I will definitely be leaving Democratic Underground but wanted to say goodbye first.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

Friends,

After 8 years as a formal member and another 4 years before that just lurking, I've decided that I have had enough of DU. I'm signing off.

I have found this place absolutely intolerable. The unwillingness to accept that there is racism in the Democratic Party, within the liberal community, and right here on DU. I'm sick and tired of the rudeness here on DU; the fact that when fights are picked and you defend yourselves, YOUR posts get hidden by a jury or YOUR threads are disposed of. I'm tired of the baseless attacks on other people of color and the cognitive dissonance from those who should know better and still dismiss race as a factor.

I'm just tired, ya'll. I'm exhausted. I'm not fighting anymore.

I've made some wonderful acquaintances over the years here and I do wish you well, but I can't remain here anymore.

Good luck and godspeed to you all.

LS71

[Scuba]

1. Bye.

[Number23]

18. Bye to you too.

Edit: No, I'm not going to block you from this group. That would not be the right thing to do.

But I just want to let you know that your post was needless and stupid. But you had to come into the AA forum and let everyone know that you couldn't care less that one more black voice is leaving this web site, huh? How very interesting.

[Scuba]

20. Thanks for not blocking me from the group. Fact is, I didn't notice this was the AA group ...

... when I made my post. I saw it on the Latest Page; except when posting new OPs, I seldom pay any attention to groups.

That said, I was not disappointed to see this member leave DU as I perceive his/her loyalties go to the President, not the American People. I found he/she blindly defended the President even when his policies are not in our best interests. I don't believe such attitudes are healthy.

Again, thanks for not blocking me from the group.

[Number23]

22. Still unnecessary and tacky. And considering how much unwarranted hatred is tossed at this man

regardless of what he does, if seeing someone defend the President on a Democratic web site is so upsetting, it makes me wonder if LS is the one that needs to be doing the leaving.

[Scuba]

23. I don't believe I ever attacked LS, or the President, but have been vocal about policy.

If we can't attack bad policy, regardless of the Party that proposes it, then I want no part of DU. That's where LS and I disagreed.

And I don't hate LS, or anyone else.

[Number23]

24. She is as specific as she can be about what her issues are

Last edited Wed Jan 29, 2014, 04:28 AM - Edit history (2)

The blatant amount of racism and hatefullness tossed at black posters, the denial of racism on the "liberal" side of the aisle, all of which I have no doubt has influenced some of the treatment the president has endured here as well.

The emotions in her post are nothing new for any black poster. That you can so easily and blatantly dismiss them is very telling and does more than anything to reinforce the point in her OP.

[Scuba]

26. Sorry, but I didn't even know LS was black.

I do agree there is plenty of racism here on DU and in the Democratic Party.

[1StrongBlackMan]

58. +1

[brush]

82. The "Obama used solder as prop" threads from a couple of days ago . . .

are prime examples of just what the poster is talking about, and leaving about.

Such open hostility towards a sitting Democratic president is unprecedented.

To me they were on a par with Joe Wilson shouting out at an earlier SOTU "You lie."

It would never have been done to a white president.

[Number23]

91. This OP really sums up the "soldier as prop" angle

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024411317

Oh yeah, he WENT there. Got his post hidden but the point was well made.

But this response to that OP literally made me wheeze from laughing so hard http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=4411377

I won't even mention that the exact same group kicking and rec'ing this "Obama used a prop" line are the same ones that are convinced the President will a) cut Social Security any day and is sitting in his office conjuring up ways to do so as we speak b) trying to find a way to start yet another war in the Middle East because Putin kept us from going to war in Syria and Bush ended the War in Iraq (and before you think I am playing, there are CRETINS here actually saying both of those things c) despises Elizabeth Warren even though he was the one that gave her a national platform, Wendy Davis, Bernie Sanders or whichever Caucasian savior of the day because he is evil and jealous of all things good (and obviously white) and d) somehow use the Transpacific Partnership to bring about the immediate demise of all things noble and true in this world, starting with people. White people, of course. And I could go on and on and on and on.

Somehow Obama is like Sauron from Lord of the Rings and Django all mixed up into one absolutely stupid, mindless, embarrassingly moronic amalgam conjured up in the minds of the naive and politically ignorant. Before I came to DU, I thought liberals were smart and could never understand why they seemed to be the brunt of so much universal dislike, even within their own ranks. Now I understand EVERYTHING.

[dionysus]

110. hoy cow! +100

[Whisp]

116. that was awesome, (that first link)

Apparently some pigs are more equal than other pigs, eh?

Can you imagine anyone else being let back in after all those piles of extreme infractions in that particular history?

[JNelson6563]

126. Well said my dear, well said!

I couldn't agree more!

Julie

[Tarheel_Dem]

47. And if we're "loyal to the POTUS", we know what a special set of challenges....

he faces not only from teabagger types, but from so-called white progressives who feel they're much smarter than he is. That's nothing new. That's always been the case. The fact that you came in here to gloat speaks volumes about the disconnect between the Democratic party's most loyal constituency, and the smug self proclaimed leftist intelligencia.

The mere fact that you can trumpet your policy positions, without ever having to consider race as a factor speaks to a privelege many of us don't share.

[Scuba]

49. While I don't claim to be "intelligencia" of any variety, you're correct ....

... that I'm not the Democratic Party's most loyal constituent. As I posted elsewhere in this thread, my loyalties are to ideals, not to a Party that seems to have abandoned them.

As for race and privilege, I understand and acknowledge the benefit I've gotten from being a white in America, especially after parenting a multi-racial family and seeing the hatred and vitriol aimed at my children. So yes, race is a factor when I consider policy positions and you might do well to consider that you know nothing about me before you make claims to the contrary.

[Tarheel_Dem]

50. And you might consider that everything I said was absolutely true. White skin =

white privelege, i don't care how many families you raise. As for your "parenting a multi-racial family", only you know if that's true or not, and only the products of that raising can attest to your character, but it doesn't change the fact that the African American community is especially sensitive to the challenges of this president, not only because he's the first AA to hold that office, but we've seen how quickly wishy washy white people abandon him at the first sign of trouble.

AFAIK, and until Skinner changes the rules so that we must now vote for "Scuba" approved Democrats, the mission of this board still remains:

Vote for Democrats.

Winning elections is important — therefore, advocating in favor of Republican nominees or in favor of third-party spoiler candidates that could split the vote and throw an election to our conservative opponents is never permitted on Democratic Underground. But that does not mean that DU members are required to always be completely supportive of Democrats. During the ups-and-downs of politics and policy-making, it is perfectly normal to have mixed feelings about the Democratic officials we worked hard to help elect. When we are not in the heat of election season, members are permitted to post strong criticism or disappointment with our Democratic elected officials, or to express ambivalence about voting for them. In Democratic primaries, members may support whomever they choose. But when general election season begins, DU members must support Democratic nominees (EXCEPT in rare cases where were a non-Democrat is most likely to defeat the conservative alternative, or where there is no possibility of splitting the liberal vote and inadvertently throwing the election to the conservative alternative). For presidential contests, election season begins when both major-party nominees become clear. For non-presidential contests, election season begins on Labor Day. Everyone here on DU needs to work together to elect more Democrats and fewer Republicans to all levels of American government. If you are bashing, trashing, undermining, or depressing turnout for our candidates during election season, we'll assume you are rooting for the other side.

So this claim makes you as much an enemy or rival as any garden variety teabagger. Quite frankly, I don't know what your presence here does to promote the stated mission of this board.

"I'm not the Democratic Party's most loyal constituent"

[1StrongBlackMan]

59. +1, but can I add ...

White skin =white privilege, i don't care how many families you raise. As for your "parenting a multi-racial family", only you know if that's true or not, and only the products of that raising can attest to your character, but it doesn't change the fact that the African American community is especially sensitive to the challenges of this president, not only because he's the first AA to hold that office, but we've seen how quickly wishy washy white people abandon him at the first sign of trouble or discord. We recognize the (racism in the) pattern because we see it in on daily lives.

[Tarheel_Dem]

61. "We recognize the (racism in the) pattern because we see it in on daily lives."

Excellent. We come from a heritage that tells us we have to be smarter, study longer, & work harder than our white counterparts just to be seen as average among the majority population. To not recognize he faces a special set of challenges, and unprecedented obstruction is to be WILLFULLY ignorant.

[1StrongBlackMan]

64. And knowing that ...

despite our being smarter, studying longer, & working harder than our white counterparts just to be seen as average among the majority population, we STILL are routinely challenged by significantly lesser qualified, lesser informed members of the majority population ... members that would NEVER challenge a equally accomplished majority member.

If I were the King of America, I would build Rage of a Privileged Class (Ellis Cose, 1994) (http://www.amazon.com/The-Rage-Privileged-Class-Middle-Class/dp/0060925949 ) into the High School curriculum for every High School Freshman. One (personally painful) vignette relates the story of a named partner of a 200+ attorney law firm being challenged at the elevator by a 1st year associate. (What 1st year associate doesn't know every named partner by sight?)

[1StrongBlackMan]

57. Go back and read the thread the OP is referring to ...

Her leaving is COMPLETELY unrelated to her "loyalty" to President Obama.

[JustAnotherGen]

2. I will miss you

I know it got to you.

Me - I'm literally laughing at one of those 'ones' this morning - you know who . . . everytime there is a gun thread jack ass spouts off his nonsense.

It's not easy to laugh at them because you know you are inherently a better person than them - and if you can't laugh at them - best to remove them from your life.

Again - I will miss you.

[femmocrat]

3. Sorry to see so many long-time DUers leaving.

Best wishes to you, Liberal_Stalwart.

[redwitch]

4. I am sad to read this.

Best of everything to you. You have to keep fighting though!

[bravenak]

5. That's too bad.

Need more diversity.

[NJCher]

6. you shouldn't have to fight

when you come to a forum of your peers from the same political party. Elsewhere, yes. There's a long way to go.

As for me, I'm very sorry to see a DU-er of so many years leaving.

I hope you will check back at a later time and consider rejoining. It is definitely true (and I say this as a longtime DU-er, too) that the forum goes through phases.

I'm sorry you have had this experience at this forum, Liberal_Stalwart.


Cher

[VanillaRhapsody]

76. Something I have been saying for a long time....

it SHOULDN'T be the way it is...but now Democratic Underground is where Democrats go to be beaten about the head....simply for BEING Democrat and supporting the Democratic President! It's unbelievable really.

Sorry to see you go L.S. ...you will be missed. I hope you change your mind!

[cinnabonbon]

7. I'm sad to see you go.

The jury system as it is now is intolerably. Almost as bad as the completely honest racism that people display here on DU. You'd think they'd know better, calling themselves progressives.

[Number23]

19. It is all out there in the open, isn't it? They don't even have the decency to try and hide it

and they know that there will be few repercussions anyway.

[cinnabonbon]

30. I think that the lack of repercussions is definitely

part of the reason why they're so shamelessly indulging in it. White privilege on display for all to see.

You know, I think we'd have a lot less aggravating site if they would actually try to act with decency. If there's a thread about people being killed by an old racist white guy, decency would keep them from opening their mouth and trying to derail the topic. Instead of trying to spin threads like that to cater to them, they could instead try to think about what actually happened and show some goddamn compassion.

Or...and this one just bugs me to the end of the earth - white folks trying to tell black people what they should be offended by.

[Jamaal510]

36. Or if not that,

" Instead of trying to spin threads like that to cater to them, they could instead try to think about what actually happened and show some goddamn compassion."

then they could simply trash the thread if it bothers them that much instead of getting into back-and-forths with fellow DUers.

[cinnabonbon]

43. That would work too!

I just don't appreciate it when they want to play devil's advocate when people are upset about awful news.

[BainsBane]

86. Not only that

They openly attack anyone who presents ideas that don't conform with their narrow world view. One single post about white privilege generated dozens of "poor me having to be constantly lectured about white privilege." They seem to think this particular online community is especially liberal (evidence by the constant references to 'no one on DU thinks like that,&quot , while in my experience it is far more conservative than people I encounter offline. I also find it interesting that those who go on the most about "centrism" and how conservative the President and the Democratic party are seem to be the most hostile to perspectives of people of color and feminists. I see that as anything but leftist, progressive, or liberal.

[Number23]

92. And you and I agree 100% on this

I also find it interesting that those who go on the most about "centrism" and how conservative the President and the Democratic party are seem to be the most hostile to perspectives of people of color and feminists. I see that as anything but leftist, progressive, or liberal.

I absolutely could not agree more. COULD NOT agree more. As I was reading one thread full of folks denying the existence of racism/white privilege I went into another thread to see the SAME DAMN PEOPLE talking about how the U.S. must be "destroyed" so that it can be rebuilt.

A few weeks ago, someone referred to these folks by what they really are -- nihilists of the left. These folks don't have a liberal bone in their freaking bodies. And as I've said a hundred times, the reason they bray so loudly here is because they know that DU is just about the only place in the world where they have even the tiniest taste of power and influence. I just pray that they will continue to be so ignorant, alienating and unhinged that they keep themselves in the margins.

[Scootaloo]

78. I'm sad to report...

But it's been seeming to me that "Progressive" is a cover term - the gist seems to be to harbor the same old right-wing bullshit - anti-leftism, racism, pro-war, anti-poor attitudes, all interspersed with thumping on about what party they vote for (unverifiable and irrelevant) and some platitudes in support of foregone social struggle issues (meaningless in an online environment.)

I've stuck with "liberal" all through Clinton and Bush, and it's served me well.

Sad to see Liberal_Stalwart ditching. I probably disagreed with him / her on a lot of things, but I think we could agree on the frustrating tolerance for most racism on DU.

[BainsBane]

87. I think the labels mean little

I don't use liberal because my background in history means I think of its classical definition as the political corollary of capitalism. If I have to pick a term, I generally choose leftist but will also use progressive. What matters is what people stand for, how receptive they are to voices of those from different races, ethnicities, genders, and social classes, and what they actually do.

[global1]

8. I'm Convinced That Over The Last 5 Years Or So DU Has Been Infiltrated By The Other Side.....

It seems like there was a concerted effort to do just that and to frustrate loyal DU members to give up on DU. I'm sorry to hear that you are signing off - because that's just what they want you to do is sign off. The more of us loyal DU'ers that sign off - the less effective the voice of DU is.

I understand your frustration - but the thing to do is not to leave DU - but to continue to voice your opinions and push back on those you find intolerable.

I wish you'd reconsider.

[Scuba]

21. I agree we've been infiltrated, as has the Democratic Party.

DLC, Third Way, call them whatever, but when their donors are Wall Street and the Koch brothers I have little doubt that their policies are not in the best interest of the People.

[1StrongBlackMan]

60. Did you not read post #30? ...

... decency would keep them from opening their mouth and trying to derail the topic. Instead of trying to spin threads like that to cater to them, they could instead try to think about what actually happened and show some goddamn compassion.

This ain't about you or your sensibilities.

[JustAnotherGen]

63. Amen

Third way stuff doesn't belong in the AA Group.

[1StrongBlackMan]

66. LOL ...

"MUST ... MAKE ... EVERYTHING ... ABOUT ... US!" that is the only way we can relate.

[JustAnotherGen]

69. I actually laughed out loud when I read what you wrote above!

It's like you channeled my father!

[Uben]

9. Giving up? Fighters fight back......

Another "I'm leaving DU thread". Look. I have been here since this place began almost. Yes, DU has morphed a bit, but it is still the place I come for information and like minds. There's not another place like this on the internet that I have found. One has to grow a little thicker skin to hang around these days, but it's not all that much different than before. I don't give up or give in! I fight back! I don't always win, but that's to be expected.
You can never win if you aren't in the race.
Sorry your leaving, but another will take your place and we will endeavor to persevere.

That's reality!

[JustAnotherGen]

11. I don't know

The african american group members . .. we talk offline and in the shadows.

I shouldn't have to fight at a democratic/progressive/liberal site to be 'heard' - none of us should.

There's a point where everytime something bad happens to a black person you get sick and tired of very obvious (to the black folks at least) bigots who have infiltrated this site and get away with their snotty little digs and jabs and OUTRIGHT denial that ANY white person has EVER been a bigot and if they were -

Well it's because once upon a time in their fairy tale land a cousins, uncles brother's ex wife's twice removed great grand nephew got cut in the school lunch line by a black kid.

^If that seems ridiculous^ - well it should. It is.

[Uben]

12. I agree it's ridiculous....

..and I haven't a problem with those who need a break, but quit? I have taken breaks from here when life throws me a curve, but I will never leave. I live in a republican bastion where dems are outnumbered ten to one. My voice is usually the lone dissent in conversations with these cretons, but I wear it as a badge of honor and shove it right back down their throats. I am proud of who I am, and those who differ be damned!

I don't frequent the AA group so cannot comment on what happens there. I stick to GD, LBN, cancer and bereavement groups. Everyone has the ability to ignore anything they want to. I stopped letting anything here upset me years ago. I just smile and think to myself, "You ignorant bastard" and move on.

[JustAnotherGen]

13. This is the AA Group

I think that's why L.S. let us know they were leaving.

[Uben]

15. Yes, but I only saw it because it was on Latest threads

Otherwise, I would never have seen it. LS is said to be leaving DU completely.not just the AA group. Totally his/her choice. I don't have a problem with it, just hate to see people give up. I took a break and only posted in the cancer group after my wife died a couple of yrs ago. Didn't have the energy or will to argue so I didn't! I don't post half the responses I compose because I scrutinize every one before hitting submit button. That is why my post count isn't in the tens of thousands. I write some doozies, but common sense prevails, and they wind up in the trash. I know some here like to do nothing but provoke, but they won't get any satisfaction from arguing with me. I'm right, they're wrong...end of story...next thread. HA! That's how I handle it.

[1StrongBlackMan]

73. I respectfully submit ...

I live in a republican bastion where dems are outnumbered ten to one. My voice is usually the lone dissent in conversations with these cretons, but I wear it as a badge of honor and shove it right back down their throats. I am proud of who I am, and those who differ be damned!

But first must ask ... are you Black? If not, please know, it ain't the same because it is not our "voice" (something that we can pick and choose, whether or not to use) that these folks are reacting to.

I hope you will consider the difference ... it'll move you one step closer to understanding.

[patricia92243]

10. I would make heavy use of the ignore buton before I made the final decision to quit. Why don't you

at least try it. You will not be out of anything - and you may like the results and decide to stay.

Using the ignore function and banning certain keywords can make your DU experience completely different from when they are not used.

[Jamaal510]

37. +1

I already have a handful on ignore myself. I tried to hang, but I've had about enough of the anti-Democratic Party/anti-Obama rhetoric on a supposedly Democratic site.

[lumpy]

77. Yes the anti-Democrat/anti Obama rhetoric has turned me off to the almost point of leaving.

[libodem]

14. Don't let them win

Put them on ignore.
And grow a thicker skin.
Maybe take a little break.
But please come back again.

[NJCher]

16. excellent suggestion on the ignore button

Why not try that first, L_S71?


Cher

[Number23]

17. Girl, you will get NO argument from me

Last edited Tue Jan 28, 2014, 09:41 PM - Edit history (1)

Just look at this bullshit from last week http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024358702#post8

For daring to simply ASK if legalizing marijuana was something prominent on the president's agenda, some fool decides to take it upon himself to tell me that I don't care about the disenfranchisement of black people.

And what was so funny, is that he actually thought I was buying his shit. We talk alot in this forum about the disenfranchisement of black people and the massive discrepancies in prison sentencing. Shall we count the number of posts from that individual in those threads?? Let's see... ZERO. Yeah, I thought so.

But somehow, this ONE issue re: racial discrepancies in prison sentencing related to the sale of MJ is the ONLY one that some of these folks will make even the slightest bit of an effort to care about. Really? So we're all just supposed to pretend to not see what's happening? That this is a cynical bit of bullshit for people that couldn't care less about Negros to gloam onto an issue that is incredibly important to us so that they can achieve their real goal which is to get high in peace and not have to worry about the cops? Do they REALLY think that we are that stupid?

Between this kind of crap, the bullying, the deliberate racial cluelessness, the intimidation and BS that you mentioned, I completely sympathize with what you are saying. I've got a small cadre of psychopaths that stick to my moniker like leaches. It's gotten so bad that I actually went to Skinner about one of them. And Skinner has responded with... nothing, even though he clearly sees that there is a problem.

I don't blame you one bit for leaving. I really don't. Part of me wants to type "no! don't go!" but this place has become so hateful and ignorant I don't blame ANYONE for giving the joint the middle finger as they head out the door.

[JustAnotherGen]

27. And someone alerted on LS on this today

From last night: http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=4397067

Liberal did not attack anyone - just laid down some truth.

In general I'm sick of whiny alerts pulling me onto juries here . . . But that one took te cake.

My husband screws up sensible and sensitive allllll the time. Even he could see that was an overly "sensible" alert.

[Number23]

31. The person that LS is responding to in that thread is one of about four people on this web site

that I have absolutely demanded put me on ignore.

I can't say what I want to say about that person (even here) without it being hidden. But let's just say that LS's post is a nice way of characterizing that person's repeated behavior on this web site.

[1StrongBlackMan]

74. +1 ...

And as of late, that person is really bugging out ... casting all kind of aspersions at anyone that does agree with them, while playing the victim. (But I have a working theory here: There is a direct relationship between the general population's approval of President Obama, and the frequency (and ferocity) of her posts ... but the theory requires more testing (good thing we'll have 3+ years remaining in the data collection)

I, also, have someone that I have begged that he would put me on ignore. I post "A" and (in a matter of days, if not, moments) he will appear to misquote me to say: "Not 'A', but 'B' (and something to do with Gay)."

It really gets tiring.

[Number23]

75. Yep. Back in the day, the admins would put this type of idiocy on freeze

They'd drop a Forced Ignore on two (or more) people that were routinely harassing one another. It was a way of making people take a time out.

Now, even if you REQUEST a forced ignore, the admins will do nothing. Even if you send them ample evidence of the harassment and they KNOW that this shit is ridiculous, they do nothing. It's this type of stupidity that makes me wonder exactly how much lower this place can go.

[Number23]

32. JAG, can you post those jury results if you still have them??

[JustAnotherGen]

33. Here you go!

I'm sure you can figure out which juror I was:


On Tue Jan 28, 2014, 11:27 AM an alert was sent on the following post:

She's a fucking liar! That is it. She knows I said no such thing.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=4397067

REASON FOR ALERT

This post is disruptive, hurtful, rude, insensitive, over-the-top, or otherwise inappropriate.

ALERTER'S COMMENTS

rude

You served on a randomly-selected Jury of DU members which reviewed this post. The review was completed at Tue Jan 28, 2014, 11:34 AM, and the Jury voted 1-5 to LEAVE IT.

Juror #1 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: Lots of vitriol in this subthread. Over the top-hide it.
Juror #2 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #3 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #4 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: A fucking liar....Is that someone who in the middle of sex starts screaming "I didn't eat the thin mints! I didn't eat the thin mints!"

-
saying liar isn't rude, it's a word people should use more often. Fucking Liar is just kind of funny. Be interesting how this jury works out. I guess it will come between "who likes who more" LOL
Juror #5 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Join in a flamebait thread and this is what happens.
Juror #6 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Shutting up the black member that called out sabrina for indeed TELLING A LIE is simply not cooll. LiberalStalwart never wrote what Sabrina whined she did and sabrina has a history of being very anti black american point of view - at least that's how she comes across at DU. Sabrina needs to take a chill pill and stop alerting for somone telling her a truth about herself.

Please let this stand. Oh please!

Thank you very much for participating in our Jury system, and we hope you will be able to participate again in the future.

[Number23]

39. Okay Juror #6 just won the Internet

And it's so funny to see sooo many people who see the same shit from that poster that I see every single day from them too.

S/he ain't doing a very good job of hiding in plain sight.

[JustAnotherGen]

41. Ta daaaah

[Tarheel_Dem]

51. The sad part is that she has a cocoon around her that supports her no matter how...

outlandish her claims. They alert when you, inevitably, retaliate. I had one hidden last week. Even sadder is that you have to pay extortion to get certain members excluded from your jury.

[Number23]

52. Her cocoon is as unravelled as s/he is

The number of posters that have told her flat out they won't respond to her posts or openly laugh at her responses grows by the minute.

But yeah, it was her behavior that drove LS away. But I was so happy to see so many of US show up in that thread to give LS a bit of support.

[Tarheel_Dem]

55. It's perplexing that someone can make wild, speculative, unsubstantiated claims...

and still have the continued support of the cocoon. I guess the acorn don't fall far from the Old Elm.

[dionysus]

111. oh noes.. the treebaggers!

[Tarheel_Dem]

114. You know it. It's where they coordinate their attacks.

[JustAnotherGen]

65. All I did was

Serve on that jury - and win. .

It wasn't a matter of liking one over the other. I'm convinced THAT poster alerted on it. Someone pushed back and she cried instead of just saying - maybe I need to detach. She's gotten away with it for so long - its all she knows.

If you read the exchange between the two - LS was correct. She was lying. At no time did LS write what THAT poster said she did.

[onpatrol98]

84. MJ Threads

Quote From Number23
"so that they can achieve their real goal which is to get high in peace and not have to worry about the cops? Do they REALLY think that we are that stupid?"
-----------
I've been watching those threads in amazement. I realize some people need this substance for medicinal purposes. But, it seems like for so many (not partaking for medicinal purposes crowd), this is the most important thing in the world.

I understand LS leaving. DU can be a hateful place, full of people with a lot of hateful attitudes. I'm still in shock from the Trayvon Martin case. I have found democrats who still think "stop and frisk" was a good idea.

But, it's been obvious for awhile. It's a privilege thing, pure and simple. For a privileged few, apparently everyone on the planet was placed on Earth for their personal gratification and support.

For instance...

1) The first lady should sit down...give a heckler the mike.
2) President Obama should do...whatever they want him to do WHEN they want him to do it. I mean that's gall. When you think the President is your personal flunky.
3) Eric Holder [enter any recent put down]

The..."he should get a spine" comments, drive me nuts. What constitutes a spine? Being the personal attendant for whatever floats their boat at the moment.

If a small group of du'ers had their way, we'd probably all be "high" as kites, using a single sheet of toilet paper, restricted to a single child per couple, paying $50 for light bulbs while attempting to preserve the life expectancy of the dung beetles of America. We just don't all have the same priorities...

[Number23]

93. OMG!!!

If a small group of du'ers had their way, we'd probably all be "high" as kites, using a single sheet of toilet paper, restricted to a single child per couple, paying $50 for light bulbs while attempting to preserve the life expectancy of the dung beetles of America. We just don't all have the same priorities...

Girl, you have me DYING!!!

What does that old adage say? "Misery loves company." And if it's one thing these folks know -- hell, seems to be the ONLY thing these folks know -- is misery.

The Trayvon Zimmerman thing did me too. But I wasn't surprised at all by the reaction here. I actually remember going into Zimmerman threads in GD and begging every single person that identified themselves as black to come into this forum to talk about the verdict. I did not feel safe discussing it outside of this forum. And if that doesn't really say how screwed up this place is, I don't know what will.

It's a privilege thing, pure and simple.

Yep. One of this web site's most "popular" (and prolific) posters had one of the stupidest damn threads I've seen in a long time. Basically bemoaned how cruel and terrible the world was. That was his stunning revelation. Like... that shit was NEWS to him. And he got over 200 recs for that bit of grade school foolishness too. Just when you think this place could not get more insulated and privileged, some shit like that comes around and you realize these folks have only just BEGUN to show how clueless they are.

[JustAnotherGen]

95. +10000

[JustAnotherGen]

96. You killed it

[rdharma]

25. Rest up,....... recover, then return to the fight!

Don't let comments by some racist gungeoneers chase you away!

[JustAnotherGen]

28. Ahhhh

You saw that thread!

[rdharma]

29. I think I saw the thread referred to.......

.... but it's hard to tell if that one is the one. There are just so many there.

[applegrove]

34. Don't hesitate to come back. DU is not perfect but neither is the world. And we get richer

the more P.O.V. we share here.

[HoosierRadical]

35. Interesting how even on a supposedly progressive site

the second a Black person refuses to kowtow, they are immediately labeled a "trouble-maker". Sorry to see you go, I don't post DU on regular basis, but, after reading your post, it appears the only thing I'm missing is grief.

In Solidarity,

[Heather MC]

38. People Assume I am White on DU because my name is Heather

Trust me I still get treated like shit sometimes. Today a buthole called me a fucking idiot just because he disagreed with. I of course reported his comment and the Jury all voted to hide his comment.

But i choose not to allow people like to effect my decision to be here. If you leave because of the Ass holes, you are letting them control you. you should stay inspite of them. and when you run across an ass hole, just move on. Why get so worked up in a discussion between someone online that it effects your real world.

But 8 years is long time to be anywhere, but I do hope your real world is a happy one. you are always welcome to hang out with the sistas at www.longhaircareforum.com. We have a wonderful politcal section filled with some really nice and well read sistas.

You might like it

later

[Number23]

40. www.longhaircareforum.com

Thanks for the heads up, Heather.

A long time ago on DU2 when the black folks were just starting to really, REALLY hate this place, a bunch of us came up with a list of alternate places to hang out. And sure enough, a whooooooole bunch of black folks left. I don't know if DU sent them to those other places of burned them out altogether but they are nowhere to be found around here.

I don't remember all of the places but Black Snob was one and so was racialicious.com. We can add your suggestion too.

[JustAnotherGen]

42. Not me

A good friend from high school was another black woman of black/white parents . . . That's my litmus test. Although I do imagine you have very large green eyes!

[Heather MC]

44. haha my brother got the light eyes

Last edited Fri Jan 31, 2014, 01:12 PM - Edit history (1)

Most recent pic


sorry to destroy your image of me

[JustAnotherGen]

45. love it!

Another "natural woman" - a woman after my own heart!

[Heather MC]

46. I love whipping out my fro for special occasions

[1StrongBlackMan]

62. Thank you for completely destroying ...

my mental picture.

First impression (after reading one of your posts): "Wow ... That was pretty insightful (for a white girl named Heather ... cuz all Heathers are white girls, right?)
Mental Image: (As a Black man, partial to Black women) Well, a random, non-descript white girl.

Second Impression (after you identified yourself as a Black woman): "Okay ... That explained the insightful comment."
Mental Image: (As a Black man, partial to darker skinned Black women) Light-skinned, light eyed, chemically relaxed, light dyed hair ... cuz Heather, right?

Present Impression (after seeing the picture): "Wow ... How could I have been so wrong?"
Mental Image: Reboot all named-based mental images ... cuz, Heather, right?

[bettyellen]

88. did you think i might be a granny baking cookies? I have heard people assume that's who Bettys are!

[1StrongBlackMan]

98. No ...

I know plenty of Bettys who are Black.

Now that Heather has been taken off the Mental Image Board ... I just need a Black Becky and a Black Trevor, and the stereotype will be done.

[bettyellen]

100. Ha, I think the B Crocker sterotype is powerful, LOL. Have been told to use Elizabeth instead in

order to get more respect. And better pay, LOL. But I was raised as Betty, and it stuck. Not a lot of Bettys up here around NYC, it seems they were more common in the Kansas kitchens of yore.
Good to know we are a more diverse group than that. For the record, my parents were poor folk from the old sod, Ireland, and settled in the Bronx when they came over before WW2. Both were first kids in their families to get off the farm and settle here. And I am so very happy they did! And sad we are losing great peoplelike the OP. But I certainly get why. I think a few people here are driving off real liberals on purpose, and it sucks.

[JustAnotherGen]

101. You lived in the Bronx?

No wonder! And is say that with most positive intent. My husband lived there as a little kid from 73 to 81 - parents deliberately picked that area of NYC when they made the US their temporary home because they wanted their kids to get a cross section of life in America and people of many different races, cultures, ethnic backgrounds, etc. etc.

[bettyellen]

105. Oh, hell yes. I overlapped all that with your husband and those were some great years.

Boom boxes and paddleball, break dancing and scratching them records. Great education! I was in the So East, still go up there, and it still keeps changing. Always a lot of immigrant groups getting a toe hold in NYC, it's cool to see that.
I went to the same tiny parochial school and HS as Justice Sotomayor, on the 6 subway line. It's a little less upscale than Jennifer Lopez's block, LOL. A couple of subway stops down from there.

[JustAnotherGen]

106. Guessing your age here

Did you know any Fusaros? All girls catholic school - right? The girls all went there . . .

[bettyellen]

107. No, I went to Cardinal Spellman- was large + co-ed. The rest of my family went to Msgr Scanlan

(formely St Helena's) which was also up north by the Whitestone Bridge. Preston and Mother Butler were the all girl schools I remember.
Other kids from my hood went to Science, Columbus or St Raymonds. After that, I went to Hunter and FIT in the very early 80's.

[Heather MC]

102. There can never be a black Becky

The Space Time Continum will implode on us.
I might know a few black Trevors They are women though

[1StrongBlackMan]

103. LOL ...

Now ... pardon me while I clean the coffee off my keyboard and screen.

[bettyellen]

108. HA!

[Skittles]

80. omg you are gorgeous!!

I AM JEALOUS

[Tarheel_Dem]

48. LS71, I sure wish you would reconsider. This has been the goal of a certain group....

here for quite some time. Their main objective has been to divide & conquer, to drive away any supporters of this president, or "loyalists" as they've taken to calling us.

Take a break. Recuperate. And even if you only participate in this group, you should stay. The fact that the Admins have given free reign to these people speaks to our minority status, not just here, but in the country at large.

Here's hoping you'll come back.

[Number23]

56. "Their main objective has been to divide & conquer, to drive away any supporters"

Oh, you have so nailed that. But I am honestly starting to not care anymore.

I have been so sick of it all for longer than I can remember. The maniacal rantings and ravings, the unabashed hatred thrown at this president under the guise of being "opposed to his POLICIES" or "holding his feet to the fire" as if no one can see what is really going on.

As everyone on this board knows, these folks are so loud and unhinged here because this is the ONLY place probably in the whole fucking world that they hold any dominance, sway or influence. This place ain't nothing but a troll infested, Yahoo! Comments section of unhinged fuckwittery from the "left."

They have run so many posters of color away, so many Obama supporters, then fill up the remaining voids with their socks and zombies and they are so shrill because their numbers "appear" to be so great here. 300 recs is the totality of their existence, it doesn't matter that it's 300 recs on a web site most people have never heard of. This whole thing has always been so pointless and I'm just getting to the point that we should let the monkeys have their play pen.

[dionysus]

112. and don't forget using tavis smiley and this fellow as example of how they are down;

?1375117307

[Tarheel_Dem]

115. Dammit dion.

Put a warning label on that!

[DonCoquixote]

53. see you

Let's be honest here, the Jury system has been hijacked here. Today I saw where in the very act of explaining a jury decision, the juror broke to ToS by calling someone a "BOT."

To the Centrists that do that: do not be surprised when Hillary loses, when Obama turns in a C+ performance because he is not under pressure to do better, and you go down as being the people that made the GOP return to power possible.

To the self appointed, self-proclaimed "Far left", do not be surprised when people you thought should support you get away from you, because we minorities see that we were just a means to YOUR ends that you could talk all about civil rights in the abstract, but you never liked it when some of us questioned your thought only to be accused of being "obamabots."

To the right, hell, that was already addressed by Centrists. Reality will wash you out soon enough, especially as this country gets taken over by foreign interests that really have no need of good ole boys anymore.

But to all those that make DU suck, I say, I am sticking around, not because I am going to waste time trying to convince the hardheaded, but for the one sheer joy the independent minded have: laughing when you go down and wonder why no one speaks for you.

and to quote Harlan Ellison, if you hear me crying, none of those tears are for you, it is only because I know I am going down with you.

Except those I save for people like the OP, Seabeyond, and many others who have been purged.

[DonCoquixote]

54. oh, and for those that chirp in and say "where did this happen."

Juror #1 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Obama Derangement Syndrome is forcing me to leave this post unhidden, even though Prosense is more of a bot than a sheep.

The Juror managed to do a TOS violation in the very act of enforcing the tos...gotta love the jury system.

[JustAnotherGen]

67. This DC

To the self appointed, self-proclaimed "Far left", do not be surprised when people you thought should support you get away from you, because we minorities see that we were just a means to YOUR ends that you could talk all about civil rights in the abstract, but you never liked it when some of us questioned your thought only to be accused of being "obamabots."

I hinted elsewhere on the boards that we've had two very very seductive reach outs from the Republican Party in our small central NJ town - I'm talking knocked on our door.

Here's the the thing - not all Republicans in America are of the Rand/Bachmann variety. They aren't even of the Christie variety. Some are well educated, diverse, affluent, and want to take their party back from the lunatics.

I think the Democratic Party better start dancing with the ones who brung them or maybe - where we can - when our interests align . . .they won't have us as the "sure thing" or permanent piece of ass at the ballot booth anymore.

[DonCoquixote]

70. a polite retort

"Here's the thing - not all Republicans in America are of the Rand/Bachmann variety. They aren't even of the Christie variety. Some are well educated, diverse, affluent, and want to take their party back from the lunatics. "

Some may be, but the problem is, as the Clinton/Obama wing is showing, that it does not matter if they dislike the extreme GOP, if they wind up favoring idea that have been unchallenged since Ronald Reagan. Whether they call themselves far left, far right, centrist, I have found the label matters not, only the goals. Yes, not all Republicans may be like the current nuts. I will raise you further, if we were able to exchange the brain that a Mitt or a McCain had back before they started running for president, well, I would still vote against them, but if they won, I know that those guys could at least realize that Fox news was wrong at least 40 percent of the time.

I do not speak of candidates Mitt or McCain, as they both showed a complete willingness to pander to the right, even to the point of appointing true bloody clawed ideologues like Paul Ryan or Sarah Palin to be their Veep. Even if those two were putting on an act, let's say, they agreed to talk like Limbaugh but govern like, well, the people they used to be back when the GOP hated them, we could never be safe, as we know that the same right wing, well funded loons that call for Obama to get shot and/or impeached would do the same thing to either Mitt or McCain.

so, until such time as I know the GOP has effectively caged it's freaks, no, I cannot trust them.

"I think the Democratic Party better start dancing with the ones who brung them or maybe - where we can - when our interests align . . .they won't have us as the "sure thing" or permanent piece of ass at the ballot booth anymore. "

Unfortunately, here is a problem with that, Yes, as a minority, I am sickened by the way Obama turned around and tried to govern like a Clinton, even putting in Clinton staff, even putting in Clinton herself to run foreign policy, which is to say, she went to war in Libya, and only by Kerry's supposed "gaffe" are we not in Syria. I am offended that the sacrificial lambs are always the Van Jones, the Shirley Sherrods, and never the Tim Geitners. However, does that mean that my Latino rear will vote for Marco Rubio? Hell no!

The only way to change the party is to get people at the level of congress, and more so, to make means of funding that they will go after as much as the Wall-Street types. fortunately, Pacs are there, and indeed, perhaps what Unions and we minorities can do is to form our own secret pacs. If the enemy hides in secret, so can we, and we can stab them in the back before they do it to us. This enables us to get more involved in the process, because let's face it, by the time the Oval office is even debated, the plans are made.

[JustAnotherGen]

72. I'm not sickened by the way Obama has governed

I don't see the issue with putting Clinton in office. She was an excellent SOS.

When I say dance with the ones who bring you - I'm talking about the far left.

What is the most religious/spiritual demographic in America?

Of that group - who shows up at the polls consistently?

She's back here. .

When our voices get squashed by "third way we are being infiltrated by corporatists" so put your issues and concerns on the back burner - they only hurt themselves.

Our issues and concerns matter because our example was 100 years old and she waited HOURS to vote for the Democratic Candidate in 2012.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/12/michelle-obama-desiline-victor-voted-sotu_n_2668211.html

Alienating us is stupid.



ETA - and I disagree at the level of Congress. When the NeoCon Town Council Member knocks on my door because of a conversation we had at a Christmas cocktail party regarding a slum lord in town who hasn't paid property taxes in 8 years on his complex - while his residents live with crumbling ceilings, pipe bursts, controlled heating/cooling that constantly breaks down while he plays golf and eats bonbons in Arizona . . . When that Republican realizes - this is the sixth wealthiest county in America and our town is the wealthiest - and we ought to be ashamed of ourselves that YES - the people that serve us our coffee at Dunkin Donuts (one of the residents asking for help) as we head off to our cushy desk jobs in Manhattan and Basking Ridge evey morning is suffering needlessly - we can make changes and work together in our own backyards.

Not everything is a shake down and a scam in NJ - and wait for the Christie scandal to show its ass out here - its coming.


At the end of the day - we are just ONE of those "we hate the rich communities" in America. But something has shifted. This bi partisan AND indie (both left and right) group of citizens realize - we can't change Trenton or Washington. . . But we can make everyone - including the working poor proud to live in Flemington because no one should suffer in this community.

Same council man was shocked when I told him what I was seeing at the food bank. If we take over the 1/3 empty units and focus on small businesses that can provide BETTER employment opportunities in walking distance we can change our little corner of the world.

[gollygee]

68. Love to you!

I don't blame you. Many of the feminists here have been leaving for the misogynist version of the same problem. And it seems like a lot of the same people are anti-feminist, are offended by the mere mention of the words "white" and "privilege" in the same sentence, same for "rape" and "culture" in the same sentence, are loudly pro-gun, and are similarly pro-Zimmerman (and I will never trust anything said by anyone pro-Zimmerman), and complain about the President frequently. It is frustrating and disheartening.

Forgive me if I hope you reconsider at some point.

[freshwest]

71. I am sorry to see you go. You have always been one of the wisest posters here.

Last edited Mon Feb 10, 2014, 03:56 PM - Edit history (1)

I have used Ignore a lot as it's a waste of time with some people. The lies and distortions, always ready with a knife for Obama's back, they cut many of us.

I used to post on a site that was mixed, fought it out with GOPs and LPs and really blatant racists, sexists and homophobes, then came here. After a while, I saw the same atmosphere and a lack of decency to other people. I understand your leaving and not being willing to put up with this.

AAs and others PM'd me because, like me, the groundless, illogical hate of Obama - no real cause - comes from either the race factor or political, is deeply hurtful. We have more people posting that clearly not Dems and don't know about civics.

It's torture and they know it, they enjoy it setting up division. So DU is not fun most of the time and I find myself spending less time, just following news. I don't take this seriously anymore, and half my replies are from people I have on Ignore, as they follow me around and spit vitriol.

There is liberal racism, just as there is disdain of the poor, elderly, or the other. I've said too much already, and regret that you are leaving.

[Skittles]

79. no, no, do NOT give up

never give up

FIGHT

[JI7]

81. i don't want you to go , maybe take a break

i agree with you on the race issue. i think there are many who are resentful towards the black community for support of the president. and then there are many who just refuse to see racism. is it that hard to see it ? i'm not black but still a minority(south asian) so maybe that makes me more aware of these things than others.

[Number23]

94. "i think there are many who are resentful towards the black community for support of the president"

There is more than a little bit of truth in this.

[TDale313]

83. Genuinely sorry and sad to hear this.

Your voice will be missed. Hoping after a break that you'll at least check back in. Be well.

[BainsBane]

85. I understand your frustration

Last edited Fri Jan 31, 2014, 04:03 AM - Edit history (1)

DU is a hostile environment for people of color and feminists. While I am sad you are leaving and wish there were more people to counter what is essentially a white male worldview on the site, I understand why you feel you can't tolerate any more. I wish you the very best.

[JustAnotherGen]

97. +1000

Last week I posted - you know who "gets it" - HOF. J17 posted above - They resent the black community for support of the President.

I think that goes for Feminists too - he's not perfect - We need a Paycheck Fairness Act . . . But one of the first things he did as President was honor Lily Ledbetter by signing off on what is in her name.

[bettyellen]

89. I will miss your presence here. And cannot blame you at all.

Too much trollery and not enough self reflection these days.

[BlueCaliDem]

90. Although I'm not African-American...

...I am a minority (Asian).

I hope you won't let the racists and bigots chase you away. The Ignore buttons and Jury Blacklist feature works wonders to rid yourself of the trolls infesting this site.

I hope you'll reconsider, LS71.

and rec'd to keep this thread from sinking.

[Blue_Tires]

99. Can't say I blame you one bit

Sometimes a long extended break helps...The occasional weeklong break plus my ignore list are the only things making DU halfway tolerable....

[valerief]

104. As other suggesed, use the Ignore button. Also, put certain people on your Jury Blacklist.

Just recently, I decided to purge my Ignores. I had a couple hundred on there. It'll build up to a couple hundred again over a year or two and I'll purge again.

DU is my news source. I get propaganda everywhere else. I'm not interested in it here.

[Blue_Tires]

109. In a twisted way, the Zimmerman acquittal was one of the

best things to happen on DU, since so, so many longtime members I'd known for years outed themselves (either intentionally or unintentionally)....Easily the most enlightening and eye-opening experience I've had here in my almost 11 years...

There was another long-gone black DUer years ago who spoke of the rift between white and black liberals on DU and in the real world...I thought he was being overly harsh; I thought he didn't see the nuance in some issues, and that on the whole he was selling white liberals (especially DUers) way too short....Well, all these years later I'll have to admit he was right...The one good thing is that now the lines have been drawn, I know exactly who is on what side...

[JustAnotherGen]

113. I would agree

And it certainly colored my perception of people.

[MrScorpio]

117. You will be missed

Hope you don't mind if I take them on.

[trublu992]

118. Don't say goodbye just See you later.

You don't know the courage you posts give people who read them but don't always post.

[heaven05]

119. I wish you well

and peace.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

120. I've finished my break and trying this thing out again. No promises, but we'll see how it goes...

Thanks for your love and support, everyone.

[steve2470]

121. good to see you back !

Best wishes here.

[BainsBane]

122. Welcome back!

[1StrongBlackMan]

123. Welcome back ...

I saw you in a thread earlier and had to blink twice ... I thought I was seeing things.

My advice: easy back into this "pool" ... block the words: "privilege", "Racist/Racism", "misogyny" ... well you get it.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

128. You made me laugh! I'm definitely proceeding with caution. So far, so good.

I'm being much more strategic, that's for sure!

[JustAnotherGen]

124. Glad to see you back

A few of us have take to "gif"ing when the stupid hurts so much our eyes would bleed.

[freshwest]

125. Glad to see you! Please use Ignore, it's bug spray! I couldn't bear it here without it...

Don't let them get to you, let us know when you need help here or in a PM.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

127. Thanks! She looks like my precious kitty!

[freshwest]

129. Glad you enjoyed the kitteh! And it was rather tough here last night. I used the Ignore function.

[Cha]

130. I'm a little late to the goodbye party, LS..

but, I wondered where you were. Sorry, it's been so bad for you that you wanted to leave. We need your voice but I understand. I've left before too.. I just never said goodbye.

It blows my mind that this is "Democratic Underground" and there are members who make you feel like this.