Has DU made a difference in the world of politics since it's inception?

[The Straight Story]

Sure, we all get frustrated on here at times over whether such and such a thread is getting enough attention (I post from govexec and other sources and don't know if anyone reads em, as but one example) while threads on crocodile hunter, smoking, anna nicole smith, veils, etc seem to gobble up the bandwidth.

But ya know, I think all that is part and parcel to this whole internet thing, and even though it seems like we pay as much attention to the same stories the rest of the people in the US do (ie 'newstainment versus news') We still git-r-done when the rubber needs to meet the road.

We have fun here, let off steam, chime in about the gossip of the day, and yet when it is all said and done we have still made a difference in educating others, ourselves, and motivating others to preach the message.

DU'ers have gotten-r-done as they say. And we still had room left over to hit the little things and have our say.

Thanks to you all and skinner, elad, mods, etc for making the future a little more bright in this dark ages of modern times. We ain't won yet, but the tide has turned and in some small fashion that is because we all had a place to meet up and discuss.

So have a beer on me. Or a smoke (assuming we can still smoke here...). We were here, and will stay here I hope, to set the record straight and empower people with knowledge to confront the refucklicans.

I might bitch and moan about some things regarding DU at times, but I damn well love it and appreciate the fact that it is here and a valuable resource.

WE ARE THE HIPPIES OF THE 21ST CENTURY. And this is our virtual woodstock.

[Jackpine Radical]

1. You can smoke here.

Just not tobacco.

[Eric J in MN]

2. The belief that we shouldn't trust electronic voting machines...

...with no paper ballots, and no auditing, largely comes from this message board.

It's now the subject of a Hollywood movie starring Robin Williams ("Man of the Year.")

[bryant69]

3. That's a good analogy

We probably will end up accomplishing about as much as the hippies.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[annabanana]

4. This is a great place for the thirsty. . .

When we realized that the "news" was information free, where could we go until DU? When we KNEW something up there on our "TV screens" was a lie, we despaired of EVER seeing truth up there again.

Now.. Because of DU and other loud and insistent voices out here on "the internets" ..we can FORCE coverage. We can't be ignored.

Faux is now fodder for Leno's jokes, the NY Times publishes articles about the DRE debacles..
Progress has been made..

This is an instrument and we play it night and day, and the music of truth will be heard.

[razors edge]

11. great source for news

and opinion from educated (far more than myself) individuals and a sounding board for ideas and actions. I have no doubt our representatives have some form of monitoring this forum for those reasons. Unfortunately they most likely monitor the evil opposite for the same reasons, just with a great feeling of need for a hosing off afterward.

[Nite Owl]

5. I have wondered how many

calls to congress have been made because people knew of the issue from DU, how many facts gathered that have been told to others over dinner or coffee or the water cooler at work that have changed minds? I'm betting it's a lot, that we do make a difference so despite the arguments sometimes this place has helped to generate the most sacred thing: democracy.

[w8liftinglady]

6. DU inspired me to be more vocal in my community-50 LTTE later...

I feel I have made a difference in educating the folks around here..

[The Straight Story]

7. WOW 50 LTTE, how many published?

all of them?

Congrats on getting it done!

One person can make a difference, and one web site can make a huge difference as well.

[w8liftinglady]

8. yes,Dallas,Ft Worth and waxahachie-52 to be exact

[alfredo]

9. DU helps me refine my arguments. I then take what I have

learned and test them out on Yahoo boards. I wait to see if there is a valid refutation. If there is I hit the books.

DU has been my teacher and cheerleader. I wouldn't have jumped back into party politics if it wasn't for DU. I wouldn't have taken part in the 2004 organization, "Kerry Wins Kentucky." If that hadn't happened I would not have have met some wonderful people in my town. I wouldn't have joined DFA.


Hanging out here helped figure out what skill set I could offer to a campaign: sales experience

One thing I feel is important in a campaign is retail sales experience. I'm not talking about working at Best Buy, I am talking about sales where your butt is on the line, you know, sell or starve. You learn skills you never forget. The most important lesson in sales is: before you can sell a product (a consumer good, an idea, a candidate) you must sell yourself. If they don't like the messenger, they won't buy the message.


Oh, and yeah, you better know your product.


The interactions here has helped me see it in action.

[fed-up]

10. my neighbor just changed back to a dem after 30 years as a puke-I like to

think that is is because of the light harted political discussions we have had over the last 7 years.

I also would like to credit DU for a big portion of this as they have provided me with current news stories and many in depth discussion that I read which kept me well armed with facts.


One VOTE at a time is all it takes (not counting die-bold) to win our country back

thanks DU!!!

edited to add that I found some great info/forms to use from websites that were posted here when I stood up to the recruiters at my son's high school a year a while back. I also got great support here for standing up for my beliefs. thanks again DU!

[Lars39]

12. I firmly believe DU has had an impact.

DU acts like a think tank on its best days. :)

[The Straight Story]

13. Indeed

So many minds working towards a unified goal. There is bound to be flamefests :) but in the end, the result is a more pure product (almost seems biblical really, talking about how the spirit is refined through the fires of personal tribulation, etc and so on).

[Lars39]

15. A *very* high quality product.

The level of discussion one can stumble across here is amazing for the most part. :)

[w8liftinglady]

14. plus-this is the one place I can come to meet kindred spirits..I have lots

of friends here..every one with their own value in my life.

[benny05]

16. Good post and to add

WE ARE THE HIPPIES OF THE 21ST CENTURY. And this is our virtual woodstock.

or our "webstock "

:hippie: :bounce:

[The Straight Story]

17. OOOOH I like that!

We need a website named that :)

[bdamomma]

18. I think so and I have gathered alot of information here, and

also made alot of friends. We have made such a difference now we have some people running scared, for our truthfulness and political insight.

[madokie]

19. Of course DU is making a difference in the world of politics

and at some point DU will be a force to be reckoned with. First thing in the morning, last thing in the evening.

[Quixote1818]

20. Absolutely! Many times I have seen arguments put here later to be picked

up by people on Air America or Democratic politicians or other Blogs. I know for one, I once posted about Bill O'Reilly getting tricked by a guy calling in on the war on Christmas BS. A guy said he stiffed a waitress for saying "Happy Holidays" instead of Marry Christmas. The guy went on and said he wanted to "hit" the waitress. Anyway, he got O'Reilly to contradict himself. It was classic!

I didn't post on the subject until two days after I heard O'Reilly screw up (because I was traveling) so I know it was not picked up any other place. My thread took on a life of it's own and then a few days later it was picked up by a number of major Democratic Blogs with the audio of the exchange.

A lot of things like that start here on DU.

[w8liftinglady]

21. I agree-even randi Rhodes has quoted our stuff....

i've seen her talk show flow like a du thread...with the same sources.she reads us.

[Quixote1818]

22. One other example I just though of

Once Drudge posted several lies about Wes Clark's stance on the war. It was picked up by our local radio host here in Albuquerque. I got a bunch of people on DU to call and e-mail him and he then he apologized to Wes Clark on the air the next day because as he said it, "Drudge lead him astray".