I submit this argument with all due respect. I hope not to be labeled a "troll" though I think it is inevitable. These comments are intended as constructive; self reflection is not necessarily self loathing, so please accept this as intended to help (us). Below, I will describe what I believe is inappropriate behavior in this forum, and then just open this up for discussion.
Daily Kos is invaluable right now for us Democrats. It is an essential tool for helping create a "public" of people concerned with this nation. That said, there is too much "disciplining" going on. Frankly, I believe the new "troll rating" rules are very fair. Still, the messages people give others telling them to "shut up", asking condescendingly (which is exacerbated in computer mediated communication, and multiplied in public fora) and calling them "asshats", especially those most trusted and former front page users, is unnecessary.
I propose that people attempt to address the "flawed" diaries of others with an ounce of respect. Asking them to dump the story while explaining why is a nice start. If that doesn't work, then roast them for all I care. I don't think I have developed such a negative persona here that I deserve the knee-jerk "He's a Freeper" presumption that I experienced moments ago.
We all know there are rules here, just as we all know that our credit cards have rules. We also know that these rules are rarely read or internalized. While that is no excuse for not knowing them, it is acceptable and expected that people will approach fora like this one applying to it standard interpersonal, small group, or public communication conventions. In no community I am familiar with is approaching someone like he's an "asshat" standard practice for community building, instruction, or just being human. We shouldn't let the uniqueness of the channel get the best of a community defined as one that cares more about people than our adversaries.
So, to open up discussion, what do you think?
Thanks, and peace!