I'm venting here because I've been blocked on Americablog. Someone needs to be able to challenge John Aravosis and this seems to be the only way.
Americablog is a good blog, for the most part. But, the past year it's been super, super negative. He never acknowledges anything positive from Obama. The criticism you find there is just as bad, if not worse, than what you find coming from Republicans. Now, that's his prerogative and it's his site, so be it.
But, what is sickening is that he allows no dissent whatsoever (despite claiming that his obsessive dissent against Obama is "patriotic.") If you disagree with him in the comments section, you will find yourself blocked. This happened to me and it's happened to a bunch of people I know. You post something that disagrees with his opinion and you will soon find yourself blocked, even if you were respectful and NOT a troll.
He claims his obsessive criticism of Obama is good for the country and good for the movement. Isn't dissent good for Americablog, then? Huh John?
The reality is, John, that you gave up on Obama before Day 1 all because you are a one-issue guy. If someone doesn't give you what you want on gay rights on the timeframe you want it, then you are out to cut throats. You are willing to sacrifice everyone else's rights and an entire movement to do it. (And, I'm gay myself...I just don't throw the baby out with the bathwater.) The criticism he gets from you is worse than what he gets from the right .
If he loses re-election, you'll blame it on him. But, you're to blame too. You gave up before the game even started. We're not even through the first quarter, but you've quit and gone home. Boo!
This is a country of varying political beliefs. While I'd love to live in one that was super progressive, that's just not how it is. What I hated most about Bush was his arrogance and the fact that because he "won" he didn't care about the other side at all. He pushed a nasty, "conservative" agenda. Obama isn't doing that and I can't fault him for it. He's recognizing that about half this country is much, much more conservative than we are. Governing is about compromise.
Will you continue to block anyone who disagrees with you? Is your ego THAT fragile? You've always had a bit of narcissism, but this is too much.