FYI: Those those not familiar with the title's acronyms, it's "shut the fuck up" and "get back to work".
Hunter crossed the line.
I usually like Hunter's tirades laced with dark humor, but "A Slogan for John McCain" was over 1000 words of wasted frontpage space.
Let me be clear, here. I singled Hunter out because the example was so visible, but this is supposed to be a warning shot to all Kossacks:
Don't get cocky, kid.
I'm not above talking smack. In many cases, it's even brutally effective. The progressive movement gets plenty of help by the likes of Al Franken, Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, Lewis Black, Bill in Portland Maine and others who use snark and satire to shed light on issues. But it's productive because most progressive comedians use satire more than snark, the latter of which mostly winds up in the C&J comments section.
But what the hell did "A Slogan for John McCain" accomplish, besides making DailyKos look immature and nasty? Considering all the public cries for Hillary Clinton to concede gracefully, isn't it a wee bit hypocritical? Again, it's not just Hunter. I'm detecting increasing levels of carelessness in this sector. We all need to vent, but let's remember that DailyKos is a public and heavily scrutinized forum. Yet, the lack of self-discipline is everywhere:
Liberals have a hard time getting through the message that we support the troops (just not the policies that get them killed for no reason), but Devilstower was rather indiscriminate in mocking the Army with "Ten-hut! Drop and give me Two Degrees!".
I have no sympathy for David Brooks per se, but someone tell me where Kagro X's "How big of a douchebag is David Brooks?" sounds any different in tone from typical Rush Limbaugh?
Even kos has gotten careless. The primary reason behind "Mitt Romney wins Montana" was not to encourage or celebrate, but to talk smack. Which is embarrassing, because it was so wrong that more than half the short post had to be struck through and corrected. Word of advice, kos: Celebrate after you hit the home run, not before the pitch is thrown. Better yet, wait 'til you win the game.
These are all front-paged entries in the last two days; god forbid I comb the site for more embarrassing examples.
Okay, I know I'm hardly one to demand perfection. Usually I'm a good example of DailyKos at its worst. On the other hand, I just couldn't help remembering the mindsets that got the netroots through darker hours and wonder if they're still reflected in the above posts. You tell me:
We ain't won nothing yet. OK, we have a majority in Congress, but between Blue Dogs and Republicans it's too tenuous to even hold some non-controversial votes, and we don't have the Presidency or Supreme Court -- not to mention all the damage Bush has done to federal agencies and lower courts. But heck, even if we still don't control most offices, look at the problems we gotta fix! If you have time to talk smack, STFU and GBTW.
Play like you're ten points behind. I shouldn't have to tell anyone even remotely paying attention to Congress these days how the Dems blow leads and snatch defeat from the jaws of victory like they actually want the silver medal more than the gold. Someone tell me why the hell it's now okay to throw message discipline out the window? Is it ever okay?
Take the stigma out of liberal. Liberals are portrayed as elitist, smug, arrogant and condescending. I thought that's supposed to be an inaccurate stereotype.
etc., etc.
OK, so the situation's looking good right now. Between special elections, money problems and public opinion, the GOP is reeling. I see DailyKos getting cocky. I see the GOP turning into a vindictive, cornered animal. This is usually when the careless hunter gets his/her neck bitten off by the hunted. But even without that strategic incentive to rein in the 'tude, aren't we supposed to be the good guys? Last I checked, conservatives are Americans, too -- like us, for better or worse. We can be critical and even funny without acting like 6th-graders. Furthermore, need I remind anyone that Presidents usually end their tenures with a flurry of pardons and Executive Orders? As bad as things are right now, the worst Bush will dish out has yet to come.
I can't give orders to anyone on this site. But I sure as hell know you're all smart enough and good enough to realize, on your own, when you're crossing the line.
Stay composed. Don't get cocky. Be the better person. Keep fighting.
And now, it's time for me to STFU and GBTW.
Peace
UPDATE: Well, now he done gone and did it. kos needs to realize his site gets way too much attention to be able to post crap about McCain's teeth (you know, the ones he got to replace the real ones the VC bashed out of his mouth) and not damage the progressive cause.
I tried, and I will say "I told you so", because I didn't want that to happen, and don't want it to happen again.