I don't think I have the stomach for this anymore. I am about to cry.

[saracat]

One of what I thought was one of the nicest posters on DU called me out and implied I was a racist for "schilling for Hillary "as she called it.She said Edwards would be ashamed of me.I really hate what Obama has done to people. And I do blame him for this.He is the divisive one and he is playing the race card. I do not know how the Clinton's can take all this.

I know their faults but this is beyond anything I have ever seen.The gop isn't this bad seriously.They weren't as vicious as our own are becoming.

[judaspriestess]

1. I'm so sorry saracat

I watched a movie a long time ago, it was a cheesy B movie, anyway. Its a small community and chemicals contaminate either the water or the milk supply. It made the townspeople act like raging animals. fornicating anywhere and everywhere, extreme violence, there faces filled with rage. it was a trip watching it happen.

why do I bring this movie up, because its like bo supporters have drank some kind of mind altering chemical that have turned them into angry irrational people. It is truly, truly bizarre and sickening.

[DURHAM D]

2. Don't forget . . .

These Obama supporters are not Democrats. My friends (who don't read DU) remind me of that all of the time. It is how I keep my sanity.

Also, they have no historical context for their strongly held opinions and know nothing about our political party or the two party system. Most importantly, they have reduced everything to a simple binary equation. No essay test for them - just true/false. No gray. It turns them into simple minded bullies.

My closet friend went to a private reception back in January for Bill Clinton. One of the things Bill talked about is how much independents (and unaffiliated) hate politics and hate political parties. But he said - Democrats need them in order to win. He was actually not talking about the race for the W.H. but state houses, Governor's races and the U.S. House and Senate. I try to keep that in mind but Bill and Hillary are bigger folks than I am most of the time. I get angry at the Obama children - but the Clintons would not.

I think that the Obama supporters are really acting out these past 24 hours because they are afraid for the first time. They know their hero has last his momentum. They feel very defensive and it has pushed many over the edge. They will disappear into the wind eventually. They are not Democrats.

[rodeodance]

3. go back and alert if you have not done so--also email skinner.

[Justyce]

15. I agree. I've started alerting on the

ones that are name-calling and over-the-top. There's nothing wrong with discussing and disagreeing, but too many have gone way over the line. I never thought I'd see it get this bad around here.

[LadyVT]

4. Saracat... take a break for a little while.

I am only posting to threads there that look sane, and only rarely now. I really believe these are a minority of people. They are just obsessed, and very vocal, and very frightened. Ignore, ignore. They have no idea who you really are. They are screaming at a mirror. (hug)

[Qanisqineq]

5. hang in there saracat

I stay out of GDP for the most part (every once in a while I feel brave and look) so I don't know how bad it is outside the HRC forum. I do listen to Air America and just listening to that makes me want to cry. The callers are mostly Hillary haters that think she and her supporters should get out of the party, are racists, and fight dirty. I feel sick to my stomach and hopeless if I listen anymore.

You are a much braver soul and a much better fighter than me. I don't post much because I am too easily intimidated. Hang around in this forum. I was an Edwards supporter before I was a Hillary supporter, too. That poster turned into a bully. There are many DUers whose posts I sought out over the years and I liked to see what they had to say, read their opinions. Since the primaries started, some of these same posters have turned into the ugliest people on DU. I don't think DU will ever be the same for me again.

Hang in there. :hug:

Edit: me and my problems with damn emoticons! grrrrr

[DURHAM D]

7. Shultz, Miller, Rhodes, KO - they are frightening.

The are all acting like Rush and Hannity.

I can't figure out if it is for ratings or what. I get even more upset when women with a mic and an audience act like assholes. I actually think they all have NPD on steroids.

[Justyce]

17. I'm disgusted with KO. I can't even watch him anymore.

[jillan]

28. Please call msnbc and let them know how you feel

212-664-4444.

They need to hear it.

[LadyVT]

6. I believe it may be helpful to know that

about 90% of people would never, ever behave in the way we are witnessing on the DU board. What we're seeing is the 10%. They assess others based on others' perceived similarity to themselves, and if they see a difference, it is frightening--because they base their sense of self (who am I?) on how OTHERS behave and think. So if others behave or think or feel differently from how they are expected by these people to behave or think or feel, these people panic. They experience a dissolution of their sense of identity, and they either withdraw or (in the case over there), they attack in a feeble attempt to change the other person toward similarity so they can feel whole again.

They are so vulnerable because of this. They see things and people in black and white or good and evil because you are either SIMILAR (them) or DISSIMILAR (terrifying). They demonize and cut people off who are different from them for this reason; it's self-preservation.

Because Obama is a blank screen (even HE has admitted that) for people to project upon, these people see him as similar to themselves and must defend him (themselves) at all costs, and vehemently. Surely he has supporters who are not of the 10%--I'm only talking about that 10%. He's like heroin (hoperoin?) to them. They NEED him in order to feel whole.

So when, inevitably, his real self emerges, these people really lose it. We've already seen this happen a couple of times. More is coming...

That's what I meant by "they don't know who you are." They actually don't know who anyone is, including themselves. All are mirrors, and they try to shatter what they see if it doesn't match the reflection of themselves they hold inside their own heads. It is impossible, literally, to change their minds.

[Justyce]

16. Interesting assessment. I also think it's very telling about people

who can't admit any flaws in their candidate. I was an Edwards supporter and now Clinton, and I don't have a problem discussing their flaws as well as their assets -- they're all politicians and not perfect. It amazes me to watch people defend either candidate as if he/she was a saint and completely demonize the other candidate. In the end, we must vote for whichever one gets the nomination to prevent McCain from destroying what's left of our economy and our country, so I wish this childishness would stop.

[vireo]

22. This is what happens when people place personality over politics

It is anathema to democracy and is what feeds dictatorships.

[LadyVT]

29. Justyce, I believe the reason they can't admit flaws in candidates

is because they ARE the candidate--no difference. If they admit a flaw in the candidate, that means the flaw is in them, themselves, so they have to defend the candidate's perfection vigorously.

[CarolNYC]

8. Aw, saracat...

It's really really ugly out there. I have put so many people on ignore in the last couple of months and I've never had anyone on ignore for more than a few days at a time....Even with a mile long ignore list, I can barely stand to scan the topic headings...

Try to stay out of GD-P. It's toxic.

And hang tough. We gotta hang tough...like our candidate, Hillary.

:hug:

[xmas74]

9. You have two options:

1) Ignore them. I have quite a few on ignore.

2) Get nasty. Sometimes I do enjoy this option.

Stay in here for a few days, regroup and then decide what to do. You'll do fine either way.

[Catchawave]

10. I used to think we were picking up a lot of trolls to stir things up

but always breaks my heart when I see long time, once respected DUers eat their own. Redstate and TownHall have more intelligent, respectful discussions about our candidates.

This is how Democrats lose elections. :cry:

[BlackVelvet04]

11. Saracat....

I'm so sorry you are feeling this way and have been attacked. This whole thing has gotten so very ugly that it's almost incomprehensible.

The behavior of the Obama supporters reminds me of the Stanford Prison Experiment. Obama's winning streak seems to have endowed his supporters with a sense of power which they are now wielding in a cruel and sadistic manner.....they have taken on the role of "guard" and Hillary supporters the "prisoners".

The only thing we can really do is refuse to take on the prisoner mentality and not allow them to beat us up with their words. They are emboldened by the fact that they are being allowed to get by with their behavior from the board's "authority" and they won't quit until they are forced to quit. We can only remove ourselves from the equation.

Please take a break from GD:P and take care of yourself. Hillary's nomination does not depend on us defending her on Democratic Underground.

[libbygurl]

12. Sorry to hear that-best thing to do is stay out of GD-P for a while, just hang around...

...this forum instead.

This is a safe refuge for non-O supporters who get stepped on by those vile creatures out there. Or else just take a break from OU for a little bit.

You've been very brave to actually go out there and confront these nutcases with rational responses, but there seems to be an absence of rationality over there anymore, so it gets really frustrating. I don't take what they say personally anymore. Thanks to DU, I've gotten more assertive since beginning of this year, and I'm really not like that by nature.

Not to be a masochist, but I also look to the example set by Hillary, who lets nothing, no matter how vile or vicious or unfair, get to her anymore. She's just there to try to do the job she set out for herself to do. She is really, truly admirable in the way she's handled all the crap that has been thrown at her for decades now. I've certainly developed a thick skin in the last couple of months, thanks to the ugly, unconscionable behaviour of some DU people. These subset of O supporters also happen to be very vocal, with little else to do in life, it seems, and spend their time spewing hatred and lies for hours and hours on end.

But you're right about the surprising transformation of some previously decent people here, who now seem to have completely lost their senses. You can't do much about them, but you can only do something about your reaction to them. Stay away from GD-P, regroup, stay here in this forum where people are more sane.

:hug:

[zabet]

13. I hate how the Obamaniacs are so vile.

:hug:

I too have had long time DUers, whose
posts and opinions I used to respect,
call me some vile names just because I
support Hillary.
I have been called racist more times than
I care to think about. I love it when
xultar jumps on people about the 'racist'
bullshit.

Take a break, stay away from GDPottymouth,
come to the sanity that is here, in 'Hill
Haven'.

:loveya:

[Clinton Crusader]

14. Aw, Saracat, believe me, I know how you feel.

I do not go there anymore. Period. Never.

I only come here. I'm very sensitive to these things and I KNOW Ill have some sort of a breakdown eventually, so I don't go. They are vile, vicious, despicable people and I have NO IDEA WHY they are acting like this. I mean, yeah, my guy better than yours is one thing, but this is beyond human decency and no one does a damn thing about it. This mob mentality, and that's what it is, has crept into the media, and I bet if Matthews, KO, and the rest of the 'gang' at MSNBC were allowed to say whatever they want, we'd hear exactly what is being is said in GDP, four letter words, insults, pounding, belittling and all.

I suggest everyone stay out of there. You're not going to accomplish a damn thing, so I don't know what the point is. Why put yourself in that position? You're not going to change any minds, your never gonna win, and no one is gonna come to your defense. So why bother?

And yes I also blame Obummer. Period. He created all this hatred, animosity and now threats of violence and riots. But he sits back and doesn't say a thing, in fact his arrogant attitude encourages them. He could release a statement telling his bots to STFU and calm the fuck down, but he doesn't. He WANTS it like this. He wants people to go berserk over him. He's turning into or has become a megalomaniac, wants to rule the world sort of thing.

If WE feel like this, I don't know HOW the fuck Hillary stands it.

Stay out of there for pitys sake!

[anamandujano]

24. You're right about not accomplishing anything there.

I keep going in but after awhile just leave. The idiocy there is exhausting. I've been posting less and less.

Sometimes it's good to make a point to torpedo their twisted rationalizations. They do get it although they post as if they don't and say something even stupider.

I really feel that Obama is the Repuke candidate this time around.

It almost feels like W2 with the fascist slap down of anyone who dares to speak up. They raised the specter of 1968 several weeks back. The death threats to black supers. Now the emboldened threats, even using the word "cells" for organizing a riot at the convention.

I keep posting about Bill Bradley on Jim Lehrer a few days ago. He threatened the black supers with challenges to their seats, people like Sheila Jackson Lee. You should have seen his eyes, nightmarish, like a street thug. It was disgusting.

About being called names, I guess I have a thick skin because it doesn't bother me. I just answer with something about the empty unity and hope slogans of their @ssinine leader.

The worst is that Skinner and the mods are all Obama. They will let most of the horrible stuff slide to hundreds of posts and shut down a thread that is tepid by far immediately. I think Skinner is allowing his website to go down the tubes. I think he's going to regret it when all the freepers leave, along with the real Democrats. Good luck to him.

The Obamatrons began extending offers of peace and unification when they thought he had it wrapped. They want us to help defend Obama when the press turns, even though they cheered on the trashing of Hillary.

As I said before, Obama may be Rove's candidate this time around, so the press may just be playing with us for awhile by asking a few questions. They may fully intend to install him in the White House. I'm 75% toward thinking this.

[vireo]

18. Groupthink

What is Groupthink?

Groupthink, a term coined by social psychologist Irving Janis (1972), occurs when a group makes faulty decisions because group pressures lead to a deterioration of “mental efficiency, reality testing, and moral judgment” (p. 9). Groups affected by groupthink ignore alternatives and tend to take irrational actions that dehumanize other groups. A group is especially vulnerable to groupthink when its members are similar in background, when the group is insulated from outside opinions, and when there are no clear rules for decision making.

Symptoms of Groupthink

Janis has documented eight symptoms of groupthink:

Illusion of invulnerability –Creates excessive optimism that encourages taking extreme risks.
Collective rationalization – Members discount warnings and do not reconsider their assumptions.
Belief in inherent morality – Members believe in the rightness of their cause and therefore ignore the ethical or moral consequences of their decisions.
Stereotyped views of out-groups – Negative views of “enemy” make effective responses to conflict seem unnecessary.
Direct pressure on dissenters – Members are under pressure not to express arguments against any of the group’s views.
Self-censorship – Doubts and deviations from the perceived group consensus are not expressed.
Illusion of unanimity – The majority view and judgments are assumed to be unanimous.
Self-appointed ‘mindguards’ – Members protect the group and the leader from information that is problematic or contradictory to the group’s cohesiveness, view, and/or decisions.

http://www.psysr.org/groupthink%20overview.htm

[jillan]

19. Saracat - I had the same thing happen to me.

It was by one of my fellow Bidenites.
It hurt, at first.
But the next time I signed on, the first thing I did was put her on ignore - and that
felt great.

