DU 20th Anniversary January 20, 2021

[Fla Dem]

Last edited Mon Jan 18, 2021, 01:46 PM - Edit history (1)

Democratic Underground is an online community for members of the United States Democratic Party. Its membership is restricted by policy to those who are supportive of the Democratic Party and Democratic candidates for political office.
Date launched: January 20, 2001

© 2001 - 2021 Democratic Underground, LLC.

Launched in response to George W. Bush's questionable election in 2000 and his inauguration.

It has been a Liberal/Democratic oasis for thousands in the ensuing 20 years.

Thank You Skinner, EarlG and Elad.

Needed now more than ever!!!

[roamer65]

1. 20 years.

Wow. Time flies.

[Fla Dem]

4. Yes, I can still remember sitting at my desk debating whether I should sign up in 2003.

I had read the web site for about a year, but had never joined a web group before. So was hesitant to sign up. Finally in Nov 2003 I took the plunge and never looked back. Best thing I ever did. So much support during the tough times. Hard to believe it's been 20 years.

[murielm99]

35. That's when I joined, too!

I joined after a year of reading the front page only.

I am glad to be here after all these years.

[ms liberty]

51. Me also. Joined in Nov 2003 after lurking for more than a year.

[yardwork]

77. I think I joined in 2004 after reading for a year.

Then I posted only in the Lounge for another year!

[roamer65]

138. I joined in 2006 after about a year of lurking.

Was listening to Mike Malloy back then as well.

It still is the Bush Crime Family, but the Trump Crime Syndicate is far worse.

[TimeToGo]

151. Same

Though, I still do way more reading than posting.

[Wednesdays]

94. I started out as a member of Bartcop's group

Around 1999 or 2000. I joined DU shortly after it first started, under another account (under the handle "Tuesdays," IIRC). I've been here as "Wednesdays" since 2003.

[susanr516]

133. I found DU via Bartcop, too

I knew nothing about the internet when I got my 1st desktop in 1999. Had an AOL account because that was the only ISP I knew. Never ventured off the AOL pages until Dec 2020. I found Bartcop in early 2001, later that year found DU. I signed up w/my AOL account later that year, but lost my email when I switched to a different ISP in 2004. It was years before I ever posted. I still seldom post, although I'm a daily visitor.

[The Blue Flower]

145. Ditto

Top Ten Conservative Idiots was my gateway to signing up.

[Rhiannon12866]

137. I signed on in 2003 as well. January, I think. It was back on DU.1

And I'd never been on any sort of message board, either, kind of panicked when I got a reply on my very first post! But it turns out to have been DU's one-person welcoming committee, newyawker99, welcoming me to DU. She became my first DU friend and I credit her kindness for my sticking around. And God_bush_n_cheney became my second friend here, Andy Stephenson, after I replied to a heartfelt post he made. I miss them both.

I was here for the painful lead up to the Iraq war, then was devastated by the 2004 election. Little did we imagine back then of what more was to come. But I will always be grateful for the education I've received here - and the camaraderie, which has made the worst times bearable. DU has become my online home.

[malaise]

141. I joined in 2004

Discovered DU on Salon - and read for a while then I took a plunge and loved it.

[NurseJackie]

105. Too bad Skinner isn't here...

... to join the celebration and to mark this important milestone.

Hi, Skinner... we sure do miss you! It's not the same without you here. I miss your thoughtful analysis and essays. I hope you're finding success and personal satisfaction in whatever direction your talents take you.

[Cha]

114. I read about DU in The Nation I got in NYC..

& bought a computer in 2002 to join up!

Wild Ride!

[Corgigal]

2. Let's move,

to mostly good times.

[MoonRiver]

3. Biden/Harris inauguration day! How apropos!

[Beringia]

5. Happy Anniversary

[Dawson Leery]

6. I thought about signing up, but did not have an email address at the time.

I eventually joined in the Summer of 2009 during the rise of the tea party terrorists.

[Stuckinthebush]

7. Wow. I was here in the beginning

My screen name comes from a Jesse Jackson quote when he implored America to "Stay out of the Bushes!" That seems like such a long time ago.

Thank you DU - I don't post as much anymore but I come here every day. DU was then and has been since a wonderful space for Democrats and progressives. I appreciate this community so much.

Happy Anniversary, DU!

[SergeStorms]

41. My original screen name...

was "DumpGump", and that was shortly after DU's inception. There have been several iterations since then, for various reasons. I lost about 50,000 posts or so because of my own foolishness, but even when I wasn't here, I was here...lurking.

DU has always been an oasis during the horrible RED YEARS and it's saved my sanity, what little remains, over the years.

HAPPY 20th BIRTHDAY, DU! 🥳

[dalton99a]

8. Kick

[Beartracks]

39. Nice. :D You saved that screenshot for this special occasion?

=============

[yonder]

90. Nice work.

[erronis]

95. Looks so old-fashioned - so web1.1 - so good. And still so good!

[Fla Dem]

100. That's wonderful!!! Thanks for posting.

[BComplex]

143. OMG! That's a blast from the past. I got here from Bartcop way back.

I think I got to DU from democrats.com or something like that? I can't remember what I was reading when I first heard about DU. I only remember that I was absolutely horrified and traumatized by the 2000 election, and turned to the internet in hopes that I wasn't the only democrat the world who needed some support. Someone on some site mentioned DU, and it's been my home ever since.

I don't know what I would have done without DU. I've learned so much here, cried a bunch, and laughed my ass off a whole lot of times.

Have you ever noticed that liberals are really funny, and "conservatives" aren't?

[lisa58]

9. My savior after the recount- thank you all for being there for me

[PCIntern]

10. Wow. I lurked for two years before joining in 2014

Changed my life in so many ways for the better. Thank you DU for being here.

[NurseJackie]

11. I never heard of it before I joined. And even now, when I mention it to friends...

... they've never heard of it either. (And they are not low-information voters or digital Luddites either.)

[MineralMan]

12. All I can say is - WooHoo!

[Aristus]

13. March, 2021 will be my 20th anniversary of finding the site.

Hurt, anguished, and frightened for our country, I found DU after clicking a link at an anti-Bush website. I was overjoyed to discover I was not alone in my pain. I lurked for six months, following the debates, reading The Supremos and Bob Boudelang, learning the interesting user names of people I would soon call my friends, ssfreeways, neuvocat, Jitterbug Perfume, and others.

One week after the September 11th attacks, I joined up.

What a long strange trip it's been. And were not at the end yet...

[ProfessorGAC]

23. About The Same Time For Me!

I signed up right away, but it was after Skinner was phone interviewed on Washington Journal to talk about the new site.
It was a weekend morning, and I still had dial up, so I waited until Monday at work to check it out.
So, it was whenever he was on cspan plus one or two days.

[Journeyman]

116. I signed on around March as well . . .

Bartcop directed me here in February or so, and I signed on shortly after that.

[kcr]

61. Mine's September

I joined shortly after 9/11

[Solly Mack]

14. K&R

[Stuart G]

15. K and R..

[lindysalsagal]

16. My sanity literally depended on it during Bush2.0.

Everything I know about government and law I learned on DU.

[wryter2000]

30. I think it was at the beginning of Bush's second term

that DU started groups for hobbies and other interests. I was so demoralized, I could hardly stand to think about politics. Cooking and Baking helped me through.

[Lady Freedom Returns]

53. I remember seeing who I believe was Skinner and EarlG...

Holding a sign that said DemocraticUnderground.com. at the inauguration.

[central scrutinizer]

17. Here since 2002 thanks to a link on MWO

I miss the Horse.

[PatSeg]

18. Well, how cool is that!

Its like everything is coming full circle in a sense.

[Maeve]

19. I came here that summer, drawn by the Top 10 Conservative Idiots lists

Many, many thanks to EarlG, Elad and the original Boss man, Skinner! And to all the loyal DUers who have kept the faith, helped moderate/oversee/MIRT over the years as well!

[Beartracks]

40. Top 10 Conservative Idiots! I think that's what got me coming back as a visitor, too!

[nam78_two]

46. Oh yeah-the top 10 conservative idiots

It invariably featured Limbaugh-I remember that. He was sort of never off it. God ...he is still around..
Ugh..

And Ask Auntie Pinko - I remember Auntie Pinko...

[crickets]

82. Oh, I loved Ask Auntie Pinko!

My posting days have been sporadic since I joined in 2002, but whenever I need to know what's really going on, this is the place to stop in and read and learn. It has always been the place to find the sane crowd figuring out the details of the insane things happening around us. Thank you so much, DU!

[essme]

20. Does anyone remember how dark and rainy it was in DC? DU had an article up titled, "That glorious

egg" or something like that- about the egg that hit the pResident's limo in the parade.

There were some funny as hell characters on-- one of my favorites was ssfreeways-

[Hortensis]

21. 20 years, how they pass. Glad we're here. I visited some then

but hanging around came a lot later.

Happy 20th, and no better way to mark it than by our 45th transfer of power!.

[treestar]

22. At least there was a reason to question the election

unlike today's Magats. And no one broke into the Capitol.

[ProfessorGAC]

24. The Riot In 2000 Was Their Riot

They riot to win. They riot when they don't win.
Twice in 16 years, a dem wins the popular vote, doesn't become POTUS, no riots from the left.
They riot either way.
A pretty stark contrast.

[Evolve Dammit]

60. Excellent point. John Bolton, Roger Stone, bussed to FL and banging on the glass. F' em.

[UpInArms]

25. Oh my ... 20 years

My 20th anniversary will be next month ... I remember the darkness that was the internet ... and being flamed on other boards ... and finding DU ... Khephra taught me how to post news articles ... I still miss him and so many others who made life bearable

Happy Anniversary, DU and all its many members ...

Thank You, each and everyone

Special thanks to EarlG, Elad and Skinner ... you truly are some of my favorite heroes

[Lithos]

38. So many people have come and gone

I still miss NewYorker99's posts.... Need to ask why she's not in the In Memoriam column....

L-

[Elwood P Dowd]

26. Been reading DU since 2001/2002 and finally joined in the fun starting in 2003.

Hard to believe it's been that long. Lots of ups and downs, especially on election nights.

Damn, just thinking I was a young 53 when I first discovered DU. Now I'm an old retired fart.

[Fla Dem]

47. That's what gets me too!! I was considered young when I 1st joined. Now a senior citizen!!

Cherish each day, they pass so quickly!

[EarthFirst]

27. What a ride...

This cuts in a way when you realize how quickly time passes.

Such as hearing a favorite album or television program was “xyz” years ago...

They present themselves and you find yourself finding it hard to believe.

“...and then one day you find; ten years have got behind you...”

[wryter2000]

28. Awesome

Another reason to celebrate.

[hunter]

29. The Windows 98SE computer I was using then is still in my garage...

... and emulated on my current desktop.

I clipped and saved quite a few DU threads then because I wasn't sure how long this place would last.

I'm happy it did!

[nam78_two]

31. :-)

14 years as a DUer here. Ok, so I was away for a while but still .
I was even a mod for a while. So loved pompously locking threads etc. Used to feel super-pompous. "Locking".

Heh, heh, heh...good times.....

[ancianita]

32. Happy anniversary, DU, with gratitude.

[rurallib]

33. I kept thinking that someday there will no longer be a need for a

"democratic underground" since soon America will once again become intelligent and the crazies on the right will dry up.

Then about two years into Obama reality finally hit me. America will always be half nuts.

[sarge43]

34. That's good timing.

Happy Anniversary, DU and many more to come.

[Lithos]

36. Wow, been here since 2001

Time definitely flies... So much has happened in this time.

[Mosby]

70. I remember reading the early threads.

Boy did you guys have your hands full.

[Lithos]

92. It was definitely a different place then

Definitely feeling lonely at that point - especially after 9/11. One of the things i missed were the Get togethers which were common at that time. Didn't need much of an excuse - someone traveling would often cause a small group to show up at some venue to celebrate and say hi.

[Hotler]

135. Pizzas flying everywhere. nt

[CaptainTruth]

37. Happy anniversary! I don't recall exactly when I first signed up...

...I'm sure I used an AOL email address & a different user name. That seems like so long ago.

[BumRushDaShow]

42. CONGRATS TO THE GUYS!

(now minus Skinner)



(been here almost 13 of the 20 years)

[William769]

45. ELAD'S the cutest of the three.

[BumRushDaShow]

50. LOL

[nam78_two]

54. Heh I know he is the vegan

When I signed up I remember thinking..ok so 1/3 of the administration is vegan....there might be a place for me here . And I am not even vegan..lazy vegetarian...
; - /.

[William769]

55. LOL!

[Fla Dem]

52. Thanks for the picture!!!

But we need a new one to see how they fared after 20 years. I know Skinner has moved on, but we need an 20th anniversary picture!!

[BumRushDaShow]

69. I would think after what this site has been through

they should all look like Steve Martin by now!

[BumRushDaShow]

73. Also this

(I know Cenk but)

[Cha]

115. Hey BRDS! Glad you joined up!

Really Nice having you here!

[BumRushDaShow]

127. Have enjoyed chatting and ranting with you Cha!

[Cha]

128. So many years & here

we are..

[BadGimp]

43. DU has been and IS a God Send!

[TygrBright]

44. I remember seeing those geeky dudes with the banner on the W parade coverage.

And thinking "what do they mean by "underground" if they're on national teevee?"

I remain pleased that I made the effort to find out.

WTG, guys. I owe ya.

appreciatively,
Bright

[seta1950]

48. HAPPY ANIVERSARY

I don’t know what I would have done without this site and all of you, thank you❤️

[littlemissmartypants]

49. Kicked and recommended. ❤ nt

[colorado_ufo]

56. It's been a Lifeline for me!

The community support here has kept me sane!

[Dave in VA]

57. Glad you are here!

Best therapists on the planet have kept me sane for these 20 years. Been reading since I saw the banner during Shrubs inaugural parade in Jan. 21, 2001. Don't join many online discussions and didn't actually join DU until a few years ago.

Thanks for this site!

[Evolve Dammit]

58. Keeping people sane since 2001!! WooHoo!!

[Donkees]

59. THE DEMOCRATIC UNDERGROUND MOVIE

Jan 10, 2008

[txwhitedove]

71. Love that, thanks!

[BumRushDaShow]

80. I signed up exactly one month to the day after that was created

[malaise]

155. Whatever happened to Trumad?

Great movie

[Archae]

62. I've been here since the early days!

Yeah, been a member since 2001.
(I was pointed to this site from Bartcop.)

Had my share of people get mad at me, (boy do I remember the row I had with an astrology buff,) and have some people who still like me. Surprisingly!

[Journeyman]

118. I too found this place through Bartcop . . .

Sure miss him and the Treehouse.

[Gilbert Moore]

63. It's

A day that will live in infamy !

[bif]

64. I signed up right at the beginning

I remember all the angst with Al Gore fighting for the presidency.

[IcyPeas]

65. "261,237 user registrations and 84,314,724 posts since 2001"

(this is on the Home page)

Hey, we should have more than 261,237 user registrations, shouldn't we?

[ffr]

66. Knowing what we now know that Rs are capable of.

I'm heavily leaning on the near certainty that elections have been stolen from democrats through rigged election tabulating and voter suppression efforts for more than two decades. It's truly sad to think of what might have been had Gore not conceded in 2000 prematurely.

Let 2016 be the last election Rs win the WH and may they forever be minimized going forward. Viva DU!

[LittleGirl]

67. Happy Anniversary!

Thank you for giving me a political home! 🍾🥂

[Dukkha]

68. came in just after 9/11

I never thought I would long for those care free W days again. 45's reign of terror makes that time feel like a Sunday picnic.

[Firestorm49]

72. Excellent. Here's to the next twenty.

[LuckyLib]

74. Standing in line at the local ice cream shop I would click

on DU and catch up. Then leave it up for someone else to discover. Sanity check-in for 15 years now.

[ewagner]

75. Happy Anniversary and heartfelt THANK YOU! N/T

[shanti]

76. 19 years for me

I was a member of a message board on the old AOL Black Voices forums. One of the members there mentioned DU/ Top 10 Conservative Idiots and I was intrigued. The rest is history.

[Biophilic]

78. Can't say thank you enough to those of you who started this

and continue to keep it going.

[orleans]

79. while i'm not a religious person, i can't think of a better phrase than "thank god for du!"

and while i was late to the party (around thanksgiving 2004 i think), i have loved this place for helping me thru some of my darkest days. (and all the other days too)

thanks du

[lark]

81. I think I may have gone insane without DUl

DU was an oasis for my troubled soul after the reich wing SCOTUS installed GW. I really don't know what I would have done without this site, the smart nice people here and all the information shared.

Thank you x100,000,000!!

[Hekate]

83. Fantastic anniversary! Here's to Skinner, EarlG, & Elad!

[hibbing]

84. 2003 for me

Wish I could remember where I first heard about DU. The god awful war of choice started by the last imbecile president we had. DU has been a refuge for me in very dark times.

Peace!

[PatrickforO]

85. Yes, Happy 20th Anniversary!

DU is definitely a part of my life. I appreciate the forum a lot, and have learned quite a bit from it.

[Raine]

86. CONGRATULATIONS to DU!!! 🎉 😃 👍 nt

[SheltieLover]

87. Happy Anniversary, DU!

[Maru Kitteh]

88. Happy Birthday DU! Just think -

next year we'll be old enough to go have a beer.

[90-percent]

89. i discovered DU very early in the 20th century

and i'm thankful. the 2000 s.c. sedition really ground my gears. the the iraq invasion lies, which i knew were bogus thanks to DU and COUNTDOWN WITH KEITH OLBERMANN.

DU is a great well informed thinking community. So many quality links to quality professional journalism.

great tool to beeline to WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON

so much insightful smart first person posters passionate about democracy and justice and a level playing field.

These are great times for paradigm shifts about how the world is run. I don't like being forced into a life of middle ages cosplay and co-mingling of church and state.

-90% Jimmy

[0nirevets]

91. I started here in 2000. Wow, don't know what I'd have done without it. Hooah!

[Sogo]

93. A great service....Thank you!!

I wish I'd found DU years ago but am so glad to be here now....

[erronis]

96. Hope to be here for the next 20. Thanks everyone!

[smirkymonkey]

97. I think I joined in 2004, not sure of the exact date or

even month, just during the crazy W years.

[Fla Dem]

104. Well actually your profile says you joined in 2003 before July 6th.

[smirkymonkey]

106. Oh, thanks for that!

I didn't even think to look. I knew it was a few years after 9/11 when I was still in NYC. Hard to believe it's been 17 years!

[bigtime]

98. Happy Birthday DU!

I joined in early 2001. Like several others posting on this thread, I found DU through Bartcop’s treehouse. I rarely post but I lurk here every day - it’s a great community and I’m thankful for it.

[electric_blue68]

99. 🥳 CONGRATULATIONS!!! 🥳 I didn't have WiFi back by then...

... except at Net Cafes, and the Library.
I did see your site '00 - '01 on a search engine but wo easy net access didn't join.

I did have a bit of Liberal radio, then a music site I found a few years later that had a strong liberal political sub forum. 👍 Then Air America was around for some me years.

Any way this past summer as that music site got way slower than before I needed more than a few posts a day to deal w drumph & co.

I happen to remember your name (after almost 20 yrs!),
a d Wow - you guys & gals had been going strong. I
was so impressed! 😀

So I've been here since then. And very happily so.🙂

Congrats again! 🎂 🎉 🏆 🍷🥃 🍻

[kimmylavin]

101. Top 10 Conservative Idiots!

That's what drew me here around 2003, and then I lurked/read until about 2005.
Took the plunge after the heartbreak of the 2nd Bush win, and all the damage he was doing.

I don't post much, but I'm here every day, several times a day.
It's my source for news, for perspective, for advice.
So grateful for this site!

Happy Anniversary, DU!

[ClusterFreak]

102. I would rec this post a billion times if I could!!!

Here's to 20 fantastic years DU, and to 20 more (at least)!!

[GregW]

103. Proud member since 2001

One time keeper of the elusive "DU Gallery". Met many of you in SF in 2002 and again in 2003 when we marched in DC. Good times

[CottonBear]

107. Seven Days Underground: The story of how DU started:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/articles/01/01/010127_7days.html

Congratulations & Happy Anniversary Democratic Underground!

[turbinetree]

108. Celebration..............

?list=PLb8C3mb5Kp95MqzvRPnF5-YCsr0_vzpt-

[sazemisery]

109. Aug 24, 2004

I lurked for 3 years before joining. A little over 2,500 posts in all those years BUT without DU I would have lost my mind. I’ve started each day with my coffee and DU since.

[orangecrush]

110. Happy Birthday D.U.!

[ItsjustMe]

111. I don't recall the month

But I do recall first joining DU In the year of 2001.

[Wawannabe]

112. I'll be the 200th rec!

And kick!

Congrats to Skinner, EarlG and all others who founded and kept DU online. It is a home away from home for me and saved my sanity beginning in 2017.

Thanks to everyone here, too!

[Tommymac]

113. Happy Birthday DU! I migrated over from The Kerry Forums when they closed in Nov 2004

Been posting and lurking off and on ever since they closed the Kerry boards after the 2004 election.

Did the Kos and a few other places too, but DU is the only online forum I've always come back to.

Thanks to the founders, and all who live here for keeping me sane over these 2 decades.

