General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsLook what I found!
This may be the oldest archive of DU on the Internet?
https://web.archive.org/web/20010219033913/http://www.democraticunderground.com/
Marie Marie
(9,999 posts)Submariner
(12,509 posts)Seeing old names like Khephra and Matcom brings back memories of the old Bush/Cheney wars.
catbyte
(34,458 posts)Great find! I found DU through BartCop. I miss him.
kimbutgar
(21,210 posts)TwilightZone
(25,485 posts)I forgot about the hate mailbag.
BigmanPigman
(51,632 posts)It is interesting reading the topics and dates and how some things change and others stay the same (unfortunately).
Rhiannon12866
(206,099 posts)I read posts by him on DU just today!
BigmanPigman
(51,632 posts)Rhiannon12866
(206,099 posts)JoeOtterbein
(7,702 posts)I was hoping someone would notice I was on top of the page!
This was back when you had to send your comments to DU and they would publish it. So cool!
Rhiannon12866
(206,099 posts)That is incredibly cool - yours was the only name I recognized besides Skinner and EarlG. I was on DU.1, but didn't join till early 2003 so I only remember posting like we do now, though I do remember when DU looked much like that!
JoeOtterbein
(7,702 posts)If I knew how to make a cool super props to you, icon right now, I would post it!
Thanks again!
Rhiannon12866
(206,099 posts)When I managed to hit 100,000 posts I did share a few memories of my early days - like being freaked out when I got a reply on my very first post, but it was only DU's one-person welcoming committee, newyawker99, welcoming me to DU! And the fear we all experienced together the night of "shock and awe." I was grateful to find a safe place among like minded folks, and have been here ever since!
JoeOtterbein
(7,702 posts)happening. (Now, I do I find those cool little fist bumping emojis ?)
Rhiannon12866
(206,099 posts)I've enjoyed those since the beginning, probably for the same reason I've been a fan of the Video Forum! And it's not like I have a lot to say here, I also read a lot more than I post, but my high post count is the result of my having been a DU.2 mod, then a host here on DU.3 and I'm currently serving on MIRT, have off and on since 2012.
I didn't know all that much when I first came here, but 9/11 freaked me out, so I was determined to understand what was really going on in this country and the world - and I learn something new on DU every day, so I've tried to give a little back...
SergeStorms
(19,204 posts)was the welcoming "committee" as well as congratulating DUers whenever they hit 5,000 - 10,000 - 15,000 posts etc. I think he spent all day scanning threads to see if anyone needed congratulating!
This is even pre-Bob Boudelang, which is when I started my DU "career". I miss the old tales of the Daisy Hill trailerpark, and Bob's trials and tribulations dealing with liberals and republicans alike. Arrest my case! So stop saying that! I loved Bob. I wish he was still around.
Rhiannon12866
(206,099 posts)I was quite honored when I was recognized, think we all were - and it's still totally beyond me how she did that!
And I miss the old stories - and members - too! newyawker99 was my very fist friend on DU and I still think about her often. I'd never been on any sort of message board before and I don't know if I would have stayed without her kind words. Another early friend was God_bush_n_cheney. We remember him before he became a activist - just another very kind human being - and I'm sure he was inspired by this board. And then, of course, there was kudzu!
SergeStorms
(19,204 posts)Khephra, IndianaGreen, Will Pitt (how could you forget the great Will Pitt!) and more. You look at their post counts and get a feeling as to how new DU was. I was "DumpGump" back when I first joined. That's changed a few times since then. If we knew then what we know now we would have worked doubly hard to get and keep Democrats in office, huh? And we thought Bush was the worst? No one could ever have dreamed Donald Trump would one day be "president". Notice I didn't say he was "elected" president! We need a time machine to take us back to undo the damage done. But then you get into the butterfly effect and all that. Too much of a hassle. Let's just vote Trump out of office for once and for all!
Rhiannon12866
(206,099 posts)I rarely beat Khephra to a post in LBN, I remember that IndianaGreen often posted in I/P where I did (I thought that was our most urgent world issue, but then we invaded Iraq!) and I remember Will Pitt's early posts, he was quite a firebrand even back then!
And I remember being devastated by the 2004 election. I could not understand how anyone could have voted for Bush* over Kerry - a draft dodger who started a war over a genuine war hero! I remember when the admins changed GD and GDP to forums where you could either sound off with anger over the outcome of the election or go for support and sympathy. I posted in the latter.
Little did we know back then about the current horror show that was awaiting us! And I still don't understand how anyone could have voted for Trump, let alone continue to support him now! I'm hoping that he's out before 2020 - but whatever happens, I agree that Trump and all his cronies need to be sent packing with an overwhelming wave much bigger than the midterms!
kentuck
(111,110 posts)You are right about khephra! Nobody could beat him to a post in LBN!
Rhiannon12866
(206,099 posts)Now, I'd give a lot to have him back. His dedication was awesome - and his death was a real loss to DU. And I still think of my early DU friend, God_bush_and_cheney. He was such a nice guy who turned out to be an activist hero.
2naSalit
(86,804 posts)I just didn't join until a few years ago.
7wo7rees
(5,128 posts)Long live Bartcop
SergeStorms
(19,204 posts)I always picked up some tips on delicious strains of sweetcorn to plant the following year. Bart knew his sweetcorn, and his Tequila. Chinaco Anejo was his fave, and it was a tasty Tequila. Those were back in the days when I still imbibed now and then. One shot would knock me on my keester these days.
7wo7rees
(5,128 posts)SergeStorms
(19,204 posts)that the Bush Family Evil Empire would look a like Girl Scout Troop compared to the Trump Crime family. I honestly look back in fondness for the gentility and friendliness of the BFEE!
rickford66
(5,528 posts)What I really like about DU is, it's the only site you really need to check. It links to everything else. Every time someone sends me something, I've usually already seen it. And the layout is the most convenient and user friendly site on the internets.
JoeOtterbein
(7,702 posts)Since way back then!
Hekate
(90,829 posts)Solly Mack
(90,787 posts)kentuck
(111,110 posts)Beginning with EarlG on Inauguration Day:
https://web.archive.org/web/20010330212359/http://democraticunderground.com/articles/index.html
davsand
(13,421 posts)So many names there that have passed from DU--either by choice or otherwise. It had a different feel then, and it was my sanctuary. Those were truly tough times to be a politically active Dem, and the internet forums were not always the friendliest. As an added bonus, DU had a lot of really good writers and well researched posts that I didn't always find at the other sites. I spent a majority of my time on here then.
I still miss Keph. A lot.
Laura
kentuck
(111,110 posts)patricia92243
(12,603 posts)name I recognized was kali.
Thanks for posting
madinmaryland
(64,933 posts)smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)That must have been back when I was just reading and not posting. I wonder what happened to all those people?