sparkling old dude the only one who sees this

[franksolich]

--from the meta forum on Skins's island, so no link.

Stinky The Clown (47,526 posts)

DU seems to have a lot less activity than it once did. Am I the only one who sees this?

It seems a lot less active than in years past. Even the smaller, active, special interest groups seem less vibrant. Some go days without a new post.

If you're visiting less, why?

If you're visiting but posting less, why?

Yeah.

Texasgal (12,351 posts)

1. I post less

I visit the same, but I post less.

The drama, the stalking, the rudeness. Kinda wears you down after a few years.

Iggo (20,469 posts)   Sat Oct 13, 2012, 11:30 AM

5. Word for word, this right here.

GAY RIGHTS ARE CIVIL RIGHTS

GreenPartyVoter (63,674 posts)  Sat Oct 13, 2012, 01:39 PM

21. Yep. I am tired of being told that any form of criticism of the President is disloyal, or even racist.

And right now, I am tired of being called a Debbie Downer just because I won't put on the rose-colored glasses and pick up the pom-pons. Sorry if 2004 is burned too deeply into my memory to let my breath out until the election is over.

treestar (36,495 posts)  Sat Oct 13, 2012, 01:41 PM

22. Please link to a post that actually tells you your criticism is racist

GreenPartyVoter (63,674 posts)  Sat Oct 13, 2012, 06:01 PM

56. I am not saying it was specifically directed at me, but at people who have criticism in general. You were in the thread, so I am surprised you forgot already. http://www.democraticunde...orum=1002&pid=1529098

treestar (36,495 posts)  Sat Oct 13, 2012, 06:18 PM

62. I don't see how anyone could not see that guy as a racist

I did not notice the comment before, but I would say they are just saying that there are voters out there like that racist in certain numbers, so being critical at this point could undermine Obama and then let this guy's candidate win. They weren't saying that all criticism was racist in nature. Just that if you insist on it now, a few weeks before the election, guys like this could get their wish. And won't they be gleeful about it. They will feel justified in their feelings that a black man can't handle the job of President.

GreenPartyVoter (63,674 posts)  Sat Oct 13, 2012, 06:21 PM

66. Oh, no doubt about the guy in the OP's pic. But yeah, when I read that series of comments downthread about "progressives" and criticism that must somehow be rooted in racism, I found myself gritting my teeth and backing out of the thread entirely. My blood pressure couldn't take it.

This was the start of it: http://www.democraticunde...orum=1002&pid=1529715

Bucky (38,623 posts)  Sat Oct 13, 2012, 06:24 PM

68. Sadly, I've seen it too.

I once posted a "report card" after the 2010 midterms. I extended the metaphor by making it look like an actual report to a student's parents (I happen to be a teacher, so it was an easy joke to carry through on). A couple of posters ran with the idea that I was calling Obama a "boy", although I never used that word.

Tunkamerica (4,155 posts)  Sun Oct 14, 2012, 05:52 AM

105. your screen name alone...

i mean, why not go to greenparty underground, or roseanne.com

Arkansas Granny (13,529 posts)  Sat Oct 13, 2012, 03:24 PM

39. Those reasons and finding a dozen or more posts on the same subject because some posters have egos so large that they feel the need to start a new thread rather than comment in one already started by another.

^^^must be directed at the oblate spheroid.

FarPoint (1,624 posts)   Sun Oct 14, 2012, 03:51 AM

102. Yes...agreed...

As you mentioned, the abusive behavior takes a toll on one feeling comfortable posting. If your not in the "click"...your a target.

Bonobo (18,153 posts)  Sat Oct 13, 2012, 11:22 AM

2. Passion for the Progressive cause has been blunted by political expediency.

And with that loss of passion, I have lost the passion to post here to advocate for justice.

TreasonousBastard (19,900 posts)   Sat Oct 13, 2012, 11:24 AM

3. It's not just that the place has changed, and...

past primary battles have exhausted or pissed a lot of people,

But there's only so long you can hang out in a place like this before you have to go back to the real world and actually do something.

leftstreet (20,804 posts)   Sat Oct 13, 2012, 11:28 AM

4. It was inevitable. Loss of Mods, election season, new fee

although I think I read the annual fee amount changed

The jury system is stupid
Members from the hard left got chased away
Too many cheerleader sockpuppets

But this will likely change after the election and DU will be user friendly again

LaurenG (24,650 posts)   Sat Oct 13, 2012, 11:31 AM

6. Stalkers and some people here who are too big for their britches

it gets old.

cbayer (112,339 posts)   Sat Oct 13, 2012, 11:55 AM

9. Would add bullies to this. The jury system allows for a lot more uncivil and very unwelcoming behavior. The bullies on the site have taken full advantage of this. I think they run people off.

I have had people I know come to the site for the first time and they are often appalled at how people treat each other.

billh58 (1,599 posts)   Sat Oct 13, 2012, 03:40 PM

41. Too true. The extremely vocal minority bullies are eager to attack anyone who attempts to promote Democratic Party unity. And as you say, they are aided and abetted by the jury system.

Hoyt (9,091 posts)   Sat Oct 13, 2012, 11:34 AM

7. I still like this site, but after being banned from gungeon for opposition to gun cultists' desire for more guns in more places, I post a lot less. The excuses and love of guns, militias, NRA, etc., expressed there has no place on a board like this.

Otherwise, I'll be here full-time through elections for sure. Hopefully, after elections we'll be posting/concentrating on how to progressively move this country forward.

Still best site on internet for politics.

Bluenorthwest (21,048 posts)   Sat Oct 13, 2012, 11:54 AM

8. It seems spare on interesting posts, heavy on preachy, right wing liars

I don't respect the place any longer, it was super useful in 08 now it is just infested with folks the freepers got sick of. The 'host' and 'jury' theatrical features are not good.

seabeyond (77,940 posts)   Sat Oct 13, 2012, 12:14 PM

10. smaller groups no longer have any protection allowing bullying and nastiness to thrive

it has become hostile, shutting up the voices of some.

it is not welcoming.

and there is little to no recourse.

^^^Hmmm.  So that must be what happened to the hippywife primitive, Mrs. Alfred Packer, in the cooking and baking forum.

Some pricks there scared her away.

The pie-and-jam primitive should probably investigate this.

4th law of robotics (5,671 posts)  Sat Oct 13, 2012, 01:24 PM

20. Certain smaller groups have become havens for bullying and nastiness

And use their safe-haven status to trash others while racking up impressive ban-rates.

Some have 20+ people on their ban list and more trashers than subscribers.

ProudToBeBlueInRhody (8,530 posts)  Sat Oct 13, 2012, 05:33 PM

52. FYI, You were alerted on

    At Sat Oct 13, 2012, 05:21 PM an alert was sent on the following post:

    Certain smaller groups have become havens for bullying and nastiness
    http://www.democraticunde...forum=1240&pid=153571

    REASON FOR ALERT:

    This post is disruptive, hurtful, rude, insensitive, over-the-top, or otherwise inappropriate. (See <a href="http://www.democraticunde...boutus#communitystandards" target="_blank">Community Standards[/url].)

    ALERTER'S COMMENTS:

    Over the top group attack. FFS some of these folks obsession with the feminist group is just sickening. If someone really thinks that a group is guilty of such behavior they need to take it up with admin.

    You served on a randomly-selected Jury of DU members which reviewed this post. The review was completed at Sat Oct 13, 2012, 05:30 PM, and the Jury voted 1-5 to LEAVE IT.

    Juror #1 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE and said: The poster is correct. Indeed the feminist group is a haven for some pretty nasty male-bashing.
    Juror #2 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE and said: I'm not sure exactly to what the alert is referring. I don't see any reference to FFS in the post. I'm sorry if I'm not seeing the post in context (I've tried) but in and of itself, it does not appear to be calling out that particular group. Maybe there's a history that's known to only those who follow the poster closely. If that's the case, and there is a more expressly offensive post, please alert again
    Juror #3 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE and said: Pointing out facts about safe-haven groups, outside of those safe-havens, is not an attack.
    Juror #4 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE and said: This is META and the criticism is factual.
    Juror #5 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE and said: No explanation given
    Juror #6 voted to HIDE IT and said: The poster sounds just like another trouble maker. My votes for a ban for them. Hope TOS was checked.

    Thank you very much for participating in our Jury system, and we hope you will be able to participate again in the future

4th law of robotics (5,671 posts)  Sat Oct 13, 2012, 06:07 PM

59. When people speaking factually about your group comes across as an attack then perhaps it's time to do some self-examination.

I was very deliberate in everything I said. I made no statements that I could not back up factually.

Some people can't handle that so they resort to these censorship attempts.

If you can't deal with the message just silence the messenger. That makes the underlying problem go away, right?

Gormy Cuss (25,801 posts)   Sat Oct 13, 2012, 06:08 PM

61. The alerter seems confused.

There are three feminists groups (Feminists Group, Feminism & Diversity, and History of Feminism,) not "the feminist group." As host of the only one with the word "feminist" in its name, I think the jury made the right call.

Jurors # 3 and 4 got it right -- Meta is exactly where one comes to complain about the haven groups.

I would like to address one misconception that I have seen posted here a number of times ... The misconception is that anti-social behaviors -- call-outs or personal attacks or whatever -- are allowed in the Help & Meta discussion forum, and that DU Jurors have a responsibility to permit such behaviors. This is simply wrong. - Skinner

4th law of robotics (5,671 posts)   Sat Oct 13, 2012, 06:20 PM

64. All the other gender/orientation groups have relatively normal levels of banned individuals and subscriber/trasher ratios. Comparable to the gardening groups and such.

One group is clearly an outlier.

But to some that is proof that everyone else is at fault and they are the victims.

ProudToBeBlueInRhody (8,530 posts)  Sat Oct 13, 2012, 09:12 PM

76. I was Juror 4

I almost added that there are in fact multiple feminist groups, and only one with a negative reputation.

4th law of robotics (5,671 posts)  Sat Oct 13, 2012, 06:18 PM

63. If you have someone on your jury blacklist they can't alert on you

is that correct?

--to be continued

[franksolich]

SidDithers (22,736 posts)   Sat Oct 13, 2012, 06:22 PM

67. That's incorrect. They can still alert on you...

they can't serve as a juror a post of yours that's been alerted.

bananas (18,814 posts)  Sat Oct 13, 2012, 12:33 PM

11. The Environment/Energy forum really sucks now.

Xemasab misled Skinner into appointing her host, and it's been downhill from there.

She's violated her own rules, inappropriately locked on-topic posts, etc.

Capt. Obvious (993 posts)  Sat Oct 13, 2012, 09:48 PM

80. She rules it with an iron fist

bananas (18,814 posts)  Sat Oct 13, 2012, 12:40 PM

12. Two issues I posted a lot on are over.

Two internet memes I fought were the nuclear renaissance hype, and the imminent collapse of civilization due to peak oil.
Nobody believes either of those anymore, so there's not much point posting about them.

MuseRider (22,532 posts)   Sat Oct 13, 2012, 12:43 PM

13. Little actual discussion anymore

mostly yelling, belittling and rudeness. We used to be able to talk with each other. I find my views about as welcome here as they would be on FR. Not fun, not informative past a few OP's. It just gets dumb and mean after you read the OP. I come and read but do my thinking elsewhere.

Jamastiene (31,066 posts)     Sat Oct 13, 2012, 05:48 PM
 
54. Very well said.

"I come and read but do my thinking elsewhere." I do that too.

quinnox (12,994 posts)   Sat Oct 13, 2012, 12:45 PM

14. well, to me, general discussion still seems to move at a good clip

But yea, DU has lost a lot of good progressives and liberals that I don't see post much anymore or not at all. As another said, too much empty-headed cheerleading has taken over DU in my humble opinion. I can understand it happening during "election season", that is fine, but it seems to have gone on for months and months before that. The roving gang who can attack folks on a dime if they dare to speak something not worshipful of the president also doesn't help matters. This leads to the more independent thinkers being turned off and then they maybe leave DU.

Plus as others said and I agree with them, I dislike the jury system. I think the mods were a hell of a lot better.

I'm also hoping it will get better after this election is over, and maybe the old DU will make a come-back.

Bobbie Jo (7,121 posts)   Sat Oct 13, 2012, 01:54 PM

25. Ridicule and hyper-exaggeration don't help much either:

"The roving gang who can attack folks on a dime if they dare to speak something not worshipful of the president also doesn't help matters."

This is equally annoying.

dionysus (21,712 posts)   Sat Oct 13, 2012, 04:40 PM

45. he got in "cheerleading" and "worship", two golden oldies, in there..

while pondering why Dems might be leaving DU...

dionysus (21,712 posts)   Sat Oct 13, 2012, 04:39 PM

43. you managed to fit "empty headed cheerleading" and "worship", two stale ass insults from 2008, into your post. ever think that it's shit like that that drives democrats away from DU?

sabrina 1 (29,921 posts)  Sat Oct 13, 2012, 09:13 PM

77. Well said. That is exactly what has driven so many good, interesting posters away leaving us with the attackers who never appear to write anything of any interest themselves, but spend their time mostly making DU suck. A lot of people just don't want to deal with them which is probably why they are the most ignored people on DU to begin with.

I don't agree re the jury system. I think it works most of the time since we only get to see the few instances where it does not. The main problem with it is the ability for people to alert on someone simply because they don't like them. But honestly, I don't think that happens all that much.

bananas (18,814 posts)   Sat Oct 13, 2012, 12:50 PM

15. Two important issues aren't getting any traction.

One is nuclear arms reduction, the other is human space flight.
There are people here actually arguing for nuclear escalation and nuclear brinkmanship. WTF?

edit to add: And we're about to enter a new stage of human expansion into space, but you wouldn't know it from reading the posts here.

etherealtruth (7,141 posts)    Sat Oct 13, 2012, 12:58 PM

16. Yes it does

I have never been a prolific poster (averaging slightly less than 1,000 posts/year), but find myself posting a little less and reading a little less.

I realize it is simply based on perception, but I note more open sexism ... and other "ism's"

There are still a lot of thoughtful and insightful posters .... many talented writers .... but ...

Baitball Blogger (5,381 posts)   Sat Oct 13, 2012, 01:00 PM

17. I've noticed a lot of under 100 count posters who are adding positive contributions. Maybe if we recognize them when they post, it will encourage the lurkers to post too.

The Trolls have always been handled with efficiency. Maybe we should just be more positive to the newbies who are making positive contributions?

jhawker (7 posts)  Sat Oct 13, 2012, 01:18 PM

18. Lifelong Democrat from Kansas

OK, so I just posted this morning and got immediately juried out. Why? Because I happened to just register this morning AND wanted to let people know about a Koch interview this weekend on the Wichita Eagle website. I must be a very, very bad troll or something, even though the WE is the newspaper in Wichita. It's not a hack site, it's not a PR site, it's not an R site. It's just the newspaper site. The Kochs *never* give out interviews. I can only remember one, way back in the 90's. I've been following the Kochs and their politics longer than before most anyone on this site ever heard of them. Nice friendly welcome? Fine, don't go read the interviewthis weekend when it's posted. But I can't wait to read what these a$$clowns have to say for themselves.

But to be kicked off by my very own people is infuriating. I'm older than most of your mothers. I volunteered for Gene McCarthy in college, did mailings and canvassed for McGovern later. I phone bank for Obama now (we're calling Iowa voters). I held meetings in my home for NARAL when I lived in Topeka, long before abortion became the right-wing litmus test it now is. Sheesh, no wonder the posting activity is off.

dmr (25,425 posts)   Sat Oct 13, 2012, 02:23 PM

31. Welcome to DU. I disagree with the jury, your post was fine.

You were accused by another poster of being paid by the Koch brothers. That was wrong and unfair & is an example of why we look unfriendly.

You posted a link to an upcoming Koch brother interview at the Wichita Eagle.

The Wichita Eagle is owned by McClatchy. McClatchy has a reputation of practicing real journalism, and are good in my book.

I'm curious as to what these two assholes have to say - or don't say. Considering they don't do interviews, and considering it's so close to the election, I imagine they plan to do a snow-job on the American public. It will also be interesting if their monied talons have tainted The Wichita Eagle. We won't know unless we read it.

And, as Skinner (DU owner) has said many times, if it's in the news, it's discussion-worthy here on DU.

Again, welcome to DU.

Edited to add: Link to your scrubbed post: http://upload.democraticu...und.com/1014265212#post23

ElboRuum (4,084 posts)  Sat Oct 13, 2012, 01:20 PM

19. Honestly, I don't post much to begin with.

I only post when I feel like I have something to offer of some sort. While I may not be 100% given to that philosophy, I do adhere to it as much as I can. As I am losing my patience with politics on a general, 5000 ft. view level, I've posted less on strictly political topics. After you've said all you had to say, what's left to serve as the topic for a post without becoming redundant?

I am also not of the opinion that a lot of posting with little to offer but obligated agreement or obligated disagreement does DU much good. I sense a higher signal-to-noise ratio on DU than before. Far fewer "rec this thread if you <blank>" threads and the like. I think this is a step in a positive direction, and if the ones who left were the ones dittoing those threads from DU2 where such threads occupied the Greatest Page, well that's activity I can do without.

I see DU3 as a necessary evolution, and evolution can be painful to those who can't find their way forward, or who had gotten used to the previous environment and tailored their behavior and interest accordingly. People who complain about community standards vs. moderation generally find they don't like the shape of the community, where moderation might have had a more active hand in shaping that community to one more their liking. One can complain of it being easier for infiltrators or trolls, and maybe this is so in a way, but it has become clear to me through the jury system that there is animosity between members. We are not unitary, and some people here make it obvious that they don't think others belong. In my opinion, these individuals are more trouble than any troll.

DU3 is giving many of us the ability to see each other as people with much greater clarity than was possible under DU2. Some, like myself, find it illuminating and interesting. Others will be repulsed by what they find.

I'm not impressed by your opinion or the way you choose to express it. I am impressed with the ability to accept and respect the opinions of those who disagree.

RC (19,517 posts)   Sat Oct 13, 2012, 01:53 PM

23. I see a lot of truth in this thread about why the activity has fallen off.

I have noticed it for quite some time. The Alert system is changing DU and not for the better.

A lot, and I do mean a lot, of good Liberal DU members have been driven off or left in frustration since DU3 was activated.

There is way too much alerting for no other reason than that someone disagrees with a post. No SOP or TOS violations need be involved.

And don't forget the various cliques using the Alert system as a club to enforce their view of the world, by alerting on every post of their victim to shut him/her out of a thread, when they don't like what their victim has to say.

I'll say it again; 6/0 and 5/1 to leave Alerts need to have an acclimated cost. Too many failed Alerts, such as this, needs to result in loss of Alerting privileges. This will help some in curtail the bullying.

DevonRex (18,225 posts)   Sat Oct 13, 2012, 02:09 PM

27. Doesn't take a genius to figure it out.

DU once stood for Democrats. Ever since we got a Democratic president it's been a free for all against him from the LEFT and the TOS has been steadily whittled down to nothing.

Now anybody can sign up and decide what gets hidden and what doesn't. Anybody.

--to be continued

[diesel driver]

There's a reason traffic is down at the DUmp.  It's becoming BORING!

There is a limited number of times you can state the same stupidity, and no matter how many different ways you state it, it's still the same stupidity.

 

[Ballygrl]

I said this before, I know Democrats who were banned from there.

[miskie]

4. It was inevitable. Loss of Mods, election season, new fee

although I think I read the annual fee amount changed

The jury system is stupid
Members from the hard left got chased away
Too many cheerleader sockpuppets

But this will likely change after the election and DU will be user friendly again

Indeed - Once DU is given a common enemy - the Romney administration , they can get their hate on 24/7 and be cheered for it. Its not as easy when the policies they damned Bush for before had been continued or enhanced under Obama (Patriot act, Gitmo, etc -- and when NCLB was put on steroids and transformed into RTTT)

I think the biggest problem with the primitives, is that they seem wholly incapable of separating political matters from everything else.

[franksolich]

SidDithers (22,736 posts)   Sat Oct 13, 2012, 02:14 PM

29. And after November, it'll be even more of an anti-Obama free-for-all...as the "no bashing or trashing" shackles are taken off the Greens and Libertarians that post here.

DevonRex (18,225 posts)  Sat Oct 13, 2012, 02:20 PM
 
30. Yup. I would like to thank those who have restrained from criticism during this time, too. I've seen quite a few who have stated that it was too important so they'd wait until after the election.

I can't express my gratitude enough. They really want the best for this country. They have my admiration because it hasn't been easy to change gears.

grantcart (36,664 posts)  Sat Oct 13, 2012, 04:39 PM

44. Yes and all we will have to fight back is reason and facts, wait!!!

dionysus (21,712 posts)   Sat Oct 13, 2012, 05:14 PM

47. vaht? the trolls will be even more anti Dem because no one enforces the TOS? ....vaht?

vaz you shaying shumthing... to meeeee?

sabrina 1 (29,921 posts)   Sat Oct 13, 2012, 09:32 PM

79. 'Shackles'?? Interesting choice of wording. No one is 'shackled' here.

To be perfectly honest, which I assume we can since this is META, your name has been mentioned more than most others by some really good DUers who no longer post here. Also, it was revealed on your transparency page that you are among the most ignored people on DU.

Bottom line is anyone who really cared about this forum seeing all those signs that their contributions to the site have an overall negative effect on the site itself, would have tried to do something about it.

Our elections here in the US are about issues. They are NOT about personalities. Nor are we Republicans who march in lockstep like Rimjob's ditto heads over on FR.

Trying to turn DU into FR is not going to work as Democrats in the US are traditionally vastly different from the Far Right morons who are more than willing to follow the leader without question.

So maybe just accept the fact that if you were to succeed in your goals for DU it would empty out so fast all that would be left would a few dozen of those who do not want any discussion of issues at all but want blind party loyalty with no effort to improve that party.

Which is probably why the admins run this board very differently from the way you seem to think they should.

SidDithers (22,736 posts)  Sat Oct 13, 2012, 10:03 PM

81. Say "HI" to all those alleged "really good DUers" for me...

Your opinion of what constitutes a "really good DUer" leaves a bit to be desired. After all, you were one of BBI's biggest defenders, and thought they were a "highly respected DUer".

^^^okay, the brain cells are missing.  Who was "BBI"?  Anybody remember?  A primitive of any importance?

Luminous Animal (15,381 posts)   Sat Oct 13, 2012, 10:31 PM

85. BBI ordered her/his own pizza. The flameout was by design..

The political discourse is so remarkably stifling here that I've thought of doing something similar myself. But I have better things to do.

sabrina 1 (29,921 posts)  Sat Oct 13, 2012, 11:51 PM

90. And another scintillating discussion begins!

One thing I can say is that you can always be depended upon to prove me right every time.

Exhibit # one zillion of exactly what I was talking about! Thank you very much for saving me the bother of searching for examples.

^^^the sabrina primitive must be a real bitch.

At least it seems that way.

SidDithers (22,736 posts)  Sun Oct 14, 2012, 12:49 AM

96. You replied to me, sabrina...

If you don't want "scintillating discussions", stop provoking them. I almost never initiate a conversation with you. 95% of the time, you comment on something I've posted and then complain about the reply you get.

And truthfully, I only ever read about the first 2 or 3 lines of your voluminous screeds anyway, so all your hundreds of words are wasted on me.

sabrina 1 (29,921 posts)   Sun Oct 14, 2012, 01:26 AM

97. I have been already been informed that more than two sentences is too much for 'intelligent' people to read on DU! I guess hundreds of people are attracted to sign up here by not so volumous screeds such as this:

...

Is that a group talking point btw "voluminous screeds"? Thank you for the compliment, I I would be very insulted if anyone thought I was not capable of writing more than one or two lines.

Again you demonstrate why this once interesting board, where people wrote more than a snarky one-liner, or where a couple of dots with a laughing roly poly guy is considered 'intelligent' is no longer interesting to so many people.

I remember reading all those incredibly interesting voluminous screeds that so many of us miss which have been replaced with boring one or two liners that say nothing at all.

I have noticed that most right wing boards are filled with one or two line comments. Check it out sometime, it's remarkable, voluminous screeds are very rare on the far right, but then no one expects much more from them.

Democrats otoh, can read and write and understand voluminous screeds and the more voluminous the screed, the better, the more information there is to absorb. Right wingers don't want information, it taxes their little brains.

Look on the bright side. At least I'm one of the few who still hasn't put you on ignore yet, although I admit, I'm thinking about it. I just have more patience than most people.

Just a thought, if reading is too taxing for you, if one liners is your speed, maybe political forums are not your thing?

I hope this screed is not too voluminous for you.

^^if rudeness could get a primitive thrown off Skins's island, the sabrina primitive'd be the first to go.

SidDithers (22,736 posts)    Sun Oct 14, 2012, 01:36 AM

98. tl:dr...

^^^I've seen that, but have no idea what it means.

sabrina 1 (29,921 posts)   Sun Oct 14, 2012, 04:23 AM

103. ts:dr ...

Lol, you read it, but you didn't like it.

As I said, since you admit to only being able to handle one liners, maybe political forums are not your thing! Seriously, why not try some other forums where more than one line is considered a 'superfluous screed'.

There are so many of them. Mostly on the Right I admit, they converse in one-liners, can't handle more than three sentences at the most. Ever read the Cave? Lol, now there's a place where two sentences is waaaaay too much for them to handle!

But HERE, people read, they talk, about issues. Doesn't seem to be a good fit for you.

You seem so unhappy here all the time, always lashing out at the Left etc. Seriously, why spend time on a place you despise so much, where comments of three or four paragraphs are too long for you to read?

^^^it's confirmed; the sabrina primitive in fact is a real bitch.

treestar (36,495 posts)   Sun Oct 14, 2012, 02:53 AM

100. Freepers are shackled here

The board is for Democrats. And other progressives, who sometimes it is hard to tell the difference between critical progressives and freepers in disguise. Some of them seem to hate the Democrats as much as any right winger could.

Prism (3,057 posts)    Sat Oct 13, 2012, 02:11 PM

 28. DU is shallower

I just don't find much interesting to read or discuss outside of forums like Science and whatnot.

Maybe it's election mode, maybe not. But there's only so many posts in the vein of "Romney is a poopyhead!" and "I don't like that the media aren't saying precisely what I want them to say!" before my eyes glaze over. Politics have overtaken policy, and it makes for less compelling reading.

I feel like I've watched DU shed about 50 IQ points in the past six months.

Maybe after November things will settle down.

Right now, the site seems overrun with unfiltered, petulant adolescent screaming.

Fearless (10,972 posts)   Sat Oct 13, 2012, 02:24 PM


32. Ehh, all things run in cycles.

People get busy and have other things to do in life. And there are slow news cycles. We are constantly focused on the Presidential race now and there's only so much one can say. Point out the last time we spoke anything about what Congress is doing or any number of other areas. There just isn't that much news right now that people are interested in talking about. It will pick up again after the elections. In the meantime, you'll get busy spurts around election topics.

I also don't buy the "we scared the lefties away", the jury and alert system didn't scare people away. It removed people who were disrupting. Now disrupting is more thickly veiled, something juries cannot see, and that's why it looks like the system doesn't work. Likewise, I feel a lot of people just doing say anything at all if they have nothing nice to say. That's a plus not a negative.

sufrommich (12,349 posts)   Sat Oct 13, 2012, 02:37 PM

35. I defy any long term DUer to show me a forum which has become more obsessed with "trolls" and "disrupter's" or even other members than DU . Creating the Meta forum was one of the biggest mistakes made with DU3, there are far too many busy bodies here who seem more interested in the comings and goings of other DUers than they are in politics. Frankly, this new found obsession with all things DU has made DU boring,it's spilled out into other forums and groups and made DU seem like little more than a mundane board with very little content and lots of silly infighting, it seems immature compared to other political boards now.

PotatoChip (1,216 posts)   Sat Oct 13, 2012, 03:24 PM

38. I visit probably just as often as before, but post much less these days.

Not sure why really, other than the fact that, for a number of personal reasons, I went through a period of depression from about July until mid-September-ish. However, that is only one factor, and certainly does not explain why I feel less motivated to jump into discussions these days.

I don't blame our DU3 digs though. Not at all. In fact, I enjoy being here far more than I did while on DU2. It feels much more intimate somehow, not as big and scary.

Perhaps it is because of the transparency aspect, but for whatever reason, I feel as if I better understand where various posters are coming from, even if I sometimes disagree with them. Here on DU3, I've come to not only respect, but actually feel a kind of kinship w/posters that I used to consider to be intimidating.

Sorry. This probably does not answer your question, but bottom line, I think DU has improved for the better, and though I (and perhaps others) may not be participating as much as in the past, it just may be part of cyclical thing that just 'happens' sometimes?

JackRiddler (18,726 posts)   Sat Oct 13, 2012, 05:08 PM

46. It's kind of obvious and dangerous to discuss.

There are two visions here:

- A place for the left within the Democrats at a time when the country is in great crisis -- as it has been since the moment DU was founded -- i.e., not just "Democratic" but also "Underground."

- A cheerleading appendage to Democratic campaigns.

I question its utility as the latter -- since there is an extreme aggression to people who aren't fully on the party line, although obviously the party also needs such people to win. As you say, the result has been a less lively and interesting place, and how does that help?

Option 1 is largely wiped out. Most of the interesting analyses & debates were coming out of that corner. I see people still around who supported the Iraq war resolution in 2003 and made light of the 2004 election fraud, but few of the people who helped break open the lies in both cases at the time.

The forums usually get more interesting after the election seasons.

I like it for Latest Breaking News (still a great aggregator) and for those debates on issues that still interest me and can be had here without running into the righteous flamery.

Star Member freshwest (20,143 posts)   Sat Oct 13, 2012, 05:23 PM

50. I attribute the slowdown to my Ignore list. No worries.

Jamastiene (31,066 posts)   Sat Oct 13, 2012, 05:41 PM

53. Visit every day, but post much much less.

It's just not worth it to post that much any more.

You cannot post nowadays without offending those who say the rest of us are too easily offended. They are offended that we would dare be offended to see so much homophobia and sexism on DU. They are a loud bunch and they are clearly winning, because they shoot down anyone who is offended by becoming even more offensive. Apparently, if a woman tries to look out for herself to keep from getting raped when in public, she is just as bad as a racist, according to many on DU nowadays. But, Heaven help her if she is "too friendly" in public. Then, they'll say she was asking for it if she gets raped. DU is no place for a woman any more.

Anyone remember the old Yahoo Message Boards? Yeah, I see so much slide by juries nowadays here that I realize this place is becoming that. It is sad to see. It makes me post much much less often.

hollysmom (451 posts)   Sat Oct 13, 2012, 06:02 PM

57. Well, I just started posting again recently

I would have left right away because of the rudeness of some people who disagree but can't be polite, they have to try and destroy you but instead I got pissed. I was immediately identified as a troll by someone who I have blocked, I read their posts to the mods to ask for me to be banned. What the heck is wrong with some posters - do they want to be less supporting democrats in this world?

You would think they could say, I think you are wrong, lets discuss it, but NOOOO, lets start insulting and attacking someone new. I admit, although I have been on message boards for decades, and was banned for having an argument with a reporter on CNN chat which was ok since they owned that board, when they had that, most boards I post at today have courtesy rules, so I was not prepared. Before I had my physical breakdown (very very very high blood pressure because of the war in Iraq, cried every night of shock and awe) and was ordered to stay away from politics, I used to post here and people were way more polite.

Any way, right now, I am not going to let rude people rule.

Bucky (38,623 posts)   Sat Oct 13, 2012, 06:25 PM

69. Bush had us more pissed off than Obama did. That might just be a good thing.

Curmudgeoness (8,400 posts)   Sat Oct 13, 2012, 06:56 PM

73. I am still here almost every day.

I do a lot more reading lately, and find that usually someone else has already said what I would have said. I rarely did OP's, even in DU2, so that is nothing new.

The one thing that I have encountered lately is more people who have derogatory comments to anything that they don't like, so if I have something to add that would open myself up to a flame war, I just pass.

Luminous Animal (15,381 posts)   Sat Oct 13, 2012, 08:09 PM

74. Too many things that the rest of the world is talking about that we are not allowed to discuss.

So, I mostly hang out on twitter (all of my follows are political from around the world) and a tiny board that I own and run comprised of members of the old Michael Moore discussion board. It may be slow but its far more interesting than DU.

Hogwash (12,095 posts)  Sat Oct 13, 2012, 08:40 PM

75. Why should I have to defend Democrats at a site named Democratic Underground?

People said they wanted more transparency from our federal government, and they got it!

So, what's the problem?

Nadine is right, we're on the verge of another civil war.

Someone did a drive-by and took a shot through the front window of the Obama campaign headquarters in Denver yesterday.

Luminous Animal (15,381 posts) Sat Oct 13, 2012, 10:03 PM

82. You are right. All Democratic office holders are perfect and the rank & file should shut up and let the leaders set the agenda.

^^^ain't nothing wrong with the primitives shutting up and sitting down, and letting their betters set the agenda.

Violet_Crumble (26,532 posts)   Sat Oct 13, 2012, 10:29 PM

84. I've been at DU since 2002 but I'm no longer very active...

I'm on the MIRT for another week or two, but once that's done, I doubt I'll be participating much at all. There's a couple of reasons for it...

I liked DU2 and the old mod system. While sometimes there were problems with consistency, it's nothing compared to the jury system which is beyond inconsistent and can result in the exact same insult being hidden in a thread by one DUer while the other is left standing. Jurors who don't read the post and don't understand the dynamics of the group they're judging a post in are also a problem, as are the free speech at all costs brigade.

Then there's the treatment of bigotry by juries. Sometimes a jury does get it right, but at DU3 it's more likely that a personal attack will be hidden than a bigoted post. There's been a few antisemitic and Islamophobic posts hidden where I've read the comments of jurors who voted to leave them alone and done a facepalm. And the TOS thing sucks. It doesn't work...

Apart from the 'revolutionary' new moderating system, and a lesser factor, is the other thing that makes hanging out at DU less of a Must Do for me is what I've seen in Meta. I'm guessing that all the bullying and nastiness and bullshit is what the mod system kept hidden from the sight of average DUers like me, and Meta's put it front and centre and given some folk a stage complete with spotlights and an adoring audience in which they stomp around and cast themselves in the role of the aggrieved party in a multitude of self-made dramas. I'm guessing it's what the Lounge used to be like at DU2 or something. I find it really hard to see someone acting like someone I wouldn't want to have anything to do with in Meta, and then see them agreeing with me on something political somewhere else at DU.

