I would like to thank everyone of you on DU
This may sound cheesy and you might see this as a pointless post, but because of all of you I've been able to learn about what is actually going on in the world. Not only does everyone post in-depth and fact based material, but you help me understand and interpret what is being posted. You guys may be brutal sometimes, but you make me question my own beliefs and try to open up to new ones. I learn more from reading your comments than I do from the actual articles. This is the only news source I use now because I actually trust what you guys have to say. I went through a period where I pretty much boarded on becoming a conspiracy theorist, but because of all of you I began to understand how to dissect and look into material. I love that there is a place where I can communicate with rational people instead of screaming at people with no common sense. This is refreshing for someone my age who is still trying to figure out what I stand for.
Thank you All! 
= new reply since forum marked as read
Welcome to DU! 
Glad ta have ya aboard !!!
It's very easy to lose sight of what we actually do right here.
You have brought it to our attention, and caused us to pause in our infighting, back-biting and other unpleasant activities to reflect on the good things we have accomplished.
We need a positive mirror held up to ourselves so that we can see the good stuff here.
May your vision always be so clear!
Welcome to DU!
You shall indeed be enlightened....for the better I'm sure. 
I felt the same way when I became a member 5 years ago. Not much of a poster myself, but have my "all star" list of participants that are always "must reads" when I see their posts.
The critical thinking and multiple viewpoints on any given issue viewed here, has greatly broadened my own beliefs, and IMO has made me a much better person.
Thank you for posting lilithsrevenge12, and thank you DU.
Welcome
You also have to keep in mind - the people who post here are not only Dems or liberals or progressives or whatever label you want.
They're also...
parents
bosses
employees
veterans - of SEVERAL military conflicts from Vietnam to Iraq/Afghanistan
attorneys
academics and teachers
various sorts of political reps or professional participants (Elizabeth Edwards used to post here)
VIPs and other prominent people
strategists
historians
organizers
medical specialists
researchers
bloggers and writers
small business people
nerds
white
black
Asian
Hispanic
Native Americans
Catholics
Jews
Protestants
Europeans
Australians
South Americans
Middle Easterners
media people, past and present
environmentalists
scientists
magistrates
engineers
grandparents and other elderly
designers
musicians
adoptees/adoptive parents
widowed
divorced
newly married
computer nerds
graphic artists
students
pet lovers
sci-fi freaks
gay
straight
single parents
adopted
newly bereaved
employed
unemployed
abused or molested
from large families
alone
psychologists
ailing
retired
disabled
devoutly religious
agnostics
atheists
new grads
philosophers
analysts
crusaders
humorists
troublemakers
lobbyists
jurists
urbanites
suburbanites
small-towners
crime victims
unjustly accused
financial experts
uninsured
insured
debaters
homeless
well-to-do
empathizers
tough-love believers
...and so many more, from every geographical area and population demographic in the country - AND the world.
Just consider all that input, those filters, originating from all those different sources. All those different viewpoints intaking and processing what goes on around us in this country. The writing here often tends to be spectacular! Same thing for the analysis. What I've learned here, reading other people's opinions, considering their viewpoints and the world they come from that fuels those viewpoints, has lifted me miles beyond where I was when I first came here, not long after bush "TOOK" office in 2001.
I love following along when people are debating some issue or point, and it always enlarges my understanding of whatever issue or point it is.
I love how people can ask for help, either about information they need for some research, or talking points to refute some lout teabagger's astroturfed email; or prayers; or comfort after losing a loved one or even a pet, or a job; or advice or direction on some matter or problem that needs solving.
This is a one-stop-shopping online hangout. And a think tank. I marvel at the brain power here and the crackling sense of commitment to some genuinely great ideals. And I'm honored to be a member of this community.
Welcome to DU! Glad you're here! You'll become smarter and more sophisticated in your thinking and assessments of politics. We all benefit from the learning and enlightenment we get here. And without fail, people post breaking news here startlingly quickly.
It's a full-service place!
I'm only a little more than a year here on DU, but like you I have learned so much. DU is my main source of news and intelligent discussion. As a retired ex-pat living in Thailand it is a little haven for me.
I think you'll like it here. DU has certainly improved my ability to think through the political issues of the day using reason & logic, and not just emotion. When I joined in 2001, DU's greatest effect on me was letting me know during those dark and heartbreaking times that I wasn't alone. I wasn't the only person in America who was stunned, appalled, and ashamed by sElection 2000, and the dumbing down of the American political process.
It was so uplifiting to discover this community of bright, dedicated, funny, and welcoming progressives and liberals. I survived the 8 awful years of B*sh-Cheney precisely because of the Democratic Underground.
When you get a chance, come hang out in the Lounge. We're a pretty funny bunch...
I was in awe! I finally found a place that felt like home. It took some time for me, but I've been here for a pretty long time now and still learn stuff every day. I love being informed!
- K&R 