O.K. I had to come here because it was too depressing out there.

[Maat]

On the Main Forum, some DUers are just getting discouraged. Last night I went to my DFA meetup in the Temecula/Murrieta/Lake Elsinore area, and ... it made me feel so positive ... because we were creating something that will be so valuable as time marches along ... we were creating a network of progressive. It's a local network to be sure. It felt so GOOD doing something. As this retired social worker knows, the one sure cure for feeling bummed is ACTION (doing something/MOVING ALONG). So, I was able to enjoy what happened today, and take it for what it was/is worth, and then let go. Because I had my out ... I know that I'm involved in something important. Thanks for listening. Hope I'm making a little sense.

[janx]

1. There are many people who are content to whine and expect

some kind of "leader" to take care of them.

Nothing gets done that way.

[NoPasaran]

2. I'd be willing to bet

That most of the biggest whiners are actually doing the least actual hands-on political work too.

No one who is actually involved in anything could have had the totally unrealistic expectations that some seem to have had---and a few are still clinging to.

[janx]

3. Right--

and it doesn't take much. You don't have to be some kind of full-blown activist to contribute something.

Write a couple of notes, send a couple of bucks, visit your community DFA group...

[JNelson6563]

8. Amen Janx!

I have seen you post this a couple of times now and I think it is great! People might be intimidated into thinking if they cannot give buckets of money or full-time effort they shouldn't bother.

Being in the north, it is natural for me to liken it to snowflakes. So tiny and fragile. Harmless and basically meaningless individually. Get enough of 'em together though and they'll shut down your city. :-)

Julie

[Cheswick2.0]

4. Well then stick around

I am very discouraged too, but I do find hope in DFA.

[mandyky]

5. It's bad again today, except fpr Eloriel's post

and the idiots tried like hell to ruin that too.

Sometimes I wonder if we have a bunch of 12 year olds posing as adults on DU...

[janx]

6. It sounds that way sometimes.

But it's interesting to note that since the DNC chair question has come about, there's much less of that.

If he doesn't get it, brace yourself for some more negativity, because more people will assume he will run for president again, and more people who hope to support someone else will produce negative posts.

[Tom Rinaldo]

7. It amazes me that so many people think you have to tear one person down

in order to prop another person up. I expect you are right about this. I am hoping that thoughtful activists can help set an all around more positive tone this time, regardless of our early individual preferences for 2008. That's my goal any way. Feel free to call me on it if you think I am straying from it.

[JNelson6563]

9. They have to learn the difference between

aggressive and assertive.

You make good points as usual Tom. Good to see you. :hi:

Julie

[janx]

10. Thanks for your support, Tom.

I wish we had more rational people like you around. DU is a very small venue in the larger scheme of things.