How vicious nastiness can change a person's views about Obama

[MediaBabe]

I came here in early January looking for political discourse. I like message boards and like to read other opinions about issues. It helps me grow and learn. I was wrong to come to Democratic Underground. It has done a complete change in my opinion but not in a way of which DU should be proud.

I came here 100% for Hillary Clinton and 100% for Barack Obama. Hillary had my vote for sure but Obama had my admiration and I was 100% for him should he get the nomination.

In February I made these posts about Obama:

" Well I am a Hillary supporter ... But if I were black I would be so proud of Obama and he would get my vote. For heaven's sake, why not? He's a good man and a whole lot of people, white included think he'd make a good president."

"...there is nothing to gain by ridiculing people who would proudly cast their vote for an African American just because his skin is black. He wouldn't be in the position he is in were he not well qualified. Can't you imagine the pride many people must feel?"

"He's undoubtedly a decent man."


I'm glad I went looking and found those posts. Because after spending two months here IN my heart I hate Obama the people who support him SOLELY BECAUSE OF THE THINGS HIS SUPPORTERS HAVE WRITTEN HERE ABOUT HILLARY CLINTON. I feel so covered in slime and bile everytime I try participate. Because of YOU - Obama supporters who revel in getting lower than low, fighting each other to be the person to post a message about Hillary lower and slimier and more foul than anyone else.

You win. I leave. I came here an Obama admirer satisfied that I would vote for him if he is the nominee. I leave despising the fact that if he is the nominee I must vote for him.

Are you really that happy with the job you've done for "your candidate?"

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

1. Riiiiight.

Because of your post, I can now divide by zero.

Are you happy now?

[apocalypsehow]

2. Later.

n/t.

[SharonRB]

3. I'm sorry you feel that way because of some of his supporters

Not all of us are like that. Some of us just stay away from GD:P because of the nastiness that goes on there. It will get better once the primaries are over, I hope.

[MediaBabe]

17. I wish I could believe that.

What worries me is that when I look at profiles, hoping for sanity, what I see instead is that many of the vilest are posted by long time DU members. Then I must ask myself, if they are typical and this hatred for fellow Democrats is normal is this the kind of place I want to support?

[Texas Hill Country]

82. exaaactly.

[Binka]

86. Do You Guys Have To Eat The "VILE" Meme?

Vile, vile, vile, vile...... it is a bit tedious. Get your funk ass down the road. VILE!

[Little Star]

4. I too will despise the fact if he is the nominee, but vote for him I will.

[MediaBabe]

18. I'm hoping that leaving here will help me change

I was better off before I learned how mean many of the people who support Obama can get. At the other boards where I am a member there is nothing like this. Though there is heavy bias one way or the other no one ever gets so hateful as here.

[dansolo]

68. I find these kind of posts laughable

Almost every single one of them seem to point out the nastiness of Obama supporters, without even mentioning the equal (if not more) amount of nastiness of the Clinton supporters. I would find this a lot more believable if it wasn't so clearly one-sided. If you are truly upset by the level of discourse, then you should be calling out both sides.

[LisaM]

72. Becuase it's not true.

I have been called names for months now. I keep hearing how Hillary must leave the party, how her campaign is evil, how she's a traitor (a TRAITOR!)

I have never called Obama or an Obama supporter a name. I can't say that I've received the same treatement. Now, I'm sure you can dig around and find posts here and there where a Hillary supporter has called an Obama supporter a name, but in the main, it's the Obama supporters who seem to be in a frenzy.

If you don't consider Obama to be a combination of the second coming of JFK and MLK combined, you're not made to feel very welcome here anymore.

[Name removed]

5. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

36. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[JimGinPA]

6. "if I were black I would be so proud of Obama and he would get my vote"

I don't need to be black to support him. Sorry.

[Hepburn]

13. You noticed exactly what I noticed.

I could not care less what color Obama is or what gender. That is just sooooooo totally irrelevant IMO.

[MediaBabe]

16. Like I said, it fit into the discussion at the time

It doesn't look so well here in a different discussion but I posted it because it reflects my feelings then about Obama - that he is a good man, qualified and to be proud of to represent the Democratic Party.

It also showed ME to MYSELF how much this board has changed me. I should have never came here.

[MediaBabe]

14. The comment about race fit into the discussion

Taken out of context I admit it doesn't present very well.

[Blue Diadem]

24. I stopped reading the OP when I hit that line

I agree JimGinPA, I don't have to be black either to support him.

[Forkboy]

7. It's the height of stupidity to base your vote on random people online.

Maybe people come here pretending to be a supporter and act as obnoxious as they can to affect those who are gullible and affected by such things. If you're really interested in growing and learning you should probably think about that angle before hating someone. :shrug:

[Bigleaf]

8. You saw no nastiness from Hillary supporters? Really?

You are kidding.

[Dogmudgeon]

9. I seldom post here any more

This place is packed with petulant whiners.

A few even support Hillary. And you're right, most of it comes from Obama's supporters -- but only because they outnumber the Clinton supporters.

For the first time in decades, we have two excellent candidates, and we're destroying ourselves over it. It's like that scene is Monty Python's Life of Brian where the Roman soldiers stand by watching the two "radical" anti-Roman groups kill each other.

--p!
The more things change, the more they stay the same.

[FVZA_Colonel]

10. The nastiness has not been restricted to the supporters of any one candidate.

n/t.

[azmouse]

11. Sorry you feel that way.

I'm tired of the slime some Hillary supporters throw too. It goes both ways.

[cali]

12. buh bye

don't let the door hit you in the ass. You're clearly one of the jokers who haven't noticed that just as much vile crap gets said by the hillfans about Obama. And that makes you dishonest. So leave, no one gives a shit.

[madfloridian]

15. Guilt tripsdon't work here anymore.

.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

19. are you proud of yourselves ....that's 15 DU members you have beaten up on and made leave?...

Keep shitting on the Obama legacy

[JVS]

29. Did they come back as sock puppets? I won't count those ones as total victories

[ElsewheresDaughter]

33. you're so bad

:spank:



.

[MediaBabe]

40. I have?

I don't understand why you posted.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

71. I thought you were fed up and leaving and I was upset...my bad

[Faygo Kid]

20. Really? Anybody want to check MediaBabe's posts? Here's the link.

You came here 100% for each? Is that why you trashed Caroline Kennedy a couple months ago when she came out for Obama?

Really like that new DU search feature. Anybody can look up your posts and anyone else's. http://www.democraticunderground.com/searchresults.html?q=MediaBabe&sitesearch=democraticunderground.com&sa=Search&domains=democraticunderground.com&client=pub-7805397860504090&forid=1&ie=ISO-8859-1&oe=ISO-8859-1&cof=GALT%3A%23008000%3BGL%3A1%3BDIV%3A%23336699%3BVLC%3A663399%3BAH%3Acenter%3BBGC%3AFFFFFF%3BLBGC%3A336699%3BALC%3A0000FF%3BLC%3A0000FF%3BT%3A000000%3BGFNT%3A0000FF%3BGIMP%3A0000FF%3BFORID%3A11&hl=en

[Raine]

39. Yup, people seem to forget that we have a handy BS

detector "button" :evilgrin:

Edit: added word

[MediaBabe]

51. That's just a lie you posted

I did not trash Caroline Kennedy. Not one tiny bit! Why on earth would you say something that is so easily exposed?

[dsc]

60. that is a total lie

the post you link to is no such thing. It does state that her endorsement is no more valuable that his or yours. It doesn't trash her.

[TahitiNut]

89. Lots of kabuki in GD:P these days. Folks costuming themselves in deceit.

The OM didn't pass the smell test no matter how much this forum is deodorized. I've gotten weary of the many drama queen auditions for the starring role in "The Princess and The Pea."

[Aussie leftie]

21. Judging by most of the replies to your post

I feel that you can now rest your case. I only hope that if Obama is elected president he does not reflect some of his supporter's characters.

[Forkboy]

26. What does it say about the OP's character that total strangers online affect her vote?

:shrug:

[Aussie leftie]

42. I understand that her vote hasn't been effected

She said that she will still vote for Obama, if nominated.

What I think she is saying is that there will not be any joy in her heart when she votes for Obama because of the way some of his supporters behave on DU. I am not necessarily putting you in that category.

[Forkboy]

49. Ok, point taken.

But I think letting people online have an effect is really silly, especially considering that many may be fake supporters acting obnoxious for just that effect. If the OP loved them both to start with she still should.

Peace

[Aussie leftie]

53. may the better person win n/t

[MediaBabe]

52. I just wonder how many people come here and leave with

a nasty taste in their mouths for political discourse. This site could be such a boon to the Democratic way of life. Instead it's an abomination.

[Binka]

93. Ahh Take Yer Pathetic Ass & Hit The Road

Abomination? Save that for your marriage counselor.

[msallied]

22. Wow, you're fragile aren't you?

[Crunchy Frog]

23. OK, bye.

[JVS]

25. That's a great post...

FOR ME TO POOP ON!

[woolldog]

27. You're silly

letting messageboard supporters of a candidate, affect how you view that candidate.

[Name removed]

28. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Perry Logan]

30. Here are some other posts that back you up. I've seen zillions of these threads.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x5120659

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4779500&mesg_id=4779500

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4849238&mesg_id=4849238

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4922044&mesg_id=4922044

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4942967&mesg_id=4942967

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4964704&mesg_id=4964704

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4965088

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4965227

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4982708&mesg_id=4982708

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x5036756

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=5065868&mesg_id=5065868

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=5156352&mesg_id=5156412

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=5165104&mesg_id=5165104

Reporting threats against Hillary:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4999545&mesg_id=4999545

[JVS]

31. If you're going to keep spamming the board with that, delete the final link. It's broken.

And don't say I never helped you either!

[rodeodance]

58. Thank you--nice to have as Ref.s

[Voice for Peace]

Vicious nastiness from her supporters hasn't changed my opinion of Hillary

but her campaigning style has helped confirm my original reservations
about supporting her.

[Raine]

41. Same here

it's pathetic that anyone would support or not support someone just cause of their followers. I have chosen to not support Hillary because of HER not because of her followers.

[guruoo]

32. Hard to imagine how such a fine young man could attract so many lowlife "supporters"

[Lilith Velkor]

64. It's not about him, he's just an excuse to indulge vile behavior and misogyny

[usrbs]

34. I'm fighting against it, but I know what you mean.

There are some many unhinged Obama supporters here. I'm trying not to transfer my feelings towards them to their candidate, but it's difficult. Apparently it's even worse at DailyKos, at least here, you have some company.

[sudopod]

35. We shouldn't defend our candidate

We might hurt someone's feelings. :p

[MediaBabe]

45. Defend your candidate all you want but why throw the slime?

There is a big difference between a positive post about a Democratic candidate you support and an offensive, vile post about the Democratic candidate you do not support.

[NOLALady]

37. According to some of your posts in January

you didn't believe he was capable of running the country.

Your opinion has changed?

[Umbram]

84. So the OP throws slime at Obama? Shock! (nt)

[Raine]

38. So you choose who you support by the behavior

of their supporters...that's sad for you. :-( I'm glad that I use logic instead of my emotions and hurt feelings.

[Genevieve]

43. oh, boo hooey

bye bye :hi:

[Genevieve]

44. oh, boo hooey

bye bye :hi:

[Piperay]

46. Bullshit

previous posts show otherwise, so don't play victim now! :nopity:

[PATRICK]

47. I would dismiss

the posters here because the supporters of both candidates, I mean those representing the vast bulk of actual voters and workers are not so vicious. Maybe the campaign enthusiasts, typical of all fans of any sort have gone the wild-eyed route and exhibit some group-think in their angry defensiveness. had Edwards attracted more support I am sure he eventually he would have had an unpleasant skim off the top in this fashion.

I would dismiss them as well for using MSM sources, GOP interference and every anti-Dem temporary ally all to eager to laughingly participate to savage their own party in their madness. I would dismiss them for hate, too easy to justify against Bush but revealed in its darkness by rather turning against our own burning down our own ghetto because we can't get at the real cause.

Some people reveling in sadistic put downs are their own sick joke, refusing to see they have become the common enemy.

And, as always they are few. Some are perennial haters from a number of issues. For some it indeed is cultural rivalry, hatred themes.

What must be sadly faced in this riot of midgets is that we can be once more very ashamed of a great deal that passes for leadership in the crust everywhere. In particular, our superdelegates have shied away from setting hard rules to a beleaguered campaign they once favored and profited from. We burn in the fires they flinch from, as always. We, the people.

So, in the exercise of leadership that now devolves to us- to us and no possible single candidate- we should boil and stew and cook our own leadership and rules. Without guidance, paternal or maternal, we can because we know better. The masses of the less noisy less incendiary less personally dishonest or dangerously ignorant have to.

Are we all like the voter in my district who was so put off by the fierce campaigning(caused by the threatened GOP going dirty negative) as not to want to vote? To walk away and poke through the ashes of hope later?

This is not going to be a nicey nicey campaign until our candidate is either victorious(despite cheating,lying, slander and suppression) or has so overwhelmed the polls that basically(as with Bob Dole facing a popular incumbent) the GOP fades.

Until then we have to be strong, patient, focused. Rein in or ignore or tolerate the usual rantings of those with the lower gifts. Remember who those enemies really are because how else can you love them unless you know them? Since our party still cannot quite responsibly lead nor our institutions work for us nor our avowed malicious enemies put down their desperate hatchets it is up to us, not our candidates to center our own leadership within the vast electorate.

When it is all over and Dems rule everywhere, where will all this hatred go? I expect the few will find something better to attack, some nastier little discussions to dissipate into and a lot of the ranks of the flamers flocking to the arsonist fest will simply go away.

[MediaBabe]

62. I came back twice to reread your post

Thanks for helping me get my head straight.

[PATRICK]

65. I just hope we get

the election and the government semi-straight.

[stillcool]

48. Too bad you don't have a mind of your own...

I believe that it is all of our duties, as citizens of the United States, to research our candidates and find out as much information as we can and make our decisions from that. In this day and age, there is no excuse for relying on statements made on a message board, the radio, or the television screen. If you are too lazy, or not interested enough in the Politics that shape the policies of our country, to do a little reading on your own, why bother? Enjoy your hate. I have a feeling you are familiar with it.

[rug]

50. The question is, why do they need to support him in such a pathological manner?

[Splinter Cell]

54. WTF?

You just don't like the fact that people are telling the truth about HRC. It's that simple. SHE is the one that has run the most filth-infested campaign. She has even tried to use racism and fear of African Americans to her advantage.

If you can't see the truth, it's a shame, but it's your own fault. The blame lies with you, not Obama supporters.

[SammyWinstonJack]

91. Way too miss the point, completely.

[cynatnite]

55. Some feel that it helps their candidate by vilifying the opponent...

It's tragic, but that's the way it is. They don't realize that there are better ways to represent their candidate.

[dansolo]

70. And what exactly does the "kitchen sink" strategy entail?

If not vilifying Obama?

[bhikkhu]

56. Sorry to read of your distress

No one can deny that bitterness exists on both sides now, and few are here who have not said things they regret. But still, contests are as they are.

In the GE I will vote democrat, because of the misery of the alternative, and the memories of the past eight years. One must have some confidence in the party, or go elsewhere.

[Straight Shooter]

57. Try hanging out in General Discussion. GD Primaries is a snake pit.

Lots of hissing, not a lot of biting and no one has been poisoned yet, but if you're new to the forum it can be quite disconcerting to watch us wiggle around in here.

Do try General Discussion or The Lounge. :hi:

[Teaser]

59. People on both sides have this story to tell

it isn't one sided at all. Perception just makes it seem so.

[walldude]

61. Exactly...

I could have written the same post just switching candidates.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

63. I bet you're influenced by Ron Popeil, too.

[doyourealize1]

66. responses are typical of obama supporters

not all, but many...

try to respect more viewpoints. there's a reason why many HRC don't come here anymore.

[Mezzo]

67. Thank you so much for articulating this so well.

It is exactly how I feel.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

69. You're Right, MediaBabe, And I Truly Wish You Well.

Some of the level of scum, filth, disgusting bile and over the top ignorant attacks thrown out have been downright disgusting in so many ways, and I can see why you'd be completely turned off. There is a level of immaturity and viciousness here by some that crosses levels I've never seen elsewhere. It is ruthless and completely distasteful.

But just know there are a TON of decent people on DU. GDP itself might be a cespool of childish flamebaiting morons sometimes, but I want to remind you there is SO MUCH MORE on DU than that. Have you been to the Latest Breaking News forum? The regular General Discussion? The Lounge? Other forums? There are so many members here with so much to say, and so much valuable information to be learned, that it would be a shame if you left due to the assholes of GDP alone. You can leave GDP, but why abandon DU? I say you take a GDP break and go explore the other forums. I think you'll find some more towards what you were hoping for.

If not, then best of luck to you in everything!

OMC

[lefty from jersey]

77. Sad, sad...

I came here as an Obama supporter and have found that he is a "Chicago political machine race hustler." He joined the church of "hate whitey" to gain credibility as an unknown in Chicago. It might have been a great stepping stone, but he stayed. He is a smoother version of Jesse Jackson but every bit as divisive. The videos showing the rantings of a madman calling himself a minister are truly frightening. If Obama's pitch is that he has better decision making perspective and that trumps experience, I am not sold on his decision making.

I can only pray that neither Obama or Hillary (very tiring) get the nomination. After the DNC has screwed this up, they can make it all right by getting a nominee that can unite the party and win in the GE.

[bevoette]

73. know what that sounds like? American Idol message boards.

"i used to like Clay, but the Claymates are just too much, and now i hate him!!"

no offense intended, just remarking that this is a similar phenomenon

not that i, uh, watch or, umm, know anything, uh, about, uh, American Idol message boards :blush:

[Levgreee]

74. the majority of Obama supporters are civil. The majority also throw some insults at Hillary,because

she has done some GOD AWFUL things. I think less of her as a person. I am ragging on her in this post, but I am still civil.

If you can't stand the ill will Hillary has inspired in people on this forum, then I suppose you should leave. But Hillary deserves much of it, even from civil posters. Being civil doesn't mean you refrain from criticism, I am sorry to say.

[Cha]

75. Bullshit...you are a scolder and nothing more..

I'm so fucking tired of these whinyass posts.

[BenDavid]

76. there is nothing obama says or can do that 35% of hrc supporters

will support him. Is this the best we democrats can do? Hell, we had this election won until obama decided he watned to "unite us". WOW! and he has done such a good job of it. Obama and his surrogates should be proud they have a willing whoremedia that props his phoney ass up and it is still with them, "blame Hillary".

I hope she stays till the last dog dies and the longer she stays the more crap will come forward on obama and whether you obama folks like it or not, you candidate is being shown to be a liar and one that stands up for the bigot and racist pastor.

It seems unreasonable to hate whites and then expect them to vote for you. Yet, that seems to be the contradictory basis of Obama’s campaign of reconciliation.The Obigot 08 campaign rolls on......

[SeaLyons]

78. Amen!!!

The longer Hillary stays in the race, the better off America will be. Hopefully, she will be our next president. If all the recent negatives on Obama had been vetted by the DNC long ago, he definitely would not be where he is today. He is sailing on the wind of his insincere speeches, and that's all.

[SeaLyons]

79. Oh, stick around and post for Hillary

all day long. Ignore them.

[JoFerret]

80. This is a very reasonable thesis

I find myself in a similar position.
Slightly different conclusion.

[Texas Hill Country]

81. I feel exactly the same way.

[K Gardner]

83. LOL.. shallow tripe.

[Vinca]

85. Wow - you folks take forums on the Internets way too seriously. nt

[otohara]

87. Dramatic Underground

solely because of things his supporters have written about Hillary.

in the beginning I was thrilled with all our candidates, then both, now because of Hillary, NOT anybody else, certainly not DU or any other website, have I decided to support Obama first and foremost.

You need to take a break from DU for a while.

[SoCalDem]

88. How odd, that your support of a presidential candidate should be dependent upon

anonymous people posting online..

Surely there are better ways to find out about the candidate, than to engage in verbal fisticuffs with people you will never meet, and have no chance of ever even knowiing whether or not they are on the payroll of a third party..and hired for the specific purpose of causing havoc..and planting seeds of distrust of people who otherwise have gotten along for many years (some of us)..

I'm sorry for your unhappy experience.. :hug:

[metalluk]

90. Even though I also support Clinton,

I'm going to say the same thing to you that I said when another poster made exactly the reverse case about why they had made up their mind for Obama.

We're talking about picking a person to be President of the United States, a position that has the potential to affect millions of lives on a regular basis.

Surely, you're not going to base your support for one candidate or the other on the nastiness of a few bloggers at an obscure website.

Naturally, I'm pleased that you support Hillary, but your reasons for doing so are not very thoughtful or mature.

I'd rather that you take a close look at both candidates and back the one you think will be best for the country.

[ieoeja]

92. You came too late.

If you came in February then you missed the previous six months when Hillary supporters dominated this board, belittling everyone who disagreed with them. The long-standing members I see tossing anger at Hillary mostly only started doing so after months of those beatings.

cali is a prime example of that. For months I thought she was a Hillary supporter. But she now has a difficult time writing anything negative about Hillary without tossing in snark. Reading the vile, disgusting shit by so many Hillary supporters who are also long-time DUers eventually wore her down.


Me? I started questioning my beliefs in the Clintons in the early 2000s. Their participation in the sliming of Dean -- and by extension the Democratic Party given that he was the officially recognized leader of our party -- in 2005 pretty much sealed the deal. Hillary's backstabbing of Kerry in 2006 just put more nails in that coffin than already necessary.

Some of us long-standing members are anti-Clinton because, as long-standing members of DU, we paid attention to what was happening even in non-election years.

But I (and the aforementioned cali) still defend the Clintons from the RW lies. I have plenty of REAL issues with them.

[Mezzo]

94. That's just they way they ARE.

Obama has his work cut out for him...I just hope and pray Hillary can stop this madness.