Been watching DU's numbers since last week's debate...

[LearnedHand]

... and by my lights, DU has gained about 1500 members since last Thursday! Swear to god. IIRC, the numbers were 51,115 during the Bush/Kerry debate, and now we have in excess of 62,500.

Folks, this is GREAT news and (I believe) a GREAT sign! I interpret this to mean that lots and LOTS of people were wavering before the debate, but the idiocy of * during the debate pushed them over the edge. (And the national mention of our board didn't hurt!)

Any new DUers here to verify my intuition? Any other ideas?

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

1. Well, you have to count...

A lot of FreePees, on hit and run attacks, in that number.

[Hello_Kitty]

2. I think people are realizing that they aren't alone

It's ok to be against this administration. Those who think we're the minority have another think coming.

[Doohickie]

3. Wel I cant speek for the wrest of them but

Im just a freepper hear too stur up the pot.

[Jack_Dawson]

4. We're at 52,600+

Where do you get 62? Or was it a typo? But yes we've been a gainin'

[LearnedHand]

6. Fat-fingered typo

I meant 52,600. But we REALLY WERE at 51,115 during the debate! I was following along with the play-by-play on DU.

I'm thrilled to see the numbers climbing! Just this evening, since I began posting (ahem) several hours back, we've gained something like 25 or 30 members.

WOW!

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

5. 62.000???

When the HELL did THAT happen? Sheesh. I just turned on about five good Dems I know (in real life) to this site and one called me today to rave about DU. I don't think she posts yet, but she LOVES Auntie Pinko and these forums.

One thing she said: "I love that in LBN, you can't just post any old crap from any old source. That's good."

I agreed.

Wow. Even taking out freepers, that's a hell of a lot.

Oh and I debate on another site with a lot of lefties (well we don't debate each other, but it is a mixed site with other persuasions) and over the past month or two almost ALL of them have registered here and now tell me, after having initially been overwhelmed by the size (our other site is small), they are now totally in love with DU and feel very at home here!

Shout out to my TPP badass lefties!!!

[Norquist Nemesis]

7. Welcome to all new DUers!

:hi:

There a enormous resources here for you. So, if you have questions or are just looking for an oasis, DU's the place!

I signed up about a year ago. I grew up in a conservative/Republican family fighting my parents all the way :cry: Now, I live in an area outside Chicago that I refer to as the Republican Propogation Center (multiple births are statistically higher in DuPage County). I'm surrounded!!! DU has been a real salvation for me!

We still are sensitive to newcomers, at times. There's a history of trolls from extreme right-wing individuals that like to try and get their jollies coming in undercover. So, if you experience this, bear that in mind. We're pretty good at sniffing them out, but in reality they expose themselves.

Please let us know if there's anything we can do if you're looking for information or just place to be a part of and feel at home!

[LearnedHand]

9. Nice, liburl!

Great post. :toast:

[MazeRat7]

8. Been lurking around here since before the war.. just "joined" a month ago.

(n/t)

[LearnedHand]

10. What made you decide to join?

And welcome to DU!!! Glad you're here. :hi:

[MazeRat7]

13. It was the night of the Dan Rather flap

I was reading about the "forged" memos and I found one on the net with the superscript. I wanted to post it but couldn't, so I signed up. WaltStarr (I think that was his handle) was on the thread and he took the post/document and ran with it... and as they say... the rest is history.

MZr7

[LearnedHand]

15. Walt Starr is a terrific writer and researcher...

... a real shining star (pun intended) here at DU. He will be pleased to know one of his stories lured you here!

Hey, Walt! You listening?

[MazeRat7]

16. Yeah, he was pretty excited that night and trying to find examples.

The thread was all about the superscript thing and after searching around the net a bit this one (now famous) example popped up. Not that it did any good, but it was fun to actually participate. I was mostly impressed by his energy level so I think that is what made be go searching.

MZr7

[evilqueen]

11. The debate didn't draw me here...

I didn't even know this place existed, until I stumbled across a link to it on someone's blog (I don't remember whose blog).

[LearnedHand]

12. No matter how you got here, eq...

...welcome anyway!!! :hi:

[evilqueen]

23. Thanks :) n/t

[Dr Fate]

14. Welcome to our forum!

n/t

[qnr]

17. Registered back in 2002

But then never actually posted anything, though I'd visit (mostly LBN two or three times a day, everyday). Decided to donate, since I'd been using the resources for so long, found I had forgotten my password, went through a couple of things to get the info and decided I may as well just participate after all.

[LearnedHand]

18. Glad you're here formally!

I know several people who lurk, who've lurked for years, even. I myself lurked for a while before I joined.

This place has been a HAVEN for me!

[Norquist Nemesis]

19. LBN is a great way to keep up

on the breaking news! I have AP as my home page, but DU's LBN always has a wide range of sources. Always blows my husband away when we're watching political shows that I already know what's coming, who's who, reports, numbers, etc. (tee hee!! Thanks, DU!)

I'm sure there are a lot of people that look more than they post. And probably just as many that get interested every two years when elections are coming roung. Nothing wrong with that. :)

[qnr]

20. Thanks, and yes many do

but actually, I've been quite active online in other forums (mostly computer / OS related) countering the reactionaries - figured they needed progressive input more than DU did heheheh

[sr_pacifica]

21. I joined because I was SO ANGRY

I think people need an outlet for how they feel about this administration and that is one draw to DU.

[Norquist Nemesis]

22. Welcome!!! We're glad to have you!

:hi:

[m_welby]

24. been lurking quite a while now

registered a coule months ago, but just started posting recently. Actually referred by one of my kids (I'm so proud).