Jordan Birnbaum

Host

Unite Blue & Political Vision

Dec 5, 2013·46 visitors

Khary Penebaker

Cohost

Stage· 248 messages

Dec 5, 2013

If you are active on #UniteBlue (which I recommend, btw), you've probably come across Khary Penebaker. He's one of the more knowledgeable and inspiring of our fellow citizens, and we're here to Tawk about a new vision for our country and society. So come meet Khary, and feel less alone!

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:05 AM

Mr. Penebaker, I presume?

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:05 AM

(I have to tell you - that is very fun to say out loud)

Khary Penebaker · 2:05 AM

Mr. Penebaker is my dad! Call me Khary!

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:05 AM

Hi Khary! Welcome!

Khary Penebaker · 2:05 AM

Thanks Jordan!

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:06 AM

I'm so psyched for this tonight, because it is what I hope is the beginning of something great.

Khary Penebaker · 2:06 AM

I am as well. I always have something to say :)

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:06 AM

then you're perfect for this!

Khary Penebaker · 2:06 AM

Lets do it!

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:06 AM

So part of how we met…

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:07 AM

I had posted a blog on UniteBlue.org

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:07 AM

In which I basically said I wanted to start Tawking through the issues.

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:07 AM

You tweeted it, so I asked if you would get in the ring, and here we are. All accurate sir?

Khary Penebaker · 2:08 AM

Yep! I wasn't sure about what Tawking was or Tawkers.

Khary Penebaker · 2:08 AM

So, after reading your blog post, I created an account

Khary Penebaker · 2:08 AM

I still didn't "get it" yet. I thought this was done via text messages on a smart phone due to the layout & look

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:09 AM

well, thanks for being adventurous!

Khary Penebaker · 2:09 AM

No problemo!

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:09 AM

(btw -quick shout out: Hi Lucy!)

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:09 AM

★ Spotlighted from Lucy Dyer

“hey you two!”

Khary Penebaker · 2:09 AM

Hi Lucy!

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:09 AM

OK - so since then I';ve learned a bit more about you, and I'm impressed.

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:10 AM

So in getting ready to do this, I wanted to know how you arrived at some of your political ideology.

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:10 AM

I'm going to throw out some factors, and you tell me if and how they affected your political outlook. Cool?

Khary Penebaker · 2:10 AM

deal!

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:11 AM

Family and childhood

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:11 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“yay I made it! Wisconsin that is right across the border from me.. (MN)”

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:11 AM

welcome!

Khary Penebaker · 2:11 AM

My dad was a diversity consultant in the early 90's before corporations had their own diversity departments

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:11 AM

a man ahead of his time

Khary Penebaker · 2:11 AM

My mom is the Executive Director of the YWCA of SE WI & the Chairwoman for the National YWCA.

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:12 AM

power couple!

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:12 AM

you were bound to turn out great!

Khary Penebaker · 2:12 AM

So I have grown up with social issues all my life! both parents are democrats, so thats what I saw & learned

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:12 AM

If only everyone had your parents.

Khary Penebaker · 2:12 AM

i don't think i want to share!

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:13 AM

is that a viable political strategy?

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:13 AM

or not scaleable?

Khary Penebaker · 2:13 AM

ha! politically? definitely not!

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:13 AM

OK -how about education. Did you have any study experiences that shaped your outlook?

Khary Penebaker · 2:14 AM

Yes. I want to an all-male Catholic high school in WI.

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:14 AM

not exactly a lefty factory…

Khary Penebaker · 2:14 AM

I learned how to be a man & how to treat people. Not so much "politics" but just simple decency

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:15 AM

you had a positive experience? I have to admit I find that more surprising than the alternative.

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:15 AM

★ Spotlighted from Lucy Dyer

“just cos someone had democratic or republican parents does not mean the kids will be ones too.”

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:15 AM

that's true too

Khary Penebaker · 2:15 AM

it was the most inviting experience i had at that point. learning how to be fair & decent is something i think that is at the center of the progressive movement

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:15 AM

I mean, how could I disagree?

Khary Penebaker · 2:16 AM

No, I am not predisposed to being a democrat because of my parents. I chose to be as I liked what I saw

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:16 AM

I'm just pleasantly surprised that was available in that environment.

Khary Penebaker · 2:16 AM

So was I! In fact, at mass you could lay down. They allowed EVERYONE to receive communion!

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:16 AM

cool. how come we never hear about this kind of religion?

Khary Penebaker · 2:17 AM

they showed that empathy towards your fellow man is something you should be afraid of

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:17 AM

I assume you mean NOT be afraid of!

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:17 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“my mom had sort of a transcendent view on politics.. we have always thought morality and how you ACTUALLY treat people is more important than whether you are blue or red.. I wouldn't trade my mother either she taught me a lot”

Khary Penebaker · 2:17 AM

the reason we don't see or hear about religion that way, especially today, is because its not a "story"!

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:17 AM

stupid media

Khary Penebaker · 2:18 AM

its easier to have a story on bad things, rather than something good

Khary Penebaker · 2:18 AM

yes! stooopid media :)

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:18 AM

stupid human nature

Khary Penebaker · 2:18 AM

that too

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:18 AM

lol!

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:18 AM

quick step back - let's try to answer this:

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:18 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“as a woman I have always wondered, what does the term "be a man" exactly entail? lol”

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:18 AM

I have no idea. You?

Khary Penebaker · 2:19 AM

i can't provide you with some sort of text book response.

Khary Penebaker · 2:19 AM

i can only tell you what they did for me. i learned responsibility. accountability.

Khary Penebaker · 2:19 AM

i learned that i should never go in public without my shirt tucked in

Khary Penebaker · 2:20 AM

i learned what it really meant to be determined. so much so, that i was able to earn a full athletic college scholarship

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:20 AM

I went back to grad school specifically so I wouldn't have to tuck my shirt in.

Khary Penebaker · 2:20 AM

ha!

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:20 AM

Oh no way?! What and where ?

Khary Penebaker · 2:20 AM

I went to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. I ran track

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:21 AM

wow. another impressive thing! You certainly are well rounded.

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:21 AM

I only run if the food truck didn't stop

Khary Penebaker · 2:21 AM

I try to be. I am far from perfect, but i have had a variety of life experiences

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:21 AM

stupid food truck

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:22 AM

OK - back to politics. I was going to ask about any great life epiphanies, but it sounds like you've had several around the idea of empathy?

Khary Penebaker · 2:22 AM

Epiphanies! not sure about something as grand as that.

Khary Penebaker · 2:23 AM

but there have been some life experiences that have opened my eyes to things i hadn't imagined

Khary Penebaker · 2:23 AM

for example, i took the SNAP challenge this summer.

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:23 AM

is that living off food stamps?

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:23 AM

epiphanies are a form of soul checks, without the near life experience

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:23 AM

near death* experience

Khary Penebaker · 2:24 AM

now, i had been an athlete most of my life. i have a relatively high pain threshold. but the SNAP challenge was one of THE most difficult things I'd ever done

Khary Penebaker · 2:25 AM

the SNAP challenge is where you live on a fixed amount of money for 7 days. i lived off of less than $4 per day for 7 days

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:25 AM

Oh wow -which burden was heavier -the physical or emotional?

Khary Penebaker · 2:26 AM

i think they were equal or at least one was a result of the other

Khary Penebaker · 2:26 AM

I had a very hard time at work by the 3rd day. very hard to concentrate & to focus. i was super irritable.

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:26 AM

what inspired you to experience that?

Khary Penebaker · 2:27 AM

Steve Stockman of Texas made some idiotic comment about how its easy to do the SNAP challenge & made other offensive remarks about it

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:28 AM

So you felt compelled to argue down the idiocy from a more authentic perspective.

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:28 AM

and chose to suffer a bit to understand what people are going through. That's really inspiring, man.

Khary Penebaker · 2:28 AM

Sort of. I felt that instead of arguing or tweeting, I had to do it myself. I wanted to experience what it was like

Khary Penebaker · 2:29 AM

I wanted 1st hand knowledge of what a SNAP recipient went thru on a daily basis.

Khary Penebaker · 2:29 AM

I learned an immense amount about food insecure families and their daily struggles.

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:29 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“that would be a GREAT idea for a documentary”

Khary Penebaker · 2:30 AM

Having done it allowed me to appreciate how difficult their lives are. It was forced empathy at that point.

Khary Penebaker · 2:30 AM

@Lucy: The Challenge itself was only for 7 days. There are people who do it longer than that. but i wasn't able to

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:30 AM

This was not originally on my agenda, but by the end of the Tawk I'm going to bring up YOUR running for office!

Khary Penebaker · 2:31 AM

Well since you did bring that up...

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:31 AM

I like this idea, choose to suffer

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:31 AM

me too

Khary Penebaker · 2:31 AM

I had considered that recently, however, the local Assembly district that I live in is DEEPLY RED! so

Khary Penebaker · 2:32 AM

i figured I had a better opportunity to make a difference via advocacy & volunteer work

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:32 AM

so is this what drove you to get involved in Unite Blue?

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:33 AM

(ALL my friends are coming out tonight!)

Khary Penebaker · 2:33 AM

I have always want to say something. I got sick of petty political arguments with my friends.

Khary Penebaker · 2:33 AM

UB provided me with the opportunity to find my voice

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:33 AM

I used to have political arguments with my friends. So I stopped being friends with them.

Khary Penebaker · 2:34 AM

Im still friends with all of mine. i never took it personal. i figured, if you're willing to engage with me in person, lets be civil

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:34 AM

★ Spotlighted from Seth Hochman

“Only in America do we call the people earning the least, who work the hardest, lazy while calling wealthy trust fund babies hard-working, job creators”

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:34 AM

how about you, Seth? Any righty friends?

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:34 AM

So was finding your voice a question of finding information? community? both?

Khary Penebaker · 2:35 AM

both, plus the access to a platform!

Khary Penebaker · 2:35 AM

UB is more than just the chance to follow people.

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:35 AM

For me, feeling connected to everyone is a fantastic development!

Khary Penebaker · 2:36 AM

yes it is. so not only have i been able to find my voice, but i have had my voice amplified! i have over 9,000 twitter followers. I post CONSTANTLY!

Khary Penebaker · 2:37 AM

And still, I learn something new every day. i am challenged on a daily basis as well. I think that's good for my personal growth

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:37 AM

agreed to the nth!

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:38 AM

So I just self-identify and have a UniteBlue.org account. But you're formally involved as a coordinator, right?

Khary Penebaker · 2:38 AM

Correct. I am the WI State Coordinator. I operate & tweet from @UniteBlueWI

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:38 AM

Do you plan on doing any live events or mixers or anything like that?

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:39 AM

I mean, I know it's a big state and all…

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:39 AM

United Blue Man Group?

Khary Penebaker · 2:39 AM

I do already. In fact, I am attending an event next week for which UB is a sponsor here in WI

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:40 AM

That's really exciting! Is it just social, or do you guys have agendas and meetings and action plans?

Khary Penebaker · 2:40 AM

the event next week is a candlelight vigil for BadgerCare, which is WI's low-income healthcare program

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:41 AM

is it at risk?

Khary Penebaker · 2:41 AM

YES! Scott Walker opted to not take the Medicaid expansion from ObamaCare.

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:41 AM

How did this guy get elected?

Khary Penebaker · 2:41 AM

As a result, 77k people will be kicked off BadgerCare

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:42 AM

how did the recall work in CA but not WI?!

Khary Penebaker · 2:42 AM

He was elected partially due to a weak opponent. and also due to the 2010 mid-term elections which had low democratic turn out

Khary Penebaker · 2:42 AM

recall failed here in WI not because people agreed with Walker, but because people were mad about the recall itself.

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:43 AM

I see - so what is the current political climate in WI?

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:43 AM

★ Spotlighted from Seth Hochman

“Why do you think there would be low Dem turnout Khary...if Scott Walker isn't going to get the riled up what will?”

Khary Penebaker · 2:43 AM

Its pretty bad here. In all honesty, its probably worse than what you see on the national stage. the state is totally divided

Khary Penebaker · 2:44 AM

@Seth: Walker didn't run on the platform he began to legislate with. WI had the 3rd most voter participation in 2012, but we definitely fell short in 2010

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:44 AM

★ Spotlighted from John Baker

“drug use and addiction is a classic negative stereotype. which is why all the "test for drugs for help" stuff blew up in a lot of peoples faces when it turned out to not be the case”

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:44 AM

★ Spotlighted from John Baker

“and ended up costing states more money than just leaving it alone”

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:45 AM

another example of blaming poverty on the poor.

Khary Penebaker · 2:45 AM

yes. i agree

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:45 AM

which I'm sure your SNAP experience makes patently absurd

Khary Penebaker · 2:46 AM

exactly! over 40% of SNAP recipients are kids! 22 Million nationally!

Khary Penebaker · 2:46 AM

those are lazy, drug addicts!

Khary Penebaker · 2:46 AM

aren't! not are! sorry

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:47 AM

So, I guess on the bright side, it seems to me, at least anecdotally, that poverty is getting a bit more attention than usual these past few weeks

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:47 AM

did you read that letter about why poor people make bad choices that went viral? Pretty compelling stuff.

Khary Penebaker · 2:47 AM

yes it is. but its sad that there's still nothing being done to make it better.

Khary Penebaker · 2:47 AM

yes i did. its sad, really sad that people live like that

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:48 AM

All we need is 99 other Elizabeth Warrens in the senate…

Khary Penebaker · 2:48 AM

totally agree! we need politicians who are empathetic! many of our pols are rich & have never struggled

Khary Penebaker · 2:49 AM

they will never treat people properly if they can't imagine what its like to be poor or to struggle

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:49 AM

You know, I also read about how banks and check cashing places make life for the poor impossible.

Khary Penebaker · 2:49 AM

yes! they charge RIDICULOUS rates!

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:49 AM

I mean, there are entire industries devoted to exploiting poor people and keeping them poor!

Khary Penebaker · 2:50 AM

Yep! think about the fact that congress voted to take $5 billion from SNAP, but yet JP Morgan still gets $200 million+ to administer it!

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:50 AM

I think I just there up a little

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:51 AM

threw up

Khary Penebaker · 2:51 AM

yea, its pretty sick! they are asking poor people to live off of less money per month, but they aren't asking JP Morgan to charge less

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:52 AM

so what is your vision for using unite blue to further your ideology about human empathy?

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:52 AM

(which I totally support, btw)

Khary Penebaker · 2:53 AM

well, UB isn't mine, so its not about MY vision. but rather, our collective vision

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:53 AM

indeed, but you're the only one in your head when you close your eyes and imagine the future…

Khary Penebaker · 2:53 AM

to me, it is incredibly important to share our stories and to express our views

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:53 AM

what do you hope UB will accomplish?

Khary Penebaker · 2:54 AM

UB provides an increased opportunity for our members to do just that

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:54 AM

speaking truth to power

Khary Penebaker · 2:54 AM

right now, we have helped to make over 1.3 Million twitter connections. IN LESS THAN 1 YEAR!

Khary Penebaker · 2:55 AM

as that number grows, so will our ability to influence public policy

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:55 AM

that's very exciting, and I'm thrilled to be a tiny part of it.

Khary Penebaker · 2:55 AM

every member counts!

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:55 AM

BUT - I do think that we have to hold Democrats FAR more accountable than we do.

Khary Penebaker · 2:56 AM

yes. UB's policy is that we don't attack other Dems. we don't do that

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:56 AM

I fear most Dems are as bought as Repubs, and policy proves it

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:56 AM

but I understand the need for a focused effort first

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:56 AM

it'll be easier to affect change with a majority in both houses!

Khary Penebaker · 2:57 AM

UB stays on message as a group. but individually, we are obviously free to do what we wish

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:57 AM

I think that's very wise, and a perfect segway to 5 Laws!

Khary Penebaker · 2:57 AM

yessir!

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:57 AM

OK Khary! Tell me the 5 laws you moist want to change! #1?

Khary Penebaker · 2:58 AM

1. #SNAP bill/Farm Bill.

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:58 AM

excellent choice. #2?

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:58 AM

★ Spotlighted from Seth Hochman

“Khary don't forget when the Tea Party voted to eliminate SNAP, $40 billion, they voted to give $150 billion to big food businesses like Conagra and Kellogg's, so it's okay to give corp. welfare to successful businesses but to give $4/day to someone”

Khary Penebaker · 2:58 AM

I want congress to pass a farm bill that doesn't take $5 billion from our most vulnerable

Khary Penebaker · 2:59 AM

@Seth i totally agree w you. Plus, the Farm Bill has paid subsidies to congress members who voted to gut SNAP!

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:59 AM

gross.

Khary Penebaker · 2:59 AM

2. Minimum Wage Increase.

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:59 AM

right there with you

Khary Penebaker · 3:00 AM

the congressional position is to raise the min wage to $10.10 an hour. i think that's a start. but i still think that is WAY too low

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:00 AM

(although there should be Fed support for small biz when it comes to minimum wage)

Khary Penebaker · 3:00 AM

yes it should

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:00 AM

It is. A min wage increase could be funded by closing corporate tax loopholes…

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:01 AM

If we want to address income inequality, that's a great place to start!

Khary Penebaker · 3:01 AM

yes. if you're trying to spare some pain for the corporations. but, the more you pay, the better the economy does

Khary Penebaker · 3:01 AM

the more money people have, the more disposable income they will have

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:01 AM

★ Spotlighted from John Baker

“maslows heirarchy is exploited to indirectly disenfranchise voters. just a crazy theory of mine”

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:02 AM

(OMG Jon -I have a whole theory about that too!)

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:02 AM

OK Khary -you're on a roll! What's #3?

Khary Penebaker · 3:02 AM

3. ENDA.

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:02 AM

★ Spotlighted from John Baker

“@jb you should create a tawk for it”

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:02 AM

you and me -done

Khary Penebaker · 3:03 AM

my uncle is gay. it sickens me that we have legislative bigotry available for companies to use against our fellow people!

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:03 AM

It seems very obvious to me, and I think everyone else here. So far, you have my vote LOCKED UP!

Khary Penebaker · 3:03 AM

well thank you!

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:04 AM

#4?

Khary Penebaker · 3:04 AM

4. Comprehensive Immigration Reform

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:04 AM

Stop punishing the brave!

Khary Penebaker · 3:04 AM

YES! plus, we are a nation of IMMIGRANTS!

Khary Penebaker · 3:04 AM

The Statue of Liberty says Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me. I lift my lamp beside the golden door."

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:05 AM

If we were even a little serious about our so-called national ethos, immigrants would be heroic!

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:05 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“I agree with all of these things! :) Sad that these are also all things that should have already been implemented SO long ago :(”

Khary Penebaker · 3:05 AM

yes they would. our country wouldn't be anything that it is now if not for immigrants. There'd be no Google!

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:05 AM

That's why you're so cool, Rachel!

Khary Penebaker · 3:06 AM

think about this...The party of Reagan who triumphantly said “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!” in regards to the Berlin Wall, wants to have a wall between the US & Mexico! That is insane to me.

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:06 AM

OK Khary - I'm not trying to jinx it or anything…but you're pitching a perfect game.

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:06 AM

So, you know no pressure or anything. But what is #5?

Khary Penebaker · 3:06 AM

5. Gun Control.

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:07 AM

thank goodness SOMEONE is going to do something about it

Khary Penebaker · 3:07 AM

in regards to you earlier comment, Dems didn't fight hard enough on this issue

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:07 AM

Does anything spit in the face of our democracy more than the absence of gun control laws we all want?

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:08 AM

it's a farce.

Khary Penebaker · 3:08 AM

not just that. but we have loads of data that tells us that we MUST do something!

Khary Penebaker · 3:08 AM

As we reach the 1yr anniversary of the Newtown massacre, we are still without a gun control law.

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:08 AM

You mean, like, every other civilized country in the world-type data?

Khary Penebaker · 3:09 AM

yep! or that there are 30k gun deaths every year!

Khary Penebaker · 3:09 AM

20 6-7yr kids get shot to death in their school & nothing changes. But, 4 American soldiers die in a hazardous warzon in Benghazi & the right clamors for hearings & carelessly throw around the word “impeachment”! Its shameful.

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:09 AM

Khary, my friend. I know business development is your game, but for all of our sakes, maybe you should run

Khary Penebaker · 3:10 AM

i know politics, but i haven't developed into a politician just yet. My thought is that i engage in more political action & hone my political side

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:10 AM

You're off to a very good start, and you have my vote!

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:11 AM

So, I hope you enjoyed this!

Khary Penebaker · 3:11 AM

i really did! i could go on and on!

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:11 AM

And can see why I want to integrate Tawking into the UB community!

Khary Penebaker · 3:11 AM

the question about the 5 laws i'd change was the hardest to answer!

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:11 AM

It let's us dig in a little deeper.

Khary Penebaker · 3:11 AM

proof that i could go on and on is demonstrated by my 115k tweets!

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:12 AM

well, lets get more UBers Tawking, and your Tawk to tweet ratio will flatten out…

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:12 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“great tawk! thanks Jordan and Khary! :)”

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:12 AM

thank you forum mates - you are, as always, the best ever

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:12 AM

★ Spotlighted from John Baker

“agree w/rachel”

Khary Penebaker · 3:12 AM

i am glad i got a chance to do this! i will def push it to my followers!

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:12 AM

★ Spotlighted from Seth Hochman

“Well done Khary and JB”

Khary Penebaker · 3:13 AM

Thank you!

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:13 AM

we'll be here!

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:13 AM

good night everyone!

Khary Penebaker · 3:13 AM

night everyone!

Forum · 121

Forum· 121 comments

46 visitors

Lucy DyerDec 5, 2013, 2:05 AM

are we on?

Lucy DyerDec 5, 2013, 2:05 AM★ Spotlighted

hey you two!

Rachel McDonnellDec 5, 2013, 2:11 AM★ Spotlighted

yay I made it! Wisconsin that is right across the border from me.. (MN)

Rachel McDonnellDec 5, 2013, 2:12 AM

thanks! glad I could make it! :)

Lucy DyerDec 5, 2013, 2:12 AM

ok,whats a diversity consultant?

Lucy DyerDec 5, 2013, 2:12 AM

hey rachel

Rachel McDonnellDec 5, 2013, 2:12 AM

hey lucy :)

Rachel McDonnellDec 5, 2013, 2:13 AM

I think a diversity consultant is someone organizations hire to make sure that you are being fair in your selection/hiring processes and making sure that minorites and the like are treated fairly on the job

Lucy DyerDec 5, 2013, 2:13 AM

ah ok ty

Rachel McDonnellDec 5, 2013, 2:14 AM

sure.. I have been writing about organizational processes and intervention techniques all day! lol for a paper

Lucy DyerDec 5, 2013, 2:14 AM★ Spotlighted

just cos someone had democratic or republican parents does not mean the kids will be ones too.

Rachel McDonnellDec 5, 2013, 2:15 AM★ Spotlighted

as a woman I have always wondered, what does the term "be a man" exactly entail? lol

Lucy DyerDec 5, 2013, 2:15 AM

good one rachel. i mean,women can have balls too,right?

Rachel McDonnellDec 5, 2013, 2:17 AM★ Spotlighted

my mom had sort of a transcendent view on politics.. we have always thought morality and how you ACTUALLY treat people is more important than whether you are blue or red.. I wouldn't trade my mother either she taught me a lot

Lucy DyerDec 5, 2013, 2:18 AM

why should religion be a story?

Rachel McDonnellDec 5, 2013, 2:18 AM

haha yes Lucy, I just picture there being like an obstacle course involved where they have to chug raw eggs and play dodgeball to be awarded their "man" card. lol.. not in catholic school but in general never got that term lol

Lucy DyerDec 5, 2013, 2:18 AM

behind every "great" man there is a woman raising her eyebrows....

Lucy DyerDec 5, 2013, 2:19 AM

dont want a text book response,we want your response

Rachel McDonnellDec 5, 2013, 2:19 AM

@Lucy - I still contend as a woman you know you really love a guy if he does something ridiculous and you just sort of half hide your face, but u just shake your head and smile like "you're an idiot but I love you"

Rachel McDonnellDec 5, 2013, 2:20 AM

it was rhetorical I was just joking lol :)

Lucy DyerDec 5, 2013, 2:20 AM

yup thats true rachel lol

Lucy DyerDec 5, 2013, 2:22 AM

i still find it funny sometimes that you guys only have two parties whilst we have.....loads! lol

Rachel McDonnellDec 5, 2013, 2:23 AM

it doesn't dramatically divide us AT ALL does it Lucy? lol.. yes we need more options

Rachel McDonnellDec 5, 2013, 2:26 AM

did you get the money all at once or only $4 a day? I'd think if you got the $21 all at once it would be more manageable than only $4 a day.. but yeah that would be ridiculously difficult!

Lucy DyerDec 5, 2013, 2:26 AM

should have done it for a month

Lucy DyerDec 5, 2013, 2:26 AM

7 days is not enough to relaise just how bad it is

Rachel McDonnellDec 5, 2013, 2:27 AM

we had someone squatting in one of our buildings at school the other night and everyone was all scared.. I was just saddened.. :( I said if I had it my way I'd set up cots in the basement of the building so they could sleep.. they are the victims too

Rachel McDonnellDec 5, 2013, 2:27 AM

so sad

Rachel McDonnellDec 5, 2013, 2:28 AM

did he ever do it?

Rachel McDonnellDec 5, 2013, 2:29 AM★ Spotlighted

that would be a GREAT idea for a documentary

Lucy DyerDec 5, 2013, 2:30 AM

7 days tho? to me thats not enough time

Seth HochmanDec 5, 2013, 2:31 AM

I'm so tired of hearing people b*tching about paying for food stamps, as if people on them are receiving some kind of luxurious benefit

Rachel McDonnellDec 5, 2013, 2:31 AM

nah it should be longer for a documentary.. like a month... but 7 days is enough to realize these people live or die off of that $4/dy

John BakerDec 5, 2013, 2:32 AM

morgan spurlok had done a similar experiment, for his show 30 days

Seth HochmanDec 5, 2013, 2:32 AM

Saw a great documentary by Morgan Spurlock, 30 Days, where he had to live on Minimum wage, and although he was making a dollar an hour more than the min wage he still couldn't make it

Rachel McDonnellDec 5, 2013, 2:32 AM

ugh I know @Seth! it is disgusting how we blame the victim..

Seth HochmanDec 5, 2013, 2:32 AM

jinx

John BakerDec 5, 2013, 2:32 AM

heres your coke -hands seth a coke-

Lucy DyerDec 5, 2013, 2:34 AM

really JB? :-/

Seth HochmanDec 5, 2013, 2:34 AM★ Spotlighted

Only in America do we call the people earning the least, who work the hardest, lazy while calling wealthy trust fund babies hard-working, job creators

Lucy DyerDec 5, 2013, 2:34 AM

i find that a little sad but each to his or her own

Rachel McDonnellDec 5, 2013, 2:34 AM

haha yes and that's all they ever are petty arguments.. nothing that could change things in the bigger picture. glad to know you are fighting for good Khary! :)

Lucy DyerDec 5, 2013, 2:34 AM

so true seth

Rachel McDonnellDec 5, 2013, 2:34 AM

@Seth 'Murica :/

Seth HochmanDec 5, 2013, 2:35 AM

only in Seattle airport Rick, if it even passed there

Seth HochmanDec 5, 2013, 2:35 AM

most of the country it's $7.25/hr. while in Australia it's $16/hr., Canada nearly $11/hr. and both of their economies are doing better than ours

Rachel McDonnellDec 5, 2013, 2:36 AM

workers are striking for fair waged tomorrow! http://lowpayisnotok.org/ :)

Seth HochmanDec 5, 2013, 2:36 AM

Waiters get $2.13/hr and that hasn't been raised in over 21 years

Rachel McDonnellDec 5, 2013, 2:38 AM

i think that is why it is so important to get individual organizations to understand that paying their workers more will help them be more productive, happy, healthy, and less likely to leave. Some companies have raised the min. wage within their org

Seth HochmanDec 5, 2013, 2:38 AM

Yes I've some Rep. friends JB, even a Tea Partier--still have been able to convince him to see the light

Rachel McDonnellDec 5, 2013, 2:39 AM

I don't think I even know any Republicans lol! oh yeah a few.. I just steer clear of the topic around them. they are unusually stubborn sometimes not like I'm not lol

Lucy DyerDec 5, 2013, 2:39 AM

or the mad hatters tea party,Rick

John BakerDec 5, 2013, 2:39 AM

but what about all of the hostile ignorance? its not just on the internet

Rachel McDonnellDec 5, 2013, 2:40 AM

no there's a tea party I could get on board with! haha

Seth HochmanDec 5, 2013, 2:40 AM

Jersey just raised the min wage Rachel and a lot of businesses wanted it raised because low income workers spend almost all their money, so more money for low income workers means more money gets in the economy so demand increases

Seth HochmanDec 5, 2013, 2:42 AM

What is wrong with Wisconsin that they reelected Scott w

Rachel McDonnellDec 5, 2013, 2:42 AM

glad to hear that Seth, I mean really it is counter-intuitive to keep it where it's at it helps no one and in fact digs us DEEPER into debt

Seth HochmanDec 5, 2013, 2:42 AM

Wanker

Lucy DyerDec 5, 2013, 2:42 AM

those damn badgers

Seth HochmanDec 5, 2013, 2:43 AM★ Spotlighted

Why do you think there would be low Dem turnout Khary...if Scott Walker isn't going to get the riled up what will?

Rachel McDonnellDec 5, 2013, 2:43 AM

I'm sorry but I'd want a lot of booze too if I had to be sleeping out in negative 30 degree weather like we get around here.. although I think that is a neg. stereotype that isn't necessarily the truth for most underprivileged people

John BakerDec 5, 2013, 2:44 AM★ Spotlighted

drug use and addiction is a classic negative stereotype. which is why all the "test for drugs for help" stuff blew up in a lot of peoples faces when it turned out to not be the case

John BakerDec 5, 2013, 2:44 AM★ Spotlighted

and ended up costing states more money than just leaving it alone

Lucy DyerDec 5, 2013, 2:44 AM

it all these apathetic goofballs that vote for these nutters into office

Rachel McDonnellDec 5, 2013, 2:45 AM

I agree @John and now they are finding out that they are losing A LOT of money by implementing these drug policies they are not paying off, because they were sterotypes and not based off of any real proof

Seth HochmanDec 5, 2013, 2:45 AM

Yes the Gov in my state, yes the criminal Rick Scott, started that and guess who owned the drug testing company doing the tests

Seth HochmanDec 5, 2013, 2:45 AM

Yup, none other than Rick Scott

Seth HochmanDec 5, 2013, 2:46 AM

The results were only 2% of those tested were on drugs compared with 7% of the gen population. So actually less of them are on drugs than ordinary people

Rachel McDonnellDec 5, 2013, 2:46 AM

ugh the WORST is that it effects KIDS.. and people STILL DON'T CARE?? THEY ARE CHILDREN! :(

John BakerDec 5, 2013, 2:47 AM

exactly. there isnt only a war on public schooling on ideology but against the kids that depend on school lunch and breakfast programs to not only excell in school but to survive

Seth HochmanDec 5, 2013, 2:47 AM

George Carlin said it best about that crowd Rachel, he said, "If you're pre-born you're fine, if you're pre-school you're f*cked"

Rachel McDonnellDec 5, 2013, 2:47 AM

@Seth - lol omg the lack of logic in the implementation of anything in this country scares the heck out of me.. ya know science and logic are there for a reason people! :/

Seth HochmanDec 5, 2013, 2:48 AM

These are mostly very gullible, very religious people who don't believe in science. So facts and fiction are one in the same for them Rachel

Seth HochmanDec 5, 2013, 2:49 AM

That would be good JB, but good luck getting an Elizabeth Warren type in Sweet Home Alabama, or anywhere in the South for that matter :)

Rachel McDonnellDec 5, 2013, 2:49 AM

@seth well then how the hell did they get elected in the first place? I say we need a scientific body in our gov. who would provide REAL checks and balances

Seth HochmanDec 5, 2013, 2:51 AM

They got elected because they can get unlimited money from big businesses and billionaires and they are sellout to business faster like a bunch of prostitutes

Rachel McDonnellDec 5, 2013, 2:51 AM

ugh everything is so messed up, it's time we focus on the white collar criminals and give all those they put on the street their money and stick them in jail where they belong

John BakerDec 5, 2013, 2:51 AM

@rachel. wouldnt want it. seriously. eugenics is one reason out of many. im not saying in an anti-science sentiment but in a science isnt government its a thought process that itself leads to terrible outcomes

John BakerDec 5, 2013, 2:52 AM

in fact, eugenics not only propagated the holocaust but most modern day conservative thought on why people are poor or in any other life istuation

John BakerDec 5, 2013, 2:52 AM

negative life situation*

Seth HochmanDec 5, 2013, 2:52 AM★ Spotlighted

Khary don't forget when the Tea Party voted to eliminate SNAP, $40 billion, they voted to give $150 billion to big food businesses like Conagra and Kellogg's, so it's okay to give corp. welfare to successful businesses but to give $4/day to someone

Seth HochmanDec 5, 2013, 2:53 AM

starving is unacceptable in their world

Seth HochmanDec 5, 2013, 2:53 AM

They give to the greedy not to the needy

Rachel McDonnellDec 5, 2013, 2:53 AM

don't get me started on the neg. stereotpe of science now eugenics is one thing but I am talking about testing things like food and processes before implementation and doing the proper research and actually using that information to better society

Rachel McDonnellDec 5, 2013, 2:53 AM

they use things like eugenics and the "mad" scientist to scare people, when really we almost need it more than air in this society.

Seth HochmanDec 5, 2013, 2:54 AM

This War on Regulation is insane Rachel...it would be like having a war on stop signs and red lights

John BakerDec 5, 2013, 2:54 AM

but that is science with politic. when people start grabbing ideas and using them for politic and malignant gain is where the problem is

Rachel McDonnellDec 5, 2013, 2:54 AM

it should be about practical application of processes that have been proven to work and be effectively positive on society... not on who has the money, which logical and scientific thinking would allow for (ok I'm done lol)

Seth HochmanDec 5, 2013, 2:55 AM

Just think how much faster we could go if we didn't have stop signs or red lights, oh wait but what if there's an accident...that is something that never crosses their shortsighted minds

Rachel McDonnellDec 5, 2013, 2:55 AM

@john yeah this is my theory.. it is in the beginning stages anyway back to this I could explain and talk for hours on that ;)

John BakerDec 5, 2013, 2:56 AM

yes yes lol

Seth HochmanDec 5, 2013, 2:56 AM

Agreed Khary there are a lot of DINO's, or corporate-sellout Dems

Seth HochmanDec 5, 2013, 2:58 AM

JB truth is if it wasn't for gerrymandering, redistricting, the Dems would control both houses

Rachel McDonnellDec 5, 2013, 2:58 AM

I like Lee Camp's saying "Silence is defending the status quo." to me that is how I see a lot of Democrats

Seth HochmanDec 5, 2013, 2:59 AM

Citizens United must change first and foremost, no more unlimited contributions from billionaires and big businesses, that's Aristocracy not Democracy

John BakerDec 5, 2013, 3:00 AM★ Spotlighted

maslows heirarchy is exploited to indirectly disenfranchise voters. just a crazy theory of mine

Seth HochmanDec 5, 2013, 3:00 AM

All elections should be publicly-funded. As long as billionaires can buy their own politicians and therefore their own laws, Democracy is dead. Time to change it at once

Seth HochmanDec 5, 2013, 3:02 AM

Min wage would be $10.60/hr right now if it simply adj. for inflation from 1970, but politicians receiving "contributions" from Wal-Mart, McDonald's etc. kept it artificially low for years

John BakerDec 5, 2013, 3:02 AM★ Spotlighted

@jb you should create a tawk for it

Rachel McDonnellDec 5, 2013, 3:02 AM

yeah we need a complete overhaul of the entire system.. maybe if we taunt the rich with a picture of a big juicy steak on on the beach... they will take their stolen money and get the hell out of our country... I mean they have enough money

Rachel McDonnellDec 5, 2013, 3:03 AM

how much more are they planning on bleeding out of us? oh yeah all of it

Seth HochmanDec 5, 2013, 3:03 AM

I have nothing against Big Business or Billionaires but let them run their business and stop trying to run our country

Rachel McDonnellDec 5, 2013, 3:04 AM

yeah I am more talking about top 1% nonsense

Rachel McDonnellDec 5, 2013, 3:04 AM★ Spotlighted

I agree with all of these things! :) Sad that these are also all things that should have already been implemented SO long ago :(

Rachel McDonnellDec 5, 2013, 3:06 AM

haha thanks..

Seth HochmanDec 5, 2013, 3:06 AM

My Tea Party friend wonders why they got so little of the Latin vote...I said maybe it's because you call them drug mules and say they come here to have anchor babies--even he had to concede that one

Rachel McDonnellDec 5, 2013, 3:07 AM

dun - dun - DUH! lol

Seth HochmanDec 5, 2013, 3:08 AM

You think that would pass Khary...even two Dems in Colorado got picked off for that in a recall for probably the most watered down gun control bill in history

Rachel McDonnellDec 5, 2013, 3:08 AM

ugh there is little that bothers me more than our national mentality towards the Mexican people.. those poor people just want to live peacefully and not have to live under the rule of cartels and corruption.. maybe we should send them somewhere else

John BakerDec 5, 2013, 3:08 AM

reagan was a tool. defunded federal mental health supports, allowed aids to go nuts until white voters started getting it (maybe crack cocaine?) supported desaparecidos tactis of rightwing goverments in central and south america. just so much wrong

Seth HochmanDec 5, 2013, 3:08 AM

And the truth is our net migration is Zero from Mexico!

Rachel McDonnellDec 5, 2013, 3:09 AM

@John yes Reagan was a tool, creator of the 5:1 law and (founder?) of the war on drugs?

John BakerDec 5, 2013, 3:10 AM

war on drugs was nixon

Seth HochmanDec 5, 2013, 3:10 AM

The Tea Party is so out of control that Reagan would not be allowed in...he voted for six tax increases, gave amnesty to immigrants, bailed out Harley Davidson, and wanted to end nuclear weapons

Rachel McDonnellDec 5, 2013, 3:10 AM

i think we need to demilitarize our police force before taking away our guns.. i have never advocated for guns but I do see how it could get bad for us..

John BakerDec 5, 2013, 3:11 AM

but yes exploited much by reagan.

Rachel McDonnellDec 5, 2013, 3:11 AM

@john thank you John! I didn't think he created it but made it worse

Rachel McDonnellDec 5, 2013, 3:12 AM★ Spotlighted

great tawk! thanks Jordan and Khary! :)

John BakerDec 5, 2013, 3:12 AM★ Spotlighted

agree w/rachel

Seth HochmanDec 5, 2013, 3:12 AM

The police is a bit out of control but I think I would want to pack some serious heat as a cop walking around knowing all the weapons criminals are packing

Seth HochmanDec 5, 2013, 3:12 AM★ Spotlighted

Well done Khary and JB