Skinner, there is an old Army expression, " The Army ain't what it used to be,

[old mark]

but then again, it never was..." I think that applies to DU. I haven't been here long enough to appreciate "the old days" when evidently everyone got along and there war peace in the valley, but I have enjoyed the fighting here and I have no desire to see this become a placid mill pond of well behaved ladies and gentlemen.

The only thing certain is change.

mark

[mbillard1979]

1. I haven't posted much since joining

Mostly because of school and work. I think that a lot of stress can be seen in many peoples posts and that could have something to do with the hard times that a lot of people are living through. Many people are looking to the government for help and assistance or even equality and when the government falls short of that it is common for people to express themselves on message boards like DU in strong ways.

Edit for spelling.

[rusty quoin]

2. I tuned out the disagreements in the 2008 primary.

Dr. Dean disagreed with me about the 2 block away muslim comminity center. No big deal. I stick with Democrats.

[KT2000]

3. Agree with you

the volatile disagreements are easy to avoid if they become too stressful.
As my mother used to say - this too shall pass.
There is so much to discuss and one can always find something to tune in to on DU.
It is still a great place.
I am just sorry Skinner is losing sleep.

[deacon]

4. "enjoyed the fighting" ??? I don't come here to fight. Deconstructing issues, sharing,bringing ideas

yes. To fight. No.

[Lasher]

5. That's right, everything changes.

And there is a lot to be learned from our discussion, if you keep an open mind.

[LostInAnomie]

6. I've been around for quite awhile...

... and this magical time when every poster posted outstanding, well researched, and insightful content and all the responses were well reasoned and illuminating discussions never existed. It's almost always been the same. There are just a few definite peaks in the bomb throwing.

[bemildred]

7. It's always been war here, vigorous debate is the norm, lots of trolls is the norm.

It you want pollyannas and nothing but people that agree with you, this has never been the place.

[JNelson6563]

10. Nonsense.

Perhaps it's just been this way too long and you forget when Democrats were actually allowed to post as Democrats without being called cheerleaders or some such. Maybe you have forgotten that Republicans use to be the enemy here, not each other.

And last but not least, you may recall when the rules of DU were not only enforced but somewhat consistently.

Julie

[Bonobo]

8. DU was once a place where no one would ever advocate bombing a nation.

It is not that now, and you are one of the reasons.

[old mark]

13. I suppose you mean because I posted that I supported the nuclear bombing of Japan to end WWII.

I did and I do.
It seems you are also saying that what you percieve as the problem here is my fault, at least in part.


have a great day.

:hi:

mark

[Bonobo]

14. Actually, no. It was when you said the U.S. should bomb them AGAIN.

And no one objected.

That was a sad moment and entirely unlike the DU that used to exist.

[JNelson6563]

9. Nice way to exaggerate

When I first started posting at DU it WAS pretty rational. I recall early on seeing someone apologize for having misunderstood a point and thinking "Wow! There are adults here!". During this time vanity posts were posted in the lounge, calling out DUers was forbidden and we had way fewer zealots who went from thread to thread screaming bloody murder about their issue of choice.

It was not perfect but it was a lot more respectful and it was actually an encouraging place for Democrats who had much reason to feel demoralized.

Let me tell you a story that may illustrate my points more clearly. The (s)election of 2000 was what got me more interested in politics. I was horrified at how that election got stolen and that Bush was to get the WH. Horrified. I found DU right at the beginning and was rather intimidated by how knowledgeable the posters were so I stayed quiet mostly. I learned a great deal from reading here. Not only that there were people here who were actually involved in real world politics so they actually knew what they were talking about! I read of their efforts and felt compelled to get my ass in gear and join the actual effort, not just the discussion about the effort. I found my local Dem party, joined and got busy. Worked more than full time hours as a volunteer, ran for and won Congressional District chair, busted ass to make stuff happen and teach others in the 14 counties of my CD how to also make stuff happen.

Tell me, dear "old mark", do you think someone taking an interest for the first time in politics coming to DU would follow a similar path? Do you think they'd even be inspired to consider such action after reading DU?

Yes, by all means, let's let DU continue down the path of mud-pit, dominated by shit flinging monkeys and attention whores while the Admins dissemble and watch from afar as DU becomes a high school cafeteria with no adults around to keep things in check.

Julie

[sendero]

11. I've been here 8 years.

.... and frankly, I don't see much difference.

There is a lot of frustration right now because many of us thought things were really going to change. It was a very hard let down and after 8 years of insanity it did not come at a very good time.

That said, I argue with some folks and blow off others. You can't fix stupid, not that I think everyone who disagrees with me is stupid, not ALL idiots are Republicans, just most.

[BeFree]

12. This too shall pass?

Thoreau says it best. When on his death bed he proclaimed that if he had any regrets it might be that he behaved too well.

DU is prone to naked RW streakers, closeted republicans and others who just want to rag the Left.

Its neat to see them beat back, smoked out, and T-stoned.

And then you have the just plain too aware who don't see a future. And who can blame them? Things don't look good. The armies arrayed at all of our resources, grabbing everything they can with no sense of responsibility for the future is this society's foundation.

Changes need to be instituted at the foundation level, but what are we doing? Arguing about some little church building on some street close to something.

Big changes are coming and we are not in control.

Hell yeah we're gonna fight.