Topic subject Goodbye DU - after 7 years, 12,366 Posts.

Forum Name General Discussion
Topic subject Goodbye DU - after 7 years, 12,366 Posts.
Topic URL http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2646574#2646574
2646574, Goodbye DU - after 7 years, 12,366 Posts.
Posted by progressivebydesign on Wed Jan-09-08 08:46 PM

Yes, it's it's true. I'm done. And I'm not going to be checking this thread later, so save yourself the effort of the snarky-ass comments about not letting the door hit me on the way out, and all those clever things fairly newcomers say when a DU long-timer leaves once and for all. I know I'm not alone with other long-time DUers who have jumped ship... I've talked to them about it.

I had taken time off of DU because I got busy.. but when the Primary season started shaping up, I came back. Sorry I did. I have been through so many things on DU in the past 7 years. Deaths, births, scams, heartbreaks, camraderie unseen now on DU, special group donations to help other members, sending flowers, ELECTIONS. Never, never, have I witnessed the ugliness that I'm seeing over the past few weeks. I know that Skinner assured you that it was just this ugly in the last general election, I respectfully disagree, this is much worse.

I wasn't sure who I was going to support in the Primaries. I considered Obama, Edwards, Clinton, and Biden. I chose Hillary, because I've always admired her and her work on behalf of children. I wasn't that concerned with her IWR vote, as she was in the company of others who voted the same. I marched against the war, but understood the climate at that time, and I'm NOT a one issue voter. I liked that she actively talks about supporting a woman's reproductive rights (something that seems to be missing in most other campaigns out of fear of alienating religious voters or something).

I had considered Obama, but after doing more research about him, and listening to him, I didn't really find what I was looking for in this election. Perhaps I'm jaded because I've been through so many elections, but I understand now that I'm not electing someone's speechwriter, nor a performer, I'm choosing a CEO for the Country. I realized that when I met Michael Dukakis and heard him speak at a small event in Santa Barbara and realized that he would have been an amazing President... his understanding of the economy and how things work is masterful, but he'd never get elected because he's not "rock star" material, nor would anyone want "have a beer with him". I liked Edwards, but something inside me keeps me from making him my #1 choice... I like what he says, but again, I'm not convinced he is the best person to make things happen. But we're all free to choose our candidates.. or so you would think.

I think the Edwards supporters here, 98% of them, are polite and reasonable people. They have mostly refrained from personal attacks on other candidates and their supporters. Hillary's supporters are very similar, though I've seen them become more combative as they, and their candidate, are attacked mercilessly here. Sadly, the majority of Obama supporters, or should I say the most vocal majority of them, seem to have come to DU for a fight. They have attacked me and other HRC supporters, and the candidate herself, at a level that even BUSH did not receive in the last election. I can only deduce that many of them are inexperienced in elections, and haven't mastered the idea that ripping a potential Dem candidate to shreds only hurts your candidate in the long run, AND it helps the repubs. Dudes, it's not World of Warcraft, it's a primary election season. Signing on anonymously to attack people is so pre-teen of you. If you're older than 19, then you should be embarrassed.

Then.. when Hillary resonated with voters in New Hampshire, DU was deluged with cries of fraud from Obama supporters. Again, completely embarrassing for your candidate. I haven't heard him crying foul... And again, perhaps it's that inexperience again that clouds your judgement. Why exactly would the republican's who supposedly control the machines in all those counties fix it for Hillary, the most hated woman in republican history? Can't you just admit that she won this one? There are 48 more states to go, you're gonna need a lot of vodka if you plan on screaming foul every time Obama doesn't win a state.

So basically to the Obama attack dogs, you've ruined DU. And I find it soooo ironic that he has a lovely message of "hope and unity" and his supporters here aggressively attack people in their own party who do not agree with them. You're making everyone more aggressive and jerkish, including me. I used to pride myself on having positive posts, and reserving my venom for the republicans. You bring out the worst in me as I fight to defend HRC and Edwards.

So enjoy what you've made of DU. And no.. I won't let the door hit me on the way out. But I will remember the good times and the nice people I met back when DU was lively and fun. ciao. :grouphug: