Oy.
I don't have a whole helluva lotta time today, but given the meta upon meta on the rec list currently, I wanted to hit upon something that either hasn't been spelled out completely or has been patently ignored by many folks.
I left a series of comments last night that I think, in and of themselves, are wee mini diaries.
But, in responding to another commenter early this morning, I've finally given voice to something that has been bothering me for a very long time.
Another commenter wrote:
To vote against this President because of a perceived slight received on the internet, is one of the most reckless and childish undertakings there could ever be. "Oh, you know, a Republican President will further wrecked the economy and he will appoint individuals to the Supreme Court who will vote against my interest, and he will destroy my kids' education, but there were Obama supporters online last night whom I didn't like, so who cares if the country goes to hell in a handbasket? I'll show these 'meanies', hush up you little runts, you gonna have to do without an education and suffer! Obama supporters don't know who they messing with." Priceless....
My response:
Let me explain to you the many ways in which your comment does exactly the opposite of your end goal: getting Barack Obama elected again in 2012.
To vote against this President because of a perceived slight received on the internet, is one of the most reckless and childish undertakings there could ever be.
First of all, you appear to be making an assumption that I won't be voting for this president again. That's incorrect.
Have you ever heard the expression "kill 'em with kindness"? Because I think you could learn from that. Demeaning my comments as "reckless" and "childish" does not make me feel heard. It makes me feel as if you devalue me as a human being, which I think may be accurate.
So - how is alienating me going to get Barack Obama elected again in 2012?
"Oh, you know, a Republican President will further wrecked the economy and he will appoint individuals to the Supreme Court who will vote against my interest, and he will destroy my kids' education, but there were Obama supporters online last night whom I didn't like, so who cares if the country goes to hell in a handbasket?
I will never vote for a Republican, and I certainly won't cheer one on, so that's bunk. Using the fear of a possible Republican president to make me realize, yet again, "Hey, wow! Let's vote Democratic in 2012, because we're only 30% better than Republicans!" is not a winning campaign strategy. In your attempt to either convince me or scare me, you have reiterated to me that Democrats still, by and large, suck ass. This demoralizes me further.
Also, accusing someone of not voting for Obama out of spite is not going to help your dude, either. I know it sounds nuts, but try to understand: insulting people you want on your side, and against Republicans, in 2012 is not going to help Barack Obama.
I'll show these 'meanies', hush up you little runts, you gonna have to do without an education and suffer! Obama supporters don't know who they messing with."
This is just plain silly. Daily Kos is a blog. I can very well tell the difference between a goddamned website and a candidate for POTUS. Now you're just insulting my intelligence.
Again, I pose this question to you: how is alienating me going to get Barack Obama elected again in 2012?
You certainly don't have to answer this question yet, but you'll eventually need to, and that crow is most likely not gonna taste like pizza.
Discuss.