:)
In other words, they will be banned if they do what TPP did here, or what "VADem4Ever" is on the edge of doing as well.
I think you would be surprised how progressive TPP is.
If you continue to operate as a site for synchophants who "troll" all other views out of existance, you will hurt, not help, your cause.
TPP is on you side. He (or she) is a Democrat. He (or she) is also your conscience. Someone needs to contain you when you go "over the top."
During his lifetime, the first Thomas Paine was alternately loved and hated. But history showed that Paine played a critical role in moving our nation in the right direction.
Remember, that Lowell arbitrarily banned TPP from this blog. Lowell went against the wishes of those who participate on his blog. The bloggers who participated in Lowell's poll on the fate of TPP voted overwhelmingly to let him stay.
(It was actually funny to read some of Lowell's rants against Paine the Patriot. On a few occasions, some of us were worried that Lowell would have a stroke or at least blow HIS toupee off his head.)
The banning of TPP by Raising Kaine was wrong. It is time to right that wrong, just as it is time for Jim Webb to publicly embrace and welcome all of those good Democrats who supported Miller into his campaign.
Lowell, remembers that PhriendlyJamie actually blew some kisses at TPP on NLS after the primary when he called on the Webb supporters to stop fighting with each other and keep their eye on the prize -- to Dump George Allen.
Quick review of why TPP was banned: not for his/her views, but for being a disruptive force on this blog, for taking over entire threads, for launching outrageous/ad hominem/"over-the-top" attacks, and for basically being the textbook definition of "troll." Why in god's name would I let someone like back onto RK? And why would he/she WANT to be allowed back on RK, which he/she hates so much? Bizarre.
There was a lot of talk about TPP being an Miller troll (and therefore really a Democrat). But there was also talk of TPP being an Allen troll.
TPP said we'd be surprised to find out who it really was - but that s/he was really a Democrat.
I suggest we simplfy it:
Real Democrat = TPP is welcomed back
Allen Troll = TPP stays banned
Free speechers take note: Real Republicans are also welcome on the site. If TPP is really a Republican he would remain banned for trolling and mis-represnting himself.
I am shocked that Lowell and others would demand that TPP identify him or herself and open up TPP to the kind of criticism and vitriol that other public officials who endorsed Miller have been subjected to across the blogosphere.
But the real question here is whether Lowell was justified in banning TPP when those who voted in the poll created by Lowell voted overwhelmingly to keep TPP. Banning TPP was Lowell's decision, not the blogosphere's decision. Rather than reflect first amendment values, his arbitrary decision reflects McCarthy-like values.
After Webb's primary victory, a number of bloggers publicly apologized for their over-the-top comments about Miller and Miller supporters. Maybe TPP's postings helped some of them realize that they were harsher than needed during the primary campaign.
Unfortunately, Lowell's comments about TPP and demands that she reveal herself are indicative of the ill-will that the Webb camp still feels toward Webb supporters.
If this attitude doesn't change, our hopes for a Webb victory in November will be dashed by overblown egos and petty disputes.
Free TPP and help unite Democrats behind Jim Webb!
I meant to say "Miller" supporters...
There's too much talent to be wasted and wrapped around this non-issue commenter. If there's any more of it of this tangent, he or she has won. Maybe he/she already has. The point in the first place was to distract us. Eye on the prize (paraphrase), someone else wisely said to me when I was upset about the outrageous charges of the trolls. And that person is right.