A relevant quote re: DU acrimony and candidate bashing

I am not a DU old-timer. I started posting here in May, although I had been reading posts since 2001 or so.

I've been seeing a lot of old-timers sadly shaking their heads in disgust at all the Dean/Clark/kerry-bashing going on, and frankly, I can't say I blame them. I don't even post in GD anymore, it's too disheartening.

If I had to count all the verious threads I've seen in the last four months that were just obvious flamebait, I'd run out of numbers. We seriously need to cool it on that stuff. Each of the frontrunners looks good to me. AND THE GOAL HERE IS TO PROCEED AS A UNIFIED GROUP TO OUST BUSH AND ELECT A DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE, IS IT NOT?

Well, read on:

"In the sixteenth century, Italy consisted of numerous independent principalities which ere often at war with one another. When a prince conquered a neighboring city, he would sometimes breed internal conflicts among the vanquished citizens. This was an effective way to maintain political control over the people because the endless squabbling prevented the vanquished people from engaging in unified action against the conqueror. It did not greatly matter over what issues the people bickered SO LONG AS THEY VALIANTLY STRUGGLED AGAINST ONE ANOTHER AND NOT AGAINST THE CONQUERING PRINCE. (emphasis mine.)"

Ten bucks goes to the person who can guess here this quote comes from; in any case, SOUND FAMILIAR? Next time you think it's a grand idea to post some kind of "Clark is a waco/war criminal" thread or a "Dean's anger does not appeal to voters" thread or some such RW propaganda designed to keep us forever squabbling, remember the above passage.

That is all.

The Prince?

I take checks or money orders.

seriously, tho... why do we always take the bait?

Although I'll hold out for the possibility that Madison's intent was at least slightly benevolent.

...I just can't guess. I'm stumped.

Let's discuss the merits of the candidates and then once the primaries select the final nominee let's wholeheartedly support him/her.

The only issue that really matters right now is the defeat of Bush.

but here it goes....Hermann Goering? That Nazi made similar statements regarding how to keep dissenters in line. Just a wild guess.

And I agree with you that the squabbling is truly disheartening. I'm going to hang in here though until the primaries are over. I've been assured that the threads in here will change for the better once we get our nominee. Always an optimist!

If I'm right, save your ten bucks. But, you are EXACTLY right in your observation. What is this, a game, people? The very survival of our nation, and the notion of self government, is at stake here, yet we have Dean-haters criticizing Kerry, slamming Kucinich, etc. etc. You can support your candidate without HATING other Dems. Save it for the real Dark Force. I despair.

Some time in March, the Democrats are only going to have one candidate left, and we'd all better be prepared to back that person if Bush is going to be beaten.

We must learn to live together as brothers... or we will die alone as fools.

I agree and will take this to heart as being good advice.

They have different records, rhetoric and policies.

They also have various inconsistencies...

The differences & weaknesses need to be discussed.

and I have not participated in those threads (except to stick up for Clark a few times), I gotta admit I have learned a lot. And God help me, I think I've become a Deanie. :crazy:

I just KNOW he is going to have a hell of a time beating Bush but, damn he impressed the hell out of me lately, particularly on Hardball last night.

Mathews starting pressuring him on his bringing his medical records to the draft exam (he had a bad back and he brought his ex-rays). Ultimately the Army classified him 1Y and he avoided Vietnam. Chris kept pushing and finally asked him if he brought his medical records with the hope of being disqualified. And Dean said "Yes". Simple, honest and without apology. I really liked that.

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n/t

The thread was locked early and I was late to find it was unlocked.

This issue is soooooooo important, it just can't be emphasized enough. We have got to get beyond this.

And maybe think about turning the tables back on them.

*evil grin*

Unity is what we need indeed.

To see your candidate slammed up against the wall but this is a process we will have to go through if not now, then after we have a nominee. The Repugs will not agree not to slam us.
So this should be practice for the real thing, and we should be tolerant at least to some extent of the anti post. The only rules that we should abide by are the ones of civility, and it would be helpful if we would just try to show our love while we stand our ground and speak our mind.