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For the last 21 months, we have tried very hard to keep this discussion board open to all left-wing points of view. It was one of our guiding principles, because we believed deeply that talking is better than not talking.
But now we have come to the conclusion that the current state of affairs is untenable. In the past few months I have become convinced of two things:

1) There is a small but outspoken group of liberals who simply are not our friends. Please be aware that I am not singling out Greens, most of whom are capable of participating on this message board in a productive and thought-provoking way. Rather, I am referring to people who are consumed with hatred and contempt for any and all liberals who don't share their exact point of view.

2) It is simple to disrupt this message board, and post the most vile and offensive propaganda if you simply declare yourself to be a liberal, Green, or even a Democrat. Some of the things posted by our "fellow liberals" would make a FReeper blush. In fact, some of these "fellow liberals" might even be FReepers. If they are, they've found a rich vein for disruption, because I let them get away with it. Well, no more.

Over time, the result has been an increase in postings by rude, anti-social disruptors, and a decrease in postings by thoughtful, productive members.

In case you haven't heard, there is a very important election occurring in less than three weeks. The stakes in this election are as high as they have ever been. You are being given a clear choice: Hand over complete control of all three branches of government to the forces of evil - or don't.

There is no viable third option. Choosing not to vote (or to vote for a third party) is a morally bankrupt decision during this time of crisis when the potential harm to our country is so great. You may claim you are standing on principle, but simply calling it "principled" does not make it so. Your stand on principle will have dire consequences, and you will share the blame when the Republicans in the House, Senate, White House, and Federal Courts undo a half century of progress.

As the administrator of this message board, I have the opportunity to have an impact on the outcome of this election. As an American, I have a moral obligation to do what I can to stop the conservative juggernaut. For the next three weeks, that is my greatest concern.

We still allow all points of view, but we have our limits.

For the next three weeks:

It is forbidden to use the DU message board in an effort to make our members withhold their precious votes from the Democratic Party, which is the only organization capable of stopping the Republican onslaught.

It is forbidden to use the DU message board to organize protests or other actions against members of the Democratic Party.

If the administrators of DU decide that the rhetoric of your posts would be more appropriate on Free Republic than on DU, then you are going to get banned.

We understand that many of you feel deeply disappointed with certain members of the Democratic Party right now. We wish to make clear that you are still free to criticize the Democratic Party, the Democratic leadership, or individual members of the Democratic Party.

But the stakes are too high to let DU argue its way to Armageddon. The stakes are too high to let a few angry partisans with dubious intentions hijack this message board.

I know what side I am on. If you are rooting against the Democratic Party in this election, then just let me know by posting in this thread and I will shut off your account myself.

To repeat: these changes are in effect until the election is over. At that point, we will review whether it is in the best interests of DU to remove these restrictions.

Thank you for your understanding.

Skinner
DU Administrator

From one of my posts
Amazing how downright nasty & crude the lefties can get. It's one thing to dislike their belief's. I can agree with their glee when their side scores points. I an equally thrilled when we score against them.
But what is really a mystery to me is how nasty they can be in their commentary. I frequent the Ted Nugent forum because of what its about. Hunting, music, the politics of hunting & related issues, and pretty much life in general. Well, I also ghost the Dem's forums. I saw MANY articles posted about the rift between the green's & the dem's. I commented on it at the 'Nuge's' forum. Lo and behold, a 'ghoster' from DU saw it, and the explosion of nasty commentary ensued.
These are all from the D.U. forum:
No, he's a classic rock artist from the 70's...still around today performing... His music's decent but he is a big-mouthed piece of s__t... ----------------
Really, I saw him on Crossfire and wanted to smack him. Arrogant and nasty. ----------------
Nugent is an obnoxious egotist and a crass a__hole. ----------------
Funny how Repigs want certain lyrics banned,album covers tamed down,rock and roll cleaned up, yet they'll embrace a singer talking about having a person in a "stranglehold" as long as they serve their purposes on views like gun control. Thats why I can't stand repigs. Not 100% for the views they hold,everyone has their own opinion,but their such f__king hypocrits in all walks of life. -----------------
Nugent is an obnoxious egotist and a crass a__hole." kinda like his puke friends, eh? -----------------
Notice That 45 Semi Poster Is Off-Line? His web site claimed he had "annoying" emails. Just like the Freeper idiot mentality to run his mouth and claim liberal harassment AFTER he was stupid enough to post his address (had to change my email address too, thats one mistake I wont make again) ----------------
I just don't have the tolerance or Christian patience to wade through that filth. ---------------
I remember a few months ago someone on that board posted something on the Nuge from THIS board...Ted's response was,"Yeah, the a__holes have always had a problem with me..." Uh, NO numbnuts...WE have a problem with a__holes...Must be your disgusting EGO clouding your swelled head... ---------------
I'm loving it! What a bunch of idiots! This is like getting a glimpse of your sexually constipated idiot freeper neighbours through the window as they j__k off in front of Jenna Bush pictures. --------------
Geez,its been awhile since I took a peep at a right-wing site and its SCAREY.The average Republican is really very ignorant to say the least and Nugent.....now isn,t this person the ipitome of bigotry at its worst. This puppy is a psycho. --------------
Get a load of the names and read the Q&A! From ifyakillityaeatit straight to GunnyB --------------
Ted is just a one hit wonder... That only popular beacuse he is a right wing nut..Not only that he is a chickenhawk..Yeah hes tough alright but why did he pussy out when is country needed him??? I guess he needs to shoot at things that dont shoot back..whatta puss! Answer that Lurkers! --------------
That Board is HILARIOUS!!! I kept looking for the Sleeping With Your Sister Forum. --------------
Ha! that's funny. I was looking for the pig f__king forum. --------------
Make me vomit I can't comprehend people like this. It is unimaginable for me to believe that they exist. Being reminded that they do makes me ill. --------------
The Nugers are insulting us... And they're so f__king stupid it's unbelievable --------------
Their existence insults America & the human race. --------------
Who the fark cares what they think? Nugent was a mediocre talent at best in his prime, which he is waaaay past. His fan base of trailer park bubbas can kiss my a__.---------

I really cant believe how nasty it got. These are the people who talk about 'what can we do to get 'Joe Sixpack' to see things our way'. Lets see, The Nuge's forum is about hunting, firearms, etc.
Last time I looked, the anti-gun agenda of the left had been very much moderated to try and possibly convince middle America that Dem's werent as rabidly anti-gun as they 'said' the media portrays them...
Now, the Nuge's forum has an appreciable membership size. The turnover rate of topics, and new postings are as high as any forum's I've ever seen.
Guess their long-term views in respect to 'winning' some of middle America's possibly undecided loyaltys were overcome by their still held beliefs that American's who are pro-hunting & firearms are, always will be, and always have been the hillbilly, rifle toting, inbred, illiterate, religiously rabid morons that the left have always believed them to be...