I just want to say HA to all the surrender monkeys saying Kav was inevitable....

[bettyellen]

Last edited Fri Sep 28, 2018, 06:28 PM - Edit history (1)

You were (literally,factually) wrong.
You are STILL wrong.
You’ve been discouraging activism for weeks, if not months.
Sit down and stuff a sock in it. (If this applies to you)
Do the work!

[unitedwethrive]

1. Please, tell us what work can be done about this confirmation.

I've already made a dozen calls to senators, and I live on the west coast, so can't go in person to protest.

Everyone says to fight, but what can we really do to minimize the helplessness?

[bettyellen]

5. More calls, letters to the editors, registering voters and supporting Flake and an FBI investigation

I’m not talking to people who are and have been doing the work. I’m talking about the ones who’ve been trying to convince us this is all a waste of time. It is not.

[Adrahil]

2. I hope you are right.

I still think there's a 90% chance this is a charade and he gets confirmed.

[marylandblue]

11. Predict gives him a 63% chance, down 11 from this morning.

Thing, he dropped a lot when Ford testified, then ounced back with his Emmy-award performance. But with the FBI, it's a different story. They don't care if you yell at them and no Senator will be there to call the investigators off when they zero in on that night.

[bettyellen]

25. Sunday there is a big interview w Avenatti's client.... the winds change every moment.

[Awsi Dooger]

29. You are doing a good job following that site and market

Provides some needed perspective toward the so-called wisdom of the crowd at a point in time.

I am still holding my Yes shares averaging 44 cents. While I'm glad there will apparently be an FBI investigation I'm not confident it will be full scope and able to satisfy GOP senators that Dr. Ford's version is correct. If not, they'll simply confirm and start chirping that it was all a big witch hunt and that Kavanaugh has been vindicated. Trump will use it as the single example toward the midterm on how the system is rigged against himself and conservatives.

Plenty of risk on our side. That's all I'm saying. The term FBI investigation on this type of thing may sound a lot more comprehensive and conclusive than it actually is.

[Anon-C]

3. I left Jeff Flake four voice mails last night.

I may get discouraged at times but I never give up.

[bettyellen]

7. Looks like it worked! ❤️👊❤️

[PA Democrat]

15. You beat me. I only left him TWO.

Lindsay Graham is not taking calls. His mailbox has been full.

[Frances]

28. I couldn't leave a message either

I have lots of relatives in South Carolina so it’s even more personal for me

[Mme. Defarge]

4. Sometimes I love it

when I’m wrong! 😘

[bettyellen]

65. HA! We all need to keep our sense of humor, as well as hope.

[unblock]

6. i haven't seen any "surrender monkeys" here or elsewhere.

and saying "kav is inevitable" and "discouraging activism" are very different things.

personally, i have (low) faith in the republican party i've come to know and therefore i think they'll vote to confirm kavanaugh almost no matter what. i wouldn't quite say "inevitable", but i would say it would take something much more odious *to republicans* to derail his confirmation.

that's not to discourage activism by any stretch. on the contrary, i think we should be working the crap out of this situation and carrying that energy over to november and beyond.

i don't think our activism will derail a confirmation, but there are multiple goals of activism and it's well worth it to be active as hell right now; it will pay dividends later.

[bettyellen]

8. I've seen many people told calling Collins or Murkowski is a waste of time...

Because he is inevitable.
And they’ve ignored all new information and pushback if the last several weeks.

There are many many trolls Tweeting the same discouraging message to Dems. When you find yourself echoing trolls, what do you do? Me? I shut the hell up.

[unblock]

10. me, i correct the trolls; or, i ignore them entirely.

if trolls are discouraging activism, i'll encourage it.

personally, i don't think clarifying that the main goal of activism today is for a payoff in november and beyond is problematic.
after all, i don't want activists to be disappointed if and when kavanaugh is confirmed and then to lose their enthusiasm for november.

activism with open eyes is the only thing that makes sense to me.

[bettyellen]

12. I didn't say anyone was "clarifying" anything, perhaps you think activists are starry eyed novices

who need to be level set about their expectations? I think that’s pretty patronizing, but whatever floats your boat.

There have been great shifts in public opinion over the past month and I see a lot of folks ignoring that in order to go back to their favorite gloom and doom predictions. It’s reflexive, repetitive, and serves no good purpose. It does help depress people though- and bolsters what trolls are saying by adding some liberal voices into the mix.

[unblock]

17. patronizing?

you're saying that we need to tread lightly around activists, and sometimes keep our analysis and opinions to ourselves, in order not to depress them?

but *i'm* being patronizing?

personally, i think activists can handle realistic analysis and opinions, and can be motivated to action even if the payoff is down the road.

[unblock]

23. real nice. real helpful, too.

guess you think more highly of republicans than i do.

[bettyellen]

27. Says the person who didn't notice the confirmation actually HAS been derailed today.

Nice twisted take on things.

[cwydro]

38. Goodness. Get a grip.

Be happy. Today is a good day.

Why waste time trying to gloat at your fellow Dems (or whomever the surrender monkeys might be lol)?

Smile. Maybe this asshat will not be confirmed.

I’m still worried, but I’ll take a good development as it is.

[bettyellen]

42. After accusing me of loving Republicans now it's "get a grip"?!? Ha ha. Get over this crazy notion-

You’re not very good at this fake nice shit, HA HA HA.

[unblock]

40. again, you're welcome to have more faith than i do in republicans.

predictit has confirmation at 63%. hardly a lock, but still clearly more likely than not.

i've seen a small number of republicans take semi-reasonable postures only to allow themselves to be arm-twisted or bribed back into the republican fold when it counts. not always, it's true; mccain did prevent the aca repeal, for instance. but we've been toyed with far too often for me to get my hopes up. counting on republicans to do the right thing works less and less well these days.

won't keep me from encouraging people to be all up in arms about what's going on and voting in november, and if we can keep this criminal off the court, i'll be more than happy to dance a jig. i like being pleasantly surprised.

[bettyellen]

44. Again, thanks for all the commonly known information. Not patronizing at all.

As you said before, I’m just a snowflake who can’t handle the truth. Hope you’re as happy as I am about the derailment today. I’m genuinely delighted!

[unblock]

48. happy indeed there was enough to pressure donnie to actually authorize a further fbi investigation

i very much hope it leads to this nomination going down in flames, and ideally, that republicans can't then get their act together to confirm a replacement before a democratic senate takes over in january.

our hopes are aligned even if our expectations differ.

[bettyellen]

49. To explain more fully, I hope when we despair (as we all do) we take a moment to think about what we

Put out there. If a bot or troll is likely to RT or quote you in order to suppress activism or a vote... maybe rephrase too sound more like you do in the post above.
Apologize if I misjudged you.

[unblock]

58. pitfalls of discussion boards.

i'm a strong liberal and constantly push for effective government in the interests of ordinary americans of all stripes, equal rights, fair play, strong democratic principles and protections for women and minorities, etc.

that's plenty evident if you've read allll my posts here since 2001, but i appreciate that's a tall order....

one hint as to interpreting my own posts is that i tend to be rather precise in my statements (dad was a nuclear physicist, precise statements are in my genes....) if i say an outcome is "likely", i'm *only* making a statement about the odds of it happening vs. not. i'm not saying anything about whether that outcome is my preferred outcome.

i realize not everyone speaks or writes this way and therefore not everyone reads my posts this way. i'll give some thought to trying to minimize ambiguity where possible. not always easy in short posts, but i'll try to keep this in mind....


glad this sub-thread is ending better than they usually do....

[bettyellen]

61. I'm pretty precise- or literal- too. And since it's a vote that hasn't happened yet I was dismayed

to read here “it’s over”. I actually thought the vote had happened and it wasn’t, literally over!

I did rag on Mineral Man for that first thing today. I’m sure he’s forgotten it already but I hate OPs that are factually inaccurate. Didn’t expect him to be so hopeless this AM. I was bamboozled. It’s exhausting to hear it’s over but so see it’s also for some, a way to commiserate.
I’ve had trolls twisting things I sad so badly lately, I don’t want to give them any fodder.

[bettyellen]

9. Manchin and Murkowski asking for an FBI investigation.

[Squinch]

13. I'm standing in a deli with a really stupid grin on my face.

[bettyellen]

16. I'm hoping the FBI or GTFO will stick together on this. Instead of handicapping odds, reporters

Should maybe be doing an investigation on Kav instead.

[PA Democrat]

14. Never surrender. I spent my morning making calls.

I also donated through Act Blue to the Nutmeg PAC which is focusing on taking control of the Senate.

[cwydro]

18. There are "surrender monkeys" here?

And what IS a “ surrender monkey” anyway?

New term for me.

[bettyellen]

21. Oooh, JAQing now, are we? Well maybe you do your own homework today, eh? I'm not here to fill in

gaps of your education. You are.

[cwydro]

32. "JAQing" - sorry you've lost me. What the f does that mean?

The gaps in my education must be vast.

[bettyellen]

35. Well there's this thing called Google- ask a friend to help you find it, then it's off to the races!

BTW, that’s a turn of phrase- off to the races!- not a literal thing. It means, you’re off on your endeavors!

[cwydro]

41. For such a good day for all of us, you seem very unhappy.

I’ll find google on my own.

Your sarcasm really doesn’t make you cool, ya know. Sorry, I’m not up on all the cool internet terms. Woe is me.

Cheer up! Kav is sliding downhill! Why are you attacking fellow Dems?

I’m happy for today, and my fingers crossed for the coming week!

[cwydro]

46. Hmm. So, first I'm stupid because I don't know your silly insult (I assume) term.

Now, I’m just “playing dumb.”

Wooee, I’m trying to keep up here!

[cwydro]

54. Curious. Why would you have to look it up if you already knows what it means?

Makes no sense.

In the time it took you to insult me, you could’ve explained the term. Hilarious.

[bettyellen]

55. Poor baby can't figure out what "surrender monkey" might mean... ha ha ha.

You funny, but yeah I’m not buying anything you’re selling here.

[cwydro]

63. I've no idea why you've become so hostile to me.

You used to be one of my favorite posters.

I’m no one’s baby, but please, continue on with the insults. Does it make you feel good? Superior? Calling names reminds me of what I just witnessed in the Senate recently. Sigh.

Insults are ugly, so I’ll just assume something is going on with you. Doesn’t fit with what I previously thought of you.

A shame that this horrid SC crap has turned you against your fellow Dems. Have a good night dear.

[bettyellen]

64. I'm not feeling any sort of a way about you. I didn't call you any name, but called you out

for playing games. Which makes you not stupid. Just playful on an icky way. I don’t play.

[cwydro]

76. Lol.

Seee ya!

[Tipperary]

74. I had to look it up too, and it seems to make no sense in the context of your comments.

I suppose I am not hip to all the “cool internet terms” either. Oh well. Op seems a bit overwrought for some reason.

[USALiberal]

20. Oh FFS, lighten up. nt

[bettyellen]

22. I'm laughing, but thanks for trying to tell me how to act. Always appreciated! HA.

[USALiberal]

78. Still think its funny? nt

[Autumn]

80. I doubt it but I find it hilarious

[ProudLib72]

24. FWIW: I am not a surrender monkey

I have been advocating for investigations now and after his confirmation. Yes, I think that he stands a good chance of being confirmed, but even that won't stop me from advocating for investigations. This is not a "in and done" appointment.

[bettyellen]

34. Excuse me? You're trying to gossip about me here because what?

I think you failed to note that poster was agreeing with me. Again. HA.

[bettyellen]

31. I'm with you. I'm pragmatic and a realist but I zip my lip before echoing trolls who only discourage

Everyone is saying Dr Ford was credible, the majority are calling for the FBI to get involved because yesterday was largely a farce. Avenatti’s client has a big interview on Sunday. It is not over.

[whathehell]

26. I second that HA!

[bettyellen]

33. HA HA! We can enjoy and acknowledge today's small win, and work for another.

[whathehell]

37. HA HA..Yes we can!

been awhile since we could say that. .

[cynatnite]

36. Sometimes people feel discouraged...

I know I did. I don't think the chances are good that we'll stop it, but it feels good that it's at least slowing down.

Besides, I don't think this kind of attitude serves anyone at all. 99% of people here do not want him on SCOTUS. But some people can't help what they feel oftentimes.

This has been me.

[link:|

[bettyellen]

39. I totally get that. It's difficult to have hope. But if you're posting literal discouragement -

If you’re Tweeting how useless it all is, etc. ... please remember there are trolls sending the same messages and retweeting honest Dems to spread this disaffected paralysis. This is what they (Trump/ Putin) want more than anything.
This has been a difficult week for many of us for huge and sad reasons. Not helpful to hear “it’s over” when actually we are watching a big derailment. There is hope.

[cynatnite]

50. Sure, might be agitators, but I prefer to err on the side of "sometimes people need encouragement"

Either we can ignore or we can engage. Ask why they feel that way.

I get encouragement here, but sometimes it's outright depressing as hell no matter what.

[bettyellen]

53. That's kind of you! My reaction was to still hearing "it's over" while in the midst of today's

derailment. Something struck me really wrong there, but I was told I’m not being realistic. Also told I was not happy enough about today? I wasn’t trying to gloat, but to really correct people who said last week, last month and in July that “it is over”. Maybe I’m being more pedantic than anything. I seem to have upset the pessimists among us.

[OliverQ]

45. He's still most likely going to get confirmed.

But this at least gives us a chance to stop it.

[cwydro]

47. Lol, watch out now.

Don’t give anyone a mad!

[bettyellen]

57. Ooh, look who is trying to get together a little brigade.

So cute, how riled up you are. And you’re not even sure what I said, either. This is gold.
HA.

[bettyellen]

56. Another chance is a good thing. Thanks.

Obviously I’m not talking about you.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

52. I want to be wrong but I still think eventually he will be confirmed.

That's not to say every attempt to prevent that from happening shouldn't be made. But I've been disappointed too many times by cowardly members of congress who cave to the desires of Trump despite great pressure from the public, so I'm not holding my breath. That doesn't make me a surrender monkey, since I am not by any means advocating surrender. It's just such a drag to so often wind up being Charlie Brown holding the football for Lucy.

[bettyellen]

60. I appreciate your thoughtful response. It's not about you- and I suspect you realize that.

Nobody I know is holding their breath either. We’re still working the refs, because there’s really no other choice.

[quakerboy]

59. He is nowhere near stopped

He still looks damn inevitable.

I've made the calls. Flake, Collins, my states two, and a couple others. I'd love to be proven wrong.

But I think counting on 3 or more Republicans to do the right thing is a recipe for disapointment.

I also think counting on righty Mueller is a recipe for disappointment. He will slap a few flunkies on the wrist, to keep us on the line, but no more, and definitely not in the lead up to a tough election for his rw compatriots.


I don't want to see us broken by this, because my intuition is we need every ounce of motivation possible to overcome the dirty tricks they will bring to play come November. And November looks to me to be our last chance. We win elections in November, or we lose everything. That's where I'm pinning my hopes. Not on some republican on a white horse. On the people

[bettyellen]

66. You're not encouraged by the FBI investigation? I'm so proud of the Dems tonight....

I think every day for the past week it’s been less and less inevitable.

[quakerboy]

73. Dont get me wrong

I am quite happy with our elected dems right now. They are standing strong, together, and it looks good on them. Id be happier if one of them would flat out call K a liar, as I count something like 8 easily verifiable (and not necessary) lies while under oath. But I think this spine thing they showing us how to use is pretty dang awesome.

But on the other side, I dont think the R's can afford not to vote him in. If they dont, they leave the door open to losing EVERYTHING. With spineless dems, that would be less likely, but with strong dems standing together, they dont dare give an inch. If the court doesnt refuse to play along with Republican election tampering, they face not a blue wave, but a blue tsunami, followed by big blue waves. If the courts and legislature dont protect trump, he becomes superbly vulnerable to the rule of law. If trump goes down.. I'd bet the strings of corruption reach into hundreds of elected republicans. They have put themselves in a spot where they can not afford to lose, even if it means turning the american people fully against them.

Im skeptical of the FBI investigation. Trump gets to carefully set the terms of the investigation. And he got to chose his own FBI director, who has now had over a year to spread the Trump corruption into an agency which I believe its safe to say, was never much of a friend to liberals at the best of times. So I am sure the terms of investigation will be carefully set and fully circumscribed in a way to neuter it as effectively as possible. And I am equally certain that the agents given the job will be very carefully chosen.


I really think this will come down to the election. I think the rest is spitballs and theater.

[R B Garr]

62. K&R!

[Owl]

67. Sorry but it's unfortunately inevitable despite our wishful hoping.

[bettyellen]

68. It literally is not. This post committee FBI investigation is unpresidented!!!

The old rules do not apply anymore. His odds plummeted today.

[Owl]

69. I'd like to believe you but we hold no cards in this game; we are getting played.

[bettyellen]

70. We have another week we didn't have this AM. So try not to despair yet.

Plenty time for that, when it is actually and literally done.

[betsuni]

71. From the same "Dems don't fight" sources. Clicked on "It's all over"

posts several times thinking the vote was over. One long End of the World one in particular made me radiant with optimism.

The U.S. is not going to be a dictatorship, Kavanaugh is going down in flames, as is Trump. Democrats will eventually be in a position to try to clean up Republicans' mess, everyone will forget what happened or get mad it isn't being done fast enough, refuse to vote to teach Democrats a lesson, Republicans gain power again and start the wreckage again, and the cycle continues. Or does it?

[bettyellen]

72. That is exactly what inspired me today!!! I felt misled by an OP this AM.

I thought the vote was over. And these past two weeks I noticed every good revelation was met by “doesn’t matter” or “it’s all over” no matter how it was actually going. It maybe good to vent, but some is identical to trolling.

[GusBob]

75. I try to avoid castigating or categorizing our fellow DUers BUT

I will never ever forget the day before the election the thread here, I paraphrase:

"across the nation tomorrow morning, republican wives will be telling thei husbands they voted for Trump, after they pulled the lever for Hillary"

And everybody was like: a-yep you got that right!

Except from my Facebook feed I knew white married GOP women were bragging about voting for him in early voting, and he ended up getting 53% of them

And in 3 states, WI, MI and PENN, 600,000 folks voted 3rd party. She lost there by 80,000

Talking about being wrong about the inevitable......you just never know

[pintobean]

79. Good post

[Wounded Bear]

77. The fight is not over...

Don't spike the ball on the 5 yard line.