Political activity has always involved denigrating one's opponent, because much about politics is about gaining power and denigration is a useful way to gain power. I don't think that's so hard to understand.

Now, if you're saying that you'd like *this* community to move beyond that sort of stupid bullshit, e.g., not make largely contentless posts like this: http://community.livejournal.com/talk_politics/493070.html, well, yes, I'm totally with you.