I have been here for almost 20 years

[edhopper]

And I will damn well say whatever the fuck I want to say.
As long as I keep to the rules, I can voice any opinion I have.
And if I think things are glimmer than others, or doubt a promised retribution or needed progress will occur. I will say it.
If it annoys you, or hurts you sensibilities or bothers you positive outlook, live with it.
Ignore me, tell me you think I am wrong or just don't read it.
But I will not fucking shut up!

[blm]

1. 👍🏽

[jcgoldie]

2. sir this is a wendy's drive-thru

Just kidding. You said it!

[edhopper]

24. That

is funny

[Wounded Bear]

37. Ok, that got a chuckle...

[Deuxcents]

3. Don't know what brought you to post this but..

I’m on your side.

[edhopper]

25. Other posts

telling us not to bring any negativity here.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=16780306

[Archae]

4. This September it'll be 21 years for me.

[Diablo del sol]

5. Know the post you are referencing

And you are 100% correct.

[philly_bob]

12. Cheerful positive optimistic attitude is not mandatory.

Yeah, that bothered me too.

[Solly Mack]

6. If I shut up every time someone wanted me to, I would not have lasted this long on DU.

"Be who you are and say what you mean. Because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind!", Dr. Seuss.

[Diablo del sol]

7. Know the post you are referencing

And you are 100% correct.

[Deuxcents]

8. I wish I knew what post it was..

No matter..stick to your convictions.

[edhopper]

26. This

for one

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=16780306

But I get the same shit whenever I see the bad stuff that is coming.

[Shellback Squid]

9. context or are you barking at the moon?

[Celerity]

10. that would be Pence

barking at the moon

[gldstwmn]

64. Or Ozzy:

[edhopper]

27. This, for one

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=16780306

[hamsterjill]

11. Amen!!!

What is happening on DU of late where if someone voices an opinion that may not be the majority opinion, the attacks ensue?

This is a discussion board. We should all feel comfortable expressing our views without being attacked.

I’ve been here almost 18 years officially - lurked for years before I joined - and I feel the same way. I’m going to say what I’m going to say.

[cilla4progress]

13. Yep

Just don't read it if you don't like it!!

This ain't a catering service! 🤣

[SleeplessinSoCal]

14. So long as people can express differing views,

we have a healthy place.

[Just A Box Of Rain]

22. This is a deeply unhealthy place, in that case.

This is only place in my lifetime that I've had to endure the outrageous insult of being called a right-winger. It sickens me. Gravely insulting.

I worked as a volunteer for RFK when I was 10. For McGovern at 14. In 72 (IMS) the party was broke and ran a telethon. I broke into my savings and sent in $35. Not the world, but at 14 that was a lot of money for me. I got back a Democratic party card that I carried in my wallet for decades--until it finally disintegrated

Voted for Carter in 76. Have voted for Democrats [only] my entire life. It is a passion for me.

I thought this place would be fun, now that I'm retired and have more time beyond work and family. Hang out with other committed Democrats. How could that go wrong?

But in a short time here, I've had a reasoned difference of opinion with "some" here, only to discover that I watch FOX News, and that I'm a member of the Federalist Society, and that I should "Enjoy my stay."

Not really enjoying it.

About to leave in disgust.

This place really need to clean up it act.

There are some really great people here, but the others are not acting like the friendly liberals promised in the TOS.

Perhaps I will now be banned? But i'm at the point where I almost don't care.

Not healthy.

[edhopper]

28. Sorry to hear this

concentrate on the great people here.

[betsuni]

32. Ha, the only place I and others like me have ever been called a right-winger, conservative,

divisive, wealthy, 1%, paid shills, centrist, elitist, establishment, and a troll for supporting the Democratic Party on a forum for supporters of the Democratic Party.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

34. If you look at the Democratic members in the House of Reps...

...you see very differing views. We see the "Squad" on one side and Rep. Josh Gottheimer (the unofficial leader of the nine moderate House Democrats).

We don't really need Republicans because the Democratic Party has it all.
Is that unhealthy? I've no idea.

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/what-drove-9-moderate-house-democrats-to-hold-up-their-partys-agenda/

[Duppers]

15. Put them on ignore, Ed.

And keep doing what you're doing.

I've been told I don't know what I'm talking about by a few guys here, only to prove them wrong. Most of DUers are right.

[edhopper]

29. I don't put anybody on ignore

I just disregard or disagree what they say.
I think the push back to this "no negative views" BS is important.

[pfitz59]

16. 20 years for me as well

Just say what you want.

[Treefrog]

18. This!

[Raine]

19. EXACTLY 👍 nt

[pecosbob]

20. I regularly fail the triple filter test these days...

What was the triple filter test?

Is it true?
Is it good?
Is it useful?

[edhopper]

31. Yeah

I only care if it's true. And often what is true is not good. (part of my point.
As far as useful, we would lose 90% of the posts here.

[USALiberal]

23. What is this about??

[edhopper]

30. This for one

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=16780306

But I get this shit anytime I question whether everything is coming up roses.

[seaglass]

33. Seems to me that post was about negativity BEFORE the hearings even aired. I mean you can do what

you want but what's the point of negatively judging an event that has not yet occurred?

[edhopper]

35. Okay

So all the post on how the Hearing will change things and ensure a Dem victory are good, but questioning if they will wake anybody up, or push Garland to act should be kept to ourselves?

[seaglass]

60. Nah, I think those are a waste of time too, I don't usually read predictions either way. n/t

[edhopper]

42. Which I am gateful for.

[Chainfire]

36. I am a relative newcomer, but I couldn't agree more.

[Treefrog]

38. Same here.

[CrackityJones75]

39. Then you were here when some of your posts broke the rules

That they look the other way doesn’t change that fact.

[edhopper]

41. I have been hidden

maybe half a dozen times in 18 years, 2 of them were overturned. I think that is a pretty good record.
If I was alerted and not hidden, I didn't break the rules.

[CrackityJones75]

43. Oh back thrn you couldn't say anything negative about the party at all.

This is pre-JPR split (remember those jackasses?) days

[edhopper]

47. It's still dicey

It's a narrow path we walk. We need to constructively criticize Dems without it be a free for all.
But most of my recent negative post are about the dark future I see could happen. That is not about the Party.

[CrackityJones75]

50. Yeah I agree with that.

I think we could have a dark future, but I think we are on the edge of the knife. I agree with Thom Hartmann though in that there are really good signs that authoritarianism is on the decline and a new era or liberalism is dawning. But that the ugliness gets a lot of press and so people tend to focus on that. I do think that there is something about positivity creating momentum.

[edhopper]

53. I should write a post on why I see the future as dark

manly it has to do with the GOP stealing elections and not enough voters waking up to it.

[CrackityJones75]

57. That could happen

And I think in some cases that will happen. But something to remember, these magats have fantastical dreams of rising up against their government. They have had them for decades. Those fantasies aren’t going to stop. They will eventually realize what is going on and they will turn on the GOP. Will they ever be Democrats? Probably not. But they want to live out their fantasy. The GOP is actually providing them the very thing they want to rise up against. The magats just don’t realize it yet.

[CrackityJones75]

44. Oh also I meant to edit out "You" in my post

I didn’t mean you personally I meant it more generally, but that didn’t really fit my post.

there ARE some gadflies here for sure. Not everything critical is that.

[edhopper]

45. As I said

I try to keep to the rules. If I don't I get hidden. But I don't like this "no negative posts" vibe.

[CrackityJones75]

48. The rules here are ok the system in place to enforce them is problematic.

I have managed a LOT of forums. There are a lot of bad actors on this one and they are gaming the system here. It is a great idea but it needs closer watch by admins.

Constructive criticism of individuals in the party or specific items is good and healthy. General negativity about the party or a general subject needs a closer look at some posters here. JMHO.

[edhopper]

49. I don't disagree

But we are close to breaking the rule about interfering with the Administrations of the site. So we should leave it at there.

[CrackityJones75]

51. True. And I don't mean to criticize the admins.

They do a good job here. It is a wildly successful site. Just my thoughts on having run communities and forums. Nothing is ever perfect.

[edhopper]

54. Yeah

they tried to make a site where anyone could say anything, it turned into a shitshow. So I'll live with the rules here.

[oioioi]

46. 1988 - Waiting for the Great Leap Forwards (beam me up Scotty)...

It may have been Camelot for Jack and Jacqueline
But on the Che Guevara highway, filling up with gasoline
Fidel Castro's brother spies a rich lady who's crying
Over luxury's disappointment
So he walks over and he's trying
To sympathize with her - but he thinks that he should warn her
That the Third World is just around the corner.

In the Soviet Union a scientist is blinded
By the resumption of nuclear testing and he is reminded
That Dr Robert Oppenheimer's optimism fell
At the first hurdle.

In the Cheese Pavilion and the only noise I hear
Is the sound of someone stacking chairs
And mopping up spilled beer
And someone asking questions and basking in the light
Of the fifteen fame-filled minutes of the fanzine writer.

"Mixing pop and politics?" - he asks me what the use is
I offer him embarrassment and my usual excuses
While looking down the corridor
Out to where the van is waiting
I'm looking for the Great Leap Forwards.

Jumble sales are organized and pamphlets have been posted
Even after closing time there's still parties to be hosted
You can be active with the activists
Or sleep in with the sleepers
While you're waiting for the Great Leap Forwards.

One leap forward, two leaps back
Will politics get me the sack?

Here comes the future and you can't run from it
If you've got a blacklist I want to be on it.

It's a mighty long way down rock 'n roll
From Top of the Pops to drawing the dole.

If no one seems to understand
Start your own revolution and cut out the middleman.

In a perfect world we'd all sing in tune
But this is reality so give me some room.

So join the struggle while you may
The Revolution is just a T-shirt away.
Waiting for the Great Leap Forwards

[roamer65]

52. Hey Ed.

[edhopper]

55. Hey

[roamer65]

56. Back at ya.

[Blecht]

58. This made me check my join date

And June 1 was my 20th anniversary here.

Anyway, I can see your posts, so you must not have said anything that annoys me, hurts my sensibilities, or bothers my positive outlook (I reach for the ignore button faster than T jr reaches for his coke spoon).

[usonian]

59. I'm for looking at facts (and Onion-style un-facts) sometimes unpleasant ones

because realism helps us make things and ourselves better.
and humor helps us cope.

I've got enough vexations in life to take up fact-less panic posts. (not accusing)
because
1. I've got a long list of things that I misplaced, and am looking for.
2. I misplaced the list.
3. Other stuff I forgot.
So there.

I guess that the site is what people think it is, give or take what the admins smack down.
And I am a relative "newbie" here.
My personal view is that aside from some humor (Mark Twain is one of my heroes) and photography, I want to present

A. helpful and factual stuff that IMO (and YMMV!) is going to help people understand the context of what is going on, because confusion, division and disillusionment are powerful enemy weapons. (and I'm not accusing anyone here)

B. stuff that's going to help us "message", benefiting from my life experience dealing with a bewildering array of people, from E-1's in boot camp to deranged sociopaths in Silicon Valley and aerospace, to Nobel Prize winning professors at Berkeley.

To prove that I'm not making an idle claim, here are my key posts.
And if I never post more (some days, I feel like that, living a drug-free life ... which ain't easy) here they are:
Key articles:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100216777247
Every Accusation is a Confession.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=16779230
Know your adversary.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=16772624
SPEAK TO YOUTH! MY GOODNESS

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100216768463
Stand Up and Fight! GOTV links and positive actions everyone can do.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=16768224
There's a playbook.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100216497648
Links for Ukraine Humanitarian Relief

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100216524810
The best, the ONLY cure to WhiteChristianNationalism, race baiting, mysogyny, etc. is WINNING

I've said my peace, and Say any damned thing you want.
I just appreciate the opportunity to share.

I've got no axe to grind except on this and friends.

[nolabear]

61. Oh, it's all just opinion, up for discussion. You do you.

I’m optimistic and hate negativity sometimes and I’m negative sometimes. What’s important is to stay engaged, even when pissed off.

[BlackSkimmer]

62. Happy to rec this.

Thank you.

[Just_Vote_Dem]

63. You should never have to "shut up"

The more opinions the better. If people don't like what you say, they don't have to read it.