What is your reason to be on this board ?

Mine is because I love this country and don't want to see it destroyed. DU is a place where we can make a difference for the better. With jobs going overseas daily in the name of globalization, I want there to be something left for my 3 year old granddaughter. I am 46 years old. My parents in their late 70's had the best of America in the 1940's 50's 60's and 70's. People my age are seeing the beginning of what used to be America. Our kids will really feel it, and my 3 year old granddaughter doesn't stand a chance if things keep going the way they are. I want to make a difference and DU helps me to do that. God Bless America and God Bless Democratic Underground. Thank you Skinner for everything you have done. You are a true patriot......................bearfan454

At one time klepra was the best newsman since walter cronkite.

The squabbling gets annoying at time, but always entertaining.

I couldn't believe what was being said and believed by most of the people represented in the press, polls, media in general and some of the people I met. I felt alienated and disenfranchised.

I stumbled onto DU from another website and felt reborn. On the whole it has been a great experience and a positive part of my daily life. I am beginning to see some possibilities again since expatriation is not an option (unless I win the lottery). Hope is small but growing.

Thought only I and my husband were the only two out there in our right minds about what has been going on.. Fund DU via Bartcop, or BuzzFlash or Mediawhoresonline, not sure which one. Never really into DU except for an occasional visit until this illegal war on Iraq. Now I read DU every day.

chimpy landed on the aircraft carrier.

Hi all,

I'm here because I haven't given up on this country. We're here, joining together, discussing and arguing. We are all no matter what our personal quirks are trying to get it better. That is what democracy and the Democratic party needs to be. DU is about doing it right. Thanks for being here.

(long time lurker type here)

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

After the sheeple endorsed PNAC's destruction of all that I've valued in my 56 American years, by electing a 2002 Repuke Senate/Congress majority, I was virtually on the brink of suicide (I too do not have the option of expatriation). Since the 2000 selectiontheft, every day was like being in a living nightmare - like being smashed in the face with increasingly unimaginable new Junta maneuvers which have inexorably degraded the quality of life on this planet. Before the electiontheft I'd read Cheney's corporate-fascist Congressional voting record, and had witnessed the Sock Puppet's obvious ignorance & stupidity while debating Gore. My certain pre-election assumption was that MY country could NEVER vote in such a blatantly reactionary crew of wealth/powermongers. When Jim Baker showed up to strongarm the Florida ballots I knew it was over; when I witnessed the Cabinet nominations of Ashcroft, Rumsfeld, Rice, Thompson, Chavez, et. al. sail through the Senate virtually unopposed, I knew what was to come and became totally despondent. LIHOP drove me down even deeper...

An email exchange with Bernard Weiner of "The Crisis Papers" and my discovery of the "Democratic Underground" began my road to recovery. With so many dedicated souls working so relentlessly to educate themselves and OTHERS, how could I give up on the most globally important single neccessity in my lifetime - ENDING these meglomaniac thieves' power to further debase 6.3 billion lives! Thanks to all of you here for thinking, sharing, and focusing on that goal.

without getting bashed for my religion and my political opinions. I have also found much important information here-and I can tell when it is real or just bs because of citations and other DUer's comments!

The same way they put bu$h in the White Haus. Where in the Constitution does it say that the Supreme Court gets to elect the president???

That's what it was (and still is!) for me: a very simple matter compared with hanging chads, stalled recounts and all the posturing that continues to this day.

Why do five Justices get to elect the president and the voters DON'T?

:freak:
dbt

The felonious five strike again.

At $5 @ post, I stand to make a pile of money. (At least that's what the Mods told me)

Still waiting on that first check from DU, though.

:dunce:

in the same boat, no check yet.

can't trust that carl rove guy.

:bounce:

(Damn... wish those checks would get here!)

and to bond with like beings. To serve the greater good as an informed American.

Class starts tomorrow for me.:hi:

Someone told me about it so I checked it out. I like this board alot. People have interesting ideas. Some of the people are way left. But the converations are interesting. I want to see Bush Jr. go away. That's the other reason why I am here.

The day after the Iraq war started, I got caught in the middle of a discussion where I felt like the only person in the office whom it had even occurred to that Bush & co. MIGHT be off base. That's one big reason I come here -- to know I'm not crazy. (On a related note: next week is my last week at that job. Not for the reason above of course but it will be a fringe benefit!)

