Revolutionaries are, of necessity, heavy on showcase talents. For that I fault few of such figures. But in this day and age, where technology makes anyone capable of drawing a real or virtual crowd, failing to cash-in on the possible helpful viral impacts that are being served up by such positioning is deep and unabidable leadership sin.
Presidential contender Sanders and the Bernie Brains that crowd together before him fail to grasp this and as such do injustice to the power and potential of cyber possibilities. The Sanders movement is desperately and unnecessarily avoiding the precise methods it ought to be focusing on if what it really wants is to show that change can and should be accepted. There is no excuse for this, nor should the source of the ongoing abuse of opportunity be forthcoming from the mouth of one who prides himself on whining about revolutionary new promises. Doing so continuously demonstrates and legitimizes disrespect for the interactive awesomeness of the empowerment culture that is digitalizing before us.
If this were not the case, there would be more instances that show Bernie putting his passions forward, letting them play out as part of his campaign. Presidential contenders can do a great deal and are free to follow all types of untested avenues for success -- look at Trump, for example, who has wrapped his entire campaign in the suit of failed past beliefs.
Funny thing is, the media has been somewhat helpful in calling this out. As a collective, they had a hard time ignoring the fact that, showy as her steps were, soon-to-be President Hillary went out of her way to head to Flint, MI, to drink the water of their suffering. She listened, helped put plans together, directed resources and volunteers, and basically showed that clear and clean democracy is as life-affirming as water: a necessary resource that ensures the vulnerable are around to be heard and to vote. She put her ideals into action when the opportunity arose -- simply and using rather old methods, true, but she made something happen by engaging the drive of her vision.
Funny thing is, the media has been somewhat helpful in calling this out. As a collective, they had a hard time ignoring the fact that, showy as her steps were, soon-to-be President Hillary went out of her way to head to Flint, MI, to drink the water of their suffering. She listened, helped put plans together, directed resources and volunteers, and basically showed that clear and clean democracy is as life-affirming as water: a necessary resource that ensures the vulnerable are around to be heard and to vote. She put her ideals into action when the opportunity arose -- simply and using rather old methods, true, but she made something happen by engaging the drive of her vision.
Did Bernie do anything collectively? Anything empowering or revolutionarily, disruptive with this situation as it unfolded? Anything, that is, more than speaking harshly about exploitative greed and government inefficiency; about GOP killer austerity -- elements of his mostly singular call to revel in injustice?
Did he issue a command for his troops -- millions of them -- to bombard the state leaders with paper or cyber tigers? Did he call his hordes together for a massive meeting of mind and body against the very classism he despises, thus dramatizing transformation into instant practice?
Has North Carolina been bombarded by those who are capable of uploading another $27 to feed the need for immediate change? Have the hateful Flint electeds "Felt the Bern" by having a parade of ugliness marched before their false sense of rationalizations?
Maybe better yet: Have any banking behemoths -- anywhere -- been deluged by the Bernie Beasts, commanding that we as a people everywhere be set free of another type of economic pollution ... that which allows for criminally exploitive financial and banking fees and charges?
Bernie tells us over and over that we need a revolution. As does Trump. But he almost never shows that he is the one who can turn those circumstances into obvious examples of righting wrongs directly before our eyes. I happen to think that the crowds and the media kept hoping they might see such demonstrations play out -- but since they have not been forthcoming, it is easier to watch Trump's escapades degrade into embarrassing examples of anger turned uglier.
For Bernie to win at his game he needs to be more than a show pony. We need someone who is comfortable enough to feed and unleash his herds because they are saddled and ready with the technology that brings others together. A real president has to do this even when being dressed up by the necessity of other aspirational presidential wrappings. I don’t believe Bernie harbors more than the idea that being a pretty pony matters -- and that is the wrong approach to showcase.
For Bernie to win at his game he needs to be more than a show pony. We need someone who is comfortable enough to feed and unleash his herds because they are saddled and ready with the technology that brings others together. A real president has to do this even when being dressed up by the necessity of other aspirational presidential wrappings. I don’t believe Bernie harbors more than the idea that being a pretty pony matters -- and that is the wrong approach to showcase.
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Thanks for sharing. The idea is for me to motivate you (and others) to do something with good ideas. Some are mine, some belong to others; all belong to the world of change.