New term - "Clark barkers" pejorative or no?

[quinnox]

I was reading a DU thread and I saw this new term "Clark barkers" and I wondered if it is offensive or maybe it could be viewed as complimentary.

For those unfamiliar with it a barker was a man who would try and entice crowds into sideshows at carnivals, using exaggeration and other means.

He was a salesman basically to try and sell whatever exhibit or show the carnival was putting on.

When I thought about it, I considered if this could be complimentary even though at first glance it might sound offensive.

Because there is nothing wrong with Clarkies trying to spread the word about their guy, just like good campaigners would.

For example, for awhile the term Deaniacs was coined to describe Dean supporters negatively, but later on Dean supporters proudly embraced the term.

So I wondered what other Duers take on this new term is, acceptable or no?

[Sparkly]

1. No.

It implies hype, and has canine implications.

[Crunchy Frog]

2. I find it offensive and believe that it's intended pejoratively.

I would find the term "Kerry barkers", "Edwards barkers", "Dean barkers", "Hillary barkers", or "Kucinich barker" offensive as well.

There are supporters of all those people on this board. What's wrong with just calling them ______ supporters?

[madinmaryland]

10. Exactly.

I take it as a derogatory reference to a supporter of any given candidate. Beside, I thought the moderators had asked for a stop to this (especially in regards to Gen. Clark) a few weeks ago.

[Auntie Bush]

3. Maybe another name might be appropriate. Not sure!, but good point!

[JI7]

4. is it Clark supporters using the term for themselves ?

it all depends on who is using it and how/why .

if it's Clark supporters who are using it for themsselves then i can see it in a positive way but i assume anyone who isn't a Clark person and especially those who don't like Clark that use it would be in a negative way.

[bobthedrummer]

17. It is more complex than your subjective view JI7.

[BootinUp]

5. seriously?

:eyes:

[FrenchieCat]

6. Personally....

I'm a cat, not a dog!

[sharonking21]

7. Nope--not good (NT)

[Totally Committed]

8. I'm not in love with it...

its implications are not complimentary.

I prefer "supporter".

TC

[lojasmo]

9. I won't use it, but I think it's funny, and in some cases, fitting.

It could easily be perceived as being prejorative, and probably is.

[dogman]

11. It works for me.

But that's just me. I find it ironic that people who are offended by Clark supporter enthusiasm are equally enthusiastic in their disdain for Clark, his supporters, or both. There were Bark for Clark warmers for pet dogs available during the Primaries. If it is used in a derisive fashion, I believe it is a violation of DU rules. If someone is offended they could take it up with the management.

[FrenchieCat]

12. That's easy for you to say....

"DOG"man- LOL!

Frenchie"CAT"

[dogman]

14. As a Red Dog supporter you might find it applicable as well.

Peace-Cats and dogs in harmony. LOL

[Totally Committed]

15. "I find it ironic ...

that people who are offended by Clark supporter enthusiasm are equally enthusiastic in their disdain for Clark, his supporters, or both." -- dogman

I agree.

That having been said, I am more concerned by how it reflects on Wes than on us. I support this good man to the hilt. I don't care what epithet comes with that support, I support him nonetheless, and since I've been called worse in my lifetime, names roll off my back. But if what we are called is, in any way, an attempt to marginalize, disrespect, undercut, or diminsh Wes or his contributions to this Party, I am not in favor. He deserves better than that.

Why are Clarkies being singled out for an iffy nickname at all? If people worked as hard at re-framing the jargon of the Regressive Right, we'd be better off as a Party all around. (Note to those Anti-Clarkies who came up with this nick: Use your brains for the betterment of the Party instead of the ridicule of those of us who just support someone other than you support. We are all on the same team... we are just rooting for a different quarterback!)

Let's all work to win in 2006 and 2008. We cannot govern if we do not win.

TC

[Crunchy Frog]

26. It's one of the memes that emanates from a particular web site

who's name cannot be mentioned here, but that is virulently anti-Clark, and continuously spews vile and hateful things about his supporters and pushes various vicious memes and rumors about them all over the web.

I don't know if that particular term emanates from there, but the notion that there's something particularly heinous and out of the ordinary about being an online Clark supporter certainly does.

[dogman]

35. Personal vendettas are more important to some.

Then they can spend the rest of their time whining about the injustices enacted on them.

[knight_of_the_star]

13. No thanks

Clarkies is just fine with me thanks. That and everyone knows what that one means anyway.

[bobthedrummer]

16. I view it as a harmless euphemism.

And bark rhymes with Clark.

[Totally Committed]

18. So you would have no problem

with being called "Bob the Slob"? It rhymes with Bob. How about your supporters being "Slobs for Bob"? Or, for that matter... "Blobs for Bob"? Or, "Knobs for Bob" (with the tag line, "we'll tweek ya, baby...")

Would you like that?

TC

[bobthedrummer]

20. I'm flame proof, I really don't care because we are talking about Clark

barkers, not me:silly:

[Totally Committed]

24. Anyone who thinks the nickname is not meant to be offensive...

need only look at post #20.

TC

[Sparkly]

25. Perhaps a "harmless euphemism" for people who bash other Democrats

would be in order. :eyes:

[bobthedrummer]

29. Go for it, then.

:+

[Sparkly]

33. "Snarks against Clark?"

"Dems against Dems?"

"Divisive Assholes," maybe?

[Totally Committed]

31. Perhaps a "harmless euphemism" for people who bash other Democrats...

How about "Blue-Screwers"?

TC

[kentuck]

19. Why ??

Why tear down any possible nominee for our Party? What if he is the nominee?

[Totally Committed]

21. You are exactly right!

Thank you, kentuck!

TC

[Sparkly]

23. Precisely -- why tear others down?

I have no idea. :shrug:

[Name removed]

22. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Totally Committed]

27. You are comfortable leaving this message...

on this thread?

I am disappointed. Not shocked, but disappointed.

TC

[Adelante]

28. Look who's here

Such a surprise. :eyes:

[dogman]

30. Yes, so clear and concise.

As you might expect from a proponent of the MSM. All the snooze that's fit to print.

[Totally Committed]

32. At CNN, when news breaks...

it stays broken.

TC

[Clark2008]

34. My dog is a Clark Barker

(there the K-9 Division called "Bark for Clark" where upon our little doggies where Clark T-Shirts).

I, however, as a human, am a "Clarkie" or a "Clark supporter."

"Barking" makes it sound like I'm street hawking.

[Moderator]

36. Locking

inflammatory and unnecessary