New people are coming to DU for a reason...

[kentuck]

What do you think it is ?? Let's welcome their input so long as they don't spew right-wing bullshit... :)

[greenman3610]

1. Are new people coming?

[Ernesto]

52. "Are new people coming?"

There are over 57,000 posters now. What's that tell ya? Seems like we hit 50,000 only about 2 mnths ago. This place is on FIRE, IMHO.

[OrwellwasRight]

55. Not very talkative, huh greeman?

I am a fairly new poster, motivated to vent my frustrations about the party not listening to its grassroots. But I am intrigued by the variety of members here. Some have been around for years and seemingly hardly ever post and some joined fairly recently and have terrifically high post totals. Just wondered what made you respond to this thread?

:hi:

[Lefta Dissenter]

2. Some are coming here to find sanity,

and some are coming to spread their insanity!

[charlyvi]

4. I think the crazy ones are the most fun....

but we need the clear thinkers, too.

[Zorra]

111. Everyone at DU is crazy except for me and you.......

and I'm starting to wonder about you.;)

[seabeyond]

3. i am more middle road than most though i have always voted

dem. so even if they are spewing what we decide is right wing shit, still doesnt mean they are freepers. could just mean they dont where they are suppose to keep their mouth shut on some issue. i still bring up some issues i oppose with democratic party and get flamed, and that is ok, cause there is only a few areas, and i dont take it personally. i do it to better understand the opposing view.

i am more comfrotable helping people along

but in essence of your post, agree

[RyomaSakamoto]

5. NEWS

we got ALL the big stories covered ;->

psst... pass the word :hi:

[pearl]

7. I think the new folks are

a whole new crop of outraged dem voters.


There's still a whole lot a learnin' to do.

[RyomaSakamoto]

14. Thank Gore he 'INVENTED' the Internet!

yep.

a movement has started and they are learning that they can't rely on the leadership to lead... they MUST BE prodded into action.

keeping everyone up-to-date is the first step to effective prodding and DU goes a long way to making us the most effective alternative voice out there.

we feed all the liberal media outlets and that alone is more than worth it.

thank all you 'evil' Du'ers :toast:

psst... pass the word ;->

[charlyvi]

17. Did he invent both of them?

Or did someone else invent the Internets?

[RyomaSakamoto]

22. now, now, lets give credit, were credit is due...

bush created the other ones that apparently only he has access to... typical :evilgrin:

[charlyvi]

25. Oh Okay....

Those Faith Based Internets, huh?

[HEAVYHEART]

78. hahahah! that's so funny!

[fidgeting wildly]

38. "can't rely on the leadership to lead"

That's why I'm here.

There are leaders here, and there are those who can help equip the rest of us to become leaders.

I've been lurking for months, and I've seen how powerful DU can be. When this place is at its best, it is its very own media machine. There is so much knowledge and insight and practical information here that I already can't imagine life without it.

It's also been a great place to commiserate. I live in a red state, and no one in my "real" life understands the pain I've been feeling like other DUers do.

[mom cat]

133. I just love your phrase "evil DU'ers"! LOL

[tsuki]

99. And if I hadn't found you,

I'd be postal by now.

[ohio_liberal]

108. Outraged, disappointed...

Yep that's me :)

[Frogtutor]

131. I came looking for solace two days after the election

When denial couldn't sustain me any longer. Thank God my husband and my dad share my views, but that's about it out of all the people I know. I needed to find other people that "think like me" for comfort. I have been dismayed, however, by all the anti-red state, and anti-south posts; those are the kind of judgmental attitudes I expect to see in right wing fundies. I find that very sad, but so far, the good I've found has outweighed the bad.

Frogtutor

[bunkerbuster1]

132. The best-attended county Democrats meeting I've seen

of those I've attended, locally, here in Red-state Yew Ess Eh, was the one held last saturday.

lotta frustration out there, but a lot of folks are saying to themselves--"how can I change this? How can I make a difference? I don't have a lot of money, maybe, but I do have some time to spare. I've got some skill. Where can I apply this intelligently?"

It takes newbies (and I'm barely past that stage myself, I think) to DU a little time to understand what makes people hit the "ignore" button, not to mention what gets you expelled altogether. I think we should try to educate newbies and be especially patient.

Most importantly, let's not assume they're crypto-Freepers bent on disruption. I'd suspect 90% of 'em aren't.

[RoyalPurple]

138. outraged?

so much so, I have steam coming out of my ears.

[mcscajun]

127. Another DU new arrival...

...registered yesterday...just started posting today.

I spent the last 18 months on Salon.com, SmirkingChimp.com, giving 'beaucoup bucks' to Clark, Kerry, DNC, and MoveOn.org -- and speaking to folks on and off-line trying to sway some of those 'undecideds' -- so I got majorly depressed post-11/2/04. Now I'm looking for new places to channel my energies. I'm in a "blue state", but I'm going to get involved in the Local Dem Party stuff now...why wait? Just heard about DU on SmirkingChimp and knew I had to be here, too.

Nice place you've got here. :)

[HappyLibin2008]

6. I'm new........

...this is my first post. It seems most folks here are a little too far to the right of my views. But, that's OK:)

[Blue Gardener]

8. Welcome to DU!

Be warned, it can become very addictive.

[traco]

129. You are so right

I spend so much time reading I forget to post very often!

[ret5hd]

9. well, assuming you are being truthful...

me and you will probably get along just fine. most here are to the right of my views also.

[Dr Batsen D Belfry]

10. So what you are saying is

you are so far left you are coming around the other side of right? :)

[flvegan]

Welcome to DU!

I was going to say, Welcome to DU, Doc! but didn't know if that would be insulting...

[Catch22Dem]

13. Yay, welcome to DU!

:toast:

[Ardee]

15. most folks, not at all...

Welcome to the diverse world of democratic party politics.

There are some very vocal right wing democrats here who jump on any attempt to clarify reasons for the decline of the party as a result of its swing to the right and the muddling of its real message.But there are also some very progressive folks who would welcome another such.

[DoYouEverWonder]

16. LOL

Welcome to DU :hi:

[Cheswick2.0]

93. you could also lable that picture Christ/Anti Christ

cool graphic

[DoYouEverWonder]

109. Thanks

I thought I'd take the subtle approach.

[bvar22]

64. Welcome.

There are plenty here from the Progressive, Liberal, Socialist wing of Politics. Most of us (lefties) have learned to stop posting to threads when the screaming starts.

If you are interested in progressive reform WITHIN the Democratic Party, go here:
http://www.pdamerica.org/

If you are interested in Progressive reform OUTSIDE the Democratic Party, this is still a good place to call home.

[blondeatlast]

68. Welcome to DU--too far RIGHT, though? WOW.

No matter...

:toast:

[Bush was AWOL]

126. Who are you?

Too far right????????

[alexisfree]

135. welcome....

;)

[jrthin]

11. Maybe like myself

and others, once upon a time, these new people are looking for a site that validates their sanity. Give DU the credit it deserves, a haven for sane (generally speaking) people who find strength in numbers. And give the newbies the benefit of the doubt, after all, you and I were once new and felt uncomfortable that any differing view we held have could label us a fundie.

[IStriker]

24. ..."give newbies the benefit of the doubt."

I'm a long time lurker who finally registered post-election because just reading was not enough. I was so depressed I needed to be able to converse with other people in the same boat. I "traded" my vote in PA through Vote-Pair because I was scared to vote for Nader this time, but I still wanted to.

[DjTj]

39. Welcome!

:hi:

[IStriker]

48. Thank you!

I think I have found a home here and am sorry I didn't join sooner.

[lildreamer316]

122. My sentiments exactly...& I'm new too

Thanks for articulating my reasons for joining so well. Being stuck in this red state with a red roommate is killing me!!(AND I invited her in!!My bad:( ). Would have joined sooner, if I had found it!!Besides, I indulge my feelings of being an old lister by being one of the oldest members of the VHML. It's nice to be a newbie again.

[MuseRider]

12. The more the merrier!

I love it. It is a bit cumbersome now, less like family but we need every mind and heart we can get to just get through this. I think we are getting a lot of press and there are a lot of discouraged people who need the support we all came here to get. Big tent party with tons of different and often opposing ideas make for learning, fun, freaking out. Hey, those are all the things we are known for but in the end we will do well like this I think. Welcome all newbies.

[BearClaws]

19. Newbie here!

I come here for my sanity.
I lurked throughout the election, and was confident of a Kerry victory.
Well, after awakening from my worst nightmare, I needed to get in the loop.
I work with a bunch of rethuglicans that are my superiors and I really need DU after a full day of their bullshit!
THANK YOU!

[verdalaven]

32. New here too

I lurked for a long time before signing up. I have to say DU is an incredible source of information. I have learned more about the election, politics, goverment here than any other site/blog/forum, simply because the debate here doesn't devolve into ridiculous arguments between right/left. You just can't critically analyze information when someone is shouting you down with stupid unfounded claims or insults. For instance, on one forum a Bush supporter told me that I should pray Bush wins for the sake of morality, in his words, "Your kids might learn some morals." Pretty infuriating, considering I had never said anything more about my family than that I had one. To them Democrat=liberalism=immorality.

Funny, for me NeoCon=ammorality.

[MuseRider]

36. Nope

we just have ridiculous arguments between left lefties and center lefties LOL! Welcome, I am glad you are here.

[MuseRider]

34. Welcome.

Glad you are here.

[papiamento]

18. I'm still undecided

maybe I need to explore some of the smaller, narrower forums or something.

seems like the general and political forums are full of lots and lots of shreiking hysterical nonsense, and not a lot of serious or logical commentary. it's there, but it's hard to find through all the noise.

lots of ranting and bashing, not much discussing. lots of screaming, not much listening.

but what do i know. just a first impression.

the lunatic fringe here is both amusing and a little frustrating.

[Edmond Dantes]

27. Folks are still in post-election shock.

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

30. What, you don't like shrieking hysterical nonsense?

Have you tried the wild-eyed conspiratorial ranting? Mmmm!

The angriest are the loudest, and more than usual are angrier than usual right now. It's dismaying. I found tons of good info here during the campaign and developed a serious DU habit. Now I have to sift to find something besides attacks on others. But I'm confident it will level out again soon. Welcome to DU!

[Ernesto]

56. SWMBO, You nailed it!

I think that many old-timers have dropped out or are just sitting on their hands about now. Last week, when I posted a suggestion that "we" calm down around here, I was promptly accused of being a freeper by some newby.....

[Minstrel Boy]

61. "the lunatic fringe here is both amusing and a little frustrating."

I feel the same about the lunatic middle.

[sangh0]

66. The so-called "lunatic" middle

doesn't issue warnings of impending nuke attacks the way the looney left does.

[uhhuh]

76. True

The lunatic middle just says that we have to give up any hope of achieving any kind of fairness and equity in our society so we can "win".

What do we get if we win? A medal? Bragging rights?

If we have to give up fundamental elements of our philosophy to fight the right wing media machine, we are saying that they are legitimate. They are not. They are just in control right now. That's like saying Hitler was correct because his propaganda machine convinced most of the German people to support him.

I don't think because he was accepted as a leader by the majority of his population that he was right.

[sangh0]

80. What do we get if we win? is an unbrilliant question

We get the power to undo the Global Gag Rules

We get the power to nominate judges to the courts, including SCOTUS

We get the power to veto obnoxious right-wing bills.

We get the power to prevent war for oil

We get control of the Fed govts regulatory agencies.

A medal? Bragging rights?

Maybe, if we're not too busy using these powers to help the vulnerable, we'll take a minute and send you medal.

(You see, I can paint you as only caring about a medal as easily as you can paint others as caring only about winning. Maybe someday, we'll all realize that WE are not the enemy)

[DireStrike]

82. Yeah, but if you change your stance to win...

You'll do one of two things:

1) Be a liar. If you say you're for X and you do Y, you're less likely to get elected in the future and more likely to be marginalized as "evil" or whatever. OR,

2) Actually enact the changes you promised, in which case you just become the right.

However, it seems like the general public doesn't care about lies. The first option may be viable, if it can be shown that the media will look the other way as much as they have for this administration.

[sangh0]

83. Straw man

Who said anything about changing stances. Our positions on the issues are supported by a majority of Americans. Why fix them if theyre not broke?

And where did I say we should lie? This is just another straw man you have to erect in order to misportray your argument as principled, while I, the unprincipled one, has advocated lying.

If you're so concerned about lies, you wouldn't try to misportray me as advocating deceit

[DireStrike]

114. "Who said anything about changing stances."

The conversation chain was started with this post:

"The lunatic middle just says that we have to give up any hope of achieving any kind of fairness and equity in our society so we can "win".

What do we get if we win? A medal? Bragging rights?

If we have to give up fundamental elements of our philosophy to fight the right wing media machine, we are saying that they are legitimate. They are not. They are just in control right now. That's like saying Hitler was correct because his propaganda machine convinced most of the German people to support him.

I don't think because he was accepted as a leader by the majority of his population that he was right."

Your response was to that, so I assumed you'd hold the same context throughout the argument.

[sangh0]

115. IN that case

please consider that I was arguing against that.

[DireStrike]

116. Then you should have taken it into account

Instead of taking his question out of context. It makes for a more convincing argument.

[blondeatlast]

71. It will calm down, give it time.

and be aware there are LOTS of disruptors at the moment, and they don't all have low post counts.

We went through the same sort of insanity during the primaries, but as we move closer to the congressional races, I think you will see some real unity and constructive disagreement.

I remember prior to the election people here in GD asking red staters like me how they could be of help.

Several jumped in their cars and on planes to come to the red states, others bought phone cards to bank.

It's a loving, but often very disfunctional, family!

[Cheswick2.0]

94. Yikes......... now we aren't serious and logical enough

for newbies.

Welcome to DU! Try not to be so judgemental. Some of us have been here for almost four years and we like it just fine.

[m berst]

130. way off there I am afraid

"lots and lots of shreiking hysterical nonsense" and "not a lot of serious or logical commentary" and "lots of ranting and bashing, not much discussing. lots of screaming, not much listening." and "...the lunatic fringe here is both amusing and a little frustrating."

You can't be serious. I can't imagine anyone from a moderate Republican to a socialist getting those impressions.

Can you give us some examples of what you have read that fits any of those descriptions?

[Hubert Flottz]

20. I've invited two myself!

Both of whom have been teachers and are writers! More will come! You will know by their outrage and their grief the good from the bad! We old timers here, are not the only ones with broken hearts and broken dreams!

[Catchawave]

21. The future of the Democratic Party....

...will not be televised ! (Thanks to Joe Trippi for that sniglet).

It's nice to have a place to come to protest without fear of being arrested:P I'm hooked !

[Downtown Hound]

23. It is my hope that DU

can be a major force in American politics. I already see that starting to happen. This is Democracy in it's purest form, the people debating, slugging it out, and presenting ideas. Here's to DU!

:toast:

[greenmutha]

26. Speaking for myself

I found DU the day after the election because I absolutely felt that something stank to high heaven about the election. I sat there and cried watching Kerry's concession speech, and then felt outrage at Shrub's victory speech. I googled "election fraud" and "voter fraud" over and over all afternoon until I got results that pertained to this election. It led me to DU.

I really felt the need to be with like-minded people, even if it was in cyberspace. It has been a life saver for me to be able to come here... I felt like slitting my wrists at one point.

We cannot let BushCo steal another election! :grr:

Edited for spelling error! oops!

[Ernesto]

57. Hi GM! Good to hear ya!

That's a great story...... Kinda (exactly) like what went down when chimp was installed in 2001.

[new2004voterWV]

28. Still a newbie here...

I was given the link here, via another message board that I've been on for years. (Not a political board, but a tv show fan board, where we are mostly all on the same page.) The link was posted just a day or 2 before the election, and I've been popping in everyday that I could (there was a short while that it was shut down for non registerd folks like me, due to the high traffic). I came here because I needed a place to go where I'd feel like others shared my same views, in a time when I felt so isolated. I live in WV, and this was my first election. I was so upset that my vote didn't matter, since they gave it to the shrub in WV. At least my "home" state of PA had it right.

Still feeling a bit depressed, but trying to keep positive. Coming here helps.

[misskris10]

29. im brand spankin' new

but my mom's a devoted DUer from way back.

after the election, i decided it was time for me to be a big girl and move out into a screenname of my own:)

happy to be here, and i can promise there'll be no right-wing bullshit from me. my momma didnt raise no freeper:)

[peace4all]

31. welcome!

glad you decided to join in.
compliments to your momma too! :-)

[Carl Brennan]

33. The newbies seem to be very bright and informed. Maybe they were

lurkers for awhile.

[FellowAmerican]

43. I'm a lurker . . .

and still hold back on responding because I'm afraid that if I don't use harse enough language against RW nuts, I will be called a freeper. I'm not comfortable with 'hate' language, no matter who it's directed at. I like to lurk around, watch, listen and every now and then say a little something.

[Carl Brennan]

51. Good post. It makes me think.

Having new people involved on a continuing basis is important to prevent a group from getting out of touch with reality. Thanks for sharing. I'd like to see a newbie forum so people who just got here can express their concerns like you have.

:toast:

[bvar22]

103. Hi. & welcome

You may take some comfort in these words from the Desiderata.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.

http://hobbes.ncsa.uiuc.edu/desiderata.html

[Cornedwine]

35. I am here to find the truth..

The election was stolen again...and I think that is unnacceptable...

[deadparrot]

44. Welcome....

and so do I.

Listen, maybe we're wrong and maybe * did win OH, FL, and other disputed states (which I doubt). But when there is proven, obvious fraud, it merits an investigation, and the problem needs correction, no matter how small. With issues like voting, this kind of stuff is critically important. You can't leave this stuff up to a machine.

We won't be winning anything in 2006 or 2008 unless we correct this problem now.

[OrwellwasRight]

58. Well said.

I'm tired of hearing that people concerned about irregularities, glitches, and fraud are tinfoilhatters who should admit we lost.

I can admit we lost AND still care about a fraud-free, uncertainty-free, reliable voting process going forward. And we won't accomplish that if we don't make a stink about the holes in the system and the evidence of such in this year's vote.

It's not just "revise our strategies" or "fix the fraud." It's both.

Thanks!

[Jeanette in FL]

37. Another Newbie here

I too was a long time lurker, was afraid that I would become addicted. Became addicted anyways. Then after the election and we were locked out, I kicked myself in the ass for not joining and supporting DU sooner. Begged the administration to let me in. Thank goodness. This place is for my sanity, plus I think it has some of the most intelligent people on board. So glad to be here.

[deadparrot]

42. Welcome!

We're all addicted now, I think. With the direction this country is taking and the fact that DU is the only liberal outlet some of us have, we find ourselves flocking here more and more often.

[ventvon]

40. Well, I'm an internet nomad.

Now that the election is over and my anger is seen as justified, I should fit in here pretty well.

I was angry before the election because I knew what was coming, and I still do, so I got banned from everywhere else.

Now that everyone is just as angry as I always have been, I should fit in nicely. :)

[Carolina]

45. Welcome, ventvon

I hear ya. This old timer is stuck in rage mode and I don't see that changing anytime soon. The only way I truly avoid exploding is keeping the TV OFF and avoiding threads with titles/headings that make me say WTF is this shit.

[Shiraz]

49. It is very heartening

to read these posts from new Duers ! Back after the 2000 election I went in search for people like myself. I was not very political but I was in disbelief to what went down and I couldn't believe their was not more outrage in my own circles. I was new to the internet back then and had AOL. Well the message boards there were unbelievable. It was my 1st taste of how nasty people out there really were. Someone on there posted a link to buzzflash thank God and I became hooked to it, DU wasn't around yet. I found DU through buzzflash after that but never became a member until after 2002 election when I was locked out for about 5 days. The longest 5 days ever and I joined. I don't post much but I spend way too much time here , and marvel at how the internet has changed my life "Thank you Al Gore" Hopefully this trend will continue and eventually enough people will become outraged too and things will change for the better. I got to say I had my rant the day after election but now I am strangely calm and have to believe it is because I feel the change is a comin!

[Mr_Spock]

41. 0.1% of the Democratic voters is a member. 1 in 5000 Americans also

I inform at least 10 people close to me what is going on here. If everyone here did that, we would be influencing 1% of Democratic voters. Oh, but an article linked here actually convinced a Nader republican to vote for Kerry in NH. We won NH by only 10,000 votes. There has to be something good here :D. Amazing how quickly I can shoot down ANY freeper "talking points" from what I learn here. They have to sit in silence now or be shot down miserably - they choose silence now. I like it here :D.

[recovering democrat]

46. I am new too.

I left the Democratic party years ago when it was controlled by the Strom Thurmonds of the world, and returned when the Republican party left me when it lost control to the religious crazies. So consider me either a converted Republican, or a "recovering Democrat".

I found this site while lurking on Free Republic - Don't worry, please! I found out about their insanity during the Clinton impeachment mess and figured it was a good idea to "know my enemy" so I read their posts. Realized whatever they were "flaming" was really good stuff including - they kept talking about the "DUmmies" which is the only thing for which I can thank them since it led me to this site! Everybody here doesn't agree on everything but that is the USA - and the Democratic party is big enough for all of us. I will ALWAYS respect the opinions of others (except I have NO patience with lies and right-wing bullshit...)

[restorefreedom]

47. my guess is they don't like having their rights tromped on

or their voice taken away.

Welcome new Du'ers!

[zippy890]

50. Saved my psyche at election time

am on the left bank of the left, and the election made me more so, this is a great community of concerned, thinking people.

I like the format, the humor.







and the creativity

[kittycat1164]

53. I'm new...sort of

I've lurked 4ever, but I NEED to hear and be around people of like mind. I've started posting, and haven't been blown out of the water, so I'm getting alittle bolder. I thank God for this place.
:yourock:

[Generator]

54. I think some new ones are in frigging shock over the election

and the realization they need friends of like mind in the coming years of doom. They are ready to listen, fight, and share.

I think some had strong feelings Kerry would win, logic said he would and then-like magic, or a stolen reality-Bush has a mandate-and it just feels wrong.

A gut check that tells you when yourloved one is in danger. That kind of feeling that can't be proved but by which humans have evolved through generations to be able to save themselves.

Welcome to all. I only found DU in March-and it's saved my sanity.

[kalibex]

60. You got it.

Ended up 'politicised' by election 2004 in a way I never was before...

[aprillcm]

59. Newbie Here

I came because I notices DUers were doing alot of interesting research on some of these polling numbers :)

Also my message groups have often linked DU as a source for some great info.

The final reason I am one of those in shock over this election. I can not handle watching smirky on TV CNN makes me sick and the others aren't much better.

So thanks for letting me come into the Big Tent :)

[littleleaguemom]

62. Long time lurker

Just got up the nerve to post after YOU-KNOW-WHAT. Everyone is so kind and welcoming.

[arkie dem]

67. New here also

I've been lurking for about 3yrs now. I've donated $ during the fundraisers for DU. Liked the sliding scale of bush and the boot, and the limpballs and the pills was classic.One of these days I'm going to get brave and put the DU Underground sticker on the Toyota, except I live in a very RED area of AR.

I'm not real good at expressing myself in print, just liked to read the messages. I figured it was a good time to add my two pennies.
I guess the election pushed me over the edge.

[laundry_queen]

63. new here also

As bizarre as it seems, I've been reading other left wing sites and blogs since 2000 but never knew about DU until about a month ago. I love how quickly the boards move. I'm Canadian and not too many of my friends share my love of US politics so I come here for my sanity. I probably won't post much, I'm not as well-read or eloquent as most posters here, but I am like a sponge for information. It's nice to have found others who share my hatred of shrub. It's good to know I'm not insane.

[OnionPatch]

65. Welcome newbies!!

Wow, I hope I've been around long enough to say that.
I came here for the same reasons.....desperately needed to hear what other progressives were thinking. It's addicting here!
The best thing, I've found, is that the Latest Breaking News forum is the most up-to-date news source I've found anywhere! If I hear a hint of a story anywhere, I know I can go to DU and find the link to all the info available. I've told many of my friends about this and after checking it out, they all agree and come here regularly now, too.

[SpecialK84]

69. I'm a lurker ...

Although, I prefer to call myself a "learner" -- DU has taught me a LOT. I joined DU in July or August (I think) but I've been around for a little while before that.

I don't post much because I really don't usually have anything to contribute that hasn't already been said. I'm young (20) and unlike most people my age I don't believe to be all-knowing, so on the whole I'm here to keep informed on what's really going on (since the "news" obviously isn't much of a help in that aspect).


Also, when the madness of living in the mist of Red State Redneckness (Missouri/Kansas border -- although I'm currently in Europe for 3 months) gets to be too much I come here so I don't commit mass homocide, suicide ... or some combination of both.


That's my reasoning ...

*goes back to hiding in the shadows*

[Liberalynn]

81. I'm new my reasons

Now I realize I have it a heck of a lot easier than those who live in Repulican majority states because we still get lots of Dems elected because of our surrounding urban neighbors.

Here in still fairly rural Upstate,however, we have a handful of rednecks who vote Bush for the same reasons as their counterparts in other states do like religion and the gun issues. I'm frankly scared to death of them and stay as far away as possible.

However, the upper hoidy toidy groups here mostly voted Bush because they were afraid Kerry would tax them an extra few dollars and they'd have to cancel Muffy's trip abroad next year. There are also some from the less affluent crowd who have bought the Pukes'"tax and spend liberal" yellow propaganda and who actually believe the dollar or so they get back in taxes off sets all the goods and services they loose like better roads, libraries, education, parks etc. I got a cousin in that crowd. He didn't vote though because he believes Bush will tax him just as much. LOL.

At any rate though I had strong beliefs on most of these things, I listened to my Mom and my sisters advice that since we were in a mostly Repuke area, I should just keep my head down and my mouth firmly shut. They said it was fine for me to have my beliefs and they even shared them but that the arguments it would start with others just wasn't worth it.

Well all keeping my mouth shut got me was discriminated against in my job because I was doing better than my male Repuke counterpart and his ego got damaged, and suddenly things started getting blamed on me that weren't my fault but his. When I tried to protest I was told outright that because I was a female what I said didn't matter. They didn't care I was doing more work than him because he was a man and I was a woman and our role in life is to do a man's job if he can't do it for himself even though he gets the glory and the pay. I kid not.

I wanted to go to a lawyer but my family feared "repercussions." So I kept my mouth shut and kept going to work. I wanted to quit but got advised you can't quit until you have another job by my family. To make a long story short stuffing it all inside and keeping it quiet, having to go in and face that bastard everyday, got to me in the end. I ended up with severe depression and anxiety and got very suicidal for awhile. I've been battling all of this for several years now and have not been completely successful. I'm on SSD now.

I'm still scared and depressed more than anyone will ever know but damn it, I will not let those Puke male bastards keep kicking me down like a doormat while they walk all over me, while I aid them by remaining silent especially after this election with democracy on the line.

In my opinion George W. Bush is a prejuidice bastard who does not deserve to clean toilets let alone be President of the United States. If my voice or my signature can help in any way, it will no longer be absent, no matter what anyone thinks. So that is why I joined the DU. So take that you bastard woman hating Repukes.

[seabeyond]

84. high five girl, kick ass

i am pissed at the male trying to dominate me too. cant be done. bah hahahaha. ah well good for you. sounds like you are on the road to healing

btw i feel they are also doing it to gays, girlie men and a lot of us christian patriot americans, ...........in all different areas, not just the female male thing. challenge my morality, wink, bring it on

[Liberalynn]

97. Thank You

Thank you! Susan B. Anthony has been a long time heroine of mine and I've been trying to think what she'd be doing if she were alive in these times. She fought not just for women but for other minority voting rights as well. She was religous but she believed in human dignity as well.

I'm doing my best to learn to be strong and brave enough to start speaking up even though it still scares the life out of me. This Anxiety Disorder and Clinical Depression stuff is a bitch to fight.

[seabeyond]

106. still scares the life out of me

becomes a piece of cake. age and living around so many manly men, has become easy. especially since having kids and hte ultimate is standing for them. gives me easy courage. sounds to me youa re right on point and dooing a tootin job in expressin

This Anxiety Disorder and Clinical Depression stuff is a bitch to fight.

dont fight it embrace it./ walk into the fear of it and it disappears. there is a trick to be in the now. in the now there is no pain or fear. fear is always a creation illusion not real of what will be or what happened, never in the moment. go into anxiety, bring self to now and see how ok you quickly become. wrap the aniexty or depression in love as if it were a child, comfort it, or as if you would picture jesus comforting you.

anyway, this will be a healing site, to embrace your power you are. to know you are the only one that can give away your power, no one can take it from you. tis yours to do

[lildreamer316]

125. You don't know me...

..but that could be a good thing! Please at least listen to what I have to say.
I know you love your family. I know they love you. Since they do, the most loving thing they could do is to support you in any way possible during your hard times. Support does not mean to tell you to keep quiet. Keeping quiet never got anyone anywhere..just ask many,many ppl on this board. Obviously it is hard for you to find another job that equates with the one you are having to put up with (I'm assuming). I think that you need to tell your family that if they really want to support and love you, they will allow you to speak your mind to anyone you want, anytime you want. You're a grown adult..I'm sure you can figure out when it's appropriate to speak up and when not to, but you should only listen to one voice to tell you when that is..YOUR OWN. Susan B. Anthony didn't get anywhere by being quiet, either. I don't know what/how you believe, but the universe has always taken care of me, even when I've made a potentially financially bad move because I just couldn't justify being employed somewhere I wasn't comfortable. Look to the many feminist (and other) leaders for inspiration. "obedient women are never remembered in history" Listen to yourself...YOU know what's best for you, no one else does.
Please forgive my forwardness, and are welcome to ignore/flame....I just want to help. The fact that you don't know where I live helps too!;) Just kidding. Good luck & keep your chin up. Sorry everyone for the long personal post; can't PM yet.
Last thing..have you ever read any Richard Bach? Try it...might help.

[bobbyboucher]

137. Well said. Fight those pricks, don't cower.

Let your views be known. You might just shake loose a few like thinkers. They are immature and ignorant, educate yourself and beat them over the head with it.

[sadinred]

70. I'm new

I'm here because I can't accept things as they are and I feel very alone with that here in northern Florida. I wish I could DO something. Before the election I felt okay... I worked for Kerry and I thought Bush couldn't possibly win. Nov 3 I was devastated! I got on line, searching, and I've been on line ever since. I can't seem to let it go.
I know we're crowding you old timers and DU even had to revamp to accommodate us newbies. I appreciate it. Where else could we go? Thanks to all you guys who helped to start and grow DU!

[seabeyond]

77. do you hear the groundswell.............

beautiful the sound. i will be patient with you, please be patient with me. lol i am far from an oldtime, but lordy, this is a good place to be. i am proud what the dem and others did this year. i am proud of the morals of our party and our participation in this election in informed and in integrity and in honesty. we can be proud. and the larger and more grand we become, the more we will do.

this is going to get too stupid with bush. stupid is easy (my difinition of stupid, have a brain, not using it)

[sadinred]

95. are you sure he has a brain?

One that's not fried by extreme young adult drug use?
Have you seen evidence of a brain?

I think you're right...I think it's going to get really "stupid" with Bush.

Worried...I'm here for the long run though.:think:

[seabeyond]

102. not necessarily talking bush with stupid

more talking my father and brother, in laws, friends, those in the boys school that are educators and the cream of this society, lol lol lol. htere are a lot sittin in stupid, wink. totally uninformed and wrong

[Peter Frank]

I'm new here too...

I'm here because I am utterly exasperated with the Bush administration & the outcome of this election; …and want to have a voice in the effort to bring accountability to our voting system.

Also, although I'm an Independent, I want a voice in returning the leadership of the Democratic Party to the boldness of its core ideals and vision – which, if passionately embraced, I think will earn the respect of the majority of Americans.

The Republican leadership has already sold its soul to the highest bidders; while the strength of Democratic leadership (and message) has been meaningfully diluted by special interests. With all the Republican talk about “values,” I see a mountain of spiritual duplicity in this administration – atop which a rededicated Democratic leadership can genuinely lay claim to the moral high ground.

“It’s hard work” to reclaim the soul of a party while resisting the influence that special interests broker with their resources; but the sooner it’s done, the sooner the Democratic candidate will become a viable option for Americans who grow increasingly disenchanted with Republican leadership. And given that no one knows what event(s) might quickly expose the depth of this administration’s liabilities, it’s imperative that the Democratic Party swiftly rises to a position of honorable strength – success being where opportunity meets preparation.

[Smirking_Chimp]

72. I'm new

But I just discovered this site!

[Midlodemocrat]

73. I recently started posting

...but I have been a lurker for several years. I love this site. It is informative, expouses my own beliefs and at times is entertaining.

[Kahuna]

74. A very warm welcome to all of these new and low count/lurking DUers!!!

:yourock:

[arkie dem]

75. Thanks Kahuna

From another Wes Clark Dem.

[HEAVYHEART]

79. No right wing bullshit here. Fuck no!

I started lurking here on November 3rd. I was so distraught and outraged but had no one to share my views and feelings with. I then googled "Democratic forums" and that's how I found my way here. Unfortunately, the registration option was not available at that time, so I just lurked here every single day until the registration became available again.

I think I would have lost my mind if I hadn't found this place. I feel sorry for other dems who don't get online or are not aware that places like this exist. My cousin is so devastated about the election, to this day. But she has no computer and she lives in a heehaw red state, with no one to talk to about any of this bullshit. She's going to see a shrink next week.

Anyway, thanks for having me.

[seabeyond]

86. She's going to see a shrink next week.

i went into a snort laugh at the sadness at this. the best to her.

[Liberalynn]

100. Tell Her She is Not Alone

I had to schedule an extra appointment with the clinic where I was already going because this sparked off a setback in me. The therapist(an independent by the way) kept telling me repeat these things, "there are checks and balances, not much will change domestically because the country is too busy concentrating on Iraq, that a draft would be poitical stupid for either side, that the whole religous vote was overblown by the press because morals mean different things to different people, extremists usually loose in the vote eventually, etc.

She also suggested to me that I remind myself that it I live in NY State and as long as liberal Dems, moderate Dems, and moderate Republicans remain in control of our representative bodies life here will really not change that much. I know she is trying to calm me down a bit, and it's worked to an extent but I'm still not a 100 percent reassured and it doesn't help fellow non- NY people, who are going through some of the same things.

She also told me to stay off the computer for ahwile, but I haven't been successful at that one as you can see. LOL.

[mtnsnake]

85. I recently found DU when I did a Google search on

some info I was looking up about our lying coward of a president, and fortunately got a link to the DU site. I couldn't believe what I found! There was a HUGE group of people out there with similar principles as my own, only these people...man were they intelligent, far smarter than me, and did they ever know how to express themselves. It was a far cry from talking politics on some sports forum with flaming right wing assholes, where the only thing you have in common with them is the team you root for. Anyway, after lurking the forums here at DU for a while, I was hooked.

On top of that, the area I live in is somewhere between conservative and moderate. With the exception of a couple close liberal friends, many of my other casual friends & acquaintances happened to be repukes, and deep down I realized that we didn't really have much in common other than sharing some of the same outdoors activities. When it came to "talking life", repukes just aren't that deep or fun to talk to, so for the most part our conversations were either of the light variety or forced. With DU around, it's not like that for me anymore. It's great because now I don't have to waste so much time talking life with certain narrow minded people I used to know. Instead I can come here and be with my "own" kind. I'm so glad to have found it. This is a very cool place!

[G_j]

98. great to have you here!

-another thing I greatly appreciate about DU are the generally very high standards of providing good links and background info.
If some 'other' folks (thinking Rush, freepers etc.)could possibly hold themselves to such standards, they wouldn't be able to spew so much garbage.

[graywarrior]

87. It's extremely brave posting when you're new

I got my ass kicked a few times. But I still kept coming back for more. I now live here. I know everybody, but I know no one.

[seabeyond]

88. not for the weak, that is for sure, lmao n/t

[kayell]

89. Welcome to all our Democratic and progressive newbies!

:hi: I'm so glad you found this place.

[chefgirl]

90. Welcome Newbies

I think its an excellent sign to see so many newbies here after the election. Sure, some are disruptors, but I think us old timers have gotten pretty good at spotting them, so they generally dont last too long.

I had a feeling, and I read someone upthread say, that it took this second bullshit election to wake up a lot of people.

On inauguration day 2001, when I registered, I think we were mostly people who were political junkies already. I think most of America, after that election, was hoping it was a one time aberration, and wouldn't happen again. Now I think they're catching on to what we've been screaming from the rooftops for the last four years.

DU was always a great source for info you couldn't find anywhere else, but I've got to hand it to DUers, we've got this shit down to a science now, and IMO, its the perfect time for newbies to be finding us.

So, again, welcome newbies! Glad to have you! :toast:

-chef-

[kitchen girl]

91. No RWBS spewing here.

I lurked on DU for about three weeks before joining the weekend before the election. I'm on several other message boards, mostly having to do with pets, music and crafts, and have been very unhappy at the number of right-wingers on those boards. It's very nice to find a group of people who share my views and ideals. This is a great place, and I'm glad to be here!

[Zorra]

92. I am sending the "Campaign To Starve The Beast Thread" to everyone

who voted for Kerry that I have an email address for. I think that other DUers are doing the same.

This may be one reason that they are coming here.

Campaign To Starve The Beast:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=2600099&mesg_id=2600099

[Turd Ferguson]

96. I've been lurking on here since July

I was listening to the Sean Hannity show (ducks chair) and he mentioned you guys and I've been addicted ever since. Don't worry, I was listening in disgust, I'm not a freeper.

[B Calm]

101. They know that Bush stole the election and are seeking the truth

here in DU!

[mother earth]

104. Speaking as someone new to this site,

I can tell you this board is a hope and a prayer for me. I can't remember how I found it, but was looking for word from Michael Moore, Move On, Democracy Now, anybody... after the election....some ray of hope to tell us why it all went so horribly wrong. I went to bed Nov. 2nd with the hope and belief I would awaken to JK as our pres. & was overwhelmingly crushed when I heard we were in for 4 more devastating, catastrophic, hopeless years. Finding this web site was like finding my belief that there is a God afterall, and maybe with a little luck and some perseverance we will expose the awful reason why it all went wrong 11/2. You all are great and are keeping hope alive for everyone. I'm now a DU addict, tuning in two to three, sometimes more, times daily. I can never go back to the old days of not caring much about politics, reminds me of that poem, "Heavy Thinking"...can't stop it now.

[Robbien]

105. That is exactly how I felt back in 2000

This site is great because it gives one the belief that one is not alone in believing this Bush thing is so wrong.

:grouphug:

Welcome home to DU mother earth.

[Magic_Cookie]

107. Ditto on that

That's exactly how I've felt :) Welcome aboard

[American Tragedy]

110. Try to give new people the benefit of the doubt

It's insulting and unwise to presume that they're trolls.

I'm technically new, I suppose, although it honestly feels like I have been here forever.

[Obviousman]

112. im new only in so far as ive just started posting

ive been visiting this site regularly since the primaries.

[ezod]

113. Serious lurker for over a year...

I'll post a pot-shot here and there, but usually just read alot. The Plame threads and Truth is All poll analysis have been the highlights of my DU year. Lots of well informed folks round these parts. I knew it was an addiction when the Discussion Forums (LBN is great!) assumed it's position as Firefox home page...

[Peter Frank]

117. I posted this earlier, but it got burried...

...I left the reply window open, too long & there were many post after I finally posted.

Please check out -- http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=2685884#2687116

[quoi]

118. I joined because you are all so good-looking

Plus, the next four years are going to require a lot of hard drinking.

Salon=orange juice
dKos=mimosa
DU=screwdriver+shot of tequila

[proudbluestater]

119. John Kerry's Forum is Gone, That's Why I'm Here

Several of us (3,000) or so migrated to another site which was hosted by a couple of the moderators from his forum. Then they opened the flood gates and the trolls entered in droves. I got tired of listening to and refuting their lies so I left.

I figured if I come here, when the FREEPERS do arrive, there are a lot more members who can help me fight them off!

[Polly_Sorbate_60]

121. Me too, proudbluestater!!!!

I was wondering how the second site did...sorry to hear the trolls crashed the party :(

[kentuck]

120. Welcome to all the newbies...

I had to work today and had no idea so many new voices had signed on. Hey, we need all the help we can get! :)

[Wolf1728]

123. My Reasons For Coming To DU

Someone (in another forum) "hotlinked" a graphic from my website to this site. (Not a nice thing to do but I don't mind when it is on a message board).
Also, being a Massachusetts liberal, I figured I just might fit in here.

[Buddyblazon]

124. I was guided here by the Randi Rhodes Message Board...

which I was guided to from the Air America website....

which I was guided to by Al Franken....

So...I keep seeing people hating on Franken...but I know of at least a few people that I've gotten politically active through his book (because it isn't the usual yawn-fest...great for people that want to dip their toes in before the dive right in)...and I've gotten ALL my friends addicted to AAR here in Denver (it was harder before we got it...although I was streaming on day 1).

Let me know when our numbers eclipse the FReeptards.

[Melqart]

128. Hi!

Since other people are introducing themselves here, I guess I will too.

I've been lurking at this site for a long time, but never joined because I didn't have anything I wanted to post. Then for a couple of days after the election only members could access the site, which was very frustrating because I'd been following the discussions on voter fraud. I wasn't able to find the same information on any other site. So I became a member after they started accepting new people again.

I suspect a lot of your new members were lurkers who were frustrated by the blackout after the election. I heard someone I don't know (at college) complaining about not being able to get onto Democratic Underground.

[ThorsHammer]

136. Hello everyone

Moderate Republican (no fan of Bush though) here. I voted for him in 2000 but not this time around. IMO he's made a giant mess both abroad and at home, and I am very disappointed with his "leadership". Iraq was what really pushed me away, as we're losing way too many people, both American and Iraqi, with no clear end in sight. I fear that this could be our generation's Viet Nam, in that we're in too deep to get out, yet still have no clear way to win.

I'm not here to flame, but would like to have honest, respectful discussion and debate with everyone. I am likely more conservative than most here, but am a huge believer in talking to people with different viewpoints and will respect their opinion. The polarization that we have seen recently makes it all the more important that we have places where people can respectfully disagree and have constructive dialog, rather than just saying Red=bad, blue = good or vice versa.

[grasswire]

134. welcome, welcome, welcome..

...to all! DU have a cup of punch and a cookie, and if/when you are able throw a bill in the collection plate, wouldya? You'll get a gold star next to your user name and support the future of this resource.

Now, let's get to work!