I've been here for over 5 years, through both primary and general elections, but ...

I don't recall this level of toxicity at DU ever before. We seem to be waist deep in moles, trolls, and assholes.
But I have faith. DU will (eventually) rise above this internecine bullshit and get on with the serious business of putting a Democrat in the White House.

x(

:bounce: I'm couting the days!

:hi:

but toxic is a good description of the atmosphere these days.

Although the worst I remember was immediately after the results came in the last presidential election. But even that didn't seem to have the longevity as the current climate. It's turning into a loooong primary season.

Whatever happened to civil discourse? :shrug:

Why does your post show up in purple ink? How do you do that?

:D

On Edit: You're welcome!

:toast:

But, my sigline changed too

in the upcoming election.

And everyone senses it.

I used to be able to hang out in the debate threads, but this cycle they've just become incredibly nasty snipefests. I mean, you get people in those things screaming at the candidates through their monitor like my dad does at the TV during NFL season.

"Shut up, Edwards! You phoney bastard!"

"Fuck you! Hillary! Warmongering piece of trash!"

"Screw you, Dodd!"

(Okay, I made up the last one, but you know what I mean)

I don't envy the mods, that's for sure.

I have faith that we'll work together, but we've just got to get through this weirdness.

Hello everybody,

This is my first post here. I am a left of center independent. I believe the current administration are a bunch of dishonest liars and they reek of hypocricy. However I do see the GOP point of view. I do not believe it is right to give free health care and citizenship to illegal immigrants. I was told this site is not very tolerant of other peoples POV, so I am here to find out for myself:)

I'm curious, who told you that DU was intolerant of other's points of view?

Hi Bravo,

I sometimes post on Newsbusters. Yes some members are right wing loonies, but some are pretty nice folk. I always hear references to the hate and spew on this site and decided to check it out for myself.

Wish that info would have been in the first post...Long time lurker/first time poster here's my flameworthy first post...:yoiks:

this is true, but I have not posted until today

wouldn't you be able to gage the tolerance of others POV?

Have you been reading posts since May and just not posting?

I have not spent any time on this site. I got a password a few months back and forgot about it until today. I don't know if there is function if you can check how much time I have spent on this site, but it has not been much.

for all this time?

My goodness Debi, with all due respect. Whats with the 20 questions? I am a left of center independent that was trying to get conservatives to see my point of view in their blog. Whenever i say the war was not worth the cost, I am usually called a leftist troll. I just wanted to find someone that would agree with my POV for once.

I don't have to post back and forth w/you if you'd prefer not. That's what the 'ignore' button is for.

You're called a leftist troll on the right-wing site you usually post on?

I enjoy a good conversation or debate debi, but it seems you are accusing instead of debating. Some members of the conservative blog have warmed up to me and I have made many friends on that site. However it seems the Iraq war can be a very touch subject for them.

What am I accusing you of?

(Hey, we kid because we love!)

Will you take care of our new comer for me? :hi:

Nighty night. :boring:

You asked me why I have not posted yet several times. It is almost like a vast right wing conspiricy or something.

Welcome to DU :hi:

I said it before, enjoy your stay.

Good night

Thanks debi:)

you too!

x( Maybe I'm overly sensitive.....Nah :party:

I don't understand - you heard this site isn't tolerant of other people's POV so your first post is a challenge re: health care and immigration? You WANT to start a fight?

:hi: enjoy your time here!

Hi Debi,

Not at all. I actually believe in a universal health care plan, but not for people that are in the country illegally.

But To Deny Emergency Medical Care To Anybody Is Immoral...

I remember seeing a democratic debate and most of them said everybody should have health care, including illegal immigrants.

Are you sure?

I have to think about that one...

I couldn't deny medical care to anybody in need for lack of pay...

I believe it was the debate that was moderated by Chris Matthews. If they are very sick and show up in the emergency room, of course they should treat them, but not give them a medical insurance card.

if you need emergency care while in say, Canada- don't you get treated for nothing, also?

Should they have any responsibility?

What should we do with the people who come here illegally? (Or stay here illegally after their visas have expired?)

employers that hire illegals should pay a very hefty fine. I believe illegals should be deported.

How would you pay for the deportation?

I'm sorry I don't understand the question. What do you mean how to pay for it? Does sending illigal immigrants back to their country cost a lot of money?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/25/AR2005072501605_pf.html


http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/09/13/estimate-for-deporting-illegal-immigrants-94-billion/

++++++++

What about shutting down the employers who get rich off of cheap labor and lure individuals across the boarders? A fine means nothing to a company is making millions off of cheap labor. Shut their business down. Punish them. What do you say?

I concede I was not aware of these cost. i just don't believe it is right to reward a person that does not come to this country legally

Like I said, they should pay a hefty fine. Not sure if we should put them out of business, but I am not totally against it

Thx upityperson.

:hi:

less pleasurable and it's cranked up even worse now and there is tons of carry over into gd.

Maybe it depended on the candidate being supported.

but clever ones, able to be obnoxious without technically violating the rules.

or Reid's slow boat to no where ---

Let's just say that I don't think that DUers are as naive as they may have been previously ---
they've been around a few times by now and they're getting the message.

and some of us fear a disaster looming

when in the past would we have been bumping into each other so frequently re: our favourite candidate? When DU was much smaller it was more personal but still we went into coniptions at running up against supporters of opponents every day..several time a day.

In the past if you liked a candate you only ran into your circle of friends and aquaintances on the street, at work and at times over the fence while you were at home. If you really supported a candidate you might volunteer for their local political machine and run into various views while making phone calls or such.

Now we are in each others faces all the time. At least several times a week. And we are guaranteed to be offended and such while browsing for even just a few minutes. This is new. And as such it will take a while to get used to the ups and downs of such a new community.