Reply #36: Seems any post you disagree with is "flamebait". [View All]

For instance, in this thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=3631319&mesg_id=3631319

The OP reads thusly:

There's an odd and self-congratulatory belief among many of Senator Clinton's supporters that her deriders and opponents are defectives. They're misogynists and fascists and fundamentalists and communists and they're not fit for polite society. The assumption that follows from this simplistic mischaracterization is even worse: that misfits are by definition tiny minorities that really don't add up in the long run.

I can understand the anger they feel at the many nasty, unpleasant and dismissive things said about her and I'm aware of the inherent human trait--especially among leftists--of wanting to circle the wagons and defend one's own ever more in the face of adversity.

This is not a thread of "gosh, how could it be like this?" confusion; I submit that I understand this phenomenon and that it doesn't take an Oppenheimer to see it: it's defensive confidence in its classical form. Fine. For whatever reason, many people support her.

The problem and the disconnect is this: opposition to her is real. It's really, really, REALLY real, and it's of proportions that are almost if not completely insurmountable.

Some of the people who dislike her are despicable and do so for ugly or silly reasons, but some of us have some valid reasons and we're far from the fringes. For many of us who dislike her from the left, it's a question of disgust, not hatred. For those of us who value the truth and are seriously concerned about the image of the party as being one of veracity and decency instead of equivocation and expediency, she's an unqualified disaster.

Enough of that. There are plenty of other places to hash out the relative merits of her as a person, her as a politician and her policies. The point wasn't to fan the flames here; I'll do that elsewhere and have done it plenty.

The big point here is this: there's a huge disconnect between reality and assumption. The assumption that I say is at odds with reality is the one that says that all the people against her are really just a tiny minority and not indicative of much.

It goes on in this tone. No name calling, no outlandish hyperbole, just a point being made that is in opposition to your view. So you slapped a "flamebait" label on it. I read the thread and there was, subsequently, some very civil, intelligent and well reasoned discussion. Sadly though, you failed to appreciate that. Here was your contribution to the thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=3631319&mesg_id=3631523

It's the useless FLAME BAIT posts like this one people are tired of

And I have never heard anyone state that her detractors were, "defective," as you say, (Ok, maybe rabid blind-wth-hatred haters but not "defective". Oy.) so I'm not sure where you came up with that one. One thing I will say is that the endless vitriol thrown at her is dragging down overall tone at the DU.

I imagine that the lurking freepers (see post #31) here find endless hours of joy watching the circular firing squad with their anti-Clinton antics, and that more than a few join in the attacks knowing fully well that they can say whatever they want about her with no recourse. The whole debacle is making me sympathetic towards her, I might add.

I do suspect that the DU admins will put a stop to the whole Hillary hating movement, if she does win the nomination, and begin warning or banning those who engage in same. This is almost as good as vowing vengence from bible-god--either way the offender will get in line or get whacked, right?

It will be interesting to see how the Hillary haters See? Just blind haters, but not "defective", no, no. Never actually said that react to the prospect of someone WORSE than Bush (Gulianni) looming on the horizon. I have the feeling more than a few will swallow their pride. Ah finally! The humiliation of your evil arch-enemies! Won't it be great to humiliate them and watch them wallow in their disappointment?? One can only sudder with glee at the prospect of it!

Wow. I'd say, from looking at the OP and then looking at your response....there appears to be an element of projection here. I note no effort to even be remotely diplomatic in your post there, you don't refute any of the valid points (though you do try and fail with one) and contribute exactly zero substance to the discussion.

And here kick off an entire thread about your view of flamebait (aka any post that presents a view that you disagree with). Maybe I will kick off a thread about Irony.

:eyes:

Julie