Something to think about

[Andrea]

I would like to suggest that posters consider objectively the impression another may have of them upon reading their posts.

If someone you care about, say your parent, significant other, child or best friend, were to learn your DU handle and read what you have posted lately, would you be ashamed?

If someone has just become aware of you here on this forum, what kind of person will they think you are? Is that how you want to be known?

If there is such a thing as karma (I believe there is), will anyone treat you with respect in the future?

[anonymous171]

1. A know a couple posters here would definitely be sent to their rooms.

[Symarip]

2. I understand your point but also understand this:

The interwebs is anonymous. Don't you ever wish sometimes you could yell and scream at the person next to you? A message board allows you to do that. So... It goes both ways. Personally, I try not to offend anyone but you can't make everyone happy all the time, either.

[Andrea]

3. Very true

But before I yell and scream, I try to consider that the other person has a point of view, that I'm not infallible, that they are human, too.

Then sometimes I still yell.

But it is not my main form of expression. Sometimes I'm sarcastic, too. But I don't try to strip others of their dignity.

If I got a shot at 10 minutes in a room alone with Cheney or Bush, I'd come out with some really superb vitriol. But I don't talk that way to others who are on my team.

Nor do I talk that way to anyone who might decide to be on my team.

[Symarip]

5. Everyone has a line and finds their own balance

Plus, on a Democratic chat board, you're going to have every type of demographic possible represented so to some even the use of profane language is in itself offensive and indefensible while others see no issue. To some degree, I like the fact it's no hold barred because no one is trying to coax me into another point of view and it's easier to see someone's true motive and/or point. That being said, I would never try and overtly offend someone or belittle them in order to exert and flaunt my ego in the open.

[Andrea]

6. It sounds like you are head and shoulders above

most of what I have seen lately.

Belittling others is a popular pastime here lately.

It makes me wonder if there will be any basis for discussion once the nominee is chosen.

[Symarip]

7. Obama has been giving ponies away

But I haven't received mine yet. Until I do, there will be plenty of discussion.

[Andrea]

8. That's an interesting way of putting it,

if you are saying what I think you are saying. It brings to mind two things for me. First that old joke, there must be a pony somewhere. Secondly, a local furniture store in my childhood. They constantly advertised that if you bought furniture from them, you could also get a pony for just nine cents more. I drove my parents crazy telling them that I had the nine cents and I wanted to go buy a pony. I wonder how many people refused to buy from that store because their children had been driving them crazy.

[Andrea]

4. I guess many people

just don't want to think about this.

[donheld]

9. My family is rabidly republican:

Of course there ashamed no matter what lefty thing I post.

[Andrea]

10. My family is rabidly Republican, too,

and I don't even talk to them the way people here talk to each other.

And I wasn't asking if people you care about would be ashamed of what you (meaning anyone, not you specifically) posts. I was asking people to think about whether they themselves would be ashamed for people they care about to see the way they have been posting. It's a very different question.

[aldeeman]

11. true

god forbid our parents see what we write. Specially other people, not me.

[Andrea]

13. I'm not sure I am understanding you

Maybe I'm dense, or maybe it's just late. Could you elaborate, please?

[Forkboy]

12. My mother is also a DUer

So far as I know she still loves me. :P

[Andrea]

14. Maybe you have nothing to worry about then

There are still some here who could be called civil, perhaps you are one of them.

[Forkboy]

16. Sometimes I'm civil. Sometimes not.

To be honest, I don't really care if people like me or not, online or off. If they do, cool. If they don't, also cool. I have bigger worries in this world than being liked. :shrug:

[Andrea]

18. I'm not so much talking about being liked, as

talking about being respected, or being able to respect one's self, the morning after so to speak.

[Forkboy]

22. Well, I respect myself, and those close to me seem to as well.

Again, I can't really worry about anonymous strangers thoughts about me.

But anyways, I think we're taking your thoughtful thread off on a tangent. Sorry, I didn't really mean to rain on it.

[Andrea]

24. No problem

I think it's a valuable tangent.

We can't live our lives by what others think about us, but I think having a certain amount of accountability is good.

I also truly wonder if some people here feel okay about the things they write. Some of it seems to border on anti-social behavior.

[joshcryer]

15. This *is* my name. People can google me *any time they want*.

I am not an anonymous shill.

I stand by my comments. I might regret some in the future.

But I'm prepared to make fucking mistakes.

[Andrea]

17. This is my name, too

and I have posted my last name previously when there was a reason for it. I'm not sure I'll do it here in this forum right now, though.

Do you think that people who use their own names are more willing to stand behind what they say? I think so.

[joshcryer]

21. Absolutely! And you can dig up stuff about me I'm sure.

I'm sure some of it isn't pretty. But I'm prepared to recant bad things, or clarify.

Anonymous posters have no class, dignity, and no remorse. They have nothing to worry about. The worst aspects of ones personalities comes out when you're completely anonymous.

[Andrea]

23. I wonder if anyone has tried

starting a message board where people can't be anonymous. If people went into their neighborhood tavern (or wherever) and talked like this, there'd be brawls every night. No one would talk to each other. Gangs would form.

[grantcart]

19. "I know where you live"

[Andrea]

20. In a van down by the river!

He was great, wasn't he?

[Andrea]

25. Kicking for the daytime crowd

Any interest?