What's to love about DU, and what's not to love ?

[Laura PourMeADrink]

GOOD:

** Many great and brilliant people here. It's a treasure trove of knowledge in one place


NOT SO MUCH:

** If people want to talk about something you don't want to talk about, or give an opposite opinion (even if it's against a Dem), wish people would just ignore if it bothers them so much. Why not save time, flames, and keystrokes ?

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. Not to love

Large swaths of topics that are now in the do not post/participate category, including one that is like breaking or something currently.

Echo chambers are not good.. But I am not going to stop anybody.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

3. Is there really a list of "do not post" category? If yes, I need to find and read.

[nadinbrzezinski]

7. It's not official

But discussion on certain subjects will just go south.

Been here long enough.

No harm, some of that (read the latest breaking nooz for example) just goes on my blog, if I feel like it. Mostly it is discussed in private, in the flesh, with close friends.

[retread]

16. Not an "official" list implies a "non-official" one exists.

Would love to peruse this non-official list.
But then again, you could write one yourself and it would be "non-official" wouldn't it?

[Barack_America]

18. When Israel starts WWIII, will we be able to talk about it in GD?

One wonders.

Coincidentally, this too would by my #1 dislike about DU.

It used to be the lack of transparency behind post moderation and banning, but that has improved considerably with the new system.

[nadinbrzezinski]

22. I see that more as a proxy war

between forces in the shadows.

But mostly, yes.

As to the new system here... it is still in my highly disliked category and I have been very clear about it. To the point of loving Addblock.

On the down side, if WW III goes the way that Einstein said... you know, to paraphrase, "I do not know what WW III will look like but WW IV will be fought with sticks and stones," I don't think we will be able to discuss it in GD... it will be a technical matter.

[EmeraldCityGrl]

42. Given the current world news, this is a big fat elephant on several threads.

But I'm relatively new around here so...

[leftstreet]

2. Unlove: DLCers ran all the Leftists off n/t

[Lasher]

5. Not me. I'm a Leftist.

They didn't run me off. So far.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

6. There's only so much people can take, huh. Mods may have been a pain at times

when we had them, but they did serve a useful purpose toward promoting civil and open free speech that jury doesn't seem to equal.

[leftstreet]

21. I miss the Mods like I miss Marathon candy bars

Bring them back!

[MadrasT]

23. OMG I forgot all about Marathon bars!!!

Now I miss them too.

(And yeah, I miss the Mods too.)

[Laura PourMeADrink]

25. Marathon bars? was it pre-2004 ?

[Viva_La_Revolution]

20. not all. nt

[MADem]

28. The DLC died almost two years ago--stop beating that horse.

They closed their offices, they let go their employees, said goodbye to their titular head, and boxed up and sold their papers--they're stored at Clinton's library.

People use "DLC" for "not as left as I think they should be" or "Doesn't agree with my POV" but it's a lazy conceit.

The DLC is but a memory.

On February 7, 2011, Politico reported that the DLC would dissolve, and would do so as early as the following week.[4] On July 5 of that year, DLC founder Al From announced in a statement on the organization's website that the historical records of the DLC have been purchased by the Clinton Foundation.[5] The DLC's last chairman was former Representative Harold Ford of Tennessee, and its vice chair was Senator Thomas R. Carper of Delaware. Its CEO was Bruce Reed.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_Leadership_Council

[leftstreet]

36. They were victorious. The whole Party is now DLC

They don't need to have a shop

[MADem]

46. Coulda fooled me. Someone better put out a memo and let everyone in on this news! nt

[hifiguy]

30. I am definitely a lefty and I am not going anywhere.

Check my avatar!

[Fumesucker]

4. Authoritarians

They really don't mix that well with liberal/progressive politics and yet there seems to be an unending stream of them who want to Weewee in the Cheerios or they can't stand the flavor.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

11. So true ! Wonder why that is. Most liberal and progressive people I know personally are very

open-minded, easy going, and "live and let live" types. In fact, don't think I know a single one, who in person, would say the things said here if you disagreed on a particular issue.

[richmwill]

8. Good post

There's good and bad.

Good- If any important news breaks, you'll read about it here first. Also, the general camaraderie and caring nature. If someone has a bad incident in their life and they choose to vent it out here, people come and give them support.

Bad- My one pet peeve, people who refuse to let disagreements and arguments die out. Those who incessantly post in an attempt to draw the other person back into the argument.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

14. haha - guess it's just like a real life fight with husband or wife ....each wants to

get the last word in.

[richmwill]

27. Yes, exactly...

Also sort of like the annoying cousin who starts right-wing political arguments at holiday dinners, using as their sole proof for their argument "I KNOW it's true- because Rush said it's true!!!!". Consider yourself lucky if you don't have any of them around, haha.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

32. I do, and there have been many very bad times and situations. But now, the worst of them

have pretty much shunned me. Like, because of me only, Obama won. I have been kind and not said a single word, but I want them so much to see the light.

[Frustratedlady]

9. DU is a community I can trust. I like that sources are posted with remarks...

so I can read the source, see who wrote it and get some background.

I am forever amazed at how quickly some of the members can pull up an article, link or reference to provide background information from the archives that can help us better understand the sequence of events and/or why we should be concerned/not concerned about a situation.

I realize Google is my friend, but Democratic Underground is my family consisting of intelligent and caring individuals (with the occasional daffy uncle someone let out of the attic for a while). DU is where I go for information. How sad the Republicans don't have the same available to them.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

13. so true. That's what makes it so valuable - the sourcing. People laughed when it was suggested

that Dems and Prez and staff read DU....but I truly think they should at least scan through everyday. I can't even count the number of times that I knew more than whoever was speaking on TV, or a newscaster, etc. It is frustrating - but feels good to say "That's not true." and be able to know you can proved it.

[ProudProgressiveNow]

31. +1

[Turborama]

45. 'with the occasional daffy uncle someone let out of the attic for a while' LOL!

That made me laugh out loud, I'm still laughing!



Thank you for the hilarious imagery!

[hrmjustin]

10. DU is a lifeline.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

12. amen ! for those of us stuck in the middle of Red hell, especially.

[patrice]

39. Yes!! This is where I get my news and important information. It's a very rich source. nt

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

15. Nice post Hitler! I'm ignoring you from

now on! See what I did there?

[Laura PourMeADrink]

17. you just gave me an idea....an "Asshole-y" Remark button. It's a lesser offense, before full

blown jury. Then, if you get more than X "Asshole-y" Remark votes, you get on a temporary list that all can see. If you are nice for a month, you get to get off.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

19. Bad idea...

I would never get off that list

[Laura PourMeADrink]

24. hahahahaha

[patrice]

26. Not so much: packs that follow each other around, but I will refrain from giving certain examples.nt

[Laura PourMeADrink]

33. Yes, and I have got to believe there are some people out there with some kind of software

that scans for key words, and sends an alert. There is no other explanation, for example, when the words "election fraud" are written, how people pounce within seconds to say "bullshit"

[patrice]

37. Definitely! & More of the same dysfunctional knee jerk pattern that has enslaved millions.

Small differences do matter.

I have had that very thing happen to me on this board more than just a couple of times.

People need to know that nuance is nothing to be ashamed or afraid of.

If we want what calls itself "the Right" to understand and apply this fact, we, and whoever it is that calls themselves "the Left" these days, MUST model it ourselves.

One way "the Left" could do that is with something more authentic than the most perfunctory and superficial token "appreciation" for PO and, sorry, I refuse to work with those who can't do that. I'm just NOT a saint. I KNOW what I'm doing and I'd appreciate the respect I accord to others in recognizing that.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

40. Brilliant statement: "People need to know that nuance is nothing to be ashamed or afraid of" nt

[patrice]

43. Sometimes I think about how that statement translates into the costs of things.

I've done Administrative Assistant positions; you see A LOT that would be different if people valued "small" more.

[patrice]

44. Oh, and thank you! and I was reacting to what you stated. nt

[s-cubed]

29. Not so much: excessive profanity. nt

[retread]

35. WTF??

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

34. Some of the people and Some of the people in answer to both questions.

[HuckleB]

38. Far too much vitriol aimed against science, and too much acceptance of pseudo-science.

Over time, I find the discussions less enjoyable, but some still surprise me with wonder.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

41. could you expound? curious about how DUers have been against science?

[Raine]

47. To love ... very caring people who will give you support when

you're down and helpful advice when you need it, all you have to do is ask.

Not to love ... some peope are self-righteous, elitist, snobby and put others down for not being as "pure" as they are.