I have a question. (newbie question, I admit)

[GOPisBAD]

I consider myself very open minded. That is what brought me here, in fact. I was drawn to this message board because, in my opinion, the GOP leadership we currently have is taking this country in a very undesirable direction.

I doubt anyone would disagree with me on this point.

However, I am concerned by a lot of the things I read here. There seems to be a lot of personal attacks. Not only that, and I'm not exactly sure how to put it without sounding offensive, but a lot of what I read here seems to be what a lot of you seem to dislike about other message boards. Hate.

To me, hate represents everything that is wrong with the world today. Greed, jealousy, racism, sexism, homophobia...it is all based upon hate.

My intention is not to preach. No one wants to be talked down to.

I just wish we could eliminate the hate.

[knowbody0]

1. there's lots of love here. keep reading

and welcome to DU

[blue sky at night]

2. I know what you are talking about, but sometimes we need......

to be "corrected" in our thinking, sometimes we get angry and it spews out. Sometimes there is just some heavy sarcasm that goes way over your head, many times we just need to vent..... but many times there is joy, happiness and silliness.....that is something I don't know that you will find elsewhere. BTW, Welcome to DU, where have you been GOPisBAD??? we have been waiting for you!! :) :) :)

[nickgutierrez]

3. That's not entirely an unfair point, but...

I think a lot of what you see is the sheer contempt for the band of criminals that has dragged this country down the path it's gone in. Whether it's the administration itself, congressional Republicans, or their enablers in the media and conservative religion, they are certainly worthy of such contempt.

Now, there are times when the tone is unproductive, but IMO you get far worse at FR and elsewhere.

[proud2BlibKansan]

4. We are a diverse group of people

and many of us have differing views.

I see this as a strength. It is far better than being a bunch of koolaid drinking stepford wives who all spew the same talking points.

[Floogeldy]

5. Well, Bush is a war criminal, and Limbaugh is a drug addict.

Are those personal attacks, or just the facts? }(

I appreciate your standard of wanting to avoid personal attacks. TOO BAD the current administration totally disagrees with you and attempts to personally destroy every person who questions the Neocon agenda. Can you spell "s-w-i-f-t-b-o-a-t?"

Something smells like shit.

[melissinha]

6. It comes with the territory

You are right, we try to be civil, understanding and analytical... but lets face it, its the best most supportive place for our rants, which have become a necessity these days... HANG IN THERE. You will also find that the more serious forums may not exhibit this tone as much, you will undoubtedly find a great suitable forum here.

[NMMNG]

7. Hi GOPisBAD, and welcome to DU

We all are on the same team here, save for the infiltrating trolls. And it would be nice if everyone got along like in some modern-day Utopia. However we are a group of diverse individuals despite our somewhat common political views, and as such we will have our differences. Most of the time we DUers can discuss matters like the mature people that we are, but occasionally (as with any interpersonal encounter) less civil tactics will be utilized.

I don't believe there is actually any hate amongst us, although there indeed can be some genuine anger. Hate thrives in that cesspool that does not need to be named. Read some of their posts and you will see the difference very quickly I am sure.

[khashka]

8. There is very little hate here

Usually we are falling all over ourselves to tell each other how nice we think everyone is.

As for hate.... I've only ever been nasty about one other message board. I didn't mind them trashing me but I really objected to them trashing some of my friends. (Maybe I just have a problem with men patting themselves on their backs for their pristine morality but calling some of the nice women I know whores.) There is a lot of hate, babe, but little of it finds it's way here.

Khash.

[Tallison]

9. Stick w/it and remember that

a big part of progressivism is faith in people's ability to learn and do better. Many posts here have inspired and challenged my thoughts and values. Like a person, this site has its flaws, but overall there are far more steps forward than back. I'm learning along w/it!

So welcome :hi: