Why is there so much vitriolic hatred around here?

[dawgman]

Why are we wasting so much energy hating other people's candidates? For God's sake, calm down. Take a deep breath and direct your hate towards those who are in the process of ruining a somewhat good country.

[HEyHEY]

1. UP YOURS!!!!

I can't figure either myself......but whatever, go with the flow I guess....you BASTARD! ;-)

[mzmolly]

51. Hey I thought Canadians were nice..

ey? :P

[Andromeda]

59. OH YEAH!!!

Says YOU buddy---take that!:spank:

I feel better now.:silly:

[Occulus]

75. BLAME CANADA

:silly:

[Lone_Wolf_Moderate]

2. Good point, but..

what do you mean, somewhat good country? You're right about the hate though. It seems self-defeating and pointless.

[dawgman]

7. To be honest this is, IMO, a somewhat good country

because corporatism has prevented it from reaching its nearly limitless potential. That's all. You can't be great if you don'tlive up to your potential.

[liberalhistorian]

47. It's more than just self-defeating and

pointless, it will be our downfall it we don't stop. If we don't all pull together and unite and focus like a laser beam on our shared goal of getting the impostor in the WH the hell out, we can forget about this country because four more years of Shrub will destroy it totally. We simply MUST stop this petty squabbling and stupid divisions and pull together, or that will be the end.

[dawgman]

49. I agree what's the big deal? I have a favorite, but it's not the kiss of

death on our form of democratic republic if that person isn't the one nominated.

[MoonRiver]

67. Yes, but some Dean people are really turning me off.

Of course I'll still vote for him if he gets the nomination, but I probably would have been much more enthusiastic and involved in his, hypothetical, campaign if Deaniacs weren't bashing my favorite, Clark, every chance they get. Usually these attacks are entirely without provocation. Often Deaniacs go into threads where supporters are just innocently talking about good Clark stuff. I find these people on DU incredibly offensive. I know there are many decent and honorable Dean supporters, but, unfortunately, it's the bad apples that cause the whole barrel to rot.

[JNelson6563]

81. that's funny...I've noticed the same about

a few particular Clark supporters.

Funny how that works, isn't it?

Julie

[FrenchieCat]

104. Moi?

Par chance? J'espere q'ont ne parle pas de moi! Parceque je ne suis pas la pour me defendre!

Bu-Buy!!!!

[ClassWarrior]

97. Repeat after me...

Raise your hand.

"I, (state your name), will vote for any one of these fine Americans when he or she becomes our nominee."

There, now go and be Democratic.

[sistersofmercy]

3. Agree I don't hate any of the candidates, not one!

There's only one I dislike and oddly enough not many threads are started about him anyway. I like to leave my options open. Oh sure I have my favorite but I won't start a flame war, just don't feel the need. It's ABB!

[Liberal Veteran]

4. I know what you mean...

I have been avoiding GD because it seems chock full of people who have nothing better to do than bash every candidate except for their own.

It's childish.

[Myra]

5. "vitriolic hatred"!?!? That's redundant!

Get 'im everyone!

:evilgrin:

[dawgman]

10. actualy it ain't redundant. Vitriolic is an adjective. Hatred is a noun

so fuck you and the candidate you rode in on. Just kidding.

[Myra]

21. Belligerent and argumentative!!!! And dogmatic!

That does it. I'm kicking your virtual ass!
That's right, "kicking" is a verb and "ass" is a noun.
Oh yeah...I said it.

:evilgrin:

[dawgman]

34. lol

As the crazy chimp said "BRING IT ON!"

[salin]

98. proposed preceding adverb....

reflexively belligerent, argumentative and dogmatic! Some of it gets triggered.. randomly... pre-emptively... and some is not well self-contained... just read one getting so frothy as to slip and call the target candidate "a piece of shit" - no longer reserved for the repubs. If it weren't so sad, and bode so poorly for us in the long run, it would simply be amusing. Indeed - to Rove etal I bet it is downright amusing.

[dawgman]

99. It is sad, It is embarassing. It will hurt us in the long run

Was it like this before the internet and the type of interaction it tends to foster? I don't remember hearing hate before. Sometimes general dislike of policies or person, but not hatred of candidates or supporters.

[sistersofmercy]

27. DAWGMATIC!

hehe! :evilgrin:

[sistersofmercy]

30. psssssst

Do you have a similar handle elsewhere?

[dawgman]

35. well, maybe, why do you ask have you been downloading

my porn?

[sistersofmercy]

58. LOL!

No just thought I might know you from another site. A poster by another Dawg handle, does QC (initials) ring a bell?

[dawgman]

84. not really

I use it elsewhere but i am also not the only one out there.

[VermontDem2004]

6. Get used to it

This is a preview of what GD looks like everyday.

-Dean -Clark

[dawgman]

12. lol nice emoticons.

[Jerseycoa]

13. That about says it

Are those Special Ops at the bottom?

[Toucano]

16. Question

It looks like Dean is a little out-gunned in your comic representation.

I wonder if that was deliberate or unconscious?

Not a criticism, mind you. Just an observation. :)

[Andromeda]

54. Great animations!

:toast:

[JNelson6563]

82. you forgot

the Kerry people:

:nuke:

[mlawson]

8. I don't think it's a huge percentage of DU, it just seems like it.

There are posters, indeed, who only post to tear down candidates they hate. That IS a waste.

But there aren't very many of them. :-)

[wryter2000]

36. Use the ignore function

I imagine that's why I don't see much of the bashing. :shrug:

[mlawson]

40. Yeah, I liked 'ignore' better when you couldn't see

the posts at all. Now, I see "ignored" and wonder what they are up to. Actually I don't know why I wonder; it's always exacty the same lines of attack.

[Toucano]

9. People are angry and frustrated.

I think the anger gets misdirected sometimes, but it's somewhat to be expected given the dire conditions that exist.

As we move closer to the primaries, I think people increasingly feel the need to deride other candidates in hope of boosting their own. It may or may not work the way they'd like. :)

In addition to your recommended coping techniques, I'd suggest using the "ignore" feature (even if only temporarily). Also, I try not to take the bait when it's presented.

[Kanary]

48. "People are angry and frustrated."

"I think the anger gets misdirected sometimes, but it's somewhat to be expected given the dire
conditions that exist."

Yeah, people *ARE* angry and frustrated. Granted. But, it's OK to "misdirect" that at other people, who are also just as angry and frustrated, and maybe even STRESSED OUT? Nope, sorry.... it's not OK to bash someone else because you're having a bad day.

Y'know, I've living with a whole hell of a lot of anxiety right now.... I literally don't know whether I'll be alive after next July. There are sooo many people who are dealing with an incredible amount of stress and anxiety, but they don't go around bonking others over the head with their anger and stress. I'm sure if some of us can manage to be civil in the midst of a lot of crap in our lives, that others can too, if they want to.

I was attacked in a very hurtful way yesterday, and I now have to just give up. It hurt enough that I just don't give a rip anymore. And I'm quite sure the person who attacked me doesn't give a rip, either, about any wounds that were inflicted. If you want to chase away the very people who you need in order to get the JERK out of office, then keep it up. I'm sure the "freepers" are having a good laugh over it.

So much for "The party of inclusion and compassion".

Kanary

[SharonAnn]

11. Because we hate vitriols?

I don't know, could be.

[mmonk]

14. oh c'mon

where's the fun?

[0007]

15. Bitterly scathing around here?

Maybe a little bitching, but folks with saucy attitudes piss some of us off every now and then. LOL!! just kidding.

[Cocoa]

17. why are the Kucinich supporters so nice?

Or the Sharpton supporters?

The rest of them are pretty much the same, when compared to those two.

If anyone should be so filled with rage, especially about the war, it should be them. But they're not, they're without exception gentle folk.

[mmonk]

20. Do their

candidates get attacked? If not, then they should so they can join in the fun.

[Cocoa]

22. do they attack candidates?

I don't see a lot of hit pieces posted by people with Kucinich icons.

Why not?

[blm]

45. Kucinich never attacked the other Democrats deceptively

and has always made fair criticisms based on his own record, just as most of the others have done. DK supporters are much like DK themselves in that way. It's all a matter of fairness.

If a hit is fair there is no reason not to take the hit, if it is unfair or a downright lie it's maddening.

[liberalmuse]

46. Kucinich supporters are cool.

They reflect well on thier candidate. I rarely see them or most of the other candidates supporters viciously attacking other candidates--barring one specific candidate's supporters, and they know who they are. Granted, I've seen derogatory articles on such and such a candidate posted by many a candidates supporters, but they don't attack with the venom of a freeper, like a certain candidate's supporters, who shall remain nameless.

[Cocoa]

52. let's just call that unnammed candidate...

Dr. X. :-)

[vision]

53. I thought you meant Generally somebody else :)

I support Kuncinich until he is no longer in there.

[dweller]

26. oh yeah n/t

[JohnKleeb]

29. yes

My candiate gets attacked over the most trival of things really, like his looks and what not. BTW Cocoa thanks but we arent perfect, we try though.

[Kanary]

63. John, after reading a number of your posts..

...I envision you a lot like Dennis himself. You come across as a very fair and compassionate person, and someone who is easy to be around. I'm glad you have that picture there..... it's the nicest one of him I've seen.

Nothing wrong with anger, John.... it's a matter of placing it where it belongs, and being straight with hit. That's what I see Dennis doing. Mature anger, mixed with courage, is what has the power to change the world. I really believe that Dennis *will* change the world... I just wish is was now, when I, personally, am badly needing that change, rather than later.

I also see the same thing for you.... I think you're going to be a force to be reaconed with... whatever you find yourself doing in life.

Kanary

[JohnKleeb]

78. I get angry just as much as people, I mention this as often as I can

Thanks on the picture and everything. I hope I can be sucessful really and thanks. I really do try not to lose it but I have and dont like it.

[dweller]

23. i thot i might be the exception to the rule

but if you say 'without exception' then okay by me.
For me, DK instills a positive feeling again in the political spectrum, which in turn gives me a certain level of confidence again in what the people can do for this country and returning it again to a path of Peace.

dp

[JohnKleeb]

32. We do get mad admittingly

I'll be the first to admit we are far from perfect but I say overall we arent attackers.

[Myra]

33. Yeah! Kucinich supporters aren't carrying their/our vitriolic weight.

Slacking! :)

[dweller]

38. Piss and vinegar...

i'm low on vinegar content lately, gotta get the balance back.
:)

dp

[Andromeda]

62. If they were frontrunners then ...

they would be attacked.

[tinanator]

108. fuck you! speak for yourself!

rage is right! People are being slaughtered with our tax dollars and all these Dean and Clark supporters do NOT stand against it. Dont tell me any of you do, there aint a one around here who shows up at protests, even when Bush is in town sucking up funds. There is a huge disparity between the BUSINESS AS USUAL domestic politics and foreign policies of Dean/Clark and the only real opposition to the Bushcorp war machine personified by Dennis Kucinich, among others, running a campaign as vital and viable as any ever seen. Phony internet poll stuffing by internet monkeys who think theyre heavy players is being used, along with those corporate "news" godsends, mainstream polls, to falsely discredit and SUPPRESS candidacies that have yet to be voted on by the American people. Thats not undemocratic, its antidemocratic. Its time people rose above the mediocrity of swing voter guessing games and offered principled alternatives, the only kind anyone is likely to choose in the end.
j/k about the "fuck you" part. We have a local DK supporter named Cocoa(sp?) and she's the best.

[Maple]

18. Jeepers I dunno

I tried to do a good deed on here today, and got jumped on and the thread locked.

Crikey!

[dawgman]

37. what deed was that?

[Maple]

41. I tried to post

an item about the 'party establishment' making an effort to stop Dean.

The idea was to warn Dean supporters what their man was up against, so they could do something about it.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=793414

But it got locked, because I, as a Canadian, didn't denounce the Washington Times as a 'right wing whore paper' Who knew?

