Many thanks to sanghO and others who went to bat yesterday.

[H2O Man]

I have been reading and re-reading several of the "oh my gosh, the sky is falling! Mary Beth Cahill is a GIRL! Kerry is DONE!" posts from the past 36 hours. I was not surprised to find sanghO to be the most consistent voice of reason on those where people were sincerely confused, and to expose the insincere who attempt to create confusion.

There are going to be mistakes made on both sides of any political campaign, from the local mayor's race, to the presidential election. This year happens to be the most heated election contest in our life time. It's the most important. But we have to learn the correct way to deal with our concerns.

If you were to have a family in your neighborhood, that whenever they had a disagreement, took it out on the sidewalk and into the streets, and screamed and shouted, insulted and tried to humiliate each other, you would shy away from them. You would call them uncouth, unrefined, and vulgar. And you would be right in doing so.

Let's not be that family. And let's question the motivation of anyone and everyone who wants us to behave that way.

If you have a concern about the democratic strategy, send it in an e-mail to campaign headquarters. Or send it in an envelope with $20. Put your money where your mouth is.

If you don't have money to send, then get out on that same street in your neighborhood, and register the unregistered voters. Volunteer at the local campaign headquarters. Go door to door. Make phone calls. Write letters to the newspapers. After you do this, write to Kerry headquarters, and tell them what you've contributed at the grassroots. Explain your investment. Then offer your thoughts.

That's the way the system works best. Now, it may be that we have some political geniuses who are yet undiscovered by those at the top. Well, you will never be discovered by complaining. Only the republicans promote the whiners. If you have great ideas, please put them to work. Start in your neighborhood. Lay the foundation. Get to work.

[Cheswick2.0]

1. maybe we can get Skinner to shut DU down completely

then you won't ever have to read an opinion that you disagree with.
BTW, why aren't you out canvasing?

[H2O Man]

2. I enjoy reading opinions

that I disagree with. There are any number of discussions that promote a healthy debate of issues on DU, that I participate in. I keep an open mind, and am able to learn things that are helpful to me.

But that doesn't mean I need to keep an open mind about those who whine, complain, and look to create divisions. I'm able to make the distinction, and hope you can, too.

And, to be honest in response to your last question, about why am I not out canvasing ..... I'm waiting for my son to pick me up. Then we're going out canvasing. See, I'm older, and sitting in a wheel chair, and there are days I can't get around as well anymore. But I'm not complaining. Every single day, I do something positive on the grassroots level for the Kerry campaign. Every single day.

[wildeyed]

4. every single day.......

That has been my mantra, too for the last few months. Every single day I wake up and think, hmm..... what can I do today to defeat GWB and help elect John Kerry and other Democrats in local, state and federal elections. Then I do it.

[unfrigginreal]

6. Everyone should be able to make the distinction

and if that's the case the best way to handle the truly "doom and gloom" threads is to let them sink like a lead balloon. There's too much whining and complaining from the "everythings peachy" crowd, with broad brush painting of DU'ers as disruptors. Those attacks don't in anyway promote harmony and in fact have the opposite effect.

[wildeyed]

3. yep, it's all about turnout.

I understand the anxiety people have about this race. Contemplating four more years of GWB is enough to send anyone 'round the bend. But I think that turning that anxiety into positive action is the way to go.

I also believe that while many of the people posting about their anxiety are sincere, a number are NOT on our side. Some want to demoralize us, render us incapacitated and then they laugh at us over at their RW hate site. Don't fall into their trap.

This race is a long way from over. It will be tight until the end so we might as well get used to the anxiety. The side who can turn their folks out will win. Turning out voters involves hard work and self discipline. Winning will be the sweetest revenge.

[H2O Man]

7. I've had a number

of concerns, not only with Kerry, but going back into the primary season. I know that if I want my voice to be listened to by those working at the higher levels, I need to either have something positive to add, something constructive, or else I had better make sure I have some credentials to back me up. Because it takes no talent and no insight to be able to merely complain.

I think there are sincere anxieties. In fact, a number of my relatives have expressed concerns about "is Kerry doing enough?" etc. I understand that, and think those sincere questions are a good issue to discuss openly on DU.

But there have certainly been a number of posts that are of not that nature. The first person who posted a response to my post said something silly about doing away with DU, etc etc. Nonsense, not what I said. I haven't tried to have any of them locked. I'm simply expressing my opinion that serious democrats should channel their energies in a positive way.

[Armstead]

5. This is a message board. That means it is a conversation.

If people are feeling down, they (we) come here for some support from those with a common basic purpose on a wider sphere than our own inmmediate circle. Just like if we're enthusiastic, we come here to celebrate.

If people are frustrated or angry by mistakes they see being made, they come here to vent their frustration.

If people have ideas, they come here to share them, and maybe in some way to make a difference.

Those who disagree with what people can either ignore them or insult them. But it is more useful if they try to buck up those who are feeling down, give feedback on ideas, maybe help people spread information or "memes."

Telling people they are whining, or stupid or damaging the cause is NOT helpful. People's visceral reactions to this bigger drama should not be the fodder for flame wars at this time.

[peacetalksforall]

8. It is much more adult to deal in facts, however, we don't usually have

any or all of the facts. We only have announcements from which we have to make interpretations. If everyone can't freely interpret their gut or their expertise in relation to that announcement - and - if they can't freely counter everyone participating in the thread by questioning or enlightening, then writing within certain boundaries beyond the rules of DU can stunt the unraveling of the truth and the effect of resolution to educate oneself, act, study, or grow.

The sky does fall for people at different times and for different reasons depending on the realization and fright - mainly related to loss.