Reply #41: It seems to be Standard Operating Procedure here on DU

[slackmaster]

When presented with an enigmatic statement, an unfamiliar idiom or colloquial term, an ambiguous reference, information that is obviously incomplete, a possibly extemporaneous quote of something said by somebody else, or anything else one does not understand; to take a knee-jerk interpretation that puts the person who wrote it in the most negative possible light. If it has anything to do with sexual orientation, the person is automatically acting homophobic. If any color is mentioned, the person instantly gets tarred as racist. Dare to quote something from Fox News and you are accused of being a Freeper troll even if that is the only available source of that particular information. Say you don't like Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's positions on social issues, you are advocating bombing his country.

When I was in training for consulting services, one of the first things my mentor taught me is that you have two ears and one mouth for a very good reason. Use them in that proportion, ask for clarification, don't jump to conclusions, and you will get along with your clients, coworkers, even friends and family much better. Psychologist Carl Rogers had it right when he advised therapists to hold their patients in unconditional positive regard. Too bad so many here haven't learned those lessons.

A month or so ago I was treated quite savagely in a Lounge thread when I was just looking for a little moral support. I decided this is no place for social interaction. It's just a battleground for entertainment purposes. A cesspool of paranoia, personal attacks, and vindictiveness.

Pearls before swine.

Rant off.