... like DU, where conservatives are quickly banished.

The other type is a hate-fest where conservatives will repeat their talking points (even immediately after they're debunked) and spout venom for anyone who might have a different opinion.

however some of them claim to be open to both sides and not partisan which so far is anything but true...slowly they do things to give advantage to the wingers especially if they are constantly bested with facts and argument by those on the left. The same thing is magnified if your a liberated woman...

Even when it's clear this isn't enough to make me leave if there are good people whose posts are intelligent and informative. However, when they start ginning up vendettas and banning good people I lose all patience and start looking for somewhere else. I may just stop participating in political discussion forums all together as I've seen this happen over and over. This is probably their objective, having those like me shut up and sit down.

Thanks for your thoughts.

You may want to try gaiaonline.com

They have a political forum section in Extended Discussion.

It is more of a kid forum, there is barely any moderation(if at all) but, it is pretty mixed. You can just like or dislike a post, to show how dumb it is. Also, since the avatars are virtual currency based, what your avatar looks like and what you have in items sometimes color how much credence someone will give you.

It is also frequented by younger individuals who police themselves. The smarter ones are pretty cutting, which is good if you're trying to sharpen your wit. Albeit, it is more often than not internet wit.

I used to be a member of commongroundcommonsense.org but that disappeared.
I tried to look for another forum, but just ended up here in DU.

Good luck.

I'll look in on it but from your description, and my being and older individual, I'd prefer a forum with knowledgable people who have an understanding of history. I might enjoy it for wit and they might possibly be interesting (I don't do endless snark well).

However, there are many individuals there that will have a thorough knowledge.
Many are also in college, and those are the ones you get to deal with.
Since it doesn't really have moderation, and the only true ways you can get banned is if you mess around with the currency, buy stuff illegaly, it gives people leeway to talk whatever way they want.

Still, because that is how things are, you gain reputation instead, to see if you would get listened to or not.
Some are very strict abour requiring articles and proof to your assertations. It works best in that sense.

You may want to at least read through things before posting. It is a jungle there, but the opinions are wide and varied.

I can't always handle stupidity.

You've piqued my interest. I don't require moderation, I'm capable of doing that myself and I don't need protection. I've only been banned once but I can't stand an uneven playing field that favors stupid people who like to trash others and refuse to back up their memes with facts etc.

It's the stupidity I can't stand. I have no patience with it.

Do you participate there?

It is a mixed bag.
Sometimes it can be rather insightful, and sometimes you just have to do a face palm and wonder about other people's children.

My suggestion from a place like that is to just not respond to stupidity but do answer the ones that make reasoned arguments.

Also Charles Pierce at Esquire.

but I'll look into your recs. Charles Pierce eh? Esquire? Interesting suggestion...I'll look into it. Thanks for your recommendations, I appreciate it.