A Hiatus from DU for a while

[AllentownJake]

I'm going to be stepping away for a little while. I've made the decision to start a daily blog which will focus on highlights of the economic news, legislation in congress and my opinion of it and campaign finance issues. DU has a journal function but really doesn't have a blog function so I'll be doing this with another host. It isn't going to be anti-administration, it will just be things going on I think people should know about both good and bad so they can be informed and learn. Since the administration is the ones running things, there will be by nature critical comments on decisions made. Preparing a daily blog entry will force me to learn as well and I hope it helps me grow as a writer and communicator.

We have come to a point where I really don't think we are listening to each other or talking on this site. I do not fault Skinner, the mods, or anyone on the DU team for this dynamic. We as an online community have created it. There has been a team mentality that has developed and I willingly accept that I have bought into this for a while and contributed to it at times. That being said, the tone on here will not change till each person takes responsibility for what they say to each other. Snark is one thing, but I have been seeing an increase in very personal, and very hateful attacks on members the past few weeks that are not based on politics. Each side likes to play the victim but each side has their own worst offenders they do not take responsibility for.

I will say this. There are people on the side that agrees with me most of the time who I have little respect for, for the way they talk to others and attack them. There are also people on the side who disagrees with my opinion like Grantcart, who I hope doesn't take this as a call-out, that I have enormous respect for.

If your interested in following my blog, you are free to PM me.

I'm sure I'll be back, if saying the above doesn't get me a TS and I wish you all love and happiness if I don't see you over at the blog.

Peace

Jake

[uppityperson]

1. Good luck to you and I know what you mean. Later.

[Laelth]

2. Peace. Hope the blog goes well. k&r n/t

:dem:

-Laelth

[Vidar]

5. Best of luck.

[TexasObserver]

3. You do a lot more good here than you imagine.

You contribute valuable insights here and I hope you'll continue to do so.

[dixiegrrrrl]

4. I second that, Jake.

[inna]

7. +1,000

Hope your break from DU won't be long, Jake!

You're one of the people who make it worthwhile here.

Meanwhile, good luck with your blog! Your voice needs to be heard. :yourock:

[AllentownJake]

9. Thanks

Love and peace to you.

[FLAprogressive]

12. Agreed.

[Stinky The Clown]

26. In the interest of community and comity, I will tack my reply on to the one by TexasObserver

Your insight is, indeed, valuable. You're a very smart young man, Jake. I shall miss you.

[TexasObserver]

90. We are the world ...

Thanks. I hate to lose Jake. He says many things that need to be said, and he says them well, with sufficient back up.

[fascisthunter]

27. +++

[leftstreet]

82. +1

[ShortnFiery]

109. +1000.

I'm going to miss you albeit I also take "leave" from DU but unannounced, i.e., nobody cares bout me :P :silly:.

Please PM me with your blog site if you're willing to share?

Best wishes, SnF

[unapatriciated]

119. I wondered where you went.

see you are missed.

[StarfarerBill]

6. Thanks for all your good work here, Jake. We'll miss you till you return.

And I hope we can take your sage words to heart.

Peace and be well.

:hi:

[Starry Messenger]

8. I wish DU had a blog function too.

I'll be happy to catch you over at your new digs, though I hope you will pop over here from time to time. You give a nice burnish to the place and I respect your insights about economics because I know nothing about that area. Thanks for all your hard work.

[bushalert]

10. Good luck with the blog.

You can link your new blog with my friend Neil over at texasliberal.wordpress.com. He gets mega hits and I'm sure he will be happy to list you on his blog roll.

[Nikki Stone1]

20. +1

.

[FrenchieCat]

11. I'll come check things out, and argue with you there....

and I'll bring my facts with me!

Good luck.

:hi:

[AllentownJake]

28. Frenchie

The only advice I'm going to give to you is the advice I gave to every single Barack Obama canvasser I sent out in 2008.

For some people you are the only reflection of Barack Obama they are going to ever meet. Remember that as you are talking to them as one of his supporters.

You do a good job of it 90% of the time...watch the other 10%

[Nikki Stone1]

40. Classy answer, Jake

You always do keep it classy.

[ixion]

13. All the best to you in your travels, Jake

Hope to see you around the board once in awhile. :toast:

Cheers.

[Fumesucker]

14. I've enjoyed your posts and your perspective..

Good luck with your new endeavor.

[laughingliberal]

15. Oh, man, you will be missed.

Best of luck with your blog.

[glitch]

16. Was it me? It was me, wasn't it.

"There are people on the side that agrees with me most of the time who I have little respect for, for the way they talk to others and attack them."

And I try so hard to be nice. Good luck and I'll miss your posts!

[laughingliberal]

61. I was thinking it was me

:(

[glitch]

105. Never!! :) nt

:hug:

[Nikki Stone1]

17. The collective IQ just went down a few points.

But I understand why are you are doing this. I look forward to reading your blog.

Nikki

[Goldstein1984]

18. I have enjoyed reading your posts

during my short time here.

Thank you.

G1984

[Union Yes]

19. Take care ATJ. stop by from time to time. nt

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

21. All the best to you dear Jake and

:hug:

[saracat]

22. I will miss you and your wisdom.It is indeed a good time to be

productive elswhere. I am considering the same. See you on the boards!

[Warpy]

23. My longest break was about 5 months

I didn't have money for a star and was about talked out and repeating myself. I know how you feel.

Taking time out to think and read and just take an occasional walk away from the computer is very constructive. I think we all need sabbaticals, although few of us can get the kind we really need.

I hope you'll be back soon.

[rwheeler31]

24. Thank you for all of your interesting posts. Good luck

on your new blog.

[EmeraldCityGrl]

25. I'll miss your economic savvy.

Hope you come back from time to time.

[Subdivisions]

29. I've learned a lot from you, AJ. Thanks man and good luck in whatever you do. n/t

[enlightenment]

30. Aw, darn. :(

Well, Best to you!

[AllentownJake]

31. Thanks to all my well wishers

It's nice to see people enjoy what you have to say.

[Ignis]

32. Come back soon, Jake. Hope the blog blossoms, too.

:hi:

[NYC_SKP]

33. I'd like to follow your stuff, always an engaged point of view from you.

And I appreciate that.

Please PM a link to your blog, I'd like to check in from time to time.

K and R.

:toast:

[pscot]

34. Good luck, Jake

This place can drive you nuts, if you let it. Lately the effect has become more pronounced. And the mental age seems to have slipped a bit. You'll make a great blogger, and getting away from here can only enhance your grip on reality.

[Raine]

35. PLEASE come back soon

I will really miss you, you are a real voice of reason. Don't stay away to long. :pals:

[sendero]

36. Best of luck..

... with your blog and I'll miss your posts.

[Agony]

37. Respect

Peace and Cheers

[Caretha]

38. Darn!

Hate to hear that. I began checking every op you put up. I respected your opinion and it was always refreshing to read. I've been here a long long time, don't post much, but was invigorated many times to read thoughtful, relevant and sometimes "stunning in your face truth" from you.

The best to you.

[Brickbat]

39. Good luck, and put a link up to your blog!

I've admired your posts for some time and wish you all the best.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

41. I think you could and should multi-task.

I wish you luck with your blog. There are a number of DUers who manage to both blog sucessfully separately and contribute occasionally as well. I think you have always conducted yourself as a curious, thoughtful and knowledgable debater and I will certainly miss your input and viewpoint.

DU is all :grouphug: when discussing the obvious bad guys outside the city gates,

but within the gates it's all :mad::puke::crazy::wtf::nopity:at each other, like any large, diverse, opionated group.

I really can't digest too many more "Can't we all just get along, " posts. It is what it is. It's actually the most restrained and effective board I have personally seen due to the diligence and judgement of the mods.

[AllentownJake]

42. I'm tired of the flame wars

I have a very good state representative candidate to elect in Patrick Slattery and a very good gubernatorial candidate to elect in Dan Onorato. I simply don't have the time or energy to answer accusations on my character, respond to my weekly hate mail, or to police people on my side that are misbehaving.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

50. I understand that at some point raw fatigue sets in

and there are time/benefit factors that need to be assessed. I hope your candidates prevail and work towards progressive goals of improving the lives and futures of us all.

[Telly Savalas]

54. Liberal usage of the ignore list would help cut down on that sort of bullshit.

But you gotta do what you gotta do.

[AllentownJake]

55. People come in and hijak your threads and others fight the battle

Not really my cup of tea.

[Nikki Stone1]

58. Others start flamewars over an opinion they disagree with; then they get nasty.

then they alert like mad, the mods start deleting posts, and then the thread gets locked. Then the original poster gets a reputation for having a lot of locked threads when it's the flamewarriors who are really responsible. It's a strategy and it's an insidious one.

[AllentownJake]

59. I got a thread locked a week ago

that said Do not Partner with Tea Baggers.

:rofl:

[Nikki Stone1]

60. Typical

and crappy.

[AspenRose]

111. Yep.

[ProSense]

66. "I simply don't have the time or energy to answer...

accusations on my character, respond to my weekly hate mail, or to police people on my side that are misbehaving."

GBCW

<no link>


:rofl:

[glitch]

104. I believe that is the entire point behind the flak.

Keep people distracted and on defense so they can't organize and mount their own offense.
You are doing the right thing IRL, but you could still drop in for an OP from time to time and not feel like you had to stay and police your threads. Like Timeforchange and H20 Man and Octafish and McCamy Taylor do. It's very good to have posts on economics, it's a confusing subject to most people.

[sabrina 1]

110. I will miss your posts

I would love to read your blog. Could you link to it or PM me the URL? We so need people who can actually present facts rather than give blind allegiance to any party or politician. The only way to save the Dem. Party is to recognize what has gone wrong with it.

Good luck with the blog, I'm sure it wil be a success as you are a very good writer who takes the trouble to back up what you have to say ~

[grantcart]

43. Namaste

[AllentownJake]

47. Namaste

Friend

[ProSense]

44. Stick around

Why are you leaving now when the economy is improving?

[AllentownJake]

46. I'll miss you the most Pro

Feel free to stop by with your links.

[inna]

63. Pro is the best actually, I really dig her.

(and her links)


:D

[Nikki Stone1]

64. Especially when they're blue.

:)

[Vinnie From Indy]

45. Cheers!

Good luck with your blog! Thanks for posting here. I have enjoyed reading your opinions!
:)

[highplainsdem]

48. Good luck with your blog & those campaigns, Jake. I'll miss your posts, and

I hope you will be back.

[KG]

49. well, damn. who will provide DU with its daily economic gloom and doom?

:P

[cherokeeprogressive]

51. Wow look at those Recs. I'll miss ya Jake. I look forward to your posts every day.

Do you plan to leave a link to your new blog?

The recs are funny though. I'm sure a lot of team players are breathing a little easier. No doubt about your impact here at DU.

Be Well.

[AllentownJake]

53. PM me I'll send it to you

Jake

[Dinger]

52. Don't Be A Stranger Jake

You're a helluva poster, and I have learned a lot from you. Peace.:yourock:

[freddie mertz]

56. I have enjoyed your contributions during my short time here.

Stop by once in a while.

Maybe the flames will die down after a while.

[tammywammy]

57. Good luck n/t

[cliffordu]

62. I'm going to miss you, jake...

we've agreed on some things and butted heads on some, but you are one of the best informed people on this board.

Thanks for all your perspective, and I'll come visit you on your blog.

Take care.

cliffordu

[bullwinkle428]

65. AJ, this board is certainly going to be worse for wear in your absence.

I really appreciate all you've contributed in your time here to date!

[neverforget]

67. Don't go AllentownJake! I really enjoy reading your posts. But if you

have too, I understand.:hi: :yourock:

[Eyerish]

68. Take care and keep fighting the good fight...

I have always enjoyed your posts. :hi:
Come back soon!

[MrMickeysMom]

69. I've enjoyed talking to you Jake...

... and hope to do it again.

It does get you to wonder as the groups on the internet grow, people become "tech savy" but less thoughtful. I think we need this reminder here again.

I don't post enough to know the specifics, but if I've ever sounded crude to anyone (like I just did with some troll in another thread) it's because I can dish it out when I need to. I don't think most people here prefer to dish out insults unless they are pushed to do so, but I may not be able to evaluate it as you do.

Take care... till later!

MMM

[Nikki Stone1]

70. Kicking for Jake

A real activist in the real world.

[GreenPartyVoter]

71. Awww. I hate to see you go. :^(

[scheming daemons]

72. I know you don't like me... but....

You're intellectually superior to most of the people who are on the "doom and gloom" side of the economic arguments.


I plan on reading your blog... if for no other reason than to continue to hear your points of view and keep myself honest.


I think you intentionally take the most negative possible spin on any Obama economic-related news, and that sometimes gets aggravating.... but I admit I probably have an optimistic personality that makes me think things are getting better all the time (like the Beatles song).



Like I said... I know you probably dislike me.... but I'll miss your posts.

[AllentownJake]

76. There are few people I do not like

People can disagree and still be understanding of each other. Ask any couple that has been together for more than 1 month.

[jpak]

128. ...

:hi:

[OhioChick]

73. I will miss reading your posts.

I do hope that you return soon.

[Umbral]

74. You will be missed. nt

[Zynx]

75. You're a good man.

I hope you come back to a better DU at some point.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

77. I'll miss your smart and compassionate posts

but I fully understand that you want to move on.

[flyarm]

78. I will truely miss your intelligent posts..wish you great success with your blog..but don't stay

long..please!!

Good luck!!

fly

[Truth2Tell]

79. DU doesn't have a blog function?

WTF have we been doing here all this time then?

:shrug:

But really, all the best to you in your new efforts... don't be a stranger!

[hfojvt]

80. you might check out this blog

http://fourteenpercent.typepad.com/14/

he tends to look at the negative side of things too.

[omega minimo]

81. "We have come to a point where I really don't think we are listening to each other or talking ...."

"We have come to a point where I really don't think we are listening to each other or talking on this site."

:rofl: :wow: :think:

Don't be hiatin', AJ. Do what ya gotta do, many of us are regrouping our energies for the next step. :toast:

[Joe the Liberal]

83. Noooooooo you're one of my favorite DUers.......

well can't say I blame you, I don't come here as often as I used to for similar reasons that you are leaving. Anyways, come back soon :hi:

[nc4bo]

84. Bye Jake - you spoke for me many, many times....

I'll miss you here.

Take care and keep up the good fight.

[mdmc]

85. Peace and low stress Jake

link the blog here before ya take off.

[xiamiam]

86. always appreciate your insight..perhaps you could post a link once in a while after your blog is up

i've taken breaks from here..it is necessary when you keep asking yourself what you are doing here...i'm here for information and truth...sometimes i get it..sometimes i dont...feel like i always got both from your posts...thanks...best to you...

[AllentownJake]

98. I need a break from the flames and the team mentality

People are free to re-post my blog on DU if they feel it will provide information, Other than this OP. I won't be doing any self promotion here.

[Hatchling]

87. Disappointment here.

Yours is a voice and viewpoint I look forward to each day. I've PM'd you for the link to your blog. I will certainly miss your input here.

[Tailormyst]

88. I hope you come back soon, I like your posts.

[TwilightGardener]

89. Good luck with your new endeavor.

[HughMoran]

91. As I said previously - good luck to you.

Keep your chin up and don't forget that modesty can be an important asset.

[nightrain]

92. good luck with the blog. Looking forward to reading it. Your contributions here have been spot on.

[Odin2005]

93. Check your PM, Jake!

:hi:

[HughBeaumont]

94. Don't GO!

I need all the help I can GET against these Laissez-fail assholes that have been littering this board lately!

[tekisui]

108. !

:rofl: Laissez-fail assholes. I love it.

[lonestarnot]

95. Adios.

:hi:

[liberal_at_heart]

96. good luck on your blog and thank you for bringing light to the subject of campaign finance issues

I'm not sure we can reach any of our goals without addressing campaign finance reform.

[AllentownJake]

99. My first post shows the problem is bigger than campaign finance

It should be up as soon as the host has created my spot.

[dionysus]

97. see you when you get back jake.

[DFW]

100. Although I'm not here enough to matter, I see your point

The personal sniping seems to be building to a crescendo, for whatever reason. There must be a lot of angry/unhappy people
out there looking for someone to rag on, seeing as how it has been about 175 years since you could just walk up to the White
House and give a sitting president a piece of your mind.

I get the nasty stuff every now and then, but as I don't know who is on the other end, or what their personal beefs are,
I usually let it ride. You're right that discussion of issues breaks down, more often than in the past, to personal sniping,
which is unfortunate. Republicans seem to solidify and smirk with victory. We don't seem to handle it as well.

[Little Star]

101. Gonna miss your posts and comments.

[Arkansas Granny]

102. Good luck to you, Jake, and come back soon.

[Nikki Stone1]

106. .

.

[Kaleva]

103. "...each side has their own worst offenders they do not take responsibility for."

So very true. And have to add that I've always enjoy reading your posts even if I don't sometimes agree with your position!

