So as I was winding down for bed, I decided to do what I normally do about once a day and check the Hidden Comments list.
I don't know if this is against the rules but frankly I don't give a damn, yes I have TU status and yes I can see hidden comments.
I try to review them once a day just to see if some things get hidden that shouldn't be; I figure I have this status I should be responsible.
So as I was scrolling along I found an interesting comment that seemed to have provoked alot of hide ratings that in and of itself is unusual. Intrigued I looked up the diary and it was controversial to be sure. The diarist who I will not name was lamenting how someone stole his 'yes on prop 8' sign and how he was for prop 8. Said diariest then went on to describe his position and his reasoning.
Now I am NOT going to get into whether I agree or not and frankly anyone trying to turn my diary into a debate on prop 8 will get TRed by me till I run out of them. No what pissed me off was the sheer amount of hate, bigtory and hypocrisy leveled at this guy.
I understand some people might not like his position, I understand that the position offered might not even be one people would agree with that however does not and will never excuse the behavior of those that decided to dump on this guy.
What the hell does it say about our community that we can't tolerate dissenting opnion?
Tell me how the freaken hell can we claim to be for tolerance when we can't actually follow though when push comes to shove?
Not only that but the same people that were seemingly TRing every comment said person made had the auducity to claim that they were the ones that were for tolerance.
How can you people not see the hypocrisy in that? In the end I do hope that prop 8 fails but you can not be for tolerance if you try and censure a dissenting view and you are a bigot if you can't tolerate views you don't like.
And so on the eve of what potentially could be a blue wave not seen since 1930, remember the gods damned lesson the GOP was forced to learn and is learning about tolerance and acceptance of viewpoints that you find aborhent. Because if we can not act like a big tent party, if we can not prove we're really all our talk then all we've done is act as a small speed bump for the GOP.
Frankly, if that happens then I fear for 2012 because I'm almost willing to bet we've not heard the last of Sarah Palin and the theo cons and you can kiss good bye any hope for the progressive legistrature like fair pay, single payer healthy care and so on.
I leave you the wisdom of Voltaire who once famously said (about free speech) 'While I may disagree with every word you say, I will defend to the death your right to say it' and that's something we all should keep in mind
EDIT I'm no longer going to answer comments here, I've tried to do as I think a good diarist should and be aviable to respond but it's obvious that people are abusing that or just don't know how to read.
Further given that at least 3 seperate reports were filed I'm sure one of the staff will be forced to read this eventually and there's no reason to make them read 200 additional comments of us going in circles.
This was not really how I wanted things to work out but I guess no other outcome was possible. I still think the community was wrong in how it handled itself and that people continue to conflagate the issue and the meta misses the point and waste time.
This was always about the conduct of the community.
I have no idea how this will turn out, but I'm guessing some of you here really don't like me know. /shrug I don't care if you do, you didn't have to read this and you didn't have to respond.
Have a good night.