when does criticisim become "bashing"?

[cleveramerican]

I always think there is room for improvement in anything.
Pointing out flaws is where that begins

here on DU, I always proceed as if among friends

[DontTreadOnMe]

1. Whatever happened to TEAM DU?

The internet has become very aggressive, mainly because of the "anonymous" factor.

The trend on most others forums (other web sites) is becoming more and more argumentative as well, so it is not just DU.

Herding cats is much easier.

[Eleanors38]

8. As Steve Marche of Esquire said, the I-net is reaching "Peak Hate."

He believes that the editing hammer will soon come down.

[AngryAmish]

2. when it is me or someone whom I identify get criticized

Human nature. That is why cries of bashing are automatically discounted by intelligent people.

[grahamhgreen]

3. When it ceases to be about the issues.

[Prophet 451]

4. When it stops being about IDEAS and starts being about PEOPLE

I'm a man of faith, a religious believer (an unconventional faith, perhaps, but still faith), I monitor the Religion group fairly closely and the above is the best differentiation I can come up with. Criticizing any or all religions, their beliefs, moral systems, historical actions and present "policies" (for lack of a better term) is all fair game and legitimate criticism. However, when that spills over into describing all people of faith as "mentally ill", "delusional" or similar slurs (and I've seen such descriptions here dozens of times), it becomes bashing and is no longer legitimate discussion.

Oh, and the frequent comparison between the poster's chosen deity and mythical figures such as Santa is a legitimate criticism but a tired, over-used and unimaginative one

[treestar]

5. when it echoes what is on Faux

when it is not constructive

when it's overdone (don't be that person, like my dad, who only sees the flaws and has to talk about them when everyone else was having a good time and let a few imperfections go).

[drray23]

6. the country is divided

For the past couple decades the emergence of the right wing media and commentators (beck, limbaugh,coulter,etc...) have shifted the political discourse from policies to hatred of the other group.
The tea party is a prime example. They are not for anything, rather just against everything with a complete lack of being able to compromise.
This approach has affected how people behave even on internet boards. What is surprising is that even among like minded people (the du board for example but i have seen it on others ) this take no prisoner approach is prevalent. It is as if these people stare at their screens waiting for a post to be outraged about or a word to take out of context.
The anonymity issue is a problem either way. I was a poster on huffpost for years and left when they decided to link it with facebook to improve the civility. I left because here are enough people so irate about posts that I would not want to have them get into my life.
So now I come to du and I see threads where people attack each other relentlessly. Quite disappointing.

[Marr]

7. When the criticism isn't warranted.

Exuberant fans will view almost any criticism of their beloved item as "bashing", because in their mind, almost all criticism is undeserved.