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Divernan

Divernan's Journal
Divernan's Journal
September 29, 2015

Bernie Sanders Is Coming to Boston - 14,000+ expected (so far)

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/2015/09/24/bernie-sanders-coming-boston/bfVykgjiiFPHt76bo6tHOP/story.html
Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders is scheduled to spend the day in Massachusetts on Saturday, Oct. 3, according to his campaign website. Sanders’ swing through the Bay State begins in Springfield with a 2 p.m. rally on the steps of Springfield City Hall. Doors open at 1 p.m.

Then the Vermont senator will hold another rally at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center at 6 p.m. to “discuss the major issues facing our country.” Doors open at 5 p.m. It’s the first time Sanders has held a rally in Boston, though supporters did organize a grassroots event at Dewey Square in July. Consistent with Sanders’ environmentalist positions (as well as common sense in this case), the campaign encourages members of the public to carpool or take public transit.

Though he trails Hillary Clinton in national polls by a significant margin, Sanders has drawn the largest crowds of any candidate on the campaign trail, sometimes into the 10,000s and 20,000s.

A WMUR/CNN poll released Thursday evening found Sanders leading in New Hampshire with 46 percent of likely Democratic primary voters, compared to 30 percent for Clinton and 14 percent for Joe Biden, who has not announced his candidacy. It’s the seventh straight poll to show Sanders leading in the state.
September 27, 2015

"Blowback as labor bosses, not members, back Clinton"

"Union leaders are faced with a decision to support a corporate Democrat who isn't terrible but who gets her support from Wall Street versus Sanders, who will really advance our issues," Wilson said.

He said that with Clinton, organized labor's relationship with the White House would be "transactional" — they'll maybe get something in exchange for something else. With Sanders, they won't have to doubt that he'll be on their side on all issues.

Wilson expressed no concerns about whether Sanders, a 73-year-old socialist with little exposure on the national stage prior to this year, could win in a general election.

"A few people might be put off by the word 'socialist' but once you describe it, it is what people want. People want things like universal healthcare," he said. "Bernie is quite viable in the general election. The primary is his biggest hurdle."


http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/labor-leaders-clinton-support-risks-blowback/article/2572711
September 26, 2015

Bill goes passive-agressive on Hil: "Amazed she's borne up under it."

This CNN article has quotes from a CNN interview with Bill Clinton, to be aired on Sunday. The line which jumped out at me was: "I actually am amazed that she's borne up under it as well as she has." Now obviously, Bill knows the real Hill - better than anyone else. He saw what she had to handle/bear up under during all his extramarital flings and the concommitant humiliating publicity, during his impeachment proceedings and in her 2008 campaign. Why is he "amazed" that she's bearing up this time around?

Bill is nothing if not a wordsmith: "It depends on what the meaning of 'is' is." So "amaze" is a very telling choice:

AMAZE: verb 1. surprise (someone) greatly; fill with astonishment "he was amazed at how modern everything was" synonyms: astonish, astound, surprise, stun, stagger


And even if he is "amazed", why would he state that publicly? That's where the passive-aggressive action comes in. Damning by faint praise.

http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/25/politics/bill-clinton-fareed-zakaria-donald-trump-interview/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

"I think that there are lots of people who wanted there to be a race for different reasons. And they thought the only way they could make it a race was a full-scale frontal assault on her. And so this email thing became the biggest story in the world," Clinton said to CNN's Fareed Zakaria in an interview that will air Sunday on "Fareed Zakaria GPS."

"I actually am amazed that she's borne up under it as well as she has. But I have never seen so much expended on so little. ... I trust the people. I think it will be all right. But it's obvious what happened," Clinton added.

The 42nd president said "we're seeing history repeat itself," citing the Whitewater scandal of the 1990s. He also said media coverage of his wife shifted from issues to politics by "people who want a race."

But, he added, "this is a contact sport. They're not giving the job away."


Perhaps the interviewer will pin Bill down on some of these excerpts, which sound awfully argle-bargle to me. Who are the "lots of people" and what exactly are the "different reasons"? Who is/are the "they" who are not giving the job away?
September 24, 2015

Kane ready to drop a porn bomb on PA judges, state police & more

I think worse than the porn are the many racist and sexist comments included within the porn emails. Those few emails released earlier had names of senders and recipients redacted. Not this time, baby! She's really ripping the curtain back on what these guys really think of women and minorities. All names will be revealed. And thanks to Rachel, the nation is watching.

The Rachel Maddow Show 9/23/15
'There will be more porn': Pennsylvania scandal about to turn explicit.

http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/there-will-be-more-porn--scandals-new-turn-531242051822

The state supreme court exceeded its powers and was without precedent in its action to strip an elected official, whose office requires a law license, of said license without due process of a trial and giving her the opportunity to present a defense. I don't know how the trial on charges filed against her may turn out, BECAUSE I HAVEN'T HEARD ANY EVIDENCE, and neither have these supreme court justices! Give her her day in court, i.e., a trial, with full rights of appeal.

So I say, you go girl! to Attorney General Kane - and shine the harsh light of day on these government employees and elected officials who used state paid-for computers to spread not only pornography, but racist and sexist opinions.

September 24, 2015

Pittsburgh’s Original Hot Dog Shop To Be Added To UNESCO List Of World Heritage Sites

Move over Onion, there's a new kid on the satire block. Being on the list means the ‘O’ can’t cease selling hot dogs or be otherwise altered, and it will enjoy special legal protections according to the Law of War under the Geneva Convention in case of conflict.

http://www.breakingburgh.com/pittsburghs-original-hot-dog-shop-to-be-added-to-unesco-list-of-world-heritage-sites/

At just 55 years old, the ‘O’, ‘Big O’, or ‘Dirty O’ will be the new kid on the block, joining longstanding World Heritage structures like the Megalithic Temples of Malta (3600 BC), Newgrange in Ireland (3200 BC), and the Egyptian Pyramids at Giza (2630 BC). “Obviously with hot dogs only originating around 1900 it would be unreasonable to expect an eating establishment like the ‘O’ to date back to Babylonian times.”

The shock listing came after UNESCO directors put out a call to cities across the United States to nominate structures of outstanding cultural significance. Pittsburgh’s museum directors and cultural stewards were almost unanimous in recommending the legendry Oakland institution.

“A few went with Primanti’s instead. It’s true its even older, but we were reluctant to list its Strip District location as we felt utter uniqueness is an essential part of the World Heritage ethos, and Primanti’s will soon have 30 restaurants distributed across 5 states. And, no, you can’t add a sandwich to the list – it has to be a place.”

There was also a worry that the ‘O’ wouldn’t be admitted because of its association with late-night fisticuffs. “That’s never been a serious obstacle. Do you really believe the Taj Mahal hasn’t seen its fair share of drunken brawling?”


September 20, 2015

Bernie gets ecstatic cheers; HRC hands out noisemaker sticks;

and the photo at the link shows HRC staffers/supporters with hand held bullhorn/megaphone amplifiers/loudspeakers.

Hey, Hillary don't need no ecstatic real world cheers from thousands and thousands of unpaid supporters! She can buy a dozen bullhorns and megaphones to electronically enhance faux support. Works so well when only a few hundred show up at one of her "rallies".

Oh, those Clintons! They just get slicker with every passing year!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-40w-Handheld-Megaphone-Loud-Speaker-Bull-Horn-Crowd-Control-Event-Sound-Mic-/150971139245?hash=item232694c4ad

The noisemaker sticks are in the category of inflatable toys - wonder if Bill came up with that suggestion?

http://www.spiritline.com/spirit-supplies/school-spirit-gear/sports-noisemakers/spirit-sticks/49952?utm_campaign=School%20Spirit&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=noisemaker%20sticks&StumpsTrackID=SLPERPS,slps&utm_campaign=School%20Spirit&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=noisemaker%20sticks&StumpsTrackID=SLPERPS,slps

It was Mr. Sanders, speaking after Mrs. Clinton at the state party’s annual convention here, who received more ecstatic cheers from the crowd, as he denounced big banks, trade deals, tax breaks for the wealthy and “super PACs” like the one supporting Mrs. Clinton’s candidacy.

“Well, it certainly sounds like some people are ready for a political revolution,” Mr. Sanders said to shouts of “We love you, Bernie!”

While Mrs. Clinton received an enthusiastic reception, with people beating inflatable noisemaker sticks that her well-financed campaign passed out, the ovation for Mr. Sanders was striking because he is not a party member (he is a democratic socialist) and has far fewer endorsements than Mrs. Clinton from members of the state political apparatus. The convention drew about 1,000 delegates, many of them traditional politicians and elected officials not unlike Mrs. Clinton, and 3,000 other participants, many of them longtime avowed liberals like Mr. Sanders.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/20/us/politics/hillary-clinton-and-bernie-sanders-in-own-ways-show-pull-at-new-hampshire-convention.html?_r=0

September 20, 2015

At 74, Bernie has a better health history than HRC

Everyone ages at different rates - and life expectancy depends on specifically identifiable factors such as weight. If Axelrod wants to throw Bernie's age out there, then HRC's health history, including her weight is fair game. I'm about HRC's age, and have struggled with my weight - and my family doc has consistently advised me of the impact of obesity on health and longevity. I take this issue seriously and have managed over the past 3 years to gradually lose 40 pounds.

Here's what the CDC has to say about it:
http://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/effects/index.html

The Health Effects of Overweight and Obesity
People who are obese, compared to those with a normal or healthy weight, are at increased risk for many serious diseases and health conditions, including the following:

All-causes of death (mortality)
High blood pressure (Hypertension)
High LDL cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol, or high levels of triglycerides (Dyslipidemia)
Type 2 diabetes
Coronary heart disease
Stroke
Gallbladder disease
Osteoarthritis (a breakdown of cartilage and bone within a joint)
Sleep apnea and breathing problems
Some cancers (endometrial, breast, colon, kidney, gallbladder, and liver)
Low quality of life
Mental illness such as clinical depression, anxiety, and other mental disorders
Body pain and difficulty with physical functioning



ww.nytimes.com/2013/01/03/us/politics/hillary-clinton-is-discharged-from-hospital-after-blood-clot.html

Hillary Rodham Clinton, whose globe-trotting tour as secretary of state was abruptly halted last month by a series of health problems, was discharged from a New York hospital on Wednesday evening after several days of treatment for a blood clot in a vein in her head.

Mrs. Clinton, 65, was admitted to NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia hospital on Sunday after a scan discovered the blood clot. The scan was part of her follow-up care for a concussion she sustained more than two weeks earlier, when she fainted and fell, striking her head. According to the State Department, the fainting was caused by dehydration, brought on by a stomach virus. The concussion was diagnosed on Dec. 13, though the fall had occurred earlier that week.

The clot was potentially serious, blocking a vein that drains blood from the brain. Untreated, such blockages can lead to brain hemorrhages or strokes. Treatment consists mainly of blood thinners to keep the clot from enlarging and to prevent more clots from forming, and plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration, which is a major risk factor for blood clots.

Dr. Lisa Bardack of Mount Kisco, New York, released a letter stating that Mrs. Clinton has been treated for a brain concussion, blood clots in her legs and brain, thyroid gland deficiencies, and a family history of heart disease.

Hillary Clinton maintains her health by taking a thyroid hormone to stabilize the issue, the anticoagulant drug Coumadin to prevent blood clots, Vitamin B-12, and antihistamine drugs for her allergies.

Read more at http://www.inquisitr.com/2302396/hillary-clintons-health-care-financial-documents-released-prove-she-is-fit-to-serve-as-president-of-the-united-states/#AuhrPKpF6K8OScYJ.99


September 17, 2015

Debbie/Hillary flunked Psych 101/Marketing 101

Look, EVERYBODY'S natural instinct is to rate the debaters in a debate. So EVERYBODY who listens to the GOP debates is ranking them. Once you have selected one brand or new car or debater over another, you will shore up and rationalize your choice by thinking better of that choice. This will then influence how you view the debaters in the second debate, the 3rd debate and so on.

Once a viewer picks a GOP candidate, he/she has some personal investment in thinking well of that choice and becomes less likely to even watch Dems debate.

Classic marketing psychology. It's like deciding to buy a new car. You look at several models & makes, but once you pick one, you become more committed to that choice, emphasizing to yourself & others why you made the best choice, and more open to seeing/exaggerating shortcomings in the makes and models you rejected.

I do believe Wasserman co-ordinated this setup with Clinton, that there is a significant quid pro quo in play, and that it was the stupidest choice Hillary has made since she decided to stay with Bill after the international humiliation and public rejection of her as a wife and woman. Yes, her Iraq war vote was awful; her vote against banning use of cluster bombs as well - a lot of her votes and actions were against my policy preferences. But other politicians voted the same way. But can anyone name a single elected politician who has remained married to a spouse who publicly, serially cheated on them?

September 15, 2015

Charters borrow nearly $500 million on taxpayers' dime

Three Franklin Plaza, a bow-shaped eight-story building at 16th and Vine streets, once hummed with 1,700 GlaxoSmithKline white-collar workers. Today, it is empty more than three months out of the year, a lone security guard watching over the corporate art still hanging in the lobby.

From September to June, a charter school called String Theory occupies half the floors. The school acquired and renovated this premier office tower in 2013 as part of a $55 million tax-exempt bond deal, arranged with help from the city’s biggest economic development agency. It was the largest bond deal of its kind in city history.

It is also the most conspicuous example yet of a risky, expensive, and fast-growing financial scheme underpinning the rapid expansion of Philadelphia charters — a market now worth nearly $500 million. But the bond financing behind the mountain of money gets little scrutiny on whether the debt is a smart use of Pennsylvania’s limited educational dollars.

The lack of transparency can translate into deals that may be unsustainable. Shortly after moving into its flashy high rise, String Theory posted its first operating deficit. After revealing they were $500,000 in the red from paying out millions annually to bondholders, administrators told parents they were cutting certain classes and suspending bus service as cost-saving measures.

http://www.philly.com/philly/education/Philly_Charters_schools_building_boom.html
4

September 14, 2015

HuffPo headline: Bernie Makes It a Race

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/bernie-sanders-surge_55f5fe38e4b077ca094f6d3d

Headline: Bernie Sanders Is Surging. What Happens Next?
Subhead: Leading Clinton in New Hampshire and increasingly in Iowa, Sanders now has to focus on challenging her nationally.

Marina Fang
Associate Politics Editor, The Huffington Post

When he entered the race in May, political observers largely wrote off Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) as a “fringe candidate” for the Democratic presidential nomination. Few thought he would present a serious challenge to front-runner Hillary Clinton.

But Sanders has now surged ahead of Clinton in New Hampshire by an average of more than 10 points. In recent weeks, several polls in Iowa also show him leading Clinton in the Hawkeye State.
While early caucus and primary polls are not always a reliable indicator of the state of the race, it is safe to say that Sanders’ platform of fighting economic inequality is resonating among more and more Democrats and the party’s enthusiasm for Clinton is waning, giving Sanders ample opportunity to paint himself as a foil.

Sanders’ campaign will have to look beyond Iowa and New Hampshire, as he still trails Clinton nationally -- though he is closing the gap, with a CNN/ORC poll released Thursday showing him within 10 points of Clinton.

He does have time on his side. This time in 2007, then-Sen. Barack Obama had yet to engage black voters in his campaign against Clinton, with many expressing skepticism toward his candidacy. It was not until his victory in the Iowa caucuses in early 2008, when it appeared more likely that Obama could defeat Clinton for the nomination, that he was able to galvanize black voters.


To paraphrase the Rolling Stones song, "Time is on his side, yes it is!"

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