This forum is experiencing a spiritual crisis

[demnan]

There is no positive direction on this forum. So many people, but we have no purpose. No one even wants to organize this community for the 1/27 march. Why is that?

So many people posting here have given up working toward the good. They just post and sit alone wherever they are. They don’t reach out to their communities, they don’t talk to their friends, they come here and its sad, nothing is gained. And it’s the young people who are the most cynical. I can’t even understand the cynicism by so many of the posters here now. Look, we won the election. We got good people like Jim Webb in, because some of us were willing to take to the streets and the telephones. We made a difference!

It wasn’t this bad a few years ago, even after the heartbreak of the 2000 election and the horror of 9/11 and the anthrax poisonings. We used to come here to feel better, but it’s not that way now.

I give you all a maternal hug and hope we get through this. Get active! Do something positive. You need to get away from your computer and actually communicate with people in your community. The world doesn’t get better because of the Internet. Hey, I’m a web developer by trade but I’ve never seen any positive emotional connection until people get out there in the streets. Please don’t take this the wrong way but go out there, come on! We’re a great big wonderful community. We can do this, we can!

Love,

Nancy

[Lex]

1. My observation is quite the opposite & I've been here since 2001

and that is that most DU'ers are activists in their own communities as well as posters on this board.

I see our DU'ers report back here on what tangible things they are involved in, giving accounts of helping at phone banks, involvement in local races, attending protests, and all sorts of things.


_____________________

[JuniperLea]

3. I concur

Perhaps Madame OP should check out the Activist HQ? It's always good for a boost!

[ret5hd]

2. I can only give you my observations:

I think we are all taking a breather. Because of the last elections, we feel maybe the worst is over, that there is light at the end of the tunnel...despite news of iran, "mail-tapping", and surges.

You are correct tho: Now is not the time to let up.

[Bluebear]

4. "Spiritual" crisis?

?

[WindRavenX]

9. yeah, that turned me off too

:eyes:

[eleny]

5. I don't appreciate your ham handed approach at motivation

Feh. :thumbsdown:

[illinoisprogressive]

6. People are probably taking a break and doing winter. Wait till spring

In winter people are not into alot of things. Spring is a better time. Besides, the emotional drain from the Nov. elections and the swearing in a few weeks ago with the holidays in between have left people drained.
In spring the primary run will heat up.

[evlbstrd]

7. That's quite a generalization.

Our local group of DUers is still very active. We've formed a group affiliated with DFA and sponsor at least three different events each month: a free movie night (the next one is "Who Killed the Electric Car"), a folk music performance and a general get-together to socialize and network with other Dems and progressives. A lot of us will be in DC on the 27th, too. Will we see you there?

[smoogatz]

8. Even the past ain't what it used to be.

I know. I was there.

[Demit]

10. I think you are experiencing an overgeneralizing crisis, myself.

Not to mention a crisis of not understanding what community is.

[trumad]

11. overgeneralizing crisis

LOL---how true.

[troubleinwinter]

12. What a load.

[bonito]

13. I feel what you feel also

In what ever I do as well, not a bad thing though, its just, well, we know we can do more, and the thought of this lends too, like we are not doing enough, in fact it never is to us.
But I'm here to tell you, take a step back once and awhile and just damn cry cause your doing the best you can muster, than give the whole world a big smile cause your not giving up on it.

Well, works for me.
Love Bob.

[ContraBass Black]

14. But, does it still have soul?

[Kelly Rupert]

15. Now let's go out there and win one for the Gipper!

:eyes:

[EvolveOrConvolve]

16. What does the term "spiritual crisis" mean in relation to DU

I don't get it.

[Kerrytravelers]

17. Ok, thanks.

I don't report every little thing I do for the cause. But, if that's the assigned homework, when is it due?

Yes, there are negative people on DU. And you know what I do? Ignore them. Hell, although initially not too thrilled about the nuclear blocking option here, I've quite taken to it and it does help in keep a positive vibe around me.

[helderheid]

18. OOGA BOOGA SMOOGA WOOGA!

:hug:

[Mabus]

19. You're kidding, right?

You should check out state forums more often. There are a lot of local events that are posted there. They're great resources for finding out what's going on in our various communities and with other local DU'ers. DU has been instrumental in helping me, my husband and friends of ours to hook-up and do things in our area. Our local group still has DU meetups just so we can hang out together. We know each other's phone numbers and we don't hesitate to call each other. I know we're probably unusually close as a group but I am grateful for DU bringing us all together. A couple of our number are heading to D.C. I wanted to go but it doesn't look like I'll be able to because of work commitments.