[Chicagogrl1]

117. Happy 20th Anniversary & Thank you DU

Here’s to 20 more!!!

[callous taoboy]

119. Happy anniversary, DU!

Been here since 2003, found DU via Truthout. I thank everyone here for helping me stay moderately sane during lots of ups and downs, and more importantly for providing great news and perspectives.

[niyad]

120. I came here through a friend (now long deceased) and the Top10 Conservative Idiots.

Whichever of us got to it first immediately called the other.. I lurked for about a year before joining, and have been here ever since. DU has kept what little is left of my sanity, and I am so very grateful to all the amazing people here.

Happy Birthday, DU, and thank you all.

[BobTheSubgenius]

121. I feel bad that I didn't clue in to DU until 2003.

I remember just how, as well. I saw a link to the Conservative Idiots of the Week on truthout, and that feature sounded right up my alley. It was, but I was surprised by the way the site itself connected with me.

What a great site and resource this place is! The proof is in the pudding - professional political figures and aides, and journalists have said that DU is a paragon of truth and honesty. It's what allows me to unhesitatingly recommend this place to like-minded people. The commentary here is rigidly curated, and it seems like a point of pride to virtually everyone.

Take a bow, administrators and users of the best political site on the whole Web.

[AwakeAtLast]

122. Wow! What a walk down memory lane!

May 2004 (as WakeMeUp) my husband was a new recruit in the Army NG, I had a three-year-old, and I was devastated by the events following 9-11. If I had not found DU I don't know where I would be!

A toast to this 20, may we all enjoy at least 20 more!

Cheers!

[peacebuzzard]

123. well I used a Compuserve account and dialup on a 16 lb laptop

to sign in to DU. That was way back when...I would send checks in for my donations
sometime after the dubya swiped the election from Gore.
Happy 20 years! (I did take a long break during the Obama years. have seen many changes of the guards on this site)
Keep up the fight!

[Kitchari]

124. My go-to for information and sanity - thank you, DU

I was lurker-ing for more years than I can remember. Big thanks to everyone here, and congratulations to the founders

[PlanetBev]

125. DU has kept me sane for all these years

One of my three go to sites through the years. The others were MediaWhoresOnline and Bartcop. Reminds me how much I still miss Bart.

Hard to believe it’s been twenty years. Thinking tonight of all the DU members who have passed away.



Thank you and congratulations, DU!

[Niagara]

126. KnR

Happy 20th Anniversary DU!

[catbyte]

129. This has been my online home for 19 years. I don't know what I do without it.

And all of you that makes it such a wonderful place. You're family. Sometimes we squabble, but what family doesn't?

Thank you to all my online friends here and a special thank you Skinner, EarlG, and Elad.

[gademocrat7]

130. Happy Anniversary, DU!

This community is my oasis.💙💙💙

[dlk]

131. Congratulations and happy anniversary!

Last edited Mon Jan 18, 2021, 10:59 PM - Edit history (1)

DU has been a lifeline through many difficult days

[oasis]

132. James Carville endlessly plugged "Mediawhoresonline" as a CNN guest.

I lurked there and at Bartcop for a few months and discovered DU in the process. Back then, I was a big fan of a certain DUer from MA who was a prolific writer (no longer here).

The Founding Trio's loving care of this site will always have my admiration and respect.

[AmBlue]

134. DU keeps me sane

Last edited Tue Jan 19, 2021, 07:42 AM - Edit history (2)

I found DU after the hanging chad fiasco in Florida. As a Floridian myself, I was so upset with those events, and I was very grateful to find like-minded friends here. And I've been here for most of these past 20 years ever since!!! I'm not one of the chattier members, but rarely a day goes by that I am not checking in here.

In the era of the orange anus, I am so grateful for the sanctuary. Thank you friends!!

[IcyPeas]

136. K&R

[Blue Owl]

139. Happy Anniversary!

[Sancho]

140. After looking for several years I joined in 2004

...mostly because of the crazy 2000 election. DU is the first stop for me every day.

[redwitch]

142. I've been here since 2003.

I would have lost my mind without DU!


Happy Anniversary and thank you!

[NNadir]

144. Keeping me sane, or at least marginally so, since 2002. A real wonderful resource...

...ably administered I might add, beginning with Skinner, right up to the present day.

[Tarc]

146. "Member since: 2003 before July 6th"

So, the original join date is lost to history it seems.

My tenure hasn't always been pretty, and I'm sure there's more than a few still around that don't even see my posts anymore, by their own choosing.

I was a colossal dick during the 08 and 16 primaries.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

147. Awesome!! I've been here almost the whole time (I used to be FizzFuzz).

BlancheSplanchnik is a much better name!

[kskiska]

149. I signed up while watching W's inauguration

Still here after all these years.

Thanks Skinner, EarlG and Elad.

[Paper Roses]

150. I joined DU in 2005 after hearing a speech by Elizabeth Edwards when she mentioned DU. Miss her!

I posted thru the years but did more following than posting. During the nastiness during the Sanders years, I pulled back from posting my thoughts. Too many people arguing, it got nasty for a while.

I followed DU daily bu was not knowledgeable enough to argue with those who were either more educated or informed that I.

Now that we are at a new stage after these 4 horrid years, I'm happy to see united opinions from members.
Congratulations to DU for 20 great years.

[BlueWavePsych]

152. Congrats to DU!

And ...

[underpants]

153. Amazing. I was thinking about this just the other day. October 2001

I think it was about then.

Wow. Thanks DU and all DU’ers this has really been a big part of my life.

❤️🇺🇸

[Fla Dem]

158. Same here, every morning with my coffee.

[SoonerPride]

154. Member since: Mon Jun 5, 2006, 01:18 PM

I don't know what pissed me off on June 5 2006.

But something did and I had to vent and found a good place to come and discuss with many like minded and sane people.

Thanks for being here DU community!

[underpants]

156. Happy Birthday DU --- kick

[backtoblue]

157. Happy Birthday DU

[bdamomma]

159. Happy Anniversary Everyone!!!!

Thank you to the Administration panel Skinner, Earl G and Elad.

We are the DU family!!!!

[AmyStrange]

160. The beginning: Seven Days Underground by Skinner

-

Seven Days Underground
Democratic Underground had its official launch on Inauguration Day, January 20, 2001. Much has happened since then. To mark the passing of our first week, we felt that our faithful visitors might like to read a SLIGHTLY EMBELLISHED first-person account of the highs and lows of launching an underground political website. by Skinner

DAY 1 (SAT) - A GIFT FROM MSNBC
On Friday night, we were up until about 3:00am getting ready for the website's big Inaugural Day Launch. We were hoping to be in bed by midnight, but our intern — a young radical from one of the local community colleges — spilled paint all over our banner at around 11:30, and we had to start from scratch. EarlG thought the intern was trying to sniff the stuff, and I wouldn't be surprised if it were true (he kept mumbling something about how "acrylic lasts longer than this latex crap", but we weren't clear on the context). The rest of us are too old for that sort of thing, but we'll keep him around because he is the only one here that knows anything about programming perl. (Fortunately, he got the "Nuclear Button" script working by 10:00pm, before the can of paint arrived.)

On Saturday, we met at our makeshift "office" in Northwest DC sometime around 11:00am. We were supposed to meet at 9:30, but the intern overslept. He showed up with his own homemade "George W. Ass" sign, but we wouldn't let him bring it to the protests — Newshound thought it was "off message."

We got down to Pennsylvania avenue around noon, and were fortunate to claim a prime location right in front of the press bleachers. Protesters were confined to a few "designated protest areas," and it seemed strange to me that one of those spots would be right in front of the media. I guess the communications geniuses in the Bush camp didn't think of everything. The other protesters seemed to be a mishmash of left-wing types: Some dancing polar bears to protest oil drilling in ANWR; Some free-Mumia folks; Anti-death penalty activists; A pretty large contingent of Seattle-style anti-globalization college kids; and even a guy on stilts to protest, well, I don't know what he was protesting. Like us, lots of folks were protesting how Bush stole the election, but there were far fewer of us than I expected. A sizable chunk of the protesters I spoke with voted for Nader. I thought, if it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be out here freezing my ass off in the rain. But I digress.

While ostensibly there to protest, our real motivation for attending the event was to get our banner on television. (We have no money, and this was the cheapest national advertising campaign we could come up with.) The banner was eight feet long by 3 feet tall, white canvas, with the words "DemocraticUnderground.com" painted in big, black letters. With luck, some Good Democrats would see it on TV and stop by our website, which at this point was sitting unused on a server somewhere in Atlanta (I think).

[SNIP]

https://www.democraticunderground.com/articles/01/01/010127_7days.html
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