So I have some thoughts. If you want the nutshell version: YOU CAN STILL VOTE FOR BERNIE IN THE PRIMARIES. The rest is musing on how we got here, the work we have yet to do, and why clinging to hope is the only option we have. 1/

When things happen too much, too fast, too soon, and for too long, that's called trauma. Wanna know why Bernie supporters, Warren supporters, Bloomberg supporters, and Biden supporters are always yelling at each other? We're all fucking traumatized! 2/

We're traumatized from multiple economic recessions; increasing rent, insurance and education costs; and the slow, impending doom global warming will bring us. Let's not forget the platforming of bigotry, cruelty, and disdain for those who are "not American", either. 3/

And we're traumatized because it feels like no one in government, the media, or our other institutions is paying attention to this pain! If anything, it's the wrong, anti-science, anti-compassionate voices that get amplified. 4/

So have patience before tweeting snake emojis at certain candidates and their supporters, or dismissing the merits of socialist policies because their supporters tweet snake emojis at people. Traumatized people don't behave ideally, and they often behave in ways that suck! 5/

I won't tell you to forgive those who've hurt you on Twitter in this political climate. But if there's a chance their hurtful words sprung from true internal pain, have the compassion to recognize that, and do what you can to limit the hurt you inflict on others. 6/

Still with me? Thank you, truly. Now that we're in a more compassionate place: disregard all reports that frame Bernie's campaign suspension yesterday as ending it. Bernie's name is not dropping off of any ballots, so vote for him if you can. 7/

In amassing as many delegates as he can, he can deliver a powerful mandate to the convention legitimizing the popularity, humanity, and feasibility of his policy proposals, and thus bear on the eventual platform Joe runs on. 8/

If anything, with nothing to lose, now's an INCREDIBLE time to be a Bernie supporter, because we can focus our energies on pushing Joe and the Democratic party as far left as we can. So go yell at him and other people on Twitter until you're blue. 9/

Just kidding, that's fucking useless. Contact Joe's organizers here. Press them to hold Joe accountable for healthcare, voting initiatives, the Supreme Court, climate change, everything. Hammer them. 10/

https://go.joebiden.com/page/s/contact-an-organizer/

Keep looking for other ways of getting in touch with his surrogates. Be kind (they're overwhelmed), but be firm, straightforward, and a signal in the noise. Joe is not entitled to anyone's vote, and no one has to vote for him until he's earned theirs. 11/

If anyone has beef with the #NeverBiden crowd because I said that, assume there are five, no, TEN non-voters out there who haven't even been approached for every protest vote that gets affirmed online. You tell me who the easier flip is, and GO WHERE THEY ARE. 12/

Tell you what -- if you go text your dainty apolitical cousin and ask them to vote for Bernie, I'll do the same. 13/

That's about it. The machinations of the DNC and the media are beyond my reach. All I can do right now is figure out what I can do next. If you have any ideas yourselves -- let's hear them. Despair is more easily warded off when you grab an oar and smack it. 14/14

Psyche, one last thing -- I haven't forgotten that Joe is compellingly accused of sexual assault, and some of his high-profile surrogates have tellingly deleted previous tweets in support of Christine Blasey Ford. This should concern fucking EVERYONE. 15/14

My take? Read, and read critically, especially if you find an article that supports your viewpoint. And if that weighs on your decision to vote for Joe or not, I can't tell you to go the other way. We DO, however, have a candidate who isn't known for being handsy. 16/14