I've been a part of Dkos for over a year, basking in the collective glow of the Obama campaign last year and the subsequent victory last fall to reach the White House. But since that time I've noticed a disturbing trend.
It seems over here at Dkos, only those who agree are welcome; only those who fall in line with the "correct" point of view are put on the Rec list. Heck, all Slinkerwink has to do is ask for the Rec list and he/she gets it, whether it's justified or not, and rarely in his/her case is it justified, in my opinion. But I get that, it's the old popularity thing, like back in grade school; and since this is someone's pet project, it's fine with me; I still like being here and talking about the issues of the day. I welcome a good debate.
Apparently those who make the decisions here do not agree. Like others, I get agitated and make comments that probably shouldn't have been made, but are made to make a point. As such, I expect, and occasionally receive, a "hide-rating", which is all well and good. But today, because I disagreed with fat-ass, big-mouth, Michael Moore concerning Afghanistan, my comment was not only HR'd, but eliminated entirely, censored by those who are, what, afraid to upset someone who might eat them if he gets angry enough? I don't know, and I can take just about anything with a grain of salt...except censorship. And to lose my TU status as well? All for one comment about a over-stuffed blow-hard.
Okay, so I used the "F" word. Who doesn't on this site? My comment was as follows:
"Fuck you, Michael Moore. Why don't you go and eat another Big Mac and leave the decision making for those who know what the hell they're talking about!"
Granted, the "F" word was un-called for, but it was necessary to express my outrage over celebrities who pretend to know what's best for the country when they aren't even privy to necessary information needed to make such an important decision (send more troops to Afghanistan). And understand, I hate war! I am not a warmonger. In my mind war should be avoided at all costs. But as in WWII, there are just some things that cannot be remedied without force. The situation in Afghanistan is such a case. Now, sure, disagree if you must, and blast me if you will for my viewpoint. But censor me? Really? Don't you think the fat-guy can't take it? Don't you think with all his millions he can afford a little attack from a poor guy without any health-care coverage? I think he'll do just fine without my support. There are plenty of progressives who think he's a god and who'll see whatever crap he puts on the screen. So why should I be censored?
I won't do what some do and make a dramatic "why I'm leaving Dkos" diary, because I'm not leaving. I like it here. I get news and viewpoints that aren't on any other site. But I thought you'd like to know, those who read and visit this site to exchange ideas and debate the issues of the day, that Dkos is now censoring dissenting view-points. It's wrong and should not be tolerated.
Wow! Nearly 300 comments! Thanks, people. To be fair, I didn't know that comments that were hidden were hidden to me as well on my comments list. I really don't care who HRs me or why, but I thought that since I couldn't see my comment on my comments page and that I could still see other comments that were HRd that my comment had been erased or censored. Obviously I attacked Moore for being fat, even though it had nothing to do with why I did not like his attack on a decision that hasn't even been made public yet; for that, obviously, I apologize.