when that leader is horribly wrong, than never allowing a pov other than that of the group.
When I first got involved in online discussion forums I was on one that had zero moderation and everyone was free to participate. It was dominated by right wingers who banded together like schoolyard bullies against the 'liberals'. At first I was horrified at how nasty they were. I had never experienced anything like that before.
I was going to leave, as others did, but then I got mad. No one was going to drive me off so I stayed for a couple of years. So did several other liberals. During that time I found a big, Liberal forum. I was so accustomed to being attacked for slamming Bush that when I got there I was shocked that people were so nice.
But they too allowed Conservatives so long as they were respectful and abided by the community standards, which they did. I learned a lot on that forum and the other one. Being challenged on your positions forces you not to be lazy, just say what you THINK and know you will get agreement.
I look back at what I thought was the meanest group of people I ever met on that first forum, and realize, I have been attacked as much on this forum, for expressing liberal views, as I was there. Only now it doesn't phase me.
I discovered the partisan forums around 2003 and after years of participating on them, I have seen more nastiness on them, than any others I was on. I think with the Social Media now, partisan forums are going to be a thing of the past, mainly because of that. I meet a lot of great DUers on Social Media who are no longer posting here. It is far more open and will continue to draw people from forums where namecalling and personal attacks are all that seems to happen, no discussion is possible in such an atmosphere.
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