Please Stop the divisive posts.

[Demsrule86]

The Primary is over and the election is over. Time to rally around the Democratic Party and kick some Republicans ass. Many of you know where my loyalties were during the primary and election. But notice, I have removed the pictures and quotes of 2016...not because I am trying to 'hide' anything but because we must let it go. It is over folks time to move into the future. I don't know what the future will be but I hope like hell it includes electoral success for Democrats. Thus, I will trash any OP that asks why are we not being more friendly to the left? (even though I like the Poster) or ones that use Bernie Sanders to fight an ongoing proxy war to divide Democrats.That is not to say news about our party leaders is not welcome and useful. I will also trash any post that mentions 'corporate Democrats' because there is no such thing. Let's practice tolerance and party loyalty. WE are big tent and all are welcome and needed. All hands on deck. So, I am gearing up for taking my country back from the nightmare president before he blows up the safety net and possibly the world. Please join me and leave the bitterness of 2016 behind. Cheers folks!

[jodymarie aimee]

1. HUH?

Let's practice tolerance....but you will trash whomever you please. How's about you start with yourself?

[radical noodle]

3. You seem to misunderstand

I think the OP was saying that they would not read or respond to those type of posts, not that they would block the poster.

[Demsrule86]

28. That is what I meant...and sometimes I have to have it off the

list of posts or I will give in to temptation.

[Demsrule86]

4. I will trash posts that divide us...I won't respond...and I like

many of the posters and agree with some of them...but victory is more important...and what I am talking about is removing temptation to put my two cents in and sow division. I want to win elections. We have to u unite in order to do so.

[Demsrule86]

56. I have not trashed anyone.

This post is about unity...about working together to defeat Trump.

[Cary]

70. Vote Democratic!

Do not sow discord and discontent.

[zentrum]

90. Agreed. Kind of

.....off putting. Seems to accomplish the opposite of what it attempts to do.

Means well, I guess.

[EvolveOrConvolve]

170. Trash has a specific meaning on DU

It's a function that allows users to hide threads that they find of no use or don't want to see. I don't think the OP meant "trash" as in verbally trash.

[radical noodle]

2. It's tough, but this is so true

All the hard feelings will be with us for a long time, but we don't need to continue to drag them out and throw them at other Dems every day.

I'm with you. No more divisive posts, nor responses to them, for me.

[Demsrule86]

6. It is hard not to respond too. And I do believe

some who make these sort of posts (not all) are trying to help. Personally I don't think it does. I am not going to trash third parties either! And that is hard. But that is divisive, and I do it.

[radical noodle]

11. I think you're a step ahead of me

on third parties. Third parties are in their nature divisive, but I will consider it. Thanks for the inspiration.

[Cary]

71. I have a new zero tolerance policy

I will no longer go down any rabbit holes. Vote Democratic. Do not sow discord and discontent.

[Demsrule86]

122. I agree with you...this is too important.

[Progressive dog]

163. I mostly agree

except for not trashing third parties on a forum that supports Democrats.

[Demsrule86]

164. You can trash third parties here ...I have seen in the Admins Forum...tongue in cheek

that it is "encouraged"...that is fine...but some of those who belong to third parties are here, and while I will always despise third parties especially Greens...these people voted for Hillary so...in the interest of unity I am trying to choose not to attack the greens...I don't know if I can be completely successful though.

[MaeScott]

168. Those sowing dissent might want a divided party. Easier to beat us. Don't let them divide us.

I hate the rox/sux posts too. Primary is over, learn, but move forward for pete's sake.

And if I hear "Bernie's not a Dem and doesn't belong in the party " one more time....it's apparent
That we need ALL hands on deck. Sanders, Clinton, Kermit the frog, everybody!

[radical noodle]

171. Kermit 2020!!

Miss Piggy as FLOTUS! It would be such an improvement!

[Cooley Hurd]

5. Your post is divisive

[Demsrule86]

8. My post is a cry for unity...it says let's stop fighting among ourselves.

I don't argue with your right to post anything you want, I just think we need unity and we need to leave 2016 behind and on a personal level I aim to do just that which includes not working myself up over posts that divide us... I am sorry you don't like my post. Have a nice day.

[Cooley Hurd]

32. You said you'll hide Sanders' threads in the name of tolerance?

A bit passive-aggressive, no?

[The Polack MSgt]

37. You said you'll hide Sanders' threads in the name of tolerance?

No, he said

- that use Bernie Sanders to fight an ongoing proxy war to divide Democrats.

[Demsrule86]

39. Changed it...because that is not what I meant ...please see below. nt

[Demsrule86]

41. Thanks! for making it clear to some who saw the original misguided wording.

[Cooley Hurd]

42. That's nonsense, too...

[Demsrule86]

57. What's nonsense?

[Demsrule86]

38. I amended my post in order to convey my true meaning

which is that I will not respond to posts that use Sen. Sanders in some sort of proxy war that continues the 2016 bitterness...sometimes I trash such posts as I am tempted to put my two cents in. Another poster pointed out that I had implied this...so I changed the post.

[NurseJackie]

40. So if someone chooses to not argue, or not respond, or not "take-the-bait" ... that's bad?

I guess there's just no pleasing some people.

[kacekwl]

53. Many here have differing opinions on how to change the

Democratic party's losing ways . The majority are not ment to be divisive . We should be looking at all options and all of those who have the vision and the desire to get back on track to help us and the country , oh and also win.

[Demsrule86]

58. We should be voting Democratic en masse and once we get back in power

or as another poster put it so well 'restore the balance' then we can work on internal party members. I believe the best place for that is at the grass roots level..."grow" the candidates that reflect your votes.

[Cary]

73. There is an old saying among trial lawyers

When you're explaining, you're losing.

You're right. The power of your truth is in just that, your truth.

Keep is simple. Keep it direct.

Vote Democratic!

[Demsrule86]

105. Right ...vote Democratic!

[BannonsLiver]

131. No, your post is divisive.

[Cooley Hurd]

137. ...and what are you?

Clearly, you're new here.

[BannonsLiver]

138. Ohhh is this like a junior high thingy?

Can I be one of the cool kids too?












On second thought, I don't give a fuck. Have a nice day, pumpkin.

[Cooley Hurd]

139. Hee! You really ARE new here!

Welcome to DU, friend (used loosely)!

Liver, or bot?

[BannonsLiver]

140. Thanks, friend (used as an antonym)

[Cooley Hurd]

141. That's all you got Sparky?

Something tells me you have better material than that in you book of 2016 election "re-configuring"? Is the term "sparky" in that algorithm?

[BannonsLiver]

142. Yeah, that's all I got

[Cooley Hurd]

143. I thought so...

[BannonsLiver]

144. Maybe someday I can be a cool internet billy bad ass, too

But I'd rather just be a good Democrat who gets along with other Democrats. You might give it a whirl sometime.

[Cooley Hurd]

145. Maybe! It takes more than a few posts to be credible here...

Maybe next time you'll pass?

Kiddo, listen here. You're trying to bash 1/2 of DUers who supported Senator Sanders over Secretary Clinton by agreeing with the OP. The OP stinks...

[BannonsLiver]

153. Thanks for the advice. Truly.

Last edited Sat Apr 15, 2017, 02:39 AM - Edit history (3)

My intent with the reply (which I don't believe was directed at you oriGinally) was to illustrate the "we can do this all day" back and Forth on what's divisive and what's not divisive. Under the circumstancesYes perhaps it was ill conceived, but that was the intent.


I wAs not here during the Bernie-Hillary warS though I gather it was quite diviSive, even resulting in a spinoff site. I have no interest in figHt that battle because I vOte for Bernie in my state's primary, not Hillary. So there is no reaL animus at all here from me to Bernie voters bEcause I am one.

I hope it stays that way.

Mahalo, Cooley

[Demsrule86]

147. Pumpkin?

[Cooley Hurd]

158. you tell me...

"pumpkin" has been used on this thread?

[LAS14]

7. I think it's ridiculous to ban all mention of Bernie Sanders, even...

... just for one's own viewing. I certainly agree that posts that pit Sanders over against other Dems or vice versa are not helpful, but he is making a real impact on leftist politics. If we can't talk about what he is saying, about whether his tactics are helpful or hurtful, then what is DU for? That would truly be head in the sand.

I think we should apply the same rule to posts about Dem public figures that we apply to DU posters - no personal attacks. Disagree up the wazoo. (Does anyone know what a wazoo is?)

I was a passionate Hillary supporter, for what it's worth.

[Demsrule86]

10. I didn't mean it that way.

Certainly Bernie will be mentioned...but many use it as an excuse to continue a proxy war that should have ended with the primary and the election...I find those sort of post unhelpful...and some are designed to criticize Bernie and some to praise him...but the news where he is in Las Vegas today...for example is interesting and informative...good for him. I will amend my post to make that clear. Thanks.

[Demsrule86]

16. Changed the post; hope it conveys my true meaning now.

[LAS14]

20. Much better. Thanks.

[Demsrule86]

30. Thank you for pointing it out. I certainly don't want a unity post to create

disunity...have a good day.

[annabanana]

29. +1

[CajunBlazer]

116. It's time to give up the primary fights

To continue those fights is to lose going forward.

[Demsrule86]

148. That is my feeling too.

[safeinOhio]

9. Until the primary was over, and even after,

the repub party was as divided and more infighting than ever. Then they won.

go figure.

[radical noodle]

12. They had a lot of help

They would not have won otherwise.

[Demsrule86]

18. That is a good point we are assuming we really lost.

Plenty of evidence to indicate large scale cheating happened. I look at the rural numbers in PA and they are not believable...same is true for Michigan and Wisconsin.

[safeinOhio]

43. Back in 1972 Michigan was a blue state

and George Wallace won the Michigan Democratic Primary.

[Demsrule86]

59. That is a good point. We can not forget that racism and hatred played a part

in Trump ascendancy...voters are being taught to blame immigrants, people of color and others for their woes...financial and otherwise. We fight among ourselves, while the evil right moves ahead.

[karynnj]

120. Interesting point -- and maybe that explains Reagan Democrats and Democrats who voted for Trump

After the Civil Rights Act was passed in 1964, I think it took several years before the Democratic party lost the Dixiecrat Democrats - like Wallace.

I also wonder if Wallace, Reagan and Trump might have hit some of the same notes that made blue collar white males vote for them, but not so much for Bush, McCain, and Romney. Somehow convincing them that they had their backs.

[Demsrule86]

14. This is because despite the infighting...they have

a great deal of party loyalty...they may hate the candidate, and some hated Trump I am sure, but they still vote Republican. It will be interesting to see if self-interest kicks in during the elections of 18 and 20. Certainly, many states are suffering under GOP leadership and now under Trump...hope so.

[safeinOhio]

22. I go online and and still read

the LTTE in my former very red town newspaper. Very strange thing is happening. It has now been over 3 weeks with not one letter supporting their president. Has to be a record. Still a few hate the gays and more guns letters, but not one in support or even mention of trump. It might seem like not much to some, but this is really big.

Any others here, living in a red area seeing this happen to the letters to the editor.

[Demsrule86]

33. I live in an area of Ohio that went for Hillary so I can't speak to that.

But I used to live in PA and I do not believe the Trump numbers coming out of rural PA are possible. Many of those polling places are small, and there were no observers...mostly GOP run too. And we learned yesterday that there is some evidence of hacking voting machines too...very suspicious.

[karynnj]

125. One of my best friends was from Sharon, PA -- which she left after college

After the election, when we saw her, she commented that she was not surprised at all with the results - because her siblings were shocked to hear Trump support and see signs.

I remember that someone - I think Carville - spoke of PA as Pittsburgh and Philadelphia with Alabama in between.

this may also be because so many of the small towns everywhere have really lost their mid 1900s grandeur. By that, I don't mean that they ever had palaces, but it is so sad when you drive into many small towns and see so many buildings with empty storefronts. You can still imagine how these proud streets looked decades ago, when they were the bustling centers of towns. When you see this - almost anywhere in the rust belt - it is easy for people to feel that life is not as good as it was. Throw in an unscrupulous person who tells them he can make everything great again. (leaving the listener to draw what great is in his mind)

[Demsrule86]

127. I am sure there was Trump support but the numbers are too big...I think

the GOP operatives voted people who didn't go to the polls.

[karynnj]

132. Hate stampedes people to the polls

In 2004, Bush/Cheney used various referendums on gay unions or rights that caused evangelical voters, who had never voted in their lives, to register and vote. They used the evangelical churches and media to lie that under a President Kerry, their churches would be required to perform gay marriages. The Kerry campaign outperformed all the goals they had set for themselves in getting votes in most precincts. I think they got more than 9 million more votes than Gore had.

BUT ... Bush got nearly 10 million more than he had in 2000 -- largely attributed to evangelicals.

In 2016, they did not need something like gay rights to generate hate. They had ginned up hate against the Clintons for decades. I suspect that in many places, the problem was that the normal turnout model did not pick up the intensity of hate and anger on the right. We, on the other hand, were complacent -- HRC was going to win, Trump was unacceptable.

(Note that the Democrats in 2006 completely blew out the midterm. The motivation was anger at Bush for both Iraq which had devolved into a civil war and the ineptness of the response to Katrina. We won seats that no one thought we had a chance at. Even the very optimistic Biden - on Sunday shows did not even suggest that we could get 51 Senators. His upper limit was we could get to 49. )

[Demsrule86]

133. I hear you but I still think some of these numbers were bullshit...and it wasn't just PA either.

[radical noodle]

94. They knew how important the Supreme Court was too n/t

[Demsrule86]

110. Yes, watching that smug faced Gorsuch sworn in...

made me want to cry... I briefly saw part of it before racing to turn the channel.

[KittyWampus]

13. It's amazing how many DU'ers are really good at continuing the primary without getting hidden...

it's like they have an agenda and actively seek to find a way to continue be divisive.

[Demsrule86]

15. This is very true...I don't know if they have an agenda or if they are

hurting. I remember how terrible I felt when Dean lost...still love Howard Dean.

[zipplewrath]

17. And when we disagree on party direction?

I realize we don't advocate discord here. But there are significant differences about where the party should go and what it should do, not to mention how. Are we really just supposed to choose between the grape flavored juice and the orange flavored and move on?

[Demsrule86]

23. I think the best way to handle

a desire for changes to the Democratic Party is to get involved at grass roots levels...and get involved in elections. I don't see how criticizing the party on this website improves anything, and it may discourage voters. Join your local organizations and work...but be ready to compromise as we are big tent...and remember we disagree completely with Republicans. And please read MineralMans OP.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10028930611

[zipplewrath]

26. Oh, boy

So here it's just supposed to be a bigger version of the BOG. No actual discussion I guess, just a lot of cheering.

[Demsrule86]

34. I don't oppose discussion.

But let's stop the 2016 proxy war.

[zipplewrath]

129. That conflict actually predates 2016

It's been going on since the '90s at least, and really dates back to the '60s. Ignoring it isn't going to make it go away.

[Demsrule86]

134. It can't be resolved apparently so we might as well just vote Democratic!

I would say that folks who are really unhappy with Democrats are probably more like left leaning independents...sure we want their votes...but we won't always get them which is a pity because it enable the GOP who really should win nothing.

[Cary]

95. That schtick got old a long time ago

Where has it gotten you?

For whatever it's worth those who advocate that lost credibility with me a long time ago.

[Demsrule86]

25. It was not HRC's turn or anyone's turn.

And this post is divisive.

[zipplewrath]

27. How does this "turn" thing work?

Who decides and can you tell me whose "turn" it is next?

[Demsrule86]

35. There is no such thing as a 'turn'. We have primaries and that is

how we pick our candidates.

[synergie]

159. It seems to be the right wingers, and it's how they put down qualified women they're

terrified of. Always a woman.

Best to stop listening to obvious misogyny and obvious RW crap. Makes things a whole lot less irritating.

[Foamfollower]

21. I've discovered a wonderful feature on this site.

You can auto-trash threads based upon keywords.

[Demsrule86]

24. Good to know.

[NurseJackie]

31. Good for you!

Sadly, the logic and sanity of your plea will fall on deaf ears... it will be ignored. But... nice try, anyway!

[Demsrule86]

36. Thanks Jackie...

I just want to stop Trump and feel a united party is the best way to accomplish this.

[Nevernose]

44. It's a little bit like watching a married couple bicker.

They've both got valid points, they're both wrong on some things, but in the end it doesn't really matter. They need to let it go and move on with their lives, because the rest of the family is tired of being stuck in the middle of what seems pretty petty considering the very real problems we face. I'd rather face them together, as a family.

The only way Russia, Republicans, and Trump can win is by keeping us divided.

[Demsrule86]

60. I love your post...you said it much better than I did...but it is exactly what I mean.

[alarimer]

45. What you call divisive, I call constructive criticism.

I won't be part of a party that demands no criticism when it deserves it (which is most, if not all, of the time). How will different voices ever be heard? How would change ever be implemented? The Democrats have lost 900+ state legislative seats over the last 10 years. The old way is not working.

Fortunately, plenty recognize that and are doing something about (this includes Sanders and Tom Perez, among others).

I also don't believe in loyalty. These are elected officials. They work for US. When they do wrong, they should be removed electorally.

[NurseJackie]

48. Oh, brother.

I won't be part of a party that demands no criticism when it deserves it (which is most, if not all, of the time).

Nobody is making that demand.

I also don't believe in loyalty.

That's very clear.

The Democrats have lost 900+ state legislative seats over the last 10 years.

Gerrymandering.

[Skittles]

54. jeez how I despise post autopsies

[NurseJackie]

63. Oh well...

54. jeez how I despise post autopsies

... what can ya do?

[Demsrule86]

62. Great points.

[Demsrule86]

106. Thank you...I really do want us to move forward and destroy the Republicans...I

despise them.

[JTFrog]

52. Calling for Obama to be primaried or saying that Hillary wasn't qualified is NOT constructrive

criticism. The false equivalencies and bashing is what is making it impossible to unite.

Pouring salt into the still bleeding wounds that he inflicted within the party is hardly going to bring us together.

[Demsrule86]

64. I recognize and understand the pain...(as a Deniac)

but like you said, we must move on. All of us here got hurt one way or the other.

[CajunBlazer]

117. It's time to give up the primary fights

To continue them is to lose going forward.

[Demsrule86]

130. I believe if we don't have party loyalty, the Republicans will win.

There are two choices in any election in most cases. So if you don't pick the Democrat then by default the GOP candidate gains. As for criticism...I do not believe in a time when Trump is dismantling this country, criticism of the Democratic party is constructive.

[pnwmom]

65. Then how come almost half of Catholics voted for Hillary? Are none of them Christians?

Or what about all the huge numbers of hispanic and African American Christians that voted for Hillary? Don't they count?

It's funny that ONLY some white Christians are getting the idea that the Democratic party is contemptuous of Christianity, but not Christians of color.

[Demsrule86]

66. I am a Democrat and a Christian. I play bells in my church choir.

Most in my liberal Episcopalian church are Democrats.My Lesbian daughter will be married to the love or of her life in a few years (still very young) in that church...our church mission is to minister to those less fortunate. I do not see the party as trashing Christians. And I believe we can take back the rust belt...they were lied to ...this will become increasingly clear...Also we didn't lose by much. I would add that the idea that Democrats hate Christianity is a Republican meme, and is not true. We are a diverse big tent party.

[askyagerz]

47. I think a lot of people have become vicious guard dogs

Fighting and debating the republicans all these years and reactively bite when someone doesn't agree with them. I think most of us know what needs to be done even if we don't always agree on how to accomplish that. We all have to compromise something for the better good. It's what separates the adults from the republicans. And the fat trump jabs need to fucking stop because they bring us to his level. Are people still in 5th grade or what?

[Demsrule86]

67. I don't know ....I think trashing Trump and the Republicans should still be an

enjoyable activity...hehe...and one that unites us bigly.

[secondwind]

49. HUGE K&R

[Demsrule86]

68. Thanks so much...I am really trying.

[Demsrule86]

126. Thanks so much.

[Plucketeer]

50. A kum-bye-ah moment

Rival teams often line up to shake hands after the 4th quarter or 9th inning. That's nice for "games". You'll forgive me if I don't look upon the welfare of me and mine as some sort of sporting event. Funny how there's always this yearning for Dems to show some spine. Yet when we individuals do it, we're "disruptive". Damned rogue vertebrae!

Next time you have something stolen from your home or your car - just shrug your shoulders and get a replacement. Don't rake yourself for having been careless about locking up. Nothing to learn from your mistakes so just forget about them! You surely don't wanna get your friends all bummed out with your foul mood, so just wear a big grin and press on.

[Demsrule86]

72. I don't want to make nice with Repubicans

who very likely did steal this election...I want to bury their treasonous butts! However, we need to let 2016 go as Democrats. Many of us were manipulated by the media, the GOP and by Russian trolls it seems into becoming a circular firing squad. That needs to stop.

[retrowire]

51. No worries

Even though I LOATHED the term "blue no matter who" during 2016, I'm damn sure to practice that while voting in all coming elections.

This time, it's not so much about who's a good or bad democrat.

What we have here is a legitimate IMBALANCE of the two party system and the blues need to push HARD to get things back to normal.

[Demsrule86]

55. That is my feeling...we have to push hard

to get back to normal as you said...and then we can work on party issues.

[byronius]

61. Hey, Russia pays good money for those posts.

Why you got to get down on the working man?

[Demsrule86]

74. Haha... a girl or guy's got to earn a living...I heard there was good money in

going to the woman's march...still waiting for my check...

[Cary]

69. Ya think?

Vote Democratic!

[Demsrule86]

76. YES and yes...we will defeat these truly evil people...

I think we can do it...the news out of Illinois and Kansas is very encouraging.

[Cary]

78. I posted something similar

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10028930501

[Demsrule86]

79. Thanks for the link. I K&R your OP.

I am glad to see similar posts about unity. Mineralman had a good post too.

[NoMoreRepugs]

75. Not easy to say what needs be said in a couple

of paragraphs and satisfy everyone. I agree with the notion that we vote in unity, then once back in a position of power go about fixing the particulars. Until then its a vicious streetfight and no time to play nice.

[Demsrule86]

77. That is my point...no doubt there are things we could do better.

But we are in the fight of our lives and that effort must wait.

[SMC22307]

80. Even though you "like" the poster?

Is this a junior high popularity contest?

Trash away. No one cares.

It's always amusing when someone tries to control this board and its members. Thanks for the Good Friday chuckle.

[Demsrule86]

81. I enjoy reading a certain person's post and think he/she is good people.

But I will not continue to participate in division of the Democratic Party.

[SMC22307]

88. Participate? You're leading the charge with your OP...

and I'm happy to see a majority rejecting the very controlling, divisive sentiment expressed in it.

[Demsrule86]

109. Whatever...sorry you feel that way.

I value everyone's opinion...cheers.

[Paladin]

82. I'm with you, 1000%.

Those of you insisting on prolonging the 2016 campaign (and I will admit to being a part of this at times) need to let it go and concentrate on what's going on right now---day by day, trump is erasing our country and way of life. He is wiping his ass with every part of the Bill Of Rights (other than the 2nd Amendment), and he's threatening to kick off WWIII to take attention away from how he and the Russians stole the election. I beg of you, direct your fighting instincts to where they're needed---once we've re-taken control of the country, we can return to all the Good Is The Enemy Of The Best mud-slinging. But not now. We've got serious work to do, to prevent this nation from becoming a fascist trash heap. Please.

[Chakaconcarne]

84. I don't get how anyone can be focused internally with all the BS going on with Trump...

Sure these dividers aren't trollers?

[Paladin]

87. I am confident that a good portion of them are exactly that: trolls.

All the more reason to avoid their efforts to divide us, and concentrate on the life-or-death situation imposed on us by trump and his goons.

[Demsrule86]

124. Yes...we must move on an save our ammunition for Trump or

there won't be a country left to fight for. He is the retail president busily enriching himself at the expense of the country and seemingly has us on the brink of war with North Korea. He has already killed multiple people and is the worst president in my lifetime...This is an emergency...all hands on deck.

[Paladin]

128. Whatever it takes, to save what's left of our country. (nt)

[Demsrule86]

149. Agreed...the GOP are the enemy ...not any Democrat.

[Mr. Evil]

83. My two cents

is that I really don't give a shit what political party a candidate belongs to so long as they have practical policies and promote legislation based on logic and truth. Long term solutions that benefit the entirety of this nation are what we need. What about the so-called 'blue dog democrats?' Do we support them above all others because they are established and have name recognition? I'm as liberal and progressive as they come but, my allegiances are to humanity first. The decisions made here affect people in other countries too.
And to use a term that I absolutely loathe, "take our country back," is akin to little kids playing tug-of-war. Back and forth, etc. like we get to play with the new toy by ourselves for awhile and they can't. We need to uplift ourselves out of the bullshit and move forward boldly with new plans that benefit everyone. The RWNJ bubble needs to be burst once and for all.

[radical noodle]

99. Blue Dog Democrats have a place

I come from Indiana, which is a pretty red state going way back to Lincoln. They voted for LBJ against Goldwater and for Obama against McCain. Both of those elections had other elements that caused them to go that way. As the GOP changed, so did the voters who listen faithfully to Rush Limbaugh and watch Fox. To have a Democratic Senator from Indiana these days is nothing short of a miracle. Senators are elected to represent their constituents. Blue dog Democrats are one step closer to having a majority and that is THE important thing. Most blue dog Democrats vote with the party most of the time. The party manages to protect them by giving them a few conservative votes to cast to make their constituents happy and those are the ones you hear about. Nonetheless, the Dems know how important it is to have them. Donnelly won because his opponent was an idiot. We have to take our victories however we can.

[SpankMe]

85. I was a Sanders guy. But, the OP is correct.

Trump (whom I call "First Asshole" in many of my posts) is so shockingly objectionable that he should have the effect of instantly unifying Dems and Libs everywhere. I don't know why some form of unification here isn't as robust as it should have been.

In fact, Trump is a prick of such massive proportions that all compartments within the Democratic party and the progressive sphere in general should have slammed together with the force of two strong magnets coming in close proximity to each other.

The occasional posts about what Bernie would have done and why Hillary should, or shouldn't, have ended up with the nomination, etc. are OK up to a point - as long as they're looking at it from the "lessons learned" point of view with an eye toward future strategy.

But, when these posts try to re-hash grievances that have already been "hashed" to death, and devolve into "I told you so" posts and angry "we wouldn't be here if you'd only..." posts, all it does is re-divide us. It does nothing to rectify the profane, Democracy-threatening, festering hemorrhoid that is Donald Trump.

We have to prioritize. We can either, A) Continue to argue the Democratic primary and general election while Republicans destroy America (like endlessly arguing about how crooked the paintings are on the Titanic); or B) Focus on taking back the White House (which is very doable) and taking back at least one of the legislative chambers the next time around (needs a lot of work and attention).

I'll take option B.

[Demsrule86]

113. This is a great post and says everything I believe

but in a more elegant way than anything I wrote. This should be a stand alone thread...thanks.

[FairWinds]

86. Did Democratic US Senator Joe Manchin . .

think he was being divisive when he voted to confirm Jeff Sessions?

Or when he and Sen. Heidi Heitcamp voted to confirm Pruitt at the EPA?

[Glitterati]

92. Awww, now FairWinds.....

you gotta get with the program.........there's one set of rules for Democratic voters and a whole new set for Democratic officeholders.

By golly, they are the KINGS who make the rules as they go. Us peasants are just supposed to follow blindly asking how high when told to jump!

[bekkilyn]

93. LOL +1 (nt)

[GulfCoast66]

97. If you favor a 50 state strategy

You are going to have Manchins and Heitcamps. If you run folks as progressive as many here are we will stay in the minority.

It is a painful truth. Wish I was wrong.

[Demsrule86]

102. That is indeed the truth...and less painful I believe than in being

a minority party.

[GulfCoast66]

112. Right

And I think the post I responded to is symbolic of the division in the party. It is really not about who you supported in the primary.

Instead, some in the party considers anyone not sufficiently progressive to be unworthy of support and even unqualified to be considered a Democrat.

I may wish manchin were more liberal but still consider him a good member of the Democratic Party.

[Demsrule86]

121. I wish everyone was more liberal.

I want single payer, and college tuition relief...an better safety net...United gone. But in order to accomplish any of those things we need a majority...and that means having conservadems in red states.

[Demsrule86]

104. Dems in red states have to vote in a way that

helps them win elections...he is going to have a hard time holding on to his seat. He is with us about 80% of the time and that is way more than any GOP would be...and Sessions was going in so what does it matter? He is a no vote for Trump care...now that is a vote that counts.

[FairWinds]

111. The Blue Dogs bragged openly about . .

killing the public option.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/08/07/763345/-Blue-Dog-Boasts-We-held-the-bill-hostage

Are we being "divisive" to object to that just a teeny bit?

[Demsrule86]

119. And he is out of the House ...they need to vote for us when it matters. I can't think of any of the

The Sessions vote did not matter. He was going to get in...thus it was a good vote for him to show 'independence'. Every Dem in the House voted against Trump care you know.

[GulfCoast66]

135. Object and do so loudly

Last edited Fri Apr 14, 2017, 06:02 PM - Edit history (1)

But not all Democrats support public option much less single payer.

Vote against him in the primary. But if someone here rallies against him in the general, that is being divisive. As is telling Democrats who agree with him they are not really Democrats. Not accusing you of doing so, just saying in general.

Have a nice day.

[Demsrule86]

150. I see your point. I support a public option...and lowering of Medicare age .

But I don't want a big huge controversial bill because I don't think we can get it though...and once the primary is done ...then you vote for the Democrat left standing...no matter what any Democrat is better than any Republican.

[GulfCoast66]

155. We are in total agreement

[progree]

89. And on a related note about divisiveness, folks, elderly people are not "geezers"

(Just a comment about a remark in another thread).

[Demsrule86]

101. Someone called people that...horrible!!!

[progree]

107. And a jury thought it was OK. In fairness, it was referring to elderly people wearing Trump red hats

but we don't call Trump supporters who are black (the very small percent that voted that way) the N-word, we don't call women who support Trump the c word, we don't call gay people who are Trump supporters (presumably some of the Log Cabin Republicans) f**s, and so on. I don't know why its somehow OK around here to use the geezer word for seniors. Oh well.

Asshole and asswipe and so on are great descrptions for such Trump supporters, but let's not use derogatory racist, ethnic, gender, ageist, and so on terms even in that context.

[Demsrule86]

115. I think the jury was wrong...name calling should not be allowed.

[N_E_1 for Tennis]

91. Ok. We are a family here....

and all families have their differences. They fight, they argue, they leave the home, if so inclined.

But, and this is an important but, they usually come back to the home that they walked out of.
(I know prep at the fn end.)

I lurked for a great while. I joined. Maybe I don't comment enuf. But really? Differences? Other opinions? Discussions?

That's what a democrat is. That is our being. That is our life. We need to accept all. We need to embrace all the classes. We need to explain the *many * the injustice(s) brought upon them. We have a great need, a want to help.

Democratic, democrat, whatever. We want fairness in our country and our lives. We need the truth.
We need to be able to, at very least, accept the leadership we have.

But we can't at this time. We can't accept our leadership. We should not, we should fight.

Yes, we are a very divisive group. This is how we learn, this is how we put our minds into critical thinking mode.

We are Democrats.

[Demsrule86]

100. Works for me ...we are a big tent but right now it is all hands on the deck to fight Trump...

not leadership...later after we have taken back some power...than we can work at it...I believe in bottom up change start at the grass roots.

[karynnj]

96. Your post is well taken EXCEPT it reminds me of why I had problems in the 1960s with WE CAN WORK IT

OUT by the Beatles, who I was then obsessed about, reading anything I could and listening to them whenever I could. Not to mention, We can work it out was sung by Paul McCartney, my favorite Beatle.

So, what was the problem with this beautiful song? His goal to have his girl friend and himself work things out and stay together sounded heart felt, BUT he spoke to her "try to see it my way" without a parallel statement that he should try to see it her way. That bothered me - even as a 15 year old Beatles fan.

Now look at what you wrote:

I will trash any OP that asks why are we not being more friendly to the left? (even though I like the Poster) or ones that use Bernie Sanders to fight an ongoing proxy war to divide Democrats.That is not to say news about our party leaders is not welcome and useful. I will also trash any post that mentions 'corporate Democrats' because there is no such thing. Let's practice tolerance and party loyalty.

Like the wonderful Paul McCartney, each example is telling the other side to stop doing things that divide the entire group. Just as I would have thought We can work it out, not just beautiful, but thought provoking, if he suggested that they BOTH needed to see things through the eyes of each other, I think your post could have included references to things like not relitigating whether Sanders should have been allowed to run. In the primaries and since, BOTH sides said things that upset the other. Neither Sanders or Clinton were perfect. In 2016, at DU there was a more aggressive stance, in the general election against any post that criticized anything about Clinton, than existed here in 2008 and even more so compared to 2004.

Since the election, it is painful to read the intensely angry posts written out of hurt that Clinton lost - blaming people here. In general, the DEMOCRATS, who had supported Sanders, worked hard in the general election reaching out to people that they - unlike the Clinton supporters - had links to in support of Clinton. Bus loads of people left Vermont to go to NH -- and many spoke of talking to independents they had convinced to vote for Sanders in the primaries. My youngest daughter, who supported Bernie in her caucus in Washington state, wrote some very good, detailed advocacy posts that she posted in her networks and followed up persuading many never Hillary independents to vote for her because her domestic positions were very close to Sanders.

It is painful to read the "worst candidate ever" stuff as well -- as I remember how painful that was after 2004 when it was Kerry, who I had come to admire as a person, politician and statesman more than any other candidate. No campaign is perfect and all campaigns are shown through the lens of whether they succeeded or not. Consider that in 2005, people here trashed Kerry for a few hours of windsurfing, while the Republican convention happened and the campaign was quiet as he spent the time preparing for his excellent debates. Knowing that a Democratic primary opponent had used push polls saying he was really dying of cancer, I suspect that those two hours - other than highlighting how beautiful Nantucket is - silently conveyed the image of a healthy, fit, athletic nominee. Yet it is to be expected that a post mortem will continue - especially as many involved are likely to write or speak of their experiences.

I am not sure what the answer is. This is a discussion board, so it is natural that something that so obviously affects everything in our country will be discussed. We already have a rule that I believe means we can't trash the character of any Democrat or person caucusing with Democrats. It might mean that we were premature in getting fit of the post 2016 forum -- or that maybe that we needed two such forums.

[Demsrule86]

98. I have not seen posts recently that are the opposite...perhaps they exist and I missed

them...add them to the list. I wish for unity...and the ones about how invite the left back to our party assumes we excluded them and that is not the case. I described a few posts that I could think of off the top of my head...but I am sure there are others. We should try to lift this party and each other up...your point is well taken an interesting post.

[kentuck]

103. I think we should reach a compromise.

There should be a primary in every race and the loser of the primary should vow support for the winner and advise his supporters to do the same?

[Cary]

108. Unenforceable

Like it or not, winning is everything. You have two choices: good or evil. If you don't choose Democratic you choose evil.

Those are the facts of life Kentuck. The proof is sitting in the White House, and in the Speaker's chair, and in the Senate Majority Leader. Now too we have 5 seats in the Supreme Court just itching for more of those 5 - 4 radical judicial activist decisions.

Vote Democratic, Kentuck.

[Demsrule86]

114. We should do exactly that.

And everyone should work to elect the Democrat...who is always better than any Republicans.

[Hekate]

118. KnR

[Demsrule86]

123. Thanks!

[Squinch]

136. Kick!

[JCanete]

146. you make the mistake of seeing divisive posts coming from one side. You say you will be steadfast

in trashing any post which, surprise surprise, comes from Sanders supporters. It wouldn't have been that hard to say, "and I will trash any post that suggests Sanders is an enemy of the Democratic party, or an enemy of the good." Or maybe it would have been. Point is, people saying this was divisive have a point. You can't call for unity and then promote a narrative that the other side, not yours, is the one being divisive. Do you see that? Even if you think you're right, that is hardly promoting of unity.

[Demsrule86]

152. That is not true...I trashed one that

discussed whether Bernie hurt or helped the Democratic Party...I am over it. I don't want to participate in any posts that will cause division, arguments and the inevitable hides.

[JCanete]

154. that's good. I didn't get that from your op, but I'll take it, and appreciate your goals. nt

[Demsrule86]

157. I should probably of mentioned this includes both sides of the

primary divide. I took down my pictures in fact that showed partisanship...anyone who has seen my posts knows where I stood, but the primary and election are over. We can win...Trump is a great danger but he is also a great opportunity to get back on track and have a sufficient majority that we can move left on policy like single payer that is popular these days.

[Cary]

161. Vote Democratic

Do not sow discord and discontent.

[guillaumeb]

151. Long past the time.

[Demsrule86]

156. It is...we are already having elections.

Trump is destroying our country...if we can take the Senate and I know it is going to be tough...we can stop his judicial picks from destroying the courts at least...and the worst of the GOP policy.

[Else You Are Mad]

160. I mostly agree.

I just don't want to win by selling our souls just to win because absolute power corrupts absolutely and if we get power that way, we are no different than the GOP. That said, I don't understand why people are infighting when we can all just come to the table and come up with a winning strategy.

[Demsrule86]

162. We have system. We have primaries and all...

if we get involved and all participate in the process...all of us have something to give, and we can turn this thing around and save our country from the GOP...desperate times.

[KingCharlemagne]

165. Your post about divisive posts is . . . quite divisive. - nt

[Demsrule86]

166. How so?

I say we all pull together and kick some GOP ass...are there things about the Democratic party people may or may not like sure... They are however, the only game in town is you want to stop Trump...and the proxy wars based on 16...from both side need to end...or we will snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. We have a good shot next year to take the house and possibly the Senate...that would shut down Trump's judicial picks and save our judiciary...I want to work on that and believe we need a united effort. I fail to see how that is 'divisive' .

[KingCharlemagne]

167. To quote your OP: "Thus, I will trash any OP that asks why are we not being

more friendly to the left." If you are trashing OPs that don't violate DU's terms of service, you by definition are being divisive.

[Demsrule86]

172. That is a personal decision to trash OP's that cause division even if it does not

violate TOS. I am not saying others should do so...And saying why can't we be more 'friendly' to the left or to moderates for that matter is an opening salvo into the proxy wars of 2016 in my opinion. It assumes that we are excluding folks, and that is just not true. You can trash OP's for any reason...you should alert for those that violate TOS. I will no longer get involved in the endless 2016 proxy battles that continue to this day. We need to unite and move on in order to defeat the worst, most dangerous president and repug party in my lifetime.

[NCTraveler]

169. I'll try harder.

[Demsrule86]

173. Your posts are always great!