasted the time trying to do so.

Sigh. It's going to be a loooooong primary.

[libdem4life]

14. After 50 or so years? You never know.

[Nye Bevan]

17. He's a white guy from Vermont which is 95% white.

I'm sure he isn't a racist, but living in and representing the least diverse part of the United States means that race relations is obviously not going to be an area of special expertise for him.

[TM99]

18. Bullshit!

Look at his record, it is right here for all to see.

[BrotherIvan]

26. But he was involved anyway

Have you even read the information in this thread?? That white guy from New York has been very involved in civil rights from a young age.

[peecoolyour]

30. He knows a thing or two about race relations.

Sanders spent his freshman year studying psychology at Brooklyn College, then transferred to the University of Chicago. While there, he was active in the Civil Rights Movement, and a student organizer for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. He was one of thousands of students who traveled by bus to Washington, D.C., to take part in the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernie_Sanders#Early_life_and_education

[moondust]

55. Iowa is 95% white.

Last edited Thu May 28, 2015, 10:43 AM - Edit history (1)

In 2008 Iowa Democrats picked Obama over Hillary, Edwards, Biden, Richardson, and others. Edwards came in second.

http://politics.nytimes.com/election-guide/2008/results/states/IA.html

ETA: Should probably also mention that the state of Iowa went for Obama over both McCain and Romney in the GE.

[cali]

216. in 1988 vermont caucused for jesse jackson

[LondonReign2]

75. Silly lie FAIL

Try again. Or not.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

110. He's from Brooklyn.

Early life and education[edit]

Bernie Sanders was born on September 8, 1941, in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Eli and Dorothy (Glassberg) Sanders.[14][15] His father was a Jewish immigrant from Poland; most of his family was killed during the Holocaust.[16] His mother was born to Jewish parents in New York.[17][18] He graduated from James Madison High School in Brooklyn, where he had competed on his school's track team.[19][20]

Sanders spent his freshman year studying psychology at Brooklyn College, then transferred to the University of Chicago.[21] While there, he was active in the Civil Rights Movement, and a student organizer for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee.[22] He was one of thousands of students who traveled by bus to Washington, D.C., to take part in the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.[23] He graduated in 1964 with a Bachelor of Arts in political science.[24]

Sanders next spent several months on an Israeli kibbutz [21] and moved to Vermont upon his return to the United States. He worked as a carpenter, filmmaker, writer, and researcher, as well as other occupations.[25]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernie_Sanders

[jtuck004]

112. Ferguson is far less white, yet those "experts" can't seem to figure it out. And in cities which

are less white it appears, from the lopsided percentage of black folk in prisons, simply living in a diverse city may mean you come from a far more racist and unforgiving place.

How many people of color live in your neighborhood seems an unlikely indicator of how appreciative one is of diversity. On the other hand, one might look at the disparity and racial bias of the prisons and jails more local to a candidate, and think of how that might reflect. Should that follow them around and be a bellweather of how they feel? They are certainly going along with it, if they are getting a paycheck and it is full of people who have been policed differently because of their skin color.

I am not sure of your assertion that it is the least diverse part of the U.S. The book "Whitopia" lists every city and county, iirc, that is whiter than the U.S. in general, and, frankly, I don't recall which if any cities in Vermont made the list. When black folks moved out of the South to escape slavery, they mostly went where there were jobs, not where it was cold and jobs were few. You think Vermont is white, come over to the Northwest.

They didn't really come to places like Idaho, a whiter place than Vermont, perhaps. (The whole North end of Idaho is fairly crawling with racists and bigots and militia types, much different from the people I know in Vermont. Or Spokane, where a story in the paper last year talked about the sadness of a black kid, coming home and explaining to his mom that he is the only black kid in his class again this year. (That is such a disheartening thing to see every day, no one who looks like you).

I think Bernie is far more appreciative, not just of difference than others. And he is on the side of the working people, not the bank$ter/donors, which makes him 100% different from any of the candidates, and the only one I will vote for.

[cali]

215. dog shit and stinking to high heaven

Bernie has been deeply involved in the fight against racism since he was in college, and that includes his years as Mayor and in the Congress.

[CreekDog]

288. This is a new position for you

In your history here, you NOW you are concerned that a politician's support is not diverse enough?

and the diversity of his support is not that much different than Hillary's.

But the key thing is that your post here, one is the kind of post, that even if it were true (it's not, but you're mostly wrong when it comes to race, so this is not surprising)...

It's the kind of post that you would have criticized for bringing race into the discussion.

In other words, you are being extremely obvious.

[Nye Bevan]

302. Not "concerned" in the least.

More pointing out the challenges faced by a white guy from a 95% white state who wants to be the 43rd white male to be president of the US.

[CreekDog]

305. well that explains this other post

where you seem to say that Obama couldn't have been elected if he were white.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024141976#post12

the long running meme from you seems to be that white people are disadvantaged by their skin color.

[Zorra]

19. The further to the right someone is, the further out of touch with reality they are.

The dishonesty we are seeing here in these attempts to smear Bernie is pretty scary stuff.

[haikugal]

20. I find Bernie and family so normal...

Their values are written all over them in such a genuine way.

Bernie is NOT a racist, at all. He wants the best for all of us.

[bravenak]

21. Here is a link to Bernie's statement on Ferguson.

http://www.politicususa.com/2014/08/18/bernie-sanders-brilliant-idea-giving-police-tanks-create-jobs.html

[smokey nj]

27. Thank you for this, bravenak.

[bravenak]

36. No prob.

[marym625]

29. Oh look! August 14.

Thanks for this

[bravenak]

34. Thank you!

[marym625]

38. Well

to you too!

I am going to bed. really exhausted. Seems a few people need some "rest"

[bravenak]

40. Night!

[marym625]

43. Don't cry!

I didn't mean you!

[bravenak]

46. Love you!

[marym625]

48. Love you too!

[marym625]

28. K&R

Never thought he was. He was one of the first Senators to address what was happening in Ferguson - while it was still going on. Unlike others

And I never pay attention to posts based on opinion and that are nothing but a rant. And that's putting it mildly

[Spitfire of ATJ]

35. Bill and Hillary was there too....

I don't see Rand Paul though.

[ucrdem]

64. Barack was there too ...

[Dems to Win]

126. The picture you've posted is from 2007.

The caption under this pic is:

Then-presidential candidates Senators Barack Obama (L in white) and Hillary Clinton (R in green outfit) cross the Edmond Pettus Bridge during a re-enactment of the 1965 Selma to Montgomery march in Selma, Alabama, March 4, 2007. Photo by Lee Celano/Reuters


http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/anniversary-selma-march-rekindles-ferguson-comparisons/

The Clintons were not at the 50th anniversary march this year.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

151. Should'a known. Obama doesn't look very gray.

[RoccoR5955]

258. I think that Bernie is way to the left in this picture...

Perhaps even off of it to the left.

[Omaha Steve]

39. I have nothing to add to this...

Except K&R!

[MisterP]

49. tsk tsk, "racist" only means "against TPP" nowadays

or, a few years ago, not wanting your junk touched

[Cha]

187. No, it doesn't.. that's just another ignorant cheap pot shot.

[Duckhunter935]

58. K&R

Thank you, there have been some disgusting posts here. The latest now is the ageism by some Hillery supporters.

[Cheese Sandwich]

67. Hillary's policies have racist outcomes

The war on the working class hits people of color the hardest. Starting from her role at Walmart, through welfare reform, and trade deals, and filling up the prisons, and Wall Street deregulation that caused the economic collapse that robbed black Americans of their homes and savings... through it all Hillary's record has been one long string of pushing one racist policy after the next.


Sorry but take a hard look at who has built a career and made a personal fortune by serving the elite at the expense of working families, hurting especially people of color.

[840high]

71. yep

[TM99]

86. Yes, Yes, Yes!

[BrotherIvan]

87. I guess the "expert" blogger didn't think about any of those things

Just wanted to put pictures of police brutality next to the name Bernie Sanders and people would eat it up with a spoon.

[L0oniX]

249. "serving the elite at the expense of working families" Nailed it.

[raouldukelives]

262. Hard looks are not something many are comfortable with these days.

Especially when ones employers require they remain ignorant, or at least, feign ignorance around them so as to not upset the delicate sensibilities of the donor.
We can't play pretend anymore, it isn't a game. We have to get past all this, we have to create a world better for all, we are running out of time.

[historylovr]

76. K & R

[lovemydog]

80. k & r

Excellent thread.

[JDPriestly]

88. K&R.

[Cali_Democrat]

90. Who accused Bernie of being racist?

[friendly_iconoclast]

99. Here you go:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026737025

[progressoid]

195. Wow,

what a train wreck.

[treestar]

222. Seriously?

[Doctor_J]

256. wow. The hillarians get more disgusting by the day

You'd think with her huge advantage in big media, they wouldn't need to wallow in the lowest shit they can find.

[Jester Messiah]

338. And it's early days yet.

One wonders to what vile extent they will go.

[Cali_Democrat]

273. I don't see where the poster called Bernie racist.

Help me out here....

[frazzled]

103. Yeah, what did I miss?

You would think this is a front page story in the New York Times or something, but I can't find a thing about it.

Perhaps this is just one of those "when did you stop beating your wife" ploys. I don't think anyone would ever call Bernie Sanders a racist. But I do think some here find the "stop calling Bernie Sanders a racist" a convenient tactic.

Wake me when the primaries are over.

[BrotherIvan]

132. ...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026737025

[frazzled]

152. Oh, I saw that, but I don't see any accusations of racism

I also looked at the Vox piece, and I didn't see anything close to an accusation of racism in it.

Talking about why Sanders has focused on economic issues and hasn't often addressed race outside that framework--whether because of the makeup of his constituency or the intellectual framework he absorbed at the University of Chicago years ago .... that is in no way an accusation of racism. Everyone knows he was committed to civil rights back in the day and remains a proponent of social justice.

Those articles seemed to me about politics. If he's really in it to win it, he's going to have to address issues of race directly to black and Latino voters in new ways, not just through the lens of economics. But then, I'm not really sure he's really in it to win it (he's a realist in addition to an idealist). I think his aim is more likely to inject these (very valid) economic arguments into the public discussion ... just as Al Sharpton got in it to discuss issues of race and social justice back in 04 and 08. And that's important.

But bigotry? I did not see one shred of that kind of accusation being leveled.

[BrotherIvan]

165. Read the OP again

Look at what is being linked to Bernie Sanders: a racist painting and two cops brutalizing a black man. Those whistles can be heard through 10 inch steel walls. If it was a post about how Bernie didn't specifically mention race in his speech, fair enough. It had any good intentions whatsoever, people would have debated the point. But it was a hit piece. It was trying to say he somehow doesn't care about these things when he has a very long record of civil rights activities specifically. It was low and shameful on every level.

[uponit7771]

205. The OP is dead ass'd on, not to mention BLM and the racism that is at the center of immigration ...

... yells he'll have a Kerry problem during this election and that's not needed.

[TM99]

219. What is it with the Kerry problem bullshit.

Conflating Sanders, police brutality against black men, and racist paintings is just ratfucking. Nothing more.

[uponit7771]

347. Pay the fuck attention first, Kerry's numbers DROPPED with POC becuuse he failed to reachout

... relative to 2000 and Gore.

DO NOT take people for granted and homogenize racial issues into being mostly economic...

Gore > 90%
Kerry < 90% and that's with four horrible years of BUSH!!

[TM99]

348. What a rude individual you are!

Kerry's problems went well beyond racial optics.

Kerry had zero history with civil rights or working directly with POC on issues like police violence.

There only two types here separating economic rights and civil rights. They are the New Dems who use it as a wedge issue to deflect from their neo-liberal and very unprogressive economic policies. The other are narcissists who insist that their experience is everyone's experience. Their identity politics is everyone.

Not all POC agree that Sanders is weak on racial optics and that HRC is the only choice for blacks and hispanics in this primary season.

[uponit7771]

349. Homogenizing racial issues of today into economic ones isn't "optics" its a gaffe PERIOD! as a POC

... I know damn well 21 times more likely to get shot by police has NOTHING to do with money but my skin color and being male.

The media is pushing this "if they were richer they wouldn't get murdered by police" shit

Obama made some similar Gaffes in 2007, so what ... that doesn't mean Obama had animus against blacks or browns!!

The OVERT STRAWMAN is people are claiming those who point out there was a failure to mention specific racial issues of the day are race baiting...

It's pointing out the facts!!!

Also

There are PLENTY of people with great civil rights records who are NOT in tone with the civil rights issues of the day..

Young people of all colors aren't marching around with Black Lives Matter poster signs because they don't have shit to do or because it's popular

Kerry's civil rights record could have been stellar but being out of touch with peoples issues negates all of that...

That's a known known

[TM99]

350. As a bi-racial man, I don't disagree.

But for fuck's sake, you are making gross assumptions that Sanders is out of touch because of one speech where he spoke about foundational realities that all of us must have in this country that we are losing daily. His record shows he is not racist and hardly clueless to racial or civil rights issues in general. He has not had to evolve on either.

He will address the economic and the social justice issues together because they are not separate. He and those who support him are in agreement on the need to address them irregardless of the fucking political optics.

Stop allowing yourself to be baited by those who are stating otherwise.

[uponit7771]

351. it wasn't just the speech... and please stop with the racism strawman, no one is calling Obama

... a racist because his WAY WORSE racial gaffes in 2007 and no one is calling Bernie a racist now.

Of course he'll address the SPECIFIC racial issues (not just homogenized ones) of racism being the CENTER of the immigration issue and racism being the CENTER of me being 21 more times likely to be shot by the cops and not just throw up them up as money or access issues.

of course...

Pointing out Kerry lost votes with POC isn't being "baited", Kerry was out of touch...

I pray Bernie isn't

[TM99]

352. No I will not stop with racism admonishment

because that is what some ratfuckers here tried to imply by how they presented their 'concerns'. A blog post from a fucking white woman telling us that Sanders has an optics issue on race? Yeah, that was some level of concern.

I agree Kerry was out touch and that was one of the least of his problems.

Sanders is not Kerry. And if you allow one ratfucker to make you think otherwise, then you are not paying attention.

His consistent and congruent record on racial and civil rights issues does show me a man I can trust to address your and my concerns with sincerity and realities beyond the optics of a primary candidacy.

Let's revisit this in a month in order to see this reality unfold, shall we? I am not your enemy. You and I share many of the same experiences.

[MannyGoldstein]

104. Nonsense.

Are you telling me that today's BS meme is BS?

[DonCoquixote]

108. to be perfectly honest

I see all sorts of people saying all sorts of BS here. What saddens me is that in 2008, Hillary should have learned that letting people blow the dog whistles was not only the wrong thing to do, it was also the dumb thing to do. Of course, this makes sure that no discussion of issues happens, only that if you are not for x or y you are a bigot. Of course, what is added is that, even for those of us who plan to vote for Hillary is she wins, there is NO, and I mean, NO accepted way to pressure Hillary leftward, even thought we damned well know the right can apply all the pressure it wants.

[one_voice]

118. Rec..

Bernie is a good guy.

[stage left]

130. Big K&R

Bernie Sanders is in no way a racist. He is also a proponent of women's rights. He is inclusive and not divisive. (See the quote in my signature line.) I don't in any way worship him or any other politician; I don't expect him to right everything that needs to be righted in this country single handedly and over night or perhaps, even ever. Things may just be so screwed up that they can never be righted. I support him solely because his positions on the issues most closely resemble my own. I don't identify as a populist or a progressive. I'm a liberal. I've been a liberal a long time now. I continued to be a liberal even when conservatives made it a dirty word; being liberal is a good thing I reasoned and nobody was going to make me ashamed of it. I support Bernie Sanders because I believe him to be a man of principle and an advocate of justice, both social justice and economic justice, and the most liberal candidate on offer in the coming
election.

Run, Bernie, run!

[BrotherIvan]

137. Well said

I don't expect him to be the next Martin Luther King and lead black people to freedom. But he marched and he cared and he still does. That's enough. He CARES. He fights. He loses, but he still fights. And for someone to imply that he is somehow a racist in order to make their candidate look good? That is beyond disrespect. That is disgusting.

[stage left]

163. Yeah, disgusting.

It hurt my heart to see his name linked to a photo of cops abusing a black man. I'm a woman, by the way and consider myself a feminist. So another blow to the demographics. Right?

[BrotherIvan]

166. Hey, you'll learn a lot about DU from reading those two threads

Welcome

[stage left]

183. Thanks!

Yeah.It's telling all right.

[Kalidurga]

144. I wish I could be so eloquent...

But, if someone said that to my face that Bernie is a racist I would probably just say "Bite me." I am not even going to dignify something like that with a well reasoned response they can sit on a pin and howl I don't care.

[LovingA2andMI]

153. Who The Hell Would Speak....

Such Blasphemy from their Mouths or Worse Tapping on a Keyboard!

[pa28]

155. I'm sorry you had to post this in order to set the record straight.

Hard to believe we have people right here on DU using race to marginalize a lifelong activist for equality like Bernie Sanders. Unfortunately it would seem we do.

[BrotherIvan]

159. As I said in another thread

When I call someone a racist, I mean that in the worst possible way. It's not a label you throw around for political points. And if he had just been sort of neutral, it would be bad, but for someone who was very active from a very young age, that is just beyond the pale. So hateful and nasty. I actually can't believe it.

[pa28]

207. Well, I can believe it.

I've been called a racist on this very board. It's deeply insulting and lacks decency.

I can handle arguments over facts and policy. I can even handle spin parsing the dictionary definition of certain words. That's what we do here.

This board is for Democrats and most of us have spent countless hours and our own money working toward causes and candidates that advance equality as a matter of course.

To see posters on DU using race to divide Democrats makes me kind of sick in a way I can't really express here.

[Prism]

161. Meh. That OP was a trap for later use. So, mark your calendar.

Let me provide the timeline.

Smear Sanders with a post about minority issues. Wait for the inevitable outrage.

Use said outrage to then proclaim you have proof that Sanders' supporters don't care about minority issues.

Do an entire *innocent blink* "Who, me?!" spiel when called on how transparent and disgustingly cynical the tactic is.

On the plus side, I need never worry about being lectured by that one on social issues. No one who is good-hearted and sincere about social issues would've done what she just did. Rankest sort of exploitation.

Mysteriously, her social justice friends will not mind this. They will revel in it and declare it's proof of their devotion to whatever on earth the cause is (certainly not social justice).

After literally a decade of this nonsense, much of the time with the same characters, it's pretty much going to go down exactly like that.

Don't worry. They did this to the LGBT community a couple years ago on the regular. This, too, shall pass.

[cwydro]

162. k and r.

The Hillary people are starting to lose me.

Still perched on the fence, but wow.

[hay rick]

168. Thanks for posting.

The other thread looked like race-baiting and I didn't want to kick it.

[myrna minx]

169. It's absolutely despicable to imply he is in any way. Shame on those that do.

[BeanMusical]

172. Kick and R.

[Cha]

190. Of course Bernie isn't "racist" but some of his supporters on DU were questioning African Americans'

support for Hillary as "Voting against their self interests" Like they're low information voters or some shite like that.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=6706470

I call that "racist" and Ignorant.

[Bonobo]

212. What about Hillary supporters that implicitly or openly defend

her racist campaigning against Obama in 2008?

[BrotherIvan]

218. Derail attempt fail

[Cha]

226. yeah, I know you don't to hear some of Bernie's supporters would say an ignorant thing like. Too bad

[Rhiannon12866]

206. Great photo! Thanks for posting! And I still think they should rename that bridge after John Lewis..

[McCamy Taylor]

209. Good lord. This is going to be worse than 2008, isn't it?

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

283. Probably.

2008 must have hurt, but this is probably going to be her last chance to get into the Oval Office, which means things are likely to get even more desperate, both on the campaign's part and the supporters'.

[romanic]

211. Really sad.

Sanders never came across as racist to me. :/ What gives?

[BrotherIvan]

214. He's not

Certain posters on this site are trying to say that by talking about economic issues at this time that somehow Sanders doesn't care about civil rights. The trouble is, he has been actively involved in civil rights long before he was in politics. There are certain posters on this board who are trying to win support for their candidate by claiming she is a warrior for civil rights and Sanders is terrible by comparison. Trouble is, it's just not true.

[romanic]

236. Oh

so all this hullabaloo is related to the economic justice vs social justice infighting crap I've been reading on here lately? Yikes. I get that people are going to be either in the Bernie camp or the Hillary camp, but all this mud-slinging and baiting isn't doing anyone any favors. :/

[BrotherIvan]

259. Yes, it is a false division created by certain people

to prop up a candidate that does not have a good track record of fighting for the poor and middle class against one who does.

[treestar]

220. Who said he was ?

Why do people think making Bernie into a victim will get him votes?

[BrotherIvan]

221. You can go read the post that many people have linked in this thread

Then I'm sure you'll be back to tell me how misunderstood the poster is.

[treestar]

239. It didn't say he was a "racist"

Just "not good enough." Which has been said about other Democrats over and over and over.

[JonLP24]

223. Oh Jesus

I'm so glad I missed whatever that led to this. Now posters are implying he's a racist?

[BrotherIvan]

224. Here is a link to a thread

that puts pictures of brutality with Bernie Sanders' kickoff speech.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=6737025

[jeanmarc]

225. Sanders represents every thing I believe in...

... but I know I have to vote for Hillary in the general.

[RichVRichV]

337. That's simple to solve.

Vote for Sanders in the primaries, and convince everyone you can to vote for him in the primaries. Then you won't 'have' to vote for anyone in the general. You'll be able to vote for the person you believe in.

[deutsey]

227. People are actually claiming he is?

[Enthusiast]

229. K&R! This post deserves hundreds of recommendations!

[MohRokTah]

232. Link please.

Please provide a direct link to the DU post claiming Bernie Sanders is a racist.

[Robbins]

233. If any Hillary supporters are actully calling bernie a racist

they are stupid.I wouldn't even call her a racist even though i am 100% behind bernie

Bernie as young man in 1960's supported civil rights

he has record on supporting civil rights for

blacks-was critical of police tactics in ferguson
woman-as strongly pro-choice
gays-voted against DOMA

he also voted against patriot act and is against NSA program.

[Pooka Fey]

237. Thank you for this OP, BrotherIvan

K&R

[BrotherIvan]

261. Thank you

There have been a lot of good contributions by posters here to talk about his real history. That's important for people to know apparently. I think that other post had unintended consequences.

[valerief]

242. But he must be racist. The state he represents is 95% white. So it must be his fault, right?

I think that's how the racist claim logic goes.

[NYC Liberal]

246. I think both candidates would be ashamed of how some of their supporters are acting here.

[MineralMan]

247. Of course Sanders is not a racist.

That's a cosmically stupid accusation.

[treestar]

250. I see inconsistency in that

anyone who wants to tout Bernie's 1963 actions should stop stepping on Hillary's Goldwater days.

50 years ago, who cares what these people were doing? Or, it matters. But you can't have it one way for one and the other for the other.

[KansDem]

253. Bernie Sanders, "On the Issues"

http://www.ontheissues.org/Senate/Bernie_Sanders.htm

Rated 97% by the NAACP, indicating a pro-affirmative-action stance. (Dec 2006)

That settles it for me.

[1StrongBlackMan]

265. I don't think/haven't seen anyone say/imply that Bernie is a racist ...

is anti-, or has a disregard for civil rights.

I think that we hear/see what we believe ... those questioning Bernie hear/see, "the focus on economic justice places it as a higher priority than social justice" ... Those supporting Bernie hear/see, "with economic justice comes social justice."

And the more inflamed of us hear: "Why doesn't/hasn't Bernie talk(ed) about race ... Whoa, you're calling Bernie a racist."

[BrotherIvan]

269. That post was intentionally incendiary

If the poster/blogger wanted to address that she didn't feel that Sanders talked about civil rights and social justice enough in his speech, that would have been greeted entirely differently as that is a fair point. If that post was anything but a hit piece by two white women intentionally trying to draw a line between racial hatred and Bernie Sanders with a bizarre argument and totally unrelated images, I fail to see it.

"Not enough, Bernie" in that post implied that he is closing his eyes and ignoring the suffering of people of color. As though he has never spoken on civil rights or police violence. The post then ended a quote from as far back as 2007 and a link to all the incredible things Hillary Clinton has done for civil rights. Except if you read that link, it includes statements such as, "She argued with Bill." The post had a very clear agenda, and it was vile.

If you think any of this is ok, then that is your right. I don't. I think it is co-opting and completely duplicitous.

[neverforget]

271. I'm trying to think how this would go over if a Republican blogger had done the same thing

to a Democrat such as Hillary or Bernie. We would be outraged at the insinuation.

[BrotherIvan]

272. Well apparently Sanders is fair game

Because his "optics" are not satisfactory to Hillary supporters. We are all supposed to be sorely disappointed he didn't bus in more people of color to suit their taste. But *pretending* to minorities in order to get votes is so much more important than actually being involved for much of your life. Because 18 people on DU said so.

[orpupilofnature57]

277. I wish I had said it that way , I wouldn't have been blocked from AA .

[C Moon]

280. It's a sad statement for a person to knowingly lie/back lies like this in a primary.

Last edited Thu May 28, 2015, 04:24 PM - Edit history (1)

I would never back a candidate that made me feel I had to lie to get him/her to win.
That's a GOP tactic.
The Democratic party doesn't need people like you.

[BrotherIvan]

281. Well, the Democratic party may not need me

They sure like it when I vote for them though.

[orpupilofnature57]

284. That's what we have to beat, dismissing anything substantial, a barage of

accusations with not one comprehesive FACT to back it up, that will get your canidate elected , sure .

[orpupilofnature57]

282. +1000

[AzDar]

286. Bernie. Fucking. Sanders!!

[Heather MC]

289. But But But Where's his AMERICAN FLAG PINNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[BuelahWitch]

295. Bernie walks the walk!

Kickarooni!

[Doctor_J]

316. Uh-oh. I don't see any Asians in that picture

What has Sanders ever done specifically to address the concerns of Asian Americans? I didn't hear anything about them in the kick-off speech! Of course he talks about jobs, fair pay, clean air and water, and education. Guess what --- not good enough

[Politicub]

321. DU is turning into crazy town

It's sad when a thread is needed to answer an allegation that should have never grown legs in our community in the first place.

DU is better than this, and I hope the people who only seek to create division get called out for the disruptors they are.

OP, You are right - people who push the meme are trading in libel. Sanders is a good man.

[PatrickforO]

324. I haven't noticed any allegations of racism against Sanders.

That said, it doesn't surprise me that he put his life on the line back in 1963 - when marching for civil right was very, very dangerous.

He's a pretty good guy.

He'll make a good president, particularly if we vote in a majority of populists in House and Senate.

[Bluzmann57]

325. I am at a Bernie for PotUS town hall RIGHT NOW!!!!!

And there are a lot of people here. People of all races and colors. He ain't a racist.

[woo me with science]

353. K&R