This is a response to several diaries recently which have asserted that we’re “cannibalizing” our party, or that some of the negativity here is self-destructive “bullshit”.
I pretty much agree. But...I think some of this perceived negativity may rather be one of intent when posting. There seems to be a fairly common assumption that debate is the objective when someone posts a diary or a comment about a candidate. I don’t believe that’s necessarily true. Don’t get me wrong, debate is good—it makes us strong, to better destroy republicans. But in my case I’ve done my research and I’ve picked my candidate. I suspect I’m not alone in this. No, not everybody—I believe there are undecideds on DKos. Hell, there are probably three or four of ‘em. I read and participate primarily because I enjoy hearing the thoughts of others, enjoy getting new perspectives, enjoy seeing information that isn’t filtered or censored through the dumbdownatron of the MSM and, in some cases, just need some support from those that support the same candidate or that share my values. And this is an important point—support is necessary, especially for those of us that live in wingnutistan. But, when in a non-debate context, I need to hear those same debating points regurgitated about as much as I needed the witnessing I got from some fundies at lunch the other day: Yeah, God...get it. Yeah, 2000 year old text...seen it. Eternal life...yeah, thought about it. Sounds nice. Worship the Great Cosmic Hamster? Not at this time. Thanks for sharing.
I could do a piercingly insightful, even scathing (at least in my own mind), rebuttal of the Clinton-DOMA exposition that appears dozens of times a day by pointing out, dozens of times a day, the actual, life improving and even lifesaving accomplishments for trans people that Hillary drove while she was SecState but...who’s really listening? I have a nerf bat, and everyone else has a nerf bat. Whack, whack, and nothing changes except the bad karma we’re accumulating. Karma that we’re going to have to do something with post-convention.
One thing I’m very happy about is that we seem to have tacitly agreed on a daily DMZ diary for each candidate. That’s where I mostly go. Sometimes I need support, not debate, especially after being limbloviated by a co-worker. I’ve also read some “I’m for X because” diaries recently, some for each candidate. These have generally been quite insightful and enlightening, especially when advocating and not attacking. And, of course, the attempts-to-reach-across-the-divide diaries. They’re nice. And they usually start with nice comments. Then……...Whack…...Whack...WhackWhackWhack… Sadly, I’m not a saint either, and the cost of my nerf bat has been well and thoroughly amortized.
The constant whacking is also beginning to cloud, fragment, and even trivialize major social issues. An example: feminism is becoming a divisive purity test. One I apparently failed the other day when I expressed my opinion that Gloria might not have been an astute choice as a spokesperson for Hillary. Whack. Friendly fire. And, since I’m not a saint and this is a particular hot button for me, I retaliated—with one of those comments I’ll forever regret posting. Whack. Yet, in another diary, I would have been hailed as a supporter of “millennial feminism” and remained whackless. And another synthetic divisive issue is born. I believe feminism either floats all boats or it doesn’t work, and factionalizing, dogmatizing, trivializing and especially weaponizing it is exactly what those other diarists have been talking about. It’s faux division and it plays very well for the MSM and opposition. CNN schlepped a lot of deodorant with this meme the other day and the republicans are no doubt overjoyed with their bright, shiny new wedge.
I won’t even get into the racial/racism fracas that’s only beginning to start. Do nerf bats wear out?
I’m excited about the energy in the party and by the new populism that we’re seeing. It’s what I’d hoped would happen when I supported Edwards (this statement should not be construed as a solicitation, enticement, invitation, offer or request for debate). I hope this energy and new focus is going to be a key part of the Democratic Party as it evolves and as we fight the long-war against those who truly want to destroy our country. We need the energy, we need the insights, new and old, we need the passion and, most of all, we need the ongoing participation of everyone who believes in our shared values and goals.
But, like those other diarists, I worry. The republicans may attack Hillary and Bernie, but they really don’t give a crap about Hillary and Bernie: their goal is to divide us.