I think I'm close to done here. Does anyone know of a forum to discuss the primaries where...

[sfam]

There isn't extreme hatred and trolls dominating virtually every conversation? I ask this in all seriousness. I've been here for less than a month, and while its incredibly addictive to a political junkie like me (see my post count already), In looking back I find that the vast majority of my participation involves responding to truly asinine threads and responders. I admit it - I get drawn in just like everyone else here and even end up getting caught up in the moment on occasion. But every time I get off, I just have a sick feeling that I've just completely wasted my time, and don't even get a lick of satisfaction from it. I've tried the ignore option, and already have a fairly decent list - but I'm not noticing much of a difference.

I don't care to see hundreds of posts on how Hillary "might" have laundered dirty money for her loan, or how Shuster just needs to die already, or how Hillary supporters "truly believe" that Obama and his supporters are forming a cult, or how he might or might not have intentionally avoided a handshake, or that Bill Clinton is a racist pig, or how Hillary/Obama is a pathological liar, or how...well, you get the point...I would prefer to watch movies instead I think.

But I am an insane political junky. I have to believe that somewhere there is a really decent discussion forum for discussing the democratic primary - I'd LOVE some suggestions. It doesn't have to go the speed of light like this one - it just has to have mostly thoughtful threads and responses. I know of a few good blogs for this, but would truly like to find some forums - any suggestions?

Please? Pretty please?

[GoneOffShore]

1. It's primary season

Wait awhile and use the ignore thread and ignore poster button judiciously. It will "enhance your DU experience".

You also could try hanging out in the Lounge when the nonsense here gets too weird.

Also try some of the ancillary special interest forums and the state forums.

Good luck!

[Bread and Circus]

2. good question.

[Redstone]

3. My advice? Just decide who you want to vote for without discussing it. Really.

I don't think you'll find ANY venue for "discussion" that hasn't dissolved into acrimony. It's just the way things are in America these day, more's the pity.

Americans don't discuss anymore. They just scream and yell and call people names. That's the one thing that the right-wing radio "talk-show hosts" have accomplished; they've infected our entire society with the "whoever yells loudest is right" disease.

Redstone

[sfam]

8. Nope...sorry, I disagree with you...

If you're saying that people with opposing views cannot discuss things without devolving into the insane crap we see here, I couldn't disagree more. I have discussions with Hillary supporters in person that never devolve into this crap, for instance.

I hang out on what is primarily a movie site and can discuss politics with folks there where it doesn't devolve into this. I just gotta believe that most people even here hate this crap.

So disagree on issues and tactics? Sure, but this is far far far different from what we see here. Here we see an insane stream of posts and responses that try to drag the other candidate into the sewer, regardless if the poster really believes it or not.

Do we actually all believe that Shuster meant that Chelsea was a whore? Are we all honestly saying we've never heard the pimp thing in coloquial speech? Do we really believe Hillary will do ANYTHING to get elected? Do we really believe that Bill is racist - that Obama supporters are actually forming a cult? Do we really believe that a guy who got elected as president of the Harvard Law review is actually an empty suit, just like George Bush? Common...I'm guessing in the privacy of our own thoughts, none of us believe any of this. I'm just looking for a forum where people's actual beliefs are discussed - not these insanely bizarre talking points.

[Redstone]

12. If you do find such a place, let us know. And you don't need to be "sorry" to disagree

with me. Believe it or not, there ARE people at DU (I'm one of them) who will accept the fact that other people's opinions may not match their own.

I'm solidly with you on the sentiment of your original post, and this one. (I have posted, utterly in vain, about the juvenile name-calling in this forum.) I just did not think that there was a refuge from the acrimony. Apparently, you've found one, so there must be more out there.

Redstone

[ElsewheresDaughter]

13. redstone my friend, you are spot on about the cause and effect. of talk radio

[sfam]

16. I sort of agree with this...talk radio has not been good for us...but still..

there are people that actually enjoy discussions.

But yeah, the whole Rush Linbaugh echo chamber and its many imitations - both of the left and right - really have not served us well as a society. I wonder how this trend can be reversed...

[Alhena]

4. The Daily Kos diaries have a lot of hardcore political wonks

[Whisp]

28. was reading a bit there the other day, and Yes, much more civil

and informative.

I really don't understand their nav system tho.

[Bitwit1234]

5. Crooks and Liars have set the rules

the hate they spew is not going to accepted there. Posts for and against are supposed to be sensible and verifiable information....

[MonkeyFunk]

6. If you find one, please PM me

and let me know.

[ProudToBeLiberal]

7. www.mydd.com

www.mydd.com has excellent analysis and they go the extra mile. check it out.

[sfam]

9. This is a great blog site, but not a discussion forum...same with Crooks and Liars...are there..

any threaded discussion forums for this?

[dchill]

43. Actually, mydd.com is a discussion site...

you should check it out. Its layout is very similar to dkos. Lots of diaries (discussions.)

[kestrel91316]

10. I usually bow out every primary season. Not sure why I'm still

here. It's because, yes, the trolls are allowed pretty much free rein.

You may safely assume any post in opposition to any Dem candidate that really gets your dander up is designed to do so, and didn't come from a true Dem.

I swear, bored RW teenagers have a field day with us during primaries.

[Wombatzu]

11. Fark

it's not just Democrats, of course, and there is some trolling, but there ends up being some decent points made every once in a while.

but if you don't have a thick skin and a sense of humor, don't bother.

[sfam]

18. I'll give this one a try...thanks for the suggestion. Any others? nt

[Wombatzu]

24. it's the only message board i frequent...

you might try Delphi Forums... there are forums there for everything.

be prepared for anything on Fark... there is some nastiness there, but it is more entertaining than the rather repetitive nastiness here.

[sfam]

30. I'm totally OK with poking fun at each other...its the nastiness that gets old...nt

[PresidentObama]

14. DU Admins: Take this thread for what is is, you're going to lose members.

May not matter to you, but I think it's a big deal.

This place has gotten beyond stupid lately.

And you guys are sitting on your hands doing nothing.

[Kittycat]

32. I have to agree.

And I'm totally questioning why I bothered re-uping my membership. Money down the drain, if this is the way things are going to be allowed to continue. It's turning in to a complete troll board.

[Bongo Prophet]

56. The admins are discussing options as we speak.. er, type.

Human dynamics is a difficult thing to control - reaching a balance of freedom and responsibility.
They are not sitting on their hands, at least in the figurative sense.
Who knows what the literal...;)

Your point of losing members is well taken by many of us - like the "cult" and "shrill" battles, it attracts the lowest and repels the best of us.
The admins are working on technical angles, and it is up to us to rise to the challenge as well.

Let us each do our part. :thumbsup:

[jzodda]

15. I am done here till we have a nominee

This place is depressing. I support the party and progressive ideas over any one candidate, and thats not possible these days here. Its all nasty and just makes me feel like dropping out of political activism totally. To prevent that I am leaving this forum as of today and won't be back till we have a nominee.

I will frequent Crooks and Liers till then and be happy. Thats the key thing-I leave there and I can feel good about HRC and Obama, the Party and hope for Nov. I come here and I leave feeling awful. Too much hate, too much acrimony, too little enforcement of the trolls, flamebait and personal attacks.

I am a political junkie like most of you are as well, but too much crap flying around this place to make it fun. Thats the key for me, I enjoy being into politics, but this place is taking the fun out of it.

So see you all after this primary season is done :)

[sfam]

17. That's the issue...the fun is being taken out of it, and is replaced by...

nothing but unsupported hate. I really don't want to hate Hillary OR her supporters, nor do I want to hate the Obama trolls for that matter.

But then again, I don't hate my neighbors either - most of whom are republicans (Northern VA still has LOTS of republicans, contrary to MSM opinion lately). Just because someone believes something different than me, I really don't think they are tied to the root of all evil.

What's more, I really believe most everyone else here feels the same - then again, perhaps I'm wrong.

[jzodda]

20. Actually what I will do is less drastic then leave the site totally

I think there are ways to stay out of the infighting and thats to only visit certain forums. I like this site for breaking news, so to support the site I love, but stay away from the crazy stuff I will just frequent that forum for awhile. (The breaking news forum) That one is moderated very closely and stuff that does not belong is moved fast.

I also love the political videos section, and will come for that.

[Auntie Bush]

19. I feel the same as you even though we support a different candidate.

Maybe I'll see you over Crooks and Liars. Anyway, I'll check it out.

[sfam]

22. That's exactly the issue! Supporting a different candidate shouldn't lead to..

All the insane shit we see here. Maybe Crooks and Liars is the place. I like the idea of over-moderation right now...

[Adams Wulff]

21. The ignore button is your friend

I think I've used it once in my entire DU experience, and that was related to comments made about an incident regarding hockey.

I, too would love to see creative, informative, and well thought out threads that champion candidates without insults and degradation. I think the only way to make that happen is the judicious and frequent use of the ignore button, and prolific posting of threads that do inform and discuss the issues before us.

Pretty soon this place will become the forum you seek, and DU will live up to it's potential.

[sfam]

23. I already have 12 on there...how many do I need?

But really, if I already have 12 on there in a few weeks, and see many more that I "could" add, I'm not sure I see the point.

[Adams Wulff]

27. The sky is the limit

It's not about the number of people you ignore, it's about the vitriol that disappears as you ignore.

[burythehatchet]

36. I'm over 100

[sfam]

39. Wow...they really should have something similar to a blacklist here...

were we could just upload an agreed upon ignore list.

100???? I generally hate ignore lists... ugh...I can certainly understand the need here though.

[sfam]

41. OK, now I'm close to 30....if I can't find anywhere, perhaps this will make it more bearable..

but I doubt it. BTW, I have a few "Ignored" posts here...that's sort of what bugs me about this...I almost want to turn this off to see what they said, but this defeats the purpose. I just would prefer people control themselves more...

[burythehatchet]

44. that's the whole point. What they write will be infuriating, so in this case

ignorance is bliss.

[burythehatchet]

37. In fact, the key is to catch the trolls early on. The first completely idiotic comment

without any counterbalancing thought provoking comments, earns an immediate disposal.

[cbayer]

60. Completely agree. Countering an unfounded OP with fact immediately sometimes shuts it down.

[TheDoorbellRang]

62. Here's what I've been doing

I didn't find this site until after the 2004 primary season, which I've heard was pretty nasty. But in the years since then -- up until about a month ago -- I never used the ignore feature. After you're here a while you can kind of figure out who has something to say and who just... irritates. As you've discovered, there are more than just a few scattered irritants during primary season. Last month it seemed like more than every other thread was an absolute waste of time, so I started putting irritants on ignore. I probably add one or two a day. I now have about 30 people on ignore and save myself a lot of time and aggravation. On the other hand, there are several DUers whose posts are almost always worth reading (several have already posted here). You might try adding them to your buddy list, and then when they DO post new threads, you can check your list and go right to the meat.

Good luck, and welcome to DU. :hi:

[jzodda]

26. I don't feel ignore is my friend, thats the problem

I am not asking to be agreed with all the time as thats silly, but if I have to resort to using Ignore and to have to use it a lot then something bigger is not right. This is the only forum that I go to where Ignore is even necessary. If this was a high school locker room type talk forum I can understand the use of Ignore but at a site to discuss the important issues of our times? Something seems slightly off kilter when so much ignoring is needed.

Just one mans opinion. I am sure there are people who love Ignore, love hiding threads, love being in the thick of every nasty thread. I am just not one of them.

[Auntie Bush]

35. Ignore is not my friend either. I wish it wasn't even an option.

I have NEVER put anyone on ignore. I even read most their posts...but I don't have to answer if I don't want to. If you eliminate everyone who disagrees with you or has a different slant/opinion...then you are preaching to the choir and it's your loss of imformation. That does a lot of good and posting here isn't a learning experience and is just an opportunity for you to vent. Where's the discussion?

[tishaLA]

42. I just started using it a couple weeks ago

i never did in 04 during the Clark/Dean wars, but the vitriol here is too much to bear. I have put only the most egregiously offensive people on ignore--supporters of both Clinton and Obama--and I still get to see plenty of support for both candidates. The best part is that it has somewhat raised the level of discourse. Instead of making me want to bang my head against a wall, it is now just mind-numbing.

[Longhorn]

59. I use it that way, too.

I don't mind reading dissenting opinions but there are rude and offensive posters who offer nothing constructive -- just hateful slams against the candidates and/or their supporters. I enjoy GD:P much more now. I will "release" the offenders once we have a nominee and hope that the worst of them either go away or learn to be civil, even if they still disagree.

[TheDoorbellRang]

63. I'll probably get rid of my ignore list after the primary season

I used to pride myself on not using ignore feature -- admire you for not succumbing. I don't put folks on who I disagree with -- just the ones who seem to have nothing to say but love to say it over and over again. Just not enough time in the day to wade thru their drek.

[sam sarrha]

25. i'm not taking my DU bumper sticker off my car, but i'm also checking out other sites, this place

used to be a wonderful place to share ideas and information.

but i am sick of the freepers and trolls too.. i get tired of poke'n em with a stick.. it only encourages them

i am hoping things get better after the primaries.

i'm keep'n the Edwards sticker too , the only F'n grown up in the room

[K Gardner]

40. I never put mine on. I was afraid people would see it and come here. And that's a shame when it

would be so easily remedied.

[OzarkDem]

29. Pot meet kettle

:eyes:

[NMMNG]

55. No kidding, eh?

Some of the biggest poo stirrers are the biggest whiners.

[sfam]

31. Any other forum suggestions? Beueller? .... Beueller?

Any? Common, there MUST be some places where the trolls are banned from participating in?

[sfam]

38. Beueller? .... any more suggestions? nt

[dchill]

33. Stick it out...

660+ posts and you're close to done? Come on, get a callus over that! Seriously, the "energy" around here gets a little thick during primary season, but we'll come together by autumn.

:)

[sfam]

34. I may come back after the primary season, but as for sticking it out? I hope not!!!!

Seriously...there MUST be something better than this...there MUST be.

[rodeodance]

53. i am waiting for the limit number of posts/per poster . i will get better.

[LWolf]

45. My suggestion:

Stay out of GDP and do your primary discussing locally, in person, working with a group of supporters of whoever it is you want to talk about.

Discuss issues with the rest of DU in the other forums.

I don't know that there is any online political forum that won't be overly heated as far as the primaries go. :shrug:

[kaiden]

46. Dailykos is good. No eye-bugging or spittle.

[Blue_Roses]

47. I've been a member here for six years

and we've gone through a few elections since then. This primary season is by far the most brutal. It got pretty bad in '04, but at least there was honest discourse. Now it seems there are just stupid threads that are a waste of time to read--but I too, find myself sinking into them.

I know what you mean. I used to love coming here for all the information you could get and the intelligent conversation. I don't know what's going on, but maybe the administrators will do something. This site has just exploded and it seems there are now a lot of "drive by posters," rather than those who really give a rats ass.

Hang in there. We need people who are interested in intelligent thought! It's still a great place to come and hang out as well as discuss what's going on now.:)

[Orangepeel]

48. No, sorry.

I wish there was, but couple passion with anonymous posting and any forum is going to have conflict. Throw in some people who care more about getting attention and making trouble than they do about "their" candidate and you get GDP.

The good news is, it will calm down a lot once we get a nominee and the moderators clamp down on anti-Democratic posts.

[robbedvoter]

49. If I knew it, I wouldn't be here...

[ray of light]

50. Kid Oakland at Daily Kos is organizing local blogs. try that!

Maybe you can catch his email and ask if he knows a local blog for you.

[sniffa]

51. I don't know if this will apply to you, but it might

DU can become amazingly bearable - As I said, I've picked my candidate and am done responding to most garbage.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4468754

[rodeodance]

52. I THINK IT WILL BE MUCH BETTER WHEN THE 'LIMIT # OF POSTS GETS

instituted.--a few days?

it will drastically limit the utter sillynees that has taken over du.
and yes the vileness also

[Canuckistanian]

54. Gee, where have I heard this lament before?

Oh, yeah. During the midterms in 2002, the primaries for 2004, the midterms for 2006.....

If you're an intense political junkie with a strong candidate preference, then stay OUT of DU political forums during these periods.

You're going to hear LOTS of things that make your gut churn.

Or simply make use of the "ignore thread" feature here.

That said, please don't leave DU entirely.

[Bongo Prophet]

57. We can, and have been better. Stick around, and post some thoughtful, original posts.

If you refrain from name calling, keep your arguments respectful and on point, even in disagreement - we can change it to a degree.
"Welcome to DU" will once again be a positive thing, this place has been an oasis for many.
Now it is a run down crack house, mostly because of infiltration - and like so much primate behavior, once the place starts getting trashy people tend to care less and pile on.

It is a difficult problem, and it takes a lot of us to change it back.
I too would like deeper discussions and even handed analysis, strategies for success in November and into the future, etc - but right now, the crisis you mention is the most pressing problem. If you can help make it better, then people will welcome it, like I now welcome you to DU. :hi:

[cbayer]

58. I also dislike the baiting and slandering that goes on

But I am finding that some of the statements made and accusations flung force me to do my own research on a particular point and, in doing so, I become more accurately informed on that point.
And there are lots of other interesting discussions going on here.
Some people recommend dailykos, but i don't find it much better than this.
I think the posting limit, if enacted, will help.

[greeneyedboy]

61. i think the limit on personal vanity posts will make a huge difference.

as someone who finds the two front-runners about equally appealing, the sniping is driving me nuts. But if I ignore the provocative stuff on the "greatest" page there's still plenty of good stuff on the site. Wish there were a way to read the "greatest" threads that are NOT vanity posts, but apparently we don't have the tools or rules for that yet.