MannyGoldstein appreciation thread

[mentalslavery]

95. Its especially strange because he technically did not violate TOS

According to skinners own explanation

Say he will not vote for the Democratic nominee if his favored candidate does not win the nomination, and encouraged other people to do the same. From the TOS: "advocating in favor of Republican nominees or in favor of third-party spoiler candidates that could split the vote and throw an election to our conservative opponents is never permitted on Democratic Underground."

Seems as if saying that you won't vote for the democratic candidate is the equivalent of saying to vote for a republican or a third-party spoiler. Which is strange because what if someone is just a non-voter as many in this country are, then by definition they would not be voting for the democratic candidate. Can someone get banned for just saying that they are a none voter?

I hope skinner can re-evaluate this decision and take into account that manny was a passionate and hyperbolic poster and that debate is a good thing. Also, for me personally, when someone loses it and throws a fit about "how they are not gonna vote for the democratic nominee cuz its not their candidate".....that just makes me think less about the poster and the idea of not voting for the democratic nominee. I believe that others around here likely respond the same way.

This policy, and subsequent application, seems to assume that advocating for "not voting for the democratic nominee" influences people to "not vote for the democratic nominee", as opposed to the opposite. For me personally, I think it makes the poster look a little politically immature and naive as well as reflecting to a moment of weakness where their emotions get the best of them and they post something that is embarrassing. This is not to criticize manny's character as well all have said things in the heat of the moment or over the course of an election cycle we regret later.

Me thinks the punishment does not fit the crime. Also, I worry that if we don't have this dialogue then people really will become apathetic and not vote for the democratic nominee because they are not engaged in dialogue about the importance of electing a democrat. Part of the dialogue is pushing back at those that say they will refuse to vote for the democratic nominee if it is not their nominee.

Also, it is just really strange to have such strict rules for speech. I mean I can understand things like attacking people but this is borderline the type of things conservatives on redstate do and can create a situation where people are all just saying the same thing.....and that is boring...which means the rest of us might go elsewhere and ultimately the death of DU....which would be a shame because this is a really cool site with some really cool peeps!!

Hope I have not violated any TOS rules in this reply. Can say as I remember them all.....they are kind of like the terms of service agreements I post yes to without actually thinking about what they say or what they mean....