OK, gang, let's call a TRUCE:

[Bicoastal]

I think most of us recognize all of this already, but for those on either side who are still stirring the pot, here are the terms:

A.Criticism of Obama should not only be accepted here, but encouraged. The worst thing we could do right now is lose our well-honed skepticism, or hold Barack Obama to different standards than we held the last guy to. By all means, if you don't like his decisions as President, say so. Some of us will argue with you (heck, we'll jump at the chance), but we'll never deny you the right to voice such concerns. Yes, I said concerns--the election is over, and we have four long years until the next one, so anything goes. DU should and will once again be a forum for dissent, and occasionally, rebellion. What would we be without our infamous flamewars that continue bitterly into the night? What would we be if no criticism of government was tolerated? We'd be FreeRepublic, that's what. (shudder)

At the same time...

B.Let's all do our very best to keep our outrage objective and proportional. Last night, I saw some here insisting they were already regretting their vote, wanting to leave the party, ready to become Republicans, etc. Honestly, after all we've been though, such dramatics smack of just wanting attention. When some of us have such an extreme reaction, the rest of us will have an extreme reaction back, and it won't be pretty. Please understand that we ALL have sky-high expectations for our President-Elect, so don't forget he has an EXTREMELY difficult road ahead of him, and he may not be able to please everyone at one time. And we all should be somewhat (I said SOMEWHAT) tolerant of the political and ideological sacrifices he may need to make--after all, would YOU want to be in charge of cleaning up after Bush's 8-year mess? I thought not.

And finally...

C.Keep in mind how new this is for everyone here. The Republicans have been in power since this website was called into existence, and practically every other liberal blog or forum on the Net as well, for that matter. I was a College Freshman when W's reign started. Simply put, we're not used to being the ones in charge or even being popular. Will we stop being hypercritical? Of course not. But we may also feel the need to defend our vote from time to time. November 4th was one of the happiest moments of my adult life, and I haven't really come down yet. In fact, I may not come down until the guy takes office and, inevitably, screws something up.

All of us here, we who sweated out the last few weeks of the GE together, can see this thing through. We all want to see Barack Obama become the best President he can be. Through angry criticism and passionate defense, we can make this little site thrive and grow throughout the first Democratic Presidency of the Blogosphere Era. We just need to be nicer to each other, and a little more understanding, and--dare I say it?--a little more Democratic.

Relatively speaking, of course. :)

Bicoastal.

[niceypoo]

1. Geez, at least let Obama get sworn in first.....

...then come unglued

K&R

[last1standing]

2. I'm in.

This board was developed as a site to post opinions and to encourage thought. Let's keep it that way.

K&R

[wisteria]

3. No, drama, I hesitated to vote for him but did so because I trusted

another supporters judgment and even then I had second thoughts and considered not voting at all. So, I don't intend any drama, but I do regret my vote. And, I resent it the way he has used one person who was an ardent supporter. I can't become a Republican because I do not agree with much of their platform, but I can become and Independent and I am giving that considerable thought. I thought the Republican party never changed and now I can see the Democratic party doesn't either. I am no longer wasting my time or money supporting someone who doesn't have enough class to respect those who supported him the most.

[Xipe Totec]

4. Well, I didn't sing Hosannas to him on Palm Sunday,

So I'm not one to get all bent out of shape if he makes call I would have made different.

He's going to make some good calls, and he's going to make some bad ones.

Time will tell, but it isn't time to tell yet.

If he does anything I strongly disagree with, I'll send him an e-mail and tell him so.

But I won't bash him here, and I won't participate in any bash-fests.

There's still plenty of pugs out there, and they are the focus of my wrath.

[political_Dem]

5. This is fine to me. As long as others respectfully allow dissenting opinions to occur without

ridicule or bullying. It's getting tiring when the mockery starts against anyone who sees a particular situation differently and can give rational, credible evidence for doing so.

[Norrin Radd]

7. Agree. The eyerolling threads are just plain jackassery.

[Dragonfli]

6. Sounds Perfectly Reasonable To Me

[gordianot]

8. What is there to criticize Barack Obama?

He is not sworn in, the criminals still occupy the seat of government and the economic collapse of the United States is well underway.

Very soon mere survival will become a trick, no reflection on Mr. Obama. Anything he can do to blunt impending disaster is welcome. I will be satisfied if Mr. Obama is able to smile a year from now and his hair has not turned grey.

[last1standing]

9. The problem with reasonable posts is that they sink so quickly.

I'm going to kick this because its right.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

10. Amen !! K&R Agreed

[StClone]

11. Pluperfect