DU has always had divisions and it always will

[brer cat]

32. Good points, cali.

Both from reading posts and serving on a lot of juries, I would add that perception plays a big role in the animosity here. Often posters take umbrage (and may alert) when snark or name calling is directed against the position they hold, but consider it witty repartee when it supports their position. I get frustrated as a juror when there is suddenly an alert after dozens of name-calling posts were ignored. I guess it is just human nature, but I do wish we could take a moment before posting to consider whether we are respecting the feelings of others. We are all entitled to express our opinion without receiving ridicule in return.

One of the great values of discussion on DU is education...learning about different points of view can be very instructive in forming ones decision. For example, as a white, female, senior member of society I may need to hear the perspective from a black 20-something male in order to fully understand the implications of a particular issue, and vice versa. If either of us is reacting with snark then the opportunity to actually learn something is lost.