What would DUers think of a "For Republicans" forum on DU?

[HFishbine]

If you've been on DU for more than a few days, you'll notice that from time to time, a poster appears defending Bush or questioning democrats. Combine that with a low number of posts, and the writer is usually swiftly identified (probably often correctly) as a freeper, ridiculed, and likely banned.

I understand the rational. This is primarily intended to be a place for the thoughtful discussion of progressive policies and views. Fine.

But I wonder if we shouldn't consider a secondary goal. With all of the brilliant minds here; with the vast amounts of information we've gathered, couldn't we benefit by creating a forum where republicans are welcome?

The same rules against personal attacks or vicious posts could still be enforced, but if the rules were bent for the "Republican Forum" to allow curious republicans to post their questions and opinions, wouldn't that give us some benefits?

With such a forum, we could:

1) Learn more about why people are reluctant to consider the democratic point of view.
2) Educate people who hold misinformed opinions.
3) Perhaps actually change a few minds and errode support for Bush.

I imagine that such a forum would be "heated." But so what? If it has it's own little place on DU, those who don't want head-to-head debate can avoid it. If we can maintain the current (mostly) orderly discussions on the rest of DU, couldn't such a forum be a benefit to the democrats?

[LuminousX]

1. Other Places for That

While I doubt Republicans who come here and engage in discussion would be banned if their affiliation is known, there is no reason to allow DU to become a cross dialogue forum at all. There are many other places on the internet to engage Republicans in conversation and debate. We don't need to pollute our waters here.

If you want a place to allow DUers and Republicans to mingle, nothing is stopping you from setting up a Yahoo Club or setting up your own website. Otherwise, DU is just paying bandwidth for people who really have no interest in furthering the Progressive/Democratic cause.

[HFishbine]

9. Except

they come here anyway, get banned, and leave with no change of mind.

And sure, there are other places were such discussions can happen, but this is the lion's den of intelligent democratic thinking. Why dispurse the effort? Why not expose them to the brightest thinkers instead of asking the brightest thinkers to go seek them out? If your answers are still, they would be disruptive, and they'd waste bandwidth, I'd remind you that I suggested they be invited to participate in a seperate forum; that their disruptions already occur; and that the banwidth may be considered well-spent.

Thanks for the reply though.

[FARAFIELD]

27. I actually like the Idea

If the hope is to educate and persuade Republicans then i dont think that is a bad idea at all. PLUS it has a tangible benefit which is we can say we are polite enough to allow a FOR REPUBLICANS FORUM while the other side is not. I think the potential threat of Being Banned anyhow will be enough to keep the losers in line. AND the thought of being welcomed might appeal to people that have no other outlet to vent thier frustrations about Bush. IN other words the Losers will continue to be losers ANYHOW. But the ones that stick around will be the ones that are actually serious. ANd believe it or not there are some Repukes around the country that HAVE NOT OUTLET, because even the thought of saying anything against the Repuke Party or anyone in it is considered BLASPHEMY! It wouldn't hurt to give it a try in other words.

[expatriot]

2. i was always have thought someone should start....

www.freeperduerdeathmatch.com

where somehow it could be refereed by civil reps from both sides and we just went at it, no holds barred... i mean within reason.... namecalling would be limited to remaining within our arguments. and you'd need some censorship to keep the noise down a little bit so it would be readable and followable. but wouldn't that be awesome... an ideological online stalingrad 24-7....

there would be a fight over who'd have to be the 'red team' us duers would think the freepers should be the red team because they are "red staters" but of course the freepers would think we should be the reds because they think that we are all commies.

[expatriot]

4. man i slaughtered that subject line... wow

i was always have... wtf?

[tibbiit]

22. Right On

No Holds Barred Super-Death Grudge! Match!

I feel the real need to rumble hard these days! However, the problem is when Freeptards and their ilk get the lightest of verbal spankings-- they will mess with you in your real life at the same time they are calling for the FBI to make your arrest! Just check out the history of Usenet hehe!

So damnit, that would put a damper on the fun.

If you could flame war without that threat... then I vote, bring em on.

tib

[bearfartinthewoods]

3. a couple things

this has been hashed and rehashed a hundred time in 'ask the admin'.

the answer is:
if you want to debate republicans , fine.

start your own website forum or do it on one of the thousands of forums where that is welcome.

most of the people here have no interest in debating them here or for using even a dime of our hard raised money to fund such an effort.

[expatriot]

7. good point... it is like inviting someone you hate to drink all your beer.

they'd eat bandwidth for free.

[bearfartinthewoods]

14. it's not just bamdwidth

we have outgrown our hardware and need to buy a new server just to keep DU here for libs and dems. why clog it up with republicans.

[Rick Myers]

5. I don't see how that kind of a forum BENEFITS Democrats

DU is NOT a place for everyone. No one has ever said that it is...

You might have a good idea. Try it, start your own board. Just expect to be moderating 24/7 for the next year! I ran a small local politics board that was open to everyone. It was pure chaos!

DU is a place for like minds to get away from some of that chaos.

Noble idea, but it would never work...

[LiberalLibra]

6. Screw them!!! If I want freepers I can go anywhere on the web, I want....

...a freeper free zone and have it kept that way too. Thanks but no thanks!!!!!

[kayell]

8. I have few problems with a forum for republicans to debate DUers

IF they are strictly confined to that forum and violations of that rule are strictly enforced. I for one do not enjoy visiting with them and will avoid that forum. One question would be how many DUers actually would frequent such a place. Another problem could be the repubs who would build up high post counts in such a forum, and then venture out into the rest of DU, effectively disguised. Another consideration would be whether you want to expend the bandwidth on repubs.

ok, maybe more than a few problems... hmmm, going off to mull

[bryant69]

10. This is an interesting Idea

And I support it.

Both parties have a vested interest in stating the differences between the two; and partisans on both sides enjoy demonizing their political enemies. But we should still be talking together.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

11. Very Good Idea!

Any serious Republican who posts will get easily debunked, and the trolls and losers and racists will be a good reference of just what the Republicans believe.

[Heddi]

12. WHY WHY WHY

WHY do people want freepers here on DU?

aren't the disruptors enough?

Look--

We work with them
We're related to them
We go to school with them

They run our Newspapers, Television STations, Magazines, schools...

Why, why why why whywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhy do they have to come HERE?

This is the ONLY place I can go and not be innundated with Right Wing talking points. That's the reason I STAY at DU.

I've seen AOL chat, and MSN chat and other 'equally political' chat boards and if I wanted to debate a fucking freeper, I would go to one of the 10,000,000,000 fucking websites where I can do so.

DU is the ONLY place where I have refuge from these assholes. I don't want them here.

Can't you see by the trolls and disruptors that they're not interested in fucking serious conversation? Why give them the forum to just spout out whatever they want. Why do you think they'll stay in the "republicans only' forum? Don't you think it's REASONABLE that their points and opinions would pervade in other discussions.

They're not interested in hearing OUR SIDE--they're interested in teilling THEIR SIDE. Shit...you can only teach a brick wall so much.

The Day DU allows republicans equal posting access on this board is the last day I ever visit or post on DU.

You wanna debate freepers--go somewhere else. Don't bring them here.

[LeftCoast]

33. Yeah, what Heddi said!

!!!

[MuseRider]

13. Sorry, no

I used to think it might be a good idea but no more. This place is home for interesting and thought provoking discussion. Shit, I don't agree with all of you. Why would I want, or any of us want to try to argue with someone who answers a request for a proof with "Naner Naner Boo Boo?" I know they are not all like that but I think it would be a waste of time and energy.

[whoYaCallinAlib]

15. It would be very interesting . . . sorta like a place for mortal combat.

It would be a good place to sharpen our talking points.

[Psychoblues99]

16. Screw the pukes. They interfere in my life too much already.

:-)

:toast:

Psychoblues

Dems Gotta Keep On Truckin'.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,,..,,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,..,.,,..,.,.,.,,..,,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,

[Booberdawg]

17. Not me

I don't subscribe to the notion that I have to debate a freeper or change their minds. Most of them have their minds made up regardless of the facts, and their only purpose for being here would be to change OUR minds.

It would be utter chaos, and I really don't care what they think or have to say. IMNSHO

[SoCalDem]

18. Every OTHER website is where they can go.. except here

THIS is OUR place.. If people want to debate repubes, they can always find them everywhere..

The mods and admin work very hard to keep this a place for PROGRESSIVES, LIBERALS, DEMOCRATS..

If the rightwing weenies want to start their own site (that would be #1 million +1) , let them.. They pollute every place they hang out, and we do NOT need or WANT them here..

We all know that there are "some" here who probably have not yet "come out" and exposed their true selves, but we are tolerant of them..and yes we have had a few "pet" repubs over time, but the welcome mat is NOT out for them..

Let them stay where they are.. They have plenty of places to drool over their latest uzi, or their latest escapade to the bookstores with their boxcutters..

Any one who wants to debate them, please just sign up for the "left leaning chat or message board on aol" or anywhere else.. There will be amny repubes waiting for you.. just don't bring them back here :)

[rhino91063]

19. Couldn't hurt to try

Sounds like an interesting idea. You never know what may come of it. If it bombs, then just end it. If something good comes of it...

[Fixated]

20. ...

No no no! A DEBATE forum is what we need! No one listens to little ol' Fixated, but I think I'm on to something.

[Jim Sagle]

21. It wouldn't be nuthin' but shit.

[prolesunited]

23. Feel free to start your own board

Issue invitations to come to it on both DU and FR. I'm sure people from both sides would jump into the fray.

Under NO circumstances would I welcome them here. There's enough disruptors (long-term ones at that IMHO) here as it is now. Frankly, I think we have enough problems being tolerant with and civilly debating our fellow dems.

[turdinthepunchbowl]

24. Most of you are young?

I'm assuming that a majority of people here are young/er. It's my experience that if you are going to engage in a dialogue with con's, it's usually adults that you are dealing with. That being the case, you'd be dealing with much trolling, and pointless debate with adults who simply parrot the events of the day heard on the talk shows or read on a select few sites.

[prolesunited]

32. Actually

you are quite wrong on this. We've done some sampling and the median age was around 40. In fact, it was quite a bell curve.

[LuminousX]

25. Everytime this comes up

I propose the same thing.

1. Set up a seperate website.
2. Get 5 Free Republic/Lucianne people and 5 DU people to act as moderators.
3. Use a comment voting system like slashdot and a story voting system like Kuro5hin or Plastic.com.
4. Watch how long it takes for the balance to go all out of whack. It will either become a Left Leaning site or a Right Leaning site. Or it will be so vanillia/milktoast that no one will bother with it.

[kayell]

26. I've been thinking about this some more

my immediate reaction was that it might be ok, a place for them to be exposed to new ideas, a place for DUers who want to to practice their debating of the repubs. BUT, after more consideration, one of the BIGGEST problems I see with the idea would be the strain on the moderators. Not only would that forum be extremely volatile, requiring careful and extensive moderation, it could also impact other boards. Repubs would have to be redirected, rather than simply kicked out. If they wandered back out of "their" forum, there would have to be a system to track that they were repeat offenders at wandering. Then there would be the problem of having to possibly discipline true DU dems who got overly hot in the debate forum. So, no, not a good idea for this site. Doesn't mean it wouldn't work on another website dedicated to that, just not here.

[TheBigGuy]

28. Id rather see a faith and spirituality forum...

...the is a Democratic board, so I really dont want to see the GOP here using up our limited bandwidth.

However I would think a forum for the more religious or spiritual folks might make sense, as there are folks here who are religious but are also good solid Democrats.

[AntiCoup2K4]

29. The problem with this idea is...

..ever since the Coup and the Repuke takeover of the media, reich wingers, for the most part, will no longer debate the issue, but they will try to shout down their opponents like their heroes on FAUX News do. I've seen boards subjected to Freeper takeovers that aren't even political boards in nature, but had one forum set up to discuss the so-called "war on terrorism" that eventually evolved into a Freeper satellite. Open the door an inch for these rabid freaks, and they'll try to drive a Hummer through it.

[mlawson]

31. I agree. It would devolve into flamefests from hell.

Pun intended. I think it would also divert us from discussing issues and plans for 2004. We would constantly be over at that forum, to 'see what the repukes have said now'. And then back here, hashing it over and over.

[poskonig]

30. Why not just go to the MSN or Yahoo forums for that stuff?

Y'know, this isn't RepublicanUnderground or RepublicanAndDemocraticUnderground.......