[ceilirose]

It might be a good time to revive this thread. Before the crash and going back to the Iraq war in '03 and the US elections in '04 we kept it up at a pretty good pace.

Basically it's a place to discuss issues, personalities, political figures, movements etc. from the left political spectrum. It was/is also a haven thread - positions made here don't need to be defended. That's left for the other threads on this board.

In the US we're less than 4 months away from the mid-term elections. Do I wish the Democrats could get control of at least one of the houses in Congress? Yes..but I'm not sure it's probable. The Senate would probably be the better shot at that objective. Montana, Virginia and possibly Ohio have a good shot at gaining Democratic seats at the expense of Republicans.

We can also discuss why the supposed most powerful leader in the World was never taught that talking with your mouth full is bad manners (Barbara Bush - what happened?) and that giving unwanted neck rubs to a fellow head of state borders on the truly bizarre not to mention tacky.

Also it's not just for the American left on this thread but any around the world who share these views are welcome. It's always a good thing to share ideas and to hear what people around the world are thinking.

[Lexis]

LOL, poor Angela Merkel!

Did you guys catch Bush's "Yo Blair! Thanks for the sweater" open mic gaffe at the G8? Our newspapers had a field day (one printed the whole exchange on the front page and another demanded Bush show more respect to our PM) and in Parliament, the opposition heckled Blair.

TONY BLAIR had barely set a foot inside the Chamber yesterday when he heard his first “yo”. It came from the Tory side and the man who claimed to have shouted it was Nicholas “Fatty” Soames. You could see him, his bejowled face beaming with happiness, boasting to secondary yo-ers around him that he had had the coveted First Yo. Mr Blair made a little grimace.

Yo ho-ho it's Blair live and unplugged - Britain - Times Online

Now the thread is going again (thanks ceilirose!), what do you guys think about the Lamont/Lieberman face off in CT? I know a lot of the blogs are going hell for leather to unseat Lieberman and I gotta say, Lamont seems like a good guy.

Lieberman really turned me off on two things - his little "things are going great in Iraq!" performance and his complete failure to defend the rights of rape victims by saying no hospital should be made to provide the morning after pill because they could always go to another hospital. It sickens me - after the trauma, physical and emotional pain of rape, he thinks a woman will be capable of getting herself to another hospital, forcing her to wait around for longer instead of being allowed to go home and be comforted by her loved ones. Its disgusting.

[sum1]

I object to starting up the party threads again. They encourage a them vs us mentality. The board suffered massively under left vs right conflict in the past and these threads become camps in which to foster a partisan identity that splits the board aggressively.

[ceilirose]

Originally Posted by sum1 I object to starting up the party threads again. They encourage a them vs us mentality. The board suffered massively under left vs right conflict in the past and these threads become camps in which to foster a partisan identity that splits the board aggressively.

You obviously missed the part that said this was a haven thread..much like the Republican/Consesrvative Thread was. BTW this board "suffered massively" when people called each other names in the general threads when discussing issues. Should we close all of them too?

Please take it to a mod via pm and don't turn this thread into a personal crusade or about your feelings. I got a approval from a mod to open it..go do the same for yourself if you want to..or don't. Whatever - I don't really care. But don't hijack the thread.

We're all adults here and most of us can handle it. If not then just don't read it. As long as it follows the rules of FF then I don't see what the problem is.

[sum1]

Originally Posted by ceilirose You obviously missed the part that said this was a haven thread..much like the Republican/Consesrvative Thread was. Please take it to a mod via pm and don't turn this thread into a personal crusade or about your feelings. I got a approval from a mod to open it..go do the same for yourself if you want to..or don't. Whatever - I don't really care. But don't hijack the thread. We're all adults here and most of us can handle it. If not then just don't read it. As long as it follows the rules of FF then I don't see what the problem is.

You're obviously trying to start a fight with me. I'm not interested in a fight. I'm just here to object to the revival of a divisive practice. This board is a lot nicer these days than it used to be. I don't want to see a slide back into the bad old days. I think bringing back threads like these is just such a slide. We don't need all that division and us-against-them-each-huddling-into-their-safe-camps-to-bitch-away mentality. It was poison on the board before and things were highly unpleasant.

As for "when people called each other names in the general threads when discussing issues", I think bringing back these party threads will help bring back all that name calling type behavior.

Threads like these encourage an us-vs-them opposing camps mentality that leads to tension on the board. It's much better we all just be individuals with individual views on the board, not gathered into left and right sides and marked off by left and right club threads.

[ceilirose]

Originally Posted by sum1 You're obviously trying to start a fight with me. I'm not interested in a fight. I'm just here to object to the revival of a divisive practice. This board is a lot nicer these days than it used to be. I don't want to see a slide back into the bad old days. I think bringing back threads like these is just such a slide. We don't need all that division and us-against-them-each-huddling-into-their-safe-camps-to-bitch-away mentality. It was poison on the board before and things were highly unpleasant. As for "when people called each other names in the general threads when discussing issues", I think bringing back these party threads will help bring back all that name calling type behavior.

LOL..I'm trying to start a fight? Take it to a mod sum1. Here's what FF rules state about disagreements:

Conflict Resolution: • If you have a problem with anything or any person at Fan Forum, do not deal with it on the forums here. Please send a Private Message (PM) to a Moderator or a Moderator Manager describing the problem, and they will work with you to try and get the problem resolved

I just had dinner and I'm not hungry so there's no need for me to take the bait. I've been around here too long to fall for that. Also my memory is good and I remember who could or couldn't talk about controversial subjects without getting into name-calling and also the instances where it happened. *shrug*

Moving on to what this thread is about - Lexis - yes...Lieberman looks to be shaky in Connecticut. He still has powerful allies in establishment Democratic circles in DC though. Bill Clinton is campaigning for him this week and Lieberman was one of his vocal critics during the Lewinsky saga. Hillary has already said that she will support whoever the Democratic candidate is..Joe may run as an Indepedent if he loses the primary. When he kissed Bush (or did Bush kiss him?) he sealed his own fate.

[sum1]

Originally Posted by ceilirose LOL..I'm trying to start a fight? Take it to a mod sum1. I just had dinner and I'm not hungry so there's no need for me to take the bait. I've been around here too long to fall for that.

What bait? Did you not see what I said? "I'm not interested in a fight". I'm just here to object to a practice that's likely to make this board a less pleasant place to post on, more divisive and aggressive.

Originally Posted by ceilirose Also my memory is good and I remember who could or couldn't talk about controversial subjects without getting into name-calling and also the instances where it happened. *shrug*

You still seem to be trying to pick a fight with me. Like I said, I'm not interested in one. But if you're trying to suggest I called anybody any names, I'll have to point out that I carefully avoided that, as calling names is specifically against the rules. Of course some people interpret things as name calling when they're nothing of the sort. I don't appreciate veiled accusations and I don't appreciate attempts to needle me into arguing. Getting personal is quite unnecessary. Please leave it out. I came to this thread to PREVENT trouble, not to start trouble. So please no fights.

[ceilirose]

Here are two links to actblue.com. There's information on various Democratic candidates with links to blogs and official sites:

ActBlue

ActBlue

Also fundraising has gone well for both the official Democratic Senate and Congressional committees this year. It's a long road..I think they'll make some inroads this year.

I was impressed with Tester of Monrtana. I saw the debate between him and Burns about a month ago. He's well spoken, sincere, has a self-deprecating sense of humor and has a good grasp of the issues.

Is there anyone out there who lives in any of the contested states/Congressional districts this year? How do you feel the campaigns are going?

[UnsilentMajorty]

Sum1:

A lot of the problems with this board in the past were due to poor moderation with biased moderators who would actually censor people's posts if they (the Mods) didn't agree with the POV, or the ideas that were expressed... Even if it was done in a civil, mature and adult manner.

Between 2002-2004, this board was a nightmare.

No one respected anyone and it was a "my way, or the highway" mentality fostered by e-thugs who would start flame wars just to watch the drama that unfolded.

This caused a good percentage of posters to leave not just N&P, but FF as well. The ones who currently post on this board are only a fraction of who used to and I know for a fact they left because of how out-of-control this board became during 2002-04.

There was a French poster, "Stella_Sight", who was driven off FF because of all the Neo-Con/Republican/Conservative "French Bashing" that was all the rage a few years ago with the idiodic "Freedom Fries" BS and similar demonstrations of so-called Patriotism... Again, because the moderators not only encouraged it, but were a part of it as well. E-thugism at its finest.

If you're wondering, I know all of this because I have been working behind-the-scenes with Jerry D, Lexis and the other FF staff for years trying to get this board back to what it should be before it went south. I was offered the Mod position when the previous mods before Lexis and In Fair Verona resigned/were fired. In fact, I helped Jerry D finalize Lexis and In Fair Verona's appointments because I've demonstrated I know who-is-who, and what-is-what on this board having been hear all these years.

Also, there is something that needs to be said:

You still seem to be trying to pick a fight with me. Like I said, I'm not interested in one. But if you're trying to suggest I called anybody any names, I'll have to point out that I carefully avoided that, as calling names is specifically against the rules. Of course some people interpret things as name calling when they're nothing of the sort. I don't appreciate veiled accusations and I don't appreciate attempts to needle me into arguing. Getting personal is quite unnecessary. Please leave it out. I came to this thread to PREVENT trouble, not to start trouble. So please no fights.

You may not openly call names, but the tone and demneanor of most of your posts is you assert your opinion(s) as undeniable facts and therefore, everyone else is wrong. I can point to the Israel thread as proof of this where you assert sources and articles given in support of opposing points of view are "bullcrap" simply because you don't like them.

I am not niave enough to try and change how you post, but I will say whenever a person posts like this it often turns people off to what the poster has to say simply because people don't like being called "idiots", or "dumb" in a back-handed way. In other words, it is the way the message is conveyed that can detract from the message itself. The "tell it like it is" approach to the internet so old that most people ignore it... And I know that is not what you (or anyone else) who posts on N&P want. You don't want them to ignore you or you wouldn't post. Just post in a more respectful manner and I gurantee you will get further than even you (people general) think.

[Enigma, I.C.]

I see things haven't changed much

[ceilirose]

Originally Posted by Enigma, I.C. I see things haven't changed much

Absolutely

[Lexis]

Ok, lets get this thread back on track. If there are any more complaints, please take them up using PM's.

I see Clinton and Boxer campaigned for Lieberman yesterday. I wonder how much diffirence it will make with Lamont really picking up pace in the polls.

[sum1]

Originally Posted by UnsilentMajorty You may not openly call names, but the tone and demneanor of most of your posts is you assert your opinion(s) as undeniable facts and therefore, everyone else is wrong. I can point to the Israel thread as proof of this where you assert sources and articles given in support of opposing points of view are "bullcrap" simply because you don't like them. I am not niave enough to try and change how you post, but I will say whenever a person posts like this it often turns people off to what the poster has to say simply because people don't like being called "idiots", or "dumb" in a back-handed way. In other words, it is the way the message is conveyed that can detract from the message itself. The "tell it like it is" approach to the internet so old that most people ignore it... And I know that is not what you (or anyone else) who posts on N&P want. You don't want them to ignore you or you wouldn't post. Just post in a more respectful manner and I gurantee you will get further than even you (people general) think.

I don't need your useless preaching and personal attacks. You were expressedly asked by mod Ms Carloyn to avoid giving me trouble. It seems you don't respect what she asked you.

[UnsilentMajorty]

Originally Posted by sum1 I don't need your useless preaching and personal attacks.

It amazes me how your trying the oldest trick in the book and that is painting yourself as the victim when it was in fact a lot of YOUR posts between 2002-04, that contributed to the deterioration of the board and you were almost banned on numerous occassions. You may not have been publically aware of it, but I and others were. You can deny it all you want, but it makes no difference because I have a very different picture on what goes on here than you ever will.

I give Celirose credit for not taking the bait...

But the fact you posted on this thread to get it closed simply because you don't like it -- Left/Liberal Views -- Is pretty blatant on your part and just goes to show the kinds of tactics you are still using, just like you and others used a few years ago whenever a thread comes up you simply don't like, or the views expressed in it.

This needs to be aired in public because these are blatant and obvious tactics and they will not be tolerated by anyone.

[ceilirose]

Lexis..I was going to write a plea to stop this stuff but enough already. Just close this thread already..it's become a joke which was probably the intent anyway.


Great thing to wake up to all in all. Score one for free speech and being able to handle different opinions without having tantrums or trying to get your own way.

So much for making this board a nice place to post on, huh? It's soured me..

Maybe start it later or not.