bravo

Good grief.

Shame on you.

Smh.

DU doesn't even represent 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000.0000000000000000001% of Democrats or Liberals or Progressives.

... this web site becomes their reality ... their matrix. Spend enough time behind these walls and it's easy to forget what the real world is like.

(as leftofcool said).

However, I would also suggest that DU is incredibly tame compared to most of what I've read out there.

The vitriol here is ten times worse in the comment sections of most political sites (DKos, Politico, Slate--just to name a few). Further more the comment sections on MSM sites (ABC/CBS/NBC/CNN) are much, much worse.

I've noticed that local newspapers are incredible vitriolic. I've perused dozens of local newspaper, as the campaign has progressed through different states. The comment sections in these papers are crazy-on-steroids with insults and personal slams.

I don't know of any other sites that have a jury system that tempers and quells comments. The effect is that those sites are pretty feral compared to DU. Everything is heightened in DU now, but it's nothing compared to what it's like on the outside.

I would also say that the comment sections of some of the more liberal outlets (Reddit, NYTimes, Huffington Post) are 80 percent very enthusiastic and die-hard Sanders supporters. Those sites are more civil. I love reading the NYTimes comment sections, because the comments are intelligent, thoughtful and insightful.

Each website has its own flavor, for sure.

Thanks for working hard for Bernie.

Here's hoping you find those good conversations and the general good-humored large-heartedness which is certainly in short supply here, and over much of the internet...

Keep practicing and you'll get calluses, and soon it won't hurt at all.

:lol:
Every couple years, I come back in here to slap myself around a bit, swear it off - and then here I am again. News is so much safer.

But I gotta say, I've never heard more truth from one candidate, nor more lies from the other.

Not for the weak of heart. Some out it on ignore.

There's a Bernie Sanders forum, and a Socialist Progressive forum, in addition to LBN & General. Much safer for general dem conversation right now.

Here's where some of us Bernie supporters hangout to catch a breath of fresh air:

http://jackpineradicals.org/content.php

Reddit's Bernie group is very positive too.

"...all of the abuse came from people who are on the same side as me."

Go hang out with even more Bernie people since they have been so nice here.

GD Primaries is a place to avoid. Thank you for working for Bernie.

We do tend to be nasty and off the rails during the primary season.

I hope you'll take a break out there in the real world where you're making a difference for Bernie, and then return after we have a nominee.

Things will settle down after the primary wars stop.

We need thoughtful intelligent folks like you to help us beat the Republicans.

I also joined recently, was leaning Bernie but ended up so turned off by the meanness of his supporters. I don't understand why people think that aggressive tactics will help recruits voters. Yes, there are people who acquiesce to bullies, but most people who come here looking for honest dialog are not of that sort.

You sound young and committed and idealistic. Please don't let your experience here change that.

Remember, this is just a message board with lots of people saying things anonymously. Many of them are not who or what they claim to be and I suspect that the cruelest and most hateful ones have very little going on in the real world and attacking others while hiding behind their keyboards, saying things they probably would never have the nerve to say to anyone in person, is how they compensate for the shortcomings of their actual lives. But remember, they are irrelevant to you.

You go and do your thing, canvass and phone bank and fight like hell for your candidate. And win or lose, know that you did the right thing. If Bernie wins, you can savor a great victory and know that you truly made a difference. If he falls short, know that you did your best and there is no shame in your (or his) game and that only means when you do win, it will be all the sweeter.

Take care of yourself.

People here.

Like you.

and the supporters are, for better or worse, a reflection of the people they support. Trump is a perfect example.

I read through your posts. I do sincerely wish you all the best. Sincerely. Sincere.

I've been here over 10 years and can say that the primary season is a minefield.
Besides, there's the lounge, photography group, many, many facets here at DU,
not just politics.

you can ignore those horrible people who are not worthy of my time. I found a few great members who taught me a lot over the years.

I understand how you feel. At a certain point in my DU time, when some people turned against me and followed me around like stalkers, I did take a long term break for a few years. It is good to do that. Lots get done in the real world as well. So take it easy and see you around when you feel like coming back....

And then they play this stupid game where you're supposed to have ego problems because they have the emotional maturity of a 12 year old.

It's them, not you.

Seems like a good decision, though, and possibly a reality check for others.

but everyone is not bad. I agree so much with you, sometimes it can be quite stressful and highly immature.

It wasn't always this awful. I don't know what this means for the future. I'd say stay, but without the attachments of old it might not be worth it.

Last edited Wed Feb 24, 2016, 03:14 AM - Edit history (1)

Yes it is ugly here. It will be beer by mid March, and a whole lot better.

no it won't because Bernie Sanders will still be in the running. Sorry to burst your bubble.

He can trash the forum.

That was not a comment about Sanders.

But I LOVE the idea of it being "beer" in March

Please check back after what WAS a great site may/may not recover from this vindictiveness.

There are other areas I would visit, however. I used to spend (and probably will return) to the many other areas under "topics". I also can be PM'd for a positive web site which I shall NOT name here.

Please feel free to do that with me.

I looked up the lists of posters in groups/forums and I didn't see your name in the Bernie Sanders Group. Maybe you could take a look there (it's under Democrats on the right). We try to keep it civil in there and we got complimented on it today.

I'm only here since 2012 but I understand it gets very very tense here and this primary season is exceptionally nasty for all of us. Keep in mind though - not everyone who posts here is a legitimate member of DU who joined with good intent. Some are plants who get paid to stir up trouble.

The vast majority here are good people who are able to be civil to one another.

If you stick around, you'll find out quickly that it's pretty much the same few who are consistently hateful to others.

Place them on ignore, or take refuge in the Bernie group. I'm not a fan of protected groups, but you can feel safer there at least.

I hope you'll reconsider. Check out the Lounge or any of the numerous other forums.

I don't know if you're still around, lurking. If you are, I'd like to thank you for your post. Sometimes we forget that there are Sanders supporters who are thoughtful and genuinely want to be part of the process of electing a Democrat as president. I'm very sorry that people from your own side have attacked you so viciously; believe me, we've all seen that on GD-P. We've even seen it in the protected forums, like the Hillary Clinton group.

I'd ordinarily suggest you hang out in the Sanders group, but from what you say you may well be attacked there, too. I can't understand why people have to be so nasty. I know that there are few consequences for doing so online, but still. Sorry to see you go; I think you've added something valuable here.

It has gotten pretty bad lately.