Are we better than Freeperville?

[BloodyWilliam]

After a recent stint on the Anncoulter.com message boards (they were more tolerant than I expected, but every bit as obnoxious as I remember), and an even more brief stint on ircpolitics.org (I got devoiced after a few minutes by some jerkwad conservative op after I admitted to some measure hypocrisy and accused him of it as well (They're whining about how we're treating Bush when they treated Clinton worse). But I have to ask here....

Are we better? It has recently come to my attention that we don't support the presence of non-liberals/democrats/progressives on this board. Is that right? It is of course legally the mods' prerogative, but is it right? I keep thinking that what makes us better than the right-wing is our greater tendancy towards consideration of other viewpoints. It's certainly what I strive to do. Should we not at least allow right-wingers a chance to speak?

I don't think outright trolls should be given free reign to take over here, but wouldn't it be a good idea to enrich this heavily liberal board with some alternative viewpoints to analyze and debunk? As long as a right-winger doesn't spam or flood the boards, and isn't too obscenely rude to us (it is possible), I don't see why they shouldn't be allowed here.

Could we at least perhaps have a forum for opposing viewpoints and debate?

Besides, I'm kinda sick of the Clark-Dean thing. We need to find something better to argue about. :)

Flame away...

[Skittles]

1. why do we have to explain this over and over?

If I want to hear from non-progressive types I can talk to my coworkers, turn on the TV, listen to the radio, read the newspapers. THOSE FASCIST F***S ARE EVERYWHERE. The Democratic Underground is my OASIS AWAY FROM THEIR GARBAGE. I DON'T WANT TO HEAR THEIR F***ING VIEWPOINTS HERE. Plus, there IS NO DEBATING THOSE IGNORANT ASSHOLES.

Understand?????

[Seneca]

3. I was going to post something similar

But I stopped when I noticed you summed it far, far better than I could have! :thumbsup:

[Kathy in Cambridge]

5. Amen, Skittles

DemocraticUnderground is an oasis of liberalthought in a sea of right-wing sputum. It's bad enough that we're bombarded by right-wing propaganda daily through TV, radio, and print. It's nice to not have to listen to the lies and BS, except for the occasional troll that visits to earn a tombstone.

[seamarq]

6. Agreed. As a noobie, finding DU was....

indeed like finding an oasis.

[Ellen Forradalom]

2. DU was founded as a Dem-friendly site.

Not a right/left debate site, but a site where somewhat like-minded people (anyone left of center) could gather. Each has its merits, but is not to be confused with the other.

BTW, this thread might be more appropriate in Ask the Admins.

[BigMcLargehuge]

4. please post your question to the Ask the Administrators forum

thanks

Big McLargehuge
DU Moderator

[boilerbabe]

7. You think this board is heavily liberal?

I think you might be having some sort of hangover from visiting the conservative websites!

My impression is just the opposite of yours as regards to some of the postings on this site. There seems to be a lot more tolerance for what I would deem right-ward leaning views here than you would find (as you already did, by visiting Ann Coulter's website) on our "opposite number" to the right.

And yes, the Dean/Clark thing is getting old, mainly because of the people who support Clark are probably doing so in a desparate attempt to appeal to the mainstream worship of a uniform. I am sure Clark is a lovely person, but can't he like just run for the local school board and get some training?

XXXOOO