In case you haven't noticed...

[Skinner]

...this week is our first quarter 2010 fund drive. ;)

I was talking to EarlG this morning about the fund drive, which is going a little slower than usual, and we were discussing whether we should do some kind of big push like we sometimes do late in the week during our fund drives. Both of us were feeling reluctant to pull out all the stops in an effort to get you all to donate. And EarlG said to me, "It just doesn't feel right to try to squeeze money out of people during this recession."

If any of you have a little bit to spare right now, we would really appreciate it if you would http://www.democraticunderground.com/donate.html">donate to DU. You'll be helping us keep this amazing community online for another three months. Plus, if you give at least $5 you'll get a chance to give out a Valentine's Heart to another DUer. Which feels pretty good, whether you're the giver or the receiver.

But if times are tough for you right now -- if you're on a fixed income, or you lost your job, or you've had an unexpected change in your financial situation, or even if you are afraid you might face an unexpected change before this recession is over -- then we understand if you don't feel you can donate right now. In fact, we think it's probably better if you didn't. I would feel pretty awful if I thought any member of this community were cutting back on some vital necessity in order to make a contribution to DU. Yes, Democratic Underground needs the help, but we don't need it that badly.

If you've read this far and you still want to donate, just click this link:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/donate.html

Thanks to everyone who has donated this quarter. And thanks to all of you who contribute in so many different ways to help make this the greatest progressive community on the Internet.



David Allen
Democratic Underground Administrator

[closeupready]

1. Things are tight, but if the donation template is set up so that I can give $5,

I will. Hats off to you and the moderators here. :) :hi:

[Skinner]

5. Yes, you can give $5.

Many people do. Thanks.

[Vincardog]

2. Donation coming your way now. It is small but use it well.

[gimama]

3. So broke I can't pay attention..!

Sure do appreciate You Guys, tho!
Thank YOU.
When abundance flows again, You'll see some from ME! ;)

[shawcomm]

4. K&R Thank you Skinner

for giving us an online home!

[shawcomm]

52. and thank you all for the hearts!

:grouphug:

[DemoTex]

6. K&R

:kick:

[Kurovski]

7. K&R. (nt)

[EFerrari]

9. Look what the cat drug in.

:loveya:

[Kurovski]

27. I love you, oh God how I love you!

You can't help it if you're a girl. :loveya: :)

Happy v-day, "sfexy"! :hug:

I wrote something long and perfectly idiotic if you want to check it out.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7700943

[EFerrari]

28. Are you kidding?!

I was the first rec. :hi:

[Kurovski]

30. And now...

I owe you even more money.

What's it up to now? Somewhere around Chase bank bastard Jamie Dimon's latest bonus?

Thank you!

[hisownpetard]

61. And I was the second.

Nice to see you around!

[Kurovski]

81. Thank you!

You should'a stopped in for a cup of "tea". ;)

[malaise]

15. Long time no see

:hi:

[Kurovski]

29. I see you're stealing hearts, per usual.

:hi:

Good to see you!

[lamp_shade]

8. Nudge.

[RevCheesehead]

10. How I wish I could!

Once I have income, I'll be more than glad to support my favorite website again.

Am I at risk of losing my star? Please tell me when I donated last, if possible (or where to find that info)

RevCheese

[Skinner]

12. You can check your donor status page.

Here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=donor_status

Or click "Options > Donor Status"

[RevCheesehead]

17. OMG! Someone just donated me a star!!!

I love this place!!! :loveya::cry:

[juajen]

50. You don't need no stars, honey, when you got all dem hearts

declaring everlasting love. T'will keep us together, you know?

[rocktivity]

105. Please join us at the DU "Thanks For My Heart" Thread!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7709731

:loveya:
rocktivity

[Call Me Wesley]

13. Go to 'options'

And on the left navigation, you'll see 'Donor status.' There it tells you when your star will run out. ;)

[RevCheesehead]

18. CMW!!!

:loveya::loveya::loveya:
And a happy valentine's day to you, Heidi, and the magnificent Ginger Boy-cat! :hug:

[Call Me Wesley]

20. We pastors have to stick together!

Happy valentine to you too! :hug: :loveya:

[RevCheesehead]

21. I just saw your degree!!!

Sometime, I'll have to come to the Lounge and confess my sins to you, Father Wesley (all too appropriate for Methodists!)

:hug::loveya:

[Call Me Wesley]

24. Nah, wait, for calling me father,

I think I need to toss in some $10 there for this special degree! :rofl:

Just call me Rev. Dr. Wesley. :P

[unapatriciated]

40. posted in wrong place

[ChiciB1]

11. I Finally Did Again... But It Has Been Tight & I Wondered How Things

were going to go! The hearts were what pulled me in and I enjoyed giving them out. Other than that I think I would have skipped it. I didn't even tell my husband, we have been cutting back on EVERYTHING we can!

I also know many who are doing the same!

[malaise]

14. DC snow has messed up donations from those

of us who send bank drafts. I haven't even been able to give others some hearts even though I sent my donation earlier than usual.
And yes it's not your fault that DC is a snow wreck.

[Skinner]

16. I picked up the mail this morning. Will input the donations this evening -- probably by 9pm.

If you don't get credit by then, send me a PM. We have been known to give an advance on hearts when people ask.

[malaise]

19. Thanks

:hi:

[emilyg]

22. Love kick

[w8liftinglady]

23. I still have one star to give...PM me

[BumRushDaShow]

25. K&R

:kick:

[Paper Roses]

26. I just donated in order to give a heart to two people. What happened.

I can't find the option to indicate my choice and paypal has verified my payment. I think I missed a step. Anyone know if I can somehow get a heart to these folks?

[Paper Roses]

33. Well, I thought I figured it out but one of my recipients got 2 stars.

Certainly cannot take one away but cannot aford to make another donation. Next time I'll wait for the answer instead of trying to figure it out.

I'm dangerous on this machine!

[Skinner]

43. I just gave you another heart.

Let me know if you need help giving it away.

[Paper Roses]

47. Thanks Skinner, I just gave it to a great person.

You are all great!

[Libby2]

75. Awe! That was so sweet!

[Mike 03]

31. Rec and will donate again.

This is actually my favorite fund drive of the year, and DU has meant so much to me over the years.

[DawgHouse]

32. Thanks Skinner

This site is a haven for me and I promise to donate when times are better for my family!

[tbyg52]

34. The economy is not the only reason. nt

[lamp_shade]

35. Nuther Nudge.

[havocmom]

36. Thanks for being understanding

I'm doin fair, but I am trying to help a couple of people who are having to choose between fresh fruit and propane for heating the house. It's cold here in Montana. I figure widow women come before DU this quarter, and my DU pals are kind enough to understand.

Happy Valentine's Drive, DU. Keep the love alive. And check in on your neighbors who live alone and on the edge. Any oranges you can give them could be enough to get 'em through the flu season, and make them feel not so alone. Make sure they are not freezing to death in the dark.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

37. Did Grovel-Bot get a pink slip?

I haven't seen him/her in quite a while.

[cayanne]

38. Where my money is going

Haiti, the animal shelter, the food bank, and most of all helping my friend whose 11 year old son is fighting brain cancer. There is so much need here right now that something has to go. If DU is hurting for my donation then I'll adjust but hopefully I can hold off until the next quarter drive. We have given up most things we used to enjoy just because there is so much need and our dollars are so few. No matter what we give to others it seems it is never enough.

[bigtree]

39. kicked in another fiver

sorry it couldn't be more . . .

[wellstone dem]

41. I have a job. I'm not afraid of losing it.

So you are getting my biggest donation ever. Thanks for maintaining this site. It keeps me sane.

[unapatriciated]

42. Hey skinner I will donate again under hubby's name if you will fix my hearts.

mailbox says I have four but only three appear,
Give a girl some love.


ok I did my part now it's your turn. Still missing one ;-)

[Skinner]

59. This is fixed.

Sorry about the glitch.

[unapatriciated]

44. Thank You

[oldlib]

45. Contribution

will be coming at the end of the month. Thanks for your patience.

[Rainngirl]

46. Thanks

for making it so I can just donate a little. I really do appreciate having DU to go to so I don't feel like the lone ranger.

[Samantha]

48. I have an idea I would like to suggest

I keep wondering if we could have an auction. I think many here would like to donate more but just can't. On the other hand, many of us have items others would love to have and perhaps would be willing to bid on if the item were auctioned here. Of course, that would present a burden administratively to DU to engineer the exchange, but perhaps there might be some way that an item could be sent directly to the purchaser by the participant should the participant be willing to submit a mailing address. The participant's true name would not have to be revealed; the screen name could be used simply on the package.

To give you an example of items I am thinking about: I have an autographed copy of a book by a well-known personality given to me years ago as a gift. It was a great gift but is somewhat meaningless to me because I am not a big fan of this person. However, my boss stood in a very long line to acquire this book for his father, who absolutely adored the actor.

All purchase proceeds of course would go to DU, and I think you might be able to get a buck or two from those of us a little impoverished these days.

What do you think?

Sam

[grantcart]

49. The Progressive Movement is substantively classier than the reactionaries.

You are an example of how classy progressives can be.

[Canuckistanian]

51. Done

:D

[TheBigotBasher]

53. I donated

but only a small amount for me because I am being undercut by people who will work for 1/3 of my rate just to get the contract.

Times are very very harsh and I wish I could do more.

[xloadiex]

54. Times are very lean

for us right now. February 5th was my birthday and everyone got the idea that cash would be the most handy gift for me right now. I'm holding on to it just in case an unexpected bill pops up. I think I can part with 5.00. I don't post much but read here everyday. It's a small payment for all the information I have gleaned from DU. Thank you.

[Loge23]

66. Here's another from a fellow Aquarian!

Mine's 2/5 also!
Happy Birthday!

[Grinchie]

55. Unless your Moderators can explain deleted messages and the reasoning

Forget about it.

Censorship, no matter who performs it, is distasteful. They tried it in France once.

While I love DU and the forum it represents, it is just as vulnerable to overzealous moderators and moles as any other site.\

Beware the Moles.. They smile, but it's with a mouth full of Crocodile teeth, and you are seeing the result in slow fundraising.

Have some ethics and grow a backbone, and don't beg on people that have had their valid thoughts and concerns quashed without any reason given, or by the identity of the censor. You allowance of anonyminity for the censors is a serious flaw that is being exploited. No tithes for you.

[nightrain]

56. exactly. I've been very disappointed about how "moderators" have operated

with impunity over the past few months, deleting and moving posts without reasons given. DU needs to explain and clean up.

[tbyg52]

69. >>over the past few months

Oops, edited for wrong rant.

Been going on for a *lot* longer than that.
http://tinyurl.com/possibly-of-interest

[TexasObserver]

64. Be thankful the site owner is a more charitable person than you.

Forum moderation is never perfect and always subject to personal bias in application. That's also true of every kind of officiating, policing, or judging anywhere in life. It's never an exact process.

Some players never commit a foul, ever. We all think our posts are taken down capriciously, and those which annoy us are wrongly allowed to remain up. That's human nature.

[nightrain]

68. and sometimes people act egregiously. It happens on DU.

[tbyg52]

71. And sometimes people cover it up. It happens on DU. nt

[Political Heretic]

87. My experience, as a dissident voice, is that the moderators are extremely generous.

I understand the point you are making, and I agree that it would be ideal for there to be names associated with moderator action taken, and there's no reason to have moderator actions be hidden from the community.

However,

That's a minor issue. I am a very critical, very left, and a very outspoken dissenting voice here on DU, and the moderators have been nothing but fair-minded and generous. They give a great deal of latitude in what I can post, as long as I demonstrate some "good faith" in trying to follow rules of civility and the basic guidelines for discussion.

I know what it would be like to be "harassed" by a moderator, and that simply does not happen to me. And if I doesn't happen to me, I feel reasonably confident that its not going to be happening to other people, at least not on the basis of one's politics.

By the way, private communities have rules. I'm glad there is "censorship." It means that we can have a forum free of ultra-conservative ditto heads, and I prefer that. The kind of conversations we can have are deeper and more fruitful precisely because it isn't a rules-free no holds barred flame fest. That's a good thing.

There's no "free speech" issue here, because no constitutional protected speech is at issue. You agreed to the terms and conditions when you chose to post here. Complaining about so-called "censorship" now is kind of hypocritical.

[Political Heretic]

57. Very, very cool.

:thumbsup:

[lamp_shade]

58. Yup. Classy.

[AllyCat]

60. Things have become a bit snug, but I gave a small amount

[hisownpetard]

62. Done!

[Timshel]

63. K&R!

[Lerkfish]

65. what a wonderful note! thank you!

[Loge23]

67. With all due respect and appreciation, a suggestion:

I was fortunate to scrap a little something up, but one of the main barriers to contributions is knowing where and why your money is going to and going to used for.
Wouldn't it help if DU would actually let us know how much it costs to run this thing?
Is it a for-profit venture?
How much ad revenue do you raise?
What are the goals for the fund drives, in terms of dollars?
What have past fund drives been able to raise?
What is the average donation and what percentage of users donate?
Accountability, as we all know, is a good thing. Asking people for donations is fine - particulary for a well-run, well-assembled site like DU - but why not be up front with us?

[tbyg52]

72. +1,000,000,000

:yourock:

[lamp_shade]

77. Who cares? I'm getting my money's worth and that's all that matters to me.

[Loge23]

82. I don't disagree with you, but...

...if you ask for donations to keep things going, then you should at least give people some idea of the finances.

[EFerrari]

84. I don't think I could put a price on all the different benefits I get from DU

and I know that no one could pay me to organize, develop, staff, maintain and manage DU.

Unless Skinner has an IV shoved directly into what passes for Tancredo's spine, I don't care if he burns bills to keep his family warm on winter nights. :)

[Political Heretic]

89. This surprises me. I believe the best about DU and support it, but I also support transparency

...if you are going to ask for donations, then the bar gets raised.

The idea that it is somehow unreasonable to want to see some concrete data about an organization that you choose to financially support seems ludicrous to me.

Doesn't mean I think people should stop donating until this "travesty" (sarcasm) is addressed. Doesn't mean I think there's some evil conspiracy afoot to scam members. Of course not.

It just means that I feel its an area where something is really lacking, and I think the desire for greater transparency is perfectly reasonable when asking for donations. DU would be even better and demonstrate and even deeper commitment to its members if it provided that transparency.

[EFerrari]

91. Right. As I said, if the guys use dollar bills to wrap tamales with, I don't care.

What I see every night and day on this board is all the commitment and transparency I need. That is my choice. YMMV. :)

[Political Heretic]

88. I agree, and I'm surprised that people seem so defensive about such a simple thing.

The idea that it is somehow unreasonable to want to see some concrete data about an organization that you choose to financially support seems ludicrous to me.

Doesn't mean I think people should stop donating until this "travesty" (sarcasm) is addressed. Doesn't mean I think there's some evil conspiracy afoot to scam members. Of course not.

It just means that I feel its an area where something is really lacking, and I think the desire for greater transparency is perfectly reasonable when asking for donations. DU would be even better and demonstrate and even deeper commitment to its members if it provided that transparency.

[Loge23]

94. Absolutely! It will bring even more $$

If DU said out loud that they X amount and they are only up to Y, then don't you think that people would rally around that cause?
Sure we would! Look, I love this site as much as anyone and enjoy the privilage of debate and conversation (albeit it electronic) that DU affords us. All I'm saying is: Let us help where help is needed and let us truly be part of the community by sharing in the real responsibility. If profit is a factor, fine! This product clearly has value. That's not a bad thing - just let us in on the mission.

[tavalon]

70. I've been busy with work these last few days

I will sit down tonight and find five DUers to donate a star to. I try to do it most fund drives unless funds are tight. I'm luckier than many, being a nurse, my job isn't in jeopardy.

Tonight, after I wake up, I promise. This is the greatest progressive community on the Internet and you guys are just magnificent people, besides.

[tavalon]

97. kick

[Plucketeer]

73. OK Dun it!

That dono-meter at the top has been naggin' me all week! There wasn't a question that I would pitch in, I just didn't take the time to do so. Now I have. DU has become an essential place for me. I don't pretend to know ANYTHING about the mechanics involved to keep it running as flawlessly as it does, but I'm just thankful that there's a place of sanity and reason I can visit when my own thoughts need some solace. THANKS DU AND ADMIN FOLKS!!!:loveya:

[thotzRthingz]

74. just wanted to say: thanks for DU (it's easily one of the better online forums which I frequent)

[northofdenali]

76. I haven't had time to empty the penny cans yet.

So I don't have any idea how much is in them. I'll have to send a money order (my credit cards are nonexistent!) but dammit!! DU has been my lifeline to the "real" world for so long now, it's worth my 6-pack of Alaskan Amber to keep it going! (Not that my pennies are needed, but if I don't make the gesture, I'll feel awful.)

:loveya:DU:loveya:

[onehandle]

78. Done. nt

[Blue_Tires]

79. i can send something next week after payday

[Lisa0825]

80. I wasn't going to give this time, because I went crazy buying stars last time...

but you got me. :pals:

[RavensChick]

83. I donated so I feel real good now!

Sharing the love here at DU is just what the doctor ordered for me. Thanks, Skinner! You're the best!!

[Libby2]

85. Thank you for the heart!

How sweeeeet it is!

[zeemike]

86. thanks for your understanding.

I was overdrawn on my checking account by20 bucks and they charged me 25 for that little mistake....so I don't dare do anything right now...but I will, but it could be after the hearts run out.
but you guys deserve it and are worth it.

[Political Heretic]

90. Hopefully at the first of the month.

We'll see.

[Mike 03]

92. I absolutely donated, and I owe EarlG a huge debt of gratitude for

helping me out this week.

This place is very important to me and has been since 2003.

I love ya.

[lamp_shade]

93. Pushing 900. Getting closer.

[alsame]

95. I like to wait until the end of the drive so that I can

give hearts or a star to someone who hasn't received any.

See? I donated tonight. :)

Thank you for DU, Skinner!

[rasputin1952]

96. Unabashed kick...

:kick:

[Dystopian]

98. Only 80 more to go!

YES!

We can do it!

peace & love to all~

[Dystopian]

99. Just 66 more!

peace & love~

[L0oniX]

100. "the greatest progressive community on the Internet" ...I am going to be quoting that.

[tavalon]

101. Looks like we're gonna make it!

Fellow DUers: You rock!

[Dystopian]

102. In case you haven't noticed!

YES!!!!!

Thanks Skinner,...

peace~

[fortyfeetunder]

103. Skinner, it was a pleasure

Where else can I go for entertainment? And news?

[rocktivity]

104. I think a lot of people don't want to give just five dollars because it looks so chintzy

There has been more than one occasion when that's all I could give DU. But I've ALWAYS done it, and haven't even thought about embarrassed about it--if only because I'd feel a lot worse about giving nothing at all!

P.S. Skinner, have you paid your respects at one of the DU "Thanks For My Heart" threads?

:headbang:
rocktivity