I need to ask a question, that I think is important (it's a short one)

[...of J.Temperance]

The other day I defended Hillary Clinton against Cindy Sheehan saying that people shouldn't vote for her. Last week I also defended Donna Brazile, because I think she's done a great deal for the Louisiana Democratic Party over the years. Today I urged caution in getting too excited over what Patrick Fitzgerald might do...simply because, well we've been at this point SO MANY times over the past five years, only to get upset and disappointed when nothing happens. I personally don't want that upset and disappointment AGAIN, so I'm this time, not counting my chickens before they've hatched...JUST in case.

Okay, I'll cut to the chase. Because of the above, does this make me a troll in the eyes of the majority? I'm starting to think that this is what people are thinking. Well, I'm not a troll.

[panader0]

1. I, for one , have lost all respect or Brazile

[...of J.Temperance]

3. That ISN'T what I asked is it? That wasn't my question n/t

[MazeRat7]

2. No its makes you pragmatic...something that gets lost sometimes...

in all the passion. Always be true to your beliefs... even when its not "popular".

MZr7

[...of J.Temperance]

8. To be honest

I might as well just leave. I believe I am pragmatic. How can I possibly stay here, when people like me, our comments aren't wanted or accepted?

I can't help being in the Center, it's just where I am. I thought we were allowed as well.

[cynatnite]

19. Thick skin...

That's really what it takes. I understand how you're feeling. I like Hillary, I had my son circumcised, I don't think gays in the closet should be outed no matter who they are or where they work, etc.

There are a lot of issue where I fall in the minority here on DU and I get slammed for it. I don't care. I say what I want, how I want and when I want. There've been some great discussions and in some cases I've changed my position.

I used to fully support parental notification of minors getting abortions. I don't anymore after one posting telling the story of parents and the daughter they lost. I used to support marijuana being illegal except for medical purposes. I don't anymore after research and some helpful points made by DUer's.

There's a lot to be learned here and there is even more reason to stand your ground on those views you feel strongly about. Just because you're in the minority on some issues doesn't mean your comments are not welcome. It just means not everyone shares them. Don't sweat it.

[flowomo]

4. well, I am suspicious of those three dots in your name....

sum kinda freeper code, I think.

[...of J.Temperance]

11. No

It was meant to be The Impression of J.Temperance, it's from The Fall's LP "Grotesque". However, it was too long and over the 20 letters allowed when I registered, so I HAD to leave it at ...of J.Temperance, I'm not too thrilled with that, but I was informed that I couldn't change it.

[flowomo]

22. ah, so that's it! I was wondering....

but of course I was joking in the original post. Lighten up. No one here has to be that concerned what other's think of his/her opinions. That's what the board is for.... to air opinions. I couldn't care less if you ARE a troll.... I like the trolls. Whatever "troll" is supposed to mean.

[BOSSHOG]

5. Donna Brazile is an outstanding choice for the

commission established by the LA Governor to restore the state; after all she is a Louisianian with alot of connections. Hillary and Cindy both have done great things for our country. Hillary does not need defending in my eyes. Urging folks not to get excited about the value of a present we haven't unwrapped yet is sound judgement. You keep on posting J. Temperance. A troll you are not. And thanks for what you have posted in the past, I have enjoyed your work thoroughly.

[uppityperson]

6. DU is such a wide range of people and opinions

Some are louder and more vociferous, some quieter. Some open to listening, some wanting more to express themselves and be heard. Some more conservative, some more liberal. It is ok to not get over-excited, and ok to get excited, and ok to let each other do how they feel. It is ok to caution patience, and ok to just go for it.

I don't think you are a troll. Peace.

[PowerToThePeople]

7. Well, imo either it's Fitzmas or pitchforks.

Modern day overthrow and beheading of the government by the people.

[Bouncy Ball]

9. People can think you're a troll all they want.

They can even alert on you all they want.

But if the mods don't believe you are a troll, you're fine.

It's the mods who really matter on this point.

[Mr_Spock]

10. I'm being cautious as well. No other way to be unless you like anger...

I'll count my chicks AFTER they hatch.

[SharonRB]

12. Having your own opinions doesn't make you a troll

Although it may seem like it sometimes, everyone on DU doesn't hate Hillary -- some do, some don't. Same with Donna Brazile. And I've seen a number of people who don't want to get too excited until the indictments actually come down.

Feel free to continue expressing your opinions. There is room for divergent opinions here. That's what makes DU such a great place.

[wookie294]

13. Nah, you are no troll

No way!! But I disagree with your views about Hillary.

[crispini]

14. No.

Have people been giving you grief? Just alert on 'em, and go on.

[ET Awful]

15. Yes, you're a big ole hairy, icky, slimey troll that lives under a bridge.

You're such a nasty troll you were single-handedly responsible for the gruesome demise of several billy-goats by the name of Gruff.



:evilgrin:

[eppur_se_muova]

16. If you're worried that you might be a troll, you probably aren't.

It's like what they say about insanity -- now isn't that an interesting parallel?

People tend to be ruder over the Internet than they would dare to be in person...call it "telerudeness"...an analogy here to the "morality of altitude", which says it's OK to drop bombs on people you can't see die.

[MadisonProgressive]

17. If you are a troll, I'll eat my pointy hat

[Catherine Vincent]

18. Yes, you are a troll.

*just kidding*

But I know what you mean, we have been disappointed so many times. I hope Fitzgerald comes through for us!

[stillcool]

20. i by no means...

speak for any majority, but you sound like a rational thinker who doesn't want to give up the ship. it's not easy to straddle the fence between insanity and hope.

[Monkey see Monkey Do]

21. Brian: "You've got to think for yourself! You are all individuals!"

Crowd: Yes, we are all individuals!
Brian: You are all different!
Crowd: Yes, we are all different!
Single voice (from within the crowd): I'm not.
Crowd: Shh!

----

Seriously, you're not perceived as a troll because you don't act like you're trying to stir up shit. I don't know if you've come across genuine disruptors, but they make their game clear pretty quickly and blatantly. They're also not receptive to debate which, from what I've read from you, you are.

Finally, FWIW I agree with you about Clinton & Plamegate (I don't know enough about Brazille to comment.)

[...of J.Temperance]

23. Okay, this is a response to all the responses

I feel reassured that my comments haven't got me considered a troll. I just do my best to be honest, and I try not to upset people the best I can. I think sometimes I might be ham-fisted in some responses, but it's never deliberate. I know I sometimes make mistakes, but I'm trying to learn from them.

And of course we ALL want Fitzgerald to nail these pig traitors, but I think it's sensible to try and calm people down. The Fitzmas stuff has got me so nervous...and my Louisiana blood makes me naturally superstitious, so the Fitzmas threads, I'm scared that that might jinx what we WANT the most.

Anyhow, thanks for the support you've all shown to me and I'm glad that a Populist who's in the Center, can feel free to make their views known :)

[hang a left]

24. I think it is important to be able to disagree. I disagree with some

very popular opinions here. Most of the time I will keep my dissent to myself as some people can be very nasty. Whenever you start talking about Kerry, and Hillary there are always fights. I try to stay away from those threads. Jeez you should have been here during the primaries. So many people hated each other it was crazy. Anyway I don't think you are a troll. Just realize when you espouse unpopular theories don some asbestos.

[Geoff R. Casavant]

25. Well, here's my take . . .

You stated three things you have done, and you gave cogent reasons for doing so. Not necessarily the conclusions others of us might reach, but to my mind your ability to use actual . . . what is it . . . oh yeah, *logic* indicates you're not a troll.