But while there's people like me who've been at DU forever stepping away, I have noticed there's things like DUers joining back in 2008-09 for example who didn't post much then, but suddenly switched on with DU3. So I'm guessing they must thrive with this new system, so maybe it all evens out in the wash...

I just wish we could take the look and feel of DU3 back to DU2 and get rid of the jury system....

MuseRider (22,532 posts)   Sat Oct 13, 2012, 11:55 PM

91. I tend to agree with you except I think the jury thing would have worked out OK if it were not for the fact that if you do it right it sometimes takes a while and a lot of people do not want to spend the time. I have seen some really good juries come from the time well spent and some really bad juries when you are certain nobody ever even looked at what was going on.

I posted a ton before we came here. I am not thrilled with the way the things that I did not like before have been amplified on DU3. Perhaps I am just too old and stuck in my own ways but if this is what is acceptable for political discourse we are in for a wild ride. I am OK backing away although I do miss the long threads where everyone hacked away at a topic to sometimes come to some kind of understanding with much less hacking away at each other.

Skip Intro (17,076 posts)   Sun Oct 14, 2012, 12:19 AM

93. I visit and post far less now.

For reasons stated upthread, and for other reasons.

What used to be a board of honest and thoughtful conversation, and a golden source for breaking news, is becoming more and more a place of suspicion and attack, with less and less to offer in the way of real information.

The experience is no where near the same.

Many good and valuable DUers have left, with or without announcement. Some have been purged.

This is what building an echo chamber looks like.

--the end

[Chris_]

The gardening group has a ban list?  These people can't get along with anybody, can they?

Arkansas Granny (13,529 posts)  Sat Oct 13, 2012, 03:24 PM

39. ...and finding a dozen or more posts on the same subject because some posters have egos so large that they feel the need to start a new thread rather than comment in one already started by another.

oh my

[dane]

^^^okay, the brain cells are missing.  Who was "BBI"?  Anybody remember?  A primitive of any importance?

BetterBelieveIt.

[Carl]

Dear DUmbasses,your hatred of everything has allowed  us to easily imitate you and infiltrate you.
You have no idea who is real and who is one of us. 

[Ballygrl]

Dear DUmbasses,your hatred of everything has allowed  us to easily imitate you and infiltrate you.
You have no idea who is real and who is one of us.

I'm starting to think SidDithers is a mole.

[USA4ME]

sabrina 1

I remember reading all those incredibly interesting voluminous screeds that so many of us miss which have been replaced with boring one or two liners that say nothing at all.

I have noticed that most right wing boards are filled with one or two line comments. Check it out sometime, it's remarkable, voluminous screeds are very rare on the far right, but then no one expects much more from them.

(snip)

There are so many of them. Mostly on the Right I admit, they converse in one-liners, can't handle more than three sentences at the most. Ever read the Cave? Lol, now there's a place where two sentences is waaaaay too much for them to handle!

Brevity is the soul of wit.  Listen primitive, I can say something in 50 words that takes you 500 because I'm more intelligent than you can ever hope to be.  Having to discuss ideas over 1000's of words that can easily be said in much fewer is a sign of your inability to organize your thoughts, if the crap you believe can even be placed in that category.  I realize that concept is beyond your ability to comprehend sabrina 1, but maybe you can write it down and someday an individual will take the time to explain it to you over the course of 100's of paragraphs.  My time is too valuable to waste on explaining simple concepts to someone as stupid as you.

.

[Carl]

I'm starting to think SidDithers is a mole.

With the number of times my mole has privatively talked to Mike I think Stinks may actually be too.

[AllosaursRus]

--from the meta forum on Skins's island, so no link.

Yeah.

^^^must be directed at the oblate spheroid.

^^^Hmmm.  So that must be what happened to the hippywife primitive, Mrs. Alfred Packer, in the cooking and baking forum.

Some pricks there scared her away.

The pie-and-jam primitive should probably investigate this.

--to be continued

I luv it when they eat their own!

LaurenG (24,650 posts)   Sat Oct 13, 2012, 11:31 AM

6. Stalkers and some people here who are too big for their britches

it gets old.

Hmmmmmm, NadaBrain is gettin' jumped on, huh? Heh, heh!

These morons haven't figured out why there's a jury system yet? Hey, DUmmies, it's because Skins doesn't have to work anymore and y'all can still fund his perpetual vacations. No mods, no worky, get it?

[Karin]

This was an interesting read.  Liberals are the meanest, nastiest, rudest people on earth, and they just looked full on into a mirror. 

As for Sabrina, she's not getting it.  In the marketplace of ideas that is the internet, you have to entice someone to read your post.  Its competition is infinite.  I think that Sabrina thinks everyone hangs on to her every word, to the end, and cannot imagine anything different.