I gave the moderators instructions to delete inappropriate posts about Tony Snow.

[Skinner]

So, instead of creating extra work for them, it would be nice if people would voluntarily refrain from posting inflammatory crap that makes us all look like jerks.

Thank you for your understanding.

Skinner
DU Admin

[NMDemDist2]

1. right o Skinner n/t

[bjobotts]

247. Yes, death erases everything. Just ask the million dead Iraqis.

[tavalon]

260. That isn't his point

Whether the man was good or bad and I think we all know where he stood, pissing on his grave just makes us look like the jerks we purport not to be like.

[cullen2382]

267. I was raised to never speak ill of the dead, good advice

[IDemo]

2. Thank you

:thumbsup:

[terrya]

3. Thank you.

This is very much appreciated.

Thank you again.

[Patsy Stone]

4. Nice!

:thumbsup:

Thanks.

[Dr.Phool]

5. Good idea.

It's been getting ugly around here lately.

[Cooley Hurd]

6. Good idea!

:thumbsup:

[BlueGirlRedState]

7. Bravo!

That's why we love you, Skinner!

[madrchsod]

8. thank you

[DailyGrind51]

9. Thank you!

[Puglover]

10. Thanks millions.

That helps alot.

[Karenina]

11. Thank you, Skinner!

:hi:

[nradisic]

12. Good move.

We don't need to take the FOX news route. Civility and respect should come above all else. We should never bring ourselves to the level of Republicans. Respect those who have passed...

[proud2BlibKansan]

13. Agreed about Tony Snow but Cheney is in the hospital today

If he dies, is there such a thing as an inappropriate comment?

[Ken Burch]

28. Cheney is already one of the undead, so technically, he can't die.

n/t.

[Herman74]

127. LOL!!! FUNNY AS HELL!!! n/t

[keroro gunsou]

186. how do you kill

that which has no life? :)

sorry i just watched that episode of south park... and man it scared me, i know people like that.

[bluevoter4life]

219. Poor Satan

He'd come for Cheney's soul and leave empty handed. Sorry. Had to throw that in there. :evilgrin:

[JeanGrey]

39. Yes! Why do we drag ourselves down to their levels?

[proud2BlibKansan]

87. Because he is the most evil human being since Hitler

[anigbrowl]

204. Spare us the histrionics

there is plenty of competition for that particular dishonor. I abhor this stupid trend of reaching for extreme comparisons in order to demonstrate one's political bona fides, and support Skinner in this.

Dancing on the graves of the recently deceased is deeply immature and makes the moderate members of DU look bad. There is nothing impressive about crowing over someone's death by illness; all it shows is how intimidated you were by the person to begin with.

[baby_mouse]

239. Ah, the moderates.

I thought it was the entire site?

[baby_mouse]

242. Were the histrionics "shrill", anigbrowl?

Did they smack of "drama"? Of "hyperbole"?

[proud2BlibKansan]

248. Spare me your lectures

[TonyClifton]

156. Too bad our "level" involves so much filthy language

I check out other sites and this site has the most filthy language I have ever seen. We already look like mental midgets with all of the people who can't make a point without crude lingo.

[baby_mouse]

241. How awful. I'm suprised you post at all.

Or, in fact, have any fellow feeling with anyone on this site sufficiently well-entrenched to use the word "we", such is your obvious displeasure.

[TonyClifton]

251. What?

Huh?

[krispos42]

249. Aha! There is a handy-dandy tool to help you out

http://www.oneplusyou.com/bb/blog_rating


Just put in a URL, and it gives you a rating!


For example, this thread right here is rated



However, the home page is rated



Welcome aboard! :hi:

[tavalon]

261. That's because we're really, really pissed

and saying that we're fucking pissed just accentuates it all the more.

Just fuckin' with ya!

Edited to add: If only Bill Hicks and George Carlin had watched what they said..............................

[marshall]

63. Would that mean VP McCain?

Perish the thought!

[Patriot Abroad]

134. Would have to be confirmed by House and Senate. Not Likely . . .

I say put Lieberman in there for a few months, he seems willing to sell his own mother to the glue factory for the privelage . . .

[LeftishBrit]

120. Big difference between him and Tony Snow.

If Cheney dies, I won't be very tasteful about it, I'm afraid.

I think he's the real power behind the throne.

[pokercat999]

122. Yeah BIG difference, Cheney is a "doer" Snow was an

enabler.:sarcasm:

[MessiahRp]

123. I would respond to Cheney's illness/passing as he did to American disdain over the Iraq War

and killing of our troops.

So?

Rp

[But....]

194. Perfect

:patriot:

[Patriot Abroad]

133. I think our silence towards the fallen is the most appropriate comment . . .

Coupled with our redoubling our efforts to oust or impeach the remaining few.

[LeftyMom]

147. Anything that doesn't involve a bodily function and his grave.

:shrug:

[BearSquirrel2]

165. An old phrase ...

He ain't worth it. Walk away.

[DutchLiberal]

180. Let me tell you, I will throw a fucking party the day that piece of shit dies!

[FloridaJudy]

14. Thank you, Skinner.

This is a situation in which I would hope people would show a little restraint, but this being the Internets means a few will forget they're supposed to be adults.

Maybe you didn't like the guy - I was no huge fan myself - but showing a bit of sympathy toward his family is the decent thing. We're supposed to be the party of compassion: let's act like it.

Net Nanny rant off.

[Hoondraskneltinsky]

64. If a sizable number of our ranks have to be reminded that...

we are supposed to be more compassionate, perhaps our group isn't as compassionate as we thought. The grave dancing really makes me sick.

[1776Forever]

15. Good call - should go without saying but unfortunately some people are jerks -

It is too bad Tony lost his fight at only 53 years of age.

Bush was darn lucky to have him for the short time he did.

[annabanana]

17. Bush had as much regard for Snow as he has for a kleenex.. . .

I expect there's more "fellow-feeling" for Snow here than there is anywhere in the White House.

[Divine Discontent]

141. I feel just saying nothing about him will work.

when you don't appreciate the work someone chooses to be a part of, and they pass, it's best to smile and move on!

[lamp_shade]

16. Thank you so much Skinner

I had planned to stay away from DU for a couple of days until things calmed down. I couldn't bear another russert-style hate fest.

[DesertRat]

18. Smart move. Thanks. n/t

[TZ]

19. Thank you! n/t

[liberalla]

20. Good idea.

[bobbolink]

107. I love your sig sign!!! That's not only very moving, it's a very clever graphic!

:applause:

[Crabby Appleton]

21. Thanks!

Good on you, Skinner.

[kentuck]

22. Thanks Skinner.

I've always thought we were a Party of compassion.

[DeepModem Mom]

23. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. Being jerks serves neither DU nor our CAUSE.

I understand if people don't want to mourn a person, but what's wrong with just refraining from posting hateful thoughts? The person is gone now.

I love DU, but I hate it every time a person dies.

[lamp_shade]

24. Kick

[stray cat]

25. Thank you Mods! and Skinner!

[RB TexLa]

26. Thank you

[Justpat]

27. Thank you. n/t

[merci_me]

29. Thank you n/t

[Tess49]

30. Thank you. n/t

[ekwhite]

31. Thanks Skinner

I was no fan of Tony Snow, by a long shot, but this is the right thing to do.

[JustAnotherGen]

32. Thank you

:-)

[Missy Vixen]

33. Thanks, Skinner

I didn't care for the man's politics, but my heart goes out to his loved ones.

Julie

[Redneck Socialist]

34. Thank you. n/t

[Gormy Cuss]

35. Thank you. n/t

[KatyaR]

36. Thank you so much.

I was a little afraid to log in to after I saw that Mr. Snow had died.

[shadowknows69]

37. Done and done

[Seen the light]

38. There should be a DU rule for mocking the recently deceased

Thanks for this.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

40. It's interesting Jesse Helms didn't deserve this level of protection. Interesting and CORRECT.

There are degrees of evil.

[terrya]

43. I have to own up to grave dancing over Jesse Helms.

I wasn't one damn bit sorry that he died. I wish, and still do, that it had been sooner. Like, for instance, when he was in the Senate and had real power and influence.

[Danger Mouse]

55. When did he die?

[terrya]

83. This past week.

[Danger Mouse]

97. I didn't even hear about it. Talk about behind the times.

Oh well...

[La Lioness Priyanka]

66. i am still dancing about jesse helms.

:party: no seriously, i am

[LawyersGunsandMoney]

163. me too.

But he was a person with a hate-filled heart(?) okay whatever that circulatory organ pumping blood through his body was, he damn sure didn't have a heart. I don't feel that same kind of antipathy towards Tony Snow. They were too very different kinds of political animals. I was okay with slamming Helms-he deserved it in both life and death. Snow? I don't think he deserves to have hatred piled upon him the way I've seen it piled on at other websites who shall remain anonymous.

[LeftishBrit]

67. Helms had far more power; and also he didn't die prematurely.

There's a difference between someone dying at 86 and at 53.

[jgraz]

115. You mean you'd have felt bad if Helms had kicked it at 53?

That would have been 1975! Imagine all the damage to this country that would have been avoided.

Just like the damage we avoided with Snow dying when he did. Nothing sad about that.

[LeftishBrit]

119. If I had known in 1975 what Helms would be like later on..

I might have felt relief at his death. Relief; not gloating.

In fact, I was a child in 1975; hadn't heard of Helms; but had just heard the news of Maggie Thatcher becoming leader of the Tory Party - and knew even THEN that she'd be a disaster for us. (I called her the 'Thatcher Rat'.) Maybe if she'd died it would have saved us from a disastrous mess - or maybe not; we might have elected someone just as awful in her place.

But I don't think someone like Tony Snow was on the level of Helms, or Maggie, or Bush. He supported bad things, but didn't instigate them. I honestly think if he'd never been born, it wouldn't really have made much difference to the outcome of American politics. The war, etc., would have still happened.

[Posteritatis]

272. Well-said (nt)

[MedleyMisty]

116. In the length of their life, yes

But how does it change the content of what they did before they died? If Helms had died earlier would his slate have been wiped clean and all of his sins forgiven and swept under a rug?

[tavalon]

262. That's the thing

It's not incorrect to say that Tony Snow did bad things while alive, rather it isn't necessary to gloat today. He died and he died with something awful. His family is in pain. You don't need to ignore his wrongdoing to avoid gloating. They are different things.

[ampad]

89. I felt the same about Regan

As far as Tony goes, even though I did not like the man politics I feel for his family. He was so young and he took the fight to the end. May he rest in peace.

[Hippo_Tron]

111. Jesse Helms lived a full life, Tony Snow died prematurely of cancer

I don't think it's so much about degrees of evil as criticism is more appropriate when someone dies of natural causes in their 80's than when someone dies of cancer in their 50's.

[HEyHEY]

157. Russert didn't either

[JI7]

175. well, personally i knew i would feel bad if/when Tony Snow died

but i can't see myself feeling bad if Bush , Cheney or Rove were to suddenly die.

[michaz]

41. It was the right thing to do, Skinner. Thank you! n/t

[Redstone]

42. Good. Let's show a little respect, here, people. Please.

Redstone

[ray of light]

44. Thank you!

[rhett o rick]

45. Good policy Skinner. Will it apply to all deaths? I think it should.

I think it is fair to ask people to respect those that die, whether it is a progressive hero or a right wing wacko and I am not saying Mr. Snow was either. There is never any excuse for “inflammatory crap” and the moderators already keep an eye open for that. Or at least they should.

No one should have said “inflammatory crap” about Mr. Russert under any circumstances. However, I believe that reacting to the canonization of him by the corp-media was/is fair.

While I agree the mods should strike inflammatory posts, I don’t agree that all negative posts should be deleted. That’s a slippery slope.

If we are free to speak out about our feelings re. Nixon and Reagan then what is the criteria? Is there a grace period after death?

To me the key is “inflammatory crap”. We should always “refrain from posting inflammatory crap that makes us all look like jerks.”

I hope the mods don’t throw out the baby with the bath water.

[rhett o rick]

46. And Skinner maybe we should delete all “whining” posts. After all we are NOT a nation of whiners

:sarcasm:

[tavalon]

263. Has comprehension always been difficult for you?

This is not a slippery slope.

[rhett o rick]

268. Was this aimed at my joking about a nation of "whiners"? Or to the post

above that agrees with Skinner. All I say is that the moderators need to be judicious in there deletions. Inflammatory posts should always be deleted, has nothing to do with Mr. Snow. But negative posts that are opinion but not inflammatory should remain. I hope that helps. I may not have been clear.

And IMO deleting posts, although some times necessary, is always a slippery slope.

[Libby2]

47. Good job, thank you.

[skooooo]

48. Skinner acts like he owns the place.

:rofl:

[Dystopian]

49. Heartfelt thanks.

peace~

[JohnnyLib2]

50. Thank you from our cancer-affected family.

Recommended

[barbtries]

51. i'm glad you allowed anything

otherwise i wouldn't even know he'd died. DU is my source for the news.

ain't crying, ain't crowing. i'll be that age next month.

[Snarkturian Clone]

52. Thanks skin.

DU's been rife with whackos lately... the GDP loon force has spilled over into every other forum.

[go west young man]

53. STEM CELL RESEARCH COULD HAVE HELPED HIM!

He served just 17 months as press secretary, a tenure interrupted by his second bout with cancer. In 2005 doctors had removed his colon and he began six months of chemotherapy. In March 2007 a cancerous growth was removed from his abdominal area and he spent five weeks recuperating before returning to the White House.

"All of us here at the White House will miss Tony, as will the millions of Americans he inspired with his brave struggle against cancer," Bush said

[Danger Mouse]

56. That's the sad part...and Bush, I'm sure, has no sympathy at all.

[billyoc]

54. I prefer to eviscerate live Republicans.

[Kajsa]

57. Thanks, Skinner!

It's about friggin time the boom was lowered on
that crap!

[stillrockin]

58. good idea

[Rhiannon12866]

59. Thank you, Skinner. Excellent decision. K&R.

I feel bad for the mods at times like this. The worst I had to deal with when I was a mod was April Fool's Day. They have my sympathy and support.

[NC_Nurse]

60. Glad I missed it. Thanks, Skinner.

I feel sad for Tony and his family.

Now, Helms, I could understand some harsh words. Not Snow. He
seemed like a nice guy, whether you liked his politics or not.

RIP, Tony.

[Rhiannon12866]

71. Very well said, and I totally agree.

I may not have agreed with him, but Tony Snow retained a sense of humor and I actually enjoyed hearing from him, unlike previous and present White House Press Secretaries. I feel terrible for his family, since I also lost my Dad to cancer. A very nice post, thank you.

Rhiannon:pals:

[NC_Nurse]

78. Thanks, Rhiannon!

:hug: I'm so sorry about your dad. My husband lost his favorite uncle to stomach cancer at 54.
He was a nice guy too. :(

[Rhiannon12866]

121. You're welcome, my friend, And I sure do understand.

My Dad was 62, but still way too young, throat cancer. So I absolutely understand about your uncle, and sure sympathize with you and your husband, and certainly with Tony Snow's family, as well. I don't understand the bashing threads here on DU, which Skinner asked to be removed. Who would have the dark heart to do that? We're progressives here. I'd never bash Tony Snow, since, as you said, he was a nice guy, hard to dislike. Best wishes from

Rhiannon:pals:

[Stump]

61. K&R

[elocs]

62. Amen to that. At least we won't appear to be jerks.

It's too bad that people do not give some thought to what they post, but just throw up any vitriol to make them feel better.

[LaurenG]

65. Thank you - nt

[DirtyDawg]

68. Admirable of you, DU...but

...I assure you if the situations were reversed the 'right' wouldn't be giving us the same 'out of respect for the dead' behavior. Frankly, there are things that we do in life that reduces, and in some instances, eliminates the degree of respect we are entitled to when we die. As far as I'm concerned everyone associated with enabling this criminally disastrous regime to do it's work has long ago lost any of my respect - in life or death.

So I guess it's an 'If you can't say anything nice' thing? OK then, 'Deep down I think Snow knew better and was just doing it for the money'...Is that nice enough?

[Mithreal]

69. Attack any 'likeable' public figure and the right will use it for ammo

At first it seems ban-worthy to hatefully mock fellow Americans like Russert or Snow within a week of death.

We cannot know the pain that Republican policies have caused every person who posts here. Of course there are trolls but PERSONALLY slamming others because of hateful speech seems an insult to my sense of community as well. How outsiders see us may be important to some degree but how we see ourselves is more important, right? Flag hateful speech, but do it for community not for outsiders. Point out hateful speech is inappropriate if you must respond while awaiting a moderator.

Thank you, Skinner, for doing what you can to keep this a civil community and make it more than just a place to vent.

[Lex]

70. the right will use *anything* for ammo - best not let them do the driving

on what we discuss

[tavalon]

264. And you just hit the crux of what keeps being misunderstood here

Skinner didn't say we couldn't discuss Tony Snow. Nor did he say we needed to say only nice things out of respect. He said not to be assholes and verbally jump up and down over the guy's untimely demise. Not a difficult concept for me but so many have misunderstood so I guess it bears repeating.

[geardaddy]

72. Kicked and Rec'd

Good show, old bean.

[happygoluckytoyou]

73. PLEASE get in your insults to BUSH and CHENEY before they become saints!!!!

[Peregrine Took]

74. I will pray for him at Mass today.

[Barack_America]

75. It's sad that some people are so partisan...

That they can't even pause to think of this man's wife and kids.

:(

[lunatica]

76. OK. I'll abstain

Although death doesn't change how one lived their life. If he were still alive would we be able to criticize him?

[jaybeat]

77. Thank you. We ARE better.

Cancer plays no favorites; my family knows from very personal experience. In these kinds of situations, our compassion for each other as human beings should transcend politics.

[NYC_SKP]

79. Good, proactive call. nt

[jwirr]

80. Thank you, Skinner. Death - no matter who it is that died is not a good

thing.

[creeksneakers2]

81. Good idea

Thank you.

[alphafemale]

82. Thank you Skinner. Cancer sucks. nt

[ronnykmarshall]

84. Good for you Skinner.

Delete away mods!

[Fla Dem]

85. Totally agree and wish the same had been done for Russert. eom

[Deja Q]

86. Shhh. I think the mods are gettin' busy in the broom closet; I see some work for them to do.

:(

(I won't call any posts out but I think they don't need attention drawn to them!)


In seriousness, it's been a rough weekend for y'all already and want to post appreciation for you lot as well. :thumbsup:

[leapinggnome]

88. You're right

I had no right to say what I did about Tony Snow. I apologize to Skinner and all the posters.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

90. Thanks So Much For This. I Was Scared As To What I Might See After I Just Heard The News.

I think it's awesome that you're taking a proactive approach like this. HUGE thumbs up from me.

:thumbsup:

[onehandle]

91. Good man. nt

[FutureDemocrat]

92. Thanks Skinner, but you could have done this for Russert, too!

I haven't been on here since Russert died because of all the horrible things I saw on here about him. Idon't belong to communities who revel in people's deaths! However, most people on DU are great and MORAL people. Thanks again Skinner!

[evilkumquat]

93. Hah! This is the First Place I Went After Hearing About it

I wanted to see all the "grave-dancing" posts, followed by the "we're better than this" posts, followed by the "here's why we should grave-dance" posts, followed by the "here's why we shouldn't grave-dance" posts... with all the deleted posts stirred in like a big pot of hate stew.

But NOOOOO, now we have to act like grown-ups.

*sigh

[blondeatlast]

94. Thank you, Admins; admirable move. nt

[ourbluenation]

95. its about frigging time. thx.

[calimary]

96. Good move, Skinner.

It just makes us look bad, and it's really not necessary.

But, in the event that the deceased is someone like limbaugh... uh, well, I may have to get back to you about that one.

[blondie58]

98. Thank you, Skinner,EarG and the others!

this is exactly why we're Democrats- the party of peace and love.

A man has lost his battle with cancer here. He left behind family that loved him. We should have some respect.

[Bonobo]

99. OK, but I'm telling you now. When Cheney dies, I may not be able to hold back. nt

[Mudoria]

100. Thanks for putting the stop on the gravedancing some

folks enjoy so much on here.

[Faith No More]

101. I will save my sympathy

for the loved ones of those lost in this illegal, immoral war, not for those who helped perpetuate it.

[Pamela Troy]

160. How sad that you have such a limited supply.

[MuseRider]

102. Thank you Skinner

Anyone who is alive and breathing and making public statements or policies is fair game. Once they are dead it is the family who need to be considered. I don't care how good it feels to anyone that someone has died, it just seems immature and hateful to leave nastiness all over the internet for those that loved them to find. Just my opinion of course.

[Jade Fox]

103. Good. Thank you

[WillowTree]

104. Agreed and thanks.

How sad that it's even necessary in a forum that's presumably populated by adults, and adults of conscience and compassion at that, but it is.

Kudos to Skinner and the mods for nipping it in the bud this time.

[bjobotts]

246. You mean like what the conservative rascist did with Jesse Helms like this

from driftglass: "...The inhabitants of Stephanopoulos' world will never come within a million miles of even forming their mouths to say the words “Jesse Helms was a despicable, racist motherfucker who stayed in power for as long as he did because his supporters and admirers were and are despicable, racist motherfuckers, one and all.”

Instead, the inhabitants of Stephanopoulos' world believe that on the occasion of the death of this evil man we should toddle down to the Piggly Wiggly and buy some brand of Kiwi shoe polish powerful enough, to buff this turd of a human being to a shine high enough, so that he can be buried under a gooey, compromise word like "Controversial" or “Provocative”..."

Snow was a decent criminal translator for the Bush crime family...Always pleasant when spinning the impossible. I feel sorry for his dedication but alas another human being has fallen so young from a horrible disease. May God fill his heart with light and love.

[Politicub]

105. Thank you Skinner

[peacetalksforall]

106. Another very appropriately worded announcement. You are a pro, David.

Lengthy paragraphs that present your case at certain times and two sentneces at other times. Bravo!

[kiva]

108. K&R

Maybe this could be a sticky so that everyone would see it?

[Hekate]

109. Thanks and bless you. nt

[Marr]

110. Well, I hope the truth doesn't make me look like a jerk.

I'm not going to be intentionally inflammatory, but I won't put on a phony "respect" act, either. The ass kissing Russert got around here was pretty embarrassing, and it was all fueled by people who were afraid to "look like a jerk". I guess they assumed that pleasant fantasies and post-mortem deification would get them a round of applause or something.

[pokercat999]

125. Come on now, it's the AMERICAN thing to do. The best I

can say is it's too bad the children lost a father. Censorship here is not a proud moment for DU.

[Duncan Grant]

154. Far from it. Although the truth seems to make some people very uncomfortable.

Tony Snow's job was to peddle propaganda for the most corrupt (and radical) administration in America's history. He wasn't a nice man.

And yet some are lamenting the behavior of DU members? What has become of us? :crazy:

[Pamela Troy]

167. What's become of us is the grown-ups are sick of the peanut gallery making us all look like jerks.

[Duncan Grant]

171. Maybe the grown-ups need to stop projecting their insecurities on the rest of us?

Thoughtful criticism of any dead enabler of this corrupt administration doesn't make anyone look like a jerk.

[Pamela Troy]

177. Making disgusting jokes about Tony Snow's tumor, as many did here

when it was announced he'd had a relapse, DID make us look like jerks. The comments about Snow and his illness that have prompted this move by the moderators were not within eyeshot of "thoughtful criticism."

[Duncan Grant]

184. Let me assure you, Tony Snow did worse things than make jokes at another's expense.

I can't help but notice that fact doesn't faze you at all.

Oh! but the DUers who make us all look like jerks? Yes, let's excoriate them. They're the real problem.


Why can't they just give Tony Snow some respect! :eyes:

edit: subject line

[Pamela Troy]

192. So you've dropped the pretense

that the moderator's announcement was aimed at "thoughtful criticism." I guess that's some form of progress.

If you imagine that I was or am "unfazed" by Snow and other Bush apologists, you've plainly not read much of what I've written here. The fact that I disliked Snow as a public figure, however, doesn't mean I consider it's all right to mock his illness or his death.

I'll put this as simply as possible -- For years now, I have written about the far right, particularly the disgusting habit that Freepers and others like them have of mocking the personal tragedies of liberals. I spoke out about it when they did it to Paul Wellstone, when they did it to Cindy Sheehan, when they did it to Marla Ruzicka and Andy Stephenson. I'm not going to hypocritically stay silent when I see liberals mocking the personal tragedies of right wingers, even right wingers I dislike.

[Duncan Grant]

193. Stop putting words into my mouth.

I've not advocated for mockery of anyone at anytime in this thread.

I have defended the position that it's absolutely okay to criticize the dead as forcefully as one would while they were alive. It's foul to project your own judgments and standards onto my posts and ask me to defend something I haven't said.

Let's not kid ourselves, you're not interested in an exchange of ideas. The condescending smugness gave you away...

[Pamela Troy]

202. What words do you imagine I've put in your mouth?

It's not people merely criticizing the dead "as forcefully as one would when they were alive" that has prompted the announcement by the moderator.

Why do you insist on pretending that it is?

[spotbird]

224. It shouldn't, but apparently

respectful dialogue which is not laudatory is not permitted.

[Pamela Troy]

273. There was nothing remotely "respectful" about the remarks

that prompted the moderators making the above announcement.

[dglow]

187. Tony Snow's Obituary

Exsactly. May God have mercy on his soul.

[SidneyCarton]

112. hear, hear!

Ghoulishness is unbecoming.

[mamameow]

113. thank you

oh yes skinner(whoever you are) for censoring our replies. i feel bad when anyone dies. however not so much when they leave behind do-do like snow and russert did. these guys were not friends of america, they were friends of the right and the big pay check, first and foremost. not us or the country. what i do not understand is how news people, whether on t.v., paper, or prez spoke person can lie, spin. they know the truth but it is their job to lie. how can they look at themselves, knowing that they helped in the mess we are in today. tony is not the only one, i am posting this to the media in general. scott mc clellan found out he was telling lies but did not say anything until he could profit from it. i just do not know what a person is thinking when they do this, how do they get ready for work, looking at themselves in the mirror, knowing the lies, half truths, and spin they fed us the day before. i hope after this election, the media cleans its self up, either by losing their audiences or laws. it is disgusting when americans get more truth from foreign newspapers than from our own "american" press. isn't the first rule of a take over of a country is suppressing the truth in the media.!!!!!!

[Peggy Day]

137. Better watch it! That sounds really borderline to me-

remember you aren't allowed to speak ill of the dead here. And most decidedly, do not look like a jerk. We have to remember we have to be careful of what we say in this day and age-wouldn't want to offend anyone. Just put on a happy face and go shopping, OK?

[Pamela Troy]

164. My god. You folks really have a hefty emotional stake in malice, don't you?

[Danieljay]

114. Does that include the inflammatory crap about our Democratic nominee that makes us look like jerks ?

Or perhaps just idiots. Just had to ask.

Regardless, thanks for doing this. Great idea.

[kstewart33]

117. He was a good man. Thanks. nt

[SwiperFox]

132. PLEASE!

If Snow was a "good man", then Godzilla is to Japan what the Geico gecko is to America. DU reeks of hypocrisy as usual. Enemies of the people being deified a la Russert. Now I understand where the "bleeding heart liberal" term came from. Please! Criminals do not deserve the soft treatment DU gives them. Amazing that these same types have the gall to call anyone else "spineless". deservingly or otherwise. Truly infuriating.

[Arugula Latte]

142. Shhh! Just shut up and pretend he was a wonderful man, already!

Pay no attention to the suffering he enabled around the globe.

[Vickers]

188. Please tell me more about this Godzilla-Geico connection.

:P

[SwiperFox]

231. ...

Why? it's so simple a caveman could figure it out :P

[MissDeeds]

118. K&R

Well said, Skinner, but it's a shame you had to say it at all.

:kick:

[indepat]

124. Skinner, fully support your stand but glad you did not delete my remarks about Helms for I rarely

speak ill of the recently departed unless that person was a monster on the world stage ala Helms. :D

[pokercat999]

126. Tell us oh mighty one with the delete key, what is

appropriate? The truth? We'd never expect to see an honest opinion here would we? I'm sure you would all want your kids and grandkids to grow up JUST LIKE TONY SNOW.



:rofl:

[Pamela Troy]

161. Common decency and common sense dictate that you don't sneer

over the sufferings and death of another human being.

It's pitiful that someone needs this explained to them...

[Faith No More]

235. Common decency and common sense also dictates

that you don't lie and conceal the truth when it concerns the welfare of thousands of our service people who suffered and died almost daily. I take no joy in Tony Snow's death, cancer is devastating, but then, stepping on an IED and finding you have bloody stumps where you once had legs is also devastating. Just remember, Tony Snow worked for Fox News before he worked for the White House which indicates to me he was very comfortable with the lies and deception he dispensed. Common sense and decency? Tony Snow had neither.

[Pamela Troy]

271. The fact that we dislike Tony Snow does not mean we should abandon common sense and common decency.

This seems to be something quite a few people here are having a hard time grasping.

[cherokeeprogressive]

128. This post needs to be pinned to the top of the board and highlighted.

I'd like to see an addendum to the rules banning grave dancing in all forms.

Might be worth a bigger donation next time LOL.

[malaise]

190. Truth should be more important than money

Always

[emilyg]

129. Thank you. I like you more and more.

[uppityperson]

130. k&r

[file83]

131. Another sad part to Tony Snow dying so young is...

...that he didn't live long enough to have the chance to redeem himself for all his wonderful work as press secretary to Bush's White House.

[Patriot Abroad]

136. Yeah. Like Scott "this doesn't sound like him at all" McClellan.

[Catherine Vincent]

135. Amen!

[Duncan Grant]

138. The mouthpiece of an ideology antithetical to the Democratic Party -- and we're singing "Kumbyah"?

I'm not supporting "inflammatory crap" but I am condemning this idealized superiority trip that we're somehow "better than them" because we respect the dead (no matter how inappropriate their actions were in life...). :eyes:

Feel free to research some of Tony Snow's press conferences. I suggest you start with July 5, 2006.




edit: clarity

[Pamela Troy]

162. Yes, showing some respect for the sick and the dead IS superior to engaging

in the kind of juvenile garbage the Freepers helped pioneer online.

Refraining from mocking another person's suffering is simply common decency. There's nothing especially elevated about it.

Perhaps it just looks that way from where you're standing.

[Duncan Grant]

169. Oh good, let's trade insults. I can always count on DU for an insult but not an exchange of ideas.

So does your idealized ethos champion a moment of silence upon Dick Cheney's death? How about those swell folks who work so hard to oppose gay people? Or those who enact or support policies that perpetuate a war (like Iraq, maybe)?

I'm advocating the position that dead people can be criticized. Yesterday, I offered well-informed criticism of Tony Snow when he was alive; I'll continue to do so now that he's dead. I'll even do it today.

If that puts me on the lowest level of your moralistic high-ground -- so be it. I'm not interested in your vantage point if it's the refuge of those who would condemn the critics of those who should be condemned.

[Pamela Troy]

170. My "idealized ethos" involves not sneering when Dick Cheny or anybody else dies.

If you're unable to distinguish that from a moment of respectful silence, that's a pity. I'm not a missionary and not in the business of teaching common decency to adults.

The lowest common denominator of moral ground includes people who were making amusing jokes about Snow's tumor when it was learned he'd relapsed.

[Duncan Grant]

174. Please do point out my "amusing jokes" at Snow's expense in this thread.

Criticism of Tony Snow -- yesterday, today, or tomorrow -- isn't disrespectful or indecent or immoral.

[Pamela Troy]

178. You think this is all about you?

[Duncan Grant]

185. It was the evidence you used to back up your assault - seems fair to challenge it.

Now, can we get back to the topic at hand?

edit: subject line

[Pamela Troy]

191. Oh for God's sake... ASSAULT?

You felt compelled to denigrate the moderator's making this announcement. I've pointed out why they felt compelled to. When did doing so become a personal attack on you, or a claim that you were the one making jokes about Snow's tumor. Please cite my exact quotes.

[Duncan Grant]

196. "Denigrate" the moderator's announcement?

Here's what I said in post #138:

The mouthpiece of an ideology antithetical to the Democratic Party -- and we're singing "Kumbyah"?

I'm not supporting "inflammatory crap" but I am condemning this idealized superiority trip that we're somehow "better than them" because we respect the dead (no matter how inappropriate their actions were in life...). :eyes:

Feel free to research some of Tony Snow's press conferences. I suggest you start with July 5, 2006.

Skinner's comments in his original post were about inappropriate posts and inflammatory crap. You say I felt compelled to denigrate Skinner's "announcement"? How can I denigrate Skinner's post if I'm not supporting inflammatory crap? :shrug:

This has become pointless. If you choose to have a moment of silence for Dick Cheney -- knock yourself out. But if you insist that I do the same, simply because you believe you have the market cornered on appropriateness, morality, or decency -- then you can expect me to disagree.

[Pamela Troy]

203. You denigrate it by referring to it as "singing kumbayah"

and strongly implying it's nothing more than some sort of "idealized superiority trip."

[David Zephyr]

139. And hopefully, there won't be ten million maudlin threads cluttering up the forum either.

His adult life was one dedicated to reactionary and discriminatory activism. May he now rest in peace.

[Frisbee]

140. Thanks...

After all the BS after Tim Russert's death, I think that is a good idea.

[BayjanDem]

143. Good move

Because in no time at all people on these boards would go above and beyond crossing the line. What you say and do will come back.

[travelingtypist]

144. I'll let Malloy make my inappropriate comments for me.

In the mean time, your board, your rules. Thanks for taking a stand.

[riona]

145. And thank you for doing this.

[lebkuchen]

146. Please refrain from doing the same when Bush, Cheney, and Rumsfeld bite the dust

because I've got some things to say, and I work on a military base.

[The Liberal Thinker]

148. The rude comments about Tim Russert made me sick.

I was almost afraid to come here after I heard Tony Snow died.

[Hamlette]

149. Agreed but I'm still happy that Jesse Helms is dead and not one bit ashamed to say it. n/t

[CBHagman]

150. Definitely in favor of showing sensitivity.

A cruel comment is a cruel comment, whether it's posted on the Free Republic site or Democratic Underground.

[Zenlitened]

151. Endless months of "inflammatory crap" hurled at DEMOCRATS...

... didn't make us all look like jerks?

From at least November onward, hundreds of thousands of over-the-top invectives were aimed squarely at Democrats. And most were shrugged off with the lame excuse that, hey, primaries can be nasty and contentious, whadda-ya-gonna-do.

No matter that the very credibility of this site was damaged as a result.

But now, a few people toss some barbs to note the passing of a faithful functionary who helped enable the single worst presidential administration in U.S. history... and you feel compelled to publicly shush them? Because you're worried that DU will look like a bunch of jerks?

Man, I just don't get it. What an odd place to draw the line.

:shrug:

[earthlover]

155. I can't disagree that you just don't get it!

Dancing on people's graves before they are buried is moronic, immoral, and just as bad as the folks we supposedly think we are better than, but provide evidence to the contrary when we do crass asshole behavior ourselves.

It is embarrassing that Skinner even had to tell us to behave. We should be grown up and moral enough not to have to be reminded that we are supposed to be compassionate, and if that cannot be possible, at least not act like total ass holes.

[Zenlitened]

159. Thanks for not acting like a 'total' asshole!

:spray:

Seriously, though, the point I'm trying to make is that people have been over-the-top -- I mean wild-eyed, arms-waving, spittle-flying over! the! top! -- all along. They've slimed and smeared Democrats in every imaginable manner. And it's just been business as usual.

So it strikes me as odd that business-as-usual must suddenly come to a halt for Tony Snow or any other rightwing waterboy.

Beyond that, I think the word "grave-dancing" is tossed about a bit carelessly. As if any criticism is automatically wrong, improper, etc. People are gonna comment on the news when it's news -- there's no reason to impose an artificial waiting period of some sort.

And what they say, how they comment, is going to be dictated, in large part, by the way the person in the news conducted his or her life.

Tony Snow had the chance -- as we all do -- to live his life in a way that would elicit respectful commentary upon his passing. He chose not to do so, so some of the commentary is not respectful. Them's the breaks. To expect otherwise strikes me as unrealistic.

:hi:

[Pamela Troy]

166. Because making jokes about a dying man's tumor makes us all look like jerks.

If you need this explained more simply, I'll give it a shot using shorter words.

[Zenlitened]

172. By all means, do. Explain to me how a few instances of...

... anonymous posters getting carried away with their comments can so undermine your sense of self-esteem.

While you're at it, please also explain how your parachuting all over this thread to snark and sneer at people who express an opinion contrary to yours -- please explain how this behavior of yours reflects on the wider community, as well.

Thanks! :hi:

[Pamela Troy]

179. I should hope my "behavior here" helps to distance this community from

the people who don't understand why making jokes about a dying man were so inappropriate the moderators felt compelled to make this announcement.

It's not about my self esteem. It's about the fact that some juvenile posters are making DU look like nothing more than a liberal version of Free Republic.

[Zenlitened]

182. Unfortunately, I think your behavior in this thread...

... has only served to confuse the discussion.

In all honesty, you come across as more than a little bit sanctimonious -- not to mention hypocritical -- when you aim your indignation at posters who have merely pondered the issue from angles or points of view other than your own.

Smugness and sarcasm... it's an unpleasant mix, particularly coming from someone who claims to be a moral arbiter of sorts.

:hi:

[Pamela Troy]

189. Nonsense, it's quite straightforward.

When news was released about about Snow having a relapse some weeks ago, enough people here posted repulsive "jokes" about it for the moderators to feel the need to make their recent announcement following Snow's death. Some people here plainly don't understand why anyone would have objected to that kind of "joke."

[Zenlitened]

225. If by "straightforward," you mean...

... rhetorically clumsy, deliberately obtuse and tiresomely repetitious, then We Totally Agree! :eyes:

Seriously, quit trying to pretend that everyone exploring the protocols of commenting on the lives and deaths of public figures is somehow endorsing or celebrating every over-the-top comment ever posted.

That's not the case, and you know it. Or you would know it, if you bothered to actually read any of the posts you've selected for your sour-faced sanctimony.

Yes, yes, I know... you'll protest that you've read every word of every post. But there's no evidence that that's the case. It appears, instead, that you're fighting a battle from weeks ago -- whenever it was that those jokes were made -- and don't seem to care that the people you're haranguing tonight were not even present for the scuffle that upset you so.

How ironic, that you set yourself up as an arbiter of what is and is not appropriate posting behavior. You demand reverence for the dead, yet have not a bit of tolerance for alternate points-of-view among the living. Yay, you!

:hi:

[Pamela Troy]

229. What exactly is it you think I've missed in your remarks?

[Zenlitened]

234. All the parts where I, and many other posters, DIDN'T say...

... "let's proudly and wholeheartedly endorse the very crudest comments ever posted on DU!!!1"

:hi:

[Binka]

253. Jesus God I Must Jump In Zen You Are Not Alone

The poster in question is tedious at BEST and tiresome at WORST. Why you feel compelled to deliberate with them is questionable. Let the shitdustbags go. They are so not worth the time or energy. PT is a non worthy cause. Deliberately obtuse and certainly not cute.

[Pamela Troy]

270. I outgrew "cute" years ago.

[Pamela Troy]

269. But you object to moderators removing those crude comments.

[Zenlitened]

276. .

:hi:

[Major Hogwash]

206. He's already dead - so who would be offended by any jokes about him?

If people are that easily offended, maybe they ought to get the fuck off of the internet.

Seriously.

[Pamela Troy]

210. The same could have been said about Paul Wellstone, Marla Ruzicka, etc.

You just don't get it, do you?

Pathetic.

[Major Hogwash]

211. Horseshit! People who are offended on the internet are looking for a reason to be offended.

Because it is a voluntary task.
This thread is a waste of bandwidth.

[Pamela Troy]

213. Riiiiiiggght. Nobody bears any responsibility for what they say or post.

Anyone over the age of fifteen who offers that rationalization is a truly sad case.

[Major Hogwash]

217. Did Tony Snow bear any responsibility for what he said?

You act like Tony was innocent.

[spotbird]

226. Tony is dead.

Anything he did to enable the administration is now off the table.

[ElboRuum]

254. Whoa.

Why is it off the table?

[Pamela Troy]

227. Sure he did. That doesn't make it okay to mock his personal tragedies.

[Bluebear]

228. Zenlitened is not a moron, nor immoral, nor an asshole.

Thank you.

[Zenlitened]

232. But I play one on TV!

:D

Seriously, thanks for the words of support. :loveya:

Amazing, isn't it? People will casually smear other DUers, if only by implication, in the very same breath they demand pious respect and silent reverence whenever a rightwinger shuffles off this mortal coil.

:crazy:

[Bluebear]

250. Because a dead Republican is more sensitive than a living progressive.

Evidently. :) :hug:

[anigbrowl]

207. Heym, you can always start 'zenlitened underground'

I think that since Skinner is running this site, he's quite entitled to draw the line wherever he likes regarding what sort of tone he finds acceptable. If you don't get it, that's your problem.

[Zenlitened]

220. My bad. I thought a discussion board was for, y'know, discussing things.

But you go right on squawking the "Merka, love it or leave it!" script. Always a pleasure to encounter knee-jerk, rightwing debating techniques on a Democratic site. :eyes:

[Turbineguy]

152. An irritating habit Republicans have.

They provoke inappropriate posts.

[Marie26]

153. Thank you! nt

[amb123]

158. Good Call DU Admins.

:thumbsup:

[Douglas Carpenter]

168. 100% agree!! Some things are just flat out inappropriate and vulgar

[Highway61]

173. Thanks Skinner

A big K & R...too many folks leaving DU because of nonsense like that. Time to nip that crap in the bud. We are all on the same page here...nothing BAD needs to be said....just report the news as it should be.


Edit spelling...just came back from a 7 hour drive...tired

[bigwillq]

176. Thank you.

Regardless of how one may feel about the individual that passed on, making inappropriate comments does nothing to promote liberal values. It just makes us look bad when we have to stoop to that level.

[BEZERKO]

181. In the end, it doesn't matter what side you are on. There are now children without a father who

could care less about the political state of anything.

Yes, he was someone who could inflame the progressive community, but I do feel badly for his family. At least he is not suffering anymore.
RIP Tony Snow.

[OnyxCollie]

183. Is this post inappropriate or inflammatory?

Since everyone feels it's necessary to laud Tony Snow for being such a good man, let's look back at what he did to deserve this praise:

Press Briefing by Tony Snow
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/06/20060615-4.html

Q Tony, American deaths in Iraq have reached 2,500. Is there any response or reaction from the President on that?

MR. SNOW: It's a number, and every time there's one of these 500 benchmarks people want something. The President would like the war to be over now. Everybody would like the war to be over now. And the one thing that we saw in Iraq this week is further testimony to the quality of the men and the women who are doing that, and the dedication and determination to try to ensure that the people of Iraq really do live in a free, effective democracy of their own creation and design.

Tony Snow was the propaganda mouthpiece for an illegitimate regime that started an illegal war that has resulted in the deaths of 4118 U.S. troops. Dying of cancer does not change that fact. If anyone deserves to be mourned, it's these people, NOT Tony Snow.
















Where are the posts praising the life of Sgt. 1st Class Steven J. Chevalier?

DoD Identifies Army Casualty
http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=12055
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Sgt. 1st Class Steven J. Chevalier, 35, of Flint, Mich., died July 9 in Balad, Iraq, of wounds suffered in Samarra, Iraq, when his patrol vehicle was struck by a grenade. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.

...But, but, but, Tony Snow had a family. Yeah, so did these people.



And lest I be ethnocentric, I bet this guy had a family, too.


Let's hide from truth. It's what all the right-wingers do.

[Contrary1]

197. "everyone"? Hardly. n/t

[GoneOffShore]

198. This is Tony Snow's memorial -

Dead Americans. Dead Iraquis.

[mzmolly]

195. Jeeze, I'm glad I missed it Skinner.

RIP Mr. Snow. My your family find comfort in this difficult time.

[highplainsdem]

199. Thank you, Skinner!

[NashVegas]

200. Skinner, Could We Get Some Reciprocity?

Posting articles with titles like, "Snow brought dignity to the White House," are kind of antagonistic under circumstances where people are expected to restrain their negative words against this Bush servant, no?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x3608547

[Vickers]

237. EXACTLY!

Thanks for putting my thoughts into words.

:thumbsup:

[JerseygirlCT]

201. Good. Thank you, Skinner. nt

[tyedyeto]

205. Thou shalt not voice disapproval of Faux News or their mouthpieces

Especially when those mouthpieces in question speak for the corrupt * administration.




Sorry to disagree with the powers that be on this site.

[anigbrowl]

208. I think it's got more to do with respecting the family of somone who just died

Rather foolish or dishonest of you to pretend otherwise (pick whichever one is more appropriate). When administrators say they don't want any inflammatory criticism of Fox News then you might be on target.

[Jack Rabbit]

209. Thank you

Dancing on someone's grave before the burial is a DU custom more honored in the breach than the observance.

[Control-Z]

212. Sad this post was necessary.

I miss what I perceived DU to once be.

[scarface2004]

214. i don t agree with this sentiment!

would 'they' give us the same respect? no 'they' would not!!

[Pamela Troy]

230. So lets all be as disgusting and repulsive as the freepers! Yaaaaay!

[Radio_Lady]

215. Thanks, Skinner. Good one! Let's tow the line out of respect for any human being who dies.

I hope it goes better than the slugfest that transpired after Tim Russert passed on.

It is going to happen to all of us. Decent memories are what I'm striving for.

Peacefully,

Lady Ellen of Alpen Knolls

[Botany]

216. Well done sir!

[gsplfnk]

218. Melting Snow

So why are you giving deference to a consummate liar, even as he has died, even as his credibility died the instant he was hired to spin the White House directive. The Tony Snowjob. Boo hoo, Tony. I trust you were paid well, that you could afford lots of good pain meds as you went down.

Most of us won't have such an easy glide path down.

We should all be so fucking lucky. You were a handsomely-paid surrogate liar for the Bush administration. That is your legacy.

I'm sure heaven is fine with that. Well, possibly at least.

Hey Tony. I hope you enjoy your death, I really mean it man, and I hope it lasts for damn near an eternity.

[dothemath]

221. agree, but .....

Dear sir,
I am in agreement with your statements, with one exception. The posting of inflammatory crap does not make me look like a jerk. I don't do that. Mr. Snow is gone - may he rest in peace.
I worked with a friend a long time ago. When John Kennedy was murdered, my friend
said he was glad he was dead. I have not, and will not, forgive him for that.

I hope he has taken a hard look at himself, but I doubt it.

Keep up the good work, Mr. Skinner, we need you and DU at this perilous time for
our nation.

Herm Hasner

[mia]

222. Godspeed,Tony Snow.

Thank you, Skinner.

[spotbird]

223. Dude, this beatification requirement is waaay

over the top.

The man didn't throw himself over a grenade, he protected criminals. He may have compartmentalized well enough to come off as a good guy, but he was enormously harmful.

Perhaps because it is impossible to list any, threads lauding Snow's accomplishments are also locked. Why can't all the good Snow must have done for the world be immortalized here if the harm some believe he engaged in can't be mentioned?

Do any of you remember why you said you started this place? It was supposedly because silence about the truth that abounded.

Et tu?

[seabeyond]

233. another good, with you on that, and thank you.... n/t

[SharonRB]

236. Thank you for being proactive on this, Skinner

I was almost afraid to look to see what kind of morbid grave dancing people might be doing today.

[ClusterFreak]

238. Thanks Skinner...

...and like so many others have said here, it's a shame you have to post something like this at all.

It seems to me incomprehensible how anyone could ever snark at someone who just died. If that person is someone for whom you had little or no respect...then just shut your pie hole. And keep it shut. For a little while.

It's the least you can do.

There'll be plenty of time for objective commentary about Tony Snow's legacy in the weeks, months, years to come. The man just died, his family is without their son, their brother, husband and yes -their dad.

Show some respect for their mourning and their pain.

It's the least you can do.

Skinner your post is enthusiastically K & R'd.

[spag68]

240. Tony Snow

You'll get no inflammatory remarks from me. My own father died from colon cancer when I was 26. He went from a 5 foot 7 inch 2oo lb. fireplug, to a 135 lb. skeleton in one year. It is a horrible way to go and no matter his politics, his family have my sympathy.

[judasdisney]

243. Thank God you care about what we look like, Skinner

Now go delete some pro-Uribe posts in the Latin America section that are actually WORTHY of policing, instead of covering for the pro-death squad members of DU as you have been doing.

[hendo]

244. Thank you Skinner

I really hate the jerks who delight in some one's death.

Thank you for making the expressions of delight not welcome on this board.

[hyphenate]

245. It's too bad that you have to do that at all

We're supposed to be liberals, Dems and progressives. If we can't hold ourselves accountable for keeping nastiness off the board, we can't be much of the ideal to which we aspire.

But then again, even with the primaries behind us, one has to wonder what elements still cling to the hopes that we will implode, and try their very best to make that happen.

[specimenfred1984]

252. Be sure to let the 800+ Hillary smears stay, smearing sells doesn't it?

Oh yeh, only let the smears of (D)s stay, you'll remove all smears of dead (R) war criminals and propagandists. Nice set of priorities there.

[nvme]

255. I agree with skinners desire to create harmony

I am deeply offended however by efforts to eliminate FREE SPEECH. As hateful as it may seem and utterly disgusting as it may be, "inflammatory crap" is central to democratic ideals. Idiots will act according to their nature. I think the Klan is terrible, yet they exist; the first amendment guarantees their right to assemble and speak their mind. Rational adults can recognize whether it is appropriate or not.
Free Speech encourages the exchange Ideas; it fosters growth. Sometimes yes it can diminish our image. In the long run however it encourages us to think and express ideas no matter unfavorable they may seem. The agreement we all make using this site supporting democratic ideals and candidates is fair. Beyond that it is venue to exchange ideas. this is not a republican recruiting site. This a democratic oriented independent outlet. If someone comes here and is offended by something then they have to right to express their outrage toward the offending comments.
In the short run you stop people from being offended. In the long run people stop expressing ideas for fear of being censored. Does that really serve the community ?

[LeftyFingerPop]

256. Skinner is correct.

And posting nasty shit about a man who died a painful death is incorrect.

I don't give a fuck what your political beliefs are.

[cabbage08]

257. kick

[tavalon]

258. Thank you!

No, I mean really. I had death fatigue after Timmeh left this mortal coil. When I heard that Tony had died, the first thing I wondered was how long I would have to stay away from here.

My condolences to the Snow family.

[SeattleGirl]

259. Thank you, Skinner

There are many people with whom I disagree vehemently (Tony Snow among them), but it is not in my DNA to be happy at their deaths, or to dance on their graves.

I just cannot understand that kind of mindset.

[garthranzz]

265. It's a sad commentary that Skinner even had to post this.

While we disagreed with Tony Snow, and while his tour as P.S. was, as all of them had to be, an exercise in evasion and prevarication, I have not heard he was personally vicious, or criminally complicit.

We need not disparage him. We ought to be better than that.

[Loudmxr]

266. Yes. I think we should all start by forgiving the man.

Forgiveness is a powerful tool against evil. I will never forget the look on Richard Clarke's face as he told the story of meeting Scott McClennan in a hotel turnstyle. Scott stopped him reached out to him and asked his forgivness. Clarke granted it.

The look on his face. Noble. Strong. Unapologetic. Righteous. Happy. A fighter with truth on his side. So I forgive Tony Snow.

[watercolors]

274. Thank you for the post!

nt

[SalmonChantedEvening]

275. thank you Skinner :)

K&R

[Berry Cool]

277. Thank you Skinner, and thank you, mods.

That is all.