Just wanted to let our Hill Group know that..

[Cha]

our member stopbush has been suspended.. he got a fifth hide today. For nothing I might add.

I'm not linking and giving the alert stalkers any lame reason to hide this thread. If you want to know .. it's easy to look up.

He's been here since 2001.. 15 years and he's never gotten a hide before the jury system started getting heavily stacked with those who promote a certain candidate around here.

He wanted me to let you know..

"Letting you know so you can let everyone else know in the Hillary group as I won't be able to post now."

He's out until May 7th or thereabouts.

Take good care stopbush.. will miss you dearly! And, Mahalo for all your excellent work!

[Firebrand Gary]

1. Until May the 7th?

stopbush we're lifting you up!

[Cha]

2. Oh that's sweet, Firebrand.. Thank you!

[Firebrand Gary]

3. Our friends are being silenced...

A day of reckoning is swiftly approaching, when the nomination has been decided, all negative commentary against the nominee will be a violation of the TOS and therefore subject to the jury system.

[Cha]

8. Our Friends are being Silenced!

The jury system sucks and I wouldn't leave it to them to enforce the TOS in the GE.

We'll need an automatic hide for any posts against the NOM in the GE.

[Firebrand Gary]

9. Yes, 100% no tolerance policy against any member who's working against the nominee.

Big hugs Cha!

[Cha]

12. Thank you, Gary!

[EileenFB]

13. I love your way of thinking

[Cha]

18. Mahalo, Eileen!

U2

[BlueMTexpat]

77. I agree!

HRC supporters are being silenced for supporting HRC. That's literally all it takes.

But supporters of "Jesus" can say literally ANYTHING about HRC. The more outrageous it is, the more recs it gets.

Wholly puerile, despicable and sickening actions, IMO.

This for stopbush!

[Cha]

82. Stand in Solidarity with stopbush who has been here since 2001 and is now

censored and kicked off DU until May.. by the berniesanders fans. What an abusive jury system to allow that to happen.

Leave the Light on for stopbush and bravenak who is also censored again for nothing.

Thank you, BliueMTex~

[BlueMTexpat]

84. Oh no, bravenak too!

What I would like to write about those who pursue such actions would most certainly get me a hide!

Perhaps I'll even get one for thinking it.

[workinclasszero]

44. Let it please come soon!

[fun n serious]

4. Come back as soon as you can.

They win when we're silenced.

[Cha]

31. Thank you, fun n serious.

[MADem]

5. I remain hopeful that the admins will step up and do what plainly needs to be done.

We've a situation where stakeholders--founding members who have given this site its character and history-- are being tracked, swarmed and silenced--there is a pattern and I'm quite sure the admins have a better view of who is doing this than any of us do.

I hope they will do something about it. It probably needs to be something pretty dramatic. I have a sense that this place is being dismantled by wolves in sheep's clothing.

[Firebrand Gary]

7. Agreed and it's so good to see you my friend!

[MADem]

15. I'll probably feel the blade between my ribs before too long...!

It's a terrible feeling, and it's just not right.

I hope the admins take action, and soon.

[Firebrand Gary]

19. Just lay low for awhile, they've been targeting you for awhile.

Were close to wrapping up this nomination, then we can start getting back to normal as the TOS protects the nominee.

[MADem]

87. I know--I can't believe how many times they've tried.

Thing is, the admins know who is doing this. I wish they would intervene. It doesn't make people want to donate to DU when posts that say "I disagree with Bernie Sanders on X" or "Here are some facts about Bernie Sanders' background on Y" get hidden. That really should blow back on the alerter.

I'm all for hiding for gross crudeness without purpose, bigotry, sexism, and personal insults directed at other DUers, but pointing out that a political candidate has a few personal issues, or sketchy aspects of their background--that are verified by media reports, mind you--should not be grounds for hiding a post.

[Cha]

26. I know what you mean, MADem.. it's sickening.

You'll appreciate this.. I just got a SOP alert on this thread for complaining about the jury system.

[Lucinda]

11. I think they can track the alerters, and they will know who

has been regularly targeting posters. I wonder if they get jury name access too? I suspect so.

[MADem]

14. They know who the jurors are as well.

They've taken people off jury duty for being abusive in their replies.

[Lucinda]

17. Awesome.

I was hoping that was the case.

[Cha]

20. Good point, MADem.. "We've a situation where stakeholders--founding members who have given this site

its character and history-- are being tracked, swarmed and silenced"

The very character of DU is being dismantled. It's unreal that anything like this could happen but here we are.. there's nothing we can do about it except make it known.

Thank you so much for caring about it and speaking out so eloquently.

[sheshe2]

21. Yes

[BlueMTexpat]

78. So good to "see" you still here!

[Tarheel_Dem]

6. This is so ridiculous. People are getting hides all across the board now, not just GDP. Safe haven

doesn't really mean what it used to.

