A very long time lurker here. Wanted to share briefly what DU has been for me over the years.
I moved from the East Coast to Oregon in 2001. I was reeling from the election fiasco of 2000 and enjoying the discovery of the beauty of the West Coast when the attacks of 9/11 occurred, far from family and friends. I was working evenings at a small quiet hospital with much time on my hands when I came across DU while looking for a source of news that was accurate. Being at work, I did not feel free to join or post and it became a habit to check in here for news.
Just reading the posts and seeing the many people here with similar POVs was enough to get me through rough times of loneliness until I had found a community in RL. Even then, I would come here for Late Breaking News, the brilliant general discussions and the wackiness of the Lounge. Now I find myself back on the East Coast with much time on my hands and a desire to join the discussion here.
Thanks y'all for keeping me sane during th b*sh years and looking forward to another 4 years with Pres. Obama!
and I know.....get to work!