Nailing Jello to the Wall: progressives

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Writer's Strike at Daily Kos

It is so tiring and stressful to read the Hillary Clinton-bashing that has been allowed to go on at so many if the big "progressive" liberal blogs, such as americablog, Huffington Post, and Daily Kos. I read the quotes taken out of context, the facts misrepresented, and rumors posted as fact, and I am torn between just clicking away and standing up for her. The problem is, if I post a comment that defends Hillary Clinton on any of those sites, I am assured of hateful, often disgusting replies. Sometimes directed at Clinton, sometimes at me. So I've pretty much just given up on those sites.

And that's why I was so pleased to read this post from Alegre, a regular writer at Daily Kos.

I’ve been posting at DailyKos for nearly 4 years now and started writing diaries in support of Hillary Clinton back in June of last year. Over the past few months I’ve noticed that things have become progressively more abusive toward my candidate and her supporters.

I’ve put up with the abuse and anger because I’ve always believed in what our on-line community has tried to accomplish in this world. No more. DailyKos is not the site it once was thanks to the abusive nature of certain members of our community.

I’ve decided to go on "strike" and will refrain from posting here as long as the administrators allow the more disruptive members of our community to trash Hillary Clinton and distort her record without any fear of consequence or retribution. I will not be posting at DailyKos effective immediately. I will not help drive up traffic or page-hits as long as my candidate – a good and fine DEMOCRAT - is attacked in such a horrid and sexist manner not only by other diarists, but by several of those posting to the front page.

I have been checking in on those sites every once in a while, just to see what people are saying. But I have to say I agree with Alegre: I don't want to have any part in driving up their traffic or giving them an audience.

So, in addition to her writer's strike, let's have a reader's strike, as well!

First line from the book I'm currently reading:

“Mrs. Dalloway said she would buy the flowers herself.”
Mrs. Dalloway, by Virginia Woolf

“Summers in Boston were just as hot in 1842 as they are today.”
The Peabody Sisters, by Megan Marshall

“When my family first moved to North Carolina, we lived in a rented house three blocks from the school where I would begin third grade.”
Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, by David Sedaris

“It was seven minutes after midnight.”
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, by Mark Haddon

“There is no reason good can't triumph over evil, if only angels will get organized along the lines of the mafia.”
A Man Without a Country, by Kurt Vonnegut

“My suffering left me sad and gloomy.”
Life of Pi, by Yann Martel

“The world outside the window was in flames.”
Blue Shoe, by Anne Lamott

Fair Use Statement

This site may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. It is posted it here for the purpose of education and commentary.

I believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. The material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.

If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use,' you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.

The material in this site is provided for educational and informational purposes only.