Is there anyone we haven't criticized yet?

[kentuck]

How many here post about other DU'ers more than they post about ideas for the Party?? It seems to me that there are people here that never have the courage to post an idea about anything unless it is to criticize something another DU'er has said. They see it as their duty to defend the Party or our Party leaders against any and all criticism, deservedly or not. No criticism is valid in anyway.

In fact, most of the time they are more critical of other DU'ers than they are of the crazy Republicans. Has anyone else noticed?

[Uncle Joe]

1. It's a natural instinctive reaction and sometimes it may be warranted.

I try to balance my criticism with recommendation when I believe they deserve it.

Live long and prosper, kentuck.

[kentuck]

8. I realize that none of us is perfect...

I'll get down off this podium (soapbox) now.

[Skittles]

2. put the groupies on Ignore, kentuck

they're simply not credible

[Uncle Joe]

3. But you can't debate them if they're on ignore. n/t

[Skittles]

4. they do NOT debate

they stick to the same tired talking points and repeat the same crap over and over

[ProSense]

5. Journalist: Assad didn't do it!!!

Fuck Third Way!!!

"they stick to the same tired talking points and repeat the same crap over and over"

No shit!!!

[Jackpine Radical]

27. 1) Assad probably did do it.

2) Fuck Third Way!!!

[Uncle Joe]

6. Debate them regardless, remain tenacious in keeping the discussion on point, after all you're not

just debating or attempting to debate them, you're also presenting a logical argument for any reader of the discussion.

I have faith that most people can tell the difference between repeated talking points on the Internet and logical/common sense/factual counter argument.

You will win out more times than not, using reason even if you don't persuade your opponent to change or alter their stated view.

[Skittles]

7. it is a waste of time

I prefer reading discussions without the equivalent of 5 year olds screaming and stamping their feet - f*** them, I put them on IGNORE

[Uncle Joe]

9. Well some people have more emotional resilience than others but that's ok,

we all have our strengths and weaknesses.

[nadinbrzezinski]

10. I am with Skittles on this one

It is truly a waste of everybody's time

[Uncle Joe]

12. You or some else might want to start a D.U. poll asking if anyone here has ever changed their mind

or opinion on an issue or candidate due to D.U. debate and discussion.

You might even ask them to list an example if they wish.

I believe a fair amount of people have.

[nadinbrzezinski]

15. I am not a star member and proudly so

In my experience DU has changed, and not for the better. It used to be a place of reasoned debate. Used is the operative word here.

[Uncle Joe]

17. Well the dynamics have changed in large part because the Democrats are in power.

Before when the Republicans controlled everything it was relatively easy because everybody was on the same page, they wanted to get rid of the Republicans.

Now we have conflicting emotions running through D.U. between logic and reason against loyalty and faith.

[nadinbrzezinski]

19. And there is no discussion

You also forget, you have conservadems and DLC afraid their day in the sun might be coming to an end, and not a day too soon

[Uncle Joe]

22. I believe, that if you believe that, then debate or at least attempting to debate

in a rational, (despite any emotional feelings to the contrary) tenacious manner using logic, common sense and factual information to keep the discussion on track will speed up the process.

If you come to a dead end, then just stop debating on that thread or issue

When it gets to just name calling, nobody wins.

Edit for P.S. to last sentence the Republicans win.

[nadinbrzezinski]

33. Sorry, when an attempt at debate is followed

With bully behavior, name calling, and textbook cyberstalking there is nothing more to be said. Nor is it wanted or desired. The best policy at that point is ignoring those engaged in such behavior. There is also plenty of blaming of victims.

And this has nothing to do with political affiliation either.

[Uncle Joe]

36. If you're attempting a debate and they start

bully behavior, name calling or textbook cyberstalking call them out on their behavior, and if you can't bring the debate to a rational discussion re: the original issue, then leave it by all means.

But when two or more D.U. posters get into nothing but an exchange of namecalling, that's the kind of thing that Freeperville gets pup tents in their pants over. They know that the worse the Democrats look, the better they look.

We do the same thing here, when Freeptown or Republicans get into a major brawl, threads get posted here reflecting how poorly they look and how they're imploding.

I'm not blaming the victim or even suggesting being one.

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/mahatmagan121411.html

The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.

Mahatma Gandhi

[nadinbrzezinski]

42. Six years ago I still tried

Three years ago, yup.

These days, forget about it, there is no debate.

Oh and it has nothing to do with forgiveness either. Believe it or not, as much as I dislike them for their behavior, and as disruptive as it is, there is no hate. Ergo there is no need to forgive either. Nor would it stop that behavior.

[Uncle Joe]

44. You wouldn't be doing it

for them, you're doing it for every reader of the exchange and that can be a lot of people.

People that resort to name calling, insult or continously trying to change the subject of the debate reflect their own immaturity, desperation in not being able to counter the facts of the discussion or both.

People or posters build up a reputation over time, if all they can do with you is bully behavior, name calling etc. etc. and you take the high road, the people; D.U.ers, Lurkers etc. will notice, most likely that's all the culprits can do with a lot of other people as well.

When you debate in a serious manner and they can't, that's a debate in itself, getting the last word or post in isn't even necessary to win or make your point.

If they can't or don't stop their behavior, over time they lose credibility with the rest of the community and their posts may as well be pissing against the wind.

[kentuck]

21. Well said, Uncle Joe...

"conflicting emotions running through D.U. between logic and reason against loyalty and faith."

And none of those are bad. They are only conflicting in their nature.

[kentuck]

11. I would admit...

that sometimes it's like another universe. But I understand that Republicans have problems with logic. They believe what they believe and nothing will ever change. Period. End of story.

[Uncle Joe]

13. That's precisely why we should endeavor to be different, kentuck

I would admit...

that sometimes it's like another universe. But I understand that Republicans have problems with logic. They believe what they believe and nothing will ever change. Period. End of story.

[kentuck]

23. Yep...

I choose to be a liberal. That is what I believe. I have always understood that there is always a place for liberals in our Party. For the first time in my life, I am starting to think that maybe there isn't??

[Uncle Joe]

29. I believe the political tide is shifting toward the liberal/progressive side.

Remain tenacious.

We had FDR's New Deal and 30-40 years later we got Reagan's extremist "urinating down" policy and I believe that has run its' course.

"It's always darkest before the dawn."

[sabrina 1]

24. I don't have anyone on ignore, but I no longer ever kick their threads

by responding IN their threads. If I feel a response is needed,, which most of the time isn't really necessary, I start a different thread to deal with the issue in a serious way, rather than keep their threads kicked with nothing but insults flowing through hundreds of wasted comments, the good ones lost among the frey.

[Mojorabbit]

31. Great idea. I try to do the same also but sometimes I get sucked in.

They really have ruined this board. It is impossible to have a good discussion on so many topics without them coming in and disrupting the conversation with snark and useless links that have nothing to do with the topic at hand.

[LWolf]

14. The hottest threads

are those that:

pit DUers against each other; or

repeat, ad nauseum, what the teevee and radio "news" and talk shows are saying; or

attack a perceived enemy; or

praise a Democrat or the Democratic Party;

or say anything at all about: Obama, guns, Syria, the ACA, the NSA.

There doesn't have to be a serious, substantive discussion of a single issue; it's all marketing talking points.

Often threads about issues that don't take a position on party, potus, or media talking heads will sink like stones, getting little to no love.

Has anyone else noticed this?

[Fumesucker]

16. Conflict keeps a thread kicked up near the top where it gets a lot of attention

I wonder what the perfect combination of subjects and attitude is to produce the ultimate DU flame war?

[LWolf]

18. Thinking...

My recipe: Obama, guns, pitbulls, "the schools," and an insatiable appetite for the last word.

[brer cat]

20. You left out breast feeding at Olive Garden.

[LWolf]

28. Uh-oh.

I'm on my way to Olive Garden right now. I hope there won't be another breast-feeding brawl.

[Aerows]

34. Smoking Pitbulls, guaranteed

They will be plotting drone attacks on people that eat chicken covered in corn-flakes.

[Rex]

25. Thankfully it is a tiny, but loud group and all they do is complain about other DUers.

Which is pretty easy to ignore and even easier to ridicule.

[Aerows]

35. :D

You have that right, my friend .

[Rex]

39. And in the meantime the rest of us

have a lot of fun and good conversation.

[JaneyVee]

26. There is no debating because no one ever admits they're wrong.

[great white snark]

30. Why admit anything when dismal, hateful conjecture is met with recs and high praise? (nt)

[Bobbie Jo]

40. It's called mobbing

And it contributes to the suckage factor immensely.

[Aerows]

32. Is there anyone on this planet

that is so perfect that they don't warrant a bit of criticism?

[BKH70041]

37. Seems to be a lot of conflict on this board

All I'm doing is trying to figure out the different teams, the players, and their game. I could say more, but I'm not interested in inviting a pile-on.

[UTUSN]

38. We wouldn't be Dems if we didn't n/t

[Flying Squirrel]

41. I haven't criticized you yet

but it's on my to-do list!

[GeorgeGist]

43. Nice Whine