About this little GD/Lounge war that seems to be going on.

[Mutley]

I don't expect anyone to reply to this post, but I do appreciate those who read it. I'm not trying to start flame wars here. I can have a little fun with some friendly snarking at each other, but when people say things like "everyone in the lounge is drunk and stoned" or "everyone in GD is mean and out for a fight" I think that means it's getting out of hand.

Sure, we all have our own opinions on different issues, but we are all progressives. That is why we are here. If we start turning on each other when our political fight just keeps getting more and more difficult, then we can never succeed. I think everyone just needs a little reminder that we are all on the same side here.

Thanks for listening.

[BikeWriter]

1. A war? I thought we decided everyone was playing?

[Mutley]

3. I'm thinking it started out that way.

Like yestderday when I posted all that stuff or whatever. But someone said something today that seemed to be beyond playing, and just plain mean.

[democracyindanger]

34. Snowball fight

Starts out as fun, then somebody nails somebody in the face, then somebody makes an iceball, then somebody makes a snowball around a rock...

[Heidi]

2. Recommended. (nt)

[Mutley]

4. Thanks Heidi.

:hug:

[TalkingDog]

5. Banter....

In art school the painters accuse the ceramist of playing with their sh*t, the sculptors of being drunks and the printmakers of losing braincells due to all the chemicals.

They all accuse the painters of being 2-dimensional. But we'd still all go out and get drunk together...just banter.

[Mutley]

6. Perhaps.

But I've seen things like this get waaay out of hand around here. And as someone who is fairly neutral (at least that's how I consider myself since I don't usually get involved in these sorts of things) I think I just needed to say something to keep it from getting out of control.

[Beam Me Up]

7. I think everyone should question the motives of any who

perpetrate divisions among us. Of course, all of us have differences of opinion about a lot of things and we should discuss those differences. My opinions have been changed by reading here at DU over the past years. I know more now than I did when I came here.

But what is the point of creating animosity between different TYPES of people? I'm not the kind of person who feels immediately comfortable at a party, for example. I don't make small talk easily. For that reason, I don't 'hang' well in the lounge. I'm generally not that witty.

SO WHAT?!

Other people are very different and enjoy the kind of conversation that goes on in the lounge. Occasionally, I do too, and I'm glad the lounge exists. But why this ranker between the two?? I don't get it. It makes me suspicious of those who perpetrate it, it really does.

edit: ranker

[Mutley]

8. Thank you.

You've put much of what I'm feeling into words.

[hfojvt]

37. why is ranker edited?

U think U can just come into the lonuge with bad speling? :spank:

U are jsut trying to instagate that rancor by acusing me of being a FReepazoid. I bet U are even from a Blue stait. :puke:

[Beam Me Up]

47. well

x( :eyes: :think: :crazy: :silly: :wtf: :freak: :hangover: :boring: :wow: :scared: :hi:

[Robb]

9. You think THAT's bad....

...you should see the bitter, bitter sniping between the September 11 forum and the Cooking & Baking group. :P

Makes about as much sense, BTW. ;)

[Mutley]

10. Lol... do they really snipe, or are you pulling my leg?

Either way, thanks for the laugh. I needed it!

[katinmn]

11. Very well said

It's sad if this is continuing when people that frequent both forums are grieving the loss of one of our own.

[Mutley]

14. Thank you, and I agree.

[Wetzelbill]

20. personally, i would blame it all on Katinmn,

Although, quite cute, she is a troublemaker.

[katinmn]

21. for you, sweetie

:nuke:

[Wetzelbill]

22. see what I mean?

:silly:

[katinmn]

24. no wonder they call you "Bill the Butcher"

:banghead:

[Wetzelbill]

25. I'm shocked!

:toast:

[JimmyJazz]

12. I thought it was all in good fun, but I do sometimes think

the regulars of GD think the Lizards are quite as serious about our politics. I'm every bit as passionate as those who post exclusively in GD, but I NEED the silliness of the lounge to maintain my sanity.

I like your post though. It was well put.

[Mutley]

15. I think it's mostly in good fun

but there were a few comments made yesterday and today that I personally didn't appreciate, that I felt went beyond "good fun". I am also very passionate about politics, and I read GD quite frequently, I just don't post there as much because most of the time others are able to put my thoughts down more eloquently then I can.

[merh]

36. Yeah right - you like the Clash

And everyone knows that those of us that post in GD are too good for the Clash. We like the opera, we go to the symphony and we are all members of mensa. :sarcasm:

I have seen posts made by folks from the lounge and have been so impressed by their posts that I come to the lounge to read more of their writings. There is nothing more passionate and effective to me than the ability to use wit and humor to express opinions and to send a message. The lounge is full of folks with just such gifts.

I love to read lounge posts :grouphug:

[JimmyJazz]

40. I should get over the fact that someone once posted to me

"isn't it about time for you to start another flirting thread" in the middle of a serious discussion as if to say I had nothing to contribute. It was only one person, but it really did hurt my feelings. I wasn't playing around at the time, either. I was posting serious responses. :(

[merh]

42. That was definitely an uncalled for post.

What I have come to suspect is that many that post such replies are freepers disguised as true DUers. They see the DUers with strong opinions and strong personalities and the ability to post rational, yet passionate pleas, as threats so they start their petty, personal attacks.

I, myself, have, in recent months, found that there are a few "true" DUers that seek out my posts and try to pick a fight with me. They know that I may be emotionally vulnerable and they try to take advantage of my vulnerabilities. Some of these have actually sent me pmails, trashing my posts, my education, my experiences and my credentials and have promised to find my posts and challenge them and my credibility every chance they get. I have DU stalkers that will send me pmails, challenging me to come to their threads to debate their stances, stances that are morally against all I believe. I generally put these folks on ignore. I believe they just want to get me to fight and they want to push me to the limits so that I am tombstoned. I won't take their bait.

You, dear JimmyJazz, have every right to be flirtatious in one thread and serious in another. We all do. If they can't multitask, if their personalities are so limited that they are one dimensional, then all I can do is quote to you the famous quote of Robert Loggia in the movie The Jagged Edge (my favorite, all time movie quote) "Fuck him, he's trash!". Pity the one dimensional fool that posted that to you.

I support you and your many emotions and levels. I think that is far more interesting than the dull, serious types that have no place in their heart for humor, passion and flirtation. :hug:

[JimmyJazz]

44. People who stalk you from thread to thread should be alerted

on - that is specifically against the rules and they should be warned or banned. Also, don't be afraid to hit alert on private messages. I can tell you from experience that the mods and admins take people abusing the private message system VERY seriously. It is not there so that someone can stalk you, it is there so that members can get to know one another and have private "conversations."

I'm sorry for some of the things you have experienced. I don't understand the need for some people to try to harass others into their line of thinking.

Overall, DU is a great place, but sometimes, with this many people, it can get a little over the top.

And, thank you for your kind words. The feeling is mutual :hug:

[merh]

46. Oh, I've alerted, I don't take the stalking on the net lightly.

I've seen first hand how harmful it can be :cry:

Thanks :hug:

[Beam Me Up]

48. Wow, merh

I had no idea you--or anyone for that matter-- were treated that way by other DUers. That is very disturbing news to me. I'm sorry that has happened. Good for you for not 'biting'.

And I agree w/ what you are saying to JimmyJazz.

[merh]

49. The world of the internet is very unique and full of all types.

Our community is no different than any community in the real world. It is made up of all sorts of folks, some you would not want to invite to a BBQ and some you couldn't imagine having a BBQ without them.

Just as I don't like to engage angry drivers on the road, I try to dodge them on the freeways that are the threads here. You can just tell by their persistent attacks that it is better to pull over and let them pass you. :hi:

[Beam Me Up]

58. I do know what you mean.

I try to be careful and, for the most part, manage to stay out of trouble.

[merh]

59. That's all we can do is try!

:hi:

[leftofthedial]

13. Oh yeah?

Well the Lounge roolz and GD sucks, so there!

[Mutley]

16. lol!

See, this is the friendly snarkiness that I'm talking about.

[chaska]

17. If this is seriously an issue, some folk seriously need they head examined

No thang.

Sheesh!

[In_The_Wind]

54. take it lightly

at least that's what the song said :shrug:

[RandomKoolzip]

18. Yeah, except everyone in GD IS itching for a fight.

Seriously. Post a random collection of words on ANY topic, and within thirty minutes, you'll be flamed.

Which is not saying that it can't be interesting.

[Wetzelbill]

19. there isn't one

[WCGreen]

23. From one who started a flame war the other day..

And not on purpose mind you, I have to say...

<<<THE LOUNGE RULES>>>

Seriously, it's a great thing to have both. Last night I was in a mood, a silly let the juices flow type of mood and I was laughing out loud. At 3:00 4:00, etc etc....

(That's Cleveland Time by the way)

I got to know a few people here that made my night. I have been posting for a little over two years now and I never got to know anyone, no one......

But I also wrote some very serious and spot on, I must say, comments about the bankruptcy Bill and the effects it will have on the housing situation...

So, to make a short story longer, you can take the boy out of GD but you can't take the GDP out of the boy, I unequivically and indubitably think WE NEED BOTH...

ONe to raise a head of steam and another to blow that fucking steam off.......

[Wetzelbill]

26. good lord, do you ever sleep?

Because I don't.

[WCGreen]

27. Oh yea, I fell asleep for about four hours,

did some work and I am actually doing a tax return while posting on this board.......

I am also curing world hunger by listening to a replay of the Live 8 show, combating republican thugs over on GDP and, downloading some songs....

I am in full blown Multi Task I am a capitalist American Mode....

[xmas74]

39. We had a few fun conversations last night.

I was really glad to meet someone different from my usual late night post buddies.

[I Have A Dream]

50. I agree, WCGreen. They both have their uses.

It's like watching different types of TV shows or movies, listening to different types of music, or reading different kinds of books. Variety keeps things interesting. (Or at least having the option does, whether we choose to use it or not.)

[WCGreen]

56. So what is your dream.....

[I Have A Dream]

62. My dream is...

that humanity will eventually realize that each individual helps him/herself when he/she helps someone else; that it realizes that there is enough in the world for everyone to be fed, safe and healthy; that we must stop allowing ourselves to be controlled through fear.

I hope that humanity will ultimately evolve into something better. It seems to me that we're really just toddlers at our current evolutionary level.

Because I believe in reincarnation, I feel that someday I might actually see this happen.

[WCGreen]

63. Cool.....

I am getting far too cynical to believe in being around to see the brae new world....

ALthough, i think the next generation will make a marked improvement if they can just step back a little from the consumerism

[Tigress DEM]

28. I haven't been to the lounge much, but I know it gets heated in GD.

We are so upset about what is going on in the world we come in half punch drunk and then we read that Andy didn't make it.... :cry:

Still those of us who hang out in the Greatest or General Discussions about Politics are more mad at the system than we are at each other, it just sometimes gets skewed.

Add to that the fact we are all like the blind men Jesus spoke of trying to describe an elephant and coming up with different interpretations depending on what part of the elephant we are looking at. Add all the flash and ahhh in the media that tells us next to nothing unless you dig really deep and already halfway know what you're looking for.

It's a rough world these days.... and you are right we need to find a way NOT to take it out on each other. :pals:

Failing that, we should all be adult enough to hang in there if we get out of line and try to learn from people we disagree with in a mature and reasonable manner.

I know I've had to work things out with other DUers who were taking my meanings as insults when I didn't really mean to be harsh or insulting. I'm sure there have been some times I was just snarky too, but the thing is, if someone calls me on my crap, I do my best to take a look at myself and decide if I'm being a real ass :blush: or just a stubborn donkey. :kick:

[BikeWriter]

29. You expressed the problem eloquently, Tigress.

:pals:

[Tigress DEM]

31. Sigh. Rather be part of the solution than the problem, but...

we all have our days.

Still, this is a great traing ground for the real world... 70,000 people AREN'T going to agree on much. Quite a few of them on any one day is an accomplishment.

:bounce:

[BikeWriter]

32. Yes'm, hating * is the common denominator, after that we're diverse.

[caty]

30. I've always seen the repugs

as being hateful and meanspirited. Not us.

[Jackpine Radical]

33. I take back

all those mean things I said about you guys in the lounge. Especially all the stuff I've been saying on the call-in shows and the nasty things I've posted on other boards.

We all square now?

[BikeWriter]

35. ROFLMFAO Uh, I'd better call and cancel the "surprise" I had for you...

[Jackpine Radical]

38. Hey, BW, thanx 4 the drink.

BTW--that Tet thing: I was on a little LZ in the Nui Mieu Mountains when that happened. 1st Cav.

[BikeWriter]

43. Welcome home, Brother. Thank you for serving. Here's to 1st Cav.!

[In_The_Wind]

41. I don't like flame wars either.

I believe that discussions are good for all of us however personal attacks serve no good purpose. I can recall times when I've walked away from the computer before posting a reply and one or two times when I wish I had walked away. I think most of my cyber misunderstandings have been resolved or at least I hope so.

[Anarcho-Socialist]

45. GD hates us for our freedom

:)

[I Have A Dream]

52. And all the Cyber-sex that you're all having!

:)

[Left Is Write]

51. I'm not drunk and I don't get stoned.

So there. :)

[Inland]

53. My post: A word of appreciation for the DU Lounge, from a GDer

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=4060227&mesg_id=4060227

[tyedyeto]

55. I believe that the Lounge/GD 'war'

is over-rated. People look to different forums for different reasons.

The Lounge is for discussing everyday problems while GD is to discuss the heavier issues. If someone likes to hang out in one or the other, so be it. It's not really that big of an issue

[Borgnine]

57. Yeah, no kidding.

I respect the "GD Lizards" (so to speak), but I come to the Lounge specifically because I need a break from fighting the battles. Also, while we're all liberals, I seem to be more in sync with the liberals in the Lounge. On average, we're less politically correct and tend to not take every little thing so seriously.

We're all on the same side, you're right. Whenever I snark on GD it's all in good humor. I just don't have the energy to wage a five-thread battle over the word "bitch."

[Hissyspit]

60. I don't come to the Lounge, I don't come to Gen. Disc. I come to DU.

The forums have different purposes and so, of course, people act different in them. I just ignore the posts where people bitch about one or the other.

[Mutley]

61. Thank you everyone who replied

and who read this post. Perhaps I was being a little oversensitive, which I know bothers some people around here, but I hate to see things explode. I guess I was hoping with this post to calm things down a bit. I think it worked for the most part. I hope.

I love DU, it is just about the only place I can go and meet people who share the same political views as I do. I live in Maryland, and yes it is a blue state, but there are a lot of republicans around here too, so I can't really get into politics much in "real life".

Like I said in my OP, I don't have a problem with friendly jibes and zingers, but sometimes you have to watch how far you take it because you don't know what people's personal circumstances are, and you never know when you are going to say something to offend someone, whether you meant to or not.

Thanks again, everyone. I love you all. :loveya:

[Bouncy Ball]

64. I think all this GD vs the lounge shit is totally silly.

I mean, I post in BOTH places, what does that make me? A drunk, stoned, mean person out looking for a fight?

Actually if I were stoned, it would sort of nullify being mean and looking for a fight.

:crazy:

But seriously, I hate it when people try to stir up shit WITHIN DU. It's stupid. We're all on the same side! Who cares where people post? I don't!

[Lilith Velkor]

65. I only go to GD to buy crack

and blow up trolls. :nuke: