I'm not afraid to call out a few DUers so here goes:

[last1standing]

Political Heretic:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x4692670

Redstone:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8017197

Wolsh:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8018687

All three have done something remarkable and wonderful. They have looked within themselves and found it in their hearts to understand another person's needs. They have changed their minds based on facts and admitted mistakes. There is no greater ability than this.

I just think we should all thank them for showing us the way to move forward from this mess were in. Whether you agree with them or not, they have shown a maturity that most of us (probably myself included) do not possess. I know that I appreciate them more than words can say.

Thank you guys. You are the reason Democratic Underground works.

[The Magistrate]

1. Good People All, Sir!

[EFerrari]

2. I missed Wolsh's thread! Thank you.

[liberalmuse]

3. Agreed! Introspection is what sets liberals apart from conservatives, I think.

I love to read about others thought processes. I haven't changed my view on this, but really respect anyone who can do a 180 like that after looking at the facts, and processing them through their mind. That ain't easy.

[yardwork]

4. Seconded.

As a lesbian, I'd also like to say that I don't care whether or not people agree with Obama for inviting Rick Warren.

I am upset solely about the nasty cracks directed at gay people on this forum. There seems to be a real misunderstanding about this, even on the part of Skinner. (Since we're breaking DU rules by calling out. In for a dime, in for a dollar....)

OF COURSE I agree with the right of people to speak and express their opinion. Of course I agree that it's important to talk with people who disagree.

What's terribly wrong is the huge level of anti-gay nastiness on this forum, day after day, month after month, year after year. Take the average anti-gay post around here and switch out the word "gay" (or more likely, "HOMO-SEX-uhl") with a word describing any other minority group and see how long it would last here.

We've got people calling us "reptiles." We've got people telling us that we're up on crosses surrounded by Judases. We've got people telling us to "get over" the fact that we don't have the same human rights as everyone else. We've got people telling us that our rights aren't as important as the price of gas.

De-humanizing? You betcha.

I appreciate the threads and posts from folks who now "get it." Thank you.

[Peacetrain]

13. I am fairly choosy about what threads I look at

so I can honestly say , i have never seen the attacks on the gay community in DU. But never fear, if I ever came across anyone, doing such a lousy and dehumanizing thing such as calling people "reptiles" because of their sexual preference, I would take on being chance of tombstoned, because I would call them out by name, for doing that. I am just so sorry that you have experienced that.

Don't let my peacetrain moniker fool ya, I am one tough bird, and willing to take on anyone who is that crass and clueless.

[yardwork]

16. I appreciate that, and I know that you mean it, because I know your posts.

This is the reptile one. There are thousands of others.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=8018188&mesg_id=8018210

[Peacetrain]

18. Oh my word

[yardwork]

19. It goes on day and night here, day after day, month after month.

Downthread you'll see somebody mock us for "being up on crosses surrounded by Judases." It's discouraging. Dehumanizing. As it's meant to be.

[Peacetrain]

20. Oh yardwork..

whew.. I am just so sorry, :hug:.

[yardwork]

21. Thanks.

:mad:

[Blarch]

47. I am not anti-gay.

But the gay crowd is pushing me there with their actions. This shit is childish.

[ruggerson]

5. Recommended (three times over)

[CaliforniaPeggy]

6. Thank you for this!

They are honest folk, and their honesty is a big part of why they are so well respected.

I personally know one of them, and he is just a big-hearted, lovely guy. Smart and introspective too...


K&R

[Lyric]

7. Another one: cali

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=7991110

Thank you to those who are big enough to say that they're sorry.

[Lost-in-FL]

8. K&R

[Joe the Revelator]

9. Thanks for the call out, but to be clear, my thread should not be celebrated

I was dumb about this at the outset, and because I, at least w/ this keyboad, have a big voice, once I saw that I was in error, I worried that I influenced a lot of ill will. Hopefully if I, and other outspoken fans of Obama can see the error of our ways and let it be known that we can question this and other moves, we can spend less time fighting and more time organizing to make this right.

[last1standing]

14. That is worth more celebration to us than anything less of full emancipation.

I know full well how avid a supporter of Obama you are and that is what makes your post so powerful. You have put the needs of others before your own desires. You have broken your cognitive dissonance and seen what is really at stake for us.

The three of you really do deserve to be called out for this.

[Joe the Revelator]

10. dupe nt

.

[proud patriot]

11. k and r

[glowing]

12. kick

[lostnotforgotten]

15. Good To See Light Infusing The Dark

eom

[NYC_SKP]

17. Good to see this, K and R.

I'm cautiously optimistic that we'll all come around to the point that we don't see so much infighting.

Or have to read about members who are already saving up to defeat Obama in 2012.

I don't think that belongs here.

[tomp]

22. the problem is that we have to go through all the drama to get there...

...when this should be apparent from the beginning. there are still people defending obama's choice. i assume there are still people who would defend his embrace of colin powell, for whatever "political" reasons. he's just smarter than us. wrong! he's wrong and he's not who most people think he is. this is the result of blind allegience to the idea that the democratic party is "our" party. it is not, unless you're a corporatist. these are fundamental issues around which there is no negotiating. these ideas are the starting point.

[rhett o rick]

23. Good post. K & R. nm

[Jamastiene]

24. K&R

:applause: and thank you to them.

[JohnnyLib2]

25. K & R and one more thought:

My reading was that Jackeen-for-Obama's apology pretty much fit the introspection/regrets/apology theme. Did others get that from it?

[last1standing]

26. Please link it.

I haven't seen anything like that from him but I hope it does.

[JohnnyLib2]

31. I sent a p.m.

Don't want to change the positive tenor of your OP, inadvertently.

[last1standing]

33. Yeah, I think it counts, but you're right. It would change the tenor.

I don't know why, but it would.

[wildonion]

27. Funny how u "call out"/praise DU'ers who decide 2 either trash Obama r line up w/ the most extreme

1-trick ideologues on a single issue from identity politics.

[last1standing]

28. Perhaps I should praise homophobic sockpuppets, instead?

That seems rather counterproductive, but here goes:

HEY EVERYONE! LET'S PRAISE WILDONION FOR HIS UNRELENTING ATTACKS ON THOSE WHO SUPPORT GLBT RIGHTS!!!!

Is that better? :shrug:

[last1standing]

34. Gee. It looks like my praise didn't work. He still got tombstoned.

Oh well... I guess sockpuppets have nearly as few rights as gays. :shrug:

[Zuiderelle]

30. Obama made a mistake, and we have a right to object to it, that's not trashing.

That's participating in a democracy and standing up for what's right. Why do you feel it's not important to stand up for what's right and just gutlessly support the president?

[Marrah_G]

35. welcome to ignore you silly little puppet

Your hand is likely already on ignore.

[Solon]

39. Well, you didn't last long, good riddance to bad rubbish. n/t

[cali]

45. go away. if you think equality is "extreme"

you're on the wrong fucking website.

[Zuiderelle]

29. Thanks for posting this. That's very inspiring.

And thank you Political Heretic, Redstone and Wolsh. Wow. I'm impressed and touched.

Thanks.

[Irishonly]

32. K&R

Democrats/progressives/liberals have one thing over the repukes and it's big. We have the ability to admit when we are wrong (most of the time) and continue learning.

[polichick]

36. Barack is next! :)

[Skittles]

37. OUTSTANDING

all others - YOU KNOW YOU YOU ARE - please get on board

[Midlodemocrat]

38. Redstone is one of my favorite people here. I admit I'm less familiar

with the other two, but I appreciate their comments.

And, I appreciate you, last1standing. Very much.


:hug:

[Solon]

40. K+R, and I want to extend an apology to each of them...

if any of my personal attacks and behavior over the past 3-4 days have ever been directed at any of them, and unfairly labeled them as bigots or homophobes. I realize I was over the top, and frankly I wrote so many posts, most just blur together as to who they were directed at.

[davidpdx]

43. Apology not accepted

In fact I was one of the people his by your hatefilled rant. So you can take your apology and stick it up your....

[Solon]

44. Was my apology directed at you?

No, so I don't see why you decided to barge in and claim to speak for them.

[davidpdx]

46. Your so called "apology" was directed at the three yes, but

was also a blanket apology toward others. No, I'm not speaking for them, I'm speaking for myself. So go....yourself.

[AntiFascist]

41. K&R n/t

[Wednesdays]

42. K&R n/t