dailykos--2020-06-21--2020 US Election Prediction. Look To Professional Wrestling

Black wrestlers had a difficult time breaking through wrestling barriers .
Not unlike baseball , football , basketball .
The racism in wrestling runs deep .
Groundbreaking talents such as Sweet Daddy Siki had the skills , charisma , to be a world champion .
His skin color was used against him from being recognized as the greatest of his era .
Leave it to the WWE to piss on the legacy of Sweet Daddy .
Out of their racist bag of tricks , they gave the audience The Great Kamala form Uganda .
He was depicted out of Africa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cloth wearing animal .
No trope was untouched by the WWE playbook .
The depiction of special needs was not speared .
George the Animal Steele was a hairy , green tongue , ring pad eating maniac .
The animal did n't speak in sentences instead he communicated with one-word grunts and growls .
The misogyny , racism , open discrimination was considered okay because it was not real .
It was just entertainment , as I have been told .
Finding the perfect symbiotic relationship between the main combatants is the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The “ heel ” ( villain ) must have contrasting character traits with the “ baby-face ” ( hero ) so the fans can pick their favorite .
When done correctly the opponents will create a rivalry so intense , the fans will scream out for more .
The two gladiators will wrestle each other between three to six months on the way to the ultimate climax to settle the long rivalry .
Trump has been described in many ways .
He 's a racist , liar , conman , cheater , admitted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demented .
With his rotund stooped posture , orange peel textured complexion , you can sum him up as a Chimera .
I 'm now proposing a new look for Trump as a professional wrestling heel .
Why a wrestler ?
He has the required traits for a `` heel . ''
He is arrogant , a liar , a cheat , and a coward .
He will use anything and anyone to gain an illegal advantage .
Trump has been involved with The WWE for decades .
His pre-bankruptcy Atlantic City casino @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2007 , he participated in Wrestlemania 23 .
It was a match called The Battle of The Billionaires .
The loser will get his head shaved .
WWE owner Vince Mcmahon lost the match and had his head shaved .
It must be noted that the foolish Trump had his coming out party on April Fools Day .
Finally , in 2013 he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame .
Having established his wrestling `` Bona Fides , '' we can move on with his villainous acts .
The hardest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unseat a long-standing champion who is a villain .
Since ascending to the Presidency Trump has proven to be a perfect villain as President .
The wrestling heel repeatedly finds a way to escape defeat .
He will use illegal tactics such as outside interference to get a win .
The heel will utilize a stable of loyal henchmen to ensure his reign .
Long before his presidency , Trump 's most heinous act was acting as judge and jury against the `` Central Park Five . ''
He paid for a full-page @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sentence for the five teens .
They were wrongly convicted and served their sentences .
However , they were found innocent when the real criminal confessed and DNA confirmed his crimes .
The racist in chief still maintains the men are guilty .
Trump entered the 2016 presidential race stating Mexicans are '' rapists '' and drug dealers .
Despite his overt racist statements , he remained king of the hill .
Later on into the campaign , Trump solidified his credentials as a heel .
The Access Hollywood tapes had Trump confess @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man has a history of being a terrible human being and was rewarded with the presidency .
Long live the champ .
In three-plus years the heel has survived major matches .
The Russian investigation with Robert Mueller did n't take him down , despite the obvious crimes .
His `` perfect '' phone call to the Ukrainian President got him impeached .
But as the quintessential heel , the deck was stacked in his favor .
His henchmen in the Senate made sure he survived the Senate impeachment trial .
After such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appears he may be on the ropes heading into the last five months of the 2020 campaign .
2020 has left the heel `` punch drunk '' and shaken .
Trump 's deadly response to the COVID-19 pandemic elevated his arrogance and ignorance .
How do you like your bleach ?
Over 110 000 dead , and 2 million-plus are stricken with COVID-19 .
His so-called economy plunged to the depths of the Great Depression .
The protests against police brutality and systemic racism , sent him scurrying to hide in the White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not a coward he ordered the gassing of innocent American citizens at a church .
Most wrestlers heel or baby-face carry a nickname to help personify their character .
Hulk , Macho Man , Bad Bad Leroy Brown , Sweet Ebony Diamond , The Butcher , The Hitman .
I will now present the most appropriate nickname for the champion heel president .
`` And I looked , and behold a pale horse : and his name that sat on him was Death , and Hell followed with him .
And power @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of the earth , to kill with sword , and with hunger , and with death , and with the beasts of the earth . ''
Yes , Trump 's nickname will be `` Pale Rider '' the last horseman of the apocalypse riding the pale horse .
That rider brings pestilence and is known as `` Death . ''
Donald `` Pale Rider '' Trump .
Now we must examine the opponent Joe Biden .
Biden has been involved in political battles for over four decades .
It has been his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But in this current time , he is selling himself as a populist .
`` Pale Rider '' is n't popular so it makes sense for Biden to cultivate this territory .
Biden will be the baby-face used to wrestle the championship from the heel .
The babyface must be able to connect with the fans , convince them he is one of them .
He must prove he is fighting against a bad guy and he will win in the end .
The baby-face must also be resilient .
He will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's about staying power .
The challenger gets knocked down repeatedly .
The measure of his character is how strong he comes back .
The baby-face does not need to be perfect , he just has to be perceived as a better person than the villain .
Joe Biden 's traits as a professional wrestling babyface are as follows .
The level of misfortune in his life proves the man is resilient .
This is the third time Biden is trying to claim the presidency .
He ran a short-lived campaign in 1987 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tried again and failed in 2008 .
But he did get a silver medal becoming VP .
He reminds me of Charlie Brown and Lucy .
Lucy puts the football out there for Charlie Brown to kick it , and he believes he will finally win and kick that ball .
Time and time again Lucy pulls the ball away and Charlie Brown falls flat on his back .
We can sum up Biden 's losing qualities in the words of Teddy Pendergrass .
Looking back over my years Told myself time and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ai n't right And start all over again .
This time Joe Biden has come out looking to throw punches .
He told an autoworker he is `` full of shit . ''
He even asked the man if he wants to take it outside .
He told another man he is a `` damn liar , '' and `` fat . ''
Joe Biden is a fighter this time he 's looking to `` knuckle up . ''
Once the 2020 Democratic Primaries started it looked like another typical Biden presidential run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of nowhere , Biden managed to kick the football for the game-winner .
He won South Carolina on his way to winning the Democratic nomination .
Now he must get the people excited , reach out to them that he understands their angst .
Joe is coming across as the common man .
He once said he is the poorest man in the Senate .
He is preaching his gospel of resiliency .
His outreach is about the hard times the American public is facing in 2020 and he can relate to that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ABC11 interview with Jonah Kaplan .
JB : '' A whole range of things .
First of all , too many families are sitting at the kitchen table this morning saying , ' I know the tires are bald but we do n't have the money .
We 're going to have to ride another 5,000 miles on those tires . '
All this talk about how great the economy is .
Well , the economy is growing - short of what 's happening with the Coronavirus and what this President is doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wages are falling .
Middle-class people and working-class people have no way up .
There 's a study done by Brookings ( Institution ) that if in fact , you have a bill for $ 400 in a month that you did n't anticipate , you 'd have to borrow the money or you 'd have to go sell something .
So what I do is I focus on the things that make a difference for people : I make sure that they are able to organize and have jobs .
I make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there are minimum wages that people are going to be able to make , $ 15 an hour .
That 's not enough to get them to deal with a $ 400 bill , but I also make sure they 're going to be in a position where they can afford their health care , they can afford to send their kid to school . ''
During the current unrest with the ongoing protest against police brutality , systemic racism and COVID-19 .
Joe has taken the position of listening and sympathizing with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ context , the common man is the black voter .
To avoid missteps among black voters , he has employed Symone Sanders as a Senior Advisor .
She is a strong assertive black woman that knows the political game well .
Sanders provides advice on all topics , but it is about getting black people excited for him .
Symone Sanders is a real-life `` Dora Milaje . ''
Joe took his newfound energy to a black radio show and said .
`` Well , I tell you what , if you have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for me or Trump , then you ai n't black . ''
The corporate media tried to make it more than what it was .
Joe got excited with his relatability angle to black voters , but no harm was done .
He moves on with the support of black voters .
Biden attended the funeral service of George Floyd whose death has resonated around the world .
He spoke directly to the family giving them comfort .
Joe Biden as a professional babyface wrestler is also in need of a nickname .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ The All American '' Biden .
While the Villainous champ only relates to an electorate of hate and venom .
The hero challenger is appealing to the broader electorate with hope and togetherness .
Where is the wrestling connection ?
Here it is .
In 1987 two wrestlers battled for the NWA world heavyweight championship .
These two wrestlers represent Trump and Biden so much it would be funny if the outcome were n't so serious .
Ric `` The Nature Boy '' the then champion heel is representative of Donald `` Pale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American Dream '' Rhodes the then `` babyface '' challenger represents Joe `` All American '' Biden .
Ric `` The Nature Boy '' Flair battled `` The American Dream '' Dusty Rhodes over several months for the world title in 1987 .
They were the perfect dance partners .
In the ring , their wrestling personas were a match made in heaven .
Flair was the consummate heel .
He was an arrogant , cheating , lying , flamboyant champion .
The name Nature Boy tells you the man is supremely confident @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , clothes were impeccable , perfectly coordinated suits .
Flair even forced the audience to look at the most minor details such as his ten thousand dollars Rolex and six hundred dollar lizard shoes .
When you look as good as The Nature Boy , one good looking woman was not enough .
Flair made sure to have multiple women at their pleasure .
Ric Flair was not the common man and he made sure the audience knew that .
`` I 'm Ric Flair !
The styling , profiling , limousine riding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wheeling , dealing , son of a gun !
Humility was not in the man 's DNA .
Despite his stylish appearance his credentials as a heel are well earned .
Flair would always have a gouge to the eye when needed .
He will stoop so low to give his opponent a blow to the `` jewels '' to save his skin .
The Nature Boy knew he could n't beat back all challengers without the help of outside interference .
Flair became the leader of the best-named group in the history @ @ @ @ @ @ @ introduced the world to `` The Four Horsemen . ''
The original group consisted of Flair , Arn and Ole Anderson , and Tully Blanchard .
The simple hand gesture of holding up four fingers indicated you were part of the Four Horseman .
The fans went wild for it , they would put up the hand sign when the Horsemen were present .
The Horsemen brought havoc whenever they were unleashed .
The Modus Operandi of Flair and his henchmen were to keep Flair as champion .
You had to know if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lurking nearby to protect him .
The most interesting thing about Ric Flair is his persona in the ring was who he was outside the ring .
He disrespected women , cheated on his wives , dressed in the best clothes .
Rode in limos partied and drank at every turn .
Flair was living this lifestyle from the 70 '' s through the 2000 '' s. In 2017 he was rushed to the hospital put into an induced coma to save his life .
His decade 's long partying lifestyle almost cost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ric Flair said , `` To be the man you have to beat the man . ''
As a champion and “ heel ” nobody did it better and longer than “ The Nature Boy.
” As contemporaries , I openly wonder if Trump took on the persona of Ric Flair .
Flair has a long history of misogyny .
He was horrible with finances leading to court filings from the IRS and unpaid creditors .
His legal battles with his ex-wives and other women were epic .
Despite the ugly similarities , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on hate to communicate .
However , Ric Flair did it with pure charisma .
Dusty `` The American Dream '' Rhodes was one of my favorite wrestlers .
The man convinced everybody he was fighting for them .
He was the common man , he was the `` little son of a plumber from Austin Texas . ''
He believed in hard work and working harder to achieve your goals .
His ring rap was borrowed from Mohamed Ali , and it was the best .
Dusty Rhodes had you believe he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solely based on his lingo .
`` I am the hit-maker , the record-breaker .
I got style and grace , a pretty face .
I 'll make your back crack , your liver quiver . ''
If you close your eyes and listen to Rhodes you would think this is an over the top black man .
Dusty did say he could wine with royalty and he could also get down with the `` brothers '' in the mud .
Despite his large unathletic appearance , the man was unbelievably athletic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ release his jabs like lightning bolts .
He would perform the Ali shuffle and glide into his `` Atomic Elbow . ''
In 1985 `` The American Dream '' created the most iconic wrestling promo in the history of wrestling .
He gave a sermon that day , everybody who heard it was able to relate to his every word .
His pain was your pain , your suffering his suffering .
In the end , he left you believing he was going to meet the challenge head-on and win .
His words @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The man was a prophet .
The promo is best known as `` Hard times .
`` Hard Times Dusty Rhodes : `` First of all , I would like to thank the many , many fans throughout this country that wrote cards and letters to Dusty Rhodes , the American Dream , while I was down .
Secondly , I want to thank Jim Crockett Promotions for waiting and taking the time , because I know how important it was — Starrcade '85 — it is to the wrestling fans and it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dusty Rhodes , the American Dream , with that wait , got what I wanted : Ric Flair , the world 's heavyweight champion !
I do n't have to say a lot more about the way I feel about Ric Flair .
No respect !
No honor !
There is no honor among thieves in the first place .
He put hard times on Dusty Rhodes and his family .
You do n't know what hard times are , daddy !
Hard times are when the textile workers around this country are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five kids , and ca n't pay their wages , ca n't buy their food .
Hard times are when the auto workers are out of work and they tell them 'Go home ! '
.
And hard times are when a man has worked at a job thirty years — thirty years !
— they give him a watch , kick him in the butt and say 'Hey , a computer took your place , daddy ! '
.
That 's hard times !
That 's hard times .
And Ric Flair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country by taking Dusty Rhodes out .
That 's hard times !
And we all had hard times together .
I admit I do n't look like the athletes are today supposed to look .
My belly is just a little big , my hiney is just a little big , but brother , I am bad , and they know I 'm bad .
And there were two bad people : one was John Wayne — and he 's dead brother — and the other one is right here !
Nature Boy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ title belongs to these people .
I 'm gon na reach out right now .
I want you at home to know , my hand is touching your hand for this gathering of the biggest body of people in this country , in this universe , all over the world .
Now reach it out !
Because the love that was given me — and this time I will repay you , now .
Because I will be the next world 's heavyweight champion , on this Hard Times Blues Dusty Rhodes Tour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Boy , let me leave you with this : One way to hurt Ric Flair is to take what he cherishes more than anything in the world .
That 's the world 's heavyweight title .
I will take it .
I 've been there twice .
This time , when I take it , daddy , I 'm gon na take it for you [ the fans ] .
Let 's gather for it !
Do n't let me down now , 'cause I came back you , for that man up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago , that never got the opportunity to see a real world 's champion .
I 'm proud of you and thank god I have you .
I love you .
Love you ! ''
It would take almost nine months from the time of `` Hard Times '' before Dusty finally got his hands back on the championship from Flair .
In 1986 Flair and Rhodes fought upwards of 30 matches either head to head or various tag teams , horsemen included .
As the `` babyface '' Dusty lost the majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would cling onto the precipice of defeat time and time again .
But he always found a way to remain champ .
It was the perfect cliff-hanger for the next installment .
On his journey to beating Flair , Dusty did get the opportunity to wear a championship belt again .
He won the World Heavyweight TV Championship .
It was a significant title but he was n't “ The Man . ''
The fans were now in a frenzy for change .
To add to the intensity the ultimate match was held @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enter no outside interference there must be a winner .
On July 26 , 1986 , Dusty `` The American Dream '' Rhodes finally defeated Ric `` The Nature Boy '' Flair .
To become `` The Man . ''
A final point of interest in `` The American Dream . ''
Later on in his career , he went through his `` polka dot '' era .
He was much older and it was hard to watch .
But one thing did stand out , he had a black woman at his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She was tasked with helping Rhodes sell the reinvented Dusty .
The fans cheered it for a while but it was a terrible schtick .
Let 's hope Joe `` The All American Biden '' with Symone Sanders watching his back will get that elusive win on November 3 , 2020 .
These are “ Hard Times Daddy .
”

Forget polling data, punditry, corporate media bias, endorsements. If you want to understand the 2020 presidential election, a different perspective is needed. Reimagine Trump and Biden as pro wrestlers locked in a marathon battle for the championship.
WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) is the largest wrestling organization in the world. It is an organization that has cultivated the vilest tropes into financial success. The days of the Fabulous Moolah as a tough skilled female wrestler gave way to the misogyny of the "Bra and Panties Match."
Black wrestlers had a difficult time breaking through wrestling barriers. Not unlike baseball, football, basketball. The racism in wrestling runs deep. Groundbreaking talents such as Sweet Daddy Siki had the skills, charisma, to be a world champion. His skin color was used against him from being recognized as the greatest of his era. Leave it to the WWE to piss on the legacy of Sweet Daddy. Out of their racist bag of tricks, they gave the audience The Great Kamala form Uganda. He was depicted out of Africa as a cannibal, simple-minded, loin cloth wearing animal.
No trope was untouched by the WWE playbook. The depiction of special needs was not speared. George the Animal Steele was a hairy, green tongue, ring pad eating maniac. The animal didn't speak in sentences instead he communicated with one-word grunts and growls.
The misogyny, racism, open discrimination was considered okay because it was not real. It was just entertainment, as I have been told.
Finding the perfect symbiotic relationship between the main combatants is the most important aspect of a successful match. The “heel” (villain) must have contrasting character traits with the “baby-face” (hero) so the fans can pick their favorite. When done correctly the opponents will create a rivalry so intense, the fans will scream out for more. The two gladiators will wrestle each other between three to six months on the way to the ultimate climax to settle the long rivalry.
Trump has been described in many ways. He's a racist, liar, conman, cheater, admitted sexual assaulter, narcissist, fascist, demented. With his rotund stooped posture, orange peel textured complexion, you can sum him up as a Chimera.
I'm now proposing a new look for Trump as a professional wrestling heel. Why a wrestler? He has the required traits for a "heel." He is arrogant, a liar, a cheat, and a coward. He will use anything and anyone to gain an illegal advantage.
Trump has been involved with The WWE for decades. His pre-bankruptcy Atlantic City casino hosted WWE events. On April 1, 2007, he participated in Wrestlemania 23. It was a match called The Battle of The Billionaires. The loser will get his head shaved. WWE owner Vince Mcmahon lost the match and had his head shaved. It must be noted that the foolish Trump had his coming out party on April Fools Day. Finally, in 2013 he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. Having established his wrestling " Bona Fides," we can move on with his villainous acts.
The hardest thing to do in wrestling is to unseat a long-standing champion who is a villain. Since ascending to the Presidency Trump has proven to be a perfect villain as President. The wrestling heel repeatedly finds a way to escape defeat. He will use illegal tactics such as outside interference to get a win. The heel will utilize a stable of loyal henchmen to ensure his reign.
Long before his presidency, Trump's most heinous act was acting as judge and jury against the "Central Park Five." He paid for a full-page ad promoting the guilt and death penalty sentence for the five teens. They were wrongly convicted and served their sentences. However, they were found innocent when the real criminal confessed and DNA confirmed his crimes. The racist in chief still maintains the men are guilty.
Trump entered the 2016 presidential race stating Mexicans are"rapists" and drug dealers. Despite his overt racist statements, he remained king of the hill.
Later on into the campaign, Trump solidified his credentials as a heel. The Access Hollywood tapes had Trump confess he is a sexual assaulter. The man has a history of being a terrible human being and was rewarded with the presidency. Long live the champ.
In three-plus years the heel has survived major matches. The Russian investigation with Robert Mueller didn't take him down, despite the obvious crimes.
His "perfect" phone call to the Ukrainian President got him impeached. But as the quintessential heel, the deck was stacked in his favor. His henchmen in the Senate made sure he survived the Senate impeachment trial.
After such a long run as champ, it appears he may be on the ropes heading into the last five months of the 2020 campaign. 2020 has left the heel "punch drunk" and shaken.
Trump's deadly response to the COVID-19 pandemic elevated his arrogance and ignorance. How do you like your bleach? Over 110 000 dead, and 2 million-plus are stricken with COVID-19.
His so-called economy plunged to the depths of the Great Depression.
The protests against police brutality and systemic racism, sent him scurrying to hide in the White House Bunker. But to show he is not a coward he ordered the gassing of innocent American citizens at a church.
Most wrestlers heel or baby-face carry a nickname to help personify their character. Hulk, Macho Man, Bad Bad Leroy Brown, Sweet Ebony Diamond, The Butcher, The Hitman. I will now present the most appropriate nickname for the champion heel president.
"And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth."
Revelations 6:8 KJV
Yes, Trump's nickname will be "Pale Rider" the last horseman of the apocalypse riding the pale horse. That rider brings pestilence and is known as "Death." Donald "Pale Rider" Trump.
Now we must examine the opponent Joe Biden. Biden has been involved in political battles for over four decades. It has been his life work, he is well known. But in this current time, he is selling himself as a populist. "Pale Rider" isn't popular so it makes sense for Biden to cultivate this territory. Biden will be the baby-face used to wrestle the championship from the heel.
The babyface must be able to connect with the fans, convince them he is one of them. He must prove he is fighting against a bad guy and he will win in the end. The baby-face must also be resilient. He will lose more then he wins but it's about staying power. The challenger gets knocked down repeatedly. The measure of his character is how strong he comes back. The baby-face does not need to be perfect, he just has to be perceived as a better person than the villain.
Joe Biden's traits as a professional wrestling babyface are as follows.
The level of misfortune in his life proves the man is resilient.
This is the third time Biden is trying to claim the presidency. He ran a short-lived campaign in 1987, dropping out on 9/23/87. He tried again and failed in 2008. But he did get a silver medal becoming VP.
He reminds me of Charlie Brown and Lucy. Lucy puts the football out there for Charlie Brown to kick it, and he believes he will finally win and kick that ball. Time and time again Lucy pulls the ball away and Charlie Brown falls flat on his back.
We can sum up Biden's losing qualities in the words of Teddy Pendergrass.
Looking back over my years
I guessed I've shed some tears
Told myself time and time again
This time I'm gonna win
But another fight, things ain't right
I'm losing again
Takes a fool to lose twice
And start all over again.
This time Joe Biden has come out looking to throw punches. He told an autoworker he is "full of shit." He even asked the man if he wants to take it outside. He told another man he is a "damn liar," and "fat." Joe Biden is a fighter this time he's looking to "knuckle up."
Once the 2020 Democratic Primaries started it looked like another typical Biden presidential run, a quick flameout. Then out of nowhere, Biden managed to kick the football for the game-winner. He won South Carolina on his way to winning the Democratic nomination.
Now he must get the people excited, reach out to them that he understands their angst. Joe is coming across as the common man. He once said he is the poorest man in the Senate. He is preaching his gospel of resiliency. His outreach is about the hard times the American public is facing in 2020 and he can relate to that.
Here is an excerpt from the ABC11 interview with Jonah Kaplan.
JB:" A whole range of things. First of all, too many families are sitting at the kitchen table this morning saying, 'I know the tires are bald but we don't have the money. We're going to have to ride another 5,000 miles on those tires.' All this talk about how great the economy is. Well, the economy is growing - short of what's happening with the Coronavirus and what this President is doing - the economy is growing but middle-class wages are falling. Middle-class people and working-class people have no way up. There's a study done by Brookings (Institution) that if in fact, you have a bill for $400 in a month that you didn't anticipate, you'd have to borrow the money or you'd have to go sell something. So what I do is I focus on the things that make a difference for people: I make sure that they are able to organize and have jobs. I make sure they're in a position where there are minimum wages that people are going to be able to make, $15 an hour. That's not enough to get them to deal with a $400 bill, but I also make sure they're going to be in a position where they can afford their health care, they can afford to send their kid to school."
During the current unrest with the ongoing protest against police brutality, systemic racism and COVID-19. Joe has taken the position of listening and sympathizing with the common man. In the current context, the common man is the black voter. To avoid missteps among black voters, he has employed Symone Sanders as a Senior Advisor. She is a strong assertive black woman that knows the political game well. Sanders provides advice on all topics, but it is about getting black people excited for him. Symone Sanders is a real-life "Dora Milaje."
Joe took his newfound energy to a black radio show and said.
"Well, I tell you what, if you have a problem figuring out whether you're for me or Trump, then you ain't black."
The corporate media tried to make it more than what it was. Joe got excited with his relatability angle to black voters, but no harm was done. He moves on with the support of black voters.
Biden attended the funeral service of George Floyd whose death has resonated around the world. He spoke directly to the family giving them comfort.
Joe Biden as a professional babyface wrestler is also in need of a nickname. He will be known as Joe "The All American" Biden.
While the Villainous champ only relates to an electorate of hate and venom. The hero challenger is appealing to the broader electorate with hope and togetherness.
Where is the wrestling connection? Here it is.
In 1987 two wrestlers battled for the NWA world heavyweight championship. These two wrestlers represent Trump and Biden so much it would be funny if the outcome weren't so serious.
Ric "The Nature Boy" the then champion heel is representative of Donald "Pale Rider" Trump.
Dusty "The American Dream" Rhodes the then "babyface" challenger represents Joe "All American" Biden.
Ric "The Nature Boy" Flair battled "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes over several months for the world title in 1987. They were the perfect dance partners. In the ring, their wrestling personas were a match made in heaven.
Flair was the consummate heel. He was an arrogant, cheating, lying, flamboyant champion. The name Nature Boy tells you the man is supremely confident. His hair color was Platinum blonde, clothes were impeccable, perfectly coordinated suits. Flair even forced the audience to look at the most minor details such as his ten thousand dollars Rolex and six hundred dollar lizard shoes.
When you look as good as The Nature Boy, one good looking woman was not enough. Flair made sure to have multiple women at their pleasure. Ric Flair was not the common man and he made sure the audience knew that.
"I'm Ric Flair! The styling, profiling, limousine riding, jet flying, kiss stealing, wheeling, dealing, son of a gun! Humility was not in the man's DNA.
Despite his stylish appearance his credentials as a heel are well earned. Flair would always have a gouge to the eye when needed. He will stoop so low to give his opponent a blow to the "jewels" to save his skin.
The Nature Boy knew he couldn't beat back all challengers without the help of outside interference. Flair became the leader of the best-named group in the history of professional wrestling. The Nature Boy introduced the world to "The Four Horsemen." The original group consisted of Flair, Arn and Ole Anderson, and Tully Blanchard. The simple hand gesture of holding up four fingers indicated you were part of the Four Horseman. The fans went wild for it, they would put up the hand sign when the Horsemen were present.
The Horsemen brought havoc whenever they were unleashed.
The Modus Operandi of Flair and his henchmen were to keep Flair as champion. You had to know if you fought Flair the Horsemen were always lurking nearby to protect him.
The most interesting thing about Ric Flair is his persona in the ring was who he was outside the ring. He disrespected women, cheated on his wives, dressed in the best clothes. Rode in limos partied and drank at every turn. Flair was living this lifestyle from the 70"s through the 2000"s. In 2017 he was rushed to the hospital put into an induced coma to save his life. His decade's long partying lifestyle almost cost him his life during that hospitalization.
Ric Flair said, "To be the man you have to beat the man." As a champion and “heel” nobody did it better and longer than “ The Nature Boy.”
As contemporaries, I openly wonder if Trump took on the persona of Ric Flair. Flair has a long history of misogyny. He was horrible with finances leading to court filings from the IRS and unpaid creditors. His legal battles with his ex-wives and other women were epic.
Despite the ugly similarities, Trump is a simple-minded buffoon who relies on hate to communicate. However, Ric Flair did it with pure charisma.
Dusty "The American Dream" Rhodes was one of my favorite wrestlers. The man convinced everybody he was fighting for them. He was the common man, he was the "little son of a plumber from Austin Texas." He believed in hard work and working harder to achieve your goals. His ring rap was borrowed from Mohamed Ali, and it was the best. Dusty Rhodes had you believe he was going to win that next match solely based on his lingo.
"I am the hit-maker, the record-breaker. I got style and grace, a pretty face. I'll make your back crack, your liver quiver."
If you close your eyes and listen to Rhodes you would think this is an over the top black man. Dusty did say he could wine with royalty and he could also get down with the "brothers" in the mud. Despite his large unathletic appearance, the man was unbelievably athletic. He would bounce on his toes, release his jabs like lightning bolts. He would perform the Ali shuffle and glide into his "Atomic Elbow."
In 1985 "The American Dream" created the most iconic wrestling promo in the history of wrestling. He gave a sermon that day, everybody who heard it was able to relate to his every word. His pain was your pain, your suffering his suffering. In the end, he left you believing he was going to meet the challenge head-on and win.
His words were true then and true today. The man was a prophet.
The promo is best known as "Hard times."Hard Times
Dusty Rhodes: "First of all, I would like to thank the many, many fans throughout this country that wrote cards and letters to Dusty Rhodes, the American Dream, while I was down. Secondly, I want to thank Jim Crockett Promotions for waiting and taking the time, because I know how important it was — Starrcade '85 — it is to the wrestling fans and it is to Jim Crockett Promotions. And Dusty Rhodes, the American Dream, with that wait, got what I wanted: Ric Flair, the world's heavyweight champion!
I don't have to say a lot more about the way I feel about Ric Flair. No respect! No honor! There is no honor among thieves in the first place. He put hard times on Dusty Rhodes and his family. You don't know what hard times are, daddy! Hard times are when the textile workers around this country are out of work and got four, five kids, and can't pay their wages, can't buy their food. Hard times are when the auto workers are out of work and they tell them 'Go home!'. And hard times are when a man has worked at a job thirty years — thirty years! — they give him a watch, kick him in the butt and say 'Hey, a computer took your place, daddy!'. That's hard times! That's hard times.
And Ric Flair, you put hard times on this country by taking Dusty Rhodes out. That's hard times! And we all had hard times together. I admit I don't look like the athletes are today supposed to look. My belly is just a little big, my hiney is just a little big, but brother, I am bad, and they know I'm bad. And there were two bad people: one was John Wayne — and he's dead brother — and the other one is right here!
Nature Boy Ric Flair, the world's heavyweight title belongs to these people. I'm gonna reach out right now. I want you at home to know, my hand is touching your hand for this gathering of the biggest body of people in this country, in this universe, all over the world. Now reach it out! Because the love that was given me — and this time I will repay you, now. Because I will be the next world's heavyweight champion, on this Hard Times Blues Dusty Rhodes Tour '85!
And Ric Flair, Nature Boy, let me leave you with this: One way to hurt Ric Flair is to take what he cherishes more than anything in the world. That's the world's heavyweight title. I will take it. I've been there twice. This time, when I take it, daddy, I'm gonna take it for you [the fans]. Let's gather for it! Don't let me down now, 'cause I came back you, for that man up there that died ten, twelve years ago, that never got the opportunity to see a real world's champion. I'm proud of you and thank god I have you. I love you. Love you!"
It would take almost nine months from the time of "Hard Times" before Dusty finally got his hands back on the championship from Flair.
In 1986 Flair and Rhodes fought upwards of 30 matches either head to head or various tag teams, horsemen included. As the "babyface" Dusty lost the majority of matches as planned.
Ric Flair would cling onto the precipice of defeat time and time again. But he always found a way to remain champ. It was the perfect cliff-hanger for the next installment.
On his journey to beating Flair, Dusty did get the opportunity to wear a championship belt again. He won the World Heavyweight TV Championship. It was a significant title but he wasn't “The Man."
The fans were now in a frenzy for change. To add to the intensity the ultimate match was held in a steel cage. Two men enter no outside interference there must be a winner.
On July 26, 1986, Dusty "The American Dream" Rhodes finally defeated Ric "The Nature Boy" Flair. To become "The Man."
A final point of interest in "The American Dream." Later on in his career, he went through his "polka dot" era. He was much older and it was hard to watch. But one thing did stand out, he had a black woman at his side. Her name was Sapphire. She was tasked with helping Rhodes sell the reinvented Dusty. The fans cheered it for a while but it was a terrible schtick.
Let's hope Joe "The All American Biden" with Symone Sanders watching his back will get that elusive win on November 3, 2020. These are “Hard Times Daddy.”
Virgil Runnels Jr. (October 12, 1945- June 11, 2015),


dailykos--2020-06-22--The NFL Can Help Heal Our Nation

The NFL Can Help Heal Our Nation

Colin Rand Kaepernick was born on November 3rd , 1987 in Milwaukee , Wisconsin .
I was just an 8th grader in Maine , and very unaware of professional sports .
I grew upon Sebago Lake , just 18 miles northwest of Portland .
My sister and I had lots of things to hold our attention during the fleetingly short summers and during the longer winters .
We enjoyed swimming , fishing , water sports and boating.Then it was hockey on the frozen water .
Ice fishing , building snow forts , school snow days , and the inevitable snowball @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the best tactic for winning said snowball engagement .
It wasn ’ t until my junior year in high school that I developed an interest in college and pro sports .
Joe Montana and the 49ers were frequently on national television.Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls were fine tuning their prowess under coach and sensei Phil Jackson .
The Fighting Irish were calibrating behind their leader Lou Holtz .
My mom and I watched many of those games .
In 1985 , my mother owned a small yet growing floral business .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ floral designer .
It was a taboo move to many , however through this action and dinner table conversations , she taught us important lessons of awareness , acceptance and tolerance .
Lessons that have guided me over the years while living in Maine , Boston , London , Chicago , and San Francisco , not to mention the many cities and towns I ’ ve traveled to across this country .
Colin Kaepernick sat on the bench while our national anthem played prior to the 49ers first three preseason games in 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nate Boyer , lead to an in-person meeting between the two men .
During their time together , Boyer shared that “ Soldiers take a knee in front of a fallen brother 's grave , you know , to show respect , ” that resonated with Colin Kaepernick .
He elected to kneel for the final preseason and subsequent regular season games .
Boyer had successfully brought Kaepernick to a “ middle ground ” as he described it .
As we all now know , Kaepernick ’ s NFL career was undisputedly altered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Many have debated his level of talent that season and even his desire to continue playing in the NFL .
Those debates aside , no one can argue that his ignition of a critical discussion across our society was effective.Nearly four years later , a discussion then essentially dismissed by the NFL , rebutted by many Americans , now has a new life .
The death of George Floyd , likely due to a police officer ’ s knee against his neck , on the ground for over 8 minutes , has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ football will almost certainly return this fall , with or without fans .
The NFL is uniquely poised to help our country heal from not one , but two unyielding disruptive events .
Commissioner Roger Goodell in recent days has intimated that maybe he , and the NFL got it wrong with reactions to Colin Kaepernick , suggesting that a team should seriously consider signing the former SF quarterback .
No one can say why will happen tomorrow , or three months from now , but I submit this to NFL fans , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the league : prior to every game , before playing the national anthem , observe one minute of silence .
Fans ( if in attendance ) bow their heads.Players , coaches , trainers , media , referees , and owners take a knee .
Then , after those 60 seconds , everyone stands for our national anthem .
Everyone stands for our flag .
Everyone stands together for our country .

Colin Rand Kaepernick was born on November 3rd, 1987 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I was just an 8th grader in Maine, and very unaware of professional sports. I grew upon Sebago Lake, just 18 miles northwest of Portland. My sister and I had lots of things to hold our attention during the fleetingly short summers and during the longer winters. We enjoyed swimming, fishing, water sports and boating.Then it was hockey on the frozen water. Ice fishing, building snow forts, school snow days, and the inevitable snowball “fight”. I still have the best tactic for winning said snowball engagement.
It wasn’t until my junior year in high school that I developed an interest in college and pro sports. Joe Montana and the 49ers were frequently on national television.Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls were fine tuning their prowess under coach and sensei Phil Jackson. The Fighting Irish were calibrating behind their leader Lou Holtz. My mom and I watched many of those games.
In 1985, my mother owned a small yet growing floral business. That year she hired an HIV positive male floral designer. It was a taboo move to many, however through this action and dinner table conversations, she taught us important lessons of awareness, acceptance and tolerance. Lessons that have guided me over the years while living in Maine, Boston, London, Chicago, and San Francisco, not to mention the many cities and towns I’ve traveled to across this country.
Colin Kaepernick sat on the bench while our national anthem played prior to the 49ers first three preseason games in 2016. An open letter from ex-Green Beret Nate Boyer, lead to an in-person meeting between the two men. During their time together,Boyer shared that “Soldiers take a knee in front of a fallen brother's grave, you know, to show respect,” that resonated with Colin Kaepernick. He elected to kneel for the final preseason and subsequent regular season games. Boyer had successfully brought Kaepernick to a “middle ground” as he described it.
As we all now know, Kaepernick’s NFL career was undisputedly altered over the course oft he 2016 season. Many have debated his level of talent that season and even his desire to continue playing in the NFL. Those debates aside, no one can argue that his ignition of a critical discussion across our society was effective.Nearly four years later, a discussion then essentially dismissed by the NFL, rebutted by many Americans, now has a new life.
The death of George Floyd, likely due to a police officer’s knee against his neck, on the ground for over 8 minutes, has disrupted an already disrupted nation. Pro football will almost certainly return this fall, with or without fans. The NFL is uniquely poised to help our country heal from not one, but two unyielding disruptive events. Commissioner Roger Goodell in recent days has intimated that maybe he, and the NFL got it wrong with reactions to Colin Kaepernick, suggesting that a team should seriously consider signing the former SF quarterback.
No one can say why will happen tomorrow, or three months from now, but I submit this to NFL fans, players, coaches, owners, and the league: prior to every game, before playing the national anthem, observe one minute of silence. Fans (if in attendance) bow their heads.Players, coaches, trainers, media, referees, and owners take a knee. Then, after those 60 seconds, everyone stands for our national anthem. Everyone stands for our flag. Everyone stands together for our country.


dailykos--2020-06-22--Designed to fail: Florida's unemployment system is a lesson in bad government

Florida 's response to the unemployment crisis has been a nightmare .
From a broken website to benefits that barely cover basic necessities , everything seems to have gone wrong .
But the biggest problem is not that the system is n't working ; it 's that it is .
Florida 's unemployment insurance system was designed to fail , and , sadly , many of the people responsible for this disaster are still in elected office .
In 2011 , during the height of the last Great Recession , Governor Rick Scott , Rep. Jamie Grant , and their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one goal : make it hurt .
So they changed the laws to benefit the wealthiest corporations in Florida by reducing the number of weeks a person was eligible for benefits .
The new law also made it easier for employers to deny eligible workers the benefits they earned by saying that they were fired for cause when they were n't .
The State of Florida pays $ 275 a week for a maximum of 12 weeks of benefits .
The national average for benefits is $ 380 and lasts up to 26 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Tampa Bay Times , `` Florida also consistently ranks near the bottom in the number of people who apply for benefits compared to how many get them.
” Going without a steady paycheck is awful , and Florida 's punitive unemployment system is downright cruel .
But it gets worse .
Florida 's unemployment insurance website , also known as CONNECT , has been riddled with problems since the Department of Economic Opportunity unveiled the new system in 2013 .
The cost to taxpayers was an astronomical $ 77 million , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - already a red flag .
According to numerous reports in the Tampa Bay Times and other outlets , everything about how a user interacts with the new website is flawed , including the basics , like logging into your account .
The new site requires a claimant to use a unique PIN to log-in .
If you forget your PIN , you have to call DEO on the phone to have it reset .
Ken Lawson , Executive Director of DEO , told the media that his office received an astonishing 1.5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If a person was able to get through to an operator at all , it 's usually after waiting on hold for hours .
Families are now being forced to live with patchwork repairs on what is a life-saving service .
The saddest part of the whole debacle is that official state auditors identified problems with the website in 2015 and 2016 , and as recently as March 2019 .
The alarm was sounded , and the Governor and Legislature failed to act .
Instead , it was business-as-usual at the Capitol @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Florida 's largest corporations at the top of the to-do list and basic systems that protect Florida 's workers left behind .
Now would be a good time for legislative leaders to take responsibility and commit to a transparent plan to fix the problems plaguing the system .
Many elected officials have refused to do so , turning unemployment into a partisan issue .
In May , Representative Jamie Grant doubled-down on his 2011 vote .
At a Tiger Bay meeting , when asked why he voted to dismantle unemployment , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and would support them again . ''
He even went so far as to vote against a special legislative session to address the problem .
Maybe Jamie Grant or Rick Scott do n't know anyone who has temporarily relied on unemployment to feed their family .
Perhaps they do n't know what it 's like for a parent to send their child to school without lunch money .
As a public school teacher , I 've looked moms and dads in the eyes and seen how painful it is for a parent to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ food , or pay for school supplies .
And that is who has suffered the most from changes to the unemployment system - children and families .
Good government is vital to our democracy .
And what happened to Florida 's unemployment system is a textbook example of what not to do .
I expect voters to end the nightmare in November by voting out every legislator who had a hand in creating this debacle .
Let 's remind the legislature precisely who they work for : the people of Florida .
Jessica @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Florida ’ s 64th District .
Find out more about her campaign here

Florida's response to the unemployment crisis has been a nightmare. From a broken website to benefits that barely cover basic necessities, everything seems to have gone wrong. But the biggest problem is not that the system isn't working; it's that it is.
Florida's unemployment insurance system was designed to fail, and, sadly, many of the people responsible for this disaster are still in elected office.
In 2011, during the height of the last Great Recession, Governor Rick Scott, Rep. Jamie Grant, and their allies redesigned Florida's unemployment system with one goal: make it hurt. So they changed the laws to benefit the wealthiest corporations in Florida by reducing the number of weeks a person
James Grant, current representative in Florida’s District 64 voted in 2011 to dismantle unemployment. That bill was later signed into law by Governor Rick Scott.
was eligible for benefits. The new law also made it easier for employers to deny eligible workers the benefits they earned by saying that they were fired for cause when they weren't.
The State of Florida pays $275 a week for a maximum of 12 weeks of benefits. The national average for benefits is $380 and lasts up to 26 weeks in most states. According to the Tampa Bay Times, "Florida also consistently ranks near the bottom in the number of people who apply for benefits compared to how many get them.”
Going without a steady paycheck is awful, and Florida's punitive unemployment system is downright cruel. But it gets worse.
Florida's unemployment insurance website, also known as CONNECT, has been riddled with problems since the Department of Economic Opportunity unveiled the new system in 2013. The cost to taxpayers was an astronomical $77 million, which was $14 million more than anticipated - already a red flag.
According to numerous reports in the Tampa Bay Times and other outlets, everything about how a user interacts with the new website is flawed, including the basics, like logging into your account. The
The Department of Economic Opportunity received 1.5 millions calls in a single week due to the broken system. Many people waited for hours on hold to speak to someone.
new site requires a claimant to use a unique PIN to log-in. If you forget your PIN, you have to call DEO on the phone to have it reset. Ken Lawson, Executive Director of DEO, told the media that his office received an astonishing 1.5 million phone calls in a single week. If a person was able to get through to an operator at all, it's usually after waiting on hold for hours.
Families are now being forced to live with patchwork repairs on what is a life-saving service.
The saddest part of the whole debacle is that official state auditors identified problems with the website in 2015 and 2016, and as recently as March 2019. The alarm was sounded, and the Governor and Legislature failed to act. Instead, it was business-as-usual at the Capitol, with even more tax breaks given to Florida's largest corporations at the top of the to-do list and basic systems that protect Florida's workers left behind.
Now would be a good time for legislative leaders to take responsibility and commit to a transparent plan to fix the problems plaguing the system. Many elected officials have refused to do so, turning unemployment into a partisan issue. In May, Representative Jamie Grant doubled-down on his 2011 vote. At a Tiger Bay meeting, when asked why he voted to dismantle unemployment, he said, "I supported the initiative and would support them again." He even went so far as to vote against a special legislative session to address the problem.
Maybe Jamie Grant or Rick Scott don't know anyone who has temporarily relied on unemployment to feed their family. Perhaps they don't know what it's like for a parent to send their child to school without lunch money. As a public school teacher, I've looked moms and dads in the eyes and seen how painful it is for a parent to be out-of-work, unable to buy enough food, or pay for school supplies. And that is who has suffered the most from changes to the unemployment system - children and families.
Good government is vital to our democracy. And what happened to Florida's unemployment system is a textbook example of what not to do. I expect voters to end the nightmare in November by voting out every legislator who had a hand in creating this debacle. Let's remind the legislature precisely who they work for: the people of Florida.
Jessica Harrington is a candidate for State Representative in Florida’s 64th District.
Find out more about her campaign here
Donate Here


dailykos--2020-06-22--If you even HOPE to reform the police, you NEED the defunding movement.

The police violence issue is a ratcheting problem — meaning it goes up , but is prevented from going down .
Police are increasingly militarizing and escalating because it gives them increasing resources and status , and thus power and further income .
Corruption goes up because all methods of reducing corruption are safely behind police union walls , where there is no touching them with law or established politics .
Thus , ‘ Good ’ cops that speak up are consistently punished , removed from important positions , and forced to leave the force for any action against corruption @ @ @ @ @ @ @ powers for the sake of defending abuse .
Reform of all this would definitely be wise — especially when we can see how other nations handle police work , and how it shapes their societies .
Police states are NOT a wise choice , if you ’ ve ever seen how they turn out in full bloom .
But… the mechanisms we ’ d use to reform the police are political ones .
Ones that are basically electrified wire behind lifetimes of police-related politics .
There simply isn ’ t enough muscle — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political system to break down the walls in place with the back-and-forth waves of modern liberal politics .
Those walls are in fact DESIGNED to stop exactly these waves of reforms — the police forces simply have to refuse to comply in subtle ways , and find a way to get back to business as usual , and continue militarizing and pushing horrible politics .
Where do you get the muscle to make real change ?
This is where the Luntz-style political machine is actually resourceful in a way you can use .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a literal army of folks , an active literal army of folks willing to push for unreasonable things — to be the bad cop to your good cop .
Those people are the exact muscle you need .
You need exactly those people .
The “ reasonable ” concern that some of the folks here feel is exactly the mild but affecting persistent fear you need in others to break down those walls of fear the police exploit every day .
See — If they don ’ t want to be defunded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accept maximalist reforms and demilitarizing permanently .
That ’ s the choice you need to be offering .
That ’ s the muscle you need to be able to even do anything , rather than just playing at and ending up doing nothing .
Shaming the defunding effort is exactly what throws away your chance at doing anything .
It is ironically the most unreasonable choice — to give up exactly the power to solve everyone ’ s problems with the minimal harm .
Because otherwise , we continue repeating the past , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you avoid by pushing reform-or-have-worse is well worth the conflict of choice you offer — and embracing your own ‘ radical ’ base to do it is actually healthy for the party .
The party would gain a LOT of muscle by having a radical movement it doesn ’ t just abandon at every opportunity .

The police violence issue is a ratcheting problem — meaning it goes up, but is prevented from going down.
Police are increasingly militarizing and escalating because it gives them increasing resources and status, and thus power and further income.
Corruption goes up because all methods of reducing corruption are safely behind police union walls, where there is no touching them with law or established politics.
Thus, ‘Good’ cops that speak up are consistently punished, removed from important positions, and forced to leave the force for any action against corruption, or refusing to use the new powers for the sake of defending abuse.
Reform of all this would definitely be wise — especially when we can see how other nations handle police work, and how it shapes their societies. Police states are NOT a wise choice, if you’ve ever seen how they turn out in full bloom.
But… the mechanisms we’d use to reform the police are political ones. Ones that are basically electrified wire behind lifetimes of police-related politics.
There simply isn’t enough muscle — enough ‘priority’ behind the safe political system to break down the walls in place with the back-and-forth waves of modern liberal politics. Those walls are in fact DESIGNED to stop exactly these waves of reforms — the police forces simply have to refuse to comply in subtle ways, and find a way to get back to business as usual, and continue militarizing and pushing horrible politics.
Where do you get the muscle to make real change? This is where the Luntz-style political machine is actually resourceful in a way you can use. You use your unreasonable people.
You have a literal army of folks, an active literal army of folks willing to push for unreasonable things — to be the bad cop to your good cop.
Those people are the exact muscle you need.
Those people holding protest slogan signs — DEFUND THE POLICE.
You need exactly those people.
The “reasonable” concern that some of the folks here feel is exactly the mild but affecting persistent fear you need in others to break down those walls of fear the police exploit every day.
See — If they don’t want to be defunded — then they really, really should accept maximalist reforms and demilitarizing permanently.
That’s the choice you need to be offering. That’s the muscle you need to be able to even do anything, rather than just playing at and ending up doing nothing.
Shaming the defunding effort is exactly what throws away your chance at doing anything.
It is ironically the most unreasonable choice — to give up exactly the power to solve everyone’s problems with the minimal harm.
Because otherwise, we continue repeating the past, in increasingly horrible ways.
The conflict you avoid by pushing reform-or-have-worse is well worth the conflict of choice you offer — and embracing your own ‘radical’ base to do it is actually healthy for the party.
The party would gain a LOT of muscle by having a radical movement it doesn’t just abandon at every opportunity.


dailykos--2020-06-23--Richard Thripp for Congress (Democrat for Florida's 6th District) Endorsed by Flagler for Bernie

Thank you for your endorsement , Flagler for Bernie !
My name is Richard Thripp and I 'm running a grassroots , volunteer-powered Progressive Democratic campaign for Congress in Florida 's 6th District .
Flagler County includes the cities of Palm Coast , Flagler Beach , and Bunnell .
Please vote for me in the August 18th Democratic primary ( or by mail ) .
All of Flagler County is included in FL-06 , a red county with 27,451 Democrats , 37,771 Republicans , and 22,818 no-party-affiliated and minor party voters .
Please register to vote or update your voter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a registered Democrat by July 20th , 2020 to vote in the primary ) , and sign up to vote by mail at www.flaglerelections.com .
I have one opponent in the Democratic primary , who is n't doing much , but we do n't want to take anything for granted .
The overall district is winnable , being only 54 % Republican to 46 % Democrat , not counting no-party-affiliated voters , which are about 30 % of the 600,000 voters ( compare to UT-04 , OK-05 ) .
Help us out by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ https : //twitter.com/Thripp2020 https : //www.instagram.com/thripp2020/ Sign this petition too as it may help me get endorsed by Democracy for America : http : //www2.democracyforamerica.com/endorsement_applicants/2475-richard-thripp-for-congress I 'm being interviewed by Progressive Democrats of America for endorsement on July 1st , 2020 .
I have also been endorsed by Our Revolution : Volusia , New Blue Florida , Volusia for Justice , St. Johns for Bernie , and I am a Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate .
We have just gotten materials for canvassing ( just leaving on people 's doors due to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We have a lot of volunteers and could also use help with a volunteer coordinator ( who would also be a volunteer ) .
Email campaign @ thrippforcongress.com if interested .

Thank you for your endorsement, Flagler for Bernie! My name is Richard Thripp and I'm running a grassroots, volunteer-powered Progressive Democratic campaign for Congress in Florida's 6th District. Flagler County includes the cities of Palm Coast, Flagler Beach, and Bunnell.
Please vote for me in the August 18th Democratic primary (or by mail). All of Flagler County is included in FL-06, a red county with 27,451 Democrats, 37,771 Republicans, and 22,818 no-party-affiliated and minor party voters. Please register to vote or update your voter registration at registertovoteflorida.gov (you must be a registered Democrat by July 20th, 2020 to vote in the primary), and sign up to vote by mail at www.flaglerelections.com.
I have one opponent in the Democratic primary, who isn't doing much, but we don't want to take anything for granted. The overall district is winnable, being only 54% Republican to 46% Democrat, not counting no-party-affiliated voters, which are about 30% of the 600,000 voters (compare to UT-04, OK-05).
Learn more at:
http://www.thrippforcongress.com
Help us out by following and liking:
https://www.facebook.com/ThrippforCongress/
https://twitter.com/Thripp2020
https://www.instagram.com/thripp2020/
Sign this petition too as it may help me get endorsed by Democracy for America:
http://www2.democracyforamerica.com/endorsement_applicants/2475-richard-thripp-for-congress
I'm being interviewed by Progressive Democrats of America for endorsement on July 1st, 2020. I have also been endorsed by Our Revolution: Volusia, New Blue Florida, Volusia for Justice, St. Johns for Bernie, and I am a Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate.
We have just gotten materials for canvassing (just leaving on people's doors due to COVID-19) and could use volunteers. We have a lot of volunteers and could also use help with a volunteer coordinator (who would also be a volunteer). Email campaign@thrippforcongress.com if interested.
Thanks,
Richard Thripp, PhD
Progressive Democrat for Florida's 6th District


dailykos--2020-06-23--Richard Thripp for Congress (Democrat for Florida's 6th District) Endorsed by St. Johns for Bernie

Thank you for your endorsement , St. Johns for Bernie !
My name is Richard Thripp and I 'm running a grassroots , volunteer-powered Progressive Democratic campaign for Congress in Florida 's 6th District .
Please vote for me in the August 18th Democratic primary ( or by mail ) .
There are about 8,000 Democrats within FL-06 in St. Johns County .
I am a bit locationally challenged due to living in Orange City .
Rep. Michael Waltz , the incumbent , lives outside his district in St. Augustine Beach .
I have one opponent in the Democratic primary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but we do n't want to take anything for granted .
The district is winnable , being only 54 % Republican to 46 % Democrat , not counting no-party-affiliated voters , which are about 30 % of the 600,000 voters ( compare to UT-04 , OK-05 ) .
Help us out by following and liking : https : //www.facebook.com/ThrippforCongress/ https : //twitter.com/Thripp2020 https : //www.instagram.com/thripp2020/ Sign this petition too as it may help me get endorsed by Democracy for America : http : //www2.democracyforamerica.com/endorsement_applicants/2475-richard-thripp-for-congress I 'm being interviewed by Progressive Democrats of America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I have also been endorsed by Our Revolution : Volusia , New Blue Florida , Volusia for Justice , Flagler for Bernie , and I am a Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate .
We have just gotten materials for canvassing ( just leaving on people 's doors due to COVID-19 ) and could use volunteers .
We have a lot of volunteers and could also use help with a volunteer coordinator ( who would also be a volunteer ) .
Email campaign @ thrippforcongress.com if interested .

Thank you for your endorsement, St. Johns for Bernie! My name is Richard Thripp and I'm running a grassroots, volunteer-powered Progressive Democratic campaign for Congress in Florida's 6th District.
Please vote for me in the August 18th Democratic primary (or by mail). There are about 8,000 Democrats within FL-06 in St. Johns County. I am a bit locationally challenged due to living in Orange City. Rep. Michael Waltz, the incumbent, lives outside his district in St. Augustine Beach. I have one opponent in the Democratic primary, who isn't doing much, but we don't want to take anything for granted. The district is winnable, being only 54% Republican to 46% Democrat, not counting no-party-affiliated voters, which are about 30% of the 600,000 voters (compare to UT-04, OK-05).
Learn more at:
http://www.thrippforcongress.com
Help us out by following and liking:
https://www.facebook.com/ThrippforCongress/
https://twitter.com/Thripp2020
https://www.instagram.com/thripp2020/
Sign this petition too as it may help me get endorsed by Democracy for America:
http://www2.democracyforamerica.com/endorsement_applicants/2475-richard-thripp-for-congress
I'm being interviewed by Progressive Democrats of America for endorsement on July 1st, 2020. I have also been endorsed by Our Revolution: Volusia, New Blue Florida, Volusia for Justice, Flagler for Bernie, and I am a Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate.
We have just gotten materials for canvassing (just leaving on people's doors due to COVID-19) and could use volunteers. We have a lot of volunteers and could also use help with a volunteer coordinator (who would also be a volunteer). Email campaign@thrippforcongress.com if interested.
Thanks,
Richard Thripp, PhD
Progressive Democrat for Florida's 6th District