Porn, priests, and party platforms.

[Finder]

Isn't it interesting that the 3 pet issues the Christian Coalition and now Focus on the family and ilk have vowed to destroy are issues that erupt in flame wars here?

Censorship, the demise of the Catholic Church and demonizing the democratic platform is supported by many on DU constantly. Somehow liberals and progressives have allowed distorted memes to implant that give credibility to far right religious/authoritarian arguments. Those who still oppose censorship in any form or support Catholicism(not Santorum type but traditional liberal catholicism)or who want a palatable party platform are close to being shunned or followed around with some freeperish vendetta to trip them into being banned.

What happened to compromise and diplomacy and reason? The divide and conquer tactic is what brought the neocons and theocrats to power under the GOP and they are focusing on the Dems now. Many progressives and libs are still falling for the far right framing of the issues leading to infighting. Not just here at DU but other progressive boards and organizations.

Just felt like ranting.

[Son of California]

1. Sometimes I am disappointed.....

By how strident some of the people are on here. It's good to be passionate about what you believe, but it is also good to have respect for people who are 80% there with you, but can't agree on your 1 pet peeves....

Sometimes it feels like the progressive movement is being held back by small mindedness, people more worried about pet peeve issues than opening up to the big picture and finding the issues that have a chance to really resonate with a large number of people and make them vote Dem. That's what our party needs now, a few really good issues, not pet peeves. We already have too many of those.

For example, I agree with animal rights, but I think sometimes Liberal groups waste too much energy on that issue when a much bigger one, say like energy independence is right there, waiting for someone to pick it up and champion it and win with it. Animal rights is a pet peeve to me. Something that speaks to a decent sized group, but will never set a nation on fire to go out and vote. No animal rights laws are gonna get passed until Dems start taking back the Congress and then the White House. But that isn't gonna happen till the super-lefties put down their pet peeves, stop criticizing the moderate leaders in our party for not being utterly in step with their priorities and start talking about the winning issues for our party that normal, less informed people actually care about.

stuff like
1. spending reform
2. stem cell research
3. energy independence
4. defending civil rights/personal privacy
5. voting reform
6. cleaning up our mess in the Middle East

[Finder]

3. Notice the RR(Frist)is getting the press on Stem cells?

They are going to win in 2006 and unfortunately 2008(if we let them) by getting press on issues and stances we have taken for years.

Meanwhile, we can debate whether it was a finger, thumb or pen.:shrug:

[Son of California]

6. Exactly my point

Why are the Dems wasting time arguing with each other over sideline issues?

[lvx35]

2. Yeah, all the infighting is lame.

You here all the paranoid talk that such and such a camp is against us, and it gets fanatical. Its totally valid to say you want to, say, replace the dems who voted for CAFTA with more pro-labor ones...But it becomes accusational and conspiracy oriented at times, and I don't like it...

[Finder]

4. Yet those representatives won't explain their rationale...

Do you feel represented?

[lvx35]

5. As I said, replace em! n/t