Going on a DU vacation

[Omaha Steve]

Last edited Mon Apr 22, 2013, 09:39 AM - Edit history (2)

UPDATE: My vacation is over already: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022731885


In the last couple months the DU has changed. I've been called racist and had an OP locked.

Same thing on an animal rights post that was an email. I screwed up and should have made an intro note and explained the photo was in the email.

So now even after I add a disclaimer in the title, some people seem to think I favor the position in an OP on a police officer and the NRA.

It started a few months ago. And not just by trolls. Some are DUers I've known for awhile.

I'll still be reading.

May the Force Be With YOU!

Steve

[BeyondGeography]

1. Come back soon

I will miss your OP's, and I know I have lots of company.

Be well.

[darkangel218]

2. Take my example and come back quickly.

Like in a few hours.

[In_The_Wind]

13. +1

[TwilightGardener]

3. That's a shame. Don't take things to heart.

Take a break if you must, and come on back.

[malaise]

4. I hope it's a very short vacation

[Cirque du So-What]

5. I hope the admins are paying attention

IMO one wonderful member on DU is worth 100 'vested trolls' whose sole purpose appears to be making DU suck.

[CountAllVotes]

16. some of the people doing this ...

They have posts in the thousands. If they are trolls, well I hope they all rot in hell. That is about all I can say.

We are seeing some of our best people and OLDEST people on the DU leave.

I may well be next if I am called a Catholic pedophile enabler or a homophobic person again, believe me. They can have it ... all to themselves.

[blueamy66]

103. I'm with ya on the Catholic pedophile enabler part

Last edited Sun Apr 21, 2013, 08:01 PM - Edit history (1)

It really sucks.

There sure are some intolerant, closed minded people on this Democratic board.

[blueamy66]

105. My experience is just like yours.

Catholic school all my life....priests and nuns in the family...love the Mass...wonderful memories of the Monsignor coming to my Grandma's house and playing cards when we were kids-he always "lost" and handed over the money!

It hurts me when I read what people post on here about my Church. I believe it to be ignorance.

My SIL belongs to a Christian Church and has never had a problem going with us to the Catholic Mass.

[godai]

18. Yes, approaching a tipping point. n/t

[GCP]

86. Same here

I sometimes despair at the intolerance on here. I've been here since 2001, but it's really changed lately.

[Hekate]

91. I wish they would, I wish they would

[LiberalEsto]

6. We'll miss you!

Relax, take it easy, come back soon!

[trumad]

7. DU isn't even close to what it used to be...

but it's still a good spot to pick up some info.

Enjoy your break.

[L0oniX]

26. Jury system is majorly flawed ...making DU biased and petty.

Jury participants can vote against a member if they just don't like the member irregardless of rules being broken or not. One can vote leave it if they consider the supposed violator a friend. They can vote to hide it if they have something other than the post in question against the supposed violator.

There is no standard with the jury system. Calling someone a mother fucker is ok if it is in response to the other person who may have insulted without using a swear word. The ol you started it so we will let this one pass.

[lpbk2713]

32. In some cases a jury vote is no more than a middle school popularity contest.

I've seen some posts referred to a jury vote that were clearly in violation of the DU TOS
and yet they would get a free pass. I guess the best to hope for is that it works for the
best in the majority of the times a thread is alerted on.

[Behind the Aegis]

85. The jury system is broken and in need of a serious review and overhaul.

"I've seen some posts referred to a jury vote that were clearly in violation of the DU TOS and yet they would get a free pass."

There is a perfect issue that is actually a "top-down" problem. Were Meta still available, I would link to the post where Skinner said jurors weren't required to use the TOS as a basis of jury decisions because those are based on "community standards." I found the statement to be puzzling and counterproductive. If something can get you thrown off this board, then, in the very least it should be a CS issue. It also doesn't help when so many self-appointed troll hunters are alerting on innocuous posts and expecting action to occur.

[ananda]

34. Agree.

Who knows what kind of people get on those juries.
It's a very bad system.

[musette_sf]

83. agreed

I rarely decline a "summons", since to do so would be a sign that I'm okay with letting the lunatics run the asylum - but still I see posts survive that should have earned the author a granite pizza, and I see posts die that are innocuous at best and questioning at worst.

[Smarmie Doofus]

8. Not for long, I hope. n/t

[gademocrat7]

9. I hope you will return very soon.

[ChazII]

10. Parroting the those above -

may your vacation be a short one my DU friend.

[CountAllVotes]

11. Yeah, give it a break for awhile Omaha Steve

But do, by all means "stick around" so to speak.

We need people like you on this forum. In fact, the more people like YOU the better!!

Take care during your "vacation".

CountAllVotes

P.S. Felt the same myself recently between the Catholic bigotry and being called homophobic.

[Shrike47]

12. Come back soon, please.

You are one of the most interesting.

[Octafish]

14. Don't let Them get YOU down.

Those who know, know You are a contributor -- one whose work adds to make DU a better place.

Come back when YOU want to spend your time, talent and treasures with others who will benefit.

Don't worry about those who try to deride, derail and disrupt. They like to keep posters and things in their proper place, meaning in the Have-Mores pockets.

Look forward to reading you when you return. Until then: Be safe and take care!

[godai]

15. I understand exactly what you're saying.

Things here have changed...less open discussion, more attempts at bullying.

[In_The_Wind]

17. C'mon back soon. DU needs you Omaha Steve.

We all need a break. I know I do.
But I miss DU too much when life takes me away for long.

Joani

[L0oniX]

19. Wait till they stalk you and find out who you are and attack you personally...

like they have with me. There are some REAL assholes on DU. I'm still waiting on Skinner to do something about it ...in my case.

[darkangel218]

28. I have a stalker too. but i iggied him, so its like he doesnt exist anymore. :)

[L0oniX]

29. Beware ...photobucket will cross link your seperate accounts.

[pinboy3niner]

46. Steve is very familiar with stalkers

Members of a conservative site have shown up IRL at events with him and posted photos of him.

[mitchtv]

89. don't stay away too long

I hardly ever post here on the snarky underground. problem is, it's hard to resume. I support your union posts.

[n2doc]

20. A lot of snotty people posting

I don't blame you. I do hope you come back. There is a line from a song that describes what I've been seeing - "Quick to Judge, Quick to Anger, Slow to Understand". We all could use a little break from the constant emotional din we have been experiencing.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

55. +1. totally understand needing to take a break.

[City Lights]

21. Don't let the bullies here push you out!

If you need to take break, fine, but please don't leave forever. Then they win.

[hlthe2b]

22. It sucks to be totally misunderstood or have a post totally misinterpreted...

We've all been there at one time or another. Enjoy your break, Come back refreshed.

[senseandsensibility]

23. Thanks for the labor posts and come back soon.

Also, try not to take nitpicky or critical comments personally. I ignore them, and never respond. If they are trying to get a reaction, that probably bugs them more than anything!

[PETRUS]

24. Pro union, pro labor guy here - will miss your OPs.

I think there are quite a few of us on DU who stand with you on some things that really matter, just so you know.

[haikugal]

25. I always look for your posts...

my response to your police post was to the officer that made the claim...I hope you know that. Take a break, we all need it from time to time but please not too long.

[a kennedy]

27. I too look forward to your posts, and will miss you....

don't be gone to long. Union Labor unite.

[WilliamPitt]

30. Going to jump on your bandwagon.

Reading DU these days just freaks me out too much to bother with it. A break is certainly a good idea.

Se you back here whenever. Hopefully it will be different when we return...but I doubt it.

Cheers.

[FailureToCommunicate]

73. Sticking with DU will make you a better parent...

It exercises the 'tolerance' muscles in our head. Of course there will be times of screaming, unreasonable, toddler tantrums. But most of us grow, and learn, and wise up. Even here.

But of course you know that.

(P.S. I am happy for you that you don't have the additional burden of having school age kids, asking you all kinds of questions -during this week of non stop news coverage -about the nature of evil.

[CountAllVotes]

38. my god

Wow, that is really sad and I am sorry to hear about your heart condition. You have a good heart but it can't take the hatred. That is how I see it.

I too had a post removed recently. When I got the "jury results", one of the people on the jury responded with total hatred towards me calling me names, etc. and telling me to GO AWAY and advised that I be rid of. BTW awhole: A message for you: I YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!!!!!

I just went back to read said decision just now again (and yes, it HURT ME!) and it has been *changed* since I received it. I remember what it said and it now still tells me to "fuck off" but the other parts are now gone.

GET WELL SOON!!!! and do what you must for YOURSELF!!!

[bananas]

78. Sorry to hear that - this place can be very toxic. nt

[Omaha Steve]

98. I never meant to get others to leave the DU or take a short vacation

Perhaps we can put a label on posts that are causing carolinayellowdog this distress so they can be avoided?

[carolinayellowdog]

107. "purely intended to punish and humiliate another DUer" would be a good label

hard to keep the ignore list up to date, and it's always ex post facto; I think Cleita has it right, there may be a cycle and the nastiness may subside; till then I'm on vacation

[tarheelsunc]

33. DU changed because you had an OP locked? What was the OP about? eom

[redwitch]

35. Come back soon.

[grantcart]

36. Looking forward to the return of Omaha Steve.

Have a great break.

[progressoid]

37. Can't say I blame you.

I've noticed a distinct tightening in my chest while surfing DU lately.

Keep on fighting to good fight over the bridge Steve!

[Zax2me]

39. Crap. I thought there was going to be a DU cruise!

When I clicked on this - and with cruise prices so cheap now....

[monmouth3]

62. Me too! I was ready to get the ole suitcase out. n/t

[randome]

40. Hey, you never had complaints from me! Therefore, you have no reason to leave!

[daleanime]

41. Come back when your ready....

hopefully soon.

[BumRushDaShow]

42. Will miss your Union updates

Agree that DU has spiraled down when flame bait was not only permitted to stand but has increasingly been magnified thanks to the encouragement of bullies.

Hope you come back soon.

[Cleita]

43. Hi Steve. I understand.

Your voice on labor will be missed. Hopefully, things will go back to moving ahead on progressive issues and not backwards. Have you thought of doing a blog? You can continue your work and gain followers who are in the same ball court as yourself. The trolls you can delete.

[Flatulo]

44. I've enjoyed your posts and find you to be eminently reasonable. There are lots of bullies here,

and I too have been called every name in the book for not having the correct opinion on a variety of topics.

[snot]

45. Perhaps part of the problem is that jurors are not accountable for their decisions.

I think the juror system was a great idea and worth trying, but I think I prefer the old system.

[aikoaiko]

47. The "good DUers" are turning on themselves.

With DU3 nearly unrestrained hatred could be expressed toward anyone if the cause were judged worthy enough by juries and many focused on fringe members (centrists or those further on the left than average). After a year of noshing on the low hanging fruit, they are beginning to eat themselves and other honestly good DUers caught in the frenzy.

[Eleanors38]

56. Uh, well, you got that right! ^^^

[Hangingon]

74. +1

[jwirr]

48. As you know many of us will miss your posts so please come back as soon as you can.

[nadinbrzezinski]

49. Have a good vacation

[mac56]

50. I understand

And hope you return soon.

[Mopar151]

51. Know how you're feeling

I've been banned from a group lately (a 1st for me), and seen emergence of groups that seem quite contrary to the openness and respect I've come to expect here.

If 2 of the most prolific & respected posters here are backing off, and other longtime posters are being banned after being baited/attacked, maybe it's time for the admins to have a look around.

[Voice for Peace]

52. I don't think rude people should have the power to drive others away from this place

and they only have power if non-rude people give it to them.

Don't leave, just let it roll off. It's only a few people.

[Cleita]

58. But they are and each group and forum seems to have an entrenched troll that

travels to the other forums to disrupt as much as they can. My ignore list is a testament to that. I hope, like in the past, my ignore list shortens as they one by one overplay their hand and have their posting privileges revoked.

[uppityperson]

53. I've done so myself and came back feeling better. Sometimes DU is a bit much

best wishes to you

[rurallib]

54. Well you are one of the best. Hope you can come back

and feel welcome.
Thanks for all your time and effort

[mrmpa]

57. I am going to miss you.............

I don't post a lot, it comes in spurts. I have seen the devisiveness that is being perpetrated and the hate that is spewing. I have had one post in the couple of months that was sent to the jury. It was not deleted. In that thread I was called sexist, which I'm not and refused to back down.

Early in my postings (DU 2), I had a post where I again was attacked, for what I had not done. Thom Hartmann, replied to this thread, in which I take great pride.

I understand taking a break, but come back as soon as possible, or else we lose.

[olddots]

59. I don't blame you for the vacation

I have noticed something that might be attributed to sleep deprivation of members on DU .

thread turn into pissing matches between a few posters and then who can remember what the OP was about.

It's the net = a cyber space where nobody knows your name .

[PCIntern]

60. I sympathize and empathize entirely...

there is automatic gainsaying for nearly every post I have made in the last 6 months. If I stated that 2 and 2 is four, there'd be someone who says that I'm a putz for not being specific enough in terms of the operation; was it addition, subtraction...you get the point.

either I'm now officially a total and complete asshole or something else is up...anyway: keep the break short: we need you around here.

PC

[Eleanors38]

61. Come back soon, Steve. I see what you see, everyday.

[Baitball Blogger]

63. I understand what you're going through, O.S.

Heal and return soon.

[G_j]

64. I hear ya.. nt

[frogmarch]

65. I will miss you, Steve!

I hope that if you go, it'll just be a short break.

[SylviaD]

66. I have been here since 2008 but rarely post. The problem as I see it is that

..the "acceptable" opinion range has narrowed. Not sure who is driving this narrowing, but the left and center are being lopped off systematically.

[zeemike]

80. Yep....n/t.

[iandhr]

67. Always enjoyed your stuff

But I agree with everything you said.

[Fumesucker]

68. I had a poster tell me to "grow the fuck up" the other day after I had tried to compliment them

I disagreed with what they wrote but told them they were an excellent writer with an awesome vocabulary and I meant it seriously in no way was I being snarky.

The reply to my post which totally misconstrued everything I wrote ended with "Grow the fuck up".



ETA: FWIW, this was a long term, high post count DUer.

[JDPriestly]

69. I think that things have gone downhill since we got this system of locking

threads by a majority vote of a jury of a few people chosen at random. The juries are not representative of everybody on DU.

It encourages people to complain a lot. And certain people who are in charge of their "groups" abuse the privilege of excluding DUers who agree with them.

Also, we all make typos. (Almost spelled "gypos," for example.) We all have days when we are in a bad mood and post something thoughtless, something we regret.

The jury system just makes a bad day into a really, really bad day for someone who feels free to speak because they feel DU is like a big family.

Let's face it, we do argue or have disagreements in our families. It's part of the reality of being close to each other. We don't have to turn bad days, typos, etc. into opportunities to put each other down.

Let's keep the complaints about other people's posts to a minimum and kind of learn to live together by accepting each other's mistakes. OK???

[Buzz Clik]

70. Let me ask a tangential question, Steve:

How many DUers have you on ignore?

[Omaha Steve]

115. None at this time

For now it will stay that way.

[Jeremy Almond]

71. "racist" is hurled at anyone these days

Unfortunately. Sorry you feel that way and good luck.

[elleng]

72. Be well, Steve,

and look out for labor, U.P., Buffet et al, for us, please.

[underpants]

75. DU - wise and otherwise

Have a nice vacation Steve. You know you are always welcome back.

[Logical]

76. We thousands of members, you are going to have a few idiots. Just ignore it. n-t

[xtraxritical]

77. This is a strange place where everyone feels a need to be

politically correct and cool. It's kind of like high school de javu for me.

[lexw]

79. I've only been here a short while...

and I've noticed more aggressive comments toward my comments/posts in the past month.
One was even from someone whom I'm guessing was an administrator. I edited the posting to their liking.

Now when I see the "My Posts" tab lit up yellow, I cringe like I'm about to open a letter from IRS or something.

Come back soon, you seem to have many fans here.

[seabeyond]

81. ya. i hear ya. nt

[zeemike]

82. Sorry to see yet another DUer I admire stop posting.

But I understand...
The bullies have found a way to game the jury system in my opinion, and they are using it to cause as much problems as they can...
Don't know how but I do know why...and it is a sad thing to see to a place that has been my home for so long.

[dipsydoodle]

84. If so then maybe come back

May 4th.

And May the 4th be with you until then.

Whatever you do meanwhile - enjoy.

[TwilightZone]

87. I've been gone for a couple years and, frankly, it looks exactly like it did when I left.

I came back this week because I thought it would be a good source of updates for Boston and West. It has been.

But, at the same time, it's the same ol' DU. A small, very loud group of individuals continues to dominate the conversation by yelling the loudest and posting hyperbolic nonsense over and over and over. Dozens of threads with the same content. Dozens because everyone has to post his or her own version, of course.

To me, some of it looks like completely overt trolling and yet, people who've been doing it for years are still here.

Another classic DU hallmark: whining incessantly about incessant media speculation while speculating incessantly.

Have a good break, Steve.

[Number23]

110. Yep. And gaming the rec system so that it looks as though they're the majority

A small, very loud group of individuals continues to dominate the conversation by yelling the loudest and posting hyperbolic nonsense over and over and over.

[Terra Alta]

88. I'll miss your voice on here

but I understand your reasons.

Hopefully it won't be a long break, and you'll be back soon.

[smirkymonkey]

90. Sorry to hear that Steve. Come back soon!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

92. I'm sorry to hear this, my dear Steve...

But I understand.

Please take care of yourself, enjoy your break, and come back ready for the fight!



I will miss you.

[bigtree]

93. solidarity

[hrmjustin]

94. Be back soon my friend!

[Starry Messenger]

95. I hope it will just be a short break OS.

I try to read most of your posts here and in the Labor group and often repost on FB too.

[nolabear]

96. Don't be too long. We need you around here.

[Buzz Clik]

97. I guess Steve's vacation started already. He quit tending this thread.

[bike man]

99. I read all your OPs that have to do with animal rescue. nt

[limpyhobbler]

101. have a nice break

I've always enjoyed your labor posts.

[Raine]

106. Some here will call you out for giving an opinion

after a poster has asked for thoughts on a subject and you clearly state that it is only your opinion. Don't let board bullies drive you away.

[OhioChick]

108. Hey Steve~

Take a break, recharge your batteries and then come back.

How many times have you talked me into returning? I've lost count.


Take care my friend,

OC

[cbdo2007]

109. A break now and then does a brain good.

Last edited Sun Apr 21, 2013, 10:12 PM - Edit history (1)

Especially after the intense week last week I've been thinking about taking a break myself.

It seems the number of posts along with the general assholery rise and fall, so come back in a few months and hopefully things will be back to normal. Hang in there!

[easttexaslefty]

111. Too many snarky cruel

mean trolls who get their jollies being bullies.,

[Catherina]

112. Don't stay away too long. n/t

[patricia92243]

114. Spend a little time in the Lounge. It is fun and relaxing and you can still be in touch with DU.