The reason to pick and visit a DU Group or two...

[catnhatnh]

I kinda belong to about three, Cooking and Baking, Photography, and Motorcycles. The thing I find most amazing is the transformation of posters I read often in the "hard" forums of politics from people I often disagree with into folks just like me. I only post sporadically in them but love the content and cameraderie.

What a shock to find someone you think "stupid" on labor or economy, or foreign policy positions is ABSOLUTELY brilliant in a separate discussion of how to make chili, or using a shooting log, or the Zen of two wheels.

The political side of the board is about what we think works, but the softer side is about our common ground and who we are. If you find a poster whose politics you can't agree with, then on the "groups" side you may find common ground. And you ought to visit both. Because is you can agree on one thing, it is easier to discuss another.

[InternalDialogue]

1. Great post -- I totally agree.

I'm not into confrontation on the big boards anyway, but I understand the feeling of butting heads over policy issues.

But when you get into some personal topics, it's easy to see that you can be a disagreeable Democrat on policy but a wonderful friend when it comes to a smaller issue.

[gblady]

2. I agree....

in other groups, some folks that
I disagree with in the political arena....
are downright enjoyable!

[eridani]

3. Don't have a clue who anyone in Cooking and Baking supported in the primaries

There's that much of a disconnect, which I really appreciated.

[ClayZ]

4. I love the gardening forum ...

and the frugal living~


K and R

[Swamp Rat]

6. And the Ocarina Forum

:D Well, there oughta be one. :hi: :hug:

[ClayZ]

16. We are counting the seconds!

http://www.hightowerlowdown.org/sites/hightowerlowdown.org/themes/lowdown/images/hightowerlowdowncountdown.swf

Yeah, huh? Where is the Ocarina Fourm? Oh, that't right.... it is on YouTube.
www.YouTube.com/clayzflute They have ocarinas comming out their ears over there!



:hi:

[Behind the Aegis]

5. Sage advice.

In many cases, I do it too with a few people, we view one another in very uni-dimensional ways. Of course, we all have a variety of things which make us who we are, but some cannot see past one thing. His/her loss. It is one of the reasons I don't place anyone one on ignore, because no matter how bigoted or stupid I may think they are on one topic, it isn't to say I can't learn from them on something else.

[yy4me]

7. I have negotiated many of the DU groups and have found a

wealth of information and some great views on tons of subjects. Of course. we all view (at least I think so) the LBN,GP,GP-P but I also make it a habit to check out the following groups. All have helped me in some way or another. Whether it is a hint from reading the posts or an answer to a question I have, everyone is always helpful and courteous:

My List:

LBN
GD
GD-P

Economy, Environment and Energy,
Health
Seniors
Massachusetts
Countdown
Computer Help
Cooking and Baking
DIY
E-bay antiques etc.
Pets
Travel
Bereavement
Chronic Health
Frugal & Energy Efficient
Mental Health.

I think many do not realize that these other groups exist and are so valuable.

Edited to add the following: Click on "Lobby" at top of page to find the list of Groups and Forums

[Bucky]

8. Thanks for the timely reminder. Y'know, it's amazing when you think about...

how many lessons on getting along on DU can be applied to settling disputes between groups like the Israelis and Palestinians.

Good think we don't have a Dome of the Rock around here...

[NMDemDist2]

9. yes, I love the smaller forums, in fact Cooking and Baking saved my sanity after 2004

I couldn't stand the main forums, I was so depressed.

C&B and those wonderful folks helped me through those dark months and I managed to learn a few tips and tricks too

:evilgrin:

[wryter2000]

14. Me, too

I was convinced Skinner invented groups just to cheer me up. For a while, all I could manage was C&B.

[Le Taz Hot]

10. Isn't that the truth?

It's amazing how we all are miraculously seen as human beings as opposed to being "Wal Mart Shoppers," "Racists," "Misogynists," "bigots," "fascists," "gas guzzlers," "Nader supporters, "Nader haters," ad nauseum.

We think we know each other based on posts on a political chat board. We don't. Most of us have never met other DUers in person. We don't know each others' lives or histories, motivations, circumstances, yet too many of us are ready to judge someone's entire existence because they shop at Wal Mart or drive an S.U.V.

Yours is an EXCELLENT suggestion cat. To channel my best Molly Ivins . . . "Good on ya!" :hi:

[JVS]

11. What do you mean the "hard" forums?

[bvar22]

12. !

Proud contributing member of:

Rural/Farm

Gardening

Bicycles

Photography (not so much since we got a Dial-Up account :( )

People I couldn't stand in the hard forums (especially during the Primaries) turned out to be OK.

[wryter2000]

13. C&B rawks

It totally rawks. :evilgrin:

[rug]

15. I can't stand the baking soda / baking powder flame wars in the Cooking & Baking Group.