Please, if you are going to presume to come to this website and tell liberals what to think and what to feel...please, feel free to make use of the following suggestions.
- Do NOT start your missive with "Don't sink to Sarah's level".
a. We couldn't possibly do so
b. If you think we can...you shouldn't be here
c. If you want to debate civility...cite specific examples of rancor and offer alternatives
- Do NOT try to defend the indefensible
a. If you think you can defend or rationalize "target list" and "reload" and "bullets over ballots" and "2nd Amendment remedies" and "Democrats are evil and dangerous" and "we want you armed and dangerous" etc., well, you've gotten off on the wrong track and you really aren't going to "have me at hello".
b. If you immediately take up the cause of phrases such as, blood libel, you have lost the battle before you launch your first word of debate.
- If you are here to lecture the left on their own foibles
a. get in line....we police ourselves pretty damn well. On this site if you threaten violence or repeatedly use racial, hurtful, harmful language...you get a polite kick in the ass. This is NOT equivalent to the rabid discourse allowed on RedState and Freepcentral where violence and acidic language is not only tolerated...but encouraged rather than condemned by other readers.
b. if you do think you can teach us something of manners...it better be done without a hint of condescension. Between the thousands of us we have good memories regarding names...and motives...and tone. So bring it...but don't be surprised if your concern is dismissed...or that your moniker might be recognized as dragon fodder.
- Do not even posit the notion that you know what liberals should feel or how we should mourn when it is consistently OUR side suffering the casualties of the RW war of words over the last 30-40 years. I'm talking about doctors and nurses being shot or blown up. I'm talking about cops being shot at because people are terrified that Beck's imaginary Martial Law is imminent. I'm talking about peaceful demonstrators being throat stomped and harassed and detained and physically removed for having the wrong bumper sticker.
If you want to have a civil debate...by all means, let us debate. But leave the Limbaugh/Hannity/Boehner/McConnel talking points at home. There can be no civil debate if 1/2 of the argument centers around "tax cuts pay for themselves" and "hands off my medi-care" while also believing that SS is an entitlement but oil and farm subsidies and MEDI-CARE aren't.
We want to debate. We want an end to the gridlock. We want shared solutions. For 4 years Democrats followed GWBs lead despite the RW hatchet machine that dogged Clinton for 8 years. For 2 years we still worked with Bush albeit less fervently. It was only Bush's final two years of lame duckhood that saw Dems truly shun working with Bush. Not once, not even KINDA...has the RW tried to engage the Obama administration in constructive talks to solve problems facing the nation. From the wars to HCR to Bank Reform and bailouts...everything that was OK to compromise and haggle over under Bush was suddenly conservative taboo. Why? Congress represents the whole country...not half. Wouldn't ending the wars make sense? Are we gaining towards "victory"? Have we accomplished a "less radical" govt in Iraq or Afghanistan? Have we found the true 9-11 ringleader? Are we still looking for the magically vanishing WMDs? Wouldn't Health Care make sense? Wouldn't it be nice for other industrialized nations to be able to look at us for leadership in equality and health care, instead of us looking jealously at their civil liberties and health care? Wouldn't it be nice if we used the money saved from war ON LIFE INSTEAD OF DEATH? With the economy where it is every single person in this country knows someone who is struggling to stay solvent. Those who can help their friends do...and do they judge them knowing that previously they had been hardworking responsible people? No, they don't judge...they don't call their friends lazy welfare addicts...well, wouldn't it be nice if those struggling friends and acquaintances could have that bad back looked at; have that operation they need; have that hip replaced etc...whatever is needed so that when jobs to come back the unemployed will be healthy and ready to resume working? Why wouldn't you want ALL kids to be able to have a healthy start to life? Why would you want parents to immediately have to crawl into debt because they were unlucky enough to have a birth complications and a mass of unexpected medical bills their partial insurance just doesn't cover? Why? Those are some things we can discuss. So is climate change and environmentalism so long as their is no proffering of "carbon emissions have zero effect on the environment. Both sides have middle ground...so long as both sides are willing to head to the middle instead of trying to convince their opponent that their is only 'my way or the highway'.
It really is pretty simple. Treat us with a modicum of respect and you'll get likewise...despite your intent or political affiliation. You can flat out say, "I'm Rush Limbaugh" and so long as you aren't trying to turn liberals into demons that confiscate guns in the night...or start conversations with phrases like: "So, what is it like advocating for fetal murder?"...you'll be allowed to speak your piece in peace.
There has been a lot of troll snuffling truffle pigs rooting out trolls and troll ass getting hit by the cyber door on their way back to whichever bridge they crawled out from under...but honestly, looking at the new names on the recent list, the new names in the diaries...far more tro(ll)glodytes are in the house, making the rounds, offering their views...and allowed to stay because they have so far been respectful.
Kudos to us. Kudos to the site and the site's Sgt at Arms for being vigilant...but being FAIR...*and* balanced!