Who Needs Russians When You Have 'Justice Democrats'

[Me.]

This discussion thread was locked as off-topic by GP6971 (a host of the Democratic Primaries forum).

editing videos for propaganda purposes and doing their best to damage the Democratic Party? They talk about Establishment but the Sunshine Group to which they are connected is funded in part by the Rockefeller Foundation.

[msongs]

1. odd they create a fringe group but include the word democrat in their name nt

[Me.]

7. Good Observation

[DemocracyMouse]

36. So Democrats can't ask their reoresentatives to think about saving the planet?

People, we have a 1st Amendment that protects free soeech and petitioning the government.

This is a divisive post.

[Me.]

50. That Wasn't The Purpose Of The Video

It was done and shown to discredit DiFi. And you may not have noticed but people speak to their reps all the time about the climate. Further, she has a good record on the subject and is trying to pass a bill that actually has a chance of being a solution. One of the women in the video actually admits that they are not seeking a solution. So really, what was the point of that charade?

So you consider a post which is truthful divisive?

[George II]

125. Yes, people visit and speak to their representatives all the time by calling or visiting....

....their District offices. Unfortunately there's one district in Queens where they can't.

[NastyRiffraff]

62. Exactly nobody said, ever

that Democrats can't ask representatives about saving the planet or anything else. And unless these kids were arrested, their free speech was absolutely respected. (Please google free speech to see what it means.) Not one but TWO strawmen.

There were issues with the Feinstein video; mainly it was edited to show what they wanted to show. It's not "divisive" to call them out on a deliberately dishonest video.

[mcar]

63. The issue is the deceptive editing of the video

Not constituents petitioning the government.

[LiberalLovinLug]

39. They chose to work from within the Democratic party because its the only real choice

In a two party system. Not only would working as a third party never even get you airtime on the MSM, but you'd be the sworn enemy of all in the traditional Democratic party.....even though you share most of the same ideals with a lot of them.

"Justice Democrats"? OMG the horror!

From their web site

https://www.justicedemocrats.com/about/

Our mission is to elect a new type of Democratic majority in Congress, one which will create a thriving economy and democracy that works for the people, not big money interests.

It just so fringey cringey amiright?

[Me.]

51. So Working Within The Party

includes bashing, trying to discredit and to tear it down?

[lapucelle]

77. Justice Democrats is a PAC. It's not working within the Party. N/T

[Cha]

79. No kidding.. I'm so sick of this gaslit shit.

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

[Me.]

83. Wow

That Waleed guy needs to be watched, a real flamethrower.

Good find Miss Cha!

[Cha]

89. He's a FACE of justice democrats..

the one who thought it was a good idea to edit the DiFi vid, as we know. his shite can't be called out enough.. so Thank You, Me!

Link to tweet

[lapucelle]

97. Waleed Rashid got called out on a vile tweet about Kamala Harris which he later deleted.

[Eliot Rosewater]

103. JD is very bad news, the LAST thing they want is a Democrat in the WH.

Yet, many will just not get it.

[littlemissmartypants]

154. +1000 nt

[littlemissmartypants]

152. Great catch! nt

[George II]

128. More from their website:

Once Justice Democrats take power, we plan to implement electoral reform like ranked choice voting so THIRD PARTIES can have more power in our democracy. (caps mine)

So much for being or supporting Democrats.

[George II]

109. They're closely aligned with Brand New Congress (indeed, shared offices for a short time....

...and share finances) who has endorsed independent and republican candidates who were running against Democrats, specifically:

Robb Ryerse (republican) for Arkansas' 3rd Congressional District
Marc Whitmire (independent) for Tennessee's 2nd Congressional District

"In March 2017, Brand New Congress announced that it had teamed up with Justice Democrats to further its goals."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brand_New_Congress

Here's an interesting article about Justice Democrats and Brand New Congress, and Cenk Uygur before he was forced to resign from JD.

https://mic.com/articles/166390/cenk-ugyur-bernie-sanders-staffers-team-up-to-take-over-the-democratic-party#.PZjHIuHbg

[Me.]

148. Such Interesting Info

[George II]

155. Years ago one of my best friends was Dean of Students at University of Tennessee, Knoxville....

....she never told me about their course, Ratf***ing 101.

[betsuni]

161. I'd like to know why they think Democrats (regular Democrats) do not want campaign finance reform,

financial institution regulations, higher taxes on corporations and 1%, universal health care and education.

[George II]

162. Sounds like Elizabeth Warren's positions on those issues, and she's actually done something....

....to forward those positions.

[betsuni]

163. They say that only policy is important but obviously it isn't.

It's like advertising. Justice Democrats are selling themselves as having a revolutionary new formula, guaranteed to transform your life! Don't wait, call now and receive free shipping and a free JD mug!

Instant gratification.

[George II]

164. Thankfully they've only been successful with 9% of their primary endorsements.....

...."establishment" Democrats won most of those races.

If only they could realize that they'd be more successful working with Democrats instead of fighting them.

[betsuni]

166. So their theory that the last Democratic presidential candidate lost because

she was corporate and that when The People are presented with JD candidates they will flock to the polls is incorrect. So is their idea that only a JD candidate can beat Trump because The People will flock.

[NurseJackie]

124. It's insulting.

[mcar]

2. K&R

[still_one]

4. +++++++++++++++++++ 2016 redux

[hedda_foil]

5. Bashing other groups in the Democratic coalition is against DU rules.

Russians and others are already hard at work distributing talking points to divide the Democrats ahead of 2020. This type of attack, whether against Justice Democrats or Corporate Democrats, Bernie Sanders or Amy Klobuchar has no place here.

Thank you,

Hedda

[Me.]

8. Are They Part Of The Democratic Coalition?

They don't say they are and then, why do they keep bashing Dems?

[Tiggeroshii]

45. Justice Democrats are part of the democratic coalition in congress

so quite literally they are.

[George II]

104. No they're not. There are Democrats, republicans, and independents.

[littlemissmartypants]

158. Please, no! nt

[NurseJackie]

10. LOL!

Bashing other groups in the Democratic coalition is against DU rules.

No they're not. They're nothing of the sort. They hate the Democratic party. Their entire Sarandonesque philosophy is "destroy to rebuild" and I'm sick of it.

Which rule? Must be a new one.

[Cha]

18. A made up rule on the spot?

[NurseJackie]

21. Some may call it bluffing or wishful thinking. Others may...

Some may call it bluffing or wishful thinking. Others may view it as bullying and intimidation to cite non-existent rules and regs. I'm just saying that people should avoid saying misleading things or just making things up on the spot. In the end, when the truth is revealed, what remains is distrust, suspicion and division. What good purpose does that serve?

[George II]

114. They collaborate with Brand New Congress, who endorsed republicans and independents...

...who ran against Democrats in the November general election.

[Eko]

11. From their site.

"Once Justice Democrats take power, we plan to implement electoral reform like ranked choice voting so third parties can have more power in our democracy." https://www.justicedemocrats.com/about

[Me.]

12. So...They Consider Themselves 3rd Party?

yet have co-opted the term Democrat. Once they take power...it would be hilarious if it wasn't scary as they strike me as the type to burn the house down to achieve what they want. And, this is just MHO, but I would worry about any member of Congress who is actively associated with this group.

EKO

[Eko]

23. Not sure, we could infer from that they are or want to be.

What is certain is that they are advocating for third parties which makes them not on our side or even able to post here. That doesn't make them automatically bad like the GOP but they have an agenda to weaken our party. IMHO, I worry about anyone who says negative broad brush statements about our party. There is a way to put ideas out there without bashing the party such as "I think it would be better for us to move away from corporate donations and more towards individual donations" (even though that is mostly bull, corps cant donate to a party) than to say "Corporate Democrats".
Thanks Me!

[ChimpersMcSmirkers]

137. Yep.

The good news is that they were a huge failure in 2018. 10% of their candidates won.

[Me.]

150. The Problem

Is if they get a bigger share

[Cha]

16. Mahalo for that, Eko!

[Eko]

24. Thanks!

[MustLoveBeagles]

40. Thank you Eko

[George II]

106. Hmmm, so they're advocating support for:

"independent/third-party "spoiler" candidates"?

[sheshe2]

127. Bingo!

[George II]

130. So are those "third parties" also part of the Democratic Coalition?

[Cha]

14. Nah.. you got that WRONG.. but

Thanks for Kicking the Reality BASED OP.

[Me.]

17. ...

[Cha]

32. Unreal, Me!

As IF we don't have enough to deal with.

How about we STICK to REALITY!?

Link to tweet

They need to be called out at every point.

Mahalo, Me

[PatSeg]

56. Or maybe they know how the political process works

and they are undermining it.

This all sounds so divisive and so familiar after 2016.

[Me.]

85. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[littlemissmartypants]

151. +1000 nt

[lapucelle]

96. Justice Democrats is a PAC. It's not a coalition within the Party.

It contributes to Change Campaign Super PAC.

https://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/pac2pac.php?cycle=2018&cmte=C00630665

Several disbursements went to challengers in Democrat primaries.

https://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/pacgot.php?cycle=2018&cmte=C00630665

Close to 40% of the money it raises goes to salary.

https://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/expenditures.php?cycle=2018&cmte=C00630665

Republican billionaire Buddy Roemer's business partner was a founder of Justice Democrats, but left the organization after allegations of past sexual impropriety went public.

I like your screen name. Do you ever use the smilie?

[sheshe2]

159. Would you look at those salaries.

That is a huge chunk of change.

More donuts, please.

[lapucelle]

169. ,,,

[George II]

99. When did Justice Democrats become part of the "Democratic Coalition"? I think I missed that....

....plus, what exactly are "Corporate Democrats", I guess I missed that, too.

[lapucelle]

134. It's a PAC.

Home / Influence & Lobbying / PACs / Justice Democrats / Expenditures

https://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/expenditures.php?cycle=2018&cmte=C00630665

[George II]

136. It certainly is. Look at the addresses on these FEC documents:

http://docquery.fec.gov/cgi-bin/forms/C00630665/1195264/

http://docquery.fec.gov/cgi-bin/forms/C00613810/1161766/

http://docquery.fec.gov/cgi-bin/forms/H8NY15148/1172479/

[lapucelle]

138. Bookmarking...

Brand New Congress recruits Republican candidates to run against Democrats.

[George II]

140. Interesting, thanks.

[lapucelle]

143. ...

The site was scrubbed and the archive was messed with. I'm glad I have screenshots.

[littlemissmartypants]

157. Good work! nt

[Me.]

153. That

is a shame, working to elect the party of Individual 1.

[shanny]

141. Thank you.

[brush]

6. Yep, all the evilness the repug party represents and they target Dems.

Whose side are they on?

[SidDithers]

9. Fuckin' A...

Sid

[littlemissmartypants]

13. Yep, like the Tea Party but with Kombucha. nt

[Me.]

15. ...

[littlemissmartypants]

20. Hey!

Last edited Sun Feb 24, 2019, 11:55 PM - Edit history (1)

How are you doing? This is an excellent OP, BTW!

[CrossingTheRubicon]

142. Green Tea

[littlemissmartypants]

145. Ha!

Not Sam Adams?

I'm thinking perverted, hipsters drunk on power, posing as patriots.

[WordsMatter]

19. I am late to this bit of news - where is the edited video in question?

I know the entire DiFi video with the children is available but what about the edited version?

Anybody have a link?

[MustLoveBeagles]

34. It was posted to General Discussion yesterday

To be fair to Lotusflower70 she posted this to promote discussion and she later posted the unedited version in another thread. What I don't like is that Sunrise released a deceptive video to purposely make Diane Feinstein look bad. If you have to resort to trickery your arguments aren't very good.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100211854688

I couldn't play the link in the original post so I looked for and found the clip on YouTube. I've also posted the unedited version.

Edited Version

Unedited Version

Edited for clarity and to add this: I hate they used these kids in this manner. They didn't know any better but the adults sure as hell did.

[WordsMatter]

42. Thanks. I actually had to go to the Washington Times who had the edited video.

I could not find it on any legitimate news site and finally just went to the WTimes.

Yes it was edited but the content was factually correct and the

I am not a fan of DIFi. She behaved rather rudely but she finally realized she was talking to children.

I think people are just taking sides on which Green New Deal they want.

[George II]

117. It was "factually correct" but it was incomplete. Whole segments, which would have put Feinstein's..

....comments in context, were deleted. The entire video is 15 minutes, the doctored video only 2 minutes.

The only reason it was "factually incorrect" is that what was posted were excerpts of a much longer video.

Kind of like this, where I say:

"I think Hillary Clinton is great and Donald trump is an asshole."

The short version of that statement:

"I think Hillary Clinton is...........an asshole."

See how that works? The second statement is "factually correct" but is only part of the entire statement, making my statement look very negative.

[WordsMatter]

121. I see it as seeing NFL game highlights vs watching the entire game...

See how it works!

[George II]

123. Nope, NFL game highlights show HIGHLIGHTS, this video didn't. See how it works?

[lapucelle]

135. It is not like watching the entire game!

I see it as seeing NFL game highlights vs watching the entire game...

I see it as s̶e̶e̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶N̶F̶L̶ ̶g̶a̶m̶e̶ ̶h̶i̶g̶h̶l̶i̶g̶h̶t̶s̶ ̶v̶s̶ watching the entire game...

I see it as watching the entire game.

[MustLoveBeagles]

132. Your welcome

I like Diane Feinstein but I wouldn't call myself a fan. It just bugs me that they only released the most damaging portion of the exchange. It smacks of dishonesty. I agree that we need to address Climate Change and pass effective legislation. I just disagree with their methods. I think it's counterproductive.

[KPN]

168. Thanks for posting this. Bookmarking to watch

full version later.

[rgbecker]

22. Evil, I tell you, Pure evil.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justice_Democrats

In addition, their platform encourages many progressive priorities, such as:[5]

Creating a new infrastructure program called the "Green New Deal"
Discontinuing arms sales to countries that violate human rights such as Saudi Arabia and Egypt
Enacting a federal jobs guarantee, which would promise all Americans a job paying $15 per hour plus benefits
Ending the death penalty
Ending the practice of unilaterally waging war, except as a last resort to defend U.S. territory
Ending the War on Drugs in favor of legalization, regulation, and taxation of drugs, and pardoning all non-violent drug offenders and treating all drug addicts
Ensuring free speech on college campuses and supporting net neutrality
Ensuring universal education as a right, including free public college and university education
Ensuring universal healthcare as a right
Establishing paid maternity leave, paid vacation leave, and free childcare
Expanding anti-discrimination laws to apply to homosexual and transgender people
Expanding background checks on firearms and banning high capacity magazines and assault weapons
Funding Planned Parenthood and other contraceptive and abortion services, and recognizing reproductive rights
Implementing electoral reform and publicly financed elections nationwide to make irrelevant and obsolete fundraising from large corporations and the wealthy
Implementing instant-runoff voting nationwide in an effort to make third-party and independent candidates more viable
Implementing the Buffett Rule, ending offshore financial centers, "chain[ing]" the capital gains and income taxes, and increasing the estate tax
Making the minimum wage a living wage and tying it to inflation
Pardoning Edward Snowden, prosecuting CIA torturers and DoD war criminals, shutting down the Guantanamo Bay detention camp and all other extrajudicial prisons, and ending warrantless spying and bulk data collection by the National Security Agency
Passing the Paycheck Fairness Act
Abolishing the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE)
Reforming police by mandating body cameras, establishing community oversight boards, eliminating broken windows policing, ending stop and frisk, and appointing special prosecutors to hold police accountable in courts
Renegotiating other free trade deals CAFTA-DR, and NAFTA and opposing the Permanent Normal Trade Relations with China and the World Trade Organization
Stopping any reductions to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, and establishing single-payer universal healthcare
Stopping anthropogenic climate change through an ecological revolution and upholding the United States' participation in the Paris Climate Agreement
Uncompromisingly rejecting President Trump's immigration proposals and policies, particularly the Executive Order 13769 and deportation of illegal immigrants, and implementing comprehensive immigration reform which will give non-criminal illegal immigrants a path to citizenship


They've got to be stopped completely and immediately. Will ruin the Party if they are allowed to support any more candidates.

[Eko]

25. See post 11.

Thanks.

[LiberalLovinLug]

33. Democrats against Democracy - The irony, it hurts

Maybe its just that Americans have had a two party system for so long, with the two parties colluding sometimes in order to keep it that way, that most can't even comprehend other parties having a greater ability to compete. But its a very odd outlook coming from someone outside your country. Most western style democratic states have more than two parties. That is what a flourishing and open democracy looks like.

A type of Proportional Representation, as opposed to the electoral college, would ensure that the same percent of people that voted for a party, would get that same representation in the legislature. (Hillary with 3 million more votes would have taken it) It would also eliminate jerrymandering type results. The beauty is that a third pary, or fouth party, can't give the Republicans, for instance, a win by default. If say, 10% vote Green, and 10% vote Libertarian, they'd each have 10% of the elected officials representing them.

Then, yes, Democrats might have to negotiate with Greens to write and pass bills. Welcome to the rest of the world. The key benifit would not be to Democrats per say, but to progressives in general. The alternative might be that those votes, in a first-past-the-post system would have gone to a Republican instead.

As the system stands now, Greens, or any third party becomes the enemy. But a PR system would eliminate that threat. They would turn into an ally party.

The other added benefit is that more people would be encouraged to actually vote, if they knew that their vote counted. ie...if a Red State always goes R because of first-past-the-post before, but now if 40% of the state votes D, then that State receives 40% of D representation, instead of zero. And if a Greenie or two also slip in? Great! its good to have new ideas from outside box.

[rgbecker]

41. Sounds too Democratic, OMG!

Thanks for spelling it out so clearly.

[Eko]

43. What?

Democrats are not against Democracy at all. If you are against ranked choice voting that doesn't mean you are against Democracy, what a odd notion. If you are against people joining the party to make other parties stronger you are not against Democracy, or are you advocating for third parties? Were you not here for the 2016 election? There was Trump a Republican on the ticket, Clinton a Democrat, Johnson a Libertarian and Stein for the Green party. What are you talking about?

[LiberalLovinLug]

58. Ranked choice, is only a part of, sometimes, a Proportional Representation system of voting

There are many different varieties and combinations.

But the end game is exactly that.....a more Democratic system for deciding representatives. Maybe you need to do some research.

And because Americans are, issue by issue, actually more liberal than conservative, it would result in a majority for progressives, even if they be Democrats together with Greens. So, in theory, it would be the end of the Republican party....unless they came back down to earth and sounded more moderate. Which that in itself would be a blessing.

The 2016 election was precisely a good example of why PR would have been better for Democrats. Hillary would have been deemed the winner. The popular vote is what counts.

But there'd have to be a whole cognitive switch for people to regard another progressive party as an ally to negotiate with rather than an enemy. Americans just have no experience with that. It is such a waste of energy to be fighting with Jill Stein and the Greens. The Green party has international roots, and been a part of government in other countries for decades. They lean heavily towards environmental issues, but also agree with most everything Democrats do, at least the new young progressive Ds. It is so odd and disconcerting to watch Ds and Gs fight so much against each other when, if compared to Republicans, they are one the same freakin side! But in the present system, they must be enemies, that is how it is set up.

Anyways, PR would be a long ways coming. It is the most democratic representation system, but I don't see any politician championing it right now.

[Eko]

67. So?,,,,

"Democrats against Democracy", "There are many different varieties and combinations. ". Maybe you need to read your title.

[George II]

144. I saw this great site the other day, it's called Green Underground!

[workinclasszero]

27. OMG!!!!

Thank you so much for alerting me to the dangers of this group of sold out democrats for the people!

Where do I sign up?

[samnsara]

28. i do like a lot of these ideas..i just dont want to be forced to agree with anyone

..some ideas there are really bad tho..

[rgbecker]

31. Only SOME of the ideas are really bad? Have you read that list carefully?

You are looking at the end of the Democratic Party as we know it.

[samnsara]

30. lets ignore them and they will go away.......i didnt recognize any of the names of the founders..

[littlemissmartypants]

160. Does it really matter who the founders are if they can make bank?

To include mystery foreign donors?

[peggysue2]

26. Yup!

Think we're looking at the Tea Party of the Left with a big dose of narcissism and arrogance: Look at us, Look at us. We're the only ones who can bring the truth, a new morality.

If Dems don't win in 2020, we should all remember these early salvos. Because then the shouts and stunts to ambush senior Democratic Leaders will look a whole lot different. And all that truth and morality? That will get flushed straight down the Trumpster toilet. Along with the remaining Republic.

[happybird]

70. +1

[Me.]

86. I Agree With Your +1

[Cha]

78. Walheed Shahid.. commuications director for justice democrats..

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

Thanks, Peggysue

[wasupaloopa]

29. I read their platform and I am pretty sure most

Last edited Sun Feb 24, 2019, 08:11 PM - Edit history (1)

of us would agree to it.

How they are going about it is not something I can agree with.

[Horizens]

44. Theirs is a Policy From the Vietnam War

It's the "burn down a village in order to save it" policy.

[George II]

35. And they did the same thing to Frank Pallone yesterday, too. Where does it end?

Pathetic that seemingly "progressive" groups are going after DEMOCRATS instead of republicans. Remember, they are also targeting Henry Cuellar in Texas because he's not "progressive enough" for them, even though he's got a perfect record in this Congress of voting with the Democratic majority, unlike one of their close associates who has voted against the Democratic majority more than any other Democratic representative.

Sometimes I think they're doing the work of the right wing.

[pdsimdars]

37. Why are you trying to divide Democrats? What YOU are doing is calling Democrat against Democrat.

[melman]

52. +1

[Me.]

54. Nonsense

[pdsimdars]

65. You saying Justice Democrats are worse that Russians and you don't think that is divisive?

Are you sure you aren't a Russian bot trying to create divisions?
I like all the Democrats and want them to win. Dividing them out is exactly what the Russians want.
That is what SENSE sounds like.

[Cha]

68. What The HELL.. Accusing a good standiing

member of DU of being a "Russian Bot"? How dare you.

[Eliot Rosewater]

105. This is gonna get way worse. We have seen this shit before.

[ripcord]

80. I'm saying flat out

The Justice Democrats strategy is going to cost us to lose seats, maybe it is time to target their supporters in Congress.

[pdsimdars]

84. And that's called targetting fellow democrats. Playing into Russia's hands. Good job.

[ripcord]

90. So it is OK for the Justice Democrats to target democrats

But it is wrong for real democrats to target the Justice Democrats??

[lapucelle]

126. Justice Democrats is a PAC. N/T

Home / Influence & Lobbying / PACs / Justice Democrats / Expenditures

https://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/expenditures.php?cycle=2018&cmte=C00630665

[Me.]

88. I Don't Think I Used The Word Worse

Further, the Russians gave us much dis-info in order to influence our elections and discredit the reals Dems and the Justice Dems are doing the same.

[George II]

115. You're calling a long-time DUer a "Russian bot trying to create divisions"? REALLY?

[Cha]

147. ...

[PatrickforO]

38. Hmm. Well, I had to check myself, so

I went into twitter and found Justice Democrats, and the Sunrise Movement. I watched the video with Senator Feinstein. The video was not doctored. It was 2 minutes long because that was all Twitter allows to be posted.

Now, the primary funders of the Sunrise Movement are: Wallace Global Fund, which was instrumental in the fossil fuel divestment campaign, as do the Rockefeller Family Fund (one of the smaller foundations associated with the oil family), and the Winslow Foundation, run by Wren Winslow Wirth, who is married to former politician Tim Wirth. Institutional funders made up about 55 percent of its 2018 budget, with 35 percent coming from individual donors, and the rest from nonprofit partners.

As to the Rockefeller Family Fund, its MISSION STATEMENT: Rockefeller Family Fund is a U.S.-based, family-led public charity that initiates, cultivates, and funds strategic efforts to promote a sustainable, just, free, and participatory society. Martha, John, Laurance, Nelson, and David Rockefeller created the Rockefeller Family Fund (RFF) in 1967. Since then, RFF has worked at the cutting edge of advocacy in such areas as environmental protection, advancing the economic rights of women, and helping citizens hold public and private institutions accountable for their actions. RFF is known for its creative grantmaking, its role as a catalyst in the nonprofit as well as the funding communities, and its record of public policy innovation.

Now, here's my take on that video of Feinstein. She came across as being pretty condescending. Those kids aren't going away, and my children and grandchildren need the Green New Deal NOW.

NOW.

I don't care if it is politically awkward. Not at all. This is an existential thing where our species, loathsome as we are, is running at breakneck speed toward a cliff. We only have one earth and this is it. We are fouling it so badly RIGHT NOW that we risk it becoming virtually uninhabitable for our grandchildren and their children just for the sake of the short-term profits of a bunch of oil companies.

Did Feinstein look bad? You bet. Should she be embarrassed about her performance in front of these kids? You bet. Should she change her tune and get a little bit more vigorous in SAVING OUR SPECIES from having to breathe through masks in fifteen years? You bet.

As to damaging the Democratic party....HOW? How does speaking truth to power ever do damage.

No, I'm going to disagree vigorously with you. We need that Green New Deal right now. AOC is right. Sunrise is right. Those kids are right. Feinstein is wrong. To my mind, calling her on the carpet for being wrong in this case does absolutely NO damage to the Democratic Party and in fact makes it stronger.

[rgbecker]

47. Very strong response, Patrick!

Note that there have been posts showing that the 2 minute limit may not be a thing and that Feinstein looks better in the full video version.

That said, you are so right that we should not be afraid of a debate within the party about how to achieve the results we a looking for or even to debate what those results are. If a Senator can't weather an visit with a bunch of radical kids we are really in trouble. I'm amazed that so many feel they need to defend Feinstein as she seems to be able to handle it herself.

[PatrickforO]

64. An update: I found the whole 8 minute thing on Twitter and listened

to each segment in succession. Sen. Feinstein looks a bit better but frankly I think we're going to have to keep pressuring all of our elected officials to have the proper sense of urgency around mitigating global warming.

If we don't, the earth our grandchildren's children inherit will not be nearly as nice as the one we enjoy today.

As MLK said from the Birmingham Jail, too often 'later' means 'never' and justice delayed is justice denied.

Thanks for the support, because even if we might disagree, we really ought to continue debate.

[Eko]

49. Feinstein never said we dont need the Green New Deal right now.

She said there is no way for it to pass due to the republicans controlling the senate. Big difference.

[PatrickforO]

66. I know it is.

But, this is nothing more than a 'sense of the congress' resolution. It is nonbinding and if Senator Feinstein voted 'aye' it wouldn't hurt her, and it would not obligate her in future votes. The whole purpose of it is merely to elevate the dialog, which is something that has desperately needed to be done.

And, you know, I think people are getting really sick of voting people into office who tell us what we want to hear and then keep waiting for things to happen. And that isn't a criticism of Diane Feinstein, it is a criticism mostly of the Republican obstructionists. But, bottom line, we are going to have to take vigorous action, and the longer we wait the more vigorous, and expensive, that action will have to be.

[Eko]

69. Maybe she feels the one she is pushing for

that she feels could pass in congress is the one that needs the elevated dialogue.

[ripcord]

46. Since so many disagree with them

Maybe it is time to identify and target their members, I hate the idea of dividing the party but letting them get away with their tactics may be worse in the long run.

[Cha]

48. I agree..

Link to tweet

[Hortensis]

53. Sadly, Me, I'm pretty sure we get both as a package.

Putin used Sanders big time to elect Trump. The Mueller investigation proved and reported that. And the people heading these Siamese twin dissident groups, Justice Democrats and All New (as in purge the Democrats we elected) Democrats were working for and with Sanders in 2015-16, KNOWING that Russia was using them and Trump to defeat Democrats.

They seem to have no shame, no compunction, no regret as they continue toward 2020. Of course, they will again be used in an attempt to defeat Democrats. It's up to us to make sure they don't succeed again.

I don't understand people who would support candidates Russia and our own new kleptocracy does. They seem to refuse to understand. Our enemies aren't stupid. They expect big returns on their big investments. Again.

[Me.]

55. Sadly, True

and not defensible at all.

[DSV]

57. Could you explain why this is in the Primaries forum? What does it have to do with the primaries?

Thanks.

[CrossingTheRubicon]

74. It is part of an effort by outside groups who are hostile to the Democratic Party to interfere...

in our primary.

Certainly, you are aware?

[DSV]

102. Given the fact that six Democratic members of Congress identify as Justice Democrats, it seems

strange to claim they are an "outside group". I would say that if their members hold elective office as part of the Democratic Party, they are part of the Party's broad coalition. Moreover, the OP makes no mention of this supposed interference, just of an unspecified edited video. If the OP is referring to the video regarding DiFi, that has nothing to do with the primaries.

[Me.]

82. Really?

You need to ask?

[IluvPitties]

59. The division campaign will be fierce.

[Gothmog]

61. Cenk is one of the founders of this group

I really dislike this group

[CrossingTheRubicon]

71. Didn't he need to step back from being the public face due to disturbing racist and sexist writings?

This group seems rotten to the core.

[sheshe2]

75. Yes.

[Gothmog]

133. This group is going after members of the CBC like Hakeem Jeffries

Link to tweet

[betsuni]

72. K&R

[sheshe2]

73. K&R

[Cha]

76. Waleed Shahid.. spokesperson for justice democrats..

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

[Cha]

91. WTF.. It's very much ON Topic!

[pdsimdars]

87. I really don't know why they don't close this down. You have targetted Democrats

AND called them names by saying they are worse than Russians. How is that not against their rules here? I alerted and yet, this thread attacking Democrats is still up. How is that?
Is it only bad if you attacking the wrong Democrats and if you attack the "other kind" of Democrats, well, that's not really attacking Democrats? Is that it?

[Me.]

92. I Did Not Say They Were Worse

so get your facts straight. And if anyone is breaking forum rules, I wonder if it is you.

[Cha]

146. That is AbSOFreaKingLutely CORRECT, Me! No Doubt

[Cha]

94. And, in another post you accused the OP of being a "russian bot"

I think the OP is exponentially more on target than your insulting post.

Waleed Shahid is the communications director for justice democracts. he's working against our Democratic Party..

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

justice democrats target Democrats.. We can call out their shite anytime we want.

[Me.]

95. Wow Again

You really have the info....

[Cha]

101. I'm pissed! Whining about calling out justice democrats

when they are targeting our Democratic Party.

Link to tweet

to you, Me

[Eliot Rosewater]

107. I sure hope we can safely call them out here. If not here, where.

but I have my doubts

sigh

[Me.]

118. Maybe We Can

[dalton99a]

129. +1. The purity fanaticism of Waleed Shahid and Justice Democrats.

Nothing but blatant lies and distortions. The question is why? And ultimately, for whom?

[Cha]

131. Former staffer of BS and then

there's nina turner

[Eko]

139. Yeah!!!

Only Justice Democrats can target other Democrats!!! How dare you guys and girls!!!

[Cha]

149. +Millions!!

[KayF]

93. they improved the Democratic party

by helping AOC get elected, and helping Joe Crowley move on to his true calling, selling Trump's trade deal.

[Cha]

98. No, they didn't.. Many other Dems Won in the Blue Wave..

Across our country who actually flipped red seats to Blue so we DO have a Democratic Majority in the HOUSE.

Waleed Shahid is the communications director for justice democracts. he's working against our Democratic Party..

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

justice democrats target Democrats.. We can call out their shite anytime we want.

[melman]

100. Hey that sure is a whole bunch of tweets there

That's fantastic.

[George II]

110. Your point?

[Cha]

112. lol.. That's the point.. there is no point.

[George II]

113. Their sister group, Brand New Congress, has endorsed republicans and independents...

...who were running against Democrats in Congressional General Elections.

Nice research, Cha!

[Cha]

116. Mahalo, George!

More "former staffers of BS" tells me all I need to know. nina turner anyone?

[George II]

111. "Helping Joe Crowley move on to his true calling, selling Trump's trade deal."?

And you're complaining about dividing Democrats?

[Me.]

119. Right?

[Scurrilous]

108. ...

[aikoaiko]

120. All this because of a truncated and excerpted video?

The party is not that fragile.

[George II]

122. In a perfect world, you're correct. But the republicans and Fox News are running....

....the excerpted version to show how mean and rotten Senator Feinstein is, which we all know is far from the truth.

[shanny]

156. Hmmm.

Do we really need to see Enemy Action! everywhere?

[littlemissmartypants]

165. Kicked and recommended. nt

[Me.]

167. Thank You

[brer cat]

170. Good post, Me.

K&R

[GP6971]

171. Locking

This is off topic for this forum. Please feel free to post in GD.