Boy, does DU feel like home to me. It's been quite a journey....

[NRaleighLiberal]

After finding this wonderful place as a left wing oasis after the second Bush election theft....putting my toes slowly in the water and getting singed a few times on those early posts and responses. Finding my voice a bit (I tend to lead with my heart - so the written and spoken word sometimes isn't as appropriate as the feeling).

Then the smart move to become a mod during the last year of DU2 (maybe smart to apply, but I will always be grateful to Skinner, elad and EarlG for taking a chance on me) - learning the inner workings of DU, getting to know how caring and dedicated my fellow mods were....meeting a few local DUers (which is a wonderful experience)....getting the confidence to share more of myself and my views - the move to DU3, MIRT, hosting - and now I am about to deMIRT, back to being a DU civilian again!...finding that having dozens of progressive leads on Twitter allows me to bring some interesting things to DU, so I feel I can finally start giving back a bit to a site I've been able to learn so much from.

It was quite staggering a few days ago to find one of my OPs on the greatest page with so many recs a first for me! - quite a long road from the timid me that barely knew what to say back in 2004. Thanks to everyone who bothers to read my blathers!

Anyway - that was just a few thoughts off the top of my head tonight as we prepare to roast in Raleigh. I do feel that DU will only become more important with time as the deplorable tactics of the GOP and media try like hell to marginalize the Dems - ironically, as the GOP enters their slide toward becoming obsolete and so "yesterday!"

[spanone]

1. k&r...

[freshwest]

6. +1

[DCBob]

2. DU is a wonderful refuge despite the disagreements and battles we often have here.

At least we all agree on one thing... the Republicans need to be stopped!

[RKP5637]

3. Interesting, thanks for sharing!!!

[xchrom]

4. Du rec. Nt

[dmr]

5. There's no place like home

We need to stick together & fight those liars in Washington. Liars who have sold us down the river.

[Gregorian]

7. Do I ever share your sentiments.

Right down the line. I was so timid I couldn't even do more than lurk on a biking forum for years before I came here. My social skills were just about nil. DU has given me the world. I had core liberal values long before I came here, but DU guided me. There's no way on earth it can be done without a forum, or a ton of effort on one's own. Even then, the self correcting nature of a large group of educated and experienced people has a wonderful effect of aiming towards truth and justice and beauty.

I remember looking at DU for a year and thinking there would be no way I would be accepted. I posted a reply in all caps, which was evidently taboo back then, and was immediately banned. For a year I was really down about it. But I eventually got back online. And I'm so glad I did.

[Curmudgeoness]

8. You said it, and you said it well.

I think most of us feel like this is a haven, a place where we can sit down and "talk" to like-minded people after a day facing the world and all the GOP idiots. I still don't have the nerve to do many OP's, but I get more comfortable here because of all the great people. You, NRL, are one of the people who has always made me feel good to be here. Thanks for saying what so many of us feel.

[NRaleighLiberal]

9. .

[mopinko]

10. imma be so lost

been quite some time since i've been without a "job" here at du. there is something about working together that is just a whole different world from posting/chatting/arguing.
nothing left to do but alert on trolls, and try to keep my nose clean.
good thing i have so much to do these days.

[calimary]

11. No kidding!

It's been a refuge for me, too. And HUGELY informative. The camaraderie here means everything - particularly during all the far-too-many very glum times.

I love you guys! You make me smarter and more resolute!

[Avalux]

12. It has been quite a journey!

I'm not as active as I used to be but I still come here and read almost every day. I must admit I miss the early days when I was a moderator for a couple of years...loved the experience and my fellow moderators.

There's no place like home. And that reminds me - I need to donate!

[Hissyspit]

13. Excessive Heat Watch in effect from 11AM EDT FRI until 11PM EDT SUN

Excessive Heat Watch in effect from 11AM EDT FRI until 11PM EDT SUN



EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH  SUNDAY EVENING

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN RALEIGH HAS ISSUED AN EXCESSIVE  HEAT WATCH

WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY THROUGH SUNDAY.  
LOCATION

MOST OF THE PIEDMONT

SANDHILLS

AND COASTAL PLAIN  OF NORTH CAROLINA. THIS INCLUDES THE TRIANGLE AREA

FAYETTEVILLE

GOLDSBORO

AND ROCKY MOUNT.  
TEMPERATURES

HIGHS RANGING FROM 100 TO 105 DEGREES ARE  EXPECTED FRIDAY THROUGH SUNDAY

[BB1]

14. Hmmm. Wasn't capslock day yesterday?

JUST SAYING!!!

[Hissyspit]

15. It's a National Weather Service advisory.

I just cut and pasted it.

[lovemydog]

16. for me too

I read here for a couple of years before I got the gumption to join and post.

Having posted on another board for a few years, I was sick of arguing with people who are ignorant. I've got much better balance in my life now. And I really try not to start arguments on the net any longer. It was bad for my mental health.

DU feels like home to me. Thanks to everyone here who makes it feel that way!