How has DU changed your life? Share your story here.

[prolesunited]

Just thinking how much not only the world has changed in the past few years but how much I've changed as well — perhaps not change, but returned to my core values.

I had always been quite idealistic, believed the world could be a better place and that somehow I could be a part of helping make that happen. Somehow I got lost in cynicism, selfishness and a host of trivial pursuits. I thought growing up meant giving up those dreams.

Then I found DU and it was like coming home to a warm embrace. My passion has been re-ignited. I found my voice and I'm more determined than ever to make waves, even if they only are small ripples in the overall scheme of things.

I have learned soooo much in the past two years. I've always considered myself intelligent and well read, but apparently I've been reading the wrong books. When I came here, I was much more of a moderate. But with the information I have absorbed here, I have found myself moving farther and farther left.

I have had the opportunity to interact electronically with dozens of people whose paths I may never have crossed but who have no doubt enriched my life in countless ways. I am even more thankful to have been able to also meet dozens of you in person. There hasn't been a single one of you that I would not want to spend even more time with.

My belief and faith in people, as well as myself, has been restored.

:grouphug: :loveya: :grouphug:

So, what's your story?

[alwynsw]

1. I've developed a new appreciation

for SHOWERS!

[prolesunited]

4. I bare my soul

in an emotionally honest fashion and that's the best that you can come up with? ;-)

[alwynsw]

5. Nope, but I thought it would get your attention.

Actually, it's renewed my faith in many of my fellow lefties - and reaffirmed my doubts about others. (You'd have to be a Gungeon regular to understand completely.)

On the whole, without getting mushy, it's been an uplifting experience that I hope will continue.

on edit: But I still like showers better. :evilgrin:

[LastKnight]

2. provided some faith and hope for me

to know that im not the only one out here that thinks this way... and suddenly ridding our nation of the terrorist neocons doesnt seem so impossible. DU has also been of great personal importance to me as well, you can gain friends here and ask for advice on personal matters in anonimity, you need not be afraid of being yourself here.

and in closing... thank you DU a great place to be.

-LK

[prolesunited]

10. That's another thing that has amazed me as well

You can post a question on any topic imaginable and someone here will have the answer. Also, the level of support you can find here is incredible. People have quit smoking, lost weight, survived hardships and losses, etc. and DUers have been there through it all.

[Rabrrrrrr]

3. It gave me space to confirm my suspicions, find people of a like mind,

have intelligent dialogue, and especially to a) have a space to vent my anger about this misadministration and anger and emotional fallout from being in the 9-11 attack, and b) have that anger and emotional pain validated not just for what it was, but also that it is *justified* because the attacks were absolutely the fault of Shrub (whether MIHOP, LIHOP, or just negligence, it doesn't matter, it's his fershlugginer fault, because IMO they could have been stopped).

Finding such a group of people who realize the immorality of this administration and their capacity for falsity, and also of the entire reich wing of the republican party, was and has been and remains instrumental in my healing process. Thank God for this place!

on edit: it also helped me realize the importance of Yaks, and wihtout DU I would never have had oysters and martinis with RBNYC, because I'd never have met her. :-) And that, my friends, is what life is all about.

[rumguy]

6. I found DU during the run-up to the 2002 elections

Bush was going around the country talking about attacking Iraq, and the whore media was just eating it up.

I felt like a lost soul out in the wilderness. What was happening to my country, I thought? I was in school at the time, heavily involved in studies...and then one night I just started searching online and I found a number of sites that are now integral to my daily life - DU, Bartcop, the Horse, Buzzflash, Cursor.org, etc...

I was like, damn, finally, I knew I wasn't the only who felt that Bush and the media had gone insane.

I lurked for many months. During the war I was lurking in here constantly, always trying to get the latest info.

Then last summer I finally joined. My first posts were in a thread concerning Admiral Poindexter and his bizzare TIA fantasy.

[AlFrankenFan]

7. Mostly....

it has changed me and made me realize that there are like-minded people all around the country.

I've met so many interesting people, made lots of friends, and have learned so much more than I ever thought I could.

[banana republican]

8. It has helped me deal with clinical depression since Dec, 2000

eom

[JohnKleeb]

9. Ive grown politically here

Met some great people and even met some like you proles in person. I have some great friends here, and I plan to meet some of them for the inguaration. Its been great, "we few we band of brothers" or some shit like that :). Great people really. Thats my main comment. You guys are frigging great. I have one friend that I really don't think my whole DU experience could have been without, and we hardly talk here on DU because she lurks but without her I wouldnt have learned what I have learned, and other stuff, :hi: Thanks for being there for me. Also a big thanks to all the others who have been just great to me. I wish I could thank you all indidvually.

[KG]

11. it keeps me off the street at night,

kinda like midnight hoops.

[prolesunited]

17. Goodness knows what sort of trouble

you would have landed yourself in by now. ;-)

[WilliamPitt]

12. I came here as a brand new school teacher

and am here today as a New York Times bestselling author of two books, former managing editor of a major alternative news source, and Press Secretary for the Dennis Kucinich campaign.

The amount DU had to do with all that cannot be measured by modern technology.

[BelleCarolinaPeridot]

15. Congrats to you WilliamPitt !

:hi:

[GOPisEvil]

13. Like you, I had my fire reignited.

It had gone out during Clinton's administration.

I have also met some REALLY, REALLY good people, you included! :thumbsup::loveya::grouphug:

[thebigidea]

14. "Ill tells ya, but I gots to SING!" (clears throat)

http://www.terminalproduct.com/dutheme.rm

Other than that, megamorphinedittos!

[VelmaD]

16. DU helped me open back up

I was very closed off to new people in my life after my breakup with my evil ex. I've connected with new people for the first time in years because of this board.

The politics stuff is great too and it helped light a fire under my butt to get more involved again. But the thing I will always be most grateful for this board for is the people it brought into my life. :-)

[trof]

18. Immeasurably.

When I came here I was bald, with crooked teeth.
I could hardly speak English.
Now I am fluent in English, my hair has grown back, and my teeth are straight and sparkling white.
Thank you, DU.
;-)

[Lizz612]

19. Knowledge and thats power

I'm not as afraid to talk about my political beliefs with others because I now feel like I know enough to talk. I'm not comfortable talking facts with people unless I know what I'm talking about.
I also know that I'm not stupid to feel so optimistic when I hear a good speech. I know what you mean when you talk about thinking growing up means losing your idealism. I don't want to lose my idealism, sometimes its what I cling too.

[LeftPeopleFinishFirst]

20. It has changed my life in so many ways..

When I first came here, I was kinda new to politics and all that type of stuff. I was frustrated with Bush and coming from a very Republican area it was hard for me to find anyone besides family who understood. It was a couple weeks after 9-11 and I was depressed. Through DU, I learned about many things relating to 9-11 and was better able to separate the facts from the fiction.

Throughout my time here, I have met many new friends. One or two I know well enough to consider my best. I have even met one of them. I have seen generousity pour out from the DU community when I was raising funds for my trip to DC... you guys helped me raise almost 400 dollars. I have been engaging more frequently in all the GD action. I think being here has helped me learn, and everyone's been able to see me grow as well. It took a DU village to raise me, haha! :D

Maggie

[flaminbats]

21. hmmmm...

not much. To be honest, I have only spoken with one person on the phone from this forum personally! So in terms of personal interaction, it really doesn't exist...

But to someone like me, that is all politics is about!

Sometimes our debates push me toward the Green Party, other times they suck me back in. But otherwise I might not even give a shit..

[nostamj]

22. my, that would be quite a list!

the connections and networking with people has been extraordinary, (including collaborating with you proles).

and questionW.com
and getting to work with Bev Harris (and Andy, and AWD, and Vince) on graphics.

i had only called a radio show once (Lynn Samuels) and now, I'm the "NY Bureau" for GuyJames...

and today, as i move into a new phase of life (unemployment) I've had tons of support and some potential clients from the amazing people here.

to say i'm better informed and better able TO inform is an understatement.

and even when I find myself alone and in a darkening place, I can logon here and be diverted, amused, enraged, comforted and, somehow, less alone.

thanks DU

[nostamj]

23. why do my posts always KILL the best threads?

maybe I should only post on threads I really don't like.

:shrug:

[earthman dave]

24. It's broken my mental link between "american" and

"bloodthirsty blinkered fanatic free-market-fundamentalist imperialist" - An opinion (subconscious, now I think about it) formed by watching the (american) talking heads on TV and reading the frothings of the freepers on undernet #politics. Finding sane americans is something of a relief, as you can probably imagine. :toast: