Why do the moderators delete messages from people with dissenting opinion?

[sysoprock]

I was reading the Bolton thread in LBN and I came across a section where some conservative came on and started debating about Clintons recess appointment of James Hormel. Rather than being able to read the entire conversation all I got were gaps and the responses from the DU'er.

FR deletes anything that even remotely hints at possibly being a troll and I find it hilarious that they close themselves up in such a tight little bubble to protect themselves from "the lib'ruls."

I understand deleting messages that are abusive or hate filled, nobody wants to see that, but I would like to think that the DU community is mature enough to handle the random moron with a dissenting opinion.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

1. By all means we should give trolls the attention they deserve

[sysoprock]

6. Not everyone who disagrees is a troll.

Personally, I like watching a heated debate between two people who have different stances on an issue.

[Kraklen]

10. You mean you haven't noticed disagreement?

How much time have you spent reading these boards?

[sysoprock]

26. I read them everyday.

and yes, I like watching debate between DU members who have different opinions too.

[xultar]

2. .

:popcorn:

[Kraklen]

3. That would be great...

if random morons with dissenting opinions weren't invariably abusive and hate filled.

[htuttle]

4. Deleted message

[SlipperySlope]

12. Deleted message

[htuttle]

14. Deleted message!!!!

[intheflow]

18. Alerted!

:P

[donco6]

37. and Ignored.

:)

[kentuck]

5. You let one in and pretty soon, they all come in with their BS...

We hear that BS everywhere. I think DU was created as an alternative to that. Just turn on the radio or cable TV and you can find his opinion, I am sure.

[stepnw1f]

7. Yes... We Don't Hear the RNC Talking Points Enough

Therefore we must tolerate Freepers who infiltrate Dems and other Progressives to start flame wars.

[SoCalDem]

8. 7,6,5,4,

:)

[Sapphire Blue]

23. 3, 2...

[wtmusic]

9. This sounds like a thread I wrote at around, oh, 291 posts

and I agree...

however, the point was made at the time, and I understand why now, that when visiting freepers are even allowed to present arguments the discussion nearly always devolves into educating them on stuff they should know. Overall it's a bad idea.

Although personally I wouldn't mind if there were a looser leash, in that regard.

[intheflow]

11. If all you "got were gaps and the responses from the DU'er..."

how do you know the mods weren't "deleting messages that are abusive or hate filled"?

[sysoprock]

21. From the intelligent replies of the DU members.

You don't reply to "HEY ****ers" with "Well the Representative to the UN is a much more important position than the Ambassador to Luxemburg."

[intheflow]

25. Still, you're making assumptions.

As you say, you only see half the story. The other half could be completely insane. The mods, on the other hand, see the whole story, so can make a more informed judgement than the conclusions you seem to be jumping to.

[Sapphire Blue]

13. deleted!

[DefenseLawyer]

15. There is a difference between a "dissenting opinion"

and a wing nut just trying to stir the pot. I think most can tell the difference right away. I see DU as a place where Democrats can air and discuss issues, not a place for a free-for-all shouting match with freepers. There are a gazillion sites like that already.

[donco6]

16. I never get to see the really good ones!

They're gone too fast! Ha!

[Rufus T. Firefly]

27. Yeah. It's not bad enough that they're gone,

but the responses to them are still there. I can see deleting the whole chain, from the bad post on down, but it's kinda frustrating to see a bunch of comments without seeing what they're commenting ON.

[Pithlet]

17. There are places on the net that allow the right wing perspective

And almost without fail they end up turning into one giant hateful, right wing infested flame fest. Some on the right are genuinely interested in honest debate, but they're usually drowned about by the "Klintoon's Peenus!" crowd. I like it that there is a place I can go to to discuss and debate politics without those idiots. There's enough variety of points of view even without them that you can still get a good debate going if that's your thing.

[madrchsod]

19. deleted messages

message deleted....

[CTyankee]

20. I am mystified

How does anyone know what kind of messages are deleted? All is see is that they are, not what their content is. So how do you know that anyone is blocked because of the content of their message?

[Hubert Flottz]

22. Every %#$@#$%#@ MUST GET STONED!

11,12,13,14,>>> = Highest IQ scores at FR...

DELETED EDIT

[madrchsod]

24. deleted massages

is this the lounge?

[ret5hd]

28. there are procedures to ask these questions...GD isn't the place...

read the rules.

[OrlandoGator]

29. SUPREME IRONY...This thread is filled with deleted posts.

Delicious.

[Sapphire Blue]

31. Deleted!!!

[meganmonkey]

30. There are places on the net for that

this isn't one of them. This is a relatively safe haven. But I think saying that simply a 'dissenting opinion' will get a message deleted is a gross exaggeration, though. There are tons of dissenting opinions around here. The deleted posts get deleted because a troll wrote them, not because they were dissenting.

:shrug:

[Zorra]

32. Because "freeper logic" wastes our valuable time. There is a difference

between valid, reasonable, informed dissent and common ignorant freeper lunacy.

For example, James Hormel was appointed Ambassador to Luxembourg by President Clinton. The reason that some republicans objected to his appointment was because he was gay, not because he was unqualified for the job.

That is simply not a valid reason for opposition. End of story.

OTOH, among many other documented character and personal ethical flaws, John Bolton is a documented liar, and has a well-documented violent, aggressive temperament that is unsuitable for public service, particularly in the sensitive diplomatic position of US Ambassador to the UN.

[LSK]

33. dont worry, the circular firing squad is in full effect today n/t

[proud2BlibKansan]

34. DU is a refuge

from RW crap. Sure, it is sometimes beneficial to debate those with alternate viewpoints. But that's not how I see DU's purpose. If I want to argue with RWingers, I know of at least a dozen web sites I can surf to right now. On the other hand, if I want to educate myself, I come here. I can ask questions and get straight answers here. No one is concerned about my 'agenda', as on those other sites.

Another great thing about DU is that if I feel like it, I can type things like this:

FUCK YOU GEORGE BUSH.

Can't do that on any other discussion boards I know of. LOL

[OrlandoGator]

35. I dissent here all the time.

I'm very pro-gun...most people here aren't. I don't have a problem getting my view across.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

36. In the case you are referring to I think the person was tombstoned

When a person comes here and blatantly breaks the rules they forfeit their right to have an account. Often when this happens the post are removed.


With the system we have here the other members are the ones who alert the mods to suspect post, after that the mods are only doing their jobs.

[Warren DeMontague]

38. 'Cuz that's the way it goes.

If we wanted to hear lies, bullshit, and right-wing apologia, we would turn on Cable News.

[pinto]

39. Locking,

Please address your concerns directly to the Admins, via private email. Link is here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/contact.html

Thanks for your consideration.