Is Our Response To Falwell's Death Hurting Our Cause?

[earthlover]

Since Falwell's death, these boards have been inundated with posts, many of which demonstrated absolute glee at his death and judgementalism that rivaled Falwell's. As an anti-Falwell liberal Christian and as a Democrat, I find this very sad. Apparently, many on "our side" are capable of the same sort of blind hatred as we condemn in others.

Just about every form of rationalization has been offered as a defense mechanism for this hatred. One is that Falwell hated too....which I guess is the equivalent of two wrongs make it right. This is unconvincing. How can we show our disdain for hatred if we demonstrate it ourselves? Falwell's hatred was deplorable, but it is not particularly effective to act deplorably.

I have seen attempts to dehumanize Falwell and to compare him to Hitler. So much easier to hate someone who is not really a human being! Yet, as bad as Falwell was, there were no mass graves, no death camps, and no genocide.

I have seen attempts to personally attack Democratic posters who did not participate in this political food fight. Implications that they must support Falwell....sorta reminds me of the Bush thought process---either for us or you are one of the terrorists. Some were calling those who don't want to join in the bashing sanctimonious. Hatred has even been called just a normal emotion, just "venting", etc....which calls into question why people are upset with Falwell in the first place, since he could have just as easily have said the same thing about his own hateful rhetoric. Maybe his was venting too. Rationalization is really convenient. It is an equal opportunity defense mechanism.

I know that almost all of us, including me, disagree with just about everything Falwell said and did. However, we differ in how we react to his death.

What some of us fail to come to grips with is that Falwell is dead, and that none of the words we say are going to affect him in the slightest. Furthermore, he is not around to defend himself.

What some of the hate-mongerers are doing is preaching to the choir. Sure, some are going to pat them on the back because they feel the same way. But who else is going to be impressed?

Followers of Falwell, and there are MANY, are going to be really angry to read or hear about such hostility coming from our side, especially during this time. This will motivate them to fight their fight even harder, and they will have all kinds of ammunition now to further their cause and to try to convince everyone that Democrats are a bunch of hypocrites who show the same sort of hatred they disdain in others.

Members of the conservative media are already picking up on the profuse hatred being spewed forth on these boards. So, to those who think these boards are just a means to "vent," remember one thing: the whole world is watching.

So, what we are accomplishing is preaching to a choir of people who already think how we think, and firing up our opponents. So how is this going to play with the moderates and independents? I am sorry, but this part of the equation really makes me mad.

Most moderates, and most sane people, and ANYONE with common sense is going to see people dancing on the grave of a still-warm body as being reprehensible, stupid and just plain rude. We are NOT going to get any converts among independents by telling them that Falwell was a hater in such a way to make it clear we are haters too. And their typical response to grave dancing is going to be "get a life, bud..."

I know that some of you hate Falwell because of his views, but ponder this: every hateful post on these boards are going to turn moderates and independents OFF towards your causes. If you beat up on Falwell enough during this time, you are going to provoke more sympathy for him and disdain for you among the very voters you will need to make any meaningful changes in this country for your causes.

So, the question I have for you: do you have a political death-wish? Democrats have a great chance of winning in 08. However, the sort of thing I have seen about Falwell is going to help...the Republicans! They already are skilled at getting elected by painting us as anti-religion. Who would have dreamt that Democrats would act the way they have done this past day? It is a nightmare to me, but it is a dream come true for the Republicans.

[wuushew]

1. I would presume that most site traffic is from registered users

DU is not an advocacy group per say. What are you here for?

[IChing]

7. Seems to me someone with no profile wants to start

something.

[Occulus]

16. That's the THIRD TIME I've seen such a thing on this topic today.

Fascinating.

Three people... all of them so very, very deeply "concerned"... and all three have a diabled profile.

All three, saying pretty much the same things. Interesting, no?

[IChing]

18. Yep

[H2O Man]

22. But you must admit

there is a huge chance that the 2008 presidential election will be decided by millions of Americans who will identify the anti-Falwell threads on DU from 5-15 thru 5-17-07 as the single issue they used in making the choice to vote republican. I think we all need to get crew-cuts, wear two neck ties, and donate to the Moral Majority. It's the only way to save this thing we've all worked so hard for.

[yardwork]

25. LOL!

[IChing]

31. You are right We need to pay attention to Hot Air

I just cut my hair and found Jesus in the 700 club.
LOL

[H2O Man]

71. Epilogue

from Abbie Hoffman's 1980 "Soon to be a Major Motion Picture":

P.S. On second thoughts .....

Maybe I was wrong.

You know, I'm really sorry and I wanna come home. I love the flag. Blue for truth. White for right. Red for the blood our boys shed in war. I love my mother. I was wrong to tell kids to kill their parents. It was the children's fault. Spoiled, selfish brats made the sixties. We encouraged kids to leave home. Forgive me, Mother. I love Jesus, the smooth arch of his back, his long blond curls. Jesus died for all of us, even us Jews. Thank you, Lord. Pat and Debbie Boone introduced me to Jesus in their swimming pool. Thanks, Pat. Thanks, Debbie. Thanks, Jesus. I love Isreal as protector of Western civilization. Most of my thinking was the result of brain-washing by KGB agents. The FBI was rightl the KGB gave us money and dope as well as training. We met regularly at the Cuban mission to the UN.

I hate drugs. They are bad for you. Marijuana has a terrible effect on the brain. It makes you forget everything you learned in school. When you smoke it's hard to work. I used it to lure young virgins into bed. I'm very ashamed of this. Cocaine is murderous. It makes you sex crazy and gets uneducated people all worked up. Friends are kidding themselves when they say it is non-addictive. The nose knows, and the nose says no. More people should listen to their noses, and not to rich rock-and-roll singers and white house officials. LSD is the work of the Devil. I know many crippled babies whose thoughtless mothers were hooked on LSD. Laughing gas is no laughing matter. When it comes to drugs, only your doctor knows for sure. Take his advice, and pay him for his service. Stealing is a crime.

Once I burned money at the stock exchange. This was way out of line. People work hard to make money. Even stockbrokers work hard. No one works hard in Bangladesh -- that's why they are starving today and we are not. With inflation, everyone works extra hard for their money. It's not our fault or the fault of our government. If anyone's to blame it's the Arabs and those knee-jerking Europerans who cozy up to them by paying their prices for oil. We have no choice but to go along. We should starve the world to get our way. If we got our priorities straightened out, we wouldn't have to change the meters on the gas pumps. ....

Freedom is a precious right, not to be abused, but violence does not belong on television unless it's the news. Murders and rapes should be reported so people will know just what's happening downtown and will be more careful when they go out. .... Our system of democracy is the best in the world. I don't know much about other systems, but if you pick up the newspaper or turn on the TV, all the others seem to be falling apart. Good governments don't fall apart so easily. South Africa has been there for three hundred years. Don't get me wrong, they're not perfect down there. They work hard, but they should be nicer to their blacks, especially those who behave. I believe what Henry Ford said there recently: "Change takes time." Another three hundred years is not too long to wait for peaceful change. ....

How could I have said all those terrible things about Hubert Humphrey, rest his soul? Age takes its toll, but it teaches wisdom. When you're in the foxhole of life, you see things clearer than when the bands are playing and the crowds are cheering. I realize I can't repair all the damage to our system I feel responsible for, but I'm willing to roll up my sleeves and give it a try. It's damp underground. Now can I come back?
(pages 299 - 302)

[WillyT]

202. Thanks H2... I Needed That !!!

[mrcheerful]

58. Yeah but they would vote that way anyhow because Falwell told them that the democratic party

were godless and were destroying belief in god. It wouldn't matter if there was nothing but good things said about Falwell on DU, we are the party of satan followers who are destroying the country with welfare and social programs.

[H2O Man]

75. It's true.

While men like George W. Bush and Dick Cheney were fighting the Vietcong in the jungles of Southeast Asia -- so we didn't have to play dominoes with them over here -- cowards like Gore and Kerry were partying with food stamps and leftist college professors. No wonder we lose elections.

[earthlover]

78. yeah, but the difference is....

...if they tried this we could normally call them on it and ask them to show when we have acted anti-religiously. Now, they can quote us, and call US on it! We are giving them ammunition that I wish they did not have.

Again, I ask, why give the enemy ammunition? Better to cut off their supply lines.

[blondeatlast]

64. See, I knew you could edit it down to the hard nibs.

Thank you, H2OMan.

[H2O Man]

119. I'm trying to save us

from the pain and suffering associated with losing. We need to focus on what is important, and not be distracted by meaningless issues such as global warming, war, and the economy. Instead, we need to begin working to change the DU epithets for Jerry to epitaphs wishing him a fond farewell.

[yardwork]

135. I've appreciated you for a long time, H2O Man, but today I love you!

[H2O Man]

181. Jerry's kids ....

I think that, like myself, you are concerned that these DU threads run the risk of offending the readers of the "Left Behind" series. Jerry Falwell noted their publication -- including being sold in video and cassette form -- was "probable the most influential religious publishing event since the Bible." (Time; 2-14-05) Evidence indicates that at least 33% of the "Left Behind" series fans can actually read, even if comprehension isn't their strong suit. The democrats might still get some of the votes of those who watch the video or listen to the cassette editions of "Left Behind." But dare we gamble with the future of our party? Shouldn't we play it safe? Is it worth it to take a chance of being Left Behind?

[Beetwasher]

194. Actually, I'm More Concerned About The Animal/Human Hybrids

That's a constituency we can't afford to alienate with our obvious anti-American (Falwell) bias and hatred. DU's opinions are closely monitored by this core constituency. I've heard it from a good source!

[H2O Man]

207. Lewft-handed

animal/human hybrids who walk with their right foot in the gutter read DU, even if they do not tend to post frequently. They may be "turned off" (to use the hip lingo they love) by the anti-Falwell comments. Dare we risk that? If the '08 election goes to the USSC, it could be THE factor, especially among those who watch Bill O'Reilly.

[yardwork]

199. After we win over fans of Left Behind, freepers, and Sean Hannity

if we're really, really nice we can bring additional groups into our fold.

Another thread has already mentioned white supremacists - clearly ripe for conversion to the Democratic Party. The historical roots connecting our two groups (family!) can work in our favor, as long as we remember to mind our manners....

Other groups that are prime for the picking include:

Log Cabin Republicans - they're halfway ours already. But we have to be nice!

PNACers - others have noted their "neo-liberal" roots, which they share with the Nazis and eugenicists of the past. If we Democrats can only let go of our intolerant insistence on human rights, which is currently a serious barrier to recruiting this group...

[IChing]

203. Bingo!!!

But we will never let the sardonic people in right like you and me?
Wait, I think you and I are the founders of that group.
The DNP is a big tent..........Pee Wee Herman was a genius.
I mean that without being sardonic.

[Occulus]

I think you personally ought to chip in on the thread about respecting our Shrub in the future and give your version of respect and sober reflection regarding His Loyal Highness...

[H2O Man]

131. But what will

Sean Hannity say? This is the question that haunts the future of the democratic party. Do we risk losing the respect of Paul Wolfowitz? The confidence of Donald Rumsfeld? We need to give more thought to our thoughtlessness.

[Redstone]

26. Oh, do they, now? Thank you for pointing that out. It DOES mean something.

Redstone

[LostinVA]

84. Yup, 'tis

[melody]

66. Bingo

Whole lot of that going around today.

[DemBones DemBones]

12. Sean Hannity read DU yesterday and talked about the hateful posts

on his radio show. Lots of conservatives come here expressly to pick up quotes to use against us.

[Moochy]

20. Stop trying to Please Frank (Luntz)

quoting Arianna Huffington, from a recent Real Time with Bill Maher. Her point being that if you are trying to please right wingers, then its a waste of time.

[yardwork]

23. Oh that's awful! Sean Hannity DISAPPROVES of us?!

What'll we do what'll we do???!!!

[LostinVA]

88. I know, he's someone whose approval I sooo want

[yardwork]

117. If we lose the approval of Sean Hannity, we'll never win another election again!!!

Wait.

[Forkboy]

50. And they'd find them if we were quoting Jesus directly.

[yardwork]

120. Yes, here's the typical pattern.

This is run by Rove's boys. A paid disruptor posts something a little over the top on a Democratic board. Said paid disruptor then sends a screen shot of their post to Central Distribution, which forwards it to Sean and the others, who immediately quote it on the air as an example of the hate-filled vicious left. Then other paid disruptors post handwringers about how we're "just as bad as the other guys" and "failing in our mission."

When the paid disruptors get a little lazy sometimes they skip Step #1 (actually posting) and Sean and the boys just make shit up and attribute it to us.

What purpose does this serve? I dunno, except that it's our tax money at work!

[melody]

72. Goody -- Hannity's hate is a compliment to the sane

[NoPasaran]

188. Fuck him and feed him fish heads

That goes for all the conservative voidoids too.

[L. Coyote]

192. They post it themselves, ratfu*kers, and quote themselves, like the NY TIMES

and Cheney!!

[Starbucks Anarchist]

211. We wouldn't want to upset that fat toddler, would we?

[valerief]

2. It was fun to celebrate his death yesterday. But to go on about it

today is so pre 5/16.

[rurallib]

3. I had such a spiritual uplift yesterday

I am over it. I remembered who is pre-si-dent

[mitchum]

44. LMAO!

nicely done

[journalist3072]

4. I said it yesterday and I'll say it once again today

It's at times like these, when I can't tell the difference between DU and Free Republic. Since yesterday, there really has been no difference between Democratic Underground and Free Republic. The hatred coming from this site scares me.

Why is it that some people don't understand that you can absolutely despise everything that a person stood for. But you can also have compassion for that person's children, spouse and others when that person dies.

And it's not just Jerry Falwell. This morning, in one of the threads announcing Yolanda King's death, someoone replied that God got it wrong and too bad it was not Bernice King. I was just floored.

And it makes me almost ashamed to be a registered member of this board.

[yardwork]

32. You can't tell the difference between DU and Free Republic?

Let me help you. Go the front door of Free Republic. See the part where it says what Free Republic is against? Yes, that paragraph. The one that says that they are against feminism, socialism, and homosexuality-ism.

Do you see anything comparable on the front door of DU? Anything that points out whole segments of the population as deserving of scorn and hatred?

Let me know when you finish reading and pondering.

[SacredCow]

47. I agree with you...

But we're in the minority here, as near as I can tell....

It's not that I don't understand the reasoning behind the "celebrations." Of course I do- I'm one of the homosexuals he hated so much. I just think that there's something to be said for taking the high road in this case. Yes, the FReepers gloat when a prominent Democrat passes on, but the fact is that I hold myself to a (much) higher standard than that.

So my reaction upon hearing his death? "Oh, really? Oh well- he was no spring chicken." What else needs to be said, really? His absence will be no more or less remembered than Anna Nicole Smith.

[RaleighNCDUer]

80. Much less remembered than Anna Nicole.

Nobody's going to be publishing HIS diaries.

(Tho I might wish they would, so we could see the evil exposed.)

[SacredCow]

113. But why waste your time on either?

That's my point. They were both tragic fuckwits- one of them was just less self-destructive than the other.

So he's dead. Big, honkin' deal. Celebrating his death only validates his influence. To my way of thinking, it'd be a helluva lot more insulting to him and his sheeple if the reaction had been, "Jerry Who?"

[Forkboy]

55. So leave

"I'm so ashamed.......see you all tomorrow!"

[yardwork]

121. Gotta clock in, you know!

[Bluerthanblue]

161. "love it or leave it" eh?

don't ever challenge people to question their actions-

If you do, prepare to be destroyed???

Hmmm.... and this is the "party" of 'tolerance' 'inclusion' 'individual thought'????

fie on this crap.

You give creedence to the comparison with words like that-IMO- which is every bit as valid as yours- and no one should feel the NEED to leave because we don't agree-

THAT notion is FACIST at it's core-

may you know peace,
blu

[Forkboy]

174. Nope

And it makes me almost ashamed to be a registered member of this board.

That's not challenging people to questions their actions.It's a predictable attempt to guilt and shame others into agreeing with them.

I would rather that people stay,but if someone is truly this upset about being a member I wonder why they do stay.

And my comment afterwards was a joke about the people saying things like that who then come right back the next day,shame or not,because they know that DU is still a pretty cool place to be.They know full well that,one or two days notwithstanding,DUers are not even remotely like Freepers.And the charge that we are is trotted out to shame and guilt those they disagree with while reinforcing their own feelings of higher morality.

And if you haven't already,I hope you know peace as well.

[Bluerthanblue]

197. if you'll

humor me a second--?

The post you replied to said more than that they were ashamed- it pointed out that there ARE other people impacted by Falwells death (his family) and questioned the lack of care for them. If people simply don't care- if all that matters is 'venting'- then they should just say so- don't you think? Is it really NOT ok to disagree?

You mention that there are a 'few' days when DU is like FR- (a place I don't go, but know about from it being brought here) I think that you might be kind of quietly agreeing that some of what we are experiencing is pretty much the flip side of the same coin- the DU version of intolerance and "ugly americanism"-

I know what you mean about people saying they are going to leave, and yet staying. But the posters on the other side from you weren't saying they were leaving- they were stating the fact that they felt alienated from this community- and your "leave" was icing on the 'cake' (in my OWN view of the situation, which is no more or less valid than yours).

I'm not 'ashamed' by the posts here, but I am saddened. I have absolutely NO 'love' for what Falwell preached, and taught. I didn't find the man someone I would like to know, or who I could respect- I understand the harm his words actions were instrumental in nurturing - on the abortion issue, I fear we have yet begun to feel it's impact-
But given all this, is the answer for 'us' to adopt his 'game plan'??- ie. Demonize those who you choose to call your 'enemy'- don't question the 'party' line- don't EVER fail to return hurt for hurt, or not demand their eyes for the ones lost on "our" side. again IMO-

We've spent eternity doing it this way, and where are we now???
I can think of 3 people off the top of my head who advocated trying a different path- and they were all murdered for it-

But death sometimes isn't the worst option-

hey- I'm a dreamer

and it's ok whatever you want to think about me-

I have known peace- and am sure I will again. I hope we can all find the way there -

blu

[ProfessorGAC]

210. All I Can Say Is: Duh!

The Professor

[Jamastiene]

221. Take a look at the graphics in the upper left hand corner

or the pages to tell which site is which. That's one clue.

In a way, I could almost agree with you about not being able to see a difference (other than the graphics). I would say that the "hold your tongues lest we upset right wing republicans and they say something bad about us" bunch give the place a definite FR feel. Plus there was the one post asking if they were the only one who liked Falwell. I'll never forget that giant vote of support from that person on DU.

[Deja Q]

5. Um, yes...

n/t

[enough already]

6. I don't care who is watching

One more dead nazi is a good thing.

[William769]

8. Who gives a shit, the bastard is dead.

"a political death-wish", yea right.

[Redstone]

9. No, it's not hurting our cause at all. So the freeps have a field day complaining

about us? So what? I, for one, don't give a fuck about what they think.

Nor does anyone else.

Redstone

[H2O Man]

14. Well said. n/t

[Madspirit]

39. I love Redstone

Sometimes we agree; sometimes we don't be Redstone is always very cool.

I agree with your post completely!
Lee

[Redstone]

54. Thank you. I may not always be cool, but I'll always be Redstone. That, I can promise.

I've been Redstone for over fifty years now, and I'm not likely to change that.

Redstone

[gatorboy]

40. A voice of reason from the woods.

[mrcheerful]

179. Really, the wing nuts are just like the nosey old maid that lived in everyones neighborhood

and to get attention would call parents and police every time a kid made a noise or stepped on her property. When kids avoided her property and stopped paying attention to the old maid, then things would be made up on the kids, the one I grew up with would steal our baseballs when they landed in her yard, then break her own windows then blame us kids for it. I guess we can say the right wing nuts are all busy bodies that can't keep their nose where it belongs.

[Raven]

10. Well, I doubt that the whole world is watching and I don't think

that there is any way to minimize the damage Falwell did. I didn't join the dance but I can understand the depth of disgust for this man. Anyone who votes for one of these Republican thugs who endorsed torture last night because of DU'ers going a little overboard on Falwell yesterday wasn't with us in the first place.

You should consider giving the DU'ers who "danced" a little of what Falwell never had...understanding and tolerance.

[BurtWorm]

11. I overheard five people on the bus saying they would vote Republican because of what DUers said.

Mot really.

[DearAbby]

13. Hey...I just speak for myself

I am just an old woman, who is tired of this shit. Found a website message board with like minded people. I dont have this grandeouse mindset that what I type on a message board is more, than just words on a computer screen.

I type to communicate, I come here to find out news. and what the take of that news, with others who think as I. My words here are nothing more than that. this is a place to vent as well.

Some of us has taken the crap falwell has spewed for 40 yrs. I view it as seeds Falwell has sown is now baring fruit. He spewed/sown the hate...What you sow, you shall also reap. It's harvest time.

Honesty should never hurt a cause. Truth should never harm a cause.

[treestar]

15. He doesn't have to be as bad as Hitler to have crossed the line

and be on the same side of it.

Would you have been respectful of Hitler on the day of his death? Stalin? Pol Pot? There's a limit. Those individuals were human too. It's where we draw the line.

And Falwell and his ilk would be Hitlers in the right circumstances.

[Arugula Latte]

17. ...

"Followers of Falwell, and there are MANY, are going to be really angry to read or hear about such hostility coming from our side..."

Shouldn't we be DONE appeasing these people!!

It hasn't worked in the past. It won't work now.

The thing they understand is an all-out battle.

Like it or not, this is a war for the future of our country. Us vs. Them. I am furious at what They have done to this nation. I am for Us.

[earthlover]

41. who said anything about appeasing them?

I am in favor of defeating them. Getting them to fight harder is not particularly a good strategy. Especially if we make a lot of moderates think we are as hateful as the right is.

Yes, this is a battle. We gotta fight smart. Not just do what makes us feel good and vent.

We are not going to win if we make this a battle of us vs them. That is what they do. We need to expose the right for what it is: dangerous to the Constitution, and this us vs them thing is part of this danger! We are not going to expose the danger of the right if we open ourselves up to the enemy being able to point to us and say we do the same thing.

Fight smart. We have already helped them get into power by sounding anti-religion.

[conscious evolution]

82. 'Not just do what makes us feel good and vent.'

Sometimes venting is just what is needed.
I hope it scares the hell out of the right.Seeing so much vitriol aimed at them has to be having some kind of effect on them.
Every voice should be raised in outrage over what that man helped bring about in this country.

[David Zephyr]

19. Get real.

When cruel and evil people perish, it is a reason to celebrate. Were Jews "hurting" their cause when they celebrated the death of Adolf Hitler?

I will celebrate when Osama bin Laden is brought to justice and when he dies, I will celebrate.

Jerry Falwell incited violence against my gay, lesbian and trans gender brothers and sisters for nearly forty years. How many violent deaths, heartache and suicides can be attributed to the hate he spawned in this country? How many died without care and love from AIDS because of Falwell's cruel pronouncements? Check out the AIDS Memorial Quilt from just those early years in the 1980's when this son of a bitch railed that your Christian God was punishing homosexuals!

When nearly one out of three of every teen suicide is that of a gay teenager, a great percentage who live in fundamentalist families, don't lecture me about rejoicing that the single loudest voice against my community has finally been silenced!

I am beyond myself with joy that the very wicked Jerry Falwell is dead and can no longer hurt my brothers and sisters!

Below is a photo of the AIDS quilt in Washington. I was there.

I celebrate this creep's death. Yes.

And so should you!

[earthlover]

28. so now that he dead, are the suicides going to stop?

If we act politically to STENGTHEN the radical right....and attacking Falwell during this time is definately going to strengthen it....aren't we cutting off our nose to spite our face?

Why don't we channel our energies to win victories instead of making ourselves look foolish?

Tromping on Falwell's grave is not going to help one iota. It will only make our opponents more determined and moderates wonder why we are complaining about hatred.

[yardwork]

35. What nonsense. Nothing said here is strengthening the radical right.

The radical right has a clear agenda, and what we say here on DU is nothing to them. They care about money and power. Period.

I'm not tromping on anyone's grave, and in my opinion, you are making only yourself look foolish with this carrying on.

[RaleighNCDUer]

93. Bullshit.

Those who hate what anyone here says about Falwell will hate us anyway. We are not going to convince them.

Any moderates who stumble across this stuff will see our despising of Falwell, and they will also see the reasons for it - with examples from his anti-misegenation (if that's too big a word, trolls, he hated blacks and whites sharing bodily fluids) of the 50s and 60s to his war on AIDS research in the 90s to his promoting violence against gays in the immediate past.

He was, until the day of his death, a bigoted, racist, sexist, homophobic pig.

Got a problem with that?

[maggiegault]

195. Because Of Falwell's Politics and Buddies, I Just Buried My Brother This Past Weekend

I'm supposed to mourn because someone who caused so much pain died of his own fatty crapulence, when I just buried a 28 year old soldier who died going on a mission to nowhere?

I don't think so, and I don't give a hot damn in a whorehouse what any warmongering freeper thinks of me or any other liberal.

You want compassion? Have it for the Iraqis who have been murdered during the course of their "liberation," a "liberation" strenuously advocated by Falwell the hatemonger.

[David Zephyr]

206. I'm so sorry, maggiegault

that you have lost your very own brother at the tender age of just 28. He's a hero to me.

And yes, that's where our compassion should correctly be: with those precious souls like your brother and not a fraudulent hate-peddling preacher.

And thank you for giving this thread the proper perspective it needed.

Again, I am truly sorry that you have lost your brother.

--David Zephyr

[yardwork]

21. "I have seen attempts to dehumanize Falwell..."

Nah, he did that all by himself.

[Madspirit]

24. You said it Yardwork!...n/t

[yardwork]

37. Don't let the worry trolls get us down!

[blondeatlast]

69. Word! Well said. nt

[stillcool]

27. You only get what you give... n/t

[bigtree]

29. our cause?

not mine

[KG]

30. fuck falwell, and fuck his followers too

oh, and fuck moronic moderates and idiot independents if the don't understand the difference between some folks blowing off steam on a message board and the real hate mongering engendered by scum like falwell.

sheesh.

[rucky]

33. I'm not gleeful, but if we can't say what we feel here at the DU...

where can we?

[depakid]

34. This is irrevelevant- and the quicker people see that, the better

The far right will NEVER change- nor will their enablers.

Pandering to them in the vain hope that they might only looks weak and naive.

[Madspirit]

36. Kumbaya My Lord Kumbaya...

Are we all holding hands now and singing?

Oh, just btw, I don't give SHIT what the RW thinks of ME. They have brutalized me my entire life. We did some venting. BIG FUCKING DEAL.
Lee

[EFerrari]

48. LOL! Lee, you crack me up. Thanks!

[gatorboy]

38. Thanks for your concern.

We'll be fine, thank you.

[yardwork]

137. LOL! Another of my favorite posts from the past two days.

While I didn't celebrate when I heard that whathisname had died, I sure have laughed a lot reading posts in response to the moronic handwringing here.

[zanne]

42. The jig is up on "polite dialogue" between us...

Falwell tried to trivialize the deaths of 3,000 by making it an "evil" act caused by liberals. We were so good for such a long time. I'm sure that if one of our top guys dies, the Repubs will have much worse things to say. They always top us on the "slime o'meter".

[earthlover]

68. as we sow....so shall we reap

Of course if one of us dies they are going to have much worse things to say. That is exactly my point! Us doing the same thing just justifies in their minds adding to the cycle of hatred.

Sad thing is we are not going to win any elections by just getting the die-hard Democrats in our boat. They are already there. Dancing on Falwell's grave just makes moderates less likely to trust us as a party that represents them.

You folks can blame the other side for your hatred, and the other side will blame you for theirs.....but hate does not appeal to moderates.

Sometimes the best way is to just wait a few days to let the enemy bury their dead. There is precedent for this in warfare. We can show similar restraint. Not to do so is self-defeating.

[DearAbby]

:shrug:

Tell the truth and shame the devil. I will not be ashamed of what I feel and how I expressed it on a message board. I dont care what you, or anybody else thinks.

This is a battered wife syndrome...how do I know? I lived it, same symptoms, same reactions to abuse. "Maybe if I make myself better, he wont beat me."

Take a stand, you're free! Speak your mind! That is liberty!

[rocktivity]

43. There was nothing humane, pious, Christian nor American about Falwell

And while I honestly extend my deepest condolances to his friends and loved ones, I always have.


rocknation

[EFerrari]

45. What crap. n/t

[Bunny]

46. Oh for fuck sake.

Get over it. It will be a cpld day in hell before I give a shit about what any freeper, or other "concerned" person, thinks about DU, us, me, our "cause", etc. Honestly, this is getting more than a little annoying.

[Forkboy]

56. Tip of the hat to you

Just for having a Dan Blocker picture!!!

[Bunny]

57. Dan was The Man, wasn't he?

[Forkboy]

73. He was my kindred spirit on the show.

As a kid I always related to the Hoss character the most,and thought his mixture of kindness and toughness was cool.

[Redstone]

60. Jeez, and here I thought that *I* got right to the point. I salute you for your directness.

And if "directness" isn't a word, it should be.

Redstone

[earthlover]

74. listen, i am no freeper

I am an extremely liberal Democrat.

Now if you would want to discuss things rationally or logically instead of using foul language and false innuendo, fine. But please don't tell me what my "cause" is.

My cause is getting Democrats elected. My cause is fighting the intolerance of the radical religious right, and Falwell has been a prime example of my political and religious opponent.

It PAINS me to see us act in such a way as to HELP the other side. And if you can't even discuss things calmly with me without using foul language how are you going to win over anyone less liberal than myself?

[Bunny]

92. You can choose to interpret my response any way you like.

I don't give a flying fuck.

[RaleighNCDUer]

98. If you are a "extremely liberal Democrat"

how's it you refer to hard core Democrats as "them" in a previous post, rather than "we"?

Just askin'.

With no profile, it is easy to leap to conclusions.

[earthlover]

115. it is easy to jump to conclusions if you quote me out of context!

Here is the rest of the quote you conveniently left out...."Sad thing is we are not going to win any elections by just getting the die-hard Democrats in our boat. They are already there. Dancing on Falwell's grave just makes moderates less likely to trust us as a party that represents them".

Note: I DID use "we", and "us" as I have in other posts. I have also used them to denote the right in other posts.

Taking things out of context is a cheap shot.

[RaleighNCDUer]

125. Gramatically speaking you are refering to the die hard Democrats

as persons seperate from "us" and "our" boat. When you say "they are already there" you are clearly showing separation from "them" and "this place".

"We" die hard Democrats are already "here" in the boat, not somewhere out there.

"Dancing on Falwell's grave just makes moderates less likely to trust us as a party that represents them".

So, your definition of 'moderate' is somebody who is favorably inclined toward Falwell?

That says as much about you as your lack of a profile.

[earthlover]

148. no my definition of a moderate is not that...

....I was merely pointing out the obvious. Moderates are not going to respond to us if we are acting like hateful people dancing on a grave. If we act that way, moderates WILL be driven away from us . This is the way to drive moderates into the camp of the Republicans.

And it's sad. Right now, a lot of moderates are getting more and more skeptical of the religious right. There are a lot of them that could vote our way. By acting like fools, we are pushing them away! Talk about taking defeat out of the jaws of victory!!!

Sad to say, it is stuff like this that gave Falwell the ability to paint us as anti-religion. Even though it always was a minority of Democrats that were anti-religion.

So, by all means folks, lets dance on Wellstone's grave. We will only be making it easier for the next Fallwell to be annointed by calling us anti-religion.

[MzNov]

147. You are just not for real.

How's that working out for you??? Winning over anyone on DU who isn't quite as "liberal" as you??



Pardon me, but this is one of the funniest and most obviously transparent threads I've ever seen on DU. And that says a lot !!

I can use the worst foul language and usually do, to describe the pack of corrupt moronic murdering bastards who are running our country, along with their right wing nut job fundy sons of bitches. And I am proud of it. And it's not helping the other side.

They come here to learn something. They could use all the help they can get !! Ferrrrchrisssakes.

[devilgrrl]

227. That's nothing.... I'm a Astronaut!!! Didn't you know?

[devilgrrl]

230. sniff sniff...

[Scout]

89. woo hoo! thank you Bunny--my sentiments exactly! n/t

[Madspirit]

140. Hoss! It's Hoss!

I LOVE him. ...and I love your post.
Lee

[mitchum]

49. Fuck Falwell and all those who respect his "humanity"

good riddance to the vile beast

[earthlover]

85. yup...let's dehumanize Falwell and add a measure of profanity....

...that'll win over people! Ever get convinced of an arguement by someone's profanity?

[MzNov]

103. Who are we trying to win over ?????

freepers???

[mitchum]

105. Apparently you aren't aware of MLK's "I Have A Fuckin' Dream" speech

Why don't you take your handwringing concern underneath another bridge?

[earthlover]

127. martin luther king jr did not use the f word in his speach, thank you very much

And he was much more persuasive as a result.

[Forkboy]

130. LMAO

Cut that out!

[Bluerthanblue]

165. aparently you either never heard this

speech, or if you did, never understood it.

If returning hate-for hate- if delighting in another persons suffering, or being APATHETIC to our own potential harm is ok with you-

MLKjr. gave his life in an effort to defeat that kind of messed up attitude.

And if you don't like the OP's concern- maybe you should say so in a reasoned way- and be satisfied with that- I won't encourage you to leave- This isn't a place that tells people who disagree to hit the road- despite what you may desire.



peace,
blu