I believe the Constitutional Right ''peaceably to assemble'' includes Democratic Underground.

[Octafish]

AMENDMENT I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

While a lot happening today wasn't around when the Founders lived, their idea of We the People having a basic Right to meet and exchange ideas in peace – wherever and whenever and however We want to – is still central and essential to democracy.

If we want democracy and our constitutional republic to continue, let alone my beloved Democratic Party, it must remain ever so.

[slackmaster]

1. We have a right to meet and exchange ideas, but not to have any venue we want provided for free.

There is private property. A group of people does not have the right to gather on private land without permission of the owner, and the owner can set ground rules to restrict how people who have been granted permission can use the property.

[Journeyman]

2. "Freedom of the press is guaranteed only to those who own one." ~ A.J. Liebling. . .

A. J. Liebling, in "Do you belong in journalism?", The New Yorker (14 May 1960)

So essentially, your right to free speech ends where another's right to property begins. In the case of Democratic Underground, we are all guests of the Administrators, subject to whatever restrictions they may impose, and voiceless in the event they decide we are unwanted.

[kestrel91316]

3. If you are unhappy here you can always go and set up your own forum.

[Journeyman]

5. ? . . .

[kestrel91316]

6. Just stating the facts. If people don't like the fact that DU is run BY ITS OWNERS,

they are free to go and set up their own forum and be in charge of it.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

4. Holding public servants accountable is the responsibility of the people.

Even when the public servants are Democrats in high office.