*EDIT* Never mind I will stay in DU

[Gregory1230]

I would like to say I am sorry about I wanted to leave from DU but I changed my mind now. I will stay in DU. Yes, I am real democrat since 1996.

I did not know that about there are trolls are posting on DU, but really I am not troll. I am real Dem, you know.

Gregory
Democrat since 1996

BTW: I started reading here in DU since 3 months before election 2004 but decided wait to post until April.

[SmokingJacket]

1. Please don't go!

It's only a few people who were rude.

We could use your point of view around here...

[BurtWorm]

2. Please don't go.

It's bad spelling we can't tolerate here. Your spelling is impeccable!

[EOTE]

3. Please reconsider.

I know there have been many extremely rude posts to you, but there's a lot of paranoia going on around here, try to ignore them. It seems that you have a lot to contribute, I hope you stay around.

[benburch]

4. Well, I am sorry to see you leave, Gregory.

I fully understand about having limited language ability as I have friends who do as well, and I had to undergo speech therapy for a stutter.

[Walt Starr]

5. This is a first

I've never seen a vanity "I'm leaving DU" post from a newbie before.

Somebody somehwere musta been a real asshole.

[SmokingJacket]

18. It was pretty harsh. I think some DUers screwed up big time.

Freeper paranoia has gone too far.

[walldude]

83. That would be me... maybe you should look at his thread

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4769227

he had 10 posts when he made this thread. Grammar aside I don't believe his story for a minute. He's making a big deal out of the grammar thing but that's just the icing, it's the whole story that doesn't ring true. Besides every post I made included the fact that I will be the first to apologize if I'm wrong, but I don't think I am..

[Melodybe]

6. I have dyslexia and bad spelling and grammer

but they keep me around.

Now if you are spouting RW talking points people will be really mean.

Grammer is one thing but spreading evil is unforgivable

[Reciprocity]

85. Me too. Umm with the dyslexia and bad spelling and grammer that is.

[cally]

7. First off,

it's against the rules to call someone a troll. Hit alert and the moderators will take care of it.

I hope you stay but you do need a tough skin to post here. I've been called names also. I also many times use bad grammar and misspell words. Hang in there. Most of us are on edge right now and not at our best. :hug:

[Misunderestimator]

21. You should have used a comma between "also" and "many times"

and again after it.... and maybe even another between I and also... :bounce:


(And you KNOW I'm kidding, right? :D :bounce:)

[cally]

35. LOL

Yep, you have to have a thick skin. ;-)

[MissMarple]

79. I've been called a blue haired, mean old lady, a freeper.

I do not have blue hair. And I most certainly am not a freeper, nor am I all that old. So, you just have to roll with it until folks get to know you. Even then, there is no guarantee.

And I don't spell all that well, either.

Just put grammar and spelling alert in your sig line. That makes the ones who are ill mannered enough to mention it appear to be ...jerks. :hi:

[calimary]

116. Honey, I've been called a LOT worse than that...

BTW - glad you're staying, Gregory!

Welcome, and roll up your sleeves, PLEASE!!!

We've got an IMPEACHMENT to work toward.

[MissMarple]

117. Oh dear!

:)

[WI_DEM]

8. don't leave and don't worry about the few who want to prove their

superiority by pointing out what they see as defects in others. Stay and keep posting.

[Misunderestimator]

9. There are 70,000+ more people to listen to.

Don't let a few influence you... There have been a bunch of trolls here lately afraid of seeing the inevitable crash of their boy president.

Most people here don't care about spelling and grammar. But we sure as hell care about content and purpose. All democrats are welcomed here! :toast:

[Cleita]

10. Sorry, the grammar police were after you.

Ignore those posters, really. Many of them are writers and editors and they can't help it. My grammar isn't always that great either, but it doesn't stop me from posting.

[hiley]

40. my grammar is horrible

and i have been called a conspiracy nut and so on but i am very stubborn so i stay..
dkos community can really make you feel like a fool and i really hope whoever did this to Gregory will apologize now..

Please Gregory ignore them after you hit alert !

[tblue37]

125. I am a writer and an editor,

and I teach college English.

Yet somehow I manage not to badger people about the grammar and usage errors they make in their posts (many of which are actually typos that they don't catch before the editing window closes). It is possible to know a lot about grammar and usage without being a butt about it.

If people want me to correct their grammar and usage, they can visit my website (Grammar and Usage for the Non-Expert at http://www.grammartips.homestead.com/index.html), or they can pay me to edit their manuscripts for them. Otherwise, they are on their own.

My guess is that most people would prefer that I keep my expertise to myself on message boards rather than forcing it on them.

[XanaDUer]

11. It's not the first time

that has happened.

Believe me, there was another poster, now gone, who was disabled and was constantly harassed here by the typing, grammar, and punctuation police.

Sorry it's happened to you. Just goes to show that people can be nasty despite political persuasion.

Best of luck.

[mike_c]

24. I recall an individual from back in the first couple of years...

...who had similar issues, and ultimately left DU (although it might have had more to do with the Dean purge after the primaries than anything else).

[MuseRider]

31. I miss him

I am assuming we are discussing the same person. He really wrote some pretty good stuff but it took a little patience to read some of it. Once you did he made some very good points.

[XanaDUer]

87. We're probably thinking of the same person

He's fine and posting happily on quite a few boards; actually, he has progressive journalists contacting him about some of what he writes.

So there is life after DU. ;)

[MuseRider]

99. I am very glad

to hear that. He was the first person to welcome me to DU. Once he cleaned up all the grammar on one of his posts and it was just remarkable. In fact I think I still have it at least I hope I do. If you encounter him please tell him hello from me if you think about it. I miss him.

[mike_c]

111. I'm sure we are....

eom

[XanaDUer]

67. Lol!

Not sure what the Dean purge was, but he would not have been purged for that.

But yeah, it does not do us proud. I've stopped recommending people to this site quite a while ago, as much as I love it.

[Name removed]

12. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Botany]

13. I will get back with you when I care.

:shrug:

"Me thinks thou doth protest too much."

Bill S. Stratford on Avon circa 1600 AD

[Catherine Vincent]

14. It wasn't your grammer that people were being mean to you.

Geeze. How old are you?

[Justyce]

33. Did not see any of this guy's posts, but

I know my daughter has posted on here before -- she was very into the election & has become an avid bush-hater since she started noticing what's going on. She's only 13 & her posts of course sound childish & she's been semi-attacked to the point that she still reads here but is scared to ever "open her mouth". I think we do forget that kids are here as well sometimes...

[MuseRider]

55. Hell

I was scared to post much here for a year and I am in my 50's.

[Justyce]

112. LOL - I know what you mean...

[aquart]

69. This isn't a children's board.

It's good that she's interested and that she keeps reading, but it's also good that she's smart enough to understand she isn't quite ready to swim in these shark-infested waters.

[XanaDUer]

74. That's sad.

And embarrassing. Give her a hug from me. :hug:

[mshasta]

15. I know that it feels horrible but...

do what I do ....I dont put attenton to it...because we all humans and we are not perfect...

[Arkana]

16. Aw, come on, dude! Don't take off because of a few paranoiacs.

:)

[hamerfan]

17. Hi Gregory!

Don't leave unless you want to. Yes, this site has some overbearing "grammar police", but you can't blame them because we do get trolls from the other side, and their grammar is generally not good. This site has has too many good resources (and people) to not use and participate in. You'll learn who to listen to and who to ignore the longer you're here. Take it from one who has almost left at least once. Stick around, you'll enjoy it. And welcome to DU!

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

19. Gregory, I have never read any of your posts so I have not seen

anyone being derogatory to you, but I will tell you I cannot stand those grammar and spelling police. Please reconsider leaving and shame on anyone who has made fun of you. :hug:

[DistressedAmerican]

20. My Apologies Over How You Were Treated.

But, many folks have been standing up for you. Many more than were being dicks.

Before you make up your mind, please see the post someone put up slamming those that made such comments. Whoever it was is clearly acting like an asshole. The rest of us will not.

[DistressedAmerican]

32. Here Is the Link For the Thread Defending You.

Please have a look before you decide to stay or go!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=4769852&mesg_id=4769852

[Misunderestimator]

59. Hey, thanks for that link... Hadn't seen it.

(Or any other actually...)

Though... frustratingly I was just about to reply in there that software programmers are NOTORIOUSLY bad with grammar and spelling... at least in my experience, which is extensive, but it's locked. x(

[etherealtruth]

80. Hey, someone corrected my grammar/spelling in that thread

[iconoclastic cat]

22. Gregory, there are almost 77,000 of us.

How many out of that 77,000 have treated you insensitively? A few? Think about this statistically. So you ran into some individuals who were rude. Go into any group that large and I guarantee that you will find people who are insensitive.

Let it roll off your back.

edit: clarity

[beam me up scottie]

23. STAY DAMMIT.

We need you, bad grammar and all.
Don't you dare leave us because of some mental midget morans.

There are other posters here with disabilities and they just give 'em hell right back.

Lurk for awhile and then decide.

[Straight Shooter]

25. Democrats are tough and have thick skins.

The thick skins help us to slough off the GOP slime machine. So, you still with us? :hug:

[Atman]

26. Go odnt!

Seriously...people get edgy here when newcomers start poking around. It's kinda like a war now, so settle down, and keep posting. The only way you'll be accepted is to stay and let people accept you.

As you are.

I am sure no one here cares about whether or not you're disabled. We just don't like freeps!

[iconoclastic cat]

34. Uh, Atman?

As best I can tell, you've been on DU for at least six hours. Shouldn't you be surfing?

[Atman]

37. I'm landlocked -- far from NC

I work at home. And it's a very slow day.


:hippie:

[LiberalEconomist]

27. What can I say?

It hard to know who to trust communicating in this type of media. For all I know, you are just pulling another troll trick to see how we respond. Paranoia becomes a problem. Many times we have to give the benefit of doubt, which I believe is the best way.

[BeHereNow]

28. Gregory- I work with disabled people

You and I both know that many people are
completely IGNORANT about disabled people.
Fuck em.
Stick around and teach them something, would ya?
(((HUGS)))
BHN

[hiley]

29. Please don't leave

There are rules, please hit alert on the poster who did this to you.
I apologize to you for others being rude.
I did not see it or I would have tried to help you.
hiley

[cynatnite]

30. If I list the names I've been called, DU would collapse...

The bandwidth alone would shut it down.

Seriously, names get called. If you're called a name, make use of the alert. It works.

I've been called a troll, freeper, bush apologist and so on. I've done a little name calling myself and my posts were deleted for it.

That's how it works. Not to say that's okay to do name calling, it's not. I'm a lot more careful about it than I used to be.

Hell, I called babs bush a name a day or two ago and that post was deleted. :shrug: Go figure.

Thick skin is what it takes and you can't back down when there's an abrasive post directed back at you. I've seen some eating of young go on here at DU, but overall, it's a good place. I like it and I continue to support it with donations because I believe in it.

Your choice to leave or not, but understand how things work here.

BTW, there is a check spelling tab that I use ALL the time. :)

[cwydro]

58. newbie here too

Can someone explain to me what a freeper or a troll is? This is my first message board, so forgive my ignorance. Heard about this place on Air America. I'd like to be up on the lingo...

[cynatnite]

70. Welcome to DU!

:hi:

A freeper is usually a bushbot supporting freak from a place called free republic. I quit going months ago...the stench was getting hard to wash off. Usually we apply them to any nut who worships bush.

Trolls are no account troublemakers who at times are freepers, too.

This term will sometimes be used for someone who doesn't necessarily agree with the majority. Here's an example:

Many here at DU are gaming nuts. X-Box and PC Games...stuff like that. My views on gaming is way different and after expressing my opinion I was chewed up, spit out, and basically got my ass kicked. :rofl:

I was called that a few times, but I blew it off. I've got my opinions and they've got theirs. DU's a big enough place for both. It just ain't big enough for bushbots. They'll get squashed like bugs :)

Hope that helps

[LanternWaste]

130. Hey! I was in one of the gaming threads you referred to...

Hey! I was in one of the gaming threads you refer to (about a month ago, maybe six weeks?) and was called a "prude" for the first time in my life.

The poster who referred to me as a prude has absolutely no idea how much fun I've been having with my new "sobriquet" at work! He'd probably be a little put-off that his pejorative worked to my advantage...

:rofl:

[TwilightZone]

76. Here you go....

Freeper is a nickname for Republicans, particularly those that frequent a Rep. board called Free Republic (hence, Freeper).

A troll is generally someone who comes here trying to disrupt or antagonize other posters. For example, someone might sign up just to enthusiastically support Bush or vehemently bash Democrats in a thread.

Welcome!

[trekbiker]

121. Troll is a poster who tries to disrupt...

find a weakness that can divide and cause dissension, for instance, the Terri Shiavo affair, that was a real divider over at FR (aka, free republic, freak repugnant, freeperville, etc). Another one is illegal immigration and the mexican border. Here at DU divisive issues also exist, like NADER (that POS). A successful Troll can imbed him or herself into a board and last for a long time. I think it is a game for most of them. I wish I had known this awhile back when I joined FR just to slam them on some issue and they Zotted me after one post. Zot is the FR version of Tombstone here on DU. you are banned as a member. I dont know if DU and FR are the largest boards but we are definately opposites, it's almost like a war. I've sometimes thought it would be fun for DU to set up a special debate type Forum that would allow Freepers to post here and be countered by DU members. it would need to have some special rules and be heavily moderated of course...

[rniel]

36. don't go

personally. I think correcting grammer is ok for a term paper, not ok for casual conversation on a forum. I can't stand people that do that on here. Don't go.

[rniel]

39. Besides

Grammer doesn't matter if what you say is the truth. I post some stuff on here that I read and think that "why did I post that" I think everyone does. There are a few savants on here that hog up all the dialog. I think everyone should not be afraid to participate no matter who they are.

[Catrina]

66. I read the thread in question

and didn't get the impression that spelling and grammar were the reasons for some of the negative comments.

More that the OP started a topic that to some, made Dems look weak and could provide great fodder for the other side. I don't have an opinion yet ~ but I could see both sides ~

If they were wrong, I say take all the advice given to you in that topic. Iow, be tough. If not, then only you know for sure ~ and this OP could also be interpreted two ways imo.

I do want to emphasize though, that it was not grammar that caused some to be not too trusting.

I would stay around if I were legitimate ~ but that's me. I've stayed on rightwing boards also, even though they are, to put it mildly, less than welcoming. Tough times makes it necessary to have a thick skin ~

[Name removed]

38. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Misunderestimator]

42. Well.... Member since 2002 and only 3528 posts?

Hmmmmmmm....


just sayin.... :D :shrug:

[WI_DEM]

43. what does that prove?

I'm sorry but a person can be a member and not post dozens of times per day. Look at how many people are "members" over 77,000--do you think they all are active posters?

[hiley]

44. Hmm, maybe he felt

INTIMIDATED! that does happen around here

[supernova]

45. There are people who read more than post

some people just like to read.

Perhaps Gregory is one of those.

To the OP: don't go. We have some here with really short tempers and you have to have a lot of patience. :pals:

[wildeyed]

48. I didn't post for weeks after I first registered.

And even then, I didn't post much at first. DU can be an intimidating place.

[hamerfan]

100. Buff2

I've been a member for years, and I believe my post count is around 67 or so. Is there a problem? Am I not up to "quota"? Forgive me, but I enjoy reading more than writing. Thanks...

[wildeyed]

41. I don't understand why attacks on spelling and grammar are even allowed.

Seems like a sneaky way to make a personal attack to me.

[supernova]

49. The only time I point out grammar/spelling mistakes

is if it alters the meaning of the OP was trying to say. I just point out that what it says is maybe not what they intended.

I edit documents for a living, so I know grammar and syntax like the back of my hand, but I won't pick apart somebody's post just for a chance to feel superior.

[wildeyed]

62. I try to cut some slack on that, too.

If I am not sure what the OP intended to say, I either ignore the post or ask for clarification. But some seem to get a kick out of proving how much more intelligent and well educated they are by criticizing spelling and grammar when it was crystal clear what the OP intended to say. Or they can't rebut the original argument, so they go to sneaky personal attacks, like pointing out spelling or grammar errors.

[XanaDUer]

94. I find it funny when a grammar cop

corrects someone else and has grammatical errors in their correction!

I was an English major and teach, and there are times I see errors, but I just say nothing-as you say, I don't like picking apart another poster's post. :hi:

EDIT: Make sure there are no errors.

[Mr_Spock]

50. There were lots of unprovokes personal attacks in that post.

I think we should report all the "bullshit" and "Freeper" posts there.

[natrat]

51. it's total bullshit

not everyone was given a good education or like me grammar and syntax just don't come easily

[wildeyed]

78. That, or you have distractions.

I post while trying to watch my two very young kids. Sometimes, after working on a post for a while and getting constantly interrupted, I need to either delete or click "post message". I don't have the time to edit as much as I would like. But I do have something to say, and I want to participate. So I just go ahead and click 'post', even if the post is not perfect.

[GreenPartyVoter]

53. Yes it is. And we need to stop it. My mother was an extremely

educated woman (a master's degree in Spec Ed) but she couldn't spell to save her life.

Some brains are wired to spell and organize syntax, some are not. If we had to type math equations in every post here I would have been run out as a math illiterate freeper years ago. I almost didn't graduate high school because my math was so bad that I failed algebra, physics, and chemistry.

------------------------------------------------------
URGENT yet easy! Hold the government accountable for Katrina's aftermath
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4736062

Save the gulf, then save the nation! http://www.geocities.com/greenpartyvoter/electionreform.htm

[GreenPartyVoter]

46. Oh, please don't go *hugs*

------------------------------------------------------
URGENT yet easy! Hold the government accountable for Katrina's aftermath
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4736062

Save the gulf, then save the nation! http://www.geocities.com/greenpartyvoter/electionreform.htm

[MuseRider]

47. Gregory

If you really are sincere please stick around. There have been so many trolls here lately that people are hyper alert for them. Your grammar, even though well explained, fits a profile that we all recognize and that causes people to attack quickly.

You have to thicken you skin and just plunge on in. It will be OK if you are who you say you are. Everyone of us has been held to suspicion when we first arrived although not many of us have had to deal like you have.

Stay while, welcome to DU if you are a real Democrat. If you are not then I hope you had fun. It is not what I would consider a successful run so you can't really even gloat about it.

I would prefer to give you the benefit of a doubt for now and learn about you a little more before I make up my mind but I welcome you to stay. Grammar is not my strong suit either and I rarely use it to determine if someone is legit.

[Rick Myers]

52. Don't leave.

People here can be rude at times (Boy, could I tell ya a couple stories!) but we NEED everyone!!!

Please stick around...

Rick

[Mr_Spock]

54. Welcome to DU!

:hi:

I wouldn't judge to harshly based on a few paranoid jerks here this afternoon. I hope you stick araound and get to know us better :D

[FlemingsGhost]

56. Such is the culture of online political "debate."

One needs a thick skin. I hope you'll reconsider, but the movement will go on without you ...

Good luck.

[titoresque]

57. I even read where one of the moderators

typed an insulting post to this DU'er ........that's crappy man!
Seriously, I was attacked several times when I first started posting here...and for the most part my grammar is ok. So, regardless you would have been teased about something. It seems a lot of people who post here get very juvenile sometimes (Im guilty as well) and for some reason the ones who have 1000+ posts think they are smarter and more informed......not all of them, just the jerks. What they forget is that people don't originally come here to *get* informed or educated.......they come here to find like minded people and to possibly learn new perspectives. But you WILL need a thick skin, atleast for the time being.........lots of bullies on the playground here. Welcome to DU....hope you stick around so people can get to know what you're about....aside from grammar. :)

[cwydro]

75. this newbie here

is so new I can't even figure out how to post correctly. Also can't get an avatar to upload. And still want someone to explain to me what a troll or a freeper is...I am new to message boards altogether.
So hang in there fellow newb!

[yewberry]

84. Hi cwydro!

Welcome.

You got an answer for a couple of your questions above.

The reason for the problem with the avatar is that the site is really busy right now, and when it gets this busy, the admins turn off some of the non-neccesary features (like avatars.)

Check your av when we're not on level 3.

[ClassWarrior]

60. I for one would like to see the specifics of the exchange in question.

A link or something. Otherwise how am I to judge this one?

NGU.

[Misunderestimator]

63. Good point... I haven't seen it either...

[titoresque]

64. heres the link

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=4769227&mesg_id=4769227

[Misunderestimator]

81. Well, right off the bat it's clear the majority were not rude... but...

I also see some pretty rude and inappropriate comments. So, I'll agree that unless there's something disruptive or freeperish that he actually said, this is pretty ridiculous, no matter how jumpy we are because of the recent influx of trolls.

I guess I'd like to see a post that shows something worse than bad grammar. How on EARTH could bad grammar hurt anyone? :shrug:

What I did notice, is that the OP did not respond to many posts, but responded to his own in a general defensive way. To me, that's an indication that I might want to search. I've seen that too many times where someone starts a thread, then sits back for a while to watch the flames start. He waited almost half an hour before posting to his own thread, and then he posted to his own post.

(Not defending attacking someone for their grammar... but I do see how flags went up for people.)

That said... If someone has a suspicion of someone... do a search. And if we're at Level 3... wait until you can. That would be my advice... if anyone was asking.

[Ariana Celeste]

68. Link here.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=4769227&mesg_id=4769227

Completely disrespectful and shameful. Reading all the attacks on this guy is very upsetting.

[SeattleGirl]

61. Don't go!

I am sorry you have been jumped on by some DUers, but as others have said, there are many of us here, and I would guess the majority are not going to jump on you for grammar, especially if you have a disability.

Perhaps those who have not been kind to you can learn something from you, that people with disabilities are just as valuable as those who aren't, and that your input can be just as valuable as anyone else's. I work with people with disabilities, and it burns me when people act like this. Granted, they cannot see you, but that does not mean they should assume you are lying or something.

Anyway, please reconsider your decision about leaving. I've read about 5 or 6 messages this week of people leaving DU for various reasons, but as some have already said, emotions are running very right right now, and many people seem to have short tempers or little tolerance for others. Hopefully, we can take a collective deep breath, and stop beating each other up.

:hug:

[devilgrrl]

65. Uh, I'm the high-priestess of Bad Grammar...

where do you get off.

[titoresque]

good one

leave it to *devil* girl :)

[qanda]

71. This has been one of the most frustrating experiences I've ever had on DU

Some of the posters were so rude to you and it doesn't even matter if you are a troll, no one deserves to be treated that way.

[tocqueville]

72. I don't even write or speak correct English

please stay

[norml]

73. Don't give up. Your grammar and spelling are getting better already.

If I was wrong in questioning you I'm sorry.

[GoldenOldie]

93. As someone with a vocal disability for the past 18years

and soon turning 70, I have found that occassionaly giving myself permission to be a little depressed and sometimes slighted by those who find my method of speech interesting or sometime they become outright rude. I have learned to pass it off as their problem and not mine. I have made the decision that I will not allow others to determine what my value is and that as long as I have breath and the ability to communicate in whatever manner, I will not quietly into the night.

Gregory your words are making a difference and others are listening, do not allow others attempts to edit or revise them.

[gollygee]

77. I got flamed when I was new too

Not for grammar, but flamed none the less. It's something of a rite of passage around here.

Stick around! Things will improve.

[Fenris]

82. Yes, there are a lot of assholes here, but please reconsider.

This is tragic. :(

[Gregory1230]

86. I changed my mind.

I will stay here in DU because I want to rid from GOP leaderships in 2006/2008.

[SeattleGirl]

90. Good to hear!

I hope you read all the messages from people urging you to stay.

:bounce:

[Misunderestimator]

92. A word of advice... you could be more a part of the community here...

if you responded to peoples' posts in your own threads.

So, Welcome to DU! And here's to your good idea to get rid of the GOP! :toast:

[Ariana Celeste]

98. Good! :)

There are some people here who seem to think that Dems and liberals are somehow immune from bad grammar or spelling. Don't let them get to you, they aren't the majority.

[faithnotgreed]

101. good - we need everyone in florida we can get

take good care and dont get discouraged

there are so many people here on du and its a stressful time so we are ALL going to have differences here sometimes

were glad you are here

[MuseRider]

104. Very good.

I also recommend you try to respond to people. That way we will get to know you better. We are so distrustful with good reason and it looks like you understand that. You will be fine but at first respond a lot in order for us to get to know you, K?

Welcome.

[theHandpuppet]

88. Which begs the question...

Should we have a forum here on DU for the hearing-impaired who might be encountering some of the same difficulties as this poster? It would be a good learning experience for all of us and provide folks like Gregory with a safer place to take their first dives into DU waters.

Just a thought... would you be interested in such a forum, Gregory?

[Mr_Spock]

89. Yah!

I wonder if the regulars here with the personal attacks will apologize? Can't we allow people to redeem or explain themselves before attacking and calling them Freepers?

[wildhorses]

91. hang out dude

stix and stones and all that jazz:hi:

[JohnnyBoots]

95. My thoughts exactly.

[Sapphire Blue]

118. "Sticks and stones may break our bones, but words will break our hearts."

... a quote from Robert Fulghum (from a story about the Solomon Islanders in his book All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten).

[Pithlet]

96. It's okay.

You got your one allotted "I'm leaving" drama. We're all susceptible to it; don't let any jaded old timer tell you otherwise. But, just don't do it again ;)

[replacement]

97. Glad you're sticking around

Some of the replies to your first thread are just disgraceful, totally unbecoming of a progressive site. Newcomer though I am, as i understand it if any DU member believes another to be a disruptor the appropriate response is to alert the administrators- so I don't really get why anyone who thinks you're a disruptor is even replying to you, let alone posting ignorant and insulting garbage.

[ClassWarrior]

102. Hmmmm... how convenient. Welcome. Back. Kinda.

NGU.

[norml]

103. Great! I checked my posts on that other thread and saw that I was just

asking questions, not making any overt accusations.

If your aim is true then time will prove it to be so.

I did give you some good advice about using a tape recorder to catch an assault.

What did you think of that?

I mainly wondered why you didn't respond to your own thread sooner.

[Gregory1230]

105. Yes Norml

Yes you gave me good advice about using tape recorder for assault. I will bring tape recorder. I like that idea.

I did not respond sooner because I was doing for homework for while.

[Mr_Spock]

106. Good answer

:D

Some of the mean people were suggesting that you do your English homework - but it wasn't funny.

Glad you're sticking around.

:hi:

[The empressof all]

107. Welcome to DU Gregory 1230

We're happy that you're here.

[dogday]

108. It is one thing if you post some information

that is incorrect. I understand someone posting to correct you. However, your grammar is none of their business and I don't know why people feel compelled to point out errors to others, it is just our way I guess.

Don't take it to heart. There are so many different opinions on this board. That is why it is a democracy, we all have different thoughts and feelings. Keep posting, you will get the hang of it....

[stlsaxman]

109. Thanks for staying Gregory!

Good on you and i look forward to reading further posts.

:thumbsup:

[applegrove]

110. We fight but we love. This is a discussion board. Sometimes it is

hard to keep it civil. And then the mods freeze those threads.

Patience!

[FlemingsGhost]

113. A memorable introduction, Gregory1230. Quite a "buzz," indeed.

Although, I believe you are the real deal, there are many who will be surely paying special attention to you.


Welcome.

:hi:

[Gregory1230]

115. Thanks!

:-) :kick:

[Occulus]

120. Welcome Gregory,

and thanks for giving our little group here a chance. :)

I'd like to point you in a direction: The writings and teachings of Leo Strauss, and the Project for a New American Century. Also, Read a Life article titled (I believe) "The New American Century", published in the early 1940s. That's where the "Project for a New American Century"- referred to here and elsewhere as PNAC- had its beginnings.

That should clear up many things for you. Again, welcome to DU.

[Bryn]

114. Hi, Gregory

:hi: Fellow Floridian

I am totally deaf and have been since I was little. From reading your posts, yes, I know you're deaf. I tried replying to you from another thread, but found it locked. So I am taking this opportunity to welcome you to DU. I've been here since January 2005, but don't post very much. Usually I just read. Hope to see you more often on the board. I think I write ok, but still have crappy grammar :P

Bryn of South Florida

[Gregory1230]

126. Great

I am glad about I am not only one disability member here in DU.

[LanternWaste]

119. Greg...stay.

Greg, stay. DU has it's own bullies, but it also has it's own angels. And I *think* the angels outnumber the bullies. Good luck in your studies and your every endeavor.

Don't try to prove yourself to anyone other than yourself, it's a waste of time.

There's a part of me that almost envies you in that you are daily experiencing particular sounds for the first time. I find that almost... joyous in and of itself.

May I be so bold as to suggest that if you find the time, try to get a copy of Tchaikovsky's Symphony #4 and listen to the last movement. I still find it, to this day one of the most beautiful pieces of work ever created by man... and you have an opportunity I'll never have again- to hear it for the first time!

And, if perchance my faith in your honesty and sincerity is illustrated at a later date to be wrong, what I write in this post still applies.

[Gregory1230]

127. Sure

I will stay. :)

[onecent]

122. Welcome Gregory.

[Jersey Devil]

123. Good to have you and welcome to DU

There are always a few people everywhere you go who talk before they think so don't worry about it. We have a good group here.

[Geek_Girl]

124. Welcome to DU

Glad your staying!

:hi:

[Name removed]

128. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Gregory1230]

129. You are wrong...

...and I am not troll.

[Bryn]

136. No Way!

Nope, he is not at all a Freeper, not even a troll. I should know because I am as deaf as he is and we speak on same level so I know exactly what he was talking about. I don't want this thread get locked for no good reason. I'd like for DUers to get to know him better, me especially. He's very interested in getting rid of Republicians for 2006/2008, so do I and others here, too. Wouldn't you?

[VTMechEngr]

137. yeah, there is a low post count bias here.

I am a member since 2001 but because I read a lot and rarely post, plus a name change or 2, I sometimes get suspected of being a troll by others. And this is with having a star with my name since 2001. Do they really think a freeper would donate for years. Geez.

[Gregory1230]

140. Oh interesting

[Mr_Spock]

141. You aren't allowed to call people freepers.

You can alert, but calling someone a freeper without proof is not allowed.

[expatriate]

131. Greg, coming in late on this, since I live in Australia

but I'm so glad you've decided to stay and stick it out.

Unfortunately, there are some people on DU who are bullies and who are holier than thou when it comes to people's grammatical and spelling mistakes. They're too pure and holy to comprehend that there are people who are less fortunate than they and that someone can have actual disabilities that affect their ability to write.

Anytime someone twits you about your spelling or grammar, just visualize how small and ungenerous their soul must be. Let their unkind remarks roll off your back. They are not worth responding to. If they can't get a rise out of you, sooner or later, they will leave you alone.

There are plenty of ungrammatical and misspelled posts on DU that are worth reading, and plenty of grammatically perfect, perfectly spelled posts that aren't worth the time of day.

I have an adopted son who has massive learning disabilities due to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, as a result of his birth mother's alcoholism. It was a terrible struggle of FIFTEEN years to get him able to read on a sixth grade level. He has dysgraphia, which means that writing is almost impossible for him, no matter how hard he tries or how much he studies and practices. Tragically, this has affected his life in very negative ways, and has led to his being dismissed as a member of society and becoming a homeless person - because of the attitudes of such as those who were being rude to you here. Yet he is a human being, and one with value. I would rather listen to what he says than to many of the perfect spellers out there who think they're superior to their fellow human beings and have nothing but a lot of meaningless hot air to puff around.

So welcome, and I look forward to reading your posts, no matter how many spelling errors or grammar goofs they may contain!

[Individualist]

132. Just curious

Were you a republican prior to '96?

[Gregory1230]

133. Yes I was

Yes I was as repug before 1996.

[VTMechEngr]

139. So was I.

Then I grew up. By the time I could vote, I was a Dem.

[EnfantTerrible]

134. I'm curious about your screenname...

Is it a reference to Pope Gregory IX who appointed inquisitors against heresy and then signed the Treaty of San Germano ( in 1230) which essencially absovled them and can only be construed as a defeat of the Papacy?

[Gregory1230]

135. No

No, it is my real name with my birthday (1230) which is December 30th.

[EnfantTerrible]

138. Just curious

Welcome to DU. :hi:

[Moderator]

142. Locking.

Let's let this be.