Final post -- will not post here any more

[MSchreader]

The atmosphere here at DU now is too poisoned for my tastes. I try to post a labor solidarity message (in the Lounge, in order to avoid the flame wars), and some people want to turn it into a debate about the 2004 election. This is far too undemocratic and repressive for me. Too many disruptors and provocateurs.

I have the two previous threads, "Pro-Labor/Union DUers", bookmarked, and will contact brothers and sisters separately by PM or e-mail about what's happening from now on. But there are too many "problem elements" -- both at the base level and in the echelons -- to make this place friendly to building grassroots solidarity on a non-partisan basis.

So long for now. Maybe I'll come back later. Then again, given the recent witchhunting atmosphere, maybe not.

Martin

[mac56]

1. Martin, I wish you'd reconsider.

Don't let a few fatheads drive you away. Lots of us appreciate your point of view; personally, I always make a point of reading any post with your byline.

Please think it over.

[liberalhistorian]

3. You know what, I'm getting more than a little tired of all

of these "I've been offended and I'm leaving because DU isn't perfect the way I want it to be and I'm going to let a few bad apples out of 35,000 ruin it for me instead of putting them on ignore" threads. By now, I feel that if they want to leave, well, then, you can't force someone to stay.

[INTELBYTES]

2. Don't give up!

A bunch of friggin freepers are coming on and causing disruptions. I'm sure most of it is legitimate DU traffic, but with some really whacked out post hoping more soldiers would get killed, and hoping the economy would sour, the a-holes right wing talk shows, announce the material and talk about the DU. Everytime that happens I bet we get a wave of freepers. But we can't let them run us off. They will be spotted for who they are soon enough and get booted! Hang in there!!
:bounce:

[patdem]

4. How can you build a labor movement if you are sensitive???

Suck it up...there are 90% here in favor of unions and 10% against and you will allow the 10% ignorant fools to drive you away from a support rich environment?

Democrats have to build up reptilian skins...since we are dealing with reptilians. I do not post alot, but I do read posts and yours are important to this forum. For you to leave is really suicide. Allowing the vocal minority to usurp your message!

[La_Serpiente]

5. It's alright to get away for awhile

Have a great holiday season and hopefully, the place will look a lot better after the primaries. :-) I'm sure people are receptive to your ideas. It is just that people are focused on a lot of things now.

Cheers

[Atman]

6. Martin, it is the mother of all election years

It is difficult for many NOT to frame just about anything in political terms, especially on a web site devoted to politics. That is what we're here for, primarily. And labor is a polarizing issue between dems and repubs. You had to know that, whether or not you intended your thread to be political.

Take a deep breath. Step back.

If you give up fighting, OBL wins.

And I don't mean that flippantly. Rove is hoping we don't have the fight in us. OBL said we wouldn't. Don't prove either of them right! Bush is wrong. We need every capable person available in order to oust him.

[citizen snips]

7. Remember to always be a Democrat.

[silverlib]

8. I'm more of a lurker than a poster or responder

I have enjoyed your threads very much. I am very pro-union and I am on the working assets email list and respond to every petition. I only post in areas where I am fluent, and am not fluent in many areas.

I hope you don't leave. You do make a difference. If you do, please feel free to pm me any news you may have.

Thank you!

[Vitruvius]

9. It's people like you who make DU worthwhile -- please reconsider.

If you do go, so many of us will miss you.

Vitruvius

[Rainbowreflect]

10. I'll miss seeing your posts.

Please keep in touch.

[mitchum]

11. Martin, please reconsider

[Virgil]

12. The ignore button

I have not used the ignore button before, but then again I have only been here a few months. Anybody that puts us crap like Dean can't win are going to be silenced. It is time to filter out nonsense before everything is just noise.

[imhotep]

13. do you know any other website?

pm me if so.

[nostamj]

14. that's sad. a long-time 'should read' DU byline

for me. (and usually do, uh, did!)

DU was only a battlefield/strategy session/thong orgy

keep up the fight in whatever theatre of engagement!

[Smashmouth]

15. Will you contact me too?

I did not see your threads, but I am very pro-labor. Sorry to see you go.

[Piperay]

16. Sorry

to you see you go :-( take care.

[rucky]

17. Please keep me posted, Martin

UFCW 555

[Cheswick2.0]

18. Union solidarity should go beyond political party

I think some people have no concept what solidarity means. You and I may disagree on sometings, but one thing I want you to understand; we would be nowhere without unions and I am grateful for every last one of you/us who fight the good fight for all.

[KT2000]

19. Hey - wait a minute

won't you reconsider this decision? I am very interested in union issues and though I may not respond to them, I forward info to friends etc. Union info should be in the mix at DU.

For some reason, we people pay an inordinate amount of attention to troublemakers and crazies. But besides those folks, there are many who are reading and using the information. Campaign folks too.

If you can think of your work and posts in terms of planting seeds, it will be much easier on your psyche. What grows from that seed may amaze you years down the road - and that is not hyperbole - it has happened to me!

[liberalmuse]

20. Unacceptable.

If you post a thread in the Lounge, in no way should people try to turn it into an 'election' thread. There is a forum specifically for those who seem to enjoy bashing each other over the head with their candidates. I thought this was the reason for creating the 'election' forum--to contain the poison and stop it from spreading throughout DU and into the other forums. I would alert anyone who tries to disrupt a thread outside the specified forum with candidate bashing. Honestly!

[DS1]

21. You raise a good point

Besides, there can be only one Martin

[willie13705]

22. NEVER GIVE UP !!!!

Never, NEVER QUIT !

Don't retreat--buck up dude. Continue with us, lets carry on...

Never but never turn back!

[northzax]

23. er, non-partisan?

did the big "Democratic" up top not key you in? this place is hardly the place to go looking for non-partisan activities.