Obama Supporters, let's welcome the Hillary supporters back with open arms (and changed avatars)

[FlyingSquirrel]

As some may be aware, a small group of Hillary supporters has decided to boycott DU for a week, starting midnight last Monday.

I am not sure how many there were - certainly there are plenty of Hillary supporters still here.

Here's my suggestion, and it was inspired by this thread from Aussie leftie, a Hillary supporter:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=5287777&mesg_id=5287777

in which she said,

I still support Hillary Clinton, but I'm starting to think that having an avatar of one of the candidates adds a tiny bit to the divisiveness that is happening on DU. In my dreams I would love to vote for a younger and healthier Ali.

Who would be your dream candidate?

And it got me thinking. I know there are a lot of Obama supporters out there like me who, though they are bothered by the rhetoric from the most vocal Hillary supporters, are even MORE bothered with the tone and division here at DU. And I know I've contributed to this division occasionally in small ways, usually with humor but still I know I'm not blameless.

So what if we all did as this Hillary supporter has done?

Just for a little while, perhaps a week till, say, April 3, two days after the end of the boycott?

Or, if you like, perhaps even longer - until this battle for the nomination is over?

Because having an Obama avatar is not necessary to defend him, and certainly won't make any difference as to whether he wins this nomination or loses. But it could make a difference in the tone of the discussion here at DU.

It could be the first small step toward reconciling our differences here.

Aussie leftie has already started things off. I'm gonna go with Barbara Boxer as my dream candidate, 'cause she rocks. I know this might cause me to be mistaken for a female poster for a week (or longer if I keep it till we have a presumptive nominee), but that's ok.

If any other Obama supporters think this is a good idea, please give this thread a kick and a rec.

[lligrd]

1. Hey, I Wanted Boxer nt

[Indiana_Dem]

2. Okay, I'll switch mine but you'll have to post this again tomorrow

so that more people will be able to see it. :)

Even though I'm more of a lurker, I'm tired of all the arguing, too.

[FlyingSquirrel]

7. I'll just kick this one instead :-)

Oh, and if Obama's your dream candidate you could just change to something neutral like your state or something.

[Extend a Hand]

3. I think it's a good idea

I'll change mine.

[cliffordu]

4. I'll do it! I heart all Democrats. Mostly

:toast:

:grouphug:

[crankychatter]

5. I thought Barbara Boxer was all Courage and Intelligence

I had no idea she was such a cutie too.

Makes me wish I had an offending Avatar to switch.

Hey, did I hear you right? Keep the Avatars off until the cranky people get back?

are you being sly?

[FlyingSquirrel]

8. No, till AFTER they're back so they'll get a nice surprise

but really it'd probably be better to keep 'em off till we have a nominee.

[thoughtcrime1984]

6. Well, I've been proudly sporting Howard, but

I am kind of "hamstrung" by my screen name. I wish I had chosen a name that didn't paint a bullseye on myself. Didn't quite know what I was getting into last January when I signed up! :D

[MyNameGoesHere]

9. But i love the big "O" avatars is reminds me of the "W" stickers. n/t

[democrattotheend]

10. I think we should welcome them back with open arms, but not sure what changing avatars accomplishes

If anything, I think we should keep our Obama avatars and with them go out of our way to be welcoming to the Clinton supporters. But I guess those who can't do that and want to keep starting flame wars should change avatars.