Can we please refrain from saying "What, you think you know more than Obama?"

[Laura PourMeADrink]

Everyone here knows and truly believes that Obama is brilliant and ran a
brilliant campaign and most likely knows what he's doing. Can we just
stipulate that?

But it is getting more and more prevalent (not the way I remembered when I first joined DU)
that no one can express any differing opinion - raise an issue - open up a discussion to
analyze the pros and cons of subjects and decisions without dozens and dozens of immediate
responses like:

"Oh, you think you know more than Obama?"

"I trust him"

Strikes me that these comments stifle open discussion and serves no purpose but to silence
debate.

Just sayin...

[Demit]

1. Ah, the ironic 'Let's stifle certain comments' because they stifle discussion' post.

I thought it must be time for one.

[SIMPLYB1980]

15. Now let me stifle your concern about stifleing certain comments'

because' they stifle discussion' posts. j/k

[WinkyDink]

31. To ask for verbal blockades to be removed is not an ironic suggestion.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

32. wow, you have a great way with words -- "verbal blockade" nt

[ErinBerin84]

2. the "I trust him" bothers me less than "What, don't you trust him?"

It's the new "Thank you for your concern".

(and for the record, I trust Obama's judgment, but I think some dissent is healthy, as long as it is reasonable. We are going to have to figure out SOME way to do this on DU for the next four..hopefully eight...years).

[H2O Man]

3. Respectfully disagree.

There are many posts on this forum that I believe could be worded better. But it doesn't seem that what I find mildly annoying should be eliminated from the forum.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

8. point taken. Changed ban to refrain from - didn't mean it literally

[cali]

4. it's a poor idea to suggest banning any particular sentiment

at DU. and ironic that you're suggesting it in the same breath that you're complaining about how people are trying to stifle open discussion.

Strikes me that you are the doing that with your attempts to ban and belittle certain speech YOU don't agree with.

Pretty ironic, no?

[Laura PourMeADrink]

10. point well taken. I have changed it to refrain from. But, it's not

really the point I was making - it is just the immediate sniping whenever someone tries
to talk about a topic that the majority disagrees with, that's all.

[cali]

14. there's nothing new about sniping on DU

it's the primary pasttime here. and it really is pointless to suggest that people refrain from this or that. I have a list of what I wish DUers would refrain from, but I can't see the point in posting about it. It's not going to change one damn thing. And actually, that's fine with me.

[Skwmom]

5. History is full of examples where citizens failed to question those in charge.

And look how well that worked out.

No person, no matter how smart is infallible (and part of being smart is realizing that).

[Bonobo]

6. Ironic that you complain about stifling dissent with a suggestion for a "ban" nt

[Laura PourMeADrink]

12. exactly. you are right. poor choice of words on my part

[BlooInBloo]

7. Then Clinton supporters would have nothing to say.

[QC]

9. Nah, then they'll just post that "Chill the fuck out" picture even more

than they do now.

It's time to face it: DU is no longer a politics discussion board. It is now a fansite, kinda like Britney Spears Teen Chat on AOL or something, except the people we talk about are from Washington instead of Hollywood.

(Have I told you yet about my dream date with Henry Waxman?)

[Laura PourMeADrink]

13. lol. Am I just having one of those "remember when" moments?

like grandpa? I just don't remember it being like this when I joined
in 04.

No, you are hot for Waxman?

[QC]

16. No, it wasn't always like this, and yes, Waxman really melts my butter.

Him and John Murtha.

Yowza!

[Justyce]

11. I think differing opinions were banned

sometime during the beginning of the primaries...

If you disagree, keep it to yourself or I'll tattle to the mods, threaten you with a pizza, and then just..let..it..drop..

Ah, good times, good times... :sarcasm: LOL

[Marrah_G]

18. I remember those days fondly.......

:sarcasm:

[Marrah_G]

17. It sucks being told to shut up or go away.

This started last Winter for many of us.

Not a nice feeling.

I should be giggling with glee to find some of the perps now on the other end of the stick, but really, after the first couple times it just makes me sad.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

21. You are so right. And it just seems to escalate and get worse and

worse and more and more personal more and more emotional. I am definitely guilty.

I have often wondered what it is about certain people I know who are republicans.
Some, even the most rabid, I get along with and can discuss things with and there
is not even a hint of anger or emotion. Then, others, I can't even have a
discussion with, without both sides going crazy.

I am trying very hard to be more tolerant.

[Marrah_G]

22. I know some republicans too- we are fine unless the convo turns to politics.

So mostly I avoid politics with them.

This has been a tough year and it's not over yet.

Just keep plugging along.

I use the ignore function alot, because I have a temper to match my red hair, and without it I become a banshee !

Just take a deep breath and remind yourself that they can tell you to shut up.....but only the mods can make you.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

23. thanks. Hey, congratulations on the Clinton post ! I know she

will do a great job and I hope this helps in some small way to ease the dissappointment.

[Marrah_G]

25. Thanks- I would have been fine with her staying in the Senate too.

She is a tough gal and will do well in either position. Richardson would have been a good choice also.

We are going to need all of our best to work hard if we are going to get out of the pit Bus* dug.

[secondwind]

19. Am finding DU too chaotic since November 10th or so............its almost as if

people need to post SOMETHING, now that all the drama has disappeared......

And everyone knows that posting more DRAMA is far superior than just expressing one's happiness, etc. over the election we all worked hard to win.

I am going to refrain from visiting DU as often as I once did, at least until after the holidays.

[ProSense]

20. Some people wouldn't mind posting all the rumors as long as they were met with "yay"

Then again, some people would love if everyone agreed that Hillary was a bad choice.

Balance?

[No Elephants]

24. You think so? Maybe people just want to express their own opinions.

[ProSense]

26. Did I state that people shouldn't be allowed to express their opinions? n/t

[WI_DEM]

27. I trust Obama's Judgement.

:)

[Deep13]

28. It is an example of the argument from authority fallacy.

1. It is possible that a poster knows more than Obama.

2. Even if a poster knows less generally, the poster might still be right about her or his point.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

30. yes. yes.

[L0oniX]

29. There were plenty of people who didn't want Bush questioned too ...

even though he was an obvious dumb ass.