What is Dkos about? I'm asking a serious question. I've been around here for some years (though this is my first diary) and I lurked for a couple of years before that. I always thought this site was great, and still do (I mean I'm still here), but the focus has seemingly shifted. Maybe that is to be expected when you have a Democrat in office, but there was a time I couldn't step away from DKos without being better informed about some important topic and walked away thinking about how the issue affects me or how I could advance the issue. Now? I walk away knowing how everyone feels about some topic (sometimes one that isn't so important). Do you see the difference?
The reason I ask the question now is because it seems the rec list has once again become obsessed with the latest inside the beltway chatter. Does the President moving his speech back a day prove/demonstrate that he is weak? As a political commentator, I have all sorts of opinons about it. See here - http://www.dailykos.com/.... As a political activists, I could give two shits. A speech on Wedensday vs. Thursday isn't going to bring jobs to America. What matters is what is in that speech. And even more than that it matters what we can do to influence the political sphere to bring about the type of change we want. It seems hypocritical to me to complain that the MSM and general public are too focused on theatrics than have DKos obsessed with poll numbers, looking strong, and whether people are being too mean to the president.
There is a big difference between political activism and political commentary, although they are often confused. Political activism is about moving something forward - an idea, a politician, a bill. Political activists set a particular goal, find like minded individuals, and than go about attempting to achieve that goal. When the site was dedicated to more and better Democrats, it was an activists site. That approach has seemingly been abandoned, which is fine, but what has been left in its wake is a hodge-podge of fire breathing commentary, unfocused anger, and alarming overuse of accusations and hurt feelings to win the oh so important arguments on the internet.
Political commentary is about judging a politicians ability - did Obama's speech make him look strong? Political commentary is about personalities, about people trying to figure out how something will play in "middle America" aka - the little people. The MSM is filled with political commentary. The MSM is all about judging and scandals and winning the argument, no matter how contrived or unimportant the argument is. For whatever reason, this site has started taking its cues from them.
This isn't about criticizing the President. I criticize the president. Its easy to criticize the President. It doesn't take much effort to say someone is wrong. If the site is about political commentary - if its a site for amatuer Cenks and Olbermanns and Carvilles and Alterman's so be it. But I think it can be more.
And don't get me twisted. Informative diaries are activists diaries in my book because they bring knowledge to an issue. Whether its a priceman or Electablog or GilesGoatBoy or DemFromCT diary - anytime you bring issues, especially hot button issues, to the forefront, there will be testy disagreements. But those disagreements can be productive if and when they focus on the issues.
I'm not trying to (and could never do, even if I wanted) get rid of all the critiques of the President or of Sarah Palin or of Cantor. Once again, knowledge is power. But I don't want to work for the White House. I don't want to advise the WH. I'm not a PR flack. I mean that literally - if I wanted to assist President Obama on his campaign I would have applied for a job. If I cared about White House messaging as much as I cared about issues, I'd work for a think tank and not a non-profit. I care about advancing issues and causes, and I'm not sure how the endless focus on inside the beltway nonsense and how its makes us feel or look does that. I think its a distraction. I think most people here agree on the issues. But President Obama has become this site's version of gay marriage or WTC Mosque. A wedge issue that drives people apart. We have so much in common. I believe a clear focus on issues would bring us together.
I know this appeal or similar appeals have been made before. I know this will be like all the rest. But I felt like I needed to get off my chest. Thanks for reading.