I understand them not wanting to support the site so long as it's as unfriendly as it is, but that's a big problem. I'd buy stars for some of the AA posters here so they can fill up their jury blacklists if they want, but I know it isn't an issue of them not having money, but of them not wanting to support the site while AA DUers are treated so poorly. Me supporting DU for them isn't a solution.

I have a star so that I can fill up that jury blacklist, and so I can give away hearts at Valentine's Day. (That's when I renew.)

It says that you can increase to 15 is you become a star member, but I don't know what a star member sees, so I'll refrain from further statement about something I don't know.

Even 15 wouldn't help for someone who speaks their mind and doesn't put up with bullshit because people get offended when their "opinions" are falsehoods.

The hair fire is being doused, surely.

Thing is, DemocraticUnderground will most likely never recover from this. Not completely. I'm concerned more, however about the AA posters who've been exposed to some the vilest crap I've ever seen from a liberal community.

I hope you all are ok, I love you as much as it's possible to love invisible internet people, (heh!) And I'm so very sorry about this ugly, ugly time. I'm sickened with sorrow.

Asses has have been uncovered--and what pustulant asses they are.

I saw things like this coming back in May, accelerating in June and more in July - now in August it's become intolerable.

And most people here know why it has gotten so bad.

I'm quite angry about this, she's a good poster and if she comes off as angry sometimes, she's got a right to be.

The only good thing about the hiatus will be if the pissy alerters who targeted her find a new shiny object to pursue and forget all about her when she comes back.

The jury system, sadly, has given power to bullies and that makes DU suck.

DU currently has a thread DEDICATED to taking down a BLM supporter...One young black woman. One young, black life. Gee, I wished it mattered on DU.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=7060303

I will say that not all gangs can be identified by their colors, be they blue or red.

If Mr. Sanders's commitment to the fight against institutional racism is questioned by her because of a few words NOT said, then allow others to cast aspersions over her credentials over a few words that she DID say.

Sauce for the gander is sauce for the goose.

A radical Christian and former Palin supporter?!? More likely a paid operative...of the GOP, no less.

I will take a closer look, but polish does not seem to a prerequisite for disruptors.

They quickly--and professionally--appropriated a whole shitload of patriotic accoutrements (and ruined them for children of the 13 colonies, perhaps forever). They wear three corner hats with tea bags attached, they wave "Don't Tread on Me" flags, they co-opt and misquote the Founding Fathers--they are VERY thematic, and -- in their own way-- polished.

They also stay relentlessly on message. They may not be bright, but they are dogged.

They have enough money to have one porta potty for every attendee at some venues.

The OutsideAgitators206 gaggle didn't even have a sign, or a costume, or even much of a speech. They were running on ire and core principle, pretty much.

They are well-funded and they get more exposure than they deserve. Do you seriously think that's an accident, or is that evidence of a certain amount of behind-the-scenes "polish?"

Good grief.

Just because I point out something that is frigging obvious doesn't mean I "approve" of it, and that's what I'm smelling with your rather non-responsive "You have GOT to be kidding" retort.

The Tea Party spends a shitload of money to appeal to predominantly caucasian people who live in trailer parks, crackerbox apartments, low income rural housing, and other assorted shitholes, who think that those people of a certain hue are "takin' their JERBS." These stupid (and you might argue, unpolished) people are the very useful--and in some regards, polished to a high sheen--useful tools of wealthy actors who use "Joe The Plumber" and "Harry and Louise" types to push their message.

The process that gets these people, many of whom look like refugees from Hee Haw, to do the bidding of these wealthy actors who fart through silk and wash their fingers in rosewater before dining with fine china and silver on their tables, is VERY polished.

Sometimes, it's hard as hell to game a whole crew of suffering fools to embrace their suffering, and blame it on other suffering fools. But those guys have done it. Spent a bundle doing it, but that thing has taken hold, that Tea Party.

I always feel good, and I hope you do, too, sincerely--this is just the internet, after all. With all the names I get called around these parts (I have a retinue of goaders and stalkers) I just have to laugh. I figure every time I get called a name, I've spoken a truth that caused someone to lose it and debase themselves.

Re: Tea Party, this is funny (and illustrates my original point!):

I showed him the door.

In reflection on just what the year past has meant for black lives.

and some people spent the day attempting to take down black lives matters.

you shall know them by their actions.

support on this forum. I'm not fooled by the folks coming out the woodworks now like, "Because of this incident, I no longer support BLM!!!1!1" AS IF they ever did in the first place.

And are now saying BLM disruptions are over a "ridiculous" issue. There is still so much work to be done on race in this country.

I deleted my FB a while ago and that was part of the reason. Most of my friends are moms and I realized that there were none who acknowledged my kids go through and will go through another set of issues in life that I plan for (and around), and that plan includes skepticism and fears they won't go through.

And I'm Mama-saurus Rex about my seeds, for real.

I'm with you 100% on this. Thanks!

As stated before, there are plenty of places to be in your feelings about the BLM protest if you are just here to support a candidate. If the others replying here do not want to get blocked as well, please show yourself out. Thank you.

for asking someone to leave this group is so over the top I can't comprehend it. Silencing the members of this group seems to have become the favorite pastime of some DUers and it is ruining DU.

As are the flocks of 4-3 hides. The system is being abused, and it doesn't look like anyone in admin is even noticing, much less thinking about how the system might be changed.

I think the jury system is a failure and should be scrapped. At a minimum I think that "outsiders" should not be allowed to alert in protected groups; the hosts can determine what is acceptable or not. Or the system can be changed where anyone can alert, but the alert goes to the group hosts, not a jury. Either way, people who are not a part of the group cannot keep alerting to get hides.

It is an abomination how the AAs are being treated on DU.

What I think MLK meant, was not that it was the "silencing" of his friends that would be remembered. But the "silence" of our friends. In other words, allies should speak out and add their voices to defend your position, but in our current political world, they often remain quiet for personal reasons--they just simply do not want to get involved.

What I see going on today is the opposite. A vigorous discussion is being held between groups that should eventually find common ground before the coming primary. Both sides need to define the terms that they are willing to accept. And at this stage, the words that people chose to use matters. It needs to make sense to everyone.

So, I think that this word parsing, though painful, is important and will lead to something productive in the end.

eom

Always. Even Democrats stomp the FUCK all over minorities given the change.

If so whats the point of telling them to leave? If you don't want them there just ban them. I'm not sure how it works.

Often times, someone will respond to a group post, not realizing it's a group. Educate before punishing.

That gives them room to come back later, when they're not so wrapped up, and when perhaps they can find an issue where they can give support.

In other groups, people complain that they weren't given any warning. In this group people often get several.

Lowering the boom has never been the method of FIRST resort here. Maybe it's time for this group to start being like the rest of 'em.

Thank you.

I feel bad for our two newer hosts - they must be like . . . What the hell is JAG doing!

Black folks - we can be patient. We can wait it out. We can bide.

The blocks I've done today or yesterday have not been in anger. I just want the peace back in the group - and that's the only way to accomplish that.

I've seen this on DU before, with other groups.

I don't have to be Black to want to hear Black voices.

I don't have to be a member of this forum to agree that attempts to silence ANYONE is an abomination.

I'm sorry this is happening.

The words for the protesters are what you'd find on FR. I just woke up and I'm already pissed off.

If they just showed up and want to electioneer - pull the plug!

Sanders supports have been told to cheer “We Stand Together” over and over if a "disruption" (their word, not mine) happens again by Black Lives Matter activists.

That salient point bears repeating

I haven't seen them claim this wasn't part of the movement they founded. And they've had ample time to do so, which I would have to believe they would if they didn't approve or were not associated.

I've learned a lot from Bravenak. Some people need to stop taking everything so damn personally . They also need to listen and learn.

Meta and other discussions are allowed in groups, as long as they in line with what hosts and members wish to discuss.

I've seen accusations of CoIntelPro being behind BLM (CoIntelPro targeted black activists in the 60s, why would they be supporting them?), accusations of BLM being racist against whites, comparisons of BLM to Willie Horton ads, and the demonization of George Soros for donating money to Ferguson protesters (which in bizzaro-world means BLM).

the payers being either the HRC campaign or the RNC, in addition to Soros! This place is indeed bizarre!

I feel like I only get on DU anymore if I want a cheap
cynical laugh and a dose of "what in the hell?!"

The political stuff is one thing. I can find ways to laugh about
the targeting of political rivals. That's like...an inquisition (get it...
inquisition....witch hunt...."feel the b[e]rn&quot .

...but the BLM stuff. It goes well beyond a couple of protesters,
their motives, or their methods. People will question anything. What's
really depressing about it is that you can see some people just using it
as an excuse to chastise or disown a segment of the population.
The "sit down and shut up" is palpable.

I don't tap dance for no man or woman.
I'm not a sheep therefore I don't follow blindly.

Truth be told none of these candidates nor Duers will understand what its like to be black in this world.

I just found this forum (thank goodness) this weekend after the main forum dissolved into a puddle of tears over BS. I've felt comfortable in this forum as a Black woman and I doubt I'll venture out too much anymore thanks to the vitriol spewed this weekend.

I hope some of the white progressives here know how paternalistic and condescending some of their posts are regarding Black people and no we're not overreacting. They sound just like a conservative forum board. Now attacking and silencing black voices on the board getting them banned because they make you uncomfortable speaking their reality? Not progressive at all to me.

I have been on DU lurking for a long time (since the 2000 election). I more or less just read posts and got some of my news from here. I joined during the 2008 election cycle since I was so excited about soon-to-be President Obama. The posts I saw flying around then were so discouraging that I decided I would only post when something really ticked me off. Well, the attacks on BLM here have really ticked me off.

Bernie is not the end all be all and neither is Hillary. I am really resenting the whole "we need to thank our lucky stars that Bernie is the new black savior" meme. That the majority culture feels that they can dictate to us who is good for us and who isn't is the epitome of patriarchy. I am sick of hearing that we should be grateful for the crumbs that fall from the master's table and to just sit down and shut up. Anyway, I am glad that this forum exists. I hope I don't get a hide from this rant but if I do, oh well.

Even if it is only to post in this group. We are seriously doing our best to stop the nonsense and make it a peaceful place again.

You ain't lying.

I'm glad you're still here and I hope there are no further BS reports.

I know it means she can't post, but is she gone forever?

WE CAN"T LET THIS GO ON!!!

We are losing our most intelligent posters, so we can have dozens and dozens of genius posts post with "feel the bern" "no more choosing the lesser evil", and on, dozens of brilliant one-liners! So much dept!

As a Latina, I've learned so much from posters such as BainsBaine, 1SBM (both who thankfully are still here) Bravenak , and Number23 and others who are no longer here.

With the loss of each poster, this site's IQ drops 50 points.

Seriously, is there nothing we can do?

Number23, if you are reading. You are one of my favorite posters. I look forward to your well-thought posts, and you have no idea how upset I am that you were locked-out

But in the end what these people are doing is what we call in Spanish "Manotadas de ahogado" roughly, someone who is drowning flapping their arms. No matter how hard they try, they will go down.

Sander will NOT win the primaries. They know it. It accounts for their hatefulness.

I'm so glad you are still here!

If one is being disrespectful to a host or a member . . . If they have recently - or have a history of being disruptive in this group. If they have grave danced. If you have never posted in the group and pop up to goad people into arguing with you - you are gone.

They are simply being blocked. I've blocked more people in the past 24 hours than I have in all my time as a Group Host.

Isn't this the AA forum? Should people not get a warning they are in a protected group?
I thought it was safe here. I don't even know what's allowed anymore. Does this happen in other groups?
All I can say is what's going on here at du is a microcosm of what black activist face irl from liberals
Am I allowed to say that?

I like liberals and I like Democrats but I realize the candidates, why generally good hearted, are not cardboard saints.

outside the group can alert as I understand it. I could be wrong...

group now.

No longer have to worry about giving warnings or trying to be temperate with the trolls that can NEVER be bothered to post in this forum when we are discussing housing discrimination, police brutality, discrepancies in prison sentencing, discrimination in employment, racism in health, racism in sports, racism in media etc. etc. etc. but are Eager Beaver as all hell to stomp this forum to the ground because we are not prostrating ourselves before the nearest bust of Bernie Sanders.

So all they did was bring even MORE attention to the alert stalking of minority members here and who's doing it, and give us ample reason to dissolve our "Ban as a Last Result" policy which JAG was already putting to EXCEPTIONALLY good use before the policy was even fully gone yet.

Good job jury!

Last edited Tue Aug 11, 2015, 07:29 PM - Edit history (1)

It did not break TOS.

It was a malicious hide.

You did nothing wrong in this thread or this group. You are welcome here.