I find the phrase "Feel the Bern" off-putting. It feels like a taunt, not an invitation . . .

[Empowerer]

Does anyone else feel this way?

I'm not trying to encourage any sniping or fighting here. This is simply an honest observation.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. I don't find it that way at all. It's clever and catchy.

[Ferd Berfel]

103. Did you ever exercise ? You don't make PROGRESS without the BERN!

OK BURN, get it?

just sayin...

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

105. Personally, I do not like exercise, but I understand the concept.

And that's why I have no problem at all with "Feel the Bern."

[Ferd Berfel]

107. LOL

[JI7]

2. no, you are over thinking it

[arcane1]

3. I would feel that way if the Samders campaign were the source of it.

Since it came about by a sort of grass roots, viral effort, it's not so bad.

[Ed Suspicious]

101. This.

[liberal_at_heart]

4. I suppose you can take it many different ways. For me it is just an indicator of how

excited we are to have someone running who is taking on the money interests. Big money has been slowly killing the middle class for over 30 years now. It has been so defeating and discouraging. It is encouraging we have someone we can be excited about again. It gives me hope that we can repeat what those in the 1960's did. I keep hearing people say it can't be done. Well that can't be true because it already has been done. We just have to do it again. Anyway, that is what "Feel the Bern" means to me.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

136. Same... could it be some here are just being overly sensitive? Maybe even to suit their own purposes?

[cui bono]

174. Why yes, yes it could. I think they're also jealous of it.

[delrem]

5. Supporters of third-way, investment banking interests and war profiteering,

and Republicans in general won't hear the words "Feel the Bern" in the same way as any progressive minded person who cares a damn about stopping the insanity.

That's just the way it is.

[Empowerer]

7. I'm neither Republican nor a supporter of third-way, investment banking interests, war profiteering

I'm surely just as "progressive-minded" as you but hear those words differently than you do.

[delrem]

9. Oh, your posts confuse me then, and I've read a few.

Are you a "progressive" like Hillary Rodham Clinton is a "progressive"?
Like on Tuesdays and Thursdays, according to the default schedule?

[wildeyed]

213. I kinda wish this was not an anonymous board sometimes

so we could play "I'll show you my liberal cred if you show me yours". Played today on FB and sent the Sanders supporters screaming from the thread in terror because mine was so huge

But seriously, yes many of us find it off-putting. Not sure if I felt that way immediately, or if was a learned response.

[wildeyed]

212. No, it's not.

That is your opinion. Progressive minded people feel all kinds of ways about all kinds of things.

And no one appointed you the progressive gate keeper anyway.

[delrem]

221. I repeat.

Supporters of third-way, investment banking interests and war profiteering,
and Republicans in general won't hear the words "Feel the Bern" in the same way as any progressive minded person who cares a damn about stopping the insanity.

And I say a big HELLO to supporters of third-way, investment banking interest and war profiteering: FEEL THE BERN!

[BlueCaliDem]

6. I did and do. It IS off-putting. But Republicans LOVE "the Bern" slogan.

From the Guardian:

Among top GOP operatives, RNC chief strategist Sean Spicer has repeatedly tweeted pro-Sanders messages about “feeling #thebern” or with slogans like “#gobernie”

[JonLeibowitz]

8. So if a GOP strategist had used "Hope & Change" a few times Obama should have given it up?

[delrem]

16. Isn't that what some people think Dems ought to always do? Every time?

Shouldn't Dems always be reacting to Republicans, trying their best to please them - so Republicans don't say so many bad things?
Shouldn't everything that Dems stand for be defined to please Republicans? After all, unlike Dems who have nothing, Republicans have the filibuster to stop any independent Dem policy in its tracks. That's history.
I'm confused on this -- it seems to be a default go-to argument of many Dems who post to DU and though I don't like it at all, it sure seems to be a popular political approach.

[BlueCaliDem]

21. ...

[JonLeibowitz]

43. What an exceptionally mature response. I expected nothing less. n/t

[BlueCaliDem]

44. It's all your attempts at deflection are worth.

[JonLeibowitz]

45. I have deflected nothing. I have pointed out the absurd positions you would put our candidates in.

[BlueCaliDem]

104. Bull. You were trying to deflect from the fact that prominent Republican strategists support Sanders

and were campaigning for him on social media with "the Bern" hashtags and tweets by pushing a non sequitur about whether Senator Obama should have given up had Republican strategists used "Hope and Change". If this ain't an attempt to deflect from the painful truth for Sanders supporters, don't know what is.

[Kentonio]

110. Gosh, it's a good thing they never supported Obama back when he was running against Clinton!

Oh wait..

[BlueCaliDem]

112. Did they? Can you provide a link (just as I have) to an article that substantiates your claim?

Much appreciated, Ken.

[Kentonio]

115. You've forgotten about 'Operation Chaos' already?

[BlueCaliDem]

125. I don't pay Limbaugh as much heed as you apparently do.

And since you didn't respond to my request in my previous post to you, shall I assume you've got nada? Just more Ken conjecture and innuendo.

[Kentonio]

134. I didn't think it needed links to be quite honest, its hardly a secret.

Supporting a lesser known opposition candidate in the hopes of weakening the front runner who is perceived as more dangerous is hardly a new trick, members of both parties have indulged in that game for as long as either of us have been alive. It's a stupid strategy because it has a nasty tendency of blowing up in your face.

[BlueCaliDem]

138. Well, when you "ask" another poster to

justify their claims (I assume you mean links since this is all electronic and online and you don't expect notarized paper docs), I'm assuming you understand when you're asked the same, you'll comply.

But I know for a fact that Republicans didn't support Senator Obama's campaign against Senator Clinton in 2008 - not the way they've actively done with Sanders. And I know you knew that, too.

Supporting a lesser known opposition candidate in the hopes of weakening the front runner who is perceived as more dangerous is hardly a new trick,

You're right on this part, but not this last sentence to your post: "It's a stupid strategy because it has a nasty tendency of blowing up in your face". Surely, you haven't forgotten 2000 and the Nader effect? That was, for Republicans, pretty successful.

This presidential season seems to follow the same playbook with a tweak here and there since Sanders is running for the Democratic nom, not as a third party candidate. But the strategy appears to be the same: weaken their most formidable Democratic candidate to the point that enough Americans might not turn out and vote for her, giving one of their RW-Clowns a chance to snatch the election so they can install another puppet in the White House so that he will do their bidding.

[Kentonio]

142. Given your refusal to answer a request of mine because you called me biased and close minded

I find this very funny.

[BlueCaliDem]

144. The difference is, your supposition has zero basis in truth. My claim is documented.

So your response is an obvious cop-out.

If you care to look, you'll find many of my posts backing up what I've claimed.

Also, I've never heard of prominent Republican strategists actively promoting Senator Obama - on Twitter or elsewhere - in 2008, as you've tried to assert, the way they're actively promoting Sanders. In fact, the opposite is true. I recall quite clearly how they went after him for the Weather Underground/Bill Ayers b.s., the Jeremiah Wright non-scandal, the attacks on his wife, Michelle b.s., but they never tweeted in support of him - as they're now doing with Sanders.

[cui bono]

155. You are backing up your claim with an article that is 6 months old.

The GOP is feelin' the Bern in a whole different way right now. Kind of like you are and anyone who has to complain about something so trivial when there are actual issues to discuss.

FEEL THE BERN!!!


.

[cui bono]

153. That post makes no sense. What "painful truth"?

I don't think you read that article you linked to and it is 6 months old. Go read my other posts if you want to understand what you are linking to.

.

[AlbertCat]

193. prominent Republican strategists support Sanders

So, Hillary's not for bi-partisanism?

Are Republicans just not supposed to participate in government at all if Clinton wins?

How about looking at it from the other direction.... that Repugs have an irrational hatred of all things Clinton and have for decades now. This will help to get things done so much if she's elected.

[Ned_Devine]

182. This is why we have the "ignore" feature on this site

I never thought I'd have to use it, but these people suck so bad I had no choice. I've overused the comparison of little kids on a playground saying "I know you are but what am I" but it's still totally legit.

[cui bono]

76. Deflection? You are the one who claimed something about the GOP and linked to an article that didn't

support your statement in the least. In fact, the article was praising Sanders himself as being better able to show voters why Hillary is not the right candidate than the GOP was able to do.

From your linked article:

As the unkempt septuagenarian senator has risen in the polls and drawn crowds in the thousands, GOP operatives have cheered him on social media and watched slack-jawed as a self-proclaimed socialist seems able to do more electoral damage to Hillary Clinton than a host of Republicans. Their love for Sanders though doesn’t seem to be motivated by the appeal of his leftwing ideology. Instead, it’s a sense of joy that anyone is able to land punches on the Teflon-like Clinton.

Colin Reed, the executive director of America Rising, a Republican Super Pac which specializes in opposition research, has also gone out of his way on Twitter to express his wonderment at the crowds that Sanders is attracting and the “Bernie-mania” he is inspiring. Stuart Stevens, Mitt Romney’s top strategist in 2012, even wrote a column proclaiming that Sanders is the real deal.

The crowds though aren’t what are drawing astonishment – after all, Trump draws huge crowds too. Instead, it’s that after years of Republican efforts to damage Clinton in the aftermath of the 2008 election on everything from the Russia reset to Benghazi to her personal emails, an ex-hippie from Vermont is the only one who can affect her standing with voters.

As well-connected Republican strategist Liz Mair explained to the Guardian, conservatives are excited that Sanders “is exposing Clinton for what many Republicans have long argued she is: a cold, robotic, inauthentic fraud that no one, regardless of ideology, should be comfortable with”.
http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/14/bernie-sanders-republican-operatives-hillary-clinton

.

[kenfrequed]

179. Well it doesn't take much to deflect ellipses

I mean a few little 'periods' are pretty small.

I suppose they could have been accidentally deflected...

[JonLeibowitz]

37. You ask some very good questions. Unfortunately, our mutual interlocutor is not interested

in discussing the real questions you have raised. And that's a damn shame.

[delrem]

42. Perhaps because my questions sort of implicitly define "third way politics".

I'm so sick of this. All the pretence.

It's so fucking pointless.

[BlueCaliDem]

19. Non sequitur. And blatant deflection. NO GOP strategist rushed to twitter to support Obama.

[JonLeibowitz]

31. It is not a deflection, it points the absurdity of what you wish. Also, you didn't answer.

[BlueCaliDem]

34. It is absolutely deflection only, it failed.

And I don't have to answer a single damned thing. Free speech and all that.

[JonLeibowitz]

39. Free speech is not the right to not speak, just so you know.

And you just brilliantly showed a great example of what a real deflection is, all while making no sense whatsoever. Kudos.

[BlueCaliDem]

48. Never said it was. And I did "speak". You just didn't like my response.

Tough-diddly.

[Live and Learn]

55. Very juvenile as your choice of cartoons reflect. nt

[BlueCaliDem]

58. On par with how I think of your posts.

[Live and Learn]

59. Cute but still juvenile. nt

[BlueCaliDem]

63. Again, on par with how I think of your posts.

I'll save my serious posts for serious people. But you will get all the fun emojis!

[Live and Learn]

66. And again, juvenile. nt

[BlueCaliDem]

100. On par with the maturity of your post.

[Fawke Em]

121. Seems Hillary has the kindergarten vote.

[BlueCaliDem]

129. Feel the BURN, Fawke!

[Fawke Em]

132. ..

[BlueCaliDem]

135. ...

Sure he can win! In New Hampshire and Vermont! How about the other 48? But you keep hopin', Fawke.

I'll just keep

[Live and Learn]

150. I see you got some new toys for Christmas. Have fun. nt

[SheilaT]

170. What a mature response.

[Glamrock]

206. Well yeah, true

but they were behind the times, at the time. They were completely blindsided by BHO's use of social media, if you remember. Additionally, twitter was nowhere near as popular as it is today. In 2008, there were 100 million tweets per quarter. Today, it's 50 million a day. So yeah no GOP strategists were supporting him. Not very many were even on it.

[Luminous Animal]

52. Or with like slogans like "gobernie"." Dems still quaking in their boots over what Repubs do.

[delrem]

69. It's like there's a huge reservoir of them,

their entire political lives devoted to doing the Republican's bidding, because they're too cowardly to stand on their own feet.

It's just amazing.

[cui bono]

82. That poster totally missed the entire point of the article.

Which was (it's from 6 months ago, I would bet they are no longer promoting him as he is now a real threat) that the GOP was promoting Bernie because Bernie was able to dent Clinton when they were not, despite their massive efforts.

From that link:

As the unkempt septuagenarian senator has risen in the polls and drawn crowds in the thousands, GOP operatives have cheered him on social media and watched slack-jawed as a self-proclaimed socialist seems able to do more electoral damage to Hillary Clinton than a host of Republicans. Their love for Sanders though doesn’t seem to be motivated by the appeal of his leftwing ideology. Instead, it’s a sense of joy that anyone is able to land punches on the Teflon-like Clinton.

Colin Reed, the executive director of America Rising, a Republican Super Pac which specializes in opposition research, has also gone out of his way on Twitter to express his wonderment at the crowds that Sanders is attracting and the “Bernie-mania” he is inspiring. Stuart Stevens, Mitt Romney’s top strategist in 2012, even wrote a column proclaiming that Sanders is the real deal.

The crowds though aren’t what are drawing astonishment – after all, Trump draws huge crowds too. Instead, it’s that after years of Republican efforts to damage Clinton in the aftermath of the 2008 election on everything from the Russia reset to Benghazi to her personal emails, an ex-hippie from Vermont is the only one who can affect her standing with voters.

As well-connected Republican strategist Liz Mair explained to the Guardian, conservatives are excited that Sanders “is exposing Clinton for what many Republicans have long argued she is: a cold, robotic, inauthentic fraud that no one, regardless of ideology, should be comfortable with”.

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/14/bernie-sanders-republican-operatives-hillary-clinton

[Luminous Animal]

187. Thank you!

[merrily]

186. I don't remember seeing a lot of posts from DU's left fretting about what

Republicans might say or do if a Democrat were to act like a Democrat.

As if Republicans don't say stuff about Democrats no matter what! Waste of time and energy to wring hands about that.

[cui bono]

75. No, it is not offputting at all. It is positive and uplifting and empowering.

And the article you linked did not say the GOP loved the slogan at all. In fact, they said they loved promoting Sanders because he is the one who is able to show Clinton as a lesser candidate when their attempts to do so have failed.

From the article you linked:

As the unkempt septuagenarian senator has risen in the polls and drawn crowds in the thousands, GOP operatives have cheered him on social media and watched slack-jawed as a self-proclaimed socialist seems able to do more electoral damage to Hillary Clinton than a host of Republicans. Their love for Sanders though doesn’t seem to be motivated by the appeal of his leftwing ideology. Instead, it’s a sense of joy that anyone is able to land punches on the Teflon-like Clinton.

Colin Reed, the executive director of America Rising, a Republican Super Pac which specializes in opposition research, has also gone out of his way on Twitter to express his wonderment at the crowds that Sanders is attracting and the “Bernie-mania” he is inspiring. Stuart Stevens, Mitt Romney’s top strategist in 2012, even wrote a column proclaiming that Sanders is the real deal.

The crowds though aren’t what are drawing astonishment – after all, Trump draws huge crowds too. Instead, it’s that after years of Republican efforts to damage Clinton in the aftermath of the 2008 election on everything from the Russia reset to Benghazi to her personal emails, an ex-hippie from Vermont is the only one who can affect her standing with voters.

As well-connected Republican strategist Liz Mair explained to the Guardian, conservatives are excited that Sanders “is exposing Clinton for what many Republicans have long argued she is: a cold, robotic, inauthentic fraud that no one, regardless of ideology, should be comfortable with”.

[Kentonio]

111. "anti-PoC votes"?!

Feel free to justify that smear any time you like.

[BlueCaliDem]

123. Yes.

Feel free to justify that smear any time you like.

When I find a poster that isn't biased and who has an open mind, I will.

[Kentonio]

126. I'll remind you of this next time you take issue with someone smearing Clinton.

[BlueCaliDem]

131. Aw, thanks, Ken.

I'm always happy when I've taught someone something new.

[cui bono]

152. Wow! I missed that when I read her post.

Not surprised.

SMH.

.

[brentspeak]

118. "His anti-PoC votes..."

That's a good one. Thanks for the laugh.

[BlueCaliDem]

140. Yep.

That's a good one. Thanks for the laugh.

Yep. But it sounds like an uneasy one.

[cui bono]

148. "anti-Poc votes"??? Links? That is a flat out LIE. Bernie has fought for civil rights for DECADES.

Since you're so concerned about anti-PoC votes, how do you feel about private prisons? Welfare reform? It would be pretty bad if someone had any ties to that in their political history.

But you know that Bernie is an advocate of civil rights and has been since he was a young lad, you just choose to smearmonger with an old and tired talking point. Had I noticed that lying smear of yours I would have known better than to respond, but I had already posted the response below so I'll leave it.

Now that I know you'll say anything, no matter how big a lie it is, to try to bring down Sanders, whom you obviously feel is a huge threat to your candidate, I will keep in mind how futile any exchange with you will be. It's like the lost souls who will vote for Trump, you know there's no bringing them over because they are in a bubble of hate and they simply cannot be reached.


ORIG REPLY BELOW (before I knew you were a "he's a racist" talking point user:

Yes, you said, and I quote, "But Republicans LOVE "the Bern" slogan."

Then you linked to an article. When people provide a link it is usually to back up an assertion they just made. Yours however, did not back up your assertion in the least. You absolutely said that Republicans "LOVE 'the Bern' slogan", you even said it again at the bottom of this post of yours. How can you deny it?

If you are denying that the article supported your claim, then why did you link to it? Did you just want us to read about how after all the GOP attempts to bring down Hillary it is Bernie that is being successful in showing voters she's not the right candidate?

And as I said, I LOVE the slogan because it is positive, it is uplifting and it is inspiring. Just as when it is used in its original form and context for fitness/working out. You have to feel the burn if you want to know you are accomplishing something.

As to your last paragraph, you are simply wrong. First of all, that article is 6 months old. Now that Bernie is on fire people can see he is able to take this all the way to the White House and he is a huge threat to Hillary. No one thought this would be possible at the time this article was written. The GOP just thought they could use him to put some chinks in Hillary, they didn't know he would rise to become their biggest threat. Kind of like how they built up the Tea Party and then it got out of their control.

Hillary is the one who stands to lose in the general. She will motivate Republicans to come out and vote against her. Bernie has crossover appeal that she most certainly does NOT have, and he will get some Republican votes as well as a boatload of independent votes that Hillary can never get. He also will get so many more Dems to the polls because they will feel they have someone to vote for, and enthusiastically, they won't be dragging themselves there just to cast a vote against the GOP while holding their nose because they are afraid of SCOTUS nominees.

FEEL THE BERN!!!


.

[nashville_brook]

156. +100000

[brentspeak]

117. Would you prefer "Cut It Out"?

[BlueCaliDem]

124. ?? And this has *what* to do with my post?

[JonLeibowitz]

10. I have other concerns, such as that it reminds me of venereal diseases. However, I got over it.

I'll still support Sanders (no brainer), I just won't use the strange language of "Feel the Bern".

[Empowerer]

13. Ha Ha - that's funny

That's one of the reasons I find the phrase a little off-putting. Not because it reminds me of STDs, but because it sounds as if people are being taunted to feel something unpleasant to them. It just sounds like a taunt or a borderline hostile challenge, not an encouragement.

[delrem]

78. hey well, feel the bern, baby!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

15. "Feel the burn" is a fitness meme.

It refers to exercising hard until you get a burning sensation. Nothing to do with venereal diseases.

[Empowerer]

18. I know the phrase's origin -

But "feeling the burn" is not a pleasant sensation for most people.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

20. Except for exercise fanatics. They love it.

[Maedhros]

202. There is some congruity with the Sanders campaign,

because for it to work we all need to put in the effort.

As Bernie says, this isn't about him - it's about energizing us to make government work for us.

[liberal_at_heart]

22. Well that is your opinion. No one says you have to adopt it. For those who like it they use it.

For those who don't like it, don't use it.

[Empowerer]

27. Wow

Of course it's my opinion. And I never suggested that I feel forced to use it. I merely asked a question to find out others' opinions about the phrase. The reaction to my very simple question is very interesting, however.

[liberal_at_heart]

29. Wow? There is hardly anything harsh about either one of my posts. I simply said if you don't like it

don't use it. For those who do like it, they use it. So use it or don't. No skin off my nose. As for me, I personally like it. For me it describes my excitement for the candidate I support.

[Live and Learn]

57. Most people do. It really seems to irritate a few though.

I can't imagine why! Personally I love it.

Feel the Bern!!!

[cui bono]

71. I would say you are overreacting to the response you are calling an "interesting" 'reaction'.

I find it interesting that you would pose the question in the first place.

You know you are going to get answers based on who the poster supports so it's really just flamebait. Why not post something about policy?

.

[JonLeibowitz]

40. I've heard that, but as I (and most of the country) am not a fitness nut that meaning is lost on me.

"Hope & Change" didn't only appeal to those who accept and hope for tips in the form of spare change. Slogans should be nearly universally understood and appreciated.

[liberal_at_heart]

54. As we have seen with this thread any word or phrase can be taken more than one way. It is

impossible for a slogan or phrase to be universally understood and appreciated. "Hope & Change" was not universally appreciated. Some like me were neutral on it and others thought "Hope and Change" was too over the rainbow corny. Since no one will universally like a slogan those that like a particular slogan will use it. Those who do not won't. No harm done either way.

[Glamrock]

208. I never took it that way

I took it this way:
(From urban dictionary)
I feel you - The speaker empathizes, agrees with, or understands on a deep and personal level a particular comment made by another; the speaker deeply relates to someone's sentiment....

"Feel the Bern" has a better ring than "I'm feeling Bernie".
Just my opinion...

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

209. "I'm feeling Bernie" could have awkward connotations.

I like Bernie but I don't know that he'd want me to feel him.

[Glamrock]

210. I was thinking the same thing as I typed it.

Great minds and all that...

[wildeyed]

214. A burn is also slang for a particularly witty or effective insult.

So yeah, hostile and rude. Also a weed reference. Perfect, really.

[delrem]

74. It's funny and I thought of that too.

I'll admit that I like Sanders, in a totally unqualified way over Hillary Clinton. That's a no-brainer.
But I don't, like, "feel the bern" except as a damn good slogan.

[elleng]

11. Doesn't put me off, but was surprised,

when my cousin, a sanders supporter, spoke at an event in NC, 'recruiting,' and was expected to eat a spoonful of hot sauce during her presentation. Weird to me.

[delrem]

26. That's very surprising, since the grass roots rallying cry has nothing to do with "eating hot sauce"

But it takes all kinds and I'm sure the event organizers had a passingly strange moment.

[Live and Learn]

61. There is a 'Feel the Bern' challenge going around.

In our area it is eating 3 habaneros. Not a challenge i would take but have seen others do so.

The things people will do for Bernie!!

[delrem]

64. Yah, I can understand that. Not so much the scenario that elleng described,

which involved expectations. I guess I picture a person being put on the spot, but with little forethought - as in jaysus, perhaps a person doesn't want to do it? Perhaps I read it with too much bias

[mythology]

12. I only feel it's an insult when used by those not supporting the Sanders campaign

But if supporters want to use it, then why shouldn't they?

[Empowerer]

14. I don't think that people shouldn't say it if they want.

I just don't think it has the effect that some people want it to have.

[delrem]

28. It isn't any wonder to a Sanders supporter

when someone without a progressive bone in their body feels their hackles rise at the grassroots rallying cry "feel the bern!"
Just understand, the words aren't meant for right wingers.

Deal with it.

[Empowerer]

30. So, I must be a right winger "without a progressive bone in my body"

because I think a particular phrase sounds rude and wondered out loud if it's just me or if anyone else feels the same way?

Wow.

[delrem]

38. Yes.

In this case, yes. Absolutely yes.

[zappaman]

137. Yup you dared to question something to do with Senator Sanders and not in a 100% positive way.

So now you are "a right winger without a progressive bone in (your) body.
Unreal, right?

[Chemisse]

159. Indeed!

Some people go way too far in these discussions. Nobody can just be neutral. Everybody has a hidden agenda.

[wildeyed]

216. Right?

Hillarian! Oligarch lover!!!! Go back to that weathervane place!!!!!!

Kidding......

[Android3.14]

17. It's about energy, fire and a message that spreads

If you look for taunts, you will find taunts.

[Empowerer]

23. Not sure why you would assume that I'm looking for taunts

But, whatever.

[earthside]

24. Oh, brother.

You think that Sanders for President is "a taunt, not an invitation."

[Empowerer]

25. I do?

[3catwoman3]

32. A one who admires word play, I find it...

...quite clever, and I like it.

[AgadorSparticus]

33. No. Leave it alone. It is clever and catchy.

[Empowerer]

36. "Leave it alone?"

I wasn't planning to do anything to it . . .

[AgadorSparticus]

51. As if you could do anything. Christ, it's just an expression.

Do you have to pick every damn thing apart? Honestly, such sensitivities.....

[beam me up scottie]

62. Word.

Some had a fit over the Batslap cartoon because it was promoting violence and someone else alerted on the BOOBS2016 thread because they thought it was sexist.

Makes you wonder how they get along outside the DU bubble.

[AgadorSparticus]

220. Ok. I just saw this boobs video. How freaking hilarious And clever!

You know what the problem is? Some people just don't understand or have an ounce of humor. Too bad humor can't be bought.

[Oilwellian]

173. Except whine n/t

[rusty quoin]

35. I never liked catch phrases. I like to think for myself.

"Where's the Beef?" That was Mondale...right? I'm not sure because stuff like that never swayed me. BTW, I voted for him.

[putitinD]

41. I want the 1% to feel the burn

[Armstead]

46. Naw it's funny and self depreciating while making a point

And as was pointed out above, it's a grassroots thing that just caught on.

And it damn sure beats "She's alreafy won" which was spread even before the campaigns started.

[Live and Learn]

65. +10,000 nt

[cui bono]

79. I don't see it as self deprecating at all.

I think it's totally positive and inspiring. Just as the phrase it is a play on is when working out. It's a good thing that you want to feel in order to know you are accomplishing something positive.

.

[Luminous Animal]

47. A taunt to whom?

[delrem]

49. The OP.

The person doesn't like the rallying cry of Sanders' supporters, and is crying.
waaaaah!
It's ridiculous.

[Yallow]

50. I Saw A Feel The Bern Round Bumper Sticker Today

First one.

So here in Seattle it is 1,000 Bernie bumper stickers, and 3 Anti-Hillary bumper stickers seen in the last 6 months.

Zero Pro-Hillary Bumper Stickers

I am sure Hillary is going to win the Washington State Democratic Caucuses.

She has soooooo many supporters.....

[SunSeeker]

53. I agree with you.

"Feel the Bern" has a lot of odd connotations. But as you can tell from the response to your OP, some Bernie fans will call you vicious names if you question anything about Bernie, however innocuous that question may be.

[Sheepshank]

56. Looks like the op got berned

Too bad an innocent and quirky opinion can't be given without insulting defensiveness swarming the thread.

[delrem]

68. So long as you aren't put off by it, who gives a shit?

I like it when some right winger is put off by the rallying cry of Sanders supporters.
It gives me a thrill.

Hey, that's my innocent and quirky opinion.

[Sheepshank]

106. Doesn't really matter if I'm put off by it or not

Bernie won't get my Primary vote.

[Empowerer]

85. Interesting, isn't it?

I politely note that a campaign slogan sounds to me less like a persuader and more like a taunt and, while a few people offer intelligent, rational responses explaining why they don't agree, others fervently defend the slogan (which didn't need a defense in the first place - it's just a slogan) by calling me names, accusing me of overreacting and being overly-sensitive, and labeling me a right winger and supporter of war profiteering (since, apparently, only a right wing lover of war profiteeering could fail to be utterly delighted by anything and everything associated with the Sanders campaign).

In other words, they challenge an opinion that something sounds like a taunt by taunting the people expressing the opinion ...

[SunSeeker]

119. Sad really. The over the top viciousness is very self-defeating. nt

[Kalidurga]

60. It's neither a taunt or an invitation

It was never meant to be something that makes people go oh I think I will join the Sanders campaign. It's just a thing some of his supporters like to say because they are very excited to be supporting the next President of the United States.

[pnwmom]

67. It seems to appeal to a select group of people.

And of course those people won't be able to understand where you're coming from.

But I know what you mean.

[cui bono]

84. Could you be any more condescending?

What do you hope to accomplish with such condescension?

.

[cui bono]

70. Really??? It's totally positive and uplifting!

You do know it's a play on words, right? You've heard the expression "feel the burn" used in regards to working out haven't you? It's a good thing, it means you are accomplishing something. People say it to inspire you to really work out and be successful in your workout. It's a fantastic thing to play on it and use it in a political campaign. I have to chalk this one up to jealousy. I don't see how anyone could take it as a negative unless you wish it weren't so good for the opposing candidate.

But I'm sure you will see a partisan divide with Hillary supporters all disliking it and smearing it by bringing the GOP into this somehow and Bernie supporters loving it.

Did you expect different results?

.

[silverweb]

72. I love the phrase!

[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]To "burn" indicates intensity, love, a passion. When it represents a candidate who personifies those things (not to mention his supporters), it's most appropriate.



[font color="purple"]Go, Bernie!
Feelin' The Bern!

[artislife]

73. Funny, because I find the phrase "Ready for Hillary"

strikes me that something very disappointing is about to happen.
Like a shot in the arm, a pop quiz, a speeding ticket, a late fee, an increase in rent....

[JonLeibowitz]

77. Or something inevitable that we should be ready to be embraced by...

In fact that's exactly what it means to me.

[delrem]

80. "Ready for Hillary" is so last year!

It's something similar, though.

Myself, I like Jeb's "!" the best.
I mean, wow.

[demwing]

81. Honestly, I find posts like these off-putting

I always get the impression that people are trying to deliver a message masked in a "honest question"

Jon Stewart did a Daily Show on a similar tactic he called The Cavuto:

http://www.cc.com/video-clips/8ov5kh/the-daily-show-with-jon-stewart-the-question-mark

"I'm not saying your mother's a whore" says Stewart...

[Douglas Carpenter]

83. that is simply not how other people interpret it

Although, I do think the slogan in my signature line is better

[NurseJackie]

86. Exactly ... from day one. But ...

... they seem to love it, so let them own it and live with the consequences. It's a rallying call for their team, and one that stokes and evokes anger and one that suggests a desire to even the score. Perfectly suitable for those who are angry and believe they're part of some sort of "revolution" but an ineffective way to inspire others who don't share their collective anger to take seriously their candidate. It's a pep rally chant that fails to persuade or inspire non Bernie fans. Good.

[Empowerer]

88. That's an interesting take that hadn't occurred to me

But based on the reaction in this thread, you may be right - at least about some in the ranks.

[questionseverything]

157. even the score

that is exactly what we wish to do

the1%ers own like 90% of the wealth in this country leaving 10% for the other 315 million of us

yes we want that changed or evened up

[NurseJackie]

167. Looking at Bernie's poll numbers and political endorsements ...

... it appears not to be a very persuasive argument. Or perhaps the message is being overshadowed by the distasteful aggressiveness of this so called "revolution". Looks like people don't like it, or they're not buying what Bernie's selling.

Oh well.

[quickesst]

87. Well...

....if it walks like a duck.......

[Smarmie Doofus]

89. Why do you feel it's a taunt?

I prefer "Bern, baby, Bern" myself . It's an old 60's refrain which, alas, goes unrecognized by people under "a certain age."

[Empowerer]

98. Maybe because "burn" is not a pleasant thing, so telling someone to "feel it" sounds harsh to me

Or maybe because it reminds me of the "Oooh, BURN!" that kids use to mock those who have made a mistake or been humiliated in some way.

Anyway, I just don't like the way it sounds.

[demwing]

128. well, as you have said - "OK"

what else?

[Smarmie Doofus]

145. Many variations in the way "burn" has been used.

As you say.... it can be used in a negative way: "BURN!" ( mocking).

Or..... We got "burned". ( i.e. cheated)

But clearly that's not the "burn" the Sanders campaign has adopted. That use is more like "burning" with passion or ardor, or desire,or energy or excitement.

I used the 60's "Burn, baby, burn." : associated with the urban uprisings ( "race riots"? That's a matter of perspective also.) taking place in the mid-late sixties. That's pretty resonant of the political militancy that characterized that era.

But look: 10 years later: "Burn, baby Burn" was coopted by John Travolta and the Bee Gees ( Disco Inferno) from Sat. Nite Fever.

Nothing about that kind of burn seems to me "unpleasant".

"Burn" can be good or bad. In Sanders' case, it sounds pretty good. To me, anyway.

[cui bono]

151. It's spelled "Bern".

And yeah, you can take it the way you just described if you want to be negative about it and guess who's feeling that "Bern", Hillary and her supporters.

The fact that you felt you had to make an OP about something such as this on a political discussion board shows it's working whether it was intended or not. And Bernie supporters came up with it not the campaign. It has stuck because people loved it so much.

But really, why did you feel you had to write an OP about your feelings about a slogan? That's so weird since it's so inconsequential. What did you hope to accomplish by posting this OP?

.

[Empowerer]

158. Your post is a perfect illustration of why the phrase is off-putting

Because, as you readily admit, you intend it to be a taunt to anyone who doesn't yet support your candidate, not an invitation for them to join your.cause. thanks for confirming that my in

But while the phrase may delight those already committed to Sen. Sanders, I doubt it is doing much to increase your numbers, especially in the tone you're using it. There's a term for the exercise you're engaging in, but since you're so prickly about the discussion of phraseology, I'll just leave it at that.

[cui bono]

162. No, I don't "intend" to taunt. You are the one who is bringing up possible "negative" connotations.

In fact, you created an OP about it just to attempt to associate it as a negative.

When Berners use it it is totally positive. I marched in the Feel The Bern Rose Parade March and when people yelled "Feel the Bern" it was jubilant not in a snearing manner. It was uplifting. It was inspiring. It was yelled by people who cannot wait to have Bernie as president because they know how great he will be for this country, because they know how much he fights for the people.

Anyone who thinks that is negative must feel threatened by it, imo. Because it is totally about the positive energy of the Bernie campaign and principles.

But again, we have a Hillary supporter attempting to turn a positive into a negative, attacking a "candidate" on a strength. It's a Rovian tactic. What does that say about you to use a right wing tactic against a fellow Democrat?

Why on earth would you think you had to post an entire OP about a candidate's slogan simply because you feel it is off-putting? Why not post an OP about something of some real significance, like an important issue?

As this OP has shown, Hillary supporters overwhelming think it is off-putting. Did you expect anything different? Did you just want to have an OP for Hillary supporters to post something negative about Sanders? Is that why you had to post about a slogan and not policy stances?

Again I ask, what did you hope to accomplish by posting this OP?

.

[Empowerer]

171. I certainly don't owe you any explanation for why I choose to post anything, but watching you

waste part of your afternoon responding to what you insist is an irrelevant post - and with each response, further proving my point - has made it worth the effort.

[cui bono]

172. So I can presume my supposition was right.

That the only reason you posted this as an OP was to be able to have Hillary supporters chime in to say it's awful and try for some sort of flamebait.

And you are one to talk, feeling all put off by the Sanders supporters' slogan and then taking an attitude about having posted your OP. Well considering the slogan is positive and inspiring, I'd say your OP is more off-putting than the slogan is.

And as you well know, if you have read my posts in here, I was countering a Hillary supporter who was making false claims about the GOP loving the slogan and pushing Bernie as well as her lie about Bernie's voting record.

So did you accomplish what you hoped for? Is this OP everything you dreamed it could be? Because it would seem that all you accomplished was divisiveness. Is that the goal of Hillary supporters?

Oh yeah, or were you hoping to create a feeling that the slogan wasn't PC enough and shouldn't be used lest Hillary supporters feel put off?

.

[Empowerer]

175. Please go on

Your hyperventilating over my irrelevant post is quite entertaining . . .

[cui bono]

176. So what did you hope to accomplish by posting the OP or this last post of yours?

I love to know underlying reasons for things. Why won't you reveal them?

.

[R B Garr]

181. Feel the Bernout is gaining popularity.

No negative connotations on that, either.

[NCTraveler]

90. Makes me think of his past writing.

If it weren't for that aspect, I think it it the perfect slogan considering the people he is going for.

[Armstead]

93. Or that old Bill Clinton Bern?

[NCTraveler]

94. Love me some Big Dog.

Wasn't familiar that he was going with this slogan first. Interesting little bit. Thanks.

[Vinca]

91. I don't think slogans are worth thinking about one way or the other.

[99Forever]

92. That was kind of my initial reaction.

Not so now. Working within Bernies grass roots campaign, it now has come to mean a new age of real hope that we can turn this Nation around and head it to a better place, where We the People, not just the privileged few share a decent and productive life and a brighter future for our kids and grandkids.

[Live and Learn]

149. Yep, those that don't like it just haven't felt it yet. nt

[gordyfl]

95. So...

How about "Bernie Mania"? Or "Berniementum"? Or jokingly, "Bernia" (for hernia)? It's all part of the fun and excitement.
I'm sure Hillary supporters can come up with something derived from her name, if they try hard enough.

[nc4bo]

96. Love it! Catchy and clever.

I'm definitely not feeling the "We're/I'm ready for Hillary" for reasons I shouldn't/can't mention on DU.

So, there's that.

[tazkcmo]

97. ok. n/t

[R B Garr]

99. Agreed. And it is used here like a taunt with a

juvenile twist to it.

I take it to mean Bernie and his supporters are burning people as in one-upping someone. You got burned as in shown up. Very juvenile. How else do you explain the antics of at least a couple posters here who spam threads with pictures of antibiotic cream like a phony, self-congratulatory "gotcha" moment.

So sick of the phoniness!

[Ferd Berfel]

102. Did you ever exercise ? You don't get anywhere without the BERN!

I always have gone for the Bern myself

[itsrobert]

108. Reminds me of "The 70s Show"

Where Kelso would make fun of the others by dissing them and yelling "Burn" in their faces afterwards.

[Autumn]

113. I found Hillary likening herself to my abuela to be off-putting. Like mockery...

Many Hispanics felt that way.

[Empowerer]

114. OK

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

116. It's like "Wipe the server? You mean, like with a cloth?"

Supporters find it cute and clever. Others don't.

[LWolf]

120. No.

I do think it can be used, and perceived, in multiple ways, and is.

And I think that those multiple ways can all be appropriate in different situations.

Really, connotation is everything, and perception is a choice. One can look for the connotation, recognize it, and take it as intended, or not, if doing so doesn't feed the goal.

[bobGandolf]

122. Yes, I do

From the first time I heard "Feel the Bern", I didn't like it. No idea why. i keep thinking I will get used to it, but, has not happened.

[merrily]

127. LOL!

[valerief]

130. I find someone who finds "Feel the Bern" off-putting an off-putting type of person. Ciao forever. nt

[thereismore]

133. The "bern" is inside. Come on baby light my fire kind of thing. nt

[Agnosticsherbet]

139. It is a taunt. nt

[ljm2002]

141. And I find the phrase "Ready for Hillary" just weird...

...not sure what it's supposed to even mean.

But that is not why I don't support her in the primary.

"Feel the Bern" is just an obvious / slightly clever play on words that caught on with Bernie's supporters.

[Smarmie Doofus]

166. I don't think it's supposed to mean *anything*.

>>>not sure what it's supposed to even mean. >>>>>>

It is the slogan of a candidate dedicated to preserving the status quo. It means nothing. Just like her candidacy. It's devoid of substance and rationale.

Unless "vote for me because I'm *special*" is the substance and/or rationale.

[wendylaroux]

143. ok fine,here

[DFW]

146. I have no problem with it. It's nice peaceful little town

The capital of Switzerland is a pleasant, if super-expensive, place to visit.

http://www.bern.com/en/

[Bluenorthwest]

147. To me it evokes the idea of hard work for great gain. Striving for a goal.

Taking a pun seriously is almost always a mistake.

[shanti]

154. No I don't feel that way

I like it, very catchy! #Feelthebern!

[Chemisse]

161. When I first heard it (actually, first read it - on DU)

I laughed! I thought it was great. There are various ways 'bern' can be seen as a positive thing. And it adds a certain zest to the campaign.

Lately it has been expanded to taunt detractors or opponents, and that is fine too. It's versatile that way!

[On the Road]

163. Any Mass Movement

is going to have an element of us-versus-them. You're used to being one of "us" where the Democratic primaries are involved.

[SMC22307]

164. I tend not to go through life perpetually microaggrieved...

so, no. It reminds me of my high-impact aerobics days -- "feel the burn!" Lots of pounding and sweat, but it paid off in that I stayed slender and had great muscle tone. Hard work for something good. Nothing off-putting about that.

[grntuscarora]

165. I'm 60, and don't relate to it either.

My kids seem to have no problem with it, tho, so i'm guessing, in my family anyway, it's a generational thing.

[Oilwellian]

177. I'm 60 as well, and...

felt the Bern when I worked out w/Jane Fonda in the 80's. It's an old phrase.

[Bluenorthwest]

191. First heard it from Jane as well. Jane is 78 years old.

So....

[grntuscarora]

194. Ah, I was busy that decade and missed it.

But I support Bernie no matter what catchphrase his campaign chooses to use. I believe he's the real deal.

[olddots]

168. I don't like anything .

[TheFarS1de]

169. I find the term "Third Way" off putting .....

It sounds uncomfortable

[dlwickham]

178. sounds like a foot fungus commercial

or something

[artislife]

180. We must confess, it is a personal taunt to YOU.

We just all got together and decided what would irk Empowerer the most.

And it seems to have worked!

[Empowerer]

183. That's funny.

But unlike some of Sen. Sanders' more hysterical supporters in this thread, I'm not the least bit irked by the campaign's slogans, regardless how silly or obnoxious they may sound, since anonymous online pontificator's opinions have no impact on my life. But I'm also not the least bit impressed by them and, if the goal is to win people over to Sen. Sanders' side with childish taunts aimed to needle rather than attract, good luck with that.

[artislife]

184. Then why did you write this I**tic OP?

We are looking for progressives and people who are tired of big money and citizens united. You are not are target audience. This may be why it isn't working for you

[Empowerer]

185. Oh? I thought the campaign was casting a wide net because Bernie's going to unite the country ...

hence the outreach to Trump supporters, who hate progressives and love big money and Citizens United - clearly not part of your so-called "target audience." At least that's what you all were saying a few days ago when challenged on the wisdom of trying to attract bigots and haters while ignoring other Democrats who might actually vote for Sen. Sanders if you stopped insulting them long enough to actually explain why you think he deserves their vote (other than screaming at them that Hillary Clinton is the spawn of the devil).

Obviously, you're confused. That explains a lot.

[Betty Karlson]

188. No. "Ready for Hillary" was far more 'taunting', if that is how you define it.

As for you observation, I'm having doubts about its honesty. After going after the candidate and his supporters, is Team Clinton now looking at descrediting the slogan? You want something less empowering to be their campaign slogan? Come on...

[Empowerer]

189. Oh, please - stop with the persecution complex

I'm not trying to discredit or disempower anything. I simply expressed an opinion about your campaign's slogan - but given the hysterical reaction from some of the Sanders' supporters, it is clear that they believe that NOTHING related to Bernie Sanders should ever be questioned, much less criticized.

Point taken. Now take a breath and calm down.

Good Lord, people . . .

[Bluenorthwest]

190. Persecution complex? This OP is about you thinking a punster sly campaign slogan is a 'taunt'.

That's a pretty good example of a persecution complex. It's a campaign slogan. And you made an OP about how it strikes you as a taunt, then you say you are not annoyed by it, not trying to discredit and you call other people hysterical. I don't much care for the word 'hysterical' because of the roots of that word, but the only post in thread to which the word applies is your own OP.

I could ask:
Is 'Ready For Hillary' an order? It just sounds like an officious command, 'Officer on deck' sort of thing. Read for Hillary or what? Or else? It has all the elements of a threat done mob style. A good slogan for a Generalissimo running for office.

Or I could just say that's her slogan, it's sort of weak but that's what it is. It is not a command, it is not officious. It's a slogan.

[Bluenorthwest]

192. Some context for those who might have missed such things: Etymology 'Feel The Burn'-The phrase

was popularized by actress Jane Fonda in her highly successful aerobic exercise videotapes.


Jane Fonda’s “feel the burn” workout video turns 32
"It's been 32 years since Fonda's iconic video, "Jane Fonda's Workout," was released on April 24, 1982. The video was based off of the best-selling book, "Jane Fonda's workout book."

It featured Fonda decked out in leg warmers and big 80s hair, performing an exercise routine that coined the phases, "Feel the burn" and "No pain, no gain."
It was the first of more than 20 exercise videos Fonda would produce through the years. And Fonda is still "feeling the burn" for a new generation of fitness buffs. In 2012, Fonda released her latest workout video on DVD, "Jane Fonda Am/Pm Yoga for Beginners."
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/jane-fondas-feel-the-burn-workout-video-turns-32/


Of course Jane Fonda is not exactly beloved by conservatives either....

[wildeyed]

217. But in this decade,

it means

(1) slang: to disrespect someone (to diss); to make fun of someone; used by a third party after a first party makes fun of a second party.

(2) slang: to smoke marijuana or any other drug used with fire, to get high. see burn out

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=burn&utm_source=search-action

[ecstatic]

195. Makes me cringe a little...

Off-putting is the perfect description for how it's received by me. Nothing against Bernie, but in addition to being cheesy, the phrase has creepy, sexual overtones, IMO. I guess it works if you're one of the people that find him sexy. But I don't find him physically attractive at all.

[itsrobert]

196. Sanders Group uses it as a taunt

http://www.democraticunderground.com/128093450

[TheFarS1de]

197. The truth sure is inconvenient , isn't it ?

But if that offends you good , because everything Wall street has done so far offends me much , much more .

[itsrobert]

198. Why should it offend me?

Not sure what I should be offended by. A taunt?

[TheFarS1de]

199. Why would you consider the truth to be a taunt ?

That is the more prudent question .

[itsrobert]

203. Scaring a person's face with "BERNED" is not a taunt?

I don't know how anyone could explain it any other way.

[TheFarS1de]

207. Scaring ?

It is photo shopped on . No Hillary's were "branded" in the making of the picture . Still , why is the truth so ever offensive to some that they can't help but nit pick every nuance instead of addressing the 500 lb Gorilla in the room ?

[R B Garr]

211. That's exactly how I see it! In--your-face kind of

one-up gotcha moment. Their own visual is exactly how I envisioned it. Kind of like a ringside taunt, very juvenile. Not Presidential at all.

[olddots]

200. All political campain slogans are dumb

execpt the one for Alfred E. Newman

WHAT ME WORRY .

[randys1]

201. LOL

Post of the week

[matt819]

204. Get over it (nt)

[itsrobert]

205. Get over what?

Not sure what you mean there.

[slipslidingaway]

215. Hillary 'I told Wall St to cut it out' rather off-putting as well, no real change will occur. nt

[MohRokTah]

218. I know that stupid phrase guaranteed I would never even consider Sanders. eom

[TheFarS1de]

219. Sure it's the reason ...

Although anything Sanders does is a reason for some .

[delrem]

222. Deep. As deep as I've ever seen you get. Congrats. n/t