Reply #255: Well, the reason I used that particular example...

[Skinner]

...is because I was replying to yardwork, I have an idea of which "side of the fence" she considers herself to be, and I was providing an example that I thought she would understand in order to make my point -- which is that we all need to look at our own behavior, rather than simply pointing the finger at everyone else.

As for your larger point, I believe this section of my OP does address it:

One more VERY IMPORTANT point.

This post has focused on the limits of acceptable behavior when criticizing Barack Obama or those of us who support him. But I want to be absolutely clear: This does not mean "anything goes" for those DUers who defend him from criticism. Indeed, we have knee-jerk bullies on all sides of this issue. Just as DUers should be able to support and defend Barack Obama here on DU without being attacked or having their motives questioned, DUers should also be able to share legitimate criticism of Barack Obama without being attacked or having their motives questioned.

I believe that the vast majority of DUers are not bothered by legitimate disagreements shared in the spirit of mutual respect. That is the ideal that we should *all* be striving for.