Tumid with hyperbole: Some reflections from a returning DUer on the state of GD:P

[Mooney]

I used to post here regularly during the 2004 primaries, then I went away for several years, and now I've come back. While the level of accusations that the Hillary and Obama camps hurl at one another is nearly operatic in its melodramatic ridiculousness, people should keep in mind that this is actually par for the course during primary season. The contention that everything that Hillary or Obama does is the worst, most atrocious thing ever to happen in the history of America should surprise no one.

This has been a longer-than-average primary season, so people's nerves are getting really frayed and the rhetoric is getting ratcheted up to ridiculous levels. Don't let it get to you. Just try to enjoy the more unhinged posts for their comic value, and keep in mind that this will all be over eventually.

[LostinVA]

1. What was your old username?

[Mooney]

3. I was "LittleDannySlowhorse"

and I was a Deaniac, so I certainly encountered my share of negativity getting hurled my way.

[bunnies]

2. Thanks for the sanity.

Its MUCH appreciated. :hug:

[Mooney]

5. It seems like the only logical reaction to me

I have my preferred candidate, but I'm sure the other one would make a fine president if my candidate didn't get the nomination. It's just amazing to me to see all the people here making the candidates out to be misogynist Klansman Republican double agents whose ulterior motive in this race is the destruction of democracy. I can't believe anyone here seriously believes that.

[vickitulsa]

4. "Comic value," indeed!

Glad to see I reached the same conclusion as you offer us, "oldtimer"! :D

What I wonder is, do those who participate in the opera understand what great laughs they bring to others? Might temper their bloviation a bit ... nah, I doubt it. Just hope they find their hinges again when it's over!

[Mooney]

6. There's no way they could possibly know

...that their ridiculous posts very often make me spit coffee on my monitor.

[Mooney]

7. Kicking for the afternoon crazy people shift. n/t

[vickitulsa]

8. I guess you've been back long enough to see that threads tend to sink

a great deal faster and deeper than in "the old days," eh? ;)

I've been at DU for just 2-1/2 years and I've definitely in only this much time noticed that new threads descend at breakneck speed now compared to when I first began reading here. It's downright astonishing, albeit understandable, I suppose, given the large and rapidly growing number of members.

In 2005, I literally just happened upon DU when I was searching for something or other and a thread here was listed among the results. Clicked in and wow! I was bowled over to find such a place, and likeminded people, so many bright and eloquent folks well worth listening to and talking with at length -- though I mostly listened then as I do now.

Strange that it feels like "participating" even when I'm silent; but I've decided that aspect is due largely to the fact that almost always someone with my own point of view on a topic or event chimes in to offer it so I don't need to do that myself. I simply nod, and smile, and continue reading.

Not having been here for the 2004 primaries, I was taken aback at the changes in DU that began a few months ago. Suddenly there appeared so many new names and so much hyperbole (as you noted)!

After a time, I began employing my ignore feature liberally, and that helped a lot. I had fewer than a half-dozen posters on ignore before primary season, but my list is quite long now. I figure after we have a nominee, I will clear that out and see what happens. :)

I've also learned by now how to select threads with more care so I don't waste time (or coffee and paper towels). But I'll be glad if soon once again I'll be able to find more readily the rewarding and informative discussions I've enjoyed here since I first arrived.

Anyway, here's another kick from me, hopefully to keep this OP visible enough to get another couple of recs for it. I very much like your concise summary of the present situation here at DU and appreciate your encouragement in the face of it!

[Mooney]

9. Heh.

Just the non-inflammatory threads sink. If I wanted this to be a more "popular" thread I should have called it "Farrakhan Steinem Diebold NAFTA Bitchy Uppity Muslim" or something like that. But it's just not in me. There are many posters here far more adept at churning out these ridiculous threads. I can't even bring myself to type a thread title in all-caps.

Anyway, thank you for your kind words, and here's hoping that this all comes to an end soon. Hopefully it will be an end that both sides can both live with. Until then, sit back, make some coffee, and enjoy the train wreck.

[EFerrari]

10. Welcome back, Mooney.

lol

Hinges are highly overrated. And so is the space - time continuum, the English language and The Drudge Report.

:rofl:

[Mooney]

11. Speaking of the space-time continuum

You should have a look at this:

http://www.timecube.com

It should keep you busy until the returns come in tomorrow night.

[EFerrari]

13. I'm willing to accept an anti-side as long as I don't have to clean it up on the weekends.

lol

[Dogmudgeon]

12. "Tumid" ... "Tumid" ... I SALUTE you!

Somebody other than me actually uses the word "TUMID"!

I am vindicated!

:headbang:

--p!

[Mooney]

14. ...

[Dogmudgeon]

15. Now THAT'S Tumid!

:evilgrin:

--p!