An opinion regarding opinions

[Redstone]

I believe in expressing my opinion as much (well, almost as much) as anyone else. And people do certainly have a right to express their opinion.

I joined DU because it seems like the kind of place where people have a strong sense of community. I do. And when a member of my community is grieving, I feel it is my duty to keep my opinion to myself if expressing it would compound that other person's sadness.

Maybe I didn't like one guy's father, for example. But that guy is my friend, or co-worker, or maybe just plays on my softball team, or lives down the street. He's part of my community.

No matter how much I disliked his father, I would never think that my right to express an opinion would be so important that prior to, during, or after the funeral, I'd tell him (or anyone else in his family), "Well, it's too bad your dad's dead, but he was a real jerk. I never liked him."

I don't think, in that case, I'd get much satisfaction out of having exercised my right to express my views.

But all this is just my opinion. Others may vary.

Redstone

[tx_dem41]

1. I agree with one small modification...

Its not that some people think that their "right to express an opinion" is the most important thing in the world. Its that they think their opinion itself is the most important thing in the world. Sadly, their self-centeredness is wrong.

[mondo joe]

2. I feel heads of state who oppose my civil rights are always

subject to critical commentary.

Anf when my neighbors mourn their passing that's their choice.

[tx_dem41]

3. Ah....a perfect example of my point in Post #1.

Thanks for illustrating it so precisely. The timing couldn't have been better.

[KharmaTrain]

6. The DU Cult Of Personality

I find this place amusing...and have long considered it ineffective to real debates about issues...and now about party building or other constructive real life activities. It's far easier to get out here to piss and moan or preach to the choir, then to really do much of anything else.

But that's what DU is about. Over time, it drives out a lot of moderate voices and now segregates into personalities, lifestyles and special interest and very rarely hits upon common cause.

You are 100% about what you said and it's a shame. Democrats face a critical election next year and without a gain in the House, if you think things are bad now, they'll only get worse. However, there's still those here battling the 2000 and 2004 elections, screaming impeachment without any concept of reality or with thin skins when they're asked to simply say what they or others can do.

If you detach from reality, DU is a very interesting place these days.

[tx_dem41]

7. Spot-on post, Kharma.

If I could nominate an individual post to the Greatest page, I would nominate this one.

[KharmaTrain]

8. Don't Bother...LOL

I think we're the only ones who will understand this.

Cheers to you and I hope I'm proven wrong.

[thecorster]

9. you're not the only one.

i often read posts but rarely leave my own because there's not that much to talk about. it's one thing to bitch and moan, it's another to have a community of people working together to do something about it.

[KharmaTrain]

11. This Thread Dropped Like A Rock...

I think that really says it all...let's get back to finding things to divide not unite, why don't we? </sarcasm off>

[Discord]

13. I have tried many time to post a "call to action" type thread

and it falls off the map in a heartbeat.

Post a controversial statement, and you'll see 100, 200, 300 or more posts in no time.


I'm starting to believe that this place is becoming more of a place to vent frustration than a place to organize and act.

[thecorster]

17. that's how i've viewed it all along

it would be cool if we were all activists, but i suppose just a discussion board where we dont have to fight right wingers after every post is cool too.

[Township75]

18. This is the best post I have ever read at DU.

it is good to see this type of a post, because lately, there haven't been very many.

I think DU has become more of an place for entertainment than actual party building or discussion among leftests about moving a left agenda. It isn't hard to find people posting in one thread how we need to elect Candidate X who supports positions Y and Z unlike Kerry to win back the White house, and then find these same people stating that Kerry didn't lose the election, rather it was stolen in a separate thread.

Sometimes, I don't think the Repubs need to cheat to beat us, as our base is so disoriented and schizophrenic that we never make a step forward with out 3 backwards and about 12 to the left and right.

[Snap]

10. Right

Hypothetically speaking; a jackass is a jackass, living or dead. To speak of it otherwise perhaps is dishonest. Of course we can rely on the wisdom of Thumpers' Mom..."If you can't say sumpthin nice, don't say nuthin at all."

[tx_dem41]

12. As I think you are aware....

...no one is asking for anyone to speak dishonestly. Thumper's Mom was a wise one!

[AWorkerBee]

4. Perhaps there is a reason it is considered bad form

To speak ill of the dead. I tend to think it is because there is something kind of creepy about disparaging those that no longer have a voice to defend themselves.

It goes against the notion of fair play.

[noamnety]

5. a guy down the street

is different than a public figure, especially one leading the organization that spearheaded the creation of the Moral Majority.

As I said in a different thread, the hard-core Kerry bashing began the day after the election, although many of us were griefing then, and it continues still.

I would have more class then to wander into a thread of people obviously commemorating his life and start pointing out how the Vatican was the driving force that put Bush in power.

All the same, anyone who's grieving because they were denied visitation to a loved one in the hospital, because they lost a family member because of a lack of health care, because of the effects of Bush's policies is surely swallowing a bitter pill being told that those grieving over the pope have usurped their right to criticize the policies or people that caused their own pain.

[WinterStorm]

14. Redstone

Some people were not taught respect. They are the ones that ruin it for others.

[KitchenWitch]

15. Very well put Redstone

A good thing to keep in mind around here!

[porphyrian]

16. Thanks for not telling us to shut up this time. - n/t

[Redstone]

19. Yes, I know I shouldn't have lost my temper

in the post you're referring to. Let's not rub in in, please.

Redstone

[NNN0LHI]

20. You can tell me to shut up anytime you want to Redstone

I will just ignore you.

Don

[Redstone]

21. Hey, nobody else listens to me (including my kids),

so why should you?

I still have your back on that other thing. But not for long.

Redstone

[Redstone]

22. Kharma train and you others,

thank you for the kind words.

I grow weary.

Redstone