The DU Reconciliation Thread

One of the most powerful interactions between people is the act of reconciliation. I'd like to start this tonight for those who frequent Democratic Underground. Perhaps if we reconcile our previous disagreements and hurtful exchanges, we will all feel better about unifying.

If you would like to apologize to, or to extend forgiveness to, another DU'er, here is a chance to do so. I humbly ask that the moderators offer some discretion so that we can accomplish this.



So... I'll start. I'd like to extend my apologies to those who I have offended in the previous months. It's not my intention to be cruel or abusive to others, and if I have done so, then I am very sorry.


Let's see if this works.

~Writer~

:P

Just ignore the "omg I hate them" people, some of them fair minded Dems and some just outright trolls.

I was an Edwards guy, and leaned Obama, but respected the Clintons.

It's about time people start letting it go. It was pretty clear in Clinton's speech today that it's just a matter of time. Have to get the finances straightened out.

who gave a good jab to Obama supporters but refrained from attacking Obama's character. Of course Bigtree has always been very magnanimous.

Nice thread Writer and would say let all bygones be bygones with any Hillary supporter, regardless of how tough the exchange in the past has been, who wants to put the past beside us and start the great fight for the General Election.

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

1) against the rules

2) it makes it more difficult for anybody to have a change of heart and come in


Thanks

About at my level or the level I hoped to be at most of the time.

accept my sincere apology. I may have gotten carried away in the heat of the moment and been inconsiderate, and
I hate to think I have hurt someone. I am passionate about my candidate, but I know everyone here is too.

I hope we can all be on the same team again soon. :pals:

I hope that's not many of you.

I look forward to the day when we can all focus on the General Election together.

I guess I can apologize for being a sarcastic shit and incessantly using bad language. Oh, and to that guy I cut off driving home from work last Thursday (Dude, you were in my blindspot).

Anyhow, I don't think anyone should have to apologize for much. There's nothing wrong with expressing feelings and thoughts even if they differ.

:thumbsup:

Your intent is admirable, but I think this will go on a while. I worry, in fact, about cutting it short.

I mean the very human reactions here. I don't want, by any means, this to go past the first week of June, nomination-wise.

It won't, by the way. I have no problem with letting folks vent here. Hell, we've all done it for months; tough to turn off the spigot quite that quickly.

I want us to be canvassing this nation, walking our neighborhoods together and united against the Republicans. There is too much at stake.

I know there are some tough feelings on both sides. I received a phone call from a Hillary supporter I met in Indiana. She called to congratulate me on Obama's win. I thought that was so classy. She said that she would fully support Barack Obama when Hillary dropped out or when Obama got the required number of pledged delegates.

She was so sad and heartbroken. I am not heartless. I know what it's like to invest so much of yourself in a candidate, even if the candidate is imperfect. And that's what we forget here. We're dealing with imperfect people who make for imperfect candidates. I'd like to think if I were in Hillary's position, I would have made different choices, but who knows? I'm not in her situation, I haven't lived her life, and I don't have her ambition or determination. Some like to think that if they were Obama, they would have made different choices, but how do they know? They haven't lived Obama's life, they don't know the circumstances under which he made those choices.

So I guess my point is, I'm ready to work together. Hillary ran a tough campaign and regardless of what some may think of her personally, I don't think ANY other politician would have made it as far as she has given the obstacles she faced. She deserves something for that. I'm an Obama supporter and I can say that. I don't think she should be VP, but there's a place somewhere in an Obama administration for Hillary Clinton.

I want this party to heal. I want to stop talking about the "black vote" and the "white lunch bucket blue collar worker" and the "latino vote" and "senior vote" and all of the other ways in which we divide ourselves. They are relevant demographics, to be sure, but they've become a wedge that divides what we all are: people who want a better country, a better society, a better environment, a better government, and a better economy that benefits everyone.

That's who Democrats are. That's what we need to be.

As for the concern regarding paying off Clinton's campaign debt, I'd remind Obama supporters that Obama himself says this election isn't about Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton or John McCain. It's about change. We donated that money for change and whatever needs to be done to bring about that change is a worthwhile investment. What do Democrats do? We pick each other up when we are down. We forgive mistakes, sometimes even huge ones.

Like the story of the prodigal son (or daughter, in this case), we need to let the other side know that we love them and are waiting with open arms for them to come home.

typical political fray, once they start getting dirty or nasty, or it's perceived they have been so or done so, then the other camps supporters get upset, and it all just comes out.

I think it will be easier once the bickering between the candidates stop.

I also think there's room for Clinton in the cabinet.

...non-Obama supporters wayward "prodigal sons" (or daughters), reconciliation is next to impossible.

Despite your good intentions (which are very clear)... Christ! How condescending!

(If you have to ask me to explain, you wouldn't understand the explanation.)

Which, I guess, I should have made clearer. The average Clinton supporter, like my grandmother, like most Democrats are going to do the right thing at the end of the day... which is vote for the Democratic nominee. Most Obama supporters would have voted for Clinton if she had wrapped this thing up by Super Tuesday.

I was referring to some of the people that I have read on sites like hillaryis44 that have posted some truly unfortunate comments. Some people want to just write them off as racists. But many have voted Dem for the most or all of their adult lives. It is hard to reconcile "BHO wants to push the black agenda and whites must STAND UP!" with Democrat, but the fact is I think a lot of those people are Democrats and not Republicans posing as Democrats. They are prodigals who are drifting away from the principles that we stand for. I don't think that's being condescending; that's being honest. Any Democrat who would CONSIDER voting for McCain is in that category.

i'm going to peek at this from time to time.

We're coming after you united, fired up and ready to go. Now let's all have a group hug. Oh, sorry about the bad language - I need to remember I'm the Honeylady.

I sincerely apologize. While I tried to keep a level head, I didn't always succeed. I'm going to do my best to be a better Democrat from here on out.

But then, i never read what you post :rofl:

self-serving, ... see, just not ready yet... :)

to the best of your ability because the only other option is to get sucked into more negativity.

"Only love can conquer hate" -- Marvin Gaye

You have been a strong and eloquent advocate for you candidate. I have not noted you to be cruel or abusive to others.

Great OP.

I was ready to reconcile on day one! :rofl:

Of course, I was also on the fence until a couple of weeks ago. I liked all of our candidates, would happily vote for any of them, and my ONLY goal was to get a Democrat in the White House. Lately, I've come to think that Obama would be the best choice for the nomination, but I wouldn't be upset if it had gone the other way.

But, I think we may be talking "stages of grief" here for some of Hillary's supporters, and I'm willing to back off and give them room to come to terms with it, in their own time, in their own way.

I didn't have issues with either Hillary's or Obama's supporters. I thought you all were awesome before, you're awesome now, and I'm sure you'll continue to be awesome in the future.

Group hug. :grouphug:

I think you're one cool DUer...love your photos.

:grouphug:

I'll dedicate the next one I post to you. I like your spunk -- you're like the Energizer Bunny. :) Or maybe a Timex watch -- "takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin'." Hillary is lucky to have loyal supporters like you.

I want to see some more dogsled photos soon!

for the finish of the Iditarod? We're so excited, my husband is already counting the days. :) I love mushers with snotcicles...I can't wait to take their pictures.

I can't wait to see your photos!

Lucky you!

:woohoo:

:shrug:

about any attempt toward reconcilliation you may make in the future...

Especially considering the rancid posts you made during the Texas primary campaign.

I, for one, don't dislike you because of who you support. I dislike you because your posts seem to indicate a lack of humanity.

And I have no desire to be civil to anyone who has that fatal character flaw.

you can kiss my butt.


:hide:


:D



Seriously, though...There are numerous Obama supporters I admire. Especially the ones who can discuss sensitive topics without sneering and hissing.

:hi:

folks may construe as being racist. obama inhaled and exhaled air today. Is that a racist remark?

Just enjoying seeing how Obama supporters are suddenly playing nice to the Clinton voters? This after months of ugly rhetoric and accusations of racism. BUT,I guess they now realize that if Obama secures the nomination, he will need the backing of the Clinton voters. Are they wasting their time being civil at this late stage? Is it too late? Has the damage already been done? Don't know. Cannot say just yet. Thank you for your hello :hi: and back at ya.

Ben David

mend the divide and get down to the business of brass tacks.. The GE is the prize, and we need to keep our eyes on the prize.....

(couldn't resist)

until hillary drops out, i'm not backing off.

i dont have anything against her supporters, but ive got big problems with her

supporting the Democratic nominee.

the week after one of the two remaning candidates "drops out" and we have then (and only then) a "putative nominee.*"

It's not over yet -- 'tis the final conflict -- once to every man and nation, comes the moment to decide -- we'll fight, fight and fight again, to save the Party we love (from unelectability!)

On to West Virginia,
On to Kentucky,
On to Puerto Rico,
On to Denver --

She shall not flag nor fail. She shall go on to the end. Surrender? Our Girl doesn't know the meaning of the word.

Save it for Grace Week!:hi:




(*See: Skinner's Edict of the 27th of February, "A Few Reminders.")

;)

:hi:

:P

I don't need any apologies from anyone at DU concerning their posts. Some are thoughtful, some not. Some are respectful, and some lack civility, to say the least. Some are honest, and some not. I'm able to take what there is of value, and leave the rest behind. I don't need apologies about posts.

Only votes. Reconciliation would include an apology for leaving us stuck with Obama or Clinton.

How likely is that?