I would like to post a poll, but I'm sure it would be deemed "inflammatory"

[Cary]

I think we are by far the majority of DU members and former members. I am sure many of us have left.

I don't think I have to spell out what I'm say here.

My last poll in GD was about whether a real DU member could be gleeful over a Republican victory. I'm surprised that 17% said yes before a somewhat reluctant moderator said that the OP was "almost inflammatory" or something like that. I am surprised that 17% of us would say yes to that question, and that this 17% would feel comfortable here.

Yes, weeding that 17% out would be censorship. However this board is private property and my understanding of this board over the years I have been here is that we want to share the company of and exchange ideas with people who want Democrats to the exclusion of Republicans.

I also polled you people here and the vast majority of you didn't want to post on the same board as Republican mopes, and I want to share company with you and exchange ideas with you. I find you all to be the brightest and nicest people I have met anywhere on the internets. If this is where I have to be to be with you, it works for me.

And since we're the vast majority of DU members I don't see any reason why the people who have earned spots on my ignore list, because they are anti-Obama and anti-Democratic Party DU members (to the point of being malicious about it), haven't earned a big fat tombstone here.

So that's my story, and I'm sticking with it.

[quiet.american]

1. Well, I hear you, but here's my thinking.

While some of the crap that the 17% posts is infuriating, having them post here keeps me on my toes. I probably wouldn't know nearly as much about HR 3962 and HR 3590 if I hadn't had to look up the language in them myself to refute other posters' absolutely bogus claims. And that's happened on a range of topics -- someone posts something that doesn't sound right, I look it up, and in the process actually become more informed than I'd thought I was about the subject.

There was one poster here who I really considered to be emotionally disturbed and I wondered the same thing - why in the world is this person still allowed to daily post what amounted to sheer hysterical lies.

Finally, the day came and they went to Tombstone.

So, I say that to say... patience sometimes wins out. In the meantime, the verbal fisticuffs keep me in shape. (And sometimes, it even leads to a little give-and-take understanding between myself and another poster -- rarely, but sometimes.)

[Fire1]

6. I agree with you for the most part. It does exercise those

intellectual muscles. Especially, in my case, when you've been talking to kids all day and colleagues who are just not that "into" politics. But, as you stated, every now and again you run into the pathological disruptors and there's just no reasonable discourse with such people. They usually end up on my ignore list.

[goclark]

2. Believe me, there are others here that feel as you do

It breaks my heart.

[Cary]

4. Breaks your heart how?

I think what you're saying is that it breaks your heart that 17% of DU members are anti-Obama and anti-Democratic Party? You're not suggesting that you don't like it that there are others who aren't anti-Obama and anti-Democratic Party? Nor are you upset because I like to hang out with you and others like you?

Right?

I don't know. I am resigned to the fact that this is the way it is right now. I can't see how the anti-Obama and anti-Democratic Party DUers are allowed to make it through as we approach November, but it isn't up to me. This would certainly contradict the way this place used to be (and the way I liked it).

It seems to me it would be a simple line to draw: no anti-Obama or anti-Democratic Party rhetoric. Go spread that somewhere else. I don't see any real need for it here at DU.

[goclark]

5. ? That is not what I meant at all

[Cary]

7. I'm interested in understanding your point clark.

Can you clarify?

[goclark]

8. It breaks my heart that we can't all be for one purpose

that is being supportive of the Democratic Party,like you and like me.

I really don't understand how it got to this level but it certainly is uncomfortable.

I usually stay in BOG because I know I am welcome and I learn so much.

I'm on your side. :fistbump:

[NYC_SKP]

3. DU is the Continuation High School of the Discussion Board World.

Sometimes a reasonable "student" is expelled because a nasty "differently mannered" student provokes the hell out of them.

And some people cut class or drop out altogether.