I've been at this DU joint for ten years, I've just realized that.

[MrScorpio]

What are you guys still doing here?

Edit: I'm here because this place allows me to write long essays that hardly get any responses. This place is my go to brain dump.

[Cooley Hurd]

1. Me? No life...

[bigtree]

2. always needed some human available to spill out all of the political stuff in my head

. . . this place works, most of the time. I know my wife can't absorb all of it and I'm sure she appreciates the outlet this site provides as much as I do.

[Curtland1015]

3. I'm passionate about politics. However, none of my friends or family really are.

At least here I have a place to discuss things!

Plus the people are generally nice and supportive.

Unless the topic is Olive Garden or circumcision.

[Dont_Bogart_the_Pretzel]

9. Ditto

[Laura PourMeADrink]

23. I agree. But it's more than politics -- it's broader -- an interest in many things that are going

on in the world. The down side, is that it's depressing to me, because we learn and absorb SO much
here, there are few in the real world who know as much. It's boring what normal people talk about.
That is the curse of being here. haha.

Case in point, when RobMe picked Lyin Ryan, I was on a camping trip with many college educated people who
are successful in their careers. I got a text about Ryan. Not a single one of them knew who Ryan was
nor cared one iota.

[TheCowsCameHome]

4. Computer illiterate - Can't figure out how to get off this page...

SERIESLY!??!? - Best political site on the net.

[Siwsan]

5. I'm here because I learn so much from DUers who are much smarter than little ole me

And, from one minute to the next, the range of topics and opinions in the posts can be staggering and so much fun to read and respond to. Kind of like this one.

[babylonsister]

6. This joint helps me stay informed. I now

have friends who come to me for links to argue their case, which is fine and fun. Plus, you and a multitude of others around here just rock and are worth it!

[kentuck]

7. I always believed we could make a difference...

maybe even get a black man elected President?

Also, I felt a deep necessity to fight a fascist right that was intent on destroying the ideas of liberalism. I think we may have saved it?

[Laura PourMeADrink]

30. I always believed we could make a difference too. There is so much positive energy and dedication

to our cause here. BUT...I have never really seen it effectively harnessed, unfortunately. I don't know how many actual active people are here compared to registered users. But even if 20% of us, 30,000, could join together and do something, that could make a difference. Some examples might be, say a news commentator states the facts wrong, or doesn't press a politician when they should. We go into action and send 30,000 emails to cnn. We would be noticed.

But, many say, because we don't have a leader here, and people are on and off at different times of the day, it doesn't work. I worked for two solid days trying to raise funds for Obama after he spoke. We only got $13k....that's only a dollar from less than 10% of the registered users.

what happened to the DU Action Corps? or whatever the name was?

Maybe the founders here don't want to take this whole venture to the next level?

I would love to see us bombard Leher, Schieffer, and Crowley with a group of the best questions to ask RobMe at the debate. But, quickly my thread died on this subject.

[lunatica]

8. I've been an active member for 5 years

But I was a dedicated lurker since sometime in 2001 when I needed to find friends to grieve with.

I find DU to be fascinating and loaded with knowledge and wisdom on many subjects, not just politics. If you want to know things and be constantly educated and informed there's no place like DU.

edited to add more

[asjr]

10. I too, have been here for 10 years though

my number of posts doesn't show that. Truth is I have gotten more information from DU than anywhere else in all those years.

[dixiegrrrrl]

11. DU is the only channel I seem to get.....

[MrScorpio]

12. Nyuk, Nyuk!

[SoCalDem]

13. I've been here since June 2001

I don't post as much, but I still keep tabs on what's happening here

[Panasonic]

19. And still doing great

Still love your weekly .signature

I still remember the bunny one.... the one you posted way back in Easter...

[gollygee]

14. When I get frustrated

by hearing right wing talking points everywhere I go, I come here.

[gkhouston]

15. I like to read long essays without responding to them.

[MrScorpio]

20. I would appreciate any feedback

Even if it was to tell me that I'm full of shit.

[Panasonic]

16. I *may* look new

But I've been around a LONG time....

[kskiska]

17. Been here since Day 1

Bush's Inauguration Day. Saw the banner on TV and logged on. It's still the best source for news.

[kalli007]

18. Makes me feel

Like I'm not alone in my beliefs! I'm a blue dot in a bastion of red so I need to know not everyone in the world is batshit crazy!

[Laura PourMeADrink]

21. LOVE your your edit line. If you are like me, stuck in an oasis of intellectualism in real life,

this is an outlet, geez, almost a lifeline. It is funny though, my post that I think are so utterly profound, get little response. haha. It is the throw-away ones that people respond to.

[MrScorpio]

24. Funny... I think that my essays are supposed to invite discussions

But they don't and I have no idea why.

I like a good exchange of ideas from time to time. That's how I hone my own perceptions.

Am I asking for too much, or should I just add an addendum that I want a discussion on what I wrote?

I put this puppy together yesterday and got nothing: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021341526

What did I do wrong here?

[Laura PourMeADrink]

34. it's too long, that's all. People don't have enough patience to read. But, I will definitely

read it and respond.

[MrScorpio]

35. Thanks! nt

[Comrade_McKenzie]

22. To participate in the global political awakening that is threatening America's superpower status. nt

[SoapBox]

25. Great comments

It's different here.

And I like it!

[Tennessee Gal]

26. Been here for ten years, too.

Sometimes more active than others.

Very active during the Bush years and getting much more active again due to the increasing stupidity and viciousness of the right. Lots to be shared and learned here.

It is like a safe haven since I live in the ultra right state of Tennessee.

[TwilightGardener]

27. More than 5 years for me. That's a lot of time spent arguing with you

numbskulls--time I'll never get back...

Edit to add: best place to stay informed and entertained that I've found on the net.

[MrScorpio]

28. Just make sure that you don't stumble into the Verbal Abuse room down the hall nt

[Art_from_Ark]

29. I've been here since practically the beginning

It has been a good place to have discussions about political ideas and events that I would not be able to have otherwise. And this is speaking as someone who has been a political junkie since around 1966, when my grandfather introduced me to Meet the Press.

[Avalux]

31. I'm still here after 10 years because DU has kept me sane.

Especially through the Bush years...this place is an oasis; a place to come and escape the cacophone of media bullshit. A gathering of people who are brilliant and like-minded (mostly), who challenge each others assumptions (a good thing)...I love reading and learning from my fellow DUers.

And, there's a level of comfort in seeing others who have been here just as long....we've been through a lot together.

[Blecht]

32. I'm here to read your essays and not respond to them

Actually what I've used this place for has changed over the ten years I've been here. I've argued, linked to stuff, written a couple of things, but mostly I'm a reader/semi-lurker.

[riverbendviewgal]

33. I am here for many years..I lost count

I'm here for the like minds, the info that helps me learn the truth and facts and the exposed lies. My fellow DUrs give me news much faster than the MSM, even the cable news and the news is from all over the world. Saves me a heck of a time.

Some of my friends say I am so informed and smart...not really I have DU to thank for.

I can also go to DU for a lot of laughs, like the political cartoons as well as feel good videos and pics of cats and dogs and other animals. There are beautiful pics of the world like our photo contest. Also to give a hug and kind word to fellow DUr who is having a hard time.

There are good discussions on many topics besides politics. I really like the first hand experiences best.

I also like to put my two cents in too and give the Canadian side (with a dose of American upbringing )

If there is choice made to me to choose only one thing to read on the internet; it would not be hard to make...it is DU first.


I love you guys....

[Zorra]

36. 10 years this month. Fighting corporatism and fascism,

and trying to make a difference like kentuck posted ~ now that we have our first black prez, I'm hoping to see a lesbian socialist prez before I die

And like Comrade-McKenzie posted, to be part of the global awakening that will inevitably overcome the conservative status quo everywhere.

Also, trying to help prevent the Dem party from being completely taken over by Third Way corporatists.

[Odin2005]

37. I started lurking here as a teenager during the run-up to the Iraq War.

I joined in 2005.

I like this place as a safe haven from RW crap.

[Aristus]

38. Don't leave, MrScorpio.

It's good to see some old-timers like me around here.

A lot of our stalwarts from the early days are long-gone...

[tridim]

39. I'm still here because I love DU'ers.

[grantcart]

40. I spend my time perfecting my internet invisibility cloak whereby I am able to cloak well written

longish essays from the eyes of others.

Also stuck on the road this is the only place where I can find people to have intelligent conversations with.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

41. I'm still trying to find the porn....

Got to be at one of these damned links.

[Ikonoklast]

42. I'm being held hostage.

Skinner won't let me go until my kids pony up...looks like I'll be here a while longer.

[Lint Head]

43. I can't quit you DU.

[lonestarnot]

44. This place is one that one doesn't want to leave. It's addicting too, should come with a warning..

[Gregorian]

45. For the sanity.

[hunter]

46. When I talk politics in a drinking establishment the bouncers throw me out.

[Cleita]

47. Still is the best place for information and I've been here almost

as long as you.