WARNING: PROVOCATIVE COMMENTARY WILL BE USED IN THIS THREAD ABOUT BERNIE SANDERS SUPPORTERS. IT IS NOT CRITICISM. PLEASE UNDERSTAND MY INTENT, AND IF YOU DON'T, PLEASE ALLOW ME THE CHANCE TO EXPLAIN IT.
My introduction:
“I’m here to tell you a story, and at first it’s going to sound ridiculous—but the longer I talk, the more rational it’s going to appear.”
-Pvt. Cage
(to prevent disaster, trying to convey to a stubborn general that he can see the future)
#EdgeOfTomorrow
“I’m here to tell you a story, and at first it’s going to sound ridiculous—but the longer I talk, the more rational it’s going to appear.”
-Pvt. Cage
(to prevent disaster, trying to convey to a stubborn general that he can see the future)
#EdgeOfTomorrow
Recently I started a campaign to spread awareness of #Berner vs. #BernieBro.
I am aware of the inflammatory nature of the term #BernieBro. That is the whole point of this effort. It is a campaign to change how we willing participants will change the meaning of the term forever.
I am aware of the inflammatory nature of the term #BernieBro. That is the whole point of this effort. It is a campaign to change how we willing participants will change the meaning of the term forever.
#BernieBro is a disparaging, insulting term—and the reality of the internet is IT WILL NEVER GO AWAY.
****TRUMP KNOWS IT HURTS OUR FRIENDS WHO SUPPORTED BERNIE SANDERS****
****TRUMP KNOWS IT HURTS OUR FRIENDS WHO SUPPORTED BERNIE SANDERS****
**THAT IS HOW WE KNOW OUR ENEMIES WILL NEVER STOP USING THE TERM TO DIVIDE US.**
I’m doing my best to do my part to protect our friends: I'M TRYING TO NULLIFY THE POWER OUR ENEMIES WILL USE TO HURT US.
WE CAN DO IT WITH A SINGLE WORD, #Berner.
BUT I NEED YOUR HELP. #WeBernBlue
I’m doing my best to do my part to protect our friends: I'M TRYING TO NULLIFY THE POWER OUR ENEMIES WILL USE TO HURT US.
WE CAN DO IT WITH A SINGLE WORD, #Berner.
BUT I NEED YOUR HELP. #WeBernBlue
On the internet, you can’t just tell people not to use a word. Harmful words can’t be RESTRICTED, they must be DISEMPOWERED.
One way to do it: CREATE A BETTER WORD.
THAT WORD IS #BERNER.
#BernersAreBlue #BernerNotBro #WeBernTogether #WeBernBlue #AnyBernPunCounts
One way to do it: CREATE A BETTER WORD.
THAT WORD IS #BERNER.
#BernersAreBlue #BernerNotBro #WeBernTogether #WeBernBlue #AnyBernPunCounts
There are Berners, and there are BernieBros.
#Berners sincerely supported Bernie's policies & still do. THEY ARE OUR DEAR FRIENDS. It's a friendly term.
#BernieBros only cynically pretended to care abt Bernie & they still don't. THEY ARE ENEMIES.
#Berners sincerely supported Bernie's policies & still do. THEY ARE OUR DEAR FRIENDS. It's a friendly term.
#BernieBros only cynically pretended to care abt Bernie & they still don't. THEY ARE ENEMIES.
When I say #BernieBro, IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH WHETHER A PERSON SUPPORTED BERNIE SANDERS, NOW OR EVER. ANYONE CAN BE ONE.
If you supported Bernie Sanders and you’re here with us now, YOU ARE A #BERNER. (it's a good thing)
THEY ARE NOT THE SAME.
The distinction is EVERYTHING.
If you supported Bernie Sanders and you’re here with us now, YOU ARE A #BERNER. (it's a good thing)
THEY ARE NOT THE SAME.
The distinction is EVERYTHING.
To reiterate, there are 2 terms: #Berner, with positive connotations, used in a friendly, polite way (and if we're not using in that way, they should be called out...the entire them of this distinction is the difference between good faith and bad faith).
The other word is #BernieBro. It is an insult. It should remain an insult.
But if you are/were a Bernie supporter & you feel the term #Berner appropriately applies to you, this is important:
AS A #BERNER, YOU ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE TERM #BERNIEBRO AS WE DEFINE IT HERE.
But if you are/were a Bernie supporter & you feel the term #Berner appropriately applies to you, this is important:
AS A #BERNER, YOU ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE TERM #BERNIEBRO AS WE DEFINE IT HERE.
This is the reason for the distinction--if you were a Sanders supporter and you're here now in our blue coalition prepared to vote for Joe Biden in Nov, I WANT YOU TO FEEL WELCOME WITH US. YOU ARE NOT AN OUTSIDER HERE, YOU ARE A FRIEND. #Berner
To accompany the newly-focused #Berner identity I hope you'll brandish with pride within our coalition, I'm hoping you'll express that unity with Bern hashtags as well...any Bern pun counts as welcome and encouraged. I liked this one, so I started putting it on stuff. #WeBernBlue
Here's some more pro-Bernie hashtags I could think of, please #Berners feel free to add as many as you want to, I'm not the most creative (and many of these I didn't check first)
#WeBernBlue #WeBernTogether #BernDownTrump #WeAllBern I'll leave this to more creative people.
#WeBernBlue #WeBernTogether #BernDownTrump #WeAllBern I'll leave this to more creative people.
Before I get into what #BernieBro is going to mean after I'm done with it, key to this whole concept is the logical hierarchy between them.
All Bernie supporters fall into 1 & only 1 of these 3 categories: #Berner, #BernieBro, or neither (optimistically they're future Berners).
All Bernie supporters fall into 1 & only 1 of these 3 categories: #Berner, #BernieBro, or neither (optimistically they're future Berners).
We've come to the point in the campaign where to maintain the unity of our coalition and strengthen further, we must focus our energies thusly:
#Berners: welcome, celebrate, collaborate
(neithers): build enthusiasm & GOTV
#BernieBros: identify, dispatch, shun
#Berners: welcome, celebrate, collaborate
(neithers): build enthusiasm & GOTV
#BernieBros: identify, dispatch, shun
Part of this effort is to psychologically disentangle the "Bernie" prefix from the term #BernieBro and reassign whatever connection our #Berner friends had to it to a group of people our entire coalition would despise, #Berners included.
By contrast, those who would be designated #BernieBros ARE NOT MEANT TO TAKE THE NAME BY CHOICE. The collective that we are, including #Berners, are who will decide whether that shameful label is appropriate.
I assume those who would WANT the #BernieBro label would also not want to be a part of our coalition (and thus would not be here to object).
That is because what separates a #Berner from a #BernieBro is the fundamental moral choice of acting in good faith.
That is because what separates a #Berner from a #BernieBro is the fundamental moral choice of acting in good faith.
Neutrals simply haven't taken that final step to reveal which moral track they've chosen. (I'll explain more about that later).
What's relevant now is that good faith actions and trust in our friends is what separates us from chaos. I've prepared some examples to illustrate.
What's relevant now is that good faith actions and trust in our friends is what separates us from chaos. I've prepared some examples to illustrate.
Last point about #BernieBros:
-they don't have to have necessarily supported Bernie at any point; the definition is about them, not Bernie
-they aren't just men or white
#Berners though MUST HAVE SUPPORTED HIM. Otherwise the new label would be pointless.
-they don't have to have necessarily supported Bernie at any point; the definition is about them, not Bernie
-they aren't just men or white
#Berners though MUST HAVE SUPPORTED HIM. Otherwise the new label would be pointless.
To summarize the concept in the most fundamental way,
#Berners = Bernie supporters who've freely chosen the side of good
#BernieBro = ANYONE of ANY BACKGROUND recognized as on the side of chaos
Neutrals = Bernie supporters who haven't yet chosen good, but not committed to chaos
#Berners = Bernie supporters who've freely chosen the side of good
#BernieBro = ANYONE of ANY BACKGROUND recognized as on the side of chaos
Neutrals = Bernie supporters who haven't yet chosen good, but not committed to chaos
#BERNER OR #BERNIEBRO?
