Please don't give out stars

[Modem Butterfly]

Turns out there's an organized scam by the site that shall not be named.

[muriel_volestrangler]

1. I presume you mean donor stars on DU? (n/t)

[asthmaticeog]

2. I don't see what the big deal is.

It's not like the other site gets the money. So a couple of trolls get search capability, BFD. DU still gets more dough.

[bunkerbuster1]

87. yeah, really. Let the See-You En Tees contribute

BTW note my avatar, in honor of one of their mods.

[benburch]

3. Yep! Just checked. You're right.

They have this problem with playing by the rules.

And that makes me want to break some rules over their heads.

But I am resisting that temptation.

[blondeatlast]

4. Why am I not surprised?

How about this: If you must give out stars, base it on an American History quiz!

That'll finish 'em off...

[CatWoman]

18. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[proud2BlibKansan]

26. Or you could give a

literacy test. That ought to weed out the trolls.

[Nickster]

105. I think you nailed it right on the head with that comment.

[Misunderestimator]

5. A certain long-timer

...who was banned recently managed to manipulate another user to donate for him and one of his sockpuppets. Not all bad, since DU gets the money anyway, but it definitely makes it easier for people to have search capabilities if they are trying to disrupt. Just sayin (though I've given them out myself, I try to be discerning).

[Modem Butterfly]

6. My point exactly

Donate to someone you know and trust. Donate extra if you're inclined. But be careful for whom you donate.

[Misunderestimator]

10. Here's another point...

When you donate, you give your billing information, so it's REALLY easy to determine who you are. Obviously, a troll would not want to expose their identity by donating. Having the search feature available only to donors is one of the best tools we have against disruption.

Be generous, but cautious.

[Mr.Green93]

15. Couldn't the searches be monitored?

Wouldn't certain types of searches be suspicious?

[Misunderestimator]

19. How could they be suspicious?

A troll might just be here to stalk someone they had a beef with under another user name. They can just search on the username and find all the threads the user has appeared on, making their stalking a very easy trick. It certainly isn't suspicious to search for a user's posts.

BUT... you do have a point about patterns. It would be interesting to know if the search parameters entered by users are stored anywhere, or if they are just cached temporarily. It would be useful information to use against someone who does exhibit stalking behavior.

[proud2BlibKansan]

31. I completely agree

I have been pursued here by freepers from another board. They are copying my posts here and posting them on their board. If they had search capabilities, they would try harder to 'get' me. In fact, one of them claimed to have come over here and 'searched' for my posts. I said how nice, you have donated to DU, I am sure they appreciate your money. Shut him right up. hee hee

[blondeatlast]

38. I suspect my screenname gets searched by newbies. I get a lot

of bizaare responses by really low posters.

If DU gets the dime, more's the better, and they've already tipped me off to their presence!

I do think I donated for a troll once. Big deal--not.

[EST]

7. That particular battle just keeps going and going and going...

[indy_azcat]

8. and for some reason

I just tend to trust starred posters.... call me prejudiced... but... ya know?

[Modem Butterfly]

9. It's only natural

When I see a star, I assume someone has donated their own money to DU, and why would a disruptor do that?

[Stand and Fight]

14. Wow...

You make a good point in this thread, but I have to say I'm guilty of the same thing. I see a star and think, "Well, at least I know this person more than likely is not a FReep." This thread is bringing a lot of suspicions I've had to the fore-front. At the same time though, isn't it a rarity that one would be so damn devious? I don't know about you but I don't hate any cause enough to donate to it... But then again, I'm not a FReeptard. If we don't have the stars, then what do you suggest?

PS: Where can I find the thread from the site that shall not be named? Well, the link at least... Thanks in advance.

[G_j]

32. sort of brings the 'Star Bellied Sneeches' to mind :-) n/t

[Stand and Fight]

43. Gotta love them Sneetches though...

I don't love the trolls who masquerade as one of us. It's a pathetic waste of time. I mean, come on -- are trolls or Republicans this cute?



I do think they're this stupid though... :evilgrin:

[G_j]

48. they are cute

I suppose the trolls are not even Sneeches to begin with. They just attempt to don ill-fitting Sneech costumes. Something that is pretty easy for real Sneeches to spot.

nice pic, thanks!

[William Bloode]

82. Yeah i kinda see you and the above posters point, but.....

There are some folks like me $5 would break me at almost anytime. I am a victim of this poor economy and have to get by on scraps. I am, sure there are lots of others who may be sick, retirees with just SSI, disabled folks on SSI, you get the point. Remember much of the Democratic party consists of very poor people.

