WTF is up with all these safe havens? Are we segregating DU?

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

While it's nice to express one's beliefs free of ridicule or antagonism, the number of these threads since last night makes for an interesting sociological inquiry.

If your beliefs are your beliefs and they are that deep rooted, can anyone really attack them?

If they are beyond compromise, then why even talk about them?

If they are empowering to you, is it possible that you are not making sure you can have them be empowering to others whether they subscribe to them or not?

It doesn't take too much energy to run around hollering "I am different and I don't belong." It takes a hell of a lot more to accept differences and strive for the common ground in our experiences.

So..a couple requests:

If you are segregating DU, with divisive posts for or against religious or other ideologies, could you please cut it out?

If you are segregating yourself and therefore bringing that to the party due to some unresolved persecution complex, could you please consider doing what it takes to get that resolved?

[dsc]

1. I just got compared to Gacy

and when I called the person who did it a bigot, my post was removed. So you can take your problems with safe havens and keep them.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

2. amazing...simply amazing

and the person is still here without a tombstone?

[dsc]

8. He deleted before I alerted

But this is what occured. I stated that graceless Kerry supporters led me to not want to give money to Kerry. He then said "good thing I don't use a broad brush or I would equate you with Gacy". I got my post removed for calling that homophobic and bigotted.

[Maddy McCall]

37. That is NOT what he said. See my post 35 in this thread for the truth.

You completely created that so-called quotation in your post number 8. He NEVER said anything even CLOSE to what you are asserting here.

[Maddy McCall]

35. No, that's not what happened.

DSC, that poster said that just because there are some horrible elements in each candidates' camp doesn't mean that you should broadbrush paint the whole camp in a negative light.

DSC, he did NOT compare you, nor the DU GLBT community, to Gacy. He used Gacy as an example of a horrible element of society, and he said that you can't say that humanity is like Gacy just because Gacy is part of humanity.

That's what he said. He never ONCE mentioned you; nor did he bring anything up even remotely related to homosexuals.

[dsc]

48. Sure he picked one of only two gay serial killers

and just chose that one out of thin air, and used it, as what he would have compared me to if he had been acting like me. Sure, I believe that was a total accident. Sure he was refering to all humanity. And Willie Horton just happened to be black. That is total bull shit.

[southerngirlwriter]

49. John Wayne Gacy was gay?

I didn't know that! Seriously!

Out of curiosity, who was the other gay serial killer?

[dsc]

55. Yeah

He raped and then killed his young male victims (ages 16 to 25 or so). The other one was Dahmer. Also the woman in Monster sort of counts, though she had started killing in self defense.

[southerngirlwriter]

I didn't know that.

Learn something new every day.

[dsc]

58. He was a sick puppy

also a big time Democrat (he had his picture taken with the Carters). Kind of the poster child for anti gay propaganda.

[Fenris]

5. What on Earth drew that comparison?

:shrug:

[dsc]

9. see post 8

[Maddy McCall]

41. and post 35

[mitchum]

54. Thank you for the truth, jchild...

clarity trumps confusion
Thank you again

[dsc]

56. Yah sure you just so happend to pick

one of only two gay serial killers for your example. Sure I believe that. And Horton just happened to be black.

[mitchum]

60. No, I could have also picked Dean Corll, Dennis Nielsen, Elmer...

Wayne Henley, Randy Kraft, Patrick Wayne Kearney...
but that wasn't my point.
I am sorry if you found offense in confusion.

[dsc]

61. If you seriously are trying to say you didn't mean to pick

a famous gay serial killer, then I think you owe me an apology. And I will certainly acknowledge the possibility of error. But you have offered nothing but defense for your conduct.

[mitchum]

62. I owe you nothing

[Fenris]

3. I was going to start a "DU Vikings check into this safe haven" thread

I don't know why. I don't understand these posts either.

[Uber Llama]

4. Of course we are!

In memory of the great Strom Thurmond and his 268 illegimate children

[southerngirlwriter]

6. Um.....

you said:

While it's nice to express one's beliefs free of ridicule or antagonism

Exactly where did THAT happen?

Oh. In all of the threads except the Christian one.

Can you even IMAGINE how fast I would be tombstoned if I went into the Jews "Safe Haven" thread and posted something one tenth as negative as what was posted in the Christian one?

I can. Blink of an eye.

DU is very segregated, nsma. I'm only beginning to see how much, and how reflective this is of the party.

There are more than 100 million Christians in this country, and the people on DU who dislike Christianity will happily shit on any of them who show up here, regardless of how progressive we are on each and every issue of import, from healthcare to gay marriage, and not only is it allowed, it's almost encouraged.

The evidence I've seen on DU is that this party, as represented by DUers, doesn't want me.

This party is segregated to the point where I honestly think it is DOOMED in November, and that saddens me, because I don't think I'll live through another whistle-ass term. I honestly don't think I can handle it.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

13. I see negative things about everybody here

And I think if people look for reasons to be persecuted they will eventually find them the same way of they look for their car keys they will eventually find them...why???..they are looking for them.

I am sorry you feel that way.

[a_random_joel]

23. Perhaps if the 100 million weren't so dead set on having everyone else

conform to their way of life, and shoving their belief down everyone's throat, there would be less reason for some of us to resent them.

Tyranny of the majority and all that jazz...

My apologies if any of my posts offended you in any way. I try to be humourous as opposed to mean, but I know it's usually a matter of perception.

[southerngirlwriter]

28. OK.

What is "their way of life" ???

Do you mean me, the Christian DUer's, way of life?

My mother the RW nutjob's way of life?

Bishop Spong, the more-liberal-than-I-am Christian's, way of life?

Which way of life is it that 100 million people are trying to get you to conform to?

I have never conformed to jack shit in my life, so if you let me know, I can probably give you some good tips on how to get these 100 million to back off.

[a_random_joel]

33. I don't specifically mean "you"

I mean this is a "Christian country" and all that. I mean the extent of proselytizing. I mean the opposition to gay marriage, 'cuz it goes against the good book. I mean the 10 commandments statues in courthouses, the "Under God" in the Pledge, the no one can speak out against Mel Gibson's movie... I get a little tired of it. Nothing against you personally, or anyone as an individual for that matter.

I realize there are varying degrees, and many brands of Christianity.

I respect everyone's freedom to their own opinion and faith. But their freedom ends where mine begins.

[jonnyblitz]

32. usually the posts that bash christianity are bashing all religions

those are usually theist versus atheist issues..

[SOteric]

7. I think that's what I tried to say in mine.

Thanks, cutie. :loveya:

[GOPisEvil]

10. We sang Kum Ba Ya and made s'mores.

My kind of place. :-)

[SOteric]

12. And I wore a genuine replica of the GOPisEvil official hat,

while TXlib tried to earn several spankings.

[GOPisEvil]

15. The hat looks good on you!

But then, I'm a sucker for a cute woman wearing a cap. ;-)

[WarNoMore]

57. I know jacks**t about computers,

but I *really* appreciate your avatar--I want one.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

11. sorry I missed yours

[SOteric]

21. It's never too late...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=834222&mesg_id=834222

[Maddy McCall]

14. Persecution complexes are rampant at DU...

Amazing how many people here consider themselves "victims."

:shrug:

[dsc]

17. yeah

whatever.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

31. amazing how a lot of us are!

[a_random_joel]

16. Does this qualify as your safe haven, NSMA?

Inquiring minds...

;-)

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

24. Nah...have at me...I dare you

:D

[a_random_joel]

29. I thought I just did...

:evilgrin:

[arwalden]

18. The Original Was A LGBT Safe Haven Thread... The Rest Are Copycats

And the original LGBT safe-haven thread has disappeared onto other pages.

I'm with you... I think the "safe-haven" threads are divisive but I can definitely understand how many other Queer DUers are feeling unwelcome.

-- Allen

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

20. Oh I can see how everyone feels unwelcome from time to time

and I can also see how some freepers are feeling more and more welcome lately...hell...it only took about 500 posts for the one in GD 04 today.

[southerngirlwriter]

25. Quick question

:hi: arwalden!

Would you mind giving me the link to the original "Safe Haven" thread? I'd really like to read it.

Thanks very much!

[Red State Rebel]

26. No, the original was the Christian DUers Safe Haven -

I posted it and everyone else took off from there.

[arwalden]

40. Hi

-- Allen :hi:

[cally]

19. While I agree with can't we all just get along

sentiment, I see nothing devisive about the Chrisians check in thread. Or the atheists and agnostics thread. This has been an ongoing debate at DU that occasionally flares up. The Passion, which I despise, brought it up again. Folks want to discuss it and find like minded folks.

[Red State Rebel]

22. All I was trying to do...

was to start a thread for the Christians on DU could gather and talk and get away from all the anti-Christian bashing.

It then turned into a mock-fest with everyone starting their own thread and lots of people showing up in my original thread just to do what we were trying to get away from - bashing Christians.

I have absolutely nothing against people who want a serious discussion regarding Christian beliefs, what I have been unhappy with are the people who make rude and insulting remarks just for the sake of being rude and insulting - and it's been everywhere!

Nobody would have to come to DU to make people divisive against Christians, it's already that way.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

27. No worries

I haven't read your thread and some are deliberately antagonistic.

[buddhamama]

30. i'll work on myself

i will.

my silence is my acceptance
the question for me though, is anyone listening?

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

38. I am

;-)

[Forkboy]

34. I am my own safe haven

no one is welcome,unless bearing food :)

[buddhamama]

36. pure genius

can't talk with food in your mouth,
therefore no discussions, no arguments
guaranteed good time :D

[Forkboy]

42. well that,and I'm always hungry

I think I have a tapeworm or something :D

[buddhamama]

44. ewww.

do ya' know how they use to treat tapeworm before modern medicine-

won't go into details but it involved raw meat to lure the worm out.


i gotta ya tapeworm right here :smoke: :smoke: :smoke: :-)

[Forkboy]

45. Well he hasn't been biting on the Ramen Noodles trap

Wonder if they like Friskies? :)

[soleft]

39. There are two paths to take when you feel that you've been mistreated

One path is to treat others as you've been treated. If you've been excluded, if you've been pushed to the fringes of society, you form a group, an organization, a thread, or a nation that excludes people. People do this because they've been hurt and the seek protection. But it only continues the cycle of pain.

The other path - is to truly feel the depth of your injury - and to vow that you will never, under any circumstances, take an action that will result in another person, whether friend or foe, suffering the way you have suffered.

In my life, I have attempted the second. And I've tried to be aware of the times I've resorted to the first.

I belonged to a woman's theater which excluded men and transgender individuals. Ultimately I left it because once you cross the line of segregation, you've opened a pandora's box and the very acts that drove you to seek a safe haven of fairness you end up committing against others.

[sendero]

43. Well...

.... people who hate prog-rock really should just go into their own little thread anyway. Don't let the door hit your ass on the way out :)

[scottcsmith]

46. Nah, I think people are just having fun

This is the lounge, after all. I don't think people are trying to intentionally segregate DU. It's called "jumping on the bandwagon," as evident by the more silly "safe havens."

[Kamika]

47. I agree

It could be called roll call or something.. but wtf.. safe haven??

[Zomby Woof]

50. My yaks are persecuted

And don't even get me started on how you treat Pookie!

[southerngirlwriter]

51. Hey, ZombyWoof!

:hi: Good to see ya, mate!

Got any ZombyCoffee mix that'll cure a raging headache? :(

[Zomby Woof]

52. yes ma'am!

I got some of the ol' ZombyCoffee Kicksoutherngirlwriter'sheadache'sass Blend. :hangover:

[southerngirlwriter]

53. Thanks!

I feel better already. :D

[PartyPooper]

59. Well, maybe the admins and mods should acknowledge these folks

and give them each a "safe haven" forum to openly discuss their issues...free from persecution. May I suggest the following:

GLBT
Christians
Jews
Muslims
Buddhists
Atheists
Agnostics
Gun owners
Anti-gun proponents
Pro-life
Pro-choice
Pro-death penalty
Anti-death penalty
Centrist Dems
Far left Dems

Did I leave anyone out? I apologize profusely if I did!

(sarcasm / )

;-)

[Cleita]

63. Republicans.

There have been a few lately, or claiming to be centrist Dems IMHO.

[PartyPooper]

64. I agree. One even called me "pathological" because of my hatred of *!

[MurikanDemocrat]

65. I just noticed a safe haven for WASP, Caucasion boys and girls

and other whiteys earlier tonight. :wtf:

I thought it was tacky and was told to lighten up. :freak: