>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> > > > > > > > > > > > > > Original, unedited diary...
Look, I’m fairly new to all this, so take this as a newcomers perspective.
I’ve learned to appreciate a lot about Daily Kos in my time here: I see not only as information source, as rallying and funding progressive Democrats and Democratic causes, but also as stimulating political proving ground for new ideas, platforms, and responses. However, when it comes to the Democratic primary, and what passes for ‘dialogue’ about candidates, I’d argue certain exchanges have entered troll territory and haven’t looked back.
In past election cycles, 2000 and 2004, my support and interest was distant. This time around, I’m all in. No more regrets. And as many of us know, when one makes that kind of commitment to a candidate, it comes with all the highs and lows of any committed relationship. That includes the pain and hurt of any criticism - even when fairly lobbied, it still stings.
Unfortunately, the criticism does not usually start or stop there. Far more often, I see partisan attacking that has the same kind of motivation that propelled George to push everyone including grandma over to get to the exit first. And I’m afraid its just going to get worse.
I guess I just wasn’t prepared for this. Name calling. Distortion. Fabrication. Its made me realize that we are complicit in the same system that a majority of Americans condemn. I know, I know – attack ads work (cite Gore and the inventing the internet, McCain betrayed his country from the POW camp, as did Cleland’ stumps & Kerry’s medals).
Partisan trolls have taken this to same extreme, and against our very own. These are the ones who lurk around looking for diaries on opponents, and descend upon pro-diaries with handfuls of prepared smear applied at various points in different active threads, or sit around and throw gasoline on the fire if the diary is against the candidate. They use this place, this Daily Kos, as a proving ground not for ideas but for venomous partisanry. They even may start out with an honest point and exaggerate it over and over again without contributing to the debate – worse: this is a hijack and it detracts from meaningful dialogue or debate. I find this creates a destructive climate that runs contrary to the sites intention.
Further, the only possible reason why someone wouldn’t want to engage in honest debate is because they know their case is lost already. So they will redefine it to their own terms; they will try to muddy the waters with smears or ad hominem attacks, and they will do it over and over again. That’s the way you can identify a partisan hack and a partisan troll. I’d like to be a part of the community that isn’t writing the Democratic version of Karl Rove’s handbook. You may win in the short term but you’ll lose in the long term and you will take the party down with you. (OK, the clip is overly dramatic, my point isn’t).
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There are no messianic candidates. All candidates have mortal flaws. Yet there are supporters who will never accept a criticism of their candidate. Others, fewer in number but vocal, are so blindly loyal their actions give jingoism a good name. As anybody knows, politicians confronted with great power are almost inevitably lead astray, some just momentarily, some more willing than others. This is as true for Franklin Delano Roosevelt, as it is for John F Kennedy, as it is for Jimmy Carter, as it is for Bill Clinton <insert favorite politician here> We will always have be there for them, always keeping them honest and true to their word. Vigilance.
I don't expect anyone to change who they support because of this diary. What's worth remembering, I think are two inescapable truths in politics and life:
>> no one is just going to do everything for you corrollary; some will deliberately stand in your way
>> we are a part of the system we seek to change
Do you know the difference between the dream world and reality?
Everyday we make choices that end up defining who are. What kind of politics do you believe in? Anything goes? Do you believe the ends justify the means? Do you believe you are just playing the game smarter than everyone else? Is this election about getting your candidate elected, no matter the moral or personal cost, no matter the cost to the party? Who is more important the country or your candidate?
I hope that we have learned from the bitter lessons of the the current –administration- asphyxiation, and those past
> Never take them at their word
> They will never have an honest debate.
The question for each us is: do we join them, because we think we can’t beat them?
We also need to keep our focus on the long term goals of the party. That means coming up with a strategy that’s better than our response to the MoveOn Ad vote and the lumps Obama had to take here. We got played, Big Time.. They tried to split the Democrat party and they did. Why don't we ask instead when Reid is going to stop bring that legislation, the FISA legislation to the floor for a vote - ie. stop putting us in positions where we are constantly giving ourselves wedgys. We need to question our tactics.
Any candidate who promises you everything isn’t telling you the whole story. This requires an internal shift of our own expectations. No, they can't make everything right. It always requires us to change along with them. You are already involved, now are you prepared to change? Are you prepare to question everything, including your own tactics?