Oh for fuck's sake, how many more "my 'friend' will vote for McCain" threads are there going to be?

[WildEyedLiberal]

"Oh, I'm so alarmed! My (insert demographic here) 'friend' who just LOVES Hillary Clinton and is a LIFELONG Democrat just CAN'T STAND Obama and vows to vote for McCain in November!"

Yeah, well, all my friends can't stand Hillary Clinton and would've abstained from voting, or voted third party, if she'd been the nominee, so my spurious and unsupported "concerned friend" anecdotes cancel out yours. So there.

Your "concern" is duly noted. Enjoy spreading panic for the next couple of days before Skinner puts the kibosh on this crap.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

1. Not all of those "concern" posts are intentional propaganda. Some folks are just plain old simply

DUBM!!!

[Kahuna]

36. Hey A! If you're going to call people dumb you have to be particulary

careful about your spelling/typing skills. ;)

[A-Schwarzenegger]

50. "particulary", eh?

All my spelling mistake is deliberate and intented to crush the adverserey flapjack flat.

[JoFerret]

52. We know. It's the Austrian lisp. However

calling people dumb is rather well dim.(Should that be spelt dimb?)

[Major Hogwash]

2. Well, ya know, I heard someone say something her brother's friend at work said about Obama.

And before you know it, the entire forum was full of shit and gossip.

I agree totally.

These "my friend said" or "I just talked to someone who said" threads are the fucking pits.

[Mezzo]

43. self edit...posted twice...again

[Mezzo]

45. so is marginalizing people because YOU think you can or should browbeat them

but I won't go there....for now.

[Major Hogwash]

58. Two crazy ladies on the forum talking to each other don't mean shit to me.

If you want to talk to some crazy lady on the radio, go ahead.

[and-justice-for-all]

3. Friends dont let friends vote rethug..

and these: "my 'friend' will vote for McCain" threads; are pathetic.

[AtomicKitten]

4. It's just more Kabuki Theater.

[shadowknows69]

5. Any opportunity to still bash our nominee

I hope in three days the admins will see these as the flamebait they are and start handing out the pizzas.

[WeDidIt]

14. Wednesday at 12:01 PM, I start alerting on EVERY "My friend won't vote Obama" thread

No mercy.

Every one.

It's just another way to sew the seeds of discontent.

[Political Heretic]

6. alarmed cat is alarmed

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

7. What's wrong with talking about it?

I happen to be one of the people with a friend who's doing this. I also happen to believe that these losses will be offset by gains elsewhere, but that doesn't mean it's not a legitimate topic of discussion.

[shadowknows69]

8. Perhaps you should write the Obama campaign with your concerns

Surely there is more potential for positive action by going right to the source. Or is one of us supposed to do that for you?

[Donald Ian Rankin]

16. Obama himself isn't the main source of alienation, though, it's his supporters.

Obama himself has been making all the right noises about unifying the party, as has Clinton.

It's a not-that-small minority of his supporters who are still actively alienating potential support from people who previously backed Clinton.

[shadowknows69]

20. They have two choices at this point, ok three.

McCain, Obama or stay home. Two out of three of those probably gives us four more years of the status quo, which if you hadn't noticed is pretty fucking bad. No one who calls themselves a Democrat or progressive independent should need any more motivation than that. This is bigger than people's egos.

[Donald Ian Rankin]

38. No, this isn't bigger than people's egos.

You're making the mistake of assuming people are rational self-interested calculating machines.

Before deciding whether or not to post something, the important question to ask is not "what conclusions or actions follow rationally from reading what I am saying" but "what effect will this have on the real, imperfect people who actually read it"?

People are emotional. Many - I don't know how many - of Clinton's supporters are angry at Obama. That anger will influence their judgement - people are never as good at being rational as they think they are - and will lead some of them to convince themselves that it's a good idea to stay home or to vote for McCain.

How many of them decide to do that, and how enthusiastically the ones who don't support Obama, depends to a non-trivial extent on whether Obama and his supporters act in ways that will (not "should", "will", when viewed by flawed, irrational, angry humans) reduce that anger or, like many DUers at present, in ways that will stoke and add to it.

An awful lot of posts at the moment contain the sentiment "well, if they don't support Obama, they're stupid, so we don't need their votes". This is just cutting off the nose to spite the face - whether or not such people are stupid, they still have one vote each, and Obama still needs those votes.

So, before posting, think not "does this give Clinton supporters just cause to become angry?" but "will this actually make Clinton supporters angry or not, whether or not their anger will be justified?".

[tulsakatz]

42. exactly!!!

McCain votes for Bush policies 95% of the time!! And we all know they lied aboout the Iraq war and yet McCain still thinks it's a good idea!!

Anyone who would vote for McCain or decide not to vote at all will be punishing themselves as much as they will be punishing the rest of the country!!

Yes, it's disappointing to realize your candidate didn't make it but it's now time to grow up and make a wise choice in November.

[WeDidIt]

15. It's phony bullshit intended to only slam our nominee

because of bitterness over losing.

Nothing more.

It's disruption, plain and simple, and deserves nothing less than banning.

You might want to read about "concern trolling".

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

25. I know what a concern troll is.

But again, I am in the situation described. And I'm not a fucking concern troll. So go try to get someone else banned, as apparently you have nothing better to do this lovely weekend.

[Kahuna]

37. The person you need to discuss this with is your "friend." Talking about

it here does nothing to sway her/him.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

39. Of course.

And I have. But there's no need for us to pretend that these people don't exist.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

60. All dozen of them exist.

We're not denying that.

[ima_sinnic]

29. so what? maybe you should educate your, er, "friend" about who Obama really is

and what the implications are, REALLY, of a McCain presidency, instead of wringing your hands and gnashing your teeth with your "concern."

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

40. I have.

Not that it's any of your damn business. I simply object to the assertion that anyone who brings up this subject is a troll who should be banned.

[pnorman]

30. "What's wrong with talking about it?"

What's wrong is that unless you're prepared to cite that person's name & email address (NOBODY here would expect that), it has absolutely NO evidentiary value. But for helping (knowingly or otherwise) create an avalanche of disinformation blather, it has GREAT value.

That's it, pure and simple.

pnorman

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

44. You know what?

unless you're prepared to cite that person's name & email address

Of course there's no chance of that. I know what a lot of people here do to people who disagree with them. Shit, how many times have I been called a troll in this thread for simply suggesting that discussion of a particular topic doesn't make one a troll.


it has absolutely NO evidentiary value.


It's an anecdote. It has as much value as the "my racist dad is voting for Obama" thread floating around today. Why don't you go tell that poster his anecdote is worthless? Oh, right, because THAT anecdote is something you want to hear.

But for helping (knowingly or otherwise) create an avalanche of disinformation blather, it has GREAT value.

Wow. Stating a fact, even an anecdotal fact, is now "disinformation."

[LibraLiz1973]

47. Unless your drinking the kool aid and doing EXACTLY what they want

they don't want you posting.


There are NO problems with Obama. EVERYONE on earth will vote for him.
:crazy:

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

48. Most Obama supporters aren't like that.

But, as with any large and diverse group of people, some of them are bound to be, well, wankers.

[pnorman]

54. I'll stick with my comments.

n/t

pnorman
On edit: I've declined all the periodic appeals to volunteer as Forum Moderator, for this reason: I'm not only a card-carrying member of ACLU, but I believe in Free Speech to the MAX. In this, I probably differ from a very large number here. Accordingly, I'd be be VERY reluctant to call out another DU poster for his/her comments. As Moderator, I'd probably be IMPEACHED from that office within a week, by a howling mob. But I retain my right/duty to waggle my feeble finger at what I believe to be an "irresponsible or inappropriate" posting on this Board.

[DerekJ]

9. Agreed. I just posted that it's not helpful on one of those threads.

[greguganus]

10. My favorite line is "______ said they won't vote for Obama, and they have a black friend!!"

Is that to qualify __________ as not being a racist, so they won't be attacked down-thread? It's so obvious what's going on.

[Oleladylib]

18. Mentioning anything negative has been labeled "racist"

[TLM]

11. I have a friend in Pittsburgh who supports Obama...

He told me about when he told his father, who is a total racist, that he was voting for Obama. He expected some racist remark, but to his surprise, his dad said he was going to vote for Obama too.

So my buddy asked him, "but dad, he's black?"

To which he told me his father said, "He's black, but he's not a n*****."



If he's won over my buddy's racist dad, there's no telling how wide his appeal can reach.

I honestly don't think that a few resentful hillary fans will make a difference.

I think we're going to see a populist groundswell under Obama like nothing we've ever seen before.

[Enrique]

12. so that's why McCain is always saying "my friend"

:think:

[WeDidIt]

13. It's the form the anti-Obama movement on DU is going to take

They figure they'll get away with that bullshit.

[Oleladylib]

21. well, look at what the anti..Hilllary has gotten away with?. It happens.

It's democracy.

[shadowknows69]

23. This board isn't a Democracy

And in three days shit like this will probably get a tombstone. Bank on it.

[WeDidIt]

26. 3.5 days

Concern trolling after that will be locked and the poster doing it will possibly be banned.

It's that simple. Get on board or get the fuck out.

there is no compromise and this board is not a demoncracy. IF it was a democracy the McCainite trolls could post openly about their support for McCain instead of trying to get away with concern trolling it.

[WilliamPitt]

22. All 12 of them.

But Skinner also plots...and Skinner is the best of plotters.

:)

(Koran joke)

[WeDidIt]

27. Twelve?

C'mon, Will. Twelve?

I say three. One with four sockpuppets, another with three, and the last with two.

What's weird is finding a concern troll thread where only the three of them are talking, using all sockpuppets.

:evilgrin:

[WilliamPitt]

28. 12

But 4 are talking to themselves.

And it somehow never gets dull.

For them, anyway.

;)

[Oleladylib]

17. The same number that are still think their opinions are so important ...anti Hillary ...

[WilliamPitt]

19. Maybe everyone posting those threads have douchebags for friends.

Lord knows I have a few.

;)

[shadowknows69]

24. I hear that

And I'm sure they probably say the same about me on occasion. B-)

[ZombieHorde]

31. 13

[still_one]

32. If people are stupid enough to vote for mccain, then they don't care about the Supreme Court

Iraq, civil rights, healthcare, medicare, social security, jobs, the high price of energy and food, jobs being shipped over seas, gender rights, the environment, and so many issues that have stood as the platform of the Democratic party

Personally, I have reached the point that people deserve exactly what they get, and if their are enough stupid people, then they can kiss our republic goodbye, because that is what they will do with a mccain vote

[OHdem10]

33. More of a concern should be the fact they become demoralized

and simply do not vote. This is more of a possibility to my way
of thinking.

[glowing]

34. I currently work at a hotel... this topic is in full swing on every guest's lips...

Let me tell you:

Normally, because there is civility, people ask, what do you think about Obama?

Me: He's going to WIN!!!!

Guest: How do you know?

Me: My empty wallet is telling me so.

Guest: I kinda liked Hillary (I live in FL). She seemed pretty good.

Me: Well, she's out, he's in and so what? He's the Democrat. He refuses PAC money and lobbyist money. He has just made the Democratic National Committee pledge to not take corporate money. He has over a million individual supporters that have given on average $91.00. This is a campaign of the people.. He's beholden to us, finally.

Guest: Wow, you know a lot. What about his wife, did you see her speak?

Me: What about his wife, she speaks a lot for her husband.. Normally, she does small luncheons or small meetings to bring in some money. I said she's a smart woman who grew up and was pushed by her family to do better. She speaks a lot, and she speaks really quite well. Great lady.

Guest: Wow, you know a lot, do you think he'll do it.

Me: Well, my pocket is hurting, you pocket is hurting...So, what do you think? Obama will be the President... especially, because you are going to vote and your family is going to vote for your pocket that is hurting.

Guest: Yep... Hey.. thanks have a nice day.

Edit: This was yesterday.. I tweak what I speak about after sizing up the mental ability to soak in information... I made a black man go sign up to vote the day before.. he still had doubts about his safety.. I told him, we all know if something happened, then we know that someone in a powerful place is behind it and we will all find that person.

[NashVegas]

35. I Hope There Are As Many As There Were "I'm Not Voting With My Vagina" Threads

[Mezzo]

41. as many as there are going to be...why the need for censorship? That's what repigs do

and as someone who is indeed a lifelong democrat, and who came perilously close to McCain, (and I've never voted for a repig in my life, but the sexism in this race was. fucking. astounding.) maybe you could try to hear them out instead of labeling them concern trolls. I have family that are in the same boat.

One way will win them over. I promise you, this ain't it. :hi:

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

46. There are a lot of people here...

...who are content to bury their heads in the sand on this issue, and claim that all of these posts are trolls or disgruntled Clinton supporters trying to cause trouble. Shit, I got accused of being everything from a freeper to a nazi when I posted an anecdote like this before... and I'm an Obama supporter.

What I find terribly funny about this whole situation is that the people calling everyone trolls are themselves as closed minded as the people discussed in the anecdote!

[LibraLiz1973]

49. That is my problem with it too Mezzo

It's veryyyyyy Freeperville.

[MrRobotsHolyOrders]

59. Fuck Roe v. Wade

Someone was mean to me on the internet, and therefore my family is voting McCain.

People die to protect democracy, and your vote is pliable because someone called you a 'concern troll'?

[JoFerret]

51. You don't get it.

smarten up.

[Kittycat]

53. With all this "concern" Sounds to me like people have some work to do.

Get off the internet, and host an Obama Cookout for their friends or something productive.

[TexasObserver]

55. "One time, in band camp, my friend stuck her flute ...

..."

Oh wait, that was a movie!

Yeah, I'm dubious of all concern trolling about "friends" who are rightwing assholes and I'm suppose to persuade them not to vote for McCain. I have such friends, but I spend ZERO time worrying about how to deal with them. Why would anyone fret about how Republicans are going to vote? If someone has a friend who has voted 8 straight times for the Democratic nominee for president, and THEY are not voting Obama, that's news. Some jackass who votes GOP voting GOP again is not news.

[LiberalAndProud]

56. Funny thing about knowing people ...

Everyone I have talked Politics with this election cycle will be voting for Obama, without exception. That's wonderful, but we're talking about people in Nebraska and South Dakota. What are the chances that the these two states will go blue? While interesting, anecdotes are less revealing than polling results, and those aren't reliable indicators of the final result either.

[sniffa]

57. As many as it takes

to cover the field with astro-turf.