Several posts about creating a new website, so I thought I'd take a poll.

[jillan]

See where we are really at.

46 votes, 1 pass | Time left: Unlimited
	Yes - I am looking for a new "home"
	11 (24%)
	Yes - even tho I like it here it would be nice to have a choice
	19 (41%)
	Yes - even tho there is JPR it would be nice to have another option
	11 (24%)
	No - I plan on staying at DU & that would be just one more site I'd have to check, rather have it all here.
	1 (2%)
	No - I'm really happy with JPR, spend most of my time there anyway.
	2 (4%)
	Other - please comment
	2 (4%)
	1 DU member did not wish to select any of the options provided.
Show usernames Disclaimer: This is an Internet poll

[Kalidurga]

1. There is another site I know it's something like caucus99percent

I rarely go there. But, it doesn't hurt to have other places to read about what people are thinking. I have also checked in on Reddit on occasion. I avoid FaceBook, cuz knowing my family they are bound to say something colossally stupid at some point like admitting they are a fan of Trump. And Twitter as well, I hate the format there though.

[jillan]

2. Post the link so we can check it out :)

[Kalidurga]

4. This is what lead me there

http://caucus99percent.com/content/its-over-gandalf-we-need-unite-behind-saruman-save-middle-earth-sauron

funniest thing I have ever read.

[chknltl]

7. Thanks. Found many kindred spirits there. nt

[Kalidurga]

8. My understanding is they are Kos refugees

I wish we had a site that united all the people fleeing the Democrat sites that are a lot less than liberal now.

[merrily]

27. Isn't there also a site with Kossacks in the name? I could have sworn someone at DU posted about it.

[Kalidurga]

31. I haven't heard about that one. But, I wouldn't doubt it.

A lot of Bernie people have had enough of being maligned by TPTB psychophants.

[2banon]

64. "TPTB psychophants" : PERFECT Metaphor!

[cantbeserious]

5. Here You Go

http://caucus99percent.com/

[cantbeserious]

3. What Progressives Need Is An Alternative - Progressive Underground

We need a place that is decoupled from the two party structure that focuses on electing progressive candidates and is not limited to Ds and Rs.

DU probably was close to that on founding.

However, DU has become a victim of its own success and is now hamstrung by the rules that only support candidates labeled as Ds.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

9. I believe that DU has always supported only Democratic candidates, even from the start in 2001.

[cantbeserious]

11. Agreed - However, In 2001 Being Democrat Was Progressive - Now, Being Democrat Is Corporate.

eom

[merrily]

28. +1 In 2000, being a Democratic was in flux from progressive to corporate, but many did not know.

I did not learn about the DLC until I read DU comments about Obama appointing Rahm hischief of staff.

[RKP5637]

52. Exactly what has happened and is DU's direction IMO. Just like the current democratic party, I feel

DU too is drifting away from me. Democrats today are often just another flavor of corporatism when it comes to $$$$$'s.

[merrily]

26. Please see Reply 23.

Also, there was a Left Underground, but it was very hard to start up and, once it finally got going, the owner abandoned it and/or died and commercial spam ate the site.

[2banon]

66. I do like the name..

and yes, exactly why we need one.

[werknotgoin2takeit]

6. I really like JPR

But, it is just not as user friendly as this site and the discussions just aren't as in-depth as here although some of the articles are stellar. But, we do need to get away from this toxic environment.

[Matariki]

18. That will change

[merrily]

25. Please see Reply 23. thanks

[VulgarPoet]

33. As soon as the tumblr delegation runs off the last of the Bernie supporters from DU,

the discourse at JPR will only get that much better.

[2banon]

68. Just what I posted. JPR lacks user friendly functionality.

I had attempted to post there on a few occasions but it seemed to have "disappeared" any replies were not obvious. Since I'm known as a staunch Bernie supporter, I know it wasn't about "censorship".

I really dislike using sites built on similar architectural design, just doesn't work for me.

[mmonk]

10. I have no idea.

I no longer believe Americans will be allowed to self govern. This country is nothing but a lie. I'll retire from current political activities except protest. I feel sorry for my sons.

[delrem]

15. To be trite, look outside the box.

The US is a democracy, but it is only one of many democratic countries in the world.
US democracy is existentially threatened, that's for sure. But not all democracies are.

Some are threatened least of all. And there are structural differences between the various implementations of democracy.

There are structural similarities between those which are threatened least, and likewise similarities between those which are threatened most.

Just to look at some of those which are threatened most.
To my mind, there's something intrinsically unstable about a duopoly, a two party system that in effect elects a king/queen in a trade-off, red team gets it for 8 yrs, then blue, then red, then ..., in an election designed to be a click-enhancing circus by a monopoly-MSM which also, by nature of the beast, owns/controls the entire economy. Tell me how to tame that dragon. In Columbia, after their (US backed) coup overthrowing democracy1, that exact structure was explicitly used as model to organize the diverse interests plundering the nation in a democracy2. Democracy2 being false front made possible by the intrinsic structural weakness of democracy1 coupled with an absolute concentration of wealth and power.

Any democracy is threatened by the possibility of a military coup, and there are other more subtle ways, like what's happening right now in Brazil (seems that the US's NSA is somewhat involved in those shenanigans as well). So the US isn't the only threatened democracy.

I mean, even Honduras had a short period of democracy, and now it's been delivered another after a (US backed) coup - another democracy of the identical model as abovesaid. That's pretty bad, right?

Chickens come home to roost.

[merrily]

29. The long-term plan may be re-aligning the parties, moderate Republicans and center right Dems

being one Party, cutting loose liberals and Teabaggers, who are unlikely to unite with each other.

[appalachiablue]

61. Actually I'd like to see the Corporates and Centrists of both major parties

join into one party and leave the 'Democrat' out of it. Same for 'Liberal'. Using those terms is hypocrisy for moderate conservatives and corporatist neoliberals. They can tangle over including social justice and equality issues among themselves.

Retaining DEMOCRATIC in a party I speak of is critical for the concept and since our democratic institutions are declining terribly. Maintaining the powerful and inclusive ideas of the Big Tent, liberalism, education, the environment, workers, families, equality, social justice and FDR-JFK heritage is key. Greens should be included.

LIBERAL should be rightfully reclaimed by those who believe in its values; it's inappropriate for corporate conservatives to use the term any more which has been badly corrupted, and not only the by the conservative economic philosophy 'neoliberalism.'

PROGRESSIVE is good but better if combined with Democrat. A la, The Democratic Progressive Party, although a bit long. The Germans have Social Democrats, Christian Social Democrats, and more.

We've been pushed away from the vilified 'Liberal' since Reagan at least, and are now being scorned by some from the new Democratic Party of the last 25 years.

Before long we'll fall off the edge into obscurity, the hope of some no doubt, if the Democratic Party isn't reclaimed or recreated. And oblivion for millions of people who want to move the country and world forward in a better direction is not going to happen.

Trying to form a new party I'm not opposed to per se but from history we know it takes much effort and years or decades to establish.

A critical aspect of the party I write of means possessing strong organization and discipline, and unity which permits dissent. (And I don't mean the dreaded formal, rigid hierarchy or authoritarianism). These might be anathema, esp. discipline to some on the left, and well, they'll just have to get over it.

No serious groups, movements, institutions and organizations whether political, social, religious or otherwise, can be strong, effective and lasting without these principles.
The 18th and 19th c. abolitionist and anti slavery movements, and the 20th c. Civil Rights, labor, womens, environmental, LGBT, and even the Democratic Party are examples. Same for notable freedom movements and groups on other continents.

Seeing the growth of activism and the formation of movements and parties rise up in the last several years, like Occupy (I know, no hierarchy!), Pademos in Europe, Bernie's campaign supporters and now Democracy Spring has given me renewed hope for the future.

My two cents and semi serious opinion. Probably be banished for this, but if that's the way it goes so be it.

[mmonk]

30. True that.

[davenelson5555]

12. You Want A Revolution

This site needs members:

http://youwantarevolution.com

It's set up, and is simply awaiting a user-base. The mobile version isn't quite there yet, but the desktop version is ready to go.

[malokvale77]

16. I signed up...

I'll see how it goes.

Thank you.

[davenelson5555]

17. Awesome, thanks for being my first member!

Any suggestions are more than welcome. Feel free to share with whomever you want to help build the Revolution community!

[malokvale77]

19. Just a suggestion...

Could you maybe let up on the NYTimes dumping on Bernie?

Being the first and only member so far, I'm a bit turned off.

I'll try again in the morning.

[davenelson5555]

20. The NYT was a poor choice of feed.

Plus I had been considering axing the whole category, which I just did. Suggestion taken.

[merrily]

24. Why a new board, rather than joining JPR or caucus99?

Last edited Thu Apr 21, 2016, 07:53 AM - Edit history (1)

This is one of my frustrations. Rather than form one strong entity people somehow feel compelled to splinter.

[MelissaB]

34. The software and format.

Yes, people who use it CAN get used to it, but I don't know if the sites can/will be modified to function like DU. This format is what people seem to like.

[merrily]

35. ? But that board's format is not like DU's, either.

Moreover, you don't have to start a new board to use different software.

If someone has great software, they can pass it on to, say JPR.

Basically, though, either you misunderstood my question or I am misunderstanding your reply.

I really wanted the person who started the new board to reply.

[jillan]

48. Melissa is a website designer. FYI.

Maybe she can pass on ideas to the admins there

[merrily]

50. Please see Reply 47. If the idea is that people like DU's software they know that. If she's willing

to put time in, she should probably contact Mary625m here.

I don't know. Again, I post there because I like the people, but I have no authority to speak for the board.

[LiberalArkie]

60. I do not know what replies look like in the Revolution site, but it is easier than JPR at

present. The format on DU has always been east to read and find articles and to have a BBS type feeling. I like the JPR top page of being like a real newspaper and having the moderators select the post to appear help that instead of the DU method of doing it.

[davenelson5555]

39. Those sites are ok

I wasn't satisfied with the format (as other posters have also mentioned) of JPR, and wanted to take a crack at it. I'm a professional web developer and liberal politics have always been a passion, so this seemed like an ideal opportunity to serve the Revolution and satisfy some personal goals as well!

[merrily]

44. Thanks, but that does not answer my question. You could have worked with them on format.

[davenelson5555]

56. I could have, but wanted to make my own site

The Internet is big enough for my site and those sites, no?

[merrily]

58. I suspected that was the reason, but I was curious, aka nosey. Thanks for answering.

Sure, the internet is big enough, but, as I posted before, this is a personal frustration I have, especially with the left.

[malokvale77]

13. I'm all about supporting liberal progressives...

Weird, because at one time I would have just said Democrats.

I love the people at JPR. But I have a hard time with the format there.

I tried to join TexasTowelie's site but all the worst of DU went there.

I won't ever sign up to FB.

I abhor the toxic atmosphere Skinner has allowed on DU.

What the hell.

[merrily]

23. JPR is working on new software.

The more people who go there and donate, the better they can make it.

Meanwhile, if you have specific problems, you can pm there. I am the world's worst, but I can do the basics, like post, add pics, videos, etc. It's not that hard. For things that are beyond me, there is a feedback and support group and everyone is very helpful.

[SoapBox]

36. ...that would be great.

I love who is at JPR but it's the format issue for me.

Navigation...reading...how it performs on different platforms...

And despite the Swarm, there remains a lot of news and various Groups that are great here.

I am hoping for changes at JPR!

[MuseRider]

37. To add to this,

I put off posting there mostly because I was afraid I would screw something up because it was different.

Yesterday I decided to jump in. Really, it is posting just like anywhere with some bells and whistles that are additions or different that you can pick up along the way.

I love it, great reading. My husband tried to join this morning but either the site keeps going down or (MOST likely) our crappy, slow wireless Internet is very slow.

I think it is very comfortable there and will go back and forth but prefer JPR now until thing settle here. I am not encouraged that they will ever be comfortable here if Hillary wins. If she doesn't it will be "our fault" so maybe not ever again will it feel like home.

Just wanted to add that for people who feel uncomfortable in a new place that works differently. Just jump in, it is friendly and the rest will come with time. Great people, great site.

[merrily]

43. The site reboots at 5 am, but only for a minute or less. Otherwise, yes, the problem is probably on

your end.

Thanks for saying jump in. You don't have to use every feature. I don't. I just post and read, same as I do here. I'm hopeless. If I can do it, anyone can.

[jillan]

40. You know what would be really helpful at jpr

Maybe pin a thread where the newbies can ask questions.

One question I do have that's bugging me. If I post something how do I know if somebody responds. That's the one thing I do love about DU. You post something people respond and then we get an awesome discussion going.

My other question is would the owners of JPR be willing to change the format to something more like this? We have a couple of developers here in the Bernie group. I'm sure most of us who are looking for a new home would be willing to chip in $10 to get JPR to a more user-friendly format. If a lot of us are going to be moving over there might as will do it right. I do agree with you there's already a site maybe we don't need another. Maybe we just need to make that one better.

[merrily]

41. Okay. First, are you registered at JPR? If so, you can bring those issues up there to the admins

and mods.I am neither. I am just an ordinary poster there, as I am here.

Discussing JPR issues would seem to make more sense at JPR. The owners don't really want to run JPR out of DU. However, yes, there is a replies to my posts feature there that is explained there.

There is also a Feedback and Support forum there.

[jillan]

45. Oh yeah. I am registered. I posted a few times

last night.

Maybe later when I have more time to hang out on the computer I will go over there and figure out a way to link this thread to the mods so they can see what's going on. And why more users aren't moving over there.

[merrily]

47. I have already taken care of that. If you go there, you should get your questions about JPR handled

there.

They know people don't like the format and, as I've said are working on a new version. Unfortunately, people say that without being specific or without sticking around to help or donate. Yes, DU software is great, but this is version 3.0; Skinner was a web developer and Elad seems to be a prodigy. Things take time and money and no one at JPR is on salary. However, JPR has a large membership list and good writers. It seems to me that it makes most sense to make one strong board that keep splintering, but, in the end, none of the boards are mine.

[jillan]

49. You're awesome. Like I said I bet people would be willing to chip in to help over there

Thanks for all you do merrily. I appreciate you.

[merrily]

51. thank you and back at you. Anyone willing to help there should go there and pm Marym625.

[RKP5637]

54. What is the URL for JPR? Thanks! n/t

[merrily]

59. JackpineRadicals.org

Home Page http://jackpineradicals.org/content.php

Forums Page http://jackpineradicals.org/forum.php (I personally prefer using this link.)

[RKP5637]

63. Thanks!!!!!!

[merrily]

65. You're welcome. Enjoy.

[RKP5637]

67. Yep, I'm going to join. I've been looking for an alternative to look at too. Thanks again! n/t

[Iwillnevergiveup]

14. Hope there's lots of folks

participating in this poll. Jillan, you're done stellar work, THANK YOU!

[jillan]

46. Aww. Thanks. We're are a great group of people

[PFunk1]

21. the point that many folks are looking for another website should be something DU should take notice.

Just saying

[jillan]

42. I know. Things that we used to be able to talk about here

such as voter suppression are now discussions that get ridiculed.
I live in Arizona and after the shit storm that happened here during the primary I tried to keep people updated what was going on. I finally stopped because I kept getting insulted. We all kept getting ridiculed. Well if Hillary is the nominee good luck in Arizona. This is a purple state with extreme Koch funded right wing wackos running the state. Who knows what tricks they have up their sleeve is for the GE. And to think her supporters didn't care.

I don't know this place anymore.

[merrily]

22. I post at JackpineRadicals.org and at DU. See Reply 23.

Last edited Thu Apr 21, 2016, 08:02 AM - Edit history (1)

[restorefreedom]

32. i normally flip between here and jpr

if there was a new site, i would flip between jpr and the new site

thhings here are getting too much...the gloating, the name calling, and my favorite...helpful hints to bernie's campaign from all the "newcomers"

[greymouse]

38. jpr is awkward to use and

I don't like DU's rule that we would have to support a nominated corrupt incompetent DINO even though a far more Democratic candidate is out there.

I would prefer to see a well-designed website for liberals.

[RKP5637]

53. Thanks for posting this!!! n/t

[haikugal]

55. JPR is the best new board in my opinion. I support it with my small donations and they are

Working on upgrading to a more user friendly format. Anywho..I manage to use it and you couldn't ask for a better group of people. We have over 1,000 people signed on and you can freely express yourself there. Only one rule and it's clearly stated.

Get in and get busy, it's not that hard and there are a lot of friendly helpful people!

[RKP5637]

57. What is the URL for JPR? Thanks! n/t

[2banon]

62. I'm torn to be honest, yes I do want a safe haven to speak freely without fear

yes I do want a safe haven to speak freely without fear.

I've been over to JPR, but find their site too difficult to navigate easily and the color scheme makes it difficult for me to read no matter the settings, as I have vision issues. If it was formatted like DU it would be so much better for me to function as user, and I might be a more frequent user.

But functionality issues aside, I was once a member of a site (now apparently defunct) that was "progressive independents". which was started up way back around 2004 (ish) by former DU members who were tombstoned here.

I became involved with site in it's early days, and we had some outstanding discussions, intellectually and philosophically very astute and erudite thinkers and writers.

But eventually I found myself coming away from those discussions depressed and dispirited on having fears and awareness of dire socio-economic and geo-political conditions confirmed with even more doomsday scenarios.

I just had to walk away for my own personal mental health and well being. Like I have to do here on DU for other reasons, i.e. lack of intellectual honesty, awareness etc.

I would like to participate on a site which "shared progressive thought", I'm just not sure which option to choose on the list.

To be clear, Yes... I would.

Hopefully designed similarly to this one in terms of format and in terms of easy user functionality with 'visuals' for those of us with deteriorating vision issues kept in mind.