Any more info on the "little birdie" post about bad news on Bernie??

[Logical]

Or is it just a bunch of BS?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1251&pid=628406

[virtualobserver]

1. sounds like a "Little Brockie"

[demmiblue]

2. Agree with a poster on that thread... O'Keefe wannabe.

[Logical]

43. Great video! nt

[Zorra]

3. No, but another herd of starving jackalopes came through and ate my tomato crop this morning.

The jackalopes are getting thick in this neck of the woods.

What, you don't believe me? It's twue, it's twue! I'm so crushed!

[NCTraveler]

4. Seems Sanders is going to be vetted just like the rest.

Not sure about the "little birdie" you are talking about but the cronyism in the Sanders household was not shot down.

Not sure if you are aware.

Sanders helped Shumlin to get elected and shortly after that Shumlin appointed Sanders wife to two commission positions. It is one of the most blatant displays of cronyism you will find in politics. Is that what they "little birdie" is talking about?

Are you talking about her as President of a school where she oversaw a loan possible fraudulently acquired?

Are you talking about the revelation of how hard Sanders worked against a pathway to citizenship for over ten million people so he could protect IT workers? No greater display that he will go so far as to put economic issues over that of a humanitarian crisis.

Which one is the "little birdie" talking about?

[grasswire]

5. give up

you aren't changing any minds here with this frivolous drivel.

[NCTraveler]

6. And this op is?

One of the most blatant displays of cronyism, it is truly undeniable, and you say give it up. Possible fraudulent loan activity followed up by a $200,00 pay off and it's no bid deal. Putting visas ahead of a pathway to citizenship for over ten million people. The things you have determined are no big deal. You tell me I'm not changing any minds. Ever told that to a Sanders supporter? Didn't thinks so. Benghazi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Maybe headlines like "Clinton Beats up Old Man" or "New Clinton Email Information" followed up a couple of days later with retractions. Maybe those are your thing. Thanks for your righteous indignation.

[grasswire]

12. I'm just saying that you are wasting your time.

Nobody here is going to give up on Bernie because of weak "possibles" and hopeful wishing.

Maybe you could sell your stuff somewhere else, but you are wasting your time (and ours) here.

[NCTraveler]

25. I agree that it won't change minds.

Neither will "Clinton Beats up Old Man."

Yet you weren't there telling that person what you are telling me.

And I actually think this is going to have more of an impact than you think. I am aware of more than one outlet that have been sitting on multiple Sanders stories. They know that it benefits their bottom line in a more positive way by having a close race. They now see the polls are slowing, and with one outlet, I know they are getting ready to pull the trigger. The cronyism is the tip of the iceberg. What you say won't change minds is going to be different than you think. How is this headline going to play coming from the NYT. Sanders Places Protectionism in Front of Human Rights.

See if that is going to change some minds. Many are already talking about how Sanders denied over ten million people a path to citizenship over economic reasons alone. A humanitarian crisis in our own country and Sanders placed greater importance on visas. That story is going to play different than you think. Objectiveness is being lost as you play in this echo chamber. You are missing what is actually going on. Step away from this echo chamber for a bit and see what is actually being discussed.

[ibegurpard]

13. one of the most blatant displays of cronyism???

Perspective. Get some.

[NCTraveler]

27. Perspective? Really? lol. It was amazingly blatant. nt.

[jberryhill]

42. As blatant as Hillary chairing the Task Force on National Health Care Reform?

[Armstead]

22. It's Cronyism. All politics is cronyism.

But your implications are both foolish and sexist.

Sexist because you assume that she only received those appointments because she was a spouse. That she couldn't have possibly gotten those appointments because the Governor might actually think she would be a good person for those posts.

Foolish because you are asking people to get stirred up because in a small state a member of a politically active family was appointed to a couple of commissions.

Get back to us when she gets a position as a Million Dollat lobbyist or highly paid member of the staff of Goldman Sachs, or Bernie gets the governor to give one of his grandkids an exclusive state contract to supply all of the cheese and maple syrup in government offices.

[NCTraveler]

23. I'm sexist. Love it. Last sign of desperation. I really thought you were above this.

Shortly after Sanders helps Shumlin, Shumlin appoints Sanders wife to two commissioner positions. Yeah. Shumlin would have done that without the help. You guys are pulling out claims of racism, anti-Semitisms, and sexism faster than you can even keep up. I'm a sexist. Absolutely love it.

You call me sexist for insinuating it, then you fully back up the cronyism in the next sentence.

