Help! I'm under attack!

[JDPriestly]

On Mon Mar 21, 2016, 10:08 AM an alert was sent on the following post:

I'm not a millenial, and I have said many times that I will vote for all the other Democrats on
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1251&pid=1540832

REASON FOR ALERT

This post is disruptive, hurtful, rude, insensitive, over-the-top, or otherwise inappropriate.

ALERTER'S COMMENTS

Yet another advocating NOT voting for our nominee.

JURY RESULTS

A randomly-selected Jury of DU members completed their review of this alert at Mon Mar 21, 2016, 10:20 AM, and voted 4-3 to HIDE IT.

Juror #1 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: Bernie supporter here. Post is against the rules.
Juror #2 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: It is not said here that the alertee will vote for the opponent. Only
that a vote will not be cast in favor of HRC. It's a personal decision. Get over it.
Juror #3 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: Hillary is not our nominee, last I checked. And please save the "it's all over but the shouting" ruse. Nothing is over until it's over.
Juror #4 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: Advocating that we shouldn't vote for Democrats is going to help put Trump in office.

Hillary, for all of her right-leaning ideals, is still a massive improvement over Trump. I don't want Hillary to win, but at the same time she is the lesser of the two evils.
Juror #5 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #6 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: A nominee has not been declared.
Juror #7 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Not voting for ONE outcome of a nominee we haven't chosen yet, while still advocating other Democrats. Let it stand.

CONSEQUENCES OF THIS DECISION

You will no longer be able to participate in this discussion thread, and you will not be able to start a new discussion thread in this forum until 11:20 AM. This hidden post has been added to your <a href="/?com=profile&uid=135608&sub=trans">Transparency page</a>.

IMPORTANT: Hidden posts remain on your Transparency Page for 90 days. If at any time your Transparency Page contains five or more hidden posts, your Transparency Page will be displayed and can be read by any logged-in member

I am a lifelong Democrat. How can this site call itself Democratic UNDERGROUND if punishes the slightest deviation from the Democratic Party's choices.

We in California have not yet voted. Hillary is not the nominee.

If I am to be thrown off DU and excluded, I want my money back at the very least.

What I said stands. It is my right as a US citizen to vote for whomever I please and not to vote for whomever I please.

The rule on DU is that we support Democratic candidates. I have not said that I will not vote for someone who is at this time our candidate.

I am a strong advocate for Bernie Sanders. I notice more and more that is not tolerated on this site.

I am especially disappointed that someone who claims to be a Bernie supporter would vote to remove my post when I am merely exercising my right as a citizen and as a Democrat to decide who I vote for and who I do not vote for.

Just so happens that because I am in California my not voting for Hillary will not affect the outcome of the November election at all. California will solidly vote Democratic without my vote. And Trump can never win in California because of our many, many immigrants.

I will not be silenced by a repressive team that heads a website. The jury vote becomes less and less fair when you have posts that have been removed. That is because the people eligible for jury duty are more and more likely as more and more posts are removed to be those who mouth the majority's opinions and do not bring in new, controversial ideas.

I think this removal of my post is extremely unfair. I have had two or three other posts removed in the last month or so after years of not having posts removed -- maybe at most one or two.

This is a vindictive campaign against Bernie supporters that will in the end cause Hillary should she really be the candidate a lot more trouble than the admins realize.

If this is how people try to win votes for Hillary it will never work.

Give me reasons to vote for her, and maybe that will work. But my values are those of the old-fashioned Democratic Party I grew up with. I was born in 1943, and FDR was president. I am still an FDR Democrat. Hillary is not. She is a Third Way, DLC Democrat.

If my views are no longer welcome even among the self-named Democratic Underground, then what has happened to the Democratic Party? Am I still a Democrat?

Please tell me. Am I still a Democrat or am I being thrown out of the Democratic Party? I interpret these attacks on me to be a message that maybe the Democratic Party doesn't want me or my kind any more.

Please comment. What is your opinion?

[Blue State Bandit]

1. I have been called a terrorist for less...

and the jury system let that stand.

[JDPriestly]

5. Right. Maybe the admins will notice that.

I feel that two of my posts have been removed for reasons that did not violate the rules.

There is apparently no appeal.

I try never to remove a post. What is the point in a discussion site if reasonable discussion is barred?

Makes no sense.

I try very hard never to insult any DUers or to post things that are ugly.

But I will vote and not vote my conscience, and I hope others do the same.

It is wrong to vote for a candidate merely because the candidate claims to have the same party affiliation as you. How mindless can voters get?

[Blue State Bandit]

17. Let's see how this goes down.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12511540809#post34

That's on your thread.

[JDPriestly]

27. Thanks a million.

[Baobab]

67. Other Democratic-leaning blogs -good online communities?

I am trying to get away from the computer and live more of my life in the real world, but are there any good communities which dont have the problem being described, which have forums and good people and lively engaged discussions on our present and future?

[revbones]

2. It would appear that Hillary supporters are immune to reason

They're going to alert on anything to silence you or anyone that doesn't conform to what they see as the truth.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

3. it never has been, really

Underground i mean. They only let us post here cause otherwise it would have 90% less traffic and just be an echo chamber for the third way.*

*i'm feeling a little fed-the-fuck-up this morning, can you tell?

[potone]

4. Juror #3 seems to have voted the opposite of his/her intention.

The comment doesn't jibe with the vote to hide. I would take that up with the administrators, if I were you. I also agree with you that we are not yet in the GE, and in addition, the post isn't stating a declaration to vote for our nominee's opponent, or encouraging others to do likewise, so I don't see this as a valid hide, let alone a reason to disallow your participation in the forum.

[JDPriestly]

7. Yes, but it is my understanding that there is no appeal from a jury decision.

That makes lighter work for the admins. If they can just let juries make these decisions, then the admins don't even have to follow what is going on here very much. But, yes, it appears that Juror #3 voted to remove but argues to keep the post in place. Maybe that juror will see the error and ask for an appeal.

[stage left]

38. I agree.

It looks like Juror #3 got confused and hit the wrong button.

[Downwinder]

6. State law requires me to remain a Democrat

Until 2018. After that we will see. Other than President and Rail Road Commissioner I had no choices in the Dem. primary.

I have not left the Party. The Party has left me.

[xloadiex]

8. Bogus hide

and juror #3 sure does seem like they clicked the wrong button.

[mahina]

9. Cool head, main thing, like they say around here.

The Democratic Party needs you, of course. A post on DU has no connection to the party.

We have to vote our conscience.

I will vote for Hillary if she is the norm but I don't think she will be.

It's clear this outcome is upsetting to you, as it would be to anyone. I feel for you and can only suggest that you consider phone banking and other help for Bernie and walk away from the land of Internet opinion for a bit. You'll feel better and will help Bernie win, so the conversation would be irrelevant.

[JDPriestly]

13. I phone bank when I can. Yesterday I phonebanked to Utah.

I do it at a phonebank center because I don't feel I am good enough at computers to do it at home. Also we don't have the landline I would need. I pay extra if I make more than a certain number of hours of calls on my cell.

[mahina]

16. :) thank you :)

Cheers JD Priestly!

[Bjornsdotter]

10. So sorry....

I am of the mind that your vote is yours and that everyone is allowed to have an opinion without being the victim of an alert.

[NV Whino]

11. When the Hillbot swarm were given Amnesty,

the site descended into hell faster than the site could activate the hand basket

[Donkees]

15. So that's what Madeleine Albright was talking about!

[Major Hogwash]

41. It sort of reminds me of the annual running of the bulls in Pamplona, Spain.

Some of Hillary's supporters are trying to run down as many of Bernie's supporters they can by spewing asinine bullshit about Bernie in an effort to keep us from supporting Bernie here at DU.

It's a complete joke, and an utter waste of time.
The reason Skinner gave them amnesty is obvious . . . it is because he just found out the race is over.

Bernie has declared that he is going to stay in the race and go clear to the convention.
And by the time the primary season is over --- and after all of the pledged delegates have been doled out --- even if Bernie does not have the required number of delegates to win the nomination outright . . . he will have a significantly large number of delegates to keep Hillary from declaring that she is the nominee due to the fact that the FBI investigation will be over by then.

That's why Skinner granted some of those members amnesty.
Nothing they say now can help Hillary.

[bunnies]

43. Surprise! You were alerted on.

No name calling! It said. 2-5 to leave it.

[NV Whino]

44. Oh, I'm not surprised.

[bunnies]

45. No Bernie supporter should be these days.

It's gotten really pathetic around here.

[NV Whino]

47. It has indeed.

I think JPR will be a good place to land after the election. No matter who wins this place will be insufferable.

[bunnies]

48. Ive already started making the transition.

I just need to get used to the layout. So many great former DUers are there already.

[NV Whino]

49. Yeah, I'm there.

Great discussions and info.

[artislife]

12. The least of us is leading at the moment

They sound like people who answer "Because" when asked a question.

They are either fearful, tired, doing very nicely, centrists or true believers. They want this to be done. Because they think the next fight will be easy.

It won't.

They don't get how polarizing their candidate is.

And for how long. There are some people who have decades long aversions to Clinton.

There are some who see how being a woman does not mean that the game of politics is any different to the game that has been played for over 200 years.

And they don't see how we all lose because it is played that way.

[JDPriestly]

14. Thanks.

[mahina]

18. Exactly.

[in_cog_ni_to]

19. Such bullshit. ONE PERSON, ONE VOTE and

it's no ones business who another person votes for! We don't even have a nominee yet, so you've broken no rule...and who's to say you won't change your mind on your position (not that you will - I'm just saying they don't know you won't)? They aren't fucking mind readers.

ALL of these political forums have an authoritarian bend...ALL OF THEM delete posts they don't like or don't want on their site. That's not my thing, so I'm off of all forums if Bernie isn't the nominee. I HATE being told I can't say something, so I won't.

THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY ISN'T THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY ANYMORE! They left us a long, long, long time ago...starting in 1992.

PEACE
LOVE
BERNIE

[JDPriestly]

20. Thanks.

[FourScore]

21. No question - this hide should not have happened.

I know it's hard, but try to let it go. You are too important to some of us on this website. I don't want to lose you, too.

[JDPriestly]

22. Thanks for your support. Juror #3's statement and vote do not match, but oh, well.

[jillan]

23. There are no words except this....

Shake it off!!

Cause the players gonna play, play, play, play, play
And the haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate
Baby, I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake
I shake it off, I shake it off

[abelenkpe]

24. You have not abandoned the democratic party

The democratic party left FDR democrats long ago. They've been moving right since Reagan and Citizen's United has not helped.

Look, my family is from Northern VA and the DC area. Those that aren't lunatic republicans are third way democrats. They're comfortable. They have lobbyist, contractor and government jobs. They want Clinton because she's a woman (Yay! A first.) and she's not gong to rock the boat in any way shape or form. They truly believe that's the best path. The believe the media's interpretation that Sanders cannot win.

But it's not fair to those of us in CA to be told the process is over before we even get to vote. And then to expect us to fall in line when we're never given a choice. I totally understand you're POV. And you are not alone. Everyone I know is disgusted with this election cycle. None of the candidates generate enthusiasm (except Bernie, but we're being told it's over before we vote so....) Why are we expected to show up for the general? Our vote doesn't matter, right?

[agracie]

25. They have turned their backs on us, yet they expect our support in November. Not gonna happen.

[840high]

26. Bad hide. makes me wonder about the jury system.

[peacebird]

28. I'm sorry JDPriestly. There are some ghastly thin skinned Hill supporters trying to purge us.

Ignore is your friend. I have doubled my ignore list in last couple weeks. It decreases the likelihood I will see one of their not-so-very "artful smears" of Bernie, and have that goad me into responding.
Hang in there. It's likely to get even rougher for next couple weeks....

[JDPriestly]

29. Thanks!

[ymetca]

30. I could be wrong

but this is the first time in my lifetime I can recall that folks west of the Rockies could truly have an impact on the Democratic nominee.

[JDPriestly]

32. I sure hope we do!

[orpupilofnature57]

31. I've been a juror 3 times in two day's, Skinner indicated we shouldn't use the Hide button as a way

to squelch dissent, unfortunately Hillary supporters have been issuing MOST of the Alerts . I , as I'm sure tons of people LOVE your posts and what you always bring to the conversation .

[JDPriestly]

34. I never do. The Hillary crew just cannot bear the fact that

so many people really dislike their candidate.

But it is a fact that has to be faced.

I never vote against a post because I disagree with it or because it insults a candidate I like.

Vive la discussion! That's my motto.

[orpupilofnature57]

36. + 1000000000000 !!!!!!!!!!!

You are a valuable Member of this community, HANG Tough .

[stage left]

40. Me, too.

I'm a juror a lot and you have to be really bad for me to vote to hide.

[revbones]

55. Is there any way to make suggestions to Skinner?

Maybe if we all supported a modification to the alert system, it would be considered.

I personally think that if you alert and it doesn't get hidden, then you should get a timeout of 1-3 days, more or less depending on how many alerts you've had that failed in the last x days.

Thoughts?

[SMC22307]

60. Pop on over to ATA.

I think time-outs are a thing of the past. I've noticed a couple of accounts Flagged for Review (Beausior, Bravenak), but don't know at what number that happens (5?). Beausior has over 10 hides, and the angry little mouth that roared is up to 6 or 7.

[Kalidurga]

33. A lot of Hillary supporters are livid with Bob (Bernie or Bust)

so saying anything about not voting for her just sends them into a rage. They seem to think all the states are in play. I am starting to think that they might be right if Hillary is the nominee even the very deep blue states. I would never tell a person in a swing state to go all out BOB, but other people well it's up to them. I have never actually told anyone in real life that voting third party was stupid, I am not sure I believe it is so there is that. Instead I ask them what reasons they are voting for their candidate, I have gotten an earful in the past. Sometimes I leave the conversation thinking they are mad as a hatter, like when one person told me Nader. But, it turns out both parties really do tow the line to corporate interests and both parties do like deregulation Democrats just to a slightly lesser degree.

[JDPriestly]

35. Thanks!

[Fawke Em]

54. Have you heard about the 59,000 Democrats in Pennsylvania who have re-registered as Republicans?

I heard it on Thom Hartmann today, so I'm sure my source is accurate. If that's true, an Thom mentioned it more than once, then Hillary is toast. Thom was discussing Thomas Frank's new book, "Listen, Liberal!" that points out how the Clintonian/DLC Democrats left the working class to court the top 10 percent of wage earners (the top 1 percent already belong to the Republicans) and that no one is representing the 90 percent any longer.

Because Pennsylvania votes so late, many think Bernie won't be a viable option at that point and are switching to vote for Trump. Why? Because he's the only other candidate discussing trade, the loss of our jobs and income issues.

I have been saying I don't think Clinton can win because she'll lose Ohio, Florida, North Carolina and either Colorado or Virginia. I may have to add Pennsylvania to that list.

[Kalidurga]

57. That is very sad

No matter who Democrats put at the top of the ticket I can't imagine bringing myself to register as a RepubliCON. Now, I can imagine a situation where I register as an Independent, but at this time I really see no need to do that even as I have some severe issues with the party right now. My party affiliation won't impact my ability to vote for the best Democrats on the ballot and it will allow me to attempt to put the best ones on the ballot.

Yeah, I thought Pennsylvania was a safe Democratic State. But, if this is true it's not even close to being safe. I thought Ohio was safe too. So, I refigured my map and it doesn't look good for Democrats if Hillary gets the nomination. She could even lose a state like Iowa that is not a reliable blue state.

[BigBearJohn]

37. bogus hide

Pay no attention to these moroons

[stage left]

39. JDPriestly

That was a BS hide and I don't mean Bernie Sanders. It's still primary season, whether anyone likes it or not. I hope those in California get a chance to have their voices heard.

[dana_b]

58. we will

Bernie isn't giving up and neither are we

[Land of Enchantment]

42. I always look forward to seeing your posts JDPreistly

and am supportive of your right to express yourself. I am relatively new here but was stunned when the gates of hell were opened and I had to ask other DUers what had happened to what used to be a very informative and pleasant site. I have seen posts that curl my hair and your comment in no way was offensive. F 'em.

[farleftlib]

46. There should be an appeals process, especially in this case

The vote to would have gone the other way without that obvious error. I'd go for it if I was you.

[Fawke Em]

50. I write in general terms to avoid this.

Instead of saying, "I won't vote for Hillary", I say, correctly, that "many progressive Democrats, Independents and Millennials won't vote for Hillary."

That spares a lot of alerts because it expresses my opinion, but is factual, based on recent polling.

It's kind of like talking about yourself in third person.

[merrily]

51. The Democratic Party and the board owner want you to vote for the Democratic Party's nominee.

While the TOS did not make it clear that voting for some Democrat other the official nominee will not suffice, a post by Skinner in ATA made it clear. However, we were supposed to have some leeway during the primary, so some ambiguity remained. And, you never have to state who you will be voting for. No one has any business asking, either, IMO.

That said, as you know, what happens on DU has zero to do with whether you are a Democrat or not.

[Jenny_92808]

52. It is obvious that skinner and the bunch are in the bag for hillary.

As skinner said, those who do not comply with something (hillary support I guess) will not be allowed to be on jurys. My ability to be on jurys stopped abruptly and I have no doubt why.......skinner and company is in the bag for hillary.

[Fawke Em]

56. Skinner (or maybe his wife???) actually works for Hillary, so it's not secret. eom

[AgerolanAmerican]

53. Typical of a Clintonite

alerter packed 2 baldfaced lies into 8 words... guess they learned something from HRC's "leadership".

[Hiraeth]

59. dear alerter, What fucking nominee? we do not yet have a NOMINEE !!!!!!

I don't know how much more I can take it here. I may be headed to JPR pretty soon.

[Betty Karlson]

63. That 'nominee' meme is the worst of these alert-abuses.

It's almost as if camp Clinton feels there is a big primary loss on their horizon.

[Hiraeth]

64. no offense intended to any one here but, it almost as if

THEY can't wait to get the black man outta THEIR white house. The way both parties are rushing to get this election over and done with.

WTF PEOPLE ?? IT IS ONLY MARCH !!

[Iwillnevergiveup]

61. JDPriestly

As a fellow Californian, I want you to know that I consider you to be one of the most informative and informed DU posters. Also, one of the most congenial. Because of this recent jury decision, I'm sending Bernie another $27.00. I think you'd approve.

[JDPriestly]

62. Great! Thanks!

[Babel_17]

65. Obligatory quote: "The more you tighten your grip ..."

[SheenaR]

66. You were right

and while I haven't been here as long as most, this place is one the most unDemocratic sites as far the jury system goes.

I agree with 100% of what you said.

[blackspade]

68. Bullshit hide.

I feel much the same as you.

Clinton is a terrible candidate.