This is gonna be short and to the point.
Once in a while there is something foul, terrible or just plain inappropriate that is is good for community "moderation" to "hide".
Most of the time though, people are simply abusing the HR, using it as a taser on people who simply say things they don't like.
I'm never one for busting people out by name but it doesn't take a research monkey to track down the worst offenders.
And you know who you are.
I think this mess is just out of control
2 diaries I want to point out highlight this issue pretty clearly.
In Debt Political Theater Diverts Attention While Americans’ Wealth is Stolen we see a ridiculous flame war with flying HR's and fingerwagging and hair-splitting RIGHT UNDER the tip jar of Dennis Kucinich.
As I went to get the link for the offending melee, I see somebody even had the audacity to HR Mr. Kucinich.
So somebody of this importance posts something at Daily Kos, what is supposed to be a very respectable, serious place and people who will come read that will see this intensely childish flame war and uprates/downrates, none of which contributes jack shit to the discussion or the resolution of the serious issue.
If I was Kos, I'd do a big face palm just on that alone.
The other one to point out, which is topically related but posted by a kossack and not an elected official is The White House Doesn't Want A Clean Debt Ceiling Bill. The melee starts here
This doesn't help.
You don't need to read through each and every comment - God knows I don't. The point is you can get the flavor of the thing with just a cursory look. To call it 'pedantic' would be an undue compliment.
Ask yourself these questions:
How many times do you find yourself OUT of "donuts"? The more often that happens, the more you are part of the problem. Plain and simple.
Do you feel like Kos should give us all MORE donuts???
You are out your damn mind.
If you can answer YES to either question, you're probably part of the problem.
Stop with your stupid HR jihads.
Stop handing out HR's because you don't like something somebody said.
Just stop it.
There's just not that much crap here worth hide rating, although both of the examples I have brought up, at this point, should be hidden from people who will visit here possibly seeking actual useful information. It's disgusting and disheartening.
Get over yourselves and grow up.