Bernie Supporters are the worst human beings in the USA, if not the world. STOP IT.

[merrily]

?1445028881

I've never seen supporters of any political candidate attacked like this in my life. It's bizarre and it reeks, like any dishonest tactic.

The effort to discredit Bernie's supporters began early. It was blatant, bold and ugly and it has escalated since. It seems quite concerted and highly fishy. I am not buying it. I recommend that no one else buy it either.

From what I've seen from Hillary supporters here, at some other sites formed by people here, on social media, I am not buying it.

Here, we've been being told how awful we are if we so much as post a news story that Hillary likely would rather had not been written. The same thing happens if we dare defend Bernie from some scurrilous attack. Those are not awful things to do on a political message board. Those are standard operating procedure for a political message board. In fact, if you really want to see some low attacks, look at (1) what they've posted about Bernie and us here and elsewhere on the net and (2) what some of them posted here about Hillary eight years ago.

As far as other venues, some months I praised a politician on facebook. I included a single brief, polite sentence expressing regret that he or she had endorsed Hillary, rather than Bernie because I thought Bernie was the better candidate for a majority of people. The vile attacks I got from Hillary supporters in response were unreal--maybe literally. All nasty ad homs--and these people had no idea who I was. I didn't bother to respond. But I was the bad one? Posters, please.

The idea seems to be to make being a Bernie supporter something to be ashamed of, something no one wants to be, something we are ashamed to talk about to others. And of course the people we want to talk to about Bernie are not going to want to hear from us if they've heard this nonsense about us. So, it could interfere with the ground game.

As far as people in public life, be they politicians, television commentators, celebrities, or whatever give me a damn break. They've been getting criticism and complaints from all kinds of people all the time. It goes with putting yourself out in public, whether you're Justin Beiber or Miley Cyrus, or Klein or Krugman. It's part of being a public figure.

Those people put up with criticism (and praise) from the public because they like the fame, money and other perqs that come with being a public figure. But, now, we're going to pretend that Bernie supporters are so much worse than the rest of the population that has been criticizing them all along? Please. Moreover, given how media, pundits, etc. have treated Bernie since he announced, why are they surprised they're getting complaints from his supporters? Rather than do a more fair job, they attack us for pointing out they are being unfair? Please.

And, of course, pushing back against it is a Catch 22 of the kind I see on this board almost daily. Someone claims you're vile in some way other. If you ignore the comment, they post you're showing it must be true. If you disagree, they also post you are showing it must be true. Well, fsck Catch 22.

I am calling bs on this nonsense. It's concerted. It's unprecedented. It's bizarre. It's dishonest. It's fake. Whether it's here or elsewhere on the net or in real life, don't let the trolling get to you or bait you. However, don't get silenced, shamed or discouraged, either. You chose a good candidate for the right reasons. Hold your head up high and keep working for Bernie, the best and most honorable candidate to run in decades.

[w4rma]

1. The Clintonistas attacked Obama supporters *exactly* like this in 2008. (nt)

[merrily]

2. I don't recall news stories about how bad Obama's supporters are.

During the 2008 primary, I was not even reading DU yet. However, I was posting on two other boards, one very small and one larger, which allowed posters of all political persuasions. Even the far right on those boards did not attack Obama supporters like Sanders' supporters get attacked here, not in degree and not incessantly. The owner of the larger board, who was a Hillary supporter, went full PUMA and she did get nasty sometimes. However, the other supporters of Hillary on her board did not.

People writing newspaper articles and blogs and speaking on TV, like Krugman, attacking supporters, who are not public figures, as much or more as they attack the candidate? I saw nothing like that toward Obama's supporters in 2008. In 2008, even as a strong Obama supporter, I thought media was favoring him.

I'm sorry. I am not seeing a parallel.

[w4rma]

6. From 2008: Hate Springs Eternal

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/11/opinion/11krugman.html

[merrily]

8. Thank you. Krugman! But, there, he is not complaining about how badly he himself is being treated.

He is saying that the primary atmosphere in general is venomous because of Obama's supporters, not that he personally has been a victim of the blue meanies. Still, it's telling. Thank you.

[ErisDiscordia]

9. This time around, he is playing the victim card

but he deserves chastising for his latest columns, IMO. He just doesn't see what he's done to the well, poisoning the water just like Snyder did in Flint...

It's the dreaded, horrible SOCIALIST! They are afraid of a label...and what that label means to their cushy little con games and luxurious lives.

[merrily]

17. I think he did exactly what he intended to do, only, given a choice, he would have succeeded at it

more.

He just doesn't see what he's done to the well, poisoning the water just like Snyder did in Flint...

They are afraid of a label...

The above statements of yours seem inconsistent with the following statement of yours.

what that label means to their cushy little con games and luxurious lives

I think the last one is true. Krugman is a Clintonite and a member of the New Democrat establishment. He knows which side his bread is buttered on and has always been buttered on. It has nothing to do with not be able to see or being afraid. Or, for that matter, for caring about the greater good. It has to do with knowing where your self interest lies and pursuing it by any means you think you can get aw, etay with.

We need to understand that in a very clear way and stop being so conflicted that we keep imagining that they must be weak, fearful, ignorant, etc.

THEY KNOW. They are doing what they want.

[ErisDiscordia]

21. That much is obvious.

But what they want is based on insufficient or faulty input: lies, or short-sightedness, or IBGYBG thinking (I'll be gone, you'll be gone).

It's extremely unethical, and if they end up on the losing side, dangerous for them and their plans.

[merrily]

26. I am not sure it's so obvious. I see so many posts using language like "blind" "cowardly" "afraid"

"caved," etc. about the "professional left." By "professional left," I mean mostly politicians with a (D) after their names and the professional commenters, from people like Shields and Frum to Matthews, Maddow and O'Donnell--anyone who makes a living from promoting Democratic politicians.

if they end up on the losing side, dangerous for them and their plans

Which is exactly why they stick together and are calculated and ruthless.

[Bluenorthwest]

64. A case study, one DUer, two candidates smeared. First Barack the fake then Bernie the phony

" I’ve never voted for anyone who wasn’t a democrat, and never will. I just wont vote this year if Barrack is the nominee, seriously, I would die before I’d ever cast a vote for that fake. No one in my house will vote for him either. He cant win the GE anyway. What a waste of a perfect chance to take back the Wh."
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251915822

"Even he knows he can't deliver. Hell, he's been in Washington for more than 1/4 century now and hasn't done crap relative to the immense amount of time he's been in office. It isn't like he's going to be elected DOTUS (Dictator of the United States) or anything. Bernie Sanders is just dangling a bunch of stuff in front of his naive supporters in order to get them all worked up for him. He's a phony. And anyway, Bernie Sanders doesn't even have the temperament to be under the pressure of running for president much less actually being in that office."
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251889620#post12

[Perogie]

66. .

Last edited Sun Jan 31, 2016, 08:55 AM - Edit history (1)

[merrily]

93. Bluenorthewest is mocking. AFAIK, he supports Bernie. Anyway, I loves me some BNW.

[merrily]

98. Thanks. You are a treasure chest of knowing so many things.

[passiveporcupine]

94. Almost verbatim to what he is saying now.

I’m not the first to point out that the Obama campaign seems dangerously close to becoming a cult of personality.

He was disgusting then and he hasn't changed.

[SusanaMontana41]

109. I've always considered myself well informed. Until now.

I didn't know Krugman was a tool. Jeebus.

Thanks for turning on the lightbulb.

[jfern]

12. The media wasn't insanely anti Obama the way they're anti Bernie

And I don't think Hillary had her Karl Rove, David Brock working hard to slime any and everything about Bernie and his supporters. Hillary is a horrible person for associating herself with him.

[merrily]

18. IIRC, the media was pretty much pro Obama, though not as blatantly anti-Hillary

as they are anti-Sanders.

[ErisDiscordia]

22. The media was terrified of the Race Card being played on them

Too bad there isn't a Socialist Card, or a Populist Card.

[merrily]

29. I think it was that, in 2008, the power players in the Democratic Party were for Obama.

Reid, Pelosi, Kennedy, Kerry, et al. Yes, a lot of super delegates went to Hillary at the start, but they switched, either while Obama was running in the primary or after he won it. Part of it could have been real or kabuki. I think the DNC was on his side too, juding by the rulings it made when it had to make rulings.

And, sure, Obama was also great news. Young, handsome, intelligent, funny, drawing huge crowds, African American. He was a press corps' dream candidate. However, Hillary could have been too--woman, former First Lady, etc. They could have made media darlings of either of them.

[Art_from_Ark]

99. I think you have a point there

I think the DNC was on his side too, judging by the rulings it made when it had to make rulings.

I think that can explain why so many fervent Hillary detractors then are unabashed Hillary supporters now. The DNC is now on her side, because it's her turn.

[merrily]

100. That has been my thought about the dramatic switchers.

I also rather suspect there was a deal made between Obama and Hillary, perhaps Biden as well, in 2008.

[noamnety]

69. The media elected Obama in 2004

He gave one speech at the convention in 04, and from the media coverage I knew it was already decided he was the next president. I understood it four years before the primaries.

[dreamnightwind]

74. This

I don't think it was the media so much as they were told by people in power that this was the guy, but you are exactly right, I saw the speech at that time and the way the media portrayed it and I knew he was being positioned to be in power. The speech was ok but actually pretty empty (I have seen many posts over the years about how amazing that speech was, it seemed more like image and presentation devoid of much substance to me), the media treated it like an eartquake, the greatest thing ever.

[Bernin4U]

81. Obama and Hillary were largely 2 sides of the same coin

One the first AA, the other the first woman. Both very friendly to the MSM and the political establishment. Both centrists with liberal leanings where it plays well.

Now, we still have one of those, but the other doesn't fit the profile at all.

[w4rma]

95. Bernie would be the first Jewish President. It fits that part of the profile. (nt)

[merrily]

101. True. I did not watch that evening, but I have seen clips. They were pronouncing him Presidential

before he finished the speech. In fairness, it was a great speech.

It's also possible that people had whispered in the ears of the media before that evening.

We will never know.

[Fast Walker 52]

185. it was rigged early on

frankly, I think he clearly is a puppet of the oligarch.

[bvar22]

88. Hillary has never been any good at picking honorable people for her "friends" or campaign advisers.

[kristopher]

114. Bernie threatens to hit them in the wallet

http://fair.org/extra-online-articles/cover-story-media-millionaires/

[All in it together]

177. Yeah Hillary had her right wing advisor who's now on Fox News in the 08 race.

Dick Morris I believe.

[vi5]

77. That's whats killing me about this.

It's routine and it's pathological. It's not just against a particular person and particular set of policies, it's against anyone who gets in the way of her and her goals.

I just can't in any capacity trust anyone who is that ruthless for their own personal gain and interest. And that's among politicians, the most ruthless, selfish group in the world.

[Half-Century Man]

3. I find it very hard to believe people who like what Bernie is about

Would post racist, sexist, blatant lie attack responses without a hell of a lot of provocation.
Bernie Sanders is about bringing everybody together to fight for change. He promises nothing but hard work in a coalition.

What makes more sense is people who would post racist, sexist, blatant lie attack threads, lying about who they were. Assholes stirring the pot from both sides, fracturing a political discussion for fun or profit.
We are the kind of people who are very active in our political thinking. We are passionate about issues and favored political figures; far more so than normal people.
We are easy to inflame.

[merrily]

4. I think that is so of political message board posters in general. I don't find

Bernie's supporters on this board easier to inflame than Hillary's supporters. To the contrary, in fact. Same with other venues, like facebook.

Twenty thousand people on a number of cities have stood on line all day to attend his rallies including in extreme heat and cold. I have not read of a single incident or melee. These are decent people, not foul mouthed tinder boxes.

[V 4 C C i IN E]

134. You are correct

I have watched EVERY rally on youtube. Compare them to Hillarys and Donalds, they are Night and Day. its almost a Concert type feeling of unity and love compared to the others. I will be attending his rally in NC. This is truly a crazy (Trump) and magical (Bernie) political year.

[merrily]

135. Agree!

[GoneFishin]

47. Yep. Bernie's message is about fairness, equality, and justice. It won't attract racists and bigots.

But while that helps us supporters who can use that understanding to recognize the shills and sock puppets, those bullshit "racist, sexist, commie, tone deaf" memes aren't intended for our consumption. They are intended to create a negative first impression of Bernie to uniformed voters before they can hear Bernie's positive message for themselves.

It's goddamned psyops, and it's the kind of shit that I don't want anywhere near the White House.

The shills overplayed their hands when they accused Bernie of racism and sexism. I'd believe Bernie is racist or sexist like I'd believe Barack Obama is a KKK Grand Dragon.

[tblue37]

89. + a brazillion! nt

[wtawilltaw]

5. It's really sad...

I mean the thing I can't figure out is why the Hillbillies are attacking the policies they once supported or was it all bullshit? This country doesn't have 20 years to save its soul. The way I see it this year will be the year of a political revolution or revolt. For the idiots that want Hillary to win just because she's a woman don't be stupid.

[merrily]

7. We need to stop trying to get into other people's heads.

I don't always understand all of my own motives and reactions, let alone those of someone else. But I know unprecedented behavior when I see it and, not always, but often, I know lies and half truths when I see or hear them

[Skwmom]

10. Great Post. They have been pulling this game for months now.

It's telling that my thread on the likelihood that all self identified online Bernie supporters are actual Bernie Supporters was alerted on.

[merrily]

20. I think most threads Bernie supporters start get alerted on. However, it's certainly easy to

pretend almost anything on the internet and I have zero doubt people realize that and exploit it.

In fact, someone who used to work for the DNC told me that there are centers where paid posters work. (I had imagined that all of them either free lanced from home or were posting from some government or campaign office. A posting center never occurred to me.)

Posters with similar writing styles might be matched up with each other. Not only that, but the same person might be posting on behalf of Cruz at FREEP on the same shift while he or she is posting at DU on behalf of one of the Dem Presidential candidates. To them, it's a job, period. I cannot be mad at them. People need to eat and feed their families and we no longer have an economy that offers an abundance of more traditional jobs.

[azurnoir]

28. last term when when I was MIRT I saw multiple serial trolls that have haunted DU for years

sign up as faux Bernie supporters, that said not every new sign up Bernie supporter is a troll

[merrily]

30. Thanks. Quite a few of us saw that. I am not sure what it was supposed to accomplish,

other than making real supporters of Sanders laugh. The day threads went up asking who was interested in a Bernie Group, my sides were splitting. Most of them have since announced that the horrors of being associated with Bernie and/or Bernie's supporters gave them cooties, so they just had to switch their support Hillary.

As far as I know, something like 5 to 10 are still keeping up the pretense, though I may have simply missed their "I've just seen the light and am switching my support to Hillary"posts. If I've missed any, I regret it because they do make me laugh.

At least one used to claim neutrality, but now claims support of Bernie, so he or she can whine about having been banned from the Bernie group. Never did a thing in the Bernie group but swoop in to defend Hillary and/or throw cold water on any optimism or good times related to Bernie. And one claims one thing in unsolicited pms and another on the board.

I am not sure if they don't get how transparent they are or don't care or some combination of both. Either way, it's amusing, so I'm good.

[chervilant]

68. Indeed.

I weep, for the soul of a country that would rather focus on sniping for political points than the message that was being brought forth by a candidate.

Docreed2003, Wed Dec 9, 2015, 10:16 PM (at which point this DUer had only 300 posts)

...

I wish that I could laugh, merrily, truly I do. I just turned 60 on January 6th, and the derision and sarcasm that now seems to be the rule of the day has gotten exponentially worse in these twilight years of my life. I get that people are stressed, anxious--dare I say "depressed"? (Actually, I believe that depression is our epidemic du jour.) However, I have witnessed hundreds--thousands!--of Bernie supporters reacting with enthusiasm and commitment, NOT derision and sarcasm! I love being part of this enthusiastic, committed group of Bernie supporters--those of us who know we must continue to work, and work hard, to effect the change we hope to see in this world.

I've seen a few Bernie supporters resort to slamming Hi11ary. But, when someone does try to slam Hi11ary on the social media where I spend most of my time, lots of Bernie supporters address such posts, and encourage positive, pro-Bernie messages instead.

I may not be able to laugh, but I am VERY hopeful. Bernie Sanders IS the candidate of my lifetime. I will continue to work hard to get him elected, then I will continue to work hard to help recover our nation from the corporate oligarchy.

[Docreed2003]

103. Thanks for the quote!

I lurk and read way more than I post, but my passion behind that post is no less intense. I really appreciate that you thought the post was worth holding on to, thanks!

[chervilant]

104. I lurked for a long time

before I "joined" DU. And, I am so very glad you gave me permission to quote you.

BTW, I have almost all the worst "offenders" on my IL, so I don't see a lot of the negativity anymore. Most of the Hi11ary supporters on the inner tubes become vulgar and defensive if I mention the significant percentage of people surveyed who associate her with deceit. It's a wonder to me that anyone can overlook her dismal record on Iraq, on DOMA, on Wall Street...

I'm ecstatic that so many people are supporting Bernie!!!

[Docreed2003]

105. Haven't added anyone to ignore list yet...

Although I'm amused/disgusted by some folks persistent attacks on any and everything Bernie. I agree that the attacks are often disgusting, at the same time there is a level of entertainment in watching posters twist themselves into pretzels to bend to the position of their candidate.

[jfern]

11. Agreed, I think many Hillary supporters want us out of the party

[merrily]

14. No Democrat can win with us out of the party. They want us either to get in line behind

New Democrats, or, at a minimum, to sit down and shut up and vote for New Democrats, no matter what. And, hopefully from their standpoint, to clap louder.

[cascadiance]

84. Yep, they want us to buy these t-shirts!...

[LiberalElite]

23. Which is highly ironic considering their candidate

and her husband are the ones who ruined it in the first place.

[LittleGirl]

27. yep, that's it in a nutshell eom

[merrily]

31. Yes, but, in fairness, they had help. When clinton got re-elected,

eyes widened and people bought into the myth that New Democrat is the way to go if you want to be elected and re-elected. People who had entered Congress as liberals and had had zero trouble getting re-elected time and again, eventually went along with the New Democrats.

But, yes, as a bright guy from a Southern State who had spent his life in politics and his eyes on the Oval Office, I am sure Bill was thrilled with the DLC,

[LiberalElite]

39. yep they did have help

I was just recalling how I and a good friend, who was more into politics than I was, wondered all the while the first Clinton was in the WH, "what happened to the Democratic Party?" With all these Democratic politicians running from the word "liberal" - we both felt abandoned by them. Then we went and elected him a second time.

[merrily]

52. Was there a meaningful primary? If not, the only choice was Dole or Bubba.

[LiberalElite]

56. That I don't recall -

I just remember wondering what happened all the time.

[merrily]

58. And, at some point, you learned about the DLC and you knew what happened.

I didn't learn about the DLC until after Obama was elected. I read about it on DU and then started researching.

[LiberalElite]

60. Yup. It took me a long time too. nt

[merrily]

62. I had been so gung ho Obama. When I read complaints about his appointing Rahm, I was

all set to come in swinging with both arms. That's why I did the research. IIRC, the poster said DLCer and I didn't find what that right way, so I researched Rahm. My jaw started dropping. By the time Rick Warren gave the invocation at the inauguration, I felt like a rag doll, so much stuffing had been knocked out of me, just by his appointments.

[LiberalElite]

65. Yeah - I have felt "had" and in

some quarters here it's heresy to say anything critical of O.

[merrily]

70. Every President is a mixed bag to one degree or another.

Obama was not as great as he could have been in his first term. I think he's done better in his second term, given the opposition he has. In neither term has he been 2008 Candidate Obama. JMO

[LiberalElite]

71. Nope.

After the speeches were done, that was that.

[cascadiance]

85. Yes, as the primary moved on, I was feeling used too...

Especially later when we heard about Edwards' personal problems. I felt "roped in" by the PTB of trying to be "practical" to give someone like Edwards a voice later in the nomination process to have his messages heard more. I suspect that he was put there to draw our votes so that he could be shut down earlier than they could someone like Kucinich, who had less of a chance to win, but could have stayed in longer to ask Obama in debates things like "What do you mean Barack when you say you will "renegotiate NAFTA"?"

[merrily]

90. Overestimating how much we are deceived, manipulated and kabuki-ed is impossible.

[passiveporcupine]

110. and off of DU

I like to think that most of them will be gone when Clinton wins.

I wonder if Skinner would want that (I don't think so), considering Bernie supporters make up such a huge part of this forum.

[grasswire]

126. someone here compared that scenario (post Clinton winning) on DU..

....to a Western movie scene; a deserted saloon, tumbleweeds rolling down the street, a coyote howling...

I don't remember which person wrote that. It might have been leveymg.

[Bernblu]

13. I think David Brock is behind it

[merrily]

32. Maybe. w4rma correctly schooled me on the attacks on supporters of Obama in 2008.

There is a lot of deja vu from the 2008 Hillary campaign. For example: http://jackpineradicals.org/showthread.php?3289-Democratic-Primary-2016-Will-religious-bigotry-work-this-time&p=18264#post18264

It's worse this time. They must think certain things are winning strategies and they just didn't go far enough with them last time, so they are doubling down.

[Betty Karlson]

15. When supposedly high-regarded politicians stoop to this level,

is it any surprise that Millennials like myself have lost all regard for their "presidentiality"?

[merrily]

34. One of the phrases I post is MFUA. Millennials: Fed Up Already.

I think this surprised them. I think they thought if they could just get the 1960s hippy activists to die off, they'd have clear sailing.


Heh, heh, heh.

[Perogie]

16. I'm not new here, but started posting recently

I found that the "racist" comments started with the HRC fans in that they claimed only white guys supported Bernie and they never saw people of color at his rallies. How his supports were racists because of what happened in Portland with BLM. I'm still not sure if those two ladies were actually part of BLM but either way Bernie tried to be fair with them from what I saw in the videos. It was a constant theme how BernieBots were angry white guys.

[LiberalElite]

24. It says a whole lot more about them than us eom

[merrily]

43. Dunno. I am a woman.

I know who my mom is but the other 50% of my genetic make up is a mystery, including to my mom and me. My mom looks different from me.

[merrily]

49. The issues are not confined to here. You have Klein and Krugman and other

media saying this, people tweeting it. And they are not whining about us. The people in the photos are not even talking to each other while Bernie speaks. Not even squirming in their seats or looking bored. They are totally polite, well-behaved people. As I said, thousands wait on line all day in extreme weather and there is not so much as a verbal outburst or a single physical fight. If they were nasty people, those things would be happening under such stressful conditions, Enough is enough.

[Enthusiast]

19. Kicked and recommended a whole bunch!

[merrily]

42. Thanks so much! You are so consistent with your support for

your fellow Bernie supporters. Much noted and appreciated.

[Mbrow]

25. K&R

You've said it so well, this Is why I mostly read and not post, there is someone who can say it better. Personally I think it might just be a bunch of paid hacks, of course if you say that in a post it's a good way to get tombstoned. Some days after reading some of the vile bullshit and seeing the admin not say anything about such blatant lies and double standards, i'm not sure if this is the place for me, then I come over to the Bernie side and things are better again.

[merrily]

44. Thank you so much! You should post whenever you want to. The way you say things is

perfectly fine. Each of us has his or her own posting style and his or her own thoughts. We help each other.

[Puglover]

33. This thread has been alerted.

Now 2x. Not gonna close it down. I suggest trashing it or trashing our forum.


Puglover

[smokey nj]

35. We're up to 3, two more and the thread gets pinned.

[Puglover]

36. Actually lets do one more.

[smokey nj]

37. Cool!

[merrily]

41. .

You and Puglover are amazing. Love you both.

[smokey nj]

51. Love you too!

[merrily]

54. Times like this, I REALLY wish I could hug a poster.

[merrily]

38. Thank you. I cannot think of a single legit reason to alert on the OP.

The OP is about the internet in general, media, and real life. That is not meta in any way, shape or form. What am I supposed to say? That it goes on everywhere EXCEPT DU? That would be a lie, IMO. Am I supposed to not mention that it happens at DU, too? That would be a half truth, IMO. Also, I thought meta was a group host decision.

The OP is also about Bernie supporters not getting demoralized or discouraged, but continuing their support for Bernie, so the OP is totally consistent with the purposes of this group.

Thank you for not shutting it down. I appreciate it. I don't know of a legitimate reason to alert on it.

One of my threads got multiple alerts from the same person. That's just obsession, I think.

[smokey nj]

46. There isn't any legit reason, but that doesn't stop them.

[Turbineguy]

40. Maybe if there were fewer recruiters.

Like banks, drug companies, insurance companies, republicans, etc.

[merrily]

45. Safety in numbers, for us and for them, too.

[tk2kewl]

48. Bernie is unassailable so his supporters are smeared instead

[merrily]

50. Well, they smear him, too. And lie, like about what medicare for all would cost.

[Puglover]

53. Pinned.

[merrily]

55. How many alerts so far?

[Puglover]

57. LOL

Love it.

There is always our infallible jury system and ATA. MANY options.

[Puglover]

67. It's cute.

What seems to allude some it that is takes is one keystroke to make their alerts go

More of an then a .

But hey. It's a viable DU function. Keep em coming.

[Autumn]

75. Nice pin

Love the alerts

[merrily]

86. Pinning a thread that is alerted on frivolously is a great idea and will probably cut down on

frivolous alerts. Silencing views you would rather not see or hear is not what anything this country should be about.

But, it does kind of prove the point of the OP. For just one thing, I cannot remember alerting on anything in the Hillary Group.

Maybe I should start?

[99th_Monkey]

96. +100 ... Yes these alerts totally confirm the very truth of your OP. Oh the irony. n/t

[djean111]

59. I fail to see any reason - whatsoever, at all, in the universe - why ANYTHING that ANY Bernie

supporter does or says, would make Hillary and her record and her issues and her ever-spinning "stances" more palatable to me. The very thought of that is ridiculous. I am not supporting or voting for anyone's supporters. I am supporting, and I will be voting for, Bernie Sanders.

The thought that whining and whinging about Bernie's supporters would cancel out how I feel about Hillary's records on war, cluster bombs, the TPP, fracking, coziness with wall Street - the thought that anything at all would get me to support Hillary despite all of those issues - is ridiculous.

[merrily]

61. I don't know if it was supposed to make us switch.

Just speculating: I got schooled (for which I am grateful) that this happened in 2008, too.

You see the enthusiasm for Obama, the "rock star crowds,"--a phrase media used a lot then--the cheering, etc. And, on your end, it's not like that. So, what do you to combat that? Sure, you try to ramp up your own support, make your crowds look larger, etc. But you might also try to discredit and demoralize the other side into staying away, being embarrassed into silence, etc. And, as I said, if we get enough bad publicity and people buy into it, how are they going to react when we knock on their doors or try to hand them a leaflet?

[Faux pas]

63. K N R

[retrowire]

72. and bernie supporters never made hate sites likr

jackassradicals or Hillary Clinton supporters.com

just sayyyinnnnn

also, both groups have bad apples... but they only want to talk about Bernie's group. notice that?

[Bernin4U]

73. 2 things: BLM Seattle and anti-Hillary = misogynist

The first made us racist, the second sexist.

When Carter came to office, he and his brother Billy especially, were ridiculed as hillbilly rubes. Then when Dubya came around, his wannabe hillbilly was simply populist. Clearly for those repubs it was much more a matter of the team colors those presidents were wearing, over their actual substance.

And I think we're seeing a lot of that now, within our party. "I'm on this team, and I stand behind it no matter what. And any complaint you have against our actual policies or actions can only mean something wrong with you, not with us."

[Trajan]

76. Spot on ... Thanks Merrily ...

I think the level of optimism that Bernie has inspired will blow away these false innuendos like farts in the wind ...

Congrats for the Pin! ... We shall prevail!

[Turn CO Blue]

78. To reduce Bernie's supporters to BernieBros & thereby ERASE the existence of women like ME is sexist

It's the definition of sexism, to completely deny that women could hold certain views or opinions or to deem those opinions as ridiculous, or further to deny that this coalition of millions of women for Bernie even exists.

[dana_b]

87. Yes!

Women and women of a certain age (like me) are evidently not Bernie supporters. Riiiighttt...

[Bernin4U]

79. Also, we're the flies in the ointment.

Bernie is supposed to be a sideshow. A light sparring partner. The Washington Generals to her Harlem Globetrotters.

HRH has been ordained and is to have smooth sailing all the way to the convention. We are to unite behind her, and create a force that can't be defeated.

We got the memo plenty of times, wth are we doing, still ignoring it? We're screwing up everything. We're going to cause Trump to win!

We are the problem, for sure.

[Dems to Win]

80. Much anti-Hillary stuff comes from Trump/Cruz supporters

It's a fallacy to believe that all anti-Hillary comments on the Internets are from Bernie supporters.

On Twitter, I sometimes look at the profiles of people posting vile, obscene anti-Hillary stuff, and most often find that they are Trump supporters. I wish the people blaming it all on Bernie supporters would dig just a little bit deeper.

[Bernin4U]

82. It's also a fallacy (ad hominem)

to claim that pointing out anything wrong with Hillary must be a RW talking point, and therefore invalid.

[merrily]

91. Anti-Hillary stuff comes from many sources. Polls show many Americans do not trust her or believe

her or think she understands their problems.

[Gregorian]

92. This is one of those times when it doesn't matter to me because of the cause.

When I saw how many people were responding, and with what passion, I then realized that this was a true and good cause. The context was good. And Bernie makes the content good as well, which is surprising for a an older white Congressman. So basically it's like an algorithm. We can use this formula anywhere, anytime. And Bernie makes me feel like I'm on the right track. I feel better about me and everyone.

It's like the time I was walking home from junior high. This kid started pounding on me. We fell onto the grass, and he pounded away. For some reason, and I'm no fighter, I couldn't stop laughing. I literally won the fight through humiliation. Plus it was funny.

I'm Bernin' for life. Whatever that means.

[merrily]

102. I like it! Bernin' for life. It means you are not going to let go of the cause.

[99th_Monkey]

97. Excellent OP Merrily. You put your finger on many salient points

in a way that helps me see more clearly exactly what's going on with all the frivolous trashing of
Bernie supporters that goes on, and to not take it personally because I consider the source, and
it doesn't sting anymore.

You seriously rock.

[merrily]

106. Thank you so much!

[Bangpowow]

107. The guardian hired a twitter troll to complain about alleged mean Sander's supporters.

I don't have the points to start my own thread yet so I need someone to do this for me. Today The Guardian posted a story on their website about "mean" Bernie Sander's supports here

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/feb/02/i-like-bernie-sanders-his-supporters-not-so-much-berniebro#comment-67916809

What wasn't mentioned (of course) is that the author of the article is a notorious twitter abuser by the handle @arthur_affect . He's guilty of behaving in the exact same manner he alleges Sander's supporters of behaving. Here is a small sampling of his favorite way to abuse twitter users,

https://twitter.com/arthur_affect/status/692096292877545472

https://twitter.com/arthur_affect/status/668895416646172672

https://twitter.com/athenahollow/status/657408855354318849

https://twitter.com/arthur_affect/status/634602299428499456

https://twitter.com/arthur_affect/status/567893153652428800

https://twitter.com/arthur_affect/status/567221409517023232

https://twitter.com/arthur_affect/status/529695914546298880

https://twitter.com/arthur_affect/status/529678580343504896

https://twitter.com/arthur_affect/status/529397853852942336

https://twitter.com/arthur_affect/status/529361720247345152

https://twitter.com/arthur_affect/status/529359654460354561

https://twitter.com/arthur_affect/status/529341558986788864

https://twitter.com/arthur_affect/status/529341217952116736

We have to get this message out there into the media. We shouldn't allow this gross journalistic abuse taint the Sander's campaign.

[merrily]

108. Very interesting. The Guardian gets so much respect and deference from the left, too.

[polichick]

111. Love those pics!

[merrily]

113. Thank you! They make me smile.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

112. 2008 was awful, with trolls on both sides

The Obama supporters claiming that the Clinton supporters were motivated by racism, and the Clinton supporters claiming that the Obama supporters were motivated by sexism.

It felt that there were a few new threads rehashing those same arguments every morning.

It was at that point that I became a far less frequent DU poster (after being only about the 1600th person to join in late winter of 2001), because I just couldn't take the cheerleading idiocy anymore.

[noiretextatique]

115. i am with you, merrily

i have been addressing the problems coming from the AA forum. they have been accusing sanders' supporters of rigging the jury system, for example. they have been consistent.

[merrily]

116. Turns out it happened in 2008, too.(Reply 6)

I either missed it or forgot, but I don't know how I did either. I was a strong Obama supporter then, posting on a board owned by a Hillary supporter who attacked Obama supporters with everything she had. She went full PUMA after Hillary finally conceded.

I don't remember exactly why I started this thread. Maybe I had just read something that "inspired" me or I thought my fellow DU Berners and I needed a boost.

This is a better way to go, for those who manage self-discipline all the time.

"Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people." Eleanor Roosevelt

"What you think of me is none of my business." Terry-Cole Whittaker (book title)

[noiretextatique]

117. thanks for that context

I am persona non grata, but I don't care. They need to called on their dishonest and manipulative tactics.

[merrily]

118. That is sad. I'm sorry. FWIW, you are not persona non grata with me. I was a fan of your posts well

before Sanders declared. I am sure many others are fans of your posts as well. I get it's not the same, but it's not nothing.

[noiretextatique]

119. it is everything

I will call out bullshit whenever I see it, and I accept support where I can find it. No loss.

[merrily]

120. I have a dear, dear relative who is a Republican. (Yes, only one, LOL!)

He is a good person. I could never change how I feel about him because his political views are so different from mine. We don't argue. . he loves us and we love him and that is the bottom line.

[the_sly_pig]

122. I've been banned from the Hillary group....

for making, what I thought, was a neutral observation about the print media in the Twin Cities. I even stated that I would vote for a democrat regardless of which one it was.

I never purposely set out to post to the HRC group, nor the Bernie group for that matter. I can find something I like about both candidates. Anyway, since I feel this is another neutral post it is my hope that I don't get banned from the Bernie group.

My point is that we must be careful to temper our opinions among frail and immature minds. I suppose political supporters are much like children; the apple never falls far from the tree.

[mdbl]

124. Same here!

I saw something someone posted with which I actually empathized. When I went to say that, it said I was banned from posting there. I never said anything bad there, only stated an honest opinion once. Screw them, I went into my prefs and trashed their entire group and threads. They can just sit there and talk to themselves for all I give a F#$k. I hope I don't see any of their crap show up on the front page anymore.

[freebrew]

125. As the saying goes..."who ain't?" ......nt

[KingsburyQc]

123. "Look what they have done to my tailor suit"

They're are so bad "Look what they have done to my tailor suit"

Every picture tells a story ...

https://twitter.com/Greko_Music/status/704741652137709569

I saw this on my timeline ... it's my first posting on DU.. So someone will pick it up and promote the tweet from @Greko_Music

[merrily]

128. Thanks! Welcome to DU and the Bernie Group, all at the same time!

[MrMickeysMom]

127. Couldn't agree more, merrily...

I have a vile comment PM'd to me this morning from one of those people (currently in "time out", anyone's guess how long it sticks).

Proud of us, I am!

[merrily]

129. Apparently, harassing us via emails is what they do while on time out.

Seems somewhat pathetic, especially when they could post at hillarymojo or hillarysupporters or any number of places.

Just a reminder: You can put someone on ignore for emails only, as well as for both posts and emails. It's lovely.

[MrMickeysMom]

130. Right... and that's what I did...

I have a lovely list of that a shorter list of who I wouldn't want to be on any jury for me.

[merrily]

131. Good for you!

[V 4 C C i IN E]

132. HEY...

here's the thing, The Bernie Sanders movement (Which it TRULY is now) can not be stopped, regardless of lame haters or ppl worried for their candidate, it just shows what and who they are. I replied to someone earlier about something some what the same but it involved the main stream media and how they try to ignore and block Bernie. Well, I truly believe as of today, Bernie Sanders supporters are huge in numbers, and STRONG, which means I really believe there is NOTHING anyone can say to deter us from Bernie.


We're out here EVERYWHERE and GROWING!!!

[merrily]

133. It's not a sprint, it's a marathon' and it's not only a primary, it's a revolution.

[YourAMIGO]

136. Personally, I won't be quiet and I help Bernie get nominated

We have the internet on our side so I intend on using it to the fullest to help Bernie get the nomination first then the presidency.

If we stay quiet on social media BERNIE will not have as good of a chance. The mainstream media doesn't help him so we need to do our part, at the same time being respectful of other humans.

I'm not too concerned about what the Hillary supporters say about us. I know we're not anywhere near as bad as the Trump goones.

[merrily]

137. Respectful is key. You don't need to be silent, but being rude does not do Bernie any favors.

Welcome to DU.

[hallio]

138. The most dangerous attack on Bernie supporters could be that they are violent ...

I think voters need to chill out and send a message that they want to see a PEACEFUL campaign, here is a petition to do this:

https://www.change.org/p/hillary-clinton-no-more-violence-on-the-campaign-trail#petition-letter

any thoughts ?

[merrily]

139. My thoughts: The attacks are bullshet and Hillary supporters should not post in this group.

This group is for poster who want to see Sanders win the primary. You need to self delete your highly disingenuous post and stop catapulting Trump bs because you think it helps Hillary.

[hallio]

140. I am for Bernie, but it is quite worrying to me

to see the lack of interest from Bernie supporters to call for peace, if we can't come together to run a peaceful CAMPAIGN, how can we come together to create a peaceful WORLD ???

[merrily]

141. Thank you for your concern. Bernie's supporters don't typically link to Hillary websites,

especially on more than one thread before they've hit ten posts at DU

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1251&pid=1493760

or use this group to catapult Trump-Clinton bs about "Bernie Bros" being violent or anti-peace. Hell, being pro-peace is a reason we want Bernie to win the nomination, not Hillary.

So far, you fit, for me, the profile of a Hillary supporter/Bernie Butter. http://www.democraticunderground.com/1280142680

If I have misjudged you, I will apologize publicly and sincerely, but, so far, I'm not buying.

Again, you should self delete your posts on this thread, rather than adding to them.

[hallio]

142. I am 300% pro Bernie / anti Hillary

but I am first and foremost for peace, and next pro Bernie, if that is an issue so be it, otherwise no apologies required

I have noticed that a call for a peaceful campaign is problematic for many Berners and I find this a shame, but that's just my opinion, anyway all da best man, Go Bernie

[peace13]

144. Since when is peace a paining a problem for Sanders supporters?

Really this is wrong on so many levels!

[hallio]

145. Thank you

that's my point ...

[merrily]

147. Farewell! MIRT got this poster as "Trump pumper."

"O, my prophetic soul!"

[hallio]

143. It's true I'm new here

but which Hillary link ?
again am 300 % anti Hillary, to the core, and for decades ...

[BadWolf21]

146. New here and seeking a happy place

to talk about Bernie enthusiastically without being called all manner of names.

I've been a registered Democrat for 30 years, but never so involved in politics as I am currently. I have recently started commenting on political articles on Facebook and have been shocked by the vitriol. I like a furious debate about issues, but mostly what I've encountered is snark, outright lies, ad hominem attacks and a few times real hate. So I found this site by some miracle and joined in the hopes of finding camaraderie and intelligent discourse.

I'm in Colorado and a proud Bernie delegate for our congressional district caucus. My husband and I have canvassed (pre-caucus) and are phone-banking for Bernie. Looking forward to getting to know some fellow Bernie supporters!

[merrily]

148. Welcome! This group is supposed to be a "safe" place on this board for DUers who want Senator

Sanders to defeat Secretary Clinton in the Democratic primary. The group does get the occasional troll or disruptor, but it is indeed "safe" most of the time, thanks to the hosts of the group. (BTW, the group's head host, Autumn, is also from Colorado.)

Just so you know, though, on this board, outside this group, you may well encounter what you encountered elsewhere.

[PatrynXX]

149. I've been called some rather foul names from Hillary Supporters far worse than any Tea Party ever

called me not only does that suck but it's sad. Literally do have have any shame?? Nevermind the prepcussions. You upset people so bad by calling them names and banning them you expect they'll up and forgive you like that. Yes some do many won't , me I've been tossing alot of the 1992 stuff I kept all this time because it's just garbage to me. Mostly because Bill decided to step in the mud pie. Now his legacy is forever tarnish not by sex but by corruption.

[merrily]

150. Four things.

This is a coordinated, top down smear campaign.

One side is not better than the other.

The vast majority of the millions of supporters on both sides are good people, not perfect, but good.

Choosing a President based on supporters is bs and/or cray: No one should do that--and I don't believe any person has.

[RKP5637]

151. I hate to say this, but the dems will possibly be losing in 2016, thanks to the DNC, DWS and M$M.

DNC/DWS are clueless as to the mood of this country. Bernie offers a lot for millions of people, but DNC/DWS just plow on. If Trump changes his messaging to be more moderate, FFS, there will likely be a republican victory in 2016. I didn't leave the democratic party, it left me!!!

[merrily]

152. If Sanders is the nominee, Democrats will do fine.

[RKP5637]

153. Definitely that is what needs to happen!!!!!!!!!!

[stage left]

154. K&R

It has amused me considerably to be called a Berniebro, since I'm female and in my sixties and not alone in that among Bernie supporters.

[merrily]

155. Only misogynists support Sanders. That is the message, even from Gloria Steinem.

I'm female as well and that implication does not amuse me all that much.

[stage left]

158. Gloria really disappointed me.

It was like being kicked in the teeth. A hero of mine from way back, but no more. Thanks for the wonderful Op. May Bernie prevail.

[merrily]

160. Frankly, SHE sounded misogynist.

Women will either vote their vaginas or follow them mindlessly into the Sanders camp to be with the boys, because all that women are all about--genitalia and hormones?

Wowza.

[lmbradford]

156. 45 yr old female

They can call me a Bernie Bro if they want. Name calling and labeling says more about them than me. I personally have so many labels i couldnt fit them all here but I am feelin the Bern.

[merrily]

162. Sanders said "Feel the Bern" came from his supporters, not from his campaign.

He seemed to like the saying and like that it came from his supporters.

[undergroundpanther]

157. I love Bernie

And Im not going to stop supporting him. I dont like hillary. I dont trust her. Dont like her husbands treatment of the poor. Dont like the fact hillary joins republicans on those damn national prayer breakfasts. I dont want hillary nomiinated. I dispise 3rd way dinos. And lastly Bernie is a Genuine. Left wing democrat. I should not be silenced or shunned for my choice. This is a free country and i should be able to speak my mind no matter if certain people dont like it. Remember true democracy is messy because it is free. My freedom of speech wont be stifled on. A DEMOCRATIC site of all places.

[merrily]

159. I am supporting him until one of us dies--and if he goes first, I'll support

whoever gets or takes up his mantle.

[noiretextatique]

161. victimhood as a campaign strategy

is so transparent. any criticism of HRC is bashing.

[merrily]

163. If DU is any indication, it seems to work.

[mountain grammy]

164. As the "so called" left wing of the party

we've been dismissed fairly regularly. We have been blamed for the McGovern loss for years. When we fight back, we're terrible people.
All my life I've believed in equality. All my life I've understood white people, especially white men, are privileged at the expense of others and its wrong. All my life I've fought for a woman's right to chose. All my life I've believed in live and let live (which should be our motto, instead violating the 1st amendment with in god we trust.) All my life I've believed if two adults are happy together, it makes the world a better place. All my life I've fought for unions as the best voice for working people. All my life I've been against the death penalty, war and violence.

Now, suddenly, I'm a fool and a racist because I support a candidate who, all his life, has supported me. I'm not talking all Hillary supporters, but there are a few on this board who are vile. They were gone, and that was good, but now they're back, with a new rage against those of us who simply support a candidate who thinks like us. No way to win friends and influence people. I've finally resorted to putting people on ignore.

[merrily]

165. Thanks. As to the McGovern meme, please read this OP and all the replies.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12778825

[mountain grammy]

166. Over 10 months ago. Wow!

I missed it back then. Excellent post. Yes, things were a lot different in 1972, first presidential election I voted in (for McGovern of course).. turned 21 end of November 1968 Another big change, the voting age. My caucus was full of young people for Bernie. For years I've been telling my kids to get their friends involved in politics, but they couldn't be bothered. They're involved now because Bernie's in it.

Loved the responses.. saw a few of our lost friends there.

[merrily]

167. One of the replies on that thread, "What about Mondale?" inspired me to do a series of posts

about Carter, Reagan and Mondale. Carter did not lose to Reagan because a liberal Ted Kennedy tried to primary Carter from the left. And Mondale was a centrist, not the least bit "too liberal."

They've tried to bury us in propaganda that both seeks to discredit liberals and that seeks to avoid primaries, aka democracy with a small d, and it's all been smoke and mirrors. FDR Democrats gave us 20 consecutive years in the Oval Office and decades of control of Congress; New Democrats have given us historic losses on local, state and federal levels. And they're still trying to catapult the coronations and the anti-liberal nonsense.

[mountain grammy]

168. It's true..

instead of fighting back against the right wing, Democrats retreated and begged for mercy. They got stronger, we got weaker. Who ever saw that coming.. only most of us liberals.
Conservative, free market economies are failure for all but the rich, and lead to misery and war. Yet, unfettered capitalism and militarism continue to be sold as the answer to all the woes of the world, and much of the wealthy establishment of the Democratic party has bought it.

[Karma13612]

170. So sorry to hear about your mum,

Throwing a big hug your way.

[merrily]

174. Thank you. Best wishes to you and your mom.

M.D. Anderson? I've been there, though as a visitor, not a patient. It seemed outstanding.

The idea of an 81 year old mom and inpatient being a Bernie Bro has to be some kind of mind blower.

Does your mom read online at all? If so, she may enjoy JackpineRadicals.org. It's all supporters of Bernie there, so no shaming. That might be better for her health?

If she wants to try posting at either board, I volunteer to be her human shield and defender and flame anyone who attacks her.

Please give her a big hug and (gentle) fist bump from me.

[Oixi1993]

172. Bad human and ex GOPer

Count me in as a bad human being. I support Sanders all the way. I believe in Democracy. Sorry my old conservative friends. Get over it!!

[merrily]

175. That is quite a shift! If you ever feel like posting about it, I'd love to hear.

[Oixi1993]

184. Big Shift.

Here is the story. I engage with some good friends on social media debating political issues. Some of these friends are liberal and some are conservative. A couple of my liberal friends challenged me to do two things. 1. Examine the influence of money in politics. I took a deep dive on that issue and came face to face with the reality that our system is broken. 2. They challenged me to listen closely to a couple of Sanders talks. I listened to one he did at the Brookings Institute and I listened to a speech he gave at Georgetown. I was fully prepared to poke holes in his positions and to not agree with much of what he said. He is a "Socialist" after all. What happened is that I found myself agreeing with him. It was just logic and common sense. I tried to not just react but I started to see everything differently. I spent 30 days going through this transition. At the end of the 30 days I realized I was fearful of what people would think. At that point I came out of the closet and took a ton of heat from my conservative friends and family. My faith has been questioned. My sanity has been questioned. My motives have been questioned. All this has done is steel my resolve.

On the other side of the coin I probably would not have looked at Sanders had the Republicans put up someone sensible. Trump drove me away and Cruz is a phony and very very very dangerous. He has some extreme religious views that border on heretical. Another eye opener to me was that conservatives do not seem to care that these guys are both terrible for this country. They are pro life don't you know.

So now I am excited. I am in a movement I believe in. I am hopeful. I am talking with my friends who lean right and getting them to truly look at Sanders. I find myself rooting for Democrats in NY and other states that have not voted to see the light and join the revolution. I am a late comer but ready to do whatever I can to promote democracy, freedom, integrity, and honor to our country. Sanders is the only one in this race that can lead this effort.

[ThePhilosopher04]

173. Real people, supporting real American values!

[merrily]

176. +1

[CompanyFirstSergeant]

178. I'm tired of young people...

....demanding breathable air, drinkable water and health care that will not make them broke.

So why do they want to go to college anyway?

They feel so entitled....

[merrily]

179. As far as college, the cost will very likely be a net plus to society.

What people who blabber about the cost and impossibility of Bernie's proposals always omit is the money the program saves, be it saving money for individuals or saving money for society, or both.

I am so tired of both deceit by half truth and outright lies.

[CompanyFirstSergeant]

180. We need to change the perception of college...

....to what it really is....

....an investment in an economically healthy future for the nation.

[merrily]

181. Apparently, you have to have a heart to heart with the Koch brothers. If you convince them,

you'll have it made.

I'm only half kidding. They're pretty much in charge at this point.

[eastwestdem]

182. Clearly people on both sides make unfounded attacks...so it seems that is just the game

now, sadly enough. How do we stop this?

[merrily]

183. Sorry, but, whether intentionally or not, you are making a massively false equivalency.

Kindly link me to statements made by Obama, Sanders and their campaigns, dissing Hillary's supporterthe way that she and her husband and her campaign surrogates and supporters complained about Obama Boys and Bernie Bros. Also, please link me to newspaper articles about her supporters. Finally, please tell me the counterpart to Hillary supporters for Bernie Bros and Obama Boys.