Statement of Purpose for Bernie Sander's Group on DU

[RobertEarl]

The first thing we need is a statement of purpose.

It needs to be clear and visionary, and fair to all DU members.

It will be the candle we hold proposed hosts too, to see how they measure up and who will do the best job possible for all DU members.

Imo, it needs to state that if a member is banned there follows an honest discussion of why that member was banned and allow them an opportunity to repent and rejoin in this daunting task of making Bernie our next President.

Put in your thoughts now, please, and lets get this discussion going.

How shall the Statement of Purpose of the Bernie Sanders group read?

[NYC_SKP]

1. It already exists, I don't think it can be changed now. But in case it can...

Here are examples:

The Warren Group:

A group for supporters of Elizabeth Warren.

The Clinton Group:

Discuss the life, career, and accomplishments of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton. Supporters only.

I propose something like:

A group for supporters of Bernie Sanders. Supportive discussion only, please.

Less is more and if he doesn't win the primary we still want a group, so not mentioning the current race is smart, keep it simple.

Once it's created it can't be changed.

[RobertEarl]

4. Thanks for your two cents

Next?

[RobertEarl]

12. Here's host powers as detailed in About Group link

Group Hosts are assigned either by the DU Administrators, or by other Hosts of that group. Group Hosts have the following abilities: 1) They can lock threads which they believe violate the group's stated purpose; 2) they can pin threads to the top of the group; 3) they may completely block out members whom they believe are not adhering to the group's purpose; 4) they may add other members as group Hosts; and 5) they may remove any Host that became a Host after they did (and who is listed below their name on the list below).
Currently there are no Hosts assigned to this group. If you would like to become a Host of this group, contact an Administrator.
Host Super Powers

Group Hosts have the following abilities in their assigned groups:

Lock thread (Reason: Violates this forum's Statement of Purpose)
Locks a thread when the OP is not on-topic for the group. An automatic notification will be dropped into the OP explaining why the thread was locked. The thread can only be unlocked by the Host who locked it.

Lock thread (Reason not specified)
Locks a thread for an unspecified reason. An automatic notification will be dropped into the OP, but no reason for the lock will be provided. The thread can only be unlocked by the Host who locked it.

Pin & lock thread
Pins a thread to the top of the group and simultaneously locks it. An automatic notification will be dropped into the OP, but no reason for the lock will be provided. The thread can be unpinned by any Host, but can only be unlocked by the Host who locked it.

Pin thread
Pins a thread to the top of the group, where it will remain until it is unpinned. The thread can be unpinned by any Host.

Block a member from the group
Blocks a member from posting in the group. The member will be automatically notified by DU Mail. Members can be unblocked by any Host.

Make a member a Host of the group
Creates a new group Host. The selected member will be automatically notified by DU Mail. Members can only be removed as a Host by Hosts who are listed above them in the hierarchy.

Remove a Host of the group
Removes a Host. Hosts can only remove Hosts who are listed below them in the hierarchy

[NYC_SKP]

21. Thanks. I knew this, I host seven groups in addition to the main forums.

I'm no stranger to the hosting gig.

I think this discussion is a useful one to have but in practice, it's a little premature.

The first host identified will have supreme power to add or eliminate hosts. Better that ideas are offered now than later, but in the end the first host to be placed runs the game.

I'm pretty sure it will be a good pick.

[merrily]

30. I'd change your wording ever so slightly.

A group for discussion supportive of Bernie Sanders.

Reason for suggestion: . I don't care so much who is at the keyboard. Anyone can claim to be a supporter. I do care about the nature of contents of their posts.

[daleanime]

6. Works, I like it.

[RobertEarl]

2. As for hosts

We need to be very careful in selecting hosts.

They must be vetted to be among the best of DUers and be truly for democracy.

I can't be a host so don't think I'm applying.

We don't need hosts any time soon. Because it's early, and as trolls come through and leave their little piles, we can tell by their fruits whether they should ever be allowed back in.

[RobertEarl]

9. A host should have

An extensive journal would be nice so that we can see what they really care about.

Also, the top host should serve no longer than 30 days.

And there should be an allowed discussion of host's activities.

This is our one chance to make this group a shining example of true democracy. Lets not screw it up by jumping the shark.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

10. Yeah, no.

Lotta hogwash there, Bob.

[RobertEarl]

14. A host should be a unifying force

A clear Democrat that is interested in Uniting the party.

Our hosts should be members who do not bash others, especially other Democrats.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

15. Sorry, not taking your suggestions seriously

whether you're serious or not. Peace.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

3. Seems clear enough:

"A group for supporters of Bernie Sanders."

[NYC_SKP]

5. Agree. nt

[A-Schwarzenegger]

7. Might be too clear for a few.

"Let's muddy it up!"

[Cheese Sandwich]

13. This is outstanding!

[smokey nj]

8. One thing I would suggest is doing our best to avoid anything

that implies sexism and racism. There's an active thread in GD right now about a meme that was posted in the populists group and it's being used to smear Bernie and his supporters.

[RobertEarl]

11. Indeed

Good point, smokey nj. That should be a part of the Statement.

[NYC_SKP]

16. Dear smokey nj: We already have the Statement of Purpose:

A group for supporters of Bernie Sanders.

www.democraticunderground.com/?com=about&forum=1280

Once we have hosts, we can pin additional notes to the top of the board, like "Posting Guidelines", or "About this Group".

But the SOP is already written and it can't be changed, if I recall correctly.

[smokey nj]

17. Thanks NYC SKP. I was just accused of tolerating

racism and sexism in that thread just for defending Bernie. I think the plan is to attack Bernie's supporters rather than Bernie directly.

[NYC_SKP]

19. That thread with the graphic of Obama Hillary and Sanders? No good can come from that graphic!

There is no way not to lose by participating in that discussion.

It's like "have you stopped beating your wife" flypaper!

I think we'll have a host by this time tomorrow and it will be a rocky ride for a week or three!

[smokey nj]

20. I asked the person to delete it, but apparently I didn't ask for the right reason.

[Ichingcarpenter]

24. that group has always been poorly managed

which is why I don't post there anymore but do keep an eye on it.

[BeanMusical]

25. That stupid and awful thread in GD have finally been locked.

[smokey nj]

27. That's good.

[merrily]

31. You can't worry about what people might say. Just accept that people who

are supporting other candidates WILL go ad hom no matter what this group does or what its members do.

If you accept that, it's very freeing. Then you can go about doing what you feel is right.

[smokey nj]

35. I do accept that and I'm proud of how I handled the exchange.

But there isn't any place for racist, sexist, or homophobic memes or comments. I wouldn't have had a problem with the meme in question if race or gender hadn't been brought into it. IMO, "The White Guy" thing was unnecessary. Do I think it was intended the way it was perceived? I don't know, I'm not familiar with the history of the person who posted it. But accusations of bigotry are inevitable and it's probably better not to leave the door open to them. One of the reasons I support Bernie so strongly is his strong record on both social and economic issues. I don't think we should be forced to choose.

[merrily]

36. Are you referring to the graphic in the Populist Group?

If so, that got locked by a host of the group. NYC_SKP. Moreoever, every member of the group can't be charged with every post in the group.

[smokey nj]

37. I know that. I'm part of the reason it was locked.

I'm also not indicting a group for the actions of one person. My point was they're going to do it regardless, but there isn't any need to make it easy for them.

[leveymg]

18. Let's take freedom of expression seriously and unlike the HRC

and Obama forums, allow real debate. If a post adheres to DU norms for decorum it should survive within this forum, as well.

[BrotherIvan]

23. I have to say that sounds good in theory

But I left the populist group right quick when it became a place for people to come in and throw darts. Discussions, as in GD, were always derailed by the same people. It made the group rather pointless. It may be better now.

Asking people politely to stop attacks and reminding them of the group's stated purpose sometimes works...but not always. Some posters are more tenacious than others.

I would like to see more organizing and suggestions in general of what we can DO to support Bernie's run. I'm all for posts of praise and keeping us up to date on coverage, but we need to work for the man because he's not going to be rolling in corporate ca$h. I hope we can all help to get him elected.

[leveymg]

28. If a post survives a jury, how disruptive can it be? The jury system is pretty good at weeding out

trolls, abusive personality types, and people who clearly don't understand the difference between constructive criticism and mindless smears. We need the former - criticism can be an essential reality check. The other candidate forum is like a hermetically-sealed bubble where inconvenient facts aren't allowed to intrude.

[BrotherIvan]

33. You are much more generous of a person than I

That other forum is where the disruptors come from as they have a very similar roster to another infamous group. I have seen some low down shit withstand juries from them because they are sorcerers with the jury system.

But I will not push the matter further. Let it evolve naturally. I'd just hate to see it devolve into mudslinging. Bernie is too good for that. It seems like the best they've got is saying he can't win and he's too old. Oh, and he has absolutely no charisma, saw that last night. Once he starts making Clinton look bad, we'll see the long knives come out.

[merrily]

32. I strongly dissent. There is little point to having a group if we are going to have the same

kind of battles here that we do in GD.

[aspirant]

22. Must clearly lay out our rules for all to see

A group for democracy in action

Banning; Do we have a 30-day Time Out, a 60-day penalty box and how many bans before it becomes permanent? In the banned box show the banned status.

Keep letting the same rascal back in serves no purpose.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

26. Other than 'work to elect Bernie'

I'm not sure what else is needed. As far as banning goes, I'm damn tired of these passive-aggressive posts that make Bernie out to simply be a foil to an inevitable Clinton coronation. Bernie is clear-eyed that he's a long shot to a candidate with 99% name recognition and corporate money out the wazoo, but he's not simply there to make 'Hillary look better'.

[BrotherIvan]

34. AMEN!

We need to put that one to rest right now. It's not his job to shore up her popularity with the base.

[Agschmid]

29. *repent

?