I am now accused of being a freeeper

[UL_Approved]

Earlier today, I posted what was an old Newsweek poll. I knew right away that their premise was bunk, and I wanted to bring this to light. In doing so, however, I offended many people and am now branded a freeper. I have only been on this site for 3 days now, and unlike a lot of people, I was not a lurker. I was searching for articles and came across a post to this site in a web search. I started looking around after I viewed several posts. I became interested because most posts here are linked to news organizations and such. I had never even heard of the Free Republic until I came here.

I looked at the process for creating a screen name to post under. This was fairly simple, and I proceeded. I began looking at several threads in the main screen, and I started to follow articles that were linked, read opinions, and found the usual suspects. I posted opinions, links, and other items. After a while, in between following the al-QaQaa and Haliburton stories, I posted threads. I kept wondering what "freeper" meant. Finally, I viewed a thread that linked to the Free Republic website. I studied the posts over there, wondering where they found any base for the opinions they shared. It was after reading just a few posts that I determined these people mostly insane. Unfounded, hateful, paranoid, reactonary bullshit. I will never be a part of their cult of conspiracy as long as I live.

Earlier today, however, I ran aground in criticism here at the Democratc Underground. A link to a USA Today article caused me to view their website. On a link on their main page was the now infamous survey that was taken a while back. From a statistical viewpoint, I quickly came to the conclusion that it CONTRADICTED their own assumptions, and that I needed to post this. I didn't check the date closely enough, which has been pointed out, and proceeded to post. I figured it would generate some criticism, but for the article. After checking my posts, I came across several posts which were calling me a troll and a freeper. THIS WAS POSTED AGAINST THE ARTICLE IN QUESTION. I am truly sorry for anybody that thinks I support our current administration. I feel sorry FOR anybody that supports our current administration. These posts, however, show a terrible issue with our country today.

Upon viewing posts calling for the thread's removal and my removal, I sat down and began thinking about people at the Democratic Underground. Everyone who posts on this site, myself included, feel that the reactonary politics and viewpoints of people like the FR and Rush Limbaugh, FOX, CNN, and several other media outlets are dangerous and disturbing. HOWEVER, is this site any different? Is this site just another Free Republic, only flying a different flag? Are the people here only about insulting the far right or does this place stand for something more. I was lead to believe that this site has a lot going for itself with all of the election coverage and posting of news articles. I also remember reading that this is a site for all kinds of liberals, Democrats, and anybody else with a similar viewpoint. Where does this enter the picture?

Beyond this though, I see a trend of reactionism throughout our whole country. Bush came in and set the stage for extremeism with outlandish policies. The September 11th attacks fueled this mess, and now we are stuck with the most deficit we've had since Reagan, the next Vietnam, and a feeling of hatred toward the United States the world over. Every person in America seems poisoned in hard-line politics, and the rest of the world is even more so. George Bush succeeded in the destruction of our good sense and altruism through his actions, and I personally believe that our top priority should be to restore these things in our nation. After hearing John Kerry speak and after seeing several reports on PBS, I have to say that he actually seems like the first straight-laced politician we've had in years. Centrism and populist are great terms in politics, and I want them back. I am just worried that moderation has been raped and murdered in our minds after September 11th and all that has been done with that tragedy. If this site is moderate or rationally and benevolently liberal, then I want to be a part of it. If this is just a bunch of left-wing radicals, then I plan to shit can it like those people over at the Free Republic and find something else.

[Hoffnung]

1. Its against the rules for them to do that

You might want to go to the moderator forums and report the asshole doing it. Someone came very close to blaiming me for being a freeper until other users stepped in.

[freetobegay]

2. We welcome all here

Their stay depends on how they act. Yes I believe this site is biased to the left that is why I come here. Yes I also partake in bashing the right. I have earned that right.

[BootinUp]

3. I think your in the right place, but the decision is yours

I would mention two things to consider.

One emotions are high right now, thats to be expected don't you think?

Also, you will never agree with everything that is posted on an internet forum. Some of it is gold, some of it is shit. All in all this site offers a lot of great ideas and information.

[Robbie67]

4. There are people who are hell bent on an ideological purity

Don't take it in too much of a negative way. I agree that there is a lot of undue reactionary stridence here, but people have been hoping against hope for a lot of years, and they're stressed out. DU can be quite a useful place for useful discussion, but it can also be a place where people come to share their worries and their fears and find strength in a community sort of mindset. I don't think there are a lot of radic als here (most of them have been kicked out or left) but there is a distinct partisan atmosphere here.

I don't know if I'm making any sense, but I'm trying to respond as diplomatically as I can.

[Longhorn]

5. Use the "Alert" link in the bottom lefthand corner of the post

to notify a moderator if another member violates the rules.

If others were calling you a freeper, then it's possible that they also alerted the moderators. Since you haven't been banned, it sounds like the mods disagreed.

People can be rude but most here are polite, friendly, and smart. This is a time for unity, however; we can start fighting one another again once Kerry is elected! ;)

[CrispyQ]

6. There are rotten apples in every bunch.

I read your original Newsweek poll thread & was also surprised at the nastiness of some responses.

A few months ago, a letter in my local paper claimed that Kerry had not released all of his military documents. I wanted to write a retribution letter, so I posted a link from Kerry's site where he lists his records & asked if anyone here knew if the list was complete. Two people told me to go back to freeper land. Granted I did not mention that I was asking to verify facts before responding to a LTTE, but why should I have had to? Isn't that what liberalism is about -- questioning things? And being open minded to those who question things?

Unfortunately, we are not immune to having jerks in our circle, too. Chin up, friend. Don't leave. There is way more goodness here than bad.

[elepet]

13. what does ltte mean?

For a long time I didn't know what "freeper" meant either and was sort of afraid to ask. Actually did a google search to find out.
there have been several times when i've felt like presenting a different viewpoint than what was being expressed and have hesitated to post. But there's lots of good information and some nice people here.

[Robbie67]

16. Letter To The Editor n/t

[sangh0]

7. I would suggest some additional lurking

No one here knows who you are, but a lot of DUers have seen an uncountable number of Freepers coming here and trying to convince of various ideas. If you don't want to be associated with Freepers, then it would help you to become familiar with how they operate and avoid making their arguments.

For example, we have seen a lot Freepers make the argument that DU is just as reactionary as FreeRepublic. Like many of their arguments, there is a grain of truth to it (many DUers ARE reactionary) however, the argument is fundamentally flawed. On FR, reactionary responses are required and supported by the administration. Those who object to it are promptly banned. On DU, we have reactionaries but they do NOT represent the policies of DU's administration nor do they represent the opinions of the majority on DU.

[UL_Approved]

28. I hope you are right

The purpose of this post was to make observations about extremism and reactionism. Most posts here are pretty neutral, and all are backed up with external articles. I just got thrown off by some people's remarks. I need to learn the ropes, and I don't have any past experience in forums. As for the people getting on my case about being a freeper, they probably want to play Whack-a-Mole for stress relief, or they find me falling within some well-known pattern of posts. Joining right in the middle of a busy time doesn't help either.

[high density]

8. Don't worry, some jerks are coming out of the wood work

I don't know if they're just stressed out, depressed, or what, but there are some personal insults being thrown around. I think almost all of us have P.E.A.D (pre-election anxiety disorder) but some can keep it more under control than others.

[smirkymonkey]

9. It;'s been a little crazy around here lately, and there have

been a LOT of genuine freeper trolls, so a lot of people have this hair-trigger reaction to anyone posting negative news and lash out at anybody with a low post count who is even questionable. It's not right, but it's wise as a newcomer to think twice about the material you post just to avoid that unpleasantness.

You certainly don't write like a freeper, so I am willing to give you the benefit of the doubt! :)

Hang in there and don't give up, sometimes I have to give it a rest for a while, but I think the Democratic Party is a big tent and we need the balance of all voices, from far-left to centrist.

[PassingFair]

10. Get over yourself

n/t

[Lex]

11. We get an awful lot of trolling freepers here and that tends to make

us very cautious. Maybe even overly cautious.

Especially, now--just days before the election.

Surely you can see that, right?

[PittLib]

12. I sympathize with your plight...

from what I understand, your credibility builds with your post number. "Newbies" have to tough it out a bit right now due to the sheer number of true freepers popping in. I think there is a wide range of ideologies here ... the vast majority have the same good intention, just perhaps different means of achieving goals and expressing themselves. For each person that might jump on you ... you might have three others to back you up. Give it a little time before you decide to "shit can" or not, and get to know some of the personalities here. It's well worth it.

Edit for sloppy typing

[BUSHOUT]

14. Is THIS the topic you're talking about? Some advice....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=1226683&mesg_id=1226683

First, stop crying. You weren't that hard done by.

Second, if you're going to post an OLD *seemingly* bad news article then why not put in a little qualifier of your own?
Why didn't you proclaim "This is BS!" or "Look at the methods...good sign for us!" in the topic post?

You need to get off the melodramatic high-horse and realize a basic truth:

Democratic Underground is AWASH with trolls at the moment. I have no sympathy for someone who posts bad news SURVEYS from a month ago without expressing thier own opinion on it.

The board is very TOUCHY at the moment. Go over to FreeRepublic and watch them some more...they are FAR more quick and brutal in thier troll accusations. They're tearing each other apart over next to nothing.

The one or two or five negative responses you got to a suspicious poll is nothing to whine and cry about.

There is an election around the corner, and the board is on high alert. Try to stay positive, and communicate your true feelings, and you'll find that you are wrong - this place is NOTHING like Freerepublic

Welcome to DU.

[Vickers]

15. "If this is just a bunch of left-wing radicals"

Yeah, whatever. :eyes:

First you say:

"I had never even heard of the Free Republic until I came here."

Then later you say:

"I plan to shit can it like those people over at the Free Republic"

Forgive me if I take your protestations with a pinch of salt, OK cowboy?

[Robbie67]

19. Other than an old story about "Free Republic"

on some news show, I'd never heard of it either until I came to DU. I notice that, in addition to using FR as a bogeyman, people post links to their site here quite often.

[Vickers]

22. No, I'm talking about the *sequence* of his FR experiences

First he says, he's been here 3 days.

Then he says he's never heard of Free Republic.

Then he says if we're all "just a bunch of left wing radicals" (sidenote: what the fuck is wrong with that?), he'll shit can us "like those people over at the Free Republic," too.

All that in 3 days?

Man, I need more drama in my life. :eyes:

[in_cog_ni_to]

17. Please, UL_Approved,

just ignore the flames. Some will flame you depending on which way the wind is blowing, what side of the bed they got out of that morning or whether or not they've had their coffee for the day. Just ignore them. It's very hard to do, I know (been there, done that), but it's not worth worrying about someone you don't "really" know on a message board. Do like Bush does. IGNORE IT AND IT DOESN'T EXIST. :hug: :hi:

[HEyHEY]

18. Calm down - learn to put up with the fuckwits

[meganmonkey]

20. Check your Personal Messages

Edited by poster b/c it wasn't appropriate for posting in a thread.

[NorthernSpy]

25. -- and not indicating a convertible, I take it...

Very interesting.

[meganmonkey]

26. Oops - I wasn't quick enough

I decided it was better as a PM - I am hoping this UL_Approved person replies to me. It kinda makes one wonder.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

21. The McCarthyites strike again.

You'll find plenty of company with the "moderates" on this board. But, you can expect to get your share argument from us "left wing radicals", as you put, just as we get it from the "moderates".

I have yet to accuse anyone of being a "troll" or "freeper" or suggested they be banned.

There are always those who seem to feel that their views are the only ones that need be heard. Eventually, they wish to be a majority of one.

[NorthernSpy]

23. we are right to be partisan

I can't comment at all on the stuff you mention having posted or on how it was received, 'cause I don't remember reading that thread.

I will, however, say that the increase in partisan spirit on our side is one of the few things that gives me hope. What we're fighting over is of the greatest importance, and it is entirely proper that our attitude reflects that.

We have our hardliners. Some of the time they are not pleasant. But we need them.


Mary

[MGKrebs]

24. There are many shades of blue.

Three members broke the rules and called you a name. Those posts should be -and hopefully will be (I'll alert on them myself)- deleted. Your response painting all 50,000 of us with the same brush is a bit harsh. I would like to ask that, if you are going to stay, consider the screen name as well as the content of the post. We actually are a bunch of individuals.

I think that generally, us libs tend to lump the conservatives together because we are viewing them from afar, but we can see the distinctions between ourselves since we analyze those differences so much. I imagine it is the same on the other side. If you are having trouble seeing the distinctions here. I guess I'd suggest reading some more before you start threads. But that's up to you.

:toast:

Don't let this happen!:

[creeksneakers2]

27. I'm a moderate

I've always believed in a conservative media bias. I never knew how much I was missing.

The Internet made it possible to for me to quickly check facts and find more information where I had doubts. I don't mean by comparing mainstream media version of events to a version with a left wing bias. I mean checking facts from things like transcripts or government statistics. I still read both sides of an issue. Democratic Underground seemed hard core to me at first but over time I've found that the opinions here are very mainstream when the true picture of what is going on is viewed.

Moderation isn't always what's called for. I'm still philosophically a moderate, but I'm angry at what is going on. Please read on before you reject the emotions of those here.

[Moderator]

29. I'm locking this thread

please hit the alert button on posts that accuse you of being
a Freeper , for that violates the rules of DemocraticUnderground.