Obama is a villain.

[denem]

Reading through some posts these days, it would be easy to mistake 'constructive' criticism for personal vilification of the President.

No I can't give examples. My previous OP was locked for calling/out flame bait against those who 'criticize' the President. Those who care, are expected to follow post after post, respond in kind, or alert the Mods.

But a few choice words illustrate the point: Coward, Traitor, Conman, Stooge, War Criminal, ='Bush', ='Cheney' and so on. And we are not allowed to discuss this negative undercurrent because it would violate the rules, call out the Mods, or debase the board.

Time after time, the most negative, inflammatory RW or LW headline is plonked on our laps, supposedly for discussion, or 'critique'.

Passionate Democrats are called the nearest possible equivalent to 'goose steppers' , now that adversaries cant use terms like Obots.

And throughout, there is no forum to discuss the character and direction of DU.

Perhaps the precedent was set by the earlier open season Bill Clinton. I once requested to have my identity removed after reading 'Bill is a rapist'.

A mod replied President Clinton had been called much worse. A verbatim quote that 'Hillary is a murderer', personally and politically, also stood without action.

I was eventually calmed down, when it was pointed out that these posters had been on DU for significantly less time than me.

Now it's President Obama's era. I am proposing a forum to address where DU stands and where it is going. Some rules would need to be relaxed.

One further thing, the more civil, thoughtful and sensitive amongst us, depart without a word. No showy, 'Goodbye cruel DU' for them. Their voices are missed. Silenced by themselves without a single word.

Kick if you would like to see a discussion forum about the state of play and direction of DU, with somewhat relaxed rules for that forum (only.