2004 Election Results and Discussion Forum...are you for real?

[truthpusher]

I found DU in September of 04' and have been visiting almost daily ever since. I try to contribute new information when I stumble on it and I try to contribute my point of view if I see a benefit in doing so. I check this forum (2004 Election Results and Discussion) before the other forums because like most of you, I would love to see Bush get is due by having the fraud exposed; I even still have a glimmer of hope that Kerry, my candidate, might come through with a win when all is said and done.

Now to my reason for posting: about 4 hours ago I posted a link to a rally happening in Columbus:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=203&topic_id=224750&mesg_id=224750

I had 4 entries over 14 minutes and then the thread died?

What is this forum for? Am I just not getting it?

I have contributed different types of posts ranging from gossipy to the genuinely informative (I think the one I mentioned before had some real info in it). I have noticed that the gossipy posts get the most interest, like this one I posted this morning:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=203&topic_id=222587&mesg_id=222587

I enjoy all the reactions and adrenaline when a story is breaking, it can be pretty exciting. But when it comes to the not so exciting stuff, it seems like there are only a few who are really supportive. I appreciate all of those who put in real work and notify this forum first (Will Pitt and TIA come to mind). But, I get real turned off by a lot of the elitist attitudes coming from some of the regulars.

I would think that a welcoming attitude and an attitude of inclusion would only benefit the cause and make it that much stronger.

I am debating whether or not I should start spending more of my time elsewhere (I am sure some of those reading this would be more than happy to tell me where I can go). Maybe this forum/format of communication is just not right for me? Who knows.

on edit: my post on the rally seems to have gotten a positive response in LBN. Also I just saw in that same forum an article on Blogs for the NYT (mentions lots about DU and their reactions to topical items) http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/03/international/worldspecial4/03bloggers.html?oref=login

[bobbieinok]

1. a lot of us have watched our best posts die

response is often a matter of the day and time you post

if you feel strongly about your post, kick it yourself periodically

many of us only look at the first page of a forum, so many good topics sink out of sight pretty quickly

[EFerrari]

2. Hey, truthpusher -- you might want to consider that this has been

the last long holiday weekend of the season. Traffic might be a little strange tonight. I wouldn't take it as a meaure of anyone's interest or committment.

[truthpusher]

5. I may be overreacting a bit...

...but this is something I have been noticing for a while.

[crispini]

3. Well, re: a rally -- there's just not a lot to SAY about it.

I mean, a rally is a good thing, looks like there will be a lot of good speakers, I'm looking forward to *hearing* about it.

And maybe you should also post about it to let people know in "Activism" and "Ohio," which are both slower moving forums.

But, can't you see how a simple notice, "Here's a rally" would just sort of naturally get less response than a more speculative type post when there is something to chew on, and, well, speculate about?

Also of course this is a national board, so there's not a lot that the majority of us can do to support an Ohio rally.

Just my two cents FWIW.... :shrug:

[truthpusher]

7. Thanks for the suggestion....

...I will post a link in Ohio and Activism ( if a link isn't already there).....p.s. I love the Polyphonic Spree (noticed your link) however, I preferred the monochromatic robes to the primary colors.

[Carolab]

4. Even if we don't reply

it doesn't mean we're not reading the posts, either

[New Earth]

6. hey man

i posted some articles i had published in newspapers and it only got less then 10 replies :cry:

[Straight Shooter]

8. There, there, Faye, it'll be all right.

[truthpusher]

10. I usually read what you contribute...

...and I rarely comment...sorry. I do get your point though, thanks.

[Nothing Without Hope]

9. Rallies and local political events are a special case

Like someone said, there's not much to SAY about them, so they sort of sink out of sight.

I think there should be -- if there isn't already and I've just overlooked it -- a part of this board that is dedicated to listings of rallies and other local events. It should be done in a way that the events are easily seen, not hard to find buried deep in a thread. They should be listed by date and by state.

I've missed several events that I just didn't hear about. One of them was Will Pitt talking in Boston, which I would certainly have wanted to attend. From the photos, there weren't all that many people there to support him and listen to what he had to say. There are a lot of New England DUers, and I think some would have come if they had known.

How can we go about setting up a local events area at DU? I do believe it would be useful. Unfortunately, I know nothing about designing web pages.

[pbartch]

12. Very good idea about a listing that is dedicated to events

such as rallies, speeches etc.

How do we request that?

[Nothing Without Hope]

16. I would suggest ...

...that someone like the person who started this thread, who is concerned about getting good coverage for local political events, might give some thought what should be part of such a site, consider what would be an efficient organization of the information, then write to the administrators and get similarly concerned DU friends to support the suggestion. Meanwhile, multiple other people might be writing in with similar suggestions for such a site -- seems to me they'll respond best if multiple "reasonable" people want it.

There is already a "Campaigns" page with a clickable map. There could be some similarity.

A caution: There would need to be some way to get an approved list of people who could post the political event listings, otherwise freepers or other trolls might maliciously post some false ones or otherwise disrupt the page.

I think that if there isn't already something like this, it needs to be put together.

[truthpusher]

20. I was just told to...

...post the rally info in this thread: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x222625

This thread might actually accomplish what you are talking about...or maybe another thread can be started just for events, to compliment this one?

[gorbal]

11. Hi truthpusher

I usually just read, but I hope you don't go away. There is a lot of good stuff done here, although sometimes folks get caught up in letting out their anger, and just chatting. That's okay, too. I am hooked on DU. I read it everyday because people do post informative stuff here. Much better sometimes than the actual news sites, because people discuss issues and frequently offer wonderful links to back up their posts. Actually, its the first place I come because it has such a variety and wealth of information. Lots of chat, too, which I find useful to assess the health of the nation. I am thankful to all the people here who do such hard and amazing work. Thank you all!! Keep posting. Maybe some of us read but do not respond.??

[truthpusher]

14. Thanks...

...Thanks for the warm post...it's helping me to chill out a bit. You mentioned that some read the posts but do not respond. I lurk over at Free Republic every once and a while and notice they have a 'viewed' counter. I wonder if DU has ever considered the same thing?

[Nothing Without Hope]

19. Even if there isn't a "view" counter, you can take as given...

...that a lot more people are viewing than are posting. We come here to learn and be informed. There is NO site that is more cutting-edge with respect to the election fraud. Not only can we get updates and facts here, there is intelligent discussion and warming humor as well.

In the despair after Nov 2, knowing it was stolen and being laughed at when I dared to say so, DU really helped me pull myself together and get on track again. We progressives have work to do.

Elsewhere on this thread I suggested that a "Local Events" page be set up at DU, sorted by state and by date. It would need to have some kind of restricted access so as to safe from disruption by trolls who might post false information. There is already a "Campaigns" page with a clickable map -- this might have some similarities. What do you think? Would this be helpful?

BTW, I have read many, many posts of yours but have replied to relatively few of them. Not from lack of interest, but because I didn't have anything pertinent to add.

[truthpusher]

22. Can I...

...drop your post in the 'ask the administrator' forum? I think this would definitely be helpful.

[Nothing Without Hope]

25. Sure, But I think a bit more thought would be helpful...

...in deciding what would be a user-friendly, efficient, troll-proof format that would do all that was needed. If there are other people here that you know post rally news or other local events (Will Pitt, for example?), perhaps they might have some useful comments.

It seems to me a dedicated page with some kind of map or other architecture that makes it easy to conceptualize, would work better than a thread format. After all, some rallies might be posted a month or two in advance, while others may be last-minute, or have last-minute updates.

If I were a web page designer, I would have more useful suggestions. Maybe some other people here will.

In any case, this is first and foremost a political forum. So it is a very fitting thing that there be a page dedicated to helping us get together and support important political events. When it was still campaign season, that was usually something like a candidate's appearance or a fundraiser. Now there are different subjects and speakers, but if anything even MORE need. We have a whole country to convince here.

I'd enjoy hearing what comes of this. Good luck!

[truthpusher]

26. I just checked 'Meet-Up' - there are 88 DU groups...I didn't know?

http://du.meetup.com/

[Nothing Without Hope]

27. Wow - news to me too! Sounds like a good resource

There's clearly a real need for a way to publicize rallies and other local events effectively. If it isn't part of DU itself as I was suggesting, then there needs to be another site and DU could link to it.

I'm too ignorant about this to even know what's out there now. But DU seems like such a natural place to do this -- central, flexible, lots of people, high traffic, and much more that fits.

Anyway, I'm glad you like the idea and hope there is minimal frustration in seeing it to fruition. I have no doubt that it will be a vital tool. United we stand and all that, right?
:toast:

Best to you. Past bedtime here in New England.
:boring:

I'll check back here tomorrow and will be curious to see what else has developed by then. Again, good luck and good wishes, and please don't believe for a minute that your posts aren't read by a heck of a lot more concerned citizens than the single-digit numbers of comments might suggest.
;-)

[Nothing Without Hope]

28. One more thought on why DU is a good place for event info

Perhaps I left out the single most important reason why the DU board is conceptually the ideal place for having a dedicated page for local political event news:

WE ARE NOT IN A POLITICAL CAMPAIGN.

Seriously, if we were still busy supporting regular campaign, then that candidate's web site would be the appropriate place to organize info for local events.

But we're not. We're in a strange, unprecedented situation in which we are pursuing something vital that is grassroots all the way. DU is nothing if not grassroots! And organizing rallies and posting information and asking advice and such are all very grassrootish things to do. For example, someone yesterday was asking for emergency help on the board because they had to assemble press packets at the last minute. And the post was responded to promptly and appropriately.

We want to help each other because we feel so strongly about our common goal. As yet, it is not about a specific candidate or party, it is about the country as a whole and upholding its laws for all.

OK , this time I'm going to bed for sure!
:boring:

Be well.

[truthpusher]

30. Thanks for all the great suggestions...

...I dropped a note to the administrator to see what I can do to get some of these ideas implemented - thanks again

[SharonRB]

37. I didn't know this existed

It would be great to meet other people from my area -- SE Michigan. This should be publicized more so people sign up and get to meet the people who live near them.

[gorbal]

31. Okay I didn't post this

You guys aren't going to believe this but I didn't post the above. I hope that was my mom using my account by accident again, LOL!

[truthpusher]

33. I think it was - she noted that right away n/t

[jaime_176]

13. OOPS

I just posted as my daughter gorbal. She forgot to sign out, and I forgot to sign in. I don't know how to change that. I'm glad to see others are responding to your post. Good. I love these guys!!!

[gorbal]

32. Oh thank god!

I was about to have a heart attack. I thought somebody from some government agency somewhere was being less than subtle.:crazy:

[dzika]

15. I'm sorry I missed your posting.

Would you mind posting it again in this daily update thread?

1/2/05 Election/Fraud/Recount Thread

Thank you!

[truthpusher]

17. Done - Thanks n/t

[seito]

18. Are you kidding...

Drama will ALWAYS win. But thanks for re-posting. Sometimes important threads do just slip away. I think a good self-kick or two is always appropriate, if you feel a topic is important.

[unpossibles]

21. are you in Columbus, Truthpusher?

I will try my best to be there, but it will be tough.

[truthpusher]

23. I am actually in Denver...

...However, when I saw the info on the event and didn't see it posted anywhere on DU, I wanted to make sure the info got out. I would love to see a big turnout; hopefully, if enough people show, there will be some media coverage. If you make it, try giving an update - Thanks

[seabeyond]

35. good for you for not voting coor in

and your votes were stolen too, wink. i am in the panhandle of texas. go to colorado often, love it.

i have been disappointed in the rallies, being so far away from any, i am not participating, so cant say a lot. i hope it is huge too.

i like your easy going ways, hope all is well for you now that you have expressed

[Wilms]

24. I'll help kick Truthpusher. Keep it comin' n/t

[Vektor]

29. Hi -

I was sorry to read your post...you're right, sometimes the drama just gets all the attention. I do read a lot of the threads, and spend the majority of the time on this very forum when I visit DU. I understand what you're saying, and I will make a concerted effort to throw a little kick down to everyone whose threads I read. I hope I was not one of the elitist people that made you feel alienated - my heart's in the right place, but I sometimes get irritable when trying to cope with the destruction of our Democracy...I try never to attack anyone, but may come across in an a-hole sort of way at times. I encourage anyone to let me know if I'm being a jerk...

Don't go, truthpusher!

[Pacifist Patriot]

34. I saw two posts on that subject in this forum today and asked for

additional information under both. I have yet to receive an answer. Perhaps no one knows the answer. *shrug* Lack of response is the risk we take when we post. I know that a lot of times I read something and don't bother posting because it gave me the information I needed and didn't particularly warrant a response. Perhaps that is what you encountered when you provided the information about the rally.

I apologize, but I had to chuckle at your "elitist attitude coming from some of the regulars" comment. I have seen that accusation said many ways on every single forum in which I've participated since I started communicating via the internet. Sometimes I've been guilty of being one of the elite regulars, sometimes I'm one of the fringe posters and sometimes I'm a lurker. Seems like it's always going to happen though.

Regulars are the folks who tend to keep a board going so maybe they deserve a little bit of elitist attitude? Seriously though, I think it just comes across that way because they know one another better/longer and know the atmosphere of the board...probably because they helped frame it. After awhile it feels like your home in a possessive sense. I wouldn't let it get to you. Just life on an internet forum. Call people on it individually when you see it if it bothers you, but don't get stuck in the "regular / non-regular" trap. It's a waste of time.

[keepthemhonest]

36. Sorry as well

Truth pusher I know the last couple of days I have been stuck in some really negative threads trying to fight trolls and stuff.Please forgive me i always try to keep those kind of threads kicked, so the freeper tactics of distraction worked.Freeps have been hanging around lately, I guess they are getting nervous about something:shrug:


HOW LONG CAN THEY HIDE IT?