General Discussion

emcguffie

(1,924 posts)

114. Do you honestly not see that --

Tue Dec 20, 2011, 06:48 PM

Dec 2011

-- someone else here might have been being deliberately disruptive?

I don't have a horse in this race. But it struck me right in the face that some of those posts were just trying to pick a fight. They were not looking for a discussion.

And that is what the OP was responding to. So, yeah, if you say, okay, I promise to really listen to your concerns and do some work and make some effort to have a real discussion with you, and then the other guy throws a pie in your face, then you have to not respond to that thrown pie but must go do some research on -- what? Because there was no content in any of those comments, just straightforward disparaging attacks.

I'm not interested in the Obama argument, but I am interested in what makes a discussion a discussion rather than a mudfight.

This turned into a mudfight pretty quickly, and personally I do not think it was the fault of the OP.

Click here to purchase valentine hearts!

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

188 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

I Have a Pledge to Make. Who Will Join Me? [View all] The Doctor. Dec 2011 OP

Ooooo....A "Pledge".....how , how republican ! comipinko Dec 2011 #1

So a thoughtful pledge to be reasonable is 'Republican'? The Doctor. Dec 2011 #3

"pledges" only deter actual thought. Yup, very republican. comipinko Dec 2011 #7

I just tried to tell my wife that the pledges we made when we got married ... JoePhilly Dec 2011 #101

MRS. JoePhilly IS MY KIND OF GAL Skittles Dec 2011 #166

NEVER, NEVER ... mess with Mrs. JoePhily ... trust me. JoePhilly Dec 2011 #176

You're lucky she didn't put any grits in there for you Hutzpa Dec 2011 #181

Pledges stiffle? Is that because of the pledge or because the pledgee took viagra? nt stevenleser Dec 2011 #104

Post removed Post removed Dec 2011 #105

It also occurs to me that you must believe all physicians are 'Republican'. The Doctor. Dec 2011 #9

Your silly pledge can not be compared as you have done. comipinko Dec 2011 #11

How disappointing. The Doctor. Dec 2011 #14

Now you resort to personal attacks?? comipinko Dec 2011 #23

What personal attack? The Doctor. Dec 2011 #26

Typical. comipinko Dec 2011 #33

This really is amusing. The Doctor. Dec 2011 #43

While I fully support your pledge Aerows Dec 2011 #69

I am laughing because i_sometimes Dec 2011 #49

That was hardly a personal attack. emcguffie Dec 2011 #112

I took a pledge to my cat snooper2 Dec 2011 #59

So you think you can speak for all "good Democrats"? pnwmom Dec 2011 #86

I will join you in that pledge. polmaven Dec 2011 #2

You'd think it wouldn't be necessary. The Doctor. Dec 2011 #4

Post removed Post removed Dec 2011 #12

Wow. I could not have asked for a better example of thoughtless belligerence. The Doctor. Dec 2011 #16

Take two aspirin and call me in the morning! comipinko Dec 2011 #20

Yep. That's the stuff. The Doctor. Dec 2011 #25

Again, it breaks it's own pledge. comipinko Dec 2011 #29

Again, "How?" The Doctor. Dec 2011 #44

Where is a pledge weak minded? Sheepshank Dec 2011 #109

You are calling a poster "thoughtlessly belligerent"? Is that within community rhett o rick Dec 2011 #106

I am NOT overly critical of President Obama Dorian Gray Dec 2011 #31

you noticed that , too? comipinko Dec 2011 #35

Post the pertinent excerpt. The Doctor. Dec 2011 #39

"Those like you." Dorian Gray Dec 2011 #89

So what you're saying is that it's wrong to point out when someone is lying. The Doctor. Dec 2011 #93

Okay... Dorian Gray Dec 2011 #164

Do you honestly not see that -- emcguffie Dec 2011 #114

My thoughts exactly. Old and In the Way Dec 2011 #151

No, I saw that Dorian Gray Dec 2011 #165

Pass Sherman A1 Dec 2011 #5

Applause. Major Cheers. n/t Yo_Mama Dec 2011 #6

This message was self-deleted by its author seaglass Dec 2011 #8

And when it is, it should be pointed out. The Doctor. Dec 2011 #10

Have you read "Catch 22"?? Lately? comipinko Dec 2011 #13

+1 It feels like bullying to me. tblue Dec 2011 #97

I pledge to speak freely. UnrepentantLiberal Dec 2011 #15

+1 pintobean Dec 2011 #17

Now THERE is a pledge !! LOL comipinko Dec 2011 #21

+1 andlor Dec 2011 #162

a pledge? piratefish08 Dec 2011 #18

Take the damn pledge. comipinko Dec 2011 #22

K&R quinnox Dec 2011 #19

It's very interesting to see The Doctor. Dec 2011 #24

Civil discourse? pintobean Dec 2011 #27

Post removed Post removed Dec 2011 #30

CRASH goes the "pledge" comipinko Dec 2011 #37

Reading comprehension fail. pintobean Dec 2011 #38

Given that it's the same set of readers The Doctor. Dec 2011 #51

What? Seriously? emcguffie Dec 2011 #116

i pledge to not commit to civil discourse regarding the taking of pledges. piratefish08 Dec 2011 #178

