Take a breath DU, for all of our sakes!

[Blue State Bandit]

In the heat of the primaries, Democratic Underground has shown signs of stress. Threads filled with tit for tat wars between supporters of all of the democratic candidates. Disagreements between two people elicit slick comebacks, or down right insulting remarks, that in turn are taken by others as pigeon-holing of entire advocacy groups: A downward spiral that is seen by those outside of GD-P as destructive, and disruptive.


Now I understand, as many here do, that far from an accurate snapshot of the brick and mortar world at large, DU does represent a hyperbolic (if not in essence) version of the Democratic body-politic. We may eventually have to find a way to reconstitute the party due to this emerging acrimony from within. And I am sure that DU is not the only Democratic online community that suffers this affliction.


Now many will say, DU, or Kos, or Democrats.com is not like the real world. But I believe that while this is technically correct, we cannot overlook how the views conceived online is injected into the discourse of the Democratic general population. For example:


You just stepped away from a 300 post flame-war between 20 or 25 avatars where you believe you and your candidate was unfairly misrepresented, or even ridiculed. You leave your house and go to your local watering hole to watch the big game, or even the debates. You tell all of your friends how you were treated and BLAMMM!!! 20 people, may who probably don’t even own a computer now carry this message out to the brick.


Or some flame-war is sparked by some perceived indignation between the candidates. All of the sudden a back and forth between you and some one on the opposite side of the issue, is sited by some MSM lackey to make their point on division within the party.

In the interest of our shared dream, a Democratic White House and legislative majority, I plead with the community to take a breath before engaging in knee-jerk post wars. Just because someone expresses excitement about their candidate, it does not necessarily mean that they are rubbing it in your face. This works the other way to. We can express our pride in our candidates without personally attacking another or the candidate.

I understand that this is a political campaign. As such, if their is disagreements on policies, or allegations of this or that candidate's missteps or wrong-doings is par for the course. But lashing out with ignorant and uncalled for remarks just because your frustrated, or unable to win and argument is petty and has no place in this party.

Continuing down this path will handicap our party, and could lose us the White House. And considering the stakes, is anyone here willing to venture this chance? Ultimately it is more than just our party or the White House at stake. It is our lives, our children's lives, and the world itself.

Think about it, then take a breath.

[Bucky]

1. I am offended by your use of the word "tit"

Grrrr.... I'm scorning you!!

[Blue State Bandit]

2. Breathing in, breathing out.

LOL