Another reason Bernie is a mensch - My experience at Bernie's Rally in the Bronx

[choie]

As I said in a previous post Mr. Choie and I went to Bernie's rally in the South Bronx yesterday. It was an amazing experience - 18,500+ white, POC, old and young gathered in one park. Of course, Bernie's speech was great, and the crowd's response extraordinarily enthusiastic. All chanting Bernie! The most meaningful part for me, however, was what happened before Bernie's speech - or should I say before his "main" speech.

Mr. Choie and I were on line for about two hours - the line to get into the park went on for blocks and blocks. Because of the size of the crowd, not all of us were able to get into the front of the park, where the main stage for Bernie was located. The rest of us were in the "back" part of the park where there was a huge screen. It didn't seem to bother anybody that we were far away from Bernie. we were just glad to be there! So, we waited and waited until it hit about 6:15 p.m. or so, at which time we were told by volunteers to head back toward the entrance of our section of the park because Bernie was going to speak to our group before making his way to the front of the park for his scheduled speech. That's right, after learning that there was a huge number of supporters who going to be unable to see him up close, Bernie decided to join us in our part of the park before the official speech!

Let me tell you - the crowd was ecstatic! There were people on the chain link fences and up in a tree looking out for Bernie (we called them Bernie Birds!) and when Bernie's brigade finally drove down the street, we went wild! Through the entrance he came (with the secret service) and proceeded to speechify without a mike!

At that point, it really didn't matter what Bernie had said. What mattered was that this man, this candidate for president, cared enough about those of his us who were going to be unable to see and hear him up close to give us the opportunity to do just that. That is decency....that is Bernie Sanders!

[ViseGrip]

1. Thank you Bernie Sanders for running, the people of America are so lucky...

To have the word 'decent' next to 'politician' is extraordinary in of itself. This is amazing. Even uncovered...a true criminal act by our public media sources.

[beam me up scottie]

2. Thanks for the first hand account!

[CorporatistNation]

34. THIS Is WHY Bernie IS THE ONLY CHOICE NO MATTER WHAT! Hillary IS ... More Of The SAME and WORSE!

Just listen....

Here We Go...

&list=RDUcGrzbxRaxs&index=1

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. He does this everywhere

in San Diego he did that after the speech... and we reporters were filing from phones, because the Secret Service would not let us go for two hours. We started to make jokes about coffee... they give us coffee, we would be just typing away. And no, we did not have wi fi.

Ah the humanity, a bunch of reporters without coffee or wi fi. I felt sorry for the people needing to make the 10 O'Clock deadline though. That was a crunch.

So I almost killed the phone on that one (had an external battery). Ah myself and a reporter from Colombia started to talk and compare notes though to my former country and his country and corrupt politics, but that is a story for another day.

Bernie birds... chuckle. Am amazed the Secret Service did not object (much).

[choie]

6. They were eventually

told to come down - probably over concern about snipers.

[nadinbrzezinski]

7. That is why I was amazed

I am glad you enjoyed it.

[eridani]

36. Did it twice in Seattle at the Key arena

First to people outside who were watching the screen, then again inside, as there were people who got into the arena but not into the official seating.

[polichick]

4. Great story about true colors!

[Autumn]

5. You know when I see him on TV I always get happy.

[WiffenPoof]

29. You Know...

...I have the same experience. Whenever I hear his voice from the other room, I'm reminded that I will be voting FOR someone and not against someone.

[Jennylynn]

8. We've all seen a few rallies from different politicians running for President

For what ever reason it has always bugged me that the politician always faced forward and never acknowledged the people behind them. But then I thought, well that's ok, they're the ones that get to be on TV.
So, I'm watching one of Bernie's speeches and lo and behold, in the middle of the speech, he turns and raises his hand to the cheering people behind him! Twice!
I could not believe it. That's true thoughtfulness and inclusiveness right there. I know it sounds corny to be amazed by something seemingly so trivial but it just touched me.

When it was over, he stepped down and turned and walked over to the crowd behind him, to greet them first. A girl of about 17 was the first one he walked up to and she got a, I'm freaking out, look on her face and said, oh my God, as if she were meeting a movie star. It was so sweet to watch. And cool.

[choie]

9. It's not corny, Jennylynn..

decency is very rare in a politician, especially sincere decency, so when we see it, it touches our heart!

[thereismore]

10. Good observation!

[Jennylynn]

11. Thanks guys. So true about the decency being so rare these days

But imagine that! A 17 year old was star struck by a 74 old!
I think kids are the best sensors of good people.
And dogs.

[choie]

17. Agreed!!!!

[Karma13612]

24. But how could you forget the Birdie!!!

[BernieforPres2016]

12. Thanks for the post. I heard another example of Bernie's decency today.

Last edited Sat Apr 2, 2016, 12:33 PM - Edit history (1)

At his speech today in Sheboygan, WI today, Bernie was talking about the work he had done on behalf of veterans in the Senate. He mentioned that sometime in the last several days, he had met a World War II veteran in his 90's and said we owed them a debt we could never repay for defeating Nazi Germany and Japan. I couldn't hear what was said on the webcast, but somebody in the first few rows and to Bernie's right apparently yelled out that there was a WW II veteran with them. Bernie heard it and asked the veteran to stand for the crowd to acknowledge him. And of course the crowd gave him a huge ovation.

[choie]

13. another great example...

he doesn't need to always be the center of adulation...he can give away the spotlight for others to be recognized. It's about empathy, an all too rare trait. The ability to put oneself in the other's shoes.

[grasswire]

16. even to a little brown birdie

He shut up and let the birdie have the spotlight.

[choie]

18. You're right!!!

[Jennylynn]

15. Class act

[kgnu_fan]

26. kick

[AzDar]

14. Bernie!!

[bigtree]

19. that was an awesome overflow crowd

...overflow crowd at St Mary's Park in the Bronx

_

[Karma13612]

21. If that ain't diverse, I need a new

Dictionary!!!

[Karma13612]

20. That is classy!

So glad you got that experience! That must be who we heard chanting far off, on the video when others were speaking on the main stage?

I remember when Obama did that in 2008 in San Antonio TX.

Hubbie and I were first in line to be rejected for the "main stage" so we got a personal speech from the man. We were set up in a line about ?20 people wide in the street next to the venue.

We watched as people behind us kept filling in, as far back as the eye could see.

We got "wanded" by the Secret Service, then a little podium was erected. We waited a bit.
We waited a bit more. and then finally Obama appeared and gave a short stump speech.

And then he finished, came down to the front of the line of supporters and went from one side of the wide street to the other and reached out and shook as many hands as he could, stretching as far as he could.

I accidentally got two hand shakes cause we were so crammed in I couldn't get my hand down after the first shake!!! Epic

[choie]

22. Yup that was us chanting!!!

Sounds like you had a wonderful experience with Obama as well! It says a lot about their character .

[Karma13612]

23. We know potential when we see it!!! eom

[kgnu_fan]

25. thank you for sharing this experience.... I feel like crying just reading it...

[narnian60]

28. Same here!

[choie]

33. You're so welcome!

I definitely was teary - I remember looking at my husband and saying "what other candidate would do this?"

[Kip Humphrey]

27. In spite of what Hillarians spout, Bernie Sanders is authentic, honest, consistent, & appreciative.

He always addresses the overflow crowds. This is Bernie.

[Armstead]

31. I'm beginning to think some people here think those are negative traits

[Depaysement]

30. I couldn't get past the first paragraph

No POC were there. Not allowed. Bernie is racist. Her DU supporters said so!

[cui bono]

32. A person of the people .

The real deal. The only choice if you want someone who is going to fight for us over big money.

There is not one other candidate you can be assured will do this. Not one.

.

[CorporatistNation]

35. YEAH!!!

Here We Go...

&list=RDUcGrzbxRaxs&index=1

[Uncle Joe]

37. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for sharing, choie.

[choie]

38. Welcome, Uncle Joe!