DUers: Get Used to Newbies Who Need to Play "Catch-Up"

[rucky]

Sorry to preach, but I see more unfriendliness than friendliness to people with low post counts. I don't think it's just me, because I've noticed it for quite some time.

We complain about how uninformed people are, but as we get closer and closer to the election, we're going to run into people who maybe haven't been paying attention and want to see what all the flap is about.

Some of these people have been and will continue to visit Democratic Underground. That's how I became a member.

These people will repreat RW talking points they've heard. These people may be trolls, but they may also be swing voters, or good people who've been too busy struggling to raise a family that they haven't had a chance to get involved in politics. I humbly suggest we be polite & patient. Re-state what's obvious to us as often as necessary, provide sources, and give newbies the benefit of the doubt.

A sour experience here could reinforce their already cynical view of politics. Helping win this election means giving people a reason to go to the polls.


That is all.

[DaveFL99]

1. then again they may just be bored to death at work

and wandering the internet

[rucky]

5. you must be a paid GOP operative!

because nobody I know surfs the net when they're bored at work...

[drdigi420]

2. I agree

matta fact, I think everyone should buy them a T-shirt!

[cally]

3. Completly agree

Many come here and ask about the latest talking points. They are not trying to drive us beserk but are trying to get information to refute what they've heard or read. Let's try to help and live up to our reputation of a smart and friendly board.

[jeff30997]

4. I agree.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

6. I know sometimes I forget that not everybody

has argued most of these issues ten thousand times already. Thanks for the reminder, I will try to be more gentle (not easy for me).

[Laf.La.Dem.]

7. Preach on

Preach on - you are rightO8)

[havocmom]

8. Bravo! Yes, we need to be ambassadors of good will and share what

we have learned with those who are just now shrugging off the effects of corporate media brainwashing.

More people are wising up to the fact that truth has long be 'outfoxed' and they come here seeking knowledge.

A little patience and helpful hints at how to use internet resources to get critical information for folks just coming off the fence will go a long way for our cause. Just remember, new converts generally exhibit much fervor ;) Let's make sure the seekers find info AND goodwill here at DU.

[Trailrider1951]

9. Yes, that's exactly right

I found this place last March, and I've been addicted ever since!
And I really had my eyes opened! :wow:

Thanks to all of you who were patient with me :grouphug:

[Joylaughter]

10. Love DU

I feel at home here and am grateful to find open minds to banter with and who challenge me. Thank you all for making this place so cool.

[antigone382]

35. Welcome, we love you too! n/t

[Scooter24]

11. Agreed...

show me the love :hug:

:D

[Selwynn]

12. STFU.

hehe :) Kidding..

:toast:

[bigwillq]

13. I always thought post counts were a bit overrated

Let me explain-I always welcome a newbie to DU!! Much respect much be paid to newyawker99 for teaching me that!!

I am a bit cautious of people with low counts b/c they could be freeping but if there count is low, we just can't assume they're a freeper until they prove they are. Believe me, their true colors will show eventually.

getting back to my subject line, I do respect people with high counts b/c some have been here since the inception of DU and a lot of those users make very intelligent posts.

But I have seen people with low counts write some very good stuff.

Let's all just be friendly and welcome our newbies. The best we can do is give them a chance.


Welcome Newbies!!

[marlakay]

14. I love this site too!

I read the posts for a few months before I started writing but I found this site fit my views of how I felt and it was set up in a easy way to post.

I have learned a lot from all that I read. I read more than I post but it helps a lot. For instance with todays news my husband called me from work and said whats up with Kerry? and I said I don't know but will check on DU!!

[johnnie]

15. I agree

I said something about this the other day. Of course there might be a few who come on here to cause trouble, but I think everyone should be given a chance. I have seen people with very few posts get a few nasty remarks because they aren't as "educated" as they should be. I would hope that people would realize that to be educated others might have to ask questions.
I also know that some people are really interested in learning, but when they see others getting flamed they will just go away.
Good thread.

[sandnsea]

16. It's not the post count

It's the post itself. How many times do we need the same questioned asked in a day or even a week? Not everyone repeating RW talking points is from the right wing. They, and their not so secret agenda, annoy me a whole lot more than the obvious troll.

[salonghorn70]

17. Friendliness

Should be shown to all posters, new or old. No matter what they say or how much you disagree with them. At least that is my opinion. What's wrong with being friendly?

[dietdpfan]

18. From a low-poster, I say

Amen to that!!!!!!

[DeepModem Mom]

19. Agree -- wouldn't hurt to give the benefit of a doubt --

and while we all should share the same goal, there's no need to be in lockstep.

