DU has reached a new low...

[janx]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=1357407#1383655


I propose that for the sake of DFA and the coming elections in 2006 and 2008, we try to stay as positive as possible.

It's just one little site on the internet, I know, but people read it.

Is anyone else with me?

[RogueTrooper]

1. Yes, I think I am

This is something that I have been thinking about for the last week.

I think that we risk falling into the trap of re-fighting the last war. GD:Politics is starting to resember DU during the primary campaign. A couple of days ago I found myself about to take a deap breath, wade in and start 'slaying' miscreants.

However, this is not the summer of 2003 anymore and I just could not stomach beating up the same old people with the same old taunts. Nor did I fancy getting myself all riled up by the same old taunts coming from the same old people.

I realized that I just don't care that much about them. I am more concerned with furthering Howard Dean and Howard Dean's values than I am revenging myself against some Dean hating fool. There will be newbies who have genuine questions\concerns about our horse and, until proven otherwise, we should give these people the benefit of the doubt.

I don't know if you have noticed but out of all the previous cycle's Presidential candidates we are the only group not to have our candidate's name in our DU Group forum. I think this should be a guide to how we comport ourselves. We are different from these other groups: for the most part they just see last year's fight; we should only be looking at the next fight.

I am not saying that it is easy to hold back for typing out a cheeky bon-mot to some idiot but try the old Ronnie trick: "There you go again".

[janx]

5. We should be looking at the fight we will face in 2006!

;-)

I have to get ready to teach a class now, but I'll be back.

[a new day]

6. A correction

There is now a Dennis Kucinich group.

[Capn Sunshine]

17. Thisis an important point RT

That is the way Gov. Dean wants it; it's about the message, NOT the messenger.

The man is prescient as hell.

[a new day]

2. I think I feel a lot more invested in DFA than in 21st Century Democrats

or, in the past, New Party or the Greens. They all supported candidates, and when one struck my fancy, I'd send a couple of bucks. Only time well tell, of course, but DFA seems different, truly grassroots, more in line with me.

I think if we focus on DFA, the Democratic Party will take care of itself. It will either come along, or it won't, and if it doesn't, there is a history of a third party eclipsing one that became irrelevant.

[NoPasaran]

3. Fighting over the 2008 nomination is pointless

Our task is to take over the Democratic Party and rebuild it from the ground up. We need to strengthen DFA and continue getting our people into local party positions. And if Governor Dean decides to run for DNC, obviously we should support that.

As I see it the big picture is that Democracy For America is not really about Howard Dean; it is about US and OUR struggle to reshape this country. I thank Governor Dean for setting things in motion, but it is WE who have the power.

I for one don't see any reason to engage the UGOI in the sort of flame wars that have broken out over the last few days.

[janx]

4. About DFA--

Yes, that's what the idea was from the start. I agree wholeheartedly with every comment in this thread so far.

And I'm so glad I'm not the only one who feels this way.

[NYCGirl]

7. Concerning the thread you referenced, I was about to jump in and

suggest that it was symptomatic of the destructively short-sighted thinking that has brought the Democratic Party to the awful place it's in now. But the thread is such a pile-up that it doesn't seem necessary.

[sonias]

8. I'm with you

Save your real energy for real world building not these virtual fights. You have the power to fight for good. With the limited time and resources we have our energies are better used in positive pursuits helping candidates we support and framing our own debate in the local media. Think national, but act locally to save our party. Grassroots means just that, you start at home in your city, town, state etc.

Sonia

[JNelson6563]

9. Amen Sonia!

Everyone needs to get involved on a local and/or state level. When you are involved and making a difference you achieve influence.

I have done so and have been very surprised at what I have accomplished, having started out not really knowing what I was doing. We can find like minded people in our own corner of the world and build coalitions.

We had our board elections a few weeks ago and I now have a few fellow Deanies on the board with me. I smile when I consider what we might accomplish in the future. :-)

Julie

[sonias]

15. Right back at ya Julie

The proudest moments you will feel politically are when you see your local candidate win and give you thanks for helping them win. This is the person to person contact we all crave from our candidates. If everyone of us gets involved in our school boards, city councils and whatever local elections we can, we make a huge difference.

Sonia

[janx]

10. I'm looking forward to 2006.

I so hope we can get the governorship back in Colorado.

[mdmc]

11. In NY, Spitzer might take Pataki

more of the same... lame...

[sonias]

14. I like Spitzer mdmc

Can you elaborate why you think he's lame. It seems to me he's been taking on the corporate greed head on by suing these insurance companies and banks that are defrauding consumers and investors.

Sonia

[mdmc]

16. well, he is not that lame, lol.

His "suing" of these companies is basically a slap on the wrist. He was "pro Bush and the Iraq war" and anti Dean.

Sure, that spell "elect-ability". My question, "what is so bad about Pataki?" Sure, Spitzer is better.

I really should "just get over it." I think I will.

[PassingFair]

12. Link led to nowhere...

anyone care to paraphrase for me?

[janx]

13. Someone (I'm assuming it was a disruptor since s/he was

tombstoned eventually) posted a thread about nominating a "moderate" southern candidate for 2008. (Why these threads keep surfacing, I don't know. That election is a full FOUR years away.)

In any case, it quickly blossomed into one of the most odious threads that I have ever seen on DU. It was out of control. It was almost totally devoid of adult behavior.

If you could not access it, then maybe the admins pulled it. I dearly hope they did.

[orpupilofnature57]

18. EXCUSE ME this country has hit an all time low,in the recent past,*