Does equating Democrats and Republicans count as arguing in favor of voting against Democrats?

[LoZoccolo]

A change to the set of check-boxes that is presented when a post is alerted adds this option:

Arguing in favor of not voting, voting third party, or defeating/voting against Democrats (except in rare cases where a non-Democrat is most likely to defeat the conservative alternative).

Would this apply to statements that the Democrats are generally the same as Republicans, or that a Democratic candidate is the same as a Republican when the statement is demonstrably false (for instance, via examination of the voting record)?

[Skinner]

1. No, I don't think that would count as the same thing.

I think a straightforward statement that Democrats are the same as Republicans would be a red-flag for anyone here. But having a blanket rule against comparing Democrats and Republicans turned out to be virtually impossible to enforce, and seemed to give people hope that they could somehow get all manner of criticism deleted.

[LoZoccolo]

2. Would the straightforward statement still be something to which the moderators should be alerted?

Also, would the ban on "substance-free" attacks also apply to attacks from the left, as that clause is not specifically qualified as applying to right-wing attacks?

However, we do not permit substance-free insults against Democrats, and we do not permit the insults, attacks, or partisan smears against Democrats that one is likely to find on right-wing blogs or talk radio.

I am especially concerned about this type of rhetoric because a right-wing organization can launch an attack with left-wing rhetoric. Four examples from the past decade include:

Republican operative Roger Stone's assistance to Al Sharpton:
http://www.villagevoice.com/2004-01-27/news/sleeping-with-the-gop/1/

Green Party candidate Carl Romanelli's campaign contributions from Republicans (under #3 in the "Top 10 Conservative Idiots" list):
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/top10/254

Latinos for Reform's 2010 ad campaign:
http://news.firedoglake.com/2010/10/19/latinos-for-reform-run-by-bush-pioneers-and-appointees/

Republican campaign donations for Ralph Nader in 2004:
http://articles.sfgate.com/2004-07-09/news/17435056_1_nader-voters-nader-s-campaign-presidential-candidate-ralph-nader

[Skinner]

3. We are working on the specific verbiage.

Our intent is that substance-free attacks (Fuck Obama) or disrespectful names (Barry) would not be permitted.

Feel free to alert. The worst that could happen is that the mods don't remove the post.

[LoZoccolo]

4. Thank you for the response; I edited the post while you were responding.

I just added a few examples to consider; thanks again.

[Skinner]

5. I'm not sure that the examples change my response.

Just because some conservatives have been bankrolling left-wing attacks does not mean they should all be forbidden here.

If you think someone is actually a conservative, feel free to alert and let the mods know.

[LoZoccolo]

6. Understood, and neither does that make all such attacks disingenuous or invalid.

I wanted to point out that they do have a motivation to make some attacks which are disingenuous.

[Skinner]

7. That is true.

And I think, if something is disingenuous, it would certainly be worth bringing to the moderators' attention. Can't guarantee they'll shut it down, but it helps to be aware of this stuff.

[Skinner]

8. FYI: I think we might have the correct verbiage now.

We've been banging our heads against the wall trying wordsmith this rule. I think we finally figured it out.

Disrespectful nicknames, crude insults, or right-wing smears against Democrats.

Democratic Underground welcomes a wide range of people from the left half of the political spectrum, and our members are welcome to post messages either criticizing or defending Democrats. We permit any substantive criticism of President Obama and Democrats -- even harsh criticism that may not seem constructive -- provided it comes from a liberal perspective. However, we do not permit the following: Referring to Democrats using disrespectful nicknames (eg: Calling President Obama "Barry"); Crude insults against Democrats (eg: "Fuck Harry Reid"); Insults, attacks, or baseless partisan smears against Democrats that one is likely to find on right-wing blogs or talk radio (eg: Secret Muslim, No birth certificate).