[sheshe2]

22. Yes...just got another

[Cha]

27. And, I just got an SOP alert on this thread because I was "complaining

about the jury system"..

Shame on me wishing a friend to take good care and letting him know we'll miss him. And, stating the reasons why he's gone.

Tarheel

[yardwork]

41. The hypocrisy is incredible.

Over in the aptly named BS group, all they do is gripe about the few remaining DUers who have resisted assimilation into their fantasies and resentments. In fact, they gripe about us all over GD-P, and they drag it into GD and LBN whenever they can. Then just for fun they wander into the AA group and taunt the people who post there - although, again, why not just put the taunting against people of color and other minorities right up on GD-P or GD, as we see often.

Not content with this behavior and telling lies about Hillary (have you seen the front page of DU lately, it could be FreeRepublic except with the addition of Putin love), they come in here and alert stalk and whine to the hosts.

This is Bernie's base? No wonder he's losing.

[Cha]

48. yes, the hypocrisy is stunning! I was wondering if our Alerter ever Alerted on the

BS group for "disruptive meta" as we're charged with?

I see no disruption here.. we're able to carry on our business and wish our friend, stopbush, a temporary goodbye.. until May for cripe sake.

I don't go into their group or gdp.. Or look at the Home page Or the Greatest.. I can imagine.

I just wish they would let our group alone without their intrusion.

Great rant, yardwork~

[yardwork]

51. Thanks, I enjoyed the rant.

I forgot to mention that over in the BS group, they have pinned tributes to fallen comrades - at least two members who were PPRed for being disruptive.

Apparently that is fine if it's for Bernie but a thread about a DUer on temporary suspension is not fine, because Hillary.

[Cha]

52. Good to know, Mahalo! I just found out I can alert on the alerts.. and yes there's two of now

from the same person.

[yardwork]

53. Mahalo, Cha!

[DURHAM D]

61. Also, if you get called to jury

after jury and nothing gets Hidden and out of frustration you vote to Hide with a comment about Rove ratfuckers you lose your ability to be ever be on a jury again.

[yardwork]

63. Oh no! That is unbelievable!

[DURHAM D]

64. Yep.

It is a very good way to impact the jury pool.

[yardwork]

65. Would you believe I just got called to jury duty.

The post in question is from the same poster you're talking about. The post was not hidden, 4-3. I alerted again to send to Admin. Fat lot of good it will do. Apparently right wing propaganda is just fine on DU now.

I'm so sorry that happened to you. It's ridiculous.

[NanceGreggs]

10. "He's been here since 2001.. .

... 15 years and he's never gotten a hide before the jury system started getting heavily stacked with those who promote a certain candidate around here."

I'm sure that's just an amazing coincidence. We have been assured that the jury system is - uh - fair and balanced.

One of my favourite posters. He WILL be missed.

[Cha]

43. stopbush was a wealth of information before the Nevada Primaries, Nance.

He use to live there and gave great behind the scenes analysis... He predicted Hillary would win by 5%.

We all had lengthy heady discussions about it.. he was right. Oh the excitement of pre-Nevada Caucus days!

stopbush And, leave a light on

[sheshe2]

23. k&R

all I can say or I will get a hide.

[Cha]

24. ..

I know she how you must feel now..

It's rotten to the core and I will say more on Bill's site where we can talk without be censored.

Thank you~

[Cha]

25. As you know we just got an SOP alert on this thread by someone who can't stand it that

I'm talking about one of our members who got suspended.

As a host I think I'm going to leave it, alerter.. we can take care of our own business here in the Hillary Clinton Group.. thank you for very much for your concern.

[Coolest Ranger]

47. You know you can alert on the person who alerted on you right

I would just to send a point that we're tried of being messed with

[Cha]

50. No, I never thought of that.. thank you, Coolest!

[Coolest Ranger]

55. That sends a note to the admins

that way they can take a look at the person to see if they are indeed stalking. When I'm on a jury and I get an alert I take a look at the comment and most of the time its usually against a Hillary supporter. Once I get the results back, I alert on the alerter and I usually write a note saying that Clinton supporters are being alerted on, suggest the admins look into the person alerting.

[Cha]

56. Good.. the more awareness the better.

Thank you, CR

[BlueMTexpat]

80. Thanks for letting me know

this. Given that some of those who have been on DU the longest and who have some of the most informative posts - whatever they discuss - are getting these hides, it is clear that there is a concerted movement on the part of some to silence those voices.

If it will help, I will also begin doing what you suggest.

[Sancho]

28. sorry to hear stopbush

The jury system doesn't work, so it's nothing but bash, trash, and stalk now. Likely a bunch of trolls and operatives too. Maybe we'll see you on the other side.

[lunamagica]

29. Those peope are a bunch of fascists. Real dictators. Dissent is not allowed

They can't argue with his thoughtful posts, so they send him away...cowards

[mia]

30. Jury results...

On Thu Feb 25, 2016, 05:04 AM an alert was sent on the following post:

Those peope are a bunch of fascists. Real dictators. Dissent is not allowed
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1107&pid=55552

REASON FOR ALERT

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

ALERTER'S COMMENTS

A safe haven in not set up to attack other DU members. Even though it is not directed at an individual it is directed at DU members that serve on the jury system. Calling them fascists and dictators is over the top.

You served on a randomly-selected Jury of DU members which reviewed this post. The review was completed at Thu Feb 25, 2016, 05:11 AM, and the Jury voted 2-5 to LEAVE IT.

Juror #1 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #2 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #3 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #4 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #5 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: You can try but you will never silence the Hillary supporters.
Juror #6 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: I agree. The Group Hosts need to start locking the Disruptive Meta.
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.

[lunamagica]

32. Oh, wow..thank you mia

[Cha]

34. ...

lunamagica!

[lunamagica]

35. ...hey Cha

[Cha]

33. I like #5.. Mahalo Mia!

[Sancho]

39. Glad there was a vote to "leave it"

Of course, it's the luck of the draw. he bash and trash crowd doesn't really care about the contents of a post. They just see it's a Hillary supporter and vote "hide".

The jury system here doesn't vet the juries and it's way too easy to alert and hide posts the are reasonable, while voting to allow violations of the TOS to remain. It's mostly a numbers game and not a fair comparison of the post to the rules.

Frankly, I also think that groups should not allow alerts from non-members.

I know I got a "hide" for posting a discussion in the Hillary group with a link to a Green site; and I even noted it was a Green party opinion that I thought was relevant to the discussion. If anything is critical of Bernie, then it might be hidden for a silly reason.

It's too bad, because there's no way to seriously inform voters or discuss issues.

[DemonGoddess]

36. K&R!

stopbush is someone whose comments I've been reading for years. He is always thoughtful and well reasoned in his topics and responses.

[72DejaVu]

37. If this is how they act now

Can you imagine what it would be like if they had the full power of the state behind them?

[Cha]

38. ***

I have thought about that

[shenmue]

103. I has a skeered

[yardwork]

42. Yeah, I think we've seen that in the past 100 years quite a bit.

I can imagine exactly how they would act.

[Coolest Ranger]

40. For every person they

hide and silence that's a vote for Hillary Clinton, why can't they see that?

[yardwork]

45. Fanatics dehumanize their "enemies."

That's what fanatics do. We are no longer human in their eyes, therefore not deserving of any respect or consideration. We certainly don't have any power, in their eyes.

I think that the Internet lends itself to this process, since we can't see or interact with one another. We are reduced to symbols.

[Stuckinthebush]

46. This place is a shell of what it once was

The inmates are running the asylum now.

[Cha]

62. That's a good way to put it.

[LexVegas]

49. I know that feeling. nt

[livetohike]

54. Oh no...this is pathetic. Will miss your posts

stopbush. 😞

[Cha]

100. I know.. 3 months without stopbush.. just because the majority didn't like his posts.

[William769]

57. That hasn't stopped one person!

stopbush

[Cha]

58. No kidding!

Yes.. stopbush

Mahalo William~

[GusBob]

59. 15 years!

Must be a mistake of some kind

[Godhumor]

60. Not surprised. It will get worse as Hillary takes over

I expect we're going to start seeing quite a few more dubious hides here and in the AA group, especially.

But the good news is that soon enough it is going to get better. A lot better.

See you soon, stopbush.

[Gothmog]

66. WOW

Some bad hides

[LAS14]

67. How can we look at it?

I know that "hidden" posts have a "show" button, but when I searched for "stopbush" I found the four most recent posts, dating back to Feb 21, were "Self deleted by author." I assume he didn't do that. Is that something that happens when someone has been suspended?

tia
las

[George II]

68. The situation seems to be getting worse rather than better. I thought by this time....

...a lot of this stuff would have blown over and people would have begun supporting the obvious nominee. I guess we still have to wait a few more weeks until the nomination is all but sewn up.

[Cha]

69. And, I hope I'm wrong but it seems to me that it's going to keep getting worse and worser..

with no end in sight. lol "worser" not word.. I just made it up.

I'd love to be pleasantly surprised about that.

Fingers crossed.. can't wait to breathe again, George.

[kydo]

70. Free stopbush. Oh but I made stopbush a cake.

Little to obvious huh?

okay...

Maybe this is better?



Maybe we should take over a federal website and demand the release of stopbush from online jail?

?w=640&h=360&crop=1

Hang in there stopbush, this will all be over soon.

[Cha]

72. Free stopbush!

LOL.. Mahalo kydo!

[Gothmog]

71. I stand with stopbush

[Cha]

74. 3 cheers for stopbush.. posting since 2001!

Jeeze! Gracias Goth~

[asuhornets]

73. We'll see you soon stopbush...n/t

[hamsterjill]

75. Absolutely absurd.

The level of mentality that DU has stooped. There used to be intelligent discussion here, and now there is only bashing when someone doesn't agree with a choice that an American voter makes.

I've already voted in my state primary, and I voted for Hillary. If someone on this board doesn't like my choice, that is his or her issue to deal with. I stand by my candidate and believe she will be the ultimate nominee.

Go, Hillary!

[Cha]

83. Thank you, hamsterjill.. how exciting.. you already got to vote for Hillary!

stopbush

[hamsterjill]

90. It was my honor and my privilege to be able to vote for her.

She was actually my pick in 2008. When Obama got the nomination, I was in line early to vote for him. I will always vote for the Democratic nominee. I was extremely proud of Hillary in 2008 for being a "team player" and getting behind President Obama, even serving UNDER him.

[CajunBlazer]

94. Can someone post from him/her?

First of all the site management should have an appeal process. Someone in athority should be able to review the posts which were hidden in an objective manner to determine whether a suspension of posting privileges is proper under the rules of DU. A group can be trusted to police themselves only when a large majority of its members are supportive of the purpose of the website.

People are getting hides and even banishment, not for what they post, but who support. When a member of DU can't say anything remotely critical of a Presidential candidate or the tactics used to support him/her without risking a hide, the integrity of the site damaged. This cannot wait until after the primaries for a "fix".

Meanwhile, perhaps other remedial steps can be take to address these injustices. First, if a DU members loses their posting rights, can they still seen private messages or do they lose their ability to even log on to DU. If the former, would it be kosher for another DU member to post for that suspended individual so we don't lose their valuable input. I don't know the DU rules well enough to know if that is okay or not.

[Cha]

97. I believe stopbush has contacted the Admin, Cajon. we're still able

to write PMs.

He just wrote me last night and said he was moved by all the support and he'd see me on the other Hillary Supporting sites.

I wish they wouldn't wait, either.. I know a lot of people have contacted them over this crisis including you.

Thank you!

[liberal N proud]

76. I don't think I ever had a hide until the BS group showed up

They are a take no prisoners type of posters and if you get a target on your back, look out.

Sad that members that have been here so long are subjected to this.

[NastyRiffraff]

79. This is a BS hide

See what I did there? But really, it is. Stopbush is one of the all-around good guys; thoughtful, informative, helpful.

See you soon, stopbush

[Cha]

86. He was invaluable before the Nevada Caucauses, Riff. He use to live there

and knew some inside stuff that was really soothing to hear the day before Hillary Won!

Leaving the light on for stopbush Mahalo!

[BlueCaliDem]

81. Aw man, that SUCKS. This stalking and alerting is getting intolerable.

Something needs to change real fast.

[Cha]

88. Yeah, amazing how it kept getting exponentially worse.. who saw that coming?

Mahalo Blue Cali! Leave the light on for stopbush and bravenak

[BlueCaliDem]

89. I don't know about amazing, but it was predictable.

I'll leave the lights on for our bravenak and stopbush.

Mahalo, Cha - for all that you do.

[Cha]

96. I was being dry sarcastic..

Lights on for brave and stopbush

Mahalo for all you do, BlueCali!

[BlueCaliDem]

102. I know.

Lighting my candle for brave and stopbush.

[bluestateguy]

85. Disgusting

nt

[Cha]

99. Yes, it is and then some.. thank you, bluestateguy.

[Surya Gayatri]

91. K & R

Here's to you, stopbush...courage.

[Cha]

98. Mahalo, Surya!

He really appreciates all this support!

[NurseJackie]

92. Sending love! xxxx oooo xxxx oooo

[ismnotwasm]

93. K&R

[riversedge]

95. sad to hear stopbush.

[applegrove]

101. I'm sure I'll be joining them. My post hide count is higher than

it ever has been. And only because we dare to tell the truth. Thanks stop bush. Thanks Cha for the information.

[Cha]

105. Wow, you got hides, applegrove! You're not the hide type of person.. but, I know it doesn't

take much in this atmosphere.

[applegrove]

106. Nope. Doesn't take much at all.

[jsmirman]

104. Come on, this needs to be fixed - that's ridiculous, bring him back

that's why I just can't buy my star back. I used to always have a star back when I was a frequent poster here. But this is bullying and silencing of the opposition of the highest order.

If anything, he deserves an award for courage for standing up for himself and his candidate.