On tenor and tone

by Brian Leubitz [courtesy of Calitics: Soapblox California - Front Page]

Intimidation is a funny thing, if it works, you get yourself some loyal subjects who hate you. If it doesn't work? Well, then you get a whole bunch of people riled up and buckling under the weight of a failed gorilla. (I mix my metaphors well too, Sean Penn)

The resolutions process of the CDP convention was, let's say disappointing.  It lacked transparency and adding the quorum BS set a whole group of people off.  All in all, not cool.  And so, people on this very blog called the party out on its failures.  In response to that, some individuals more ensconced at the CDP bristled at that criticism and said as much, and more.  Unsurprisingly, people here did not take too kindly to that.

Some of Mr. Hanna's suggestions are well taken. Someone should have been there. While no regular posters of this blog were proponents of any of the four net neutrality resolutions, it is true that the proponent should have been there.  However, it is hard to take your medicine when condescension is served along side.

I want the conversation, and I think many appreciate the insight into the process. But the process is just that, a process. It should not be used to stifle, to intimidate, or to threaten. And on this blog, the intimidation of the netroots will not be suffered.  That being said, I have always engendered to create an atmosphere where everybody is welcome, and so civility is important.  Everybody should know that, and now, everybody can consider themselves warned. We have rules around here.

So, let's get this right. Because while the establishment may not recognize the importance of net neutrality, it is at the heart of modern democracy. Our ideas will hold up against the best, so let's let the ideas do the talking.