I'm not a fan of The Daily Kos anymore. For a variety of reasons that led to my banning along with thousands of others by the infantile troll hunters who shut down ideas or questions with accusations of "concern troll"; "purity troll"; etc. It's as logical and right wing as calling somebody upset with this administration "Anti-American." I found myself banned after a few of the Kos Kops objected to my defense after I was called an "asshole" by one of the DK faithful. I thought it crazy for a site to alienate voters or supporters by enforcing hall monitors whose sole purpose was to quash not personal attacks but personal ideas. There's a sports-like obssession at DK with Trusted User status, Tip Jars, Donuts and the beloved Troll Ratings. The site is akin to fantasy sports, and Kos is a fan. He clearly enjoys the sniping and bickering since he created the rules.

Markos Moulitsas, the founder of DK begat a truly amazing political web machine. Mad props. But instead of "Crashing The Gates" as his book promised, him and his proto-consultants and bloggers seem more interested in Closing The Gates around themselves. The site began to drown out and censor actual progressives with attacks of "purity trolls" or the despised "Naderites." The nadir came recently with the vicious attacks on Cindy Sheehan, a previous DK hero, for daring to announce she would run as a independent against Nancy Pelosi. Yes, many called her a "concern troll" or worse, "attention whore." It was an ugly sight. Or site?

The O'Reilly lie is that The Daily Kos is an xtreme left wing organ is just that, another O'Reilly lie. The site collectively sways in the center, with the primary focus to elect more ineffectual moderate Dems. Moulitsas, who served in the Army and applied for the CIA, admitted that he voted for Reagan and Bush Sr. in the day. That's fine, I believe in redemption. But his recent stance as a "libertarian democrat" and his smug, cavalier dismissal of public protests and "the sanctimonious women's studies set" don't reflect well on their progressive "brand." Not to mention running ads from Chevron as they killed Prop 87 in Kos' home state of California -- on a site the FAQ claim exists solely to elect Democrats. And that doesn't make them liberal or progressive. Unless they're Arnold Schwarzennenger, who Moulitsas recently praised by placing a (D) next to him name. Just the FAQ, Kos.