Is it just I who feels that

there's been a lot of flame-baiting around DU lately where the OP posts more resemble those from the site-which-shall-not-be-named? IMO, there has been a quantum shift away from discussions which provoke reasoned differences of opinion and toward those which are argumentative and involve the 'automatic gainsaying of what the other person said' (Monty Python's Flying Circus ca. 1972).

I do not believe that I have to elaborate - I feel that there is a great degree of disruption going on and just want to let my feelings be known - and some are criticized for utilizing this addendum: as a long-term DU member. That is not to say that my opinions are worth more than any others, just that there seems to be a marked change in the nature of posts - their quality (including spelling, tone, syntax, and choice of subject matter) and their 'je ne sais quoi'.

this too shall pass

do you feel that some stalk your posts and post, for want of a better word, weird responses?

I'm not paranoid and I don't feel that contrariness is bad or that I necessarily have a monopoly on reasoned opinion...I just feel that the nature and quality of the posts has changed.

We must learn to articulate and defend our views without resorting to scorn, but using well reasoned arguments.

I responded to my own message instead of your reply!

In this sense, I mean scrimmage as when two squads from the same team play each other for practice.

but my thesis, as it were, is that we have been infiltrated by the 'enemy' and are entering all kinds of discussions with him.

I have encountered this also.

studying DU. Learning it's weakness. Learning what topics twist us into knots.

I thought the most amusing was the claim in an OP that Edwards' campaign is 'over' now that he's accepting public funding! :wtf:

It seems to me the more outlandish the claims the more transparent the ideological or personality cult that created that claim.

see, if we get really paranoid here, maybe you're agreeing with me so you can stab me in the back in the future. since we really don't know each other, hoo nose?

Just kidding of course...

:hi: