DU Nostalgia for the Old Days and Keph, Nostamj and others.....

Remembering today way back to just after "Selection 2000" when "Democratic Underground" was NEW and became a refuge to those of us who trickled in the first year either to right the wrong of what was done to Gore in Florida or were filled with despair over that fiasco seeking comfort from the few others who knew something was terribly wrong in America. We banded together and posted our hearts out. We had more company as our numbers grew with posters from "Bart Cop," "Smirking Chimp" and then the sorely missed "Media Whores Online."

Some of us were refugees from "Salon" magazine which had sustained us through the Clinton Impeachment and was the first expose zine website (that I remember)which exposed the workings of the the Right Wing Repugs, Right Wing Christian Fundamentalists, Right Wing Think Tanks and the Mellon-Scaife funded "Vast Right Wing Conspiracy."

I look back now and see that we were so innocent and idealistic in those days. We thought we would see the "2000 Selection" exposed and Gore in the Whitehouse within a year. When 9/11 happened and the "Media Consortium" report proving Gore won was deep sixed, we fought on through 9/11 and then on through the "mid-term elections" then through the build up and eventual execution of the Iraq Invasion. We picked up the pieces as more and more of our Constitution was hacked away at by the axes of the Repugs and fought here through the Primary Campaign Candidate battles of Election 2004 and the eventual frontrunner and VP candidate was chosen and we worked our hearts out and butts off refuting the lies and distortions thrown against them. We watched our candidates lose once again because of Election Fraud and dirty illegal tactics and we threw ourselves into fighting to get Election Reform once again and to try to regain fairness from the Media which by this time is totally under Corporate control. We analyzed and parsed data, we've signed petitions for years, we've given $$$$$$$$$$$'s and $$$$$$$$$$'s and we've done all we can do.

And, we are tired and some are sick and some are dying and some are fed up and some are afraid and some are just too overwhelmed by outrage to do more than be flippant or cynical at the latest Bush Gang, Criminal Enterprise take away of all we believed in and were taught by our teachers of history to belive in was really AMERICA.

So...feeling very sad today I post some lyrics of a Rod Stewart song which flew into my head and like an ear worm, I can't get rid of.

I'm posting for Nostamj and Keph and those others...and for you and I and everyone. I post it for the "Old Times" when we thought we could Slay the Dragons and WIN...but we found that it isn't easy and maybe it's so hard that some of us will never make it to see the end :-(:

And a :toast: to us oldies who are still managing to be here instead of disillusioned in the dark, and the fresh troops who hopefully will eventually "take the back the HILL." :-)'s to those gone who will always be loved and remembered.
............................................


WHEN WE WERE THE NEW BOYS
Lyrics and Music: Stewart, Savigar

With laughing eyes I do recall
Every face that crammed this hall
And in this room our hats were hung
And words were written and songs were sung
And we held our glasses high
And we dared to reach for the sky
And we never would grow old
When we were the new boys

And on these streets we were like kings
We'd roll and tumble, fight and sing
And in these smoky pubs the yarns were spun
And many a sweetheart was lost and won
And on these green fields we played for pride
No quarter given, no compromise
We were lovers and we were sons
When we were the new boys
When we were the new boys

Behind this cellar door on cheap guitars
We played our blues till the early hours
No one listening but a few old friends
We never dreamed it could ever end
This was our moment, this was our space
This was a jewel of a time to have graced
But they're all sweet memories now
When we were the new boys
When we were the new boys

All my life I've been running
down the side of this hill
But way down deep in my heart
don't want the water to ever be still
All these friends have long since gone
Blown and scattered like autumn leaves
Some are lawyers and some are thieves
Some are now behind the sun
But I'll never, never be afraid
From the cradle to the grave
I learned my lesson and I learned it well
When we were the new boys
When we were the new boys

And we held our glasses high
And we dared to reach for the sky
And we never would grow old
When we were the new boys
When we were the new boys

:hug:

Needed that.

I discovered DU in early 2001. It took me FOREVER to finally post something. I can't even remember what the topic was, but for some reason, something made me finally become a full-fledged poster. :D

It may have been the first of my thousand suggestions for some of these people to start GreenUnderground.com!!!!!!!!! For those who weren't here during those times, it may not sound like a big deal, but it was pretty much the topic of discussion EVERY DAY AND NIGHT!!!

As an old-timer in more ways than one, thanks for writing that. And don't be in no ways tired!

Voltaire

hope that something would wake up America. I think I have lost a lot of that, I too am tired. But I see some people coming around, even my mother now sees Bu$h for what he is.

and the passion. We once thought if we just counted the votes then we would win. Here's to Kef, Nos, and others, thanks for fighting. And a thank you to all.

and was one of the bartcop sendovers... the good old days indeed.


Cheers

I can't say I miss those days, though. Every new day is another day closer to real justice. That glimmer of hope is all I got.

but September of 2002 I found you all and have spent countless hours here. You all mean the world to me. Yes, hell yes I am tired. Tonight may feel like I should give up but I will come back here and you all will buoy my sagging soul. This place is a very important place but it much sadder without Keph and Nostamj. May they both be at peace tonight.

Thank you, that was beautiful.

:toast: :cry: :toast: :banghead: :toast:


:pals: :)

dp

...take care...all of you.

Thank you!

words ain't workin for me today

tears for our loved ones gone away

they'd redouble their efforts. That's why we loved them so and will miss them always.

We do it because we must, at this point. The economy is on the verge of collapsing (GM and Ford are probably going to be exposed like Enron) and it is going to get really ugly in the world.

The blogs I participated in were literally destroyed by well-coordinated fascist attacks (of which I take note of to this day and sincerely believe are "contracted" in many respects). All the soft-hearted, tender and caring and passionate simply could not take all the hate and aggression being unleashed and the "creators" were unable to control the flood of predators.

Although I do have concerns that this fabulous blogspot is allowing too much aggression; failing to protect the thoughtful, intelligent and "thin-skinned" who can contribute many positive perceptions and ideas; there is still a pro-human-potential environment in place.

Please, everyone who keeps wanting to call this a blog: IT'S NOT.

My failure to keep up with the competitions of "labels" shouldn't be condemned,...by you.

This is a place where we can create the very best of what we offer, together.

I edited 'cause I'm not sorry for what I stated. I edit again being sorry for participating in a place that I do not belong. I apologize.

I've never read something that sums up what it has been like since 12/12/2000 so well. I am a crossover from The Smirking Chimp. Links to the Top Ten Idiots got me here and one day I realized there were forums! It has been tiring. Following the news as closely as we all have has given us a unique experience. Solidarity among people that most of us will never meet. I weep at your post and I too mourn nostamj and khephra. I mourn our collective innocence lost. Yet I know we must fight on.

Nostamj will be sorely missed. He brought laughter here when there is so much stress and frustration. Thanks again and thanks to everybody here. :grouphug:

Good gosh, I try to check in on DU every day, but sometimes it's not possibe. I've noticed that his cartoon postings have been missing? Such a creative guy--I just recently bought some of his designs at Cafepress.

Just found out about it today.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=3428798&mesg_id=3428798

I have no any idea the first time I surfed here nor when I first posted ... did I learn of DU through a bushwhacker Yahoo group or did I link from gwbush.com, that early anti-bush site which irritated the shrub**? :D "There ought to be limits to freedom".

It's been an education. Everything from grammar to culture to economics to history. When will DU issue degrees?

It's been a journey. So many have contributed so much ... I can only hope that I've contributed something along the way.

It's been entertaining. I fondly recall the Skip Fox "_____ of all Captions" captions - nothing like a laugh to help the pain.

The Presidential Edict of all CAPTIONS!!!
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=105&topic_id=974652

The "Duck Wad Has Feelings Too" of all CAPTIONS!!!
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=105&topic_id=961792

It's a shame that most of the photos in the older caption threads are no longer hosted and/or are gone.



and, it's been sad.
R.I.P.
Keph & Nostamj

even the "tombstones" have their place. But, that's just me...being a sentimentalist...but overall we've all done our little bit here and there in this big mixing bowl of taking back Democracy and living up to what those who came before us thought might be "freedom from tyranny" amd a chance to make it on one's own.

It ain't easy, though. Wish I'd been born some other time...but when would I have picked? :shrug: When would any of us have picked, if we truly look at the windows of time to live in when we are born. Squeezing in between wars and depressions and booms and domestic unreast isn't an easy thing to calculate.

Maybe the "cloners" will get it right somewhere in the future. Or, maybe this is just the way it is.

*sniff*

DU has been a refuge for me for three years. Thank you all. :toast:

Without DU I would have absolutely no hope for the future of this country.

Thanks.

I'm very sad that all the good ones are leaving the earthly plane. Maybe they are needed elsewhere to wage the biggest battle for justice of them all. I don't know. I hope no one else get's called. We do have some seriously ailing DUers still hanging in there still.

:cry: :grouphug:

http://images.globalfreepress.com

being HOPELESS and NOTHING bush did, especially after 911 for over a year mattered and EVERYONE spoke about him referentially it was really depressing.

but then i remember my man DEAN giving us evil DU'ers hope and not only US but millions of Americans across our beautiful country and slowly but surely more and more spoke out publicly what only a year or two ago only us evil DU'ers would dare discuss.

DU got me through those very dark and lonely days and continues to this very day.

i remember thinking Iraq would be over with quickly and that very soon, emboldened by their Iraq 'success' they would move blindly into Iran and Syria and only the neoCONs knew where to next.

but the facts on the ground are a stubborn thing and as i watched our popularity climb here i also watched the chimps approval ratings steadily fall, like all knew they must, to this very day.

together we - du and the rest of us patriotic Americans - will take this country BACK :bounce:

thanks koko (and all the rest of y'all DU'ers, yound and old), as always, for sharing :toast: :loveya:

peace

Thank you all!!! And blessings to past, present, and future DUers who fight the good fight.

We may not all get there together, but as someone once said... That's alright.

<snip>

"And then I got to Memphis. And some began to say the threats, or talk about the threats that were out. What would happen to me from some of our sick white brothers?

Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter with me now. Because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land. And I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord."

<snip>

Link: http://www.afscme.org/about/kingspch.htm

:bounce::loveya::bounce:

I raise my glass in their honor!

:toast:

It just ain't the same anymore.

Bake

I miss the early days of DU, and more importantly, I miss the voices of those who are silent now. some are silent by choice, others are just gone. Whatever the reason, we are diminished by these losses.

We are also strengthened every day with new voices. I realize that the early days here were different (and sweet in the memory) but I never cease to be amazed at the new energy that comes in here. We saw it with every new outrage, we've seen it with new campaigns. It staggers me.

Horrible as 9/11 was, it brought new outrage to our boards. It brought new people here to read and learn.

The invasion of Iraq brought new voices to our choir of discontent. So did Abu Graib.

Dean and Clark and Kucinich and Sharpton and Braun--ALL our candidates brought new voices to DU along with a renewal of the energy. Some left with the end of the primaries, some stayed.

I miss Kef. I miss him a lot. I will miss Nostamj. I'll probably cry some more later tonight and miss him even more as time passes. I'll also keep on doing what I do--trying to make a difference--because I figure it's a shameful thing to fall silent at a time like this.

RIP, Nostamj, RIP Kef. We are still here ad we are not sitting down and staying quiet, and we are still lending voice to our outrage and horror.


