Was DU like this in 2004?

[Fridays Child]

It seems like this place was never as mean-spirited and aggressive as it is now, and I'm trying to remember if it got like this in 2004. I just don't recall it being this bad, back then, but maybe I'm just forgetting.

:shrug:

[SteppingRazor]

1. Yes. Especially right after Dean imploded in Iowa, it got really, really nasty. n/t

[Junkdrawer]

2. Not as bad...not as long n/t

[LSK]

3. why doesnt Governor Dean release his papers?

And he dealt with some power plant in some way.

:eyes:

Yes it had its moments.

[AlCzervik]

4. thats when they added GD-P which made GD not as bad.

[Fridays Child]

9. Was that when it was added?

I didn't remember that but it makes sense. What next? A GD:P Cage Match forum?

[AlCzervik]

13. yup it was added in 04 because it was so nuts, i thoguht it was great when they

added it until the giant flame wars broke out but----now is worse imo no matter who says "Oh it was just as bad in 04" yeah it was bad but a different bad.

[Rex]

5. Yes, it was almost like this. Should have seen it around here after

911. :sarcasm:

Edit - added sarcasm for those who are sarcasm impaired.

[mondo joe]

6. I don't remember seeing so many DUers littering the place with Coulterisms and

Limbaugh talking points against Democrats.

Maybe nostalgia has colored my perception.

[Jackpine Radical]

7. I don't think it was as bad.

Mostly, people didn't have the outright loathing for each other's candidates that we're seeing now. Dean, Kucinich, Edwards, Kerry--none of them elicited the negative visceral responses that people are displaying these days.

[Eurobabe]

8. There's more FReepers on here now than ever

I think 2004 was mild compared to this.

[Fridays Child]

12. Do you think there are trolls or paid disruptors or, maybe, both?

Because some of the crap around here is so outrageous that it seems like it could only be intended to divide and conquer, so to speak.

[Eurobabe]

16. Are you SERIES??

Fuck yeah there are paid disruptors and trolls on here. And so many smart people take the bait. It's a shame.

[Justpat]

18. This is my take on the BS here too.

I think this crop of trolls is way more despicable than ever before.

They throw right wing talking points out there as if they were in freeperville
pouncing on an intruder there.

Even over at that site disrupters would never be allowed to go on as long
as these cretins have here.

[mzmolly]

10. I think it was. Especially if you supported any of the top candidates.

The thing that upsets me is the "women vs. blacks" BS. Dividing our Party in that regard will damage us for generations. This election is about leadership and I'd be happy if our next leader is a woman or a black man, but I'm not basing my vote on either.

[TahitiNut]

11. Apparently few remember the experiments with the rules and software.

I guess forgetfulness is a convenience. Since I was a moderator for 6 months back then, I suppose I got to see the undersides of a lot of rocks. Quite a few folsk were tomstoned - inclding some long-time DUers - often for violations that were 'special' to that time. (E.g. making a negative comment in a 'special' thread reserved for positive remarks.)

It's very difficult to compare ... since the context was so different.

[Fridays Child]

14. I don't suffer from bad memory...

I enjoy it. ;)

[Mz Pip]

15. It seems worse

In 2004 I was advocating for a particular candidate and had a couple of people on 'ignore'. It seems worse this time and I'm not stumping for anyone. I don't have anyone on 'ignore'. I just read the vitriol and more on to the next post.

I think it's worse this time because race and gender have become polarizing topics for some. It seems pretty ugly. I can only hope than when a candidate is chosen there will be enough of a cooling off period that those supporting whoever loses will calm down enough to support the winner for the General Election.

Too much is riding on this election for so many people to get themselves worked up to the point of refusing to participate come November.

Mz Pip
:dem:

[Lucinda]

17. I don't remember people being this ill-informed.

People were passsionate...but I don't remember people being so dogmatic in their support that they overlooked the facts

But I've been on lots of medication since then...so maybe my memory is foggy. :)

[La Lioness Priyanka]

19. it was worse. esp after poor dean lost in iowa

[Bonobo]

20. It never reached this level of stupidity before.

Yes, there was perhaps as much sniping. But the quality of the sniping was better.

We have been invaded by one-line assassins with all the wit and charm of the best that freerepublic can offer.

They are a loud, obnoxious lot that thrive on contention because it makes them feel powerful to hurl insults and cut people down.

They don't even do it particularly well -they just hurl so much poo that you become covered in it.

I will be happy to see them return to their holes.

[TomClash]

21. Nowhere near as bad - some people are downright racist now

It's getting much harder to come here.