I also think posting when I agree or disagree with someone else helps me clarify my own positions. I have to admit I enjoy flamefests sometimes for the sheer entertainment value }(

And it's been a good way for me to keep up on current events with the Democratic candidates.

I was very depressed and felt isolated as well. It has helped me to know that I'm not alone. Lots of people here are very encouraging and brilliant as well!

I consider myself very lucky to be able to hear what others have to say here. I may not agree with other people, but all of the various opinions certainly keeps a person on their toes! It is nice to have someone ruffle your feathers, now and again, so you can review how and why you feel a certain way about something. Being open to change is a good thing, I believe!

Since coming here, I've been turned on to FSTV, BBC, & LINK TV. It is such a relief to be truly be informed. In DU, you get to the meat of an issue as there are many here with brilliant analytical skills, which I lack sometimes due to my emotional leaning. It provides the balancing act I need in order to wade through all the crap going on in life these days!

:toast:

for pansypoo to bitch and rant.
now do it on my blog?

I have been lurking in DU for a few months; I am in broadcasting, and came here for news initially. I was impressed at how well run DU is, and for first time since the installation of Camp Bunnypants, I didn’t feel like I was in a different dimension when I was here.

In the 9 years I have worked on the Internet I have made it a rule to never join a list for professional reasons, but I took the plunge with DU because things just keep getting worse and I needed more an more reality checks. I will never again wonder at how much worse because I have faced the reality that there is no end to bad ideas in camp Bunnypants – and damn the professional thing – I’m terrified of what is happening in our country, and the ensuing world chaos.

to teach you all.

.

I really liked that board because it WAS the government board for the UK, and opinions stated there were formally censored by HM Government... and as UK liabel law is very rigid, the board was a great place to challenge the lies.... and needless to say, as the war of lies went on, the UK government had the board shut down as it was too embarassing for them to be running a free speech board where its own citizens were shredding its policies as lies and innefectual... so the relegated free speech in the UK to private boards so that parliment would not see the truth next to the spin.

Check the site: http://www.ukonline.gov.uk and imagine a link on the left to a free speech board like DU... and imagine how challenging it would be for an online government to coexist with its critiques.

I am "here" because it is an excellent forum. I like the software, and the censorship.... as on spending a few months on the competely uncensored english pravda.ru board, i was getting exhausted from venemous right wing haters and their threats. I like DU in that the censorship has been mostly reasonable. I got banned from UKONLINE for suggesting tony blair should end the wars and go smoke a joint. Here the worst censorship for me, was in being blocked from discussing the possibility that OBL is a jedi knight.

I love the political enlightenment principals on which the USA was founded, but have left the USA due to repression of my religion and now write here knowing that these voices are heard in texas. I have an 12 year old child in california, and i want the america she grows up in to provide quality opportunities for her, though i am prepared with an extra room if she finds it as intolerant as i have.

Outside that, i am very impressed with some of the authors here, and i love the civil discussion testing the veracity of things that SHOULD be tested by the print media, but since the free press is dead in america... this is the last bastion.

If there are people inside the USA whom i hold dear, the voices of those folks are yours.... and i am honoured to be a free speaker alongside such dignified and honourable company.

1. I've lived in a hard-core conservative republican stronghold for the last 23 years. I have to reach outside my community or be totally isolated politically.

2. I can learn and keep up to date without having to listen to the rush/hannity/faux driven discussions surrounding me.

3. It's a matter of balance. Balance is good. The harder the world leans to the right, the harder I lean to the left. I'm supporting efforts to rebalance the world, here at DU and other places.

I'm a 43-year-old grandmother. :hi:

I am a 46 year old Grandfather !

Actually, there is a huge range of ages and "profiles" of people here on DU...one of the things I love. I can jump into a thread that includes people from one end of the nation to the other and beyond; high schoolers, retirees, young people of all stripes, city people, country people, middle-agers, just about anybody you can imagine but a republican. And even a few disruptors dropping by now and then.

It's a great place to be.

Ditto - except that I am not 43 or a grandmother. (55 with kids in college).

I'm grateful for DU and all the people here. Thanks. :loveya:

affects and influences the Democratic party. I'm hoping that the Democrats wake up and finally use ending the drug war as a major platform.

I point out that every issue that the Democrats hold dear is affected by the illegal war on drugs: Civil Rights, HealthCare, the economy, massive military spending, the list goes on and on.

Anyone who believes the drug war causes anything but pain and suffering is sorely mistaken and need to re-examine the facts.

The Democrats can win with this issue, all they have to do is show how disastrous the drug war is.

Im sure id need therapy without it

Its much cheaper :)

and to keep them out

:toast:

for facts and have found them. In addition, I live in an area where the vast majority is republican, so DU has become a haven for me.

I wasn't too involved in politics before 9/11. That tragic event woke me up, especially in regards to U.S. foreign policy.

My fellow DUers keep me up to date on the news and poltical campaigns. I'm much more informed than I was a few months ago.

Not really, but that frequently happens. Mabye we should rename the board "Green Party Underground" or "Socialist Underground."

for the nifty and original slams at leftists.

that's the main reason. I'm not sure I'm joking. When I stumbled across this place a couple three months back, well ....... I probably shouldn't say

Also it makes me realize there are a LOT of other people who are as angry as I am.

Which is strangely heartwarming.

Share your anger ....

I don't even bother looking for news anymore on the regular "press" outlets. They're disgusting.

I come straight here to find the news. All the people here find it and post it, from all over the web.

It's a great service in that respect.

And by contrast it also displays just how badly the american "free press" is abdicating its constitutional responsibility.

The press in this country died a quiet death sometime in the 90's. I feel that the movie "The Insider" displays exactly how this happened.

What's scary is nobody seems to have noticed except us.

And Fox News. They've noticed. And they're laughing about it.

Since the 2000 selection, I have stopped watching network & cable news - Faux, MSNBC, CNN, etc. have been de-programmed off my TV remote. I cancelled my Denver Post subscription (they endorsed the Junta), and for almost 3 years have NEVER allowed myself to witness chimp/cheney/asscroft/rummy/rice/thompson/wolfowitz/pearle/rove/ari on TV, other than the 1 1/2 seconds it takes me to reach for the remote if they accidentally come on another channel. Watching PBS, Free SpeechTV, Animal Planet, Discovery, TCM, TLC, and the BBC helps avoid such nauseating emergencies.

Can anyone else equal or surpass this record?

I enjoy online forums becuase they more interactive than channelsurfing on cable TV, and I enjoy politics as a sort of spectator sport, too.

recommendation of a friend. I think my kids were relieved cuz they were starting 2 roll their eyes every time I started my latest squatter rant/outrage. Being here has also motivated me to find my local Dem committee 'n get involved. I found all the info I needed 2 take 2 the streets B4 the invasion and since, DU motivated me 2 get off my ass & get out in the street. Gotta go - registering voters @ the pier 2 day.

I like the way my voice sounds when it is united with a chorus of like minded individuals.

I like coming to a place where others wonder what has happened to this country in the last few years.

I like the chance to clarify my take on an issue.

I like the confidence of being a stronger defender of liberal ideas.

I found DU via Free Republic. An ultraconservative relative had directed me there and I had actually read that hateful stuff for a couple of months. Then one day someone complained about this site on that board and, voila, I had a new home!

I've only worked once or twice in political campaigns in the past. But I believe we are in a life-defining moment where we must unite, work hard and set our nation on a rational, just and effective path again.

:evilgrin:

The only way America, its Constitution, and people to be safe is to be Democratic. That is, a system where all people are created equal and every citizen enjoys equal treatment before the law as every other citizen.

That is what our Democratic party is about and why we work to build a better future. The other party is about power and property and their accumulation. They are no better than the pig British monarchy we kicked out in 1776.

with like minded comrades from across the world..I would hope the contributions from us not residing in the US gives a view of how the rest of us are thinking and our concerns...

......that unless someone stops them, this Administration is likely to terminate the World as we know it.

I've decided that this board is as good a place as any to ring my little bell.

You are the sort of people who will condemn and rant and strive and sweat until * is gone from our lives.

I live amidst Repukes and people who don't have any political awareness.

n/t

people so that I don't feel so alone with my beliefs. Also to have a place that is free from rethuglican lies and bullsh#t, a place where I can find out the truth about what is going on in this country.