Down at the Spring

[robertpaulsen]

31. Thank you for expressing so eloquently some of the frustrations I have felt.

You know I've always felt an affinity for your writing, H2O Man. I particularly identified with this section of your OP:

The group that I am focusing upon here today includes some of the most steady, reliable, and insightful members -- often “old-timers” -- who have made this forum worthwhile. These are the women and men who -- subtly or openly -- make us view things differently, and to think in new ways. If we were in the “public square,” we would anticipate that the opposition would focus their wrath upon these individuals. They would openly insult them, and attempt to undermine their influence, by pointing out that they made a mistake in the distant past. Or try to belittle them, by identifying them as being in a tiny minority, or the old, worn-out insult that they are conspiracy theorists.

We’d expect such attempts in a public forum, such as a city board meeting, much like we expect it when we watch a debate on television. In such a format, the rules of engagement allow for direct, firm responses. Sadly, we’ve come to expect it on DU, as well. And I’m not talking about the healthy, respectful debates we have between forum members who are on the left versus those on the right of the Democratic Party. Rather, it involves when, in what could be a meaningful discussion of important issues, one group attempts to mis-use the forum rules to sidetrack such discussion or debate. When they attempt clever personal attacks, pretending that they respect the other person. When they attempt to control what opinions can be expressed, and indeed how they can be communicated.

Many of us have, at various times, reached the point where we take a step back, and take a break from DU for a few weeks or more. And that’s fine. But there have also been many instances of where good people -- those who elevate DU -- get so tired of being the target of petty personal attacks, that they simply quit. And we’ve witnessed some examples of this in the past few days.

I am one of those "old-timers" who joined in 2003, as I'm sure you know. While I've never issued a public post saying that I would leave, there have been a couple times that I just walked away for long periods of time for the very reasons you specified above: I got tired. Tired of personal attacks. Tired of the goading strawman. Tired of the goalposts that never seemed to stay put. Tired of having hours of research finding links to verify my claims denigrated with the label "conspiracy theorist." So I went away where I felt my efforts would be more productive.

I'm not sure if there is a solution to this. There are solutions to problems, but not predicaments. I'm not saying DU doesn't have problems, but I believe the situation you are describing above is just our predicament: DU has evolved, and continues to evolve. That reality pretty much puts to rest the false conception that DU has always remained the same. Again, I really appreciate you spelling out the reasons why. Thanks for hanging in there and fighting the good fight!