Reclaiming MyDD

I feel sad for the many exasperated honest sorts who are in despair. From roaming around the blog world I am impressed by the structural potential here.

Yes it may well be invaded by GOP operatives trying to degrade it. It is a common problem everywhere but come on, they are bankrupt and pathetic. Think of it as this election cycle's version of false flag robo calls. But they are still horribly behind the curve and don't amount to a thimble full of pigeon shit.

What we have is a well made house for basic purposes that has been momentarily invaded by a bunch of skanks who are bent on raiding the fridge and piddling on the carpet. It could really be seen as evidence of the real value of the site.


Allow me to explain enhanced utility. I design blogs where the link sets are actually more useful than my scribbles. I have found ways to gather stuff from all over the web and organize the url links into groupings that people can actually use.

So I like this thing because it is a resource for synopsis of polling data and real time information on the array of congressional contests in all 50 states. Johnny Venom's economic diaries have been priceless and I even forwarded one to a Boston Globe biz reporter about cargo container costs as a death knell to globalization.

Bishop Rook did an entry that I quoted in my blog and people loved it.

So I would urge all you honest passionate contributers to consider the possibility that you can reclaim this by just building enhanced utility, having some fun and sharing actual useful stuff from your own distinct worlds. There is no reason that this place can't be a ball where the core outlook of rooting for a better world and life meets all the resources and ways this can be done.

The trolls will wither. The disgruntled PUMAs will eventually get over it and the vile GOP is doomed.



Display:


Re: Reclaiming MyDD (2.00 / 6)

Right on.
Thank you for a positive, encouraging diary.
As one of the aforementioned souls, I needed to hear something like this.
* Hums Mr. Rogers theme *
by Maori on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 09:27:52 PM EST

Re: Reclaiming MyDD (2.00 / 4)

Maori, aah those amazing magnificent New Zealand people.Once they were warriors and that is what we need to do now. I am here to encourage, And if it brought that to you, well I have done my job. There are macro forces beyond any president's control that the Bush Mess has only made worse. As Radio Birdman sang, the hand of the law is coming down.

Inform and empower yourself on all useful things like the old people who fought in World War Two and protect yourself from an idiot manipulative 'consumer' culture that sees you as a walking profit center and you will be fine. Self reliance is the code of the road it the troubled times ahead.


by chris rich on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 12:13:53 AM EST
[ Parent ]

yeah baby. (2.00 / 3)

i like your style.
(and diary too!)
"Democracy! Bah! When I hear that word I reach for my feather Boa!" -- Allen Ginsberg
by canadian gal on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 09:29:45 PM EST

Re: yeah baby. (2.00 / 4)

Canadian Gal, you have a heart the size of Ontario. We can easily reclaim this mess by merely generating an honest sense of excitement about what the world can easily be. We do not need to waste time dueling with every pathetic troll and neurotic that belabors a falling sky.

There is so much amazing stuff going on all around us and we can share our lore around the cyber campfire and the anxious will be drawn in by the very creation of the sense of belonging they long for.

How could this possibly be worse then the usual ridiculous bicker parade we now see. My life is about constructive engagement and I managed to deeply move people who voted for Bush and then regretted it.

I would listen to them and give them actually useful advice about life problems and build bridges to human souls. The idiot progressives just build walls to enclose the 'like minded'.. lazy bastards.. bridges take a lot more work as they argue with gravity.


by chris rich on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 11:37:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]

yep, she's alright! (2.00 / 1)

I'd like to connect offline, Chris.  Drop me an email - chris@blask.org.

And just because I have been listening to various version of this recently, I'll share this one:


Motley Moose: Progress Through Politics
by chrisblask on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 11:54:15 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: yeah baby. (2.00 / 1)

One major improvement would be if you and others would stop the childish name calling. You probably don't agree, but calling someone a "troll" or neurotic is considered name calling, and it is not constructive.


by zenful6219 on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 12:55:30 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I'm really surprised (2.00 / 1)

that you would find this diary of value considering the extremely offensive and sexist attacks on Clinton supporters.  I see no productive value to it whatsoever unless the goal is to further inflame and insult.  

Calling Clinton supporters "skanks" is no different than describing Obama supporters with a racial slur and then telling them to get a sense of humor.


by Radiowalla on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 10:15:31 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I'm really surprised (2.00 / 1)

Interesting that you thought 'skanks' referred to Clinton supporters rather than to Republicans trying to create chaos here.


by royce on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 11:46:38 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I'm really surprised (2.00 / 1)

A common complaint I see involves the "theory" that Republicans have "operatives" seeding chaos on left-leaning political blogs. Does anyone have any actual proof that they're doing that? I'm not talking about rumors or myths, but real, verifiable proof. I think a lot of the problem on these blogs is paranoia and inability to accept differences of opinion.


by zenful6219 on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 01:04:07 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I'm really surprised (none / 0)

here's proof. anyone in the world (except maybe China) can get a userID here.  Lefties are not the only people who have access to an internet or blog.
There are people here tearing down the democratic nominee and saying Maverick ain't so bad.  They list smears innuendo and lies that come straight off of Faux news and republican hit pieces.

In law, you don't have to have a video tape of the crime to put someone in jail: it is beyond a reasonable doubt that republican operatives go to Democratic sites to cause chaos and vice versa.
Even a lower standard of proof in civil matters.

No this isn't about free speech or a difference of opininon and anyone who would actually believe this is a untrue theory is either naive or full of it.  No one with a brain and capability to find a website and type on it can be that naive.  Enjoy your day wingnut.  :)

I cannot believe I just wasted all that time feeding this thing.  This was the dumbest fucking elementary post I just responded to, god damn the joke is on me!!!


by KLRinLA on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 05:13:16 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Thanks for the name calling (none / 0)

I can't believe you wasted all of your time either. By the way, I'm not going to engage in name calling the way you have. I'm a Democrat who understands paranoia and doesn't appreciate stifling opinions.


Your "proof" that Republican operatives are working to influence left-leaning politicial blogs is ridiculous. Obtaining a user ID doesn't prove anything relevant. I appreciate the fact that right-wing folks can post on a blog like MyDD. I guarantee you that, if I were to go on just about any right-wing blog and post a counter opinion regarding the Republicans, my account would be closed. They don't accept dissension. I don't like living in a bubble, the way our current President does. As long as our right-wing friends don't violate the community standards on MyDD, more power to them.


If you find someone tearing down Obama or the Democratic party, like name calling, or spreading lies, then you should report them. But, keep in mind, dissent is not "tearing down." And, name calling doesn't help.

by zenful6219 on Thu Aug 07, 2008 at 12:30:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: MOJO'd and REC'd (1.60 / 5)

for 'skanks'.


"But not me personally were those cheers for"
by QTG on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 09:43:51 PM EST

Re: MOJO'd and REC'd (1.50 / 4)

Yeah 'Skank'is a fairly funny word and fits a lot of the crazed GOP fringe to a 't'. Consider Larry Craig and his 'wide stance' problem or McCain's offer of his life saving, career building missus to a biker spectacle? GOP.. look up 'Skank' in a dictionary.


by chris rich on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 11:46:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Reclaiming MyDD (2.00 / 4)

Well said.


by wasder on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 10:20:54 PM EST

Re: Reclaiming MyDD (2.00 / 2)

Aww, I believe in your kindness. I believe in your passion and I believe in your intelligence. The best way to fix this old house is to make valuable and fun content and share our resources.

Consider the troll invasion to be like the boobs in a party that everyone else recoils from. I will not be a blog whore or even give you the url but, trust me, I have made an enhanced utility thing where you can link to piles of valuable stuff for real work.

A simple hint, google 'Slob Chic' If you wish.


by chris rich on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 10:32:56 PM EST

A bunch of WHAT???? (1.50 / 8)

Skank is a slang and pejorative term used in English to describe a certain type of female. [1][2] The term "skank" differs from that of "slut" in that whereas the latter implies only sexual promiscuity; the former also implies poor taste, personally degrading behaviour and low socioeconomic class.[citation needed] Also used as slang for lower class female that is dirty or not presenting herself well. Other skank behaviors can include being obsessed with celebrity lifestyle and emulating it. In recent years "Skank" (or "Skankster") is also used in some parts of the U.K to describe unappealing individuals of either sex with habitual poor personal hygiene, most notably long-term drug addicts; a usage in some ways harking back to its original application. Originally denoting a bad smell[citation needed] or a filthy surface[3], "skank" has come to refer to someone who is physically repugnant for their filth, and figuratively applied to someone who is morally or socially repugnant for their behavior and demeanor, most often sexual conduct.[4]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skank

This is supposed to be funny?   So much for party unity.


by Radiowalla on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 11:46:12 PM EST

Re: A bunch of WHAT???? (1.71 / 7)

Now Radio.. you are merely allowing yourself to hyperventilate over the conventional received definitions as if linguistics was some granite etched thing. Did you ever make your own coinages or words? Do you understand play? I helped coin a word, years ago..blij...meaningless complexity.

In my world 'skank' is genderless. Philologists haven't caught up yet as they are a stodgy bunch. What a pity that you rely on them. Languages grow like weeds and received definitions change like leaves on trees. Just a point on understanding it all. Before it was written, it was spoken and definitions are slippery and change with usage patterns.. You didn't know?


by chris rich on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 11:55:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Now, chris (2.00 / 4)

You are too cute by half.   Pat the poor little dears on the head and tell them they just don't understand your linguistics.   How patronizing.


by Radiowalla on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 12:00:01 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Well (1.50 / 2)

liguistically speaking, would someone be justified in voting for a man who publicly called his wife a cunt because a blogger with no ill intent toward women at all referred to McTrolls as skanks?


"But not me personally were those cheers for"
by QTG on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 12:21:10 AM EST
[ Parent ]

He did call her that years ago. BUT (1.25 / 4)

he is now courting the women's vote. Unlike his opponent.


by catfish2 on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 02:00:26 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: He did call her that years ago. BUT (2.00 / 1)

Like this Catfish?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phjDm05E9 Qw

"Miss Buffalo chip"?


"harlequin speech of suicide, demanding instantaneous lobotomy"
by nogo postal on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 11:31:24 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Well (none / 0)

I think like other  words that still exist in our 'global' vocabulary, they should be not be used in any context, whether pejoratively or graphically.

Should you want to argue he is an a-hole or simply state that he has called his wife the equivalent by the use another descriptor, that would be I believe within your rights, and it's your opinion and your argument.

Also, I think you may be jumping the gun in your sensitivity as to suggest that anyone would be justified to vote for him, because of the actions of one blogger.  Linguistically speaking.

A singular event a pattern does not make.


He that lives upon hope, will die fasting. -Ben Franklin
by TxDem08 on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 10:49:55 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: A bunch of WHAT???? (none / 0)

Bullshit.


by Tolstoy on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 10:49:26 AM EST
[ Parent ]

NO U! (none / 0)


by JJE on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 01:35:07 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: A bunch of WHAT???? (1.37 / 8)

Is there something about the definition of "skank" that you don't like, spaceman?  It is such an ugly word, isn't it?  That must be why you gave it a zero, to hide it from view.  


by Radiowalla on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 11:56:28 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: A bunch of WHAT???? (1.20 / 5)

No.

You are an obvious troll.

I could care less what you wrote.


Welcome to a landslide WITH white working class, latinos, women and holding on sweeties!!!
by spacemanspiff on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 12:09:23 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: A bunch of WHAT???? (1.80 / 5)

Thank you spaceman spiff. Not that I need defense from a hyperventilator with a humor problem. My point turns on an honest reclamation where we all support each other, have a sense of humor and actually have fun watching the deranged corporate GOP eviscerate itself. Welcome to the party.


by chris rich on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 12:22:35 AM EST
[ Parent ]

I think he meant a bunch of (none / 0)

stoned Bob Marley fans.

Those types are always raiding the fridge.


by JJE on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 01:00:28 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Reclaiming MyDD (none / 0)

Thank you chris rich. Very uplifting. I have read too many sad diaries this evening.


The Moose is on the loose. "And I scream at the top of my lungs, what's going on?"
by Hollede on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 12:25:12 AM EST

Re: Reclaiming MyDD (none / 0)

Thank you Hollede,

If something I wrote moved you then I have done my job. We need to banish this sad worship at the altar of fear. We must become magical confident people and use the amazing resources at our fingertips to ruthlessly unearth eternal truths and then go and act on them. We must share our lore.

The current scary writhings of corporate oligarchs facing collapse from their own self made messes is not our problem. They will face the consequences of their own avarice. We are here to celebrate their demise and make a better thing from the fragments.

The transition will be at once terrifying and delightful and we must prepare for it as it will happen.


by chris rich on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 01:12:06 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Reclaiming MyDD (2.00 / 1)

That moved me. That moved me very much, thank you again.

I am all for "celebrate(ing) their demise and
mak(ing) a better thing from the fragments".


The Moose is on the loose. "And I scream at the top of my lungs, what's going on?"
by Hollede on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 01:20:21 AM EST
[ Parent ]

MyDD seredipity (2.00 / 2)

A minor event, to underscore Chris's point of the value of this site, despite its flaws...

Personally, I approach Linfar's diaries with a certain amount of trepidation. I'm not articulate or politically astute enough to say why or to engage with her intelligently, in order to express my disagreements.

But... I do read her diaries. And one I read a couple weeks ago was about Plumpynut, a dietary supplement that doctors are trying to get to malnourished children. Her diary focused on the work done in Niger.

So, two Sundays ago, I was socializing with a small group of fellow congregants after the service at my Unitarian Universalist church. The high school youth group was serving lunch, and one of the guys, Len, a dedicated social activist in his seventies was eating one of their sandwiches, peanut butter and jelly. He said that it was too bad it wasn't his favorite, peanut butter and banana, and we riffed off on our favorite peanut butter sandwiches. (Mine: Peanut butter with mustard, bacon bits, and a slice of raw onion.)

Then Len said, "Actually, speaking of peanut butter and important things, one of our sister churches in the Philippines has communicated a concern about malnutrition there, actually, they said starvation. And there's this product, with peanut butter..."

Me: (Groping around in my brain for the info Linfar gave me.) Plumpynut. Peanut butter, powdered milk and sugar, and vitamins and minerals. Doesn't need refrigeration. Or clean water, to reconstitute it.

Len: (Looking at me with complete astonishment.) Yes! Where did you hear about it?

Me: Oh, this blog I read.

So, um, now me and Len are trying to track down a source of powdered milk, so some folks in the Philippines can make their own Plumpynut.


There had better be cheese at the end of this maze...
by LoosCanN on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 03:53:26 AM EST

it's not rocket science (2.00 / 2)

If you have original analysis or a newsworthy story to report, put up a diary.

If you don't have much to say, don't post a diary. Put a comment in an open thread.

Ignore the troll diaries.


Join the Iowa progressive community at Bleeding Heartland.
by desmoinesdem on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 08:09:40 AM EST

Desmoinesdem, (none / 0)

you who are a blogger whom I truly respect, please tell me what you think about diaries that use sexist language to inflame and derogate?  It seems to me that this diary contributes nothing more than fuel to a fire that everyone is trying to extinguish.  Clinton supporters are NOT fully onboard with the Obama camp and diaries like this one make the jump even less inviting.


by Radiowalla on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 10:22:22 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Reclaiming MyDD (none / 0)

My new favorite McCain clip

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phjDm05E9 Qw

Me?
I will continue to rec
I will continue mojo
I may even write the occasional diary...

I ain't leavin' cause I love to dance to much..

get up and dance!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNXj-SCx5 dY&feature=related


"harlequin speech of suicide, demanding instantaneous lobotomy"
by nogo postal on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 10:19:11 AM EST

TAKE BACK MYDD (none / 0)

Take it all the way back!


by Jerome Armstrong on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 11:38:18 AM EST

Is this snark? (1.66 / 3)

I hope/wish not, but I have a feeling.


Even John McCain lusts after teh engels.
by sricki on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 05:54:12 PM EST
[ Parent ]

What the heck are you saying, Jerome? (none / 0)

You know, we're human beings.  You can talk to us, with actual sentences full of words and ideas.

It's your blog, you can turn it on and off and paint it green if you want to - actually talking to the people who use it isn't going to change that.  It might even give you some good ideas.  You might find folks understanding, maybe even helpful.

But instead we get the odd crumb like this which can be read 17 different ways, and that's it.

I read it as: "Take it all the way back to what it was long ago when I actually enjoyed it.", but I'm just guessing.  Like everyone else.

You started something.  You were early to the game, you put together something that has been replicated and spun off and in whole turned into one of the major forces in the world.  I honestly can't tell what your intentions are or what your state of mind is in regards to the whole thing (maybe just tired of it all?), but I can assure you that for those of us here, now, we are just as willing to talk with you as we are anyone else.  Moreso, in many ways, because you have a broad perspective and a unique history.

But we can't read you mind so we simply guess, and likely guess wrongly.

-be good

-chris


Motley Moose: Progress Through Politics
by chrisblask on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 09:38:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Reclaiming MyDD (none / 0)

Thanks for the positive diary. Things will turn around.


by Mae Scott on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 01:41:34 PM EST

Re: Reclaiming MyDD (2.00 / 1)

A couple of weeks ago I was called on an opinion I voiced in a comments section because my status was apparently too new to this forum to be allowed expression.  Since then I have studiously avoided posting on diaries like this although I have continued to stop by to read Todd's front page articles and scan the diary titles.

Every day there is at least one diary like this, on one side or the other of this issue.  As long as there is a group of posters here determined to derail the conversation, all of the conversations become derailed.  

This diary was about enhancing the utility of MyDD.  And wound up talking about the language the Republican candidate uses to degrade his wife.

Meanwhile, Barack Obama just toasted some newscaster (using the term loosely) in Las Vegas for using John McCain's talking points in an interview.

The more time spent on nonsense, the less time spent on issues.  Or is that the plan?


by Susan from 29 on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 04:57:37 PM EST


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