The difference between conservative forums (which I lurk on) and this forum

Conservative message boards, if you ever had the morbid curiosity to visit them, are full of hate, backstabbing, intolerance, racism, sexism, and all kinds of bullshit. Worse, this behavior is actively promoted.

But more importantly, the diversity of viewpoints on DU is incredible. It's what makes this forum (and this country, for that matter) great. Contrast this to conservative forums like Free Republic, where you have to fall in line to whatever the prevailing moronic conservative ideology is if you want to avoid being ostracized.

So, let me take this opportunity to thank you, Democratic Underground, and all the people who are on this forum, for a friendly place to speak your mind, because that is what democracy and America are all about.

:thumbsup: :hi:

:patriot:

Sorry Other Place, all you guys do is circle jerk 24/7.

Here is to The DU! :toast:

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:9



http://www.abita.com/

liked the song. i just edited my post with something i just found on CU.

who knew?

:hi:

But my question to you is how do you manage to keep alive on "conservative" message boards? Without trying I get kicked off immediately.

I also make it a duty to check many different kinds of forum, and also to watch the news on several channels (CNN, FOX, and MSNBC) in addition to listening to NPR radio and even (HORROR!) to Limbaugh at least once a week. I do that to make sure I am aware of all the information (or misinformation) floating around in this country.

Then, I also go read foreign newspapers (In France, England, and Belgium) to get an "outside" view of the news. I do this in an attempt to detect bias and to make up my own mind by having access to a greater spectrum of opinions. I only speak French and English, so I cannot access Mexican or other news outlets. . .which I regret.

I do really appreciate DU because of it's up to date discussions and the variety of opinions. . .although most are obviously more left to the center. . .but really not that far left!
I also participate as a moderator in another forum (TVAlly.com) which tend to attract more liberal participant also, although we have some heated debates between some VERY conservative members, some Ron Paul and Alex Jones followers, and many Democrats and Independents.

Betwen TVAlly and DU, I feel I have the best of both world. . .although I push myself to go read the "Fox Opinions" also. . .even posted a few times. . .but I must say that the opinions expressed in that forum are extremely right wing, and that the level of discussion goes from very crude and vulgar to completely stupid in terms of arguments and personal attacks.

Thank you DU and TVAlly for providing an intelligent and broad minded place to debate.

They are so ill-informed. Sometimes it is some nasty ***hole just playing dumb online to create more dumb, ignorant people. Sometimes the GOPer is truly misinformed. Either way it gave me the hebee geebees. So I quit.

I love the hierarchical format. I hate the standard forum software, where a thread can extend to multiple pages. There's no way to easily see if someone has responded to something you posted, or for them to see that you've responded to their post, unless you read the whole thread. There are a few other forums I like to visit, but I hate the forum format so much that I usually get frustrated & leave.

Skinner, EarlG & Elad rock!