The Other Shoe: April 2016

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Donald Trump Will be Called to Testify in Trial About His 'University' - ABC News

"The New York attorney general suggests that Donald Trump may be taking the stand soon in a court case about the now-defunct Trump University. The news follows a New York court decision that the lawsuit filed by the attorney general against the former for-profit institution will proceed to trial, after a settlement could not be reached."

Source: Donald Trump Will be Called to Testify in Trial About His 'University' - ABC News
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Welcome back, My Dear Readers, to The Other Shoe. Today is one of those rare opportunities when I have ‘Breaking News’ to share! (I have grit my teeth, against growing serious pain, to bring this article to you, today!) I am certain, in my conviction, that this is an article that every single; Democrat, Republican and Independent should… nay, MUST read! If you want to know Donald J. Trump, then you simply must read this article.
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I am going to step aside, as commentator and narrator, and allow the linked article to speak.
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“The New York attorney general suggests that Donald Trump may be taking the stand soon in a court case about the now-defunct Trump University.”[1]
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Now, this is the “University’ (I attended University, Clear Lake City, Texas) and ‘Trump University’; was no university.
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“The news follows a New York court decision that the lawsuit filed by the attorney general against the former for-profit institution will proceed to trial, after a settlement could not be reached. "I am very pleased the judge has indicated her intention to move as expeditiously as possible to trial, as thousands of Mr. Trump’s alleged victims have been waiting years for relief from his fraud," Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said in a statement released this afternoon. "We believe that Mr. Trump and Mr. Sexton will be essential witnesses at trial. As we will prove in court, Donald Trump and his sham for-profit college defrauded thousands of students out of millions of dollars," Schneiderman's statement said, referencing Michael Sexton, the man who approached Trump about starting the program.”[2]
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Now, let me repeat some of what I just quoted: “the judge has indicated her intention to move as expeditiously as possible to trial, as thousands of Mr. Trump’s alleged victims have been waiting years for relief from his fraud," Thousands of Donald J. Trump’s “victims” are awaiting relief from “HIS FRAUD”! . Strong words to catapult a legal action into the headlines. Hopefully, into the headlines of every major; network, newspaper, and media outlet and all the internet, too. That is why I have taken time, today, to put this article together and bring it to you, today!
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"We believe that Mr. Trump and Mr. Sexton will be essential witnesses at trial. As we will prove in court, Donald Trump and his sham for-profit college defrauded thousands of students out of millions of dollars," [3]
Schneiderman's statement said, referencing Michael Sexton, the man who approached Trump about starting the program.”
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Yes, we should be allowed to read the deposition of both Donald J Trump and Michael Sexton. It is time that these fraudulent perpetrators be deposed and brought to justice! . Here is more of the background of this lawsuit, from the linked article.
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“Potential students took part in a free seminar, "at which Trump University instructors would recommend signing up for a three-day seminar which cost approximately $1,500 at which the instructors would teach certain real estate strategies," a 2014 court decision states. From there, enrollees would allegedly be urged to sign up for the Trump Elite Program, which included year-long mentorships with a starting cost of $20,000, the decision states.”
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Now, did all of you, My Dear Shoevians, read and understand that last quote? Potential students were milked for; First: $1,500 for an introductory meeting then milked further for Second: $20,000 ‘seminar’ on real estate. This is a classic confidence game, classic rip-off of people seeking to improve the lives of them and the people they love! Now, for those that might think that this was a real education class(es)? Read the next quote, below.
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“The program changed its name after the New York State Education Department contacted it in 2010 stressing that it was not licensed in the state. Shortly after, it changed its name to "Trump Entrepreneur Initiative LLC."[4]
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That’s right, it was no longer an educational/vocational university it was merely another “Entrepreneur Initiative”. Just another way Donald J Trump sought to DEFRAUD Americans from all walks of life. He defrauded: teachers, laborers, college students and ever retirees!!!! Donald J Trump must appear in court! That is the intent of the Attorney General of the State of New York. To depose, the put these men on the stand!
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“The lawsuit from the New York Attorney General's office was filed in 2013. Initially, the state supreme court ruled that only claims from 2010 on would be allowed, but the Attorney General appealed that decision. In early March, a court ruled that claims dating back to 2007 can go to trial. Under the expanded timeline, the AG's office believes up to 5,000 people nationwide could have claims against the company. The lawsuit is seeking $40 million in damages for those impacted. A Manhattan supreme court judge will set a trial schedule shortly, after the hearing today failed to resolve the matter. Two active class action lawsuits in California are making similar claims.”[5]
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Now, My Dear Shoevians, you read that correctly. This case is also being heard right here in California. That, in time, Donald J Trump will be coming to California, and it will not be to campaign! This is very important information for all Americans! Be sure to ‘Share’ and ‘Like’ this article so that everyone has a chance to read this news!
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Be GOOD to One Another!

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Adieu!
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Danny Hanning Writer, Editor, Research Staff and Publisher at The Other Shoe
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[1] http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/donald-trump-called-testify-trial-university/story?id=38685355
[2] http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/donald-trump-called-testify-trial-university/story?id=38685355
[3] http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/donald-trump-called-testify-trial-university/story?id=38685355
[4] http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/donald-trump-called-testify-trial-university/story?id=38685355
[5] http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/donald-trump-called-testify-trial-university/story?id=38685355

Thursday, April 21, 2016

The Mars Report - April 22nd, 2016

Full-Circle Panorama Beside 'Namib Dune' on Mars (Full-Circle Panorama Beside 'Namib Dune' on Mars)[1]
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Welcome back to The Other Shoe, My Dear Shoevians! I have decided to take a step away from all things ‘politics’ and ‘political’ heading into this weekend. With that in mind I am happy to bring you the very first edition of ‘The Mars Report’ in many months. Honestly, if feels good to put my head back into subject matter that has always made me smile… and think. Since I was a small boy of seven or eight, I dreamed of walking on the surface of another planetary body. I read the works of Clark, Asimov, and Heinlein while, in my head, turning their words into foreign lands. . This is, as I have said, the very first edition of ‘The Mars Report’ in many months. Having said, I am a bit out of ‘shape’ when it comes to writing this genera of works, this will end up being a bit of an abbreviated edition. I have four different images to share, and most of them are from months ago. Right now Curiosity is in a dormant mode. Hibernating through the Martian Winter where it is currently located. Below is a map showing the journey of Curiosity since it first landed at ‘Bradbury Landing’ back on August 22^nd, 2012. Funny, that, My Dear Shoevians… I have covered the adventures and discoveries of Curiosity since it landed. I am glad that I made this project a priority for my writing and my blog(s).
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Curiosity Rover's Traverse, First 1,163 Sols on Mars.

(Curiosity Rover's Traverse, First 1,163 Sols on Mars)[2]

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The map shown above highlights the route of the Curiosity rover. As it makes it way slowly from the beginning (at the top of the image, just to the left of ‘Yellowknife Bay’, to where it is halted just below ‘Marias Pass’. Curiosity is now located in the "Bagnold Dunes" dune field. The rover is making its way to higher elevations of Mount Sharp. The image, below, is of Curiosity at its stop in the ‘Bagnold Dunes in front of "Namib Dune".
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Curiosity Self-Portrait at Martian Sand Dune.

(Curiosity Self-Portrait at Martian Sand Dune)[3]

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This ‘Self Portrait’ is a combination of 57 images taken on Jan. 19, 2016, during the 1,228th Martian day, or sol, of Curiosity's work on Mars. All of the 57 images were taken by the (not pictured) Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) at the end of the rover's robotic arm. Rather interesting, My Dear Shoevians, but as I was just writing this explanation of the image, above, I found a much better and far more recent map of Curiosity’s journey. I am including it, below.
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Curiosity's Traverse Map Through Sol 1221.

(Curiosity's Traverse Map Through Sol 1221)[4]

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Now, My Dear Shoevians, you should be able to just left click on this image and you will be taken to the full sized rending. In the larger image you will be able to read all of the different locations Curiosity has visited in its more than 1,000 day adventure, so far. At the bottom right corner, of this image, you will see the blue overlay. In this overlay you can see the ‘Namib Dune’ location, where self portrait (show above) was taken. It is marked, in the overlay, with a yellow diamond. That was the current location for the Curiosity rover of Sol 1221 (or the 1,221^st day on the Martian Surface).
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Full-Circle Panorama Beside 'Namib Dune' on Mars.

(Full-Circle Panorama Beside 'Namib Dune' on Mars)[5]

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The image, above, appeared at the top of this article. However, I decided to include it in the body, too. This is the ‘360 Full Circle’ version of the ‘Self Portrait’ captioned three images above. Now, My Dear Shoevians, as I have mentioned before you can left-click on any of these images and it will transfer your browser to another page that is just the full sized version of any given image. As well, there are footnotes at the bottom of the article. The number at the end of the caption, of any/all, images corresponds to the link at the bottom of the page. Click on a link to go to the credited page for each and every image. There you can, if you wish, download the High Definition version of any/all of the images included in my articles. . These high definition images make for great desktop wallpapers, or for any other image needs you may have, like sharing on Facebook or any of the other social media that you enjoy. Having said, I would like to ask all of you, My Dear Shoevians, to SHARE my articles (that you enjoy) via any/all the social media outlets that you enjoy. I am sure that all your; family, friends, and co-workers would enjoy seeing these images and learning of all our (hard earned) tax dollars at work!
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'Garden City' Site

('Garden City' Site)[6]

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That brings us to the image, above, our final image of this edition of “The Mars Report’ for April 22^nd, 2016. This image was taken back in March of 2015 and shows a ridge at the bottom of Mount Sharp. The site’s name is ‘Garden City’ as shows a prominent network of mineral veins below a cap rock ridge. This rock ridge is located in the Pahrump section of the Lower Murray Formation of Mount Sharp. The mineral veins, pictured in this image are formed where fluids move through fractured rocks, depositing minerals in the fractures and affecting chemistry of the surrounding rock. In this case, the veins have been more resistant to erosion than the surrounding host rock. . The images that make up this mosaic view were taken by the left-eye camera of Mastcam (Mast Camera) on March 27, 2015, during the 938th Martian day, or sol, of Curiosity's work on Mars. The image has been improved with white balancing so that the formation is seen as it would appear in natural light here on earth. Further image enhancement was accomplished by using Curiosity's laser-firing Chemistry and Camera (ChemCam) instrument. It was used to record the spectra of sparks generated by zapping 17 Garden City targets with the laser. Prior to taking this mosaic the ChemCam team had completed the most extensive upgrade to the data-analysis toolkit (which the ChemCam is part) since Curiosity reached Mars in August 2012. The cap rock scarp, pictured here, is about three feet in height.
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That brings us to the end of this edition of ‘The Mars Report’ for April 22^nd, 2016. I would like to take a moment to “Thank you!” all., My Dear Shoevians, for dropping by and reading this newest edition of ‘The Mars Report’. As I mentioned earlier in this article, I hope to have another edition of this series later next week. I have already located the images I would like to showcase, and many of them are very striking! They have been taken by the Mars Orbiting Observatory and display the harsh nature of a Martian winter. . Until then, I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. In closing, I would like to ask your indulgence. We all use social media of many types; Facebook, Pintrest, Tumblr, Twitter and Instagram just to name a few. Now that you have read and (hopefully) enjoyed this article, today? Don’t you think that others (family, friends, co-workers) would enjoy it, too? Why not be the one that shares an informative article filled with eye-candy? I think that most people would be grateful to find enjoyable content on the web that isn’t all about politics and all things political. Be that person and share this article, and all my works, and bask in the light of their thanks.
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Thank you!

Be Good To One Another!

Danny Hanning Writer, Editor, Research Staff and Publisher at The Other Shoe

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________________________________________________________________________________ [1] http://www.nasa.gov/image-feature/jpl/full-circle-panorama-beside-namib-dune-on-mars
[2] http://www.nasa.gov/image-feature/jpl/curiosity-rovers-traverse-first-1163-sols-on-mars
[3] http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/pia20316-main_take6dune.jpg
[4] http://mars.nasa.gov/msl/multimedia/images/?ImageID=7640
[5] http://www.nasa.gov/image-feature/jpl/full-circle-panorama-beside-namib-dune-on-mars
[6] http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/pia19921-main_blaney1_sol-0938_ml.jpg

Friday, April 8, 2016

The Problem with Political Zombies

Angry Sanders - THE Sanders the Democratic Party DOES NOT Need!

Welcome back to The Other Shoe, My Dear Shoevians! I have been rousted, from my health related hiatus, to stand in defense of my political party. For the past fifty-three years I have been an active and informed member of the Democrat Party! I have actively supported; President Carter, President Clinton, and President Obama at the Presidential level. I have worked with Congressional and Gubernatorial campaigns, both here in California and in Colorado. However, I did vote for Gov. Reagan, in his first election for President. Not a fact I freely admit, but one that I thought I should share with all of you, My Dear Shoevians.

Now, over the past fifty-three years I have engaged myself (sometimes deeply) in more than a six Presidential elections. I have watched them, closely, and (over the past five years) I have written about them, too. Today, I am writing about a recent change in the Democrat Presidential nomination campaigns (Primaries). Today is April 7, 2016, and it was yesterday when I noticed a level of negativity and hyper partisanship never before witnessed in all my years of watching Presidential elections.

However, My Dear Shoevians, in order for all of you to understand just how we arrived at this situation… and for all of My Dear Shoevians that are not Americans… let me back track just a bit. On April 1^st, 2016 Senator Bernie Sanders met with the New York Daily News Editorial Board for an interview… and, not advertised as such,.. BUT to evaluate Senator Sanders for their endorsement. This is common practice, by newspapers and media outlets, and there was nothing unusual about the meeting or of the questions asked of Senator Sanders. Now, if the story had ended there (and it could have… if only Senator Sanders had properly prepared…) I feel that these campaigns might not be engaged in the negative dynamics I am writing about, here today.

Here is the single most well written article about the Sanders’ interview with the New York Daily News Editorial Board:

9 things Bernie Sanders should’ve known about but didn’t in that Daily News interview [1]

This was a common thread among the many media outlets that chose to weigh in on Senator Sanders’ interview. It wasn’t ‘The End of the World’, nor was it an interview to be dismissed out of hand… not even close! So, My Dear Shoevians, what is Senator Sanders’ single biggest claim for change as he runs for the Democratic nomination?

“These huge banks must be broken up!”[2]

Ok! That is a big ticket item for Senator Sanders’ campaign, right? So, then My Dear Shoevians, why is it that when the editorial board for the New York Daily News asked Senator Sanders:

1. Breaking up the banks

Daily News: Okay. Well, let’s assume that you’re correct on that point. How do you go about doing [breaking up the banks]?

Sanders: How you go about doing it is having legislation passed, or giving the authority to the secretary of treasury to determine, under Dodd-Frank, that these banks are a danger to the economy over the problem of too-big-to-fail.

Daily News: But do you think that the Fed, now, has that authority?

Sanders: Well, I don’t know if the Fed has it. But I think the administration can have it.

Daily News: How? How does a President turn to JPMorgan Chase, or have the Treasury turn to any of those banks and say, “Now you must do X, Y and Z?”

Sanders: Well, you do have authority under the Dodd-Frank legislation to do that, make that determination.

Daily News: You do, just by Federal Reserve fiat, you do?

Sanders: Yeah. Well, I believe you do.[3]

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One would think that… well, IF you are going to make ‘breaking up the big banks’ like your theme for your campaign? One would think that he would have a ready and well researched and disciplined answer, correct? Aye, there’s the rub!
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Because this is the real motivation behind Sec. Clinton’s remark:
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“"I think he hadn't done his homework and he'd been talking for more than a year about doing things that he obviously hadn't really studied or understood," Clinton said, "and that does raise a lot of questions."[4]
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So, My Dear Shoevians, let’s be honest… about two things:
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1. Hillary did not say “Bernie Sanders is not qualified to be President” anywhere in her interview with ‘Morning Joe’

2. Somehow Senator Sanders got the idea in his head that Sec. Clinton did say “Bernie Sanders is not qualified to be President”… or, at least, that is what we all are now being lead to believe.

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Right there that is where the two campaigns for Democratic nominee for President of the United States went sideways. Up to that point the campaigns had, for the most part (however, My Dear Shoevians, I have seen the supporters for Bernie become much more militant… but more about that at the end of the article) remained civil and professional. The personal attacks had been kept to a minimum, and most of the negativity and harsh insults and barbs had come from supporters much more than from the candidates themselves. However, My Dear Shoevians, with that little misunderstanding these campaigns spent several news cycles playing ‘Rock’em Sock’em Robots’[5]!
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As of today, April 8^th, 2016 the negative dynamics have quieted… somewhat… for both campaigns. However, My Dear Shoevians, I have yet to hear and apology from Senator Sanders for his unbridled rhetorical attacks on Sec., Clinton based on nothing more that what he thought Sec. Clinton had said… for what one of his staffers had told Senator Sanders that was what the Secretary of State had said. Either way? It is my humble opinion that a simple apology, on the part of Senator Sanders, would go a long way to soothing harsh feelings between the two campaigns… AND it would signal to the supporters that this was not the type of campaign Senator Sanders wishes to run.
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That segways, nicely, into my next topic for this article; Zombie Politics, Zombie Candidates and Facebook Zombies. First, Zombie Politics.
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Zombie politics is the act of a campaign, or its supporters, going off on a tangent without the leadership of the candidate! It is one thing for an informed candidate to steer a campaign into socially murky waters. The whole world has born witness to both the Trump Campaign and the Cruz Campaign steer themselves and their followers into socially murky waters. Comments about; one’s genitalia, the appearance of one’s wife, lusting after one’s daughter, and “Vienna Sausage fingers”. THAT, My Dear Shoevians, IS ‘Zombie Politics’. Where the campaign takes on a life of its own, and it is a sick and disgusting life.
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America

deserves BETTER than ‘Zombie Politics’, and (so far) one party has made it the hallmark of their 2016 Presidential Campaign, so far. Now for ‘Zombie Candidates’. This is a much simpler monster, and much easier to explain and identify. Let me, My Dear Shoevians, give you a prime example of a Zombie Candidate right here in this year’s primary season; Donald J Trump. “Why is Trump a ‘Zombie Candidate’?” you ask. For one reason and one reason only. Donald Trump’s unfavorable numbers are the worst of any Presidential campaign in history. But, don’t take my word for it, here are a couple of articles that outline the support for my statement.
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“Trump is extraordinarily unpopular with independent voters and Democrats. Gallup polling conducted over the past six weeks found Trump with a -27-percentage-point net favorability rating among independent voters, and a -70-point net rating among Democrats; both marks are easily the worst in the GOP field. (Trump also has less-than-spectacular favorable ratings among his fellow Republicans.)”[6] Quoted from “Donald Trump Is Really Unpopular With General Election Voters”

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“But Trump, despite having assembled a devoted and enthusiastic group of supporters, doesn't do as well within the GOP community. His favorability rating among Republicans is 59 percent, according to a January poll. A Bloomberg poll in late January had Trump ahead in the GOP field but with looming problems unifying the party: 42 percent of Republicans who did not support Trump said they could not be convinced to support him.”[7] Quoted from “The Most Hated Candidate”[8]

As well, the numbers do not lie. According to most non-partisan polling, Donald J Trump has unfavorable numbers among;

Hispanics = “Today, 8 in 10 Hispanic voters have an unfavorable view of Trump. That includes more than 7 in 10 who have a “very unfavorable” impression of him, which is more than double the percentage of any other major candidate.”[9]

AND within his OWN party;

Trump's Unfavorable Numbers

“As Allahpundit notes, Trump is (-42) on the honesty metric, nearly twice as bad as Hillary Rodham Clinton.”[10]

So, My Dear Shoevians, a ‘Zombie Candidate’ is a candidate for a political party that is the ‘Frontrunner’ for the nomination, but has no chance whatsoever of being elected. Bingo! That is a ‘Zombie Candidate’!
Now, My Dear Shoevians, you may be asking yourself “Why are you bringing up Trump when explaining the ‘Zombie Candidate’?” Good question. Because, the Sander’s campaign is in a very difficult and untenable position, and they might not even know it, yet. Unlike the Clinton Campaign the Sanders’ Campaign has acquired (through no fault of their own??? I am not so sure… considering the attack he unleashed that was, he found out later, unfounded) ‘Facebook Zombies’! (perish the thought!)
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What is a ‘Facebook Zombie’? A Facebook Zombie (aka Troll) is a certain ilk of Facebook member that uses their (or an) account for the sole purpose of attacking people that are not of a like mind. We all know them, we all have seen them, and some of us have fought them… to no avail (more about that at the end of this article). Often, these ‘Facebook Zombies’ (when you look at their profiles) have NO; pictures of family or friends (when you look at their pics you just seem meme after meme after meme), no ‘personal’ posts (only political posts, slams at other Facebook users that are not of a like mind, and hate speech), and hate speech. The later, there, is a hallmark of their ilk.
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When they come on to a thread, suddenly all reasoned conversation or debate goes out the window. Suddenly, people you know and respect, are being labeled; libtard, stupid, kool-aid drinkers, Obama-clones, and the like. There is no middle-ground of these Facebook Zombies it is either their way or the highway! They can take a leisurely Sunday conversation and turn it into a living hell of insult and propaganda. Their posts are marked with insults on our sitting President on everything from his birthplace, to the color of his skin. You can spend a whole weekend posting links to completely reputable sites (like NASA, the World Health Organization, World Wildlife Foundation, and non-partisan news media outlets like PBS). They will not be shaken from their parroted position. THESE ARE ‘Facebook Zombies’!
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As I started stating, above, the Sanders’ campaign has drawn this anti-social breed of Facebooker to him. I fear… it is not by accident, and that it has happened is not without reason. The incident, I explained at the beginning of this article, is just the type of character flaw that these Facebook Zombies are drawn to , like moths to a flame. As well, if you look back into Senator Sanders’ video taped history… you will find more than one occasion where he has acted… well… in an unprofessional and even politically inept fashion. Again, these social media monsters are drawn to these actions… and the people that enact them.
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However, I do believe that they do NOT reflect the true nature of Senator Sander’s campaign, or that of Senator Sanders. Let me be clear, I do NOT think that this is what Senator Sanders wants. I do not think he has done anything untoward to draw them to him. They just seek certain attributes out.
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Now, let me come to the ‘Near Close’ of this article… so I can get it published today. First! BOTH candidates for the Democratic Party nomination need to work harder at keeping OUR nomination process above reproach! BOTH CAMPAINGS! Neither is perfect. Neither is guilty. BOTH CAN BE USED! Next, WE DEMOCRATS need to help keep the narrative (on Facebook and all social media); adult, professional, honest, sincere and GENUINE. It is only then that we will draw the disenfranchised and independents to our party and our eventual nominee. THAT should be the REAL and eventual goal of BOTH Secretary Clinton’s and Senator Sanders’ campaigns!
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Next, we (the real Democrats) need to be on the look-out for ‘Facebook Zombies’!!!! Now, when you see one (and believe me you will!) DO NOT ENGAGE!!!! That is how they spread!!! Steer clear of all ‘Facebook Zombies’!!! Do not be afraid of; Blocking them, unfriending them, and reporting the worst offenders! By doing so? You not only protect yourself, you help to protect others! Remember ‘Steer Clear of Facebook Zombies’!!!!
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In conclusion, as I mentioned in passing above, I would like to take the final moment of this article to make a little personal confession. In my personal life (right now) I find myself engaged in many… battles. My battle with cancer. My battle with a degenerative neurological disease that is (slowly but surely) nibbling away at my personal freedoms, mobility and strengths. Unfortunately, this take arms against a sea of troubles… and by opposing end them’ mentality I take with those personal battles sometimes seep into my social life. For that, I would like to express my deep and heartfelt apologies.
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I have done my level best to, now, recognize and negate this negative and hurtful aspect of my mentality. I find, with each and every passing day, that I am getting better and better at being the man I want and not being the battle. My Dear Shoevians, I do seldom (if ever) do this on my blogs. However, if you know me on Facebook… that is where I have fallen. I just want it known that I have faced this monster, and am winning this battle, one posting at a time.
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Adieu!
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Thank you!
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