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The DU Begins to Amusingly Implode
I honestly never expected that I would be posting this. Even when the campaign was going terribly, I was somehow able to remain optimistic that the American people would do the right thing. I couldn't let myself feel any other way; the alternative was just too depressing to imagine. But It looks like my faith in the wisdom of the American people was misplaced this time.
Funny, I was just thinking the opposite myself. America my beloved country, how could I have ever doubted you?
But I still have faith in the members of DU. This is an amazing group of people. You have been a great source of sanity and support during the last four years.
Um, a great source of sanity? Amusement perhaps, but definately not sanity.
This election loss heralds the beginning of a new era on DU. People are angry and depressed, and rightly so. I fear that things might get pretty ugly on this discussion forum for a while, but I remain confident that we will eventually pull through this, just like we always do.
Oh, I doubt it. Prob'ly you'll you'll fall into a deep depression. The world will seem even grayer than it does today. There won't be any hope. Eventually you'll OD on some sort of cheap narcotic or turn to prostitution. Too bad. You had such potential.
This is a pretty diverse group of people, and it's clear that people are going to deal with this election defeat in different ways. Some members are going to come to DU looking for a shoulder to blubber cry on. Others are going to come here looking to bitch and moan for a fight. Still others may have completely different feelings entirely. We believe that it is understandible and healthy for people to feel angry or sad or whatever. We do not think it is possible for us to force people to deny their feelings right now, and we're not even going to try (except in the most extreme cases).
"Trying to control yourself is so bourgeouis."
However, it is clear that certain types of emotions do not mix well on a busy message board like this one. We have decided that the only feasible solution is to enforce a segregation between the people who want a shoulder to cry on, and the people who want an ass to kick.
I live in Berkeley part of the time and the next DU person who wants "an ass to kick" I meet will be the first.
With this in mind, the two General Discussion forums have been re-named. The "General Discussion: Help and Support" forum is for those people who are looking for help and support. If you feel sad, or if you are the type of person who thinks that we're all in this together, then that is the forum for you.
That's assuming you get your jollies weeping and listening to other people whine.
But if you are feeling very angry about the election, or if you are feeling like pointing fingers and placing blame, you should post in the other GD forum, the "General Discussion: Fighting and Acrimony" forum.
Beyond pathetic.
We know that it is not possible to make everyone happy, but we hope that this rough split will provide people with a choice so you can decide what type of message board experience that you need right now. All you have to do is decide which forum to post your topic in. I think everyone here is capable of making that choice.
What if somebody feels like kicking a blubberer's ass? How's that work?
Please be aware that the moderators will still be enforcing the message board rules, including the rules against personal attacks and flame bait. We expect all of our members to continue to observe the message board rules. And we want to remind everyone that we are all still on the same side here. You may be angry, but remember that the people here are supposed to be your friends and allies.
....so please try to remember that as you turn upon one another like a pack of rabid weasels over the next few months....
And if you ever feel so angry that you want to disrupt or pick fights, or deliberately piss people off, I strongly advise that you turn off your computer and turn off the cable news and go do something else that will make you feel better. Nobody ever got banned from DU because they took a break.
Nope. You get banned if your politics are anywhere to the right of Stalin's.
Posted by: Secret Master 2004-11-03
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=47714