I have many friends who are Hillary-supporting Democrats, and that is fine. They have every right to support and celebrate their chosen candidate, and I applaud that. The problem is, the applause rarely is reciprocated — quite the contrary.
Sadly, many become angry, condescending, even abusive and bullying when they hear of my unwavering support for the candidacy of Sen. Bernie Sanders. I am a walking nerve right now as a result of having so many insults and so much contempt heaped upon me. It’s nothing new by any means — the Clinton and Bush years were sheer hell — but the pain never seems to recede, and the disappointment grows exponentially.
The best way this progressive Independent and proud Berniac can cope is to laugh. A commenter on Daily Kos this week found a connection between the abusive mainstream Dem leadership and those who obey them and the classic British comedy film Monty Python and the Holy Grail. I had to edit it a little and share:
Debbie Wasserman Schultz: I am your king! Hillary will be your nominee!
Bernie Supporter: Well, I’m not a Democrat. I didn’t vote for you.
Hillary Rodham Clinton and DWS: You don’t vote for kings.
Bernie Supporter: Well, ‘ow did you become king then?
HRC and DWS: The Lady of the Lake… [angels sing]
her arm clad in the purest shimmering samite, held aloft Excalibur from the bosom of the water signifying by Divine Providence that HILLARY was to carry Excalibur. [singing stops]
DWS: And I ran Hillary’s campaign in Florida in 2008: That is why I am your king!
Bernie Supporter: Listen — strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony.
HRC, DWS, and minions: Be quiet!
Bernie Supporter: Well you can’t expect to wield supreme executive power just ’cause some watery tart threw a sword at you!
HRC, DWS, and minions: Shut up!
Bernie Supporter: I mean, if I went around sayin’ I was an emperor just because some moistened bint had lobbed a scimitar at me they’d put me away!
HRC, DWS, and minions: Shut up! Will you shut up!
Bernie Supporter: Ah, now we see the violence inherent in the system.
HRC, DWS, and minions: Shut up!
Bernie Supporter: Oh! Come and see the violence inherent in the system! HELP! HELP! I’m being repressed!
HRC and DWS: Bloody peasant!
Bernie Supporter: Oh, what a giveaway. Did you hear that, did you hear that, eh? That’s what I’m on about — did you see the DNC repressing me, you saw it didn’t you?