Nation
Bernie Sanders’ inauguration look is getting memed
On a day filled with deep introspection, solemnity, optimism, and love of country for many Americans, many across social media are finding ways to find some levity and humor on Inauguration Day.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is getting memed for his overall dressed-down look at President Joe Biden‘s inauguration Wednesday.
Sanders (known more simply as “Bernie”), with his hair iconically disheveled, ditched the washable and more expensive masks that other high-profile attendees donned and decided to wear the more commonplace light-blue surgical mask. Moreover, the democratic socialist from Vermont also wore a heavy and dull-colored winter coat. In his hands, which were covered by some rustic-looking mittens, held a manila postal envelope and some sort of piece of paper (perhaps his event ticket).
One Twitter user pointed out that Bernie was wearing the same coat he wore in a December 2019 campaign video from which his phrase “I am once again asking you for your financial support” became one of the hottest meme templates of 2020 and one of the most memorable Bernie memes.
Bernie’s postal items prompted former FiveThirtyEight senior political writer Clare Malone to tweet photo of him with the caption: “Bernie dressed to stand on line at the post office.”
Vanessa Friedman, The New York Times‘ Fashion Director and Chief Fashion Critic, tweeted an image of the senator sitting with his arms and legs crossed, saying: “In all the inauguration fashion news, let us not overlook Senator Bernie Sanders’ mittens”.
Ruby Cramer, a political reporter for BuzzFeed News, provided some more backstory to the senator’s mittens. They were given to him over two years ago by Jen Ellis, a teacher from Vermont, and “are made from repurposed wool sweaters and lined with fleece made from recycled plastic bottles.”
One comedian, Karlous Miller, commented on the same picture of a criss-crossed Bernie, saying that he looks like “he’s waiting on a job.”
Other people made observations about the senator’s apparently fed-up mood or found his mood relatable. Here are some other funny tweets and memes:
You can follow Douglas Braff on Twitter @Douglas_P_Braff.
Former President Donald Trump stated bluntly on Truth Social, “FIRST COME THE TANKS, THEN COME THE NUKES. Get this crazy war ended, NOW. So easy to do!”
Trump was referring to the escalation of war in Ukraine. He, like many other commentators and lawmakers, are warning that the decision to continue sending weapons – and now tanks – could potentially lead to the use of “nuclear weapons.”
It’s mission creep and it’s dangerous, they say.
Why? Because Russian President Valdimir Putin has indicated in two different speeches that he would use nuclear weapons to defend Russia, if needed. Those warnings are not just bluster but a very real possibility.
And the escalation of war is visible.
Russia launched 55 missiles strikes across Ukraine Thursday, leaving 11 dead. The strikes come one day after the United States and Germany agreed to send tanks to Ukraine in an effort to aide the country. 47 of the 55 missiles were shot down according to Ukraine’s Air Force command.
Eleven lives were lost and another 11 were injured additionally leaving 35 buildings damaged in the wake of the attacks. According to The New York Times, Denys Shmyhal, said in a post on Telegram. “The main goal is energy facilities, providing Ukrainians with light and heat,” he said.
Ukraine is now demanding that they need F-16 fighter jets. In a post on twitter Ukrainian lawmaker, Oleksiy Goncharenko said, “Missiles again over Ukraine. We need F16.”
Morning. Missiles again over Ukraine. We need F16.
— Oleksiy Goncharenko (@GoncharenkoUa) January 26, 2023
The US has abstained from sending advanced jets in the chances that a volatile decision could foster more dangerous attacks like former President Trump’s post on Truth referred to. If the US did authorize the decision to lend Ukraine the F-16 jets Netherlands’ foreign minister, Wopke Hoekstra, would be willing to supply them. According to The New York Times, Hoekstra told Dutch lawmakers, “We are open-minded… There are no taboos.”
F-16 fighter jets are complex to work on, they are not the average aircraft that can be learned in a matter of weeks. It can take months for pilots to learn how to fly these birds. European and US officials have the concern that Ukrainian forces could potentially use the jets to fly into Russian airspace and launch attacks on Russian soil.
Western allies are trying to avoid such a provocation, because that could lead to nuclear warfare in reference to what Putin has said he would do to defend his country.
-
Featured5 days agoREPORT: Exorcists called to drive out demons from Nancy Pelosi’s home
-
Immigration3 days agoNYC Mayor turning cruise ship terminal into migrant shelter, ‘our city is at its breaking point’
-
Environment5 days agoMajor border town on ‘brink of collapse’ as migrants ruin agriculture, overrun hospitals and resources
-
Elections4 days agoFormer FBI official investigating Trump indicted on charges of working for Russian Oligarch he was investigating
