Should DU be a discussion forum?

[Go2Peace]

I know this post won't get on the greatest page. But I would just like to float this question out there. It seems like there is so much angst and anger expressed because people express varied opinions. But I wonder if people are thinking this through?

Get rid of the hot headed comments and occassional freeper, and what really goes on here? Pretty much what goes on in a Democracy, and on an internet discussion forum. And yes, even within the same party.

Our party, as with most parties in Democracies, has many opinions and thoughts. And on an internet forum that is made for discussion about politics and events it would be surprising if there *weren't* heavy discussions and yes, even criticisms levelled.

So I guess I am wondering what people are thinking? Do you believe that DU should not be a discussion forum? If so, what would you prefer it be?

[havocmom]

1. Some wanna discuss, some come to fight, some insist on choir practice all singing same song

some come to learn, some to teach

Some come to watch the circus

But I agree with you, people should expect different individuals with different opinions.

Life would be boring and very unproductive without civil dissent. There would be no invention

[Go2Peace]

8. "very unproductive without civil dissent. There would be no invention"

Exactly.

[Cha]

10. Oh, who "insists on the singing the same songs"?

[boppers]

11. Try a BP bashing thread

Not a whole lot of dissent in those.

[Cha]

13. Well there ya go.. group think on

an oil company whose negligence destroyed invaluble areas of the Ocean.

[boppers]

15. See, sometimes we do all get along!

:hug:

[Cha]

18. ..

:)

[Go2Peace]

16. I swear what you said could be made into a song ;)

The first three sentences read like one :). But good points

[havocmom]

21. actually, an old Limeliters tune played in my head as I typed it

Great old song.

There's a song for just about everything.

[tranche]

2. Is saying Obama is responsible for the gulf spill what you consider "discussion"?

So someone puts up a post saying Obama is "responsible" for the gulf oil spill and this is discussion? Is a person who tries to connect a homophobe to Obama because the guy is on some spill team a shit disturber or productive member engaging in "discussion"?

There is such a thing as "trolling". It happens all the time and it's what I am fed up with. Half the crap that goes on here on a daily basis is not "speaking truth to power" or "challenging the administration", it is trolling, pure and simple and that's what (and I only speak for myself) pisses me off.

It should be a discussion forum. Not a playground for trolls.

[Flying Dream Blues]

3. +1 nt

[Go2Peace]

5. It's not how I feel, but if they feel that the administration should not have ok'd it

that is a valid thing to say. Maybe not realistic.

But everyone can find something they think is not realistic or not what they would consider accurate in most anyone else. I guess I don't understand this thing about trying to shut people down on an opinion board for discussing things that are within the scope of TOS and the board guidelines?

I see the posts trying to call out such opinions as being far more disruptive.

[tranche]

27. It's not a valid thing to say. Disagreeing with Obama's drilling policy is one thing...

but you just cannot go out there and blame the guy for allowing it to happen (the OP says they "hate him for allowing it to happen"). All to often these types of posts attract the usual suspects, completing the pile on. These types of posts serve absolutely no purpose and should be shut down.

[Skink]

4. I'm here for the nightly beer specials.

:beer:

[Go2Peace]

Hey, lead me to them!

The benefits of DU just grow and grow! ;)

[Teaser]

6. I wish that it was a hentai pr0n board

.

[Go2Peace]

9. Not my style, I prefer the DU beer mentioned earlier.

:)

[boppers]

12. One 4chan is more than enough.

Seriously.

[Tunkamerica]

17. not to mention 5chan ichan and all the rest.

[Speck Tater]

7. Many prefer to lie in wait until somebody posts something that is wrong,...

...and then POUNCE! to point out their error and set them straight.

[Pholus]

14. Guilty.... :)

150 times in 10 years. Most of the time I'm just seeking information. But I have some hot buttons, and I can shoot my mouth off with the best of 'em.

But discussion is key, since that is why you have a community.

[Codeine]

25. Perhaps

they shouldn't be wrong so damned much! :evilgrin:

[dumpdabaggers]

19. New people get beat up here but,

It seems liek once you show that youa re for real, that people respect you and your opinions.

[Warren Stupidity]

20. Why wreck a good thing?

[HillGal]

22. I would love to have a forum where republicans can post, but I also like reading

other points of view and discussing those views like I do on other political forums. I think when people insulate themselves they really have no idea what's really going on around them. I saw that here during the Martha Coakley/Scott Brown election, people were in denial.

[Go2Peace]

23. Republicans posting would be against Terms of Service.

I am glad that is the case.. They would disrupt things. But according to skinner Democrats are more or less encouraged to freely opine as long as they don't get nasty.

[HillGal]

24. I just thought it would be cool to allow them to post in one forum, like I said I like

to discuss politics and I like differing views.

[Go2Peace]

26. That would be interesting. My gosh they would get pounded though

LOL.
I can see everyone, if they have a really bad day, hitting the "*R* board to let off steam ;)

[HillGal]

28. A good way to get your frustrations out lol. NT

NT

[freddie mertz]

29. Discussion would be nice.

Too much fighting.

And bullying.

Why can't we agree to disagree civilly?

[dumpdabaggers]

33. Seems like when a topic gets interesting it gets locked.

That is their right but I do not see what this accomplishes.

[freddie mertz]

34. I know. I think it contributes to the polarization.

Who knows, if we could really discuss things, we might find our way to some new solutions.

[bigwillq]

30. DU is fine the way it is (nt)

[Name removed]

31. Deleted message

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

[greencharlie]

32. well...

once you get to the left of Atilla the Hun... there's a lot of debate to be had. Big tent...