Anybody else noticing this widespread tactic amongst the board's republicans these days? Seems as though very few of them seem to have the courage to even allow dissenting opinions to be posted on their threads, with most appearing to choose whether or not to publish given comments, or comments from those whom they don't approve of.
If there had ever been any doubt as to just how unAmerican today's republican party has become (as if we needed any further examples of this), just pop into one of the threads offered up by one of our resident republicans, for a dark, sinister view of what a twisted vision these people have for America.
No wonder they've supported Bush's illegal "free speech zones," and his screening audience members, to assure that only his Kool-Aid gulpers would be in attendance of his "public" speaking events.
For some reason, and perhaps it's just because I've missed it, I've yet to see a single thread published by a progressive in which the author limits comments to those who support his ideals, or removes content that he doesn't agree with. Yet, this is precisely what seems to have become the norm from republicans here.
But, remember, WE (progressives) are the ones who "hate America," right? Never mind that free speech is the cornerstone of this nation's democracy (federal republic, yes, I know), and that it is REPUBLICANS, and NOT Progressives, who've been trying feverishly to limit and restrict free speech in this country.
Personally, I welcome dissenting opinions, and I don't even mind the occassional offensive attack from the true knuckle-dragging mouth-breathers. I have always welcome any and all opinions, because this is America, and I am an American that's not afraid of dissent. I embrace and encourage it. I have always encouraged others to seek out their own "truths," rather than to rely upon offerings from their talking heads, or from me, for that matter.
I love to be challenged, because it forces me to think in broader terms than I may otherwise think. It forces me to gather information from additional sources, which I may have otherwise not paid attention to. I try to make myself informed before commenting on anything, but let's face it, as a progressive, it's not highly likely that I'm going to spend tremendous amounts of time on the proven rightwing hack sites, such as Drudge, Newsmax, Moonie Times, etc., and, as much as those sites have been proven unreliable and not worthy at times, every now and then, they DO produce some valid information that actually turns out to be correct.
I guess I'm just having a difficult time understanding the mindset that convinces someone that censoring discussion is a good thing, in a free and open society. It just flies in the face of democratic ideals to me. Can somebody explain this bizarre behavior, which has clearly been enthusiastically embraced by "the right?"
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Comments: 38
I really don't even have a problem with trolls, because it just serves to point out how weak some arguments appear to be. As for changing the subject, while I agree that this tactic can be aggravating, it really can be avoided, by merely refusing to engage in off-topic subjects on a given thread.
"Clark, Hillary Clinton screens comments on Gather. "
Where'd you hear this? I guess I wouldn't be surprised to hear that some politicians check out various political message boards now and then...we've become the nation's town hall, so to speak.
"My Mother used to talk about missing the constitution in the 1950's. "
Not surprisingly, I'm sure, that was the last time that the rightwing went on a constitution-shredding rampage.
Where'd you hear this? I guess I wouldn't be surprised to hear that some politicians check out various political message boards now and then...we've become the nation's town hall, so to speak.
Clark, I didn't just hear it, I experienced it. I left several comments that she did not approve. I'm sure someone else posts and screens for her, but it is done in here name. My comments were not critical, but I asked questions.
Interesting. I hope that you've learned your lesson well, and that all of your comments are now passed on to her for approval before posting!
"I guess this is what losers do when they realize they've lost. . . "
Undeniable
I disconnected, am not reading what she publishes, and will vote for Obama.
You ask: " Can somebody explain this bizarre behavior, which has clearly been enthusiastically embraced by "the right?" "
I would answer thus: Most people are neither extreme Right nor Left ... yet when it comes to that "polarization" ... the first to "move" will be those in the most FEAR ...
It is commonly thought that in polar differences (duality) that the opposite of LOVE is HATE ... and "that" is often the end result or effect ... but HATE results from FEAR ...
So the opposite of LOVE is FEAR.
Before we attach "political labels" to it ... the words CONSERVATIVE and LIBERAL have their own meanings that DO apply to people in general based upon the "common" everyday non-political meanings ... conservative is one who is against change, often due to fears associated with the impoverished idea that a bird in hand is "safer" than two (or more) in the bush ... they have a narrow comfort level (viewpoint) that, as restrictive as it is, they feel they can understand it and that is better than taking any chances on an unknown which they fear would destroy their safety of their limited perceptions ... those views most often being that offered as the only answer by preferred and protective "leaders" and other authority figures they rely upon ...
These "conservative" views also cause them to "band tightly" together with other "like thinkers" believing there is more safety in numbers ... better to have that large group to defend against the more individualistic and free thinking liberal type person.
Liberal people then, are most often those one would find in the center range of such "polarizations" ... and there are hardly any on the "fringe" other than those so "labeled" by the conservative who "needs" to define their "enemies" as the opposite of themselves. That is also why all of the farther right conservatives, the ones also the most vocal in vitriol, and vituperative in action, call all others at all to their left side as the "fringe left" ... it is just what they want to believe and it makes them feel better, more secure in so "defining" their (needed) "enemies" ... those they rail against as the source of problems in "their" world, anyone that is a free thinking and independent acting person that trusts others because they see more love and less fear in the world, just seems to be a threat to the restrictive, yet most comfortable "reality" that the conservative prefers.
In other words, the conservative builds a fortress around their views to keep out the free thinking individuals that would "challenge" their identity of authority, leadership, and strict parameters of CONTROL ... all based upon FEAR rather than LOVE ...
Look up the words in your dictionary folks and see where they may apply ... just something to think about ...
Was it John Dean that spoke of this rightwing behavior, in one of his recent books, or someone else?
At any rate, it's pretty pathetic behavior for anyone daring to call themself an "American."
Nazi!
I think you're correct to a large extent. They're clearly torn to shreds over coming SO CLOSE to fully dismantling the US as we know and love it, yet they've failed miserably, and now their chance is gone, perhaps forever. The GOP radical agenda is a colossal failure at this point .
This is nothing new. It's just spreading further.
They do this because they think they know better than you, what you should or should not see, read, hear or know about; and also because they do not want anyone disturbing or disrupting their plans with inconvenient viewpoints, thoughts or facts.
They welcome you to speak as freely as you like about anything they have approved. Anything else must not be discussed, brought up or mentioned lest you embolden their enemies with your words.
Somehow, they seem to think that "they" are the only real Americans.
This worries me greatly as you expect this kind of behavior from the right wing fanatics.
I hope this person reads this and reconsiders this position.
I did like it.
I agree that the right winged media, and politicians ignore any dissenting opinions, but the democrats or left wingers are doing the same. we have no criminal investigation into the illegal war we started with false information, and we have yet to have a real investigation of 9/11. The democrats are not a Godsend to us, they have failed to get us out of Iraq, and failed to repeal the unpatriotic act, and failed to control spending, failed to secure our borders, and failed to keep jobs here, and failed at every single thing that the republicans have!
I try to buy American made products, but it's getting really hard to find them. I can't get an American made computer. Really hard to find any American made clothes! Even a tooth brush that could have some kinda nasty chemicals in it...China! Face it, corporatism (fascism) is the new government here...regardless if you are republican or democrat. they both pander to big banks, and big corporations.
Maybe it's too early for that now, but if the problem ever gets bad enough, we have that option.
But I DID get the same impression about the pre-approval process by the right wingnuts that you did.
Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~
Anyone reading your ill-reasoned rhetoric (and hopefully realizing it is truly representative of the Ultra-Liberals that own the Democratic Party) is sure to vote Republican.
I hope McCain chooses Lieberman as his running mate. It would be great to rub your Liberal noses in that one again. Hehehe.
My guess is Shrillary and B. Hussein are saddened by the fact that Hugo Chavez cannot legally be a running mate.