[Misskittycat]

20. I'm a newbie at posting

but I've been lurking since about April.

Many people who are involved and paying attention to this election have simply not heard about DU; it shouldn't be assumed that all newbies were not paying attention before posting.

I would add that the ban on free e-mailers thwarted me for a while. I tried to post almost immediately but was told that because my e-mail is yahoo, I couldn't post. Just recently, I got frustrated with the inability to post (considering I spend hours each day on this and other political internet boards) so I e-mailed the administrators, who arranged it so I can post.

By the way, when I go to meet-ups and other Democratic-leaning functions, I always mention DU. Lots of people have not heard of DU or other great internet boards.

Case in point: At the Paul Krugman book-signing on Sunday in Del Mar, CA, I met a woman who had no idea there were so many other Democrats/progressives in the neighborhood -- North San Diego County is believed to be strongly Republican (i.e., military). She was thrilled to learn that lots of other people here feel as angry and frustrated as she. She believed she was "alone in a desert."

First, I told her about DU; she immediately marked down the URL. Then I told her that this supposedly conservative bastion is not as solidly Republican as conventional wisdom has us residents believe. My town went for Gore in 2000. I told her that my precinct list (i.e., my condo development) shows it leans Democratic. Taking into account the "independents," "decline to state" voters and Greens, it looks like the Repugs are seriously outnumbered. I told her that finally we have a Democratic Congressional candidate (Francine Busby) who can make serious inroads against "Duke" Cunningham who is just slighly to the left of Attila the Hun. She was stunned but very pleased. This is just one of many activists who are waiting to be discovered.

[salonghorn70]

22. Welcome!!!

To DU :hi:

[Misskittycat]

23. Thanks for the welcome.

Others have welcomed me also.

[Kanary]

54. Hi Misskittycat!

Welcome to the wide world of posting at DU!

:hi: :hi: :hi:

:toast: :toast:

I'm really glad that you took the proverbial bull by the horns, and asked the Admins to let you post. I have seen so much evidence of how limited poor folk are in their ability to be involved with politics, and that one barrier shouldn't exist. Whether or not that is your situation, I'm glad that you forged your way through it.

Closing people out for lack of $$$ must come to an end.

Looking forward to seeing more of your posts!

Kanary

[Myrina]

21. Amen ... and may I just add,

... that more than the post count, I've noticed 'newbies' getting pounced for posting comments/questions about the candidate or the DNC, or the 'vision thing' of the Democratic party, as if any kind of critical thinking or questioning simply cannot be tolerated.

We are here to learn from each other, no ? Calling newbies trolls and freepers and telling people who have differing degrees of enthusiasm for Kerry to STFU or 'go back where you came from' is just ... well, freeperish.

Keep in mind there are a ton of swing voters, new voters, net surfers, and people disenchanted with whatever party they're used to, so they may stumble across DU completely unaware of what's been discussed and developed here over the past 3+ years. Give them a chance, and don't marginalize them simply because they're not part of the clique.

And yes, I've been here since Day 1 - but under a different name ;-) so I get quite a chuckle when various posters I know to be huge, insufferable boors call me a troll if/when I choose to play devil's advocate on any particular thread. Disagreeing with popular opinion doesn't make me - or anyone else - a troll.

[Catt03]

24. Hmmmmm

You all are so nice.

I was scared off after 30 posts when I started in 2001. I came back though.....perserverance! Or desperation!

[Kanary]

57. Many people have been scared off......

...and we're all the poorer for it.

Glad you're back! :hi:

Kanary

[Spirochete]

25. I agree

I like newbies. I love to see someone with 10 posts, laying out a well-worded point or two. It's like discovering friends you never knew you had.

[cynatnite]

27. Great Place

Love it here...in just the short time, I've been welcomed very warmly and have been allowed to vent when I'm about ready to pull my hair out over some idiotic comment.

I've also learned a great deal with this election. Before I had my beliefs and went with those, but this time I wanted information. Al Franken's book put me on a track and inspired me.

Just like the graceful Mrs. Kerry says, smart and well-informed. I've been called opinionated several times. I'd like to thank her for voicing what many of us women have been trying to tell the rest of the world for some time.

Anyways, thanks for this group.

Now, where's the beer and cheetos.

Cyn:)

[WLKjr]

26. Sounds Logical

Maybe we should start preaching to the newbies, make them learn so that they can be more educated.

so newbies, just STFU and listen and ask questions after your done listening. (lol, just kidding :)! )

We should go a little easier on newbies and make them aware of the happenings around them and help them out in thier search for political meanings.

[Inland]

28. What does "newbie" mean again? Its all so confusing

[Tweed]

42. Here's some terms for you

Newbie: Someone who is new the Democratic Underground

DU: Democratic Underground

IMHO: In my honest opinion

DINO: Democrat in name only

N/T: No text (will be seen in the subject line saying there is no text in the message box and no reason to click on the box.)

Pukes/repukes: Republicans

There are many more, but that's a starter.

[NV1962]

29. So who's running against Bush again?

;)

Welcome n00bs! I landed late last year here. It's one heck of a place to learn the details behind what's cooking. And great fun too - as long as you take the occasional exchange of barbs with a pinch of salt.

Community spirit, what a concept!

:grouphug:

[JohnOneillsMemory]

30. Yup. I talked to a Naderite getting sigs who said "I hear DU's intolerant"

This wasn't a Repub but a genuine Greenie counterculture kid.

I stopped to have a friendly chat about why I didn't want Nader on the ballot drawing votes from Kerry.

I mentioned DU and he said that he'd heard that DUers were very hostile to other viewpoints. I tried to explain that there was alot of disruptors and also a high level of outrage that led to some wariness and paranoia albeit justifiable.

I recommend always having an explainer response in your files to bring new folks up to speed on things like the CIA atrocities, US backing of Saddam, the Bush Family Evil Empire, the coup of 2000, Halliburton, Dominionism, corporate propaganda, etc.

Many people are muddled and just beginning to sort out a highly spun media culture.

[lupita]

31. I was one of the first members, I donate but don't post much

and I have been treated very poorly, because I am 'shy'.
Oh well, there is always a way to discriminate. Must be human nature...

[Retrograde]

44. if I don't have something to say i don't say it

in most forums a few posters dominate, while there are a lot more people who just read and only occasionally dive in. Just like in "real" gatherings. Just because some people don't shove their way into every discussion doesn't mean they don't have well-thought-out opinions.

[footinmouth]

32. Another low poster, checking in

I'm fairly new as well and I'm still learning the ropes. I consider myself a staunch democrat, but I'm odd, I lurk at the freeper board and listen to Rush Limbaugh daily. My motto is "know your enemy". Sometimes it's easier to win a point when you have some clue where the other side is coming from. OK, I watch, I listen, and I admit, I really don't know where these people are coming from, but at least I'm trying.

Everyone here's been nice to me. I have a good friend who's a registered Republican, currently leaning towards voting for Kerry. I'd like to invite her over here, but I'm afraid that some of the name calling would scare her off. I'll continue working on her and hope she comes around.

[cynatnite]

33. Helping the Undecideds

My sister has been adamant about Bush, but she's starting to have a few doubts. I plan to continue working on her, but I have to pace myself. Too much and it'll turn her off.

Cyn:)

[noamnety]

34. I feel left out

I am new here and nobody has been mean to me yet. :(

[antigone382]

36. lwfern, you smell funny! j/k

Feel better now?

Welcome to DU. :hi:

[blue neen]

37. Thanks rucky for the boost

Many of us have cared all along, but have not been able to participate because of life's circumstances (major surgery, for one)!
I've been a voting Democrat all my life. I am so energized by this election--never felt the same way about candidates as I do about the Johns!

[demwing]

38. If I could I would nominate you "Ambassador to the Newbies"

and even the mid-bies like me. I just had an oldby give me some sauce because they didn't like the way I asked a question, and I regret that I blew my stack as a result.

We could all use a little more gettin along, I guess. :)

Thanks for the nice post!

[Julien Sorel]

39. For those of you who were here a year ago,

you might remember all the ill will as the primaries began heating up. In particular, Clark people took a lot of abuse; "jackbooted militaristic thugs," and "ignorant newbie Clarkies" were two of the more egregious insults I can remember, but there were many others. Now, I look around this place, and what do I see? The "ignorant newbie Clarkies" are some of the most prolific and intelligent posters here, and most of them are site donors. Many of the people who used to make the attacks seem to have moved on (presumably to Greener pastures, as it were). What's my point? Today's "ignorant newbie" will likely be tomorrow's mainstay of this board. A little politeness now can go a long ways; it also gives the board a more respectable sheen.

The obvious trolls, the ones who continue "innocently" parroting RW talking points, can generally be sniffed out and dealt with rather quickly, but dealing with all questions as politely as possible until it's glaringly obvious one is dealing with a troll is the best way to go. You just never know who might be paying for some of the bandwidth of this place in a few months, or who might be able to shoot down a RW lie in a casual conversation, because they learned about it here.

