Hey... Lurkers, Ex- DUers, And Anybody Else...
Please do NOT abandon this site.
We need you now... more than ever.
= new reply since forum marked as read
Did you see EarlG's post? 
From the hate mailbag: 
THE FEE FOR CANCELING YOUR ACCOUNT IS ONE MILLION DOLLARS
Subject: CANCEL
CANCEL MY ACCOUNT PLEASE , I DIDN'T KNOW THERE WAS A FEE INVOLVED THANK YOU
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023225969
In my mind and in about 3 seconds I concocted the possibility that EarlG posted a thread that said they weren't making enough money and that DU was in danger of closing down. I have an active imagination. 
It only shows how much you care about DU. If this site went down, I think most of us would be lost. Aint never gonna happen. 
I'd be forced to get a life.
That makes two of us.
Until you pointed it out.
I don't always agree with their dreams, but I always try to be polite with them.
We need dreams, too. And those who dream big.
Glad to R&
but I always get sucked back in! 
not so much anymore. But glad I could be a part of something so good all these years.
I feel exactly the same.
I lurk more than I post. DU has been a bit distressing over the last few weeks with the divisiveness. I find myself skipping a large chunk of posts. Still, I check the site and read posts at least once a day. No plans to stop.
and I have been lurking for years. DU and coffee every morning
Now whata ya gonna do for an encore?
This post brought to you by the numbers 80 and 20.
felt unwelcome when posting for the most part after a couple weeks. I read more than speak up, I'm kind of a recluse and not sure how to handle an international (sometimes) conversation.
That being said, I first encountered this site in the very early 1990s and didn't even know you were all here until this past year... but I like all the variety of topics, when the rest of the world seems fully consumed by the GeoZimmermanShow or whatever... and I like that I can find out what's happening almost anywhere much faster than most other sources I know of. That's what I like most about DU and what prompted me to join... haven't logged in much lately because I would rather not join in much of the recent conversations or be tempted to.
This place is kind of cool overall though so I guess I'll stick around... as long as i don't become a subject of the Hate Mailbag! And I liked the Hate Mailbag!
I hope a more pleasant general tone prevails.
I came to this site as a registered republican and was welcomed. Yes there were some flames by trolls, For the most part I was made to feel welcome by many. Those I will never forget, they schooled me in the ways of DU etiquette. I am forever grateful for those people.
Today it seems that there is much more going on here because of the fact that DU has become a force to be reckoned with. DU is now quoted on national media. The days here are different from when I came here, do not despair and realize that despite attacks that you perceive, you have found a home. The best advice is that I would suggest that you develop a thick skin, because you are new here.
You are going to be attacked to try and drive you away from this site, simply put the trolls know that you are going to be easily discouraged.
Just trust me, there are many people here that are of like mind. I have been tested by both on the right and the left. I have never been tomb stoned on this site. I speak openly and honestly, I refuse to get into flame wars. I promote freethinking and accept any criticism. I mull it over and try to decide if it provocation or just a pro from the opposition.
This is a very intellectual site, with multitudes of freethinkers. Just keep lurking and watch and see what you think. DU is under attack, admin is still trying to figure it out. Believe me, I am probably on the top of the watch list despite my longevity and upbeat posts. Go figure with a handle like Rebellious Republican.
I will not be driven away and will continue to post regardless of the flames that come my way! Welcome to our world 2naSalit
Your words are encouraging. I do tend to avoid the pissing matches even though I got suckered into a couple at first.
I do like seeing how others interpret events in our world...
K&R
... y'all kick my butt out. Happy 47,001 WillyT!
...but most of the people here can tell the difference.
Just remember this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=2bbvA_OuJEg
Don't try to sell an obsolete product! Master your training objectives. Stay alert and aware. Breathe, relax, meditate and Face The Truth 
Trouble is, we always consider the other guy the fool and not ourselves. 
The main characteristic visible on DU is denial. It is a denial unbreachable by fact or lists of facts; it is a determination to hold on to a consensus reality where nothing is wrong because the alternative is far too unpleasant. Some understand that Something Is Indeed Wrong and do not have the capacity to deal with it so they hide and smile, hoping it will eventually change for the better on its own. Some forcefully reject the facts because they conflict with a need for a recognizable structure upon which to cling. There is no offering to them an alternate vision of reality or even an improved version of the democratic party. They gleefully fight anyone who dares challenge their denial and celebrate when they "win" against it.
If this in general is the best that Underground democrats have to offer, I want nothing to do with it. I am jaw-droppingly ashamed to look at too much of what I see posted here. There is little to no room for even the possibility of change in spite of continuous splashes in the face of the coldest waters of reality. I am tempted to post a list but those who already know, already know. It is useless. This ship cannot be turned; the corporate-corrupted party will, like the even more corporate-owned republican party, continue to install corporate and neocon interests as we increasingly quickly descend from a surveillance state into a police state, all care of the neocons, plutonomists, and the Bush disaster family. And the democrats-in-name-only who do their exact bidding.
It is embarrassing to hang around in a place where people are making a huge, highly visible effort to tell themselves and others that nothing is wrong, and that anyone who says "look" is branded as alex jones, a teabagger, a freeper, or libertarian. To forcefully challenge actual, verifiable facts. That this even occurs is horrible. The purposeful closing of minds is horrible and bodes great misery for the future as those working to make the future miserable at the upper political levels, continue on their merry way, effectively unchallenged.
And those who mock Chomsky while doing exactly what he warns against...!!!!
"The smart way to keep people passive and obedient is to strictly limit the spectrum of acceptable opinion, but allow very lively debate within that spectrum - even encourage the more critical and dissident views. That gives people the sense that there's free thinking going on, while all the time the presuppositions of the system are being reinforced by the limits put on the range of the debate." ~Noam Chomsky
Really DU? Really America?
