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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forums20K post: Thank you, DU.
Ive finally hit the 20K mark after 15-plus years here at DU. Its not a huge deal, and not a remarkable milestone, but it does make me think about the value of DU to its members.
I dont usually start threads, but Ive always tried to open up conversations and add to them, particularly with a humorous touch, when appropriate.
The past 20 years have been difficult for Democrats/liberals/progressives. The country has been on a downhill slide since Bill Clinton was hounded by a weaponized right wing and the advent of right-wing cable news. Al Gore lost by a mere whisker. John Kerry couldnt dislodge Bush 2. Barack Obama did give us a respite and yes, hope, but he was eventually saddled with a Republican congress and treated to a relentless pounding by the RW echo chamber, that went so low as to throw out reprehensible lies about his birth, his beliefs, his family. Which brings us to the present, where reality itselfand who gets to define it is in serious jeopardy.
DU has served as a vital source of information, a pressure-relief valve, a place to commiserate as well as strategize. And even more so, its been a life preserver for those moments when its difficult to see through the struggle.
My profound thanks to Skinner and the mods, and to all who have served to mold DU into the indispensable meeting place that it is. And to every member of DU who has shared their time and best efforts to make the world a better place for all.
You have all made me think, grow, and become a more focused and committed Democrat. The heaviest work lies ahead, and these are the strangest of times. Im in your debt, DU, and deeply so. From my very soul, thank you for being there.
Aristus
(66,388 posts)Congratulations!
VOX
(22,976 posts)Youve played a BIG part in this DU family. Thank you!
Glamrock
(11,802 posts)VOX
(22,976 posts)Congrats on the milestone!
FakeNoose
(32,645 posts)Congratulations Vox. And sincere thanks for DU for doing a great job.
VOX
(22,976 posts)Hang em high!
Cha
(297,323 posts)VOX
(22,976 posts)CaliforniaPeggy
(149,640 posts)That is no trifling milestone.
I feel very similarly about DU. It's helped me grow, become a better Democrat and more aware, much more aware of what's going on in the world and how we can affect it.
It's also family. I have many friends here and they add immeasurably to my day and my life. I hope it's the same for you.
We are truly a community.
Long may we thrive!
Again, Congrats!
VOX
(22,976 posts)One of wisest and kindest souls on DU. Thank YOU
CaliforniaPeggy
(149,640 posts)murielm99
(30,745 posts)Yes, we have had a difficult time, but we are fighting back.
I agree with you about DU. I have learned a lot here, and I hope I have made some friends.
I am glad you are here, VOX.
VOX
(22,976 posts)oasis
(49,389 posts)VOX
(22,976 posts)backtoblue
(11,343 posts)VOX
(22,976 posts)BigmanPigman
(51,611 posts)VOX
(22,976 posts)Thank you!
oberliner
(58,724 posts)Was it time well spent?
VOX
(22,976 posts)It's been crazy here multiple times over the years, but there's usually something new to learn, the bitter with the sweet. I've always appreciated your posts, even if we've had different perspectives on some given issue. And when the chips are down, as they are now, I'll fight the fascists shoulder-shoulder with you.
Cheers and respect --
oberliner
(58,724 posts)And I appreciate what you wrote here. I've learned a lot from my time here and I've always appreciated your posts as well.
Rhiannon12866
(205,536 posts)And congratulations on 20,000 posts! I feel the same way about DU - I've learned so much, at least one new thing every day - and just lately (since November 2016) it's helped keep me sane! Here's to 20,000 more!
VOX
(22,976 posts)Most probably the wisest and kindest man to hold the presidency, and hands down the best former president in the universe.
Thank you!
Rhiannon12866
(205,536 posts)And, yes, I've had my Jimmy Carter avatar since we had them - except for the period when a whole lot of DUers changed to John Conyers to honor his standing up to Bush*. It made things a little confusing, especially when Rep. Conyers posted here himself! I had to laugh because - of course - the first reply to him had a John Conyers avatar!
And Jimmy Carter has always been my favorite - when he first ran I knew little about politics, I just really liked him. And I have to say that I've never been disappointed. I was given a copy of his autobiography "A Full Life: Reflections at 90" and I recommend it highly. I have it on audio disc (read by the author) and I listen to it whenever I have to drive any distance. He really has lived a fascinating life - and though it was written before Trump came on the scene, he does weigh in on contemporary issues and I was still impressed by his wisdom.
VOX
(22,976 posts)And given your comments about it, it'd be a **TONIC** right now. Looking forward to reading it.
Thank you!
Rhiannon12866
(205,536 posts)He said he covers periods he didn't get to in his previous books - and he doesn't even get to his presidential run until disc #5! He tells a lot about his experiences as a child, his years in the Navy and includes a lot of fascinating details about his Camp David experiences with Anwar Sadat and Menachem Begin. He really has led "a full life!"
Stonepounder
(4,033 posts)One tiny correction. Al Gore didn't 'lose by a whisker'. SCOTUS decided that George would be 'irreparably harmed' it Al Gore won Florida so stopped the recount. We will never know if Gore won or not. SCOTUS appointed Bush!
VOX
(22,976 posts)This is what I mean, the folks at DU like you excel at teamwork. My suspicion is that Gore made one tactical mistake-- he should have called for a Florida statewide recount, and not just the cluster of counties where things were weird.
Thank you so much!
spicysista
(1,663 posts)You've officially hit Lebron status!
VOX
(22,976 posts)Go Lakers! (We need him badly!)
Thanks so much!
orleans
(34,060 posts)this place has been an absolute saving grace for me.
i just made a vodka and tonic.
cheers
VOX
(22,976 posts)Over the years, I've vented here and it's probably saved my marriage.
Cheers to you, too. This round's on me:
nolabear
(41,987 posts)VOX
(22,976 posts)Thanks to you, too, for being here.
MontanaMama
(23,322 posts)post for this important milestone. Im only two years into my tenure here on DU and I cant imagine going through this national nightmare without this community. Im in awe of 20,000 posts! Congratulations and keep on keeping on VOX.
VOX
(22,976 posts)You are one of the nicest folks here. It just seems like longer than two years that you've been here. I mean that in a good way!
Thanks so much for the nice thoughts. See you back in "the thick of it."
Crunchy Frog
(26,587 posts)What a long, strange trip it's been. And likely to get stranger.
VOX
(22,976 posts)It has indeed been long and strange. And yes, stranger yet -- events are circulating so quickly now that people's sanity is being sorely tested. There are situations now occurring in observable reality that are so incredibly WAY out from what has gone before, and that's unnerving for most of us. I know I'm really feeling it. It's still a shock that we've wound up where we are now.
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)paying attention would be beneficial, but I feel compelled to observe this national slow motion pile-up. At its end, will everyone climb out and exclaim in amazement at how we all came through it?
Very nice OP, VOX. People like you guys make this a place to come for companionship in strange and frightening times.
VOX
(22,976 posts)It does seem like everything weve ever known has been tossed up into the atmosphere; were doing what we can to lessen the impact when it finally comes down, hopefully in one piece. And then the come the repairs.
It would be helpful to know if the repairs begin in 2 months, though, or several years, after the kind of people who destroy nations bring an end to their era of power.
I was reading someone the other day who believes our electorate will come through these attacks as well as our institutions are showing themselves to. Liberal democracy, at least in our federal government, is all we've ever known.
CaptainTruth
(6,594 posts)I feel the same way you do about DU.
VOX
(22,976 posts)Even the craziest moments on DU are a breath of SANITY.
Thank you!
calimary
(81,322 posts)I love this! Especially your description of the weaponized right wing. That sure does nail it.
DU has served in much the same way for me. I see it as a kind of online think tank - that educates, uplifts, enlightens, amuses, and comforts.
One of my favorite books ever - is Eloise by Kay Thompson. Eloise is a supremely precocious and mischievous six-year-old who lives in the Plaza hotel in New York. Her mother is absent. Eloise has a very patient, tolerant, and long-suffering nanny - named Nanny. And Eloise loves Nanny, whom she describes as my mostly companion.
DU is like that for me on the net. MY mostly companion.
Love you, VOX. Love you ALL. The struggle continues but we will endure, and prevail. And DU is OUR weapon to help us get there.