you people have jumped the shark.

[mzteris]

I had nooooooooo idea. I think it MUST be group hysteria or hypnosis or something.

I'm a reasonable, intelligent person. Informed. Well-read. Well-educated. I agree with a lot of you guys on a lot of things. I'm internet-friendly with a number of you. I really admire quite a few of you.

Yet - we're on opposite sides of a particular issue. You have your opinion. I have mine. They do not concur. That doesn't make me a bad person. Just a person with a different opinion. That doesn't make you bad people either.

But omg - I can not - for the life of me - see HOW you guys are coming up with some of this unbelievable drama.

Yall keep talkin' trolls and freepers stirring up trouble - yeah, I think there are some doing that, too.

Only guess what??

I think there are some playing both sides of this issue just to stir things up. Just to destroy DU. Just to destroy OUR community. Just to cause trouble for the Dems. Get us to turn on each other and their job is half done.

Think about what you're saying. Stop letting your EMOTIONS get in the way of LOGICAL THINKING here, people. For goodness' sake - some of the things being spouted is just completely and absolutely unbelievable.

[MichiganVote]

1. Insanity. Sometimes it just has to burn itself out.

[acmavm]

2. No shit. All this hysteria and pissing and moaning and the threats.

Yours is the one post that I agree with.

[mzteris]

7. Thanks.

It's almost scary to come on here the last few days.

[Dave Reynolds]

41. Well, one one side

we have the True Believers (tm) who will brook no disrespect of their idols, and on the other side we have the disillusioned former True Believers (tm) who lash out with vitriol those whom they leave behind.

And there are the rest of us who pop up the corn and enjoy the show.

[Pale Blue Dot]

3. I love posts that:

a) start with "you people";

b) say absolutely nothing.

Nice taking to you.

[mzteris]

8. Why thank you.

I'm glad you liked it.

Since you got absolutely nothing from it, you could assume I wasn't talking to you. Or you could infer you've been blinded by the sun.

[acmavm]

12. Have you noticed that the clowns who are demanding courtesy and

respect for themselves and others are the most profane and obnoxious?

[mzteris]

19. I've noticed there are a few

perpetrators that fit that description, yes indeed.

edit to add "a" as in "a few" instead of "few".

[Missy Vixen]

55. Really?

>are the most profane and obnoxious?<

I've been here six years now. I don't believe you'll be able to find a "profane and obnoxious" post with my name on it.

Thanks,
Julie

[PVnRT]

75. Shhh. They're trying to sneak in under the radar.

Hypocrisy does not recognize ideological boundaries.

[SPKrazy]

63. OMG, good one!

:rofl:

blinded by the sun

:hug:

[mzteris]

72. hey sweetie!

Thanks for stopping by!

What were you doing up so late??

[SPKrazy]

81. Late? ha ha!

If only that were late... it needs to be late, I have a lot of trouble sleeping, but the internets don't help that either despite my best rationalizations about that!

:hi:

[muriel_volestrangler]

65. "Mama always told me not to look into the eyes of the sun ...

... but mama - That's where the fun is"

You wouldn't want to take away his fun, would you?

[Name removed]

9. Deleted message

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

[The Straight Story]

4. It's a big tent - with a lot of clowns and circus acts at times

DU is the Barnum and Bailey of the democratic party complete with circus sideshow freaks --- and the little freeper kids dream of running away and joining us. And when they do, it takes em time to become more accepting of the bearded lady, the fish scaled man, and all the rest.

Now pass the popcorn and peanuts, I got a GD show to watch and it's better than reality TV :)

[mzteris]

11. lol....

ain't that just the truth. :rofl:

I'll be glad when real news comes back to the fore in here.

Oh - how about a :toast: to go with those peanuts, eh?

[The Straight Story]

14. Got one in hand and rum on the way :) (nt)

[IChing]

17. LOL

The big tent has some of them pissing on the inside.
I feel the say way, you nailed it.

[Downtown Hound]

40. Hahahahahahahaha! That was great!

:toast:

[The Straight Story]

47. Hey there fellow Californian!

Just moved here and trying to get to know my DU neighbors (I am in Bakersfield).

[Downtown Hound]

54. Santa Rosa, as you probably already know.

I've lived here for 15 years, plus 5 years in Humboldt County. Haven't spent much time in Bakersfield though. I've been there a few times but only briefly. I hope you are enjoying yourself so far.

I love CA, but it's getting damn expensive here. I'm in school studying IT, and I'm seriously thinking about packing up and going elsewhere when I'm done. But I don't know, there's something special about this place. If I can afford to make it work here, I'll probably stay.

I do hope you like it in Bakersfield. And if not, come on up to Sonoma or Humboldt Counties. Pretty cool places, both of them.

:hi:

[Swamp Rat]

43. LOL!

:D

[Liberal Veteran]

5. One of the oddities of being liberal, I guess.

Liberal minded people don't really do lockstep and talking points very well. It's the nature of the beast that we let our mind and logic and emotions flow and often end up in very different places on many matters.

It makes us an exciting, albeit contentious lot.

I absolutely thrive on it most of the time. Sometimes, we do tend to indulge ourselves a bit too much perhaps (which is often why you will see 10 or 20 topics on the first page all discussing the same thing simultaneously), but for the most part, it's healthy for the party.

[mzteris]

15. I guess that's one of the things

that is disturbing me the most.

This tendency to INSIST that we ALL AGREE on this. And if you don't. Why - heck - you MUST be a freeper or a TROLL, for g's sake!

The lockstep mentality on this particular issue is proving particularly divisive. The funny thing is, I see people who usually tear each other's throats out AGREEING (will wonders never cease) - and people with whom I usually agree - probably have me on ignore now. :(

[FredScuttle]

6. "you people"?

Who the fuck do you think you're talking to?

[Dave Reynolds]

10. Why, "you people," of course.

Who else?

Goddam, this is the funniest site melt-down I've seen in a while.

[acmavm]

13. Ain't it?

[mzteris]

18. ain't it just though?

It's starting to get absolutely ridiculous. Thus the "jump the shark" remark.

[TwilightGardener]

20. How dare you call people people!

[mzteris]

22. well, I know it's a real stretch

for some!

:rofl:

[Dave Reynolds]

35. I'm with you...

I'm just waiting to have people tell me how they dislike echo chambers while at the same time, with great acrimony, telling others how right-wing they are for their opposing views.

Irony is so damn ironic, yes?:popcorn:

[mzteris]

39. Why yes. Yes it is.

Would you like a cold drink to go with that :popcorn: ?

[Dave Reynolds]

44. Lo-Carb Monster Energy, please.

Gotta watch my sugar intake....:beer:

[mzteris]

57. Here ya go.

um - it won't keep you up all night will it?

[TreasonousBastard]

27. But it'll never match the great...

Fried Chicken in Cornflakes debate. Yes, that one really happened-- lasted a couple of days and there were mass thread locks and a few bannings over it.

I kinda wish flamewars like that one were archived somewhere.

[Dave Reynolds]

36. A true lounge classic,

like the "Fat Actress" flamewar which resulted in any thread with mention of that Kirstie Alley show being locked.

Good times, good times...

[TreasonousBastard]

53. Ouch! I forgot about Fat Actress-- that beat any...

political flamewar around here.

Couldn't tell the suicidal from the homicidal in that one.

[mzteris]

16. Well, I was gonna say

Y'all - but I wasn't sure that would be inclusive enough, Fred.

As my grandaddy used to say, if'n the shoe fits, wear it.

:hi:

[The Straight Story]

31. Better than saying 'them people' :) (or 'all ya all') (nt)

[rasputin1952]

21. We are an emotional group...While I certainly believe we can

get into some weird discussions, I think we all have a feeling that someone is "looking over our shoulders", after all, we are getting "fear and damnation" 24/7. The news outlets are filled w/odd stories about the Apocalypse, Armageddon and a host of nuclear scenarios. After a while, these things take hold.

I am NOT afraid of terrorists coming here to kill me or my kids. I an NOT afraid of voicing my opinion. And I most certainly am NOT afraid of RW'nuts coming here to disrupt this site...

One of the greatest assets DU has is a very professional Moderator base. These are some of the most dedicated people on Du, and they deal w/these things quickly and cleanly. If trolls want to hop on this train, they get bounced off pretty damn fast, crashing and burning as they hit the ground.

Suggestion #1: use the Alert function.

Suggestion #2: For Pete's sake, be yourself and the hell w/'fear'...

[mzteris]

24. I dunno

I've been damn near crucified on this site a number of times for either A) stating an opinion, or B) NOT stating MY opinion - just questioning how people came to the opinions they held.

I'm a big fan of critical thinking. (Not that I always do it myself, of course. I AM only human - and given to frailties, foibles, misspeaking, frequent mistyping, and occasionally just letting her rip and shooting from the hip. (Unfortunately, the latter usually occurs after a few too many libations!)

Truth be told, I'm usually better at spotting OTHER's flaws in their CT than my own. :blush: Of course, seeing that beam in one's own eye is pretty damn hard what with the beam being in it and all. ;)

[rasputin1952]

30. Welcome to my world...

although I am more often ignored after I post world shattering views...:D

There are times when I've thought I should wear flame-resistant undies...and there are times I thought that I should change my avatar to...

But I post what I feel, and if someone can convince me that I'm a little OTT, I am more than willing to look at it and perhaps change my position if I feel it is warranted.

What's life w/o a little zest?...:D

FWIW, you have a wonderful command of the language, and that alone is something to be proud of!
As for posting, post on, I enjoy them, and who cares what others might think if they are against your basic tenets of goodness and free will...

on edit: I really need to check these posts before I hit "post"...

[mzteris]

37. Will wonders never cease?!?!

A person who will actually CHANGE THEIR MIND???

Thanks for your kind words. :blush:

Where did you get those smilies? I love that last one!

[rasputin1952]

42. Here's the link, but be warned...

some of them are not usable here on DU due to the fact they are x-rated...:scared:

There are 3 pages of them and they do upgrades quite often....Enjoy...

http://smiley.onegreatguy.net/index.html?

[mzteris]

58. thanks -

I'll have to check 'em out tomorrow. It's getting pretty late for me.

Now if I can just tear myself away from here. . .

[TreasonousBastard]

23. Happens every couple of months...

it seems. Lotta pent up frustration around here that just goes blooey.

Sure wish all that energy was used for something worthwhile.

[mzteris]

26. ayuh.

Just think if we could put all that passion and energy to work on the same side pushing for the same thing. Like, er, getting a Dem into the Whitehouse for starters, eh?

[Forkboy]

25. I'd be as cool as the other side of the pillow.

But seeing long time DUers that I truly care about so upset at today's events that I hope you'll forgive my emotions.If we were close friends I'd be doing the same thing for you in a heartbeat,equally as upset.

[mzteris]

28. Don't get me wrong -

I *understand why* some people feel the way they do. I just don't agree with them.

I did make one mean spirited comment for which I have apologized - and the circumstances under which I made it wasn't really directed at the person "at whom" it was made.

I AM upset that people are so upset. I truly believe, though, that's it's turned into a tent revival. (If you've never been to one, you probably have no idea what I'm talking about.)

It's gotten way way WAY out of proportion, imho.

[Forkboy]

29. Never been to one...heard stories from my mother about them though.

:scared:

[Canuckistanian]

32. Perspective, people

Big picture. LOGIC and REASONING.

And remember, you can't be just "sayin' what everyone's thinkin'".

That kind of attitude gets you a show on MSNBC.

It doesn't make you a good, moral person.

[Bluebear]

33. Maybe it's YOU who have jumped the shark & you don't realize it?

:hi:

[mzteris]

34. um - I don't think so.......

I don't recall making any outlandish claims lately. (Unless you want to count stuff I post in the Lounge and heck - you can't believe anything anyone says in there! :rofl:)

[Dave Reynolds]

38. Yay!

A True Believer (tm) checks in!

Come on, spam the thread with rule #4 now! Please please please?

[Bluebear]

45. Not my schtick lol

[Dave Reynolds]

49. Well, I tried...LOL

:D

[Robbien]

46. Funny you talk about people trying to split up DU and you start out

the argument by dissing DUers.

"You people"
"jumping sharks"
"too emotional"
"illogical thinking"
and drama queens

are just a few of the phrases you used.

I guess if we are to start looking for places where people are trying to tear down DUers, we wouldn't need to look to far away from the original post of this thread.

[frustrated_lefty]

48. I think he's referring

to otherwise intelligent people who, for some reason, have been acting like retarded monkeys lately?

And, if you think this board doesn't have it's share of drama queens, I have some primo swampland to sell you, freshly remodeled by FEMA.

[Bluebear]

51. But doesn't "jumped the shark" mean past its peak?

I know the term is from when Fonzie of Happy Days jumped over a shark in his water skis, but I always thought the term meant "no longer hip", not crazy or hysterical as the OP implies?

[mzteris]

60. hmmmmm - you may be right -

I meant it as acting whacky. Saying/doing/(?believing?) completely and totally outlandish things.

It is usually that type of behaviour that ensues when one is "jumping the shark" - but of course it's original meaning was that a show which indulged in that behaviour was past it's prime.

That's not what *I* meant by saying that. I meant the behaviour itself. Whether some have done it on purpose, I dunno - though I do believe I referenced disruptors whipping the masses into a frenzy. . .

[Bluebear]

61. 'disruptors whipping the masses into a frenzy'

That is inarguable :)

[mzteris]

62. well dang -

I may as well go to bed if you'ns ain't a'gonna argue with me. :P

:hi: night!

[mzteris]

56. Yeah, I think a few showed up in here.

Good catch.

:hi:

FYI - I AM a DU'er, too. I just try to stay within the realm of reality.

[Lord Helmet]

50. I've seen fascism here when it comes to group think.

I thought a message board was supposed to encourage free thought and exchange of ideas. Boy was I wrong. Here if you don't come down on the same side of issues you are labeled a troll and treated like crap. I'm only 21 and I'm surprised & disgusted by the lack of free thinking here. This place can be as ugly as being in the midst of a red state. Who needs that crap.

[MilesColtrane]

52. You must not have gotten the memo.

"It's OK if We Do It."

[Rex]

59. I agree they have!

People - someone should put them in their place!

[SPKrazy]

64. It seems to always be the case that

there are those who let emotions get in the way of logical thinking

easy to do, I've done it

but the vitriol has been especially bad lately, and in the wake of the Cindy thing, we all need to look at how we say things and the fact that we don't speak in a vacuum with no one "real" out there on the other end.

We are all real people (unless someone isn't :silly:) and real people have real emotions, that means that we need to count to 10 before we hit post sometimes.

It also means that we don't need to eat each other for lunch, this isn't the way to practice for the primaries or the elections.

We gotta beat some damned thugs that are running on the R side. Lets don't completely kill each other before we get there.

[mzteris]

73. it was noticing the names

of those on the "other side" that made me stop and rethink my position. Not change much, mind you, but rethink.

I recognized many many names of people I hold dear on DU and I would really hate to have that damaged by the fact that we don't quite see eye-to-eye on this issue.

Unfortunately, I let my emotions interfere in some of my posts in the past on this - but to be frank - most of it was - er - *inspired* by the vitriol being spewed in MY direction. It tends to make one pushed further away and even more rigid in one's thinking. It polarizes the whole debate

I would like to be able to calmly and factually state my opinion without being attacked for it. And to be able to question other's stand about WHY they hold the opinion that they do without being excoriated.

State Motto of KY: United We Stand, Divided We Fall.

:pals:

[SPKrazy]

80. Yes, that would be nice

and it isn't gonna happen here I'm afraid.

But it is true that at the end of the day we are all liberals and on the same side. (we hope)

:hi:

:hug:

[siligut]

66. Always be aware of the loud minority

You are right, perspective is one of our most valuable resources.

[mzteris]

71. Loud doesn't necessarily

make any group's opinion more valid, though.

Welcome to DU, btw. :hi:

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

67. I don't know who you are or what you're talking about

so stop addressing me as "you people."

[mzteris]

69. see post 8

but if you REALLY don't know that to which I am referring - then I'm wasn't addressing you.

:hi:

[ProfessorGAC]

68. You People? Really?!?!

Perhaps you meant "some people". I've been reading this stuff too. The radically angry on both sides are a small percentage of the whole. Try to narrow the indictment a pinch, huh?
The Professor

[mzteris]

70. ok - SOME of you people.

Better? :)

Really you are right. I'm sorry. I wrote after reading a particuluar post with one of the most outrageous assertions I've ever seen.

And you are also right in that BOTH extremes are getting on the nerves of everyone else around here.

edit to say: JUST about everyone else around here. :D

[ProfessorGAC]

76. Yep!

Good edit, too. Funny!
The Professor

[NoPasaran]

74. People

The problem that won't go away.

[mzteris]

78. How does that old saying go?

The more I learn about people, the more I like my dog! :P

[GeorgeGist]

77. you people? destroy DU? destroy Our community?

some shark jumping and paranoia there, no doubt.

[mzteris]

79. now now -

it's not being paranoid if it's true, now is it?

As I recall, it was - uh - SOME of "you people" who were claiming that others were trying to destroy DU.

I just posited that I believe there are trolls stirring up the pot on BOTH sides, ya know? Just to watch the ensuing circus.