So I had to post it again...with all apparently 'required' denunciations in place.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=795003

I like Dean...if I was an American, I'd vote for him. But I gather that unless you make the required bows...no one will listen...even to something important.

[dawgman]

42. I've been deleted for the same reason.

seems a tad silly to me but wtf.

[quinnox]

19. Because there are certain groups

that are fanatical about their candidate. The largest I have seen of these segments and one that has been operating for some time is Dean fanatics. Heck, if you go to their blog they are even proud of it and call themselves Deaniacs, which is a combo of Dean and maniac. That says it all. As the angry candidate, I think Dean attracts a lot of angry people.

[whirlygigspin]

24. Disinfranchised people angry? who knew?

I bet those bastards don't even support our President!

God bless Tom Daschle and all the other calm people defending our seniors.

Go Clark!

[Clark Can WIN]

76. Yes! and righteous anger will carry us into the White House!!!!!

Oh wait.........................................................................................


Probably not.

[rumguy]

25. How dare you say that about Dean!

Who do you think you are!

[dvddrone]

73. Dean angry? Ummm....

I dunno. I haven't seen him that way, at least not in a bad way.

I thought the "Dean is a scary-angry-bogeyman" thing was essentially coming from that skank Peggy Noonan. She says it every chance she gets. I figured she was just trying to fuck with the front-runner. I've watched the debates, read some stuff, watched some non-debate coverage - I've never percieved Dean as scary-angry. Kucinich is still my favorite among the candidates, but Dean doesn't freak me out or anything. I kinda like him.

I see righteous anger in him, but I see that in other candidates as well, including Kucinich. Given what we've been dealing with, with the Bush* junta, his insane clown posse, and their total fucking madness, I'd say it's pretty appropriate. In fact, I'd like to see MORE anger and less appeasement, but that's moi.

Anyway - I'm pretty new here - do other Dems percieve Dean as scary-angry rather than righteous-angry?

Elizabeth

[Scott Lee]

93. Taking control of "Deaniac" is masterful

And you're blaming Dean supporters for seizing control of a hate term directed at them, and changing it into a sign of their power instead?

Good lord, I hope you don't actually work for your candidate. Your understanding of politics and social movements is astoundingly low.

[Hep]

110. Calling out Dean supporters

is kind of funny. Yeah, there are some, but to single out one group is vitriolic in its own sense. But those of us who hang out here enough KNOW that there are equally fanatic Clark and Kerry supporters as well. To focus on Deaniacs is to list yourself among those others.

But you knew that!

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

28. The right just harnesses the energy of their fanatics better than the left

Our fanatics tend to undermine our momentum...their fanatics actually get the vote out FOR them.

[rumguy]

31. so true

someone said that getting liberals together is like trying to herd cats...we bicker and split up our votes...I still remember so many bitching about Clinton, now doesn't he look sweet in comparison!

[UTUSN]

39. It's Called Ritual Dem Bloodletting on the Altar of Shrub n/t

[Donna Zen]

64. Several Clinton bashers

That's one I really can't figure out. Of course he was not perfect, but jeeezus, the rightwing has bashed that man so much, one would think we could at least give it a rest.

[Kanary]

88. Clinton Bashing..... no flame zone

"Of course he was not perfect, but jeeezus, the rightwing has bashed
that man so much, one would think we could at least give it a rest."

I *need* to respond to this, as it affects my very survival, and that of others. I would hope that you would at least give this a listen, because I think there is a deep need for some understanding concerning this issue.

For me, and for many others, no, Clinton does *not* "look good" now. Please, remember, there were many cuts to social programs that Clinton was responsible for, and that pushed many people off the edge. To you, that may not seem like a big thing, but, believe me, when it's *YOUR* life that is going down the toilet in a big hurry, it not only matters, but it's not something that you forget in a hurry.

I believe that Clinton thought the poor were easily expendable in order to further his other agendas. That doesn't exactly endear him to me.

I'm saying this to you in a considerate and measured way, and I hope that you will think about this part of it. There were many lives ruined because of his policies.

