I am curious about your motivation to post here....

[tekisui]

First, this isn't a thread to call-out, denigrate, flame or accuse.

I am genuinely interested it what motivates you to post on DU. Whether it be links to braking stories, investigative reports or political commentary and opinions--Why?

I don't want to put this up as a poll, as that would be too limiting.

Do you post to motivate causes? Do you hope to shape the debate? Do you post because you enjoy participating in interesting discussions? Is it to correct misconceptions?

Thanks in advance for keeping this thread civil.:hi:

[Xipe Totec]

1. I provide the laugh track n/t

[Lerkfish]

2. I don't think there's any one reason.

because I am not monolithically motivated, nor are my motivations constant.

best answer I have.

[applegrove]

47. Good answer. I agree.

[proud patriot]

3. Liberal connections , information gathering

kick republican butt

[AsahinaKimi]

16. ding ding ding !

"We have a winner!" ~~yap! me too!

oh and...
shhhhh (progressive intercourse) :rofl:

[csziggy]

17. Pretty much the same, though I am no good at kicking butt

I am somewhat isolated socially and physically and internet access is a big part of my social network. I can express myself better in online forums where I can think about what others have written and provide sources to support what I am writing.

[get the red out]

23. In a red state, I enjoy the connection

Before I began seeking out web sites like DU, I felt I was one of a very small minority who had views such as mine. It was like a load coming off my back to read EXACTLY what I was thinking.

[imdjh]

4. Fashion tips mostly.

[Blue-Jay]

5. BECAUSE I MUST BE HEARD!!!

Actually, it's mostly just for the entertainment. It's not like posting on DU can be compared with actually getting anything important accomplished.

[babsbunny]

20. What?

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[Arctic Dave]

6. I would say it is a theraputic /informative /questioning mix.

[gratuitous]

7. Mostly to gather information

I post for a variety of reasons, most having to do with flirting with Babylonsister and Catwoman; which is to say my own sad, pathetic amusement.

[Morning Dew]

8. The moon threads at other sites are dull

:)

[Chemisse]

9. I love to talk about politics

But don't have much chance to at work. I don't really enjoy batting heads with right wingers, so DU narrows the field a bit so at least we have common ground on basic issues and can enjoy the finer points.

What drives me to actually post? I will post if there is something I would enjoy batting about and I don't see a thread about it already.

[Garbo 2004]

10. I'm here for the free snacks and open bar.

And information, entertainment too.

[bbinacan]

11. I tend to play Devil's Advocate

and piss off those that respond in knee-jerk fashion without reviewing the facts.

[Blue_In_AK]

12. I read to get interesting information

that I don't find anywhere else, and I post if I feel I have anything to add, even if it's just encouragement. Plus, I don't get out much, and after five years at DU, most of my friends are here. Especially the very wonderful photo group. :hi:

[BlooInBloo]

13. Hookers and blow, here.

[Ruby the Liberal]

27. Which group would that be?

:D

[BlooInBloo]

30. It's one of those super-secret "cliques" you hear about.

:P

[Ruby the Liberal]

31. Ha!

Fine. PM me your paypal info. Heh.

[cherokeeprogressive]

14. Um...

[TicketyBoo]

15. I'm really here to read more than post.

I feel so isolated in this redder-than-red state in which I live. It's comforting to know that I'm not "all alone in the world."

[Uben]

18. All the above.....

....and any other reason I might feel would justify a posting. Threads are on varying topics, each containing it's own group of participants, who are in turn as different as night and day, at times. Some posts are quips or one-liners mostly to initiate a smile, others might be just a thought I might have on the particular subject, and some are probably for venting or expressing disgust at something. It literally covers the entire scope of reasons one might to choose to post.
Hell, I don't feel compelled to have a reason, I do pretty much what I want, when I want, anyway, so WTF.

[notadmblnd]

19. to ask questions and learn

or to give my two, smart assed, cents. I like messing with the freepers sometimes. I like that it's a link to the outside world and that we can all give and take what we want from the experience.

[rug]

21. I just go to the Cooking and Baking Group to post recipes using lard.

[The Straight Story]

To share experiences that affect us all, debate ideals and learn, and to get chicks

Still working on that last one...

[orleans]

22. i gotta keep raising my post count. n/t

[pipi_k]

24. I'm trying to wipe out bad Karma from a past life

[Oregone]

25. Im paid to post here on behalf of the Communist Industrialist Complex

Not a bad gig really.

[Ruby the Liberal]

26. Like minded people who share my passions

Recently unemployed, I feel like life pulled the rug out from under me. I derive a great sense of comfort in the interactions here. I was here in the runup to the 2004 election (proud Deaniac :loveya: ), but got so frustrated with the out of control political system, that I needed a break.

I miss my job and my coworkers. For now, I just need to surround myself with (mostly) like-minded people as a stress-reliever.

:hi:

[nadinbrzezinski]

28. Discussion mostly, a little activism. Realize the real activism

takes away from a computer...

[FlyingSquirrel]

29. I'm a freeper mole. Someday when the time is right

I shall completely destroy this board and all it stands for with a single, well-placed, well-timed post that will blow your mind.

[Hosnon]

32. I post to vet my views or views I think are important.

Thousands of minds are better than one.

[kestrel91316]

33. I can't get into political discussions (much) and gleefully mock the RW

in the exam room with clients, so this is my outlet for it. It's a great stress reliever.

Also, I am happy to correct misconceptions about any subject in which I am fairly knowledgeable.

[Texasgal]

34. Because I like to be flamed

and deginerated.

[bertman]

77. Wow, I would think being denigrated would be bad enough, but you like being deginerated.

Does it give you a tingly feeling? Do the flames come before or after?

As you can tell, I'm here from the Word Police, dutifully helping others cross that dangerous intersection at Spelling and Grammar, so they don't get splattered by an onrushing misnomer or become another senseless mangled metaphor.

Also like being a smart-ass sometimes. Just messin' with ya.

[rwheeler31]

35. It is just more interesting then other sites.

[akbacchus_BC]

36. I don't think people were motivated to post on here, especially if

you are a foreigner. After Bush got in for a second term, I kept asking myself, what is wrong with Americans, it was a horrible day for me. Had no idea how to connect with people in a blog who felt the same way like me. Then after Katrina occurred, I found Talk Left and posted on there for a while and someone mentioned Democratic Underground. I lurked for a while and eventually signed up as a paying member and I found like minded people like me.

Since then, I have learned a lot from fellow DUers who are passionate about certain issues and everyday on here, I learn something new.

Now, am so proud that Barrack Hussein Obama is your President and am your neighbour. I knew his being elected would change how people in the world would perceive the US.

Tonight, his talk at the HRC moved me to tears especially when he said he will end DADT and the so-called DOMA.

I enjoy the interesting discussions on here and am proud of our World President.

[BlooInBloo]

38. "I kept asking myself, what is wrong with Americans" - I still ask myself that.

:)

[akbacchus_BC]

40. Personally, with the election of President Barack Obama, there is a silver

lining!

[akbacchus_BC]

44. You are cute in a very professional way, I like your responses, but

the times are a changing in the US. We just have to silence the birthers, the teabaggers, the boothers and the Right Wing. With the election of this current President, all the weasels came out using freedom of speech as their motto, ef them!

[BlooInBloo]

45. "We just have to silence the birthers, the teabaggers, the boothers and the Right Wing."...

Oh - well - if THAT'S all we have to do....

:rofl:

I suspect you've never actually been to America, and seen firsthand precisely how stupid we are.

[akbacchus_BC]

57. Never envisaged Americans are clueless until Bush was selected. Oh

yes, I have visited New York, loved that city but I was left on my own to get the train to Queens from Brooklyn and this asswipe trying to get me to attend some shit ass church and I told her I was leaving on Sunday, we ended up arguing and she told me, God bless you! Lo and behold, she was from Trinidad. I Love the US but had promised not to visit during Bush's term. Couldn't even visit the statue of liberty, I was angry!

Anyways, I'll be visiting soon, love NY

[BlooInBloo]

60. :) Have fun!

[akbacchus_BC]

64. I will, thanks

[rwheeler31]

41. I am proud to be a member of DU.

[akbacchus_BC]

42. Me too, there is so much to learn on here, especially if you are free

minded and want to learn. This place has been my salvation after Bush got selected in 2000! Got here eventually and I count my blessings. DUers on here are so intelligent and accepting, not all, but most.

[Warren Stupidity]

37. I have no life.

[Blue_In_AK]

49. But you have one of the very best DU names. n/t

[shadowknows69]

54. true that.

[Generic Brad]

39. My family and friends ostracized me when they discovered I was liberal

It was sort of like the spirit of Rush Limbaugh and Ann Coulter took them over. I was tired of being constantly ridiculed and bullied. They even invaded the comments section in a blog I had and incessantly attacked me.

This place became a sanctuary. They knew I posted here, but none of them know which screen name I post under. I am free to be me here.

Sometimes I am playful. Sometimes I am serious. This is where I come to connect with mostly sensible people of all stripes.

[merh]

43. I post for the S&H green stamps.

What, you don't?

:shrug:

[shadowknows69]

55. Ouch. I'm just old enough to remember those

[merh]

73. It was one of the greatest adventures from childhood I can recall.

Spending nights at the dining room table with mom completing the books and then going to the store to redeem them.

:hi:

[SmileyRose]

56. I forget the name of the yellow ones

My stand mixer came from saving those stamps.

[Horse with no Name]

63. (doing the Horshack hands-up)

Gold Bond Stamps.

[SmileyRose]

66. That's IT !!

I had a bunch of them in an envelope in the glove box and they all melted together. It took hours to steam them all loose and stick them in the book where they belonged.

Still use the stand mixer every week. :)

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

46. This may sound disingenuine considering the culture in which we live but,...I care,...

I care about others, about our nation and our world,...about the human condition.

I am "bad", nowadays, in this nation, because I care about more than myself and am willing to PAY for doing so, in defense of others,...even within my little spot of humanity.

[NoPasaran]

48. I enjoy making snarky comments

Especially on the internet, where no one can punch me in the mouth.

[shadowknows69]

50. I AM AGENT MIKE!!! MU HA HA HA HA HA.

Your subpoenas are in the mail.

[footinmouth]

51. I mostly just read here

I try to post from time to time. Why? I do not know.

[shadowknows69]

52. Ok, now the serious answer.

I found this place on the suggestion of someone on a local web board right after the 2004 election fiasco. I was going to be imminently booted from that one because I had "crazy, un american" ideas that there might have been some chicanery with the count. I found DU to be a great place to vent my frustrations with other like minded Dems. Ah, the days of unity.

I have also since learned much about different cultures, beliefs, met writers, artists and fellow believers in the mystical. I've shared my pains and triumphs with this board and made some genuine friends, that sadly I've never been able to meet. I was thankful to have a place to write about my experiences with soldier's stories told to me, because I may have gone insane (shut up brain) if I didn't have this place to engage in self-therapy. I'm told I educated some people and that for me is the best thing I could hope to do.

My whole life since 2004 has pretty much been an open book on DU. Those who read my journal probably know me better than some of my family and friends. I know I've enraged some people. I hope I've helped others, and I hope to continue to be a member of this community as long as y'all can tolerate me.
-S

[TexasObserver]

53. It amuses me.

1. It allows me to keep my finger on the pulse of progressive Democrats.

2. It allows me to support positions with which I agree and attack positions with which I disagree.

3. The troll drive-bys allow me see what is bugging the right wing nuts today.

4. The sleeper trolls allow me to see the things those right wingers want us to pursue or reject.

5. There is good information to be found here.

6. Big news is sounded immediately, so I don't miss anything going on anywhere.

[Skittles]

58. oasis from Texas conservative bullshit

[mecherosegarden]

59. I mostly read here.

I come here so I can get educated (sometimes) and aggravated ( many times.)

I come here to see Jackeen pictures :blush:

I feel wary of writing as my writing skills are not really good and I am terrified of the grammar patrol:hide:

Mostly, I come here, because I like learning about how different we all are .

[Deja Q]

61. Just to keep people who don't like me entertained, I suppose...

That's one of MANY reasons, rather.

Nothing is ever so simplistic... except those who give simplistic responses to questions deserving of depth. And it keeps me entertained as well; peoples' simpleminded certainties are almost refreshing, especially when they don't realize just how simple they are...




Edited: minor grammatical clarification.

[Horse with no Name]

62. For the civil discourse

:popcorn:

[BlooInBloo]

65. Because my employer, President Barack Obama, told me to.

Wait - wut?

[Thickasabrick]

67. Brilliant nt

[Sapphocrat]

68. Lately, to wean myself off blogging.

I used to post here for all the "right" reasons -- camaraderie, activism, motivation, etc. -- and I used to read DU to get a serious education about serious issues -- PNAC, for instance (thank you forever, Bernard Weiner, and thanks to a host of long-gone DUers from the good ol' days). I was truly awed and humbled by the breadth and depth of the knowledge and insight freely shared -- but there hasn't been any such discussion like that here in years. (Can anyone actually imagine that happening now, in the midst of all the "Obama's dog" and "Michelle's dress" threads? I can't.)

Now, I post here just when I need a fix as I wean myself off blogging (I quit three and a half weeks ago, and I hope I never start again).

Blogging, DU... One accomplishes as much as the other (i.e., I'm pissing into the wind, and I know it; whatever's going to happen is going to happen, with or without me), but with DU, I don't feel obligated to do it regularly, and I don't have a vested interest in whether anyone really listens or not. And, as I expect, very few ever do. (But then, I also expect I'm on dozens, if not hundreds, of ignore lists.)

Isn't that just a terrible reason? But it's the truth.* I suppose DU has become my nicotine patch. LOL

Now, if I could just give up the Internet altogether and remember what life is supposed to be about, I think I'd be much happier.

* Not that I don't mean what I write here. I only add my $.02 to threads that interest me. Beyond the gay stuff, 'though, there really isn't much that interests me politically anymore. I used to be a mad dog about many other things (PNAC research was a passion), but it's pretty hard to care about anything else when there's a massive obstacle in my way; i.e., I don't have my rights, I'm not getting them, and nobody who can do anything about that cares to.

[Thickasabrick]

69. It helps sometimes to vent and to listen to others vent. It can get

nasty and petty at times, but the good far outweighs the bad.

[MrMickeysMom]

70. A need to connect, A need for community minded individuals...

... and the occasional sparing match.

In other words, a society that helps me cope and connect. It's helped make me a better communicator, I think.

[smoogatz]

71. It's a way of refining and clarifying my opinons.

Of thinking through my emotional responses to things; of venting; of communing with like-minded people; of learning. It's also a good place to go if you feel like arguing--I grew up in a contentious household, and sometimes I enjoy a bit of verbal wrangling.

[billh58]

72. I just come here

for the discipline.

[Odin2005]

74. For LBN and the brilliant posts of several thoughtful posters.

HamdenRice, NadinBrzezinski, Cali, SeaBeyond, etc.

To be a voice for liberal Aspies along with KamaAina, Warpy, etc.

And for the all the caring, nice, supportive posters.

[The Midway Rebel]

75. I'm here for the recipes, money saving ideas and tips on subverting the dominant paradigm. n/t

:hi:

[Blue_Tires]

76. to be better informed and converse with other liberals...

at the time i joined DU i was living in a place where it was rather difficult