I honestly don't get it.

[senseandsensibility]

Why do some DUers go out of their way to insult other DUers? When they don't agree with or aren't interested in another's thread, why do they have to call their fellow DUer "stupid" or tear them down?

I'm not calling anyone out. I've seen this behavior too many times and from too many on this board to be singling out anyone. And I'm not complaining about this happening to me. although it has. I decided long ago to ignore jerks who just attack me for no reason, and I don't even have anyone on ignore.

Now it bothers me more when I see it done to others. So I've decided to jump in and defend my fellow DUers when it happens. Makes me feel a little better.

Here's a hypthetical example of what I'm talking about. Someone posts a thread expressing an opinion on a topic of interest to them. It could be anything from annoying media personalities to a serious disagreement about the issues in the campaign. The thread is well thought out and doesn't attack anyone. Another DUer responds with the equivalent of : YOU'RE STUPID! GET A LIFE! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE BESIDES SIT BEHIND A KEYBOARD?

Has this happened to you? And why do people do it?

[ColbertWatcher]

1. When I see a thread with an interesting topic...

...I rec it and perhaps kick with a response of some sort.

If the topic is stupid or demeaning, I hide it.

If it is offensive, I alert the mods.

[MercutioATC]

2. Most people here are decent, intelligent people.

However, like any board, there are also insecure whackjobs here.

I do it in my head rather than use the "ignore button" but I ignore the idiots. I don't try to rationalize a stranger's irrational behavior...I (sometimes) comment on it and then ignore it.

[Catherine Vincent]

3. Because they can't behave that way in real life. nt

[Lint Head]

4. It happens to me but I ignore it. I refuse to insult people

just because they don't agree with me. Debating the issues is more interesting. I do draw the line when someone's opinion results in, or supports, the killing of innocent people or destroying the Constitution. A fascist is a fascist. :dem:

[lonestarnot]

5. LOL. Why would anyone take a personal attack seriously here?

Have fun defending against that every time you see it.

[Ian David]

6. Oh, what stupid shit did you do this time?

I'm kidding you.


:P

[senseandsensibility]

14. LOL

You don't want to know.:)

[madeline_con]

7. They're losing the argument, so a personal attack is the

next step, according to some people.

Also, a :rofl: emoticon seems to make some posters feel like they're right. Peals of laughter instead of anything substantive.

It actually insults the other readers, sending a messaage that they are easily distracted by the breakdown of the conversation, and will wander away and forget the whole thing.

[Breeze54]

8. Because that same poster posts the same crap, over and over, and never learns?

Just a guess. :shrug:

[cliffordu]

11. Yep, that's the ticket.

[ZombieHorde]

9. I have been called names for some of my polls.

[Neshanic]

10. No, never. I am on universal ignore. I am like a sneaky 44 pound kitty.

[underseasurveyor]

12. Because I'm better than you

AND if you post something that I deem to be stupid that certainly indicates you have no life sitting behind your keyboard.

BUT........

My holier than thou, and more over correct answer(s) and response to said stupidity is an obvious indicator that I am not stupid and I do have a life sitting behind my keyboard.

So there :P


/drippingwithsarcasm:evilgrin:

[senseandsensibility]

15. Got it.

I actually appreciate good sarcasm, dripping or not. Humor is always allowed, but when it's not even meant to be funny....well, I just don't get it.

[underseasurveyor]

17. I really don't get it either

but sometimes that seems to be the attitude I sense in a lot of posts I read, the i'm better than you. I mean how silly is it to accuse someone of having no life because they're behind a keyboard when they're sitting there doing the same thing:rofl: The hypocrisy is more than amusing

I usually chalk most of it up to their own inadequacy's and insecurity.

[senseandsensibility]

22. You're right

but I sometimes think they want to "start" something. They enjoy getting an angry reaction. I'm not like that at all, so it's difficult for me to relate to. I love your dig line, by the way.

[underseasurveyor]

23. Oh sure, some people just love being "sticks"

they like to stir shit up.
For them hate and fighting is no fun unless it is shared.

By nature I'm calm, patient and kind but when pms strikes.... oh lord help the poor hapless idiot that crosses me the wrong way.
Then I have to beware that my mockingbird mouth doesn't get my hummingbird ass in a sling. And it usually does:-)

[Kaleko]

13. Some people love to posture

and strut their self-assigned authority on stage. They often pose as "experts" of some kind, as teachers and models of rationality.

The most verbose and pompous bubbles I occasionally like to puncture, I must admit. Must be the python of the Monty in me.

Just a little Fish Slapping Dance now and then for freshness. :)

[senseandsensibility]

16. Your link didn't work for me

Too bad, I have a feeling it would have been funny.:hi:

[Kaleko]

18. Try this

Monty Python - the fish slapping dance http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhJQp-q1Y1s

Or google. It works like a charm for me in Firefox on my Mac.


And you're right, it STILL cracks me up after so many times.

[senseandsensibility]

20. Cracked me up,too.

I appreciate the reminder not to take myself or others too seriously. Thanks!

[ccharles000]

19. I think most people are nice on here.

[senseandsensibility]

21. I agree

Most people are.

[Faux pas]

24. I don't understand the part where someone just has to make a

rude remark rather than just skip over it. I like the Golden Rule myself. There seems to be a certain few, and one poster in particular, who seems ONLY to come here to stir it up. I'm a reactionary, but getting better the older i get. I try very hard to pretend like I've never seen some of the rude crap that's been thrown at me. Sometimes I bite back.

[PatSeg]

25. I remember the first time it happened to me

and it really caught me off guard. My post was really inoffensive, but someone jumped all over me and then pointed out (aha!) that my profile was unavailable, which I really didn't realize. The response was "yeah right".

I like intelligent debate, but it is a real turnoff when people show their disagreement by attacking someone personally. Overall I think most people here are respectful, but the rude folks tend to stand out.

[Ian David]

26. Someone once accused me for posting an complaint about a anti-bush bumper sticker...

Obnoxious, finger-worthy bumper-sticker sighting

<snip>

4. Nice, safe...
...non-alertable, but gets the meme out anyway.


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x1924550

And they have yet to apologize.

Wed Aug-16-06 09:00 PM and waiting...

[PatSeg]

27. Oh, I love your responses

You may have subdued him to the point where he was speechless. Even so, an apology would have been appropriate.

[Ian David]

28. Haven't heard back from him in all this time. Even PM'd him directly. n/t

[PatSeg]

29. Oh well

It's only been two years. He might just be running behind!

[Ian David]

30. The two-year anniversary is coming up on August 16th. I'll bring it up then. n/t