Have you had this problem?

[peace13]

Recently I have found myself writing a response to threads and after I am done, before I hit 'post message', I say to myself, 'What is the point? This person will not be open to any discussion. I can't change a thing by posting these words'. I hit delete and shake my head.

I lurked here at DU for several years before I got brave enough to enter into the fray of the conversation. Then there were years when thoughtful response could add to discussion and even enlighten folks. The words of others opened my eyes and helped me see things that I would not have been aware of otherwise. I miss those days of opportunity for real discussion, support and the encouragement from a group of folks who really did want our country to be a better place.

To all of those DUers who feel the same frustration I send a call out. I'm not going to give up just yet. Peace, energy and good thoughts to you, Kim

[Love Bug]

1. I feel your pain, peace13

I think part of the problem is when Bush was in power we had a common enemy to give us coherence. Now we are reduced to slamming good Dems like Kucinich and fighting among ourselves. It's sad, isn't it?

Namaste

[peace13]

11. Yes, it is sad.

The right gets crazier and crazier and it seems that the left is being sucked into it. I have always been amazed at the folks who didn't care for Dennis. If he looked like Robert Redford they would be all over him. I admire Kucinich for the person that he is. I hope that this will all work out in the end.

[librechik]

2. lately, yes

but I've been here and actively posting since 2001. maybe I'm just getting burned out...

[Forkboy]

3. My patience for other people is at an all time low.

Not just here on DU. I don't want to give up, but I don't think this is the right avenue for me anymore. I've been here over 8 years, and I don't think I've changed a single person. Someone I know wants me to volunteer to help troubled teens and I bet I'd do more good in a month than I have here in 8+ years. I think DU is more mental masturbation for the perpetually bored (that would be me lol) than a tool for change. Maybe we should all stop posting and go out to our own neighborhoods and meet the neighbors. :)

[Jennicut]

7. I worked with troubled kids, boys ages 8 to 13. It is worthwhile, though not easy.

DU is a fun addiction and I love the people I chat with here on a regular basis but you need the real world too.

I worked in a boys home about 10 year ago, just out of college, as a counselor. I still talk to one of the boys today, he was adopted and then went to college. He was very talented in art and I used to bring him all kinds of paper and writing tools to work with. I think you would like volunteering, though the stories and background of the kids can really get to you.

[Forkboy]

8. My own life is pretty messed up at the moment.

So I'm real hesitant to commit to these kids who have most likely already been betrayed by someone else as it is. If I decide to do it I have to be sure I actually plan on sticking to it, and I'm not sure if I'll even be around 6 months down the line. Anything less than a 100% commitment on my part is just letting the kids down, and I'm not sure I can do that. Still working on some issues of my own, and I'm currently enmeshed in a massive bout of depression.

On the other hand, as I was told, my own condition and past will be something many of the kids could relate to. Needless to say, I'm rather torn. I'd like to do it, but I don't want to fuck with these kids anymore than they already have been. Maybe when my own head is on tighter. :)

[Jennicut]

9. I only stayed a year, so I understand.

I had to get a job working the daytime because I was never seeing my husband, who was then my fiance.(I was working second shift and on the weekend). Also, the boys home was starting to restructure into more of a place for sexually abused boys only and many of the boys I worked with got adopted or went to foster homes so I felt better leaving knowing that many of the boys I had been close to were not there anymore.

I also suffer from depression and have been on meds since I was 20. It is a very, very depressing job to begin with because of the situations the kids are in. My husband said I was quieter and more deep in thought during that time period. It was not always helping my own issues but the parts that did help was a feeling that I was helping the kids and a sense that I could relate to them.

Good luck with whatever is going on. See, DU is good for something, at least in being able to relate to each other. We all have our own issues and no one has a perfect life. I am going back to school to be a preschool teacher after being home with my own kids, I have one more semester. I couldn't NOT work with kids at some point in my life again. :)

[Cleita]

4. If you are in opposition to some ideas brought up here, to

not express your opinion, unless it's against the rules, puts them in the driver's seat. I have seen forums fail here at DU because some clique takes over and they harangue those who are in disagreement. So those who opposed those ideas leave instead of staying and making their presence felt. It makes the forum pretty dull after that.

[peace13]

10. Makes sense.

I find it so weird that adults have cliques. High School....the never ending phenomena.

[Echo In Light]

5. Routine occurrence for me, also. If I didn't have this online job w/oodles of downtime...

... I'd likely not bother posting here as much...or at all, really

As to your point...absolutely. Kindred spirits find one another, and this is essential for various social minorities, oddballs and cast-aways in discovering a sense of comradery (especially applicable re liberals/lefties in the US). Beyond that, however, it's highly unlikely that anyone's mind/tune is actually changed via forum postings.

Take care :hi:

[Jennicut]

6. Yes, more often in the last few months.

[rox63]

12. I find I'm having this problem more and more lately

So I don't post all that much. :(

[applegrove]

13. More often than not you find someone who agrees with you who responds to your post.

IMHO.