Unlike some websites, DU has opinions that span the gamut......

[kentuck]

Yes, we could censor some and keep the others or we could permit everyone to express their opinions, no matter how stupid some might sound to some people.

It is true a lot of people visit DU and we have become more of a public site. Each individual will have to use their own discretion as to how they wish to be portrayed. Whether what I might say will reflect on others, I do not know.

However, I think we are different from the right-wing sites in at least one respect. We do not walk a fine line of partisanship for our "Party". We are sometimes brutally honest and some folks find that very uncomfortable. But, do you think we should be like the others?

[Armstead]

1. I think we ought to have at least some class and maturity

I donlt think it's ideas that are harmful.

But the way some people express themselves is selfish and destructiuve to our larger goals.

It's one thing to rant and rave with friends in real life or on a chatroom or tiny personal website.

But deliberately rubbing people's noses in filthy language and cruel Pornohate on a widely read site like DU is different, IMO.

We shouldn't be obesssed with decorum. But we ought to be adults, and think about the consequences of what we say here.

[kentuck]

4. Armstead, I tend to think along the same lines as yourself....

And, I must say, I have never seen the anger or "hate" at the level it is at present. Other than speak out against it, as you have just done, I do not know if there is anything else we can do. Just ask people to speak out if they disagree. I hope we do tone down the incivility. Sometimes even the truth can be ugly if it is presented in wrong manner...

[ixion]

2. no... I like DU's open forum...

in fact, I think we ought to be more tolerant of trolls than we are (but not too much), because I really like the idea of a totally open forum.

I've never felt that people were not entitled to believe whatever it is that they want, only that they don't try and force me to believe it as well. ;-)

[whistle]

3. So, if the federal government wanted to subpoena all of the past....

...threads of DU posts and get access to DU member files, can they do that? Is the server that DU uses adequately protected against government agencies from collecting incriminating data here? Could the FBI, CIA or the Attorney General's Office perform a sting operation on DU'ers and break up this wonderful site of free expression and legitimate debate and discussion and important issues of the day? What are our legal rights and protections today, right now, at this moment?

[elf]

6. sometimes I think the same way you do

My Green Card will be a permanent in September, and then I want to apply for citizenship!!!!

So let's wait and see..........................!
I won't stop expressing my opinions, never did!!!!!!!!!!
I'm German and was raised that way to avoid future problems!:toast:

[MajorFlaw]

8. I have no fear of LEA reading my old posts. I meant it when I wrote

them and I mean it even more now. I'd like them to know that, at least one citizen, is extremely pissed off. Sometimes anonymity is overrated. If people had to vote openly and declare their identity to do so, president Gore would be running for re election. Shrub has got to go and I don't care who knows that I believe it.

[Cannikin]

5. Thats fine as long as I can say "Hey, I'm not with them".

[Monte Carlo]

7. We don't instruct people how to feel in the headlines of the threads.

On FR, you used to be able to browse the news headlines without a lot of commentary. Now, it's getting harder and harder to find them without "vomit alert", or "The Marxist speaks", or anything else.

IMHO, DU needs a little more structure. I find it to be a little too free-floating at times.

[indigobusiness]

9. And gamut the span...

"HE's lactose intolerant."



VICE PRES CHENEY WORKS ON HIS SMILE

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