I want to thank the defenders of misogyny

[BainsBane]

257. I never considered supporting her in 2008

not for a millisecond. There is no question that I reacted to the extreme vitriol directed against her. While I respect anyone's right to support any Democratic candidate of their choice, the demonization of Clinton is unprecedented. I don't know what you imagine is within me now that wasn't in 2008 prior to witnessing what transpires here on DU. I have been astounded at the extent to which people here define themselves politically around candidates, both for and against. I was seen as heretical early on simply because I failed to hate Clinton--and make no mistake about it, there is intense hatred of her among some posters. If it's not hate, I don't know what is. That's not to say that people can't have disagreements on issues. I have no problem with any of that. What bothers me is too many project onto her ll the ills of American society and capitalism. Much of what they consider issues is internet fabrication or just plain name calling. Some even argued NYCSkp's post that got him banned was to make a political point.

I think it unfair to describe my response as "I'm supporting her because you're mean." There is an exclusionary politics being constructed here from a clear class-, race-, and gender-based perspective. Some African Americans have confronted people about it, and they have been told their racism against them is only a function of class (even though those posters aren't poor), while women are told we don't even deserve the right to be treated with basic respect. Every single issue I have raised has been ridiculed.

I understand people think their political views are good for everyone. Guess what? So do the bankers and the neocons. That means nothing. When people don't listen, when they refuse to consider that any other perspective of way of life has value, they make clear they do not want allies but rather to exclude, to create an in-crowd of comprised entirely of people exactly like them in every way. If they seriously care about getting Sanders elected or making any kind of political change, they will need to reevaluate their approach because it will only turn voters off. Some in fact do little besides attacking other Democratic voters, even other Sanders supporters, by calling them "Third Way," etc. One person with financial means insults gay men and people barely getting by as "allied with Goldman Sachs and the 1 percent." Another insists that corporations have sent women and people of color into the Democratic Party to subvert it from its true purpose. How is that leftist? How is that anything but an effort to rule by and for the few? People don't get to go around announcing women don't deserve to be treated with basic respect and then expect me to do their bidding. They are consequences for denying people's rights. It's become clear to me that they want people to promote the economic interests of the white middle and upper-middle class, and men in particular, to the exclusion of everyone else. I won't do it.

People may certainly disagree about NYCSkp's banning. As I've said in this thread, that is the least of the issue.
I like him. I know he isn't a misogynist. I've found him quite supportive on gender issues. The point is not his mistake but how many have in response insisted their right to insult my gender trumps my right to be treated with respect. NYCSkp's banning is merely a pretext for a performance of power and privilege. No woman here banned NYCSkp, yet we are scapegoats. His banning was merely pretext for the resentment toward women's ascendancy, and Clinton is the ultimate manifestation of that, which is why she is cast as the enemy. I see a deeply conservative ethos at work, reactionary and restorationist, much like the opposition to Obama from the right.

None of that is to say that characterizes all Sanders supporters or all criticisms of Clinton. Clearly it does not, but it is a loud and insistent enough contingency to drive some people away. I am not the only one who has responded similarly. There are also some long-time Sanders supporters who find what is happening disturbing.