They say it takes a certain type of individual to survive DU ....

[kentuck]

There are many varied opinions from all over the left and centrist spectrum, even some conservatives. Naturally, there are some frictions between all these viewpoints. Some folks that are in any of these groups might have a problem with what others are saying that are opposite from them. It is difficult to not respond to some of the left-wing ranting and some of the perceived right-wing ass-kissing tha each poster might encounter on their visit to DU. They may be tempted to leave because they are too faint-hearted to respond or because they might think it is hurting the Democratic cause. But it is all put in the blender and comes out later in a new form, has been my experience. Sometimes it just takes longer to blend some posts than others...:)

[wyldwolf]

1. some take it all too seriously, too

I'm on good terms in real life with one of my "DU nemesis."

[TeeYiYi]

2. Interesting observation . . .

PS--->> I'm intrigued with your avatar. Very magical. Storybook like.

TYY

[Liberal Veteran]

3. This is THE ONLY forum I ever have contributed to.

I love it here. I have had some exciting conversations and "met" some wonderful people who I think of as friends even though we don't always agree on the finer points of things.

[Jabbery]

4. What a bunch of right wing hogwash

You're just an ultra-liberal. You're a Freeper lurker. No, wait, you're an anarchist. No - you're a hippie communist freak. No, you're just a Bush cheerleader.

It's all good.

:)

[2Design]

5. It is an interesting bunch....at first I thought all who had 1000+

were real democrats...but I find there are numerous ones with many thousand posts who do exactly what RW does. Taunt. That doublespeak conversation. Put down. Rant. Rave. And attack. So I am learning not all who appear to be dems are.

I just don't answer them anymore. I just consider them RW and that they can not hear.

So I find there are others here, that I just roll ....o o o o roll with laughter at the silliness or what ever that they post.

And then others like William Pitt that I learn tons from.

There are some long timers, that I am starting to not engage with or even get on their threads because I realize they are just there to incite people.

Some times I am so drawn to say something, and I may, but then I don't continue.

So just because someone has 1000+ does not mean they are a dem.

It is good to see others who are just as furious with the current government. And it is nice to find out how all our past leaders helped create this mess.

FDR seems to be the last one who really tried to help the people. His New Deal and many of the reforms he brought about were good for the whole. He helped create the middle class.

It seems every president since has only helped tear it down more. Including Clinton with signing of NAFTA and welfare reform. The rant of getting rid of big government is a cover up for uping their salaries while increasing policing of our bodies and minds. They take away all the parks, highways, and common areas. They are after public education, social security and other do-good efforts for the whole.

[immoderate]

7. I'm with you until you try to define who is a real democrat

Dangerous territory.

--IMM

[loudsue]

9. You're correct...

Post count doesn't always mean you're talking to a Dem. But all in all, one gets out of DU what one puts into it!

There are some incredible researchers and philosophers on DU, as well as excellent writers. The comments of "regular people" are often extremely insightful, thought-provoking.

:loveya: I love this place! :loveya:
:kick::kick:

[stevedeshazer]

18. I am a proud to be a Democrat.

Really. I come from an extended family of FDR Democrats. And I'm against NAFTA and welfare reform and all the rest.

I'm for:

-public education
-Medicare
-Social Security
-universal health care
-deficit reduction
-national defense (NOT offense)
-personal choice in all forms
-separation of church and state
-energy independence

I'm against:

-"pre-emptive" war and PNAC
-stealing from the poor to benefit the rich
-shipping our jobs overseas
-busting labor unions
-looting of pension funds
-war profiteering
-corporate corruption
-increasing media control by the few
-rollback of environmental standards

I have been disappointed by my party since 1994. When the Republicans with Gingrich took over the House back then, they moved to the center-right and most have resided there ever since. Still, I didn't jump ship (I did vote for Nader in 1996 and 2000, however.)

Now, I think a sea change is on the way. It's about goddamned time. If this change movement underway doesn't take hold, my loyalty likely won't either.

Many of us will rethink our ties to the Democratic Party.

[Bandit]

6. It's fun and I know you have been here a while so you must feel the same

We all say things sometimes that we wish we could take back. I know I have pissed off everybody here at least one time or another but somehow I'm still here and haven't yet been banned. My heart is in the right place if nothing else.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

10. Funny you should say that because I KNOW you and I have flamed

back and forth on some issues and joined forces in the rebuttal of other issues. I can have a bonafide problem with a person on one point and still respect them..

I also think we are living in a very emotional time in which much is at stake...I guess I expect nothing less than people's passion even when I disagree with it...but I'll not hesitate to hit the alert when I supect deliberate disruption or a deliberate intent to undermine this site...if I'm wrong and acting out of extreme bias on my part...nobody is going to listen to me anyway

[Forkboy]

11. "nobody is going to listen to me anyway"

What did you say?

Sorry...I can't help myself :shrug:

:loveya:

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

15. *clears throat* I said

BLOW ME :evilgrin:

(you bring out the worst in me :D )

[Forkboy]

17. Is that possible?

I mean,I'll give it the old college try and all,but I didn't think you were made that way (or is there something you're not telling us....hmmm?).

I seem to bring out the worst in everybody.You should see me in public! :evilgrin:

[Crewleader]

8. Good post Kentuck

:hi:

[cliss]

12. You're right, K.

I think if you're going to survive here, you've got to develop some toughness. You work and slave over your post, going back over it to correct spelling errors. "My Magnum Opus", you think, as you proudly click the 'Post message' button, and look over your craftsmanship with pride.

You go back a while later, to see how it was received. To your chagrin, it's badly received, and you get some sarcastic comment.

Or the worst fate: your post is deleted. It actually happened to me: I made some smart remark about Colon Bowel being a certain cookie. Poof! It was gone.

But over the long haul, I've been rewarded MANY times over by sticking it out and getting over it. There are so many smart, talented, witty, informative people who make this place their home.

The information that they're willing to share is just astounding. I've gotten my best laughs right here at the DU. Like the LBN story about the 'Easter Bunny getting whipped at the Church'.

Or the Parisian story about a man who tried to mow down an Osama Bin Laden look-alike in Paris. He tried several times to run him down, but was eventually stopped by a brick wall. Hilarious!

[OKNancy]

13. I disagree

( which is rare with you )
I think people should not just type out every little piece of flotsam that pops in their head. If people would think before they post ( or not post drunk ) then this place would be a bit less chaotic.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

16. Actually I can see both sides of this as sometimes I think

people are not emoting nor being evocative nor provacative...just plain stupid or so hungry for attention that they LOOK for the worst possible thing to say...the only way I can sum it up is to say I know it when I see it.

[ithinkmyliverhurts]

26. Not post drunk???!!!!!!

This place would shut down right after lunch, I think.

Cheers.

[H2O Man]

14. DU is good in many ways.

It is a wonderful format that allows people an opportunity to speak openly about a wide range of topics. There are occassionally insightful observations from people who, while they may not have as large a platform as the talking heads on the tv, are of greater value for their common sense and honesty. There are also people, perhaps often of the younger generation, who give a voice to the frustrations felt by a sizeable percentage of the American population. Their impatience is as legitimate as the reasoned voice of the veterans of the 1960s, who urge patience.

The DU has the same potential that any seed contains. An acorn can become a great oak. There are other forces that recognize that potential, and monitor it quietly from the darkened corners. A few of the less talented enemies add divisive posts to the threads; these are the people who look up to Sean Hannity, and hence are more annoying than any threat to the well-being of the DU.

There are also the occassional attempts by the self-declared radical left to infuse their useless, empty rhetoric, in hopes of creating a utopian society that resembles nothing if not the handful of failed nation-states that were as corrupt and oppressive as our own.

And, finally, there are a few emotionally confused people, who preach bitterness and hatred, as if it were a remedy for the bitterness and hatred they despise in our society. Some talk of revolution without having any idea what consequences true revolutionaries suffer. They want to be men, instead of the insignificant males they are, but they do not have a clue how to do it. And so they drink too much, make asinine statements, and pass out to dream the drunken fantasy that allows them to avoid a sober examination of their lives.

Perhaps this is merely part of the process of germination: the outside shell of a seed must experience a degree of rot, so the sprout can grow forth and flower.

[donhakman]

21. Even waterman feels outrage

In my case I like to express it in graphic illustrations, poems and short stories and songs.

[molly]

19. It takes an individual willing to be educated on ALL

points of view - may not agree - but can fight like hell - am I close?

[Name removed]

25. Deleted message

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

[Kazak]

20. Nah...just gotta take it all in stride...

Let it slide off your shoulder.

Live and let live, as it were.

No problem.

[UrbScotty]

22. That's right.

Well said. :toast:

[SoCalDem]

23. My only forum too..

It's"just" a forum,a meeting place,but the ideas that make it into the real world are the important parts of DU.. The people who end up writing books, righting wrongs, marching, running for office, etc. have managed to use DU as a springboard to making real things happen..

The forum was the venue that "caused" lots of these things to happen..

With the media being what it is these days, DU is a safety valve as well.. We can come here and find out what is really going on, and discuss it with like-minded folks..

I have arrived at a point, where I rarely "engage" the "creepy freepies"..It's just not worth my time..

DU is where ideas ricochet, and sooner or later one of them will "get you"..

[kentuck]

24. I like LBN and the Lounge but the GD is my favorite because

it is more illustrative of the opinions of the individual DUer's, whom I think are the most honest people in the world. I just happen to believe that you can never get to the truth if you are not an honest person at heart. Because if you are not honest, you will not be willing to accept the truth when you see it. I think that is the deficiency with most right-wing sites. I think it is a question of honesty. That's just my opinion.

The LBN is excellent because we can get DUer comments on mainstream news stories. Sometimes it puts the news in a whole new perspective. A more "honest perspective.

Of course, the Lounge is the relief valve of DU. Some of the funniest shit you will ever encounter can be found over there.

But personally, I try to post thoughts or ideas that are original but look at questions and issues with a different perspective. I want to make people think - no matter who may be reading DU at the moment. I want DU to be ahead of the mainstream media in reporting the news. I think if you look at a lot of threads on DU, you will find that many of the stories and ideas and commentary precede the breaking news on the cable news network. I want us to be quality thinkers - ahead of everyone - but able to keep our heads when everyone else is losing theirs.

[ParanoidPat]

27. DU is like a good Margarita......

.....taken with a little salt and in the right amount it can leave you intoxicated, but too much of it can give you a headache! :beer:
:toast: Cheers! :evilgrin:

[kentuck]

28. There you go again !

You're teaching tolerance. We've got to separate the wheat from the chaff...:)

[mmonk]

29. Agree

[seabeyond]

30. what cha talking bout

i have only experienced a bunch of pussycats or teddy bears. survive my tush, flourish i say. you are my water that lets me bloom, my sunshine that allows me to extend my pedals

[doni_georgia]

31. My parents say I came out of the womb arguing

Guess makes me perfect for DU.

[AgadorSparticus]

32. Thank god for DU.

I've learned so much in such a short amount of time. I love the fact that people can come here to vent, calm down, and get new engaging ideas. It's a terrific place emotionally and intellectually.

When I first got here, I was angrier than what I am now. I think a lot of that anger was just fear that it was all but over (bushwise). I was scared. It's not like you could turn on the TV or radio to get liberal ideas or even a remote sense of balance in politics. It was just too sinister (amazing how 4 months could change everything).

But coming here has made me realize that we are a force, despite our differences, and we are more organized than the conservative media wants us to believe. That alone has given me much comfort.

Listening to AAR doesn't hurt either. ;)

[DWolper]

33. Usually

The problem is not in what's being said, but in HOW it's said. Don't you think that's true most of the time?

[kentuck]

34. Very true, DWolper....

Words have colors. Some words are as red as a rose and gentle as a spring rain and others are green as poison. Once they are spoken, they are not easily re-captured.