Jordan Birnbaum

Unite Blue & Political Vision

Dec 5, 2013

KP
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

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:05 AM

Mr. Penebaker, I presume?
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:05 AM

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

Khary Penebaker · 2:05 AM

Mr. Penebaker is my dad! Call me Khary!
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:05 AM

Hi Khary! Welcome!
KP

Khary Penebaker · 2:05 AM

Thanks Jordan!
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:06 AM

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

Khary Penebaker · 2:06 AM

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:06 AM

then you're perfect for this!
KP

Khary Penebaker · 2:06 AM

Lets do it!
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:06 AM

So part of how we met…
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:07 AM

I had posted a blog on UniteBlue.org
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:07 AM

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

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?
KP

Khary Penebaker · 2:08 AM

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

Khary Penebaker · 2:08 AM

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

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:09 AM

well, thanks for being adventurous!
KP

Khary Penebaker · 2:09 AM

No problemo!
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:09 AM

(btw -quick shout out: Hi Lucy!)
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:09 AM

★ Spotlighted from Lucy Dyer

hey you two!

KP

Khary Penebaker · 2:09 AM

Hi Lucy!
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:09 AM

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

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

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?
KP

Khary Penebaker · 2:10 AM

deal!
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:11 AM

Family and childhood
Jordan Birnbaum

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:11 AM

welcome!
KP

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:11 AM

a man ahead of his time
KP

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:12 AM

power couple!
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:12 AM

you were bound to turn out great!
KP

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:12 AM

If only everyone had your parents.
KP

Khary Penebaker · 2:12 AM

i don't think i want to share!
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:13 AM

is that a viable political strategy?
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:13 AM

or not scaleable?
KP

Khary Penebaker · 2:13 AM

ha! politically? definitely not!
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:13 AM

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

Khary Penebaker · 2:14 AM

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:14 AM

not exactly a lefty factory…
KP

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:15 AM

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

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:15 AM

that's true too
KP

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:15 AM

I mean, how could I disagree?
KP

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:16 AM

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

Khary Penebaker · 2:16 AM

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:16 AM

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

Khary Penebaker · 2:17 AM

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:17 AM

I assume you mean NOT be afraid of!
Jordan Birnbaum

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

KP

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:17 AM

stupid media
KP

Khary Penebaker · 2:18 AM

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

Khary Penebaker · 2:18 AM

yes! stooopid media :)
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:18 AM

stupid human nature
KP

Khary Penebaker · 2:18 AM

that too
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:18 AM

lol!
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:18 AM

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

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:18 AM

I have no idea. You?
KP

Khary Penebaker · 2:19 AM

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

Khary Penebaker · 2:19 AM

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

Khary Penebaker · 2:19 AM

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

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:20 AM

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

Khary Penebaker · 2:20 AM

ha!
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:20 AM

Oh no way?! What and where ?
KP

Khary Penebaker · 2:20 AM

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:21 AM

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:21 AM

I only run if the food truck didn't stop
KP

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:21 AM

stupid food truck
Jordan Birnbaum

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?
KP

Khary Penebaker · 2:22 AM

Epiphanies! not sure about something as grand as that.
KP

Khary Penebaker · 2:23 AM

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

Khary Penebaker · 2:23 AM

for example, i took the SNAP challenge this summer.
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:23 AM

is that living off food stamps?
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:23 AM

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:23 AM

near death* experience
KP

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
KP

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:25 AM

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

Khary Penebaker · 2:26 AM

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

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:26 AM

what inspired you to experience that?
KP

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:28 AM

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:28 AM

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

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
KP

Khary Penebaker · 2:29 AM

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

Khary Penebaker · 2:29 AM

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:29 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

that would be a GREAT idea for a documentary

KP

Khary Penebaker · 2:30 AM

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

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

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!
KP

Khary Penebaker · 2:31 AM

Well since you did bring that up...
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:31 AM

I like this idea, choose to suffer
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:31 AM

me too
KP

Khary Penebaker · 2:31 AM

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

Khary Penebaker · 2:32 AM

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:32 AM

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:33 AM

(ALL my friends are coming out tonight!)
KP

Khary Penebaker · 2:33 AM

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

Khary Penebaker · 2:33 AM

UB provided me with the opportunity to find my voice
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:33 AM

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

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

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:34 AM

how about you, Seth? Any righty friends?
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:34 AM

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

Khary Penebaker · 2:35 AM

both, plus the access to a platform!
KP

Khary Penebaker · 2:35 AM

UB is more than just the chance to follow people.
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:35 AM

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

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!
KP

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:37 AM

agreed to the nth!
Jordan Birnbaum

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?
KP

Khary Penebaker · 2:38 AM

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:38 AM

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:39 AM

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:39 AM

United Blue Man Group?
KP

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:40 AM

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

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:41 AM

is it at risk?
KP

Khary Penebaker · 2:41 AM

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:41 AM

How did this guy get elected?
KP

Khary Penebaker · 2:41 AM

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:42 AM

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

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
KP

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:43 AM

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

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?

KP

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
KP

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

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:44 AM

★ Spotlighted from John Baker

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

Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:45 AM

another example of blaming poverty on the poor.
KP

Khary Penebaker · 2:45 AM

yes. i agree
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:45 AM

which I'm sure your SNAP experience makes patently absurd
KP

Khary Penebaker · 2:46 AM

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

Khary Penebaker · 2:46 AM

those are lazy, drug addicts!
KP

Khary Penebaker · 2:46 AM

aren't! not are! sorry
Jordan Birnbaum

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:47 AM

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

Khary Penebaker · 2:47 AM

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

Khary Penebaker · 2:47 AM

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:48 AM

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

Khary Penebaker · 2:48 AM

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

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:49 AM

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

Khary Penebaker · 2:49 AM

yes! they charge RIDICULOUS rates!
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:49 AM

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

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:50 AM

I think I just there up a little
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:51 AM

threw up
KP

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:52 AM

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:52 AM

(which I totally support, btw)
KP

Khary Penebaker · 2:53 AM

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:53 AM

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

Khary Penebaker · 2:53 AM

ha
KP

Khary Penebaker · 2:53 AM

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:53 AM

what do you hope UB will accomplish?
KP

Khary Penebaker · 2:54 AM

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:54 AM

speaking truth to power
KP

Khary Penebaker · 2:54 AM

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

Khary Penebaker · 2:55 AM

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:55 AM

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

Khary Penebaker · 2:55 AM

every member counts!
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:55 AM

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

Khary Penebaker · 2:56 AM

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:56 AM

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:56 AM

but I understand the need for a focused effort first
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:56 AM

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

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:57 AM

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

Khary Penebaker · 2:57 AM

yessir!
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:57 AM

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

Khary Penebaker · 2:58 AM

1. #SNAP bill/Farm Bill.
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:58 AM

excellent choice. #2?
Jordan Birnbaum

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

KP

Khary Penebaker · 2:58 AM

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

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:59 AM

gross.
KP

Khary Penebaker · 2:59 AM

2. Minimum Wage Increase.
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:59 AM

right there with you
KP

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:00 AM

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

Khary Penebaker · 3:00 AM

yes it should
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:00 AM

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:01 AM

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

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
KP

Khary Penebaker · 3:01 AM

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

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:02 AM

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:02 AM

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

Khary Penebaker · 3:02 AM

3. ENDA.
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:02 AM

★ Spotlighted from John Baker

@jb you should create a tawk for it

Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:02 AM

you and me -done
KP

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

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!
KP

Khary Penebaker · 3:03 AM

well thank you!
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:04 AM

#4?
KP

Khary Penebaker · 3:04 AM

4. Comprehensive Immigration Reform
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:04 AM

Stop punishing the brave!
KP

Khary Penebaker · 3:04 AM

YES! plus, we are a nation of IMMIGRANTS!
KP

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:05 AM

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

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 :(

KP

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:05 AM

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

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

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:06 AM

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

Khary Penebaker · 3:06 AM

5. Gun Control.
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:07 AM

thank goodness SOMEONE is going to do something about it
KP

Khary Penebaker · 3:07 AM

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

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:08 AM

it's a farce.
KP

Khary Penebaker · 3:08 AM

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

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:08 AM

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

Khary Penebaker · 3:09 AM

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

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

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
KP

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:10 AM

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:11 AM

So, I hope you enjoyed this!
KP

Khary Penebaker · 3:11 AM

i really did! i could go on and on!
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:11 AM

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

Khary Penebaker · 3:11 AM

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:11 AM

It let's us dig in a little deeper.
KP

Khary Penebaker · 3:11 AM

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:12 AM

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:12 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

great tawk! thanks Jordan and Khary! :)

Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:12 AM

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:12 AM

★ Spotlighted from John Baker

agree w/rachel

KP

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

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:12 AM

★ Spotlighted from Seth Hochman

Well done Khary and JB

KP

Khary Penebaker · 3:13 AM

Thank you!
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:13 AM

we'll be here!
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:13 AM

good night everyone!
KP

Khary Penebaker · 3:13 AM

night everyone!