Question: Should Republicans be allowed on here if they aren't disruptive?

Just wondering. If a Republican becomes a member, but isn't disruptive and/or respectfully disagrees with another member -following board rules(assuming board rules were to change allowing Republicans on), should they be allowed on?

(on edit) a post-posting thought: I guess it might be kind of cool if we can get this forum to be renamed "democraticunderground" with a lower case "d."

It's interesting how different DUers view the board. I enjoy robust debate among folks with different points of view.

... and I say 'so what'? We have basic rules about advocating for anything besides a Democrat and we have basic rules about conduct. If they can abide ... so can I.

...without being disruptive or a real troll and be just as accepted as any other DUer. The only difference between that and a Republican being on is that openly allowing it would get a lot more flame wars it seems. Flamers aer already having to be regulated, but this idea would mean a lot more work for the moderators. Maybe not such a good idea?

I can barely stand right-wing DLC democrats, much less fascist republicans, and their even more fascistic brethren, the so-called "conservatives".

There isn't a good one in the whole damn lot.

said. If they're still republicons at this point then I don't want to listen(read) to what they say.

.. the backlash, that is.
But they must be tettering on the edge anyway, if they want to be here, right?
:shrug:
I have no problem with it.
I'm a member/mod on another progressive board and we have 'reformed'? repigs there.
We are all in this together, besides, they are fun to play with!
:) I use it as opportunity to change minds.

communication. And though a lto of us wouldn't know how, it would force us to learn to discuss things in a civil manner. The issues are too important really to only expose ourselves to one view. A lot of the ideas presented by RWers are irrational and it really wouldn't be to difficult to expose them to more rational thought if they were willing to "take it," as you put it.

This is a place for progressives. Most don't come here to deal with what we have to deal with IRL on a daily basis. This is an activist website. IMO, it would be very hard to maintain that with Republicans popping in. :hi:

to promote any other party here. So you would have to ask Skinner to change the rules. And this is such a great website, I don't think he should change a thing. There are plenty of other places on the internetS to debate republicans.

Just my .02.

There was 'fair warning' and it actually went quite well and was civil.
We also had a dungeon. :rofl:
You went there if you 'lost it' but only for a day or so.
Just so you could chill out but you could have visitors!
:rofl:

I just got back from another unproductive Warner hatefest, and I am finding this place really increasingly intolerant.

...and mayeb this will help.

Or maybe not :shrug:

On occasion, I've posted links to stuff by unapologetic Democrats (supported Kerry, call Bush an idiot, etc.) that just happen to question some of the platforms, planks, the tactics or even (dare I say it) the strategy of some Democratic Party leaders. These people even have the nerve to occasionally criticize people like Feingold, or Schumer, or Pelosi.

Among the thoughtful responses, there are always people for whom constructive criticism is an alien concept. Oh yeah, and I get flamed for posting it.

We're supposed to be the party of tolerance. No way am I advocating the acceptance of obvious trolls and disruptors. And I wouldn't want DU turned into a Huffington Post style circus of personal attacks. But a little more tolerance wouldn't hurt.

Oh yeah, I used to live in Virginia and I like Mark Warner. Doesn't mean I want him for President (yet); just that he's worth listening to.

Its non stop shit slinging.

They don't have DU and I like it that way. I say keep the puke off.

I'm in big trouble then: Washington State does not have partisan voter registration. :hi:

I think the reason you do not see many self proclaimed Repubs here is that vast majority are completely unable to rationally debate their ideas and beliefs. For many of them, they merely cling to the propaganda that is fed to them in itty bitty sound bites by the GOP, BushCo and very skilled liars like Rush Limbaugh. In short, they are not here because they are incapable of rational, reality based discussion. The ones who have ventured on to DU to debate universally resort to "disruptive" behavior by calling people names etc. It's their last recourse and it makes them feel smart.

;)

But FK NO!! There's other places for them like Freerepublic or Stormfront. Besides, they are responsible for the state of our country, they have corrupted the entire government system. I don't expect this place to be contaminated with their verbal excrement.

Thats why most political sites dont allow the other side in. It would be all but impossible to have both sides posting without it spiraling into nonstop flame wars.

Oh Im sure some will say you can have civilised debate, but any mixed political site Ive ever seen doesnt prove this out.

If they disrupt or work against Democrat values and strength.. they don't belong.

This is for us.

I know it kills the trolls to log on and have to make 100s of "nice" posts before they start causing trouble.. but perhaps they'll learn something in the process.. or feel good about actually discussing things for once. If they don't.. and start to disrupt or post phony.. buh-bye!!

as to why they are here.

If they are here to find out more about Dems positions and are genuinely sympathetic towards some of our causes, I say let the first stage of detoxification happen here. We'd be doing a service by helping them do so.

If they can't sound civil and sound combative or sound like they just want to be a "spy" with no useful commentary, then I say kick 'em off!

I'd like to see a group of Republicans grow that are more respectful, see the value for them and their views in things like putting in place public financing of elections, etc. If we can get more Republicans to feel that way, that will help serve to isolate the extremist wingnut types that make our lives miserable each day.

on this board over the years. The ones who stayed -- those who were open about their affilation and not trolls -- were the ones with open minds and who were not disruptive.

JAYSUS, DU is my SANCTUARY, I COME HERE TO GET AWAY FROM THOSE G.D. FREAKS.....I LIVE IN NORTH TEXAS, IF I WANTED THEIR IGNORANT POINT OF VIEW I CAN TALK TO MY NEIGHBORS, COWORKERS, TURN ON THE TV, LISTEN TO THE RADIO, READ A NEWSPAPER....PLEASE JUST KEEP THOSE ASSHOLES OUT OF HERE

And they wont stop until they have it all.

She speaks for me.

Lets just fuck up the last refuge we have.

Anyone who is still a repuke at this late date is a useless POS!

all repukes should be identified and euthanized. we already know what their "ideas" are based on and what they yield.

sort of thing.Just like the lounge or research forums
People NEED to at least talk to each other. I don't think you can call yourself a liberal or a progressive if you turn a deaf ear to what others are saying.

Just my $.02

When I come here, I don't want to be having ideological debates with people on the opposite side of the political fence. I remember that on a different, non-political forum site right after the '04 election, the election topic came up and a diehard Republican went on to list all the things that *Kerry* did wrong in his campaign. That pissed me off, far more than even similar debates did here. It's kind of like you can insult your own family, but if someone else insults your family, they're asking for it.

That's not to say that I want to be isolated from them either, because that can be problematic too. Both parties can usually learn at least something from each other. There's a time and place for debate between the two sides and I don't think this is the place.

I thought this was supposed to be a relatively safe place (to the extent that any internet forum site can be, I guess) for other people who shared similar political goals, to discuss issues of interest to us, strategize, etc. We have enough trouble getting those of us here already who are supposed to be on the "same side" to agree on anything - I can only imagine how much worse that would be if we had Republicans joining in the debate.

you would get the correct answer.... NO!

But there's always the, let's be nice and lose elections type democrats around here...

Being Right Is NOT Enough - What Progressives Must Learn From Conservative Success by Paul Waldman

It's like asking if a shark should be allowed to swim in a cruise ship's pool if he promises not to eat anyone.

EXCELLENT analogy :thumbsup:

use this board as activists in the election? What this board does best is reseach and debunking repug ideas. That would not be as effective if it is not our board.

No one is going to change the feeble, twisted thought process of any severely inbred fool.

There is a fantastic account of DUers first week written by Skinner in 2001 titled "Seven Days Underground". I think every DUer should read it at least once.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/articles/01/01/010127_7days.html

to engage filth, I know where to go. As it is, I'd much prefer DU to remain in a comfort zone where I can be buffered from the cheap shots of KKKarl Rove and his flying ass-monkeys.

I feel that debate is a good way to hone your argument, and seeing opposing viewpoints is a good way to keep an open mind. And frankly, I feel confident that their arguments for almost every platform position can be easily trumped with logic and facts.

That said, I don't really care - I have seen people admit they are Republican or Libertarian and still get along and have good conversations here. I have also seen plenty of people who claim to be lefties but get about 50-200 posts in before they start spewing about some hughly series intolernince issues.

:D

On the one hand, "democratic" is in the name. On the other hand, I don't mind anyone having differing viewpoints - but I am sick of the RW's viewpoints being crammed through the law books, the courts, the media, and our bodies and our homes faster than a third-rate "Texan" wannabe cowboy burning through blood money on a coke binge.

Maybe if they had not spent the last 20+ years vilifying liberals they would be more welcome. Ironic, isn't it?

And speaking of ironic, I noticed today the similarity between the number of people who disbelieve evolution despite overwhelming scientific provable evidence, and the number of people who still support Bush: I guess facts will not enter into some people's minds no matter what.

Fuck, no.

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