HRC made sure @deray was at her campaign launch. And other activists expect more outreach soon from the Clinton camp http://t.co/sAtpBiBuIw
— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) July 22, 2015
From Lowery’s and Weigel’s article:
… The rise of Black Lives Matter has presented opportunities for Clinton and her opponents, who are seeking to energize black voters to build on the multiethnic coalitions that twice elected Barack Obama. But the candidates have struggled to tap into a movement that has proved unpredictable and fiercely independent. It is a largely organic web of young African American activists — many of them unbound by partisan allegiances and largely unaffiliated with establishment groups such as the NAACP that typically forge close ties with Democrats.
Led by several dozen core activists, many of whom voted for the first time in 2008, Black Lives Matter has organized protests — at times drawing hundreds of participants — in more than two dozen cities and colleges. Many of the movement’s leading activists are among Twitter’s most influential users — with the ability to pump messages out to hundreds of thousands of people, often prompting topics to trend nationwide….
“If you are running to be the leader of the free world, it is your responsibility to seize the opportunity that the protest movement has created,” said Brittany Packnett, 30, a St. Louis-based activist who serves on a White House task force formed after the Ferguson protests to study policing issues….
Patrisse Cullors, another leading organizer, added: “It’s not going to be easy to get our votes.”
Democratic leaders are taking note, party strategists say. The campaigns recognize the importance of reaching out to the movement, and understand the perils of ignoring it.
“While it’s inconvenient, or it makes some people uncomfortable, we can’t go back,” said Donna Brazile, a Democratic strategist who has taken heat in recent weeks for defending Clinton against criticisms from some Black Lives Matter activists. “Politicians need to tune in.”…
I’ve seen Patrisse Cullors and Tia Oso quoted in the MSM multiple times since they took over the stage at NRN, so the protest was also a success for them and their group — they’ve broken through the social-media clutter, been identified as leaders, and had their contact information inserted into the political horserace touts’ digital rolodexes. Every Wingnut Wurlitzer beneficiary can tell you how important this is for people trying to keep control of their own narrative.
different-church-lady
It shouldn’t make anyone even the slightest goddamned bit uncomfortable to reach out to BLM.
Oh, wait… we’re talking about American politics. How silly of me…
Baud
I’m generally not a fan of these type of protests, but I can’t dispute this was a success for them.
The big question is what they can do with their early success. Occupy was big for a while also.
east is east
I’m hoping Biden gets in. Some level of personality would be nice in a president.
kc
Eager to see how this translates into actual policy proposals.
MattF
Via jwz, a damned interesting post about technology.
srv
Train vs. Limo, derptastic version
Frankensteinbeck
They’re not even flirting with the idea of voting Republican, they’re trying to push the Democratic Party into being more focused on their issues. And they should. Republicans have made racism the defining battleground of our time, so we liberal whites need to step up beside our African-American siblings and fight with them.
Central Planning
Since it’s an open thread, it looks like the Integrated Photonics Institute for Manufacturing Innovation is coming to Rochester. Looks like it will be good for our (mistermix, DougJ, me, a few other BJers) economy up here (not just Rochester, but the Finger Lakes/Southern Tier region as well)
shell
It was Spencer Tracy day at TCM. But Men Of Boys Town…
No. Just no, no, no.
srv
Takes my breath away:
wasabi gasp
@srv: Needs more spandex bodysuit and cape.
chopper
@srv:
that sounds way too lucid, sober and well-written for a guy who can’t even remember three departments in the executive branch. whatever he’s paying his speechwriter, it’s too much.
Tree With Water
The grape harvest has began in Napa (pinot noir). And while everyone is rooting for a king kong El Nino to hit California this winter, the growers are keeping their fingers crossed their grapes are picked by the time it does. Farming is such a crap shoot..
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/business/4231731-181/grape-harvest-off-to-an
different-church-lady
@MattF: Nowadays most interesting things on the internet are not interesting. But that interesting thing was actually interesting.
Another Holocene Human
@different-church-lady: Donna Brazile is a nudnik (and a Clintonista), has been for a long time. Maybe she was always a nudnik, I don’t know. I hope the Democratic Party is not relying on her for strategery on an ongoing basis.
different-church-lady
@Another Holocene Human: Brazile was most certainly not the target of my barb.
MattF
@chopper: That was my reaction. I feel there’s something going on there that I’m not quite getting. Who is he trying to convince?
jl
@MattF: It’s the glasses. You’ll see. They really work!
cbear
@chopper:
@srv:
Hmm, I suppose that makes sense if we’re talking anal cancer—sadly, even if you cut it out, you’re still left with an asshole.
mtiffany
@Tree With Water:
I was out and about with the maternal unit today and the fields around here are sad. Too many fallow acres. And what has been planted is stunted from too much moisture. A family friend only got in 100 acres out of 400. He’s already put in for his crop insurance and will have a check by November.
SatanicPanic
@srv: well Trump did call him stupid, so Perry couldn’t really not respond.
the Conster
@Frankensteinbeck:
The BLM activist are pissed at the Bernie Sanders supporters, I can tell you that. They may not vote Republican, but they may not vote. That’s why we white progs need to truly be allies – we need every vote.
White Trash Liberal
@srv:
According to Maury Povich, Rick Perry… YOU ARE TRUMP’S FATHER
This is your baby, your cancer. You suffer from it.
The sheer gall of an indicted borderslut sleazeball like Perry calling anyone else a cancer. Lord have mercy.
Another Holocene Human
@different-church-lady: Seconded.
mtiffany
@Central Planning: Since it’s science and a government funded program, let’s not count out the Krapublicans willingness to kill it in the name of being spiteful twats. Remember the Superconducting Super Collider?
Hal
http://www.salon.com/2015/07/22/fundraiser_for_baltimore_cops_charged_in_freddie_grays_death_to_feature_blackface_performance/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=socialflow
Another Holocene Human
@different-church-lady: Nah, I just saw her name in the OP and had to comment. Back when I was watching daytime cable she used to irritate me. (Granted, she’s no *shudder* Chuck Todd or anything.)
Another Holocene Human
@Hal: Insert stream of profanity here
Randy P
@Central Planning:
I grew up in nearby Syracuse. I’ve been away for 30+ years except for the occasional high-school reunion. I knew that they were hurting since most of the largest employers other than the University had left. But I didn’t really notice how bad it was, apparently.
So I was really depressed and shocked to read this article in the NY Times magazine, about an epidemic of synthetic marijuana (“spike”) in Syracuse, and to see statements like this:
Matt McIrvin
@Hal: well, I guess the process explicated by Lee Atwater is now running in reverse.
Mnemosyne (iPhone)
I am very happy that the protest seems to have worked. Here’s hoping they can keep the wheels on the wagon.
In Family Death March of Amusement news, I have secured a hotel room near the Happiest Place On Earth that sleeps 7 so we can get an early start on Tuesday morning. It’s a “kids suite” with 2 queen beds, a pull-out couch, and bunk beds. Not super cheap, but worth it to avoid a 2-hour drive from Ventura county just to get to the main gate.
Another Holocene Human
@Mnemosyne (iPhone): All that driving in California is like midwestern crazy.
I can’t live that way.
Germy Shoemangler
Well, I’m shocked. I thought the minute Trump was forced to disclose his finances he’d drop out.
Instead… he laid it all out.
It’s shocking how much money rich people make from their money.
Another Holocene Human
@Matt McIrvin: They’re losing and they know it so they need ever more vile bigot spew to get that temporary high to dull the dread.
Another Holocene Human
http://www.rawstory.com/2015/07/one-day-after-sandra-blands-death-18-year-old-kindra-chapman-was-found-dead-in-jail/
ONE DAY AFTER Sandra Bland’s death, 18 year old Kindra Chapman was found dead in an Alabama jail.
SuperHrefna
@Randy P: That’s a heartbreaking article, I knew things were grim up north, but I hadn’t realized it was that bad.
Jeffro
Just realized between The Donald’s insults & interviews, Rand Paul & his trusty chainsaw, and Lindsey Graham’s psychotic episode w/ his cell phone…we are still nowhere near how weird and low this GOP primary is going to go.
Who’s next for some serious weird – Perry? Fiorina? It’ll have to be one of the lower-tier attention seekers.
Jeffro
@Jeffro: Oh wait, I (almost) answered my own question – missed Perry’s “cancer on conservatism” quote. Ye gods.
Mnemosyne (iPhone)
@Another Holocene Human:
Oddly, most people I know right now live reasonably close to where they work. I’m only 4 miles from my office in the SFV. My brother lives much further out near the LA and Ventura county line, and I don’t want to have to deal with a carload of kids who are cranky from a 2-hour car ride before they even get to THPOE.
It’ll be weird to share a room with my spouse, sister in law, and 3 kids, but spouse says he can deal with it for one night.
Tree With Water
@Jeffro: … and then there’s Terry Schiavo (R.I.P.) and Jeb’s! wholehearted endorsement of the Swiftboaters. And that’s just for starters heh-heh.
Another Holocene Human
From Disqus:
Another Holocene Human
@Mnemosyne (iPhone): Who’s the SIL? The GF? I thought you said HellMomma was taking a plane in the other direction.
Steve From Antioch
I’m sure Scott Walker will do everything to further your interests when he is elected, you stupid, stupid person.
Heliopause
The interesting question is, will Clinton run from BLM as fast as Obama ran from Rev. Wright when the general election crunch hits? Let’s hope not, but I’m not hugely optimistic.
Mnemosyne (iPhone)
@Another Holocene Human:
This is my West Coast SIL. Devil Woman is an East Coaster.
Matt McIrvin
@Jeffro: It seems to be working for the Republicans–Bush, Rubio and Walker are winning against Hillary Clinton in the swing states:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/clinton-lags-among-voters-in-swing-states-against-leading-gop-hopefuls/2015/07/22/2f83ba56-2fe4-11e5-8f36-18d1d501920d_story.html
I think the Trump circus is helping them in the head-to-head question by drawing media attention away and making them seem like normal guys.
Tree With Water
@mtiffany: I helped tend to my uncle’s 5 acre cabarnet franc vineyard (i.e., cut checks in his name to his vineyard management company) for a few years, and learned very quickly I lack the stuff farmers are made of. The year before I began helping him out, he had had a bumper crop, and came out way ahead. The next year when the yield was drastically lower and he made only a slight profit, I was ignorant enough to broach the subject of financial fraud. He wised me up, and sure enough, after a few more so-so yields, the last year I was involved it was another jackpot crop. My uncle had planted that vineyard with his own hands in the mid-1960’s, when Napa Valley was still diversified agriculturally, and he lost it twice over the years to disease. But he had the right stuff it took to farm, and it was one of the joys of his rich life till the very end. Me? I’d of had two nervous breakdowns and all of my hair would have fallen out.
Dolly Llama
@Hal: That’s incredibly fucked up.
dogwood
i finally broke down and watched Trump’s schtick. The audience laughed at his antics, but it wasn’t all that enthusiastic. The people I could see sitting to the side of him actually looked fairly stoic. If he wants to keep his numbers up and excite his base, he’ll have to revive his racist immigrant bashing or maybe go back to his Birther roots. That’s the shit that pays dividends.
sleepy
@srv:
Pretty sure the thing “that has lifted more people out of poverty than any force in the history of the civilized world” is the Chinese Communist Party.
Another Holocene Human
@sleepy: If we equivocate and move goalposts, sure.
Anyway, it isn’t just the poverty, it’s the inequality, stupid. Okay, okay, poverty, inequality, and corruption. The US is not doing good on that inequality axis. Not good at all.
dogwood
@Heliopause:
You act as if BLM has no agency in this. How Clinton responds will be predicated in large part on how BLM engages with her.
BethanyAnne
Ok, this is the top-est thread that has “Open Thread” on it. OMG, the Taiwanese Animators have done the Gawker fiasco. http://boingboing.net/2015/07/22/taiwanese-animators-tackle-the.html
kc
@Another Holocene Human:
Do you seriously think that never happens? Christ …
Aimai
@Another Holocene Human: failure of information. Young white prople do go to jail and also are said to commit suicide there. Its reported locally but not nationally. But it happens.
Heliopause
@dogwood:
I don’t think I implied anything of the kind.
Enhanced Voting Techniques
@kc:
Yes, after that video from Texas time for a fix, you know?
And another question about Texas – how many other people did these cops do this too?
Another Holocene Human
@BethanyAnne: Wow, they skewered Gawker so hard, almost like they’d been waiting for it … the writers as literal cry-babies.
Diana
@kc: there is the case of poor Aaron Schwartz:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/13/technology/aaron-swartz-internet-activist-dies-at-26.html
Tree With Water
The Manchester Guardian is reporting: “Sandra Bland stated to officers when she arrived in jail that she had tried to kill herself last year but was not currently feeling suicidal, according to copies of forms released by the Waller county sheriff’s office”.
If so- and that’s a huge “if”- why on earth was she left alone?
Gian
@Germy Shoemangler:
if you figure a conservative lifestyle and a conservative investment strategy – 4% a year of 10 million is $400,000 – and it’s “capital gains” so it’s taxed at a lower rate.
(4% is a pretty conservative investment pool, and you can even game the taxes with government bonds)
So if you can live off of say 200,000 a year and put the rest back into investments, the money goes a long way. It’s also part of the reason why the rich prefer high unemployment and low inflation (but you know this)
sophronia
@shell:
I’m watching 20,000 Years in Sing Sing right now. There’s nothing I love more than a good precode Warner Brothers prison melodrama. Bette Davis looks so young I can hardly believe it’s her.
Diana
@Steve From Antioch: sorry, Steve, but you’re being stupid. By trolling Sanders BLM have opened themselves to support from Hilary, but they want to let her know that they’re not going to automatically support her.
This is political gamesmanship (I hope).
I agree, if that statement was not made with the intent of signalling to the Clinton campaign, it was stupid. But I highly doubt it.
Gian
@Tree With Water:
this is the part of the story that really gets on my nerves. The traffic stop escalating to the arrest is bad enough on it’s own, but it was a different agency, (that was the state patrol from what I’ve read)
the County Jail staff are the ones who dropped the ball on the care of her while she was in their custody, and that failure was the final one.
