The other day I was wondering why it was the Bernie supporters just couldn't wrap their heads

[Stand and Fight]

35. What they've gone and done is created a bunch of left wing echo chambers...

You find them here, on Facebook, Twitter, the New York Times, Washington Post, Huffington Post... Really anywhere that people would gather to discuss things. A trend I noticed taking hold last year is that the Berners would defend the Senator. It happened in case after case. I think in the beginning it was well meaning. After all, Sanders was seen as a underdog and — at first — he was largely ignored by the media. And you know, Americans love an underdog!

Then gradually, ever so slowly, the premise of their support was no longer valid as the media reported consistently on Sanders. The problem was that the Berners didn't give up the belief that they were ignored, underestimated, and didn't stand a chance. They got caught up in the same mentality that so occupies the Christian Right's true believers. They were convinced they were being persecuted and then in a zealous over reaction their defense of Sanders became bullying in his name. This was evidenced by their penchant to immediately storm in and squash all civil discussion with purity diatribes decrying the lack of intelligence of the opposition, impugning their integrity as being bought and paid for, and dehumanizing rants centered on sex, race, and political leaning.

Eventually no one felt it was safe to speak out in contrary to the Bernie memes and his supporters. So, as described to me by many of Hillary's supporters and other observers across the Web, they grew quiet and less likely to speak up. DU's own Hillary Clinton Group is a fine example of this.

No one wanted to venture out. We hid behind hashtags on Twitter, protected Facebook groups, and private discussion boards if fortunate enough. Occasionally, on Facebook and Twitter especially, the Berners would show up and immediately start back in with the insults, insinuations, and accusations.

Let's be clear, Hillary supporters weren't angels across the board. Some of them could be downright belittling in their reverse ageism and trumpeting mockery of "Bernie babies want free stuff!" That wasn't productive and did nothing to quell the growing divisions. However, the Hillary zealots paled in comparison to the Sanders True Believers. You can still see that in action today by going outside of this group or onto any of the aforementioned social media sites. It's known that approximately 80% of DU was at one time solidly in the Sanders camp.