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LAS14

(15,272 posts)
Wed May 21, 2025, 07:53 PM May 21

Tim Shriver's challenge. How many DUers would subscribe to the pledge to keep their language at level 5 or above? [View all]

Time Shriver (yes, some sort of cousin to RFK Jr.) is on a campaign to mitigate the divisions in our country. Does this ring a bell for you?

Go here for more info.

ONE
Level one escalates from violent words to violent actions. It’s a combination of feeling the other side is less than human and calling for or approving violence.
The Subtext
They're not even human. It's our moral duty to destroy them before they destroy us.

TWO
Level two accuses the other side not just of doing bad or being bad, but promoting evil.
The Subtext
Those people are evil and they're going to ruin everything if we let them. It's us or them.

THREE
Level three attacks the other side’s moral character, not just their capabilities or competence.
The Subtext
We’re the good people and they’re the bad people. It’s us vs. them.

FOUR
Level four mocks and attacks the other side’s background, their beliefs, their commitment, their competence, their performance.
The Subtext
We’re better than those people. They don’t really belong. They’re not one of us.

FIVE
Level five listens to the other side’s point of view and respectfully explains their own goals, views, and plans.
The Subtext
The other side has a right to be here and a right to be heard. They belong here too.

SIX
Level six sees it as a welcome duty to work with the other side to find common ground and act on it.
The Subtext
We always talk to the other side, searching for the values and interests we share.

SEVEN
Level seven wants to fully engage the other side - discussing the deepest disagreements they have to see what breakthroughs they can find.
The Subtext
We fully engage with the other side, discussing even values and interests we don't share, open to admitting mistakes or changing our minds.

EIGHT
I can see myself in every human being, I refuse to hate anyone, and I offer dignity to everyone.
The Subtext
Each one of us is born with inherent worth, so we treat everyone with dignity--no matter what.|here] for more info.

19 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
What level should have been used during the rise of Nazism? Frasier Balzov May 21 #1
Merrick Garland set the notsee free. Clouds Passing May 21 #3
A noble challenge...but I'm old testament, not new. pecosbob May 21 #2
Level Nine GusBob May 21 #4
On a day when my patience is strong, I could maybe do seven, CrispyQ May 21 #5
It's an admirable goal but it does not reflect our society anymore. walkingman May 21 #6
Sorry, I can't go past Level 2. Midnight Writer May 21 #7
I'd need alcohol and drugs stillcool May 21 #8
lol chowder66 May 21 #9
One likes to think DU has people from the smarter end of the left... LAS14 May 23 #10
This message was self-deleted by its author LAS14 May 23 #11
How many DUers would subscribe to the pledge to keep their trolling at level 0? demmiblue May 23 #12
What is your definition of "trolling" in this context? nt LAS14 May 25 #15
More both siderism - more symmetric thinking - more pablum. harumph May 23 #13
The thing to watch out for, I think, is treating conversation... LAS14 May 25 #16
Remembering that Trump led the Jan 6th "Level One" event muriel_volestrangler May 23 #14
See my reply #16. nt LAS14 May 25 #17
Since "the other side" re-elected Trump after Jan 6th, Level 5 for anyone who voted Trump in 2024 muriel_volestrangler May 25 #19
Under the current circumstances, why would I want to do that? hatrack May 25 #18
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