I have *got* to stop posting on this website

[rockymountaindem]

From time to time I think to myself that I'm doing myself more harm than good posting around here. I like coming to DU because it's a good source of information about what's going on inside the party and good way to keep up on politics. But lately with all the social issue arguments happening around here (moreso than usual, IMHO) people seem to have slipped into a new zone of antagonism.

Today I got into an argument with some people that has had me pretty bummed out and mad all day. Well, it wasn't exactly an argument, it was more like people putting words in my mouth and making gross assumptions about my character from one or two posts I made. I don't want to say anything to them and give them more ammo to distort what I say. I also tend to hold back around here because I'm always afraid that what I say on the internet might come back to haunt me someday (I assume *the man* or whoever may want to know has figured out exactly who I am at this point). But this particular instance has left me kind of bitter for today, with one comment leading to a tirade to myself.

But quitting is hard. I've been coming here since 2003, and DU is pretty much my favorite site. If I'm not talking about politics, I don't know what else I'd talk about, so I come here. There aren't really any other discussion boards that I'm aware of, so there's no alternative. I don't know if I'll be able to drop coming here, but I'm pretty determined to try. If you don't see me outside this group for awhile, or not at all anymore, now you'll know why.

[wisteria]

1. Do what you feel you need to do, but come back and see us from time to time. n/t

[wildflowergardener]

2. Ignore?

Maybe you could try using ignore more? There was one night that I just knew I was going to say something I'd regret later so put the person on ignore - later took them off, but kept me from doing that, that night.

Up until lately I've pretty much avoided any Kerry post outside of this group because of the nastiness of them. I should probably do that again.

Meg

[karynnj]

3. I think I know how you feel

(I think I know the thread you are speaking of) From what I can see, those 3 individuals are bright, articulate and are willing to say anything to provoke us by repeatedly writing things that they know to be untrue. It's a game to them.

I suspect that they hate that we have someone we can believe in and they want to destroy that. This would explain why they have been worse in the days since Senator Kerry's announcement, when most on DU were respectful to the Senator and even kind to us.

It is useless to argue with them, because they often don't believe what they type. We do care about honesty. Although it means that we can't win an argument with them, a lurker will know the truth as long as there is one or more level headed, thoughtful counter statement to the lies.

[rockymountaindem]

5. This wasn't a thread about Kerry

It was a thread about a social issue. But fear not, I probably won't quit. I'll just stay clear of those threads from now on.

[ray of light]

4. Take care of yourself. You can still come to the jk forum

and if you're looking for a 'kindler...gentler blog' there's always the Democracy Cell Project.

Every site has it's ups or downs but mostly the DCP is quieter than the DU-GD.

[emulatorloo]

6. Lurking in LBN and posting in Kerry Forum is the tonic you need

I gotta agree with you, DU is pretty toxic. I posted a lot in 03 and 04 and just got ground down by the false outrage, deliberate misinterpretation, and vicious gamesmanship of some. Take a break. We'll miss you while you are gone.

[ginnyinWI]

7. I have given up trying to change anyone's mind.

I find that so many in the main forums come there mainly to assert their own points of view and defend them to the death. A lot of them are quite narrow-minded and set in their opinions, so personally challenging them is a call to arms! I don't need that: I am not a very competitive person by nature.

For real news I like other sites like TPM, Dem Daily, Media Matters, Americablog, etc. Posters at DU (present Kerrycrats excepted!) tend to be very reactionary and skew the news into the worst-case-scenario. That's depressing--it usually turns out not to be so dire. So I read them a little bit, and spend most of my time at the JK forum instead.

[paulk]

8. you're a perv, RMD

according to the DU PC police.

Hey, I thought you were 100% correct in that thread. But, some people just aren't worth arguing with, and some things aren't worth getting upset over.

I usually stay out of threads like that. I learned my lesson about four years ago, when I was trying to explain... um... prostitution as a part of Thailand's culture - in relation to Neil Bushes adventures there - something I've read up about, mostly because we go there a lot and I always try to learn about the culture of the places I go. Well, next thing you know, I'm being called a pedophile...

That's DU for ya.

[rockymountaindem]

9. I'm not a perv

I'm just a rapist waiting to happen, or a friend of rapists or something like that :sarcasm:

Well, it's not sarcasm according to them. Thanks for telling me I'm not crazy. Also, according to my research, all of my female friends do not live in fear of me and I'd say I have pretty healthy relationships with them. Fancy that.