[mzmolly]

107. Understood.

Peace AJ. Hope to see you back soon. :hi:

[butterfly77]

112. Byeeeeee.....

:toast:

[mstinamotorcity]

113. Best of Luck to you

I know we will be hearing from you again because as soon as the President passes gas it will be the story of the decade and we will need the best people to come together to debate the issue.:D :D :D Will Miss you,stay safe.

[bbgrunt]

114. your posts are one of the reasons I keep reading DU.....

your absence will be sorely felt. Good luck to you and your blog....I have a feeling that you have many acolytes already and that this move will be very good.

[marmar]

115. PM a link to the blog, you Gloom and Doom bastard......

:hi: & :sarcasm: for anyone who thinks the subject line is serious.

[fujiyama]

116. I always liked your posts

Intelligent and well reasoned - I see fewer of those posts on this site, it seems like.

PM me your blog's link. I'd like to read it!

[BlancheSplanchnik]

117. I get a lot out of your posts

Thank you; have a great blog!

I had a very quick look at your journal just to refresh myself on your comments (so I'd know what I was talking about, kind of anyway *heh* ), and I appreciated this one very much:

"The government is supposed to be a control and regulating force on the business world. I've said it in the past, however I'll say it again, pure socialism devolves into communism and pure capitalism devolves into fascism either way it is a boot on the throat of humanity and free thinking."

Balance, yes.



I'd ask for the blog address, but actually, I spend too much time here as it is, and I'm not even involved in politics -- aside from having a few opinions about what little I understand, and a general interest in awareness.

[goldcanyonaz]

118. You will surely be missed but I completely undertand needing a break.

Best of luck to you.

:hug:

[emilyg]

120. Good luck. I'll miss you.

[emilyg]

121. Good luck. I'll miss you.

[emilyg]

122. Good luck. I'll miss you.

[change_notfinetuning]

123. Nearly 21,000 posts in less than two years. You deserve a break. You can

probably throw away those blood pressure meds now.

I enjoyed your posts because they provided sanity, reason and passion (and you spoke for me). They will be missed here, but we'll just have to check out your blog.

You can be the Brett Favre of DU. Come back whenever you want. Good luck.

[inna]

127. "blood pressure meds"

he's in his early 30s.

[change_notfinetuning]

129. I knew that from one of his posts, but with what's happened the last decade,

with the continuing disastrous policies and direction we are headed, with the explanations we are expected to swallow, especially from those who claim to be on our side, it seems that anyone paying attention could have developed hypertension. Even political discourse one chooses to take a break from might have accelerated it's onset, I suppose. It was just a wild guess/mild attempt at humor. Take your pick.

BTW, your posts are some of the best when it comes to Wall St., corporate America, health care "deform" (you were the first person I saw use that and have adopted it for my posts as that's exactly what it is), etc. Don't you take a break from DU. I doubt Bill Clinton does, but I feel your frustration. If it's been a while, you might even want to have your own blood pressure checked.

[inna]

130. wow, you just made my day with your post! :)

that was very sweet of you! :pals: :yourock:


check your messages, i'm going to send you a link. :)

[bertman]

124. If it works out, maybe you could post your blogs here as well as on your new site.

I say that because it will continue to give many DU'ers an easy one-stop opportunity to hear your voice--which I feel is highly beneficial for its content and its tone. I think a lot of us are pretty jammed up for time, so it's much easier if we can come here and pick and choose the regulars we like to read as well as sample the buffet when we have the appetite.

You realize as well as anyone, that this exchange of ideas is what often helps folks see the light that they otherwise would not have glimpsed. You are one who adds substance and perspective where they are sorely needed. Please do not limit your audience because you don't like the way some DU'ers deal with disagreement. We need more people to hear you. Not fewer.

I consider you to be one who thinks first of the human perspective, then the American perspective, then the Democratic perspective, and I respect you highly for that. So, fare thee well, Jake. I'm going to miss you here. But, I hope your future is bright whatever you decide to do.

Bert

[JDPriestly]

125. Keep us posted on your new blog web address.

And post some of your blog here on DU.

[avaistheone1]

126. Hey Jake, I enjoy your posts.

I hope you will come back to DU. I was just commenting on another thread that our heated debates and discussions only add to the vibrancy of DU imo. Anyhow I can understand taking a break. Sometimes things go a little too far and its gets wearing.

But do come back. You add a great deal value to DU. Good luck on the new blog...sounds exciting. Break a leg.