HOW TO IDENTIFY THEM
(A Visual Guide)
These #Berner and #BernieBro examples all come from interviews with alleged Bernie supporters, in this article from the NYTimes. I'll post more here from other sites as I get a chance to. nytimes.com/2020/04/18/us/…
HOW TO IDENTIFY THEM
(A Visual Guide)
These #Berner and #BernieBro examples all come from interviews with alleged Bernie supporters, in this article from the NYTimes. I'll post more here from other sites as I get a chance to. nytimes.com/2020/04/18/us/…
First, #BERNER
Their views may not align well w typical "moderates", but they freely chose to join us regardless of disagreements. We couldn't win this war without them & they made no attempt to extract leverage from us before pledging their help. They act in good faith as we do.
Their views may not align well w typical "moderates", but they freely chose to join us regardless of disagreements. We couldn't win this war without them & they made no attempt to extract leverage from us before pledging their help. They act in good faith as we do.
#Berner Sample 1: She had intended to vote for Bernie, but Biden was more impressive on Super Tuesday than she expected, and felt he would be the right choice in the general election. #WeBernBlue
#Berner Example 2: She supported Bernie, Biden was boring to her. But she's still going to vote for him. #WeBernBlue
#Berner Example 3: He had supported Bernie, considers Biden cringey to watch, committed to vote for him anyway. #WeBernBlue
#Berner Example 4: Didn't vote in 2016. In 2020, she was determined not to let that happen again #WeBernTogether
Before I take you to the sheer insanity of the #BernieBro examples, I'll show you a few "potential future #berner's"
AKA neutrals, this is our core target to building enthusiam. The ones best suited to accomplish that would be their #Berner friends who understand what that means.
AKA neutrals, this is our core target to building enthusiam. The ones best suited to accomplish that would be their #Berner friends who understand what that means.
Potential Future #Berner Example 1
His comments imply he would vote for Biden if he was going to vote, he doesn't threaten not to vote or float other more chaotic options. So "Biden enthusiasm problem" can be reduced to "update drivers license problem".
Enthusiasm can be built.
His comments imply he would vote for Biden if he was going to vote, he doesn't threaten not to vote or float other more chaotic options. So "Biden enthusiasm problem" can be reduced to "update drivers license problem".
Enthusiasm can be built.
Potential Future #Berner Ex 2
more militant, but see he floated idea of writing in Bernie this time but not in 2016. There's a good chance what this person is dealing with is disappointment of getting close. That needs time. He still wants to vote, so he's not lost yet.
more militant, but see he floated idea of writing in Bernie this time but not in 2016. There's a good chance what this person is dealing with is disappointment of getting close. That needs time. He still wants to vote, so he's not lost yet.
Potential Future #Berner Ex 3
Despite the seeming threat to vote 3rd party, the issue here is Dems are a coalition of factions, and GOP is basically 1 big one. She voted for Hillary in 2016, so she can likely be considered a very good GOTV target.
Despite the seeming threat to vote 3rd party, the issue here is Dems are a coalition of factions, and GOP is basically 1 big one. She voted for Hillary in 2016, so she can likely be considered a very good GOTV target.
The #BernieBro has many.
Many variants, but they all share this trait: opportunistic cynicism (known loosely as "bad faith").
A strong moral character has no value to them if they can't get something out of it in return. The idea of the "greater good" doesn't exist to them.
Many variants, but they all share this trait: opportunistic cynicism (known loosely as "bad faith").
A strong moral character has no value to them if they can't get something out of it in return. The idea of the "greater good" doesn't exist to them.
#BernieBro, but also quite lazy. Acts like the outcome he's looking for is beyond his control. Saying "honestly" then saying a lie is probably the laziest bad faith effort. It's not from any kind of self awareness he makes a comment, he's simply tired of trying to explain it.
I'm ordering these #BernieBro examples, from least disruptive to most. The Snoozer is the least disruptive type I've cataloged so far. They're mostly content to go away when you call them out, but won't miss an opportunity to jump in front of a reporter.
There are 6 worse types.
There are 6 worse types.
#BernieBro Type 2: Idiot
The "drive-by insult" behavior is usually representative of this type. He acts that way because he knows he won't be able to handle the heat if he gets in too close. They're like gnats, don't even bother trying to swat them, they'll buzz off on their own.
The "drive-by insult" behavior is usually representative of this type. He acts that way because he knows he won't be able to handle the heat if he gets in too close. They're like gnats, don't even bother trying to swat them, they'll buzz off on their own.
#BernieBro Type 3: Daddy's Disappointment
(I'm willing to focus group these names)
Very entitled; doesn't just think their time is more valuable than yours, also expects extra incentive to participate in what is a civic responsibility to the community. Transactional worldview.
(I'm willing to focus group these names)
Very entitled; doesn't just think their time is more valuable than yours, also expects extra incentive to participate in what is a civic responsibility to the community. Transactional worldview.
#BernieBro Type 4: Vanity Drone
This type just arrived on the scene, and *boy* do they want you to know how offended they are by everything you do that isn't nearly as "progressive" as what *they* do. Deeply unpleasant and entirely unreasonable, these are bad faith showoffs.
This type just arrived on the scene, and *boy* do they want you to know how offended they are by everything you do that isn't nearly as "progressive" as what *they* do. Deeply unpleasant and entirely unreasonable, these are bad faith showoffs.
A note of sincerity: by choosing to join us #Berners subtly signal a good faith understanding that a Dem "establishment" does exist, but it's not a shadow council type thing, it's a larger faction of mod/centrists trying to do the right thing just like everyone in our coalition.
#BernieBro Type 5: Jive Sucka
Attempts to exploit racial tension every time somebody says something inarticulate. Feigns outrage at false notion our coalition is somehow trying to challenge their purported authority on racial matters. Shamefully insufferable. #WeBernBlue
Attempts to exploit racial tension every time somebody says something inarticulate. Feigns outrage at false notion our coalition is somehow trying to challenge their purported authority on racial matters. Shamefully insufferable. #WeBernBlue
#BernieBro Type 6: Separatist Charlatan
Not only values political leverage against our coalition more than actually achieving the policy objectives they claim to support--but also frequently try to personally profit off their own sabotage by grandstanding about the failure.
Not only values political leverage against our coalition more than actually achieving the policy objectives they claim to support--but also frequently try to personally profit off their own sabotage by grandstanding about the failure.
#BernieBro Type 7: Vile Predator
Worst of the worst trolls. Not only do they routinely engage in virtually every bad faith tactic that exists, they have an unquenchable thirst for chaos and relentlessly try ripping us apart using whatever avenues are available. #WeBernBlue
Worst of the worst trolls. Not only do they routinely engage in virtually every bad faith tactic that exists, they have an unquenchable thirst for chaos and relentlessly try ripping us apart using whatever avenues are available. #WeBernBlue
So why is this campaign necessary, again?
It's because every one of the above 7 people claims they were a Bernie supporter.
I don't mean to be presumptuous, but I would bet every Bernie supporter here would agree, THEY DO NOT REPRESENT WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A BERNIE SUPPORTER.
It's because every one of the above 7 people claims they were a Bernie supporter.
I don't mean to be presumptuous, but I would bet every Bernie supporter here would agree, THEY DO NOT REPRESENT WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A BERNIE SUPPORTER.
People that act like Bernie supporters are currently, at this very moment in the examples above, trying to hijack the meaning of YOUR movement and trying to destroy you for choosing now to be on OUR side.
And even if we all swore to never use the term #BernieBro in any context ever again...TRUMP AND HIS FORCES OF CHAOS WOULD STILL ATTEMPT TO DECEIVE US IN BERNIE'S NAME.
We have to treat it now like what it is:
to be "a #BernieBro " is to be ILLEGITIMATE, a FAKE BERNIE SUPPORTER.
We have to treat it now like what it is:
to be "a #BernieBro " is to be ILLEGITIMATE, a FAKE BERNIE SUPPORTER.
Our #Berner friends deserve to be absolved from the shame that was wrongfully put upon them for their mere proximity to the chaos we were fighting against. At the time, we didn't realize they were fighting against that chaos as well.
We must all make this promise to each other and keep it...that we will always understand that BernieBros are all FRAUDS actively trying to DIVIDE us by masquerading as real, legitimate Bernie supporters.
WE KNOW BERNIE SUPPORTERS, AND YOU,
BERNIEBROS, ARE NO BERNIE SUPPORTERS.
WE KNOW BERNIE SUPPORTERS, AND YOU,
BERNIEBROS, ARE NO BERNIE SUPPORTERS.
