Make a pledge to refute all partisan attacks on this board

[andym]

Hi,
I would like to see an end to this ridiculous bickering.
Some of you would like to blacklist other candidates as was
done in the 50's to "communist sympathizers," who were "outed"
by the "patriots" of the time.

Who is with me to either try to bring some civility and thoughtfulness
back to these forums, and even to defend candidates they do not
personally support against the mudslinging?

I propose that pointers be made to websites that defend the
candidate in question against the attack in hand. (If it is a new
attack, find the answer and keep it in a file for handy reposting).
I think it important that we especially defend the candidate we do not support.

Second, let's try to discuss some ideas here. Get off the ad hominum attack compulsion.

For example, what principles do you think define progressive thinking
(not necessarily what exact positions define it). What do you think are the best examples of progressive thinking in the writings of the presidential contenders?

Andy

[quaker bill]

1. I Agree

Kick

[knight_of_the_star]

2. Progressive thinking is...

Coming up with a new solution to a problem. Trying new things and ideas. Respecting and protecting the rights of others. Working with other people and groups, not through them. Defending the weak and helpless from the strong and powerful. Basically, I think of being progressive as similar to being chivalrous, with the caveat that you don't have to be religious to be progressive, unless you consider progressivism to be a religion.

That's my take on it anyway.

[andym]

13. "Progressive thinking is..."

This is very good. I would add actively trying to identify and
then solve social/cultural/political problems.

Also, looking at both the long-term and short-term implications of any solution.



Your ideas come down to
1) be innovative and open-minded
2) being fair to everyone, especially those who are powerless and downtrodden

which I think captures it well.

Andy

[salin]

3. Go for it

but at least for today I think some folks have lost their sanity regarding the ability to not go to attack level - and not start their own exact same thread as three others because their little bitty twist is so earth-shatteringly incredible and their bash so clever that it should be a stand alone thread.

Can you tell I am slightly frustrated today? Forgive the hostile tone. It is generally reserved for the Admin. But today - the intentional shutting down of all other conversation, is very troubling.

[patdem]

4. I am undecided so I avoid all anti-candidate posts xcept the anti-bush

thread. I agree totally!

[LittleApple81]

5. Maybe we should just ignore them? Otherwise they always go to

page one and sink other more important info.

[trumad]

7. Not me

Patisan bickering is constructive and needed in a Democracy.... What..you want ot make this place boring? Sheeesch!

[Padraig18]

6. I agree

I have already defended EVERY candidate who is being flamed and bashed! It is STUPID AND SELF-DEFEATING! :grr:

[arwalden]

8. I'm Just Adding Those Flame Bait Posters To My Iggy File...

... temporarily.

IMO they are flame bait and nothing else... but they are disguised and thinly veiled to fly just under the radar.

They are ruining GD and cluttering up the possibility for genuine discussions.

POOF! And they disappear. No second chances. They're history.

I'm POSITIVE that it makes NOT ONE BIT OF DIFFERENCE to them... why should they care if they made it to my iggy file? They don't care and that's fine.

The difference is that from MY perspective, GD becomes a nicer place to visit.

-- Allen

[trumad]

9. Allen..I love you baby...

You're a great member... BUT..ain't nothin gonna ruin DU except Freepers....

[arwalden]

14. Love You Too, Buddy... My Solution Is Knee-Jerk, And I Know It.

But... today I'm fed up with it all and it's a good "cleaning house" solution and a bit cathartic at the same time.

It's not like they are BANNED from DU... and it's not like NOBODY will ever see their messages... just not ME... not TODAY.

I'll un-iggy them later on. Maybe tomorrow.

[Padraig18]

10. kick

:kick: ABB!

[Padraig18]

12. Again

:kick:

[FauxNewsBlues]

11. Kick

I agree. Until Bush is in danger, it doesn't matter which democrat wins. We take Bush down, then we worry about our candidate. Even Holy Joe is preferable to Chimp, and we should all know that in our hearts. I will not post on a candidate bashing thread, and encourage everybody else to ignore it.

[Padraig18]

15. Thanks for the help

:)

[uhhuh]

16. I completely agree

I hope others stop this needless attacking.

[Padraig18]

17. kick

:kick:

[andym]

18. Does anyone have a list of websites that defend candidates from slander?

Does anyone have a list of websites that defend the various Presidential candidates from the slander du jour?
Could you post them here.


Andy

ps-- I hope this will get answered straightforwardly. If anyone actually adds an attack site, could someone please identify it quickly.

[VOX]

19. I'm in. No use of candidates as "weapons" against other DUers...

With all this bickering and flaming, the common enemy is being ignored. And we do that at our own peril.

:kick:

[Padraig18]

20. kick