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steve2470

(37,457 posts)
260. This is my take on things
Thu Jun 20, 2013, 02:17 AM
Jun 2013

1- The membership, both posting and lurking, ranges from true neo-Nazis (usually lurking) to Communist to hard-core right wing Libertarian to anarchist to Democrats (from all points of the spectrum in the party) to Republicans (both posting and lurking) to paid and unpaid trolls. No, I have no idea who anyone is, apart from their self-identification.

2- Out of that spectrum, predictably, some sub-groups are seldom, if ever, going to approve of President Obama's behavior and policies. Some more than others. Only a true believer is going to 100% approve of PBO and his policies and post that way. The rest of us like PBO to varying degrees and approve of his policies to varying degrees.

3- You have the vocal posting minority, both for and against. The rest of us are lurkers or post when we feel like it and when we have time. I'm in the "when I feel like it" group.

4- It is human nature, I think, to find fault and express that more readily, than to approve and express that. Maybe I'm jaundiced, but that's how I see it. Perhaps in other countries and cultures it is not that way. I've always lived in the USA, so my perspective is very biased.

Do I think PBO is perfect in every way ? No. Do I agree with 100% of his policies, both stated and acted upon ? No. Am I a very loyal Democrat since 1976 ? Yes. Do I think PBO is doing the best he can, under extremely difficult circumstances ? Yes. Do I think he is a fundamentally decent, kind and intelligent man ? Yes I do.

I'm part of what (ugh) Nixon called, "Silent Majority". I'll speak up when I feel like it. I'm not a debater by heart and I get my feelings hurt too easily. I've seen posters tell people like me to leave this site. I won't. I love this place and the good-hearted people here are a treat.

Just remember, not everyone who posts is a) a Democrat in real life and b) well-intentioned.

If it's not racism, then what is it? [View all] Drunken Irishman Jun 2013 OP
Well, that's certainly a lot of things people seem to disagree with Obama about. sibelian Jun 2013 #1
I have criticized 840high Jun 2013 #164
It takes a thicker skin than ever to be on the DU. But it's still my favorite site. NYC_SKP Jun 2013 #2
+1 JustAnotherGen Jun 2013 #80
legitimate criticism of obama and his policies is neither "hater" nor "racist". Oddly enough msongs Jun 2013 #3
Some posters ONLY post criticism. Ever. KittyWampus Jun 2013 #27
Some defend everything he does. No different. n-t Logical Jun 2013 #43
Then if one side can do it why can't the other? treestar Jun 2013 #176
The difference is that the DU people complaining vote for and... Logical Jun 2013 #192
Some posters only post love Coccydynia Jun 2013 #75
Some posters still like their spoon. Katashi_itto Jun 2013 #181
The threads get bolloxed by the same old assclowns piling on Kolesar Jun 2013 #168
Spoons. Katashi_itto Jun 2013 #183
So what? Shouldn't we focus on the problems? morningfog Jun 2013 #193
And some only post positives Ter Jun 2013 #300
The complaints go well beyond legitimate criticism jeff47 Jun 2013 #55
I've never seen anyone say those "not legitimate" things. vi5 Jun 2013 #64
Then you aren't looking at many threads jeff47 Jun 2013 #67
I've seen those. Still doesn't address the rest. vi5 Jun 2013 #74
I don't recall seeing that level of animosity, either. enlightenment Jun 2013 #232
I agree Progressive dog Jun 2013 #288
Yep. nt Mojorabbit Jun 2013 #138
Thank you for your thoughtful OP ismnotwasm Jun 2013 #4
Thank you. GeorgeGist Jun 2013 #5
Legitimate criticisms. That's what. Quantess Jun 2013 #6
It's the old "Gotta work twice as hard to get half the credit" thing going on. MADem Jun 2013 #7
Ding ding fucking ding. redqueen Jun 2013 #15
lol MADem, sometimes I SWEAR you must be black. At least a little bit on the inside Number23 Jun 2013 #25
Yeah! JustAnotherGen Jun 2013 #83
I am a little bit of everything--a "Heinz 57" as my Granny would say. MADem Jun 2013 #140
This "almost 50" white guy agrees. JoePhilly Jun 2013 #108
+1 MADem Jun 2013 #130
I wish I could upvote your comment 1000 times. Liberal Veteran Jun 2013 #157
Thanks. At times I wish more of us would call Bullshit on this stuff. JoePhilly Jun 2013 #163
I'm not real happy with the President pscot Jun 2013 #186
It might have something to do with the tone and frequency of the attacks. Liberal Veteran Jun 2013 #201
I don't disagree pscot Jun 2013 #277
This. Bobbie Jo Jun 2013 #148
Exactly. You said what I was trying to think of. nomorenomore08 Jun 2013 #149
Yes indeed. eom treestar Jun 2013 #177
+∞² Scootaloo Jun 2013 #236
No doubt it is a different standard. reusrename Jun 2013 #268
There were/are a couple of rapists here on DU, so why would we be surprised if there are racists? n/ Whisp Jun 2013 #8
Could it be about the NSA? And spying of Americans? nadinbrzezinski Jun 2013 #9
a single explanation won't suffice for two very different phenomena carolinayellowdog Jun 2013 #10
so, after an absence you just couldn't resist when you saw the "they must be racists!" OP quinnox Jun 2013 #11
Exactly, totally spur of the moment Puzzledtraveller Jun 2013 #18
I think there are a couple of problems re. Obama and his opponents here BeyondGeography Jun 2013 #12
I think we are often on opposite "sides" Vanje Jun 2013 #205
Me too BeyondGeography Jun 2013 #212
Ask Cornel West, Harry Belafonte, Tavis Smiley, etc. progressoid Jun 2013 #13
I can't speak for Belafonte PragmaticLiberal Jun 2013 #72
This message was self-deleted by its author HangOnKids Jun 2013 #114
You Can't Speak For West Or Smiley Either HangOnKids Jun 2013 #118
So NOT racism then. progressoid Jun 2013 #187
I don't believe all of the criticism is justified. PragmaticLiberal Jun 2013 #273
Etc? Etc. like Skip Gates, Oprah Winfrey, Michael Eric Dyson, Al Sharpton, Tom Joyner MADem Jun 2013 #167
Right. And Melissa Harris Perry has also criticized the President... progressoid Jun 2013 #175
Criticism is one thing; constant, nitpicking beatdowns are another. MADem Jun 2013 #203
there's no such big mystery as you pretend. HiPointDem Jun 2013 #14
If Hillary was president, it would presumably be sexism (nt) Nye Bevan Jun 2013 #16
That and maybe ageism Puzzledtraveller Jun 2013 #19
I was saving ageism in case Biden is our next president (nt) Nye Bevan Jun 2013 #20
I think it could well be worse in that case. treestar Jun 2013 #178
Welcome back Drunken Irishman Cali_Democrat Jun 2013 #17
just look at the Trayvon Martin Case, how can anyone who is truly liberal JI7 Jun 2013 #21
Comparing Travon Martin to President Obama? zeemike Jun 2013 #37
look at the outrage when Obama said if he had a son he would look like Trayvon JI7 Jun 2013 #38
outrage on DU? where? cali Jun 2013 #40
one i remember is some shit from emilyg JI7 Jun 2013 #44
Oh .Correct me if I'm wrong Vanje Jun 2013 #209
I saw no outrage here....and I was here then. zeemike Jun 2013 #59
since your op is, at least to some degree, a response to mine, I'd like to respond cali Jun 2013 #22
A brave, intelligent and excellent post. Thanks for posting it Number23 Jun 2013 #23
The OP asks "What is the driving force behind the constant criticism of Obama" Maedhros Jun 2013 #24
+1 OrwellwasRight Jun 2013 #229
And this is why we need you here, DI. babylonsister Jun 2013 #26
The constant critics who never give Obama credit are ratfuckers, Greens, Cynics or ideologues. KittyWampus Jun 2013 #28
I think the word you're looking for is... sibelian Jun 2013 #31
Give him credit for what? leftstreet Jun 2013 #78
Not being Bush, I think. sibelian Jun 2013 #82
I agree. I'm familiar with right wing hatred of Obama treestar Jun 2013 #188
Yes everyone knows disagreement with policy = Racism ileus Jun 2013 #29
''Those who stand for nothing will fall for anything.'' DeSwiss Jun 2013 #30
The Constitution was written by racists, you know! MNBrewer Jun 2013 #34
I suppose the fact that my 3/5 of a person great-grandfather and great grandmother were slaves..... DeSwiss Jun 2013 #35
Being counted as 3/5s wasn't even the worst thing the Constitution inflicted on your ancestors MNBrewer Jun 2013 #42
First, I forgave myself. Then I forgave everyone else, long ago. DeSwiss Jun 2013 #52
Actually, it was treestar Jun 2013 #182
We're a better country than we were back then! Vanje Jun 2013 #214
Yes, don't you know if you complain about any of these things you are a racist? OrwellwasRight Jun 2013 #233
''Argumentum magnifica....'' DeSwiss Jun 2013 #243
I didn't read your whole post, but your characterization of criticism as MNBrewer Jun 2013 #32
Gee, if it's irrational to attack chained cpi, potential approval of the keystone pipeline, etc, etc stupidicus Jun 2013 #33
It's ProSense Jun 2013 #36
so Pro, are you saying that a lot of the cali Jun 2013 #39
Wait, ProSense Jun 2013 #48
absolution? huh? from the likes of YOU? cali Jun 2013 #84
You should be so lucky. nt ucrdem Jun 2013 #109
Well, Prosense, I guess I think whatever you say I think. sibelian Jun 2013 #47
Consider being courteous and not hijacking this thread with your nonsense. n/t ProSense Jun 2013 #49
lol. cali Jun 2013 #85
. ProSense Jun 2013 #102
Sweet Baby Jesus. Number23 Jun 2013 #145
ouch Bobbie Jo Jun 2013 #156
cali would you please log off for an hour? ucrdem Jun 2013 #106
no cali Jun 2013 #153
Do you know what? sibelian Jun 2013 #95
Do you know what else? ucrdem Jun 2013 #101
Nah, she's an issue bunny. sibelian Jun 2013 #117
I can't believe what I'm reading. ucrdem Jun 2013 #126
this is how bad it is, it's not enough to criticize Obama , they go after anyone who likes him JI7 Jun 2013 #135
Prosense could enter a thread and say "I agree." That's it. And have 12 Number23 Jun 2013 #144
Prosense is the same poster that links JW2020 Jun 2013 #271
She links to her own threads because they often have links to things like, you know ARTICLES Number23 Jun 2013 #291
you'd actually need to have been around a little longer cali Jun 2013 #155
sputter G_j Jun 2013 #53
Nicely articulated. nt ucrdem Jun 2013 #99
Your problem is that you do not think someone can be extremely disappointed in Obama.... Logical Jun 2013 #57
Is it because I'm black? ProSense Jun 2013 #62
I swear you have an issue where you are so attached or fascinated with Obama that any complaint... Logical Jun 2013 #68
Well, ProSense Jun 2013 #70
Well Miss paranoid....... Logical Jun 2013 #93
Just stop. This is bad form and beneath DU. ucrdem Jun 2013 #98
What are you talking about? I defended her BS. If you want to defend her then do it. Otherwise.... Logical Jun 2013 #103
What's beneath DU is letting OPs like this one -- OrwellwasRight Jun 2013 #240
"Here are the contents of the only four PMs I have ever sent you." ProSense Jun 2013 #100
Yes, Yikes when I have to tell you 10 times to quit stalking me. n-t Logical Jun 2013 #105
LOL! ProSense Jun 2013 #111
Way weird Kolesar Jun 2013 #150
those pms make you look bad JI7 Jun 2013 #154
Prosense has never attacked people for the criticism treestar Jun 2013 #195
You have got to be kidding me! Fearless Jun 2013 #91
"You have nothing to do with it AT ALL." ProSense Jun 2013 #94
I'll rephrase... Fearless Jun 2013 #104
Oh please, ProSense Jun 2013 #115
I responded to your statement that this is racism Fearless Jun 2013 #139
Will you just stop. ucrdem Jun 2013 #97
I haven't said anything insensitive. Fearless Jun 2013 #107
If that's what you think then this thread is for you ucrdem Jun 2013 #113
Saying something that isn't racism isn't racism Fearless Jun 2013 #134
And I would say it is. ucrdem Jun 2013 #142
To be sure Fearless Jun 2013 #146
No. It's not because you're black. sibelian Jun 2013 #110
Will you please just stop. nt ucrdem Jun 2013 #112
Thanks ProSense, once again you've hit the nail on the head ucrdem Jun 2013 #92
Wow, I get it now. n-t Logical Jun 2013 #120
Good. Then you know it's time to leave this thread. nt ucrdem Jun 2013 #124
Funny you never told Prosense to "quit". n-t Logical Jun 2013 #127
ProSense never lost her marbles. nt ucrdem Jun 2013 #129
LOL.....you are just looking silly now..... Logical Jun 2013 #137
Fine you made your point, now just skedaddle will ya? nt ucrdem Jun 2013 #143
To be honest, I didn't know Prosense was black until that post. SlimJimmy Jun 2013 #160
No one on the DU, I hope, cares what color any of us are. Maybe I am naive. But I have never... Logical Jun 2013 #166
Racist Democrats...really? That's it? No snips? Safetykitten Jun 2013 #242
it's called principle and it's called being consistent.. frylock Jun 2013 #41
That does not cover the wide ranging attacks on the President by your party* Kolesar Jun 2013 #158
+1 A cogent and succinct argument. Kudos. SlimJimmy Jun 2013 #161
+1000 OrwellwasRight Jun 2013 #246
Outstanding post, DI Bobbie Jo Jun 2013 #45
Thank you very much, Drunken Irishman MrScorpio Jun 2013 #46
Did it not occur to you many DUers object to being spied upon? HooptieWagon Jun 2013 #50
CONGRESS needs to change the law or the courts need to rule that Skidmore Jun 2013 #269
To be sure Congress needs to step up and be responsible for oversight. HooptieWagon Jun 2013 #280
A consistent moral compass. nt Bonobo Jun 2013 #51
Well said DI warrior1 Jun 2013 #54
Message auto-removed Name removed Jun 2013 #56
It's called Skidmore Jun 2013 #63
Message auto-removed Name removed Jun 2013 #202
Well this "racist voted for Obama twice and in the primary zeemike Jun 2013 #58
If you're only in your 20's then you don't remember Starry Messenger Jun 2013 #60
Calling criticism of government policy "racism" is simpleminded LittleBlue Jun 2013 #61
It was inferred that I was a racist for making a similar comment during the 2012 election Puzzledtraveller Jun 2013 #257
What a load of BS vi5 Jun 2013 #65
Fuckin do it! Iggo Jun 2013 #66
If you want to know why moderates and uninformed don't take JoeyT Jun 2013 #69
Having read through the Bobbie Jo Jun 2013 #71
Wow, that is outstanding. Major Hogwash Jun 2013 #73
Ah my dear DI annabanana Jun 2013 #76
+1 JustAnotherGen Jun 2013 #133
A lot of people here didn't start paying attention to politics until Bush... Spitfire of ATJ Jun 2013 #77
There was no DU before Bush. Vanje Jun 2013 #194
Some of us were actually into politics before this place existed. Spitfire of ATJ Jun 2013 #200
YAwn L0oniX Jun 2013 #79
DADT was not his success Fearless Jun 2013 #81
OP is only defending O'Bama because he's Irish. HooptieWagon Jun 2013 #86
Its racism pure and simple madokie Jun 2013 #87
How did Obama get elected? leftstreet Jun 2013 #89
Not all people are racist madokie Jun 2013 #119
Yeah, yeah, just the ones who criticize his policies n/t leftstreet Jun 2013 #125
So you think the DUers who complain about Obama are racists? n-t Logical Jun 2013 #122
Two days ago I would have disagreed. nt ucrdem Jun 2013 #128
That's some sick shit shanti Jun 2013 #131
The dorks of DU were attacking Pelosi in the same manner before President Obama took office. Kolesar Jun 2013 #165
"Free enterprise"? OrwellwasRight Jun 2013 #251
Favorite group: Creative Speculation, Kolesar Jun 2013 #267
WTF is that supposed to mean? OrwellwasRight Jun 2013 #270
Is that so? DeSwiss Jun 2013 #250
Very dashing portrait, DeSwiss! Starry Messenger Jun 2013 #263
I disagree Marrah_G Jun 2013 #88
With one sentence, you nailed the snake's skin to a wall bluestate10 Jun 2013 #90
This post is a work of art JustAnotherGen Jun 2013 #96
It is all the apologists have left, and it's popping up regularly now. Skip Intro Jun 2013 #116
An extraordinarily well thought-out post BumRushDaShow Jun 2013 #121
It's a natural reaction against gov lying and spying usGovOwesUs3Trillion Jun 2013 #123
Welp, I think that cleared up any doubts. ucrdem Jun 2013 #132
In a democracy it is the reponsiibility of the people to hold its public servants accountable. Tierra_y_Libertad Jun 2013 #136
Passionate disagreement and/or disillusionment with policy. LanternWaste Jun 2013 #141
The last thing to bring up is Obama on gay civil rights. The Link Jun 2013 #147
I'm going to have to take issue with your comment. Liberal Veteran Jun 2013 #170
He went where the money and the votes were. He didn't lead. The Link Jun 2013 #173
Say what? He campaigned on homophobia? Liberal Veteran Jun 2013 #180
He used well known, distinguished homophobes to campaign for him. The Link Jun 2013 #185
And the other candidate I mentioned? Liberal Veteran Jun 2013 #196
But he was a homophobe...until last year. The Link Jun 2013 #198
That's what I'd call a great example of the perfect being the enemy of the good. Liberal Veteran Jun 2013 #206
DI, I was one of those young people who saw hope in Obama back in 2008. alp227 Jun 2013 #151
Welcome back, Drunken Irishman BainsBane Jun 2013 #152
Aliens? DirkGently Jun 2013 #159
K & R Scurrilous Jun 2013 #162
My point is absolutely echoed in many replies to this post... Drunken Irishman Jun 2013 #169
Agreed. It does seem that some folks pounce on any and everything to tear down Obama. Liberal Veteran Jun 2013 #174
Those who engage in irrational attacks know damned well you weren't talking about criticism alone. redqueen Jun 2013 #225
Second exception of the day nadinbrzezinski Jun 2013 #230
Who are you to determine which criticisms are "irrational" and which are not? OrwellwasRight Jun 2013 #254
Simple-minded B.S. truebluegreen Jun 2013 #171
Well for one thing FAKING accusations of racism are not going to do any good, NOBODY believes that - Douglas Carpenter Jun 2013 #172
You foils are like Republicans everywhere: experts on Benghazi, birth certificates, Florida recount Kolesar Jun 2013 #179
Even after DADT passed, they started saying he won't sign it! treestar Jun 2013 #184
'I could go on' NO SHIT! 3,468 words in 35 paragraphs?!?!? markiv Jun 2013 #189
for comparison, the US Constitution is 4,501 words markiv Jun 2013 #210
Using a lot of words to make a dumb argument Union Scribe Jun 2013 #190
Wrong... Drunken Irishman Jun 2013 #199
Oh please Union Scribe Jun 2013 #204
Just admit it, much of the criticism on DU is irrational... Drunken Irishman Jun 2013 #211
"corporatist" is not irrational. Union Scribe Jun 2013 #215
Yeah, it kinda is. Drunken Irishman Jun 2013 #216
"socialist" wouldn't be offensive either Union Scribe Jun 2013 #217
Instead of using throw away words, why not substance? Drunken Irishman Jun 2013 #219
To end this on a positive note I agree with you that Union Scribe Jun 2013 #220
Well said. OrwellwasRight Jun 2013 #255
You're really going to sit there and take shots at the LGBT community. Prism Jun 2013 #191
Being gay myself, I'm perplexed by the disdain shown the president... Liberal Veteran Jun 2013 #222
I can speak only for myself. Prism Jun 2013 #223
Your reply is eloquent and well-stated, but I can't share in the being sour on him. Liberal Veteran Jun 2013 #241
Well said Bluenorthwest Jun 2013 #275
Freaking sickest little tirade in a long time. Safetykitten Jun 2013 #239
It is a centrist who embraced or acquiesced to too morningfog Jun 2013 #197
This OP had me practically cheering from my desk. phleshdef Jun 2013 #207
It's about issues such as a horrible surveillance policy Corruption Inc Jun 2013 #208
oh for fuck sake can't you see it's not racism it"s RIGhT WING BULLSHIT he's promulgating! boilerbabe Jun 2013 #213
Your discussion on DADT is dishonest on several levels dsc Jun 2013 #218
+1 Lord, the revision around here Prism Jun 2013 #224
Sad little show going on in this thread. Quite amazing that the gays get the first strike... Safetykitten Jun 2013 #245
Given personal poster histories Prism Jun 2013 #248
On the other hand...let's recall the 90's backlash. Liberal Veteran Jun 2013 #249
oh please dsc Jun 2013 #258
I understand your argument, but I don't agree with it. Liberal Veteran Jun 2013 #262
I don't know if you were alive or an adult when Clinton was President dsc Jun 2013 #274
Clinton DID get a free pass. He pushed for and signed DOMA, then went all over the south Liberal_Stalwart71 Jun 2013 #293
the same people who are speaking out now could it be dsc Jun 2013 #295
I don't know about where you lived but I lived Liberal_Stalwart71 Jun 2013 #296
that would be hatred from the right dsc Jun 2013 #298
It's Chiffon! Vinnie From Indy Jun 2013 #221
Cheap. Shameful. JackRiddler Jun 2013 #226
Some people come to message boards to VENT. hughee99 Jun 2013 #227
And as for Berlin, you have confused 2013 with 2008. JackRiddler Jun 2013 #228
You Liberals with your "facts" and "history" (nm) MannyGoldstein Jun 2013 #234
+1 OrwellwasRight Jun 2013 #259
as long as my son is being cheated out of a good education I will criticize Obama and every other liberal_at_heart Jun 2013 #231
He's not been as good as I wanted him to be Prophet 451 Jun 2013 #235
Nancy Pelosi used to be called a "bitch" here Enrique Jun 2013 #237
a search reveals that what you cast as some everyday occurrence actually happened about HiPointDem Jun 2013 #261
Hi, I am going to post something causing something and I do not know the answer... Safetykitten Jun 2013 #238
Racism. Definitely. MannyGoldstein Jun 2013 #244
Manny, help me! I may be a closet racist and not know it! What do I do? Safetykitten Jun 2013 #247
I don't think it's racism at all. (Not here.) Amonester Jun 2013 #252
Swing and a miss Puzzledtraveller Jun 2013 #253
how about this reason: "I don't belong to an organized party. I'm a Democrat." DebJ Jun 2013 #256
This is my take on things steve2470 Jun 2013 #260
Largely overblown expectations and disappointment that it was not Hillary intaglio Jun 2013 #264
^That was really good Kolesar Jun 2013 #266
the criticisms from the left are the exact opposite of those of Fox News and based on substance yurbud Jun 2013 #265
Imagine. A poster with an offensive stereotype for a user name accusing people of being racist forestpath Jun 2013 #272
NO.FUCKING.SHIT! MotherPetrie Jun 2013 #279
You didn't actually bother reading the post, did you? intaglio Jun 2013 #282
I read it. And it's a nice wordy bit of deflection in the guise of "asking" a question forestpath Jun 2013 #284
Fine, intaglio Jun 2013 #285
word Vanje Jun 2013 #286
Good post - thank you pgr Jun 2013 #276
Progressivism. Orsino Jun 2013 #278
what u can't criticise policy Rise Rebel Resist Jun 2013 #281
Actually the policies can be defended intaglio Jun 2013 #283
then why resort to this low brow shit Rise Rebel Resist Jun 2013 #289
Of course, low brow, intaglio Jun 2013 #292
Sub racism for hate and the link runs into the same dogma Rise Rebel Resist Jun 2013 #297
Sorry but word salad is not in my diet ... intaglio Jun 2013 #304
another kick warrior1 Jun 2013 #287
If it's not racism or hate (see ProSense's OP), then it must be The Black Tax Liberal_Stalwart71 Jun 2013 #290
What you're describing here is called The Black Tax. Plain and simple. Liberal_Stalwart71 Jun 2013 #294
Kick Scurrilous Jun 2013 #299
K&R BklnDem75 Jun 2013 #301
Last line is a leading sentence. I will not be boxed in by your framing. Pholus Jun 2013 #302
Is this racist? Eddie Haskell Jun 2013 #303
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»If it's not racism, then ...»Reply #260