Is Daily Kos founder Markos Moulitsas growing weary of the vitriol being expressed at his blog?
It appears so, as without explaining what incidents precipitated the need for such, Moulitsas posted a warning to his readers Monday referring to "nasty rhetoric" that is "rampant in the primary war diaries."
Maybe Charles Johnson was prescient Sunday when he wrote, "Just doesn't look right to be dissing the military when Kos is trying so hard to be the voice of the Democratic Party."
With that in mind, Markos began his "With Us or Against Us" posting (emphasis added throughout):
There has lately been an alarming rise in diaries and comments that seek to impugn (without evidence) the motives of those they disagree with on various issues.
Yes, there's the impeachment stuff, but this nasty rhetoric is also rampant in the primary war diaries.
This points to a serious breakdown not just on civility, but in the ability of people to properly debate various issues. As such, it presents a serious threat to the integrity of this site.
I much prefer it when the community moderates itself, and for the most part it does a good job of this. The libertarian in me prefers it that way. But sometimes, self-moderation isn't enough. I'll act swiftly and mercilessly when I'm pushed into defending the effectiveness of this site. And at this moment, my patience is wearing thin.
Interesting. Has Markos suddenly been "pushed into defending the effectiveness" of his site? Is it possible that leading Democrats and/or advisors have contacted Moulitsas to warn him that this kind of behavior could make it difficult for them to attend his YearlyKos convention?
Certainly, something is changing here, wouldn't you agree?
As a site, we strive to provide a safe haven for debate on these matters without it getting -- as has happened of late -- so damn ugly.
This is my one and only warning on the matter. I'll try to be an optimist and hope that this is the last time I'll have to address it. I won't let this site become as nasty as your typical usenet forum, and those who encourage that sort of environment should consider themselves duly warned.
It would be interesting to know what diaries or comments have specifically raised Markos' concerns.
As a former member of the military himself, might this disgraceful post Thursday concerning the armed forces helping to create serial killers and mass murders be one of the catalysts? And, what was the point of this post facto update:
And no, Bush won't cancel the next round of elections to remain in power. That's about the most ridiculous conspiracy theory I've seen in a long time. Some people on our side can be just as "out there" as the "black helicopter" crowd.
Coming down on conspiracy theories? That's what this site has been about since its inception.
Anybody get the feeling that Markos has been "ordered" to issue such a warning if he wants to continue to be a Democrat Party insider with access to high-ranking officials and candidates?
Furthermore, with this warning coming so soon after the JetBlue debacle, one has to wonder how that relates. After all, despite his posturing, this had to be an embarrassment, and a highly-publicized one.
Might all of this focus, and JetBlue's decision, be making Democrats leary of future involvement with Markos unless he can quickly wrest back control of the asylum?
Stay tuned.
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters. Follow him at Facebook and Twitter.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
KOS Smack Down
July 23, 2007 - 14:19 ET by mytwocentsI guess this is an attempt to legitimize his site since it is now getting more negative press in that it has so much influence on the Democrat Party.
"The libertarian in me
July 23, 2007 - 14:19 ET by The Wicked Conservative"The libertarian in me prefers it that way."
Whoa! Wiat a minute! What the heck?!? I thought that anyone not espousing liberal would be removed, see Cindy Sheehan
Or is it just that "libertarian" is so much more palatable than Liberal...ugh...gross
You can't save the Earth unless You're willing to make other people sacrifice. Dogbert the Green Consultant summing up the elite left.
He meant to say the
July 23, 2007 - 14:41 ET by Ruths husband BenHe meant to say the librarian in me (referring to Thor the librarian who lives down the hall). Now, I know that was naughty, but I couldn't help myself. I am logging off to wash my brain out with soap.
So that's why Sarc
July 23, 2007 - 15:05 ET by dscottSo that's why Sarc proclaimed himself a Repub the other day???? LOL
“The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane"
Hey, if you ask the spirit
July 24, 2007 - 10:50 ET by sarcasmoHey, if you ask the spirit of Ronald Reagan (or just go look at his words...) one can be BOTH... And I know I'm a stick in the mud on these issues for conservatives, but does anyone else see it as ironic that the S-word appears in the title of a comment on the A. Whitney Brown thread here, right now?
JMR
Markos Moulitsas a libertarian?
July 23, 2007 - 16:00 ET by Dave ROr is it just that "libertarian" is so much more palatable than Liberal
Wicked, I have been a card-carrying member of the Libertarian Party for well over a decade now. Believe me, Markos Moulitsas wouldn't know a real libertarian if one were to run right over his Marxist/Leninist freedom-hating behind.
There is nothing even remotely comparable between liberal & libertarian. Nothing. Zilch. Nadda. Never. No-way, no-how.
Help Fred defeat everybody.
There is ONE thing Dave...
July 23, 2007 - 16:05 ET by Challenger GrimHey! There is the "liber" connection between them. ;-)
Be sure to get your daily Fred Thompson Fact!
Sanity at DailyKos?
July 23, 2007 - 14:21 ET by Free StinkerAmazing. Maybe JetBlue has someting to say?
This was interesting. Kos actually said:
"Update: And no, Bush won't cancel the next round of
elections to remain in power. That's about the most ridiculous
conspiracy theory I've seen in a long time. Some people on our side can
be just as "out there" as the "black helicopter" crowd."
I guess that means ThoughtPolice & LibertyorMeds aren't welcome as DailyKos either! ;-)
I think you are right about
July 23, 2007 - 14:28 ET by Gat New YorkI think you are right about jetBlue. I also think it is also mainstream Dems who are pressuring him to tone it down. Ironically it is him who posts the most hate speech.
So, Kos wants to go legit
July 23, 2007 - 14:39 ET by Ruths husband BenSo, Kos wants to go legit eh? What is he going to do with all the left over tin foil? I spent some time following the thread when Cindy Sheethand got booted and if he is surprised by the vileness that passes for dialogue on his site it can only mean that he hasn't been diving in his own cesspool. I'll bet those Kosonians are quaking in their flipflops now that Kos has laid down the law. "Don't make me come down there!" In the words of the immortal Moe Howard, "What a maroon!"
????
July 23, 2007 - 14:43 ET by dagdaThought that was "'What a macaroon!"
Our real problem, then, is not our strength today; it is rather the vital necessity of action today to ensure our strength tomorrow. Dwight Eisenhower
KOS
July 23, 2007 - 14:56 ET by mytwocentsTin foil offsets?
The problem for the Kos is
July 23, 2007 - 15:00 ET by mattmThe problem for the Kos is that once they get off the vitriolic rhetoric and actually address issues, the vast flaws in Liberalism will become apparent, and the cause of the Kos will be undermined.
It's hard to defend your argument on the merits when your argument is nothing more than cliched' scare tactics or the "politics of personal destruction."
Excellent
July 23, 2007 - 16:16 ET by ThisnThatoberservation, mattm. Here! Here!
TNT
July 23, 2007 - 16:18 ET by Noel SheppardTNT,
FYI: Hear, hear. It's short for "Hear him, hear him!" ns
Thanks,
July 23, 2007 - 17:21 ET by ThisnThatI'll save the exlamations for another time.
Some people on our side can
July 23, 2007 - 15:10 ET by dscottSome people on our side can be just as "out there" as the "black helicopter" crowd.
False moral equivalence, when I come up with a black helicopter theory, it's believable, just ask Noel. <Sarcasm> ROFL
“The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane"
Yeah, you tell 'em!
July 23, 2007 - 21:15 ET by dahliatraversYeah, you tell 'em! Black helicopters are real!
... okay, I have to go. They're circling ...
Kommies will always be what they are: The vilest of the vile.
July 23, 2007 - 15:14 ET by Dave RThere has lately been an alarming rise in diaries and comments that seek to impugn (without evidence) the motives of those they disagree with on various issues.
Lately? Did this guy just recently begin reading his own site?
Noel, I'n not buying it. I think they are running a little scared at the moment only because of the recent light BOR shown upon them over the JetBlue sposorship story. They also do not want to be shunned by big name democrats at their little spit-swapping fest they have coming up. Once that is over, I'm guessing things will be back to "normal" over there.
These are some of the most vehement Marxist, anti-individual, anti-freedom America-haters on the internet, heck, maybe even in the entire country. They are now, and will always be, the intellectual equivalent of internet white trash.
They will never, ever change.
Help Fred defeat everybody.
"Oh Reginold.... I DISAGREE!"
July 23, 2007 - 15:40 ET by Challenger GrimWhile I have NO love for KOS, www.democraticunderg... is the vilest of the vile.
Although sometimes it seems like the KOS Kids really want to take the title. (or this guy)
You know something I thought about. I've heard too often how Little Green Footballs is such a "hate filled" site, especially their comments section.
However, LGF says that they barely regulate the comments there, while DU makes no lie about their Iron First of Censorship (TM).
