Safe to say now, I've been at DU over three years (mid-May 2001)

It's been a great three years. DU was the best website at the best time for the worst event in American history: the coronation of G.W. Bu$h. I really don't know how I could have made it, in the dark without the solace of DU, for these terrible three years of the Bu$h regime. I said early on, here at DU, that things would get much worse (little did I know!).

The fund drive is over. But that doesn't mean DU won't take (or doesn't need) your money. DU is a treasure for our cause. Keep it alive, please. Your continued posts are the best thing. The traffic on this website shows an intense interest in the problems Bu$h has created for the world. We must stay absolutely resolute to kick Bu$h out in November.

I noticed on your profile that you served in Vietnam. As a vet, how do you feel about the republicans always using the fighting soldiers as a reason people should keep thier mouths shut? They always invoke the "those words put the troops in harms way". Is that true? Is that how the troops in Iraq would feel (like Pelosi's statement today and DeLay's response.)

Edit to add, what a very nice post! :)

Abi Ghraib and My Lai put US fighting soldiers at more risk than protesters ever did (ironically, both stories broke under the byline of the great Seymour Hersch). Ignorance is not bliss. We the people, like it or not, are the perpetrators of this war against Iraq, and have the right to know how-goze-it. Period. My bumper-sticker, from Vietnam Veterans Against the War, says it all:

that it screams for people to have "an honest discussion" about it. I know that is an oxymoron in the republican party but I would *think* the troops don't like it over there anymore then we like them over there and don't take personally the condemnations of the bush regime. I don't see how criticizing * gives aid to the enemy. I just hope the troops are collectively in agreement with you and see themselves as pawns for the cabal to quiet dissent and see it for the smoke screen it really is.

Thanks for clarifying. Your answer has been very helpful as I have been wondering this for quite awhile.

I'm new here and it's been my saving grace!

I live in extreme western Transylvania county (between Rosmon and Toxaway). It is an area known as "The Wilds." In fact, there is a Baptist camp a couple of miles from us called "The Wilds." "The Wilds" refers to the relative isolation of this little piece of paradise. Our neighbor to the west is the Gorges State Park, a wilderness park of trails, waterfalls, and gorges that GW Bu$h can never get his money-grubbing hands on.

I have a job interview in Brevard tomorrow. Beautiful area, I hope I get it.

GREAT. PM me your contact info, if you wish. I am elated to hear this news! Now there will be at least two Democrats in Transylvania County.

:hi::hi::hi::hi:

Nice to see you. Yep, I'm coming up on three years, myself. (September, 2001.) I agree. I couldn't have made it through the last three-and-a-half years of crazy shit without DU and everyone here. You're a pretty cool guy, yourself, and it's always a pleasure to talk with you. :-)

We are old veterans here. Seen lots come and go. Thanks for sticking around. I always look forward to your posts.

Mac

B-)

the same feelings! Don't know if I would have gotten through this shnide alone!

Great to have you here too. Love your contributions to the cause. Love the fishing-talk too. I'll make it down there eventually.

BTW: 'Poons must be moving north by Tampa and Tarpon Springs now. Eh? Usually at Homosassas by 6/1.

Big brother bought a 28 foot Hydra Sport with twin V6's. We're gonna be trolling for dolphin and all other comer's during the hi-daytime and Bonefishing with fly's in the early evening on my flats skiff. Completely hyped! Having trouble trying to sleep!

Tight lines, pray!

...joined in October 2001. No home computer at tht time and difficult to post from work. Yes, things have become worse. But I have made some terrific friends here.

It was in the dark time, after 9/11. Greatauntoftriplets .. another long-time DU trustworthy.

Not all share your opinion. One of the fringe lefties here. And proud of it!

I doubt it! I'm about as left as they get on DU, but I am very glad to know who my company is!

For me it's been January 20, 2001, lurked two days, registered Jan.22, 2001...DU was just starting out and the best part was welcoming so many of you, that have become such good friends to me and to one another...makes DU a very special place! :hug:

Remember this:

You welcomed me to DU after my first posts.

Man time flies when fighting fascists :evilgrin:

But doesn't time drag on waiting for the sanity to return? November might as well be a thousand years away, given the shit the Bu$h camp will pull between now and then.

Actually, I had been on hiatus from any online activity of this sort for several years. I've used the net for news, but I had foregone any discussion boards, choosing a life of quiet desperation. I realized that I needed interaction with similar-minded people, however. Earlier this year, I started reading postings on e-thePeople, which had a link to my local newspaper. It's a mixed bag, with democrats slightly outnumbering neocon apologists, and a few libertarians thrown in for good measure. I finally realized last week that I was casting my pearls before swine regarding the aforementioned neocon apologists.

Anyway, I was unaware of DU until a couple of weeks ago. Oddly enough, I discovered DU while researching freepers in the aftermath of Nick Berg's beheading (I had never heard of freepers, either). After reading that freepers had published an entire list of signatories (including Nick's father Michael Berg) to a petition to get out of Iraq, I started poking around and discovered that some very sick individuals live there. A good deal of the posts in the thread covering the petition involved taking revenge on those who signed it. I kept seeing 'DU' in the posts and, in my ignorance, at first thought it meant 'depleted uranium.' I finally figured it out, though, and decided to check out DU.

I like what I see so far. It has a 'community' feel to it, and I like that I don't have to argue over the influence of the 'liberal media' with every other post. True, there's plenty of non-political posting here, but it helps everyone avoid obsessing over the world's troubles 24/7. Suffice to say, I wish I had discovered DU in the dark days following 9/11.

Since my first posting here yesterday, I've given e-thePeople its walking papers. I'm tired of defending my political beliefs against people who would be right at home on freepers, trying to untangle their convoluted logic, and arguing that Fox News IS biased. I want to make DU my new online residence; my heart leaps with joy at having found a forum where I can discuss progressive politics without looking over my shoulder for neocon apologists.

I see that you are from Owensboro. I used to fly in there all the time in the late 70s. My question: Do they still do the great mutton BBQ in Owensboro? OMG, that was good!

That's the question I got from people around the world when I described my favorite culinary treat, BBQ mutton. It's unique to this particular locale for some reason, but I can't for the life of me understand why it hasn't enjoyed more popularity elsewhere.

You'll be happy to know that BBQ mutton is alive and well in Owensboro; we just had our International Barbecue Festival a couple of weeks ago, and the mutton was great - and so was the burgoo. I just moved back here last year, having lived in northern Indiana for six years. I never realized the extent of my addiction to mutton until I lived in a location where breaded tenderloin was considered haute cuisine.

Don't agree with everything posted here but that's ok. Always look for your and other DU veterans imput on issues.

Welcome home, buddy.

Hard to believe. I joined in late summer of 2001, July or August, I believe.

I've seen DU go through a lot of growing pains, but it's always been the place I go online. Virtually all of my current friends I made through DU.

a daily visit for me.

I've grown to love and adore many many Du'ers...some have woven themselves into my reality and are now important parts of my life..

I love you and am glad that no matter how crazy it gets from time to time we all keep coming back...and you know I love your stories and pics.

Hugs...to my dear buddy :loveya: