Time for a RedState Reality Check and an Apology
By Erick Posted in Bad Specialist Bad | Blogosphere | DailyKos | redstate — Comments (62) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
Moe was going to put this up under this name. He wrote it. As Editor of the site, however, I think it is my responsibility to take responsibility for this. The offending user has been privately chastised and will be banned if he ever does anything like this again. Thanks to Moe, though, for writing this and his willingness to make the apology — Erick
OK, time for a little reality check.
If you were paying attention last night, you might have noticed that, for some reason only known to God, we got a very strange diary popping up on the site - and by "very strange" I mean "highly disturbing, and we reported it to the relevant authorties." While we make good faith efforts to keep things down to a dull roar, stuff like this happens in sites where comments and diaries are not screened before they show up. What should not happen is that any of our readers should think that it's a good idea to take obviously disturbed garbage inflicted upon us and repost it on other sites. That happened last night, which is why I now have to offer an apology on behalf of this site to both Markos Moulitsas and the readers of Daily Kos for the actions of one of our commenters.
Now, I understand that many people seem to think that there is, or that there needs to be, some sort of Grand Blogospheric Conflict between the Left and the Right sides. This is nonsensical, particularly when it comes to RedState. We are not interested. What we are interested in is political activism; our goal is to further conservative and Republican policies, which does not mean getting involved in single-combat warfare with the Daily Kos. From our point of view, the only use that Daily Kos has is to serve as a handy Awful Example of what progressives sound like when they think no moderates and/or conservatives are listening. Other than that, they're frankly irrelevant to what we need to do here.
Now, I understand that they obsess over us - precisely why is a good sociological question, given that we have, what, one-twentieth of their traffic? One-fortieth? Heck, let me grin and call it one-hundreth if that's what it takes to move on - and that some of you may find it pleasant to cause them trouble. If you have to do that - if you absolutely, positively have to do that, which I think that you shouldn't - don't drag it back here to this site. We don't roll that way. We also don't feel like giving them either the satisfaction or the validation that rolling that way would give them, so kindly don't involve us in these sorts of games. Besides, if you really want to tick the Online Left off, there are much simpler, and much more satisfying ways. Elect Republicans. Get a conservative agenda passed. Volunteer for campaigns. Win.
Liberals purely hate it when we do all of that.
Time for a RedState Reality Check and an Apology 62 Comments (0 topical, 62 editorial, 0 hidden) Post a comment »
Spirited away from the site and out of the RSS feed.
It was posted by someone who is clearly mentally disturbed about their infatuation with a celebrity and anger toward their celebrity, etc.
Huh. ok.
I don't often check blogs during the evening, as it is my guilty pleasure while I am on hold with municpalities or need a mental break from the horrors of municipal code and regulations.
At home I have rum to do that.
BTW, I did want to say that despite disagreements with some posters here, this is QUICKLY becoming my favorite blog, even moreso than my former 'favorite blog' where I was a member for around 4 years.
You have a good place here and I greatly appreciate being a (even insignificant) member.
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Dependence is Slavery.
Well done Erick, and Moe.
And Lance, it was a sad, confused diary that had all the hallmarks of mental illness, and ended with sinister overtones; the right call has been made all around.
Well, I'm sure it was if they're apologizing to KOS for it.
No doubt, though, that such things end up being used as 'proof' of the evil conservatives. . . the left loves doing that.....
Even misrepresenting groups to make them look conservative. After all, David Duke was evil, but Robert Byrd was not.... (Though, David Duke sure has jumped off into looney land since the Republicans gave him the boot.)
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Dependence is Slavery.
It takes stones for a man to admit when a wrong has been committed, whether he is solely responsible or not. I echo LanceKates' statement above...this is a community that in all matters tends towards civil (though occasionally heated, which is absolutely okay with me) and rational debate, with an emphasis on facts and reason. Like most of the community, I didn't a chance to see the offending post, and my morbid curiosity is piqued. However, I appreciate your vigilance on this, and all other matters, as it reflects integrity and professionalism. Kudos to you, the rest of the site Editors, Moderators, Contributors and the Community at large. This place feels like home for me, intellectually. Keep up the good work.
As the author of this particular apology, Moe also deserves big credit. My comments above stand, but I did forget to include Moe by name. Shame on me. I hope he doesn't unleash the hounds on me now :)
Cry "Havok!" and let slip the dogs of war...
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Dependence is Slavery.
I that it was another joke post by a New sign up.
Like a Redscan type post...I did not read carefully enough.
I am totally stupid..all I thought it would get is a laugh over at DKOS.
I was totally clueless how that would be recieved.
Erick and everybody at redstate ..I am Sorry.
And had I not known what I know about situations like that, I might have discounted it as well.
Some of us with certain experiences and professional training are better positioned to see red flags. Hopefully, you'll learn from this experience.
(At the same time, I did entertain consideration that this might be a hoax, so some degree of skepticism was certainly warranted on your part. Your response, however, was not warranted, and you've been duly chastised by the site owners.)
I hear your apology, and it's time to move on. I've appreciated your other contributions here at RedState.
What is y'all's take on redscan, and what do you think that person's agenda is?
There's a reason I'm asking......:)
Just wondering if you can expand on the poster? Over the last week i've noticed alot of people who seem out of place and who all have new accounts. I wouldn't doubt us having the web version of these people who say a hate crime was enacted against them even though they did it themselves, a few times people who post pure left BS then go on to Post something Hateful trying to act like they are from the right.
Voting for the Sexy(Pres) - Sexy(VP) Dream Ticket
Jindal/Palin 2012
It was posted by a brand-new sign up. It was not even in the same galaxy as drive-by posters from the left. Rather this was a plea for help, which hopefully will get heard.
Thank you directors/moderators for taking action. That diary really did require you to report the author to the local authorities, as it clearly appeared to be a call for intervention from a person with longstanding and deteriorating mental-health issues who was slipping out-of-control and had arguably become a threat to himself or others.
For those who missed it, this diary fell into the category of those "warning signs" preceding some horrendous crime that you read about after the fact as having gone unheeded - except hopefully this time the "warning signs" will be heeded in time by the police/medical community and the author receive the help he has long needed so that something horrific won't occur.
And I also commend you Erick for taking responsibility for our RedState member's immature and inappropriate response to this diary - for taking a stance for civility and respect for one's antagonist and all those other conservative civic values that too easily get trampled in today's hyperventilating political environment.
He really took the responsibility and initiative on this. I'm just stealing his thunder.
I will be going 'Laura' for 7 days...Sorry again and see you next Week
Dude, do what you feel you need to do for penance, but that seems a little strong.
Maybe wash & wax Moe's Ferrari and Erick's Lamborghini, that's probably enough, don't ya think?
Unfair. Unbalanced. Unmedicated. -- IMAO
While I did not read the diary in question, going on the comments in this thread I get the impression that Moe and Erick have done something I should thank them for.
As your resident (as yet unbanned) liberal, thank you. Civility is a good backstop when mutual respect fails (which it sadly does from time to time).
Be well.
if you are actually playing it straight, I'll tell you that if you stick to that here at RS, you will never face banning. We have several that are 2+ years running.
Unfair. Unbalanced. Unmedicated. -- IMAO
I've been here more than two months. I try to be civil, but I expect the same in return. Generally that's worked.
I've got a blog up if you're curious.
I was wondering if you had been banned until you showed up yesterday. I think you may be the second longest running liberal on here (after Addison).
Now also found at The Minority Report
However, I haven't heard from him here at RedState in quite a while. Anybody know what happened to him?
There are many thousands, maybe millions, of people on his side who could learn from his example.
I also saw Gengisdon. He's been here for a while too. Too few good lefties I guess.
Now also found at The Minority Report
Probably skiing and what all. I seem to remember he was gonna take a little sabbatical, but be back once the general race got heated up. Not sure if I remember that correctly.
Unfair. Unbalanced. Unmedicated. -- IMAO
I think Rational Liberal has been here longer than Han, but I could be mistaken.
P.S. Who is Addison?
...a long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right...
---Thomas Paine---
"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it."
-Thomas Paine: The American Crisis, No. 4, 1777
What happened to him/her? I have not seen him/her post a comment in weeks maybe months.
...a long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right...
---Thomas Paine---
... I appreciate the care and civility of posts on RedState (the irony of the site's name always gives me a chuckle). It's good to see that civil discourse is still valued on both the Right and Left.
Keep up the conscientious work. We need you conservatives to keep us liberals from spending all your money.
It was USA Today's famous map of the Bush-Gore election, and yes, many of us have noted the irony that Republicans were shown as red and Democrats as blue. Should have been the reverse, but it stuck.
Unfair. Unbalanced. Unmedicated. -- IMAO
We were the challenger. My understanding is that the challenger got red.
[Or was it that the colors alternated. I don't remember which.]
Remember how Reagan painted the map Blue in 84.
Now also found at The Minority Report
The US Atlas has published maps of the elections for years; we were *always* blue.
Further, Red is the color of the center-left socialists worldwide. It *suits* the Democrats to use it.
It is true that the television networks changed it up from year to year, network to network. But they were never big on tradition or anything, heh.
I know Neil always goes by that rule of thumb. [I kid, I kid....]
Seriously , I DO know that Fred always goes by that rule of thumb.
Unfair. Unbalanced. Unmedicated. -- IMAO
Red is the traditional Western color of radicals (btw: the Free Soil position of the Republican Party was once upon a time an extremely radical position). Anarchists, Syndicatists, Red Tories, and many others have traditionally used it as their color. In the 19th and early 20th century communists and their fellow travelers tried to claim unique ownership of the color, but were ultimately unsuccessful.
...a long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right...
---Thomas Paine---
I rather like the symbolism of Red State/Blue State. The Red State represents the true RED Blooded American and all that is represented. Blue is the state of the leftist...synonymous with depressed, miserable, down-in-the-dump mental state. They are such unhappy beings...to be pitied.
I don't think that's a universally-applicable description, friend.
I'm happy, up-beat, and confident of my own success. Blue just looks good on me. :)
Perhaps you are more conservative than you think are. :)
...a long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right...
---Thomas Paine---
You must be horribly burdened with such horrible generalized misapprehensions.
You have my sympathies. And my pity.
I go now. It's time for my happy liberal dance..(I just read another assessment of the national mood toward Republicans!)
Hmmmm. Hanson "MmmBop." Yes, that fits my mood.
Or perhaps the Macarena?
We've been tagged with an 'undesirable' label. So wear it proudly. Remember, the Reds chose that color because it works. Red is alive, is good blood, is valentine hearts. If you've blue lips you're cold and nearly dead. If you're a blue-blood then you're out of touch with the common man. Blue just doesn't stand out. If you're using Windows, look at that bottom-of-screen band (the task bar). It is blue because it doesn't stand out. You can't focus on blue neon at night. Take the red and redeem it!
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Never buy a dog and bark for yourself: 'Slippery' Jim DiGriz
BS -- Blue State. And that just doesn't work. :-)
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Never buy a dog and bark for yourself: 'Slippery' Jim DiGriz
Blue State is worse than not working, it is depressing. :)
...a long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right...
---Thomas Paine---
I LIKE RED
Communism isn't the only Red association. Red is the color the stripes on the American flag. Red is the blood of patriots. How often do you hear about red-blooded Americans? And incidentally, what does one think of blue-bloods?
Red is the color of action. Red is decisive and intense. Red is in flags around the world, including ours and our state flags, because the symbolism is universal.
Psychologically speaking, red is warm, blue is cold (contrary, of course, to physics). Red is energy and passion. Red is sports cars and muscle cars. It's pickup trucks and monster trucks. Red is meat. Red is war and peace. Red is a rose. Red is the rocket's glare.
What does Red mean? Red is every galdurn red-blooded American patriot holding tight to his flag and his values. Damn the torpedoes!
Flashing red eyes of combat. Wet red eyes looking over the red, white, and blue draped burial of a warrior lost.
I like the Red.
"The true colour of life is the colour of the body, the colour of the covered red, the implicit and not explicit red of the living heart and the pulses. It is the modest colour of the unpublished blood." - Alice Meynell
"It can be a fascinating game, noticing how any person with vitality and vigor will have a little splash of red in a costume, in a room, or in a garden" - Edgar Cayce
"I sometimes think that never blooms so red
The Rose as where some buried Caesar bled"
- Edward Fitzgerald
...a long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right...
---Thomas Paine---
that includes other colors. For example, red, white, and blue is not red, red, and red.
Its a matter of personal aesthetics and personal history, but Redstate and Detroit Redwings are just unfortunate in my view.
Communist armies were always the Red Army (both USSR and China), and the armies that opposed them were always the White Army.
For me, those political contexts overpower the non-political contexts.
Of course, words themselves have upside down meanings, as conservatives are better characterized as classic liberals.
its just that for me, those positives are outweighed
of the worst tyrants that have ever ruled over man.
It does not make sense to argue over aesthetics, which despite Objectivist arguments to the contrary, are not really subject to a right or wrong answer.
Red is a primal color with lots of positive connotations, which is why the communist movement used it.
the lively discourse, the inspiration and friendly rewards of reading RS, the site moderation is what holds it all together and makes it work! So kudos to Moe and all the rest who do the right thing, every day.
So the apology has a positive result in reminding all of us that actions have consequences, and not always those we would intend. This will be taken to heart by me as I'm sure it will be by others. Great post, thank you.
The free exchange of ideas inevitably yields both heat and light.
The management here works very hard for a certain level of discourse, and it shows. RS is unique, and I mean that in a good way.
Unfair. Unbalanced. Unmedicated. -- IMAO
This is why I've enjoyed reading this site for months. While yall are completely partisan pretty much all the time, the civil and intelligent discussions of the issues have been great to read. Your respect for your readers and posters here is apparent and much appreciated!
"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it."
-Thomas Paine: The American Crisis, No. 4, 1777
Ok, my interest is high now.... I almost want to ask what the blog was, but if it was THAT bad, I don't want to draw attention to it.
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Dependence is Slavery.