8/4/61: Barack, me and the JFK baby boom

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Wednesday August 04, 2021 · 5:53 AM PDT

2021/08/04 · 05:53

I guess you had to be born on the very same day as Barack Obama to realize he—we—were born 9 months after the election of JFK in Nov 1960.

Perhaps my Boston Irish parents and his Hawaiian based intellectual parents had a common reason to celebrate JFK’s election... it’s certainly a story I’m sticking with.

Obama is the only person I ever met born on the very same day as me, which can be a major blow to the ego when trying to assess your accomplishments in life, but we all need a little humbleness.

At the time we met he was still a mere mortal as a US Senator and signed his book with our birthdate. I met him a year later—still Sen Obama—when this picture was snapped. I inserted a very recent picture of us, to give a very unscientific look at how the Presidency ages you.

I understand Obama has scaled back his celebration today. Just like when we both had to decide whether we were going to register for the draft at 18 (it was a big, big deal for a few months back in 1979) it is one of the same decisions he and I have to make...from time to time.

National Popular Vote Compact is a well-intentioned disaster waiting to happen. Why am I wrong?

KBowe

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Friday March 01, 2019 · 9:10 AM PST

2019/03/01 · 09:10

National_Popular_Vote_Compact_seems_like_a_bad_idea..png

One issue many progressives embrace is the National Popular Vote Compact that is designed to ensure that the popular vote of the people overrules the obsolete Electoral College. Lately it has gained steam with the potential of passing in Colorado and Maine.

I’m all for ways to rid our political system of the Electoral College for the same reasons my fellow progressives share. It was born from a compromise designed not only to maintain slavery in the US, but actually swung the balance of power to slave holding states. And today, it acts as a reactionary weight that impedes social justice, never mind it gave us George W. Bush and Donald Trump when the American voters elected someone else.

But repealing the EC maybe impossible, as it would require many of the lesser populated states that have a disproportionate amount of power with the EC, to cede that power. It’s awfully hard to get someone to cede power and convincing several smaller states to do that may be a bridge to far.

Which is why the National Popular Vote Compact was proposed, where states would pass laws promising to cast their electoral votes to the candidate that won the popular vote, even if a majority of that state’s voters, voted of the other candidate. The measure would take effect when states with a combined total of 270 EC votes (the amount required to win a majority of EC votes) pass the measure, even though states representing the other 270 votes would not be bound by this compact.

The flaw in this line of thinking is so obvious that I’m shocked and confused as to how close this effort is to becoming a reality. So far a vast majority of the states committing to this compact are Blue states and most Red states are ignoring (or defeating) this effort.

If the National Popular Vote Compact succeeds, it will create a situation where if the Republicans lose the popular vote and win the EC vote, we elect a Republican. And if the Democrats lose the popular vote and win the EC, Democratic states like California, New York and Massachusetts will vote to elect a Republican in the EC. This creates a situation for the progressives where “heads they win, tails we lose” and I for the life of me can not understand why this is being embraced by Democracy Reform Advocates.

Yes, in modern history the two times this occurred, it favored the GOP. And advocated for the Popular Vote Compact claim that a EC win and a popular vote loss scenario will most likely happen for the GOP.

But in 2004, if 65,000 voters in Ohio swung into John Kerry’s column, the Democrats would have won the EC and lost the national popular vote. So if the Popular Vote Compact was in place at the time, many blue states would have been compelled to vote for a second term of George Bush. Can you imagine that happening in the future?

I don’t have an answer to the conundrum of the EC. Nor am I an expert on the Popular Voter Compact, but what I can see it seems like a very flawed “solution”. Can someone tell me why I’m wrong? That progressives are setting ourselves up for a scenario that ANY TIME the Dems win the EC and not the popular, we had the Presidency to the GOP.

Google Business Model Undermines Democracy

KBowe

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Thursday November 03, 2016 · 9:57 AM PDT

2016/11/03 · 09:57

I had a chance last year to engage Presidential candidate Ben Carson in a back and forth about the issue of what to do in Syria, Iraq and dealing with ISIS. I recorded and loaded onto youtube this nerdy discussion for all to see. And to underwrite my efforts, I choose to monetize the video in an effort to recoup the amount of the time and effort I put into the video.

But youtube and their corporate owner Google have informed me that “your video or video details aren’t advertiser-friendly. As a result, your video can’t be monetized”. When I looked through all their guidelines I found this:

Controversial or sensitive subjects and events, including subjects related to war, political conflicts, natural disasters and tragedies, even if graphic imagery is not shown

So my attempt to inform the public about the foreign policy position of a presidential candidate was unacceptable content for their advertising platform. So if anyone wanted to develop content that informs people on public policy issues involving foreign policy and questions about war and peace, you won’t be able to use Youtube as platform to monetize your content and develop a sustainable business model.

Just one more disturbing example of the dumbing down of the Democratic discourse in the digital age and also an example of how Google, Facebook and other platforms are not operating in the public interest.

So tell me, is this video so objectionable that it warrants being labeled advertiser-unfriendly?

YouTube Video

Video of Trump campaign detaining press, controlling their reporting & creating hostile environm

KBowe

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Sunday March 13, 2016 · 4:31 PM PDT

2016/03/13 · 16:31

With the recent assault of two reporters at Trump events-one by the Secret Service, the other by Trump’s campaign manager-much has been written about the control Trump places on the press as they attempt to cover one of his events.

But I haven’t seen much video evidence to give people a real appreciation of what is happening at events. I covered about 8 Trump events during the New Hampshire Primary as part of my vlogging efforts. I had posted some examples of how Trump whips up the crowd against the media. But after the recent assaults, I went through some old footage I knew I had of more examples.

The footage really speak for itself. What is also apparent is the Trump press crackdown is nothing new. Trump was having reporters escorted around his events in October. He was whipping up the crowds against the “disgusting” media since December and restricting reporters movements since January. So it is no surprise that assaults of journalists started happening in March.

But this long history of media abuse by Trumps begs the question: Why aren’t the media executives screaming about the treatment of their reporters! Screaming about reporters who can’t cover the news because they are being detained? Clearly the media bosses have decided they need to keep their access to Trump at the cost of the safety for their employees and the integrity of the journalistic profession.

See for yourself:

YouTube Video

The Campaign "Privatization" undermining the Bill of Rights

KBowe

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Tuesday March 01, 2016 · 9:55 AM PST

2016/03/01 · 09:55

Yesterday’s events involving a federal agent assaulting a photographer who was foolhardy enough to lean over an enclosed barrier to cover a story, and the 30 black students who were escorted out of another rally by law enforcement for being black, underscores a new trend that is undermining our basic rights as citizens.

Yes, our rights as citizens is between us and our government and we don’t have protected rights of free speech, etc.; with private companies or groups.

But now political groups, led by the Trump campaign, are privatizing political events as a way to circumvent Free Speech and a Free Press.

For six months I covered the NH Primary as a video blogger and was basically a member of the press (full credentialed) and I was held against my will on three different occasions by either the Secret Service (from orders of the Trump campaign), local police or Trump staff. On two of those occasions I was held against my will because I wanted to leave the press pen at the end of the event to...leave the event.

You maybe wondering what possible logic is being used to turn a civic event related to the election of President into virtual prison for the press and public?

Well, here is the logic and I’d love the view of any 1st Amendment experts about the case law here. The Trump campaign told me on the occasions I was being held against my will that they are a private organizations (a dubious claim by a group specifically set up to engage in public discourse or running for government office) and they rent facilities (doesn’t matter if they are publicly owned) and therefore their rallies are private events and the press and public are invited guests to their private event. Therefore we are subject to all their conditions—like reporters are not allowed to report and (apparently) blacks can not stand together.

Here is an example of the Trump campaign requiring reporters to be escorted by Trump volunteers when they wanted to interview voters:

YouTube Video

This is not a slippery slope argument...we are on the slope sliding into tyranny and if we don’t stop it, we’ll have to outlaw marching bands...you think I’m kidding?

YouTube Video

In this perverted argument...St. Anselm’s, who was hosting the GOP debate in February and provided a “free speech” zone for all kinds of protesters. But this “private” entity (who is exempt from paying taxes, thanks to it’s government-granted status as a non-profit) gets to determine what constitutes “free speech” at this civic event. They decided music played with instruments was not speech and prevented them from their form of protest.

Now I’m somewhat familiar with the case law (and I’m not a lawyer) and I understand a shopping mall does not have to allow political campaigns or groups on to their property. But we’ve gone far, far from that argument. Now the groups set up by a candidate to engage the public have a right to control the public’s free speech rights and they have the right to control the press as they cover a political event.

It goes without saying that these are sad and scary times. I have faith that—eventually—Americans will understand what Trump is really about and he and his “movement” will be placed in the dustbin of history with Joe McCarthy. But I do fear that this concept of a political campaign as a private group that can limit the Rights of Citizens and the Press at political events will live on...because it gives the campaigns—of all persuasions—so much power, that they’ll fight to keep this.

All Star Musicians Sing #FeelTheBern at Commit to Vote Concert for Bernie & GrandKids-Video

KBowe

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Sunday February 14, 2016 · 1:34 PM PST

2016/02/14 · 13:34

The eve before the big New Hampshire Primary blowout, thousands battled a snow storm to attend the Commit to Vote Concert for Bernie Sanders on the UNH-Durham campus. We got to hear Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Fantastic Negrito, Big Data, Matt Nathanson, Kit Wright and others. After Bernie spoke, all the musicians sang the “Feel the Bern” song, written (I think) by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros.

I’ve heard Bernie speak about his grandchildren, but it was the first event I ever saw them attend with grand pa (or whatever they call him). Hope you enjoy!

YouTube Video

Edward Sharpe & the Magnetics Perform at Bernie Concert - Video

KBowe

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Saturday February 13, 2016 · 7:21 AM PST

2016/02/13 · 07:21

Two minutes of enjoyment:

YouTube Video

Peace Breaks Out @ NH Polls on Election Day

KBowe

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Wednesday February 10, 2016 · 7:38 PM PST

2016/02/10 · 19:38

YouTube Video

Trump's Millionaire Friends Help Con America and Vets into Believing He Cares

KBowe

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Friday January 29, 2016 · 3:15 PM PST

2016/01/29 · 15:15

Many are aware of the smoke and mirrors Trump plays in “supporting the vets”. He’s given more money to the Clinton Foundation than veteran charities (in Trumpese, “by A LOT”). Also, the money people gave last night at his made-up event to duck the voters of Iowa, actually went into his personal foundation. Now the King of BS is bragging how this event raised $6 million, which the media has dutifully reported without a scintilla of in-depth reporting—giving the impression that it came from a wave of grassroots support. Of course the press doesn’t have to do any work to learn that MOST OF THE MONEY CAME FROM A FEW OF HIS MILLIONAIRE FRIENDS. The reason the press doesn’t have to dig to learn these facts? He told them and the few hundred people who attended his town hall in New Hampshire today. (Which, regrettably included me.) So here is a one minute summary of where most of this money came from:

YouTube Video

Obama Birther Takes Aim at Cruz Just Before Iowa

KBowe

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Wednesday January 27, 2016 · 5:46 PM PST

2016/01/27 · 17:46

There are plenty of horrible things to say about Andy Martin, one of the Obama Birther Pioneers. Now he is taking aim at Ted Cruz with a 3 day Ted Cruz Birther Summit in Washington DC this weekend. That Martin sees an opportunity to worm into the spotlight is no surprise, but his choice of the weekend before Iowa is a wink towards Trump.

Now I wouldn’t make an effort to interview Martin, but when he and I were at the “Lesser Known Candidates” debate in New Hampshire (oh ya, forget to mentioned Martin is also a candidate for President on the Republican Primary in New Hampshire...him and 27 other people) and he mentioned his Birther Summit couldn’t resist piling it on to Cruz.

Among the take ways... It is the liberal legal experts that back Cruz on this and Judges he SAYS he would appoint with disagree that Cruz is a natural born citizen and Martin says Obama had a stronger case that Cruz.

YouTube Video

Trump campaign bus w/stripper pole turned into Anti-Trump rolling protest

KBowe

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Tuesday January 26, 2016 · 5:22 PM PST

2016/01/26 · 17:22

I know many want a narrative to intro the video...but I shot it and edited it, so that is my labor of love and not a narrative set up. You won’t regret the one minute story:

YouTube Video

GOP Kicks Puppet, "Triumph the Insult Comic Dog" Out of Candidate Event - Funny Video

KBowe

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Monday January 25, 2016 · 1:37 PM PST

2016/01/25 · 13:37

Comedian Robert Smigel and his puppet are apparently a threat to democracy. That is why the New Hampshire GOP used two police officers to escort Smigel and his puppet from political forum. Thank God, for who knows what kind of subversive subject matter they were collecting for one of his up coming bits.

YouTube Video

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