Ah the joys of infighting...I'm just really happy that we don't have

[rasputin1952]

inbreeding like over at FR.

here we go again, the heat has been turned up and the accusations fly. "You're a drone because you believe _______."

"No, your a paid shill because you posted something i don't agree with!"

"DLC: Demon Liberation Corps"

"Hillary is ________."

"Edwards is ________."

"Obama is __________."

"I am ______________."

"You are ___________."


I can't wait for this stuff to stop, and I'm willing to bet most others feel the same way. It appears that there is a a set of "groups", usually with the same people, that insist on just slinging mud, grenades and horseshit. Anything that might be remotely negative jumps to the forefront and becomes the "topic d'jour".

"Impeach!" gets a go around at least 5x a day.

Hillary , Obama, Edwards bashing is reaching heights that some may consider an art form, but the truth is, it is just tossing crap at a canvas and calling it "art". Art is interesting, because even if it stinks, someone can always stand up and say, "you just don't understand!" Well, perhaps i "don't understand", but I know what I think is art, and what I think is crap.

I, and I'm guessing that most DU'ers are getting to the point where we realize this is all garbage. When we reach a point where we are talking about voting 3rd party; Nader enters the equation; how we're going to move to Mexico or Canada if "our candidate" is not chosen, I have to wonder just what people are "thinking".

This is our nation, i can't speak for everyone naturally, but I'd say most of us love this place, and are pretty thankful we were born here instead of somewhere else. But this being our country does not quite cut it on it's own. We have to set the course for the future. Believe it or not, the R's will eventually thank us for bringing this nation back on course, where there really is freedom, where people can actually challenge the powers that be w/o being called a traitor or threatened with some stupid act of retribution. We don't have to come together on every level, but we should be working toward something better than just blasting each other's candidate and each other.

Sure, i've posted stuff like this before, and each time, a few more walk away from the sniping and the ridiculous attacks. I'm posting this in the hopes a few more will leave those without a notion of how to discuss rather than argue; those who find delight in slapping around fellow Dem's and Progressives. Leave them to their own tactics, don't fall for the vitriol...bring out the best of your candidate, and the hell w/the attacks and slams. If someone brings up a good case against your candidate, talk to them, work things out...there is a Common Ground, we all just need to meet there.

Thanks for reading this, and for the record...I really do care.

[flvegan]

1. I think we have quite a wait to go. We can barely see the primaries from here.

Think of how nasty this will be in 60 days.

[rasputin1952]

3. Precisely why I'm posting stuf flike this now....if those that are

insisting on "attack...24/7" are ignored now, they'll be ignored later...:evilgrin:

[flvegan]

6. You realize of course

That this go 'round, given DU's growth, we're going to at some point see this exchange in GD:

Poster 1: That was quite a dust up in that Hillary supports Chavez thread.

Poster 2: Yeah, but nothing like that one yesterday where she (Hillary) spoke out against breastfeeding in public.

Poster 1: OMG, you're right. That was the ugliest flamewar I've seen here or anywhere.

Poster 3: I think I stabbed another poster with a trident.*









*This is a vague reference to "Anchorman" not a call to violence, k all?

[Crazy Dave]

2. It's called freedom of speech

Like it or hate it and we have the freedom not to read or listen to it. Seriously, it doesn't ruin my day reading about someone who doesn't like my choice of candidates.

[rasputin1952]

4. How true, one is not obligated to to read/listen...but when the

"ignore" function has been worn to a frazzle...Oh well.

And, FWIW, "freedom of speech" has nothing to do with a private entity...fortunately, Admin is as nice as they are...:D

[Crazy Dave]

5. I don't put people on ignore

I just ignore them.

[rasputin1952]

9. I have never used ignore, but I have used "hide"...

:)

[Crazy Dave]

11. To me...and it's just my opinion

It seems like the equivalent of putting the hands over the ears and saying..."Lahlahlahlahlah! I can't hear you! I can't hear you! But if you start getting stupid or threatening IM's that's what moderators are for.

But that's mine and even though I disagree, I respect you, your opinion and decision to do as you wish :hi:

[Hestia]

7. One thing my DH & I noticed about the Freepers and other GOPers

they are so negative - they don't stand for anything but are against everything.
(of course, we've noticed this for years, but are now hearing it from others
who were either apolitical or right leaning).

They are burning themselves with all the sanctimonious spouting you see on
the "news". They really can't keep the glamour going to much longer - it's
exhausting and takes too much energy to keep it up.

I think the Freepers are taking it out on us that they are starting to figure
out how bad they've been lied to. Of course, let your job be outsourced and
lose your home, everything and everyone looks bleak.

[rasputin1952]

14. Yes, and they love to smear and attack opponents, but instantly

cry foul when they are caught in the same trap.

I've seen Coulter and Limbaugh run like hell when confronted by honest discussion. They have nothing but vitriol and fear, they are cowards to the hilt.

[MADem]

8. It makes me sick, too. I get tired of the fucking IDIOTS, frankly.

You want to discuss an aspect of campaign strategy, without rancor, and do an objective analysis, and you get partisans who whine and insist you're "being MEEEEAAAAN" to their favored candidate.

I like all the candidates, I'm waiting for Gore, but I'll pick one if I have to...! In the interim, though, I'd occasionally like to discuss the "larger picture" without being accused of crapping on a candidate I may, or may not, vote for down the line.

It's not JUST the name calling--though that is a massive problem--it's the hypersensitivity on the part of rabid partisans who jump in and stifle discussion with demands for political correctness. For example: "How DARE you say my candidate, Pinocchio, has a big wooden nose?"

I do realize that this place, fun as it is, is well to the left of the party, and isn't an accurate reflection of our big tent. That's probably a good thing, we'd not have a hope of winning if we didn't include all of our people, even the ones that some here don't like, on election day.

[rasputin1952]

10. So far, I have yet to see any candidate stand out to where they

would garner my support. To be honest, at this point, (and this is just my opinion and should be seen as such), they are all pretty weak.

I like Richardson, he seems to be the most down to earth, and his credentials are impeccable, but he has yet to get that "fire in the belly" type thing that gets support.

As for the R's...it was just anopther trip to the vegetable bin to find their candidates...about as much substance as a pissant fart in a tornado...:D

[nickgutierrez]

12. The intra-party slugfests are worrying.

Understandable, but worrying. Yes, things are bad, and there's always going to be an intensified level of discussion in times like these. But we've got to be able to say "I disagree", instead of "you're wrong", or "nice post, Hitler", or something like that.

[rasputin1952]

13. Yep, disagreement is warranted and sked for...

it is the nastiness that needs to go.

Some people have never realized that you never get people over to your POV by arguing w/them.

Tact and finesse are the keys to working out a resolution...:)

[AtomicKitten]

15. I have never understood why people think a personal attack is anywhere in the ballpark of debate.

It's just nonsense that gets in the way of discussing substantive issues.

[rasputin1952]

16. Issues are complex, attacks are easy. Sad as it is, I figure that is

why people go the route they do.

Oddly enough, there are relatively few that cause problems...they just post a lot, and with more heat in those posts.

Kind of sad really, when you think about it. Passion used negatively, seeking nothing but damage. Such energy could build much better discourse, open new doors and bring people together...but some apparently just can't get past the negativity, they can't see the light...:(