"Foolish because you are asking people to get stirred up because in a small state a member of a politically active family was appointed to a couple of commissions."

Cronyism importance to you is determined by who is doing it.

[Armstead]

29. Let me say this ONE LAST TIME

Sanders is obviously a political force in Vermont. He is married to a women who also has a career and is also involved in public issues in the state.

If you assume she could not have achieved enough to be considered for those positions based on her own efforts, yep that is sexist.

As for cronyism....People who move in political and public-affairs circles tend to know each other. That's politics. And in a state the size of vermont, those personal relationships are even more likely to result in personal relationships.

There is nothing inherently wrong with that. It's what politics is about.

What makes the difference is how people use those connections -- for what purposes. It;s bad when used to improperly skew policies and actions to feather the nest and do corrupt favors for supporters. Unless she owned a nuclear waste transport company or something, her position on those boards is entirely appropriate and benign.

[NCTraveler]

30. You get away with this because the place is an echo chamber.

Calling me a sexist is great. It is blatant cronyism and you have admitted to that above. Doesn't stop you and the crew from calling people racist, sexist, and anti-Semitic. It is what happens in an echo chamber. I'm a sexist. That one if really funny.

Going around calling women sexist isn't your finest hour. Maybe you want to join you fellow Sanders supporter in calling Marissa a racist at every possible opportunity. What has happened to you all? The women around you are sexist and the POC are racist. That is what all of you are doing. It is exactly what you are doing here. Even after you admit it is cronyism, as you did above.

[Armstead]

33. I didn't say YOU ARE a sexist. But this claim of inappropriate cronyism is sexist.

What was his wife supposed to do, stay home and do nothing after her husband supported the Governor's run for office? Is everything she might do off-limits because she is a Senator's wife?

Perhaps she should never apply for a job because she might only be hired because "she's Senator Bernie's wife." Or she should not hold any public post that has anything to do with any state or local government or agency or politician that Bernie has ever had anything to do with?

Yep. That's sexist.

[NCTraveler]

36. I did say it was cronyism, and you are calling me sexist. It's flat out laughable.

You have invented new rules for cronyism to meet your needs. It is no longer cronyism if the person is qualified. It is truly hilarious watching this. There are no bounds as to how far some will go. There are no bounds in an echo chamber. You and your crew are going around calling women sexist and POC racist, all while being patted on the back. It has actually become funny at this point.

Just when I thought ONE LAST TIME meant one last time. What was the point of the caps lock if it was an insignificant comment without meaning. lol.

See that buddies, I called her a sexist and then told her I didn't. See that buddies. Pat Pat Pat.

[Armstead]

38. You're getting a little carried away by this

You aren't contributing much when you use cliches like "hilarious" and echo chamber" instead of explaining why you disagree with my opinion.

You totally avoided answering my points. Great job of deflection.

If she is married to a Senator, who assists or is otherwise involved with many people and organizations, and campaigns for politicians as part of his job, what is she supposed to do to avoid being accused of Cronyism?

Move to Alaska where there is little likelihood that she will have contact with someone or some business or organization who has been involved with her husband in some way?

Or is she supposed to abandon her own career and volunteerism and stay home and as Hillary one said "bake cookies and stand by her man?"

Seriously.

[Tarheel_Dem]

65. AUTOMATED MESSAGE: Results of your Jury Service

On Mon Sep 28, 2015, 07:55 PM an alert was sent on the following post:

I did say it was cronyism, and you are calling me sexist. It's flat out laughable.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1251&pid=630292

REASON FOR ALERT

This post is disruptive, hurtful, rude, insensitive, over-the-top, or otherwise inappropriate.

ALERTER'S COMMENTS

Just Meta bullshit and needs to stop

You served on a randomly-selected Jury of DU members which reviewed this post. The review was completed at Mon Sep 28, 2015, 08:05 PM, and the Jury voted 0-7 to LEAVE IT.

Juror #1 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #2 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #3 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Back in the day, moderators would delete whole threads when the fighting went to far. I'm voting to leave this post since it doesn't include any personal insults and it wouldn't be fair to hide one side of the argument when there are two people who are both pushing the bounds of civility.
Juror #4 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: I've got news for the alerter, GDP is Meta.
Juror #5 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #6 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #7 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Now worse than the rest of the thread. While I would rather there be more adult debate on all sides emotions do run high and the level of debate suffers. Thick skin is called for this political season.

Thank you very much for participating in our Jury system, and we hope you will be able to participate again in the future.

