What brings you to DU?

[cynatnite]

I come here because it's filled with like-minded intelligent people. We always find a lot to disagree about and can have very lively discussions. I also like it when someone presents a point of view that hadn't occurred to me.

Because of DU I have changed my opinions on the decriminalization of marijuana, notification of parents of pregnant teens who want an abortion, and many other issues. I've gotten educated about subjects that I never believed were overly important.

There have been times I came looking for a fight, but it quickly dissipates because of the friendliness and the fun that can be found.

Also, I have found fellow DUer's as giving as they come. The willingness to help others is profound and moves me.

I've been frustrated to such degrees that I've left for long stretches and one time I honestly didn't think I was coming back, but I did. I always do because of all the things that DU offers.

So, what brings you here and what keeps you here?

[NNN0LHI]

1. I keep coming back because one of these days I am applying for a Moderator position

And then WATCH OUT!

When I get finished Tomb Stoning everyone its going to be just me and Skinner sitting around here shooting the shit.

Don

[w8liftinglady]

2. this is my sanity in an insane area!

My little escape from red Hell!

[murielm99]

25. How is your health these days?

I know you have been through a lot.

DU helps my mental health. It strengthens me that like-minded strangers have supported me through a health crisis and continue to be there for others.

No one is obligated to educate me. It is my responsibility. But I have learned quite a bit here. Of course I have learned about politics and history. But the most valuable things I have learned here are about people who live in other parts of the country and the world, and the homeless and the mentally ill.

[PoliticAverse]

3. My health. I came to DU for the waters. n/t

[handmade34]

8. this?????

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x190741

[PoliticAverse]

29. This...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gC29ArkGG0

;-)

[handmade34]

33. oh yes!

:-)

[stuntcat]

34. lolz!!

Nice.

I like both types of nice waters around here.

[tularetom]

4. Well yeah, that too

But mostly I come here for news. News that I can read on my own terms, not news that's been selected for me by some buttoned down stooge in a TV studio and filtered through a corporations self serving prejudices.

[niceypoo]

5. Information

Opinion Different angles and insight on all of the above.

[notadmblnd]

6. It's just a wonderful repository for information and truth

[northoftheborder]

7. Up to minute news, opinion, good links to info and opinion

Now I'm addicted to DU.

[lame54]

9. Dirty dishes

[frazzled]

12. Heh, I was going to say: "avoidance of work"

I work at my computer all day. So when I get stuck on something, I don't feel as guilty switching to a web site for some diversion as I would getting up and walking out to do something else. Hey, at least I'm still at my desk! (And I can check in to see if some big news has broken).

Alternatively, on those days that house cleaning is on the agenda, it's a great way to rest between chores! (Clean bathroom, see what's up on DU; dust blinds, see what's up on DU, etc.).

[thaddeus_flowe]

26. i tried to watch the youtube vid in your sig line,

but apparently WMG blocked it. any way to find it on another site?

[Tejas]

10. To counter drinkers of the Republican anti-gun koolaid.

They constantly parrot the mantra of a 3-term Republican mayor (Paul Helmke) that's a leading member of a "campaign" with Republican origins - Bradycampaign.org

As far as they're concerned....when those Republicans speak (and LW/RW MSM repeats it), it's the gospel and nothing else matters.

[NuclearDem]

11. I started lurking here because of the Top Ten and the Political Videos

I officially registered at about the same time Keith was suspended.

I keep coming back for the sanity. And to be around fellow progressives (being in a military town in Nebraska...those are hard to come by out here).

[Name removed]

13. Deleted message

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

[Donnachaidh]

15. oh damn -- I missed the pizza????

oh poo.... :cry:

[thaddeus_flowe]

14. a welcome respite from

the load of bullshit that is every other news source.
discovering DU has already changed how i digest ideas and opinions.
looking forward to participating more!

[Donnachaidh]

16. welcome to DU Thaddeus!

This place grows on you :rofl:

[thaddeus_flowe]

27. that voltaire quote is growing on me

i loved the candide

[Donnachaidh]

17. my deep blue dip into sanity from the ledge of a red state window

And I'm partial to the cooking and crafty areas too :evilgrin:

[jobycom]

18. Ever see that scene in Victor/Victoria where Garner walks into a bar and orders milk?

He's just looking for a fight to lose his confusion and indecision.

That's why I come here. After the insanity of the real world, sometimes I just have to walk in here and say "milk."

[Lint Head]

19. At first my utter contempt for the criminals George Bush and Dick Cheney.

Now it's utter contempt for the fact nothing has changed and these criminals are still free and accepted in society.

[Zax2me]

20. A BREAK

From some family members, friends, but mostly media dribble that is constantly giving you the radical right - right in my face 24/7.

[Saturday]

21. I come to read the latest news BUT

lots of times people here make me laugh at their darn witty and funny answers. :)

[Phoonzang]

22. Habit. nt

[AmandaMae]

23. To educate myself, keep up to date, and be around like-minded people.

These forums really are a great resource. When I came here over a year ago at the age of 18, I didn't know very much about politics. Like you, since then I've also been educated on a wide variety of issues that I hadn't given much thought to before.

This site also seems to keep more up to date on news than anywhere else. I've read things here that don't get covered by the MSM for another 2 days. It's great to have everything in one place: the news, editorials, videos, etc.

I also just like coming here and hearing from people who see things the same way I do. I'm not a very outgoing person, in real life or on this forum, so even on here, I don't really have friends or paticipate as much as I could, but still, it makes me feel a lot less isolated to be here around so many progressive, well-educated, and compassionate people. In real life I don't have anyone to discuss politics with or really any of the issues I'm so passionate about; these things just aren't on their wavelengths. It's nice to be around people who "get it".

[goforit]

24. Articles and research from everywhere. Always looking for reason and truth.

[MarthaM]

28. To find up-to-the-minute news, mostly.

I check in regularly to see what the breaking news is, and to see what's happening in D.C. and elsewhere.

I'm more of a reader than a poster.

[SDuderstadt]

30. Initially, it was...

the Top Ten, Bob Boudelang and the Hate Mailbag.

[slackmaster]

31. Fiberglass

[CoffinEd]

32. Need something to do in between crossword puzzles

Not really. Been a long time reader, but only post when I have something to say (obviously with only 200+ posts I haven't had a lot to say).

I often find the "news" on DU before it becomes "news" anywhere else and I enjoy reading some of the more entertaining threads. How can I not mention the occasional drama?! B-)

I'm not one to avoid diverse views or opinions, in fact I welcome them, but I prefer to hang out on a site where a majority of the posters think like me. Helps to keep the high-blood pressure in check.

It goes without saying that DU has played a role in expanding my political knowledge and, shudder, world view. Just my dollar sign zero decimal point zero two (hope I didn't short change myself).

[jwirr]

35. While I have a large family, none of them want to talk about the daily

happenings with me. So I come to my other family to talk, learn and yes sometimes to argue. This is the way I keep my world from shrinking and while the topics sometime depress me we almost always find some hope to sustain us.

[Codeine]

36. Three hots and a cot.

I'm instiDUtionalized.

[Cleita]

37. It's one of the few discussion boards where people

actually try to find out the facts no matter how much we disagree on them, we try. Most other boards and in real life people don't want to question their sacred cows, let alone gore them to get to the truth.

[iwillalwayswonderwhy]

38. It makes me feel like I am not so alone in my ideas

Even when we argue, at least we're mostly all pointing in the same direction.

[Uben]

39. I came here and got stuck

The little red "x" in the upper right hand corner of my browser screen quit working back in 2001, and I've been stuck here ever since!

I was traveling through another dimension, a dimension not only of sight and sound, but of mind. A journey into a wondrous land whose boundaries are that of imagination. That's the sign post up ahead, your next stop...Democratic Underground!

[walldude]

40. The Top 10 originally brought me here...

I stayed for the liberal company. Now I just come if I need to fuck up a perfectly good mood.