I have neophytes coming to me all the time

[tavalon]

They know little to nothing about how our government works and how they can still influence things. Needless to say, this is fueling depression among them.

In 2003, I was in their place, scared and while I had always voted in the big elections, my civics and activist education was, to put it mildly, really not good. I came here and a few people took me under their wing and I learned and learned and learned. Thank you to each of those people.

There are so many more people here and I don't see the long civics essays I remember from my early learning days. Is this the best place to send them?

I'm thinking of getting together some Youtube videos that have already been done by some really smart people but this forum was so great for me. I guess in a round about way, I'm asking if some people will volunteer to be mentors. These people need help and they need hope and we need them. The Cheney/Bush maladministration was just training. This is graduate level fuckery.

What do you guys think? Can we put together a group that can help the new people?

[Hekate]

1. KnR for good intentions. Unfortunately, the fact that DU was vandalized and has been...

....the subject of continuous trolling has made more longtimers than just myself quite wary of newbies.

Still, best of luck. Maybe a new Group would be a help.

[tavalon]

2. I hear you and I don't think anyone gets a pass here

I had to be pretty quiet until I hit my 1000 posts. I mostly asked questions and kept my opinions to myself.

But I remember when I first got here, there were people who posted things teaching about civics and our role within this country, as citizen activists. Now, it seems there is so much noise, I wonder if a person could get an education here the way I did?

[yagotme]

3. I would second a new group,

basically a "Ask Questions" type/how-to information.

[Hekate]

4. Exactly right. Mineral Man is one DUer who keeps plugging away at education...

...and he does it in spite of the flack he gets so often. There are others, as well. And you are right -- there's a lot of noise.

[tavalon]

6. He helped me so much. I need to let him know.

[lindysalsagal]

5. I think a place where people could avoid attacks is needed.

A "positive only" place would let people know that they can pose a question. Replies would be strictly limited to serious, instructional posts with explanations, rather than inside jokes and deep historical references.

I think this is a great idea. Put the juries on red alert to keep the angry oppositional types outta there.

[tavalon]

7. I'd be willing to run it, actually, though I would want more than me in the teaching role.

[tavalon]

8. Yes, exactly

It was hard enough getting through the gauntlet in 2003. It has to be exponentially harder now.