Why are there so many "Parents" on here

[FreeSpeechCrusader]

that feel that they must tell everyone what to do with their time, money, thoughts, and how they are idiotic and wrong for saying what they believe. I understand that we are pretty much all together to defeat Bush. That does not mean that everyone has to only praise Kerry. If someone is offering constructive criticism then they should be heard. If someone is airing their frustrations because we have just now almost wound up our hard fought nominating process...that is fine.

Everyone has their own point of view and opinion, and everyone is united in one aspect...we all want Bush's sorry arse out of the White House. But, for all of us to unite, we have to have respect for other's opinions...because no matter what everyone thinks, none of us have the all-knowing knowledge to condemn others for their thoughts.

If everyone wants everyone to unite, then show some respect to the other candidates' supporters view points. Just because we want to beat the monkey doesn't mean that we should throw away all of our unique ideals to form a bunch of generalized democrats in the hope of defeating B*sh. We must remain ourselves while still being able to agree enough and compromise to defeat the shrub. That can only be accomplished through understanding and compassion first which will then lead to hard work and donations together to take back our nation.

edit spelling

[Tank in Texas]

1. Absolutely!

Great points, very well-put.

I echo these sentiments wholeheartedly!

[Iverson]

2. very sensible

I hope you don't get jumped on for it.

[FreeSpeechCrusader]

3. If I do...it will only further my point.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

4. If someone says something you disagree with

what's wrong with just saying so? Why start another thread basically knocking unnamed people for an attitude you claim they have?

What I mean to say is that you have thrown our a blanket accusation of someone -- you don't say who -- not respecting your opinion. Wouldn't it make more sense to just call someone to task who actually disrespects your opinion, in the context of the discussion where it took place?

Isn't the purpose of a discussion board, to discuss? I must be misunderstanding, because it reads to me like you want people to respect your opinion, but you don't want to hear theirs.

Simply labeling those you are criticizing - whoever they may be - as lacking in understanding and compassion -- I just don't get it.

[sangh0]

6. And blanket accusations like that are disrespectful

Respect is a two way street. So is Free Speech.

[littlejoe]

18. Cease fire!

[FreeSpeechCrusader]

11. Discussion is fine...

But telling people to shut up and get in line isn't discussion...when I read that someone should just jump in line and shut up because the only choice that they have is Kerry or Bush...I do not see that as discussion. Everyone on here doesn't have to take this personally. I am discussing posts such as the one made by mermaid earlier where they were told that they were idiotic for being a one issue voter. It is one thing to discuss, but it is another to be condescending to their beliefs. I did nothing that I perceived as condescending in my post...I respect others opinions, but I want to unify the supporters of all candidates by actually listening and compromising instead of name calling and bullying.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

12. I doubt anyone told you to shut up and get in line.

Did it happen? You are welcome to provide a link to show that it did happen.


And namecalling and bullying is against the rules, if anyone does so just hit "Alert"


I ask again, what is wrong with challenging people directly? Why start a new thread in order to complain?

[FreeSpeechCrusader]

19. Nothing is wrong with challenging people directly...

And I will do it from now on. And, no links can be provided because the posts are deleted after the moderators read them. Look, I am not trying to get into a squabble about freedom of speech. Every point of view has the freedom of speech. I was just writing my opinion that it does no good getting supporters behind Kerry by telling them that their views are unimportant and to just suck it up and support the nominee. I did not mean this to offend so heavily, but the reason that I posted this is because I have seen democrats getting pushed farther and farther away from full heartedly supporting our nominee by posters who have chosen to degrate instead of discuss.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

22. Well of course

people shouldn't say your view isn't important. I just don't believe that happened. You say it happened, but I don't believe you.

I'm entitled to my opinion.

[sangh0]

5. Hypocritical

IMO it's hypocritical for a FreeSpeechCrusader to wail about those who complain about the critics. Don't they have Free Speech also?

If you really believe them to be wrong, then the idea that supports Free Speech should have informed you that the best way to combat them is with a better idea. Instead, I found your post contradictory, in that it asks for respect from one side (and implied charge that one side is disrespectful) while ignoring the lack of respect coming from some of the critics. Right now, there are several threads on the first page criticizing Kerry for things that are untrue. IMO, it is disrespectful, and insulting our intelligence, to make unjustified accusations.

[FreeSpeechCrusader]

8. Yes, and you can rail on me all that you want...

But, someone has to say what they think about the repression of the feelings of all those that are being demeaned by others saying that their views are idiotic. This is not for everyone. This is not for those that haven't told someone to shut up. This is not pointed towards you unless you are telling people that their dissent is idiotic and meaningless since we have picked a front runner. You can use the circular argument all that you want...but my point is still the same. Must we cut down everyone that is needing a little time to adjust to be able to fully support John Kerry...these people that are trying to cope with our nominee should not be slammed every time that they post some dissent. It is their right just as much as it is your right to slam them, but it is my opinion...yes OPINION that everyone should not get jumped on for having concerns about fully supporting Kerry. Getting jumped on does nothing but further push them away from supporting Kerry.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

13. Why not challenge people directly? Why start a new thread in order

to complain about people who arent participating in that thread?

[sangh0]

14. Crying in your beer

But, someone has to say what they think about the repression of the feelings of all those that are being demeaned by others saying that their views are idiotic

It's also hypocritical for a FreeSPeechCrusader to assert that free speech is the cause for people "repressing their feelings". If you want to express yourself, go right ahead. No one is oppressing you or repressing your feelings. That's your decision.

And you are the one who is telling others to shut up. Look in the mirror.

[seaglass]

7. Yes, I always tell my kids they are idiotic and wrong for saying

what they believe - wow, you have an odd outlook on parents.

If everyone really was united in getting Bush out - which we are not - then there probably would be more respect for each other's opinions.

[FreeSpeechCrusader]

10. Geez...you do not have to pick apart the use of the term parents...

I only used it as a point to everyone that is telling others to shut up and just support the nominee.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

15. Except no one is saying

" to shut up and just support the nominee " are they? Could you provide a link?

[seaglass]

17. You were describing your view of behavior of members on this

board and equating it with the way parents behave. I disagree with your description. Do you have a problem with people disagreeing with what you say?

[FreeSpeechCrusader]

20. I was only using the parents to emphasize

the posters that were acting as they know best and telling you just to listen to them...I didn't use the term to associate any of the other bad feelings of the post towards parents. I like parents. I have two of them that are wonderful.

[HFishbine]

9. The parents, hall monitors, would-be-moderators, and thought police

exercise their finger-pointing and brow beating when they cannot tackle an issue on the facts at hand. It's far easier for the un-thinking to put down the messenger than to accommodate, much less consider, differing opinions. Chalk it up to fear wrapped around weak minds.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

16. Did it happen? lol

The reason this complaint was made in a new thread is that it's bogus complaining about something that never happened.

[HFishbine]

21. No. You're right. I stand corrected.

Every post on DU has been based on substantiated fact or informed opinion. You're right, there has been nothing like, "Get over it," Get used to it," "You're dillusional," etc. There has been a complete absence of ad hominem attacks. I stand corrected.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

24. Ascribing an opinion to me that I didn't state is dishonest.

I don't believe anyone told the thread starter to 'shut up and get in line' or that his views shouldn't be expressed.


I also don't believe any of the things you are attempting to ascribe to me.

:hi:

[Name removed]

27. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[redqueen]

23. Is it just me or is it pretty clear what's being referred to?

I don't know that there is a direct quote as was used in the OP, but surely you're joking if you wish me to believe that you've managed to somehow not notice the multiple threads disparaging anyone who would dare to support any Democratic candidate other than Kerry.

The meaning is clear, even if the wording is different.


on edit: Since there are many threads reflecting this same sentiment, I think making a separate thread dealing with the general tone of those is just fine.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

25. I don't believe anyone told the OP his views shouldn't be expressed.

I think what actually happened is that a longtime poster created a sock puppet in order to start a thread complaining about the fact that s/he was expressing an extreme minority viewpoint which s/he was unable to defend directly.

just my humble opinion.

[HFishbine]

28. I don't believe

OP ever said that anybody told him is views shouldn't be expressed. Easier to distort his point than to address it, isn't it?

[Feanorcurufinwe]

29. You might want to reread the thread

of course you are entitled to your opinion, true or false.

[FreeSpeechCrusader]

30. This is not a sock puppet....

I was just expressing my opinion that the Kerry supporters that were telling others to suck it up and get over it and that their candidate lost so come back to reality...were doing nothing to further their cause...but they were using tactics that were ultimately divisive. Look, I support the dem nominee. I am now donating to Kerry, but I started this thread just to try to get others to understand that telling people to come back to reality and other condescending methods were doing nothing but alienating those voters from the cause that these posters were supposedly seeking. This is not a conspiracy from a dedicated poster that has been here for years. I have been here for about a month, and I was just trying to throw in my view that you will help John Kerry more by listening to the qualms others have and trying to help them instead of telling them that it is pointless and to just join the Kerry bandwagon because the only choices are between Kerry and Bush.

[Lisa0825]

26. Thank you.

I really don't understand it. I mean, OUR votes are needed in the election too, yet it seems like so many here are doing their best to aliente us. By us, I mean those of us who supported another candidate. Treating us with a little respect would go a long way, and in some cases could result in someone who was only going to vote becoming an actual voluteer and/or donor. I intend to do all three things, but sometimes I reconsider when I see how much contempt is shown for us at times here.