So which site is more condemed then by the craziest of posters? hmmm..... ;-)
Be sure to get your daily Fred Thompson Fact!
CG,
July 23, 2007 - 15:46 ET by Dave RI got booted at DU after one (rather mild, I thought) comment many moons ago. Haven't bothered to venture in there since.
LOL-Maybe I need to catch up on things, as apparently I know not what I am missing.
Help Fred defeat everybody.
No Dave, you don't
July 23, 2007 - 15:50 ET by Challenger GrimDave, you are not missing ANYTHING, trust me.
All DU threads that are, have been and will ever be can be found at:
http://www.imao.us/a...
But if you insist on abuse, I advise starting out with a filter for your own health
http://dummiefunnies...
(kind of like how you watch bad movies with Mike/Joel, Tom & Crow before watching them 'pure')
Be sure to get your daily Fred Thompson Fact!
CG,
July 23, 2007 - 22:57 ET by Dave RMan, I'd hate to meet some of those people's parents.
Good Lord.
Help Fred defeat everybody.
Challenger Grim
July 23, 2007 - 21:32 ET by(or this guy) Pin-headda? 0 comments all the way
Supreme Court, National Security, Borders, Fiscal Restraint, my litmus test for President.
Huh?
July 24, 2007 - 07:53 ET by Challenger GrimI've left a few "anonomyous" comments on pin-head's site but it became clear that they guy was so delusional I didn't bother after awhile. (He would NOT believe me when I said he got banned form NB for rudeness - even when I linked his worst words he couldn't see how they were "rude")
Still I save his site for a Clinical examples of 1) projection and 2) becoming what you hate.
Be sure to get your daily Fred Thompson Fact!
Waaah!!! Take me seriously!
July 23, 2007 - 15:34 ET by Roger the ShrubberWaaah!!! Take me seriously! Waaah!
lol
July 23, 2007 - 21:13 ET by dahliatraverslol
Noel Sheppard: The Hand which rocks the Liberal World
July 23, 2007 - 15:39 ET by Lame CherryMr. Sheppard, it is a pleasure you posted this today as I wanted to add a point which God inspired me to the other day.
Here you are, just doing your job and vile people on the left are calling you.......well you blogged on the "poverty petite sex act" the other day you were called and now here is KOS warning the Democrat deviant children to fake who they are and be nice in public.
You are rocking the liberal world Mr. Sheppard. Huffington is closing posts as unlike here their bloggers can not be trusted not pick up Tammy Fae and kick her corspe around......yet I was amazed today one of their featured blogger a Dr. Ron Glasser from Minnesovieta who appears to be suffering from psychological trauma yet from Vietnam in treating wounded (He deems himself able to speak for people who actually fought the war in being shot at as the same in sitting in an airconditioned hospital) is making quite a good wage as a writer using American KIA and WIA equating Vietnam with Iraq.
It is one thing to warn bloggers from using the F word which Bill Maher is esteemed for in his diatribes and yet these leftists can not equate it is ghoulish to feature a physician who can not heal himself, but needs God's Peace to overcome his psychopathy and stop using dead soldiers and inflicting grief on their families of which I happen to be one.
I hope that your rocking the liberal world creates an even bigger backlash against the liberal sites as their bloggers are shunned to silence as it will expose them even more. Today my blogs there deleted for simply pasting what Cindy Sheehan said in Democrats are responsible for all the major wars and mayhem of the last century while Ariana Huffington complained about Bush sanitizing the war which is a bogus charge. The work you are doing Mr. Sheppard is exposing that the real Soviet system is the liberal left in banning and deleting blogs.
Your exposure is making them hide who they are. God bless your work as it only makes them more volatile and in that they like all liberals will eat their own.
*HIC IACET ARTORIVS REX QVONDAM REXQVE FVTVRVS
Speaking of Huffington
July 23, 2007 - 16:26 ET by BlondeI heard Sean Hannity interview Ariana Huffington the other nite...they got talking about "Global Warming".
Hannity pointedly questioned her about the hypocricy of advocating cutting back for the "little people" while people like Al Gore & she flew around in private jets. When asked for about the third time about whether she still flew on private jets, she said "Yez, but I buy ze carbon off-zets".
Talk about dumb & dumberer.
You are spot-on....all of this liberal blather is beginning to wear thin. And they obviously know it.
"New York is vhere I'd
July 23, 2007 - 17:13 ET by Del Dolemonte"New York is vhere I'd rather stay,
I get ALLERGIC smelling hay!
I just adore a penthouse view,
Dah-ling I love you but give me Park Avenue
Actually, Air-ianna would probably sing it in Jean-Claude Kerry's favorite language, which would go something like this:
"j`aime New York et son entrain
L`herbe, ça me donne le rhume des foins
J`aime l`animation des carrefours
Je t`adore mon amour mais rends moi mes faubourgs"
Okay Del, Either your
July 23, 2007 - 17:20 ET by BlondeOkay Del,
Either your french is really bad, or mine is worse.
"I adore my love but send me back to the suburbs?"
The Huff Puff was such a total hypocrite on this segment that it was really hard not to laugh out loud. She was dead serious about buying carbon credits as a way to assuage her guilt over flying on private jets (Riiiiiggghttt....like she's ever purchased one in her life, the witch!).
< rolls eyes > These
July 23, 2007 - 21:13 ET by dahliatravers< rolls eyes > These people actually think they are accomplishing something environmentally by buying carbon credits. In fact, they just look two-faced and self indulgent giving that incredibly lame line.
dahl, You should have
July 23, 2007 - 21:26 ET by Blondedahl,
You should have seen Ar-ee-ah-nah as she was spouting this tripe.
Like her (you know what) didn't smell.
It was the funniest thing I've ever seen. Ms. Too-Goody-For-Words with her nose up in the air, with a better face-lift than Hillary's.
Sheesh. These libs are too lame for words!
Buy those carbon credits....Dahl, let's get together and form a CC Firm. I know I can create some better adverts than these libs...they'll buy ours....we'll get RICH!
Think about it....how creditable are we? We don't wantonly throw around the *F-Bomb*....we can totally hoodwink these libtards.
Think about it...I'll be in touch....:)
lol I'm definitely in,
July 23, 2007 - 21:42 ET by dahliatraverslol
I'm definitely in, Blonde. "Carbon-Credits-R-Us". Let's see, we'll plant trees (and hug them), give up our private jets ... what else ...?
Oo, look, Barbra Streisand has some suggestions for us. We have to "Clean out the condenser coil on our refrigerators". How often do you suppose Barbra does that on her refrigerator?
http://www.barbrastreisand.com/index.php?page=statements&n_id=102
Love this gem from Dr.
July 23, 2007 - 15:45 ET by SMGalbraithLove this gem from Dr. Markos Frankenstein addressing his creation: Reasonable people, including progressives, can disagree on many of the big issues we face today.....[without being] so damn ugly.
Including progressives.
Wanna' place a bet on that one, Doc?
SMG
Well, well looks like Kos
July 23, 2007 - 15:48 ET by BlazerWell, well looks like Kos has his first defector. Evidently, A. Whitney Brown didn't get the message. Just follow the link, and check out this no talent neverbeen's weak attempt at being funny. I didn't find the humor in it myself.
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/7/23/114037/956
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
Blazer, maybe you should
July 23, 2007 - 15:51 ET by Challenger GrimBlazer, maybe you should change your sig to mean "Kos/DU"
Peronsally I think there are MUCH more wretched scum and villiany there than in the MSM.
Be sure to get your daily Fred Thompson Fact!
Wow, I'm reading that post
July 23, 2007 - 16:01 ET by Challenger GrimWow, I'm reading that post myself and I think this one sentence tells you all you need to know:
"In fact we should support them more, because a brave man does [sic] but once, whereas a coward dies a thousand deaths."
Yes, the man says we should support cowards even MORE than heroes.
It really is a parrell universe over there. Up is down, black is white, short is long... ("and everything you know is wrong" - sorry, I listen to Weird Al WAY too much).
Never has it been more apparent that the entire site is nothing but a bunch of children who spout off nonsense but think it's "deep" because they can't even comprehend what they just said. (like the moronic phrase "The only truth is that there is no truth")
Be sure to get your daily Fred Thompson Fact!
Daily KKKOS
July 23, 2007 - 17:04 ET by DontFeedTheTrollsEvidently, A. Whitney Brown didn't get the message.
I wonder about idiots like 'A. Whitney Brown'. Doesn't 'A. Whitney Brown' realize that he has put his name to a post (posts?) that any future prospective employer can find just by doing a Google (or similar) search. I know if I were looking to hire someone, one of the first things I would do when I got a resume would be a net search of their name. If I saw anything like this, do you think I would hire this vile man? Best of all, he would never know why he didn't get the job.
D
I don't support our liberals or their mission.
It feels good to think
July 24, 2007 - 03:38 ET by Andrew H.It feels good to think that. Such a loon wouldn't be a good employee.
Liberalism is a convenient lie.
Moulitsas: "OK, class.
July 23, 2007 - 15:51 ET by hydrodynDMMoulitsas:
"OK, class. We're going to have some visitors over the next few months so I'm going to need you all to be on your best behavior.
"That means no more swearing, no more accusing conservatives of being fascist Nazi brownshirt jackboots, no more swearing, no more anti-Semitism, no more swearing, no more calling for the death of Dick Cheney and no more swearing.
"Did I mention no more swearing?
"Oh, and I'll be taking down some of your crayon drawing, like this one that depicts an American soldier as a serial killer. And this one that depicts me giving the finger to the dead body of a Blackwater employee.
"I know that won't leave you with much to do, so just sit quietly and eat your HO HOs"
"But moooom!!!!"
July 23, 2007 - 15:56 ET by Challenger Grim"If we can't do all that, what's the point of even coming here?"
(man this is fun - just imagine the above in cartman's voice)
Be sure to get your daily Fred Thompson Fact!
Screw em!
July 23, 2007 - 15:54 ET by mikejScrew em!
Kos is just doing damage
July 23, 2007 - 15:59 ET by Right2thePointKos is just doing damage control here.
It's not as bad language wise as DU, but a lot of times there is very unbalanced rhetoric there without resorting to obsenities.
I would expect them to add another button under their comments to troll rate language violations to self regulate.
Kos is reacting because he believes they cut their way to some perceived validity during the midterm elections and he doesn't want anybody to derail his hopes of a big bucks gravy train he sees down the road.
Right2... I agree with
July 23, 2007 - 16:17 ET by bigtimerRight2...
I agree with you and LC both with your sentiments....I think it is a mixture of both.
He is crossing the line of imminent danger if he doesn't put this phony tripe (in my opinion) out right about now...he wants to remain self-important, have oodles of money coming in and of course think he does and will always have influence on all elections from here on out.
Me Tarzan....the rest of you are Cheetah's.
Vile is who these people
July 23, 2007 - 16:24 ET by TruthMongerVile is who these people are - also plenty stupid, traitorous, brainwashed, Satan's minions, etc, etc - the Liberal world has defiled any and all of there reason and intellect - it will be very, very difficult to change all that...
Gay haters unite!
why the tag line?
July 23, 2007 - 17:49 ET by Tidy Bowl Manwhy the tag line? Gay haters unite?
He's instigating someone
July 23, 2007 - 17:57 ET by Free StinkerHe's instigating someone who accused him of hating gays.
Kos likes to imagine
July 23, 2007 - 16:18 ET by BlazerKos likes to imagine himself as some Lib demigogue who pulls the puppet strings of the DNC. Looks like someone over at the DNC is starting to pull his. No way he'll be able to manage his stable of moonbats, and get them to tone it down. 2/3 of them are certifiably crazy, and the other 1/3 are probably stoned.
Kos no doubt has acquired a lust for attention, and power, has political aspirations, and wants to go legit. Let him throw his hat in the ring, and the left will chew him up, and spit him out just like they did "Mama Moonbat" Sheehan. Kos created his monster the "DK", and has spouted off enough looney vitriol over there to provide reams worth of material for any one to use against him in the political arena.
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
Memo to Markos
July 23, 2007 - 16:26 ET by habbyguyDoood, if you want to be part of the mainstream media, you've got to ACT like the mainstream media. Yeah, sure, the MM pundits all really THINK all those profane, irrational, logic-free thoughts (exclusively) but have learned to tone it down for their audience, some of whom actually missed the liberal lobotomy sessions. Snap in line and you place in the borg is going to be warm and cozy (if only because you'll be seated between Michael Moore and Jimmy Carter at the convention).
What happens when you start to censor
July 23, 2007 - 17:46 ET by Tidy Bowl ManI will be amazed if they dont start eating their own. I thought that they were all about freedom. Freedom to say whatever (no consequences) Freedom to do whatever (no consequences). When they start to curtail that, the moonbats will turn ugly......... well for them ugly.
Personal responsability Two words that wont be found in any Liberaltarians creed
Doesn't he know?
July 24, 2007 - 19:29 ET by SpockDoesn't he know that Democrats eat their own? This will be very interesting to watch. He may not realize it yet, but he no longer owns that site. It is owned by the bloggers who live there.
He will either be forced to eat his own words, or he will be eaten by those who control him.