I think we need more "self censorship".

[Atticus]

Most of us already do this, but I wonder if more should consider the possibility of uttering "self-fulfilling prophesies".

We are all entitled to say just about anything that sprouts in our cranium, but that doesn't mean we should cast it out onto the internet. Some of the gloom and doom speculation could have been written by Trump operatives and some may actually appear bracketed by quotation marks in GOP ads---"Even the Democrats know they're going to lose!"

I believe there still exists a "decent majority" in this nation and that there are many true American patriots who are working unseen to flush the Trump infection out of the body politic.

We will not win every battle; many will suffer unnecessary hardship; but, we will prevail.

I have my bad days, too, but I can usually limit the evidence of my discouragement to muttering terrible oaths under my breath inside my own home.

Just what I think.

[brooklynite]

1. I believe we should be realistic and build strategy on that basis.

What people say here has very little echo in the real world.

[Tetrachloride]

2. Agree. DU is more anarchy of ideas and free speech than organization and accomplishing Blue goals

[Atticus]

4. But, "realistically", no one knows how the midterms will go. All I am saying is that predicting the

loss of both houses as a "given" is not really helpful.

[Scrivener7]

3. Oh, FFS. You go first.

I'm sorry but this is way over the top, both in its characterization of people who doubt that tfg will be convicted of anything and in its demands for censorship of those doubts.

[CrackityJones75]

5. Not saying you created them

but pushing people into camps and the cutesy naming of those camps is a quick way to destroy a forum.

[Scrivener7]

6. Yes. You are right. And I am usually the one who complains when they to it.

I will edit.

Thanks for pointing it out.

[Atticus]

14. To use your lead---"Oh, FFS!"

The OP made NO "demands", PERIOD.

Further, please point out to everyone where I "characterize people who doubt that tfg will ever be convicted of anything".

Sheesh!

[Scrivener7]

15. If I misread it, I apologize. "Doom and gloom" is generally used here to

characterize those who doubt tfg will be convicted of anything.

[Atticus]

17. Accepted. Thank you. nt

[Act_of_Reparation]

7. I think you vastly overestimate this site's reach.

[Atticus]

8. No, I simply believe that what some read here is reposted and repeated and does have some

influence on the tide of public opinion.

[BlackSkimmer]

18. Indeed. nt

[Beastly Boy]

9. I wouldn't call it "self-censorship"

It is more of a self-restraint that I often find missing. It's what would differentiate between a well founded opinion and a self-indulging rant.

[Atticus]

10. I agree. Your term---"self restraint"---is better. nt

[kentuck]

11. We can always a little more self-censorship..

How many threads do you write and then just delete? I do that often. Sometimes I post them and then delete them because they do not seem to serve a productive purpose.

[Atticus]

12. And that's all I meant in my OP. Some chose to be offended, I guess. nt

[dwayneb]

13. I'm a realist

I'm an engineer by training and career. My entire existence is based on reason, logic, facts, and science.

To me the evidence at hand shows clearly that American Democracy is on the precipice.

The biggest piece of evidence to indicate that? 40% to 50% of the American voting public did not even bother to go to the polls in 2016 and 2020. How can a democracy survive when citizens don't even participate? Democrats can organize all day long, but the reality is that they, like our Fascist enemies, represent a minority of Americans. It is the silent majority that is destroying our country.

Listen to Fareed Zakharia's analysis of the situation from January (not sure where this can be found now but it is an excellent program).

https://cnnpressroom.blogs.cnn.com/2022/01/07/how-to-watch-fareed-zakarias-the-fight-to-save-american-democracy/

Of course we have to continue working within the system to elect Democrats wherever possible. But at the same time we need to be prepared for civil war. Because the probabilities of going under the boot of the Fascist Right are becoming greater, every single day.

[Mister Ed]

16. I'd be happy if posters just wouldn't present their opinions and predictions as absolute fact.

For example, if someone thinks Trump will never be brought to justice, and will return to power, why not say something like:

I think Trump will avoid justice, and return to power in 2024."

Instead of declaring:

Trump is gonna skate. ZERO chance he'll be held accountable. He's gonna be back in power in 2024, and then democracy in the U.S. is over."

[Scrivener7]

20. OR "Trump is going down. Take it to the bank." Or some such.

[Mister Ed]

21. Aye. n/t

[MissMillie]

19. Hear, Hear!

Knowing when NOT to pipe in and knowing what NOT to say when you do pipe in is a sign of emotional and intellectual maturity.

[Sympthsical]

22. We're not going to Happy Talk our way out problems

This is a small corner of the Internet. What gets said here isn't going to alter anything in D.C. People are just shooting the shit, discussing what's on their minds, and bouncing about. It's basically like being in a pub.

I think Happy Talk is actively harmful. You have to recognize problems before you can ever hope to begin fixing them.

This?



Is not helpful.