I have been reading lots of diaries here lately, and many of these diaries have devolved into back and forth exchanges about who is right or wrong, whether or not the current leadership ought to be changed, whether or not the Democrats even have the right message and so on.
These debates are important, but are these debates worthwhile? More and more it seems to me that this site has become deeply polarized, and these debates are adding and deepening the polarization.
Bernie vs. Hillary is the most obvious example of the polarization infecting this site, but this has been going on for a long time.
First, I submit that we as a group ought to be seeking to be an effective agent for change to our country, and not simply be individuals trying to “win the argument”.
Second, I do believe that Daily Kos has been infiltrated by certain individuals who have joined our group simply to promote division and who seek to weaken what was once a strong voice for progressive change in our country.
I do believe that a comprehensive analysis of the activity of every member of this community by the administration of Daily Kos can identify and isolate these individuals. Further, I do believe that this analysis ought to be undertaken immediately by the leadership, and the results published for all to see.
Please don’t think me paranoid, but our opposition is extremely proficient at dirty tricks, and our opposition is unscrupulous in their use.
The Daily Kos open community is an easy and attractive target for the cowardly, underhanded and vicious attacks so favored by the hard right wing.
How can you find and isolate such individuals?
- They will take either side of an argument
- They will hijack a thread with an irrelevant but controversial comment
- They will publish negatively controversial diaries with no positive outcome
- They will try to undermine obviously sincere and positive posts, regardless of the position
I am sure that there are other markers as well.
11:15 am EDT- Oops gotta go now, golf!
Thanks for all of the insightful comments.