Why are you here?

[Writer]

It seems like such a simple question, but think about it a bit more: Why are you committing time out of your life to post opinions on this primary? To agree with your fellow supporters? To argue with the supporters of your opponent? What do you expect to gain by doing so, or, what ends are you trying to achieve?

It's an open question with no right or wrong answers. What is your answer?

[ClayZ]

1. I am here for the latest OBAMA news!

Thanks for asking!

[ruby slippers]

2. To vent....and to make someone else laugh every now and then...

[whistle]

3. I wasn't until you asked

[Writer]

4. Now that you are, what say you?

[Cant trust em]

5. I'm over the combat from DU. It was fun for a while. Now I'm here for the day's news.

[gateley]

6. I'm here because DU is an amazing resource

with extremely knowledgeable, educated, and informed people. I learn so much about the political process, history, and a myriad of other subjects.

[Radio_Lady]

41. Just tonight I had a question: What's the difference between a pigeon and a dove?

I posted the photo below and began to wonder -- white doves? White pigeons? Are they the same... or different?

I went to the Internet and found out the answer.

What's the difference between pigeons and doves?
What is the difference, if any, between pigeons and doves? -- Liza Greenberg, Surfside, Florida

Pigeons and doves are members of the family Columbidae, which comprises more than 300 species. They are found on every continent except Antarctica. No rule exists for the use of the terms pigeon and dove, but in general, larger species are pigeons and smaller ones are doves.

Columbids vary in size, but their small-headed, short-legged, stocky appearance is consistent throughout the family. Their most common colors are shades of brown or gray. Many species have iridescent feathers, and a few display spectacular greens.

Unlike other birds, which drink by filling their beaks and tipping their heads back to swallow, columbids immerse their bills and suck up water. All pigeons and doves are vegetarians. They eat seeds, leaves, flowers, or fruits (making them important plant dispersers), and some species occasionally take snails, worms, or other invertebrate prey.

As a rule, the birds build simple, flimsy nests. The young are initially fed crop milk or pigeon milk, a high-protein substance that adults secrete from their crops. They are fed regurgitated seeds or fruit later. Most species can raise multiple broods nearly year-round because they don't rely on insects to feed their young.

The chicks' specialized diet allows them to grow and leave the nest quickly. Half-grown, ungainly, and not completely feathered, the young doves frequently become victims of misguided human rescue efforts, yet the probability is high that the birds left the nest at a normal time (about two weeks of age) and are still being tended to by their parents.

[grannylib]

7. I like the varying opinions, but could do without the vitriol and silliness

although I've probably been guilty of a bit of both, hard though I've tried not to go there.
I want to see a Democrat, preferably a liberal/progressive Democrat, elected in November; I want there NEVER to be another stolen election; I want to be better informed than if I just watched the teevee...all kinds of reasons.

[DJ13]

8. Im here because I am

Well you said there was no wrong answer!

[silverweb]

9. DUers filter the news for me.

I find out from multiple sources what's happening, what's important, and what's controversial at a glance.

Reading multiple points of view and opinions give stories depth and helps me shape my own viewpoints -- and I'm constantly amazed and impressed by the combined knowledge of DUers.

Finally, despite our in-house squabbles, DUers form a community that I identify with.

That's why I'm here and why DU is always up when my computer is on.

[anigbrowl]

10. To refute lies and disinformation.

[JohnnyLib2]

11. To be "in the arena" -- here, there,

lots of places. I might even be the type of supporter a candidate wants to have in less anonymous places.....

[hfojvt]

12. somebody said there was gonna be free beer

and I am here to protest the evils of alcoholism!!

[billyoc]

13. To chew bubblegum and kick ass.

And I'm all out of ass.

[davidpdx]

62. Haha..the old line from "They Live"

Except the last part is, "and I'm all out of bubblegum"

That is one wicked movie.

[2008]

14. To read

I've tried reading other Dem sites, and still do read some of the bigger blogs like Raw Story from time to time. But DU is the portal for most of my progressive reading.

(Part of the appeal is DU's quick load times. I have a slow "fast" connection and an ancient operating system, and the combination makes it difficult to handle some of the ads on other sites.)

[Heather MC]

15. I am here for the cat fights!, and Latest news, but mostly Obama PHOTOS!!!!

[CoffeeCat]

16. I'm here for the free chocolate!

You know...the 10 pounds of free Godiva chocolate that we get with every
1,000 posts.

You guys are getting your free chocolate, aren't you?

[Radio_Lady]

17. Learning and catching up on political news... composing things I'm thinking about.

Other than that, I'm a POLITICAL JUNKIE... I have been since Dad was in politics while I was growing up and I've been a Democrat since I was eight.

I NEED MY DAILY FIX...

Why are you here, Writer?

[cliffordu]

18. I'm here to support Obama - - and I'm drawn to snark

at a certain type of malignant hatemonger.....

[curious one]

19. I am here to learn about real news that is not covered by MSM.

I am new to DU and need to say that I got my sanity back by you guys in DU. Thanks.

[habitual]

20. addicted. n/t

[smiley_glad_hands]

21. I'm here to promote the progressive ideals that I believe in.

Which don't include promoting repug frames against dems and progressives.

If that means butting heads with hill supporters, so be it.

[2rth2pwr]

22. I'm here to represent half the party.

[highplainsdem]

23. So am I.

[smiley_glad_hands]

29. The delusional half that likes to emulate repugs? eom

[2rth2pwr]

32. More unity talk fronm the Obama supporters.

[smiley_glad_hands]

34. The hill supporters that voted for bush will never vote Obama. Don't need unity with them.

In fact they need to be marginalized.

When did hill or her supporters ever care about unity? When they were promoting repug frames against dems?

[juajen]

60. Let me see, would "marginalized" be the same as "assassinated?"

Just askin'.

[smiley_glad_hands]

81. Look it up in a dictionary. eom

[Steely_Dan]

70. LOLOLOL

[TahitiNut]

35. Well, somebody's gotta ...

... be the donkey's ass, I guess.

[2rth2pwr]

53. More of the transcending of our divisions and reaching out to find common ground.

The new kind of politics.

[TahitiNut]

54. I tire of your typical FReeperish cynicism ... same ol' tune.

:shrug:

[2rth2pwr]

55. Why do you follow me around?

[TahitiNut]

56. Get over yourself, deluded one.

You're an embarassment to banana slugs. :eyes:

[2rth2pwr]

58. See, you know where I live, whenever I post, there you are. Kinda creepy.

[TahitiNut]

59. Yes. You are "kinda creepy."

As you can tell from MY profile, I lived in Los Gatos. (Prior to that I lived in Cupertino.) Thus, it's NOT a mystery to me where Santa Cruz is. What IS a mystery to me is how a far-right ideologue survives there. I was never under the impression there were many of that species there.

C'est la vie.

[2rth2pwr]

61. You're like a mad dog on my pantleg, why can't I shake you?

[Steely_Dan]

69. STOP!

I'm laughing too hard....LOLOLOLOL...
Your posts are killin' me.

-P

[TahitiNut]

82. Your fantasy life and bestiality fetish is only of interest to the ASPCA.

:shrug:

[kid a]

24. Currently, for releif from the Clinton SPIN MACHINE - Kinda like the reason I came here originally

- to get away from the BUSH INSANITY.

I like coming here and reading and commenting on posts that show me I'm not the only one seeing Hillary in these last days as dishonest, manipulative, and self-destructing.

When Barack Obama is formally nominated - I will come here to be with like minded people as we fight the RW smears against Obama to get him in the WH.

[kid a]

25. How about you?

[PM7nj]

26. It's like a train wreck... you can't look away.

Now, if you want to know why I participate in this train wreck you would have to ask my shrink.

[hokies4ever]

27. To become better informed of the many different opinions

of Democrats on important (and unimportant) issues.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

28. It beats working for a living.

[Radio_Lady]

31. Yes, it kind of beats housework and other stuff you have to do when you're retired.

Hola, Tierra!

[TahitiNut]

30. No matter where I go ...

... I call it "here." Can't escape it. :shrug: I'm always here.

[Radio_Lady]

33. Have you ever visited "Second Life"? Well, this is cheaper than that site.

I had a whole other persona -- but it costs a lot of money.

Besides, some of you guys are funny, kind, and affectionate.

But others? More like I would like to talk to you personally after you yell at me for something innocent or stupid!

Cordially,

Radio Lady

[smiley_glad_hands]

36. Played that game a bit with a free acct.

Did they change it? It was cool, but pointless.

[TahitiNut]

38. I've never been much into the RPGs and Sims.

I'm pretty much a WYSIWYG fella. :shrug:

[bhikkhu]

37. I'm making $20 a post. K-ching - there's another!

kidding of course.

I am here because I watched the last two train-wrecks helplessly, and this one I have greater hopes for. Also, I don't watch tv so this is my source of news. Additionally, as I am somewhat isolated in a RW town, this is also a place where I can find some common thought, welcome company and encouragement.

[Radio_Lady]

39. You know, some people accused me of getting paid for posting here.

What's that all about?

We used to do surveys at a local mall -- made $15.00 a couple of times to test TV commercials. Then, they closed that location and went to all-Internet. I gave them my information, but when I answered their clearance questions, I never qualified.

Then, they decided you had to PAY to take THEIR surveys, but they would lure you in with free coupons.

Frankly, I couldn't be bothered with an Internet job. We worked for more than 50 years each, so we just enjoy our retirement and try not to worry about the coming crises (yes, that's more than one).

Cordially,

Radio Lady

[bhikkhu]

44. an unquenchable rumor, a part of the lexicon here after so many years

I think it was just this morning I was reading about a serial HRC poster (currently suspended) who was accused of being a paid poster, and then in response a bunch of Obama supporters were accused by another of being paid per post. It helps to have a sense of humor...

[Radio_Lady]

47. "It helps to have a sense of humor..."

Oh, yeah... it does help. Thanks for the info.

Cordially,

Radio Lady in Oregon

[ballsalicious]

40. because masturbation causes blindness.

[Radio_Lady]

48. ... and discussing pictures of oranges causes insanity.

:sarcasm:

(Where did that thread end up?)

Jeezum Crow, it's still here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x6118524#6119085

You got 9 RECS! You ought to save that one for posterior... er... posterity.

In fun,

Radio Lady Ellen

[ballsalicious]

77. yes, beauty, especially beautiful fruit has historically caused insanity...

:rofl:

enough with the fruit jokes...

I am plotting my next random post now....

here was my last (slightly less random post): Stop yelling at each other and join me in watching two squirrels give each other a massage: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=6129581&mesg_id=6129581

[galledgoblin]

42. I looking for compliments on my avatar

that, plus insomnia.

[Radio_Lady]

49. So, is that Batman balancing an Obama globe on his pointer finger?

Inquiring minds want to know...

[Raine]

43. I'm addicted to politics and just have to know

the latest on what the Democrats are doing, this is the best place to find out. I like to vent and read other people's ranting and venting. :-)

[FlyingSquirrel]

45. I am here because

Sometimes people write Haiku
And I like to join

:D

Also I like limericks
And discussing vaginas and dicks
Sometimes I am nice
And though I pay the price
Overall it's where I get my kicks!

[Radio_Lady]

50. Wow! FlyingSquirrel! You're skirting the edges of those DU rules...

.......w a t c h o u t f o r f l y i n g v a g i n a s a n d d i c k s.....

[FlyingSquirrel]

52. Oops

:blush:

Ah well, if you don't get a post deleted every once in awhile you're not really trying.

;)

[McCamy Taylor]

46. To give hell to the Freeper moles who are trying to divide Dems with their flamebait posts.

:nuke:

[Radio_Lady]

51. I'll say them all at once... see if any of them catch your fancy.

Olive Garden
breast feeding
cornflake coated fried chicken
Pakistani friends
Asian wood carvers
misspelling dissention
Larry King dating
what am i missing...

I'm no mole, but I might be considered a Moll. Once, I even had my own detective license in the late 1970s... it expired, but so far, I haven't. The company was American Investigative Services. I wonder whatever happened to the owner of that group?

In fun,

Radio Lady

[renate]

57. I'm here because we weren't always in the majority

I live in the suburbs, having grown up in a university town (i.e. lots of liberals), and I felt so discombobulated being a Democrat and against the war and everything else, surrounded by people driving SUVs and planting Bush posters in their front yards.

My neighbors haven't changed (luckily, more of them are anti-Bush now, but they'll still vote Republican in November :shrug:)... but I thank God the country has.

[davidpdx]

63. For news and to find out what's going on

[HuffleClaw]

64. GDP has become the best reality show there is!

p.t. barnum would be proud

[Teaser]

65. Hot hookers and inexpensive blow.

.

[Perry Logan]

66. I'm fascinated by political insanity.

[rucky]

67. I like to flirt with danger.

without actually leaving the living room.

[JTFrog]

68. Because Duty Calls.

[rug]

71. I come for the latte.

[Guava Jelly]

72. I'm just perusing for trim.

Ya know get me some Cyber action :evilgrin: :sarcasm: :)
Lately I have no Idea why I am here.
I guess to say hello to friends Who are becoming rarer in these parts every day.

[insanity]

73. To kill time

When I'm bored

[Forkboy]

74. I like it.

:shrug:

I don't hope to gain anything but knowledge and entertainment, and I get plenty of both here.

[LiberalAndProud]

75. I read about it here before I hear about it elsewhere.

That's the main reason.

I'm intrigued to see how others respond and react to events. I've concluded that I am the only sane person in the universe, so it makes me feel good about myself.
:rofl:

[olkaz]

76. I got lost on the way to 4chan

and got a two week b& anyway, so this is good enough.

[TheDoorbellRang]

78. Cogito, ergo DU

[comradebillyboy]

79. I am here because

I am a fucking masochist who still would like to engage in a reasoned debate, not name calling and slander. But reasoned and civil debate has not been possible at DU for the last 6 months so I am simply wasting my time here.

[ladeyday]

80. My name is Connie and I'm a political junkie.

[Major Hogwash]

83. To seek out new worlds, to go beyond the stars, to go where no man has gone before.

That and all the Smothers Brothers jokes.

"Mom always liked you best."

[AllentownJake]

84. The bear threat

[TexasLady]

85. Pics, Videos, News, Opinions

Yep, that's about it. Oh, and to try my best to stay out of the way~!

[L0oniX]

86. I was dropped off here by Martians

[cbayer]

87. I've become completely asocial since the *thing* in New Orleans.

This gives me a great deal of contact with others and feeds my political junkie. I find the community and it's dynamic fascinating - might even write about it someday.

My husband would say that I am totally addicted but would also acknowledge that it keeps me busy.

[mountainvue]

88. It's rainy and cold outside.

And I can't believe what a train wreck this forum has become. The Dean supporters vs. everyone else in '04 was nothing like this. These are very strange times in our party.