Once again this evening I read a comment regarding Moderates not being welcome or not being able to freely communicate at DKos. I've seen this time and time again and most of it seems to come from self-professed moderates in disagreement on one issue or another.
What these individuals are professing is simply false and the allegation is, in my opinion, an intellectually cheap maneuver with a darker purpose.
*By the way, the photo is of our dog. She couldn't find her tennis ball and wanted to play catch so she grabbed an apple instead. I couldn't find a relevant photo to the story but she's British, so she's probably a liberal and that will have to do.
I'm an Independent Moderate, at least I was when I joined the site several years ago. One would hope that I have evolved (and will continue to evolve) politically as I stay open to new ideas and enter into new discussions...but I still self-identify as a Moderate and I make no secret of that fact.
Other than the random (and very rare) individual I have never had a problem participating in discussions, exchanging ideas, exploring new fields or disagreeing with individuals on the basis of where I fall in the political spectrum. I've had numerous diaries on the Rec list and will probably see a few more in the future.
It just isn't an issue.
Those "moderates" who attempt to smear the site with cries of bias or prejudice are, in my mind, doing so because its much easier to dismiss a group as unreasonable and close-minded than it is to truly engage in discourse and actually listen to what individuals are communicating.
DKos isn't here to be "saved" by one individual or group's opinion, it is meant to be a vehicle for learning, enlightenment and action. That includes the trading of ideas, not just talking at people, but talking with them. Remaining open to solutions that you may not have considered, and offering your take on certain issues. Disagreement can and will happen but it can be done respectfully.
I've managed to participate for several years, have learned much in the process, gained insight into issues that weren't even on my radar when I first opened the orange page and hopefully, until kos shows me the door, I will continue to benefit from the site.
....and I'm a moderate, go figure.
Comment: Thank you for the rec list and for your comments, both supportive, not so supportive, and those interesting thoughts on what the word "moderate" even means in this political environment.
"Little D" (she is named after the river Derwent) says "Thank you" for the compliments and she will be happy to be used shamelessly for political purposes in the future for the proper treat.