What I know about DU...

[cynatnite]

1) Some years back we were in a financial hole and had a horrid holiday with nothing under the tree. DUer's came together and made sure my children had a Christmas.

2) A few years ago, our oldest daughter lost everything and her life was spiraling out of control. She was across the country and we had no way of helping her. A DUer came forward and got her a plane ticket home. Her life was saved as a result. It took a while, but she finally got on her feet after a lot of love and help.

This is what I know about DU. No matter all the bad that we sometimes see here, this is why I will always come back. People like these make DU worthwhile in my eyes.

[LiberalLoner]

1. Thank you for this post. I hope your Christmas this year will be a good one!

[cynatnite]

2. Yep, it will be...we are all together. n/t

[DonRedwood]

21. + a gazillion

[WilliamPitt]

3. This.

I needed that. It has been gruesome around here lately. Thank you for the perspective.

[freshwest]

6. ""

[tavalon]

25. Good, because we are less when you are gone.

[niyad]

4. the DU community has some of the most generous, loving, giving people I have ever encountered.

I am glad they were able to be there for your family, and hope this coming year is a much better one.

[Martin Eden]

9. Absolutely true, which is why ...

... it makes no sense to leave this community in reaction to the hurtful words of an insensitive jerk.

Every community -- even the best -- will have individuals like that or people with problems who lash out at others.

[nolabear]

12. That is also why, however,

that those who would endlessly seek out and attack others are toxic. I don't mean disagreeing, and I don't mean arguing in any constructive way. But there has been enough badgering in the recent past that it's hard for those who want to be both generous and kind AND have a good old fashioned argument not to get steamrolled by those who would turn an argument into abuse.

[Whisp]

5. this is strange but I was thinking about you just yesterday...

I couldn't recall the names involved but your post that day about your daughter, I remember that. I was crying for you and then that angel came to help you.

[barbtries]

7. indeed there are

a lot of really good people on DU.

[sheshe2]

8. K&R

[littlemissmartypants]

10. Thank you. n/t

[ReRe]

11. That's right....

.... if you're having a problem, when there's no one in sight who will help locally, you can come to DU and unload your soul. Whether it's just to be among like-minds, to find out info/tips on where to go and what to do, or even if nothing works and you need more help...DU's there.

I only recently started posting, but I have been a reader of DU since it's inception. I remember when you needed the help you speak of and the plight of your daughter. I'm so glad she is on her feet and headed in the right direction! It's good to hear from you.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

13. It's amazing how the bad can make us forget all the good at times.

Thank you for putting that in perspective, and reminding us of some of the goodness that makes us a community.

[liberal N proud]

14. There are many compassionate DU members

It was always visible in the old fund raisers as users were buying stars for other member right and left.

Stories like your are evidence of that compassion and a reminder to the rest of us, that we all need to pull together when times get tough.

[xxqqqzme]

15. Thank you for posting

your appreciation. I remember the kind person helping your daughter get back to your family. I also remember the DU effort to get Andy the assistance he needed. There have been other circumstances when DU was able to provide bridge to a more secure place. I have participated in other boards but I always return to DU.

[WillyT]

16. Thank You... K & R !!!

[JNelson6563]

17. There are some wonderful people here.

[closeupready]

18. Agree. K&R. I remember the thread about your daughter.

[Patiod]

19. I think we can be kinder to one another

One of my all-time favorite quotes is Hanlon's razor "never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity". Don't jump all over someone unless they are clearly being troll-y.

I've served on juries where someone was unnecessarily harsh with another DUer, and I just wanted to say "you don't need to hide this, but did the poster have to be so rough? This isn't a freeper here, it's a fellow Progressive. Cut them a little slack. Explain your opinion without flaying them personally."

[Curmudgeoness]

20. Very good point.

Some here can get me down, make me feel as if DU is getting nastier....but you are so right, there are some of the most wonderful people you will ever know right here.

Thanks for the reminder to focus on the good.

[japple]

22. It's like Hillary said: It Takes a Village to Raise a Child,

and a whole lot of other things. We are all interconnected and we need to lift each other up, even those with whom we disagree. We need to work with those who don't share our political, social or religious views. If we are going to make a better world, we must make an effort for everyone. All one people.

[Auntie Bush]

23. It's good to know about those wonderful DUer's and I know there are a lot more.

You go DU!!!!!!!

[catbyte]

24. Couldn't agree with you more, cynatnite. DU saved my cats & me and I will be

forever grateful. DU members have heart, compassion, and humanity. The few bad apples are rapidly exposed. I feel so bad about what happened to salmonenchantedevening but I feel great that your family is whole this Christmas.

Thank you again, DU.

[WCGreen]

26. There is a certain DU'er who has made my long slog toward a lund transplant bearable....

I feel more at home here on DU than with the people I know in the temporal world..

[Robo47]

27. My first post was today

Hi everyone!
I am a DU "newbie" and it is truly uplifting to read this diary. I am looking forward to participating here at DU as it seems to be a repository of daily progressive facts & ideas. There is so much fiction out there that it's refreshing to find a site where truth resides and human dignity and respect appear to be the rule rather than the exception. In unity we find strength. It is only when we believe the lie of separation that we fail.

[LisaLynne]

28. Welcome, Robo47!

[mgardener]

29. I am so glad for you and your daughter

Can we maybe get together as a group and do this?
I don't have much extra money, but I know I could contribute if anybody needed something and had nothing.
Is there somebody that could get this started? Can we do it? Do other people want to do it?
Diane

[Arkansas Granny]

30. Thanks for reminding us what we have been to each other and, hopefully, will be again.

[reflection]

31. Glad to be the 200th rec.

All you said is true and I'm glad you have found a little pocket of joy in this chaotic world.

[patrice]

32. Festive Family Felicitations, cynatnite, and special good wishes for your daughter!

for real!