I am taking a Sabbatical from DU. I am disgusted with the lack of tolerance the.

[saracat]

so called "arch liberal fringe" has displayed toward their fellow Democrats. Some posts regarding John and Elizabeth Edwards have been revolting.Many spew GOP talking points while trumpeting Cindy Sheehan.( I am talking about Iraq in the previous statement not JRE!) Many illustrate a "class divide" and feel only those who live and think a they do should be supported.I have seen this stated repeatedly in regard to justice for those that may not be their "kind".

I thought liberals were supposed to be better than that.
I thought our victories in November would unite us and reasonable discourse would be possible.Instead, I see us torn apart.I observe our greatest "liberal"leaders treated with contempt, and lambasted by those they are supporting. I see our Democratic Party having its credibility attacked by those that claim to be its own.

I am a liberal Democrat, yet I am labeled a Dino if I do not adhere to what some have deemed their ideological "purity".

I have been told that supporting my party and its ideals is wrong. I thought this was Democratic Underground and we supported Democrats.I don't see much of that these days.
I understand were are not a lockstep party like the GOP.I support free speech but if I want to read some of the statements I have recently seen, I could go to FR.
I am going to vacation from DU for a few days.I will check back and see if the atmosphere has improved.
I will not leave DU because more than ever support of the Democratic Party is needed, but I will take a break for a few days!

[PresidentObama]

1. It's business as usual at DU.

I hate to burst your bubble, but it'll be the same when you get back.

[Doug Decker]

23. Don't let the door hit ya...

where the good Lord split ya.

What I'm sick of, and I don't care how unpopular this makes me, is people like you who announce their departure as if it mattered.

Look, their are important issues to be discussed and debated. Life and death issues, like the war, health care and the Judicial Branch. Sorry, but YOU aren't the story.

Have a nice day.

[DemGa]

25. What an awful saying

I'd retire it.

[Doug Decker]

26. Thanks for the input and astute commentary n/t

[CrazyOrangeCat]

27. You always talk to ladies like that, big man?

[Doug Decker]

28. I replied to the sentiment, not the sex of the author...

which I was not aware of until reading your lovely note. Thanks for your comments, however, they don't reply to the actual point of my note. Does that indicate that you agree with my summation or that you didn't read it?

[MGKrebs]

31. And your opinion matters.

That was a very unpleasant post.

[Doug Decker]

33. And your opinion didn't respond to my post n/t

[VOX]

32. Thank you for providing a textbook example of what's grieving the OP...

No one will ever mistake you for being a good listener.

[Doug Decker]

34. So was my opinion wrong or are you saying I don't write...

very well?

Did you even read my post? Or are you just replying without a whit of information?

[VOX]

36. It ain't your opinion, necessarily. It's your ***presentation***...

Your post is as full of first-person singular gripes as the very ones you purport to be bothered by.

Why not just let the OP bow out gracefully (regardless of you feel about public good-byes), instead of giving him the virtual back of your hand? You don't even have to wish him well; just ignore the thread if it somehow bothers you. :shrug:

[Doug Decker]

37. So in your way of thinking, I should do as you would? n/t

[ChiciB1]

38. I Just Started Back Here At DU, Having Taken "My Break" Because

of your type of attitude. Is it just that we are ALL so unhappy that we feel a GREATER need to offend others??

I know when I first started here at DU I felt very comfortable when expressing "my opinions" and felt it was a place I could come to chat with other like minded people. You see, I live down here in Florida... remember 2000? As time went by it got worse with The Idiot and his cohorts, then there was JEB to contend with and the icing on the cake.... Katherine "Cruella" Harris somehow became My Congressional Representative!

This place was my haven from so many rich, snotty "whackos" around here and I checked in all the time. It was a "nice" for me to sort of "purge" my feelings around people who I felt weren't going to bite my head off when I talked!

But now, I don't post as much as before because of a certain fear I have of being attacked by something I might say or an opinion I might express. I have tried other liberal blogs and find them less offensive. I don't get it, but I know it when I see it.

I understand EXACTLY what "saracat" is saying and it really is too bad that so many people here don't want to "discuss" issues, but rather want to "argue" issues. I've always felt you can disagree without being disagreeable, but that doesn't seem to be what goes on here anymore.

Even if you don't agree with someone, that's just fine... but the blatant NASTY, CUTTING statements that some make when replying to others has really shocked me. And you know, call it wearing your heart on your sleeve, but courtesy is something I think we could use a lot more of!!!

Yeah, and I do know that someone will say.... "if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen" and that's IS what is happening here! It's very sad because I know thousands of DU'ers are SUPER people and very sincere. But I have noticed that many names I used to see here, just aren't here as much anymore. I would name names, but I won't... they were really intelligent informed and nice people. THEY know who they are... and I'm one of them too!

I never used to skip a day without blogging, now I "lurk" more than blog.

[AZBlue]

46. Excellent post!

I especially liked this line: "Even if you don't agree with someone, that's just fine... but the blatant NASTY, CUTTING statements that some make when replying to others has really shocked me." So true!!!

I've been here only 1 1/2 years and I've already taken 3 "vacations" from this site - one for about 4 or 5 months long.

[okieinpain]

62. great post. n/t.

[ChiciB1]

68. So As To NOT Forget MY Manners... Thank You "azblue" & "okieinpain"... n/t

[VOX]

59. Take yourself out of the picture for a moment. This is DU, a community...

We've thrown in together because of certain shared ideals and a common goal. Among those ideals are a sense of basic courtesy and sensitivity, and an ability to put oneself in the other's position -- traits that are sorely lacking in today's institutions, starting with the executive branch of the federal government.

If the individuals of this community reach a point where they become somehow incapable of extending these simple yet essential considerations to one another, what then is the point of carrying on?

[nashville_brook]

56. actually, *we* are the story...

the story is, to paraphrase Mother Jones, if we can't all be civil, we don't want "your revolution."

"life and death" issues -- phhht. as long as people live and die there's going to be "life and death" issues. it's no excuse for being uncivil and the OP and all the other OPs before her have a point. if a plea for civility incenses you so -- then, why even bother with peace and justice?

[ShortnFiery]

57. What Doug said ...

I wish you would have decided to instead, act like a stand up person and just fade for awhile instead of getting on your pity potty. :( I do, however, look forward to your return. Hopefully after you've enjoyed a positive, more tolerant attitude adjustment. :hi:

[HereSince1628]

2. Please, don't forget to feed the meter...

Don't feel bad. Everyone needs a break now and then, and it seems like "now" is a good option more often when the presidential campaigns are underway.

Most Du'ers ain't and DU sure ain't always like that.

[Flabbergasted]

3. That's what they want BTW.

[saracat]

6. Thats why I am only taking a break!

[Flabbergasted]

10. Good we need you.

Have a nice break.

:hippie:

[rodeodance]

44. Good, see you back soon. I admit I feel the same way some days.

[SmokingJacket]

4. A break is always a good thing.

Getting upset at DU is a sign you're taking it too seriously. There are *thousands* of people on every day, some are great, some not, some are paid shills for something -- there's *always* the potential for bad behavior and nonsense.

Taking lots of little breaks has broken my DU-addiction and now it never upsets me.... I ride the waves...

[onenote]

5. Hope you come back soon

I understand the feeling. I feel like I spend a lot of time on DU debunking goofy theories that remind me of the Vince Foster nonsense from the right, or challenging people to provide support for unsubstantiated factual assertions. Or pointing out that just as the "good/evil" divide that lies at the heart of chimpy's worldview is equally off-base when offered up by those on the left.

I still think there should be separate forum for reality-based DUers. Maybe some day.

Hope you come back soon -- you're so close to hitting the 10K post mark!!

[saracat]

8. I'll be back. Just need to recoup .I don't like feeling I dislike some on DU!

I need to get "centered".Take a couple of days!

[laugle]

29. I take breaks

all the time. 1 month at least, otherwise it can get to you......

Thanks to 6 horrific years of Bush, we are all a bit on edge and need to quiet our nerves sometimes, so that we stay focused on our important goals.

Relax.....and you will come back stronger......

[youngdem]

7. Not everyone is from the "arch liberal fringe"

Perhaps try using the ignore feature before bidding farewell?

[saracat]

9. Not bidding "Farewell". Just a small sabbatical (vacation!)

[ProudDad]

40. I submit that using ignore is a bad idea

I've never done it because, sometimes, I can get something out of a post from someone I would never expect to.

It's too intellectually risky to shut anyone out.

I also assume the best intentions of nearly everyone here, even folks I violently disagree with -- using ignore would hurt me more than it would them.

Not only that, there might be one or two who have put ME on ignore. Wow, what a loss for them!!!!! :crazy:

[Demit]

11. Take a break & build up your resistance again. Let the jerks get their jerkiness out.

Or, as noted above, the jerks might still be here but you'll be able to do battle with them once you're refreshed.

[mtnsnake]

12. Why the need for the announcement of your departure?

I don't see anything unusual about someone expressing their displeasure such as you just did, but I can never understand why so many people have to announce that they're leaving. Like if you're going to leave or take a break, why do you need to tell everyone? :shrug:

[saracat]

13. Because I wanted to express my disgust with some of the posts I read. That is the reason

for my sabbatical. I wouldn't post it if I were just going out of town on vacation.

[mtnsnake]

16. No problem

I just thought you could post one without the other. You explained it well, though.

Anyway, my best to you. A break might not only be refreshing, but soothing. We all need to de-stress from certain situations from time to time and re-discover the other priorities in our lives. Sometimes getting away from it all can be as invigorating as it is healthy. Take care.

[Forkboy]

14. I'm a liberal Democrat who gets labelled a Green and a Naderite

"...if I do not adhere to what some have deemed their ideological "purity"."

Sorry,cuts both ways.

Hope to see you back.

Peace.

[racaulk]

15. Sometimes you just need a break from this place.

I totally understand, it can just be overwhelming at times here. I think most of us feel like this from time to time. Hope to see you back soon! :hi:

[CrazyOrangeCat]

17. I'm glad you're coming back.

Take care.

[sandnsea]

18. Not sure what you're referring to

But it seems to me there's been an influx of right wingers since the primaries got going. You have to know something is odd when *I'm* to the left of DU.

Funny how different people see things differently I guess.

Relax. See you in a few days. :hi:

[Name removed]

19. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[valerief]

20. Don't confuse real DUers with those trolls. They're repukes moles. nt

[CrazyOrangeCat]

21. You sure got that right, Ms. V.

[deadmessengers]

22. Yeah, I've gotten that.

Sometimes, I have to wonder if some of the people around here are really Agents provocateur, just trying to troll, start idiotic flamewars, or post some of the most extreme stuff imaginable (for example, the person who called in to Randi's show a few months back saying that he hates the troops) in the hopes that it ends up on some RW site as an example of how Democrats aren't to be trusted.

[Bluedogvoter]

24. Best of luck to you!

I'd suggest just a short break.

Bush has created a lot of anger and anger likes to find outlets to prevent it from building up to high. Many people vent that frustration on the internet. Right or wrong, its just human nature.

[Sapere aude]

30. A lot of us go through that now and then. My answer is to ignore the posts you don't like.

Now a days I ignore about 1/2 the posts here. They are not worth the headaches.

[knight_of_the_star]

35. I know what you mean

Seriously, some of the purity police on here could be taking lessons from the SA and the KGB with how they react to those who are "impure." Hope to see you back soon.

[ProudDad]

39. Most of the DU'ers I know

joined soon after the theft of the 2000 selection.

Most I know were of the left and far left who felt totally devastated by the DLC cave in in 2000 and the prospect of years of rule by that prince of darkness -- dick cheney.

Maybe you can help us on this one.

What ARE the "ideals of the Democratic Party?"

Which "Democratic Party?" The one I grew up with whose New Deal near-Socialist values were congruent with the best interests of most people. Or the triangulating corporate version of the Clintons and the DLC?

Why should anyone have to support every person in that party in lockstep on every policy and point in order to pass some test of purity?

It IS good to take an occasional break from DU. I do it myself at times. It's an addictive pursuit that can keep one from doing other things that are probably more effective and more satisfying.

I really do hope you have a good rest and return refreshed with a happier outlook...

Cheers; :hi: :hi:

[Divine Discontent]

41. before you leave

are you left handed? I'm doing a research on writing styles, I haven't been wrong yet, but I think you're left handed. If you're not, you're the first one. Anyhow, good luck on your sabbatical, just watch the rhetoric is all I'd say... please come back soon.

[bling bling]

42. I thought you were already on a sabbatical.

I coulda sworn I saw this same thread or one like it by you the last time John Edwards was in the news here a few weeks ago (regarding the size of his house).

It's a good thing you're not a supporter of Hillary Clinton or Obama. The frustration you feel over negative comments about Edwards is a teeny fraction of what Clinton supporters deal with every single day, 365 days a year here. No joke.

[ProudDad]

58. Not to mention anyone

who doesn't think Hillary walks on water...

Don't attack the Hillary is best delusion...

[Clarkie1]

43. I understand. nt

[Anita Garcia]

45. I appreciate reading your point of view

I look forward to your return.

[omega minimo]

47. What are you talking about?

[TankLV]

48. A sabatical is healthy - I do it all the time - without the pity party...

Hope you feel better soon...

I'm gonna have a big dump now - maybe I can get a discussion going on that, too...

[Jack Sprat]

49. Take a rest and return

Don't know what this is about, but someone pulled your chain, obviously. Sorry and hope you will come back. I haven't been here long myself, but I know that it's best not to take something personally. You may have a lot of supporters and you don't even know it.

[salinen]

50. The no.1 champion of the little people?

Senator Ted Kennedy. And he's richer than god.

[Gregorian]

51. Think about how far we've come in six years. Plus...

I wish I could put my finger on this thought I have about the behavior you describe. It feels like two gangs that are about to fight. There is talk within the ranks. More like whispers of frantic plans and ideas. Everything is moving fast, and the stakes are severe. Does the leader really have the right idea or should they try and overrule him with other plans. Knives are drawn. It's sheer panic.
I think it's inevitable that there be disagreement and even inappropriate behavior during times like these. Look back into the history of this country. Or even in recent times. Cheney's go fuck yourself in Congress. Sure we can be better than Cheney. But we're fighting Cheney.
We've done remarkably well under the circumstances.

Take a break. But I guarantee the same thing will be going on when you get back.

And no peeking! :) Tomorrow when you get out of bed, no Greatest page. Promise? I'll bet you can't do it. I tried. I failed.

And when you do come back, you might avoid the ugliness. Look at the other posts. There's a lot of good here.

[Canuckistanian]

52. Jeez, do you not how to "filter"?

You can go mad just expecting any group to agree with you totally on any issue.

This is a collective, not a marching band.

And do you not understand that there are agents provocateurs here? (In Canada, we call them "shit disturbers")

And that they're specifically here to piss you off?

Don't give them the satisfaction.

Stay.

[orleans]

53. saracat--i understand (at least i think i do) a little bit of how you're feeling

i know the name calling isn't nice ("I am a liberal Democrat, yet I am labeled a Dino if I do not adhere to what some have deemed their ideological "purity".")

i saw the sheehan thread yesterday and it was certainly a hot topic--by the time i got there i didn't even add my opinion to the mix

i also think a lot of us have become more politically intolerant (in general) because of the obvious....and what we've been forced to live with for the last number of years

but saracat--here is the good part: we are not cowed into compliance--we are not a bunch of sheep that play follow the leader like the majority of the repukes have been and because of that we still have what it takes to argue and disagree with each other--we're not afraid to disagree with each other.

(i guess i'm just trying to make you feel a little better--i understand if you need to take a break. )

there are so many different types on DU--if you painted us in bright colors we'd be a fucking rainbow, saracat! we still love you.
:grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:

[truedelphi]

55. You said what I'd say if my brain was alive right now

<<we are not cowed into compliance

I speak my piece on this board and it is not always pretty especially for those topics when I know that typing my "truth" into the discussion is going to get me fewer friends or whatever.

But I think even with the sharp reactions that people have at times - there is a basic give and take.

On discussion topics where that give-and-take is missing - I tend to leave that one discussion and join a different one.

[K8-EEE]

54. I LOVE DU!! Ignoring the minority who are idiots is easy for me...

Maybe a break will put things in better perspective for you -- it's hard to generalize about 100,000 people but damn it, most of the time, I love myself a DUer!

[cleveramerican]

60. fools will act foolishly

same as it ever was

[noamnety]

61. Sara, it appears your second sentence

does exactly what you say is the problem. RW talking points (arch liberal fringe???), lack of tolerance, only supporting those who live and think as you do should be supported. Same with the statement about Cindy Sheehan.

[BoneDaddy]

63. Take all of this with a grain of salt

and try not to give this place so much power. The very thing that you are complaining about is what I think makes DU so much different than the republican message boards that have the vast majority walking in lockstep.

Democrats, progressives, liberals are pretty much fighters. Sometimes we like to fight just to fight, debate for the sake of debating.

I come just for the news and to smackdown some of the liberal extremists (we have ours too). To come to a political message board for belonging is a set up. Especially in here. Enjoy your days off. Rent a comedy, get away from the drama and come back when ready.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

64. "Ignore" is your friend. n/t

[mmonk]

65. I have been flamed more than I care to

because I support a tougher stand than exhibited by the party leadership. Funny that those of us that won't fall in line without criticisms are the ones called party purists.

[ClassWarrior]

66. It's trolls.

Progressives don't act like that in real life. I'm surprised you were fooled.

NGU.

[Le Taz Hot]

67. You seem to be taking all of this

personally so your exit from DU (temporary or otherwise) is probably a wise idea.

A word of advice: never put your ego into a campaign, a candidate, a political party or ideology. It's misplaced.

Having said all that, *I* take a vacation from DU the closer it gets to primary time. Not because I'm taking anything personally, it's just the level of "discourse" around here gets to be somewhere on the 2nd grade level.

[leftofthedial]

69. have a good break!

:hi:

[DuaneBidoux]

70. What was it Will Rogers said? "I don't belong to an organized political party, I'm a Democrat."

Part of being a progressive/liberal, is to deal with differences of opinion and ideology (and many other kinds of differences as well). Sometimes replies to my posts have felt very personal but then I say "well...they *are* rude responses but how could they be personal? They don't even know me."

I like to read many different opinions and analyses. I hope that doesn't stop. But I do agree with the OP that there is a certain rudeness frequently involved--and that I find distastful.

We could be like conservatives. They always sound so unified. One can feel so comforted there by ideas that are always the same. Interestingly, liberals treat others better than each other, and I find that conservatives are always treating everyone *but* themselves like pieces of shit.

[HuffleClaw]

71. WHY do people feel the need to ANNOUNCE this ? n/t

[lpbk2713]

72. OK

:thumbsup:


:hi:

[geiger]

73. saracat, I have sensed a lot of baiting going on

and a lot of times it is so blatant (even when they think they are conniving and clever), I just chalk it up to right wing infiltrators.

I agree with Ronald Reagan on one thing: thou shalt not speak badly of a fellow Democrat. I despise one candidate's supporters trashing other candidates. There are reasons I think certain of our candidates are inelectable or lack depth, but I'm not going to impune their motives or statements, and I wish other people didn't either.

There are times aplenty when I have philosophical differences with fellow Democrats, and that doesn't really bother me. It's when the intolerance thing you mention rears its ugly head. We should be compassionate toward everyone, not just people that agree with us.

[LoZoccolo]

79. There certainly are some master baiters around here. n/t

[DemBones DemBones]

74. There's an "arch liberal fringe" here?

Maybe there should be an "arch liberal fringe" group so we can find each other.

[martymar64]

75. Look in the mirror for intolerance

I saw the malicious, vicious lies that you spread about Cindy Sheehan. You should truly be ashamed of yourself for slandering someone who is trying to end the war, all to make the cowardly Bush enablers in the Democratic Party look less craven.

I've agreed with you on other issues, but that was unforgivable what you did.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

76. You know, judging from your posts, I don't think you're really a liberal

Democrat, except possibly on the behavioral issues.

You tend to come down on the more conservative side of political and economic issues.

You may want to use your vacation time thinking about where you really are on the political spectrum. My guess would be liberal on behavioral issues, such as abortion, and centrist to conservative on political and economic issues.

[cmd]

77. saracat, I understand

See you soon. I want a united party, not a lot of little parties of one.

[LoZoccolo]

78. This is often a good idea, go out and make a real difference...

...rather than let the won't-be-convinced fringe sink your time. :hi: