About that bird landing on Sanders' lecturn...

[Ed Suspicious]

What did you think of it? I don't really take it as some sort of divine intervention, but I do think it was fun. It doesn't surprise me in the least that it generated a ton of threads about it. What about you guys?

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. It was a precious moment of if you will connection with nature

but some folks will take it in a religious way. And that is ok. It was one of those very human moments that don't happen too often.

[JDPriestly]

52. Bernie's reaction to the bird was the real story.

He showed what a genuinely loving person he is, so gentle and humble.

He also proved how spontaneous he is, how at ease when giving speeches.

It was just a beautiful moment.

But it was on Good Friday and was a very unusual event, so people may take it as a religious moment if they wish.

[enough]

78. Exactly. He had such a simple human presence at that moment.

Just enjoying the arrival of the little creature, acknowledging it, with joy and humor.

[socialist_n_TN]

89. Yeah, I thought Bernie's reaction to it was pretty good too........

Good ad-lib. IF I were a Bernie supporter, I'd certainly be tempted to make of it a "sign". Definitely an unusual moment in a very unusual election season.

[Aerows]

58. I agree

As a fellow (though sadly no longer) bird owner, I thought it was pretty darn awesome.

[Lizzie Poppet]

2. Sure was awesome in person!

I'm an atheist, so I don't read anything into it beyond being a charming moment in an election that's been nasty and is going to get nastier.

[Ed Suspicious]

8. Lucky you!

[Lizzie Poppet]

14. Definitely a lifetime memory!

I was too far away to see the bird all that well directly...had to watch the screen. Still an absolutely charming moment!

[Aerows]

60. It was fantastic to see the video of it

But damn, that was one of those events of a lifetime!

[2banon]

88. You where there!!! AWESOME!

Sweet. I can't wait until June. It's seems like an eternity away. (California)

[Lizzie Poppet]

91. Yes, to my delight.

Although awesome as "Birdie Sanders" was, the real awesome for me was Bernie's speech.

Mid-May for me...and it seems like forever. But it looks like both of our votes will actually mean something. For a while, I was expecting it to be over by then (and not in a good way).

[2banon]

9. Bingo, Just the way I saw it.

It was cute, kinda of unusual thing to see during a presidential campaign rally.. but yes, charming and fun. no divine intervention assumed. By the way, the whole "put a bird on it" was never on my radar until tonight.

[Aerows]

61. Were you there, too?

Goodness, I seem to miss all the cool parties!

[2banon]

93. No, No. i wasn't there, sorry for any confusion.

[Aerows]

59. OMG you were THERE?

Okay, I'm going to sit here and pretend that I am not jealous of everybody that saw it and was at the event.

I'm totally not jealous.

Not one bit.

[Lizzie Poppet]

71. Yep!

I was pretty far away from the podium (I get crowd anxiety...it's better if I'm at the fringe), so at first I couldn't figure out what was going on. Then I spotted the finch on the big monitor. I could see her directly once I knew what to look for. Magical...

And so dang Portland...

[TDale313]

3. I thought it was a really nice moment and fantastic press.

That along with MSNBC actually covering his rally last night and the caucus results today? Been a wonderful news cycle for Bernie, and that's really refreshing.

[Tarc]

4. Just like the cracks in burnt toast really isn't Jesus

A bird landing on a podium is just...a bird landing on a podium.

Egads, the DU is turning into a tent revival...

[Ed Suspicious]

5. Four posts in this thread and none taking it as coming from the fingertips of God, yet still you

frame it that way to smear us? Bitterness.

[Lizzie Poppet]

17. I'm only keeping that one off Ignore for the trainwreck factor.

I've an odd sense of humor...

[R B Garr]

22. You mention multiple threads yourself. Did you miss the

threads with the religious connotations...i.e., it happened on Good Friday. Etc. Why attack someone because they saw something you didn't.

[Ed Suspicious]

23. Not attacking in any way.

[nadinbrzezinski]

26. Perhaps you will miss this, (on purpose mind you)

but for some folks it will have religious meaning. The US is the most religious advanced economy. So yes, Good Friday, Purim what can I say?

If this happened in a Clinton rally you would be hailing with the Amens Me I would be going, nice moment... and it is you guys who are so bitter, that make everything ugly, At this point, to get a little spiritual (which I am not) you guys are showing very dark souls.

have a nice day, and I mean it. (or night actually... it is late) And if you celebrate, have a joyous Easter.

[R B Garr]

47. The OP accused someone of smearing people and being bitter.

How phony, considering that their own thread mentioned multiple threads, so obviously they didn't see the other threads, so he made himself out to be a victim for no reason.

It's apparent you also misread the OP's post and now mine, because you are now accusing me of having a dark soul simply because I typed on my computer that there were multiple threads with a religious element on the subject.

Then you attempt to teach me the religious meaning behind random events as if only you have some divine power over others to dictate what and how they interpret things for themselves.

And, lol...birds. I actually spent a smidgeon of my Good Friday cleaning bird crap off of a picnic table in Redondo Beach because we wanted to sit there with our deli sandwiches and didn't want to look at the crap. So, funny that you now deign that I would have some kind of angst that some bird in the Pacific Northwest lands somewhere. LOL,

I know you like to "teach" people, but this is way beyond silly. You just reveal an agenda, which is also how I took the OP.

[Ed Suspicious]

81. You misread the OP.

[R B Garr]

82. No. I didn't. And I also read your reply which accused

someone of smearing Bernie supporters and then called that poster bitter when you apparently didn't see one of the "multiple" threads you were referring to yourself.

[Ed Suspicious]

83. Read it again without looking to be outraged.

What did you think of it? I don't really take it as some sort of divine intervention, but I do think it was fun. It doesn't surprise me in the least that it generated a ton of threads about it. What about you guys?

[R B Garr]

84. Sigh. Just look at the numbered posts.

Hint. You posted "some sort of divine intervention"

Poster answered with a comment about Jesus.

You berated that poster and accused him/her of smearing Bernie supporters and being bitter when it was you who hadn't seen the threads about Good Friday and the Resurrection. Agenda much?

You are trying the same things with me here. Just look at the numbered posts.

[nadinbrzezinski]

92. Alas I am going to what you post

Have a blessed day

[me b zola]

96. It was a beautiful moment in a world of chaos and hatred

People will interpret that according to their own perceptions and beliefs. That you don't share the same belief system that one or two other posters have does not detract from the fact that it was a very special moment in time.

[R B Garr]

99. Yes, random events are often like that.

And you have no idea what my belief system is other than I responded to a phony victimization attack here, and then responded to someone misinterpreting that, which I also responded to.

It was unmistakeable that "multiple threads" here were suggesting the bird was a sign from God on Good Friday and the Resurrection. To then suggest that a responding post mentioning Jesus was a smear on Bernie supporters and from bitterness was just a phony attack. Read the thread.

And no kidding that people will interpret what they want. You or anyone else calling people dark souls because they didn't see Jesus in the bird are really out of line How ridiculous.

[me b zola]

107. I have called no one a dark soul...except for possibly Dick Cheney

It was a beautiful moment in time, and it meant something to so many of us. I am not calling you or any other Clinton supporter out over our little bird.

Have a nice day

[delrem]

15. Well, if it happened to HRC and she suggested it was like a dove of peace

suggesting a better future, people would post vids of her laughing about war and the death and desolation produced by war.
There are enough of those vids floating about, history being a bitch. There are enough dead. Oh yes, there are more than enough dead.
So it was nice that it happened to the only candidate, Dem or Rep, where "peace" could even be considered an option.

So there's that.

[2banon]

16. really? did someone here on du imply, intimate, suggest, or otherwise assert it was somehow divine

intervention of some kind?


That would be rather ridiculous, haven't seen it anywhere though.

which suggests to me, you're just making shite up.

[Ed Suspicious]

20. I don't know. You tell me. My eyes aren't as good as they once were.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1251&pid=1584187

[2banon]

33. LOL!. Just found I have to have cataract surgery myself. so there's that! :)

I did forget seeing that a bit earlier but it wasn't worth my time to get past the first line.

[Aerows]

67. You see a hell of a lot better than most, my friend

even without the cataract surgery!

Best wishes to you, I've seen nothing but positive results from the surgery.

[2banon]

86. Thank you!

I hear it's the easiest surgery to perform of any sort, in and out of out-patient thingy.

I already knew I had macular degeneration but just had another more extensive examination showing the cataracts to be causing significant vision problems.

I'm actually looking forward to having this one done!

I always associated "cataracts" with old age. I never think of myself as "old". But I guess it's time I start facing up to that reality.

[Luminous Animal]

29. It was a lot of things. A real one on one connection with nature. A peaceful message to that

connection.

Some may see it as a cosmic message. Others see it as a moment that Bernie expresses compassion to a little bird and then translates that expression for peace on earth to all of us.

And then sends that message off with a kiss.

[me b zola]

97. Yes. People interpret events according to their own belief systems and POV

But it cannot be denied that it was a beautiful moment, a joyous moment, at a time that is so in need of a little joy.

[Aerows]

62. I guess Hillary will get a bird next n/t

[ChairmanAgnostic]

80. I often feel she deserves one.

[JudyM]

113. haha! mockingbird

(i know that's not what you meant)

[ChairmanAgnostic]

121. Depends on your sign language skills.

[JudyM]

122. Too. Flippin. Funny.

[Karma13612]

72. I don't discount it, quite the opposite.

The bird felt safe enuf to get closer to the lecturn, and Bernie.

Everything in life happens for a reason.

And I am not religious in the least, no tent revivals or similar.

[DisgustipatedinCA]

75. You might want to start all over again. I don't think you're getting this.

[Tarc]

117. Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar...

...and sometimes a bird on a podium is just a bird on a podium.

[basselope]

101. God officially took credit for the event.

So we know it was divine.

https://www.facebook.com/TheGoodLordAbove/posts/1654550851299278

[Ned_Devine]

102. I think nothing tastes better than strawberry jam on toast. What about you?

[Tarc]

116. I prefer giving the raspberry.

[Ned_Devine]

118. Raspberry jam is delightful...but only organic raspberries

[okieinpain]

125. oh now don't be jealous. n/t.

[JPnoodleman]

6. My family is very religious,

The symbolism of it all is not lost on a single one of us. Be it coincidence or a divine act, either way it was a nice moment.

[Ed Suspicious]

7. Nice moment indeed.

[Aerows]

63. Bless you and your family

I thought it was a terrific thing to happen.

[jwirr]

123. I live in a culture that does believe in omens - especially

animal related ones. And while I do not know if this was one of those times I do know that many people will take it as one. Especially when it occurred on Good Friday.

Other than that it was a great event. One we will remember for many years.

[edgineered]

10. Based on the DU population,

chances of a bird or a cat outweighed all others.

[nadinbrzezinski]

32. Did anybody mention a cat? Ok it is easter, bonus rabit

<iframe width="500" height="375" src="

" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[edgineered]

35. Gonna play the left coast ginger cat card, huh?

I'll see the LCGCC and raise you one blue peep, er, um, chicken, that is.

[nadinbrzezinski]

36. Waiting for the caucus results

[edgineered]

38. Tell me.

I'm drinking tomorrow morning's coffee waiting.

[nadinbrzezinski]

39. Twitter is really, really antsy

[840high]

44. ohhh - that is so sweet.

[Liberty Belle]

49. Sweet!

Animals are amazing.

[ScreamingMeemie]

11. I think it was a fun moment of levity, and hearing the cheers brought tears

to my eyes. His smile at that was genuine, which is enough for me.

[Ed Suspicious]

12. That's about where I was. I loved that people loved it. Bernie's reaction was just so sweet.

And the people ate it up. I've watched it a ton of times.

[Kalidurga]

28. See that is what makes the moment divine, there is no need for a deity...

to make it so. It was a wonderful moment that showed a whole lot of people being very genuine and very much in awe of nature.

[winter is coming]

43. Yes, it was Bernie's unfeigned delight that drew my attention.

He doesn't smile so often as many politicians, but when he does, it's spontaneous and genuine. He comes across as someone who likes himself and likes other people, which isn't as common as it should be.

[840high]

45. Beautiful moment. It really

made me smile and get a little misty eyed.

[Art_from_Ark]

54. +1

I echo your sentiments

[elleng]

13. Fun, and showed Senator Sanders' grace,

sense of humor, values, and judgment.

[Aerows]

64. Agreed, my friend

It was one of those moments that is spontaneous joy and kindness.

[Cheese Sandwich]

18. I love the bird.

More bird.

[Autumn]

19. Here's what got me. It was the joy on Bernie's face and on the faces of the people in the crowd.

The way it perched and looked at Bernie. It was great.

[Ed Suspicious]

21. When Bernie raised his arms and his eyes got big, I cracked up laughing.

[Autumn]

27. It was just such an upbeat moment. I have watched it several times

and it doesn't get old.

[KPN]

24. I was there with my daughter. It was

pretty darned remarkable. Do you know how big the MODA Center is? What are the chances it would land and sit for 10 seconds right on the podium!

Was it a sign? Hard to believe that, but it's also hard to discount it. Could be like the markets, if enough people think something, it is.

[Brother Buzz]

25. One of the most pleasant sounding words I know comes to mind: Serendipity

serendipity
Pronunciation: /ˌserənˈdipədē/
noun
1. the faculty of making happy by accident.
2. The occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way: a fortunate stroke of serendipity a series of small serendipities.

[Ed Suspicious]

31. Very good!

Thanks.

[pacalo]

37. I like that.

[Kip Humphrey]

30. History will record that this election switched because of a little bird.

It may be technically incorrect, but if Bernie continues on his trajectory to win the Democratic nomination, History will so record.

[marions ghost]

85. Bird said

that we need more of what Bernie stands for.

I hope you're right. This was a defining moment.

[pdsimdars]

34. Maybe some feel uncomfortable saying "divine intervention" and things like that, but

if you read the threads, and I read many, many threads about this. . There is no denying that it touched people deeply.

This wasn't the same thing as seeing one of those sparrows in Home Depot flying around. . . this was something different and from the hundreds of comments, people felt that is was different.

Call it what you want or don't call it what you don't want. .. . . but people actually felt it. And that is real.

[Zira]

51. +100000

I'm one of the ones who felt it.

[Lorien]

56. There was a post from a guy on FB who was sitting up near the podium

with his daughter (he had photos). They had gotten in early, so they were there for a long time before Bernie spoke. He said that the little bird caught people's attention early on. It was the only bird in the arena, so everyone noticed it eventually and it was a welcome distraction from the tedium of waiting for everyone to be seated and the event to start. By the time the event DID start, the little bird had already risen to "mascot" status, which is why it caused such a commotion when it landed on the stage prior to flying to the podium. By that time everyone but the late comers felt that they "knew" the bird, which was an added reason for the jubilation which followed!

[Jackilope]

40. Perhaps I've watched too much PBS fundraisers ....

... like Dr. Wayne Dyer specials. My thought was all the good energy and the good fight Bernie is putting in for the people and the bird visiting him a symbol of his tapping into The Source.

Kids and animals gravitate to genuine and good people. The bird moment makes me smile.

[Hoyt]

41. I enjoyed it and Sanders' reaction.

[Stargleamer]

42. Apparently it has been identified as a House Finch n/t

[aidbo]

46. I saw a happy happenstance. I put no more meaning to it. Nt

[Buzz cook]

48. It's like Portland gave Sanders the bird.

Just kidding.

[Zira]

50. Good Karma. I think it was one heck of a happy tiding.

[DiehardLiberal]

53. It was a joyful moment in a sea of strife. For that, I call it 'magical'...

And it showed Bernie's true soul which was beautiful.

[Enrique]

70. that's how I saw it

it's been a depressing campaign in a lot of ways, the bird was a nice lift.

[Frustratedlady]

55. Well, it certainly gave him the press he wanted and positive, no less.

Bernie has been denied coverage by the MSM because Trump managed to dominate their attention. Now, a little birdie brought Bernie a gift of not only attention by the MSM but, to some, a divine intervention.

I have to agree with others who mentioned that the bird episode showed how a gentle, yet humorous reaction from Bernie exposed his inner self. He didn't have time to stage his reaction, he didn't try to shoo the bird away, he simply smiled and let the bird land for a bit. Trump would have batted it off the podium in disgust and the RW would have cheered at his aggressiveness...bad ass Trump showed him!!!

[Aerows]

66. What a wonderful post

and I agree with you that it showed his humanity and kindness.

[flamingdem]

57. My personal take

I've been thinking about birds, the tree that's dying outside my window due to drought in California and the song birds who have made me happy for so many years. They'll have to leave. And then I think about Vermont where I visited and lived before and there are now no more birds singing in the North due to climate change.

Since the birds are right outside my window I begin thinking about them early in the morning. They're with me all day and I worry about them, about the bees, about birds that didn't show up this year.

Then the bird flies and looks right at Bernie at this critical point in history. And boom.

Bernie is the right person to protect nature, that's what matters most to me.

The bird underlined this.

[Zira]

65. +10000

[Aerows]

68. Agreed.

It is impossible to ruin that moment. It was fantastic.

[Karma13612]

74. + 100 the symbolism was striking. Eom.

[G_j]

87. +1000

[eShirl]

69. NOBODY can claim it was a scripted "moment." n/t

[Sunlei]

73. I take it as a sign of very good karma. The bird sure gave Sanders a delighted smile.

[Fritz Walter]

76. You nailed it, Ed, when you wrote "...it was fun."

Please don't read more into serendipity.

[Karma13612]

77. I didn't rec because I agree. I rec'd so it could be discussed more.

I think it was a pure symbolic moment that happens rarely, and should be acknowledged.
Bernie's revolution is bigger than all of us.

To have a bird approach like this, not fly away, it woke us up.

The climate needs help, the bird represents nature, and Bernie is advocating for it.

Everything happens for a reason.

[Warren Stupidity]

79. It was obviously a staged event intended to send a message

to millions of racist white male sexist Berniebros to chop down the tall trees.

Or some other yakkityak bullshit.

[lumberjack_jeff]

90. Hillary's handlers are now shopping avian rescue organizations

Trying to find somebody who will send her one just like it.

[Octafish]

94. It was good PR.

Polly came from Trained Birds of Seattle. Tell 'em Lone Watie sent you.

[reddread]

100. sending the hospital bill to you

[SalviaBlue]

120. That's hillarious!!!!

[merrily]

124. zomg. The contrast between this and Bernie's live, green bird!

I saw the video again this morning. Thousands of people screaming and applauding, Bernie booming into the mike. He says "bird" in the middle of a sentence and the bird immediately flies to the podium and sits there and Bernie's face lights up.

Meanwhile, in other parts of the board, people are absolutely bilious over this sweet little vignette.

[jpb33]

95. If the same thing

happened to Hillary, that bird landed on her lectern, she would of pulled an Ozzy Osbourne.

[floriduck]

103. Or her security staff would have hauled it out

while Hillary discusses the important issues, other than BLM.

[ZombieHorde]

98. I thought it was cute.

I like birds.

[valerief]

104. I tried to find an article with someone identifying what type of bird it was.

Appeared to be some kind of sparrow. Maybe a wren. But I dunno birds.

Black-capped chickadees aren't afraid to come near humans (I've had a couple approach me outside recently), but that wasn't a black-capped chickadee.

There's article after article about the bird but no bird type mentioned. Am I the only one who's curious about that?

[Brother Buzz]

108. According to the Audubon Society, the podium crasher was a female House Finch.

Although my birding buddy, with a keen interest in waterfowl, dismissed it by calling it a LBJ - a little brown job.

[Codeine]

109. We call them BBBs in my house.

Brown Bounce Birds.

Actually my daughter calls them Chipotle birds because they congregate around the outdoor tables there, waiting for snacks from the kindhearted.

[Brother Buzz]

111. Brown Bounce Birds is not a half-bad description

The LBJ's are so flighty, it's really hard to see distinguishing marks to identify them.

[valerief]

112. Ha,thanks. Looks like she was a female. See? Females LOVE Bernie!

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/House_Finch/id

[Bodych]

105. Can I Have a Drink?

It was cute and precious from our perspective, but that little birdie was eyeing the water bottle.

If it's been trapped in the auditorium for any length of time, it knows food/water sources.

Bird lover here...they're smart and social, and they have to feel somewhat safe when taking risks like that.

Obviously, Bernie is a threat to neither man nor "beast".

[valerief]

114. Yeah, makes sense. It stopped right there at the water. nt

[Faux pas]

106. I loved it!

Was waiting for Bernie to break out with a rousing chorus of 'zippity do dah'!!!!

[JackRiddler]

110. He played it beautifully.

Perfect gesture, like a magic trick, then turned it straight to world peace. Hard to imagine any of the rest doing that, while still being genuine. He deserves to win just for that.

As for those who want to see god at work - I'm all for it. Better they should think She sent that bird than that She anoints Cruz.

And as for the CPRs (Committed Rationalist Pedants) telling people that it's just a bird - well no shit. Get a sense of humor.

[kgnu_fan]

115. I enjoyed watching video with my friends over and over. Everyone loved it. nt

[kristopher]

119. I was inspired by the arrival of our Lord FSM's emissary of the crouton...

Last edited Sun Mar 27, 2016, 07:58 PM - Edit history (1)

...for the inspection of Candidate Sanders. I, personally, am inspired and humbled. It follows that since the Holely Colander dispensed no deluge of rinse water to cleanse the Candidate of clinging detritus, we can be assured that the blessing of the sauce has been bestowed.

[Jester Messiah]

126. If it had happened a couple thousand years ago, we'd still be reading about it today.

So yeah, the historical parallel is there. Does it actually mean anything? Depends on how much stock one puts in those old superstitions I guess!