Heya folks

[dave29]

I am leaving DU. Just a few thoughts after returning from a few months break.

This site has clearly devolved over the last few years. I mentioned to Skinner that I think the internet is no longer a good medium to "discuss" politics since it is too easily compromised. No one here trusts anyone else. Everyone is a cheerleader or apologist for their own view point. Factionalism rules, and the splintering has led this place down the rabbit hole.

Even though I did not really get to know many of you personally since I arrived in 2002 (I have an ear condition that prevents me from socializing much), I had a great number of thoughtful discussions back in the day. I apologize (yes I am an apologist) for getting caught up in the flame wars of the last few years.

Yes I am a far left liberal. Yes I support the President, without hesitation.

These two things are not allowed here without great skepticism and outright contempt. I no longer wish to put myself in the cross-hairs of folks who only inform themselves with their preferred media, and then get in line to high-five each other for their awesome digs.

Frankly, it's childish, and unfortunately... easy... the internet being what it is.

We can be whoever we want here, and get away with it. That can be a good thing, and a very bad thing. Unfortunately the nerves here are too frayed, and I count myself amongst those whose mental health takes a steep dive every time I get involved in what counts for discussion here these days.

I've decided the best approach for me is to keep politics real, and avoid it on the internet at all costs. I will not pay to engage in discussions with folks who will never agree with me, or are paid to get under my skin. It's just not worth it. I will go back to the real activism that brought me some joy, participating in film/music projects that help get Democrats (and I mean Democrats, not Republicans or Green Candidates) get elected.

These are the actions that I think count more than anything. As folks around here are so fond of saying... actions speak louder than words. I haven't had much in the way of words since I published for DU back during the 2004 election cycle, and wrote materials for Howard Dean and the Kerry campaign.

I wish everyone the best, I miss the spirit of DU, and I hope that you all find a way to recapture it in a way that helps our party, our country, and all Americans come together around common sense solutions to our shared problems... not just our own.

Be well,
and

peace out

:grouphug:

edited for wrong word

[lamp_shade]

1. "The spirit of DU" - Yes, Dave, I miss it too.

[PeaceNikki]

2. Classy.

All the best!

[cali]

3. thoughtful words. sorry you're leaving. wish you'd reconsider.

[Taverner]

4. I hear you. And now that editing a message is considered "cowardice" these days

I can see why you mentioned the edit

I'm sticking around however

I will outlast my detractors

I will bury them! (bangs shoe on table)

[tabatha]

5. I agree with this.

"Yes I am a far left liberal. Yes I support the President, without hesitation."

It is draining, and also nerve-wracking. I have found myself being more outspoken than I think is healthy, just out of frustration. I have to stop.

There are good people on this board - and I am going to just interact with them, and ignore the others. I do not know where else to get some of the valuable information that is posted here - e.g. regarding Kochroaches, etc.

I'd just like to give a shout out to ProSense for her unflappable posts. Her calm in the face of contempt, is appreciated.

:grouphug:

[Blue-Jay]

6. There isn't much about DU that is good or interesting anymore.

[Keith Bee]

7. Godspeed

R

[GoneOffShore]

8. Glad I saw this - Good luck Dave

And it's the reason I hang out in the Lounge and the Photography board.

Every time I post in GD I have indigestion from reading the troll feeds.

[Liberal Veteran]

9. I can't really disagree with anything you said.

I'm still hanging in there, but honestly, you voiced my thoughts more eloquently than I usually do with regards to DU of late.

I wish you the best.

[Bluerthanblue]

10. I wish you would stay- but I understand

your decision.

I wish you all good things.
comfort, peace, hope and health

:grouphug:

~blu

[proud patriot]

11. Peace from a fellow Early Dean supporter

:patriot: I look forward to seeing you videos

[RickFromMN]

12. I haven't been here that long, but may I also wish you my best wishes.

I wish for someone who would champion FDR's Second Bill of Rights.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Bill_of_Rights

I wish for someone like JFK and his New Frontier.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Frontier

Is it only in the past when doing for others was considered noble?

Are we now a country where everyone is in it for oneself,
and doesn't care what happens to others?

Libertarians can's stand big government. To them, government does nothing right.
I watched a video of Milton Friedman explain the problem of slavery in the South was caused by government.
Please go to 3 minutes 10 seconds in the following video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhgy0ymD-NI

Government is not the problem. Government, or any government is a tool.
Who controls government matters.

If a dictator, like Stalin controls the government, one has a totalitarian state.
We say the people control our government; I no longer believe this.
I believe our government, in the United States, is controlled by big corporations.

I can't offer a solution. I don't know what solution to offer.
I wish we had a charismatic leader on the left.
I wish we had a platform, easily articulated, that people who aren't political could rally around.

[Name removed]

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