I wanted very much to reschedule my PT yesterday to go see Bernie here in Portland. I did not do so, because rain was forecast, the waiting line was hours long, and I was unwilling to risk exposing either me or my electric wheelchair to a prolonged soaking. However, I have complete video of his speech here. I did, however, have my first substantive disagreement with Bernie about anything at all.
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders brought his message of economic populism to the Moda Center Friday afternoon, where a crowd of about 11,500 supporters [full venue] enthusiastically cheered policy pronouncements most had probably heard before.
The event comes one day before Washington’s caucuses, where Sanders and his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton, are locked in a close race.
If Sanders was looking for any additional symbolism to boost his bid for the White House, he may have gotten it when a small bird flew out of the rafters and alit on the lectern directly in front of him.
"I think there may be some symbolism here," said Sanders, not seeming to mind that the bird interrupted his call for free college and university tuition. "I know it doesn’t look like it, but that bird is actually a dove asking for world peace."
Sanders, as he has in rallies across the country in past months, took on Wall Street billionaires, big oil companies and Citizens United, the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that opened the door to massive spending on political campaigns… [emphasis added]
Inserted from <The Oregonian aka Oregon Live>
I searched for a transcript, but was unable to find one. If you have a link to one, please put it in a comment. Here is the complete video.
Rachel Maddow explained why the bird is specially significant in Portland.
Bernie had another event in a less important city. 
I covered this one, because Oregon leads the way!
Some of you may not like it, that I have predicted that Hillary will win the nomination. Please understand that being honest about what I think and supporting what I want are two completely different things. Integrity demands that I do not lie about my prediction. Patriotism demands that I continue to support Bernie in every way I can. and I shall.
Oh yes! My disagreement with Bernie… I’m not just a Democrat. I’m a DemoCAT!! 
Therefore, I would have eaten Birdie!! 
21 Responses to “Bernie Meets Birdie”
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I totally understand the difference between what one wants and what one predicts, and you have a lot of evidence to support your prediction. BUT you are not removing comments which disagree with you, and you would never do that. Your integrity is not limited to telling the truth as you see it, but extends to allowing others the same right. I currently am not predicting that Bernie will get the nomination. But I have come around to an open mind on the matter. I feel that this is a time to suspend predicting and just discuss qualifications and platforms. But I know others disagree.
I think you are right about letting go of the predictions. On one hand they are simply educated guesses, at best, on the other, they can make for closed minds. Platforms and qualificatins are much more solid things to scrutinize.
See my reply, below, please.
Mindful of the numbers and statistics, deep down HRC will win the WH. But, my heart says Bernie!
Love what he stands for!
Go, Bernie!!
Love the bird alighting on the podium, rounds of applause too!
What Dave said, LOL.!
I think that you made a wise decision of not going to see Bernie, just like I didn't finish the road trip to get a glimpse of Mr. Obama in Austin when he was here. Can watch it on TV, or the net, and less crowds/traffic.
Enjoy the rest of your day, Thanks, Tom.
Today's Caucuses will provide additional data for the trend analysis model with far greater predictive accuracy than polls, which also have begun showing nationally the country prefers Bernie.
Another factor is Nancy Pelosi, the one continuing party leader in Congress, having made statements that superdelegates should not support a candidate that did not win in their state. Given the predictions of possible change of control in Congress, that could affect committee assignments for superdelegates that ignore her recommendation.
Historically, Nancy has handed out committee chairmanships on a strictly seniority basis. She has frustrated be by appointing DINOs.
WRT your "disagreement": Maybe … but you would have had to CATCH the Bernie-birdie first!
And, most of it is feather, anyway! AND, what about your environmental bona fides?
And on a more serious note, compare the atmosphere of a Bernie – or even a Hillary – rally to a Trump rally.
Unless one is hoping for another Kristallnacht (and I'm not so sure Herr Drumpf's supporters aren't) – there's no reason to vote for the Rethuglicans … EVAH!
Amen!
Bernie is showing at 73 and 78% in two of the caucuses (WA and AK) at this point
These three states today include environmental issues as a high priority. Two give priority to fossil fuel policies, two to GMO policies. WA also cares about immigration reform with how many in agriculture had to let fruit rot on trees due to insufficient migrant farm workers in this era of fear. HI reports record turnouts–even higher than 2008.
AK was 4 to 1 with over 80%
just read where WA won't distribute the 67 delegates based on percentages in their 10 congressional districts until a later date so won't be showing in the delegate totals even though he should get at least 3 to 1 in each except perhaps in the Seattle area with Kings County being more like 2.5 to 1
I think which ever one wins, that person should ask the other to be their running mate. It is the only way to insure ALL Democrats will actually get out & vote in November! That would also be Historical on several levels & we could all be more secure that OUR needs will be met if at all possible!
I had thought HRC would win, as well, but have read some things that cause pause, even that Bernie would be better placed to beat a possible Rumpy candidacy…who knows? According to N.N. Taleb, author of "The Black Swan," one of the things humans are the worst at doing, is predicting the future.
Sports predictions, political predictions, economic predictions, "end of the world" predictions: All a bunch of hot air, for which various people make a lot of money! Rump and Trus battling over their wives? who in hell would have had the wherewithal, or given that, the guts, to predict this bit of, shall we say, joyous irascibility?
I could not hear over half the speech because of the venue's lousy acoustics so I managed to find this one also in Portland which is clear. No birdie but it does say it is at the Moda Centre. The audience looks different and The Bern is without his jacket.
Go Bernie!!!
I, too, prefer Bernie as my first choice. His platform and history is what I like most about him. As a democrat, I will vote for the party. Our country cannot afford a GOP discriminator as president!!
I saw the Birdie Bern episode last night on Rachel Maddow Show. I thought it all "Awesome!". The audience and Bernie had a good, happy feeling and laugh during during this precious moment. Someone said that it was a yellow breasted finch. I did see yellow on the bird as it sat on the podium. Precious, too a precious moment.
"I know it doesn’t look like it, but that bird is actually a dove asking for world peace." A superior and an intelligent response! in the moment from Bernie.
Bernie did well in these elections, but still is behind HRC and the superdelegates will decide. I think this should end, as well as the electoral college, but that is just my opinion.
Yes, TC, a true democat would have eaten the bird!
How symbolic, that little bird in search of food and water. It wasn't an early bird, TomCat, so I don't think you would have caught it for dinner.
I heard Bernie did good in two states, but not the states that really matter delegate wise. But as long as he continues he's waking more and more people up to what could be and especially to what should be. And the next president and Congress will have to deal with that one way or another and be prepared for the consequences.
Yesterday's results, once WA distributes the 67 delegates based on percent in each congressional district (there are 10 and up to 3 should be at a 4 to 1 ratio) he will have reduced the pledged (can't change/determined by voters) delegate difference by at least one-third
Thanks all. Hugs.
Joanne, I want to reply to you as a general comment, so more will notice it. I have azbsolutely no problem with others thinking Bernie will win. I've said over and over again that I want to be wrong. However, for some, I see it becoming a "cherished belief", in which people are emotionally invested. In election after election, I have seen people drop their activism when their cherished bubble was broken, often not even voting. I try to inject a note of what I consider reality in the hope that other people feeling the BERN, as I do, will not drop out, if Bernie loses. That is my ONLY reason for it.