I'm glad the rest of the jury agreed. I'm still trying to figure out what the alert was about in the first place.

[bobbobbins01]

35. In order for it to be cronyism she would have to be unqualified.

You're making the accusation of cronyism, so you're saying she was unqualified for these positions and was only appointed based on her role as the wife of Bernie Sanders. Unless you can actually prove that her qualifications weren't up to snuff, at best you're misguided, at worst you're being very sexist.

[NCTraveler]

70. You don't have a clue what cronyism is.

Qualifications play no role in the meaning of the word.

[bobbobbins01]

72. Of course they do.

The dictionary is your friend.

[cyberswede]

32. Campaigning for a fellow democrat is hardly a "political favor" or "help" that is out of the ordinar

Politicians do that for each other all the time.

I don't understand why this is being put forth as some sort of scandal.

Governors appoint people to commissions all the time, and they are usually people who are known to them in some capacity - otherwise, how would they even know of them to appoint them?

In 2005, Iowa governor Tom Vilsack appointed Senator Tom Harkin's wife, Ruth, to the Board of Regents for the state universities. I'm pretty sure Tom Harkin campaigned for Vilsack ("helping" him get elected).

In 2009, Tom Vilsack was appointed Secretary of Agriculture by PBO - and I'm sure Vilsack "helped" Obama get elected, too.

...and Christie Vilsack, Tom's wife, currently works for the US government, as well (USAID, as the Senior Advisor on International Education).

[arcane1]

34. I know exactly why this is being put forth as some sort of scandal.

Desperate times

[NCTraveler]

37. Because family members were given favor for it.

It is amazingly obvious. This is really getting funny. Justifying cronyism because of personality and adoration. It's awesome. These are the things that happen in an echo chamber.

[cyberswede]

40. I'm not justifying anything. I'm pointing out that it's hardly uncommon.

What do you think of Senator Tom Harkin's wife being appointed to the Iowa Board of Regents by a governor that her husband helped elect? It happens ALL THE TIME.

That you choose to get all bent out of shape about it only in this one case is also based on the personality of the person involved.

Do you think that Hillary Clinton joined the Rose Law Firm in a vacuum? Or do you think anyone there might have gotten to know her because she was married to the Arkansas Attorney General? (note: I'm not saying she got the job on any criteria other than her own merit; I'm saying that I bet she had met some people there prior to getting the job).

...oh and the only people I adore are my children. I've never "adored" a fucking politician. Get a grip.

[jfern]

45. Now Hillary supporters are blaming Sanders for a Hillary supporter

appointing Sanders' wife to something? LOL!

[TheKentuckian]

59. What is the Governor charging Hillary or what does he have to give her since

that is the way he operates and who he deals with?

Pretty damned desperate to take down one of our best Senators, a Democratic governor, and maybe their own upside down on trust candidate in the process in a sad sack effort to prop up said candidate.

[magical thyme]

47. THe University asked her to resign. It is normal in such a situation to negotiate a settlement.

The "$200,000" pay off was a 2-year settlement to terminate her contract.

The "possible fraudulent loan activity" was a loan based in part on a verbal promise of a gift that turned out to be a bequest rather than an immediate donation.

As for "cronyism," Jane Sanders was fully qualified for the BOD jobs, which type of job always goes to people with the appropriate credentials and necessary contacts.

And as mentioned above, what would you call Bill CLinton appointing Hillary run his health insurance initiative? How about JFK naming RFK as his atty general?

As to Bernie putting American IT workers ahead of humanitarian aid, I presume you're talking about H1B visas. In which case, get back to me when your industry crashes and you lose your job to imported workers in your field, who had their educations paid for by their governments so they can afford to do your job on the cheap.

[Hortensis]

21. Vetting always turns up something in people who live big and

complicated lives (even if it's so small it requires swabbing in layers of lies to notice). Not that I'm saying even run-of-the-mill corruption is tiny...

In any case, any zealous ones who're going to develop ulcers over an imperfect Bernie might want to back out and take up gardening instead. It's fall planting season in most of the country, guys. Think daffodils and trees to grow up and shade the sun-baked houses of the future.

[CanadaexPat]

44. He opposed a guest worker program.

Guest worker programs are not a path to citizenship, they are modern indentured servitude.

[Ken Burch]

60. Here's Phil Ochs describing a well-known "guest worker program" in U.S. agriculture:

[CanadaexPat]

46. Remember how pissed Bill was that Richardson

endorsed Obama, complains that he had made Richardson a cabinet member so Richardson owed him? What you detail above sounds well within Clintonian ethics.

[sabrina 1]

67. Bringing that right wing initiated smear here doesn't harm Bernie or benefit Hillary. So what's the

point?

Let us know btw, when Jane announces her run for the WH.

Now, how about we talk about ISSUES for a change. I notice how Hillary's supporters spend most of their time spreading smears around about Sanders, attacking Bernie supporters, which is fine, we know how to handle all that and have done so very effectively so far.

But they rarely, if ever talk about Issues.

[pa28]

7. No, but I opened a fortune cookie yesterday and here is what it said:

"As Clinton falls behind in the polls gutter politics and slimy distortions of Bernie's record will soon follow."

Hmmmm.

[virtualobserver]

9. everything they do backfires because they are too cynical to think straight

[pa28]

11. Yep, every underhanded attack has failed miserably so far. Backfired even.

Bernie will just keep on the issues and refuse to let himself be worked into a corner. Attacking the details of wife's finances won't stop him but I have no doubt they'll try.

[hifiguy]

49. Yet they keep smoking the exploding cigars.

"Wile E. Coyote, super genius....."

[pa28]

50. Shhhh! Every time an "acme super nasty campaign tactic" box is opened up Bernie's numbers rise.

[hifiguy]

51. That's the really funny thing.

Every failure only makes them redouble-down on the same 2008 tactics and Bernie trends a bit more upwards.

Is her campaign advisers learning?

I don't think so.

[HooptieWagon]

53. The Wile E Coyote campaign!!!

Perfect meme!!

[pa28]

54. So far at least!

The "genius" of the attack seems to work in a completely adverse relationship to the polls.

Keep ordering those magic boxes from the ACME corporation Wiley. I'm sure they'll work exactly the way the book tells you they will.

[Art_from_Ark]

62. LOL

The explosives shack reminds me of a certain web site that recently popped up

[rhett o rick]

71. Are you speaking of the Anti-Progressive Cave? I won't go there. nm

[Autumn]

8. Hysterical hype is my guess.

[Logical]

26. +1000 nt

[randome]

10. This little birdie says, "Bernie Sanders is in that plane! Get him!"

[hr][font color="blue"][center]I'm always right. When I'm wrong I admit it.
So then I'm right about being wrong.[/center][/font][hr]

[zappaman]

17. I have a real soft spot for that film!

Easily one of the ugliest monsters ever committed to celluloid.

[SwampG8r]

14. I made an offer in that thread and it stands

I have a folder full of screenshots and I offered to go 3 for 1
I will post 3 for every one he does
So far no response
It's the only post in my posts without a response.......

[Logical]

24. I bet it is 100% BS! nt

[SwampG8r]

39. His threat or my offér

I do actually have a folder full of screenshots and I will share
Him.....it remains to be seen

[Logical]

41. I meant his threat. Nt

[AppalachianAmerican]

15. Sounds like desperation.

Guess some lack the integrity to run a clean campaign like Bernie.

[winter is coming]

16. Consider the source. n/t

[morningfog]

55. Birdies filtered through that source are purely delusional and disrutpive.

[Scootaloo]

18. Rove hasn't finished typing the missive yet

[cherokeeprogressive]

19. Birdies? We don't need no stinking birdies!

Heard that in a movie a long time ago... Blazing Pantsuits.

[Fearless]

20. I await the fundraising boom after this failed slime attack

[Fred Sanders]

31. Super Meta. No evidence of anything. But let the bashing begin!

[morningfog]

56. You are right about "no evidence." Little birdies just shit on fence posts.

[Fred Sanders]

58. Deep......

[magical thyme]

48. a bunch of RW campaign smears from a previous election, resurrected by the PUMA-types at that other

site...

[hifiguy]

52. They're gonna need flamethrowers

to fumigate that sewer full of zoo filth.

[Motown_Johnny]

57. If this is the best their people can dig up...

...then Bernie is in great shape.

I'm not going to lose any sleep over it and you shouldn't either.

[Major Hogwash]

61. She's too busy playing Angry Birds to give us an update.

"They've turned on me!!!"

[Logical]

63. I am still waiting! Nt

[Autumn]

64. I think you will be waiting a loooooooong

time.

[hedda_foil]

66. Hello? Is there a news article on this? I've read both threads and can't find one.

A link to an actual publication would be helpful.

[Logical]

68. No news, they are just making stuff up as far as we know. nt

[hedda_foil]

69. Thanks for the confirmation. ;)