I've been thinking about DU and its place in my life...

[CaliforniaPeggy]

And about Discussionist as well.

These two websites contrast in some interesting ways to each other. And they bear similarities to one another as well. This is not surprising since they were created by the same trio of men.

DU is Democratic. And no matter what the topic du jour is, and no matter how we argue and carry on, we belong here and to each other...

Discussionist is ...well, it's hard to quantify. Certainly it's open to all political persuasions, and boy, is it.

It has been very interesting to bump up against these conservative folks.

Some are quite articulate. I've been surprised on occasion by that. They are also past masters of changing the subject to suit themselves. It's frustrating for me; others find it less challenging.

Going there, posting there, participating in juries and all the rest, has taught me one big lesson:

DU is home.

And DU will always be home, no matter what kind of arguments I see here, or flamebait, or whatever. I belong here.

I feel happy here. I know, I'm crazy. So be it.

Just my musings on this early Spring night...

[Agschmid]

1. Well I for one am sure happy you'll be sticking around!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. I thank you, my dear Agschmid!

[ChisolmTrailDem]

3. DU's dear CaliforniaPeggy, you are a treasure here. Count me in the I'm glad you're

here column.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. Aw...thank you, my dear Chisolm TrailDem...

[daleanime]

5. This place would be empty....

without you.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

8. My dear daleanime...

[Uncle Joe]

6. I haven't been over there yet but will probably give it a try someday.

I'm happy you're here as well, CaliforniaPeggy and thanks for the thread.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

10. My dear Uncle Joe!

I encourage anyone with the slightest interest to check it out. You might be surprised at what you find...

The place is evolving and will be for a while. Maybe forever.

Thanks for your good thoughts!

[hlthe2b]

7. I can't say all DUers ALWAYS engage in honest debate, but I surely don't see the kind of

"bait and switch" tactics, projection, re-framing/reclaiming others' argument and similar dishonest tactics that I see from a lot of posters on the other site--or at least to the magnitude utilized there. It also seems merely a regurgitation of memes and talking points. To each his own, though CP. I'm glad you are enjoying it (but also that you see DU as your home).

[CaliforniaPeggy]

9. It has attracted a certain kind of poster...

Many of them are those who have been here, and been thrown out...

Now they can participate in a DU-like place, and to their heart's content, without fear of reprisal for the most part.

There ARE rules of course, and most of them follow those well enough.

I could not live there permanently or all the time.

Yes...DU is home.

[Skittles]

11. you want I should kick your reflecting / crazy ass, CaliforniaPegster?

yes INDEED

[CaliforniaPeggy]

12. Please do, my dear Skittles!

I'm sure I could use it!

[progressoid]

13. We're all crazy!

And it's a good kind of crazy!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

14. I couldn't agree more, my dear progressoid!

It is GOOD!




PS: I LOVE your avatar!

[JDPriestly]

15. Me too, Peggy.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

16. I'm glad, my dear JDPriestly...

[Le Taz Hot]

17. I went over there for just a few minutes

a couple of times. I never posted anything, just went over there to take a look. It was exactly what I expected it to be -- crawling with right wing nut jobs. As much as the Blind Loyalists bug the hell out of me at DU, they're not insane. I can't say the same thing about the TeaKlanners.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

18. I suspect a few minutes won't really give you a truly representative sample...

But hey. That's your choice, and I respect it.

I've certainly met my share of wingnuts! But I've also met some surprisingly articulate conservatives, so you never know.

I'm glad you had a look!

[calimary]

19. I'm another one who's happy you're sticking around, My Dear Peggy!

DU is indeed home - at least for me! I find it tiring to have to face down contrarians. I come here to escape from CONs! I belong here, too, even with trolls popping up from time to time. (AND to collect my weekly share of Sunday LOLcats, too!)

[CaliforniaPeggy]

20. Aw, thank you, my dear calimary!

It IS tiring and intellectually challenging to face down those people.

And you know I could never leave the LOLcats!

[defacto7]

21. Of the two places....

DU is definitely my choice. I'm glad this is your home as well.

But differing from your experience I personally can't find any interest in Discussionist at all. If I read posts for 10 minutes I find myself exhausted from sheer boredom. I'm not trying to be ugly about it but I just can't find anything to key into.

To me it's a very different place than DU, it's not easy to see, not easy to comprehend as in finding a thought string to hang onto, or to have confidence that I'm not being trolled. I have come to trust not only certain people on DU but a general population that I can distinguish as readable. I guess there's some security in that.

The other thing I find positive about DU and not on Disc. is that DU is a much better news aggregate. It may be by design but that is more important to me than just shuckin' the jive and dodging trolls.

Anyway, I always appreciate your positive attitude here, it's uplifting. I'm much too cynical and analytical and your comments always seem to pull me up. I could take lessons from your realistically bright aura but I'm sure that's a talent that's a bit out of my reach.

Glad you're here.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

23. Wow, my dear defacto7!

You have praised me more than I deserve, and I thank you for that.

I understand just where you're coming from. That site is not for everyone, for sure. Trusting the people you associate with is very important. That's why DU is home! Well, at least one of the reasons.

I am mostly an optimist; that's just how I'm wired.

Thank you for your very lucid thoughts!

[mimi85]

41. You've articulated

how I feel about The Discussionist. I didn't see any reason to join after skimming through it. I have other forums I participate in and have no need of another. DU suits me just fine.

[hlthe2b]

43. Yes... nicely said. I focusd on the posters on that other site. You bring up very different content

and the fact that that which is posted on DU is reliable--or if it is not, the DU community will quickly expose it as not. That makes reading here more relaxing to me. I also find that as much as we vehemently disagree on DU with other posters on important issues, there is always a common foundation. I can honestly say I'd not mind meeting-- even those with whom I disagree most-- in person for conversation, knowing that there is a lot we do agree on. I don't feel that at the other site very often (or at all).

I too have to hand it to CP for her positive attitude over there.

[defacto7]

47. " I can honestly say I'd not mind meeting-- even those with whom I disagree most-"

I have wondered about meeting some posters in person myself or even just communicating on a person to person basis. There is almost always a huge difference in my perceptions of an individual and in understanding their positions once the curtains we sit behind are removed. It's amazing the difference it makes. But it's not a good policy on the Internet as you know unless uncommon connections make it a naturally occurring and safe proposition. Alas, our world's lack of empathy and excess of selfish incivility makes human connections suspicious and/or fictitious.

This is about all we can offer -->

It helps.

[JEB]

22. From what I've seen

CaliforniaPeggy is probably at home wherever she goes. The kind of gentle strength that is welcomed anywhere.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

24. Thank you, my dear JEB...

I always appreciate folks who make me feel welcome.

And I try to treat people the way I would be treated. My sigline says it better than I can...

[alittlelark]

25. I have always thought of you as the 'creator'....

... don't know why, but I do.

Your opinion always MATTERS.....

[CaliforniaPeggy]

26. My dear alittlelark!

Creator? Of messes, perhaps!

Thank you, sweetie...

I'm not the great thinker that some here are...Will Pitt, and others like him. I don't have the discipline to really do that.

But still...thank you.

[alittlelark]

42. ....

Love Ya....

[HeiressofBickworth]

27. I've looked at it exactly twice

and came to the same conclusion each time. It isn't for me. One thing I have learned from being a news junkie for years is that you can't have a discussion with someone who's version of reality doesn't even come close to your own. That's why they bluster, change topics, and generally deny anything that differs from their world-view. I can't be bothered to have a discussion with that type.

Oh, and like the others, I'm glad you are at home here with us.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

28. I think it's great that you had a look, my dear HeiressofBickworth.

I have felt similarly to how you did. But I'm not willing to give up just yet. But that's me.

And thank you for your very kind words.

[spanone]

29. k&r for CP

[CaliforniaPeggy]

30. Thank you, my dear spanone...

[awoke_in_2003]

31. If you ever leave DU, my dear Peggy

I will be done. As far as that other site- it is Free Republic light.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

33. My dear awoke_in_2003!

Omigod. That means I can never leave!

As long as I live, I will be here...

And you could very well be right about that other site...

[awoke_in_2003]

35. The Internet is full

of hateful people. One thing you never exhibit is hate, even when you drop the occasional f bomb

[SoapBox]

32. Me too! Me too!

I've not even been over then...I simply have no interest in reading more crazy. All I have to do is turn on the TV to virtually any channel (sans Boomerang or Home Shopping) and there is crazy being talked up, like it's main stream. Same with a local traffic channel. Open my browser to Yahoo...crazy. LA Times...crazy. Go to work...crazy.

So I'll stay right here...there is plenty of news and discussion to keep me more than satisfied.

And if the crazy gets to me (or you) lurk into THE BEST Cooking forum in the Universe...right here at DU. That will warm your insides with great recipes and food discussion...the regulars are lovely, friendly and helpful.

Leave it to wonderful California Peggy to point out where home really is!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

34. My dear SoapBox!

Your name fits you like a glove!

Yeah, I like C&B too...even though those cooks are way beyond my abilities...

I'm glad you're here too...

[Liberal Veteran]

36. This place wouldn't be the same without you.

We don't talk much, but I read so many of your posts. To me, you are the heart of DU.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

37. That is very kind of you, my dear Liberal Veteran...

I hardly know what to say.

Thank you will have to do!

[ErikJ]

38. I've been battling these RWer guys for 15 years. I find it can be quite good

Last edited Wed May 28, 2014, 08:15 AM - Edit history (1)

mental exercise. Having to quickly recall facts, figures, logic and articles and like a lawyer the best way and angles of "attack".

[Algernon Moncrieff]

39. I'd enjoy a site where I could actually exchange ideas with articulate conservatives

Discussionist may become that site. However, for the next several months I suspect, it will be a dumpster fire until the nuts are weeded out from the rational.

[Puzzledtraveller]

40. Zero

No place. I was prepared to take it serious when I began, now I just feel sorry for a lot of what I see here that passes as concerned people. DU is activism by the way.

[KoKo]

44. It's an interesting design...probably more appealing for Mobile users than DU-3 is.

Not my thing, though,...because it isn't focused like DU-3 and takes too much time reading through random posts for too little news that I find interesting or discussions about issues I care the most about.

Will be interesting to see how it evolves and hope it works out well for those who have long wanted a meeting place between Free Republic and DU'ers. Also, some who were banned now have a chance to be in a Forum with people they had former relationships with and participate in a more free styled way than over here. So, that's a plus.

[Liberal_Dog]

45. K & R

I agree 100%.

[seaglass]

46. You seemed to have fit in very well over there but should have felt free to say the following here:

http://www.discussionist.com/10164663#post28

Attila Gorilla (275 posts)
27. Mention HOF and your post WILL be alerted.

Reply to this post

Back to top Alert abuse Link here Permalink

Response to Attila Gorilla (Reply #27)

Fri May 23, 2014, 08:59 PM

CaliforniaPeggy (263 posts)
28. Mention what?

Not to worry!

I don't like them either.

I have that whole group hidden.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

52. Well, I generally try to make friends wherever I go.

I haven't gotten into HOF issues here.

I hide groups when I don't want to be called for a jury on them. And I often find that issues that those members find compelling, not so compelling for me. I just can't identify with them.

[seaglass]

60. That's fine if you don't find the issues compelling, to each his/her own. I think that's different

from saying you don't like people, but everyone has that right. I just found it hurtful and didn't expect it from you.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

61. And for having hurt you, I am sorry.

You know it was not my intent.

In my rush to "belong" I was thoughtless.

It is a weakness of mine.

Again, I am sorry.

[Skidmore]

48. Have similar thoughts.

I went over for the first few days but I have no desire to engage in ugly exchanges and some people are hellbent on having only that type of exchange.

[kentuck]

49. I just go over there to sharpen my tongue and claws...

They are not accustomed to hearing anything but dittos and joke lines. One never knows when they might awaken a synapse?

At the present time, they seem to be very interested in a couple of posts of mine - one about George W Bush and one about Rush Limbaugh. They feel obligated to defend both of them and it is no easy task.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

50. Good luck to you, my dear kentuck!

I saw the post about Bush..........

I think some of them might be willing to consider other points of view...Maybe!

[Flying Squirrel]

51. Rec for correct usage of the word "its"!!!!

Which my girlfriend's iPad autocorrected to "it's", forcing me to go back and delete the apostrophe!

[Squinch]

53. Your presence is one of DU's best features.

[Louisiana1976]

54. I enjoy both DU and Discussionist.

They're interesting in different ways.

[bigtree]

55. I've been invited/encouraged to participate in other forums by some excellent former DUers

. . . I don't know why, but I really like this board. I was comfortable here from the first day that I discovered the place in 2003, and, with a few notable exceptions, it's been my home ever since.

[RKP5637]

56. Keep the arguments in the family! LOL! Glad you are here! n/t

[Zorra]

57. I spent all of two minutes at the Troll Trap, and had to take a good hot shower.

Felt a lot like freeperville, which I cannot visit because the slimy darkness there literally makes me ill before I even read anything.

[CherokeeDem]

58. Peggy.... agree 100%

DU will always be home to me. Since 2001, I've been here, lurking at first then joining later and have found sanctuary though some horrible times, the aftermath of the 2000 election and the horrors of 9-11, the school shootings and the loss of so many posters here who became our friends although we never really know who some of them are. I look here first for the latest news, the latest discussions, and to the Lounge for laughs, although without our wonderful MFM, it's a bit less fun.

I agree with you regarding Disussionist, it is what I expected and not what I expected. I've mixed it up a tad with some folks but had interesting discussions with others. It does give us an opportunity to see how the 'other side' thinks. The site is modern and easy to navigate.

The only thing I am disappointed with regarding DU is the penchant of a few people who stalk posts and then use tactics to disrupt. I was subject once to the "You said this" post, copied my comment and proved I didn't... then of course their reply, "I never said that." and then devolves into them telling you, "you're getting upset," and end with 'if you can't take the heat, maybe the Lounge would be a better place for me." Demeaning, condescending tactics to attempt to not sway the conversation to their side but shut people up that don't agree with them. I just laughed the poster off and he/she eventually went away, but it was an unpleasant and unnecessary experience. The problem is I see the same tactics showing up on only a few topics. It's sad that people are so wrapped up in their own beliefs that they need to resort to intimidation.

Sorry, Peggy, I've been troubled by this for a while, but I would never leave DU. You are so right, we are Democrats and we belong together.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

62. No need to apologize, my dear CherokeeDem...

Vent all you want.

[rhett o rick]

59. " I know, I'm crazy. So be it. " That's a good thing, esp here.

[sarge43]

63. This home is blessed because you're here, dearest Peggy

[merrily]

64. I joined DU because I was tired and bored from debating the same rightist talking points over and

over. You'd go through something with one clown, then three others would show up a few days later with the same talking point. It became tedious. And, since I post for enjoyment as well as to have my say, boring defeats a major reason I post.

I may look in on Discussionist from time to time, but I don't think I will spend a lot of time there.

Been there, done that, got bored with it.

There are talking points at DU, too, but, you're right, somehow, it''s different.

[jimlup]

65. Been there, done that...

to quote a phrase

[malaise]

66. DU is home because of folks like you

CaliforniaPeggy

[DamnYankeeInHouston]

67. Welcome home.

[Terra Alta]

68. DU is home to me, too.

People like you make it feel even more like home.

I'm registered at Discussionist and have posted there, but nothing will ever take the place of DU.

[The Roux Comes First]

69. DU It Is for Me Too, and CP is a Big Part of That

I have been reading here for a good long time, registered for a number of years, but post rarely and am such a relatively unsophisticated site user that I don't even know how to check when I did first register.

Now that I have bragged up my credentials, brass tacks. I did with some reservations visit the Dis site recently and will do so again, as a news junky and one curious as to just what sort of mutant monster Dr. Skinnerstein has concocted in his bubbling and percolating laboratory. Given what I had read here, it was not a big surprise, but I found it tough to find any particular thread or topic with even a fraction of the interest level this one has. Not that this one is a fair point of comparison, but I tend to find a handful at least here almost every time I check in that are more compelling than what my brief foray over there yielded.

And as for conflict and sturm-and-drang and all, I easily find all I want here, regardless of the jury system.

But CP you and a couple handfuls of other frequent posters with an established profile of in your case well-considered and upbeat analyses and commentary seem to this reader to be the cardiovascular system of this particular beast and we love you for it. So glad to find you in effect re-upping!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

72. Thank you, my dear Roux...

I hope you will forgive my abbreviating your username! I did check to see when you registered, and it was Fri Sep 30, 2005, 11:53 AM! To find this info, and much more, click on your profile, which is the first emblem in the line with your username.

I appreciate your very kind words so much!

I'm glad I'm re-upping too.

[MrScorpio]

70. The Discussionist is the battlefield where I go off to fight...

DU is the Homefront.

[MrMickeysMom]

71. I'm reading what everyone's said about Discussionist, Peg...

I think I lost interest quick before it got "interesting". Truthfully, I didn't feel right there and after about 50 posts, I hardly think I could be "me" there. That's why I chose another name.

I totally understand that affinity of DU… and Patsy Cline says it best..

Oh, crazy
For thinking that my love (for DU) could hold you
I'm crazy for trying
And crazy for crying
And I'm crazy for loving (DU)