Mend a fence/burn a bridge.

[funky_bug]

It seems that with front runner status, comes a superiority complex that carries with it the nasty character traits of arrogance and spite.

Now Kerry is in position to take NH, and the viciousness of some of their supporters' attacks on the already wounded Dean and Clark supporters is simply more than I can take. Now that Edwards is within the MOE of 2nd, some of his supporters are doing the same thing.

I'm taking a hiatus from DU. I've tried to be kind and open minded regarding all the candidates and their issues, but no sooner do I mend a fence, than someone sets fire to my bridge.

Just keep this in mind, Kerry and Edwards supporters; we've all been where you are. If you start sinking, you'd better hope we have long forgotten the treatment we've received at your hands.

Walt Starr, my sincere apologies. I am beginning to understand why you felt the way you did for so long. Right now I have to say, you're a better person than I am.

[bicentennial_baby]

1. No no no

No way are you bailing out now...If you have to, use your Ignore feature, but don't go!

[Walt Starr]

2. No need to apologize

I fear some fences may never be mended and some bridges may be gone forever.

I'm starting to look at what third party choices there may be...

[JI7]

3. i don't see it

.

[dsc]

4. Please. please. please don't go

You are literally my favorite Clark supporter. You would do both him and us a great diservice by leaving.

[La_Serpiente]

5. I think I've been rather sincere to both Dean and Clark

and I'm a Kerry supporter as well.

I hope you take a well rested hiatus. People need a break sometimes.

[Lisa0825]

6. Please don't go....

You are one of my favorite non-Dean supporters. You support your candidate without being disrespectful to others. We need more posters like you here.

:pals:

[Bonobo]

7. Your being here obviously makes a difference! Look at Walt!

If it weren't for you, i would have given up on Walt long ago. You changed him, you changed my opinion of him --how many other people have been positively affected by you? Probably me x 50 people easily! THAT is why you should stay. Think of it as fulfilling a civic duty and something that you are very good at. There's still alot of healing to be done and although it seems that a new bridge-burner keeps popping up, it is only because the people who you have had a calming affect on are no longer as vociferous as they were (thanks in part to you).

Please stay. I don't know you, but I will miss you if you depart.

[Avalux]

8. Please stay

but if you need a break, take one. I took one for awhile when the Dean/Clark flame wars were at their peak and just recently returned. At least say you'll come back, OK?

[sweetheart]

9. maturing your author's persona

I am not my work. Madonna is not "her music". You are not "your writing". It is your work. It is, on detatched reflection, merely a character in a shakespeare play, and who watches a play just to see one character? We watch to see all characters, and are a bit disappointed when one character starts to think mistakenly that they are the play.

When i write, i am a hot printing press. The plates are melted lead, and new work comes out. Once its written, it is a printout, and has nothing to do with the press. I retool the press and print something else. Some works are better than others. To take them personally is immature and childish, especially on a political propaganda forum, as by the very nature of political discussion, all buttons are charged, and if you have not sorted out your identity as separate from that of your "writer's moniker" then you've missed something, IMO. I mean no insult, just i've done paid writing in the past, and editors call it "the peice" or "the work" but not "you"... even very personal peices are not me... just the hot press of that instant.

Please stick around and get a thicker skin. I love shakespeare, and would certainly find a play lacking if hamlet went home in act 2. :)

Speak from your heart. If someone insults you, tell the truth about how it hurts and why you feel they've been inappropriate... use your writers persona to expose deeper truth, and in the heat of angry discussion is when the truth is more likely to come out... just you have to keep cool and read the tea leaves... and not be a bridge burning egotist. All your work is forgiven, and you start NOW with a post count of zero, just like we all do. When you pick a printout from your laser printer, do you call it number 3203 printout from printer "sammy"? no... you simply see the printout without the time series of all previous printouts. To a certain degree, you must jockey back and forth from your writers persona to your editors persona, and your post indicates you're focusing too much on the former.... we all learn this.

Its just like an actor who thinks they're gods gift to the world when a film they acted in makes it big... and only in maturity do they come to realize that it wasn't them, rather "their work", an epemeral character of the stage. If you lose it, and get your ego involved, then take a break by all means... but to take things as personally as you put is simply misfocussed.

Nobody here wishes you ill. We enjoy your contribution... :)

buck up and don't take things so personally.

sincerely,
-sweetheart

[Tom Rinaldo]

10. There is another path you can take. Plese Stay.

It is age old American folk wisdom: If you don't have something nice to say, say nothing at all.

Please, take a deep breath, and take a step back where you have a little more space between yourself and the slings and arrows, and then make yourself comfortable again, sharing what you believe in, and showing respect where respect is shown.

It is, in some puny way, like a war against terror. If we are intimidated from participating in the things that give meaning to our lives, then the terrorists win. Your posts have positively touched a lot of people here, myself included. Your influence is a blessing, whether or not it is realized by those who read right past them in their rush to make another clever biting attack.

I gather there was something about Wesley Clark's campaign, and who he is as a person, that drew you out into this cyber public space. It is exactly for people like you and I, that Wesley and Gert Clark agreed to be drawn out of their well earned retirement, into the battlefield of American politics, after a lifetime of service to America in the Army. If they can offer themselves up to the abuse being thrown at them, by those clawing for personal and political advantages, then there must be some like us who will stand for them and bear witness to the sacrifice they are making, and vouch for the sincerity of their convictions.

And when we encounter true allies, we will find true communion, and if they turn false, we can still remain true. It is a multitude of tiny actions, like your typing a message on a political bulletin that is generous in tone, and open in demeanor, by which we will redeem public discourse. For those who aren't ready for that, we can still set the standard, and in doing so provide support to each other.

Please stay.

[isbister]

11. we've been where you are

It seems like only yesterday when Kerry supporters were asked when their candidate was going to quit, why's he trying to divide the party, and things like that. Leave if you must, but just keep this in mind, we have been there.

Also, I believe most Kerry supporters have not shown the viciousness you speak of, this race looks good for Kerry today but it isn't over, and everybody should try to keep this in mind:

We all post here and compare apples and apples. Sooner or later our party is going to have to compare the apple our process chooses with a nut.

[madmax]

12. Hey this doesn't sound like you.

Stay - You're at your very best when stressed. :pals:

We don't know what's going to happen on election day. Let's all hang together.

[angee_is_mad]

13. I am A Clark supporter also

take a break and while you are there think objectively about the overtures that are being extended and the reason why. Why are those overtures being extended now.

Since being a member I have watched every candidate be attack, including CMB. I do not appreciate seeing my candidate being attack, as I am sure others feel the same way about their candidate.

It is hard to hear people attacking the person you feel passionately about. Hell I've even been attacked personally. It has even been insinuated that I was not bright because I supported Clark. Those insinuations did not come from Kerry or Edwards people. I will leave it up to you to figure out who it was.

Personally, I feel that both candidates supporters have conducted themselves in a very civil manner.

Just remember it isn't over until the fat lady sings and NH isn't the only or the last primary.

Take a rest and come back like ghostbusters so that you can help Du'ers be aware of the potential that Gen. Clark has.

[XanaDUer]

18. "Personally, I feel that both candidates supporters have conducted

themselves in a very civil."
Thank you, and I agree. I don't know what the original poster means, but I would gladly support Gen. Clark, and have stated so from the beginning.

I am not really good on I'm-leaving posts, but you sound stressed out. Maybe a break is best for a while.

[KC21304]

20. I agree, there is a little revisionist history going on here.

Suddenly some Dean supporters want to make nice to Clarks folks, and it is all those nasty Kerry and Edwards people who said all those bad things. What kind of bird seed is that ? I suggest the Clark supporters go back and read some of those swell posts, and see who came to their defense. I know damn well that I did every single time I saw a negative post about Clark.

[XanaDUer]

23. I saw that one, and laughed!

Yes, can't we all just get along?!

[angee_is_mad]

25. As a Clark supporter I thank you

Maybe I am being to realistic on here instead of being idealistic. I want the candidate that could beat bush.

When I think of a Dean/Clark ticket(why not Clark/Dean?) it is like I am having a nightmare! I can not see how having Dean on a Clark ticket would benefit the General in a national election! Especially since this election is going to depend on attracting conservative independents and moderate republicans. Karl Rove would eat them alive.

It would only hurt him. Now a Clark/Edwards ticket would be bananas(that's good)!!!!!

[NashVegas]

14. I'd Say I Don't Blame You ..

But I do. You were only one of the masses, however, who brought bile into this board when everyone was jumping on the ass of Howard Dean and his supporters. And it was only when Dean was safely trounced and losing steam that this mass decided it wanted to make nice.

I empathize with you, WWF, but I feel not an ounce of sympathy.

[DFLer4edu]

16. Forgive and forget!

And don't leave!

[bicentennial_baby]

17. Um

The poster you are talking to has been a staunch defender of Dr. Dean actually.

[emulatorloo]

15. Please don't go --

I really enjoy your posts. I am a Kerry supporter, and if I have said anything inadvertantly that seemed vicious I am sorry. The best I can usually do is be tepid, and I try to reserve that only that after being attacked.

I have learned a lot from you about Wes Clark, and it has confirmed why I choose Clark as my second.

These last few days have been pretty hard. But don't go away

Best Regards

[SW FL Dem]

19. Wife - I hear you

I am a life long Dem that hasn't been active since I married and became a mom. Financially, I should be a Republican. Ethically, I can't do it. Kerry used to be my number 2. I lost a lot of respect for him and his campaign today. Until today, I would have donated time and energy to Kerry if he got the nomination. After today, I'll vote for ABB, but if Kerry is the nominee, I doubt I'll do much more.

[ModerateMiddle]

21. what did Kerry do today?

:shrug:

[KC21304]

24. What did Kerry do today to Clark that was so reprehensible ?

I must have missed something. I'm not talking about what some Dean supporter said he did, or something on some blog somewhere where anyone can say whatever hell he wants to. Kerry and Clark are fighting it out for New Hampshire and they each are going at it about the other's record which is fair game.

WHat isn't fair is when someone else's supporters come on here and tell Clark's people what Kerry is going to do, or going to say about Clark, just to cause trouble between Clark and Kerry. I can't believe that many people are going to fall for this. It is so transparent.

And as for Kerry's dirty tricks in Iowa, Check this out. Post #4

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=182254

[DjTj]

22. What Edwards supporters?

...Who has been attacking other candidates? What have they said?

I don't think I've seen a lot of it, although I'll admit that the Edwards campaign blog has gotten less friendly in the past few weeks.

[La_Serpiente]

26. I am just as clueless as you

:shrug: