NEWSFLASH: A post regarding a candidate's position is NOT a bash!

[liberalhistorian]

I'm getting really disturbed at, and tired of, the seemingly growing number of hypersensitive DUers who see the posting of any thread that is not 100% favorable to their candidate as a bash.

If a thread is intended to be a deliberate flame-bait, it's usually pretty obvious from the start. Just ignore those threads, DON'T FEED THEM, you're just giving the poster what he/she wants.

But if a thread simply states a candidate's position on a particular issue, or posts links to articles/editorials about the candidate that may not be entirely positive, and asks for feedback, that is NOT a bash and it shouldn't be taken as such.

It is critical that we all stand united, no matter which candidate we support, in our goal of getting the Bushista Cabal the hell out of the WH next year. We cannot afford to be at each other's throats, that is exactly what the repukes want and it makes them positively giddy to see it, not to mention giving them ammunition to use against us. Just because someone doesn't support your particular candidate doesn't make them a bad person, or a basher, etc., etc.

Remember, you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. If you want to gather support for your candidate, you cannot expect people to listen to you if you get hypersensitive and angry at the slightest bit of negativity being expressed about the candidate. It really turns people off, and they're not likely to listen to you as to why they should support your candidate.

[meegbear]

1. You are correct, BUT ...

when a person posts something on a candidate and then adds a negative interjection, then it becomes a "bash".

If someone posts:

"From today's New York Times: Today Governor Smith said that although she supports caps on costs for medicine for the elderly, if elected, she cannot see this implemented during her term."

That's one thing. If someone posts:

"From today's New York Times: Today Governor Smith said that although she supports caps on costs for medicine for the elderly, if elected, she cannot see this implemented during her term.

Smith to elderly DROP DEAD! Like she really cares! That's why I'm supporting Jones."

Then it's a bash. And that's what most people do when they add their "opinion".

[liberalhistorian]

2. But why is merely expressing

an opinion a bash? People have the right to do that. It's when it gets really nasty and distorted that it becomes a bash.

[meegbear]

3. So the second example isn't a bash?

Making a negative comment about Smith, then promoting Jones.

[liberalhistorian]

4. Okay, I see what you're trying to say,

and you do have a point. There's expressing an opinion, and then there's bashing by promoting your own candidate after expressing the negative opinion. I guess I didn't fully understand you at first!

It's also, I think, in the way that the negative opinion is expressed. You can do it in a manner that isn't nasty and distorting, and that implies that anyone who supports the candidate is a jerk, idiot, twit, _________________ fill-in-the-blank.

[Bandit]

5. Even quoteing a candidate is considered bashing them in these forums

Some people here are about as bright as Bush* when it comes to politics. Grow up People.

[Rowdyboy]

6. What about when someone posts an article...

That has already been posted 6 or 7 times that day and thoroughly debunked? Its done, all the time, by those who simply want to cause bad feelings and it pisses me off.