DU is going to Hell in a handbasket.

[Danger Mouse]

The latest flamewar is about the 'Code Pink' protester...if you don't know the story, you can just look in one of the many threads about it in General Discussion...anyway, it's just another example of the direction that DU is going in lately.
There's no 'debate'...just a bunch of namecalling. Polite disagreement doesn't exist in these threads...if someone doesn't share your opinion, just condescend to them and run them down. It's easier than actually responding to them!
Don't accuse me of taking sides, because it's equally bad on BOTH sides...entirely pointless, childish pissing contests.
It's happening more and more lately...and it's sad to see. Rather than a constructive exhange of ideas, it's turned into a competition to see who can come up with the cleverest insult or putdown. Hey, if you put :eyes: or :sarcasm: in your post, you win MORE POINTS!
:argh: is more like it.
I know we all have different views, but what ever happened to being civil to one another? The way people snark and snipe at each other, deep rifts are being caused.
As we continue to run each other down and rip each other apart, these divisions will only become greater. We may not all agree, but we are all on the same side. If things are this bad NOW, what's going to happen when we get to the primaries? We're going to self-destruct. Is it worth it? Is it worth the pat on the back others give you when you dismiss someone's opinion with a snide remark? Is it worth the boost to your ego when you mock somebody?
I hope so.
Guys, we're in bad shape, and once the primaries hit, it's going to get SO much worse. What happened to the idea of a DU Community? What happened to our togetherness, our sense of unity?
I guess we'd rather just take cheap shots at one another. Well, if that's the DU experience you want to have, then go ahead, enjoy yourself.
So, where ARE we going, and why are we in this handbasket?

[Horse with no Name]

1. Opinions are like assholes...

Personally I don't see the same handbasket you see.

[Danger Mouse]

6. Maybe not, but it seems worse than normal lately. nt

[Lex]

2. The sky is falling! The sky is falling!

WhatEVER will we do?

Come on, it's an internet messageboard, not Happy Fairy Land where we all hold hands and agree on everything.

[Horse with no Name]

5. Uhhh Lex

You are late for our chanting of Kumbaya.

[Lex]

14. Dang it! But we can still hold hands, right?

[tinfoilinfor2005]

30. Oh man, I'm getting dizzy, but I don't want to break the line!

(cute little circle people!)

[Danger Mouse]

12. I think using insults and belittling to make a point are never excusable.

I try to adhere to that.
Since the vast majority of the debate on these boards lately has consisted of insults and putdowns, I find it very discouraging.
I appreciate the mocking tone of your reply, by the way.

[merwin]

18. I find namecalling a great tool, you very smart liberal!

See, works great!

[Lex]

20. Sorry, I'm on several big messageboards and DU is no worse

and no better than others in the way the members interact.

It's not an afternoon tea party and it's not a scholarly debate. It's just not.

[Danger Mouse]

25. I didn't ask for a scholarly debate or an afternoon tea party.

I asked for civility, which DU is sorely lacking lately.

[Lex]

36. Finger-wagging is also not very civil.

And before you correct me, no I didn't literally mean that you wagged your actual finger.

[Danger Mouse]

38. As before, I appreciate your mockery.

Thank you.

[Greyhound]

101. "Look, somebody made a mess there, guess I'll just throw my shit down there too"

and some wonder how we got to this state...:eyes:

[blondeatlast]

136. I liken it to the neighborhood pub.

We all are neighborly but it's best to step away when things get tetchy...

[Blashyrkh]

43. You just proved his point.

Instead of politely disagreeing and elaborating on why you disagree, you were simply snarky and make a snide comment.

I would like to think DU is above-average when it comes to civility and tolerance, because this certainly ain't just "another message board".

[Lex]

63. Well, that *was* my point.

My choice was pointedly not to "politely disagree and elaborating on why you disagree."

And I explained why. Sorry I didn't lift my pinkie finger when I did it.

I think everyone should just take a deep breath and get some perspective here. DU is most definitely not "going to hell in a handbasket."

[Blashyrkh]

83. Well your "point" inadvertently proved the OPs.

More and more, I see "debates" conducted on a level more suitable for unnamed RW sites full of blowhards. Sometimes, replace the issue or invert the arguments and it's uncanny how similar the thought processes can be.

I neither think DU is going to "hell in a handbasket" (whatever that means) But at the same time I can't ignore the fact I've seen the level of discourse fall in relation to specific issues.

[Labors of Hercules]

119. The point is a good one, but the target is a little off...

My issue isn't with the succinct one-liners etc.,
It's with one-track minded gits who get defensive whenever you write something they don't like.
Lighten up, breathe in- breathe out... now, where's that Kum-ba-yah circle?

anybody seen my cigarette lighter? :hippie:

[Danger Mouse]

124. Well, that's part of the problem, too.

It seems at times you can't post anything without someone getting offended.

[Labors of Hercules]

148. especially if you're sarcastic...

or use humor to make a point. Seems some of us read through threads trying to find things to take offense at, but don't notice that the point is actually something agreed with. Most of these responses I've seen would be dead-on and funny as hell :rofl: if they weren't so damned literal.

:smoke:

[Blashyrkh]

154. Hehe yeah.

Too many people are far too keen to slaughter senses of humour on the altar of political correctness.

[EFerrari]

75. No again! Darn!

:)

[chknltl]

91. The sky is doing WHAT???!!!11!!??

:tinfoilhat:

[AngryOldDem]

122. True....

But does that give people the right to be total jerks? Your seeming attitude of "anything goes" can be a death-knell for any site (like DU) that sees itself as a place where people can come to discuss/debate/argue ideas.

There are too many places out there that are the Internet equivalent of the World Wrestling Federation. DU should be above that.

Can someone disagree with another's opinion and engage in honest debate about those differences, without becoming personal about it? That seems to be the problem DU is having these days.

[kiahzero]

3. DU, Day 2

"We're imploding!"

It's been like this for as far as I can remember... I can't imagine 2008 Primaries will be worse than 2004.

[catzies]

72. My sentiments exactly.

n/t

[Colobo]

4. Thanks for this post

I've only been here a couple of months, but it's kinda sad to see how some posters over here are ready to call you names, use some nasty language to respond or accuse you of stuff just because they disagree with you. The worst thing is that even if one tries to be friendly and end the discussion politely, one keeps getting attacked in a very childish manner.

It's sad, because I feel we are all on the same side even if we disagree on certain issues. It is possible to express one's opinion without attacking anyone. It would be nice to disagree respectfully.

[annabanana]

11. M'dear. . we are all over the place in the very best American way!

There are many many general points of agreement, and several "touchy" subjects.. just like family.

[Catherine Vincent]

7. Kumbaya, my lord, Kumbaya...Oh lord, Kumbaya

:)

[133724]

62. I think I just steped in the Kumbaya..... yuck....

[ends_dont_justify]

8. *family guy referance*

Oh reginald...I disagree! *fwoom*

Seriously though, I believe it's a psychological factor that exists all across the internet. I fall victim to it often and I regret what a jerk I can be, regardless the forum or internet area. When you see text, all you see is the opinion and a name. You forget there's a person attached to it. You see this "person" as the "evil" opinion you disagree with, forgetting the majority of people are open books and contrary to any evil, are simply misguided. Or, maybe you are the misguided one. But again...the opinion is damning, you don't want to agree with it. Yet a RL person would easily get you to see a faulty logic. I have never once in my life argued with someone as severely as I have on the internet in my worst times, and only a few times in my life argued like I do on the internet frequently...that's why I try to post less. It's a beast within us all, I think.

[silverojo]

61. WTH?!?

<< I have never once in my life argued with someone as severely as I have on the internet in my worst times>>

You apparently don't have many relatives, then. :) I'm little miss sweetness and light on the Internet, compared to what I am in an honest-to-goodness argument in real life. The ability to argue like mad, then make up and remain on good terms, is healthy and normal.

Just make sure you don't throw things, that's all! :rofl:

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

9. IMO the best way to deal with annoying threads and discussions is

to ignore them. Don't participate; stay out of the fray. DU has over 100,000 members, and out of a group that large a certain number are likely to be buttheads. It would be nice if everyone could disagree civilly and respectfully, but there will inevitably be some assholery. And assholery feeds on attention.

So, for the sake of your blood pressure, just walk away.

[Danger Mouse]

17. Well, as I said in another reply, I rarely show up in GD...

since that's where the majority of the shit-throwing is :P

[Shine]

77. Yes, I agree with you 100%

:thumbsup:

[TahitiNut]

81. FACT: Of the approximately 100,000 registrations, there are about 20,000 tombstones.

Of the remaining 80,000 or so, far less than half have any post count at all. Of the ones having a post count, less than half are active.

This is not a particularly difficult analysis to perform. Anyone can do it - in lieu of repeatedly mis-stating a statistic. It's not rocket science.

[RagingInMiami]

88. Shhh

Don't tell the advertisers that.

[TahitiNut]

105. They find out from the click-throughs.

:shrug:

[Elwood P Dowd]

10. DU has been like this since I started lurking in 2002.

You should have been here during the 2004 primary season.

[salin]

99. my thoughts exactly

been here since 2002 - and its the same old same old. Just a lot more voices joining in the fray.

Have to admit I sorta dread the primaries per the boards, the dynamics last time around were rather... *searching for a polite word*... intense/tense.

[in_cog_ni_to]

13. Why not just avoid the threads/issues that create divisiveness?

I do. The 'Code Pink' issue is a non-issue, IMCPO. Ignore the threads and move on. You'll be glad you did. OR visit a different forum? GD politics is maybe where you should be?

[Danger Mouse]

15. I avoid GD like the plague, normally. I came up for air and quickly regretted it.

I'm a lounger myself.
:P
I just felt like I had to say that, because I find the lack of civility to be kind of sad.

[in_cog_ni_to]

23. Ah. I see. I avoid the Lounge like the plague.

I went there ONCE. :scared:

GD can be rough on certain days. When it is, I just leave. I take a few days off until things blow over.

[Danger Mouse]

27. You no like the Lounge?

I can imagine that, too.
Guess it's a matter of personal taste.

[tnlefty]

35. I don't go into the Lounge anymore either.

Some of the worst insults that I've had lobbed my way have been in the Lounge. :shrug:

I think that I'm rather civil.

[Danger Mouse]

40. Well, the Lounge is different...there's lot of cliques and drama and popularity contests.

Say the wrong thing to the wrong person, and you'll be swarmed by angry Loungers calling you every horrible insult known to man with unbridled fury.

[ebayfool]

64. You prefer that? The cliques and drama and popularity contests ...

"Say the wrong thing to the wrong person, and you'll be swarmed by angry Loungers calling you every horrible insult known to man with unbridled fury."

How is that more civil than what you were describing in your OP? I'm really curious, btw - not challenging. The 2 forums do seem to draw a different crowd, w/some being able to feel comfy in both. I suspect they are the people that are able to do that in RL ... something that I admire.

Truth be known, the Lounge is intimidating to me - but I feel comfy swimming in GD! (I also suspect it's an age thing w/some of us ... Loungers make me feel old & tired - pesky youngins'! :spank: ):rofl:

[Danger Mouse]

69. The Lounge is largely middle-aged, though I am a 25-year-old myself.

I kind of prefer the lounge, but I never said that it was civil there...if anything, it's worse! :P

[ebayfool]

84. Ummmm .... You're not helping!

:spray:

Damn, now I realllllly feel tired - middle aged? I thought I was middle aged ... well, a tired middle aged!

I'll just lurk in the lounge & have my spats elsewhere! Like I said, though - I DO admire those that go back & forth w/ease. It seems that a lot of the DUers that I most like to read have the ability, & it's something I'm gonna work on - get out of that comfort zone a wee bit more often.



But ya'll play nice w/Mom's Baby Dem when she comes in (she STILL hasn't forgiven me for suggesting that nick for her! :rofl:). She lurves the Lounge Lizards when she's able to get online (probably because Mom stays out of the room so much)!

[GoneOffShore]

150. Ah, but the incivility is all in good fun.

B-)

[proud2BlibKansan]

51. That's good advice

I avoid the lounge too but I probably spend too much time in GD.

[PurpleChez]

16. I'm sorry...the Kumbyah posts, etc., are all out of line....

The OP didn't say we should all make believe that we live in happy fairly land, only that we should try to be more civil in our disagreements. And then come a dozen examples of why he/she made the point in the first place. Why not leave the stupid insults and the ad hominem attacks to the freepers? OK...I guess I'm gonna get stomped now....

[Danger Mouse]

24. Yeah, that's how I felt, too, but I decided not to dignify that with a reply.

But they're proving my point for me, so whatever.

[BlooInBloo]

19. I still don't know what the brouhaha is/was about... I was transfixed watching Plame.

[BeFree]

48. Good for you

That was the best and most correct answer yet in the code pink war!

Ya see, if everyone had been as focused on watching Plame, the code pink people would have never been brought up, or, at the least hardly mentioned. But too many got their pink panties in a twist and blathered on about something that had nothing to do with Plame being outed by those bastards that started the invasion that killed all those thousands of people.

So the blatherers had to have their panties straightened out and in so doing some of the un-twisting hit some innocents, like the OPer, who got peed off.

Good going, BlooBloo.

[BlooInBloo]

58. (sigh) She's smart. I like her.

[hlthe2b]

21. I've been pleasantly surprised at the tone of other controversial

threads.... Generally respectful disagreement--even on the confederate flag art exhibit and its implications...


I guess we lead by example... Hopefully many more DUers will step forward to try to maintain the tone...:shrug:

[Danger Mouse]

26. Hopefully, we can get some more of that going around.

It's badly needed.

[eleny]

22. I disagreed politely

Where's my medal?! :rofl:

Btw, just wait till the Primary season really heats up. Better find yourself an asbestos suit.

[Danger Mouse]

33. I've already anticipated that it will become unbearable.

But at the same time, kind of amusing to watch.
I'll be girded for war. :P
If you can keep your civility together in the dark days to come, you will win many medals :)

[eleny]

45. Well, I've had my dismal moments

But we won't go there. I'm in a braggin' mood tonight. O8)

[Danger Mouse]

49. I've had my moments as well.

I've tried to behave in DU. I've been on the receiving end to. I made a comment in the Lounge that (I felt) was fairly innocent, but caused me to be swarmed by a bunch of angry Loungers that I had somehow offended.
It's really really easy to offend folks around here.

[eleny]

52. Sometimes it feels like you stepped on a yellow jacket nest

[Danger Mouse]

Definitely.

But these are particularly angry and persistent yellow jackets.

[eleny]

55. I've been chased by angry, persistent yellow jackets

Right into the house, too. Never, ever run over a nest with a gas powered lawn mower. They even attacked the mower all the next day! (Not to hijack your thread or anything)

[Danger Mouse]

57. I am absolutely terrified of wasps, hornets and yellow jackets

via a traumatic childhood experience with a carful of angry wasps.
:scared:
They are my greatest weakness, but don't tell any of the Loungers that.

[eleny]

66. My lips are sealed

[Danger Mouse]

70. Why do I get the feeling that you're not to be trusted?

:P

[eleny]

74. It could have something to do with the green lipstick

[Greyhound]

102. Africanized Killer Yellow Jackets!!1! Run for your lives!!1! n/t

[Danger Mouse]

111. Sounds scary, but I hate wasps the most.

They even LOOK evil.

[The Straight Story]

37. re: primary season. I ditched the flame suit and went for the spartan look

the wife likes it better ;)

[eleny]

42. Spartan?!

Oh, no - not that topic! Ayieeee!

[Danger Mouse]

44. 300? Heard that was another flamewar starter

:)

[eleny]

46. Shhhhh!!!!!!!

:spank:

[The Straight Story]

47. I think the movie is named after how many posts we have had on it

:rofl:

[Danger Mouse]

50. Then it would have to be 300,000

in giant, flaming numbers.

[eleny]

53. Snaps!

[quinnox]

28. yea the nature of the beast

It can be fun sometimes to get into a back and forth contest but yea, it has been getting pretty bad lately. You can't post a thread without your head getting bitten off and called every name under the book!

[Danger Mouse]

29. Thank you for your reply.

I never enjoy back and forths...debate can be fun, when it's kept civil. Insult contests are just draining, IMHO.

[bridgit]

65. straight-up!! i love it when the mods lock a 'flame fest' after some 350 posts...

:spray: where's the prescient, all seeing wisdom there :rofl: or a thread that speaks to The Irish Rebellion of 1916 On St. Patty's Day!!

http://home.fiac.net/marshaw/1916.htm

http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/thecranberries/albums/album/205461/review/6067316/no_need_to_argue why to go :thumbsup:

[The Straight Story]

31. Hell, ya can't even wish someone a blessed day without it being a snide comment thesedays

It's no wonder the bigger issues cause so much strife :)

[Danger Mouse]

32. Small issues have become big ones, and big issues have become

monsters.

[The Straight Story]

34. I think too, in all fairness to folks here, we all want the same things - just how to get them

seems to be where the real issues are.

Some saw the code pink/plame thing as not helping us to win over people, which we need to keep dems in power and effective, and others saw it as helping to raise awareness about an issue.

My take on it all: We already have awareness at the real liberal level - the people we are wanting to come on board are the swing folks, as we have the best chance of getting them on our side.

I think, looking through that lens it is legitimate to ask whether said techniques are bringing people on the fence to our yard, or pushing them over the fence to the rw yard.

Because we don't have hard data, we can only speculate. And I agree with you, speculation does not need to cause angry posting. Civility can be achieved by trying to understand one another, and we can politely disagree.

Code pink is preaching to the choir with us, and many appreciate their efforts. Whether or not those efforts are effective outside those who already agree is something worth asking at times.

[Danger Mouse]

39. I can see both sides of that issue....

however, I do feel that we need to consider the folks that are on the fence. They are out there, and they do exist.
There are people who will NEVER open their eyes, and are a lost cause.
However, we can't neglect the center, either.
Ir'a a tough issue, and people obviously feel very strongly about it.

[The Straight Story]

41. I call it - the mormon approach

Some feel more safe when dealing with the middle to use the method of going door to door in ties and explaining to people the issues, ie - trying to convert people by message and not theatrics.

Do more people listen to reason or theatrics? Given our American Idol society, I honestly don't know anymore.

So let's just do both :)

[Danger Mouse]

54. Theatrics are very effective.

I think both should be used, because both WORK. Some people want reason, so give them reason. Some people want theatrics, so give them that.
Some people want pie. Give them pie.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

82. "Some people want theatrics, so give them that."

Some people give irony without trying.

[Danger Mouse]

95. May I ask what you are referring to?

[A-Schwarzenegger]

108. Your theatrical OP.

[Danger Mouse]

110. I tend towards that.

I mean, the OP was very dramatic, but I tend to post that way.
At the end of the day, it's not a huge deal to me. The whole thing could be distilled to a simple sentence: Please express your views and opinions to one another in a civil manner.
That's what really bothers me, in the end.

[Turbineguy]

56. Think of it as

a who's-a-bigger-asshole contest. Whoever has the last word wins, which is to say, loses.

On edit: I should have attached this as an answer to some other post! :dunce:

[Danger Mouse]

59. No, it is YOU who are wrong.

PROVE it? *insert witty mocking insult here* :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :eyes: :eyes: :eyes:

[Bassic]

60. I agree

The name calling is indeed nothing more than a pissing contest. As the Democratic Party continues to gain power (which should happen, barring another big attack or vote tampering, I suspect that DU will eventually implode. A lot of the people here were united in their fight of the GOP, but as the Thugs become irrelevant, dissenting democrats will no longer feel it necessary to act as a block. Until the next cycle anyway.

[donco6]

67. Seems pretty normal to me. And I've been around a while. n/t

[bridgit]

68. hahahaha, it would...

:rofl:

[live love laugh]

71. It's been a looooong seven years--people are weary, thus the flame wars.

But I do know what you are saying.

I too see less substance and more fluff. There have been many threads that mention the descent but in those same threads I have seen denial that things have changed--with the ever present snark brigade out in full force to taunt any *crazy* notion that there actually is a difference.

When I do look at the flamers I often seen that they are the work of two or three people. (I'm sure you have seen the threads about nothing that keep getting dug up for days on end by the same few people.)

I think you just have to try ignore the flamefests like many here do but it is hard.

[Danger Mouse]

73. It's not that it affects me personally...

I just don't like to see it, and I don't like to see people getting insulted and belittled for having a differing opinion.
Yes, I do understand that the years have worn on us, and tensions are high.
Now that we've won control of Congress, a chunk of our unity has broken off and is no longer there.
We shall see how things get once the primaries arrive.

[HuskiesHowls]

76. Its why I don't post very much....

I've been here for several years, and have always been one to do my research first. I also don't believe in "me, too" responses.

Where there once was civil discussion and debate...now its closer to flame wars.

Ah, well....maybe its what's needed to beat them other guys??

[barbtries]

78. i just click away,

and go on to the next post. i love DU, and there is so much activity i could be readin' and writin' 24/7 without ever getting involved in derogatory exchanges.

[Shine]

79. I don't know if we're "going to hell", but I agree with you about the lack of civility

I get really frustrated and turned off by the lack of respect and personal insults that are thrown around sometimes. We are ALL worthy of respect and civility, regardless of whether one agrees with another or not.


:hi:

[K8-EEE]

80. Why do I find this type of thing so easy to ignore?

There's so much great info and discussion going on here, why fixate on stupid stuff?

[autorank]

85. Sorry to hear this... K&R

I've missed the flame wars lately, although I've seen quite a few. I remember how people went after Jason Leonard. Then, a week ago, I saw somebody apologizing to him for those thread. I respect the poster who did that but there were about 40 replies and the Leonard bashing threads had hundreds of responses. What the hell did the guy do anyway? Oh, his story didn't materialize, as though that doesn't happen frequently with all types of media journalists. But it became a major crime. Then there are the famous Bev Harris bashing threads. What's that about? It's embarrassing to see these nasty, pack based slander-fests. The threads should be locked and sent to the bottom when it becomes apparent that the only purposes is (a) to brawl and/or (b) to trash someone other than the monsters ruining this country.

Ironically, I think that the posting on DU has been truly outstanding in the past few weeks. This place is hot and it's becoming a "go to" forum for emerging stories. I'm enjoying the heck out of that and I'm running into old friends that I've not seen in months.

Thanks for posting on this. It's a good companion to an OP of a few days ago (which I didn't bookmark, so if you read this and know what I'm talking about, show me some love!).

[Hardrada]

86. And then there are the fact police and the grammar police (sometimes)

[Bluebear]

87. 6 months here and you say we're going to hell?

I reject that, we most certainly are *not* going to hell in said handbasket. Alert on what is inappropriate, hide the threads you don't like, use the ignore feature. But this site still ROCKS.

[Danger Mouse]

93. I've been reading DU for MUCH longer than that.

It was six months ago that I actually joined.
Anyway.

[Bluebear]

96. I still reject that things are that dire.

Yes, you have to weed through some negative but I see remarkable things happen here.

[Lex]

104. I think he's just very concerned about DU.

You know what I mean?

[radfringe]

89. Clicking on "HIDE THREAD" is your friend

I use it for multiple threads on the same subject that I find annoying. It lowers my blood pressure immensely

[ScreamingMeemie]

90. You've only now just figured that out in 6 months???

:sarcasm:

Stick around. It's always ups and downs. I think it is more pronounced than perhaps 2003, when I joined. You'd have to ask a 2001er about before that. But I think you need to chill and maybe find a new hobby. :hi:

[Danger Mouse]

94. Like I mentioned in another reply...

I've been reading DU for much longer than six months :P
Just didn't get an account until september

[ScreamingMeemie]

98. Then you would know of what I posted.

:P

[JNelson6563]

92. Been like this since primary 04

I was kind of hoping the main actors in such dramas would fall away after 2004 election. Sadly that is not how it happened.

Julie

[AngryOldDem]

120. I date the change in DU to November 2004

2004 took a lot out of many of us. That anger had to be spent somewhere and against something; unfortunately, to some degree we turned it on ourselves. I started reading DU on the advice of a longtime poster in the summer of 2004, and I was immediately impressed at the tolerance and open discussion I found here. It was a one-of-a-kind board. Then, after November 2004, things changed. It's gotten a little better, but it seems like it's one step forward followed by two steps back -- the climate of this place has changed.

I understand that the anonymity of the Internet gives some people the idea that they can be total assholes, and that "if you can't stand the heat" applies here as well. But lately it seems that more and more threads degenerate into nothing but flame wars, because people choose to make it personal rather than debate the points of another's argument. And with the number of extremely intelligent and well-informed people who post here, I find that very sad and discouraging. Some of the best threads here have been the open give-and-take of ideas. Once the insults begin, however, all bets are off. DU becomes no better than any other place on the Internet -- and I'd like to set the bar for us a little higher than that.

There is still something to be said for the idea of common courtesy and civility, even on the Internet.

Thanks to the OP for starting this thread.

[Leopolds Ghost]

97. Does this mean (ulp) We're all Doo-ooomed?

:hi:

[Danger Mouse]

114. Probably.

:P

[trumad]

100. The only problem I see are more under the radar trolls.

otherwise---DU has always been rough and tumble.

[Lex]

103. The "concern trolls" are always the most annoying, imho.

Hmmmm.

[Danger Mouse]

113. Trolls?

Hardly. Aside from a couple of threads that I've started in the Lounge on the issue, this is my first time posting about it. I post on GD only occasionally...a thread here and there about something that interests or concerns me (the environment or the current state of the country), but I spend most of my time in the lounge.
I don't troll at all. This wasn't intended to offend or shock anyone. It was just my opinion of how things seem to be going, along with a plea for people to act in a civil manner towards one another.
Right from the start, you have been rude, mocking, and even insulting towards me, and I can't quite fathom why. I have done exactly WHAT to you to make you behave in such a way?

[Celeborn Skywalker]

115. I dont know,

I think the "asshole trolls" are the most annoying.



Hmmmm.

[Danger Mouse]

117. ....

:pals:

[MilesColtrane]

106. If your looking for civilty, I'd advise staying off the internets.

Hell, if your looking for civlilty, I'd advise not discussing politics at all.

To answer your question about what happened to our sense of unity, I ask that you refer to my sig line.

The Democratic party has always been the big tent, that's what makes achieving a consensus, at times, like herding cats.

Don't take assholes so personally and you'll feel better about internet bulletin boards and life in general.

[Rex]

107. This from someone called Elrond Hubbard?

I know of something that WENT to hell in a handbasket, but it was NOT DU.

[Danger Mouse]

112. Oh, something like the Church of Scientology?

Oh, I know :)

[Rex]

144. Hehe.

I hear they named your successor! Tom 'Ron' Cruise! I'm sure you're pleased! :P

[Danger Mouse]

145. I am quite pleased.

A fucking idiot who has lots of money and will bilk a lot of money out of my flock. If only I were still alive to enjoy some more of that sweet, sweet money.

Ah well.

[crappyjazz]

109. It's the essence of the internet

and you will never escape it as long as you read/post on message boards. The oldest and best advice is to ignore it. See my low post count? Yeah, any message board I belong to, my post count is low. If the title looks contentious, I stay away. Believe me it works like nothing else works. You too can be free from internet drama.

[NashVegas]

116. Certain Forums Are in This Handbasket Because Not Enough People Use the 'Ignore' Button

To isolate posters who have a penchant for engaging in flamewars, and those who have a penchant for starting them.


On edit: You've been a member for barely over 6 months, and you think things have changed since you got here?


:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[Danger Mouse]

118. As I've explained before...I've been reading DU

for much longer than 6 months.
I only got an account 6 months ago.
I've been browsing DU since, oh 2003.

[treestar]

121. People may not mean to sound as mean as they do

A lot of that smart-ass sort of reply that comes off as funny on sitcoms doesn't come off that funny in written words, but people use them. The kind of snarky sounding things like "Google is your friend" or "Anything is your friend" or "Thanks for playing (haven't seen that one hear but I hate that one for some reason); "I must have missed something (obvious fact not true stated); "Last time I checked (we still had a Constitution) or whatever," etc. A lot of these are getting old and tired as it is. Using them just annoys, it never helps persuade.

Everybody has a little of that juvenile need to act superior, too. It must be the American way, I used to think it was just right wingers, but they are merely worse.

[Jamastiene]

123. You ain't seen nothing yet.

This has been a mild six months for DU. Didn't you get the memo? This IS our version of civil. Trust me. It doesn't get any better than this. This is tame for us. We've actually been behaving lately.

[Danger Mouse]

125. Hey, remember me?

:P
:hi:
And like I said so many times, I've been reading DU for much longer than 6 months.
Several people have said they feel that things have declined since 2004...it seems that way to me as well. Of course, many others don't see things the way I do, so that's just how it seems to some of us.

[Jamastiene]

126. I'm not necessarily saying you are not right about

the civility, but that this actually is the most civil it has been in a while compared to other times and that it has been sort of civil on DU in general lately, especially in the power cooker known as GD.

Did you know that there was once a flame war that got overly superheated over how to cook fried chicken? People were very passionate about how they cook their chicken. One side made valiant efforts to "correct" the other side on just what to coat the chicken in before frying it. You would have thought their lives depended on it. It was gruesome to watch, yes, but highly entertaining once you finally gave in to the hilarious laughter that goes along with losing your mind.

Perhaps, you just haven't reached that point yet. Maybe when you do finally lose your mind (like so many of us already have) you will totally get it then and laugh like a mad man with the rest of us. You do know that the people in GD refer to Lounge Lizards as a zoo or the place where they lock the craziest ones of us here, right? Why else do you think I stay here most of the time? :crazy:

[Danger Mouse]

127. Heard about the fried chicken topic.

I'm halfway between being resigned to insanity, and trying to keep some form of dignity. Eventually, I can't help but laugh because it IS so ridiculous.

[Jamastiene]

128. Welcome to the edge.

Precisely. You now seem to be on the verge of getting it (aka losing your mind like the rest of us). :crazy:

[Danger Mouse]

129. I think one more thread about friend chicken, olive garden, or 'Code Pink'

might be enough to finally push me fully into insanity.
Do i get a special uniform when I join the Insanity Club?

[Jamastiene]

130. Why, you already have it.

Most of us who are in that club either go in our birthday suits or pretty close to it. The clothes no longer feel, how shall I put this, "like they belong on our skin any more." They tried using straight jackets, but we kept chewing our way out of them, so then they just padded the walls, ceilings, and floors.

[Danger Mouse]

131. Sounds like a hardcore group of people

They're coming to take me away ha ha
They're coming to take me away ho ho he he ha ha...

[eleny]

132. Have you been up all night?

Or did you find a stand-in?

[Danger Mouse]

133. Hey, your lips changed color!

The answer is neither. I posted last night, then when I got home from work, I continued to post in this thread.
So there.

[eleny]

135. St. Patrick's is over = new lipstick

Glad you got some rest. It's been a long tme in the GD for you. You're a trooper.

[Danger Mouse]

138. Sure, sure...

:eyes:

[Madspirit]

134. YOU Elrond

Are one of the most civil people I have ever met, even when you disagree with someone. It depends on the topic how bent out of shape I get.
If you are disagreeing with me about something, like the Code Pink people and I'm in a mood to "bring it on" I just won't respond to your post so as not to insult you. I tend to respond in kind, to people. If someone brings attitude, I give attitude. If someone is polite and respectful, I try to be the same way. I've been on the Internet for over 15 years and I just find, if you don't stand your ground with some, they will run you over. I have been polite and reasonable with people who then attacked me unmercifully. I'm definitely in Fight or Flight at DU. I admit it. I wish I was more pacific but some people just post idiot things, expecting no one to respond to them and then when someone does, they go nutso, so I am always highly vigilant, watching for the bullets.

I run several Yahoo Groups that have existed since 2002, have many members and several thousand posts a month and no one ever fights disrespectfully there. On the other hand, no one there is a pedant; no one is a bully, everyone is open to other people's views and respectful even if someone doesn't come to their side of the issue.

There are just a whole lot of people here who think they are God's gift to God and I hate pedants. I do ALWAYS try to be polite to you, Elrond because I know you are a good person and you run the Loser's Lounge and I wouldn't want to lose my membership. : P
Lee

[Danger Mouse]

137. I can understand that many are infuriated

and can understand why you get disgusted and frustrated. I saw the 'Protests during the 60's did nothing post,' which was completely baffling.
And of course, I wouldn't kick anyone out of the Loser's Lounge...cause what would the point be of an all-inclusive group if we excluded someone? :hug: :P

[Madspirit]

139. Thanks Elrond

...and hugs back to you. THAT post you reference is part of why I dug my heels in so hard on the issue. What an SOB. I appreciate that you noticed that.
Lee

[Danger Mouse]

140. And I can understand.

I may be a young'un, but I can imagine that for someone who was part of the anti-war movement back then, such an asinine statement would feel like a slap in the face.

[Geek_Girl]

141. Been here since around 2004 and nothing much has changed

I really don't see that much change in DU. I see more moderate to moderate conservatives but I think that is because more former Bush supporters are getting a clue and joining this community, which is a good thing. Other than that can't say that the tone has changed much on DU.

[Lex]

142. It hasn't. Skinner even has a great journal entry about this sort of thread.

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/Skinner/3

[Danger Mouse]

143. Read it. It makes a good point.

And it makes it a hell of a lot more politely than you made yours.

[Lex]

146. Skinner often makes great points. He's like that.

And I certainly wouldn't try to get in a politeness contest with Skinner.

Nor, I suggest, should you.

[Danger Mouse]

147. Never did. Never intended to.

So a lot of people (including Skinner) disagree with me. That's fine.
:shrug:

[BoneDaddy]

149. I just think your expectations

are too high and unrealistic to apply to over 100,000 people. Take into consideration anonymity, emotions, intoxication and you have a recipe for conflict.

I wouldn't sweat this imperfect world this much.

[WI_DEM]

151. This is nothing new, I've been here since '02 and there have always been flame wars and

inconsiderate posters. I don't necessarily think it's any worse than any other time.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

152. I May Be Goin Ta Hell In A Bucket Baby, But At Least I'm Enjoyin The Ride.

Least I'm enjoyin the ride..... Least I'm enjoyin the ride.

[SteveM]

153. Lavatory wall without the stink? Best thing since the glory hole!