Sticks and Stones

I'd like to think we were better than this. "Slick Willie," "Hitlery," "Billery," etc... Are there any nasty nicknames for Obama or Edwards? Oh, I know Johnny's been called "smarmy," (I think those that have used that descriptor need to consult a dictionary once in a while--it doesn't fit), but I see more name-calling directed at the Clintons than at any other candidate. And nasty, Republican devised nicknames, even. I see very few posts referring to Obama as "Osama" or referencing his middle name. See, that tells me something right there.

The level of political discourse has been reduced to childhood-like taunts and it's pathetic. As everyone knows by now, hopefully, I'm an Edwards supporter. He comes across as a true man of the People and that's what we need, now more than ever. But I will NEVER stoop to the level to which I've seen others descend. I'm not even going to engage such people anymore. It's not productive and it distracts from the important things--like the ISSUES of the campaign itself. Universal healthcare, the environment, the war, the systematic dismantling of the middle class, the skyrocketing cost of education, and the fact that there are fewer and fewer jobs that make that expense worthwhile.

Tell me something, it is still "We, the People," right? Why are so many people dedicating themselves to making it about the candidates? This isn't a goddamn popularity contest. Well, I suppose it is, but it doesn't have to be, regardless of how the corporate media is playing it.

We're electing someone to take the helm of the ship of state, someone who will hopefully steer us in a positive direction--who'll begin taking on the forces that are currently doing their level best to improve THEIR lots at the expense of everyone else. That's what this is really about.

The taunts are not only juvenile, they're disgusting. I'm beginning to wonder if DU might not need a "time out" clause just for the folks throwing nasty little names around, to make them stop and think about what they're doing.

From this moment on, I will put every person using childish taunts on ignore for the remainder of the primary season. Name calling is beneath us and those who engage in it aren't worth the energy it takes to bypass them. Right now my ignore list is empty. I'd prefer it stays that way. But I will not engage those who throw spitwads, or place metaphorical tacks on other DUers chairs.

We can take this seriously without acting like a bunch of spoiled children. Am I right?

And, I'm not even religious.

The cutesy nicknames do little other than point out those who should probably be taken less than seriously.

for other posters? Hmmm? Pumpkin?

:rofl:

That "cupcake" crap is some of the most condescending garbage on DU. The funny part is that one originator of said garbage doesn't even comprehend how it could be condescending.

I did notice, however, that when one particular person who does that "selected" a candidate, the cutesy names applied to other posters largely disappeared.

No self-restraignt... lol!


:hi:

:evilgrin: For the record, I hate that "slick Willie" crap.

:shrug: Like I said, I hate when someone refers to President Clinton as "slick Willie".

I will admit to using a few choice smears where george is concerned, however, he has earned them.

Have patience...I'm just recovering from a stomach virus. Yuck! :puke:
I'm not up to snuff yet.

:hug: Feel better!

Yeah, he made some pretty big mistakes, both personally and politically. But he's still a hell of a lot better than the piece of human garbage currently in the White House, and head and shoulders above any of the potential Repug nominees.

I'm sick of it.

The only thing they don't add is the "neener neener"... which should be mandatory. Especially when starting threads! "Neener neener thread"... blah blah blah... that way we know to put it on hide thread right away!

I've been saying lately that looking at some of the threads (a lot of them, actually) here is like watching a bunch of kids on the school yard, sticking their tongues out at each other, calling each other names, and throwing those sticks and stones at each other, and it's just disgusting.

Regardless of which candidate one supports, there's no excuse for being so childish.

And I think it doesn't really do the candidates a lot of good either.