OK. I tried it.

[Atticus]

Having been invited by DU to check out their new "experiment" site, I chose a new name and password and signed on.

My first impression was that "this will not go well" and now, several hours later, I can claim that that first impression was spot on. Note that I have not named this "experimental" site. That is because I believe it has quickly become at least a competitor for "the site which shall not be named" on DU.

I have repeatedly stated here that I don't believe there is any meaningful way to discuss anything with a bagger. We have rules. We have standards. We have consciences. They are not burdened with any of these encumbrances.

I have no desire to "debate" or "discuss" anything with people who feel free to make up "facts" as the need arises and wear their bigotry and intolerances as badges of distinction.

If I must "discuss" issues with such as these, it will be up close and personal and I will be just as "civil" as they are.

[Still Sensible]

1. It will be interesting to see

how it evolves. Already spotted some Neanderthals...

[hrmjustin]

2. It needs time to develop.

[TBF]

21. Always diplomatic -

I am glad it exists. People who want fight club can go at it over there. I think it's quite a clever way of cleaning up a bit.

[joshcryer]

39. That's my hope too.

The bitterness I've been seeing around DU over the past few years has come to a head. It's actually caused a personality shift in me and I am not liking it. The other site, if it can pull the more toxic people in, will be good.

[sheshe2]

47. The new Meta?

Wow! Maybe it will work.

[Hekate]

62. I signed up -- new name, and started a thread in the section called "Fun" just because.

Maybe you'll spot it.

Have no idea how it will work out for me, as I already spend enough time here. But since DUers essentially got an invitation to be the first on the playground I thought why not.

On the other hand, maybe DU will become a better place if all our cranks decide to go there.

[sheshe2]

78. I wandered over last night...

and took a peek. Not sure what to think, but I get your drift~

I will check out "Fun"~

[msanthrope]

71. I think it will be amusing to compare far left and far right ODS. nt

[sheshe2]

80. You think we will notice a difference? nt

[msanthrope]

87. Yes...the far right will use non-clever dogwhistles and the far left will try to

use clever ones. Spelling will also differentiate the two.

[Jesus Malverde]

84. Can we clone you. Your always the best and a great role model.

[hrmjustin]

85. Lol I know several who disagree with you but thanks.

[Jesus Malverde]

86. Back atcha

[NuclearDem]

3. Already had a poster rack up six hides over there.

And I've already got one on ignore.

[RobertEarl]

4. It will be fun ^^^^^^^

And the people who make stuff up and post one-line, bs and personal attacks will all leave here and go spew there. (i hope) We can call it the DUmp.

[Logical]

17. Woo science will be the stuff posted the most! nt

[Squinch]

28. Well, isn't that the gratuitously nasty call out, hmmm?

[NuclearDem]

33. I've seen better.

[Squinch]

34. Certainly we've seen more witty.

[NuclearDem]

30. I'm still here.

Quite capable of posting on more than one forum.

[hobbit709]

35. The king of woo science is calling out someone else?

[snooper2]

82. Can you be RobertEarl, or maybe EarlRobert over there too

PLEASE!

[LittleBlue]

5. I don't think a few hours is a long enough time to give a brand new forum

I'll give it two weeks. The software is pretty cool.

[Brother Buzz]

6. I flashed on the famous Barney Frank moment when I first heard of this....

Trying to have a conversation with you would be like trying to argue with a dining room table… I have no interest in doing it." — Barney Frank

[Caretha]

22. Exactly

what the hell were they thinking....oh....money that's right.

[Nay]

46. I'm with Barney. After listening to RW shit day after day at work, I have

no interest in engaging them now that I'm retired. It appalls me enough to see what some DUers think.

[Terra Alta]

7. I think it will work out

Just give it time. It's still in beta right now, and hasn't been live for a full day yet. I think it could be successful once the issues are worked out.

[NuclearDem]

8. Not having My Posts light up is a bit annoying.

[Terra Alta]

9. yeah that's one issue I'd like to see fixed. nt

[greatauntoftriplets]

10. Seems like meta gone wild to me.

Signed up and on, haven't posted. It seems very mean spirited. Also, assuming it is him, there's a member who was banned as a homophobe not too long ago posting away.

[Bobbie Jo]

38. Agreed

Not to mention DU'ers already trashing DU'ers.

Took a look and thought, who needs more of that crap.

I may give it a go some other time.

[winter is coming]

57. Not surprising, though, that it would immediately attract trolls and malcontents.

There do seem to be some folks over there kicking the tires in good faith. I have my doubts about whether this will work, but it's an interesting experiment.

[maddezmom]

74. Agree

Lots of old faces coming out.

[greatauntoftriplets]

77. Including many I didn't particularly want to see again.

Looks like a lot of cavers, too.

[malaise]

11. I signed up

Haven't tried it yet

[NightWatcher]

12. I wonder if he'll nuke it when the DUers have fled the shitstorm?

Or will he give free bandwidth to haters, mouthbreathers, and the such?


I dont think its going well over there. It's mad anarchy.


2nd question, is that board sucking our speed and causing the slowdowns here?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

13. I kept my username, and I'm posting. So far, so good.

Before I even got my first post done, I was called for jury duty!

I like the site.

[narnian60]

26. I like it, too.

[arely staircase]

14. I will wait for more reports from DUrs.

Skinner and company know their message board biz model pretty well, so I would be surprised if it isn't successful. time will tell

[JustAnotherGen]

15. I won't be going there

No time. Between lipstick alley, du, and crazy days and nights that's all I can handle. I connect with liberals at DU, women at the alley, and pop culture gossips at cdan. Without an entertainment lawyer dropping tea and blinds I can't see discussing pop culture and it being interesting.

[bravenak]

20. I went.

Not good.

[H2O Man]

16. Change makes me anxious.

I'll stick with DU:GD and DU sports.

[Octafish]

24. All cats, all the time for me.

24/7/365 plus one for leap year.

[NuclearDem]

32. Litterbox is historically Russian territory.

[Skittles]

43. I like this one

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/12/best-cat-hug-ever_n_5310369.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular

[Jamaal510]

18. .

"That is because I believe it has quickly become at least a competitor for "the site which shall not be named" on DU."

[TDale313]

23. I went. Will maybe visit occasionally.

At the moment, it just kinda reminded me of what I like about DU, warts and all.

[TBF]

25. I looked at it but did not join -

I wonder if it might appeal to a younger crowd with the simpler style and colors?

[hunter]

27. I'm there as me.

Because wherever I go, that's where I am.

[Texasgal]

29. I kind of agree.

It may take more time, but it's pretty nasty already.

[maryellen99]

31. I went and of course

A RWNJ started a Benghazi thread

[OilemFirchen]

36. One DUer is proud to have had the first hide.

On a board where "civility" is the benchmark for self-moderation.

The same DUer proffered a poll asking how long it would take the BOG to destroy the board.

And, of course, the predictable influx of wingnutz has begun - with some DUers unsubtly suggesting that it's other DUers (presumably those with whom they have "issues&quot pranking.

What could go wrong?

[JI7]

42. is that the one who claimed something about Obama's mother being CIA agent

and Obama getting into good schools because of strings pulled ?

[OilemFirchen]

56. Dunno.

But you might have given him a new quiver for ammunition toward one of his favorite targets.

[greatauntoftriplets]

66. One and the same.

[Whisp]

93. o geeze... I couldn't Believe that shit.

[Bobbie Jo]

52. Well I suppose

If one racks up enough hides here, at least they have another outlet to "do their thing."

Tacky is as tacky does....

[Go Vols]

37. People didn't like the horseless carriage

when it came out either.Give it time.

[SheilaT]

40. I went over there briefly also,

and it seemed to be immediately flooded with those who would not survive very long over here. Not sure if I'll bother to check back.

[truebrit71]

41. So it's like DU but with wingnuts...

...what could possibly go wrong?

Think I'll pass...

[MrMickeysMom]

44. Aah… I saw it more this way...

I can say the same thing there as here. I like here better than there.

I drove around and did some silly things to get post counts up, took part in jury, teased Cal Peg about my having a higher post count.

I may or may not be back…

[brooklynite]

45. It must be nice to live in a world where everyone agrees with you...

...unfortunately, that's not the REAL world. And if you're not prepared to take on people who disagree with you, however irrationally, I'm not sure why you're engaging in political discussion.

[Nay]

50. I can only speak for myself, of course, but my aim isn't really to convince

wingnuts of anything. I consider them beyond the reach of intelligent discussion whether that makes me elitist or not. I think it's hard enough of a job to convince Democrats to act democratically, as in trying to get the politicians with a D behind their names to actually act in their base's interest. I think if we do that, we'll rake people in from all walks of life, former wingnuts included, without having to make any arguments at all.

[Jamaal510]

58. Democrats have been,

for the most part--fighting for minimum wage increases, expanded access to health care, hate crime legislation, higher top taxes, gay rights, women's rights, voting rights, ending and preventing wars, fighting for immigration bills, and so on. These are all things that the average progressive wants. But the main roadblock has been the Republicans in Congress, who are blocking everything that we want passed and have been wasting time and taxpayer money with a bunch of Benghazi witch hunts. Those reasons alone should be more than enough to motivate progressives to show up to the polls if they truly want the country to be in better shape.

[Skittles]

61. there's not much point in debating teabagging wingnuts who only watch Fox News

it's pointless

[brooklynite]

64. Agreed, but my point is that MOST Republicans aren't.

[Skittles]

91. I beg to differ

I live in a red county and have NEVER been able to discuss ANY issue with a conservative without them bringing up bullshit parroted by Fox News or Rush Limbaugh propaganda - not one

[brooklynite]

92. -A- Red county in -A- Red State is not the sum of Republicans nationwide

[Skittles]

101. they are anti-worker, pro-torture, homohobic, mysogynist or at least they support a party that is

how are they different elsewhere?

[TBF]

65. Well some view politics as a team sport

while others of us have more nuanced views and are more interested in finding like-minded folks for deeper conversations. Two totally different kinds of interacting although the subject for both is politics.

[Bluenorthwest]

68. Persuading Democrats to drop their bigotry and support equality has taken years.

Among DUers of today, we have folks who have openly stated opposition to equality which they now endorse. And when it comes to those who used to preach 'civil unions are the only pragmatic solution for at least a generation' have been forced to drop their pitiful pulpit mountings.

[HughBeaumont]

72. I love living in that world.

Saves me a lot of essay trading when bagnuts spout about how "SOSHULIST" our government and president are . . . or the merits of Reaganomics and laissez-fail or why the minimum wage should be lowered or abolished.

Why create something like Discussionist when you got . . . well, every comment section on the internet besides DU?

[neverforget]

48. If I want to debate tea baggers, all I need to do is sign up for Yahoo or go to any news site.

They're filled with them. No thanks.

[Whisp]

95. That pretty well says it all.

Why would anyone want to mud wrestle with baggers and Fox bred idiots?

[neverforget]

97. When I read the local news websites like The Oregonian, it's filled with hateful, bigoted

ignorant people. Frankly, it makes my blood boil reading those screeds. They don't come to debate but to troll their ignorant world view. Some liberal minded folks engage them but the debate isn't a debate but a screech fest.

Debating online and person to person is far different. The anonymity of an online persona brings the worst out in people while an in person debate is usually, far more civil and rational.

[geek tragedy]

49. Good gawd, makes me appreciate GD.

Science experiment gone awry.

[1000words]

51. I have no interest in it what-so-ever.

There's enough of that nonsense here

[herding cats]

53. It reminded me of my daily life

Which I think should appeal to some who don't get the chance to argue with others way the F*** out there on the political spectrum on a daily basis. You want to know how much we have in common here? Just look and see.

Having said that, I'm waiting to pass judgment. It may work out in time.

[Tsiyu]

54. Regular DU has been painfully slow of late

The admins are just branching out.

Here, the TOS state you have to support the Dem during races

Over there, we can support whomever we like, independent, greenparty, socialist party

Many people hate change. I embrace it.

[mindwalker_i]

55. I like it

BenghaziOracle is taking a beating. Still, people are kicking his ass civilly. It will be really interesting to see whether the jury system can deal with the crazies, yet still allow people to debate, or will it turn into two hoards, and you take your chances with a jusry on each post (kind of like pro vs. anti Snowden crowds here).

[GReedDiamond]

59. I think I'l be pretty much ignored like usual, over there at discussionist.com...nt

[MadrasT]

60. It doesn't even sound slightly fun to me. n/t

[The Midway Rebel]

63. Could be good.

I like to watch right-wingers make an honest effort and I listen for good arguments and flaws in our own side; that's part of democracy. So far though...its ugly and funny, bad and good. Sort of like that TV show, "Wipeout." Some of those folks can take a punch and if they are trolling they are doing more long term damage to their own side than they can ever know. Sort of like Southerners slave owners brutally enforcing the Fugitive Slave Law.

Its an interface with possibilities for a dialog.

[greendog]

67. Discussionidiot

Looks like a colossal waste of time.

[Bluenorthwest]

69. The DU brand sort of takes a hit with this other site, as clearly the 'Democratic' part was

a marketing device while most of the users think the 'Democratic' part is the heart of the product. The glance I took at the 'new' site looked like any old site on the internet, bigots and Republicans on parade. Seems redundant.

[Lars39]

81. Redundant, but possibly unique with the jury system they've developed.

Needing another source of income more likely. How ironic that DU would be beta for a juried free for all.

[Bluenorthwest]

83. That's really so appealing? Auto managment with rule by the most insistent is common, not unique

I don't really see the jury system as a feature that enhances my experience, it is just a way to deal with discussion board issues without any personal or paid labor involved. As a way to run a website it is fine, but is sure does not draw me here. Mods, jury, who cares? Not me.

[Lars39]

88. Not appealing to me at all.

Haven't ventured over there and doubt that I will. I live in red state hell already. DU is somewhat of a reprieve.

It would be nice if it kept the trolls over there, though.

[bullwinkle428]

99. My concern is that the opposite will happen - that trolls will be more likely

to be driven over here, to continue their feces-flinging.

[Lars39]

100. Good likelihood.

If there's any freepers left who haven't tried.

[City Lights]

70. I don't see myself "discussing" anything with conservatives over there,

Last edited Wed May 14, 2014, 01:06 PM - Edit history (1)

however, it is fun to sit back and laugh at what they post.

On edit: One thing I've noticed is that when a left-of-center person posts a fact disputing something a righty has said over there, many times the post is ignored. In many cases there is no acknowledgement from the righty that they were mistaken. This comes as no surprise to me.

[IDemo]

73. Anyone who has checked into a Disqus discussion of a climate-related news story

will be able to verify that the 'discussion' quickly becomes swamped with mind numbing idiocy and ad-hominem by the RW'ers.

Not for me, thanks.

[MoonRiver]

76. Ugh, trying to bring more peace into my life.

Think I will skip the new forum. But I'm looking forward to some laughs when the most outrageous comments are reported here!

[LaydeeBug]

79. I don't know what site "shall not be mentioned" but agree about the baggers fer sure. nt

[northoftheborder]

89. Not going there.

Why give right-wingers another outlet? Not good for blood pressure.

[PasadenaTrudy]

90. It was okay

for the first hour or so...

[alarimer]

94. Discussing things with right-wingers is a lot like trying to teach a pig to sing.

It's an exercise in frustration.

[NYC Liberal]

96. What happens when a DU member outs themselves as a

troll or a right-winger or such on the other site?

You know it'll happen. Will they get the kibosh here too? Considering the admins can compare IP addresses very easily.

[steve2470]

98. Skinner said if they admit to deliberately trolling DU, he will TS them here nt

[NYC Liberal]

102. Ah. Good!