Wow, I take a few days away from Kos, and the whole place blows up.
Boycotts, not to boycott...what to do?
Just some random thoughts, and nuclear kill me if you like, but it's my opinion, this is supposed to be a site for discussing one's opinion and as long as I can, I will use it as I believe it should be used.
I don't diary much. I comment a lot, and rec a lot, and I still don't think I've hide rated anything, but frankly I just don't have the time most of the time.
But I am quickly becoming horrified at what we are facing, and some things here do not help.
Before I get to the hot button issue of the moment, though, a couple of thoughts.
I understand that Markos is considering revamping the rec/hide mechanism. I think that is a good idea. I have also read that he is thinking of instituting levels of badges. I think that is a very bad idea. For several reasons.
For one, can't we just be people? Do we HAVE to be identified by specific badges. Isn't THAT exactly what they did in Nazi Germany? True, this are supposed to be "fun" badges, "community" badges. But the principle is the same, and the principle sucks.
Huffingtonpost uses badges, and they're pretty downright disgusting. A hierarchy of readers and users. Shall we genuflect to the Elders? And how, may I beseech thee shalt thou wished to be designated? Your Holiness...?
Horrifying #1. What's needed is something exceptionally simple:
A like button
A dislike button
A recommend button
A reply button
Simple, and EXTREMELY effective.
On to the boycott, and perhaps I should put on my asbestos pants.
On Tuesday, Anthony Weiner's seat is likely to be won by the REPUBLICAN, Turner.
I don't like that PPP is hiding this news. You can check it out on their site, it's been up there for a while, but it hasn't made it here.
Hiding bad news: Horrifying #2.
The fact that our national party is so out of touch with what America wants it to do is something that has horrified me for a long time. It's a slow burn, but Horrifying #3.
Much of the attention and blame for the horrification has pointed some fingers at President Obama. Now maybe his jobs speech and his jobs bill can turn things around. I hope so, but I wouldn't want to put any money down on Brooklyn Bridges that it will. Especially if they wind up in red territory.
I myself have pointed a few fingers in that direction, and have more than once been quite alarmed by President Obama's actions. In fact, one of my FIRST diaries after his election was my horror at his asking Rick Warren to give the benediction at his inauguration. I said it was a harbinger of things to come, and I was right. I gives me no pleasure to be right in the instance, but I know a bit about how people think, and that glimpse into the brain of Obama was not pleasant.
That brings me to the boycott. There have been many instances in which I have been involved in pie-fights regarding criticism of President Obama. And I have to say that there were many times in which racism was accused that was never intended.
As a Jewish, Pagan, gay man, I can understand prejudice. I, too, have grown up with it most of my life. It isn't the SAME as racial prejudice, and I make no claim that it is. But there are aspects to prejudice that are the same no matter what the object of it, and none of it is very pretty.
That people should accuse others of racism when none is intended, is Horrifying #4.
I will quickly get to Horrifying #5 by saying that it is equally horrifying in 2011 that we can not have an intelligent, rational discussion about race in America. Or that we even NEED to have such a discussion.
And, finally this...
I find it intellectually disingenuous for some people to have proclaimed President Obama as the first African American president, then claim racism when criticism of him is made. Does the fact that he is half black African and half white American put him off-limits of criticism? Can one ever credentialize oneself enough to make criticism of him legitimate?
I don't get it. But this is not horrifying, it just makes me sad.
In NY-9, a lot of voters are going to go to the polls and express their criticism of President Obama. I will pray for our sakes that the GOTV can prevent a GOP takeover of this seat. But these voters don't give a crap about boycotts on DailyKos, and their criticism is very tangible. Very real.
If this is the mood of America, President Obama needs all the help he can get. It has always been the intent of my criticism to HELP him with his fellow Americans. He evidently can use all the help in that regard he can get.