Kanary

[dawgman]

90. NAFTA NAFTA NAFTA

That didn't exactly turn out to be the best deal for working class folks ever, did it?

[evil_orange_cat]

43. I AM ANgry!

but I hate B00SH...

ABB next year (ANYONE BUT BUSH)

Dean's really the only candidate to tap into the anger. Gephardt tries, but I don't believe his anger. Kerry is like a corpse... LOL, he'd be a decent president I think, but as with Gephardt, I think he tries too hard to be critical of Bush. Kucinich's anger seems genuine, but that guy takes himself too seriously. He was on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart a while back and didn't smile or laugh the whole time.

[dawgman]

44. Holy trivial matters batman, I just noticed the hotelgate thread

bashing sharpton of all people. Why is he now a figure to be feared?

[sandnsea]

72. SC Poll

I didn't even go in that thread, gossip column politics. But then you mentioned why is he a figure to be feared and I remember Al has good polling numbers in SC and maybe NC too. Maybe as good as or better than Dean. That would have done it.

[dawgman]

83. that's frigginh ridiculous...does anyone think that

Sharpton staying in nice hotels will sway voters in SC. Give it up he will probably start to fall when the candidates with alot of money turn their attention that way.

[mzmolly]

50. Totally....

:toast:

[Fescue4u]

55. I don't know the reason why this is the case

But its part of the same problem that has got us out of power for now.

[Ksec]

56. I agree

Everyone seems so edgy and ready to jump down yer throat for anything. Not sure why. We need to take a deep breath and realize we can beat the goon if we work smart .

[Andromeda]

57. Is there any other kind?

Maybe some people can't control themselves. :grr: I think it's called a chemical imbalance or bipolar disorder.

:crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy:

[Terwilliger]

60. There's a kind of hatred...

that pervades the atmosphere in the country today. It's not healthy in any sense.

[Clark Can WIN]

77. I agree

[Ksec]

89. The Deanites are causing it

hehe knew that would get a rise. But really its Deans fault.:)

[karlschneider]

61. Okay, I promise to drink less battery acid.

:D

(can I save up that for Lent?);-)

[dawgman]

91. lol

[quaker bill]

65. Because it is serious business.

Not so much for what goes on in here, but because removing shrub* is very serious business. A life and death matter, in this case literally. These bozos want to put the military draft back in place and start using more of our kids for cannon fodder.

Being passionate about things such as these is excusable.

I agree with Terwilliger. The hatred that has infected this country is no good for anyone. However, the left has taken it repeatedly over the last 20 years. I can certainly understand the drive to give some back.

[salinen]

66. Maybe this is some of the problem

I like all the candidates (except Lieberman), so I am indifferent to the banter. But I think that to insult someone's candidate is equal in emotion to insulting the supporter. We are all sensitive beings. Perhaps even more sensitive than most due to our common willingness to help others. I know I have been at times rough here. What other outlets do we have for frustration? Everytime I hear Coulter, Hannity, Rush, or Savage, I do a Jekel and Hyde. So it builds up because there are few around to share these frustrations. So I come into du already itching. But believe me, I don't know what I'd do without all of you. Blushing!

[Kanary]

69. "I come into du already itching. "

Understandable.

But, can you explain to me why that makes it necessary to attack someone here?

I don't get it. How does that help anything?

Kanary

[salinen]

70. It's misdirected

and sometimes my joking can be not so funny. Sorry, I hope whatever you're going through improves. I want to hear much more from your perspective.

[Kanary]

71. Not directed at you personally.

But, I think you knew that. ^_^

Thanks for your honesty. I appreciate that.

This isn't directed at you, personally, either, but it's something that I feel needs to be said. When I see all the personal attacks here, and the almost glee about hurting other Dems, and the reason given is that "I'm angry and have to take it out on someone", it reminds me of the old scene about domestic violence....... The boss takes out his anger on "Dad" at the office, "Dad" swallows it and makes nice to the boss, then goes home and takes out his misdirected anger at his boss on his unsuspecting wife, who swallows it and makes nice so as not to make waves, then the next day takes out her misdirected anger on the kid, who swallows it because of fear of reprisal from a parent, and goes out and kicks the dog.

That's exactly what all of this reminds me of, and what is *really* disturbing to me is that very few seem to actually care about it, and there are *Many* who think it is all very funny and oohhhh, so cool.

I guess sociopathology is "in".

AGain, not directed at you personally.... you're just the one who brought up the word "misdirected". I sure do wish people would be willing to look at the whole issue of this verbal violence, because it's bringing us down.

Thanks for listening.

Kanary

[dawgman]

86. But why is that anger directed at those who are working in OUR party?

Any of these candidates will do (except Lieberman). Let the candidates attack eachother (although that is stupid party politics. Every time a candidate gets slammed, that very same slam is in danger of becoming a meme, and sticking in our collective soundbite conciousness. These inner squabbles will come back to haunt us.)

[arewethereyet]

68. this reaction is pretty normal among kids and those without hope

there are a lot of kids posting here and there are a lot of adults who have trouble with the notion that their pick may not win acceptance. In short, immaturity. Thin nice thing is that they'll likely outgrow it.

I like Edwards, I don't much care for Dean or Clark. I don't like Bush at all. I don't hate anybody. Used to but then I got grey hair and started losing even that. Life is too short for hate.

[OneBlueSky]

74. I think "those without hope" may be the unspoken subtext here

I don't want to piss anyone off, but I think there may be a subliminal realization among us Democrats that none of our candidates may be "good enough" to beat Bush. Even those extolling the merits of this candidate or that may know full well, in their heart of hearts, that a Dean or a Kerry or even a Clark will likely lose no matter what we do, simply by virture of the advantages of incumbency supplemented by a huge war chest, control of the media, and malleable voting machines as a fallback. Realizing that whatever effort we put into the campaign will likely be in vain is enough to make anyone feel like their briefs are riding up to a thoroughly uncomfortable place, and react accordingly. Just my opinion, of course, but more and more I'm believing that my time might be better spent painting the den or making a pizza.

One more thing: the Democrats don't have a Karl Rove, someone with the will and the power to accomplish his objectives no matter what obstacles may be placed in his way.

And yet one more thing: it's depressing to know that none of our candidates are taking on the REAL issues that face this country in any meaningful way. You can start with the five articulated by Mike Ruppert:

- Peak Oil and Gas
- US Government Complicity in 9/11
- The Criminal Fabrication of Intelligence Justifying the Iraqi Invasion
- More Than $3.3 Trillion in Taxpayer Money Stolen From the US Treasury
- Repeal of the Patriot Act, Mandatory Vaccination Laws, and Protection of Civil Liberties

To these I could add the notion of ending corporate governance, i.e. expressing an understanding that all of the major decisions of our government are made by or with multinational corporations and industry special interest groups -- right down to the actual writing of legislation.

[burning bush]

80. I disagree whole heartedly

Bush can most assuredly be dismissed from our Whitehouse.

Bush has all the big guns, you are right.

But we have the numbers. There are more of us. Much more.
More than you think.

The candidate/candidates that can unlock those votes will stomp Bush in the general. I bet you a coke!

Really. Only 51% of eligibles voted in 2000. That means Bush got the vote of less than 1 of every 4 eligible voters. We can tap that complacency, and change the course of history.

It is no coincidence that the Dem convention will be held in Boston, where patriots once dumped a shipful of tea into an ice cold harbor, and planted the seeds of revolution.

History can repeat itself, and Boston can once again be the end of Old King George.

[dawgman]

87. I think you are right we do seem desperate and not in a good way.

I think we may just be offering a sacrificial lamb in 04. But I'll do what I can to prevent a loss.

[murielm99]

79. I think we ARE

directing our hatred towards those who are ruining our country. We are fighting back, finally!!!

Some of us here dump on other peoples' candidates because we are so passionate about getting rid of Bush. We know how much is at stake, and think that our guy is the only one who can rescue our country.

I am sure we will all pull together for whomever is nominated. Consider the alternative....No one here would actually vote for Shrub!!!

(would they)?

[HuckleB]

85. It's the long weekend.

Clearly more of us need to get out and ski!

[Freddie Stubbs]

92. People are becoming frustrated by their candidates' lack of success and

other candidates success.

[dawgman]

94. I think Dean is probably having the most success so far

and his supporters are in the thick of every hate fest. so don't give me that shit.

[Scott Lee]

95. Kick the pink tutu Statists and Insiders to da CURB.

That must be the keystone of the Democratic overhaul in 2004.

Angry? You bet your ass. And if you're not, you're not paying attention.

[dawgman]

96. Read my sig and then ask me if I'm angry

[nomaco-10]

100. Take names.....

and do your own little study of how many people at du are actually causing all the trouble, it's only a handful, but it seems like a hundred. It's the same ones over and over and over again. They are the most prolific in terms of shear numbers of posts and it seems that any combination of 3 or more of them are on here 24/7.
My method of avoidance, is simply that, I avoid them like the plague, and if they persist in hijacking a thread, I ignore them and just post around them and only respond to the people that are trying to have a civilized, productive conversation.
My feeling is that these people are flame baiting trolls that are getting waaaaay too much attention around here. I'll bet we have the fattest gnomes on the internet.

[JNelson6563]

101. One reason is

there are folks here for the sole purpose of inciting it. They do quite well actually.

Julie

[Zomby Woof]

102. it's not hate

It's just politics. Relax. Grow a thick skin, people. Wearing pink tutus will only lead to getting our asses kicked again and again at the ballot box.

[salin]

103. there is some hate as well...

calling a major democratic candidate (not Lieberman) a piece of shit... generally suggests emotions that go a tad past normal politics. Accusing another major democratic candidate of being part of the Bush machine... and doing so in really warped way... that goes emotionally past normal politics. Frothing that another major candidate participated in genocide (while actively denying ethnic cleansing that is considered genocide)... I think that also borders on hate.

[Zomby Woof]

105. ehhh

What is GD? A few hundred hardcores? We're not necessarily the national political debate in microcosm. The direction of this country isn't being determined by a few hotheads on a chat forum. It isn't worth getting worried about, or shaking your head with disgust, or what have you. It's all rather silly when you give it a good thinking about.

Politics is the entertainment branch of industry, and GD is a remote and sparsley populated corner of that universe.

I see all kinds of crap said about the candidates (some even coming from me), and in the end, it matters little if some of us don't like some (or any) of the candidates. Passions runs both ways, from hate to cult-like obsessive devotion. I am so underwhelmed by our choices, that I do have to ask if this is the best we can do, and if it is, we deserve ridicule and scorn worldwide.

The tone of the campaigns isn't beings determined by a few misfits in this place. Let the haters hate, and if you don't like what they have to say, ignore 'em. Their posts are more amusing than the "My candidate is god" posts. Of course, I am a cynical and evil cuss, as everyone knows. ;-)

I used to be bored (and now I am amused, which is a step down I bet)with all the hand-wringing threads about "why can't we all just get along"? In here? LOL. The inmates run this asylum. :-)

[dawgman]

106. I really don't care if we get along or not. I just think the hate

is too much. Go ahead and bash my candidate but why on earth would you dislike me base on my choice of candidate "A" instead of "A+". In the end none of the viable candidates even matter. Until we change the party at a local level with a populist grassroots movement, we will continue to get stepped on by Wal-mart and its ilk. DLC types (of which includes all the "major" candidates) are just slightly less corporate than RNC types.

[Zomby Woof]

107. I don't dislike you

Fact is, much as I have given Dean and SOME of his hardcores a bad time, I hate nobody on DU. NOBODY. I see it as a tussle, and at the end of our shift, we hug and go home.

Let me reiterate: I hate no one.

I have butted heads with all kinds of people on here, and of course some make me want to pull my hair out, but I bet if I met them in person, we'd be fast friends.

I usually shoot for reconciliation by the end of the draw.

[dawgman]

109. Of course...Over the course of my year and a half or so here

I have known you to be fairly reasonable. This post was not directed towards you , or the many other rational people here. Rather it was directed at the troublemakers.