Laura

I wish I had found this place back then. I felt so all alone in the months after 9/11, watching the fervent nationalism sweeping this county, sweeping my own progressive Austin neighborhood. I read and I read and I learned, oh my God, I learned. And as the American Flag began appearing in front of my neighbors houses, I went and bought a flag, a World Flag, and placed it outside my house. After that, my house was pelted with eggs a number of times and a note that said, "Fuck you bitch" was taped to my front door. I felt so alone. I so wish I had stumbled across you folks back then...........

But it was a couple of years later when I was at a Univ. of Texas teach-in that I saw a speaker who spoke my beliefs and far more eloquently than I had. I bought his book and in the back I found mention of DU (granted I didn't notice it until my third read through the book whose spine is now broken from a number of other reads).

Better late than never. but I do wish..........

He will be missed to the max... Here's his picture:

http://www.cafepress.com/nostamj.19292082

:kick: for :toast: to the old times and new.

Is this place hazardous to your health? Just a sad joke. May they all rest in peace and wherever they are I hope they are having a good time.

it is so sad about nostamj and remembering all the things we've been through since those early days of DU. I can still remember seeing the banner on C-SPAN during the '01 inauguration and logging on. I also remember very well being excited when the membership hit 5000.

Faith and courage, folks. It's gonna be a really long, long, long fight.

You have created, and we continue to create, something wonderful, with every post, every new day. Always a shoulder to cry on, an audience to tell stories to, a sounding board for ideas, a call to action. There are disagreements, some fundamental, but we have a bond that can endure those things. A community. May it last for many years to come.

Very thoughtful, KoKo01..

Thanks, KoKo, for this beautiful thread. Those were fun days, we had so much hope...

To our dear, departed friends. :-(

and it all rings so true. I found DU shortly after the 2000 election, I think there may have only been 8,800+ members then. Didn't know shit about posting here on a message board, but this website was a lifesaver for me.

We were full of hope - and have been beaten down and picked ourselves back up again only to be knocked down again, but we're still here. I lurk more than post these days, but rarely a weekday goes by that I don't check in to see what's news. But you said it wonderfully, there are those who are younger or just now catching on and have joined the fight, and I think we've been in the darkest days, I am really looking for things to take a dramatic change for the better. The little Lord fuckwad is becoming a huge liability to a whole lot of people, and the sooner the better. I'm still looking forward to the day the whole bunch of them is frogmarched out of our White House and on the Hague with the stinch of rotten vegetables having been thrown at them from the angry mobs. Some day, some day I think.

I've been on the road for a couple of days, and just checked in to DU. I was so shocked to learn about Nostamj. Jeff was front and center on all of the black box voting threads, as well. I remember when he got the idea to start the Question W review. His "toon" pages, too, will be sorely missed.

O8)May you rest in peace, Jeff. And thank you for everything you did, and the person you were. O8)

I lurked on DU for almost 2 years before I posted...back in those days, I was so computer UN-savvy that I thought if a person posted on a message board, they would get stalked or something. I thought ANYBODY could figure out who they were, and steal their identity, or worse! :) :tinfoilhat:

DU is the first message board I ever registered on, and finally posted to. I just couldn't resist the community and activism any longer.

I've learned so much .... about EVERYTHING... since that time. It has been quite a learning experience from the gitgo. And I've watched many of the old timers "mature" and grow in so many ways over time. I've seen people come to this board, who should have probably been banned at some point for their right-wing leanings, and then come around to be some of the most active "believers" in our push to retrieve our tattered Democracy.

What a (sometimes dysfunctional ;) ) family we are! And now with Kheph and Nostamj gone, we will continue to pull together with the best that is in all of us to carry on. We'll honor the work of the ones who have passed, and place more value on one another...the ones who are still here, and those yet to come.

DU has deep roots, and deep roots make for strong trees...strong trees that won't break when the hard winds blow.

:loveya: Thanks KoKo, for reminding us about our deep roots. :loveya:

Sue

:kick::kick::kick: