Stop telling me what side I'm on!

[Peanutcat]

I've noticed in the last few days several thread that spout the opinion "If you're not on my side, you're on THEIR side!" Sorry, people, just because I don't believe everything you believe or go along with whatever you want doesn't mean I'm the enemy. The only thing it means is that I have my own opinions and beliefs seperate from yours. Don't you go lumping me in with everything you hate just because I won't go along with everything you like. Last time I heard, that was a conservative Republican tactic, and I'm not going for that.

[derby378]

1. Love your avatar! Having said that...

I am a progressive, pro-gun Democrat, which means that a lot of my fellow Democrats probably see me as an oddity or, at worst, an aberration. But here I am, and I've got to have a sense of humor about the whole thing.

I do admit to getting pissed off at the DLC as well as individual Democrats on the Hill at times, but I try not to accuse anyone who supports them of being "the enemy." Last I checked, the real enemy is trying to steal our rights away from us bit by bit.

[joefree1]

3. Sounds like you're one of us majority Democrats

Talk of "Vicky Democrats" or being "the enemy" just because we don't agree with someone is Liberal Elitism and probably more dangerous then fundie lies. The Democratic Party is the big tent party.

[EwokMyWeewok]

2. i like cool flip top box

they wont stop me!

[magellan]

4. Ignore them, Peanutcat

I've read similar posts recently, where Dems who fail to toe the party line are treated pretty nasty. If I pay too much attention to some posts I start to feel people like me (liberal Independent) aren't wanted here at all simply because we don't have Ds after our names. But I assure you, those posts are the minority. I've been here since shortly after the Kerry discussion forum disbanded in Nov '04, and most of the people on DU welcome and accept diverse opinion as natural because they recognize it's the Democratic Party's inherent strength.

So my advice is ignore the purists and state your mind. The only people you should avoid offending are the mods, and if you stick to the DU rules you won't have a problem with them.

Welcome! :hi:

[Peanutcat]

5. Oh, I do!

And I just started this thread to, like you said, state my mind. I like thinking for myself!

[SeattleGirl]

6. Right on, Peanutcat! I don't like that either.

I don't agree with everything everyone on DU (or anyone else says), and they don't agree with everything I say (or believe). My take is, so what? I respect other people, and can get into a conversation or debate with them without trying to "assimilate" them to my point of view. And I appreciate it when others hear me out, and don't try to make me think the same way they do. The folks who do that, well -- I think their actions say more about them than about me.

Here's to independent thinking! :toast:

[readmoreoften]

7. Well, if you'd just stop being such a terrorist, peanut cat!!!!

I just wanted to call someone who's named "peanutcat" a terrorist! :spank:

I disagree with a whole heck of a lot of Democrats.

[Mythsaje]

8. I don't even know what the "party line" is...

I know what I believe and everything else is noise. I like debating interesting topics with people who don't quite see things the same way because, for one, it's entertaining, but also because it's educational. And I think it's important that we progressives seek to find common ground even in the midst of disagreements.

[RB TexLa]

9. I certainly agree with you, when I have posted on the ports situation

I have been accused of "delivering" the GOP talking points, so I just compliment them on their delivery of Storm Front's talking points. :)

[Peanutcat]

10. Kick!

:kick:

[mmonk]

11. What are your views?

This is not an inquisition, just wondering. Whose "my side or theirs"?

[Peanutcat]

12. If you've read my OP

You'd know I was talking about several posts created that basically said "My way or else" about several different topics. If you're asking what my views are, you'll have to give me some issues; I surely can't cover everything I believe off the top of my head. :evilgrin: