DU should punch the MSM bubble by naming a spokesperson(?)

[mogster]

Wouldn't this be a natural response to the NYT slanted reporting?

Basically, it is labelling the community here as nutcases and wackos by focusing on ONE rather disputed topic instead of all the good stuff posted here. And it IS good stuff, because this is really the only place to go if you want to stay updated, both on breaking news and the way people respond to them.

I'm sure the RW sees this, and it makes them jumpy. If you own the truth in a country where truth is scarce (or at least disputed), you've got power. Don't know if this article was 'designed' to create a blow to DU's credibility, to me it seems more like a sensational piece of crap, 'un-journalized' by the editorial process who twisted the story to make a sell. But the slant still sticks, and as long as DU doesn't have a visible face to show in the MSM, it will require the MSM-consumer to take the time to come here and read about the topic(s) to get the truth.
Now, this isn't altogether a bad thing because it brings in new DU'ers. But a spokesperson would hardly bring fewer new people in here, rather the other way around?

I'm not applying for a position here--I live in faraway Norway ;-), but this just struck me as I was reading a thread about the topic. Don't know how the hierarchy here works, but there surely would be possible to find a candidate to agree on? Someone extremely charming and vocal, with a solid percentage of brain matter. I've seen several :P

In addition to clarifying DU's position on such topics (there's bound to be more of this, eventually), it would send a strong signal to the RW:
If you attack our community, we respond by becoming more visible.
And more organized.

DU is such a healthy place, really. Wouldn't mind if some of the point of views in here made it to the MSM as well as the cyberspace.

[NAO]

1. The HATE remark was worse than the 'nut-job' slur, IMHO

see thread here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=2902435&mesg_id=2902435

[mogster]

2. I agree! Much, much worse.

I hadn't read that thread yet--this is exactly the kind of rethoric DU should respond to. The Demonizing Express has left the train station.

One response to this could be to post threads about love and peace.

I'm not kidding: the humour and wit in the Lounge is as appealing as the sober posts in the LBN if you're new to DU. And why isn't there a Prettiest Kitten Contest on the front page? ;-) What makes DU so human are all the posts of DU'ers pets and children.
Huge un-demonizing effect!

Another response could be to show what's on the 'other' side, the Fweepers and ditto-heads and what have you--hateful people with ugly language, as shown in the Hate mailbag. Time for a new mailbag?
And why delete the freeper attacks altogether? Save the worst, unsorted in a forum, so that when someone points to DU as a place of hate, we'll be able to say:

Well. Take a look what's in the garbage, pal.

[mogster]

3. The last point--like this:

From: ------, ----- <[e-mail]>
Date: Friday, October 25, 2002 1:55 PM
To: [e-mail]
Subject: YOU MEATHEADS

WORTHLESS TREE HUGGING, FAG LOVING, MONEY GRUBBING, COMMUNIST LEANING, SELF SERVING, POLITICALLY CORRECT, WHINING, SNIVELLING, CROOKED, LYING, COWARDLY, CORRUPT, DECIETFUL, LOW DOWN VERMIN INFESTED, SICK, TWISTED, THIEVING, MURDEROUS, LEFT WING PANSIES!

This almost sums up my thoughts on you communists, and your no moral left wing party!

So what do ya say to that! TROLLBOY/TROLLGIRL

DU RESPONDS: I say... good grief, you must be pretty dumb to send that kind of stuff from your federal government email address.
-------------------------

It isn't as if HATE wasn't present in other 'circles'...
And that with the Capslock on! :-o