What is DU like? Please tell me

[retrowire]

What is DU like without a presidential election?

Those of you who know me, know that I joined right after Bernie announced his running for presidency. So basically all I know about DU is the war of the primaries and the bitterness of purging, the bandwagons, the separatists and the cliques...

Then I know the general election and it's rah rah rah with the minute attention to polls and steady feed of our opponents weaknesses.

But what after this? I don't know a DU without these things and honestly, I want to stay. But what will it be like? My mind is filled with wonder.

Clearly, if Trump wins, it becomes a rage fest and our nation will probably concerned with more things than political forums.

But when Hillary wins, we celebrate, then return to normalcy.

But what is normalcy here?

Sincerely, hoping to be a longtimer,

-retrowire

[Bernardo de La Paz]

1. Among Internet fora, DU is one of the best. Period.

Well organized, good software that has great design and ticks like a clock.

Great people, intelligent, friendly. We will call each other out on stuff, but generally it is very civil compared to most other fora. The moderation / jury system works rather well.

[Agnosticsherbet]

2. Like a cross between burning man, and a Hippie reunion.

We are a passionate people. It is a good place.

[asiliveandbreathe]

7. What's a hippie??? LOL

We are a great lot here at DU...informative, funny, creative, funny...compatible - respectful, funny, supportive, oh and lots of fun - now if the polls were any different than they are today...we would be offering pearls..but the polls are great for Hillary..

[Agnosticsherbet]

12. There are a few here old enough to remember Hippies, Yippies, and even Beatniks.

(Don't confuse Yuppies with Yippies. Yippies were politically active Hippies. )

[asiliveandbreathe]

13. Come on - you didn't see the humor in what's a hippie..

my daughter was born Aug 14, 1969 - while the whole state of Massachusetts was in NY....I couldn't attend...too funny....you are funny..

I don't like yuppies or yippies or nimby's or Beatnit?? - What's a Beatnik?? - unless I missed your humor...

[Agnosticsherbet]

19. Beatnik, the Beat Generation of Kerouac (1950's)

And yes, I see the humor.

[PJMcK]

3. It's one of the best internet sites for news, information and sharing viewpoints

The battles against the Republicans go on all the time, as I'm sure you know, retrowire. There's almost always plenty to learn and discuss. You'll still enjoy it here.

[lunatica]

15. Ditto this

[GeorgeGist]

4. everchanging ...

hang around and find out

[ColemanMaskell]

5. There's rage against a Republican House, State and local stuff, Laws, Court cases, Police violence,

-- Don't worry, there is always plenty of injustice to fight.

And if we somehow reach a state where there is no injustice left to fight, that would be great, but if you find yourself in that situation, you might check the obituary column to make sure your name isn't listed as having died in your sleep the day before you noticed the perfect world.

Like yourself, I have not been following DU until recently; but I'm not too worried about running out of issues.

Gun violence and police misbehavior seem likely candidates for issues to be on the agenda.

You also have pot legalization, LGBT rights, the perennial racial discrimination, gender equality. Plenty to discuss.

[groundloop]

6. Damn - over 8000 posts just since Bernie announced !!!!!!!

Dude, you need to get a life . I've been around since Kerry was running against shrub and only have about half as many posts.

Anyway, as you've probably seen, during primary season people get kind of pissy with each other. Any other time is a lot more laid back (thanks to republicans being an easy target).

[monmouth4]

9. You took the words right off my keyboard. I've been here since Bush and three computers and only

have a couple of thousand posts. Odd post.

[DrDan]

8. been here since 2001 - and things are never dull

You will probably see a shift toward a focus on congress, SCOTUS, and state-issues - both political and personal issues. There is never a lack of either. Before you know it - we will begin off-year election discussions.

Hopefully gone will be election year rancor. We are already healing from the primaries.

[TexasProgresive]

10. Here's a link to discussion on DU2, this is DU3

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=latest_threads&page=20
This is a bit of what you will find.
Latest Discussion Threads - Page 20
General Discussion
Cardinal says Catholic Church '200 years out of date'
Discussion started Sun Sep-02-12 11:36 PM by rpannier
General Discussion
Dutch embrace radical left as European dream sours
Discussion started Sun Sep-02-12 07:28 PM by rpannier
General Discussion
Pakistani mullah accused of trying to frame girl in blasphemy case
Discussion started Sun Sep-02-12 07:26 PM by rpannier
General Discussion: Presidency
The more I see of Romney, the lower opinion I get of Harvard
Discussion started Sun Sep-02-12 04:03 PM by Cronus Protagonist
General Discussion
Michelle Rhee tells teachers to get ready for a battle over reform. Boss Rhee?
Discussion started Sat Sep-01-12 12:12 PM by madfloridian
General Discussion
Do the Eastwood. (It's the weekend. Come and play)
Discussion started Sat Sep-01-12 09:03 AM by No Elephants
General Discussion
Jon Stewart on Clint Eastwood: "The Old Man And the Seat"
Discussion started Sat Sep-01-12 12:11 AM by Contrary1
General Discussion
BURN!
Discussion started Fri Aug-31-12 08:58 AM by No Elephants
General Discussion
Straddling Liberalism and Conservatism (Fr. Groeschel)
Discussion started Fri Aug-31-12 06:51 AM by No Elephants
General Discussion
I think Michael Moore meant to say, "Democrats better GOTV."
Discussion started Fri Aug-31-12 05:01 AM by No Elephants
General Discussion
for No Elephants
Discussion started Fri Aug-31-12 03:21 AM by Divine Discontent
General Discussion
Hard to believe how quickly the years pass.
Discussion started Fri Aug-31-12 01:57 AM by Contrary1
General Discussion
When Romney spoke of helping the helpless, silence in the convention hall.
Discussion started Fri Aug-31-12 01:50 AM by No Elephants
General Discussion
Mitt's record on employment as Governor of Massachusetts.
Discussion started Fri Aug-31-12 12:33 AM by No Elephants
Political Videos
Clint Eastwood's Throat-Slicing Moment at the 2012 Republican National Convention (Video)
Discussion started Fri Aug-31-12 12:19 AM by Divine Discontent
General Discussion
Didn't take long. Twitter and the Invisible Obama chair.
Discussion started Thu Aug-30-12 11:58 PM by madfloridian
General Discussion
Is the" number of views" column now AWOL, or is it just my screen?
Discussion started Thu Aug-30-12 11:44 PM by No Elephants
General Discussion
Someone, I am not saying who, emailed the Rachael Maddow Show again.
Discussion started Thu Aug-30-12 11:23 PM by No Elephants
General Discussion: Presidency
Paul Ryan's speech: a round-up of his most audacious untruths
Discussion started Thu Aug-30-12 08:10 PM by rpannier
General Discussion
Amazon tribe massacre alleged in Venezuela
Discussion started Thu Aug-30-12 08:06 PM by rpannier
General Discussion
‘Honey Boo Boo’ beats GOP in cable ratings
Discussion started Thu Aug-30-12 07:00 PM by Contrary1
General Discussion
OMG. Literally, OMG.
Discussion started Thu Aug-30-12 03:30 PM by No Elephants
General Discussion
Egypt leader in Iran: World must back Syria rebels
Discussion started Thu Aug-30-12 03:10 PM by No Elephants
General Discussion
Borowitz: Ryan Launches Campaign Theme of Lying About Everything
Discussion started Thu Aug-30-12 11:39 AM by Contrary1
General Discussion
Jeb Bush on RNC: George W. ‘Is Smart to Stay Away’
Discussion started Thu Aug-30-12 09:31 AM by seafan
General Discussion
Ben 'Obama Is The Worst President Ever" Quayle Lost His Primary
Discussion started Wed Aug-29-12 08:41 PM by Me.
General Discussion
Two RNC convention-goers throw nuts at CNN camerawoman of color.
Discussion started Wed Aug-29-12 04:36 PM by No Elephants
General Discussion
Ann Romney was supposed to make Mitt seem relatable and less wooden.
Discussion started Wed Aug-29-12 04:06 PM by No Elephants
General Discussion
Paul Ryan the Salesman Won’t Take No for an Answer
Discussion started Wed Aug-29-12 03:54 PM by seafan
General Discussion
In Arctic, Greenpeace picks new fight with old foe (oil)
Discussion started Wed Aug-29-12 11:44 AM by No Elephants
General Discussion
SEAL book raises questions about bin Laden's death
Discussion started Wed Aug-29-12 11:35 AM by No Elephants
General Discussion
Elizabeth Warren on Chris Christie's RNC keynote speech
Discussion started Wed Aug-29-12 10:36 AM by seafan
Political Videos
Robert Kennedy Remembered - Academy Award ® Winner (Video)
Discussion started Wed Aug-29-12 08:57 AM by MinM
General Discussion
A review of "Won't Back Down" from Ed Week. When Mama Ain't Happy...
Discussion started Tue Aug-28-12 11:19 PM by madfloridian
General Discussion
Johnson! (Now that Ron Paul's kaput)
Discussion started Tue Aug-28-12 10:37 PM by Cronus Protagonist
General Discussion
FL Attorney General Pam Bondi disputes notion that GOP is not pro-women ('But we ALL bundle!')
Discussion started Tue Aug-28-12 04:02 PM by seafan
General Discussion
2012 or Never for GOP's White Base
Discussion started Tue Aug-28-12 11:39 AM by seafan
Political Videos
FL TeaParty: "treat liberals like dogs; grab them by their collar and yell 'bad Democrat, no!' (Video)
Discussion started Mon Aug-27-12 11:29 PM by madfloridian
General Discussion
Military Terror Plot: Murder Case Uncovers Terror Plot By 'Militia' Within U.S. Military
Discussion started Mon Aug-27-12 02:58 PM by rpannier
Political Videos
Public Schools Denounced at Tea Party Rally in Tampa..Neal Boortz (Video)
Discussion started Mon Aug-27-12 02:21 PM by madfloridian
General Discussion
Circling the drain: Bush dynasty continues to impact Republican politics
Discussion started Mon Aug-27-12 12:51 PM by seafan
General Discussion
San Francisco 49ers record anti-gay-bullying spot
Discussion started Mon Aug-27-12 07:14 AM by rpannier
General Discussion
Because his daughter persevered: Utah Doctor Charged With Drowning, Drugging Wife 5 Years Ago
Discussion started Mon Aug-27-12 05:21 AM by No Elephants
General Discussion
Primer on Syria, for those who need one and are interested.
Discussion started Mon Aug-27-12 05:11 AM by No Elephants
General Discussion
WATCHING THE SHOW: Are conventions still relevant?
Discussion started Mon Aug-27-12 04:54 AM by No Elephants
General Discussion
Coming soon to a TV near you--Republicans pretending to like Romney.
Discussion started Mon Aug-27-12 04:40 AM by No Elephants
General Discussion
Former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist: Here's why I'm backing Barack Obama
Discussion started Sun Aug-26-12 02:47 PM by seafan
General Discussion
So sad about the Massachusetts delegation.
Discussion started Sun Aug-26-12 10:35 AM by No Elephants
General Discussion
This Week with George What's His Name
Discussion started Sun Aug-26-12 10:03 AM by No Elephants
General Discussion
Trouble Already At Gop Convention
Discussion started Sat Aug-25-12 10:18 PM by Me.
General Discussion
RNC pushes back convention's start due to the hurricane threat
Discussion started Sat Aug-25-12 09:12 PM by Divine Discontent
General Discussion
Donna Brazile: Romney has embraced the birther movement to avoid his own failings as candidate
Discussion started Sat Aug-25-12 08:39 PM by Divine Discontent
General Discussion
Ezra Klein Doesn't Think Romney Is A Racist...Just Privileged
Discussion started Sat Aug-25-12 07:14 PM by Me.
General Discussion
Oops! Photo reveals UK police arrest plan for Assange
Discussion started Sat Aug-25-12 03:03 PM by Contrary1
General Discussion
Neil Armstrong has died
Discussion started Sat Aug-25-12 02:59 PM by Contrary1
General Discussion
Sadly, the Count has Died
Discussion started Sat Aug-25-12 05:30 AM by rpannier
General Discussion
Ron Paul tribute set for GOP convention
Discussion started Sat Aug-25-12 02:38 AM by No Elephants
General Discussion
For Me.
Discussion started Sat Aug-25-12 02:20 AM by No Elephants
General Discussion
Bernanke says Fed has scope to provide more stimulus
Discussion started Sat Aug-25-12 01:34 AM by No Elephants
General Discussion
Romney claims he wants to keep his tax returns private because of donations to the Mormon church.
Discussion started Sat Aug-25-12 01:11 AM by No Elephants