Take a break from this place!
It's another beautiful day in Phoenix - go plant some flowers.
It'll make you feel better. :hug:

[Alamom]

20. So sorry, Saracat. I was called a racist (early on) several times for posting

news articles. Not my opinion, just some not-so-positive facts about BO. Very mild compared to now.

I guess they saw me as racist because I'm from the south. This was done by some veteran duer's who no longer post. It was months ago before everything got so ugly.

Just remember, they don't know you. They have no idea what kind of person you are. They are stupid and they are idiots.

I've never seen anything like this and hope never to see it again. I agree with you about what he has done and will add, I think he knew before he ever ran what would happen.
A broken & split country.....it's the only way he could win.

[pnwmom]

21. I'm still officially bi-candidate, but I came here today

because I'm so sick of seeing all the Hillary-hate around here.

So, so sick.

I'm sorry you got hit with this.

[UALRBSofL]

23. I feel your pain, I really do

That's why I'm not posting much in GD-P because all that happens is the Obamaniacs attack me. :(

[katty]

25. it's a drag around here, but the Clintons are tough fighters

they know what the stakes are as we are facing: major recession, housing disaster, job losses, dollar drops, Iraq, healthcare--the bottom is about to drop out of America in a big way and they are ready.

[ExtraGriz]

26. to hell with them

i'm gonna continue going in there with my shit-shield on....i dont want their 'change' and 'hope' shove down my throat.

[saracat]

31. Good for you.I won't give up either.

[katty]

35. you go!!

[JohnnyLib2]

27. Awwww, jeez. Hate to hear this.

We've got to outlive these types, or they win. But, it sure is a challenge!
Take care...:hi:

[saracat]

30. I'm not leaving. Yet. I am just sad about the loss of respect I had for

some posters I thought were 'friends". Sigh.

[feminazi]

32. saracat, don't pay any attention to them

don't let a bunch of bullies get you down. stay here where it's safe and let them feed off their own bile.

:grouphug:

[nonconformist]

33. I'm so sorry. It's really become insane.

It's like they've been taken over by pod people. The same thing happened to formerly decent people who fell for Bush's crap about unity, too.

He's tearing the party apart. I guess that is what he really meant by "change".

[Clinton Crusader]

34. He's tearing the party apart. I guess that is what he really meant by "change".

Wow. I never thought of it that way. Destroy the Dem party and everyone becomes a Rethug!

Do they really believe these rationalizations of HILLARY is tearing the party apart? There isn't one shred of sanity left wherein they do't see their mob mentality and thug tactics are ripping the party apart?

I sent a long piece to CNN today about how Obamatrons behave and treat other people who don't mantra hope believe and change all day long. I have never seen the media report on this once. Have they ever reported on the threats of violence and rioting?

[katty]

36. rover and bush must be happy about this

[NashVegas]

37. It Sucks, But There's Not Much To Be Done About It

If Hillary wins the nom, most of them will slink away right then. If Obama wins the nom, they'll learn what true hell is when McCain's attacks start.

That is, the sincere ones. Either way, the worst of them will be gone soon enough, either by their own steam or tombstoned.

I've got a few long-timers in my ignore list, either because they take it all too seriously, or they play the game so well that they make it no fun for anyone else. But generally, not too many.

I had one long-timer put me on ignore for snarking in her thread - two days after she made a really low-blow, really catty, nasty, PA on me.

[susankh4]

38. This is getting to be a really abusive environment for Hillary supporters

It's because the Obamaphiles feel "their" nomination may be slipping away. And, it very well may.....

Hang in there. It'll get better.

I hope.

[robbedvoter]

41. this, the blogosphere, AAR + MSM. very few places where this is not going on

It will not get better. I mean, hopefully, Hillary gets it - and the abuses will continue. She will win the elections and the abuses will never cease. A repeat of the Clinton years - with the internet and AAR added in the mix. This is the most optimistic prediction I have.
The darker one: Obama gets it, loses it - his cheerleaders on the left will somehow blame Hillary for it too.
he wins it - blunders from day one - mighty Clenis still at fault.
it never stops.

[kikiek]

39. Ok that does it. I'm going in. I had vowed to take a break after last night. Got ugly.

[durrrty libby]

40. Good grief. Don't let some anonymous person on a message board

get you upset.

I'm an infrequent visitor lately. This place is pretty much a wasteland
of obamatized droids

Anyway, if you support Hillary, Hillaryis44.org always has a thread going with

tons of info and some great people. Check it out:toast: