A Sincere Tribute To DUers Who Kept US Sane During the Bush Era. Will Pitt For One. Add Others!

[sabrina 1]

You had to be there, I suppose, those awful years when the Bush War Criminals, after grabbing power with the help of the Supreme Court.

The Media was unbearable to watch. Cheney, Rice, Rummy et al lying to the American people with not a single one of our so-called 'journalists' with the courage, or will to challenge them.

I know that many people stopped watching the Corporate Media during that time, and turned to the Internet instead to try to find some truth about what was really going on in this country.

When I found Liberal Forums, like DU at the time, it was like finding an oasis in the desert.

I thought I was the only one for a while who KNEW they were lying.

So to find people like William Pitt on DU saying publicly what many of us wanted to say, was, to say the least, like being rescued from a horrible nightmare.

He took a lot of abuse from the RIGHT for his public stand against the crimes of the Bush Administration.

Still does actually!

Not many people wanted to put themselves in that position at that time.

He went to War Protests and reported back to us what he saw and it gave us hope, not that we could STOP the War Criminals, but that there were GOOD PEOPLE, a lot of them, in this country who were not on board with the 'program'. Something you did not know if all you had was the Corporate Media.

There were many others, but WP stands out to me from those days because his writing was compelling, impassioned and it was so badly needed.

I just found out that Will may be leaving DU.

It will be our loss if he does, but I understand.

He has a wider audience now than he had when we first came to know him.

But selfishly I hope he changes his mind.

I also remember the relief that there WAS a Forum like DU where I read for a while before signing up, and laughed at the humor of many of those DUers who mocked Bush, Fox, Freepers et al.

I hadn't seen too much of that until then. And I felt better. The Right wasn't totally in control.

So to Will Pitt, thanks for keeping us sane during those awful years, and whatever you decide, I hope you and your family are happy, that is the most important thing in the end.



I know I have not named so many other DUers who at that time, helped keep us from total despair at the state of the country, H20 Man comes to mind.

I guess I just wanted to let Will know that many, many DUers SINCERELY appreciate all you have done for this community, helping to make it what it became.

Please feel free to name other great DUers whose posts and comments contributed to keeping you sane during those awful years.

PS:

I want to add an appreciation for the Administrators who provided the place where we got to meet and read all those great people, and I will always remember the night of the 2004 election and EarlG's analysis of the returns. That night was one of the worst but again, DU made it bearable! I guess you had to be there to fully understand. Anyhow, thanks to the Admins and to all those great DUers who probably have no idea what their words meant to people who had never felt so hopeless.

Will Pitt belongs on DU! Even if it is his choice not to be here!

[HFRN]

1. i think with all these appreaciation threads, the medium is becoming the message

with appreciation, to marshall mcluhan

[sabrina 1]

7. I think you are right, but when people see a good DUer being mocked

I guess they feel the need to make sure that those who remember, who were here when people like Will was speaking out against the gang of war criminals, should be the ones to write tributes to people like WP.

I am more than happy to delete this one, as I see there is another one now if that is what people would like. I would also like to see anything mocking DUers deleted.

[ybbor]

29. I see no reason to delete

If all five trending were in appreciation of Will it would be just fine. He is a great man and deserves all recognition he gets.

[sabrina 1]

52. Just to be clear, the only reason I posted this one, and I believe others who

also did so, was because of the first one, which was intended to mock WP, though many good people did not realize it, and rec'd it. Making it all the more despicable, imo to take advantage of good people and use that to get a mocking thread onto the front page.

Anyhow, I agree with you. Thank you for your comment.

[ybbor]

133. I had no idea

So thanks even more so for doing so! I am on vacation so I am not sure, but I think I was duped.

I am also grateful,for your contributions to DU, and I am pretty sure I recced the OP in honor of you as well.

[sabrina 1]

146. Thank you, deception and 'carefully chosen words' in order to further deceive has always

bothered me a great deal. I like people who are HONEST and STRAIGHFORWARD and did request of the OP of that thread that they be honest in their OP so that people knew what they were rec'g. Twice. My request was not honored, so I decided to write an honest thread.

I appreciate YOUR posts also and thank you for your comment and for understanding.

[Babel_17]

156. If that's the case, and I'm now thinking that it was, I was fooled

Sarcasm can get lost when just posting words. I took my rec away from that other (faux?) thread and I'm not happy in thinking that maybe what was in effect a bait and switch was used on me.

I don't make an effort to keep up on the infighting and personality clashes. So if it was snark, it was imbued with plausible deniability? Yeesh!

[sabrina 1]

160. It was the case, I'm sorry. The words were 'carefully chosen' a quote from the author of

the OP explaining how to post stuff without getting it hidden, to deceive good DUers. Some of us are very familiar with this poster.

Please do not feel badly, you were doing something nice. Not your fault at all.

[840high]

197. It was a mocking. Thank

you for this one. k/r

[Change has come]

201. It was a mocking.

By a perpetual host of GD. How thrilling this must be for that poster.

[OnyxCollie]

218. Seeing WP go probably ranks as one of his highlights,

like when he hit 20,000 posts at Free Republic.

[sabrina 1]

236. I would call it Meta, since it was intended as such. And for a host, didn't know that btw, to

be unaware of the rules regarding Meta should probably result in a locking of the thread and perhaps some training before continuing to be in that position. Tributes to DUers have always been a really nice DU tradition, and I may be wrong, but that was the first time I have ever seen anyone use it for their own personal agenda. It's not my forum of course, but considering how many good DUers are not longer here for far less, I know what I would do about that.

[sabrina 1]

257. Yes, by a host, which makes it all the more appalling.

[Change has come]

195. You're very concerned about this topic.

Here you are again.

This is really important to you!

[HFRN]

222. and you seem very concerned about me

to bother to watch

[sabrina 1]

234. I agree with Change. For someone who doesn't know anyone here, you do seem to have developed

a very strange interest in this issue. Did you know Will from somewhere?

[HFRN]

237. well, if 2 agree, that's a consensus

and now you have a bond

[sabrina 1]

247. Actually no, we don't have a bond. We share an opinion, that is all.

[HFRN]

250. an opinion, in and of itself, can be a bond nt

[sabrina 1]

269. And, as in the case of Change and me, we do not have a bond, we share an opinion as I

stated.

I think I know when I have 'bonded' with someone.

But if you want to argue over Change's and my 'relationship, feel free, I'll leave you to your own devices.

[HFRN]

270. 'I'll leave you to your own devices.'

and I'll leave you to yours

[tiptonic]

265. And

Don't forget Batcop.com. Rest In Peace Bart.

[sabrina 1]

289. Yes, RIP Bartcop! He was a shining light during those dark times.

[blm]

2. catwoman, UTUSN, Octafish, nothingshocksmeanymore, bobdadrumma, SwampRat, karynnj, ProSense,

Last edited Tue Jul 28, 2015, 09:15 PM - Edit history (2)

zidzi (; ), madflo, Russb, KoKo, malaise, TahitiNut, and many more old-timers here….including my old gang at Bartcop and MWO. I'm sure I've missed some names.

Plus all of our dearly departed.

[sabrina 1]

3. Thank you, I remember every one of them and always made sure to read their

posts which always made me feel some hope that we get past that awful period.

[blm]

38. The primary threads are turning into a major paininthe@ss….

and I am avoiding 99% of them - mostly because there isn't anything new to me in any of them- I know all the candidates extremely well, pros and cons, and also because my personal energy is going to GOTV for Dems, which is a tough road in a purple state controlled by GOP.

[sabrina 1]

82. Yes, they are. I want to spend that energy promoting the person I think is best

for this country also and do not want to waste time on all the negative nonsense. People can disagree on who they support and the reasons why, but there is no need to be nasty about it, so best not to get involved. I agree.

[awoke_in_2003]

56. I miss SwampRat. nt

[MadLinguist]

152. Me too! His images were worth the words of 1,000 others

Come back Swampy, I been saying for years, but I'm afraid he's long gone from thus bratty playground...

[haikugal]

253. I loved his work...miss him too! nt

[Electric Monk]

182. re: "bobdadrumma" and ProSense, you're trolling here?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=profile&uid=100271

[blm]

228. No - I don't troll.

And haven't a clue why you would even suggest that to be the case.

[sabrina 1]

259. Thank you for adding all of those familiar names. And Bartcop. So sad to learn

of his death. It's hard explain how incredible it was to find people like Bartcop back then. The internet was dominated by Right Wingers it seemed.

He was one of the best.

[MrMickeysMom]

4. K&R...

I'd list you as one of those to be appreciated, too, sabrina!

[BeanMusical]

86. I second that emotion!

[rhett o rick]

185. And I third that.

[BeanMusical]

5. Yes!

Thank you for starting this genuine thread.

[11 Bravo]

6. Khephra. n/t

[sabrina 1]

10. Thank you. He pretty much WAS Late Breaking News. I read his posts before joining DU

with so much appreciation.

So many great DUers have passed away since then. I barely got to know some of them but still remember.

[11 Bravo]

14. Yeah, he was a fave. I also forgot newyawker99 ...

who welcomed me to DU way back when.

[sabrina 1]

19. Yes, another great one. People used to do that then, welcome you to DU. I

thought it was such a nice thing to do, especially for those of us who had been fighting with RWers and had no expectation of being welcomed anywhere, lol.

We don't do it so much anymore, I'm going to try to remember to do so.

[blm]

39. kef and ny…..

(( ))

[Nite Owl]

205. She was so good

I remember her well. She welcomed everyone. I remember her 'New York' thread.

Did she leave DU or did something happen?

[arcane1]

84. +1!

[CTyankee]

8. I had come to DU in October of 2004 with high hopes that John Kerry would be

my next President. It was a brief episode of giddiness, however. The days that followed were some of the darkest political ones of my life. DU and Stephanie Miller kept me going. And Al Franken whose radio show followed Steph's.

DU was one of those blessings I am so grateful for. We got thru Bush's second term and had the euphoria of Obama's election and again, it was wonderful sharing that moment with the DU community.

[sabrina 1]

16. That was the year I first discovered DU, the night of the election, I followed a link

from another forum to DU where the admins were posting returns, confirming what many of us had noticed on CNN.

I THOUGHT Kerry had won, and was on the phone with two other friends, breathing huge sighs of releif, when I turned around and saw CNN, retracting it seemed to me, the numbers I could have sworn I had seen just minutes before. Wolf Blitzer looked haggard, confused.

I went back to the computer and clicked on the DU link and well, the rest is history.

And yes, that was one of the darkest nights I can remember.

[billhicks76]

110. Kerry Did Win

But unfortunately he acted like another Bush surrogate dressed as a Democrat. Skull & Bones is detestable. How so many DUers didn't make more of his membership in that elite club is unfathomable. So many scared little chickens who cower in fear of possibly being labeled a conspiracy theorist.

[sabrina 1]

111. Yes, he did and we watched them change the numbers on TV.

It was one of the worst nights ever.

[billhicks76]

113. Saw It With My Own Eyes Too

And by the way...thank you for all your comments. You are very insightful and honest with the world. One of my favs.

[sabrina 1]

114. All I can do is return the compliment, I have always known you to be honest

when others prefer to deny the reality of what we have learned since those early Bush years.

I saw it with my own eyes also, and we are asked to forget it, by our own party.

[Marrah_G]

281. I remember sitting in the MIRC chat room that night

I was devastated when he didn't fight it. We watched the numbers flipping. I cried for a week and then found DU. It was like a bright shining island in a dark chaotic sea.

[progressoid]

37. Ditto to everything you said.

I showed up a month later though.

[CTyankee]

42. I honestly don't know how we managed emotionally...do you?

I was in the gym, swimming, lifting weights, walking on the treadmill (this last with my earphones and listening to Steph and Al). Swimming helped a lot. The gym pool was very big and I just felt free in the water and just let my strokes mesmerize me a bit...kind of like meditation. It all rejuvenated me without resorting to drink or drugs...

[progressoid]

67. Exercise was probably a good idea.

I just remember slumping on the sofa for a couple days.

Couple days later I had a dental appt. I came in early to hear my dentist gloating about the election; especially getting rid of Senate Majority Leader Daschle. Never went back to him!

Then I joined DU.

[Faryn Balyncd]

9. +1000 . . . Thank you!

[TexasProgresive]

11. Skinner, EarlG, Elad and the Plaid Adder for giving us DU

Not to leave out Weightliftinglady.

[sabrina 1]

18. Plaid Adder, yes, one of the names I looked for always.

I did mention the admins, to whom I am very grateful. Not sure how people would have survived without DU and the other few liberal forums available at the time.

[lapfog_1]

34. Plaid Adder and WillPitt

The two basic reasons I even found DU.

Top Ten Conservative Idiots was my favorite thing to read.

We went through another purge 7 years ago with the Obama / Clinton wars... I even took part.

This time I am more numb I guess.

[sabrina 1]

199. Meant to acknowledge Weighliftinglady who I remember also. Don't know

what happened to her either. I hope she is well.

And of course the Admins who I did mention in the OP.

[Javaman]

223. I miss her too.

She was a voice in the Texas forum as well.

So many good people gone

[Horse with no Name]

224. She is doing very well

Doing very good things in her career.

[sabrina 1]

248. Thank you, that's good to know ...

[Marrah_G]

282. That's really good to know

She is a very nice and sweet lady.

[Horse with no Name]

287. She is pretty amazing. n/t

[libodem]

12. Don't leave us!

Just sayin. '

[sabrina 1]

20. Don't you leave either! I'm not going anywhere, unless of course I am

thrown off! Lol!

[libodem]

232. .

[The Straight Story]

13. Many I would mention have passed on

And the others have mostly left here or rarely post now. Not that I blame them.

[JEB]

15. K&R

Sabrina1 always sincere, honest and direct. Also fearless, accurate, thoughtful and caring.

[hifiguy]

275. So much this^^^

[sabrina 1]

276. Jeb, another great DUer, Autumn, Aerows ... kind, thoughtful and

caring of others, so many names I want to remember, those still here and those who are no longer around.

Thank you Jeb, you are very kind

[In_The_Wind]

17. K&R!

[liberal from boston]

27. Will Pitt

K&R!!!!! Thanks DU for keeping us informed & sane. Hopefully Will Pitt will take a mini break & come back to us. I always look forward to reading his posts.

[In_The_Wind]

35. Will Pitt did a lot to keep me sane over the years. I'll be watching for his return.

[Lars39]

21. nostjam

did wicked good song reinterpretations.

[LWolf]

68. nostamj

one I've missed for years now.

[Lars39]

71. I knew that didn't look right somehow.

Yes, brilliantly witty and greatly missed.

[Flying Squirrel]

22. Forkboy and Swamp Rat

[sabrina 1]

24. Swamp Rat. Does anyone know what happened to him? He never said why he left.

And Forkboy, thank you for including them.

I hope SR is well and still doing his artwork somewhere.

[progressoid]

41. Swamprat's neon graphics always brightened up a thread!

[sabrina 1]

47. Here is a utube montage depicting the Bush 'crime family' with Swamp Rat's

art work. Well done, I like the Pink Floyd music too.

[BeanMusical]

60. Wow, that's really cool!

[PeoViejo]

76. Another Oilwellian great:

[Oilwellian]

90. OMG...that's one of the first videos I did...

before learning how to do it. LOL Swampy was kind enough to allow me to practice my craft with his wonderful work. Pretty rudimentary...it's obvious I didn't even know about setting the aspect ratio on each of his photos. LOL I think I was still using Windows Movie Maker before I purchased and learned Sony Vegas. I've often wanted to redo it in Vegas. It would have showcased his work so much better.

I had the pleasure of marching along side Will Pitt at the first anti Iraq war protest. Met some other wonderful DUers...deutsey, KHepra, Matcom, LynnSin, RBNY, and even a few Bartcoppers. It was especially a thrill to meet Will because as you said, he wasn't afraid to speak out against these criminals and his writings were very popular in liberal circles. If only all Democrats were as dedicated as he is.

I knew that other thread was intended as mockery, but I recommended it anyway because I secretly took pleasure in knowing it was the only way the pitiful poster could rack up so many recommends...by using the name Will Pitt. I just loved the irony and had a quiet giggle about it.

[sabrina 1]

95. I think it is a great video. Not being technical at all, I don't see what you probably see.

Found it while looking for some of Swamp Rat's work. You did a great job imo.

Lol, 'the only way the pitiful poster could rack up so many recommends .... by using the name Will Pitt.'

I asked the poster twice to post in the OP the real reason why he posted it as it was deceptive to get people to rec a post thinking it was a tribute to WP but my request was not honored.

I did not rec it, can't stand insincerity and people who think they are being clever using 'carefully chosen words' with the intent to deceive.

So I decided to post a SINCERE thread where I do not need 'carefully chosen words' (a quote from said poster) because I have nothing to hide.

You are one of the DUers I was talking about in the OP Oilwellian. Thank you for all you do to try to make this a better country!

[Oilwellian]

104. Thank you, Sabrina

You're a DU treasure, alongside the many other wonderful DUers mentioned in this thread. It was a real treat to take this walk down memory lane.

Now, I think I'll go unrecommend that other pitiful thread.

[sabrina 1]

150. Thank you Oilwellian. It is nice to go back and remember all those great DUers. Honest, sincere

and so willing to share the knowledge they had with those of us who were just beginning to learn how it all works.

I was hoping people would delete their recs once they knew the purpose of that awful OP. But that is up to them.

I did like your REASON for doing it though. Though I have a feeling that particular poster won't see it that way, but as a personal victory.

Still wonder what happened with Swamp Rat. Thanks for all you do.

[Oilwellian]

176. The last I remember of Swampy...

he came back after Katrina to tell us he was OK and only hung around for a little while. If memory serves me correctly, I believe he mentioned a possible move to Brazil. I didn't get the chance to pick his brain but let's hope he reached his destination and is living the exotic life of his dreams. It would certainly be great that he's living a colorful life somewhere. Just look at his artwork fer chrissake. LOL I always felt a connection with him because I used to live in New Orleans as well. It was nice to reminisce.

I did unrec the other thread. Maybe we can rally for the most unrec'd thread in DU history. I can't think of anything more fitting.

On edit: I saw you question elsewhere whether you should delete this OP out of respect for the other "sincere" thread for Will. Please don't do that. This thread has a lot of DU history in it and it would be a travesty to lose it.

[sabrina 1]

178. I hope he made it to Brazil also. I'm sure wherever he is, it's interesting.

As for the other thread, well it probably is the first time anyone has abused what was always a very nice DU tradition.

Two firsts in one day! I like that. Most unrec'd, most egregious misuse of a DU tradition. Yes, that would be fitting.

[haikugal]

254. He is brilliant. nt

[HooptieWagon]

115. +1000 for SwampRat!!

He checked in right after Katrina, said he was OK but had to move. Haven't seen him since.

[sabrina 1]

118. I remember that, and hoped he really was okay. Wish he would check in again.

[G_j]

32. yes

see my sig line

[ozone_man]

144. Forkboy is a blast from the past.

I like/love a diversity of views, as long as they are not the spoon fed, mainstream media viewpoints.
I think Will was a bit right of me when Dean was running, but he became a strong voice for the left, he won me over.

[Horse with no Name]

145. Forkboy is one of my favorites

Lucky to have him as a friend on Facebook...he doesn't do too much political stuff because, like many of us, he burned out.
But he is good people!

[WorseBeforeBetter]

200. I really enjoyed Forkboy's posts.

Wonder what he's up to these days...

[bvar22]

23. I miss them all too.

For me, DU was a place where I could write down my thoughts and fears, ask questions, build on the work of others, express the concerns I have about the direction of the Democratic Party and our Country, have them validated by others who shared the same fears for America, and actually meet these people IRL.
It was a Thinking Man or Woman's site.

I understand why the best & brightest are leaving.

[sabrina 1]

26. bvar and Octafish and Woo and so many others. I do understand why DU's best are moving on

but wish they had not.

I just thought that if there are going to be appreciation threads for good DUers, they be SINCERE and posted by people who are not mocking them.

Thanks for posting, bvar, you have always been one of my favorite DUers.

[Mnemosyne]

51. Octafish has left?! Please tell me it's just a joke. And a shame to lose Will and Kentuck too. nt

[sabrina 1]

53. No, Octafish is still here, thankfully. I was referring to the OP

claiming to be an appreciation thread for Will, which was in fact, a 'carefully worded' insult but made it to the FP as many good DUers were fooled by the intent of the OP. That is where I found out that Will had decided to leave. And was appalled I found out in that way. Which is why I posted a sincere thread from someone who actually meant it.

[Mnemosyne]

55. Thanks sabrina! Some nasty people have come here over the years for sure.

I loved it so much more here when most all here actually gave a damn and weren't just here to snark and divide.

I saw that other thread, never cared for know-it-alls like that poster.

[sabrina 1]

89. Yes, it was a great Progressive Site back then. I despise deception and see no reason for it.

I asked that poster, who was not HERE when Will and others were trying so hard to stop the War Criminals, but was on a site that was part of the problem, to inform those who would read his OP of what he meant by those carefully chosen words. Tribute Threads should not be used in that way.

But so long as people understand the intent, and are they tell me, using the thread for 'a purpose not intended by the OP', that's one way of dealing with it.

Not much real discussion here any more, as there was back then. I learned a lot from many of the posters mentioned in this thread. And I miss them, those who are no longer here.

[Mnemosyne]

171. I miss them too. It can never be the same here again. I am so grateful for all that I have learned

here; some of the best teachers I have ever had were (and still are) here. I read you always because you are so patient, and brilliant imo, explaining things to posters with, ah, issues.

I've always liked Will's passion, even when I could not agree with him. I will also miss those sweet baby photos!

I've almost been surprised at how much compassion and empathy have become subjects of ridicule too often here now.

Maybe a new light will shine out there in the inter-tubes and we will find it. I have hope, still. As for DU, I refuse to be run off for caring.

[sabrina 1]

206. That's very nice of you to say Mnemosyne. You are one of my favorite DUers also.

I learned so much also, it was like going to college back then, as I knew so little about how it all works, but just knew something was wrong and I knew that Bush gang were lying through their teeth and that our media, for some reason, which I know now, would not challenge them.

You didn't have to be a political genius to see it.

The internet is way bigger now than it was then, and there are more places where people can discuss issues without the usual trolls derailing every conversation.

[Efilroft Sul]

177. Excluding Manny and yourself, you just listed my three other favorite DU posters.

[sabrina 1]

180. That is very nice of you to say, Efilroft Sul. Thank you!

[Oilwellian]

181. I adore all of them as well

the heart of DU, if you will.

[TexasProgresive]

25. This thread deserves a link to (the 1st) Seven Days Underground by Skinner

http://www.democraticunderground.com/articles/01/01/010127_7days.html
Democratic Underground had its official launch on Inauguration Day, January 20, 2001. Much has happened since then. To mark the passing of our first week, we felt that our faithful visitors might like to read a SLIGHTLY EMBELLISHED first-person account of the highs and lows of launching an underground political website. by Skinner

[sabrina 1]

44. Lol, I love this part:

Back in the office around 5:00, we discovered our message boards had become a virtual food fight, and our inbox was bursting with messages like: Your the people who are whats wrong with this country. Why dont you go back to Rusia? [sic] Plus, we'd sent over 2,000 angry emails to conservatives using our innovative "Nuclear Button" one-click activism system.

Spent the evening patting ourselves on the back. That is, all of us except the intern, who spent the evening eating 3 loaves of Wonder bread.

And the banner did get on TV. I remember reading this before. That was a long, long time ago, but Freepers still can't spell!

[BeanMusical]

63. Wow, thanks for that link. It's like time travel.

I'll try to browse other pages from there.

[TexasProgresive]

28. SwampG8r, W.C.Green, GoddessofGuiness.

The list can go on and on.

[CTyankee]

43. OMG, W.C.Green...RIP dear sir...how we loved you...

[blm]

124. I separated those who left and those who died.

WC was an amazing person in so many ways. In life and in his journey to the end of that life.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

73. WCGreen was the voice of calm and intelligent discussions, always.

I miss him more than ever, now that the primary wars are underway. What would he have thought, and said, and written?

Someone said, in Chris' obituary thread, "The day is less bright." So regrettably true.

[sabrina 1]

97. Yes, WCGreen. Another great DUer, like yourself as someone below stated.

So sad that he is no longer with us. I was hoping, reading your many threads on how he was doing that a miracle would happen.

'The day is less bright'

[merrily]

210. You've been a great friend to him, a great comfort to him and his family.

And you were wonderful about keeping all his friends at DU informed as well.

Your tributes were great, too.

I did not really know him, except through your posts. Yet, I became an admirer.

Good on you.

[gademocrat7]

30. I agree with you,sabrina 1.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

31. Tinoire --

one of the most amazing researchers. Octafish, of course. The Bay Area DU contingent of WillyT, Arcane1, Proud Patriot, Cally, Jack Rabbit, Noiretextique, Mz. Pip, Mary Bear, and Tinoire. From almost day one of DU, we spent a lot of seriously quality time over the years at marches, rallies, and picnics. They are an amazing bunch and I am so thankful they came into my life.

[sabrina 1]

49. Willy T, Woo Me With Science, bvar of course H20 Man, Tinoire, yes and Proud Patriot

and Hell Hath No Fury!

[blm]

126. TINOIRE - absolutely adored that fine lady.

.

[sabrina 1]

198. She is one of the names I remember when I first came here. She was a

fountain of information.

[LWolf]

66. Tinoire

I've missed her.

[arcane1]

87. Right back at ya!

[hedda_foil]

190. All of those and Eloriel

It's been such a long ride, through mostly pretty awful times, as we worked together to figure out just what had happened to our government, our media and our party. The degree of complicity of the MSM was horrifying to discover, and the duplicity we found in our party is still causing cognitive dissonance in at least one corner of these boards. But by 2003, we had a lot of it unraveled, and we knew Damn well that there were no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq For several years, we were about 2 years ahead of the MSM on every major story, and when they doubled down on the deception, it always turned out we were 100% right and they were no more than stenographers.

So much important work has been done here, and there is so much more left to do. Let those of us who remember and those who care hang together again. DU is still a touchstone to so many of us.



Hedda

[sabrina 1]

207. Yes, we ordinary people did know they were lying. And you are right, a lot of important work

was done here and on other forums. We are older and wiser now about a lot of things, our own party too. I was so naive when I look back. I really thought our party would fight like hell to stop them.

So much more to do, yes. And they will fight hard to prevent that work from being done.

[haikugal]

256. Very well said Hedda...I remember! We CAN do this!!

[Dr Hobbitstein]

33. Sid Dithers, Nance Greggs, EarlG, Prosense.

It was EarlG's Top 10 that brought me here (well, that and the suggestion of a friend when I was trying to find a port in the Bush-storm). Reading Nance's stuff really made me feel at home here. Prosense for her no-nonsense and "blue links" (citations for the win!), and Sid for being grounded in reality.

ETA: Robb, for being a dingbat.

[JTFrog]

109. +1 n/t

[G_j]

36. H2O Man,

among many others. Always here to contribute to the community.

[sabrina 1]

50. Yes, definitely H20 Man, mentioned him in the OP.

[Zorra]

40. Jackpine Radical.

[sabrina 1]

149. Yes, I really miss him a lot. He was so thoughtful, smart and witty and RIGHT

about issues. Superb writer imo.

Wish he was here right now.

[Octafish]

45. Opihimoimoi

"Come. We have BYO and lu'au."



And he meant it, too. Like being a real Democrat.

PS: Thank you, sabrina 1, and thank ALL great DUers who care about Peace, Truth, Justice, Prosperity and Democracy for ALL.

[oasis]

57. Will was most helpful to me, providing links, etc. when I first came onboard, 2002.

He was a much valued and respected DU member in those days. I've been away for a long time and apparently, much has transpired since 2006. The positive aspects of his persona remain with me.

I wish him nothing but the best.

[oasis]

65. Opihimoimoi. Great pic. He was an excellent host to Hawaii DUers.

I had many a beer with that fellow near his giant fishpond. The good old days.

I remember your valuable contributions to this site Octafish. I glad I came back to see you still around.

[Octafish]

88. Great to read you, oasis!

Thank you for sharing that with me, oasis. Opihimoimoi invited me and I thought I could never afford to go. I live next door to Detroit. A couple of days later, a check arrives in the mail from our bank. Our home had lost so much money in the devaluation of 2008, they had to send us money from the escrow account. It came out to about a dollar from what the round-trip ticket cost. We had a blast. Opi and his firehouse crew and friends made me feel like a long lost Brother. I still ask visitors to my home if they've seen my Hawai'i pictures, even if I know they have.



As in the real world, when we lose someone, the place is never the same. Below is what we called the "Peace Point," from where we wanted to start an international movement of peace, harmony, understanding, propserity, research, learning, teaching, farming, and floating cities. Opi wanted to get Lewis Black to serve as MC for the tee vee special. A year or so later, Black was in town for a comedy festival. He couldn't serve as spokesman, he worked for Jamaica or the Bahamas or somewhere, but we tried.



Thank you for the kind words. The feeling is mutual! And you have family in Detroit!

[oasis]

100. Greetings and well wishes to you Octafish.

Thank you for sharing your story and your pics.

[blm]

130. geez…oasis…haven't seen you in ages….

*smooch*

[oasis]

135. I recently returned to DU after retiring again not to long ago.

Glad to see the "flame"ingos haven't driven you away.

[blm]

138. heheheh…...

perhaps because I grew up in an Irish Catholic family with 12 kids….and now I'm old. ; )

I know when NOT to click on a thread trending towards idiocracy. ; )

[oasis]

141. That's the ticket. Again, glad to see your still an

active voice here. There is a ton of work ahead. No more Bushes.

[blm]

142. That's my trigger since the 80s….. "Bush".

Damn, I wish more people would read that BCCI Report!!!!!

; )

[sabrina 1]

119. What a wonderful story, Octafish. I am so glad you got to go meet him.

What wonderful photos, and what a truly great idea you both had.

Lewis Black I believe, recently endorsed Bernie Sanders.

Maybe your and Opi's dream can come true. The world does seem to be changing, waking up and may soon be ready for such a dream to come true.

Thanks for everything you do, you have taught me so much.

[blm]

129. ((Opi))

.

[shanti]

85. ah yes, opi

loved his posts. do you know what happened to him?

upthread says you are leaving too! say it ain't so, octafish!

[Octafish]

94. Opihimoimoi has passed.

The sad day, I understand, was four years ago. I am so sorry to break the news to you, shanti.

You are one of the great DUers from long ago who care about all of us -- the "peace that passeth understanding."

[shanti]

99. oh no!

i can't believe i missed that information, cause i've been here pretty much every day since 2002!

thanks, back atcha, and i definitely care about and remember all the original du'ers. those were some good times....

[sabrina 1]

105. I just read your post down thread that Opi passed away Octafish! What sad news.

I didn't get to know him as others did, but I remember the posts and am truly saddened to hear that he is no longer with us.

What a great photo! A REAL Democrat, indeed.

As are you Octafish. One of the reasons I came and stayed on DU. To learn and I did, from DUers like you.


I wanted to make a list in my OP, but KNEW I would not be able to include everyone, so thought it best to let DUers do it and I'm glad, I am seeing so many names I remember, some who have passed away, some who have moved on.

Someone said YOU might leaving, I hope not! Too many great DUers seem to be leaving. I understand, sometimes I wonder what we are accomplishing here, unlike in the past when DU was a place that organized, held meetups, took actions to get good Dems elected, if possible.

I miss all those who have left.

[blm]

128. Oh my - what a blast to read his name again!!!!

((Opi))

[Horse with no Name]

147. Love Octafish!

Always one of the best!

[calimary]

191. Awwww... I miss him!

A lot of great ones here. Got me through bush/cheney.

[leftstreet]

46. DURec

[7wo7rees]

48. Thanks sabrina for your post with so much heart. nt

[ornotna]

54. oneighty

Last edited Wed Jul 29, 2015, 12:05 PM - Edit history (1)

He always had the best stories. You can still read some of them in his old journal.

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/?az=archives&j=264&page=0

http://navylog.navymemorial.org/gard-edward

Edit to add journal link.

[sabrina 1]

208. Thank you for that, ornotna.

Do you know what happened to him?

[ornotna]

240. oneighty passed in 06

Such a nice man, he's still missed.


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x5669583

[sabrina 1]

246. I'm so sorry. That is two sad passings of DUers I have learned about

in this thread. I know people sometimes just leave so don't naturally assume something bad has happened to them. Thank you for the link, hard to realize that is nine years ago and it seems like no more than two to me.

RIP oneighty

[JDPriestly]

58. K&R.

[Generic Other]

59. So many who used to do the research

When every post had a dozen links, and much discussion. A collaborative political force to be reckoned with. Our activism was usually communal. All the meet-ups, the organized protests, boycotts, letter writing campaigns, phone banks. Now, activism on DU merely means posting or mocking those you have driven off.

I made a campaign service patch for the loudmouths.



I have nothing but contempt for what they did to DU.

[PeoViejo]

120. Speaking of which..

Whatever happened to formercia?

[blm]

132. In recent years I switched to GOTV activist….

because I live in a purple state.

*salute* to you G_O.

[Generic Other]

139. That is what DU should be about

Sharing what awesome things we are doing. Fighting a common cause.

Thank you blm for your service!

[hifiguy]

61. Kick for truth sabrina.

Make sure YOU stick around.

[City Lights]

62. Great post, sabrina 1! Thank you!

[DinahMoeHum]

64. Catwoman, Matcom, IrateCitizen, Estimated Prophet

[riderinthestorm]

69. K&R nt

[Dont call me Shirley]

70. Will is a DU staple.

[Owl]

72. K&R! Thank you Sabrina 1.

[KoKo]

74. Thank You, Sabrina 1, because your post is True about why Will Pitt has and deserves support!

Let me be clear, here. Will and I had some "bad blood" at times in the early days. And, I well know how he can be taken badly when he "Vents."

But, I will not trash a "Seeker of Truth" here on DU. Will was in his late 20's along with the DU Admins back in those early days of the founding of DU.

I was older and the clashes were somewhat generational at times here on DU because at first the DU Admins didn't really reveal how young they were. Many of us "Early Sign Ups" on DU were so distraught over the Florida Vote and Supreme Court installing Bush that we felt ACTION had to be done. Many of us lived through the 60's and 70's in our young years and lost classmates to the DRAFT for VIETNAM and we had been part of Ralph Nader's Revolution to support "Consumer Rights" when our cars were breaking down and we worried about our Consumer Product s not being SAFE for either all of US and about our Environment...and all lurking was the WAR we were spending money on and our friends, brothers and classmates were dying in. All the "Back to Organic Food" was looming on the horizon as we wanted to grow food without Pesticides that could Kill People, Animals and Insects. We wanted to protect our Wildlife ....WORLD WIDE from Preditor Hunting and save the Rivers, Oceans and Planet. People were seeing that Consumerism was rising and we wanted Back to the Earth Sustainable Products and products made out of Natural Fibers and not Oil Products exploiting our resources.

There's so much more we tried to do and Skinner, Earl G. and Elad...got hit with those of us wanting a "DEMOCRATIC UNDERGROUND" to express our anger and start a New Movement.

As Skinner has said, though.....Democratic Underground was not meant to be a Site that Supported "INSURRECTION" but a site that SUPPORTED DEMS over REPUBLICANS. At that point they were focused on RW Sites who were a threat to the Dem Party.

So....in some ways "DU" to them morphed into some kind of "Insurrection Group" that was going off in direction that they never imagined and really didn't know how to deal with .......and we go on to Today...where DU is a Hillary Supporter and the "Insurgents who Hoped to Make the Dem Party Differently" are now fighting against the True Purpose of the Founding of this Site......and it makes for Confrontations that are uncomfortable to Both Sides.

Sorry...I've got project to finish for work and this post probably has typo's and whatever. I posted it off top of my head...which is never good to do. But, as a Long Time DU'er I had to Chime In....with what I know about the History here.

Peace!


Anyway. Thank you for a "Sincere" Post about Support for Will Pitt.

[BeanMusical]

77. Thank you for your post.

Some of what you said explains a lot of things that I was finding puzzling.

[sabrina 1]

79. Thank you Koko, you are another DUer who brought people TO DU during those awful times

You and Will and the Admins were HERE not on some right wing site making it MORE difficult for US to stop the War Criminals from once again dragging this country to what is turning out to be a forever war.

So when I see someone like Will, or if it was you, or any other good DUer who was HERE at the time, regardless of some differences, still on the same page trying to stop them, being insulted with a 'carefully worded' OP intended to mock him, from someone who was, as is well known, posting on sites this Forum was fighting at the time, and good people are being deceived by the motive for the OP, I just felt that any tribute to any DUer who fought with us at that time, should be posted by people who SINCERELY mean it.

I don't know Will all that well, have disagreed as we all do with each other at times, but he was and is on the right side, while those slamming him here were not.

Thank you for all you do, you are another one of DU's treasures.

[Oilwellian]

184. You're a shining gem on DU, Koko

this post exemplifies your long history of interesting and insightful posts.

[rhett o rick]

186. Thank you for your posts. You are another of the greats here. Sad that a small handful can ruin it

for everyone. But they are dedicated and will be doing their happy dance to see Will leave as they have many progressives before him. They are not progressives, they don't even claim to be. But more than that, they are not Democrats.

[haikugal]

258. YES!!!! Thank you KoKo! nt

[robertpaulsen]

75. I rarely post anymore because so many of those posters who kept me sane then are gone.

It takes some effort now to seek out the good posters and their threads. But back in 2003-2004, the level of intelligence, research, and provocativeness that was truly thoughtful and considered was here in abundance.

You know what really woke me up and brought me to life on DU? The Plame Threads. I wrote a blog post linking all 20 threads and naming all the participants, but I think this seems like the right place to pay tribute to the ones who really made an impact on me from that time:

There are some in particular I want to single out, though many may have left DU over the years. First, I must give a shout out to H2O Man, who I believe still posts at DU. Your wisdom, insight and hope provided an inspiration to everyone who dared to dream that there might be some measure of justice against the criminal Bush administration. Pallas180: you were not only the "den mother" who organized so many of the threads, you gave me the name American Judas to describe what we had discovered. seemslikeadream: you were one of the biggest diggers and unearthed mountains of evidence; I'm so glad our paths crossed. arbustochupa, who I believe now posts under the name coeur_de_lion, you not only organized one of the threads, you were one of the biggest contributors and helped get the conversation flowing. Me., you got your start at DU on the Plame Threads and did some great digging yourself. RebelYell: you helped me distinguish valuable alternative media from trash and did some excellent detective work. calimary: you always kept us updated with media contact info so we could alert them to our discoveries. kohodog: you wrote a great form letter for alerting the media and many other contributions to the Plame Threads. Finally, I want to thank shraby for starting it all and keeping the ball rolling in DU's finest moment.

Thank you, sabrina 1. You're one of the good posters who tries to keep things sane here now.

[blm]

131. ((robert))

your work was invaluable

[robertpaulsen]

271. Hey! You too!

Good to see you still here, blm. You're definitely one of the great diggers here!

[sabrina 1]

211. Robert Paulson, a name I loved to see because I knew I was going to learn something

I was here in 2004 but mostly read and learned and was in awe of the wonderful posters, some of whom you just mentioned in your excellent comment. I felt like I had nothing to say back then, that wasn't said better by so many, many intelligent, informed and fascinating people.

I am going to read your link, probably will remember it. You and many of the others mentioned in this thread probably had no idea how much your words and work and activism meant to those of us who were pretty much lost at the time.

I was happy to just read everything I could here. It validated my own instincts, though I had no way of proving that what I was thinking was right, that were under the control of some pretty nasty criminals.

It took a while before I felt I had something to say that wouldn't be said better by so many other DUers.

But I want to take this opportunity to thank you, personally, for helping me to get through those awful times.

I understand your not being here so much anymore. It isn't the same place. Not sure why I am either, except that there are still some good DUers here and while you have to look harder now to find the gems, I do look and try to make sure to kick and rec those threads.

Thank you again for all you have done, and for this great comment and I am happy to add your name to all the others I remember from what is still one of the worst periods in my memory that we happened to be here for.

[robertpaulsen]

272. Thanks sabrina, that really touched me.

From October 2003 when I joined up until the spring of 2004, I felt the same way you did. It seemed like everyone else was light years ahead of me in terms of understanding political history and its influence on our present woes under Bush. But DU was a much more nurturing environment then, and because there were so many willing to share with the same level of passion, I caught up and kept on contributing.

I am so glad that my contributions helped you! I'll try to check in more often.

Thanks!

[sabrina 1]

280. I just got some time to read your link. The 10th anniversary of the Plame outing. All I can say

is, what an excellent, well-researched article that is. And it reminded me again, of what a great place DU was where such a project could take place with so much cooperation from so many people. I doubt that could happen in DU today. It really is a different place.

And it reminded me of why I was in awe of DUers when I first got here, and began to read work like that. Airc, at some point Joe Wilson posted on DU saying he would need support. I hope I'm remembering that correctly. If so, it's most likely he was aware of the work you all were doing.

I think you could turn that into a book some day. It is so professionally done.

To think they got away with it still makes me so angry.

I meant what I said btw, and am glad I had the chance to tell you as one of the people with whom I was so impressed and still am.

I hope you do check in. Maybe in one of the groups, the Progressive Reform Group eg, where disrupters are not tolerated and threads won't be derailed.

I am really glad you stopped in to this thread. I see so many names in your article that I recognize but don't see around any more.

Seemslikeadream eg, Me among others. Such great DUers.

You all should be proud of what you did. I think you did find the truth about that whole affair.

[deurbano]

80. K & R

[Nay]

81. Wasn't The Magistrate here then? I miss him. nt

[sabrina 1]

83. Yes, I haven't seen him around for a while. I hope he is okay.

I remember he was a Mod at the time.

[NuclearDem]

101. I miss Magistrate.

He was around until fairly recently.

[pnwmom]

91. CaliforniaPeggy! And she still does.

[sabrina 1]

96. Oh yes, California Peggy, definitely. She is such a kind person and definitely makes DU

still worth coming to.

[underpants]

162. Peggy rocks

[Solly Mack]

92. So many no longer with us. :(

[sabrina 1]

102. Yes, I remember the first time we heard that someone we had come to know online

had passed away. I realized I had not expected that to happen as it does in RL. It did bring home however, that the people we meet in forums online are real people. I guess I kind of wanted the online world to be free from those realities of death and illness. Silly, I know, but my reason for being online originally, was BECAUSE of that reality.

Many of those who have passed away have been mentioned in this thread.

Yours is another name I remember Solly Mack when I didn't post much myself but was learning from some of the great DUers who did so much research, who posted links and information so we were informed.

[blm]

136. Solly and annabanana are two of the most solid minds posting here….

They are REAL and smart and they are true patriots.

[sabrina 1]

249. Annabanana, who is still here I believe, and I think Solly also.

Thanks for adding their names

[blm]

262. Just remembering back to a whole other time here at DU.

; )

[realFedUp]

93. This venue saved my sanity

I hope I gave as good as I got then too.

[samplegirl]

98. Those truly were the worst years ever.

Many of us kept each other sane by posting and reading in D.U. It was a meeting place where everyone was on the same page! Lets hope the Republicans don't gain control again. I don't think I can live another 8 years of that ever again!

[LaurenG]

103. Now this is a REAL appreciation thread.

Thanks Will Pitt. I'll catch you on the flip side or Facebook to the uninitiated.

[sabrina 1]

107. I thought a SINCERE Tribute from people who mean it, was needed. Thank you

for posting, LaurenG. I know we can follow Will's writings, I hope he changes his mind, but I understand if he doesn't. Seeing the 'carefully worded' mockery of an OP, just thoroughly disgusted me and reminded me of what DU used to be.

[LiberalLovinLug]

106. I have to give kudos to Nance Greggs

Even though today...she and I are far apart on issues like supporting a certain whistleblower, and her dogged choice of a Democratic candidate, and blind support for the commander in chief..... and we have had some heated word jousts.

I still will always respect her for her eloquent but scathing OPs on Bush's hypocrisy with his so-called Christian faith, and his actions which proved otherwise. I joined DU during those tumultuous times and she spoke what I wanted to say...only better.


And thankyou Sabrina. You are a fighter, and a voice for many on here.

[Gloria]

127. Yes...a warrior against Bush

who was amazing!

[alcibiades_mystery]

108. jiacinto forevah!

Just kidding.

[chknltl]

112. Well when you put it THAT way...

Yeah, I'll miss Will Pitt. I'd love to see him remain here at DU and maybe we who are his fans can convince him to remain but it has to be what's working best for him. Maybe if he still posts there, I can still catch him over at Truth-Out. I've not been there in awhile but if he leaves here maybe I'll check his material out over there.

[sabrina 1]

116. nadinbrzezinski is another DUer who brings so much to the forum.

So many, I hope I can remember them all, I do at times think of someone who is no longer here, when something comes up, and wonder where they are, or if they are still here, am happy to see their names.

[nadinbrzezinski]

137. So are you EOM

[livetohike]

117. Newyawker99 for welcoming each newbie and acknowledging birthdays and

milestones. She really made DU family 😊.

[sabrina 1]

155. Someone described her as DU's Den Mother. Always kind and welcoming.

I wonder where she is and hope wherever she is she is doing well.

[Horse with no Name]

277. I think I read she passed.

Not sure but maybe someone can verify that.

[sabrina 1]

278. Oh no, I hope that is not true. I just came across one of her posts while following a link

someone else posted and there she was, remembering to congratulate someone for reaching 20,000 posts.

[Horse with no Name]

279. Well I hope she is doing well

I always considered her "The Welcome Wagon"...lol.

[BeanMusical]

121. Kick and R

[malaise]

122. What a magnificent post

Recccccccccccccccccccccc!

[sabrina 1]

123. Thank you malaise, another DUer who makes it worthwhile to still come here.

[Gloria]

125. I had the honor of being in the acknowledgment of his book on Iraq

as I did some research..

I also have to put a word in for Mark Karlin and Buzzflash...doing that Media Watch was something that arose from a comment and he invited me to run with it..
The media hasn't changed much...Tweety, Hannity, O'Reilly...the latter 2 still AWFUL, and more since 2000...I could never watch the crap now and even attempt to put a humorous spin on it anymore...it's just gotten "accepted"...and it is toxic

[sabrina 1]

154. Thanks for contributing so much to helping get the truth out. It was so hard to do

back then. The media is worse in many ways, if that is possible. Scare tactics are the same, with Al Queda, which eventually wore out its usefulness, now replaced with ISIS, same old propaganda. Only more people SEE IT.

You're right, it is toxic and it harmful. Which is why people like Will Pitt and you for your work, were so important when people KNEW they were being lied to, and so badly needed to know they were not alone.

[Skittles]

134. I found DU because of Will Pitt

Last edited Tue Jul 28, 2015, 10:30 PM - Edit history (1)

I was desperately trying to find people who thought the way I did, and I found Will Pitt and he mentioned DU

[sabrina 1]

151. I think a lot of people found DU because of him.

[underpants]

161. I did too. Actually on Free Republic

I stumbled onto the Freepers and they had a Will Piitt link from DU. I went to DU and found an "Ask Auntie Pinko" column. I joined a few days later. Underpants is a throw-off Chevy Chase comment from the first Family Vacation - always thought it was funny so I used it for DU.

P. S. Go ahead and kick my ass

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

140. Catherina, Tahiti-nut, FFerrari, Scarletwoman, Dixxxiechick, to name a few.

[sabrina 1]

143. Yes, Catherina, EFerrari, I still see here on Social Media, doing a great job

as always. Do you know what happened to Dixxxiechick? Lol, I imagine she took that name because the censorship of the Dixie Chicks when we all went out and bought their videos to counter the attacks on their business from the Right.

Scarlet Woman, yes definitely though we don't always agree she is someone for whom I have so much respect, and Tahiti-nut who I have not seen around for a while.

[Horse with no Name]

148. EFerrari is on Facebook

Love her!

[hifiguy]

274. I miss Catherina

we used to exchange recipes via PM. Hope she's doing well.

[NJCher]

153. tonight in class

A student needed a written article or speech both for and against war. I
recommended:

http://www.amazon.com/War-Iraq-What-Team-Doesnt/dp/1893956385


Cher

[sabrina 1]

158. Excellent recommendation. People should read this book now as it all turned out to be true.

Not that many of us didn't know that at the time, but they got their way and suppressed and smeared and attacked all those who told the truth.

Joe Wilson eg, for simply telling the truth.

And still not one of them has been held accountable for their willful lies.

It took a lot of courage to speak out at that time.

[NJCher]

159. yes it did

And then they waited until they could slime Scott Ritter.

I had to tell my student that that is the way they operate.


Cher

[sabrina 1]

204. Yes, they did get him in the end. He was on the Donahue Show

and brought documents with him to prove the other Bush loyalist also on the show, and also a UN Inspector airc, was not telling the truth. The audience gave Ritter a standing ovation for his presentation.

The next day the Donahue, MSNBC's most popular show, was canceled.

That is how they operate.

Good for you for telling your students how it's done.

[Uncle Joe]

157. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, sabrina.

[WillyT]

163. Right There With You, Uncle Joe !!! - And Yes... Thanks Sabrina !!!

[Uncle Joe]

166. WillyT!!

[underpants]

164. You're welcome

[sabrina 1]

168. Lol, yes, I noticed your, em, unusual name when I first logged on to DU.

Airc, it made me laugh and still does. Another great contributor, underpants!

[underpants]

172. You too sabrina1

[unapatriciated]

165. I don't log on that often anymore

But wanted to rec this op because I'm sick of what some have done to DU. Op's like mm's is the main reason I do not post very often. I hate passive aggressive posters and have felt the sting of their condescending replies way too many times.

[sabrina 1]

174. Thank you. It was THAT deceptive OP that prompted this one. I felt, and I see other DUers

felt the same way, that if a long time DU tradition, posting threads to say how we appreciate other DUers, was going to be used to MOCK another long time DUer who was here when that particular poster was elsewhere doing the opposite of what Will Pitt was doing back then, then someone needed to post an HONEST thread in the actual tradition of DU.

Imo the misuse of these old traditions that made DU a place where Democrats felt welcome, should be against Community standards.

It wasn't just a mockery of ONE DUer, it is a mockery of DU itself. Which is not surprising to me considering the source and history.

I despise deception and as you say, passive aggressive behavior and asked that poster to inform DUers what his OP was REALLY intended to be. Twice.

Since he refused, I chose to write in the tradition of DU, an honest appreciation for good DUers who were here and who tried their best to stop the war criminals and even we didn't succeed, the honesty and integrity of all those people.

I cannot imagine eg, Will Pitt even when he was angry, using this tradition in a such a deceptive way to passive aggressively attack another DUer. He would take the hide as would we all, and say what he wanted to say, honestly.

[unapatriciated]

175. Didn't always agree with will but understand

His disappointment

[coffeenap]

167. Andy Stephenson. <3

[sabrina 1]

169. Andy, yes. I remember Andy. I had not been here for more than a year, when

Andy announced he was ill. I was amazed at the kindness and generosity of DUers who got together and in one weekend raised enough money for him to get the treatment that everyone hoped, would be successful.

THAT was impressive, the DU I remember.

I also remember all the other awful things surrounding Andy's illness, but that wasn't DU.

I always think of him whenever elections come up and his admonition regarding Paper Ballots.

And we are still not there.

RIP Andy, another memorable DUer.

[WillyT]

173. YES !!!

[Enthusiast]

170. Kicked and recommended! Thank you, Sabrina!

Will Pitt......

[Horse with no Name]

179. Shoutout to EFerrari and Skidmore

they have been my rocks this last year in going through cancer and recovery. They are amazing women and I truly love them!

[sabrina 1]

252. I had no idea, Horse, I am glad though that you are in recovery and want to add YOUR name to

those I remember. EFerrari I have kept track of on Social Media, she is indeed a wonderful person. And thank you for adding Skidmore, another great DUer.

Stay well and best wishes for the future. I can well believe that both of those great DUers were a support and comfort to you and I am so glad you had that.

[Horse with no Name]

267. Thank you. Although I haven't added much here but I enjoyed when I was here

constantly...lol.

I'm a betting person and my thoughts are that I beat it 100% and kicked it's ass around the block a couple of times...lol. I don't expect it will be back.

[sabrina 1]

268. That is fantastic news! And you definitely did add something. I remember your name eg,

or 'no name' lol. It is among all the others I remember with positive feelings.

[laundry_queen]

183. K&R

Wow, some of the names mentioned bring me back. *sigh*

Thanks for this thread Sabrina!

[rhett o rick]

187. Thank you again sabrina. They may be able to run some of us off, but they can't run all of us off.

[sabrina 1]

189. No problem Rhett, I know DU wasn't always perfect, but at least it was

a place where Progressive Dems could agree on most issues. Some of those who helped build this site, Will Pitt certainly contributed a lot to doing so, are no longer here. And if we Progressive Dems all leave, and many are thinking it might be time, I guess it will be a very boring place. It's a big internet now and I find myself spending more time elsewhere, where I am not arguing with people about what Dems are supposed to about. Like DU at one time, there is no argument about what the Dem Party is supposed to represent.

[rhett o rick]

192. Makes one wonder if the Admins really want to run off the progressives. By IMO progressives

here out number the conservatives by a substantial number.

[sabrina 1]

193. Well, if that were the case I would certainly hope they would be honest about it. I certainly

don't want to be where I am not welcome. Just say so and we will have no problem going somewhere else, there are plenty of other places now to go to.

I'm assuming that is not the case, so will continue to post about Progressive issues and candidates until someone announces this is not the place to do so.

[Ichingcarpenter]

188. recommended! Thank you, Sabrina!

so many mentioned in this thread that made du what it is and
not some tiger beat, chuck todd msnbc show it is becoming

[oasis]

194. Kick with an addition of Dr. Fate with his eerie mask.

[sabrina 1]

196. Lol, yes, I remember the 'eerie mask'. Wasn't there someone here called 'Death'

a long time ago? Maybe not, but I do remember it but maybe on another forum.

[oasis]

203. Dr. Fate had a red skull for his insignia. I've been absent from DU

for years. He may have left in during that time.

BTW Sabrina 1, thanks for posting this thread. It was good to reunite with old friends. The news about Opi was sad. We had small DU gatherings at his home and at different parks on Oahu. We lost contact after a while when I moved back to the mainland.

Again, thanks

[sabrina 1]

213. I remember his name very well. I was a lot quieter back then, in awe of so many great

people and all the information they provided on a daily basis. This was an amazing source of information, and as someone said above, 'we were ahead of the MSM by at least two years in knowing there were no WMDs in Iraq'. Among other things.

I just saw a few DUers, you included, I haven't seen in a long time. I remember, Elizabeth Edwards was a member here for a while.

I feel so sad by what happened in her life. Politics can be brutal, but she always seemed like a truly nice person, caring and down to earth.

Her death was so tragic. I hope her children are doing okay.

And Joe Wilson, who posted here asking us for support, airc. Which he naturally already had.

So nice to see you posting, oasis. It seems like just yesterday, but it's more than a decade ago, a decade and a half, a lifetime actually. Hard to believe.

So nice you got to meet Opi. And I'm glad Octafish who is a DU gem, is still here and was able to tell us what happened to Opi, even though it is such sad news.

You are welcome, I started the thread because I don't like to see good DUers like Will Pitt, who I do not know personally but do remember as a courageous voice who publicly challenged the Bush gang, being mocked in a deceptive OP by someone who, well, better to not go into that.

I just thought that this DU tradition of recognizing DUers for their efforts on all of our behalves, should not be allowed to be abused by deceptive use of it.

And that someone needed to post a thread that was honest and sincere and in accordance with that old DU tradition remembering all of those DUers who actually did keep us all sane at that time.

Take care and think you very much for your contributions to this thread, they made it so much better.

[grasswire]

217. wait, what happened to Opi?

I have missed him a lot.

[Trajan]

231. Hi Grasswire

It was stated in an earlier post that Opi passed on some 4 years ago. ... May he RIP ...

Grass? ... Tonight is the Sanders meetup event - are you going? .. we will be going to the downtown meet at 15th and SW Morrison ...

Let me know and perhaps we can step out for a coffee or beer or something ...

[grasswire]

242. Oh heck

I can't. Heck.

We DO need to get a meetup scheduled. Lots of DU-ers in the area!

[tblue]

202. You, Sabrina!

I always appreciate your posts, your integrity, and your courage.

[BeanMusical]

209. Kickin'

[merrily]

212. Not around early, but I miss Lasher and woo me with science fiercely.

And I will miss Will and kentuck.

I long for brentspeak and Kentuckian would post more often. Each post either of them makes is a diamond to me. After it hits me hard, right between the eyes.

Very grateful for Sabrina, bvar, Marr, Maedhros and so many other great, intelligent, well-informed liberals who do post regularly.

Also for each host of the Bernie Sanders Group and each and every poster in that group, especially those who encourage the rest of us so much.

Comic relief threads are also good and sometimes very much needed.

Also a shout out to leftofwest, who mostly lurks, but whom I appreciate.

[sabrina 1]

214. Merrily, another great DUer. Lasher, thank you for remembering. I miss woo me with science

too, one of the best DUers, honest and brilliant and what a great researcher and fact checker. A true Democrat. Honesty isn't always appreciated by a few people, making it all the more precious.

I haven't seen Brentspeak or Kentuckian around either for a while.

Thank you for adding some more great DUers to the thread merrily.

[merrily]

216. My pleasure, sabrina 1. I wish I were more familiar with some of the others noted on this thread.

woo me was not only honest and intelligent and able to link to every claim, but she was also extremely courageous.

I hope she is taking a summer break and starts posting again soon.

[Fuddnik]

220. Better Believe it.

Then there were a few who got tossed in a progressive purge a few years ago.

Ozymandius, who started the SMW daily for years.

[nxylas]

215. He still is

Taking a lot of abuse from the right, that is.

[proud patriot]

219. 10 years 12 hour days

seeing the things that can't be unseen ......... Your Welcome

[Heidi]

221. Kick, kick, kick!!!

[loudsue]

225. I have to chime in here, too....

WillPitt has been through a whole life transformation since I've known him on DU. He always speaks his mind, even when what he has to say is not "trendy" at the moment, or is absolutely the opposite of what the majority here is chewing on. He helps people to open their minds -- AND HEARTS, very often -- to look at a different point of view. And his writing, which has always stood out above the many, has developed through the years to be truly outstanding.

Whether we even realize it, or for those who would wish not to admit it, he has changed many of us, and DU itself, for the better.

It warms my heart to know that there are TWO appreciation threads for him today. And I'm all in.

Thanks, WillPitt, for all you have put into this political home of ours.

[CanSocDem]

226. Great thread.

Thanks for posting this tribute to Will Pitt and the others.

k&r


.

[Violet_Crumble]

227. DuctapeFatwa, bemildred, Jack Rabbit, the Magistrate, Poll Blind and Aidoneus...

I remember back in the first few years of DU, those were the people whose posts I'd enjoy reading and learning from. Sometimes I compare the DU from back then to the DU now and pine for the old days. Hell, if Mike Galos and Jem Note came back now I'd welcome my former enemies with open arms because of the slim pickings nowadays

[bemildred]

264. Hey Vi.

[Violet_Crumble]

283. bemildred! It's been a while since we've crossed paths...

Are you still posting in the I/P forum? I gave it up long ago out of sheer boredom

[bemildred]

286. Mostly I watch now.

I lost interest too, it all became cliches and well-worn rhetorical pathways. But I keep an eye on it, you know Bibi is going to make things happen.

I've been being a war nerd mostly, watching various disputes, which is sometimes I/P, and you start to get a feel for how these things go.

But life is good. It's ironic to be so comfortable for the first time in my life and yet to know it can't last, the world is going to Hell in a handbasket.

[nashville_brook]

229. Minstrel Boy, seemslikeadream, WillyT, Octafish, scarletwoman, eridani, Jefferson23, Fuddnik, manny

I could go on and on.

Heck, most of my faves who are still active are in this thread! including sabrina1!

[Zorra]

238. seemslikeadream! Another great DUer who was tombstoned, cuz, uh, oligarchsunderground. nt

newyawker99 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jun-04-07 02:37 PM
Original message
Congratulations seemslikeadream!! 20,000 posts

WOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x6575804

Her name was seemslikeadream, her name was seems like a dream, her name

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x5618993#5619086

[nashville_brook]

239. [phone]

[Thespian2]

230. Thanks, Sabrina1

Kicking and Kicking...

[PowerToThePeople]

233. DUrec.

Those were awful times. We still have yet to recover from them, but we have become more complacent with a Democratic POTUS.

[raouldukelives]

235. If it weren't for DU. Surviving the Bush decade would have been much harder.

For that calm in the storm, I am quite grateful.

[DeepModem Mom]

241. K&R!

[DinahMoeHum]

243. Anyone here remember "arwalden"? Hint below. . .

"Oh, My Gay Stars!"

[sabrina 1]

255. Lol, that's cute but no, I am sorry, that is not familiar to me. But I do remember

the duck-taped duck which always made me want to reach into the screen and release it.

After years of captivity the duck has finally been released!

[Lars39]

285. I do!

One of many voices greatly missed.

[sabrina 1]

251. I did not see, and probably won't bother to look what caused Will to make the decision

he made. But I knew without looking, when I saw the mocking OP which unfortunately took what most DUers view as a tradition here, and distorted it for their own personal agenda.

I posted this OP to try to make up for the abuse of the tradition where people were not being deceived into believing it was genuine, when it was far from that.

I'm sorry you too feel as so many others do now. I am here too ONLY because of good DUers such as those you already mentioned and others who are still here, still trying to maintain the spirit of the old DU. They need support and still provide so much good information.

I hope you will drop in once in a while.

I get he why he left also, without needing to read what should not ever be allowed on a site like this. Family comes first, and no one needs to be subjected to such a toxic atmosphere which can and does take precious time away from those they love.

Thank you for your post, bluebassman, you are one of the DUers I had in mind when I wrote the OP.

[sabrina 1]

266. I didn't, but could probably guess who and what was involved. No need to pollute

one's mind when it isn't necessary. I like this thread, and the people who have contributed. More like the old DU as I remember it.

I haven't used ignore, for the same reasons, but have developed a way of skipping past those who I know will add nothing of value to discussions. Sometimes as in this case, I am glad I stopped and read something I normally would have passed by.

DUers like WP, who has his faults as we all do, deserve better than what that OP intended.

The price of speaking out against the status quo can be high. Which is why most of us don't go outside our safe places.

But I do feel obligated to support those who do go public with the truth, as WP did re that Bush war criminals, while others were consorting with the 'enemy'.

Thank you for comments, I appreciate them.

[Armstead]

245. I miss Skittles.

....(waiting)

Know Skittles is still here. Just need a good ass kicking.

[sabrina 1]

260. Just wanted to add Elizabeth Edwards who was a DUer for a while.

She always seemed like such a nice person, down to earth, in touch with the people.

Her life turned out to be so tragic in the end.

Hard to absorb how much has happened over the past decade and a half.

[lpbk2713]

273. It was a privelege to have her among us.

She added something special to every discussion.

Gone too soon.

[bobthedrummer]

261. Years ago I got my sanity back-and I've got the back of all that love the truth here. NGU DUers n/t

[sabrina 1]

290. Same thing for a lot of people, and yours is another name I remember. Wish I could list them

all, because all those DUers, some still here, did help save the sanity of a lot of people.

[LiberalAndProud]

284. A-Schwarzenegger

Love ya!

[sabrina 1]

288. Thank you and someone reminded me of Truth Is All and I want to add

hfojvt who does some amazing analytical work on the economy but doesn't often get recognition for it.

Love ya too,

[arely staircase]

291. Fitzmass!

LOL

[sabrina 1]

293. Bob Boudalang!

Thanks for the kick btw.

[sabrina 1]

292. Polly 7, just wanted to add her to the list. And Raindog, who I learned sadly, from Uncle Joe

another favorite DUer, passed away last year.

RIP Raindog ....