So, where are all the new folks coming from?

[madfloridian]

DU has an influx of new people. Welcome to DU, and where did you hear about it?
:hi:

[BillZBubb]

1. I've noticed a lot of Freepers trolling about recently.

Maybe they jumped the sinking ship over at FreeRepugLick. Stirring things up in here has to be more fun than watching BushCo self-destruct.

[footinmouth]

2. I'm a new folk

Hi, I'm one of the new folks, just signed up last night. I am not a freeper but I do read their board. I could tell my opinion would not be wanted over there. I'd love to engage in a dialog with some of the undecided folks, but I don't know where they hang out, so I will just come here.

I have no one to discuss politics with. I'm a registered Democrat, hubby's Republican, 1 son registered Democrat, the other Independent. We are all voting for Kerry and basically agree on everything. The extended families are solid rabid Republicans. We don't discuss with them. They just don't want to hear it.

I try to listen to the Conservative point of view, just to see where they're coming from, but rarely do I hear anything that makes any sense to me. Just more stuff about how horrible the Democrats are and how we're ruining the country. Gag.

I've read through a lot of posts here and I like that it seems to have a friendlier tone. Very little name calling and at least a teensy bit of respect for where the other side is coming from. It seems like a nice place.

[HuckleB]

3. Welcome!

So your hubby's voting for Kerry too, despite his party affiliation?

¡Salud!

:hi:

[5thGenDemocrat]

4. Hi footinmouth

It sounds like you'll fit right in here. Welcome to DU.
John
There are going to be foodfights here and you'll probably be in the middle of one soon enough. Don't take it personally (though we all do sometimes) and take from DU what you need to.
Again, welcome aboard.

[in_cog_ni_to]

5. Welcome to DU, footinmouth!

:hi: Nice to have you aboard!

[BillZBubb]

6. Well, welcome aboard!

Reasonable discussion is encouraged. You'll find that DU has a pretty wide range of viewpoints. It's diverse, but there is a very low tolerance for blind repetition of Republican talking points.

PS: you will find plenty of people here saying how bad Bush* is and how he is ruining the country. Of course, we'll back it up with facts. And name calling is verboten--a moderator will chastise any transgression. Use the "alert" at the lower left corner of a message to report anyone who argues unfairly. The moderator will check it out.

[footinmouth]

7. No problem

I have no problem with people saying how bad Bush is and mentioning the dismal job he is doing running the country. I have trouble when people seem to pigeonhole you into some general category where you don't necessarily belong.

Some examples:

You supported Bill Clinton, therefore you must be immoral.
Real story: married to the same man for 32 years, no cheating ever

You're a heathen, therefore you must be immoral.
Real story: see above

You just said something bad about President Bush. You are unamerican and probably committing treason.
Real story: We just won't even go there

That's the sort of talk I tire of, but believe me, I can hold my own in a food fight. I don't think I have full posting privileges yet, but I do have some topics for future discussion when I'm allowed to start a new topic.

[Longhorn]

8. Welcome!

I think you'll do fine here. I'm looking forward to more of your posts! :hi:

[SpaceCatMeetsMars]

10. I know what you mean about listening to different sides.

I used to know some older Republicans that I could discuss with, I used to always respect the traditional Republican point of view and even agreed with a few things. I agree with people that think the Bush family and a lot of radicals have high jacked their party. I think it is good to have all different kinds of ideas and philosophies acting as a check on each other, people arguing using reason and meeting in the middle. The Republicans I know now just say that they like Bush and liberals are bad and that's all they can come up with! It's like Bush is their religion, they don't care about reason or logic.

[footinmouth]

11. Different sides can be ok

Calamity Jane: I know what you mean about the traditional Republican point of view. I really think it's been hijacked. There are so many side issues going on, that I'm having a hard time even considering ever voting for one.

I have one brother-in-law who's about 15 years older than me and so far right that he's practically falling off the planet. The funny thing is, we're both respectful of our differences, know where to draw the line and we're able to find a common ground. We listen to each other and stick with simpler topics. I've gained some ground with him about things like unions and corporate dirty tricks. I know I have not changed his mind about voting for conservative republicans. I never will, but I think I've convinced him that I'm not evil and that my point of view on some stuff makes some sense.

The rest of the inlaws are hopeless. No give and take, just shouting and name calling, but it's funny that I'm able to discuss current events with the one who's the furthest to the right in the group.

[Hippo_Tron]

16. Welcome to DU, I read the other side's stances as well

I agree with absolutely none of it and don't really understand where most of them are coming from but I still read it.

[midwayer]

17. Hi footinmouth

Welcome and thanks for putting up with my rant last night..noticed your post, thanks for your input.

"I try to listen to the Conservative point of view, just to see where they're coming from, but rarely do I hear anything that makes any sense to me. Just more stuff about how horrible the Democrats are and how we're ruining the country. Gag."

Yep, you see where I'm coming from..get's frustrating...but we know that is the only ammo they have to work with. Every thing else is standing on a popcorn platform

Mid

[Must_B_Free]

18. Welcome

:hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi:

[LuLu550]

24. Welcome!

Hop on in, the discussion is fine...:hi:

[Booster]

49. Welcome, Foot.

I've been here awhile and it's a good place. Before I found DU, I was just angry, but now that I know I'm not the only one it's very comforting. Again, welcome; make yourself at home.

[luvgrrrl]

9. i heard about it at home

my mom said it was a realy stupid idea so i thought this has to bee good sicne shes a big chimp supporter. so far ther are lots of intersting thoughts and its really helping me to make up my mind come election day.

the only thing i dont get is someone saying birkenstocks and volvos are a sign of the left and thats what chimp-lover mom wears! the jokes on her!

[seabeyond]

12. birkenstocks and volvos .....jokes on her!that is funny luvgrrrl

cute

[SpaceCatMeetsMars]

13. So many silly stereotypes!

Some of those people on TV sound like they still think it's the Sixties.

[joanne]

14. Welcome to DU

:hi:

I can thank Buzzflash for finding DU.

[Warren DeMontague]

29. I Like Birkenstocks. And Volvos.

And the Grateful Dead.

So shoot me.
:hippie:

[GoneOffShore]

40. Welcome to DU

She'll stop wearing Birkenstocks when she finds out that they are a profit sharing company, more committed to their employees than to profits. Also remind her that her Volvo comes from Sweden, one of the more socialistic economies in Europe - And I don't mean that in a negative way - healthcare, good pensions, great public transport.

:toast:

[xcmt]

15. Heh..

I stumbled across the Top 10 Conservative Idiots link while perusing the pages of www.oreilly-sucks.com, which is basically mediamatters.org with added humor not already naturally found in anything Bill O'Reilly says.

After a few weeks, I decided to check out the forums here, though I was skeptical about the obvious partisanship. A read for a few days, then sent an e-mail to one of the DU admins about a few concerns I had re: removal of posts.

He (she?) responded, and eventually I reminded myself that censorship of conservatives isn't a big deal on a website created as a home for liberals (or Democrats, or progressives, or whatever you/we happen to be).

[madfloridian]

19. I think they have to have rules like that.

If I posted something at conservative sites that went against their ideology, I would have posts removed. I think it would be necessary.

There is a good mixture here, but the tolerance of what this administration has done is almost non-existent here.

[J Williams]

20. I'm a Newbie

I found out about DU from a friend, and since I'm a highly opinionated loudmouth, I thought I'd give it a whirl.

What I want to know, though, is how many posts do you have to have before you can start a thread. I've already posted almost a dozen times, but they still won't let me start a thread.

[salin]

21. Welcome to DU,

I am not sure what the number is - but it isn't too awfully high. Keep posting and trying - and you will get there.

[madfloridian]

22. I don't think there is a special number.

Usually it does not take long, but with the huge influx it might be a while.

Welcome to the world of opinionated loudmouths. :evilgrin:
You will be in good company. :hi:

[walldude]

42. I believe it was 25 posts before I could start a thread... eom

[VolcanoJen]

23. Hey, New Kids! There's a thread over in the DU Lounge, too...

... welcoming you, so be sure to pay it a visit. Ask questions, tell us about yourself, or just amuse yourself by watching us veteran DU gasbags do our best to say "Hi." :-)



Welcome to DU, everyone!

And, thanks for this thread, madfloridian. :D

[madfloridian]

26. I remember when we used to have a lot of the welcoming threads.

Maybe I just haven't noticed in a while. I remember NewYawker having one when I first arrived here in 2002. It meant a lot.

[VolcanoJen]

27. It definitely seemed like a good time to welcome some newbies!

I love these kinds of threads... it's fascinating to meet people from across the country, and world, through our shared beliefs and passions.

I always enjoy reading everyone's stories. :D

[ilovenicepeople]

55. HOWDY ALL!!

GOD told me about DU, he said "It's your best choice of forum's on the net(after Free Republic of course)":hi:

[chieftain]

25. My son

[sadiesworld]

37. Welcome to DU, Chieftain

:hi:

[chieftain]

47. Thank you . Its good to be here .

[lotusblossom]

28. New here too!

First post! I've been lurking for about three months. Just registered and thought I would say hello. I live in one of the few Repuke areas of Maryland and its nice to talk to like-minded Dems for a change.

Lotus :bounce:

[salin]

30. Welcome to DU, Lotus Blossom

:hi:

[Booster]

51. Welcome, Lotus Blossom.

Pull up a chair, it's going to be a bumpy ride til November, but we're gonna make it and we're going to win, unless they steal it. Then the fit's gonna hit the shan.

[VoteDemocratic2004]

31. Some of us might not have a huge post count

But, we have been here since the beginning.

People are coming back to DU because of the election and our drive to fight and put the bastards out of office is so strong that all of us can help each other.

:hi:

[Selwynn]

32. Not everyone who is new is a "freeper" we need to STOP doing that :)

This is not directed at MF, but just in general. I know tensions are high and I know there are far more disruptors right now than usual, but I've seen several times lately where guys who haven't deserved it have been lambasted because we are so on edge.

I really don't want to lose our ability to be an open inviting place because of the bad apples that try to disrupt it. If we let that happen, then they've really won some kind of victory in my opinion.

So I try to give new folks a nice welcome and the benefit of the doubt.

[madfloridian]

35. I don't think I even implied that, Selwynn.

It is just unusual to see so many at once. They usually hear about us on the news or on radio.

It is nice to know how they get the word.

[Selwynn]

48. Right, not you - you just made me think of that trend.

[madfloridian]

50. I know what you mean. We just assume, and we should not.

People are looking for a friendly place right about now. Heck, some days I do, too. :evilgrin:

[wovenpaint]

33. Thanks!

I stumbled on this site through "Anti-war.com" and I've been a "lurker" for almost 2 years. Was always too shy to post. There are so many great minds here! But this year-and you- have energized me and I'm happy to join in.
So, I'd like to take this opportunity to THANK YOU all for the great education you've helped me acquire. When I'd report "my" news and info to people, they would scoff at first, but be amazed when later it would prove to be true. Gee, I wasn't crazy after all...
I know it's done some good. My son's mind was changed (opened) by visiting here. My daughter has gotten politically active and has personally driven her friends to the town hall to register to vote! Also came to March for Women with me. They realize that the baton is being passed.
This site has helped me keep my sanity as I've felt that this country has seemed to spiral down, and down. Thank you for that, too.
Now, I'm beginning to feel optimistic again. My senator (who I feel I've grown up with)is running for president, gaining ground daily-I AM feeling hopeful!
DU and DUers are GREAT!

[mdmc]

34. welcome, I love this place

:kick:

[Cha]

36. Welcome all you newbies from me too, who was once a

a very shy little newbie herself, about 2 years ago.

And, is that "deadhead" cute or what?!:D

[MadMichDem]

38. Don't remember where I heard about DU

but am very happy I did!!  I've been lurking since about March
and love reading the posts.  All my news comes from DU now
because I can't stand all the crap on cable.  I enjoy getting
the news first and telling my Republican hubby about it and it
being on CNN or whatever the next day.  He's now voting for
Kerry and he hates what's happened to the Repub party.  Now
agrees the Iraq war was a big lie.  Almost got him talked into
changing parties! :)  Keep your fingers crossed!  

Thanks for being here for us.

[MadMichDem]

39. My text looks funny

Oops! Never mind!! Seems to work now.

[GoneOffShore]

41. Welcome to DU

MadMich.
Glad you could join us!

:hi:

[footinmouth]

46. Awww, let your hubby stay a Repub

My husband's in the same boat. He's almost embarrassed to say he's still registered as one, but it can be fun. You get the Republicans calling you and asking for money, so you get a chance to talk back. I know the people manning the phone banks aren't particularly interested when you tell them that GW sucks, but hey, it's good for a laugh. We live in the once great state of NY but he got a phone call the other night asking for money to relect Kathering Harris (gag) in Florida. He told him all of his donations are going to keep Chuck Shumer and Hillary Clinton in office. It was great fun. He's received some lovely dinner invitations too. For the mere price of $2,500 he can actually rub elbows with these folks. So, it does have it's advantages to stay in (even tho he's probably hanging his head in shame).

[GoneOffShore]

43. Whenever I talk politics

I mention DU and tell people to check it out.
I wouldn't want to take unwarranted credit for any newbies here, but if someone joined because I pointed them in this direction, I'd love to know.
So, if you're from Philadelphia and some white haired guy told you about DU, shout out.

:hi:

[jeffrey_X]

44. Long time lurker...

still don't post all that much.

[MadMichDem]

45. I tell lots of folks about DU

and have a DU bumper sticker on my car. Have had a couple people ask about it.

[Xenus Sister]

52. Thanks to Mortos

I don't know him, but I saw a link somewhere (I can't remember where now) to an article he wrote about how people are starting to wake up.

It was something I really needed to hear because I was so depressed.

I'd just seen Fahrenheit 9/11, which was the beginning of my political awareness. I've voted Democratic since Carter, but had never paid much attention to politics. I stopped watching television news in 1998 and was a "leave me alone, I don't want to hear it" whenever someone brought up politics. I was so disappointed with Clinton's Republican-lite presidency (I'll never forgive him for the DMCA), disappointed with Gore's wimpy campaign, disappointed with what happened in Florida, disappointed with everything to do with Bush. I wanted to close my ears and go "lalala I can't hear you" for years, because everything I was hearing was bad bad bad.

Thank you Michael Moore for waking me up!

Reading the article by Mortos was what brought me here, and I stayed because all of the information that flows through here. It's so fast it's hard to keep up. Important and interesting threads are gone within a flash, and I know I miss out on much of it. Still, I love this place!

[vetwife]

53. Some of us have big mouths...I am one. Be very afraid Wingers !

[Elwood P Dowd]

54. Keep giving 'em hell vetwife.

Harvey sez hello :hi:

[unslinkychild1]

56. BUZZFLASH

Via top 10 con idiots