General Discussion

EarlG

(23,720 posts)

84. The posting rules are the same everywhere on DU

Tue Feb 17, 2026, 12:46 PM

Feb 2026

But remember, for the most part you all are the ones responsible for enforcing those rules. That’s why The Way Forward forum provides a reminder that there is an awful lot of wiggle room between “bashing” and “constructive criticism” and people are going to have different ideas on where those lines should be drawn. It also provides a common sense reminder about how to avoid getting posts removed.

This is the Statement of Purpose for The Way Forward forum:

Discuss the future of the Democratic Party and the left, strategies to rebuild the party's influence and reach, and tactics to retake political power from the right. REMINDER: Forum Hosts are only responsible for locking off-topic discussions in this forum, they are not responsible for locking discussions which may violate the DU rules. Please be aware that while the rules prohibit "bashing" of Democratic public figures, the rules also allow for constructive criticism. Between those two positions lies a large grey area, and if you want to avoid getting posts removed by Jury in this forum, remember that not everyone on DU may have the same appreciation or dislike for the same politicians that you do. If you treat your fellow DU members with respect and try to post in a civil manner, you will rarely have any problems. Posting derogatory nicknames for center-to-left politicians, groups of DU members, or individual DU members, will increase your chances of getting a post removed.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=about&forum=1324

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Pluvious Wednesdays TBF SunImp Bettie Bettie KPN quaint PoliWrangler SocialDemocrat61 ancianita Progressive dog radical noodle summer_in_TX BarbD RockCreek

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It is not an act of loyalty to quash conversations about our own party's role in getting to where we are today. [View all] Scrivener7 Feb 2026 OP

Maybe that's why EarlG gave us The Way Forward forum. quaint Feb 2026 #1

The posting rules are the same everywhere on DU EarlG Feb 2026 #84

A concern is, snot Feb 2026 #202

To answer your questions EarlG Feb 2026 #209

Thank you; that all sounds good. snot Feb 2026 #238

Get a candidate who supports those things to run in a primary creeksneakers2 Feb 2026 #211

I did: snot Feb 2026 #237

Good creeksneakers2 Feb 2026 #240

I try to be loyal to truth, beauty, what appears to me to be most constructive, snot Feb 21 #247

I didn't blame Bernie creeksneakers2 Feb 22 #248

It's a bit tricky... ._. Feb 2026 #2

Yup, what Jason Crow said last week on TV gab13by13 Feb 2026 #7

Sorry, it's not the Democratic Party. It's Republican voters, third party voters, and petulant nonvoters lapucelle Feb 2026 #3

Kamala Harris won the election. gab13by13 Feb 2026 #6

Yup, pedo Trump cheated on the vote count Farmer-Rick Feb 2026 #30

That's a perfect way to keep losing iemanja Feb 2026 #213

This message was self-deleted by its author PeaceWave Feb 2026 #233

It's a perfect way to lose Farmer-Rick Feb 2026 #242

Obviously Trump is trying to control the midterm vote iemanja Feb 2026 #243

What??????????? Huh? Say what? Farmer-Rick Feb 2026 #245

Yup! yellow dahlia Feb 2026 #77

I'm noticing JustAnotherGen Feb 2026 #9

I can count the leftists I've actually corresponded with online TBF Feb 2026 #93

I can't do that JustAnotherGen Feb 2026 #119

Can you "be in community" with Donald Trump? TBF Feb 2026 #140

I disagree JustAnotherGen Feb 2026 #145

What is "Magapub/CSA" - TBF Feb 2026 #159

Magapub JustAnotherGen Feb 2026 #163

I am old school labor - originally from Wisconsin TBF Feb 2026 #179

And maga-pub IS NOT a political party---- it is a criminal domestic terrorist organization Jack Valentino Feb 2026 #207

Thank you sir! JustAnotherGen Feb 2026 #222

This message was self-deleted by its author PeaceWave Feb 2026 #166

Full Disclosure - I'm in NJ JustAnotherGen Feb 2026 #149

This insists that any change must come from our opposition. Scrivener7 Feb 2026 #36

I work hard, every single year, to elect Democrats in races big and small. lapucelle Feb 2026 #45

I think we here all work hard to elect Democrats. And we have been doing so for years. And yet, here we are. Scrivener7 Feb 2026 #48

Work harder to shut down opposition narratives, most especially those from purists and punishers lapucelle Feb 2026 #52

Which, by definition, has nothing to do with shutting down discussions on DU. Scrivener7 Feb 2026 #53

To begin with, expressing an opinion on a topic is not "shutting down discussion" on a topic. lapucelle Feb 2026 #66

Really? Cirsium Feb 2026 #92

That's an odd definition of "purist". lapucelle Feb 2026 #99

Exactly Cirsium Feb 2026 #117

Even given the definitional problems (and notwithstanding the random use of latin), lapucelle Feb 2026 #127

hi back Cirsium Feb 2026 #128

Recognizing a Latin word and saying your conclusion doesn't follow from your premises is not an argument either Ilikepurple Feb 2026 #198

Creating your own three term argument by merging two distinct and seperate terms into one lapucelle Feb 2026 #221

You said even given the definitional problems, there conclusion does not follow Ilikepurple Feb 2026 #236

You merged two terms into one in an attempt to create a syllogism where none exists. lapucelle Feb 2026 #239

I didn't take that as an attack JustAnotherGen Feb 2026 #180

agreed Cirsium Feb 2026 #183

We shouldn't "shut down" speech Just_Vote_Dem Feb 2026 #97

Couldn't agree more with you more Scrivener. choie Feb 2026 #49

It's defining the mistakes JustAnotherGen Feb 2026 #181

Personally... Chemical Bill Feb 2026 #190

Yes! mcar Feb 2026 #234

I agree with you 100% Scrivener7. It is not a fluke that we are in this mess. flashman13 Feb 2026 #71

I'm really looking forward to the primaries too. We have an incredible bench, and Scrivener7 Feb 2026 #73

This message was self-deleted by its author PeaceWave Feb 2026 #208

+1 leftstreet Feb 2026 #103

Joe Biden WAS a great President. Chemical Bill Feb 2026 #193

This message was self-deleted by its author PeaceWave Feb 2026 #246

Well said. Thank you again! KPN Feb 2026 #132

Isn't amazing that SocialDemocrat61 Feb 2026 #40

Thanks for illustrating the problem. FoxNewsSucks Feb 2026 #65

The problem is Trump and republicans SocialDemocrat61 Feb 2026 #75

I have never seen anyone here say that Democrats are the enemy FoxNewsSucks Feb 2026 #78

Good SocialDemocrat61 Feb 2026 #88

And what Scrivener is asking is HOW did we get here? CrispyQ Feb 2026 #100

We got here because of Republicans SocialDemocrat61 Feb 2026 #110

So was it an attack or not? Ilikepurple Feb 2026 #192

Have a nice day SocialDemocrat61 Feb 2026 #194

What are you doing? Cirsium Feb 2026 #94

Have a nice day! SocialDemocrat61 Feb 2026 #98

With deliberate misrepresentation MorbidButterflyTat Feb 2026 #109

Have a nice day! SocialDemocrat61 Feb 2026 #111

Unrec. This is why we can't have nice things. TBF Feb 2026 #112

It's the Democratic Party which nominates candidates which voters either accept or reject Jose Garcia Feb 2026 #154

With the (somewhat) arguable exception of 2024, voters choose the candidates. lapucelle Feb 2026 #165

Mahalo, lapucelle! Some seem to forget Cha Feb 2026 #170

Thank you for this thread, gab13by13 Feb 2026 #4

I'm firmly in the FIGHT NOW group. n/t PatrickforB Feb 2026 #34

Same here. And I'm highly suspect of the motives of anyone demanding we do otherwise. FoxNewsSucks Feb 2026 #67

Careful! Floyd R. Turbo Feb 2026 #5

Yep. And that's the problem. This has nothing to do with criticizing Democrats. It has to do with looking at Scrivener7 Feb 2026 #8

Jason Crow backs up your thread, gab13by13 Feb 2026 #19

I'm with you right up until the part about nominating a republican. But I get your point. Scrivener7 Feb 2026 #22

Miles Taylor has no political experience and we know karynnj Feb 2026 #38

Not fair comparing Miles Taylor with Liz Cheney, gab13by13 Feb 2026 #57

I will listen to him but just based on what you said MadameButterfly Feb 2026 #63

I remember all the support here for Michael Avenatti for a presidential run. MichMan Feb 2026 #64

That doesn't mean we shouldn't want fighters, FoxNewsSucks Feb 2026 #68

I remember it and thinking it beyond stupid karynnj Feb 2026 #74

While I'm grateful to Conservatives who have drawn a line and chosen to MadameButterfly Feb 2026 #62

nominating a REPUKE? Skittles Feb 2026 #217

If we don't look at the issues of the Dem structure, and question it, then we are in a cult... yellow dahlia Feb 2026 #81

If you look at my sig line JustAnotherGen Feb 2026 #10

They want all poor people dead, depopulation is a part of Project 2025. gab13by13 Feb 2026 #20

"I never submitted the whole system of my opinions to the creed of any party of men whatever Ping Tung Feb 2026 #11

"I am a Christian and a Democrat. That's all": FDR, when asked to define his political philosophy. lapucelle Feb 2026 #21

That was his choice. That's what democracy is supposed to be about...choice. Ping Tung Feb 2026 #26

Yes, folks choose to vote for Republicans or third-party candidates or to withhold any vote as punishment lapucelle Feb 2026 #120

And add mainstream media to that list Just_Vote_Dem Feb 2026 #125

Just as there's nothing wrong calling out the politicians who support or vote for Ping Tung Feb 2026 #143

Sir, this is a Wendy's Johnny2X2X Feb 2026 #12

I'm not talking about ripping on Dems and I'm not talking about anything that violates the TOS. Scrivener7 Feb 2026 #13

I'd be willing to bet that the same posters jumping all over you also FoxNewsSucks Feb 2026 #69

I actually express hatred JustAnotherGen Feb 2026 #184

Fire the strategists and consultant class, The party needs to stop making the same mistakes. yellow dahlia Feb 2026 #86

YES! The 'strategists' and 'Consultants" don't seem to have Bettie Feb 2026 #137

That really is at the base of all of it. Scrivener7 Feb 2026 #144

The other thing that would make a HUGE difference Bettie Feb 2026 #146

Indeed. yellow dahlia Feb 2026 #186

Any time we stop speaking truth, we benefit those who want to hide the truth. hamsterjill Feb 2026 #14

Yours is a great post also, gab13by13 Feb 2026 #23

Thank you. hamsterjill Feb 2026 #24

Agreed! yellow dahlia Feb 2026 #87

It's just demographics Sympthsical Feb 2026 #15

But at this point, none of us is. I'm that comfortable boomer you describe. Scrivener7 Feb 2026 #16

Absolutely Sympthsical Feb 2026 #27

Cheerleaders, the party is always right, swarm, posse, toe the line, echo chamber, blind loyalty, marching in lockstep, betsuni Feb 2026 #17

And supposedly, MorbidButterflyTat Feb 2026 #116

. SunImp Feb 2026 #131

Finding out facts instead of leaping to negative conclusions about Democrats is mocked as mindless loyalty. Projection. betsuni Feb 2026 #164

We failed to read history, but it's only now that history is understood at all bucolic_frolic Feb 2026 #18

Somewhat related to your OP, discussions quickly sink... harumph Feb 2026 #25

So much yes to this! All those bad movies about evil conglomerates trying to rule the world? Scrivener7 Feb 2026 #29

My daughter quipped the other day - "Who knew the original Superman movie was a road map..." harumph Feb 2026 #42

We are at a confluence of all the evil empire "Bond villain" types. yellow dahlia Feb 2026 #90

Time for a paradigm shift. yellow dahlia Feb 2026 #89

It's a return to 1877 to 1965 JustAnotherGen Feb 2026 #231

As I have said before: popsdenver Feb 2026 #39

Amen, sis! demmiblue Feb 2026 #28

I cleared my ignore list a while ago Bettie Feb 2026 #142

Trump 2.0 could have been prevented by closing the border and having a normal primary dalton99a Feb 2026 #31

Thank you! intheflow Feb 2026 #32

I agree popsdenver Feb 2026 #43

... SSJVegeta Feb 2026 #33

In his diplomatic, inoffensive way, I think President Obama pointed the way Martin Eden Feb 2026 #35

I make no bones about it JustAnotherGen Feb 2026 #188

DURec leftstreet Feb 2026 #37

For example, gab13by13 Feb 2026 #41

I think that's a perfect example because it's my opinion that, if Democratic leaders had not gotten so much Scrivener7 Feb 2026 #44

Yep, things changed Just_Vote_Dem Feb 2026 #46

And it seems like it took a little outrage to convince them of the fact. Scrivener7 Feb 2026 #50

That's the problem in a nutshell. AloeVera Feb 2026 #102

People are pissed at the wait-and-see say-nothing do-nothing approach. dalton99a Feb 2026 #47

We're in a partial shutdown at the moment. lapucelle Feb 2026 #113

Eight Democrats voted to end the fillibuster in October, ten in March. Scrivener7 Feb 2026 #126

Your vote counts in both instances are off by one. lapucelle Feb 2026 #133

So a groundswell of constituent opinion has no effect on your elected officials? Scrivener7 Feb 2026 #134

Social media posts and constituent opinion are two very different things. N/T lapucelle Feb 2026 #167

i completely agree with you. We should be able to speak freely if it is for constructive reason samsingh Feb 2026 #51

That's a good example of a topic we should discuss in detail. Scrivener7 Feb 2026 #114

exactly - and given the power trump is wielding samsingh Feb 2026 #121

So the lesson, which I hope we have learned, is that we release it all as soon as we are able. Scrivener7 Feb 2026 #122

there can be no healing until the crimes are punished samsingh Feb 2026 #123

Concise and to the point. Well said. Escurumbele Feb 2026 #54

100% Agree, Scrivener 7. If we can't see our own part in something we can't improve... johnnyplankton Feb 2026 #55

Everything changes except one thing that was never addressed, and still isn't. usonian Feb 2026 #56

It is important to note that WE elected our officials to represent us Grim Chieftain Feb 2026 #58

That's why we have primaries SocialDemocrat61 Feb 2026 #60

And if they don't uphold the promises they made in the primaries? Grim Chieftain Feb 2026 #70

Really depends on the promises they made SocialDemocrat61 Feb 2026 #76

And it doesn't need to be a fight. I made mistakes in my job. Scrivener7 Feb 2026 #79

Agreed. yellow dahlia Feb 2026 #95

Wanting to learn from the past & do better in the future... CaptainTruth Feb 2026 #59

Good Luck with that here. n/t ihaveaquestion Feb 2026 #61

When do we rank-n-file types get to see the Election 2024 Postmortem? Kid Berwyn Feb 2026 #72

Spot on! yellow dahlia Feb 2026 #96

Yup Joinfortmill Feb 2026 #80

This is what those finger-waggers really are FoxNewsSucks Feb 2026 #82

I do think the DNC is starting to realize that much of the grass roots is really pissed at the party leadership Bluetus Feb 2026 #83

I think recent events have provided us with a pretty extensive list of things we Scrivener7 Feb 2026 #85

I have a list. You have a list. The Party does not have a list. Bluetus Feb 2026 #105

Without a doubt. And Dems -- all Dems -- should be repeating that list. Bluetus Feb 2026 #229

Please link to these threads: MorbidButterflyTat Feb 2026 #91

There was one in particular this morning that was a good example. I can't link to it. For reasons I will not state. Scrivener7 Feb 2026 #107

Milquetoast, strongly worded letters, old guard, status quo, gerontocracy, Vichy Dems, Surrender Dems, betsuni Feb 2026 #124

Good post Scrivener7, and a worthwhile question to ask. I feel the biggest mistake we may have made is to underestimate c-rational Feb 2026 #101

Definitely. I agree with all of that. Scrivener7 Feb 2026 #115

Right? They see us as the enemy Bettie Feb 2026 #147

Well said, Scrivener. yellow dahlia Feb 2026 #104

This message was self-deleted by its author PeaceWave Feb 2026 #106

I see the same cheerleaders on this thread. hamsterjill Feb 2026 #108

I hear you. harumph Feb 2026 #150

You are absolutely correct! hamsterjill Feb 2026 #199

Our role in getting here today Quiet Em Feb 2026 #118

Sadly, I think this is true. We have lost so much civil rights ground Scrivener7 Feb 2026 #139

I am 59 Bettie Feb 2026 #151

The adults gulliver Feb 2026 #129

The Democrats I know aren't lazy, neglectful OR self-indulgent. Scrivener7 Feb 2026 #135

"Romans and countrymen, lend me your ears?" gulliver Feb 2026 #136

Thank you so much Scrivener. KPN Feb 2026 #130

Great OP SunImp Feb 2026 #138

Thank you for the thread canetoad Feb 2026 #141

Loyalty means being willing to examine our own missteps Torchlight Feb 2026 #148

It's not possible currently to discuss mistakes and we are doomed to repeat them again. Melon Feb 2026 #152

How is it happening in Texas? SocialDemocrat61 Feb 2026 #156

Beto Melon Feb 2026 #162

What's he running for? SocialDemocrat61 Feb 2026 #169

See Below Quote Melon Feb 2026 #172

So what did Beto SocialDemocrat61 Feb 2026 #173

This thread is all about why we don't do that.... Melon Feb 2026 #175

So who should run in Texas? SocialDemocrat61 Feb 2026 #176

This and your gatekeeping is the issue that prevents open discussion and improvement. Melon Feb 2026 #177

I'm just trying to understand SocialDemocrat61 Feb 2026 #178

Why? Are you in Texas? Or are you trying to gatekeep? Melon Feb 2026 #191

No, but am trying to understand what is going on In Texas. SocialDemocrat61 Feb 2026 #196

And I say again...go read the threads on Talarico or Crockett Melon Feb 2026 #210

I was asking for your perspective SocialDemocrat61 Feb 2026 #215

I have a relative running for the Senate, so luckily Scrivener7 Feb 2026 #157

It has nothing to do with being loyal. It's about fighting back against (often) unfair and unwarranted criticism. W_HAMILTON Feb 2026 #153

Well, "bullshit criticism" is in the eye of the beholder. Orrex Feb 2026 #195

I wasn't defending Garland (especially towards the end) nor was I backstabbing Hillary and Kamala. W_HAMILTON Feb 2026 #241

I may be late to this discussion, but I read it early this morning and just now thought I would add my 2cents. Ninga Feb 2026 #155

We had the clear advantage in social media Scrivener7 Feb 2026 #223

We do not need to do this before midterms and publicly oldmanlynn Feb 2026 #158

Suicidal has been the lack of transparency and free discussion Melon Feb 2026 #161

The right time is always behind closed doors oldmanlynn Feb 2026 #218

Absolutely agree! And I've noticed another of the cheerleaders' tactics: Orrex Feb 2026 #160

That's not an accurate metaphor for your point EdmondDantes_ Feb 2026 #187

Thanks, but I know what I've seen, and I'm ready to be judged Orrex Feb 2026 #189

No I expressly don't. But you leap to that conclusion EdmondDantes_ Feb 2026 #203

Let's just say that the discussion's been going on since before July 21, 2024 Orrex Feb 2026 #204

And they feel just as strongly as you do about their name calling being calling it as they see it EdmondDantes_ Feb 2026 #205

I've accused you of exactly nothing except joining the conversation late Orrex Feb 2026 #206

To quote you EdmondDantes_ Feb 2026 #220

LOL. No, read it again Orrex Feb 2026 #226

Sure thing. It's not like you were replying to me or anything EdmondDantes_ Feb 2026 #228

Bless your heart. Orrex Feb 2026 #230

The key: 100% confidence one is 100% correct, obviously morally righteously correct. betsuni Feb 2026 #212

This part: Scrivener7 Feb 2026 #224

I would remark that biggest reason Dems "lost" Mblaze Feb 2026 #168

Sounds like you have a problem with the jury system. LudwigPastorius Feb 2026 #171

She just made the argument iemanja Feb 2026 #214

No. I think the jury system is kind of genius, actually. Scrivener7 Feb 2026 #225

I choose to belong to the Democratic party Progressive dog Feb 2026 #174

I choose to exercise my democratic rights iemanja Feb 2026 #216

of course you do Progressive dog Feb 2026 #227

Nether productive or appropriate? iemanja Feb 2026 #232

Time and place. Zelda_Orchid Feb 2026 #182

Based OP. BannonsLiver Feb 2026 #185

The number of RECs, replies, and views to this OP shows just how important to the DU community... Ol Janx Spirit Feb 2026 #197

I think we all have perspectives and ideas that have value, even if only to further a productive dialectic Ilikepurple Feb 2026 #201

Absolutely agree & Thank You for saying it! 👍nt Raine Feb 2026 #200

complicit poozwah Feb 2026 #219

I agree. But using terms like mcar Feb 2026 #235

Whenever anyone takes such great care to parse language to justify... QueerDuck Feb 2026 #244