I miss Will Pitt.

[grasswire]

A lot. Just sayin'.

[onehandle]

1. He'll be back.

Put money on it.

[rhett o rick]

45. I think so too. Just because of the haters. You know, those that never discuss issues but are

only here to alert, hid, lock, ridicule and ban. And let's not forget the gravedance. The ultimate bully behavior.

I am not Wills greatest fan but I do see him as the example of how some here in DU relish driving progressive out. It's really a conservative thing to bully.

[onehandle]

75. He's left and returned multiple times for various reasons.

I have no doubt the pattern percists.

[rhett o rick]

120. I find it odd that people make a big deal about it one way or the other.

I find it ironic that those claiming he is only doing it for attention are the ones giving him so much attention.

[onehandle]

134. Well, if that's why he keeps coming and going, I guess it works.

[AikidoSoul]

153. What is "the grave dance"?

[rhett o rick]

158. After someone gets banned, there are those that get some kind of strange pleasure

out of disparaging the person that was banned.

[tavalon]

83. He may, he may not

Generally he does when his Irish temper eases but really, DU has treated him and a number of other really great writers really abysmally so I'm not sure DU deserves him back.

[Skittles]

2. agreed

and may I add a big FUCK YOU to YOU KNOW WHO

[grasswire]

3. you are the best, Skittles

I could use you for a couple of hours in real life to do what you do best.

[George II]

77. Ewww!

[MrMickeysMom]

13. ...

[nadinbrzezinski]

14. WE SHOULD GO KICK THEM!

if you know what I mean...

Metaphorically of course, or some people will assume this is an actual whatever.

[LynneSin]

39. All I can say is this

wtf did I miss and whose ass must I kick?

[BeanMusical]

56. Hum, I have a couple of names in mind but I believe that I know who you mean.

So I second that Fuck You.

[Skittles]

156. we all know who they are

stupid fucking assholes

[pintobean]

162. This seems to be

the usual quality of your posts anymore. So much anger. What happened?

[Skittles]

164. I miss the old DU, before all the swooners

lately it really SUCKS and YES I find it very disturbing

[trof]

155. Wha hoppen?

PM me?
Thanks
trof

[riderinthestorm]

4. K&R & a small sob nt

[Martin Eden]

5. We need to learn how to disagree ...

... without being disagreeable.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

6. I miss him too, but I read him on Facebook.

He also talks more about his family there than he did here.

It's a lot more relaxed there.

[grasswire]

7. I don't care about relaxed.

Feisty is part of his appeal.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

30. Oh, he's plenty feisty!

But the atmosphere as a whole is less uptight than here. That's all I meant.

[nadinbrzezinski]

54. Yup, and also a lot friendlier

agreed

[tavalon]

84. I second that one

I think that's why this time hasn't hit me as hard.

[7wo7rees]

8. x 1000 and then some. sad.nt

[Rosa Luxemburg]

9. Where did he go?

[Tobin S.]

10. He decided to leave the site for some reason.

What that reason is, I'm not quite sure.

[Skittles]

37. he got fed up with the assholes on DU

[alcibiades_mystery]

44. Oh my!

[Owl]

114. Exactly.

+1

[carolinayellowdog]

11. me too but who can blame him for leaving?

Dozens and dozens of hostile remarks-- even if they are statistically outweighed by SCORES of supportive posts-- have to make a person feel like he has a permanent target on his back.

[nadinbrzezinski]

12. I know the feeling

this place can be exhausting. Hell, I know I have that target from the few, the proud, the bullies.

[carolinayellowdog]

17. I for one appreciate your endurance and forebearance

they ARE a small minority, the proud bullies, but what a relentless bunch of haters

[rhett o rick]

40. I agree. But they wouldn't have the power they do if we all put them on ignore. nm

[Zorra]

48. ^This^. No audience, no power. nt

[rhett o rick]

51. Exactly. I personally don't have them all on ignore because I find their antics amusing in

a sick sort of way. But I don't understand people letting them drive them off. DU provides a great opportunity to practice how to confront bullies. And if they ever start to get the best of you, put them on ignore.

[nadinbrzezinski]

53. I tried ignoring them for 10 plus years

in their case it does not work. Take my word on it. Now confronting them from time to time does.

[merrily]

99. Children are taught to ignore bullies and they'll just stop. I NEVER found that to be true.

In my experience, ignoring the fuckers emboldens them. However, real life is different from DU. I do find ignore works well.

[Enthusiast]

121. I recently placed one particularly irritating bully on ignore.

It helps.

[Elmer S. E. Dump]

163. That reminds me to copy my ignore list to my jury blacklist.

Thanks!

[dflprincess]

23. But there's more of us who enjoy (and need) your posts than there are bullies

I hope that helps when they're coming after you.

[nadinbrzezinski]

24. After reading a lot into the behavior

they really deserve the rest of us to feel sorry for them.

Once you realize what is the driver, it really is something that at least I have a lot of empathy for them, not that it helps to stop the behavior.

I really do not take this place that seriously though, due to them.

[SalviaBlue]

25. I'm glad youy have thick skin. nt

[Person 2713]

166. I enjoy your posts . I already have been rattled here with in the short time posting I hope you keep posting

[Skittles]

29. I REPEAT

THEY CAN ALL FUCK THEMSELVES

[Alittleliberal]

33. +12

[BeanMusical]

57. +1000

[shanti]

130. absolutely

[RobertEarl]

15. The written word can get one in trouble

His missing a comma here and a comma there caused him much grief.

Coupled with that is that Pitt is a lightning rod for the negative conservative energies which sometimes flash on DU.

Take care, Will.

[alcibiades_mystery]

16. ...

[randome]

18. He ran and hid like Assange and Snowden.

If only he could admit to his missteps. But, sadly, I don't think that's part of his nature.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]The truth doesn’t always set you free.
Sometimes it builds a bigger cage around the one you’re already in.[/center][/font][hr]

[Tarheel_Dem]

31. AUTOMATED MESSAGE: Results of your Jury Service

On Fri Aug 14, 2015, 09:06 PM an alert was sent on the following post:

He ran and hid like Assange and Snowden.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=7078820

REASON FOR ALERT

This post is disruptive, hurtful, rude, insensitive, over-the-top, or otherwise inappropriate.

ALERTER'S COMMENTS

Personal attack.

You served on a randomly-selected Jury of DU members which reviewed this post. The review was completed at Fri Aug 14, 2015, 09:12 PM, and the Jury voted 1-6 to LEAVE IT.

Juror #1 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: The poster is right. Leave It.
Juror #2 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: "Attack' is an overstatement, I think. If a thread about a DUer is not locked and not hidden, then this comment is not out of line within it.
Juror #3 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: It's pretty mild. I don't think it rises to being a personal attack.
Juror #4 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #5 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #6 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Commentary is not a personal attack.
Juror #7 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: There's a lot of personal in that thread. To single this out as personal seems odd.

Thank you very much for participating in our Jury system, and we hope you will be able to participate again in the future.

[MH1]

49. I wouldn't say he hid. Just decided to hang out with better people in a less hostile place. nt

[BeanMusical]

58. What a stupid, mean and clueless thing to say.

[Frances]

59. I think it's inaccurate to compare Will Pitt

to Assange and Snowden

I think the post is childish

[Skittles]

61. we all know who we WISH would "run"

yes INDEED

[Bonx]

150. Who do we WISH would "run" ?

[Skittles]

151. ASSHOLES ON DU

[SidDithers]

19. Oh well...nt

Sid

[BeanMusical]

60. Oh FFS.

[pintobean]

63. Are you going to be okay?

[BeanMusical]

65. Your concern about my well-being is really moving.

[onehandle]

136. Fixed that for you...

[img][/img]

[SidDithers]

142. Hope so...

Sid

[WillyT]

160. LOL !!! - Said The Guy From Canada... Question... Have You EVER Commented...

On The Upcoming Canadian Elections, Any Canadian Politics At All, And If So... Where Do You Stand ???

[Sedona]

20. I've been following him on Facebook forever

[Brother Buzz]

46. I wouldn't know Facebook if it bit me in the butt, but I catch his sterling essays over at Truthout

http://www.truth-out.org/author/itemlist/user/44663#

[tavalon]

85. Facebook will eat your life

So, I would stick with what works for you.

[dreamnightwind]

21. Yes, and others too

At the moment I'm missing marym625, hopefully she is just taking a break, doesn't look good though, her last post was this response to Skinner on July 29.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251480224#post115

I also miss NYC_SKIP. I know he was controversial to some, but I very much enjoyed his passion for reform.

Also woo me with science.

But back to the OP, yes, I miss Will Pitt!

[questionseverything]

35. i miss all those you just listed

i hope they have just left the net to spend more time working in the real world to elect bernie

[Person 2713]

55. marym625 is relocating to another state . She was leaving Chicago in August so probably busy

or on the move . She was going cross country by car.
It didn't sound like she was shaking off DU just moving which can be a time consuming adventure

[dreamnightwind]

89. Thanks for the info, that is good news, I hope she returns - eom

[Person 2713]

111. Yeah she tried to get an Illinois DU meet up together but dates and places hard to coordinate

and then she just had too much packing and loose ends to tie up before leaving near the end so it never happened but expect her back when the dust settles . She , among others are great long timers here that I have enjoyed reading their posts .
There is a lot good here but I have to say it is like diamonds in the rough sometime
Some of the best has nothing to do with the us Vs them
No I do not mean Dems vs republicans either
From posts it sounds like this is nothing new
I can't figure out how to remove some issues off the latest post but maybe best I see the whole place for what it is good and not so good at all

[glinda]

135. Do you know which Coast or whereabouts she is moving to?

MN?

[Person 2713]

152. California

[glinda]

165. Oh darn. Was hoping she would be near us. poo.....

[oasis]

22. If DU had a Mt. Rushmore, Will Pitt would be on it.

[SalviaBlue]

27. I remember a DU fund raiser where you could pick

from dozens of public figure icons plus some other pics and I picked WP's icon.

He belongs here. The admins should be workinf on getting him back.

[oasis]

28. By popular acclaim.

[BeanMusical]

64. Unfortunately, the admins are not in love with him.

Well, he's not supporting the "right" candidate, among other things.

[sheshe2]

82. It has nothing to do with the candidate he supports.

Do some research.

[BeanMusical]

90. Yes it does, in part. That's why I said: "among other things."

Read everything before replying to a post.

[hlthe2b]

26. I do too... and kentuck who left in frustration (apparently) the same time...

I hope they both come back...

And, I'd point out to the detractors, one need not always agree with a given DUer to appreciate the contributions they make.

[Tobin S.]

32. "...one need not always agree with a given DUer to appreciate the contributions they make."

That's it. Right there.

[mythology]

68. Can I point out to his supporters that Pitt frequently tossed out insults and invective?

It's not like he was an innocent choirboy who got picked on by the neighborhood bullies while helping little old ladies across the street. Pitt gave at least as good as he got.

He wrote emotional articles that let some people express their id. But he often lacked facts and reason. It's not a style that appeals to everybody and it's a style that can attract detractors.

[grasswire]

79. so what?

I have room in my brain for words I might dislike and people who annoy me.

[tavalon]

86. I prefer him being real

and sometimes that included over the top rhetoric. To each his own.

[Hekate]

88. I prefer it when people have real facts in their grasp when they go on a rant. High drama palls.

But that's just me. To each his own.

[BeanMusical]

91. Lol!

The irony.

[hlthe2b]

95. Pitt was a member since inception (2001), as was Kentuck

I'd venture to guess there are not many who have contributed to DU for so long who haven't occasionally crossed the line. That is why admins supplied us with the ignore function to get past some of the more heated exchanges or periods when it seems DU has gone "nuts". The internet and most forums require a bit of thick skin though I'd certainly like to see all be more civil.

Still, I do maintain and emphasize that one need not always agree with a given DUer to appreciate the contributions they make. Fortunately, I think many, if not most, here agree.

[merrily]

100. I never saw him do that unless he was being swarmed. Poke the bear and the bear might just

swat back and be better at it than you are.

[melman]

129. No

He would get belligerent when challenged at all. No "swarm" required.

[merrily]

148. I never witnessed that.

[R B Garr]

125. Exactly, he developed a copycat style that looked like it mimicked that

Thanks in Advance guy, which is only designed to be divisive and score recs and irritate people (there's a word for that). One thread was almost word for word how that other person writes, and I did comment that he forgot to add "thanks in advance." It was that obvious he was just posting for sensationalism and I started losing interest completely.

There's another one on this thread who claims to be a "journalist" to whom I gave the benefit of the doubt, but I think she is just envious of another prolific writer here who is a PhD and she's always trying to put her down out of professional jealousy. It is really unbecoming, and I now see what her detractors have meant about her is true, including an answer in ATA to a question she posed. It's all clear now.

[ellennelle]

34. me 2

[BlueJazz]

36. I miss his presence. His stories are a good reason to make some popcorn and read.

[L0oniX]

38. This place has driven a lot of good posters away or TS'd them.

Bottom line for this place is its Alexa ratings which have dropped considerately since Oct 2014, currently US ranked at 2,570.

[rhett o rick]

42. Sadly some so-called political liberals believe that if you can't convince them, ban them. nm

[NuclearDem]

168. Starting with DU's AA posters who defended BLM instead of Sanders.

[The Straight Story]

43. DU's greatest enemy isn't the cave or freerepublic, it is itself

I don't think this whole jury system has worked out well, but I know the admins don't care. Less work for them. Posting now is a crapshoot and the few can control the voices of the many - gang up alerts, stalking alerts, etc.

[BeanMusical]

67. Yep.

But I'm sure that the other two sites weren't created to compensate for the loss in ad revenues.

[Octafish]

118. seemslikeadream

...and a hundred more we can name without having to GOOGLE are the reasons DU became the place to be for Democratic discussion.

War Inc can't have that, so the asshats and emoticon brigade showed up. Sieg heil.

[Nye Bevan]

41. Whagarble. Derp. Tom Brady is innocent.

But DICK CHENEY HAS BEEN INDICTED. Bank it.

[Codeine]

78. What are you, some kinda posucs? nt

[SoapBox]

47. Oh my...

I didn't know.

[840high]

50. +1 A lot.

[zappaman]

52. ...

R.I.P.

[joshcryer]

62. I missed his commentary on BLM...

...that he thinks the BLM Seattle protesters were "plants" says it all.

[joshcryer]

73. Huh? A lot of DUers follow him on FB.

I have several DU friends who follow him and their shares show up in my feed.

But by all means post my FB link. It's not like it's super secret. Geez.

[BeanMusical]

74. You really have no clue how much personal information can be squeezed from your page, do you?

[joshcryer]

81. Not a whole lot.

You can see my friends list, which I guess I could hide, but other than that...

Why does this concern you?

[alcibiades_mystery]

92. Sounds like a doxxing threat to me

[Sheldon Cooper]

107. Me, too.

Is this allowed here?

[MineralMan]

112. I've had people dig into my personal information, too.

I don't try to conceal my real identity, so it's no big deal, but it's not something I think should be encouraged or tolerated. It could be potentially alarming to some people. I don't like it.

[MineralMan]

109. Interesting that you'd bring that into the thread.

A lot of people aren't really trying to hide on the Internet. Yes, it's easy to find out about most people. Truly it is. But, what's the point? Why would anyone care to go hunting around for information on posters on some discussion forum?

I've never really understood that.

[merrily]

101. That link leads to nothing.

[Rex]

124. That your link goes to a broken page says it all too.

[uppityperson]

128. I can see it. Here's the info in text form

Shoshana Edwards‎William Rivers Pitt
August 12 at 11:24am ·
I highly respect your opinions and would like your take on the two women who disrupted the Sanders rally in Seattle. There are more than a few people i respect who are defending them, and I don't have the words to respond.
Like Comment
William Rivers Pitt likes this.

William Rivers Pitt I've been tempted, but I'm waiting in the tall grass (old political saying) for those two. I've been swimming in HOW DARE THEY vs. WHITE PEOPLE CAN'T TELL BLACK ACTIVISTS WHAT TO DO vs. THEY DIDN'T HELP vs. YES THEY DID, and I'm honestly too goddam old and tired to get into that mudfight ... but I do think they were plants. From where? Dunno. Waiting in the tall grass, like a leopard. Truth will out ... and then I'll pounce.
Like · Reply · 16 · August 12 at 2:05pm

[pintobean]

137. I don't believe that's what he's doing in the tall grass.

I think he got his old sayings mixed up.

[uppityperson]

138. Let's bear with it for a while

[SidDithers]

141. Wow...

Sid

[navarth]

161. I really like that Bernie Underground graphic

may I use it?

[SidDithers]

169. Help yourself...nt

Sid

[joshcryer]

167. You have to be signed in to FB.

Same as if you shared a post here using the button.

[redstateblues]

66. I don't miss him at all.

His writing talent came with a huge ego. He can stay gone as far as I'm concerned

[merrily]

102. At least he has a talent. That's a lot more than I can say for many other DUers.

[redstateblues]

132. People are born with talent. They aren't born to be jerks.

In the music biz I know a lot of talented people who aren't rude and egotistical. I know some that are. It's a choice.

[merrily]

147. Talent-less people can also be jerks. Given a choice between a talent-less jerk and a talented jerk

I choose the latter. However, I never thought Will to be a jerk. If he got swarmed, he reacted predictably. If treated well, he was fine. He never attacked me, probably because I never attacked him.

[redstateblues]

157. After I joined in 04, I finally stopped lurking and got up the nerve to post and he was vey rude

To me for no particular reason. I'm not really sure why. I never swarmed him,i t's not my style. Im not even sure what that is. I'm not a contentious poster. For the record , I'm not a good writer like he is but I am talented enough to have made a good living as a musician and a producer. Your nasty assumption about me being talentless is way off base.

[merrily]

159. You're the one making a nasty assumption about me. I made a general statement.

I don't recognize you, but I know plenty of talent-less posters who continually poked at Will. I have never seen some of them post anything but one or two sentences of snark.

[Elwood P Dowd]

69. The losses of Will and Kentuck were a huge negative for DU. I missed a couple of days

Last edited Sat Aug 15, 2015, 01:36 PM - Edit history (1)

and came back in time to see Will and Kentuck both post they were leaving. When I asked what happened, the post ended up with over 500 responses. Lots of nasty hurled towards Will.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10027017090

[BeanMusical]

71. Yes, lots of nasty from a few nasty people.

[Bryce Butler]

93. Jury results from your hidden post:

On Sat Aug 15, 2015, 11:06 AM an alert was sent on the following post:

Stalking much?
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=7079107

REASON FOR ALERT

This post is disruptive, hurtful, rude, insensitive, over-the-top, or otherwise inappropriate.

ALERTER'S COMMENTS

threatening violence wow.

JURY RESULTS

You served on a randomly-selected Jury of DU members which reviewed this post. The review was completed at Sat Aug 15, 2015, 11:41 AM, and the Jury voted 4-3 to HIDE IT.

Juror #1 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: Poster crossed into dangerous territory. IMO should be banned.
Juror #2 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Violence? No threat of violence in that post. Josh is just getting back what he gives. I'm sure he will be ok
Juror #3 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #4 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Lol. Threatening violence. Bwak bwak
Juror #5 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Not worth a hide.
Juror #6 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #7 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: c'mon - grow up . . . hide it

Thank you very much for participating in our Jury system, and we hope you will be able to participate again in the future.

[merrily]

103. Very well said, and accurate.

[beam me up scottie]

113. Jury results :

Results of your Jury Service

On Sat Aug 15, 2015, 08:51 AM an alert was sent on the following post:

Yes, lots of nasty from a few nasty people.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=7079110

REASON FOR ALERT

This post is disruptive, hurtful, rude, insensitive, over-the-top, or otherwise inappropriate.

ALERTER'S COMMENTS

Calling DUers "nasty" is rude, insensitive, and over-the-top. Elwood was talking about comments, Bean is talking about people.

You served on a randomly-selected Jury of DU members which reviewed this post. The review was completed at Sat Aug 15, 2015, 09:10 AM, and the Jury voted 0-7 to LEAVE IT.

Juror #1 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: It's time to revise the alert/jury system again. I do acknowledge that some of this may have to do with newer posters who are are more accustomed to more rigid moderation on other internet forums and unfortunately many things that may be considered "flame bait" elsewhere is apparently accepted here... at least to a degree, before it gets shut down. I don't know how any of the distinction can be communicated but alas, it is what it is.
Juror #2 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #3 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Chill.
Juror #4 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No I'm not going to hide this. There are some nasty ass people here and this poster has had one hidden and I won't hide the second. This is an abuse of the system and I think this posy struck a nerve, Deal with it. DU is a lesser place since a small crew has chased off people who contributed to this place.
Juror #5 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No reason to alert on this. At all.
Juror #6 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Oh please. Stop alert stalking BeanMusical.
Juror #7 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given

Thank you very much for participating in our Jury system, and we hope you will be able to participate again in the future.

Someone's getting a well deserved break from alerting on you.

[Autumn]

115. I was getting ready to post that

5

[beam me up scottie]

117. What's wrong with the jury system again?

I have issues with some of the verdicts (who doesn't?) but you can't really argue with those results.

[Autumn]

119. Hey it works. I've been shut out on a few and on reflection I shouldn't have alerted.

I have no problem with the jury system.

[Orrex]

72. I look forward to his next GBCW post

[merrily]

105. His GBCW posts are better than 90% of the posts on DU.

[Orrex]

146. And as numerous.

[Hekate]

76. He'll be back. He just needs a rest to get his shit together.

Best of health to his family.

[Codeine]

80. Pittland; come for the POSUCS,

stay for the Inbox death threats.

[akbacchus_BC]

87. I miss him as well and hope he will be back soon!

Keeping fingers crossed.

[NaturalHigh]

94. He won't be gone long.

His ego will suffer too much without his devoted followers.

[merrily]

106. He has plenty of devoted follows outside of DU.

However, I hope you are correct.

[NCTraveler]

96. I miss seabeyond and bravenak.

And cheese sandwich was a good parody poster. Gave me some excellent laughs.

[pintobean]

98. Those people are all suspended for too many hidden posts.

Pitt quit. He can resume posting whenever he wants.

[Logical]

110. Then tell them to quit getting posts locked! nt

[marble falls]

97. Ditto and kick!

[yuiyoshida]

104. He is on twitter..

https://twitter.com/WRPitt

[merrily]

108. and Facebook and Truthout.

Meanwhile, the most that most of his bashers can produce are nasty one-liners.

Jealousy is ugly.

[Adrahil]

126. Lol.. Pitt was the king of nasty one-liners....

POSUCS anyone?

[merrily]

149. When attacked, maybe. He never insulted me.

[librechik]

116. I miss DU circa 2004 n/t

[AwakeAtLast]

122. +1000

[krawhitham]

123. not me

[GoneOffShore]

127. Well, alrighty then.

[TexasProgresive]

131. Let's take a vote

and tombstone the ones who ran him off.

Well it's a thought.

[pintobean]

139. I vote for POSUCS

[SidDithers]

143. and Trojan Horse...nt

Sid

[Blue_Tires]

133. FWIW he's left before, and sooner or later he returns...

[WillyT]

140. Me Too... K & R !!!

& Rec !!!

[the_sly_pig]

144. It is hard suffering the opinions of others....

Especially when they're wrong.

[Duval]

145. Man, so do I, big time! nt

[DemocratSinceBirth]

154. As an emissary for the Clinton campaign let me just say I miss him too...

eom