"It's a wonderful life" - DU Style.

[The Straight Story]

A name on a message board, a political board at that.

People who have hopes and dreams beyond those they show here, yet who devote their time and effort to make this a better world.

Andy was one such person. And I am sure we can all name more who have passed on.

Then there are those still with us, people like Skinner and Elad. The George Bailey's fighting against 'Potter' and his kind. Kpete. TAPat. YOU. Too many names to mention.

You could all move on in this life, forget DU and it's mission. Forget about the woes of this country and just move on for your own life and dreams.

But you don't. You stay here, even in the worst of times, because deep down inside you know that however small you have made a difference.

Perhaps we have all been on that bridge, ready to jump into the cold waters below. Thinking the world would have been better off had we never been born.

But somewhere in this world someone has read your post here. Someone has garnered hope.

You may well think no one is listening, reading. But you would be wrong.

From politics to personal stories, you had your say - and someone, somewhere on a lonely night, was comforted.

Skinner created DU, and you Made it what it is today. Thousands of people day in and out sit here reading what you say - and you may never know what a difference you made in their life.

You comfort the sad, give hope to the hopeless, and love to the lost.

It is more than a message board dealing with democrats and policy - it is a board filled with real people, with real lives, and real problems. And you are there to help them through trying times.

DU does not exist without it's members, and I am proud to count myself among such fine posters as most of you are.

We are the modern day hippies. And this is our bus.

[tblue]

1. This gave me chills. Yes, what would the world be like if DU had not been born?

Perish the thought. I do believe the principles we fight for very likely save a life here and there, though we may never know.

[NMDemDist2]

2. "modern day hippies"

hell, I'm an old fashioned hippie and unfortunately (being a woman of indeterminate age) i'm hippy too

:evilgrin:

but you're correct my friend, *we* are DU and it's a vital, loving, informative, squabbling, expansive and joyful community

i am proud to be a member


:hi:

[graywarrior]

3. Well, you just about nailed it.

DU has saved me from myself hundreds of times.

Thanks for writing that.

[datadiva]

4. It's a Wonderful Life Indeed

Thank you for the post. Very eloquent. Made me smile and laugh out loud.

[cynatnite]

5. Rec'd

I am very thankful for DU and those here. The best of humanity, kindness and generosity of spirit can be found here at DU!

[havocmom]

6. Gonna bookmark this in my special DU file next to merh's Ripple Effect

What was it Gandhi said? Something about what you do may seem very small, but it is VERY important that you do it. Your words may be just the nudge the next person needs to keep moving forward in the long journey to make things better. When you face darkness, there is probably a DUer who is a little further down the path and can hold a bit of light up for you to follow.

"We are the modern day hippies. And this is our bus". Yes indeed. And there is power in the collective energies. We are more than the sum of our parts.

[BlackVelvet04]

7. I've been posting on message boards since 2001...

and have "met" some pretty amazing people. DU is a great board but a little hard to get to know the other members because of the large size of it, but at the same time there is a lot of great diversity as well.

[GenDem]

8. It's a Wonderful Post! k & r

Thanks :hi:

[Wiley50]

9. Rec'd How Could I disagree?

I was a Bozo on one of those buses back then.
and I am a family member again.

Thank You DU
for your friendship
for your belonging
for your generosity

For OUR Family

[SeattleGirl]

10. Thanks, SS. Well said.

I've mentioned before that from the moment I first looked at DU, I felt I had come home. Still feel that way.

[SPKrazy]

11. Hey SG (sis)

this thread and this one:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=5984878&mesg_id=5985097

Are perplexing to me right now


any thoughts??

[uppityperson]

14. am hoping all is ok, or rather will be

since now it seems not. This can be a really depressing day. Hope things get better.

[NMDemDist2]

18. TSS's profile shows he's left

:shrug:

but better men than he have tried, I think he'll be back

I did see a snarky reply to him last night to the effect of "your vanity posts belong in the Lounge and not in GD" so that's probably what started it

[uppityperson]

19. apology and explanation here. Glad for everything in it, including back.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x5986151

[Erika]

12. Yep. We're all here together n/t

[Booster]

13. I still say you need to be a writer. It's getting to where I look for

your posts first when I come to DU cause they are so inspiring. I'd get on the bus any day with you, Straight, and I still got a bit of hippie in me leftover from the 60's. I hope you have a new year filled with everything you ever wanted, and check into that writing thing - I think you've got a great story in there somewhere.

[midnight]

15. I had no idea about the evolution of this board. But it does fill

a need for those of us who are concerned about the direction of our beloved country, our families, and those who's responsibility it is to make it happen-US!

[madokie]

16. Sometimes when I come to DU its like I'm looking into a mirror

[Mad_Dem_X]

17. K&R - Thank God for DU!

I don't even want to imagine a world without this place.