General Discussion

Sheepshank

(12,504 posts) Fri Mar 21, 2014, 02:08 PM Mar 2014

since when does name calling and insulting = political criticism? [View all]

I assume we are trying to encourage policy change. Of course we show disappointment and frustration, it is often the impetus to make changes.

But why does anyone really think that anger and frustration manifested as insults and name calling is the way to affect policy change?

Du is being told over and over that name calling is actually the same thing as policy criticism. I'm not buying it.

eta....if anyone wants to call a politician names and insult them, go for it...but imho, don't pretend at a more noble cause. Sometimes name calling is what it is. Own it.

90 replies

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Highlight:

since when does name calling and insulting = political criticism? [View all] Sheepshank Mar 2014 OP

Indeed ... especially when people don't even understand the policy frazzled Mar 2014 #1

Just read this on another thread... Sheepshank Mar 2014 #2

yep. moving the bar lower and lower, bit by bit Whisp Mar 2014 #16

It's a way to make people think political discussion and sharing information is disgusting to turn freshwest Mar 2014 #81

Actually, the ACA made a change -- a positive change. pnwmom Mar 2014 #43

I didn't know that. Ended up learning a bunch about forumularies. KittyWampus Mar 2014 #54

I Concur ProfessorGAC Mar 2014 #3

and yet, the dozen up dozens of recs for just that tenor of vitriol Sheepshank Mar 2014 #4

name calling on DU was great when it applied to bush nt msongs Mar 2014 #5

Well ... Obama = Bush. JoePhilly Mar 2014 #8

Read my sig. Should explain. Seeking Serenity Mar 2014 #20

Did I say name calling is never appropriate? No. Sheepshank Mar 2014 #37

In those years, arthritisR_US Mar 2014 #50

Yep nt Mojorabbit Mar 2014 #90

Kick & recommended. William769 Mar 2014 #6

How many of these do we have to have on the main page at the same time? n-t Logical Mar 2014 #7

I wonder if I log out Capt. Obvious Mar 2014 #14

At least you would stop posting then. n-t Logical Mar 2014 #18

burn Capt. Obvious Mar 2014 #19

You really are Control-Z Mar 2014 #38

Thanks Capt. Obvious Mar 2014 #76

a logical burn lol Sheepshank Mar 2014 #61

Double burn Capt. Obvious Mar 2014 #75

If you have fingers, and if you have a keyboard, and if you have a clue... NYC_SKP Mar 2014 #65

Since the days of the Athenean Senate? Democracyinkind Mar 2014 #9

I really want to one-up you by citing an even older example of political invective, but I don't know Donald Ian Rankin Mar 2014 #64

It shows no class and no style so any message is lost. randome Mar 2014 #10

How do you feel about name calling other DUers? n/t cui bono Mar 2014 #11

It's only ok if you are on the side of "goodness and righteousness." rhett o rick Mar 2014 #30

Been called plenty of names here on DU...especially by the Snowden is a hero crowd. Sheepshank Mar 2014 #39

But how do you feel about it? The same as what you said in your OP? cui bono Mar 2014 #41

those people calling me names are not attempting a policy fix...clearly. Sheepshank Mar 2014 #42

So name calling is fine if you're not trying to affect policy change? cui bono Mar 2014 #44

That is a whole separate discussion. Sheepshank Mar 2014 #57

That's why I was asking, thanks for the answer. cui bono Mar 2014 #66

I have had exactly the opposite experience... former9thward Mar 2014 #46

People here adore the Pope who says LGBT people are an attack on God's plan which Bluenorthwest Mar 2014 #12

I agree a lot of what passes for "criticism" here is not really that treestar Mar 2014 #13

Ted Nugent would be proud of that post you refer to. Whisp Mar 2014 #15

you're right! it DOES sound like a nugget from Nugent n/t Sheepshank Mar 2014 #74

apparently here it's called 'feet to the fire' protectin' da constitushun there Whisp Mar 2014 #77

at least since Carter alc Mar 2014 #17

This Control-Z Mar 2014 #35

It was one of LBJ's favorite tactics. Rex Mar 2014 #21

Bacon comes from pigs, not sheepshanks. cui bono Mar 2014 #48

Similar to a calling out with no name mentioned seveneyes Mar 2014 #22

Since politics existed LeftishBrit Mar 2014 #23

I think you meant 16th century, didn't you? Seeking Serenity Mar 2014 #28

Yes, I did and have now changed it. LeftishBrit Mar 2014 #29

LOL. I like that. Seeking Serenity Mar 2014 #31

Very true - he had an amazing number of children, but no legitimate heirs! LeftishBrit Mar 2014 #40

More or less accurate - el_bryanto Mar 2014 #24

As long as the name calling is directed at the President mcar Mar 2014 #25

Since when is GD meta? Vashta Nerada Mar 2014 #26

So maybe Ted Nugent is simply upset about something too personal to say? randome Mar 2014 #45

So you've never said anything before in the heat of the moment of being upset? Vashta Nerada Mar 2014 #53

Can't have it both ways. Nine Mar 2014 #79

+1. historylovr Mar 2014 #52

+2 Owl Mar 2014 #78

Thanks. elleng Mar 2014 #27

+100000000000000 stg81 Mar 2014 #32

For a good while now. JoeyT Mar 2014 #33

Name calling is very overrated. KurtNYC Mar 2014 #34

Love this: Control-Z Mar 2014 #36

Sometimes it just feels good to call someone an asshole, especially when they deserve it. badtoworse Mar 2014 #47

The problem is: it wasn't deserved. frazzled Mar 2014 #56

That whole thing about Will? badtoworse Mar 2014 #59

Read about formularies: he screamed before he understood frazzled Mar 2014 #70

Caring for your spouse who has MS is rough under any circumstances. badtoworse Mar 2014 #84

That is a true statement...but doesn't apply to the OP Sheepshank Mar 2014 #58

Post 59 deals with your point badtoworse Mar 2014 #62

The two are not equivalent when referencing one's own party LanternWaste Mar 2014 #49

We are also being told that name-calling, insults, and snark are the same things as "replies" villager Mar 2014 #51

Didn't you used to post a lot in the Gungeon? badtoworse Mar 2014 #55

I guess your memory is quite faulty indeed villager Mar 2014 #80

My recollection is that you were quite anti-RKBA and not tolerant of other views... badtoworse Mar 2014 #82

So you see, we're in agreement after all. villager Mar 2014 #83

Excellent! I'll see you in the Gungeon! badtoworse Mar 2014 #86

Eh, I prefer the Gun Control Reform Activism group now, mostly villager Mar 2014 #88

up until we qualified free speech n/t reddread Mar 2014 #60

free speech all you want...not one is trying to stop that Sheepshank Mar 2014 #69

just answering the OP n/t reddread Mar 2014 #71

Since . . . always? . . . Journeyman Mar 2014 #63

Perhaps DU could set up a name-calling forum, and we can all just not go there. n/t DebJ Mar 2014 #67

since never crimeariver1225 Mar 2014 #68

"Since when does name calling and insulting = political criticism?" Since Fox news. eom Sivafae Mar 2014 #72

All this whine and no cheese plate? pscot Mar 2014 #73

What name calling? Skip Intro Mar 2014 #85

*sigh*...nothing to do with hero worship Sheepshank Mar 2014 #87

Since one long time poster thinks it's okay to ignorantly use the President as his personal Cha Mar 2014 #89