Thank you, DUers, for your generosity this fund drive!

[Skinner]

We just passed our goal for the fund drive -- 1000 donations -- with six hours to spare before the deadline! I want you all to know that I am deeply grateful for your generosity. Democratic Underground is completely independent -- we receive no support or funding from any other organizations. We depend on your donations to cover the costs of running this website, including salaries for the three administrators. I honestly do not know how I would be able to keep running this place without your financial support.

This is now the third fundraiser in a row in which we reached our very ambitious goal of 1000 donations in seven days, which is in itself very impressive. But I am I am particularly pleased this time. Our last fund drive, in February, was in the thick of the presidential primary season, and I think many of our members felt that DU had lost it's way. It was a particularly unpleasant time to be a part of this community, in part because of the negativity on the message board, but also because of my own inability to effectively deal with the many challenges that faced us. I am sorry for the many errors that I made. We made our goal in February, but only just barely, and we had to fight for every donation.

This fund drive was different, and thankfully so. We did not have to work nearly as hard to reach our goal this time, which I think is a direct result of the improved atmosphere on the message board since the primaries ended. No doubt, most of the credit for that change goes to all of you. But the admins have been doing everything we could to improve the mood on the message board, and to be more sensitive and responsive to our members concerns. There will always be room for improvement, but overall I believe that Democratic Underground has turned the corner, and we're much stronger than we've been in months.

So, thank you again for your support. I think we've got a great year ahead of us.

David Allen
(Skinner)
Democratic Underground Administrator

[Dookus]

1. Congratulations to you

and thanks for everything!

[Burma Jones]

2. No, Thank You

Generous, hell, we just know a good thing when we see it and we know whom to trust.

[The Blue Knight]

3. 3 cheers for DU and Skinner!

[JohnLocke]

4. Great job, everyone!

:thumbsup::thumbsup:

[Cooley Hurd]

5. Thanks to everyone!

Do you know how much it costs Skinner to feed and clothe us mods? :D

Seriously, KUDOS to all who donated!!! :yourock:

[PretzelWarrior]

6. this place was my safety valve.

Bush may well have to thank this site for keeping his skin. Because if we didn't have such outlets for our anger...

well, anyway. I'm feeling more and more in step with the world around me when I see others getting fed up with Bush and his cronies.

We now have Air America and other outlets soon to be brought online to share our views...but it seemed you guys were some of the FEW out there.

THANKS!

[dolo amber]

7. What is this rubbish??

but also because of my own inability to effectively deal with the many challenges that faced us

Lord have mercy, you are only human Skinner! I don't think the Superfriends could have managed this asylum during the primaries (aka the "Legion of Doom" invasion). ;) :hug:



ADMIN RIDES INTO GD: PRIMARY 2004

:D

Congrats. :yourock:

[JohnLocke]

11. Hey, it's Skinner, EarlG, & elad!

:D

[toddzilla]

19. i thought that too..

How could anyone on the planet expect to be able to keep everything nice and rosy in such a large community devoted to political discussion.. not possible, and you guys did a great job!

:yourock:

[tnlefty]

8. I was out doing yardwork and playing badminton...did the Donkey

kick the DimSon? Did I miss it?

[oasis]

9. DU has never looked better.

[LynneSin]

10. Why is the United States red again???

:cry:

Congrats to everyone!!

[Endangered Specie]

13. Its an animation that turns all blue.

[LynneSin]

20. which I can't see at home on this computer

duh!

[Endangered Specie]

21. ic

I was about to yell duh! at you too ;)

[Cleita]

12. We know you try your best.

Thanks for the website. I have made many friends here and I don't feel lost at sea like I did before finding the like minded and intelligent people who participate here.

[calimary]

38. That's a good way to put it - certainly has been my experience!

This place has been an oasis for me, and an unlimited fund of informational currency. Holy smokes! And you're NEVER overdrawn! Thanks for the links, everybody. thanks for the research. Thanks above all for verifying that I am not alone in my feelings about what's happened since the bushies "took" over. And thanks for suffering through my insufferable rants on that score!

Love,

calimary

PS: call your reps...toll free...

[Endangered Specie]

14. You aren't lying Skinner...

when you say this is a full time job, with high occupational hazards ;) Ill try to always behave :).

[sonias]

15. Great news!!

Woo hoo!!! A toast to DU :toast:

Job well done.

Sonia

[NMDemDist2]

16. congrats to all, and thanks to Skinner, EarlG & Elad et al

you guys rock :yourock:

now if only the DC Postal Service will bring my gold star life will be superb!

[onecitizen]

17. For me, this is money well spent..........

I wish I could give more.

This is my only social outlet these days because of chronic illness. DU is my lifeline! Thanx DU!

[BattyDem]

43. Same here

Chronic illness has left me feeling a bit isolated, too. Since joining DU, I feel "connected" again.

[muchacho]

18. Glade to do it

Fortunate you're here.

[Lindsey]

22. Thanks to you at DU for all that you guys do for us

YOU'RE THE BEST!!! :-)

[surfermaw]

23. In the mail, Sat. Morning

[Chicago Democrat]

24. Democratic Underground is the best!

Thank you Skinner! What a great site.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

25. Ditto that!

[Unperson 309]

26. Thanks for being here! You rock!! (eom)

[Furity]

27. Thank YOU!

This website is worth every penny...wish I had more to send to you guys.

Love~Furity

[MrChupon]

28. Thank YOU

for a wonderful site!

[cal04]

29. Thank You Skinner

for giving us a place to vent and discuss all the issues that are important to us. With all the blogs and websites new to some of us, it's a great site like this one that helps me and I'm sure many of us get through a lot of what's going on in this country. Thanks again for being here.

[Eloriel]

30. This looks promising

Our last fund drive, in February, was in the thick of the presidential primary season, and I think many of our members felt that DU had lost it's way. It was a particularly unpleasant time to be a part of this community, in part because of the negativity on the message board, but also because of my own inability to effectively deal with the many challenges that faced us. I am sorry for the many errors that I made. We made our goal in February, but only just barely, and we had to fight for every donation.

This fund drive was different, and thankfully so. We did not have to work nearly as hard to reach our goal this time, which I think is a direct result of the improved atmosphere on the message board since the primaries ended. No doubt, most of the credit for that change goes to all of you. But the admins have been doing everything we could to improve the mood on the message board, and to be more sensitive and responsive to our members concerns. There will always be room for improvement, but overall I believe that Democratic Underground has turned the corner, and we're much stronger than we've been in months.

---------------

Heartening, I have to say.

I alerted on an offensive post earlier this evening (definitely sexist but often that's hard for some moderators to "see") and was pleasantly surprised to see that it got removed. :thumbsup:

I have also noticed a less snarky attitude toward members (in ATA), which is also heartening.

If I conclude there's been a shift in the tolerance level re some of the more subtle forms of sexism (and racism and homophobia), I'll happily become a contributor again. I did note that an offensive thread got locked tonight, tho later than it could've been IMO (yes, I know it can take time), and I hope that is an indication of a more concerted move in the right direction -- or the left ("progressive") direction. Another :thumbsup:

I feel better about DU tonight than I have in many, many months. Good work. :toast:

[freeforall]

31. Check your P.O. Box this week...

I don't know if you counted mailed in donations, but mine will be there. (Mail from Canada to US takes awhile!)

[Name removed]

32. Deleted message

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

[Guava Jelly]

33. Thanks for DU..Can i get me one of them thar stars now

:)

[DemExpat]

34. Super! DU does feel solid and strong now after the primaries!

Way to go Skinner, Earl and Elad!

Way to go, everybody. :kick:

DemEx

[laylah]

35. Thanks to YOU

Skinner, for giving us a "safe" place to be...keep up the good work:toast:

Jenn

[phillybri]

36. Congrats, everyone!!!

:toast::beer:

[Love Bug]

37. You're very welcome, and THANK YOU!

...for giving us a forum where we can have free-wheeling political discussions with minimal disruption from freepers and other assorted door-knobs!

:yourock:

[SheepyMcSheepster]

39. Thanks DU and Thanks to those who make it happen! nt.

[imax2268]

40. A BIG THANKS...

to you skinner...this place is the shizzle...!

[Renew Deal]

41. DU is like digital crack.

I thought you all did a good job back then and are doing well now. The primaries are naturally going to make this place a warzone. Hopefully we don't have to do it again in 4 years. I wonder what will happen if the republicans have a primary. Will we take sides and fight it out? Example:

Bill Frist is much better than Delay.
Bullshit, Delay is a RINO.

You get the point. ;)

[DLC]

42. Good news! How much did we raise?

Congrats.

[Sinistrous]

44. This time, there were donations from all 50 US states.

I don't think that happened last time.

[minkyboodle]

45. You guys are doing a hell of a job

Thanks for all the hard work. VIVA DU!!!!!!

[lapauvre]

46. Viva DU

eom

[spooky3]

47. An unoriginal piling on Thank You!

[LastDemocratInSC]

48. Thank you for what you do ... it's an honor to be here ...

... among these fine folks. My moments here during the day are the best moments of the day, by far.