In the end it is a form of elitism, so and so has a start so so and so is better, or more pure of heart. As this thread show that very well may not be the case.

I take a person by their actions and words, not some star that can be purchased by anyone, one can always pay by M.O. leaving no personal info but your nick so you can receive said star.

A good lesson on why not to make snap judgments about peoples character over something so trivial.

[fudge stripe cookays]

104. self delete

Just read skinner's post. Well said.

FSC

[XemaSab]

110. I've got a great idea!

Let's all donate to FR! That'll really confound them!

I hear ya, there's something confusing about infiltrating a site and donating and building up a huge post count just to confuse the people on the site who are too smart not to think about it, and too dumb to see through it.

[fed-up]

36. I beg to differ here

Why don't we just put tattoos on our foreheads???

Having a star just means someone had spare change they could donate assuming a motive makes an...... It has absolutely nothing to do with trustworthiness!

This is a fine line to tread here and it looks like "we" are becoming "them" based on financial ability to support others that may or may not already have a full time job.

I voluntarily spent 8 months last year working full-time on a ballot measure that failed and am still playing cash catch-up. I blew it and splurged on a few bumper stickers the other day. Instead of generating income this afternoon I will be at a peace vigil outside the local recruiting office. Yep, I know its Stand-Down day, so don't even know if recruiters will be there (I wasn't in on the planning). Those that do most of the actual foot-work of activism may not be cash flush as they tend to spend their time actively protesting this administration and its policies and not concentrate so much on earning wads of cash.

Last month was prop tax, this month homeowner's mega increase and prom expenses for son.

Does this mean I am now 'Untrustworthy"??? because I have not yet donated??? And don't have a star?

I thought this place was called the "democratic" underground?

[Misunderestimator]

37. It means... as it is with any group, that trust comes with time.

And when you donate for a star, you also give your trust to this site. It's not just a few bucks, it's also sharing your billing information, which most people who are only here to disrupt would not want to do.

Welcome to DU, btw. :toast:

[Henny Penny]

85. Welcome to DU!

I'm with you. I only donated yesterday, but I'm no more trustworthy today! ;-)

I always judge the post. To say he/she has a star and lots of posts means they must be ok strikes me as ridiculous. I've only been here a couple of months but I already recognise users that I trust and some I have my doubts about. And some of the latter have both stars and a large number of posts!

On the whole I think its great that freepers read this board as they might learn something. And I for one think its pretty easy to spot them, or other stirrers. And if they give a few $ to the cause, all the better.

[FreedomAngel82]

89. Not always

That's not always true. TayTay donated and gave me my star so I could enter the John Kerry forums. :shrug:

[Just Me]

11. You're kidding!

Not that I'm surprised 'cause "they" would do crap like that!!!

I had a star donated to me by a longtime DUer. I am absolutely certain that DUer wasn't one of "them".

It's ashame that others are collectively punished or unrewarded 'cause of few evil scuzzbuckets.

On edit: I've always donated anonymously btw without indicating my DU name.

[Tace]

12. Google Or Yahoo Search Works As Well, Sometimes Better Than

DU search, for searching DU threads.

[Misunderestimator]

13. True enough, but the results aren't quite as organized.

[Blue-Jay]

16. Yeah. No shit.

Someone gave a star to an obvious troll the other day (I won't say who). But, whatever, it happens... I've donated two in the past, but I doubt I'll do that anymore without knowing the person.

[SmokingJacket]

74. Uh-oh. Was it me?

I wanted to donate again but thought I'd pass along my star... didn't know the person, but I never thought that disruptors would even want one.

Sheesh, I having to be distrustful.

[Blue-Jay]

88. I dunno.

That was a nice gesture, regardless.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

107. Yeah, and he had the gall to...

nevermind. But I know who you mean.

[GreenPartyVoter]

17. I got donated stars twice now. And I am really grateful because

I like the search function and being able to go in to the groups.

Hopefully one of these days I will have some extra money and can help someone else out with getting a star too.

[Misunderestimator]

20. And you're exactly the kind of person I would choose to donate for

if I donated in someone else's name. I know your posting and you've been here a while, so it'd be worth the risk.

[GreenPartyVoter]

23. Thanks. :^) Yes, I think that is part of the reason I never changed user

names. I like everyone to recognize me when I come in. :) Like NORM on Cheers, ya know? *g*

[G_j]

27. somebody gave me one

I didn't ask for help or anywhere mention that I am having financial difficulties right now. I can't begin to convey how grateful I am.
So at least from my POV, it really makes me feel like I have family here.

