I first came to DU six and a half years ago . . .

Before I came here, I was talking to wingnuts online. I've told this story before. I had been talking/arguing with wingnuts online for a couple years. Started on local boards and moved on to a couple forums with folks from all over the country. For a few years, we had pleasant conversations. We rarely agreed but managed to keep things on a polite level.

Then about halfway through Bush's first term, his supporters I had been pleasantly disagreeing with became nasty. They started calling me gay (which at that time was a big insult in wingnut land) and every conversation on choice brought on the 'baby killer' crap talk. And it just got worse and worse.

I was about to decide to stop this trash talk when one day one of the wingnuts posted to me "Where did you get that, Democratic Underground?" I had never heard of DU and thought the guy was just playing with words so I Googled and found this website.

I was in liberal heaven. OMG. I had no idea there were actually websites where people who believed in the same things I did hung out and had deep conversations. And the news! I think I spent an hour or more a day in the beginning reading LBN. My routine up till then had been to log on and read my local paper, the NY Times, Wash Post and LA and Chicago papers. Once I found DU, I just came here for my daily news fix.

Eventually I gave up most of my forums where the nasty wingnuts were and just hung out here. I made friends here on DU and some of them lived here in my area. So we organized meetups and for a year or so we met once a month. Eventually those DUers became my friends and still are today. I've sat with them and watched State of the Union speeches and election results; I have knocked on doors with them working on local campaigns. I was invited by DU friends to get involved with our local DFA group and I am on its Steering Committee today.

A DU friend invited me to go with her to Camp Casey in August of 2005 where we met Cindy Sheehan and many other DUers. I also became friends with some of the most wonderful people I have ever known in my life. We still talk every day, via email or Facebook.

In 2005, 2006 and 2007 I went to marches against the war on Iraq and met other DUers. It is always a thrill to connect a face and a name with a screen name.

During the past 18 months I have connected with other teachers here who share my concern about education and the direction President Obama is taking us. The sad reality is most teachers I work with would rather talk about American Idol and America's Top Model than education issues. So the teachers here are a special gift in my life. I can't completely express how grateful I am for the fellowship we have here.

I was going through my contact list the other day and noticed how many DU friends I have listed. We email each other as well as talk here. Some I talk to on the phone every month or so.

Yes I have noticed the changes here. No I am not happy about some and am hoping things will get better here. The conflicts get old. I'm tired of some of it and find myself reading more and posting less. But I completely understand and appreciate the rule changes Skinner posted today.

I'm not the most agreeable DUer and I get a post deleted every now and again. I've lost my temper here and I've put more than a few folks on ignore.

But anytime I get frustrated here I surf on over to the blogs where my wingnut online acquaintances still hang out and see them still calling people names, trashing Obama (hey, people criticize him here on DU but his haters TRASH him) and generally behaving like immature uninformed numbnuts.

DU is STILL a heaven compared to any other website or discussion board on the internet. Hands down - heaven. Plus I have friends here. I've been talking to Wingnut Roy (who likes to tell me all about his latest tea party activities) for a couple years longer than anyone here. I think it's been 10 years that I have known Roy online. But Roy doesn't know my real name. He doesn't have my phone number or email. I would never in a million years want to go have a beer with Roy.

My real friends are HERE.

So Skinner, do whatever you need to keep this place going strong. If I don't understand or agree with changes you feel are necessary, I will try to adapt and go along to get along. I'm not going anywhere. Because on the intertubes, this is heaven to me. And I thank you for your hard work to keep it heaven.

Rock on! :yourock:

:patriot:

Thank you.

:)

and worse, nobody seemed to care that we were invading a country and killing people just like us. Somehow I found out about DU and my heart overflowed with gratitude and happiness at finding like-minded people. Since at least 2004, I've been here--I changed names once. There has been a concentrated effort to divide us and the methods have changed. I think that some of the new recommendation rules and other modifications have minimized a lot of the disruption but it continues. I hope DU thrives and gains the wider spread recognition it deserves. This board has a place in history.

I can feel frustrated some days by what I read here but I always come back the next day.

DU has diversity - which I appreciate.

for such an honest post...

It was during the run-up to the war in 2003, and I was getting so frustrated and finally typed in "conservative idiots" in Google, and to my surprise it sent me here to one of the now-defunct Top 10 Conservative Idiots columns...I almost started crying!

I didn't join for another year or so, but I am SOOOOOO glad I found this place...just knowing there are other people like me (well, sometimes, tee-hee!) is very comforting.

It's been so wonderful to have DU. And to meet other DUers who live here where I do - that's been heavenly.

My country had just been hijacked. There was an interloper in the Oval Office who hadn't won, whose case had been loudly trumpeted and talked up in the media while the true winner had been laughed at and scorned, there was no investigation about the election fraud or the outrage of the Supreme Court's voter nullification. As a retired news reporter/anchor, I was distraught over the GROSSEST and MOST EGREGIOUS dereliction of duty among my former peers - how could they have stood by and NOT probed, NOT recognized how fishy this smelled, how could they just let this go and report it so mindlessly and uncritically? As an American I felt totally betrayed, as though we'd just had a coup d'etat in this country and nobody cared. And from the moment the Court had decided, and bush came out, introduced by his "carefully chosen gesture" of the top guy in the Texas Legislature who was a Democrat (See? Note the symbolism they're telecasting here! He IS bipartisan! Bringing in the guy from the opposing party to introduce him to America and stand smiling with him for the photographers! That makes it ALL BETTER!). I will NEVER forget how I felt when I saw that. I was watching this play out, knowing that MY guy who'd won the vote count had been robbed and nobody else seemed to care, and here's this twangy human buzz-saw standing there makin' nice-nice for the public - and I knew instinctively not to trust any of it. I felt this huge "What's WRONG With This Picture, People????!?!??!?!?" in my gut. I was watching this manufactured display that I suspected I should not trust (hell, there was NOBODY in the media warning me about it at this moment). I remember the hair starting to stand up on the back of my neck and not really knowing why. I remember noticing that and wondering why, and then dismissing it as just a signal of my upset that my guy wasn't standing there being introduced as THE President-Elect.

I started looking around the internet to see if there was ANYBODY else who was seeing it the way I did. Because I sure as hell wasn't hearing ANY opposing views - none were being allowed on the air. And I found this site called "Resident Bush." I noted how frickin' clever that was - the site's guy saying he felt very deeply that he could not, in good conscience or for the sake of honesty and accuracy, refer to bush as "President" Anything. However, he felt you COULD accurately and legally refer to him as "Resident." Because in all honestly and accuracy, george w. bush was going to be living in the White House, so he would indeed be a Resident. But he could never be considered President. I liked that a lot - "whew! SOMEBODY out there actually agrees with me, and sees it the same way I do!" And as I looked through the Resident Bush site, and sent the guy a donation, I started noticing some links along the side - for other websites of like mind. That's how I found Buzzflash, btw. LOVED it! And eventually that same searching led me to DU. It was different from Resident Bush and Buzzflash. And it was like finding the Promised Land.

Very true.

I am right there with you.

I'm glad you found DU.....your contributions are enormous...

Thank you for being such a good and generous person!

Recommended

:hug:

:hug:

You are a good reason to stick around.

Thank you.

:kick:

:kick:

"DU is STILL a heaven compared to any other website or discussion board on the internet." I couldn't agree more. I, too, spent more time in LBN in the beginning when I joined late 2002 and it is still the first forum I visit when I sign on.

If I am frustrated with what is happening here, I walk away from the computer for a bit but I always come back to be educated, entertained, to share ideas and debate others.

Recommended.

They can get heated but I always learn something.

in more depth than I might have otherwise which is always a good thing, imo.

I've been here just a little less time than you, although I've posted a great deal less. I, too, find myself reading a great deal more than posting these days.

DU, regardless of the current cycle of discord, is still the best place to find the most up to date news and to get caught up on all the issues of the day.

And even though every time I see your name I inadvertenly read Proud2BaKlansman, I really appreciate your thoughful and insightful posts. lol :)

OMG that's hilarious.

Hey Skinner, I think I should change my screen name. Cause I ain't no klansman. And seriesly, I am not all that proud to be a Kansan. LOL

:patriot:

the only difference is... I heard DU mentioned on the Mike Malloy show back in the days of the AI Network.

She's one of my very favorite people. She said you guys had a ball that day. I was so jealous.

:hi:

That is the one area that I wish This administration would take a fresh look at!

I should tell you about the workshop I was in all day today. But I am trying to forget it. :)

I messed around with the Google, and Shazam - then saw that there WERE people hunkering down under the Bush!

But I come here every day still and read the news. I pass the news along on facebook and in conversations with my co-workers. I have seen Alaska because of a DUer. In 2005/2006, I was able to work on Katrina issues and educate people because of DUers across the country housed me. I met many DUers at meet-ups at the 2005 and 2007 anti-war marches, and at the last Democratic National Convention here in Denver. I've met loads of people and shot beautiful images across the country with DUers from the Photo Group. By and large, it's an amazing community -- if you can avoid the drama. ;)

Lots of wonderful people here.

I too, read WAY more than I post and I always come away informed.

The wingers stay FAR away from engaging me in political conversations at work because I just don't refute their Hannity/Beck like talking points, I CRUSH them until they sulk away with their lip stuck out.
THEN, I send them the links to back up what I said.

One day, a co-worker sent me a link to Michelle Malkins website to back up one of her flimsy claims.
I of course, sent her a link to YouTube to show her Malkins "cheerleader dance" for "GO! George Bush!" and that co-worker still does not talk to me.

DU is a wonderful place and it's full of teachers, some who are actually teachers, and I've always had a soft spot in my heart for teachers.
A couple of teachers reached me early in life and helped me through some difficult times.

Which is why I'm glad to say I know you.

You ARE a teacher and teachers teach.
Which is why you'll always have a home here.

in the beginning, it was hard with some, so I stay out of those forums even though they are my passion - I did not want to be banned
I have used ignored or hide a thread and sometimes have gone weeks without signing in so I did not post

I marched in 2005 in dc against the war

I have not been happy with everything but I know I would ALWAYS be unhappy with the other party in power

I am one who believe the last group had something to do with 911 and thought that before coming here
It was nice to find some people here who also knew in their guts

I find it hard not to call out newbies but don't want to leave so I walk away

I have several people on ignore and I know it is good because when I post some things, there they are ignored
they are flame bait

I have had a few deleted threads or locked and then I go away or don't post for a couple days in order to preserve my ability to come back

What I am surprized at is how little the admins posts and how do they restrain themselves and where do they go to rant

One of the best things I have found here is Help in the computer forum

Worse thing was help with a car repair fiasco where I lost a lot of money by having it fixed instead of buying and then had to buy anyway

So I have learned to ask for help but not always take it

Some people jump in and have no clue but feel they need to say something

I also have to remember late at night there are a number of people posting who are out of their minds

After getting into some stuff with others two months ago - I stopped posting anything there and came back here

There are lots of others things I would like to ask about at times but it would break the rules to get opinions and or understand others experience - so I keep it to myself

Your right these admins are young but smart and have kept a very controversial site going even with all the detractors and infighting about people, places or things

It is nice to have somewhere to talk to others

Thank you for bringing up the topic of before and now

I also organize and canvass.

Our schools are represented by the NEA. Do you think AFT is better?

I met the Wichita people in DC in April. Good group.

I don't know that AFT or NEA is better. I just know it's important to belong to the union and contribute what you can.

:hug:

Btw, did you ever get to use the outline drawings I sent you of 'Marlboro Lizard Bushler' in his cowboy hat for the Camp Casey kids to color?

:yourock:

They were a big hit. :)

:yourock:

thanks ... :hug:

Thank you for sharing...it's wonderful that you've made real friends here.
Heartwarming.

peace~

...my FIRST EVER, I might add!

...and I've been here over nine years, now...and the reason I'm STILL here is people like you!

and follow your posts
Peace

Thank you.

k & r

Great post! :fistbump:

wonderful post.

:D

I would buy that.

:shrug:

LOL

no, :yourock:

:)

I know Ginny, wherever she is, is smiling down upon you. :hug:

:hug:

I've never made that a secret.
Today, that admiration bumped up a notch!
You are truly a person that puts their money where their mouth is!:yourock:

:hug:

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

:hi:

Kansas and South Carolina residents have to work at finding people we can relate to politically. We're probably nominating a teabagger today for Governor, so maybe the Dems will stand a chance in November.

:)

I think I first got here through the Top Ten Conservative Idiots #2 or #3.
I joined shortly after with a different username.
After a long break following the 2004 elections, I forgot that username/password combo, so I joined again.
There's no other place on the interwebz where I find so many like-minded people.
I don't mind a few changes in the rules to keep it civil.

I've always enjoyed your contributions, proud2BlibKansan!
And yes, Skinner Rocks...

too. I just pray the right wingers have not taken over the funding of this site as they have with every other opportunity to squash the truth. In South Florida, they took over the ONLY a.m. station we could access that had anyone other than old Rush, Hannity, Beck, Inghram, etc, spewing lies and hatred. Even NPR leans conservative, noticed by some of the remarks made. Some of us can't afford to buy products to help us stay educated on a daily basis when on the go. And sometimes the truth takes strong words to get it across. Just as we want Obama to take charge, show his strength, and actually demand certain actions, we need the truth to be out here in as strong a language as possible. All of the propaganda has to be overshadowed, just because of the amount of it. The kindergarten name calling, of course, should not be allowed, but calling someone "conservative" is BAD??? I don't get that at all. Unless to be considered a conservative IS BAD. So, now DU is assuming. I guess I'll just have to keep reading to see what the future at DU will bring.

Sorry for the sad events in your neck of the woods recently...

I'm a fellow midwesterner: Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, Illinois, and Ohio, though now living in New England. Just drove thru Kansas recently and visited with some (Republican) relatives.

Hang in there (here) please.




:hi:

Go Jayhawks!

The heart I had before was a representation of my union's campaign to get emergency education funding through Congress. But the funding is tied to a war funding bill so I am no longer supporting it. So I changed my avatar.

That was a tough decision. But I can't support more funding for war after all these years working against it.

for liberal heaven! I remember all too well my feelings when I found this place. I nearly cried at the realization that I wasn't the only one who saw that the world had turned upside down!
Great post. :yourock:

Thanks for the thread, proud2BlibKansan.:thumbsup:

I am always awed by how much you do. Your activism inspires me.

Never seems to last long though. LOL

:grouphug:

Good post. :toast:

I didn't join nor do I remain on DU to get the kind of incivility, lies, smears and hate that I see on other political sites.

as some kind of "Mea Culpa." So, I will extend my hand to you..."Across the Aisle."

What an obnoxious comment.

a very dysfunctional family. We have shared in our DU famlies happiness and joys. We have also have lost members in the battle of life.

Yep, DU is a keeper!!

MadMaddie!!

I battled with wingnuts on a board that had a political section that was about 60/40 thugs. They eventually posted some links to FreakRepubic. I then got the idea to post on FR because I felt like taking on the wingnuts.

ZOT! Banned so fast that I could not respond to their replies even 60 seconds after my initial post. They were all over it with their admin roles there. I will give them that. After my immediate Zot, I came back as Lucky Luciano...and I did not know about cookies and was immediately zotted again...came back as Dutch Schultz...immediately zotted again. Figured out about cleaning cookies and came back as Meyer Lansky...and about 5 other mobsters to keep the theme going. For the last 5 years Carlo Gambino has survived, but pretty much is inactive.

All that said, from that initial zot from LuciferHimself, they told me to go back to DU! That is how I heard of DU. I stuck around at DU. I am nowhere near as liberal as most folks here, but I think the progressive point of view is important even if I am not fully progressive. Progressives help me myself in check because they do seem more morally grounded than most of the rest. It keeps me honest and prevents me from being too selfish when I see how people "should" be.


Anyway....


Here is the original post under the name Lucifer Himself:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1122901/posts

ZOT! I want to thank people like everyone here at FR for their support in Iraq.
"Posted on Friday, April 23, 2004 12:48:54 AM by LuciferHimself

Well it has been a tough year since hostilities began in Iraq, but it has been a successful one. The perseverence of the American soldier is ever present and I can say that I am absolutely proud to be an American. The American people thank you, most of the Iraqi people thank you (as opposed to what those crazy liberal media people would have you believe), and most importantly, my friends and family thank you.

As a member of the Bechtel family, we find that the war has been handled exceptionally well. We see it everyday from up here in the Bay area; our employees and the US soldiers doing an honorable duty for their country. We found it very convenient that through our connections and partners in Washington, we could arrange this war and more importantly, the profitable reconstruction contracts. We could never have done this without the support of people like you. We appreciate the fact that you have helped us to stifle the annoying words of the doubters and the whiners. It has been an incredibly profitable year for us as we forge ahead with our contracts in Iraq. We appreciate the fact that you have given us carte blanche use of the US soldiers to set up our contracts. We don't like to actually go into battle ourselves, but we don't mind if we have others do our battles for us, especially if they come from a poor background. We do appreciate their help. I don't know why the liberal whiners complain. Some people just don't understand freedom the way people on this message board do. Either way, though, the world will be much better off with fewer of those brown people anyway. Our Nintendo pilots are getting excellent training targeting those dirty and smelly brown people.

Not to belabor the point, but I just wanted to thank everyone here again and god bless America!

My country 'tis of me, sweet land of liberty..."

:rofl:

I was posting on a forum 8 years ago telling the douchebag Bush supporters on that forum about how Bush was a ginormous asshole for even talking about invading Iraq.
That was 2002.
Before the vote in the Senate in October.

I was so pissed off about it. But, I didn't call anyone names there because it didn't do any good. Net civility is required when talking to rightwingers. Actually, talking to anyone requires that you give them the same amount of respect that you want to be shown.

Besides, telling the members posting there that they were brain dead for repeating the talking points of Rush Limbaugh or Sean Hannity only gave them a sense of self-satisfaction. So, I didn't do that.
It was obvious that they were repeating those talking points to prove that they couldn't do any of their own thinking for themselves.

They enjoyed jabbing at me, making fun of me on the forum, calling me a pussy, or a coward whenever I complained about Bush running around beating the drums of war.
But then the admin of that forum said that he thought that I was like a lot of other Americans, that I suffered from having "Vietnam syndrome".

I politely disagreed with him.
I was thinking about giving up posting on that forum by then.
Because that admin had never served a day in the military.
He thought patriotism meant that we should always rally around the flag, even if the US fucks up and invades a country based on lies, rumors, and innuendo.

Then one of the rightwingers there suggested I "go to DU" and talk with people who would agree with me rather than waste my time talking to them.
I didn't know what the hell he was talking about.

Where I come from, DU means "depleted uranium".
So, I finally asked one of the gals that posted there, one who wasn't a complete ignorant bitch to me, what that other guy was referring to since 274,000 results for googling "DU" all ended in articles or posts talking about depleted uranium, and she said, "Democratic Underground."

So, I came here in 2003, I guess about May or so.
A few months after the invasion of Iraq.
Half of the people that I used to talk to here back then have left or have been tombstoned.
Half of that half probably deserved it.
Half of that half didn't want to post here much anymore anyway or they would have stayed within the rules of the board.
Half of that half wanted me to flame out with them when they decided to make their "Good-bye Cruel World" posts.
Half of that half got pissed off when I decided not to join them.
Half of that half is still pissed off at me.

So now, I've got 1 guy who is pissed off at me.
All because I still post here and he can't.
I don't give much thought to it, because he was a half-ass anyway.