can someone help me out

[eablair3]

I've run up against a rule here that you cannot post anything that even questions or make a point that is in any way negative towards John Kerry -- even to bring up some discussion points.

It was mentioned to me that there are other boards that you can go to to discuss such things. Would some help me out and point me to one of those? If you don't want it publicized on this board (which I could understand), please feel free to PM it to me.

thanks, and it would be much appreciated.

[AP]

1. www.freerepublic.com

[Paradise]

7. best laugh i've had all week! thanks AP. rofl. :) n/t

[Dookus]

2. You seem to have been misinformed

go to GD04 and you can find MANY posts questioning Kerry.

[Guy Fawkes]

9. I believe he is refering to the following post in editorials:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x68828

The moderator's message on locking reads:


See DU RULES:

"{o}nce the Democratic party officially nominates its candidate for president, then the time for
fighting is over and the negative attacks against candidates must stop. The administrators of this website
do not wish for our message board to be used as a platform to attack and tear down the only progressive
on the planet with any hope of defeating George W. Bush. Constructive criticism and even outright disappointment with the candidate may be expressed, but partisan negative attacks will not be welcome."

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

3. I'll help you out..there's no such rule here

but if you post things that others disagree with - prepare to be challenged.

[Bertha Venation]

4. Where have you read such a rule?

Can you post a link to it? Thanks!

[eablair3]

6. go to the Editorial board

locked threads ... with the rule quoted.

now, I was told to go find another board that allows such discussion. I know of freerepbulic and know that I don't want to go there. FR does the same thing in disallowing discussion, as far as I know, ... and it doesn't have the most intelligent posters.

so, I'd appreciate a pointer to another or other boards that allow such discussion. thanks.

[Bertha Venation]

11. I did so. I read your locked thread (link enclosed) . . .

Here's the thread http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x68878

And here's the "Locking" Post. Read every word:

"See DU RULES:

"{o}nce the Democratic party officially nominates its candidate for president, then the time for fighting is over and the negative attacks against candidates must stop. The administrators of this website do not wish for our message board to be used as a platform to attack and tear down the only progressive on the planet with any hope of defeating George W. Bush. Constructive criticism and even outright disappointment with the candidate may be expressed, but partisan negative attacks will not be welcome."

"Any article which contends that "John Kerry may be worse than Bush when it comes to foreign policy" constitutes an attack on the candidate and not constructive criticism and thus is inappropriate for posting in these forums." emphasis added

I'm willing to bet that if you can post an article with a similar concern about Kerry's stance on bases, that does not attack Kerry but opens a critical discussion of his view of the issue, you'll be heard and your thread will not be locked. You might even start a discussion thread on the topic.

Why not give it a try and see?

OTOH, you'd do well to remember that DU is a privately-owned entity, and its owners may do what they wish. :shrug:

[Bertha Venation]

12. One other thing:

If you wish to dispute a rule, go to the Ask The Administrators forum.

[eablair3]

13. i've learned

i've learned that going to the Ask The Adminstrator is not usually useful. The suggestion was made that I find one of the many other boards that allow discussion of these matters.

I realize the article was questioning Kerry's stand on war, troops and what he'd do. But, I thought it would be useful to post to have a discussion, or at least get the real Kerry supporters to come forward to tell me how the author was wrong or misguided. I didn't get any of that. But, just got ... "go elsewhere." "Bush is worse." Yes, I know that no one can be worse than Bush, but does that mean all discussion questioning Kerry's positions on issues is not allowed until after the election? I guess so.

So, if you cannot even post an article for discussion purposes that questions or makes a point against Kerry on an issue and that appears to have some thought and facts behind it, ... I just thought that I'd try to find one of the other boards that allows such discussion, as was suggested to me. Trouble is, .. I don't know of them. So, that's why I asked for help. (And, yes, I know that DU is privately owned and that the owners can ban anyone or make the rules that they want.)

[Bertha Venation]

14. I'm sorry. I think I'm not hearing you at all, and I don't have

the energy to keep trying. It's not you, trust me.

You wrote "I thought it would be useful to post to have a discussion, or at least get the real Kerry supporters to come forward to tell me how the author was wrong or misguided. . . "

Why not just start a thread in GD04 that says "I have read thus & so about Kerry and his position on such & such issue, and I'd like to know what others think of/how to answer this POV." If anyone asks, tell them who wrote what you read about it, even give them a link. But by posting it in GD04 you don't have to link to an objectionable (by DU's standards) editorial.

Just a thought. Good luck.

I don't know where else to discuss these issues from a liberal point of view. If a liberal POV isn't that important to you, try posting this same question (i.e., "where to discuss") on FR. :shrug:

[jjmalonejr]

5. Criticizing is OK...

...you may catch some heat from people looking to defend Kerry, but I imagine that's what you're looking to do...stimulate discussion.

Spreading RW smears and talking points is another thing. It all goes to what your motives are (or more importantly, what they APPEAR to be, since no one can read your mind). Most people on this board (with some exceptions) will participate in debate and discussion, but if you leave the impression that you are simply trying to bring Kerry down, expect to get flamed severely.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

8. There's a couple of Canadian boards where a lot of local lefties

don't like Kerry. Any use?

[name not needed]

10. Constructive Criticism is allowed

However, "Kerry sucks, my ass would be a better candidate. I hope he fucking loses", will get you in a shitload of trouble.