[footinmouth]

40. So what makes someone an obvious troll?

The obvious trolls, the ones who continue "innocently" parroting RW talking points, can generally be sniffed out and dealt with rather quickly, but dealing with all questions as politely as possible until it's glaringly obvious one is dealing with a troll is the best way to go.

I'm a lifelong Democrat, but from time to time I've been known to give the Republicans a break. Some of them are good folks. I could never rip on people like Olympia Snowe, Susan Collins or Link Chafee and Jim Jeffords is my hero. All that being said, I'm in no position to rip on Zel Miller either. I'm even warming up a wee bit to Lindsay Graham (gasp!). I respect that he was able to work on legislation with Senator Clinton and was able to sit through an interview on Fox no less, without bashing her.

Our 2 parties are so far apart right now and the hatred and hostilities on both sides are as bad as I've ever seen it. I feel like we're at war amongst ourselves.

My point: If I'm able to see some common ground anywhere would it make me a troll to publicly state that on this board? Much as I'd love to see the Democrats in charge of everything again, I'm more interested in seeing the country move forward, if we could only find a way.

[Julien Sorel]

45. I'm almost tempted to say, "I can't define it, but I know one when I

see one." In fact, I think I will ;-)

Beyond that, I'm hardly a member of the ideological purity police. I've been accused of being a Republican, a crypto-Republican, a Rove operative, a dupe of the right wing, all sorts of things. There are, to put it bluntly, some unhinged people who post here, and anyone who isn't further to the left than, say, Bill Clinton is viewed with suspicion. That doesn't make you a troll, just closer to the average Democrat than the average DUer.

[footinmouth]

47. Thank you BillyBunter

I feel a bit better. I'm so new here, I sure don't want to come on board as a troll. Yikes. I can usually spot them too, they start polarizing topics, try to get a fight started and then just disappear into the sunset. They get their popcorn and sit there and watch, then make comments about how fragmented our party is. I jsut got privileges to post a new topic, but I'm going to be pretty careful. I think I'll just stick with the safe posts for a while. Thanks for being so nice.

[JI7]

49. i agree Clark supporters have been some of the best

while they supported and defended Clark very strongly and took all the things about how they were not true democrats or whatever other things people would say during the competitive part of the primary, most of them have gone on to support kerry and edwards with the same energy and hard work they supported clark.

interesting that the one group most accused of supporting someone who wasn't really a democrat and a republican plant ends up being one of the most supportive in the end of the democratic ticket.

[gollygee]

41. I think the reason there are a lot of us newbies here

is because this is such an important election. I started coming to DU the day I watched F 9/11 the first time. My husband and I have donated from each pay since Kerry was obviously going to win the dem. nomination, and we will continue to donate as much as we can until he wins. We have also been doing phone calling and mailings and neighborhood walks. I've always been a dem. but I've never been so freaked out as this election. When people get very upset, they come to places like this.

[Tweed]

43. Welcome to the DU!!!

I love the sig line

[indigo32]

46. Kick and welcome to all "newbies"

:hi:

[WillyT]

50. Me Too, Me Too !!! - Welcome All Newbies !!!

:bounce::hi::bounce:

[Zhade]

48. It's a balancing act, to be sure.

I try to remain calm but wary of newcomers. And the recent influx of newbies really could be swing voters or newly-interested voters.

We'd be wise not to automatically assume they're Freepers. Most disruptors get rooted out eventually (though I can think of two or three still present and now at 1000+ posts).

[wicket]

51. Thank-you for posting this

I have noticed that too, thank-you for posting about this.

[autorank]

52. Check my post count: thanks rucky!

I'm just happy to be here among wired Democrats. If any of you with 1000> posts wants to give me some grief, all i have to say is:

Make my day; bring it on!!!

I'm 56,voted in every election, and never voted for a Republican; always Democrats. Loyalty is a prized value.

Great to be here and nice to know 'rucky' and others pay attention to 'newbie abuse.'

[zuzu98]

53. Thank you for this

There are several 'veterans' who tend to trash posters who express anything other than utter delirium at each and every action/pronouncement/decision by the Kerry/Edwards campaign.

[Kanary]

55. I'm grateful to you, rucky, for saying what needed to be said!

I've likened this to a political office....... when a person walks into a political office for info or to volunteer, whether it's state or a local candidate, it would be unheard of to treat them in the manner in which all too many people are treated here. We scream and yell about people who don't get involved, and don't vote, yet we condone treating people in ways that pushes they away.

Thanks, rucky! :toast:

Kanary

[jackieforthedems]

56. Thanks! I'm A Newbie Here

It's my first day here. Thanks for sticking up for us newbies!

[Tight_rope]

58. I agree...I love DU too much to let anyone take my "JOY"!