A thank you to Democratic Underground, and a plea.

[randr]

208. You are to be commended for your diligence

A mind that allows open discussion and freedom of information will evolve into a more empathic and compassionate view of the world. I have witnessed others, like yourself, who have opened their minds and reached their own conclusions after participation on this forum.
I agree with your current assessment of DU and I offer this possible explanation.
We all know of the tactics that the far right uses to indoctrinate and misinform. We hear their talking points each day and read their slanted opinions in every paper in every community. They are very organized in this manner and address every issue from religion to fracting. I would suggest that our community, DU, is under such attack. We have some suspicions that some may be trolling and injecting arguments just to stir the pot. Due to the open nature or our system we are not immune to the carefully crafted ideological land mines tossed into our midst and as reasoning people we are prone to debate most anything.
If what I suspect is happening here we all need to be vigilant and look further into our hearts to find and define what it means to be liberal and Democratic. Are we holding to our true principles or being led into debates that question our core beliefs in order to compromise our principles? Do we believe that war is evil? Do we believe the Earth needs our protection? Are we working for a more prosperous and enlightened future?