"Bernie or Bust" Peeps ... Let's Win The War

I just read a really insightful article pointing out the fact that ... in essence... Bernie DID win. Certainly not in the way the Bernie or Bust peeps wanted, but there is a silver lining to all this. 

Yes, Bernie lost the battle, but his passion and ideals, will help us win the war. To coin a Drumpf-ism.... that's HUuuGE! 

Bernie made history. His base ... made history. Together, you influenced an entire party and made such great arguments for truly progressive ideals, that it's now the very foundation for our current platform. That's a Victory folks!

Here's the problem we face though ... if you can not let go and get past the fact that a battle was lost and move forward on this, you are now nothing more than an obstructionist, maybe even to the point that the war will be lost. How does that kind of defiant mind set, honor the battle you fought if you prevent us from winning the war?

The troops need to move forward. There are more battles to fight before its all over. If you are stuck in the field infighting over something you can't change, you are putting all of the troops at risk. We need to regroup and work as one if we are going to win the war. 

You did NOT fight in vein. 

The good news is that Bernie is now free to be the most effective, passionate, vocal and influential activist he can be! 

That is the silver lining to all of this. 

That's how we will win the war.

"Bernie or Bust" Peeps ... We Need Your Help!

Bernie or Bust folks... I have really tried to respect you and your passion, really I have. But what was once a passion full of good intent ...  has now turned into childish behavior. 

Image Credit

I LOVE Bernie! I have loved his views since way before he ran for the Presidency.

~ I believe that the country needs to supply it's people with fundamental rights and also provide a safety net for folks who need our collective help. 

~ I believe that big money has to be removed from the table when it comes to politics. You should never be able to buy an election or politician.

~ I believe the care of our planet should never be a political football, but something we all take part in caring and fighting for. 

I am totally with Bernie on those points.

I was torn for a long time over Hillary or Bernie, but I voted for Hillary in the primaries because even though I love Bernie, I felt that she had the experience and skills and strength to run our country more so then Bernie. Not that he couldn't, but that she was better suited. I am NOT anti Bernie, I want to be clear about that. 

Also note that I am not exactly in love with Hillary, but that's okay. It's okay because I firmly believe that she is the kind of human being that can change her position if she feels there is a good reason to do so. When you know better, you do better and she gets that.

I also feel confident that her entire LIFE is based on doing things for the greater good. 

So Bernie didn't win. That's life... you can either have a temper tantrum over it or do the next best thing. 

If you don't Vote Blue in November or don't even bother to vote in protest that is 100% your right... but... keep in mind you are playing right into the hands of the GOP who are absolutely laughing at us over this whole mess.

The right wants to divide us. 

It's a PLOY. 

Don't fall for it.

Just because Bernie didn't win, doesn't mean you have to stop loving him. 

So let's use an analogy. Pretend you are going some place to eat a nice juicy steak, that you have been totally craving for months, only to find out they are don't offer that as a choice anymore!

Instead of staying and ordering something else... you have a melt down and flip the table over, knock trays of food out of the hands of the waiters, set fire to the curtains and storm out like a 3 year old brat.

Or....... you get the chicken and deal with it. You aren't happy but you don't take it out on anyone for not getting what you wanted. 

In keeping with the same restaurant theme, now we move on to apathy (not voting at all). 

Because they don't offer what you want any longer, you decide to just not eat there at all (which is fine) but on the way out, you notice that they don't let Blacks, Muslims, Gays or Mexicans in at all. 

You have a choice, you can ignore it, or you can help by speaking up or making sure you support someone who will fight for them. 

If you are a good person, you don't ignore people who need help with any form of injustice or enable the offenders.

Well guess what... the Democratic party needs your help fighting injustice! 

We need your help to win against those who would gladly deny people, based on some form of bigotry!

This is bigger then YOU.

If you are all about doing the right thing for the greater good, then morally, you should vote for Hillary this November. 

She may not be your first love or first choice and you may not even like her, but the thing is, she will fight the kind of injustice the other side perpetuates. 
  

‪#‎VoteBlue‬ 

‪#‎NeverTrump

‬ ‪#‎BernieSupportsHillary‬

To Be Black In America - From the view of a one old White Chick

I don't know what it is to be black. I don't know what it's like to wake up in utter dread each day and wonder what injustice will cross my path. 

I grew up in a mixed neighborhood. Jews, Blacks, Chinese, Latinos, Irish Catholic, Germans, Italians, Polish... you name it... we had one tucked in our area somewhere. I had no idea what racism even WAS until I got older. Even though I was born in the 60's and racism existed all around me, the community I grew up in, sheltered me from the reality of it because we just didn't treat each other that way. 

When I was in my teens and started to see racism first hand via my black friends, even though I knew it existed, I still didn't fully understand it. How could I? I wasn't Black.

All I know is that from the time I was about 5, when anyone experienced being treated unfairly, it made me mad and made me want to stand up for that person. I can't be 100% sure where that came from. Was it the neighborhood I grew up in that didn't see race? Is it something inside my DNA? What I think made me this way was because I was always around people who were full of compassion and were always respectful of others. 

That kind of compassion for your fellow human being, and having respect for others, has gone missing somewhere along the line. When did we stop teaching this? Did we stop acting like this? Did we think compassion and respect was instinctual? Did we think someone else would teach our kids these things? What ever the answer is, we need to step up and start making sure kids grow up knowing the requirements for being a good person.

There are a trillion examples of the lack of compassion and respect we have for others, especially if you are Black in America. I want to talk about one of those examples.

Leslie Jones, of SNL and the remake of Ghost Busters was attacked on her Twitter account ... for being BLACK.

Leslie Jones, star of Ghostbusters and Saturday Night Live cast member, exposed Twitter trolls on Monday for sending her racist, hateful, and even graphic messages. Some of the horrible messages included pictures of apes, with frequent comparisons of Jones to Harambe the gorilla killed at Cincinnati Zoo, and one message saying she was the source of AIDS. {full article} 

My heart breaks for her. But I know she is not alone. Because she is a celebrity, she is a public figure and that makes her the perfect target for racists. Sadly, this is just one of many stories of racism in America.

Each day, I am absolutely floored by all the hate in this country for Black people. I struggle to understand it. I thought we turned a corner when we elected Obama. I don't recall this level of racism back then. So what happened? 

Something occurred to me today and I wanted to share it. So here is my theory on one of the reasons for this renewed, overt bigotry in America.

It's Obama's Fault!!!! 

I am making a joke really, but sort of not. 

I really think this new fervor of racism is some giant backlash for Obama being such an incredible President and for being such a good human being. 

Bigots wanted NEEDED him to fail, they did everything they could to sabotage him, and when all of their dirty tricks didn't break him, it just made them even crazier and more desperate to undermine any black person. I think that is why we are seeing it more today then when he was elected. 

Because Obama was able to take what they dished out, with grace and class, I am convinced it left them so defeated that they are trying to "up their game" and go after people they think they can rattle or diminish in some sort of sore loser mode. You know the type, I lost, so I am going to take you down some other way. He did such a great job, even though he had more on his plate than any president in recent history, that it scared them that their days of white power... was OVER!

Here is the thing about the attack on Leslie Jones .... all the racists out there that think they can get away with this kind of thing, I've got news for you.... millions more... HAVE HER BACK. You didn't pull her down. All you did was inflict a tiny mosquito bite and the rest of us are going to squash you like the disease infected bugs you are.

This is a kind, beautiful, funny, talented human being who was attacked just for being Black in America. She did nothing to deserve this. Not one .....single thing... to incite this, except have the utter gall to be Black in America. 

The attack on her is only going to rally millions of people to her side. Even though it's only one story in the landscape of being Black in America, I hope it also becomes a sort of beacon for folks who are not public figures that go through this kind of experience too.

You racists didn't didn't knock anyone down, in fact, what you did, had the opposite effect. It's bringing people together in the fight against this kind of ugly, foul, idiotic behavior. Now go back into the cave you crawled out of.....

#LoveForLeslie   

Sunflower Shaped Solar Panel and Water Collector.

I love this clever design. We keep coming up with newer and better ways to live clean and not kill the planet! I wonder what other clever shapes and designs people will come up with!

Snipped from Inhabit News: IBM Research and Swiss solar technology company Airlight Energy just unveiled a cutting-edge solar system that resembles a 10-meter-high sunflower! The High Concentration PhotoVoltaic Thermal (HCPVT) system can concentrate the sun’s radiation 2,000 times and convert 80 percent of it into useful energy, generating up to 12 kilowatts of electrical power and 20 kilowatts of heat on a sunny day—enough to power several average homes. Oh, and it can also produce clean, fresh water as a result of the process used to cool the solar cells!

Read more here..... 
http://inhabitat.com/ibms-new-sunflower-shaped-solar-concentrators-produce-energy-and-fresh-water/

The Demon Seeds of the GOP

These are the seeds you sowed GOP.... you sowed seeds of hate and violent behavior and lack of morals. You sowed seeds of intolerance and proud ignorance. You nurtured all the worst qualities of mankind and now the monster seeds you planted into the heads of your party, are all sprouted and  loose and out of control in ways you never thought possible. 

I used to speculate that this was all some con game, but not any more. No sane person allows this or says this or does this....

Short copulation video from Americans Against the Republicans that I think best demonstrates the sickening behavior and mind set. 

Donald Trump's War On The 1st Amendment
WATCH AND SHARE THIS! Today, a credentialed reporter was slammed to the ground by his throat by Trump's Secret Security forces. He regularly attacks the press with hateful and violent rhetoric. He jokes, "Nah, I wouldn't kill them" -- an answer to a question that should not have to be asked. He's stated his opinion in the past that Putin's execution of journalists in Russia "shows strength."He incites, encourages, and rewards violence against protesters.He has stated he would expand libel laws, tearing down the framework of the First Amendment. In fact, he's declared a war on the First Amendment. Donald Trump doesn't believe in the freedom of religion, freedom of speech, or the freedom of the press. We're never going to stop making fun of Donald Trump, but make no mistake -- the threat he presents to our nation and our democracy is all too serious. Trump, and his supporters, are fascists. When caught accidentally retweeting Mussolini, he DEFENDED Mussolini. He's the Republican frontrunner, and all predictions say he'll be the nominee. He's their leader. Trump is everything the GOP stands for, even those that won't admit it. Ignoring him isn't going to stop him. The only thing that will is letting it be known that this kind of behavior and attitude is not going to be tolerated in our nation. The undercurrent of racism and fear he has tapped into is strong, and our voices and votes MUST be stronger. There is no other option. Are you with us?LIKE Americans Against The Republican Party for more!
Posted by Americans Against The Republican Party on Monday, February 29, 2016

Yeah... I remember the days when you could beat someone up so badly for speaking up, that they would need to be carried out on a stretcher ...

I remember those days. I also remember the days we hung black people from trees. They were dark days in our history

I also remember the days when we welcomed everyone to this country who wanted to make it their home and contribute to life.  Those are the days that make me proud.

Some day, when we look back at all this, we will remember your words and actions and look at you as the greatest example of the downfall of humanity. 

They ARE people ... you on the other hand .... represent the worst of them.  

Green Roof Top France and Beyond

Hey all you budding entrepreneurs out there.... here is one way to start up a business selling greenhouse kits, or something of that nature, to all the gazillions of people who have flat roof tops in this country.

Roof top of Chicago's City Hall 

Green technology and changing the way we live off of the planet... is an open map.

France is doing it's part, making sure new construction is eco-friendly. Check this out ...

A new law recently passed in France mandates that all new buildings that are built in commercial zones in France must be partially covered in either plants or solar panels.

Green roofs, as they are called, have an isolating effect which helps to reduce the amount of energy needed to heat a building during the winter or cool it in the summer.

They are capable of retaining rainwater and reducing problems with runoff, and also offer birds a place to call home in the urban jungle.

FULL ARTICLE HERE  

National Geographic Article 

Malaysia's Forest City   

If you don't get what Black Lives Matter means....here's a clue

If you don't get what #blacklivesmatter means, chances are, it's because you are the very kind of person that created the need for this movement. The fact that this is even an issue in 2016, is shameful. 

All human beings deserve to be treated fairly. It's not rocket science, we know what the answers are.

Until everyone does their best to make sure that happens, #blacklivesmatter and any other movement that raises people up, will continue on.

We are supposed to help our fellow man, not kick them when they are at their lowest, weakest and most fragile. If a young adult, black or white commits crime, it's we who have failed that kid as a society. It's our collective fault, he doesn't know he is better then that. 

Kids are not born criminals. They either were raised never knowing self worth, or feel they have no options other then to steal to survive. We can fix that.

If they are not being told they matter at home, then it's on social institutions like schools and churches and neighborhood recreation centers to pick up the slack. 

 If any child, feels less then human, that requires us as a society to step in and say, you do matter. 

Black lives DO matter. 

Photo credit to Occupy Democrats and Being Liberal

Big Oil Says Climate Issues Real

In an article by the Washington Post, ExxonMobil has taken the position that climate change is REAL ... that's pretty big stuff folks. 

Big Oil companies can adapt. They can take their profits and invest in new technology. The same guy who made buggies for horses back in the day, could begin making motor cars instead. Times change. Our planet is on the brink and adapting isn't about keeping up with the future in this particular case, changing our ways will determine if there even IS a future. 

For all the climate change deniers out there who are just in their own little world, maybe this will snap them out of it? 



If even the big oil companies are willing to tell it like it is, only seriously insane people would keep denying what is happening to the planet.

Press 1 for English ... or get a Beer Mug to the Face

How many times have you heard folks complain about having to choose a prompt for English? It's normally followed by, this is America, speak American.

News flash.... there is no "American language".

In America, many languages are spoken. Start with the American Indian, Kings English, Spanish, Italian, German, Polish, French, Hebrew, Swedish, Arabic, Swahili, Russian, Chinese and a whole host of others.

America is a melting pot. When people come to America from a foreign land, most ... more then likely, already have a rudimentary understanding, so they can assimilate on a basic level. When dealing with businesses or agencies, to help make communication easier for our newly arrived citizens, sometimes we offer another language choice. That is a GOOD thing people.

Having an OPTION .... is not some kind of insult. It's not a dig or meant to replace or disgrace the English Language. Think about it. If you go to eat dinner at a restaurant and they are known for their steaks, you don't freak out that there is also chicken and fish on the menu. Well you could, but that would make you an idiot. By being so freaked out by any language other then English, all that does is show what an intolerant  bigot you are.

It may not seem like it's a big deal to get all worked up about people speaking some other language, but here is what that kind of intolerance feeds into.... violence ..... and in this case, a glass beer mug to the face. 

Asma Jama was attacked by a "Real MURICAN" who was so upset at hearing 'non English' at a table next to her, that she not only throws the beer into the face of this peaceful American Muslim woman, but then proceeds to hit her so hard with the glass mug, she busts her lip open, resulting in 15 stitches.  

Next time you see someone post something about how horrible it is to have to have a choice of which language to select on the phone, tell them about Asma... 

Watch this Video for her account


Image from  GoFundMe





   

Got Road T ... rash? A new road surface for the future!

Crumbling infrastructure got you down? Here is a GENIUS solution that looks like it's from the Lego Movie!

With plastic being almost impossible to get rid of safely, finding new uses for it is the only way to solve the problem, and this creative idea could make fixing roads and recycling plastic ... fit like a hand in a glove.

Check out this article from NBC News 

Also from Slash Gear