More »

[Egnever]

14. This '''''''''''

Pretty much nailed it.

[yardwork]

21. I hope that doesn't happen.

[yardwork]

24. I'm not sure that Skinner will let that happen.

[Shandris]

16. It won't be what it was...

...just as it wasn't what it was in the election before that. It seems to be a common truism that internet fora 'change' every election season. I think it's the result of the 'Clash of Tribes' problem, where both sides always pick up some mannerisms of the other. Since each 'rejoining' or fresh influx of people brings with it the baggage of other fora they've been on, their regional differences (a huge thing, for instance, with me - I'm sure half the posters here think I'm a conservative (I was raised one, to be fair) because my Indiana take on things is about 100% different from a coastal person's), and so on.

The pressures also almost always cause the loss of several strong posters, and usually big name OC creators will vanish too (we lost a LOT of them in and around the Kerry election, good Christ....). Often, fresh OC creators will arrive and their contributions will change the board yet again.

So in short...you'll just have to stick around and find out!

CLARITY EDIT: The 'sides' I refer to are the primary sides. That should be obvious, I would think, but it dawned on me it might not be. Also, 'OC' refers to 'Original Content'. While the term typically means more things like Swamp Rat used to make, it can also be extended to role-players (Philosslayer comes to mind), storytellers (Hi, Omaha Steve!) and those with other unique contributions (Nadin was a good example, and I'm sure there's many more but I just grab names I see/saw all the time - no offense to ANYONE'S OC intended!).

[lunatica]

17. Some of the most intelligent people I know are here

Ask about any topic you're interested in or need help on and you'll get quite a few great responses. The average intelligence here is pretty high.

[ailsagirl]

18. DU is where I go to find out what's really happening

And to find comfort and courage when I'm feeling discouraged.
That's pretty valuable.

AND the people are damned funny and make me LOL daily!!!

[DawgHouse]

20. You should visit some of the other groups.

[gratuitous]

22. DU is a wreath of pretty flowers that smells bad

DU is a tweeting bird chirping in a meadow.

[Orrex]

30. Nice post, Norman

[CK_John]

26. The next 4yrs will be dealing with 50% of the university system

closed down, 30-40 million put out of work due to automation, driverless cars and truck, China moving into eastern Siberia.

[Warren DeMontague]

27. The best place to fight over olive garden, circumcision, internet porn and moon bombing

This place gets a little weird when we dont have a big election to focus on.

[opiate69]

28. YOU FORGOT PITBULLS YOU BARMY MUPPET!!!!

(hehe.. figured I'd give the guy a taste)

[Warren DeMontague]

31. Indeed.

When vegan boyscouts take uncircumcised pitbulls to hooters, all bets are off.

[lonestarnot]

29. You left out the pussy cats on Sunday.