then call me a sinner.
Simply put, while I've been fighting the battle for civility and reality on this blog for a long time (most recently in a diary from last December), I cannot agree with the central premise of the current top recommended diary that somehow, these tactics being used for a political purpose are done in a one-sided battle defending the Democratic Party and the President.
I'm all in for civility. Always have been. But the premise that only one side is being uncivil is one I cannot stomach.
I'd like to think that I've rarely, if ever, delved into the so-called Rovian tactics being espoused in defense of my party and my President. Perhaps I occasionally have. But I tend to think that the majority of those who are defending Democrats on, well, a Democratic blog, have done so in a civil fashion.
Perspective is everything. And I've seen the uncivil from both sides.
It is nothing new.
Let me say that again: it is nothing new.
Long before the presidency was a gleam in Barack Obama's eye, I've been subject to uncivil behavior here, been called a DLC'er, not a true progressive, and on, and on. It is nothing new, and those insults, hurled at not only me but others as well, it can be argued, indeed served a political purpose as well.
So, it disappoints me that so many of my friends, including the diarist himself, has posted a call for new posting standards under the central premise defense of Democrats, if overly zealous and potentially hurtful, is a bad thing.
I'm never a fan of limiting speech in any form. This community will police itself in the vein it sees fit.
But on the topic of civility, it is just striking to me that one would call for civility on one hand, and question the motivation and classify only one segment of this community as being uncivil with the other hand.
The mindset in which this argument is framed is not the way to establish community standards.
Open, honest dialogue is the way. Until that discussion occurs in a real, constructive way, understanding the passions of those who do defend our party, alongside those who yearn for a more progressive way, it really isn't worth discussion.
On a personal level, this community got me back into politics. It got me active in a constructive way, becoming an elected representative of my party.
But this community loses something for me when I feel I have defend my defense of my party, or that some arbitrary standard is needed to do so.
I won't participate in it. Sorry. There is too much at stake, and the other side is loaded for bear against us to further increase such divisions amongst us.
Peace.