He can't answer you pintobean Dec 2011 #179

Ahh....so nice to see you again...massive wall of text... tjwash Dec 2011 #28

Keep smokin'. The Doctor. Dec 2011 #32

Again with the personal attacks. comipinko Dec 2011 #40

So, you are suggesting the post to which he was responding is...? emcguffie Dec 2011 #118

Wow. Bluenorthwest May 2012 #184

Nope, because I'm not an Obama supporter...third party... joeybee12 Dec 2011 #34

.... i_sometimes Dec 2011 #36

Post it. The Doctor. Dec 2011 #41

Stop it. You're killing me. UnrepentantLiberal Dec 2011 #45

Amazing. The Doctor. Dec 2011 #47

Lol... i_sometimes Dec 2011 #48

Pick one. Post it. The Doctor. Dec 2011 #50

Huh? i_sometimes Dec 2011 #62

The request was in English. The Doctor. Dec 2011 #63

Nope... i_sometimes Dec 2011 #64

Bwhaahahahahaaaaa! The 'copycat game'??!? The Doctor. Dec 2011 #67

Try harder. i_sometimes Dec 2011 #70

I think I know why you found DU 'toxic'. The Doctor. Dec 2011 #76

Ah, no. i_sometimes Dec 2011 #91

Whatever excuse you need to avoid any kind of substantive discussion. The Doctor. Dec 2011 #94

So true. Union Scribe Dec 2011 #128

But you've said plenty, in your short little post. emcguffie Dec 2011 #120

Nope. Union Scribe Dec 2011 #129

I judge Obama on his actions, not on what he says in "black and white" print. Laelth Dec 2011 #42

Again I have to encourage someone to read for meaning: The Doctor. Dec 2011 #46

Sigh. I suspected you were asking for careful, literal readings. Laelth Dec 2011 #52

If that's too much to ask, then I am most certainly disappointed. The Doctor. Dec 2011 #56

Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar? Fearless Dec 2011 #135

Mwen pral pran angajman an UnrepentantLiberal Dec 2011 #53

so anyone who criticizes obama is dishonest. aletier_v Dec 2011 #54

Illiterate liars suffering from paranoid schizophrenia pintobean Dec 2011 #57

You're being too hard on them. The Doctor. Dec 2011 #61

Another one who simply 'makes shit up'. The Doctor. Dec 2011 #58

Thanks you - and I agree bhikkhu Dec 2011 #55

Yes, and just look at all the examples in this thread. The Doctor. Dec 2011 #60

Yes, you are whining about DU. nt EFerrari Dec 2011 #65

By that standard, so is every post The Doctor. Dec 2011 #66

Whine: "To utter a plaintive, high-pitched, protracted sound... Fearless Dec 2011 #138

K & R Aerows Dec 2011 #68

Please read post 60 and reconsider that rec. Union Scribe Dec 2011 #72

It's just an interesting side effect. Not really much of a 'motive'. The Doctor. Dec 2011 #74

So, you've taken a pledge to insult the hell out of people. Union Scribe Dec 2011 #71

If you would bother to read it, you'll see that's not the point. The Doctor. Dec 2011 #73

Your OP and this entire conversation pscot Dec 2011 #78

What you're saying would have validity if I called anyone an 'idiot'. The Doctor. Dec 2011 #81

It was your 1st sentence pscot Dec 2011 #113

Jesus...that's a really fancy way to start a loyalty oath DisgustipatedinCA Dec 2011 #75

Wow, another one who doesn't bother to read or understand an OP. The Doctor. Dec 2011 #77

Just to watch the hypocrisy spew from your keyboard, in direct contradiction to your OP. DisgustipatedinCA Dec 2011 #80

Yet you can point to no such hypocrisy or contradictions. The Doctor. Dec 2011 #82

Run along. I believe we've concluded any useful discourse. DisgustipatedinCA Dec 2011 #83

It never began. But at least I tried. The Doctor. Dec 2011 #87

Yes, and you got all the material you were trolling for DisgustipatedinCA Dec 2011 #88

You mean the proof that so many The Doctor. Dec 2011 #90

Here are a couple of your posts that I believe push the community standards envelope. rhett o rick Dec 2011 #108

Good post, I appreciate it. I would like to emulatorloo Dec 2011 #79

What are we a Republican primary? TheKentuckian Dec 2011 #84

If DU is about seeing Democrats and getting Democrats elected, it can't be one big steady Obama or deacon Dec 2011 #85

Good point ... Getting Dems elected is the 2nd section of the DU ... JoePhilly Dec 2011 #99

Definetly. And that really defines the problem, a site identity crisis. n/t deacon Dec 2011 #139

I Pledge to remember to not be as full of myself A-Schwarzenegger Dec 2011 #92

Now you done it. UnrepentantLiberal Dec 2011 #95

Good for you. The Doctor. Dec 2011 #96

Yeesh. It's really getting weird around here Doctor_J Dec 2011 #98

What "Loyalty Oath"? The Doctor. Dec 2011 #102

Dear The Doctor, tblue Dec 2011 #100

K&R because of your good intentions. Zalatix Dec 2011 #103

Thanks Tblue and Zalatix. The Doctor. Dec 2011 #107

having read this entire thread eyewall Dec 2011 #110

Yet nothing specific to point to. The Doctor. Dec 2011 #125

Why are you right? Fearless Dec 2011 #136

Asking others to take take your solomn pledge sad sally Dec 2011 #111

Yeah, asking people to be honest and open is certainly a form of censorship. The Doctor. Dec 2011 #126

God you're an ass eyewall Dec 2011 #143

Does that mean you're not taking the pledge? A-Schwarzenegger Dec 2011 #144

Pledges? We don need no stinking pledges. eyewall Dec 2011 #147

Muy bueno. A-Schwarzenegger Dec 2011 #148

sounds reasonable - count me in, although I try to do those things all the time. nt cry baby Dec 2011 #115

No thank you. Texasgal Dec 2011 #117

Hey Doc... I take this pledge. vaberella Dec 2011 #119

Making an open committment to be *honest* and open The Doctor. Dec 2011 #127

Can you quote a specific instance where there has been... Fearless Dec 2011 #137

Grammar police here - "...affect change" not "...effect change" jimlup Dec 2011 #121

Actually, no. ChadwickHenryWard Dec 2011 #122

I didnt even know effect could be a verb. A-Schwarzenegger Dec 2011 #123

It can. I have an article on my grammar & usage site tblue37 Dec 2011 #134

Hey, thanks. A-Schwarzenegger Dec 2011 #141

You're welcome. nt tblue37 Dec 2011 #142

Gimmie the gist... Taverner Dec 2011 #124

Well this paragraph is very well said and I'd like to Maraya1969 Dec 2011 #130

I think democratic party has decided that the a-hole "independent" who voted for McCain scentopine Dec 2011 #131

A big +1 UnrepentantLiberal Dec 2011 #149

Let me put it more succinctly BanTheGOP Dec 2011 #132

You left something out. UnrepentantLiberal Dec 2011 #152

Maybe I just want my pony but... Fearless Dec 2011 #133

Wonderful. UnrepentantLiberal Dec 2011 #154

Funny stuff, but I'll decline. (nt) (nr) T S Justly Dec 2011 #140

Damn! jbpdx Dec 2011 #145

Nice idea but pass. ObaMania Dec 2011 #146

I have a suggestion MFrohike Dec 2011 #150

I pledge to never use the word "strawman" eyewall Dec 2011 #153

Well, UnrepentantLiberal Dec 2011 #155

My understanding MFrohike Dec 2011 #156

I see what you're saying. UnrepentantLiberal Dec 2011 #159

Actually, you're right MFrohike Dec 2011 #180

Nice try Doc. Old and In the Way Dec 2011 #157

I am not an Obama supporter Martin Eden Dec 2011 #158

Mission Impossible tatfreak79 Dec 2011 #160

Damn, I miss the "unrec" feature. Jokerman Dec 2011 #161

Grover . . .is that you? Vinca Dec 2011 #163

I PLEDGE TO SAY IT LIKE IT IS Skittles Dec 2011 #167

Sorry I missed this one yesterday. Bolo Boffin Dec 2011 #168

Are you saying the voices in my head are telling me you think I'm a liar? hootinholler Dec 2011 #169

Don't sweat it, hoot. I got the key. pintobean Dec 2011 #171

I was wondering how the OP could hear my voices. n/t hootinholler Dec 2011 #173

. pintobean Dec 2011 #174

They don't like eavesdroppers hootinholler Dec 2011 #175

Only read the first few responses of clusterfuck replies JNelson6563 Dec 2011 #170

I think he got the reaction he was looking for. pintobean Dec 2011 #172

Yes, especially coming from i_sometimes Dec 2011 #177

That presupposes the OP is correct. Fearless Dec 2011 #182

Bumpsky UnrepentantLiberal May 2012 #183

You're a very silly man. UnrepentantLiberal Dec 2012 #185

Pledges are either for holding or breaking liberal N proud Dec 2012 #186

This message was self-deleted by its author intaglio Dec 2012 #187

I wish I had so much time on my hands obamanut2012 Dec 2012 #188