The ignore feature has reduced my blood pressure by 10 points

[Mortos]

In the 6+ years I have been a DU member, I have never used the ignore feature. I started using it a week ago and it has changed my opinion of DU. I am an unabashed supporter of President Obama and I understand that some here are not.

I have no problem engaging in respectful debate with people with differing opinions and experiences. I have a huge problem with finding the negative in every issue and attacking the President non-stop vitriolic criticism. It seemed that hundreds of people here were Obama bashers who were never satisfied and never tired of voicing extreme criticism of the President and those who supported him. In actuality, I have only ignored about a dozen folks so far and I see these dozen pop up over and over again on any post expressing gratitude or respect for President Obama. I no longer have to read what they post but I can tell by the responses to what they write that they haven't changed. By not having to read this constant negativity, I am enjoying DU again.

I highly recommend utilizing this feature if you find yourself becoming frustrated and not enjoying the DU experience during these trying times.

Thanks.

SJV

[KansasVoter]

1. Add me to your list. Thanks!

[proud2BlibKansan]

3. LOL!!

I have often wished we had a feature that allows us to choose who ignores us.

[KansasVoter]

6. I would never add you! :-) Even if we disagree on Bill Gates! :-)

[proud2BlibKansan]

18. We Kansas Dems need to stick together

:hi:

[KansasVoter]

23. I agree! And I really admire your dedication to teaching! Thanks so much!!

[proud2BlibKansan]

25. How nice! Merry Christmas!

[Mortos]

7. Thanks for volunteering

See how easy that is.

[taterguy]

2. Thanks for sharing.

:eyes:

[bigwillq]

4. Try not to get that worked up over a message board.

It's just not worth it.

At least you do the right thing and put some on ignore. It helps.

[RandomThoughts]

5. I don't use the ignore.

I understand the concept, but for me, I found it better to be able to read something an internally ignore what I disagree with, that way I don't miss the good that is in everything also, even if only a small percent of a thought or post.

Also there is 'blowback' in many comments that can be helpful.

[Jamastiene]

8. Excellent!!!

We can go ahead and mutually ignore each other now. It can be our holiday gifts to each other. Enjoy your much lower blood pressure. :hi:

[apocalypsehow]

9. I rarely use the *ignore* feature, but when I do I am very glad it is there because it is always a

case where it is very, very, very much needed. Though seldom used by me, I appreciate the fact that it is available as a tool for those instances where two posters simply should not be interacting with one another, period.

[SDuderstadt]

58. Just for that...

I am putting you on "ignore".

Oops, sorry...I was channeling D&P for a moment.

Actually, I tried to place myself on "ignore", but DU responded "not a known member".

I can't win for losing.

[ncteechur]

10. I agree 100 percent. My list is growing longer and longer for the exact same reason.

[City Lights]

11. "Hide thread" works wonders, too. nt

[virgogal]

12. I find that the best thing about these boards is reading the

opinions of those with whom I disagree.

I might learn something.

[Mortos]

13. I have found nothing useful in being attacked and called names

I do enjoy debating the issues, just not with people who are so angry that they can do nothing but yell and stomp around (metaphorically speaking).

[virgogal]

22. Doesn't bother me at all. I find it quite humorous to see the

adolescent behavior of some posters.

They are rare around here,thank god.

[wtmusic]

24. +1

Personal attacks cross the line, and those who want to make me their punching bag make my list in a hurry.

[nadinbrzezinski]

48. To those I disagree, yes

to cyber stalkers and I have a few, not so much.

[Bobbieo]

14. What is the ignore feature and how do I find it.

[Obamanaut]

15. The line with the poster name has several small icons. Pick the little

person icon that has the red x.

[Bobbieo]

19. Thank you, but probably will never use it.

[liberal N proud]

16. I have not ignored anyone for months

I even took those I was ignoring off my list a couple of months ago.

[lamp_shade]

17. True. Same here... only a dozen or so on my ignore list but that seems to do the trick.

[Cleita]

20. The hide a thread feature should lower your BP

even more. Both features keep me sane as well.

[bluestate10]

21. That cuts both ways.

Some members likely have you on ignore. Don't get me wrong, I am more in your camp on President Obama. President Obama could be more forceful and more of a mouthpiece, but given the mess he inherited, his progress so far has been impressive if one sits back and analyze dispassionately.

I am one DU member that will not use the ignore feature on any member, even those I virulently disagree with. I have this mythical love for debate, even bust my neck veins, angry debate. I don't think I would be whole if I did not listen to and duke it out with those that I disagree with. Every day I get hit with a new way of viewing an issue. Most I reject due to considerable prior thought on the issue, but every once in a while, a poster impresses knowledge onto me that I had been ignorant of. By ignoring those that you would rather not hear, you give up the small chance that your view of the world and politics will be enlarged. But of course, the debate could send us to early graves. But I ask what is the purpose of living if we do not take risks to gain something that is meaningful?

[JoePhilly]

26. I don't us it ...

I had a poster actually say they hoped I would DIE SOON, about a week ago.

Did not report abuse, did not ignore.

I found it hilarious. Here was this "compassionate liberal", hoping for my death ... the irony cracked me up.

[bluestate10]

31. Yeah. That wish would have been a wet my shorts, knee slapper for me too.

If one of my liberal friends wished me dead, I'd go to the fridge for a beer. And wolf down a handful of preservative laden nachos. I am a pleaser, why in the hell should I not try to give someone their wish? :-)))

[JoePhilly]

33. LOL ...

That's how I take most of the personal attacks on DU.

[wtmusic]

27. Ah, you are young.

"DU-young", that is.

When you get up around 10,000 posts you might find that some posters post the same tired shit & make the same tired insults every time you get onto a topic you find interesting.

It gets old. Keep your mind open about the Ignore feature itself. :thumbsup:

[Ikonoklast]

28. I never use 'Ignore'.

But the ones that go on my 'Buddy' list seem to eat a great deal of pizza.

[rucky]

29. Just out of curiousity (if you can read this)

how many did you have to put on ignore before it started making a difference?

[Mortos]

45. I noticed a drastic reduction in the first 6

I think the most offensive (to me) posters spend all day every day on DU using the same rumors and misrepresentations on as many different threads that they can post on. I don't know if I can anonymously reference a poster or not but removing one specific poster was very rewarding.

[rucky]

50. I didn't think it would take too many.

[proud patriot]

30. It's a wonderful Function ... Thanks ELAD

:yourock:

[pintobean]

32. Starting preachy threads tends to get you negative responses.

How many of the people in this thread are on your ignore list?
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=439&topic_id=38756

I would be proud to be on your list.

[Mortos]

47. Two

One called the President "Asshole in Chief." Don't think I can learn anything from this person.

[pintobean]

57. I can't argue with that.

I'm surprised that wasn't deleted.

[TheCowsCameHome]

34. I had one poster tell me I was going on his ignore list, pronto.

But after that he continued threatening me anyway, so I knew he was peeking. Like cheating on himself.

Too funny.

:rofl:

[pintobean]

36. It's against the rules to tell someone that and not do it.

Even if it's just peeking, they shouldn't be able to reply.

[JoePhilly]

37. During one innocuous debate, some one I disagreed with said ...

"Welcome to my ignore list" ... as if I was going to be heart broken because they were going to ignore me over some trivial disagreement.

I pictured this person with their fingers stuck firmly in their ears singing ... "LA LA LA LA LA ... I can't hear you!!!!"

And I too ... :rofl:

[FarLeftRage]

35. Persons on my ignore list...

usually end up being tombstoned... sooner or later.

I don't let the obvious trolls bother me for very long...

[demosincebirth]

38. I seem to have the same sentiments you do. I was

told years ago...you go too far to the left and you'll be shaking hands the the extreme right. Thats the way I see those two opposites. Ya can't have a decent discussion with either of them.

[apocalypsehow]

40. +1. n/t.

[Obamanaut]

39. It is important never to have to read an opinion that differs. nt

[apocalypsehow]

41. Of course, the OP never stated anything even remotely like that; indeed, quite the opposite:

"I have no problem engaging in respectful debate with people with differing opinions and experiences"

But keep flailing away at those Strawmen

[Obamanaut]

44. And then there is this

"...on any post expressing gratitude or respect for President Obama. I no longer have to read what they post but I can tell by the responses to what they write that they haven't changed. By not having to read this constant negativity..."

Folks will post a positive, and the OP doesn't want to read the negative, which might be considered a different opinion. Not all opinions expressed will be positive, and with the ignore feature one does not have to see the negative. They go away. Poof. All is right in the world again.

That's why the Patrick Swayze character in "Roadhouse" said 'Opinions vary.'

[Bonobo]

42. Thanks for keeping us updated on your personal experiences,

Following on the heels of your wildly successful "Tell me who you are so I can put you on ignore" thread, you have outdone yourself with yet another self-focused OP.

Congratulations.

[demmiblue]

43. This OP is not about the ignore function, it is about your need to get in a dig toward other DUers.

There seems to be a pattern here.

IMHO, of course.

:shrug:

[cherokeeprogressive]

49. That's exactly right. Ignore DU'ers if you have to, but don't crow to the world about

who you ignore and how it makes you feel.

[Mortos]

52. I didn't point out any DU'ers and I thought this was a discussion board

I will discuss whatever I want within the rules set up by the Admins. If you don't like my posts, there are options available to you.

[cherokeeprogressive]

55. You mean like Ignore? Don't worry, I don't have a problem subjecting my beautiful mind to

dissenting opinions. I'm easy that way.

Who said you couldn't discuss what you wanted? You're the one who ignores things that don't appeal to your likes, not me.

[Forkboy]

51. Yep

[pipi_k]

46. Funny thing about disagreement...

from my POV, anyway...

There are people here with whom I disagree on some things, but then I find I agree with them on other things. I can't think of anyone right now with whom I've ever agreed or disagreed 100%.

I'm not paying too much attention to this Pro/Anti Obama stuff. Sometimes I'm not happy with him, sometimes I am. So I guess I'm in the middle and it doesn't bother me too much what others think or say about him.

The only thing that gets someone on my ignore list generally is personal attacks and nastiness.


And yes, I've been told by some that I would be put on their ignore list for various things...mostly because they didn't agree with me. I had one or two threaten to put me on ignore because they didn't agree with a choice I made over 25 years ago with regards to my own child. ummmm...yeah. OK.

As I've often said, there are individuals out there whose good opinion of me would actually cause me to worry about my own character.

[UTUSN]

53. I'm with Poster #1 !1 n/t

[TexasObserver]

54. It's a good feature.

Do you want to ignore the other posters or do you want to talk about your ignoring other posters?

The feature works best if you don't talk about using it, however. You're alerting many of those you have on ignore of your inability to see their replies to you.

[lamp_shade]

56. My advice: Only put OP's on ignore. It eliminates about 75% of the caustic responses.