Just signed up. I didn’t know about memberships either and I’ve been coming here for years !

Have been coming here for sanity but haven’t even posted yet! But can’t live w/o DU for this excruciatingly stressful election. Will be more interactive after this.

I look forward to reading more from you, and I'm CERTAINLY not alone! New members, or those who decide to step up always help keep the rest of us invigorated!

We do like fresh troops. We get worn out after a while and the deeper the bench, the more we can take a break or two!

Glad you're in and activated! It's THE Place to Be on the 'net!

And found I couldn't live without the info and people thru this election.

anyone who uses DU should try to contribute, it is well worth it - this site just keeps improving

I trust the behind-the-scenes people to keep it productive.

I use an adblocker so I never saw any ads here, and still I support it, modestly.

I have benefited for years by reading the articles and never felt a need to post, therefore no account. We should all be aware of the sorry state of what represents itself as "mainstream" media. Clearly, we cannot depend on any of those corporate mouthpieces to uphold the traditional role of the "fourth estate" that the founders envisioned.

The term "fourth estate" has a long history. In old Europe, the estates were often thought of as the clergy, the royalty, the parliament and the people. Clearly, the American founders wanted none of that. They didn't want royalty, nor did they want a state-sanctioned religious "estate". In America's formative years, the four estates were usually defined as the legislative, the judicial, the executive, and the free press. The Constitution defined the first 3 estates in detail, but had not a single word about the fourth estate. However, that was heavily on their minds, as the free press was the very first amendment.

The problem is that they expected a right to a free press to be sufficient to balance against the three "official" estates. And in most cases, it really did work for over 200 years. But it is no longer working, and because of that, the citizens themselves must maintain the fourth estate. This site is an important part of that. It is ironic that it takes a database problem for some of us to realize our own obligations in this regard. I hope once the technical problems are resolved, there can be an open discussion of the responsibility we all have to take up the vacuum left by the failing "mainstream" media.

countries!

A special Canuck, she was a Newfie.



So I won't hold it against you.

So many friends from NFLD! Always with a smile, a joke, a little screech on the side and a meal that you may never move from the table again! My favourite Canucks!

I’ve been lurking for years. DU is always my go to for news, glad this forced my hand to pay up towards the running of a great site!

I remember finding this place awhile ago, and I've never felt the need to look elsewhere. I learn something new here, every day!

This is my go to place to find out what’s going on.

I had been thinking about it but hadn’t gone ahead with it. Sorry to say it took the slow access to make me join, but certainly am happy to support this excellent community that saves my sanity at this time of every election cycle.

Glad you stepped up! It was love-at-first-sight for me, whenever it was that I joined, and it's STILL my favorite place on the 'net, after all this time!

Same here.

Glad you're here! I can't believe how many new (or low post count) folks are saying hello on this thread! Pretty gratifying, I must say!

Happy to support DU. It's my go-to now for news and discussion.

We absolutely love Canada. We've been from Vancouver Island all the way across to Prince Edward Island. Spent a whole summer doing that. We've also driven our motorhome to Alaska 3 times. Spectacular country and an amazing drive, although the roads in the Yukon just beat the RV & this old driver to death.

I'm assuming that you didn't go to the Yukon in the winter?? :- )

And yes, I've seen the show. We've driven the Alcan (Alaska Canada highway is the correct name) six times, and that's bad enough once you get north of Haines Junction.

We did get into a nasty blizzard on the Icefields Highway that delayed us overnight.

Had 1.6 miles on it we bought it from the dealership 1 mile from the factory, and has just under 80,000 on it now.

Yes we enjoy seeing the U.S. & Canada. Hope to hit Mexico next year.

It has been pretty stressful this election season.

You are forgiven, now go and is no more.

you ARE most welcome here.

I had a similar username back then, but I was even a worse computer novice than I am now. Star is the only way to go.

We all know this is a very fraught and anxious time, so we all need all the support we can get. A good many of us oldtimers remember the horror of 2016, when DU suffered a DDS attack election night! NO DU! No online hands to hold, no online shoulders. .

May this election night be one of celebration for all of us, young, old, new members or longtime ones. .we are one big, messy, noisy, caring, loving family.

So, again, welcome.

glad to do it!

Was a star member when I first joined around 2007 but lost that account during the big hack. Decided to rejoin about a year ago. Due to a lot of life things never fot a star until now

One minute I'm on, everything is fine, then my Internet drops out, won't come back on for several minutes, then it's back and I can't get in. Very tempted to just move on, to be honest, but decided to at least contribute until after the election.

Before the site has been limited to registered member, this star member only thing was a surprise.

I think I've been lurking around for 20 years lol ,
since Kerry/Edwards 2004. I remember when DU got hacked in 2016, saw it as a bad omen. I just felt sick to my stomach that day. I feel anxious but optimistic about this coming election! Hope I'm right!

Glad you're here, and hope you continue to get as much out of DU as the rest of us do! Nice star you've got there, also!

Welcomes from another (formerly really cheap) Canadian to the real DU group.

My conscience got the better of me several years ago and I was subscribing yearly to support their great work- but then I got scammed on PayPal.

PayPal refused to acknowledge that I was a victim so I started to boycott them. That lasted until renewal time for my subscription came due. DU only accepts PayPal or cheques. Cheques take forever to process from Canada to an American bank. Ack!

Forced to go back to using PayPal but this time I put it on ‘renew automatically’ so access wouldn’t suddenly be limited. DU Lounge is one of the forums you can’t access without a subscription and I really missed that till I’d renewed.

Trust me, a $100 (or more) subscription is worth ten times the $480 that The Globe and Mail charges for a yearly subscription.

I'm just going by post count, but I hope to read more of your comments in the future! Always interested in how new arrivals are thinking and responding to the candidates and the issues. It's really illuminating!

So sorry, me too!

For me, it's the best place on the 'net. I've learned and grown so much, reading the posts here. There are LOTS of great minds here, and amazing portfolios of experience to add to the credibility. And sometimes, it's just nice to chew the fat with others of like mind.

It’s a shame it took me so long to join. This site helps me keep my sanity.

Welcome.

Welcome to DU, Jkanad!

I'm here pretty much every day, and invariably I see new arrivals (or at least folks with low post counts). But any way you slice it, it's still nice, filling, and good-tasting! And it will make you smarter on lots of issues as well as the people behind those issues.

Glad you stepped up! I've loved this place for more than two decades. And I have learned TONS! It's made me a better and smarter Democrat (and liberal), and the support and validation you can get here when your knees feel a little weak can be impossible to put a price on! We're all here anonymously but as close as family, at the same time!

Welp count me in too.
Been lurking(freeloading) for 4 years.
I'm ashamed.

Or, at least, new to many of us! Whenever I see a low post count, I pounce!

Welcome to DU, univoflaw! Glad you got your star, too! You're among many friends here!

Your voice is important.

And an absolute bargain for the sanity it provides.

On a totally different USA based forum where politics was a lively off-topic subforum: I had several Canadian on-line friends for years [mostly from around Toronto, a Vancouvan, and one from Thunder Bay] on the main forums!

While the site is much leaner now over all, and the political area is small but usually still quite lively especially now. We have one Canadian left.

Anyway my previous Canadian friends are no longer on there, but I can tell you that almost (if not all) would be absolutely apalled about Drumphf!!!

And the other Canadians upthread. Good to see you all.

I'm an Aussie and joined DU to learn about the US political system. What an education it's been.

We're so happy you've joined us!

I apologize for not joining sooner. I have accessed the site for a couple of years. I don’t post because I’m so intimated by the intelligence found here. This site provides an education in so many areas and it is my go to for news. Thanks to everyone from a north Florida girl.

I just got my Star membership a few minutes ago. Been on DU for eighteen years.

Last edited Fri Nov 1, 2024, 07:49 AM - Edit history (1)

I’ve been visiting DU on an almost daily basis since 2001 but never took the time to open up an account until now. I live in a very red county in northeast Pennsylvania and need all the moral support I can get. I’m active in the local Democratic Party (Columbia County Dems) and we’re working our tails off to deliver Pennsylvania to Kamala and the entire Democratic ticket. The DU community is such a treasure and I’m so glad that I finally decided to join in.

Welcome to all new members!

DU works hard to keep trolls out of here and makes this a safe place to come to.

I don't post a lot because I am naturally a negative person. Ever see that grumpy old man who is never happy about anything. That's me. This site gives me hope so I am glad to donate $ to be able to read posts.

And he never failed to make me laugh with his great sense of humor. I believe I hear some of that in your post, and we absolutely need your kind in here.
Thanks for getting your Star and jumping in the pool!

Brings back memories of finding this place back in 2016…lurked awhile then joined in 17.
Another couple years to figure out star membership bennies.

Harris/Walz or BUST!
We gotta do this!!!!!!!!!!

This election cycle actually has been saner here…and way, way better that outside.

I have been the same for 20 years. I cannot go another election without DU access and it is only right to finally contribute to something that has been such a big part of my life

Thanks for being here DU.

Even when you don't feel like talking about politics, check out the many subforums here.

OK, me too.

Happy to be a Star member!

Just needed a kick in the backsides, I guess :/

I used to be on here quite a while ago (2018), as Rectangle, and had

over a thousand posts.

There is no way to change your username without losing all

your previous posts--So I'll start over at zero again.

Clean install/ reboot!

I hope to earn my stripes.

Thanks folks!

Ars Longa (Vita Brevis)

and of course, you're welcome to contribute to visit and contribute to DU's Canuck discussion group!


Rocknation

I had watched thru my lurking years the kindness & generosity you all so openly display amongst your members. Thank you all, for the kind & warm welcome! It is indeed, a privilege to be counted as part of this wonderful group of people.

Now, please, please, please bring Ms. Kamala Harris to a most EPIC presidency!!!! (There will be a watch party with my bestie all Tuesday cheering you on!)

Without my DU.
I’m glad to become a star member… Thank you DU!

Been mostly lurking for 24 years. First came here after the Bush v Gore debacle!

I’ve been following DU since 2001. I don’t have much more than 500 posts since that time. However, it’s always been a place to find up to the minute info….sometimes just minutes after it took place.
I’m 75 years old and just voted in my 14th Presidential election. (always for the democratic candidate.) Voted for George McGovern in 1972. I was 23 years old….couldn’t vote against Nixon in 1968 because I was 19 years old and the voting age was 21. Many of my high school friends were in Viet Nam. Some didn’t come home.
Children of the 60’s my late wife of 51 years….we were together for 55 years…..couldn’t even vote when we got married 6/12/1971…….Constitutional Amendment # 26 was passed 7/1/1971.
My draft number was 225 so I wouldn’t be drafted.
We had two wonderful sons and now three beautiful granddaughters and grandson. One daughter-in-law became an American citizen this year.
With all that in mind I went into the voting booth and somewhat emotional and cast my vote for Harris/Walz.
PS…..I do enjoy not having to navigate through all the ads!

Long time reader but not much of a participant. Realized during these stressful times I needed this informative group.