I used to think DU was an Inconsequential Chat Room

[mopaul]

but i was wrong, and discovered that this place actually makes things happen. witness last week's hearings on the truth, Mr. Conyers amazing efforts paid off. the truth tsunami is real, Mr. John Conyers ACTUALLY THANKED US for our efforts and signatures!

all the posters here are correct, but again, DU is actually having a concrete effect on our government. i'll say it again, cause i know it's not quite believable, it wasn't to me at first....

...DEMOCRATIC UNDERGROUND IS ACTUALLY HAVING AN EFFECT ON OUR GOVERNMENT...!

CHEERS to the Founding Fathers of the Democratic Underground, and to it's denizens.

the internet is OUR weapon of mass destruction.

[Kipling]

1. The internet is indeed a potent political tool

A new medium, which can be controlled by anyone with the numbers and skill. An open field on the flank of the establishment.

[Disturbed]

2. Between DU, Kos, Raw Story and some heavy Bloggers...

the effect is being felt. The RW thought they had Amerika under it's power but millions that aren't fond of Fascism are fighting back.

[dalloway]

14. Remember the attempted coup in Russia by the communists

under Boris Yeltsin. And then images of Yeltsin in a tank shot around the world with the newly minted CNN--the communists couldn't hide and couldn't use their previous attempts to control the media because the PICTURES got out there. The coup was broken, all because of sunshine.

I'd like to think that is what DU does, internet-style.

The patterns of lying and deception depend on darkness. DU brings sunshine.

[blm]

63. That's why I give alot more credit to Ted Turner than Reagan on the fall

of communism.

If only CNN were nearly as honest and ethical now as they were then, the true horror of the fascists in power now would be apparent to the rest of America.

[suziedemocrat]

3. Agreed! Democratic Underground is FANTASTIC!!!

[calimary]

61. I second that. We DO make a difference. We DO have an impact.

Remember: Impeachment IS an option.

Repeat BECAUSE IT'S needed.

[fasttense]

4. You know despite the freeper sites, the brush regime

would prefer to do away with the Internet if they could. It frustrates them and their control mania that they can't buy it and destroy it, or legislate it into one happy freeperville. The fact that we can actually talk to each other and exchange ideas that are not controlled by brush is galling to them. I wonder how long will it last?

[Ian David]

9. The technology exists now that determined individuals could create a new 1

Using wide-area wi-fi equipment, a "pirate radio" style internet might be created.

Though there are probably other, better ways to do it.

[Triana]

46. How long will it last?

Until the US gov't figures out how to censor our internet here like China does. BETCHA BUTT they're workin on it. There have been several articles out (posted here on DU) about how they want to 'get better control' of the internet. All under the guise of protecting children and thwarting terrorism, you understand.

For all we know, they're already doing it...but just haven't figured out how to justify hiring thousands of gov't workers to monitor internet activity - like they do in China.

[ngGale]

5. DU is making a difference and let us not forget...

Galloway, our hero! Who helped us get even more members! :)

[suziedemocrat]

7. Please forgive my ignorance - but who is Galloway? n/t

[supernova]

10. George Galloway

Scots MP who appeared before Congresss, ostensibly b/c of the UN oil-for-food scandal. Heh. He told the Neocons where to stick it.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/4584883.stm

[suziedemocrat]

11. I remember now. Thanks!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/3204973.stm

[Ladyhawk]

69. Really? How? Did I miss something? n/t

[oblivious]

6. Most of what happens here involves seeking the truth and informing.

That's gotta have a powerful effect.

[blm]

35. And DEMANDING that more in media allow the truth to be heard.

The pressure this board put on Cspan was tremendous when they LIED and claimed DSM was an internet rumor.

They changed their tune QUICKLY after DU's Tsunami of Truth hit them.

[FredStembottom]

56. Thanks for reminding me

I am still very new here but I participated in the email campaign to stop CSpan from burying DSM.

Hadn't taken time to realize that the campaign seems to have worked!

Gosh! Results! I feel....what's the word.....EMPOWERED.....for the 1st time since about 1976!

Thanks, DemUnder!:toast:

(Gotta go replace the alternator on my car, now. But I'll have a "song in my heart" as I do!)

[blm]

62. I think the word got out on how hard we hit Cspan. I don't think they

saw it coming. Most of the national news business had to have heard it around DC.

[FredStembottom]

65. That is a wonderful thought. A pleasure to mull it around in my head!

n/t

[magellan]

8. The DU is empowering

Just what the doctor ordered! A huge thanks to Skinner and all those who do time as mods and admins here. Without you we'd have no voice.

:applause: :patriot:

[Oversea Visitor]

12. DU

The biggest mistake bush can do is to shut it down cause then peole like me will just start hating all things US.

DU in a way help me to understand, gives me a better understanding of what kind of insanity is going on in US since GORE 2000. I am a kind of minority since most people l know will just spit on the name US.

So to all DUer you make a hugh different in ways you might not think you do. You did more for US then you think. But its hard with BUsh and co trying their best to self destruct the US name for all eternity.

So keep fighting the good fight guys.

[annabanana]

24. I'm glad you're watching us here.....

I hope some of your friends come in here too. They should know that the US is really struggling to come out from under this terrible administraion.

[Oversea Visitor]

26. Been

Following for a long time even talk to Kephra.

[CantGetFooledAgain]

29. Oversea Visitor

Thanks for your kind words. I often think about people in other countries, none of whom are completely unaffected by the actions of this administration (and so many whose lives have been ended or ruined) :cry: .

I hope that an ever-increasing number of people in other nations realize just how many of us there are here that are desperate to change things and to restore America to a civilized nation. Watching two national elections be stolen before your eyes is a hard thing. Watching your country wage an unjust and illegal war is even worse.

Please, spread the word about DU and other progressive sites. That's the best way to make the world realize that not all of America are war-mongering neocons and ignorant SUV-driving idiots.

This country has undergone a coup d'etat and is now being run by a relatively small group of very evil individuals. Like all tyrants, they will eventually be defeated.

[Oversea Visitor]

41. People are aware

Nothing new here. At some point in time there will be a reaction to bush action. Hopefully this does not means countries ganging up on US.
Seriously pray that the people in US correct this insane direction before the world react.

Afgan and Iraq well they be just US nightmare for many years to come or if no corrective action taken for hundreds of years. Dont see how all this hatred can stop unless bush and co pay the price.

Until then ...... sigh this world too small for all this war. Even the Mongol and Roman empire fails. In fact all great empire falls cause they just cant keep the people of occupied countries down.

[NJCher]

39. thanks for your input. overseas visitor

You have no idea how much I think about this and I'm sure I'm not alone.

Quite frankly, if we do not oust these insane megalomaniacs, my biggest fear is that a foreign country might very well lob a nuke our way (think the Russians). This would be a fast way of ending the trouble the U.S. is causing.

If our own citizens are not astute enough to figure out that the neocon agenda is an unacceptable way of operating in the world, this is a way to get their attention.

Sadly, if it were to happen, one would look back on a long history of U.S. oppression. It simply must stop and we here at DU know it.


Cher

[Oversea Visitor]

43. Ahhh

Nuke .... ouch world war..... nah ... one cuckoo birds enough at moment.

Dont think anything will be solve through use of military power. And seriously dont think leaders from any country want to take their country into war. I mean it seriously need a cuckoobanana to do that.
Sad part is cuckoobanana keep poping up now and then. Just look at history.... ouch.

Scary thing is that we dont use sword anymore so cuckoobanana becomes too dangerous. The UN need some shrap teeth ouch.

[kittenpants]

49. I agree with you about the UN.

thanks for being here and putting faith in some of us. I really value your opinions!

[Arugula Latte]

54. Sometimes I have an idealistic vision ...

of all the rational, good-hearted, hard-working people of the Earth joining together using the Internet to overcome the insanity and exploitation of the neocons, PNACers, and the forces of corporatism that are doing so much harm to so many millions of people.

[Oversea Visitor]

66. That will happen

push the people enough and they break out the pitchfork. Why we peasants control the world. Look at history .... piss the people and you are history.

Sadly bush is just doing that in US, sooner or later it will blow, sadly the longer it take the more painful the price.

[kentuck]

13. It is the second coming of David vs Goliath...

Goliath came with a sling. David came armed with the truth. That was a weapon that even the giant could not overcome. When he realized his vulnerability, he became defensive and insecure...DU has been empowered and validated by the truth.

[MisterP]

58. David had the sling: Goliath had the arsenal strapped to him

[tanyev]

15. TRUTH TSUNAMI!

That's a good one. :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

[HamdenRice]

16. Hey, come on -- give some credit to Free Republic!

I mean, aren't they also often cited in the news media, and don't their efforts to get the truth out also have an effect on policy (sarcasm)?!?!?!?

[H2O Man]

17. The power of ideas ....

is greatly underestimated by our culture. I think one of the best measures of the power of some of the best ideas on DU is how offensive they are to the opposition.

[EFerrari]

19. In the little project we ran the end of April/beginning of May

We raised $50K in two one hundred hour stints; we had DUers on the ground in four states running interference -- literally from coast to coast. We interacted in "meat space" as effectively as possible. When predictable problems arose, we got them handled. All under significant amounts of stress.

No wonder they attack us. DU is an awesome force, and will continue to be as we learn to use it.

[H2O Man]

22. I remember long ago

when I was a mere youngster on DU, I told a little story that I still think fits. There was a group of people from a culture that had had no contact with the outside world in over a century, who came upon an airplane in a field near their village. At first, they were unsure of what this strange thing was. A few went and sat in the airplane, and were very pleased with the nice veiw afforded by their new couch.

In time, a few of the villagers found out that the airplane had a motor, and began to drive it from one end of the field to another. And that is perhaps where DU is today. It's possible that we will learn to harness the full potential of this machine very soon. I think that Congressman Conyers may be going to offer us flying lessons.

[EFerrari]

25. Perfect analogy!

It would be a good thing if we tried not to be afraid when we hear the engine click over.

:hi:

[KlatooBNikto]

18. Wonder if Bush, Cheney and Rove are sitting at their computers and

entering our website to see what is being said? May be not Bush, I don't think he knows how to use the internets but he can always call Al Gore to see how it is done.

[graywarrior]

20. There's some great T-shirt slogans on this thread

[NMDemDist2]

27. your duck/duct tape graphic cracks me up everytime I see it

that is all :applause:

[graywarrior]

53. You mean quacks you up, don't you?

[Jose Diablo]

21. Information is power

The traditional media has been corrupted by 'corporate' interests. But people cannot be dominated, when pushed from one direction, they will always seek other ways to retain their authority.

Internet happened to be here for commercial reasons, and it was used by the people when the corporate media denied people information they needed.

The 'elite' cannot win for long, they must share the wealth, or they will be destroyed. This reality has played out time and time throughout history, and it will play out the same way this time also.

The 'elite' was shown this lesson in the 30's, they thought that with a 'new' tactic they would somehow be successful this time. The 'elite' are wrong, as they always have been when they believed themselves invincible. But maybe this time, we will not allow them the opportunity to retreat to fight again another day. They should put that idea in their pipe and smoke it.

[H2O Man]

23. "Information is power"

No more important point will be made on DU than this. Information is indeed power, and this generation needs to recognize the power of ideas.

[Jose Diablo]

28. A added note on the power of ideas

Think about the ideas of Leo Stauss at the University of Chicago during the 50-70's and how this guys ideas on economy have affected our world.

We have witnessed Pinochet's Chili. We have seen how the IMF and the World Bank have completely destroyed 3rd world countries. We have seen right here in the USA the direct influence of Strauss's ideas in the destruction of our safety net we the people erected to protect us from hardship.

Ideas are real. Thinking is the first step in making the outer reality we call this world. To think something is the start of making it real.

This is the magic of humans. Dreams into reality.

[H2O Man]

32. "What you think,

you become." -- Gandhi

[Senior citizen]

57. "This time, we will not allow them...to retreat to fight again...."

We've certainly seen what happens when people who are convicted of lying to Congress (Watergate), are pardoned and permitted to come back into government. They immediately lie to Congress again, and with worse consequences than before.

Much as I hate to take a leaf from their book, I think we need a one-strike law on lying to Congress. One strike and you go to prison and never get to work in any aspect of government again. Lying to Congress has to be a more serious crime than possession of a small amount of crack, and deserves a mandatory minimum. If the lie results in the deaths of American citizens, they should be declared enemy combatants and sent to Gitmo without trial, appeal, or possibility of parole. See what a nice liberal I am? I didn't suggest the death penalty for these mass murderers.

In addition to refusing to confirm most judicial appointments during the entire 2-term Clinton administration, despite many vacancies and a huge case backlog, the pukes have insisted on getting all the chimp's appointments confirmed. Despite having used the filibuster for forty years to prevent an anti-lynching law from passing, the pukes don't want to let anyone else use the filibuster. In a great show of bipartisanship (sarcasm) they have tried to shut down Democratic Congressional hearings and denied Democrats the use of hearing rooms. We not only have to get rid of them, we have to make sure that they never come back. They don't play well with others and there is no place for them in a democratic society.

[radwriter0555]

30. I can't tell you how often the words I've said, the phrases I've come up

with have LATER appeared in the media and from the mouths of others. I'm not copying anyone; they're using MY words.

I know I was the first person to openly refer to bush as a nazi and to the US troops as death squads and Nazi troops; I say it openly, in public and whenever I write anything. I say it and use it with no shame and in every single reference I make to these crooks.

I know it gives courage to others to use the same harsh, harsh words, and use them we MUST to get our message across.

People DO pay attention to us here. We DO make a difference!

[Richard D]

31. Personally . . .

. . . through DU and links I've found here, my understanding of the current political and social milieu have been both enriched and changed. This place really can be the "blue pill". You are all appreciated.

[blueblitzkrieg]

33. Thank goodness for DU!!!!!! nt

[Tesla]

34. I think we have come together in love

for our country!
I know this isn't the feeling I used to get when I thought of being American.
I remember the way it was, and want it back!!!


Ah, the 90's what a good time!!!
Peace, Prosperity, a future......
It was Rockin!!!

[Vinca]

36. Another thing about DU that is very important is that we know it's watched

by those in power or those close to those in power. We can let them know what we think about something that has happened IMMEDIATELY. No polls, no waiting for the corporate media to pick up out thoughts, we get them out there at once. Anyone in politics would be wise to read this board . . . we're not a bunch of crackpots.

[seabeyond]

37. i have taken it a step further

for me it was the boxer experience on jan 6 that left that profound feeling. now the people in my life that might tend to dismiss what i do on this board, i clearly tell them that we make a difference.

people that say we dont have a voice, that we cant do anything, i tell tem they are wrong. i have seen differently. i am not going to lessen this opportunity. internet is where the liberals are having to rally. grassroot is who the political liberals need

[Fovea]

38. Cheers to you, Mo

for hanging tough through it all.

[BiggJawn]

40. Yeah, we actually fuck up and do something RIGHT once-a-while...

Wonder how much of this inspiration comes from the Lounge?

[Desertrose]

42. Call me crazy but I had this feeling from day 1

that this place was gonna go places...well let me rephrase that...I just had this vision that DU was going to have a huge impact, not only on a lot of people but also with "higher ups" in politics and the media.

what can I say but DU :yourock:

Serously, Skinner, Elad & Earl G......I can't tell you what a great thing you have done here...and to all the loyal (and maybe not so loyal :evilgrin: )posters...its taken us all to get here.... we've come a long way...and there's still a long way to go but we can "DU" it .

So anyhow...jus' sayin.....this is a big thanks for DU :hi:
DR

[Puzzler]

45. "weapon of mass destruction?"

... well, a weapon of mass education, for sure :)

-P

[Just Me]

44. Yep. DU is a vehicle which allows us to combine our forces.

Many, many talented people contribute to DU.

You, mopaul, are exceptionally talented!!! :hi: Thanks for everything you do!!!

[Generic Other]

47. We have proven that democracy is not a spectator sport!

We have made our voices heard!

[Jade Fox]

48. I've known for awhile we were having an impact.....

Al Franken is using a joke I first posted here last summer, and I swear
Maureen Dowd wrote a whole column based on some things I said
on DU.

There are also tons of people who lurk here. You see it when, every once
in awhile some amazing person will pop on and post something, and then
you never see them again.

[Burried News]

60. Dowd

<<Maureen Dowd wrote a whole column based on some things I said>>
That's terrific. I was happy when she used a couple of words and analogies. I really need to get a life.

[sellitman]

50. I'll tell you what is special about DU....

I helped moderate a Yahoo group (Shameless plug) , the "I Hate Bush Fan Club" for the past number of years and we got over 2000 members but something was wrong with it. It was always the same people contributing and the rest doing nothing. There was also many who posted great relevant stories but never commented on them or anyone else's post.

DU has great link, stories and best of all COMMENT. That is why this place rocks.


Kevin

[mzmolly]

51. It's amazing to think about the fact that we have an impact from our PC's

but we actually do.

That must be why people at FR and other places are so obsessed - I imagine? They are not respected voices in the political community in which they partake, we on the other hand are. :)

Cheers to Skinner and the gang for elevating the discussion here, I think it's made a great deal of difference in our being taken seriously.

[Lorien]

52. IMO, DU is a weapon of mass CONSTRUCTION

when DU is at it's best, it's a center for grassroots activism that gets results!

[Tommymac]

55. It's a UNITER not a DIVIDER...

What amazes me after my short time here is that even though we 'debate' among ourselves a lot, in the end we all come together for the common good. We have each other's backs.

Cheers DU'ers! :toast:

[dogday]

59. I reached my 1000th post yesterday and posted a nice message

thanking everyone here. Unfortunately, it was moved to the Lounge were I understand it is now somewhere over the Atlantic.....

I have really enjoyed being a member of this Forum. DU gives me the opportunity to get out of my system the helplessness I feel in this country today.

Since the DSM, I have hope, and all I want to do is try to make as many people see the truth as I can. That is the most important thing.

Was this a war to protect the USA or did we just want to make a regime change? My Son will be fighting for the answer...

[Oversea Visitor]

68. Congrats on your 1000th post

:hi:

This war is not about protecting US. This war is about profit, this war is about corporation. It is not even about regime change.

Sadly chimp chose the wrong way to go about it. Man look at his track record and all his failure. Gee the standard to be a president of the US sure hit rock bottom with him.

Dumb chimp want to show off want to be on record as the greatest president in the history of US so need the biggest ever possible events to acheive it. Would be fine if Hilters around but hey he is just plain unlucky there so he created Saddam. Bin Laden got no bite haha got no country to pillage. Opps l forgot Afghan on well UK sending in 5000 more troops there to kill or be killed.

[libodem]

64. this is the best place ever

saved my sanity after the elections. I feel I have a voice here. Love the talk and love the walk. We have some activists who are out in the streets making themselves visible, and then they post the pictures. This place is awesome.

[Beam Me Up]

67. "Don't get cocky, kid. Keep your eye on the target."

It's true. WE have power. When we act CONCERTEDLY AND COLLECTIVELY--and I might add, relentlessly. The words, obviously, are very important. We use them to keep ourselves and one another informed. But, ultimately, it is what we do with the words that counts. Obviously we have to spread them, for one thing--and in spreading them we have to begin building a network of other like-minded people.

We have a long way to go to get this country back, a very long way. And I warn all of you, even IF we were to get Gerge W. Bush impeached--even if we were to see him arrested for the crimes for which we believe he is guilty--we still would not be where we need to be. After all, even W is only a Pawn--an important one, but a Pawn none the less. This battle to reclaim America will not be complete until we find who put this man in the office of the President of the United States--and it was not the American people. Oh, of course, a lot of them did vote for him; but not quite enough. Either time.

The theft of the 2000 election, 9/11, the anthrax, the war on Iraq, the 2002 election, the 2004 election, and many many other things are all tied together. Until we fully understand the systems of power that set these things in motion and made them come to pass as they did, we will not be free.

[blm]

70. Which means opening the books to post WW2 and especially all BFEE related

events, which just happen to come up often in the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s.

[Jose Diablo]

71. I believe the books should be opened

all the way back to the attempt to assassinate FDR. Cannot prove it now, without the records, but I think we would find an ongoing attempt to subvert this government by the same group of individuals. Sure many have died, but they left, the control of this group in successors hands.

Maybe even as far back as opium or even slave traders. Think of the bankers role in Shay's rebellion, right after the revolution and how bankers have been manipulating governments, even back into the Monarchy times in the middle ages.

This is what I mean when I speak about the 'elite'. It's the ones hiding in the background, fomenting conflicts and making money pitting country against country, people against people.

Clausewitz was full of hot air, wars are made to happen, for the profit of a few.

And I don't mean some BS Illuminati stuff either. These guys doing this stuff seem respectable, but at their core, they are murderers and thugs. They hide in fancy suits, seldom making public statements or waves, but it is them that have power. Them and the people, now they want to cut the people out of their power, by subverting the peoples government.

Call me nuts. Call me crazy. Say I need a tinfoil hat. I do not care, there is too much synchronicity for all this stuff to be just chaos or random events. There is a pattern to historical events that indicate to me something or someone(s) working in the background.

[blm]

75. I agree. I refuse to be a coincidence theorist.

.

[Beam Me Up]

77. The emperor is naked but the power behind the thrown is invisible.

Not really invisible, of course. The outlines can always be discerned. They leave tracks when they walk in the snow. But the point is, seeing the chimperor and pointing out his nakedness, as necessary as it is, is not the end of the road.

My biggest fear is that we will win an important battle and mistake it for the war.

[jimshoes]

72. In the beginning there was frank n. stein

then there was mopaul. Hey mo, you're one of the best.

[kentuck]

73. Whatever happened to those great cartoons !

They were unique!

[proud patriot]

74. That's why I'm here

:-) I feel working with and brainstorming with the
fine people here is the most tangible way I can
effect change .

[Amonester]

76. The Free World Looks At DU :)

The real free world, that is (the civilized world). ;)

:applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:
:applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:
:applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:

:loveya: