To those who have been questioning my "liberal cred" ...

[Flammable Materials]

Since a number of DU'ers have accused me of, among other things, being an 'agent provocateur', simply because I voiced my honest personal doubts about the authenticity of the Bush memos, I voluntarily submit myself to this (apparently for some) mandatory anal probe:

My name is Daryl Alan. I previously posted under the name "Citizen Daryl". My post count under that name was 688 posts. I changed my name because I'm starting a new liberal book-publishing venture, and I wanted my username to reflect the name of the business. The name, if you haven't guesssed by now, is "Flammable Materials".

If anyone wants to further scrutinize my opinions, you also can read my blog, which is located at http://www.thisistheshit.org/. You'll find over a year-and-a-half of my personal and political views there.

Also, I'm the person who registered the domain name http://www.ofrankenfactor.com for Al Franken and Air America specifically to keep the domain out of the hands of Freepers. I got a letter from Air America:



... and a personally-autographed copy of Al's book "Lies":



... for my efforts.

If anyone has any further doubts as to my legitimacy as a bona-fide liberal and upstanding member of DU, they are free to contact me personally.

What I find particularly ironic was the fact that all of this resulted from the fact that I dared to voice my personal concerns about the legitimacy of the Bush memos.

To the parties in question who were questioning my "liberal cred": Satisfied now? Hope so.

To everyone else: Sorry about this. I just figured if I had to legitimize myself, I didn't want it getting lost in a nested thread where certain parties might miss it.

[Vickers]

1. Fair enough. But you still got your panties in a wad.

Hope this helps.

Kindest regards,

Vickers

[Flammable Materials]

5. Yeah, I did get my panties in a wad.

I didn't expect that I'd get flamed so viciously (and so "highly-and-mightily") as I did by some people for voicing a valid opinion. And perhaps I flew off the handle a little too quickly. But goddamn it, I have to deal with enough shit from Bushistas (living in Tennessee) that I don't expect that I'm going to come home and catch shit from liberals as well.

[ThomCat]

41. There are a bunch of attack dogs here at DU

Who LOVE to accuse other people of being trolls, freepers and appologists for the republicans simple because they don't like something you said.

One moron called me a water carrier for the right because I questioned the validity of a source in a debate, much like you did.

We just need to accept that there are fools and idiots on all sides of any debate. (Hopefully we have a smaller proportion of them.)

[katym]

2. If people are questioning your for voicing an opinion, then this place is

going to end up just like freerepublic.com where they ban people not sharing their views.

[Demonaut]

22. hey why you dissin freerepublic?

so not all of us can understand the subtleties of DU

[Paperchase]

33. It happens.

You say the wrong thing and out you go. I posted something about me not being able to start a poll because I can't afford to be a donor at this point in my life and many people inquired saying they didn't know that was the case. Next thing I knew I was gone.

You have to be careful what you say on this site. It is best just to agree with everyone.

[olddem43]

3. It's certainly possible the memos are faked and we may never

know for sure or their origin. We need to move on to the questions that the memos raise. Thanks for your input and help in getting rid of this criminal regime.

[Flammable Materials]

10. Reporting For Duty, Goddamnit.

Kicking ass and taking names, SIR!

[nickgutierrez]

20. I posted a thread along these lines in GD earlier

Sadly, it got hijacked by a troll. :(

[UdoKier]

4. defensive much?

I know you're new, but that happens to everyone now and then. Making a big show will probably just make some more suspicious of you. Take it in stride and you'll be fine.

For all any of us know, the memos are fake, but that hasn't been proven. As long as you keep an open mind and don't unfairly bash Rather you should be okay.

We have VERY few allies in the corporate media, so we can be a bit protective of them.

[Flammable Materials]

7. I agree.

And I made the point that my first reaction (after becoming suspicious of the appearance of the memos) was that they were likely transcriptions of original documents. I don't debate that the information in them is probably authentic, but that won't matter much to swing voters who harbor the same doubts I have as to the original of the reproductions in question.

I'm half hoping that the Kerry campaign has copies of the originals, and they're just waiting until the right moment to drop them. Kind of like he did when the GOP demanded that he release his military records.

[Cronus Protagonist]

6. I could have created these documents myself

...with nothing more than a Bic pen, and Air America flyer and a copy of the book. Additionally, anyone can claim to own any blog, so that's not much good. And anyone with any moniker can claim anything they want here, so that's not much good either.

What I want to see is a polaroid photo of Al Franken writing the actual text on the book that is held in your hands, while you're holding a newspaper with the date clearly distinguishable in the polaroid, with your drivers license on the table with your picture clearly displayed.

It wouldn't hurt to get a policeman in the shot and have him notarize the polaroid on the back and write his badge number and location in clearly legible capital letters at least 1/4" high, proportionally spaced and in crimson #2.

And none of this scanning shit. We need to see it in person, so I'll be expecting you to drop by my house and show the actual evidence to me in person.

Oh, and one other thing. I never thought you weren't a liberal anyway :)

http://brainbuttons.com/home.asp?stashid=13

[Flammable Materials]

8. Heh!

Love your buttons, by the way.

[Cronus Protagonist]

11. Thanks,.

I hope I lightened the thread up a bit :)


You might be a Republican if...
http://cronus.com/quiz

Commentary by a Republican...
http://cronus.com/republican

The REAL Republican Platform...
http://cronus.com/platform

Bush's Illustrated Resume
http://cronus.com/bushresume

Isn't That Strange?
http://cronus.com/oil

:)

[EST]

13. Teehee Too, Too kewl!

__________

[Longhorn]

28. LOL!

Thanks, I really needed a chuckle tonight! :yourock:

[Stephanie]

9. Your heart may be in the right place, but you've got to play for the team

I apologize if I ID'd you wrong. But I will continue to discourage you from embracing RNC talking points.

[Flammable Materials]

12. I apologize for getting snarky with you.

But I won't allow anyone to discourage me from reaching my own conclusions. I refuse to submit to anyone's herd mentality, thank you.

EDIT: Slight grammar correction.

[Stephanie]

14. Yes, uniting behind Kerry and supporting Dan Rather is "herd mentality"

This is the attitude encouraged by Ralph Nader. It's self-righteous and self-defeating.

[Flammable Materials]

17. Oh, for crying out tears ...

Why, that I insist on the right to my own opinion?

Whatever. :eyes:

Just remember, flaming people you don't know, and accusing them of dishonesty because they don't necessarily agree with you doesn't win converts to your side.

PS: I'm voting for Kerry, no matter what. I make and sell fun liberal stuff (http://subvert.us). I'm one of the good guys, mmmkay?

[Cronus Protagonist]

19. Stephanie, I say this with kindness and loving intentions

You are projecting.

Thanks.

You might be a Republican if...
http://cronus.com/quiz

Commentary by a Republican...
http://cronus.com/republican

The REAL Republican Platform...
http://cronus.com/platform

Bush's Illustrated Resume
http://cronus.com/bushresume

Isn't That Strange?
http://cronus.com/oil

:)

[Stephanie]

21. thanks, but

your post makes no sense

[Media_Lies_Daily]

38. Then stop being so defensive and get used to the idea that someone...

...is bound to disagree with one or more of your opinions and let you know why they disagree. If you can't handle that, you may be in the wrong place.

[ThomCat]

43. Actually, I think that point should be aimed at the OTHER people

The ones who start throwing insults and accusations simply because they don't like an opinion, or don't want to face the posibility of a flaw on our side.

The rah rah, all or nothing, with us or against us mentality exists here too, and that's the point of the original post.

[EST]

16. You go!

Can't help laffin'.
If a poster looks like a f****er, acts like a fr***er, uses terms and language like those over in fr****rland, takes an uninformed R/W point of view, has a low post count, acts evasive, protests too much, and on, and on, is it any wonder that normal human beings, no matter how tolerant and forgiving, might be just a little suspicious?

Oh, by the way, watch out ! The boards are full of eeperfroids, tonight; or maybe I'm just being a little too paranoid. Nooo...

[Flammable Materials]

18. Yes, perhaps you're a little too paranoid.

But to each his own.

:evilgrin:

[EST]

26. Ummmm perhaps

But my being paranoid or no doesn't chance facts.

[in_cog_ni_to]

15. That's not Al Franken's handwriting.

Just kidding! ;) I don't know what you're referring to, but I believe what you say. Good luck in your new business! :hi:

[JSJ]

29. seriously, though, he didn't originate the title of the 'liars' book

I did.

[UdoKier]

23. BTW, your screen name could imply you want to start flame wars.

The very definition of a disruptor. (not accusing, just saying your name could be taken that way.)

[Cronus Protagonist]

24. Yeah!

"Cuddly Materials" would have been much nicer.

:)

In Memorium
http://brainscream.com/MP3/wtc-Roger_Waters_and_Waking_Born-World_Trade_Center_Tribute.mpg

[Flammable Materials]

32. Yeah, but it's hard to sell a book titled "America, You Ignorant Slut!"...

... under the banner "Cuddly Materials."

:evilgrin:

[Flammable Materials]

25. Well, the books to be published ...

... will fit the name quite nicely.

:D

[Djinn]

27. there's been an increase in the "arrrghhh freeper"

accusations around here lately - personally I couldn't give a flying fanny if somone IS a freep - if people post something stupid, untrue, illogical or whatever it's not that hard to dispute them.

To me the biggest indicator of freepish behaviour would seem to be a refusal to accept an opinion that differs from your own and a refusal to even mention misgivings about ANY Dem/Dem supporter.

This view apparently makes me self righteous and lecturing according to many here - if my post count was lower I'd no doubt be called a freep too (and a "loony leftie" in other threads which is kinda funny really)

Good luck with the biz.

[librechik]

30. sorry--the blog wars have been so horrible lately

newbies are getting hazed pretty bad.

But I never saw one offer a voluntary preemptive security check!

Welcome to DU FA!

:hi:

[mike_c]

31. the tone of discussion on DU has declined considerably...

...in recent months-- ever since the primaries, IMO. It often seems that here's more demagoguery around here these days than democracy. Criticizing Kerry brings the brownshirts out pretty fast.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

37. I see the you forgot to mention the fact that DU has had a tremendous...

...increase in "drive-by" posters and freepers posing as DUers since the end of the Democratic Convention.

Being critical of Kerry without providing anything substantive with which to argue is definitely going to attract attention, some of it heated. I would also argue that the vast majority of DU folks defending Kerry under those circumstances should not be described as "brownshirts" under any circumstance. The term "brownshirt" is used to imply fascist political leanings...perhaps you should rethink your comment.

[mike_c]

39. you prove my point....

eom

[sendero]

34. A lot of nerves....

... are on edge here. It's wrong you were thusly accused and people ought to be damn careful before accusing someone of the abject folly of being a freeper.

IMHO, the real disrputors are not that hard to spot. Especially the true freeps, who come here with a "I'm one of you BUT... " messages that are so laughably obvious that it gives one pause to think that they think we'll fall for it. They really are that stupid.

Folks, if you think a disruptor is at work, please hit the alert button, don't make accusations directly. The moderators know how to get to the bottom of it and take appropriate action.

Better to let a post or two go (they will always reveal themselves unequivocally eventually) than to falsely accuse someone on our team :)

[newportdadde]

35. Welcome to DU

Hey I'll give you a welcome :toast:. Try not to feel too bad about posters getting on to you about being a freeper. I posted some differing view points and got blasted as a freeper once too and told I wouldn't last long etc :hi:. I think this is a good board but its a stressful time for the party and all of us on here. It just freaks people out when you step out of the box to make a point right now.

I do wish post count didn't play such a factor in your 'liberal credentials' but I will be honest I haven't seen any of these freepers in disguise posts yet so maybe I've just missed out on how bad its been in the past.

[latebloomer]

36. Sorry for the incivility

Nerves are tightly strung here and unfortunately there seem to be a lot of folks ready to chew you and spit you out for not rigidly following the party line. Turns me off, big time.

BTW, I've had your site bookmarked for quite a while--I enjoy your writing, and am glad you're here!!

[Stephanie]

40. Some of you might want to read the ORIGINAL THREAD before commenting

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x2359423

I note he didn't include the link in his opening post.

[Spacistor]

42. The documents are fake. Many of us agree.

CBS needs to get off this train real quick before it crashes. It can only hurt Kerry.

[Gato Moteado]

44. no spaci...

we stay the course. we expose the bushies. we humiliate them.

they are hypocrites. they are garbage. they are scum.

got it?

[Stephanie]

45. Case in point

Any more questions?

[TexasSissy]

46. Cool. I'm not familiar with your handle, so I was unaware

of this issue as to you. I, too, have been accused of being a troll. Some accuse any other poster of being a troll if they say anything in disagreement or objective. But most do not, so I hope not too many accused you of that. Were you truly being objective, do you think, or did you just do as one of my friends does....spout the Repub talking points, as if true, w/o giving any thought to the veracity of the points?

Glad to know you're a true Dem., though! I am, too! Been one for 30 years.