[GreenPartyVoter]

29. Yep. My first one was a secret one, the second the result of a plea for

help. :)

[FreedomAngel82]

90. I'd donate myself

but I don't have a credit card and I'm sure my parents wouldn't like me paying on a site and giving out private information. What if someone hacked into the site and got all the info?

[RubyDuby in GA]

21. Why can't they just leave us alone?

I'm sorry you people are so miserable in your own pathetic little lives, but that doesn't mean you have to disrupt others. Obviously, you weren't raised right.

I blame the parents. Should have drowned the stupid fuckers at birth.

[CatWoman]

33. they CAN'T leave us alone

it's a sickness.

Yet they have the nerve to try to project their sick fuck minds on us, and say we are the ones obsessed with them.

It takes a warped, fucked up mind to come up with justifications to make that claim.

Drowned, indeed.

Or maybe the coathanger treatment.

[King Coal]

41. "Coat hanger treatment" offends me.

It reminds me of being called a nasty name by a freeper. I was at CostCo and I locked my keys in the car. I went inside and got a coathanger. As I was walking through the parking lot, this freeper asked me, in a really stupid freeper accent, "Hey, did ya lock yer keys in yer car?" So, naturally, I told him, "Nope, just going to do an abortion on your sister." That's when he called me a nasty name.
:smoke:

[Cleita]

55. Last time I had to break into my car with a coat hanger,

the police came. Turns out someone called them and said I was trying to steal a car.

[Lilith Velkor]

71. Underwire from a bra makes a great jimmy

especially for newer models. I don't know, maybe people were too freaked out to call the cops or maybe we were gone by the time they got there, it's hard to say.

[TrogL]

73. Rather than scratch your paint

A tow truck will jimmy it for $45. I had to do it one time when the kids locked the keys in my Mercedes (now in a scrapyard somewhere).

[gkhouston]

86. really, was abandoning your kids in a scrapyard

the act of a responsible parent? :7

[lumpy]

95. Where I live the police

will gladly jimmy open the door, for free.

[King Coal]

98. They used to do it here for free to. Then the anti-abortion creeps

got wind of it, and they had to stop. Seriously, they quit due to some liability issues from broken windows.

[Lilith Velkor]

100. That's where I got the idea

I did it for the price of a ride home from work, didn't scratch any paint, and my buddy's mom didn't kill him because she never found out.

$45 was over a full day's wages for us back in the glory days of Poppy Bush's splendid economy.

[SouthernDem2004]

101. Lol, that happens alot.... :)

[CBGLuthier]

79. Uhh

Somebody asks you a possibly dumb question, you respond with an insult that would have made me kick your ass if you said it to me and you say they are a freeper and whine because they called you a nasty name.

Wow.. the thinking here boggles the mind sometimes.

[King Coal]

97. Yes. Boggled minds can't tell a joke when they see it. LOL!

Usually the ones who claim to be able to kick your ass, sight unseen, let their "sheer madness prevail over reason to yield." Take a chill pill NMP.

:smoke:

[CBGLuthier]

103. First

I never claimed anything. I said if you said that to me I Would kick your ass. I have no doubt about that.

Second, jokes are usually funny. You just come across as an obnoxious person so I assumed this was a real life anecdote from your personal files.

Please explain to me just how the fuck I was supposed to know it was just a joke.

OIn second thought, don't bother.

[redqueen]

77. Uh.... they think *we're* obsessed with *them*?

Holy shit... can they really be THAT stupid?!

[CatWoman]

99. yes, dear

they are actually that stoopid :hi:

[FreedomAngel82]

91. Question from me

I know some sites allow it to where you have to have a login name to read message and all that. Could that happen here? I think it would make us feel a lil safer and keep people from reading.

[CatWoman]

92. yeah, but why would we want to do that

if it happens, the terrorists have indeed won.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

114. I probably never would have found DU if that was so....

Lots of people who are now members lurked for a while before joining (like me) We have been burned before.

[Shell Beau]

22. Screw them!

DU gets more money, and that is the point. Let them laugh, who cares?They are a bunch of losers anyway. I find it funny that they actually give a damn b/c I don't give one shit about what they do. :shrug:

[Pathwalker]

25. I refuse to let what those people do be any criteria

whatsoever for my actions. Why should I care WHAT they do?

[Cash]

24. I keep seeing threads on this subject.

If there's some site out there that devotes a forum to poking fun at this one, who cares? Just ignore them and go about your business.

[Misunderestimator]

28. It's about limiting the amount of disruption they are able to do...

It's not about caring about them. It's taking precautions against the pests, like fumugating a house. So much easier to ignore a hive of hornets if they can't get in the house.

[Modem Butterfly]

52. Excellent analogy

:)

[Cash]

59. I apparently wasn't clear.

I do understand your premise, but I really wasn't addressing that and I didn't make that clear. Sorry.

Skinner said "But apparently that website is like crack cocaine for DUers, and nobody has much interest in trying to kick the habit."

What I was saying was completely ignore them. Don't mention them even in "code", don't PM others about things going on there, don't read their site, don't go over there at all. Act as though the place doesn't even exist. How hard can that be? Are people that immature and undisciplined that they can't just shove it into a corner and forget about it?

Maybe it is like crack. :shrug:

[Misunderestimator]

60. Now that, I agree with.

:thumbsup:

[hippiegranny]

102. I guess I'm lucky

I don't even know which website we're talking about! ha! How's that for a downer for them!

[XemaSab]

111. So you're saying

that if I go lurk on the nameless site, I will wind up climbing a eucalyptus tree on the UC Berkeley campus in the middle of the night, and I will fall out of said eucalyptus tree and totally SHATTER my ulna and have to have a rod put in it to hold it together which will leave me with some really gnarly scars that look like a beaver attacked my wrist?

Wow... remind me not to lurk there anymore...

[supernova]

30. How sad it's come to this

I am now it a position to give out stars and was planning to to that this time. :-(

I really, really depply appreciate UGRR donating for me when I was unable to do so ( :hug: for UGRR) and I wanted to pass on the good will.

[Spazito]

34. I think you can ask Skinner to choose a worthy recipient/s

for your generousity if you don't have a specific poster in mind. I am pretty sure I read that before. Maybe e-mail him to ask if that is possible?

[Misunderestimator]

35. Do it, absolutely. Just be discerning is all. After all, new users are

getting the best forum on the net... it's worth it to them to pay a few bucks for the bells and whistles. Otherwise, it makes sense to me that they would stick around a while first until someone knows them well enough to donate in their name if they cannot.

I've given out stars to people when I first joined here who turned out to be banned soon after I did it. I didn't care about the money, would have donated it anyway, but it taught me to be a little more discerning about whose name I do it in now.

I'm sure you can find someone you know without a star to 'pay it forward.' :)

[Lilith Velkor]

93. Can I have one?

You can do a search on my username first, of course.

I'm one of those pathetic loser-type people who lives with her mom. The war freaked me out so bad I got arrested and lost my job. Most of my friends, too.

I suppose I could find another way, but I figured there's no harm in asking.

[progmom]

39. The money still goes to DU.

I truly am not bothered by the idea that some of the stars I have given out might have gone to "trolls". I'd hate to think that any of us would be less generous just because a few people who don't share our political views post here too.

Just my two cents.

[Misunderestimator]

47. self-delete

never mind... :)

[CWebster]

40. You know

we are all on the same side.

This is silly and petty.

[Skinner]

42. Obviously, it is self-serving for me to comment here.

After all, I'm the person who gets the money when you donate, so you can take my opinion with a grain of salt. But I think this thread is unfortunate. It adds to the level of paranoia here on DU, and it creates even greater suspicion against new people.

I have always been impressed by how selfless and generous DU members are. If there is a member in need, I think it's great when others help out. There is no harm in giving someone a star. It's a good deed that can be done easily and inexpensively, from the comfort of your own home.

Do some trolls take advantage of the generosity of DU members? Of course they do. But there are many more DUers who are perfectly legitimate members who have fallen on hard times. They should not have a cloud of suspicion over their heads just because someone at Conservative Underground wants a star too. Those people at Conservative Underground will figure out a way to get a star even if you all stop handing them out. It's not like it's a particularly difficult thing to do. A one dollar bill in an anonymous white envelope will get you a star here.

The moderators never take people's donation status into account when they discuss whether someone might be a troll. Every day they ban people with gold stars. Administrators will occasionally consider a member's history of donation, because we actually know who has donated and who has not. But the moderators can't tell, and they don't even consider it.

Allow me to offer another possible interpretation of what you are reading at Conservative Underground: They know you are reading their crap, and they know that they can easily scare you all into doing what they want you to do. Sure, they want you to give them stars. But if you all get paranoid and decide to stop giving out stars, then what happens? Two things, both of which play right into their hands: 1. More paranoia about trolls and newbies, and 2. Less money for DU. It's a win-win for the disruptors at Conservative Underground.

If only you all would stop reading their lies, they wouldn't be able to disrupt this place. But apparently that website is like crack cocaine for DUers, and nobody has much interest in trying to kick the habit. We know that you all care about DU and you are just trying to help -- and I appreciate that -- but you've got to understand that when you bring their lies back to DU, you are doing more harm to Democratic Underground than the people at CU could ever do on their own.

Let's not give the CUers what they want. I think we would all prefer to be part of a community that is kind and generous, rather than suspicious and paranoid.

[Just Me]

46. Oh, I completely agree, Skinner.

I am so glad you made that statement.

It is wise to avoid allowing ourselves to be too reactive to those buggars; otherwise, innocent people get hurt, you/I/we lose out on the possibility of an additional wonderful participant, and DU loses financial support.

I avoid handing those buggars a victory over my willingness to give trust and compassion a chance. Actually, I avoid even going to sites that engage in such barbarianism 'cause I know it's bad for my health and my hope.

[Misunderestimator]

49. Skinner...

I don't even read their lies. My experience is personal, and I know that people have come here with the specific intent of finding specific people to bait, and that their job is made easier with search capabilities.

That said, my sincere apologies for contributing to the paranoia. Of course, one can still make anonymous donations via mail (which I hadn't thought about :spank:)... and in the end all of the money goes to DU.

I'm going back to the lounge now. :hi:

[Stand and Fight]

51. I'd not thought of it that way, Skinner.

As usual, your words are enlightening and stabilizing. Thank you.

[Catherine Vincent]

53. Hey, I thought you couldn't name that site here.

Oh, I forgot you're the boss.:-)

[CatWoman]

54. *puts down crack pipe*

:D

[Catherine Vincent]

56. We can start calling it the "crackunderground" website.

Then everyone will know who we're talking about. LOL.

[CatWoman]

58. LOL

:hi: Cat Girl!!!!!

[Walt Starr]

62. Yup, justa bunch of thirty year old fat guys living in their mother's

basement smoking crack.

POretty much describes every asshole on that site.

:evilgrin:

[izzybeans]

96. crackhouse, maybe?

This would simplify it a bit. It has all the major characteristics. Poor structure, a few fiends strewn throughout the bombed out look of the place, some comers and goers just in for a fix, and a few more people in a permanent sleep, eyes wide open even.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

57. Actually, they are able to disrupt even if we don't read them

But I agree the fact that they are bottom feeding, scum sucking, trolls with the intellectual agility of a small soap dish is not reason to be selfish.

I have given stars. I give them to DU'ers whose posts I have read and and found to be provocative, supportive of progressive values and enlightening. Then it's a win-win.

If they've posted a bunch of one-liners in the lounge then a bunch of KICK's in GD I might have second thoughts and look for a more worthy recipient.

[Shell Beau]

61. Right on!

[Individualist]

64. Thank you for saying that

"But there are many more DUers who are perfectly legitimate members who have fallen on hard times."

[Goldmund]

65. I agree re. donations and stars

But as far as "if only you all would stop reading their lies" -- I think you give them too much credit. They're not smart enough to even think of a good lie. They're a bunch of pre-pubescent bullies who just happen to think of themselves as political conservatives, but they neither know much nor care much about politics, as is repeatedly evidenced in what they call "debate" there. It's like a football team to them. The imbeciles are there right now melting that "$kimmer" mentioned their name, even!

So I think that you should change the "no mention of CU" policy on DU because that makes them look way more important than they actually are. When people mention "the site that shall not be named" it sounds like something out of a horror thriller or something, and the newbies get curious ("who is Keiser Soze?"). There's not many of them, they all say the exact same things, and there's an appeal -- especially if you're into psychopathology -- to watching them but it gets boring real quick. I don't think that people would mention them that much at all if they were allowed to, but this "don't mention" policy gives them a quasi-mystical appeal that the tools don't deserve.

My 5 cents.

[redqueen]

78. That's a good point.

The whole 'forbidden fruit' thing... it might be a good to allow people here to openly mock them so there's no aura of mystery about the place.

Why not?

[HEIL PRESIDENT GOD]

66. Right on, Skinner.

That was absolutely my reaction: if the freeps want to help you with your fund drive, they are idiots but we should be pleased. Their tactic is obviously designed to make us not trust each other. This thread is kinda making it work. You can still delete them if they have stars, right? So let them come in droves and waste their freepin' time.

And wow--people buy stars for each other? Trip out!

[Just Me]

70. Yep. The practice by both giver and recipient is a warm experience.

:hug:

[terrya]

68. Thanks, Skinner.

:thumbsup:

[trebizond]

75. the voice of sanity

:thumbsup:

[SmokingJacket]

76. Okay, you're right.

I'll continue to give out my stars (though maybe after searching first). I've never gone over to that other place -- why flatter them with interest?

[MrScorpio]

106. As always, the voice of reason

Paranoia BEGONE!

[annabanana]

108. I've never been "there"

I hadn't even heard of them until I'd been here for months and months...

I see no reason to give them "hits".

[Walt Starr]

44. Doesn't matter, really

Trolls would prefer to get their stars for free, that's a fact, but if they don't, they'll still donate a minimal amount in order to get a star.

I'd rather err on the side of helping a DUer in need than not.

[Horse with no Name]

45. Someone gave me mine

Was happy and would like to thank them anonymously.:)
However, I had been receiving quite a few pm's from a user I wasn't familiar with--wanting my personal email addy, etc.
I was FINALLY able to use the search function on their name and found out they had been tombstoned as a disruptor.
The search feature is awesome.

[Catherine Vincent]

50. I've only given stars to three posters....

Me, myself and I.:-)

[Midlodemocrat]

63. I have given out about ten stars.

and frankly, I didn't care if the person was a disruptor, or a troll, because the money went to DU and that is who I wanted to support.

Just my $.02

[foo_bar]

67. !

[loudsue]

112. Cute toon, foo_bar! n/t

:kick:

[SemiCharmedQuark]

69. The money ends up going towards expanding DU anyway.

I really think it's a pretty lame "accomplishment" they are celebrating. Yay, you convinced someone to give money to DU! Good job!

Possibly one of the lamest attempts at trolling ever seen. The only thing worse is trolls that actully fork over the five dollars each time they try and create a mole.

[TrogL]

72. I could use a star

I'm broke until the end of the month and I'm locked out of the parenting thread where I'm discussing an important (to me) issue.

I'll pay up month end. Skinner already knows.

[merh]

81. Someone likes you!

:hi:

It wasn't me, I mean, not that I don't like you, I mean someone other than me gave you a star! :silly:

:hug: I love DUers :grouphug:

[TrogL]

83. KEWL!! Thank you, whoever

I'll return the favour to someone else when I get some cash onto my credit card.

[redqueen]

80. I hope people continue to be trusting.

I'm poor as dirt, and all my stars have been donated.

Plus who gives a crap if those idiot halfwits can search here? They'll eventually out themselves through their stupidity and if not, who cares? It's a frickin message board.

[ultraist]

84. I'm glad I donated a star to someone!

I've been reading this person's posts for months and have no doubts they are a liberal.

As others have said, even if you do end up donating a star to someone who turns out to be a troll, it still helps the site as the money goes to DU.

If you are uncertain as to who to donate a star too, ask a long time DUer for a suggestion.

It sounds like maybe those at the site that shall remain unnamed may have made this up in order to discourage us from donating stars?!?!?! Ya think?

[0rganism]

94. Remember, star-bellied sneeches can be banned too

I've seen people with stars go down hard when they step out of line. Hell, an acquaintance of mine from another board, a genuine left liberal (if a bit immature), had just made a substantial donation to DU and managed to piss off the admins two days later. He was summarily banned.

[psychopomp]

109. Somebody donated on my behalf

I owe my star to a generous member who quickly responded to my plaintive message requesting a sponsor.

I had two reasons for not donating myself:

1. Want to keep my real name more private
2. Living overseas, which complicates things a bit as far as payment

Thanks again to the member who hooked me up!

[Must_B_Free]

113. I think there is another basis on which the stars are objectionable

I think it reinforces classism. I am against stars for the same reason as I would object to the "law to keep sex offenders out"; I see any type of segregation as a negative thing.

I am not against doning and perhaps having the special features available to donors (when the actually work).

[KC21304]

115. I have a question . Do these people from this other site

which shall not be named, which I don't visit because I don't know the name L0L, do they have the same name there ? If not how do you know who they are over there ? Or do they just brag about doing stuff here, so really they could be anyone making stuff up? Hope this makes sense.