After reading Binka's thread, I realized what DU is missing...

[Fleshdancer]

I would like to formally propose a support group for people who have family members or friends in war.

Over the past several years, I have read many threads of scared and angry people who are dealing with a loved one going off to war. I myself have experienced the pain of watching my brother go. He's finally back home from his fourth deployment which means I can finally read about Iraq and Afghanistan without shaking.

The stress is very real. I want to know that there's a place to go for people to voice their fears, anger, and joy or sorrow with people who are experiencing the same thing.

[Stand and Fight]

1. I second that motion.

The military has family support groups, and we definitely need one around here. That is a wonderful idea, GS. I hope the Administrators agree with you and follow through.

:yourock:

[Gronk Groks]

6. Okay Admin...

...this idea is definitely a keeper.

Good Luck to you and yours. God Bless.:grouphug:

[BattyDem]

2. Great idea!

:applause:

[bpilgrim]

3. Iraq War Vets and their Loved Ones, group

I am surprised to hear we don't have one, yet?

peace

[Fleshdancer]

4. I want the Afghanistan war included too....

and if we invade Iran or Syria...oh dear God I can't believe I'm seriously saying this. :cry:

[bpilgrim]

10. maybe "War on Terror" - Vets & their Loved ones

I'm sure the neoCON CRAZIES are scheming right now on the pig farm...


more...
http://news.globalfreepress.com/gallery/index.php?cat=13



peace

[Fleshdancer]

11. Perfect. n/t

[lastknowngood]

15. How about Bush's fucking war for oil and profits

n/t

[Fleshdancer]

30. THAT is a support group for ALL Americans...if not all humans. n/t

[ismnotwasm]

5. I think that's a very good idea

It could also help organize help and support for our loved ones when they're deployed.

[RummyTheDummy]

7. I agree but...

Unfortunately, traffic would be limited due to the ridiculous policy of making the group forums donor only.

[existentialist]

16. Perhaps an exception could be made here.

We do, after all, want to encourage people with friends and relatives who are serving, or have served--such as say, Cindy Sheehan--to join in our efforts, and an initial entry fee may be inhibiting, even chilling.

[nadinbrzezinski]

29. I'mm willing to give a star

and I am sure many DU'ers are of the same feeling, if need be

[Fleshdancer]

31. good point...

I'm willing to donate for anyone who should belong in this group. Then again, if a DUer pleads their case and asks nicely for a donation in their name, they almost always get it. They don't always know who donated for them, but I see it happen every donation cycle. :)

[City Lights]

8. Wonderful idea!

:bounce: :patriot:

[existentialist]

9. I support the motion too.

[lildreamer316]

12. Sigh.

No one listens to me. I have suggestest this not once but twice in the last two weeks. Oh well.
Let's do it!!

[annabanana]

13. But I also want them to keep posting out here in the "open"...

Their pained and heartfelt cries are needed here to help us stay on message. Maybe a group for some of the particulars in coping.. but I want to make sure that everyone who needs hugs from all 75k of us don't feel discouraged or initmidated from coming out and letting us all know...

[Horse with no Name]

14. I believe they have a Veterans group

Perhaps a Family of Veterans group--that way in the endless wars on the horizon nobody would ever be missed.

[Fleshdancer]

17. I couldn't find a Veterans group

I looked in all the Group categories but didn't see one for Veterans. :shrug:

[Horse with no Name]

18. My mistake. Sorry. It's a forum

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=259

[anarchy1999]

23. Whoops, maybe we just need to support the forum already in place to

a greater degree and make more DU'ers aware of it's existence rather than create a new one.

[Horse with no Name]

24. That would be my suggestion

Because it already is active and it is a forum...any member can access it as opposed to a group which is exclusive to donors.
Just my opinion.

[Fleshdancer]

25. but what I'm talking about is a support group for families and friends...

I haven't checked the forum rules yet, but if I can create one, that would be great. I'll check on that. Obviously I would prefer that any DU member can get access, but a support group for families and friends of soldiers in war is somewhat different than a Veterans forum.

[Horse with no Name]

32. If that forum doesn't fit your needs

and you need a person to throw in for support, you can count me in.
Good luck.

[me b zola]

19. I support your proposal

"The stress is very real. I want to know that there's a place to go for people to voice their fears, anger, and joy or sorrow with people who are experiencing the same thing."

Yes! I don't have anyone who is in harm's way, but I want to support all of you that do. You all should have a place to support each other and share your emotions. :grouphug:

Please, though, as someone else has said up thread, don't forget to share with us in the general forums as well. :hi: It is important for us to be aware of what you are going through. We really do care :hug:

[deadparrot]

20. I'll put my name on whatever you need me to.

Just PM me if there's a formal proposal you need me to sign.

I don't have any loved ones over there, but those who do should absolutely have a support system in these times.

[Fleshdancer]

27. Your support means the world to me. Thank you.

I'll PM you and others who have responded on this thread to get this up and running. Thank you.

[nadinbrzezinski]

28. please do

NEEDED, quite a bit, NEEDED

[pinto]

21. Good idea.... Here's the guidelines:

Skinner ADMIN (1000+ posts) Fri Nov-12-04 08:44 AM

Original message
How to Suggest a DU Group

Edited on Wed Apr-27-05 04:10 AM by Skinner

One of the best things about DU Groups is that members have the ability to suggest new groups to the Administrators of Democratic Underground. If you wish to suggest a group, please follow this procedure:

1. Start one discussion thread in the forum of your choice to tell people about your idea for a DU Group.

2. In that thread, you must get responses from at least ten DU members who agree to be active participants in the suggested DU Group. All ten members to respond must have donor stars.

3. In that thread, members must agree on a proposed mission statement for the DU Group.

4. When enough members have signed on to join the group and have agreed on a proposed mission statement, one member must officially suggest the DU Group to a DU Administrator (Skinner, EarlG, or Elad), by sending an email. Please be sure to include a link to the thread where members have discussed the proposed Group.

5. The Administrators will consider the request and make a decision. The Administrators will either 1) Accept the Group as it is proposed, 2) Deny the Group outright, or 3) Ask for changes to the Group or its mission statement which would be necessary for its approval.

6. Once the suggested Group has been accepted by the Administrators, the Administrators will create a new DU Group in the "DU Groups" Category forum, and pin the mission statement of that Group to the top of that Group's forum.

If you are considering a DU Group on a controversial topic, the Administrators would appreciate if you contacted us before collecting your ten members, so we may discuss any sensitive issues. This courtesy will increase the chance that your Group is approved. Also, please be aware that proposed Groups that are redundant with existing DU Forums are unlikely to be approved.

If you have any questions, please contact a forum Administrator.

Skinner
EarlG
Elad

Democratic Underground Administrators

[anarchy1999]

22. ABSOLUTELY!!

Great idea, GloriaSmith! I'm sure Skinner will have it up and running in no time at all! I support you 100% and then some!

:woohoo:
and lots of :hug:'s and :yourock: !!

Peace
anarchy1999

[nadinbrzezinski]

26. Yes it is needed

trust me the sleepless nights are amazing... as well as teh diet plan but still

[lonestarnot]

33. Excellent idea!

[GreenPartyVoter]

34. I support it too