PLease check in DU left-leaning progressives

[Lerkfish]

hi.

a little history about myself. I used to be on a site where both republicans and democrats could discuss issues. Then Bush got elected and every right winger had a prepared list of talking points which devolved conversation to rote recitation, which usually had little to do with any issue. Frustrated, someone told me about DU.
So I came here and thought "what a breath of fresh air!" I can talk to like-minded liberals.

For a while, it was cool. For a while it was more than cool. It was home.

But then I started to get a familiar twist in my stomach. Over time it got worse and worse. Today, it hit me. At that other site, it once was a place to have a conversation and even pull off a righteous rant once in a while, then it became gradually more and more conservative. I felt less and less welcome. by the time I left, most left liberals had given up and left as well, which made the site become a right wing haven, operating under the token guide of bipartisanship. That was what happened there. I'm not saying that's what happened here, I'm just saying my stomach is feeling the same way.

So what's my point? I guess my point is I'm asking for liberal democrats to chime in one last time, for old time's sake before I move on.
No this isn't a whiny "I"m fed up and I"m leaving" this is a "I"d like to get in touch with my friends just to give them a fond platonic hug, because they've meant a lot to me.

So...please, check in friends, and if you want, pm me too. I"d like to maintain contact if possible.

You all have meant a lot to me.

Thanks.

and those who hate me are free to attack me at will in this thread for old times' sake. I've taken everyone off ignore.

[MisterP]

1. I plead with you: don't go!!!

not to fight any con propaganda, but to make it bearable for those here who have to face it!

[liberaldemocrat7]

104. I started the Liberal Democratic Party and I even have a chatroom for progressives.

See the signature.

[More Than A Feeling]

2. I'm a progressive/liberal Democrat.

It's funny. You and Dem Bones Dem Bones and I could have very contentious and acrimonious religious discussions, but when it comes to politics, all three of us are lined up together opposite the more conservative and accommodationist elements of the party.

[GreenPartyVoter]

3. Well, spit. Wish you weren't going! I've always appreciated your posts and

the support you have given me on mine. :hug:

[seemslikeadream]

4. I'm not sure if ya think seemslikeadream is too lefty for you Lerkfish

but I'll give ya a hug anyway :hug:

[MissWaverly]

5. good luck to you, don't give up

we need all the progressive liberal voices now, especially now in this country.

[Me.]

6. Heck, Don't Go

It's only a matter of time. Check this out

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x1543116

and this:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x1532702

[ulysses]

7. c'mon - not like there haven't always been conservatives on DU.

Just gotta know how to deal with them. :D

If you go, be well. Me, I'm staying.

[Sapere aude]

8. I may have been on that other site too. If it is the one I'm thinking of there are other

DUers who came here from there.

I use to love to get the freepers goats at that site but it did get out of hand because the freepers took over. I left and came here.

Funny the first welcome I got came from someone from the other site and Will Pitt. Now they both are gone from DU I think.


I do think we need some new rules here but I don't know what they should be. It seems to me that like that other site, some people come here to fight on purpose. I think we should not have those threads but I don't know how to do it. Maybe we can have them moved to a "fight club" forum.

[saracat]

9. Well, I consider myself a progressive but it seems I don't fit in either camp!

And I "know' I am not a moderate so I don't know what I am.I am checking in just in case! I wish you wouldn't go.DU needs diversity and I still feel ALL should be welcome! ONOH, I still support the Dems but anyway Please reconsider.I enjoy your posts!

[helderheid]

10. HUG

:hug: :pals: :hug: :grouphug: :hug: :pals: :hug::hug: :pals: :hug: :grouphug: :hug: :pals: :hug::hug: :pals: :hug: :grouphug: :hug: :pals: :hug::hug: :pals: :hug: :grouphug: :hug: :pals: :hug::hug: :pals: :hug: :grouphug: :hug: :pals: :hug::hug: :pals: :hug: :grouphug: :hug: :pals: :hug::hug: :pals: :hug: :grouphug: :hug: :pals: :hug::hug: :pals: :hug: :grouphug: :hug: :pals: :hug::hug: :pals: :hug: :grouphug: :hug: :pals: :hug::hug: :pals: :hug: :grouphug: :hug: :pals: :hug::hug: :pals: :hug: :grouphug: :hug: :pals: :hug::hug: :pals: :hug: :grouphug: :hug: :pals: :hug::hug: :pals: :hug: :grouphug: :hug: :pals: :hug::hug: :pals: :hug: :grouphug: :hug: :pals: :hug::hug: :pals: :hug: :grouphug: :hug: :pals: :hug::hug: :pals: :hug: :grouphug: :hug: :pals: :hug::hug: :pals: :hug: :grouphug: :hug: :pals: :hug::hug: :pals: :hug: :grouphug: :hug: :pals: :hug:

[Lerkfish]

46. thanks, you can never get too many hugs!

:)

[knitter4democracy]

11. Here! There are still tons of us.

We're here, we're loud, and we're not going anywhere. :)

[kestrel91316]

12. Definitely left and leaning lefter with each passing day......

[AuntPatsy]

13. I honestly don't get online all that often, one because of the things

you just mentioned, its hard sometimes when you have to face the ugliness that your right does exist on so many other boards who claim to be bipartisan, it was one of the reasons I too came here and pretty much this is the only political board I visit.

I still believe there are many great minds that post here and I love reading thier posts so I bypass quite a few threads knowing full well many are just meant to deviate people from focusing on the truth of our highly criminal element sitting on capital hill, but more often than not, those minds get trounced upon with unrelenting hositility in what can only be seen as an obvious attempt to quelch these voices of truthful reasoning and that really bothers me but I try not to let it keep me from reading them.

I think everyone needs a break every now and then from such attacks and I don't fault them for taking them but I would hope that those that trully care about democracy and justice do not let these obvious disrupters from shutting down this board which is obviously a thorn in the conservs side...

For those crying that our dems should fight harder against such an sick element shouldn't we too here be doing the same and not give up? After all, this is simply a message board, one that cannot really hurt you but it could definately help you knowing full well you cannot any longer count on the media to address the real issues or be honest about everything that is happening in our country.

I no longer watch the msm at all, I have given up on them but I have not given up on DU and I hope that you don't either.

Im not sure what I consider myself any longer as far as titles but I know one thing, I do want my country back and the pride I once felt in it and it's people.

I hope you do too because you are one of the voices that I have enjoyed learning from and I think its safe to say that learning is constant it doesn't end simply because someone tells me it is this way or that doesn't mean I accept thier view, I have learned that it is foolish to accept one source as fact, I learned that here from many DU members, take a break but don't give up, this country needs minds like yours.

[Cant trust em]

14. We're all anti-Bush, but other than that...

I feel like I'm generally more left than a lot of DUers out there. I'm tired of seeing post that just talk about Bush being a liar and offer little else. Typically my posts aren't any shorter than three sentences. I feel like a lot of people post stuff that would be like some Christian chat board telling people that they love Jesus. Tell me something I don't know! Propose some policy that no one else has posted! Before I post a message I always check to see if someone had already beaten me to the punch on that idea. If they have, I don't waste my time.

[Maddy McCall]

17. Everybody at DU thinks that they are more liberal than anyone else.

I've seen SUV-driving, walmart-shopping, conservatives on DU claim to be "liberal and proud."

Not criticizing you, but I think it's funny that each in his own perspective is more liberal than the others.

:)

[Cant trust em]

23. Fortunately for me I don't exemplify the two things you listed

since I don't own a car or shop at Walmart, but your point is a good one. It's the same reason that people raise hell if someone cuts them off on the freeway, but can always justify it if they have to do it.

[TwilightGardener]

31. Didn't know SUV's and Wally World defined somebody. Huh.

[Maddy McCall]

52. Some people boast about both...

in the very post that they proclaim their liberaltude.

It was before you joined DU, though.

[TwilightGardener]

59. Ah.

[Maddy McCall]

15. This is a "I'm fed up and I'm leaving" thread, no matter how it's disguised.

I don't know why people feel the need to always post the disclaimer that this isn't a GBCW thread.

Shit, I wish people would just start saying, "Had enough, I'm outta here. Here's my email addy" and be done with it.

:shrug:

[Bjornsdotter]

16. Take a break

...you will be missed.

As far as being on the left, I am certainly there...think Scandinavian lefty.

Cheers

[TankLV]

105. what he said - "take a break"...

what other sites are there with this quality?

I really don't know of any equal to this site...

[Solly Mack]

18. ...

:hug:

[hfojvt]

19. I don't get it

there have always been fierce discussions here, at least as far back as I go - to about March 2003. You think there is some dogma that we should not argue about? The ignore feature was not working for you? How many people did you have on ignore, and why?

[dweller]

20. Personally,

I call it a Pitt-stop.

and i'm due for one too.

take care
dp

[Junkdrawer]

21. I'm house hunting myself....

The "Concern Troll" to "Genuine DUer" ratio is starting to become more than even I can take...

[arikara]

69. PM me

if you want a censored addy. Lots of names you would recognize, progressive... and independent.

[onethatcares]

22. welll, if you are from a board that I can't frequent anymore.

I'll pm you, or better yet, you to me. I've already listed the board that I'm sick and tired of. There is no discussion anymore, just the, "fuck you progressives, that can't be done without raising taxes and you can't do that because we should be entitled to every penny earned. Kill the poor and send them to war".

Well, I hope you are the person I think you might be. For reel

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

24. Hi Lerkfish! Being a Progressive myself, who used to post extensively on political

message boards at AOL, I seem to have a parallel net experience as you. I left those boards in 2004. I couldn't take the gloating that Shrub won and I wanted to get involved with pushing for a recount.
Prior to that, i used to read DU from time to time and use it as a research tool. There seemed to be more posting Progressive/Liberals back then. DU has since pitched a much bigger tent.
Sometimes it's frustrating when I feel as if I have to sit on my fingers and not respond to a post because I'm way to tired for a flame fest, and those happen more often now.

As to asking Liberal Democrats to chime in..I have a suspicion that many more read DU than post, and perhaps you might want to do a thread with a poll. It might be interesting.

I hope you don't go Lerkfish. It's nice having you around!

Peace,
Ommmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

[Lerkfish]

32. Thanks for posting..I've always enjoyed your posts.

:hug:

(I'm working my way up the thread from the bottom as I get time. In the middle of working on freelance project, so every time I get a break, I'll post)

[Desertrose]

25. ooops...checking in....

:hug:

DR

[Lydia Leftcoast]

26. I'm a left-leaning Democrat, half-way to Socialist/Green, as well as being

a liberal Christian and an anti-militarist and an environmentalist, and I'm not ashamed of any of those things.

So there!

[Lerkfish]

28. LOL! well, if I weren't already happily married, we'd be a match!

good on ya.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

34. The story of my life!

I think all the compatible men got married at the age of 22 or something.

[DancingBear]

38. Heck, some of us did it at 21

:)

:hi:

[Lerkfish]

41. Actually, I was happily married twice, once at 23 and again at 30

I was widowed, but God sent me a second angel. So I figure some other guy out there got shorted.

:)

[Lydia Leftcoast]

56. 21 and 23 average out to 22, so I was right

:-)

[BlooInBloo]

27. "leaning"? "sitting smack in the heart of liberalism" is more like it. :)

[Lerkfish]

29. who? you or me?

if you mean me, yep, I'm pretty much dripping in leftist goo.

:)

[BlooInBloo]

33. Us, then. :) Not sure "dripping goo" is the happiest phrase, tho. lol!

[Lerkfish]

60. yeah, probably not.

:) goo.

[Uncle Joe]

30. I probably don't agree with you on every issue, I'm liberal on some issues and moderate on others,

however you need you to stay and keep up the good fight. I would say this to virtually everyone here, whether I agree with that person or not. I would say it to a troll as well because sometimes, even trolls may be educated by accident and it's our job to teach them, we need your talent. I've learned a great deal ever since I started posting here from people all across the political spectrum.

With a hundred+ thousand registrations and growing, I believe D.U. is continually evolving and as the numbers grow, overall, the IQ of the site goes up.

I believe the key to remaining happy here and for that matter anywhere, is for a person not to tie their identity to their opinions, this minimizes the chances of someone having their feelings hurt and opens the intellect to new ideas.

I would suggest taking a break and then coming back, if you must, but I believe we're richer because of your presence.

Peace to you, Lerkfish,

Uncle Joe

[stimbox]

35. Please stay and fight.

Fight the good fight.

[TwilightGardener]

36. Well, I'm a right-leaning Dem, but I'm left scratching my head here--

Hope I'm not in any way responsible for "ruining" DU for you. Anyhoo, goodbye and good luck.

[Name removed]

37. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Lerkfish]

39. umyeah, someone sent me a compass

:wink:

[Madspirit]

51. heehee...me too...n/t

[ben_meyers]

108. Oh I get it!! Like Magnum _ _ Hee Hee they'll never

catch on. Smooth.

[rateyes]

40. Take it easy...

hope to see you soon.

:hi:

[nashville_brook]

42. checking in before checking out -- another of my favorite posters leaves

lefty progressive from way back says you will be missed lerkfish.

i'm sick of the regressive crap i see here too.

[Lerkfish]

48. yeah, keep the faith.

I need a very long break at least.

[Poll_Blind]

43. I know that feeling too. I don't recall if we ever got along or didn't.

But I'm glad:

:bluebox: You weren't drunk when you posted this

:bluebox: You didn't feel the need to insult everyone

:bluebox: Your mother won't have to come here to defend your drunken insults (see above)

:bluebox: I'm glad that you still continue posting, even if it's not here. Because left-leaning progressives always seem to find a way to find each other. I'm pretty sure it's because we all like to gab, I know I do.

PEACE TO YOU!

PB

[stevedeshazer]

44. If you leave, I'll be bummed.

Primary season brings out the worst in DUers. And I admit, I've been part of it.

But what else is there? There is no better place on the "internets" than this one.

Whatever you do, please know that this one poster has never had a beef with you, and I am hard pressed to remember a time when I disagreed with you.

Peace, out.

[Madspirit]

45. I am PMing You...n/t

[bonito]

47. Peace always

:hug:

[Madspirit]

49. Dang

I've spoken to about 10 of the more left of us in just the last couple of days, who are now someplace that's else.

I sent you my email address.

Lee

[MethuenProgressive]

50. "I've taken everyone off ignore." Now, THAT'S progessive! :O)

Take a break, and come back fresh. It's gonna get real interesting!

[Lerkfish]

53. thanks for all the kind notes!

I"ll be checking back in periodically, working on a freelance project so when I get breaks, I'll check.
Please don't feel slighted if I don't answer all of you back individually quickly enough.

:hugs:

[Mark Twain Girl]

54. Well, I've never posted on a thread like this before

but I'm moved to now. I'm the wacky left and alienated, pleased to meet you! I'm a newbie poster but long time lurker since the post-9/11 days, when this board and what it was then turned me upside down and pulled me into amazing research threads until 2am -- it was like going down the rabbit hole and how. I learned so much here back then, and I think that's why I will always have affection for it, even when I've walked away for a time-out. Your post made me a bit sad, because it rang of truth -- be well, and if I may, here's that fond platonic hug. I hope you consider returning after a break. :)

[CoffeeCat]

55. Will we be seeing you at...

Lerkfish Underground?

or some other Underground?

Sometimes I think this site has been over run by paid anti-progressive, pro-corporatist bloggers.

There's an undercurrent of fabrication here.

[Sonicmedusa]

62. You too?

I thought my tin foil hat was leaking.

[porphyrian]

57. Here. Do what you got to, I guess. - n/t

[Madspirit]

58. Oh Yeah...k&r...n/t

[Sonicmedusa]

61. I am a dyed in the wool, card carrying Lefty and I say....

Fuck it, stay here just to piss 'em off.

I do.

:)

[Gregorian]

63. I don't usually chime in on these kinds of things.

I am still just learning. I lurked here for a couple of years before posting. I knew next to nothing. I'm pretty damned grateful for the sharing of knowledge and ideas. I come here mostly for the information, and the dissection of it. I can ignore much of what happens here that sounds like FOX soundbites.

And that is one aspect I wanted to mention. There will always be those who know more. Are more liberal. More mature. We learn from them. They're important.

And another thing that strikes me is perhaps what you see here is really more like the "outside" world actually is than what you first saw when you came here. Maybe what it was was unrealistic. I know what you mean. Likeminded. You wouldn't find Coltrane hanging out with Kenny G.

I don't know. Just don't go. I don't want to feel deflated. Every time anyone leaves, I feel less. Just less. But that's just me. You've got to do what you feel is right.

[scarletwoman]

64. Aw hell. I'm such a radical lefty I hardly bother posting here anymore. BUT, I still sitck around,

watching for the odd opportunity now and then to infiltrate a little radical thinking into the mix.

I'm okay with being outnumbered and misunderstood and ignored. I've kept faith since the 60s and I'm not about to change -- I'd rather be an old hippie iconoclast than a sell-out.

So, I don't know what prompted you to post this, but I will say that it doesn't hurt to take a break. I stayed away for over a year in 2004/2005, starting during the 2004 primary election season and not returning until so much disaster had piled up on disaster that I just couldn't stand not to talk about it.

A good DU friend once asked me why I didn't just go hang out on the-site-that-must-not-be-named, where I would be exclusively in the company of like-minded lefty-progressives. My answer was (and is) that I'd rather be here, where the possibility that just ONE other person might find themselves seeing the world a little differently as a result of something I posted is worth far more to me than comfortably hanging out with a bunch of people who already agree with me.

sw

[Lerkfish]

67. I was finding myself getting too frustrated and posting stuff

out of frustration that I wasn't necessarily proud of.

it was changing ME into a more adversial poster, and that is not how I prefer to be.
I think I definitely have to walk away

[stevedeshazer]

71. Take a break and come back

I've posted a lot here out of frustration, and some of it I wish I could take back.

But I can't.

You need a respite. Join Congress and Chimpy and the Iraqi Parliament and revisit after Labor Day.

It's gonna get really interesting.

[scarletwoman]

76. Well, there's a test I always give myself before I post.

I ask myself: "Am I posting this because I want people to recognize that I am right and they are wrong? Or am I posting this because I just want to gently steer some thoughts in another direction?"

For me, it's all about letting go. Letting go of any expectation that people will agree with me. Letting go of any hope that I might persuade anyone's point of view. Letting go of desiring any particular result.

I just speak up when I feel like it and let go of wanting any particular result to come of it. I think it's absolutely essential that lefty viewpoints be seeded and articulated and broadcast into the group consciousness. However, one must also accept that many of these seeds will fall on infertile ground.

Recognize that for however many folks want to leap up to oppose you, there may be just ONE quiet lurker who has read what you've written and found themselves seeing an issue in an entirely new light -- even if they don't reply. One mind at a time -- that's what makes it worth it.

sw

[NotGivingUp]

77. That's exactly how I feel. Stay where you figure you can do some good.

What good is it preaching to the choir?

[proud2BlibKansan]

65. I'm as far left as you can get before you fall off the edge of the world

And I will bet my ignore list is longer than yours. :)

Hope you change your mind and decide to stick around. I have always enjoyed your posts.

[Bonobo]

66. Checking in, Lerk. I don't want you to leave, but I understand.

I have been feeling uncomfortable too... :(

[stranger81]

68. I'm with you, Lerkfish, and glad to know I'm not alone . . . . [n/t]

[Disturbed]

75. I am a Green Party member on the Left Coast .

Yeah, I had the same experience posting on several other sites that I got banned from. I enjoy debating with sane, rational people. They are rare individuals. I still enjoy DU even though it is starting to lean a bit toward the center. Leaving once in a while is a good thing because one can get too frustrated with too much participation when it feels like one is swimming against a rip tide. So far I have not been insulted or attacked here & even if I was that would not force me to leave. Unless the attacks & insults became overwhelming I would stay. I don't think that would happen but one can't predict the future. I hope you take a break & return refreshed.

[Blue_Tires]

70. nobody in here but us lefties

[lonestarnot]

72. Oh man.

You'll be back? :hug:

[bonito]

73. Take this brother may it serve you well

A place in my mind (where everything exists) I go and gives me comfort.

Avalokiteshvara ('One who hears the cries of the world') is the embodiment of infinite compassion. Long ago he vowed not to return to nirvana until all living beings had been liberated from suffering. To accomplish this, Avalokiteshvara travels to all realms of the universe offering his compassionate blessings to all beings. In his four-armed form, sitting in the full lotus posture, he represents the four immeasurable qualities of a bodhisattva: love, compassion, joy, and equanimity. Avalokiteshvara holds a lotus flower in his left hand, symbolizing the stainless wisdom that has realized the true nature of reality. Avalokiteshvara reminds us that awakening is not an escape or retreat from personal problems, but rather reaching outward and embracing the entire world with the love and compassion of our heart

[Phredicles]

74. I hope you change your mind, but if not, stay cool

in every possible sense.:hi:

[bluethruandthru]

78. I do more than lean!

I'm about as far left as you can get. I avoid confrontation so I don't post much in the really heated threads. But I read them. I'm always amazed at how easily some posters jump down someone else's throat for what seems like no reason. Maybe I should keep a list of the belligerent posters so I'll know who to avoid. Anyway...I hope you stay! :hi:

[FourScore]

79. Lerkfish...PLEASE DON'T GOOOO!!!!!!

If you insist on it, then please, at least PM me with your plans. Thanks.

[NotGivingUp]

80. another lefty checking in.

i've visited the other site that's (not)been mentioned, but i hang out here more because it's where i may be able to do some good. that's actually what i enjoy most.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

81. Good Luck To Ya And All, But Are You Seriously Trying To Say That DU Has Gotten Conservative?

:wow:

I mean, c'mon now. This is as solidly a left wing community as you can find.

[Lerkfish]

82. *scratches head*

um...this from a guy with a "f-- Nader" avatar.

:silly:

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

84. Nader Isn't A Liberal, He's An Egotistical Deceitful Ignorant Jackass. So What Does That Have To Do

with anything? :shrug:

Getting back to the point, if you feel the need to move on than best of luck to you in all that you do. But DU is still the most all around left-wing site there is on the web. Let's be real here.

[AuntPatsy]

103. I haven't done this in a while because it makes me a bit nauseous but I

surfed the net and came across quite a few right winged blogs, I was kind of shocked to see DU mentioned in practically every one of them, it seems those right winged bloggers take time to read this site since they had threads posted from here attempting to make fun of us, they are attempting to impart to their readers that even DU has given up on the dems, it made me sick to read that, but it did make sense to me in a lot of ways, they are here, they do post in an attempt to disrupt and then they slither back to their home sites and act as if the dems are done because DU's believe them to be, so DU must be a threat, I have heard even those in the media attempt to make fun of DU,

This should be a sign for many that an attempt to destroy this site is definitely in play, we cannot let them win, and your right, this is the most left wing site around with the most players and knowledge or used to be, everyone needs to come back that left, if people truly want change they should not run away from a fight even if it is being waged on a message board.

[dweller]

100. LOL

"yeah, i know you are, but what about us?"

:rofl:
dp

[scarletwoman]

85. No, DU hasn't "gotten" conservative, it's always been largely centrist - which, to a real lefty

IS conservative.

It's all a matter of perspective. As a radical lefty, I find DU to be at times suffocatingly mainstream and conventional wisdom.

When DUers react with horror at the idea of cutting up their credit cards, you can be sure that this is NOT a lefty site. This is simply a mild nudge-the-status-quo-but-stay-within-the-dominant-paradigm site for comfy liberals who don't REALLY want to shake things up TOO much.

Bitch and complain, for sure -- but fundamentally challenge free market capitalism and white, Western patriarchal values? Hah! "Left wing", my ass!

sw

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

87. Not Sure When Being A Lefty Changed In Definition To Mean Radical Irrational Extremist.

As far as I know, that's not what it means. DU is not centrist by any means. There is much stuff here that is as far left as I've ever seen. But just because not everyone is as radical or extreme in position as some here, doesn't make DU 'centrist'.

[scarletwoman]

88. Oh, come on! Do you honestly think there is ANY single agreed-upon definition of "lefty"?

And if there is some "stuff here that is as far left as I've ever seen" -- what does that really mean? As far as I can see, it simply means you haven't been exposed to much "far left" opinion prior to your involvement with DU.

I've seen how you respond to "far left" posts. The very fact that you catagorize actual leftist positions as "Radical Irrational Extremist" is ample evidence that your definition of "left" is based in a centrist, mainstream viewpoint.

[Solon]

93. What positions are "extremist" to you? n/t

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

94. Gee, Let's See... How Bout Being Narrow Minded Enough To Declare That Anyone Who Doesn't

rush right up to cut up their credit cards can't be a lefty? :shrug:

What ridiculousness.

[Solon]

95. Actually I was asking an honest question, but if you want to avoid it...

go ahead.

[scarletwoman]

96. Fine. How about YOUR definition of "leftist"? Lay it out. (nt)

[bonito]

107. No just Narrow minded

In lock step fasion ;)

[Gold Metal Flake]

83. The progressives started this country.

The complete repudiation of tyranny was a radical and progressive concept. One must keep moving forward. We are always moving against the current. No matter where we go.

If all the progressives walk away, DU will become a sea of posts like this.

[WillyT]

86. I'd Like To Attack You, For Making Others Think, You Are Going !!!

But I love you, and some of them others, need to read more carefully.

Or... Maybe I Do.

Please... no self-tombstoning... leave your account and info open here. We may wanna talk again someday.

Peace and Love

:bounce::grouphug::bounce:

:hi:

[nadinbrzezinski]

89. Well have a good one

and if you wish to maintain contact, go for it

[marmar]

90. I'm not just left leaning....I'm having the right turn signal taken off my car.

We lefties are still here in a big way. I wish you'd stay Lerkfish.

[TahitiNut]

123. Hard to take a "Michigan left" that way.

:rofl: Two left turns for every right turn.

[marmar]

127. Very true....

:)

[elizfeelinggreat]

91. I bet there were a lot of sites like that.

I was on one, too. It was so frustrating right up until I stopped posting there.

I have lurked here for a long time ... I'd proudly wear the label "left-leaning PROGRESSIVE".

[EFerrari]

92. I heard somebody was handing out hugs here.

Pinko, present!

[Lerkfish]

97. aaah. that was sweet.

:hug:

[tnlefty]

98. Hey Lerkfish!

I don't consider myself to be a left-leaning progressive, just a good old-fashioned lefty liberal. :evilgrin:

I stopped spending very much time here before my kids were out of school for the summer, and through the summer thus far, I've been spending more time with them. I check the LBN forum, and spot read here and there and try to hit the Malloy thread every night. It has seemed to me for quite some time that there are posters who take great delight in being more than snarky, snide, rude, hateful and mean to others, and they seem to do it for sport. They use this tactic to hijack threads and to derail discussions and to bait others into being TS'd.

If you find another place that seems like "home" please let me know.

Peace! :hug:

[w8liftinglady]

99. I'm a Libertarian at heart-who puts people ahead of profit

I'm a nurse who sees all patients as equals.I love some aspects of Libertarian thought.some I despise...like most politics.

[mmonk]

101. One problem.

The more progressives leave, the more conservative DU becomes. Since I come here to gather info and try angles and float things by people, I surely don't hope that happens. So stay here and keep this place a place where progressive ideas and viewpoints can be heard.

[unkachuck]

102. hey Lerkfish....

....where are you heading, pm me, thanks....my stomach has been uneasy too (although it could be the kielbasa I ate for supper)....

[welshTerrier2]

106. "left-leaning progressives" are the majority here

this place, like any place, can be pretty hard to stomach at times. that's especially true in GDP which is drowning in candidate crap. I have decided, btw, that under no circumstances will I be voting for Hillary. Should she become the nominee, my thoughts and values will no longer be welcomed here on DU and I too will be looking for a new place to do my writing. Let's meet under the big clock at midnight.

when I see posts like your OP, I often ask myself what the poster's motivation for posting on DU is. are you trying to convert the party hacks to your point of view? there's a prescription for frustration. are you convinced that your candidate is right and shouldn't be subject to criticism? well, it should be clear to every DU'er that that's a totally unrealistic expectation. do you frequently engage in highly personalized arguments with people who disagree with you? that too is a prescription for punishment. who wants to spend their time here getting angry and ugly? I see nothing to be gained by that pursuit.

so, what is your view of DU? why do you post here? what do you hope to accomplish? perhaps your objectives cannot be achieved or perhaps in pursuing them, you are not enjoying what it takes to achieve them. a new strategy may be called for. or perhaps even new objectives. that's about the best advice I can provide.

my deal here is that I like to share my ideas with other people and I really enjoy the process of writing. I know what I write will often result in conflict with those who strongly disagree. my hope is that I can strengthen and sharpen my arguments in those exchanges and perhaps help others who see the world as I do strengthen their views as well. I see the primary audience for my posts as those who either agree with me or largely agree with me. My DU mission is "message sharpening" rather than combat and conversion.

and, of course, there's almost an infinite amount of learning you can do on DU and across the web. I spend much of my time reading news and interviews and op/eds.

rather than leaving, perhaps a re-examination of what you do here and how else you might do it would make your DU experience more rewarding.

[KoKo]

109. Well...I've read many of your posts..

but you wouldn't think of me as a friend and I haven't seen you post on my posts...but I'm a Lefty Liberal. Actually after the FISA Vote I'm a FLAMING LEFTY LIBERAL!!!!

I think it can be depressing around here sometimes with all the candidate stuff ...and many of our Congress Critters not seeming to be able to withstand whatever is going on out there...or listen to us.

Hope you don't leave....but I was tempted myself...in past few weeks... I'm going to try to get outta town to clear my head. I'm becoming Obsessive/Compulsive about our Political Situation and that's not good.

Anyway...some folks you don't know...know you are here...so :hi: and stay cool...and take a break for a bit and hopefully you will not feel so discouraged.

A :hug: from someone who isn't your "friend" but a fellow traveler who has passed by you...walked with you here and there through the thorns and roses of DU.

[tblue37]

110. I am a left-leaning progressive. My son calls me

a "socialist"--like that's a bad thing <LOL>.

[AntiCoup2K08]

111. Returning Liberal here!

Just got back into DU after an extended vacation from the board. I don't want to sound too critical at least until my post count gets fixed, but looks like not a lot has changed.

I hate to see Liberals giving up, though I realize it's not easy when the same spirit of corporatist pandering that dominates the media and the alleged "leadership" of the current congress seems to have spilled over to this very board, born of liberal disgust and outrage towards the fascist coup of December 12, 2000, and all that has ultimately resulted from that horrible injustice.

I can't blame anyone who feels they need to take a break, but I'm back for "campaign 2008" and all that entails. And I don't have a candidate yet, though I definitely favor the guy who has not yet announced ( <---- see avatar)

[LeftishBrit]

112. I'm a British Socialist, so definitely a left-leaning progressive

I'm here because I'm anti-Bush, anti-war and anti-the whole spirit of modern Republicanism, which seems to be a cross between something akin to Thatcherism and religious fundamentalism. And I support American liberals in the fight against Bush and Republicanism.

I'm to the left of most American Democrats in office; but I think the crucial difference right now is between the sane and the insane (Mad King George and his supporters).

One word of warning for those who look up liberal sites on the internet: not everything that claims to be 'progressive' actually is - it's always best to check. I found one site that claimed to be progressive, but which endorsed and sponsored some far-right sites, including What Really (Never) Happened and Serendipity.

[Truth2Tell]

113. Present.

In fact, I only got here a few months ago. And now all of a sudden everyone rushes for the exits. Is it my breath?

I vote stay and fight the fight.

[NuttyFluffers]

114. hug! :D

:hug:

[zippy890]

115. so THIS is where left-leaning progressives check in

Good luck in you moving.

Be sure to check back in from time to time, because as you know,

The Revolution Will Not be Televised



photo of NSA dishes in Brewster Washington

[mdmc]

120. nice pic

:kick:

[Tesha]

116. Lots of progressives have been driven off.

(Writing this without reading all the prior replies...)

Lots of progressives have been driven off. Many were
tombstoned, others just got tired of being pissed-on
constantly and they wandered off to greener pastures.

(If you'd like to know at least one place they went,
PM me because here at "Democratic" Underground, it's
not allowed to mention that site in a posting.)

Me, I find that getting out in the real world and
working to get something done is far better therapy
than posting on any web site; the web just leaves
me feeling sad that so many people are still so blind
or interested in advancing their own power or self-
interests, even at great expense to others.

Join and work with the ACLU.

Join and work with your favorite local political
party (or start a new one!).

Join Habitat for Humanity and build housing for
the homeless.

Join a local food bank or pantry.

Join your loal government.

Run for office.

Tesha

[mdmc]

117. peace and low stress

:kick:
Hope to see you around the internets

[barbtries]

118. left leaning liberal

that's me.
also hooked on DU.

i think the reason i remain a democrat is not because the party fully reflects my feelings and beliefs, but because i perceive it to be the only VIABLE party that ever comes close. having said that, there are times i feel like switching, to green, or libertarian, or independent, or peace and freedom. but i always fall back to the issue of viability. if the left fractures too much the right takes over...and we've all seen the catastrophes, the crimes, the greed, the warmongering, the rapid rise of fascism and all the rest the right has wrought. there has to be an avenue to turn this around.

[Tsiyu]

119. "Jesus was a liberal"

Don't make Jesus cry!

(From a Christmas card sent to me by Kirk, the Weatherman.)

There are so many lefties here, you can't leave. Okay, you can, but damn.

Like one of my co-workers said when I threatened to walk out on our jerk boss, "Don't leave me here all alone with these assholes!"

[LostinVA]

121. Democratic Socialist here -- and, I feel your pain

And agree with you. Not just about the infestation, but how they are allowed to stay and rack up posts and aren't reprimanded.

You're a good poster, and I'll miss you, but I understand.

:pals:

[wicket]

122. Here Lerky!!!

:hi:

:hug:

[Vidar]

124. Socialist progressive who has voted democrat for 25 years.

[Omphaloskepsis]

125. I know the forum you speak of. I haven't gone back in years.

I remember when you left.. You were always one of my favorite people there along with ZigZag and Maxelson and Andi*Pandi.

And yeah, it did get insane. Really sad because it was a really fun and interesting place for a long time.

[Lerkfish]

130. ahhh. those names bring back memories.

[Minstrel Boy]

126. I still lurk, but not even much of that.

It's nothing like a home for me anymore.

And as the Capitols' Democrats become more a part of the problem by doing nothing, and worse, the more chilling this place becomes.

[ProfessorGAC]

128. Well, You Can Count Me

I am an absolutist with regard to personal liberty and i believe that gov't DOES have a responsibility to level societies intrinsic points of unfairness.

That's about as liberal as one could get, i'd guess.
GAC

[The Stranger]

129. Shane! . . . Come back, Shane!

Mother needs you! She said she does.