Sanders Group members--all DUers, really: Please be cautious.

[PATRICK]

14. As an old poster

in more ways than one and the number of whose posts are determined by a hard nighttime work schedule etc. I even understand this problem in talk groups outside DU. If I had an alter ego to choose it would be someone like H2O Man with a Rude Pundit subconscious. I do find and rarely bother commenting on people who tee on on anger's green where almost anything they don't like is some middle finger aimed at them or their candidate.

I too find it strange that anyone with that temperament could possibly resist piling up post counts no matter the special stimulation of primaries. It doesn't seem likely unless they don't even read DU except for election heat. Can't mind read and obviously I can't read the face or the bank account.

But not being God it is just another caveat into fueling or recognizing disruptive non-productive cat fights when so much is at stake to build up and influence the only party the people has to save their very lives. One discipline is to actively love your enemies and talk that talk. Then the anger can burn itself out over there at least. The sadistic joy at belittling one's opponents and stretching all discussions to make that happen may seem justified by "victory" at the polls- but it does not win actual votes nor hearts and minds. Trump's your real candidate then. A loser.

As for trolls and plots, screw 'em. Let them tombstone themselves in furious escalation. As for fighting back, temper or redo your steel with truth.

The worst have all passion while the best lack conviction. Writers and painters have puzzled over the tremendous bravura and self promotion of the talentless. I think it is all about the fact that people who are genuine, truth seeking and compassionate all the way through to their thoughts and convictions(hopefully good actions) are pained and troubled by the imperfect- the unattainable. The permanently immature are dazzled by the beatific vision of themselves in a pig sty of fantasies. The primary process is just one popular human endeavor that ferments the slush pile. People who are more cold blooded operatives are still that kind of person, only sadder and more corrupt.

We can only control what we say and that never as well as we should- but we must try- often without joy or support. As much as this OP is wasting some time on a partial attempt to understand, this is one thing each of us has to continue to do- with or without the critiques of others.

Boy that sounds pompous, but I guess I will hit the button anyway.