Do we really have to dictate to each other what to post and what not to post?

[Towlie]

Oops! Now I'm doing it too.

[underpants]

1. You shouldn't post this

Just saying.

[N_E_1 for Tennis]

2. So sorry, couldn't hear you can you repeat that...

Nah, never mind.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

3. Alerting

...JK

But it is community policing, so we kinda do dictate to each other what to post and what not to post.

[SCantiGOP]

4. Yeah, there are three or four

Highly moralistic posts since yesterday imploring everyone here to be respectful
of Sen McCain and not post derogatory comments.
Only thing is, I didn’t see any derogatory comments anyway. These are just some of our self-appointed guardians tell us how to behave.

[jalan48]

7. Super Posters?

[guillaumeb]

5. Yes, we do. eom

[MineralMan]

6. I'm not seeing anyone dictating anything like that.

I'm seeing people asking other people.

[Towlie]

8. Your thread is "Thanks to everyone today for not attacking", just like "Thank you for not smoking."

You're really telling others what not to post.

If you're worried about our party's public image, what you're projecting is that we need to remind each other to act decently, but I have a higher opinion of my fellow DUers than you do.

[MineralMan]

9. No, I'm not telling anyone not to post.

I'm thanking those who don't or who post something positive.

I have no control whatsoever about what people post here. I'm just another DU member. My opinion of DUers is based on what I see. In the past couple of days, I've seen some pretty awful things. I was grateful today not to see them repeated.

You give me more credit for my words than they merit.

As for your second point, I am a smoker. For many years, I have not smoked in places where people might be offended or made uncomfortable with my bad habit.

[Towlie]

11. I don't care whether you smoke! The point was that "Thank you for not smoking" means "No Smoking."

[MineralMan]

12. Yes. It's a polite way to say "No smoking."

I already wouldn't smoke there, though. Phrased in the "thank you" mode, it is somewhat less coercive, rather than being a direct order to not smoke. More polite.

I don't see that sign as often any more. It was more used when there weren't laws against smoking in public places. It was a request, and I was happy to comply with that request.

These days, I just don't smoke anytime there are people close enough to notice.

But, you're the one who brought it up, so I responded.

[raccoon]

10. Apparently some Du'ers think it's their divine right. nt

[MineralMan]

13. Actually, every DUer can post as he or she chooses,

withing the boundaries set by the owners of this website, and within the somewhat more flexible community standards. It has nothing to do with "divine rights." It's simply the way this discussion forum works.

In fact, you and the OP are taking advantage of the same freedom to post. So am I.

[MineralMan]

14. Actually, you're not doing it, too, or either.

You're using the same ability any DUer can use to ask questions or offer thanks regarding posting here. We can all do it. And that's the strength of DU. I can post as I choose. You can post as you choose. Anyone can. Within some very broad boundaries as set by the owners of the website, at least.

Other DUers have a tool to recommend posts or to skip offering a recommendation. Everyone can express themselves. Isn't that the point of having a discussion forum?

[AnotherMother4Peace]

15. Interesting framing you use: "dictate to each other what to post and what not to post"

That phraseology triggers a specific, first amendment response. And the innocuous descriptor: "our fellow DU'ers" found in the responses. When the reality is Russian/Putin war room strategies have and continue to be a part of this site as well as US social media. So, yes - what is posted, how it is posted, patterns of disruptions, framing of subject matter, suspicious motivations, etc - all need to be scrutinized and monitored on this site.

[Martin Eden]

16. Your post was in the form of a question, not a dictate

Nevertheless, it was clear you were scolding those who scold others for what they post (inherently hypocritical?).

But to answer your question, we can't dictate to others what they can or can't post (other than reporting a post which violates terms of service).

In an online community like this we are bound to have disagreements, occasionally take offense, and express disapproval. It is appropriate to have vigorous debates in the realm of facts, ideas, and political strategy.

But we need to remember we are on the same side (aside from trolls here to disrupt and defame). Personal attacks and angry condemnation are harmful to this community and to our goals as Democrats.

[pennylane100]

17. There are guidelines that we all agree to when posting on this forum and I respect them.

I usually ignore any posts that dictate just what and how we should express ourselves.