How many DU "Oldies/Selection 2000 are left here? Are we a dwindling

[KoKo]

number...and how have you and I changed from when we first logged on after Skinner/Earl G. waved the banner? And was Elad there? If he wasn't he deserves a big hand for doing the "Tech Stuff" that complemented Skinner and Earl to bring this site onboard in those "early days of the internet.

This post is NOT to Praise them...but to Praise "US"...But, I wonder who is still here...and how have we changed from the first time we logged on to DU?

I've become much more "worldly wise" frome being on this site. Howard Zinn comes first into my mind...but I started out my political times with Ayn Rand...so I've come very far...since then. But...I'm a "Populist." Always will be a "Populist" and come from Southern Roots refined in the Northeast...which has tempered me. So...I question EVERYTHING! :shrug:

How many are still here? I suspect many "lurking."

[Thtwudbeme]

1. Still here after all these years!

dmr, Compsymp, Nothingshocksmeanymore, Indianagreen, SoCalDem, Catwoman, Enki, Neuvocat, WilliamPitt

Trying to think of more-

On Edit: AlienGirl, Crewleader (Oh my God, forgive me for not putting you first Crew!) Joanski, LydiaLeftcoast, DinoBoy, ThankfullyinBritain (I think)

[KoKo]

4. So many who are gone though...but maybe they deserved to be gone?

I don't know, really...probably they did. I do remember "Dems gotta' keep on truckin'..." from one of our "Tombstones" who really DID get outta hand..but his phrase stays in my mind always..because it got to me.
:shrug:

[Thtwudbeme]

7. I don't know, I see many names of folks that I miss

Starpass, CoralSea, Not_Over_It--

You know, we never heard what happened to OlafTheWhite...great guy...He posted that he had to have brain surgery, and then never came back.

Remember LevensonK? I loved her!

Stephanie

[KoKo]

13. Starpass and Coral Sea...yeah..maybe they are here under dif names?

I like to think that...morphing on and learning from what got them the "stones." :shrug:

[Lydia Leftcoast]

64. Coral Sea was not tombstoned

HIs profile is still there, unlike Starpass's.

My recollection is that Coral Sea and Not_Over_It went off into the sunset together and have not been seen here since.

[KoKo]

68. Thanks for the update. I didn't know about Starpass...but remember the

incident. I defended her over it..but at the time it seemed OTT to many and got picked up on sites that used it to their own purposes. I suspected it was a stone for her, but never heard that was true. Thanks.

[Ernesto]

93. coralsea rocks still, I'm sure

He or she was good to me when I showed up in early '01.

[ulysses]

15. I remember Olaf.

Always wondered, yeah. :/

[Blaukraut]

18. Back at ya!

Hey Stephanie! I'm still here, but mostly lurking now. I could not live through a day without DU, though :-)

[JanMichael]

23. Hi! This is Stephanie posting under Michael's name now!

Glad to see you! Koko will get a big kick out of you showing up on her thread!

Stephanie

Now, we need dmr to chime in---

[dmr]

28. When I go look at the old archived threads

and I see all the old names, I wonder how they are and if they're all ok in this world Bush* has destroyed.

Don't forget Kali and Whysayker.

Oh and we can't forget Lonster and OSD! LOL < ducking >

[JanMichael]

35. Oh, I remember Whyz!

You know, he and somebody else...can't remember who, were the first two DUers to meet offline-

Moosedog....

Lonester...oh my God...Texasleo?

Do you remember LiberalTexan? I thought she was so cute..wonder what happened to her.

RJ..if you are reading this thread...you know damn good and well you are remembered-

dmr--check your inbox-

Stephanie

[dmr]

41. oh boy more names from the past

Remember Bushwacker, or was it Bushwhacker?

LiberalTexan was in Florida, I think. Now that's a DUer I miss.

Also, we can't leave out Geniph or JohnnyYawl (I know I spelled his name wrong). There are so many.

I thought of RJ too, but she came later in the year. When I think of DU's growth, I think of it in stages. The first stage for me, is the first 3 or 4 months, when it was so new and very raw, and the private Underground was open.

DU found itself changing in May, 2001. Registration started to explode then. That's when the Dem-Green debates began.

[KoKo]

44. Yep....good nostalgia. Great to hear those names again, brings back old

times :D when we were young! ROFL! seems so long ago and many are STILL YOUNG!

[Blaukraut]

56. I still remember kef's 1000th post!

Now THAT was ages ago. lol
Remember the 'dirt forum'? It's where I got my education on the BFEE and all sorts of conspiracy theories. (most of which turned out to be true).
Too bad the tinfoil hat icon wasn't available yet at the time :evilgrin:

[KoKo]

67. Yes...Keph and the Byrd Arguments and TigerLilly and "TinFoil" Truth....

I think most of that foil will bloom even as crazy as we might have thought we were...lol's. It was good times...dark times, good times.

Long threads with DU'ers informing each other before there were so many liberal blogs and we were just "US" here trying to get the "truth out."

[KoKo]

71. Shall we mention "Carlos?" Many of us went through his life with him!

I hope he's well wherever he landed, but he was a DU Classic...from those times.

[KoKo]

78. And, PiperRay who was here when I came and is around these days

posting after an absence..An original..I believe.

[RogueTrooper]

126. IndianaGreen

who, i believe, is the longest active member. Her membership creation date is before even Skinners, I believe.

Why is another old skooler who is worth a mention too.

[Bandit]

138. Ah yes Carlos

I miss him although I rarely agreed with him. Was it Jacinto I can't remember his screen name now. Brain fart I guess, I like these sorts of posts. Nostalgia is good.

[Terran]

151. "Jiacinto"

I hope he got his life together.

[KoKo]

171. Kick

:kick:

[mike_c]

174. I recently recalled the number of times Carlos called me...

..."dispicable." Now that's a badge of honor if ever there was one!

on edit: as near as I can recall, I've been here since early 2001. The exact date is lost in the mists of DU #1.

[mark414]

2. does it count

if i've been here since the beginning but only started posting a few months ago?

[KoKo]

5. You are a "shy one" compared to folks like me who are "loud mouthed,

flame throwers." I do have much sense of humor about those of us who have these "problems?" :D

[frankly_fedup2]

3. I've been here since I saw their sign at the inauguration of King George.

I wasn't on everyday or anything, but I joined that day, and now I'm a monthly contributor.

For some reason, I still am not able to post anything under the right header. My stuff always gets moved. You'd think I would know where to post what by now.

[KoKo]

6. Those who do the "silent work" are often more important than the vocal

ones, though...and WE WERE ALL Dealing with and Handling what we knew WAS WRONG...in our own way..

The Lurkers and the Loud Mouths...:shrug: All together..silent or vocal?

[sweetladybug]

8. Hey folks I've been here since I saw the DU sign at the inauguration

of the selected President, so I'm a old timer here
ELECT KERRY/EDWARDS 2004!!!!

[frankly_fedup2]

110. YEAH . . . KERRY IN A LANDSLIDE (nt)

(nt)

[OneTwentyoNine]

9. My guess is many.....

I signed on to DU on or about that day in Dec 2000 when the SCOTUS appointed Chimp to the throne.

David

[SammyWinstonJack]

10. I've been here since Feb of 2001

It has been my life saver! Not sure where I would be now if not for DU! It has raised my political awareness! I faithfully went to Democrats.com and Buzzflash and Bartcop, now I am a DU addict! Spending way too much time here!

[KoKo]

11. BTW...before I leave this thread...I needed a "touch back" to those who

were in the "Trenches," way back when as sort of an "historical record" that there were folks here, when I came here, and it isn't all "ghosts."

I will leave the thread and see what turns up...but hoping there are many here...still here...and it's good to know you are there for "support." :hi:

[SteveG]

12. I'm still here - and read DU every day

I've been around since right after the selection. I don't post very much, but I'm here and plan to stay.

[never_get_over_it]

14. I probably started reading DU threads

in early March 2001 and joined in April - I sat out alot of the primary and pre-primary season because I wouldn't have been able to stand the in-fighting - but I'm back....truthfully the only way I think I've changed is that I HATE THIS ADMINISTRATION MORE THAN I THOUGHT POSSIBLE and can't wait until they are voted out in November.

[dmr]

31. LOL I remember when you joined

We all got confused over your name and 'NotOverIt', or NOI as we called her.

:)

[never_get_over_it]

177. Yep I remember that

I only wish that I hadn't put those darn underscores between the words lol! Didn't know I could get away without them.

[stewert]

16. Reporting For Duty..........

Still here after all these years, lol.

Wont it be great to post here after Bush loses, the server will probably crash.

[bpilgrim]

17. still a newbie

it's kept me out of theorpy, i think... not that that's a good thing ;->

summer 01 :hi:

peace

[Philostopher]

27. Been here since then, too.

Lurked for a month or so, signed on June of 2001. I've seen a couple of other posters also note they signed up summer '01 -- wonder what drew us in? I read something Pitt posted on a now-defunct site and I think I Googled him and wound up here.

[bpilgrim]

43. google

thank GORE he 'invented' the INTERNET :evilgrin:

i think we still qualify for the 10% crew ;->

:hi:

peace

[KoKo]

47. Me too, Billy! I lurked from April, but didn't join until late Summer of

01! :hi:

[KoKo]

51. Amazing how many "lurkers," have been here. The DU Foundation

and Funders..

:hi:

[bpilgrim]

61. hey koko1

GLAD YOUR STILL AROUND :hi:

peace

[bikebloke]

19. Still here

Not that anyone would notice, being an infrequent poster. I dropped by in the beginning, reading for 6 - 8 months before finally registering.

[hang a left]

20. I lurked here after that. Used to read bush watch everyday.

Came here from their links. However I didn't join until a year after that. I felt that I really didn't know much and could not contribute much, so I just mooched off everyone for quite some time.

[madfloridian]

21. Summer 02.

A lot of people from that time are no longer here either.

[psychopomp]

130. I came on around that time

Lurked for about four months and posted for the first time in the spring 2002, I think. Thank goodness for DU! So glad to share this space with all of you.

Peace, all.

[Jackpine Radical]

22. I made a brief appearance under another name

but have been here with this one since maybe spring or summer 2001.

[Mel]

24. here still

been here since I first saw the DU banner. Don't know for sure how long it took me to sign up but I was reading DU from the start.

[mopaul]

25. frank stein

my previous incarnation from wayback. i think around dec. of 01

[JanMichael]

26. No kidding??? YOU were Frank Stein?

This is still Stephanie posting under Michael's name btw..

Now I know why I liked Frank so much! ;)

[mopaul]

34. back then, i had igor's brain in my skull

mut i'b alrit noww

[JanMichael]

36. Thank God!

I was praying for you.

Steph

[madfloridian]

42. You were all right as Frank and as mopaul.

:hi:

You are all right.

[mopaul]

48. dammit you're alright too, and so's jan michael

dammit, we're all alright here dammit!

[madfloridian]

80. Yeh!

By any name we are all ok.

[SilasSoule]

87. I remember those late night flame wars between Indiana Green,

frank stein and Jiacinto. What ever happend to Carlos? Last I heard he moved to Florida then poof!! He's gone. Did he get tombstoned? Is he back under a new name?

I joined in May 2001, after being led here by a Bartcop link I rarely visit Bartcop these days}. I found Bartcop and liked the tone of it after my seething anger of the theft of the 2000 election.

And texasleo? Twice tombstoned? Did he ever return?

[tom_paine]

152. Hey Silas Soule! How's m'favorite Civil War Hero?

:hi:

Carlos got tombstoned a while ago for I don't know what.

I recently heard he can be found over at Daily Kos.

[Ameridansk]

181. Honestly, YOU were Frank Stein?

The Frank Stein who wrote long rants with poor punctuation? Some of those posts were fabulous. Have you been put on anti-depressants since then?

[proud patriot]

29. Well I was here by april 2001

:hi:

[bobd]

30. I Started Reading/Posting a Month or so Before 9/11

I've stopped posting over the last 6-9 months due to repeated flaming of my opinions (I'm quite pessimistic and I still think Bush will win - We the People are just too dense to make the necessary changes at this point in time). Oh boo hoo, right? Well, whatever.

If Kerry wins I'll be glad to eat the hugest pile of crow that can be mustered. God I hope he wins! I just don't think he will. I believe it'll take another 4 years of the neo-cons and a huge, painful cataclysm to finally turn this country around. I may not live to see what comes out the other end.

Double boo hoo, I guess.

Bob D.

[KoKo]

76. Well, we have to have hope even though some of us are so pessimistic.

Given what we've seen we have a right to think it will be four more years of hell, so you aren't alone..it's just too hard to think about that. :-( Keep thinking ahead beyond and fighting. Don't mean to give you a "pep talk." You don't need it..:D Just saying not everyone here thinks things are a "slam/dunk" either...just don't want to deal with it..

[Cush]

32. here since 2001

not sure of the exact date, but it was when Salon went over to their pay service. Someone there posted the link to DU as an alternative.

[Jax]

33. Came to DU after seeing the banner too

Saved my life that day. And many days since. "Inagrusham" was what we called it in our house that day. Then there came the DU founders and that banner...the only light at the end of the tunnel on that horrible rainy January day.

Probably take me ten years to get 1000 posts but I don't care. There is SO MUCH GOOD here to read and learn and copy and paste and e-mail and pass on about the slimy liars occupying the Oval Office every day.

Thank you all!!!! Even when I disagree with any of you, I love and truly appreciate the efforts so very many of you have and still continue to make here. I have learned so much and will continue to pass everything I learn here along to others.

Again, this place and all of you who put excellent efforts in every single day to show how truly despicable and all around corrupt these b*sh thugs are really do make a difference. :thumbsup:

Nice thread KoKo01.

Jax

[kentuck]

37. A lot of changes..

Peace all...

[Autumn]

38. Lurking

I found this place inauguration day. This place has kept me sane. I don't know what i would do without it.

[shugah]

39. been here for a long time

just never joined any of the cliques.

[KoKo]

70. Yeah...there are many of us like you...even loudmouths like me.....

:D Amazing you can be here and just go along without being "buddies" with anyone, but just read and post, or be silent and read and sometimes post. It all works out.

[City Lights]

40. Been here awhile.

I just do more reading than posting. DU has been my lifeline since the chimp took over.

[tnlefty]

153. Wow! You're describing me...read waaay more than I post. I'm in a red

state and a heavily repub area/county within TN and it has helped me keep my sanity that's for sure.

[vision]

45. been here since march 2001

I don't post much, I am usually busy working. Plus since December of last year it seems to me that the liberal voice is being drowned out a lot of the time. Of course I may just miss some of the threads.

I am going to vote for Kerry but recently "I would have voted to pass gay amendment in MO." and "Knowing what I know now I would have voted for the Iraq resolution" are not making me happy about it. DK was my choice and Kerry takes one step forward and two steps back in how I view him.

[depakid]

46. Even though people come and go

what impresses me the most is how DU's overall "character" and "personality" has managed to grow and yet remain the same. The things that originally brought me here in the spring of 2001 are still the things I like most about the site; the diversity of progressive thought, the occasionally "off the deep end" nuttiness and most of all, its members' experiences, recollections and recommendations.

For instance, I'd never heard of Mike Malloy or Guy James before I came here... and I'm not old enough to remember many of the things that others here do. There have been more than a few times when I've read something and woken up, smelled the coffee and seen things in a different light. That's so cool.

DU'rs-


:yourock:

[KoKo]

60. True...even in the darkest times...there was still something here...not to

be sentimental..but if you look all over here, you can still find the folks who give life to this site, when nothing else seems to be real.

[Skittles]

49. I lurked from the beginning and joined in August 2001

still crazy after all these years

[KoKo]

77. Valley of the Dolls.....

:D...

[Skittles]

105. OMG KOKO, LET ME KNOW WHEN IT'S ON TV

I HAVE TO WATCH THAT PIECE OF TRASH. :thumbsup:

[SoCalDem]

50. I'm still here

:hi:

[KoKo]

55. SoCal...we couldn't do without you...you've been a rock and a hoot with

your graphics that you are always surprising us with! The Gorilla...always my fav! :D and the C-Span reports...

[SoCalDem]

63. Just for you, my friend

..............................

[KoKo]

66. OMG....I'm loving it and he WINKS, now! You made my night!

:D....:hi:

[SoCalDem]

72. I modified him for you.. He's got a message now

:)

[KoKo]

74. He's the love of my life...and he's winking just at me, Koko...we could

hook up that guy and me...but maybe it's a girl...sheesh..whatever.

Thanks! :hi: and for adding the personal message...;-)'s

[kodi]

52. still here and still crazy after all these years

.

[greatauntoftriplets]

53. I started lurking in February of 2001.

Didn't join until October of that year. No computer at home at that time, reluctant to post too much at work.

Here's to us all :toast:

And I do remember lonster and OSD, coralsea and not_over_it. Okay, a couple of those fondly, LOL.

[KG]

54. since nov. 01

don't post as much anymore since most of the leftys, um, left and everybody else seems to have drank the kool-aid.

jeez, this used to be such a radical place, too. :(

[greatauntoftriplets]

57. Kool-aid makes me want to...

:puke:

I'm still here.

[bpilgrim]

85. greatauntoftriplets

it's always good to see you :loveya:

peace

[greatauntoftriplets]

122. Great to see you, too, bpilgrim!!!

:loveya: right back.

[bpilgrim]

82. KG in the HOUSE

sup KG :beer:

i ALWAYS click on your posts :loveya:

peace

[KG]

106. a shout out to my man, bpilgrim

:hi:

[Bat Boy]

94. Early 2002

I joined to try and understand what the hell Susang was all agitated about.

[Pithlet]

58. Still here.

And still just as pissed off. But, I suspect that after November, DU will exist under a Democratic administration for the first time.

[TrogL]

59. Still here - still barking mad

[Lydia Leftcoast]

62. Late February or early March, 2001

I've seen the moosedogs post occasionally, and Cici the Pyschobunny even showed up a few weeks ago.

By the way, there's another Kali posting here now, but she doesn't seem to be the same person as the old Kali of "the Dirt" fame.

[KoKo]

83. CiCi Psychobunny is back! Australia was it? New Zealand! Back?

:D...she was a trip.

[geniph]

155. CiCi was a Kiwi

and our very favorite one, too.

[w4rma]

65. I've been here since mid-2001. (nt)

[bvar22]

69. Feb. 2001

remember the "Underground" Underground?

remember when threads stayed on the front page of GD for days?

I seldom post these days, but usually check in everyday. LBN is now my Primary source for news; John Stewart second.

[KoKo]

73. When I got here, it was about five posts that stayed for a week...it's

hard to imagine. And the fights that went on when the posts got up to 20 or so and newbies came on board....Nader/Greens and the other stuff after that.

We have gotten tamer lately...:D

[Kukesa]

75. Kick! I'm a newbie, but

this is SUCH fun to read!

Keep the faith, oldtimers.

[KoKo]

79. And, I'll add "kskiska" who has been here and posts NYT's and WaPo

early online editions every night in "LBN or Editorial" Forums. She's over there now. Always gave and still gives us the latest scoop since around when I joined, but never goes to the other Forums and won't post here. Our resident DU newshound for the 11:30p.m. (est) news junkies, now and back in the days when there was not much that we could find to report about that talked about what we needed to know. It was slim pickings in those days.

Now there's lots...but back then it was like combing the internet to find one relevant article to what we were all going through after the stolen election, Bush's usurption and then 9/11 and what has followed.

[kskiska]

90. Gee, thanks, KoKo

I post 'em when they first come out and they're mostly gone by morning. I'm a night owl, though, and sometimes there's a really big scoop in the wee hours that most people don't know about till the next day.

[madfloridian]

81. What about these folks?

Barney Gumble, ShakeyDave, johnhorne

They might still be around. johnhorne was from UK, ShakeyDave from Florida, and wasn't Barney Gumble part of Penn and Teller?

I have not seen any of them in a while. johnhorne's old email doesn't work anymore.

[KoKo]

88. There's a j.horne that posts...don't know if it's the same, but I wondered

if it was the same. Think I saw Barney Gumble some months ago, but not recently.

[madfloridian]

92. johnhorne had the most fantastic research.

I miss it. The archives aren't reachable right now, but he had some stuff about Northern Iraq, Turkey, and a dam, and it was chilling. Nothing we would ever see in our media.

[greatauntoftriplets]

163. About 1 1/2 years ago, John Horne was starting a graduate degree...

...said he would not have time to post.

[FlaGranny]

84. I've been here since the start, or

very shortly thereafter. I don't post much because it seems someone is always ready and anxious to "misunderstand." I mostly just read the interesting posts and Latest Breaking. I used to post under a different name, but I probably have less than 7000 posts total in 3-1/2 years. I have little interest in getting into "p*ssing" contests so I mostly just try to keep quiet. The place has certainly changed. A lot of very good people are no longer around (chased away by p*ssing contests?), but replaced by other good people. Many times I have taken 10 or 15 minutes to respond to a post. I re-read it and wind up deleting it. I do find that sometimes people here can be much too reactionary for me, but nevertheless, I rarely miss a day visiting DU. It's my main source of information.

[bpilgrim]

86. ah the the posts lost to the ethernet

having more of those myself ;->

this is my main source for news and community as well :hi:

peace

[FlaGranny]

142. I just wanted to add that

when I use the term reactionary, I do not mean it in the political sense in which it is normally used. I mean it in the sense of people "over" reacting or just having a hair-trigger reaction button.

[kskiska]

89. I saw the banner, too

and logged on. I'm still here, through ups and downs. There were times it seemed absolutely hopeless, but things are looking up considerably. I can't say, though, what will happen if we lose this one. I'm no spring chicken.

[bpilgrim]

91. kskiska i remember YOU

;->

yeah, i can't even imagine what i'm gonna do if the neoCONs get in again :crazy:

:hi:

peace

[kskiska]

104. I've seen you around a lot, too, bpilgrim

and I remember all those late nights where sometimes Keph, Capurr, and I would all post the same story at the same time.

I don't know if I can survive another day like The Idiot's Coronation Day. I was so depressed watching that scene in the pouring rain (very fitting), when he dared not get out of the limo.

Then the banner floated by, and since I was at my old Mac, I typed in the URL, and the rest is history. The site was crawling with FreeprRoaches, though.

[Don_G]

95. Been here since 2001

Some of the old people that are gone deserved to be tombstoned others didn't. A few of the newer members don't know what an ignore button is and they get a group together to get older members banned.One of the banned demorcrats is running loose on here again and she should be caught soon she doesn't deserve to be on here.

[progressivebydesign]

96. Still here... found DU in the middle of the storm!

I found DU just when I thought there was no real outlet for my anger over the recounts. I'm nearing 5,000 posts, which probably STILL makes me a lightweight amongst some others who came aboard around the innauguration from hell.

[puerco-bellies]

97. Still here but was posting at that time as Denbot

[DemBones DemBones]

98. I lurked for a long time

before I started posting but I started reading DU in January or February 2001, so I remember Lonster, Kali, et al.

Did anyone mention SFFreeways? And what about Psychoblues?

Bet we could come up with a long list if we went back and looked through some of the "Vote for X" posts during the primaries. A lot of people came and went then. Lots of new people lately, too.

[Gloria]

99. Still here....

eom

[neuvocat]

100. Geez.

I can't believe all the names I've just seen here. I'm in a time warp.

Hey everyone.

:waves:

[WillyT]

101. Found This Place Through An Article In Salon !!!

Was laid-off of my 'career path' job a month after 9\11, and with it taking me 14 months to find a new job, I had plenty of time to cruise the web.

Lurked for a month or two, then jumped on in. Somewhere around the holidays 2001\2002. I think...

First PM was from StarPass. First DUer I met face to face was Proud Patriot. And Carlos was.... always good for a groan, LOL!!!

This place, and you all, have steered my insanity in a more positive and productive direction. And... I love y'all for it!

:grouphug::hi::loveya::hi::grouphug:

[loudsue]

102. I'm still here, too, KoKo01, my friend -- and N.C. neighbor!!!

My "profile" says I've been here since 2002.....but I was here WAY before then. I don't remember the date, zzactly, but there were only something like 2,500 members. I remember the feeling of empowerment I got, for our cause, when we were approaching 8,000 members. I had these rushes of optimism and brotherhood/sisterhood, and tremendous admiration for the level of discourse our members exhibited. That sense of community and admiration still serve my DU addiction. I sometimes remember threads in my sleep. <ok....I'm weird!>

I know a lot of people will remember Ewing....hot blooded though he might have been, he worked at the U.N., and had incredible insight. :pals:

One of my all time favorites is Scarletwoman. She's still around, but doesn't post as often as she used to. :cry:

And none of us oldies can forget Carlos (Jacinto), no matter how hard some of us try. He signed up on FreeRepublic, according to some posts I saw on DU not long ago, and he had started mocking DUers about how he used to get us all so flaming mad at him. He's been back here posting on occasion....doing the usual.

But all in all, there are so many regular posters here that I look forward to 'seeing' every day when I log on....and I log on ALMOST every day. Where else can you get NEWS and research like this?? :hi:

I love watching the newbies come aboard, and watching their excitement and relief, that most of us feel when we FINALLY arrive! And I love hating the freeper disruptors, as well as "watching" and exposing the intentional (and often professional) saboteurs.

Remember the time we all chipped in and filled Robert Byrd's office with flowers?? We've done some crazy stuff!! Remember when Khephra used to do the CSPAN threads every day while congress was still in the process of destroying the constitution?

And we've only just begun!!

:kick::kick::kick:

[WinterStorm]

103. I started out as CHICAGODEMOCRAT

I lost my password :argh: to my old name and I no longer have the same internet provider. I almost had a nervous breakdown from the stolen election and I was told to ignore politics for a while and it's been 2 years :grouphug:.

I worked on Gores campaign in Chicago and it drove me up a wall after Bush was placed into office :argh:.

When I joined there wasn't that many people :shrug:.

I joined the day that I heard Skinner on C-Span and someone went nuts on me and said that I had stolen their name ChicagoDemocrat :wtf:. I can't forget that incident :toast:.

:hi:

[0007]

107. I'm alway suspicious of the pompous of those that are always taking

snapshots of the past while hiding their own transparency.

[Q]

108. Wow. How...cryptic.

- Q is still around but posting less as the former party of the people turns corporate.

- It's been an interesting ride...

[0007]

111. ....Wow!.... it not that esoteric!

[Q]

114. Good morning, 0 007

- Just wondering what you meant...but it's not that important and it's too early to worry about motivations.

- Cheers.

[Ameridansk]

116. A note of appreciation for you, Q

I think you know that you went through a major change in political view since you began posting here. If I remember correctly, you have said as much.

But anyway, you went from one of my least favorite posters to one of the posters who give me the most hope. You've been accused of being one of the most depressing and disheartening, but I know you understand.

When nearly everyone is hopelessly confused, worthlessly entertained, or painfully naive, reading your posts show me that someone who didn't get it, eventually did and does.

You might not consider that a compliment, and the feelings might not be reciprocated, but all I can be is honest.

Cheers
:toast:

[Q]

121. Thank you for your kind words...

...and now I'll ramble on for a minute or two if that's okay...

- I visited DU right after the 2000 nightmare. After removing myself from a liberal board that had been taken over by fanatical RWingers...DU was a breath of fresh air. DUers had one thing in common after 2000...all of us knew that something was horribly wrong with a government that 'allowed' an election to be stolen in broad daylight.

- Coming from eight years of defending Clinton/Gore against witch hunts and inquisitions...I was a staunch, knee-jerk defender of all things Democratic party. But as 2000 grew into 2001, 2002, 2003 and Gore was exiled as the DLC took control of the party...I finally understood that we were facing the same situation the Republican party faced in the 80s and 90s.

- Just as 'real' conservatives were pushed out of the GOP by RWing zealots and fanatics...Progressives and Liberals were being attacked and marginalized by both the RWingers AND the right wing of the Democratic party. We were assured that this was being done because the antiquated 'new deal' and 'great society' had to be replaced with 'corporate friendly' platforms and policies.

- The RWing corporate-owned and controlled American media insists that America has turned CONSERVATIVE. But I don't believe it for a second. A vast majority of Americans STILL believe in the things the 'old' Democratic party believed...but their voice has been taken from them by the same government and media that smeared Gore and helped install Bush* into office.

- I hold no illusions about Kerry...he'll continue in Clinton's footsteps...conceding ground to the RWingers in the guise of 'reform'. But I'm not as sure as you seem to be about his ability to win. Bush* will use war, fear and terrorism to keep the right's party faithful in line. And contrary to what the DLC political wizards say...there is no 'middle ground' to be won...leaving Kerry with the Anybody But Bush* vote. Will that be enough to pull off a win in Scared America? I doubt it.

- Democrats won't find themselves in the majority again until they stop pandering to the Right and start fighting for the people and their Constitution.

- Take care and stay well.

[Ameridansk]

133. That's the thing. . .

"ability to win" makes no difference when the election is fake.

The fact is, the election of 2004 CANNOT be real. Plans are laid, that must come to fruition. There can be no chance of a person on the outside coming in and changing things.

While I was not a big fan of Gore, he was on the outside. Under Gore, the War on Terror and the PATRIOT act might not have happened, or at least not as smoothly.

Kerry, on the other hand, is in the loop. He has the ability to continue everything the Establishment wants continued, while at the same time, improving America's image. Kerry, like Clinton, can give great liberal sounding speeches without actually accomplishing anything liberal, and furthering the Establishment agenda on the sly.

As you have said, America is NOT conservative. And the one thing the Establishment fears is real unrest. With Bush, the honeymoon is over. There were a lot of people in 2000 who thought Bush MIGHT be a good President. That is clearly over. People are lining up against him. If Bush takes us to war again, there is going to be trouble. But if Kerry does it, it's like starting fresh, and loads of people on this website, for example, will support the war.

Kerry will help Blair gain face as well. If a Democratic president and a Labor PM agree on a war, a lot of "liberals" will say its a good war.

Hell, the primaries happened just the way I said they would. The closest thing to an Anti-war candidate (Dean) will be the most truly popular, but Kerry will win Iowa and NH as a surprise. To illustrate the point:

<SNIP>
With the final votes tallied, Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry emerged victorious, surprising many who considered either Howard Dean or Richard Gephardt to be the frontrunners as recently as last week.
<SNIP>
http://www.dailytargum.com/news/2004/01/20/PageOne/Kerry.Wins.Iowa.Caucus-583221.shtml

<SNIP>
But the Massachusetts senator — the surprise winner of Monday's opening caucuses in Iowa — and the man he upended, former Vermont governor Howard Dean, each proclaimed himself the "underdog" in this first primary state.
<SNIP>
http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/nation/president/2004-01-19-iowa-caucuses_x.htm

<SNIP>
Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts won the Iowa Democratic presidential caucuses Monday night, completing an improbable charge in the final days of the first important test of the campaign season.
<SNIP>
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/3999491/

Of course, anyone who wins Iowa as a surprise, cannot be a surpise in NH. The race was over right from the start, and NOBODY would suspect the Democratic party of falsifying the results of their own primary. But this way, War is not a topic of discussion in debate. Even though a majority of Americans were against the war, and ARE against the war, that cannot be made an issue in this pageant we call an election.

Bush wants out. Kerry is in.

[laylah]

109. Still hangin' in here...

although a bit tired and disillusioned...we've taken such a spiritual beating these last 3 years...however, I DO see the light at the end of the tunnel...:grouphug:

Jenn

[RogueTrooper]

112. Still here

since april 01

[St. Jarvitude]

113. I've been here since about Jun 2001

So, I'm pretty close. I found DU via a Slashdot comment. The comment linked to a posting here by someone (OhioDem?? was their name, I think. Something with Ohio in it) detailing their abuse at the hands of SS thugs while protesting at a graduation ceremony.

I'm not quite ancient enough (in DU member age ;)) to have experienced Selection 2000 with y'all.

[Ameridansk]

115. I've been here since March of 2001. . .

But I still don't have more than 1000 posts. Why? (I know, ya'll didn't ask).

I came here because I knew after 2000 that democracy was dead in the U.S.(it was actually dead before that, but we finally had proof) When I got here, damn near everyone at DU seemed to understand that.

But now, it seems everyone thinks that saving the country will come with voting. As if the Establishment will ever let go of power they gained in 1980. People here think that John Kerry will save the day.

Wish the old "Counter-productive In-fighting Forum" was archived. I guaranteed back then that Kerry would be the next Democratic nominee and in fact, the next president.

People don't really understand who runs things and that their interests cross party lines. Sure, their interests generally coincide with republicans, but if you think the Establishment really wants to outlaw abortion, you're wrong. If you think the Establishment is against homosexuality, explain J. Edgar Hoover.

The Establishment wants war and "free" trade. They also want laws that will allow them to prevent any type of revolution, i.e. the PATRIOT Act. John Kerry will give them all of those things. Actually, he will give himself all those things, as Kerry is as Establishment as they come. He just won't sound as stupid as Bush, be as belligerent, or take as much time off.

But he will be President. Don't you worry. It will be close, and the Democrats won't control Congress, but he'll take the office, and ya'll will rejoice.

Even when we have the "terrorist attack" that many think will be used to keep Bush in the office he doesn't want, Kerry will still "pull out" the victory.

Kerry will be about as progressive as Clinton, by slashing spending like conservatives were always known to do. He will talk about universal health care, and be about as effective in producing it as the Clintons (you do remember don't you that Democrats controlled both houses of congress and the oval office from 1993-the beginning of 1995).

Well that was enough ranting. I know very few will take the time to read this rant or ever agree.

Besides, I'm lucky enough to be able to watch this from afar. I've been offered a job in my favorite country, an non-English-speaking country (actually nearly everyone speaks English but I don't need them to) that will ask me to pay a lot of taxes, and provide me with both universal health care and one of the highest standards of living in the world.

:-)

edit: spelling boo-boo

[greatauntoftriplets]

164. great post.

:toast:

[latebloomer]

170. I read it!!

and it was a pleasure!!

Post more-- i like your POV!

[G_j]

117. since a few weeks after 9-11

it was quite a relief to find a place where people were honestly voicing their concerns about the future of this country and the world under Bush. DU has also always been the place to get good solid information.

[Maeve]

118. I started reading the articles in the summer of 2001

But shied away from the forums because I'd been burnt in "discussions" before. I came to DU on 9/11 because I needed to hear from people, not just the repeats on the tv news--and then signed on in October. Spent most of my time in the Lounge with SoCal, newyawker, LiberalTexan, bain sidhe, orangepeel, Crewleader, radfringe...the high percentage of female DUers was one of the things that made this place "safe" for a non-warrior poster!
Of course, there was khephra, Will Pitt, kentuck, ZombyWoof, lazarus, ZenLefty..oh, shoot! Too many to name at this time in the morning after only one cup of coffee!

A toast to all who share this stroll down memory lane and a second to absent friends! :toast::toast:

[newyawker99]

183. Newyawker99.....here since May 2001.

Hey Maeve! Thanks for those Lounge
memories. There are still a few of
us old geezers around. I am happy
to see some names that have been
missing for a while.

:hi:

[Scout]

119. me, me, I'm still here!

I lurk and read a lot more than I post ... I forward articles and links to threads to my "No Shrub" mailing list. I buy and read some of the books recommended. I've got my sister hooked on DU now too!

[Name removed]

120. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[chefgirl]

149. I totally agree Don_G

I talked to Corarose every chance I got. I liked her very much, issues and all, lol.
It was just apparent that she was a very caring person, and her biggest fault, I guess, was that she came here hoping for the same from her fellow DUers.
I'm fairly sure I know who the 4 posters you spoke of are, and I just wanted to be another voice speaking up for Corarose.

Whats for sure is that those 4 know who they are and they should be ashamed for everytime they've done that to someone. Corarose wasn't the first and, sadly, she wont be the last.

On topic.... I've been here since inauguration day myself. I see many names in this thread that I recognize and some I had even forgotten about.
Every single one of us has contributed, for good or bad, to what DU is today, and I still have to say I'm eternally grateful for this place and the people here.
That banner rising above the crowd on that cold, rainy day was like a light in a long, dark tunnel. I was so overcome with fear that day I almost couldn't speak; fear of what that illegitimate election result meant, fear of what else they might be able to get away with and fear that I might be the only one who felt that way.

Then I saw that banner!!!

I logged on and registered immediately, and have been here every single day since.
I'm certainly not the most prolific poster, nor the most prescient, but I just might be, arguably, the most grateful.

Thank you all, especially Skinner and EarlG!!


-chef-

[Don_G]

159. She changed her name from Ladydemocrat to Corarose

She forgot her password and she moved and she didn't have the same Internet service any longer. She sort of had a breakdown from the Pm's that they sent her. Most of them told her that she would never become a chef because you have to take a extensive test and it takes years. She was followed from thread to thread by a person that shouldn't be on here right now herself for what she has done to other people. I fell in love with her because she was needy and a real person. You and Corarose has something in common you are both Chefs and one person that attacked her is now giving advice on cooking tips.
I think that a few people that have been banned all deserve another chance and that DU could use their help during this election. Some of the attackers on here don't contribute one dime to DU and they don't help out the cause that all of us old timers are fighting for the election of Kerry.
We should all ask Skinner to allow some of the old DU members like Corarose who didn't make any trouble on here to come back. If people don't like them they can hit the ignore key and carry on with their group of people that attack other members and new members.

Can we all ask Skinner for a day of forgiveness for the people that might have offended a few members on here so that they can come back and help us with the fight.
Corarose was one of the members that organized handing out flyer's. She offered more then the attackers on this board has offered in the time that they have been here.

I know that she liked you Chefgirl thank you for saying something nice about her she has a heart bigger then Chicago.

[heidiho]

123. Still here - it was my lifeline then as it is now

The only place I could really turn after the devastating stealing of an American election. Found soulmates here and still do.

[WilliamPitt]

124. Present

[LiberalSam]

125. After lurking for a while...

I finally decided to join. I hope my experience here is long-lasting! :)

[ignatius 2]

127. I have a new name, Ignatius2, but I am really Ignatius, and have

been here since 7-01, however I find myself not posting as much, but I certainly try to read each and every day.

What I find is that many of the topics that are oh so fresh to many are topics we researched and discussed 2 years ago.

I am delighted that new faces are reading and seeing the truth of this corrupt administration and hopefully will add renewed passion and strenght to the outing of the BFEE.

[ProfessorGAC]

128. Here Since Early February 2001

Does that count? Or, did you mean the first month or something?
The Professor

[opihimoimoi]

136. Hubert Flottz and I showed up here late summer of 01

We were Crew Members of Treb Units in the Pub Wars...on the DNC board.
I haven't seen Flottz in 2 weeks ir so...I guess he doing some Summer fishin.

Crewleader welcomed us aboard...she still here and dodgong hurricames at the moment.

Moubtainman is another old timer from the DNC board who made it here.

I think about 5 or 6 did.

But the DU is a BLESSING for AMERICA. If victorious this Nov, This place will have helped saved the Nation from the dregs of Pubism.

Come, we go Luau at Opi's

JM, midori, ramsey are other names I recall not mentioned

[geniph]

156. You sure did, with spears pointed in the right direction

from the very beginning! :D

[opihimoimoi]

157. Yup, you remember....spears pointed OUT, not IN.....

----------------------------))>>>>>.........{ouch!}

[catmandu57]

129. I am the invisible man

Been here since sept./Oct 2001, and I believe the longest one of my post was a religious flame war. I still get nervous when I get a pm wondering what I've done now.
I'm still waiting for the fbi to kick our door in early some morning and drag me away for my political views. DU has been a lifesaver, I read more these days, it's gotten so crowded, but, change and growth are good.

[tom_paine]

131. tom_paine reporting for duty, SIR!

Started lurking in late March 2001. Got here by Googling "Bush stole the election".

Lurked for a month, then joined the board!

FREE SPEECH: I DECIDED TO USE IT WHILE WE STILL HAVE IT

Sometimes that means my rhetoric is harsh and sometimes over-the-top.

But the point is for the first time in our lives such thoughts are NOT beyond the pale. Even worse it's quite the opposite. Very believable

And for the thousandth time I hope my hyperbole is wrong and that this is just another ho-hum swing of the pendulum.

[dpbrown]

132. I was on the Capitol steps protesting in Nov., 2000

And I found DU through the regional DU Yahoo Groups that were set up. We were using those groups to organize protests in the Minneapolis and Chicago areas in the "Midwest" DU group.

So I've been around for just about the whole time, if not the whole time.

Dan Brown
Saint Paul, Minnesota

[Terran]

134. Does August '01 count?

I feel like one of the oldsters, but then I wasn't here right from the beginning. I've had my ups and downs with DU (I probably lost a job because some freeper saw my posts, back in August '02, for which I'm now grateful to whoever that bastard was), but I'm still here and looking forward 11/2/04!

[KoKo]

166. Yep...cause I remember you and Paschall...do you remember.?

It's hard to believe all this time has passed...a "blip."

[Jack The Tab]

135. I joined right after the selection, linking from Bartcop I believe...

I've not been a prolific poster, but I consider DU to be my primary source for breaking news.

It's my own CNN.

[Ugnmoose]

137. Still here and still madder than hell!

However, maybe I am just a cock-eyed optimist but I feel like we are about to get our retribution. At least let's all hope so!

[Aristus]

139. Still here. Started lurking March, 2001. Posting since September, 2001.

I love you all. :hi::party:

[Le Taz Hot]

140. Been here since

November 2001. I don't post much anymore. The flamewars during the primaries REALLY sickened me. I still read LBN, though.

[shanti]

143. i've been here about the same time

as yourself...don't know what i'd do without DU!

[Mandate My Ass]

168. You sure don't!!

I was looking and looking for you to no avail.

Glad you're still lurking.

I have to give a shout to some other people I miss:

RichM, catpower2000, warrenpease, fromsmalltownamerica and Tigerlily to name a few. Great Duers.

[alphafemale]

141. I remember the early "Selection 2000" days. I'm not a prolic poster tho.

But this is a great source of information, humor and hope.

[Cleita]

144. A couple of old time DUers not seen in a long time:

protectfreedomimpeachbushnow and texasleo.

Anyone know about them?

[KoKo]

158. haven't seen texasleo...think he got "stoned" a couple of times and that

was it. I think "protectfreedomimpeachbushnow" was here during the Primaries a few times.

[VelmaD]

145. I'm still here...

though I have taken the occasional break.

I'm a very different person from when I started posting here in the SPring of 2001. My life has taken huge twists and turns and despite everything that has happened in the world I'm actually a much happier person (due to changes in my personal life). And I'm certainly a more active and committed person than when this thing started. :)

[dionysus]

146. Still here

although I lurked for a year before posting, and still haven't gotten to 1000 posts yet. The primary battles made me want to post less

[Owsley]

147. Late 2000, early 2001...

...was about when I started lurking/registered...just don't post much. Usually someone else posts what I was thinking, only they do it much better than I could have.

Owsley

[talkinghand]

148. Feb 2001 here

I used to post like crazy (well, I thought it was crazy!) in the first year or so I was here...

I've been honored to have several of my articles up on the site (Google "eddie ruff" and you can still find them!) --

I got here through o-reillysucks.com (sp?) -- the 2000 election really fired me up for politics, which was only fitting since I was a Poli Sci major. I graduated CSUB in 2001 (finally got my paper diploma this year -- it's a long story)...

I still peruse the DU site routinely, but I rarely log in and almost never post anymore. I submit a new article every few months -- about half get "printed."

I don't know what I'd do without DU.

I've been real into the GLP (godlikeproductions.com) forum this summer -- it's a blast over there with all the conspiracy theories.

Well, see ya next time I surf on over, and maybe if I post you'll see me!

[David Zephyr]

150. Still Crazy After All These Years.

Still here.

[geniph]

154. I'm still here: I date from March of 2001

My first article was posted in April 2001, my first forum posting was in mid-March. I'd been reading the Top Ten Conservative Idiots since February.

[realFedUp]

160. I feel old

but only my fingertips know fer sure....

[Stuckinthebush]

161. Still here, still pissed

I came here soon after the selection and have had DU pegged as my home page since then. It is the first thing I look at in the morning and the last thing at night.

Although I only have 4000 posts, I have been around since the beginning and am proud to say that DU is my home.

[Ediacara]

162. I wasn't hear in the *very* first days

But I started lurking in Feb 2001, and started posting I think in June 2001.

[WinterStorm]

165. TheZoo and Camero?

:shrug:

[enki23]

167. quite a few of us still around

.

[KoKo]

175. Yes...amazing...how did we survive? I don't want to know..really, but

glad to see folks here for a "nostalgia" post. It's important that we keep up the fight, and remember those who fought the initial battles...maybe some "purple hearts or silver stars" would be in order for those here...not me..but the others. :shrug:

[ulysses]

178. it's EarlG's canapés, I'm telling you.

:hi:

[NashVegas]

169. Spring 2001

And I'm much fiestier than I was then, though I've still no patience for long debates.

[VolcanoJen]

172. I'm an original. Still here, still pissed off, and ready to kick Bush Ass!

:hi:

[BlueCollar]

173. I think I remember that far back

I've slept since then...is it possible to figure out when one joined?

[yellowdog]

176. I joined 4 or 5 months after DU started

and I am still here every day. As you can see by the number of posts, still not a big talker.

[KoKo]

179. Has everyone checked in, here?

:kick:

[WhoDoYouTrust]

180. I'm always late!

The coup of 2000 awakened me out of my slumber. I've been here since January of 2001. Don't remember how I found my way here, but it's been my sanity every since.

Not much into posting, just reading and spreading "the word" verbally. Keep up the good work, KoKo! I enjoy reading your posts very much.

Judy

[Pallas180]

189. Nope, I remember Salin was here at same time we were

I'm teerrible on names but there are lots of others still on who
haven't checked in.

[Don_G]

182. DU is my refuge and lifeline

A lot's happened since I joined DU. I lost my Mom, meet another DU member that I fell in love with and I broke the relationship off because her housekeeping skills were not up to my standards. I am now concentrating on meeting other Du members and helping to get Kerry elected.

[billyskank]

184. Lurked and joined in 2001

not the beginning, but I guess that makes me an old hand.

[noiretextatique]

185. i can't remember the month i signed on

but i remember i found DU from a buzzflash link in 2001.

[Swamp Rat]

186. I started lurking Fall of 2001 but didn't register/post until this year

... then I had to open my big mouth.:wow:

For me, it's been like three years of graduate school in poli-sci, ethics, constitutional law, and recent American history. Now that I am posting, I am learning how to type on something without ebony keys! As well, I've come to rely on DU (and the "oldtimers") to give me compressed news fast, which really helps when travelling abroad.

DU is a mini-revolution of the mind and 'free will' within the context of a larger revolution happening right now on the Internet. It feels wonderful to be a small part, one more voice in the wilderness.

I love DU! :grouphug:

[TheRovingGourmet]

187. Is there a place to see if some old-timers are still active or

if they have been banned, and maybe why, if they were banned.

[Pallas180]

188. Hi Koko...been here since before they had rules...LOL.

:toast: