No more intentional silence, or similar drama - let's meet with our net-neighbors and counter some of the meaningless hatred that exists out there.
Sure, it's hostile territory - but if a lot more people put together just a little bit of tact and friendliness, the meaningless hostility itself can become a common enemy once again.
Isn't that the real meaning behind the idea of 'love thy enemy'? (Matthew 5:43-44)
MyDD registration page
Talkleft registration page
In the delegate race, Obama has a significant lead - but in terms of online representation, Obama has an even greater lead.
This makes the online Hillary Clinton support sites somewhat insecure and paranoid, to say the least, and willing to jump to crazy stunts (recent 'strikes', insane rhetoric) to force themselves to see hope when online.
So, in response to the intentional unilateral silence of Clinton bloggers, the appropriate response should not be more hatred and isolation - it should be love, and embrace!
I want more positive, informative pro-Obama posts over at MyDD and Talkleft. I want more non-troll posts inspiring actual hope in these places - I want the exact opposite of a 'strike' or further insults. No one should refer to these sites insultingly, but rather should work to counter incorrect assumptions wherever they lie.
If this succeeds, the same honest rhetoric in hostile territory techniques can be used in sites like HillaryIs44, and even in pro-McCain websites.
Some rules though:
- Never insult. Simple - whenever you feel yourself starting to react to another's hatred, take a step back mentally, and be the bigger person. Passive aggression can be just as bad - look out for that too.
- Speak only verified sources, when not explicitly stating opinion. Don't post when you have nothing to say in an environment where you will be distrusted by default
- Never take an offended tone. In hostile territory, this makes you seem disingenuous, as if you were there to merely be insulted and play victim. Turn the other cheek and push on - the slings and arrows will make your opponents foolish when you stand the only rational actor with facts. Answer points that are even a little valid, and highlight why other points are not valid.
- Don't allow other Obama supporters to post alone. If you see a friendly topic elsewhere, do what you can to uprate it, and to constructively add to the topic without breaking the other rules.
- Learn from your mistakes. Don't be afraid that you may have been wrong - and don't defend your own incorrect points. Admit where you have been wrong clearly, and like Obama's transparency, let honesty help you grow.
Full Disclosure: I am an independent voter in support of Barack Obama. Also, despite my biblical quotation, I am an atheist - but a friendly atheist with high ethical standards, who appreciates the philosophy of Jesus, and who would prefer a better outcome for democratic partisans in this electoral cycle.