LOD just had the form on TV, and I guess it’s the “not feeling like killing yourself today” that kept her off of suicide watch, even though the attempt was last year (2014) and she had a method (pills) listed. Were the jail employees actually following their procedures for people who have recently tried to kill themselves? (that seems unlikely, and if it’s true the training and procedure is wrong)
I remember a lawsuit out of rural northern California from about 15 years back, Yolo county. Some guy refused to sign a traffic cite and demanded to see a magistrate. He spent the weekend in county jail, 3 days, in either just underwear or nude in the rubber padded cell, because he had to be crazy to not sign the cite and go to court later. (the county wrote a check, but I don’t recall how much)
Matt McIrvin
@Another Holocene Human:
We do. Radley Balko says here that they are actually disproportionately white (which should actually be no surprise–white people commit suicide more often in general):
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-watch/wp/2015/07/17/a-primer-on-jailhouse-suicides/
Uncle Ebeneezer
A friend of mine’s ex-girlfriend’s mom committed suicide during a temporary jail stint. Totally white. So yeah, I’m guessing it happens plenty but nobody usually notices (regardless of race.) What doesn’t happen as often though is White people ending up in jail as a result of asshole cops. I mean it happens a bunch, but probably nowhere near as often as it does for PoC.
Mandalay
@Another Holocene Human:
She is also a very slimy operator.
Today she wrote an article titled “Why ‘All lives matter’ misses the point“, and went after Martin O’Malley for saying that:
Fair enough, except she carefully fails to mention that Hillary Clinton did exactly the same fucking thing last month. So what did Brazile have to say about Clinton?…
Brazile is just as much a slimeball manipulator as Frank Luntz. Worse actually, because she pretends to wear a halo, and dresses everything up with folksy bullshit about her momma, but everything she does is aimed at getting Hillary Clinton elected, and she doesn’t let truth and honesty get in the way.
dogwood
@Mandalay:
I think the Pumas would have a different story to tell about Donna Brazille.
guachi
@Another Holocene Human:
White people are more likely to kill themselves in jail than black people. If this individual isn’t seeing stories of white people killing themselves it’s either because they aren’t looking or a white person dying in prison isn’t news.
Claiming bad things don’t happen to white people isn’t a great way to get white progressives as allies on issues that matter to black activists.
Mnemosyne (tablet)
@Matt McIrvin:
I think the point is that it seems to be black people who mysteriously die in custody and are written off as “suicide” without much investigation. Remember the black guy who supposedly committed suicide in the back of a cop car while his hands were cuffed behind him? And I think Baltimore PD has tried to claim that Freddie Gray committed suicide by breaking his own neck.
It’s not who actually commits suicide while in custody more often, it’s whose death is conveniently written off as “suicide” to block an investigation into what happened.
(And, yes, AHH was NOT clear about that, but after seeing the statement in a couple of threads, I figured it out.)
Mandalay
@dogwood:
Well of course they would, but at least the pumas are honest about their affiliations. Brazile is masquerading as a “CNN Political Commentator”, ostensibly writing about why “All lives matter” is offensive, but the reality is she praises Clinton and knocks Sanders and O’Malley.
That’s all fine and dandy if she is openly working for the Clinton campaign, but it stinks to high heaven when she is pretending to be “Political Commentator”.
ETA: After Clinton got flak for saying “all lives matter” Brazile ran to her defense and tweeted “#HillaryClinton was telling a story about her mother, she’s also said “we can stand up together & say ‘yes Black lives matter.’ Stop hating!”.
Some “political commentator” CNN have there. Brazile is a fraud.
sparrow
@the Conster: Please note that this is *not* me trying to tell black people what to do… but are you really sure that they will stay home? I’m not talking about the disengaged AA polity, but the super-activists who are out in force talking politics on twitter, doing protests, etc. I just have a hard time believing that they will stay home and let a republican get elected.
They absolutely should (and are) making a big push during the primaries to identify their best candidate for #BLM issues (and also to pull the candidates heads out of their asses, great), but even if they end up with the person they didn’t rate #1, or disliking them all equally, are they going to stay home? I always think that kind of protest is pretty immature — it doesn’t make much of a statement (not like say 99% of the electorate staying home because the game is rigged, they are just too small a fraction). It just ensures their voice is *less* heard.
I donno, I hear people say that they threaten to stay home, but it reads as an empty threat. (Which is part of the problem overall I guess).
AxelFoley
@Frankensteinbeck:
This.
Kerry Reid
@Tree With Water: I am so sorry — but ever since I watched “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmdit” earlier this year, I can only think of this when I hear “pinot noir.”
Pretty sure this episode is what earned Tituss Burgess his Emmy nomination.
DTOzone
@Frankensteinbeck: There aren’t enough liberal white allies