General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsDU STANDS THE TEST OF TIME
I have been coming here since 2004 (just verified it!). I first came here during that election debacle, when GWB stole the Presidency for the SECOND time, from Kerry. (Remember the Ohio Sec. of State who was a Republican hack; something about a period of time when the courthouse in one Ohio county was offline during a critical period... Hope this doesn't qualify as a "conspiracy theory" and not disallowed from posting here... ).
I've been here through highs and lows - my own and DU's. I've gotten sick of DU from time to time, along with many others, I know. I've been through the upgrades. Yadda yadda...you know the drill.
But still and all, I find this is the place I come back to regularly, like a star-crossed lover, for right on political video; for latest breaking news; for intelligent commentary; for people who share my views and opinions, or who rile me to no end! I've been insulted, I've been dissed, I've been embraced.
DU, you are my tribe. I just can't quit you!
Jackpine Radical
(45,274 posts)Just like any other addict.
cilla4progress
(24,798 posts)steve2470
(37,457 posts)The UK sub-forum is great. They put up with my curiosity on a regular basis !
cilla4progress
(24,798 posts)Spend almost all my time on Politics 2012!
AnotherDreamWeaver
(2,854 posts)It used to be indymedia, bartcop and whatreallyhappened, but I just don't go to those much anymore. (Someone did post something about Bart the other day, and I checked back in there, but just for that day.)
I focus on the Greatest Page posts, that way I figure I don't have to look into all the other forums.
cilla4progress
(24,798 posts)Cooley Hurd
(26,877 posts)...and found the DU.
Such an interesting trip since that moment...
cilla4progress
(24,798 posts)I've never "trended" before.
It is affirming, and welcomed after a trying week when I've felt against the flow all week!
RedSpartan
(1,693 posts)Me, too. Joined in Oct 2004. Read a lot, post a little, but have always been here. By far one of the best sites on the web.
NJCher
(35,825 posts)I like my little "sub-famb'lys" as in Cooking and Baking, Gardening, and Astrology.
Yep, it does stand the test of time.
Cher
Aristus
(66,522 posts)Jackpine Radical
(45,274 posts)tridim
(45,358 posts)I'm glad I didn't.
It's really the only major schism that DU has had in the 12 years I've been here.
cilla4progress
(24,798 posts)Amazing how many of us stay...or return!
CaliforniaPeggy
(149,791 posts)This place is absolutely my electronic home. For good and ill, I love it here.
I've made so many friends and learned so much, both about politics and myself...
I can honestly say that being a member has changed my life.
Long live DU!
cilla4progress
(24,798 posts)thanks much!
silverweb
(16,402 posts)[font color="green" face="Verdana"]If the computer is on, DU is up and running. I check latest threads periodically, even between tasks while I'm working.
This place is my primary news source and filter, and a bottomless well from which I draw information of all kinds from multiple and varied sources.
Proud to be a member of the tribe since Spring 2001!
reflection
(6,286 posts)and the clean, intuitive format are just icing on the cake. Love DU.
Even if I were a right-winger, I can't imagine hanging out at FR. It's horribly conceived and implemented. You can't tell who's talking to who, and the whole thing is a homogenous wall of text.
SteveG
(3,109 posts)in 2001. I don't post much, but I have been reading posts here every day for over 11 years.
90-percent
(6,834 posts)somebody not me gathering my kind of news from all over the world for me. It's amazing to me what I know about current affairs and the real facts thanks to the DU links.
I also gobble up the peer to peer analysis in the posts. I usually skip the OP and go right to the posts. There are some very well informed critical thinkers that also write good on DU.
There's other's with impeccable talent for research and history. And there's others directly involved with any of the subjects at hand - unions, teachers, doctors, lawyers, witnesses, reporters,
I am much more personally connected with my car sites, but I get most of myt news from DU and I think it serves me well.
Except I'm scared silly about the possibility of Republican rule after this election. We are close to an oligarchy - a medieval system of serfs and Lords. What sort of people have we become to be so damn mean and hateful to each other?
And so servile to money? Where are the honorable generous public servants that can prevent the capture of our Democracy by the greedy 1% sociopaths?
DU does make me fear for the future of humanity. There should just not be so much misery and struggle about. We should be able to prosper and feel secure of our future. We are regressing. We are not thoughtful or well educated. We're reverting to animals.
There's a better and wiser way. You only have to look at American history, particularly during hte Great Depression, to fully realize that. DU helps me get there.
-90% Jimmy
cilla4progress
(24,798 posts)yes?
90-percent
(6,834 posts)It is the only hope for our democracy and think of how dark these totalitarian times would be this very minute if we didn't have the internet!
-90% Jimmy
cilla4progress
(24,798 posts)That's what I'M talkin' about!
HeiressofBickworth
(2,682 posts)sometime before the 2004 elections. And I was reading it often -- checking in several times during the day and most evenings, reading many different forums but particularly LBN and General. It took me a long time to dip into the Lounge, but now, that's one of my favorites. I actually signed up May, 2011 to put in my $.02 worth.
Terra Alta
(5,158 posts)I live in red county hell, and I come to DU to escape that. I consider DU a family of sorts, and can't imagine my life without it.
El Supremo
(20,365 posts)But I tend to prefer the Sports Group lately. I've been somewhat disappointed in Democrats.
proud patriot
(100,716 posts)late spring 2001 is when I made my way to DU .
orpupilofnature57
(15,472 posts)This is a think tank.
PDJane
(10,103 posts)It would have helped during that second theft of the election by he who shall not be named..........I was computerless during that period, unfortunately!
elfin
(6,262 posts)discovered this sometimes raucous haven via Bushwatch way back then.
panader0
(25,816 posts)but I'm sure glad I did.
kestrel91316
(51,666 posts)I was here less than a year and moved on. When I returned later, I had forgotten my user name and password, so my official date of joining isn't exactly correct.
sellitman
(11,610 posts)The other side is sooooo jealous we have this place. Their site is but a sad copy.
HCE SuiGeneris
(14,994 posts)This vehicle is moving forward...
Good post, Cilla!
libodem
(19,288 posts)Well, I can quit any time I like. But I never seem to want to. I'm hooked.