the "what is bashing" thread?

[hedgetrimmer]

is discussing the issues a thread about bashing?

a pro-clark thread is a pro-clark thread and no-one-should be against clark?

dean is good, dean is great, dean makes me want to master the DLC... is that bashing, is that against the "rule of thumb"?

is saying someone is unelectable bashing?

kucinich looks like a hobbit with a bad haircut; is that bashing?

is saying a candidate is a "fruitcake" bashing?

is questioning a candidates views on nafta, wto, reproductive rights, defense spending, tax cuts, views on iraq, depleted uranium missiles...etc... bashing?


what is bashing? what is not bashing?

[RichM]

1. Bashing is when someone else says something critical or questioning of

a candidate, person, position, or party that you like. As soon as that happens, you are allowed to turn around and bleat piteously about that person's outrageous "bashing."

[XanaDUer]

2. Bingo, richm

I've asked what "bashing" is myself here. I figure, I will let the admins set the rules on what is and is not acceptable.

[hedgetrimmer]

3. is that sarcasm? hmmm ..... who is your candidate?

i would like to beat them about the head with a hard stick...

is that free-form... is this a open discussion? ... when someone says something "bad" about anothers ideas and that is bashing?... so it is arbitrary? left to the discussion of those involved and as long as it doesn't get personal and if it does well then the mods get involved?

[iambe]

4. to me, people who denigrate other posters

with phrases like "piteous bleating" is a form of bashing.

[hedgetrimmer]

5. r u bashing?

[iambe]

6. i dunno, ru?

[hedgetrimmer]

7. i don't know... am i? .. that is what this thread is about.....

what is bashing? am i guilty of bashing and where did i "bash"?

[iambe]

8. ask this guy

[hedgetrimmer]

9. this "guy" is a representation, a artists depictition, of what?

you ask him the only answers i get are in my head...

[gate of the sun]

10. I think this is an important question

considering all the "upset" on DU. Funny when the question is posed no one really answers. what do people really feel is appropriate here? To me and well that is just my opinion... It is important for us to debate and investigate our candidates. Bush aside we should know the facts on who "we" elect.We have plenty of time to debate and inform each other on these people "we" put into office. I really only have issues with disrupter types who won't intelligently discuss and those who want to tarnish a candidate with innane comments on looks or other superficial issues.This is a discussion board after all.

[SaintLouisBlues]

11. One man's basher is another man's freedom fighter

I see ten times more complaining about bashers than I see actual bashers.

Actually, it's the same axe-grinders that constantly post the same argument on thread after thread that annoy me. I have begun to use the ignore feature rather than endure these broken records.

[Mairead]

12. My definition:

if it's an opinion that can't be countered except by another opinion, it's bashing. E.g., 'Dean is too short', 'Kerry acts like he can't be bothered', 'Kucinich looks like one of those troll dolls from Denmark', etc.

If it is a factual-sounding statement, and the writer can't produce a fact-based cite, then it might or might not be bashing depending on specifics. E.g., 'Edwards took credit that belonged to his law partner', 'Graham voted 75% with the GOP during Clinton's time', 'Clark has no experience as a political leader', 'Sharpton didn't really believe Tawanna Brawley', 'CMB had no good reason to visit Abacha', etc.

[LWolf]

13. Civility vs incivility; honesty vs disinformation

is discussing the issues a thread about bashing?

no

a pro-clark thread is a pro-clark thread and no-one-should be against clark?

not bashing. intolerant, perhaps.

dean is good, dean is great, dean makes me want to master the DLC... is that bashing, is that against the "rule of thumb"?

no...that's a cheerleading squad. Little substance, no offense offered either.

is saying someone is unelectable bashing?

Not if it is preceded by, "In my opinion, " and followed by "for these reasons:" including something of substance beyond speculation.

Anything "said" with a snide, derisive tone and no substantiation is a bash. Opinions offered as facts are just dishonest.

kucinich looks like a hobbit with a bad haircut; is that bashing?

yes

is saying a candidate is a "fruitcake" bashing?

yes

is questioning a candidates views on nafta, wto, reproductive rights, defense spending, tax cuts, views on iraq, depleted uranium missiles...etc... bashing?

no

Bashing:

1. Unsubstantiated statements attacking a candidate or supporters presented as facts rather than opinions.

2. Criticism that strays from the issues into personal attacks. Of the candidates or the candidates' supporters.

3. Bad manners...anywhere. Playground bully tactics. Name calling, derision, gang behaviors. If you don't want your kid behaving that way in public, it doesn't belong in a civil discussion.

4. Knee-jerk reactions to legitimate, civil disagreement with a candidate, leading supporters to fly out, guns blazing, to bash all opposition in site. And then complain about how everyone bashes their preferred candidate.

5. Sarcastic, snide, derisive threads using childish behaviors to point out how childish the opposition is.

[Liberator_Rev]

14. Thanks Hedgetrimmer and L Wolf for

a great question and a great answer, and for other great answers as well, like "Your basher is my freedom fighter".

I happen to believe that one of the greatest enemies of Liberalism in the world is the ultra-Conservative hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church, and every time I present solid arguments to make that case, those Catholics who have nothing to offer in rebuttal invariably accuse me of "bashing". See what I call "solid arguments" and what they call "bashing" at :

http://www.LiberalsLikeChrist.Org/RCscandal &

http://www.LiberalsLikeChrist.Org/PopesvsChrist

[sendero]

15. my own definition....

.... is when someone tries to, using rhetorical devices, cast a fact or factoid that is "value neutral" into a negative.

"He likes cats, how despicable."

Lots of bashing going on here :)

[mandyky]

16. Depends how thin skinned people are

Before the campaign heated up and there was candidate "critique", there were days on DU when Greens and Nader supporters have over 5 threads to deal with.

I don't mind a one comment bash - what I dislike is the serial bashing that goes on here. There are a few folks who go to every thread about "unnamed candidate" and bring up the same crap, each time. Or better yet accuse supporters of being cult members and the like. THAT is bashing and also erodes cohesion.

The other day, I replied to another poster and was accused of bashing just for making a smart a$$ comment. Thin skinned supporters need to get a grip, and serial bashers need to lay off. The board would be a much friendlier place and I would not need as many antacids. ;)