The In-Fighting and Name-Calling Has Got to Stop!

[ChipsAhoy]

There are so many things I like about this place and so many intelligent and respectful posters here. I've learned a lot in my short stay.

However, I'm always disturbed to see posters here who DEMAND everyone to be in total lockstep and full agreement on every issue, candidate, point and view. It's not going to happen. We are all individuals. We agree and disagree, as we should.

The problem comes when that "disagreement" turns into spiteful name-calling and mean-spirited juvenile behavior. Totally uncalled for. I've watched it happen here more times than I'd like to count. A few times it was directed at me, so I know it first hand.

I have said so many times on this board that I believe we all want the SAME final result - to take the country back-- we just have different ways of obtaining that. That's OK.

Please remember, when you are ready to lower yourself to name-calling, that FREEDOM of diversity is part of what we stand for. It's what we represent. If we can't do that within our own party, how in the world can we do that outside of our party? We are supposed to be the kinder and gentler side.

We have some very important months and years ahead of us. "UNITED" should be our motto. Let's pull together rather than apart.

Thanks for listening.

[Don Claybrook]

1. It sounds good on paper

But both here in GD-Politics and in GD, it's bloodsport. I hope you don't take it too personally. I don't know who said what to you or whatever, but there's always the alert thing if you need it. Or you can just get down in the trenches and get fully engaged.

And once you become acclimatized to the GD environment, bruises and all, they won't know what hit them next time you go to some Yahoo or AOL board or whatever. You'll be battle-hardened, and your right wing adversary will never know what hit them.

And being nice is good. Yes. That's what I meant to say. :)

(edited because I aborted an unwanted smiley face that was an accident of punctuation)

[ChipsAhoy]

4. I never needed the "alert" button.

That's not what this is about. I've seen far worse said to other posters than what was ever said to me ... anywhere.

Plain and simple, there are some who DEMAND that everyone here think exactly alike or they start the name-calling. Silly. One can debate and discuss without juvenile behavior.

Diversity, diversity, diversity. I mean, isn't it something we stand for and represent? Why can't we do it within our own party without the mean-spirited name-calling? It takes away from everything. That's what I'm talking about.

[adnelson60087]

2. Gotta agree here...

The important thing to remember is that we're all on the same team, trying to rid our country of the Neo-con lice it has been plagued by. Keeping our collective eyes on the goal of taking back the US from these right-wing, anti-science nutjobs will serve us ALL well. Peace, Brothers and Sisters...

[Chipper Chat]

3. I suppose DU is just a big family with many personalities.

It just comes with the territory: if you post - you'll get flamed by someone.
I once praised my republican senator and can still feel the stings from viscious pub-haters. In response to an opinion about how bad the 50s must have been, I posted a positive view of life in the 50s and how my family lived succesfully in that era of frugality. Wow - I received responses about how racist things were then and how I should "quit living in the past," etc: I didn't realize until then how many nasty people lurked here.
A thick skin is sometimes necessary.

[ChipsAhoy]

5. I appreciate that.

Well, I didn't live in the 50's, but my parents claim it was an "easier" time. A simpler era.

Sorry you received the negative attitude from some. That's what bothers me sometimes. I want to feel like we are all linked together here and that nobody is the "enemy" and should never be treated that way. Sure, disagree, but keep it respectful.

Truly, the next few months and years are going to REQUIRE us to pull together. Gee, let's start that process NOW.

thanks.

[JohMunich99]

6. I say better to get it out here than on the campaign trail

It doesn't really matter on here.

[ChipsAhoy]

7. Disagree

It sure does matter on here!

If we can't make peace among ourselves, we can't do it outside of our own circle.

Some people have such difficulty in speaking up for what they believe in, that when they are shot down HERE, how can they expect to go out there and speak up?

The bottom line point I'm trying to make is that we CAN have different views - "AMONG FRIENDS" - and do it without the petty name-calling and juvenile behavior. That turns so many people off.

If I couldn't handle the silly insults, I wouldn't have started this thread. But, I know for a fact that we have lost posters because of the in-fighting and personal attacks. It's uncalled for. It tears us apart.

"Disagree with Respect" - that should have been the title of this thread.