Last November, I logged off DU for the first time since becoming a member of this community five years before. I needed some time away from here, some distance from what was becoming a battleground between warring factions. It was not a decision of particular import at the time – no final farewells seemed necessary, as I had not made any decision to stay or go.

But over time, the decision made itself. DU had changed and was no longer a good fit for me, while it became a perfect fit for others. This is not only the way of websites; this is the way of the world. Times change, people change, political loyalties change. And DU and its membership are no different than the world at large.

However, when I was alerted to the fact that Skinner will be shutting down certain DU Groups as part of the launch of DU3 and was asking for input in that regard, it struck me that I might be the obvious choice for suggesting that the Barack Obama Group be deleted.

And so here I am, for the last time – not because I have an axe to grind or a bone to pick, or feel a need to post a GBCW. I am, as was said back in my day, already gone.

I am here because the BOGgers have moved on, and it seems obvious that our own forum has no place here. It is time to relinquish whatever space we once claimed as our own, so that said property can be passed on to those who now more rightfully belong here. Those of us who support Barack Obama, and are satisfied with his progress on behalf of our Party and our fellow citizens, are better served elsewhere, while those who are dissatisfied and feel a need to vent their frustrations have every right to expect as much bandwidth on DU as possible. It should “officially” be theirs.

My association with DU started with a single article, written and submitted for publication on the Home Page. That article went viral, as they say; I watched in fascination as my rants caught the attention not only of my fellow DUers, but others. I was awestruck to see my little ravings published on other websites, in newspapers, read on-air on radio programs. It was never my intent to be “noticed” – but it was a trip, pure and simple. To say I enjoyed every minute of it would be as vast an understatement as I can possibly imagine.

But most importantly, my association with DU has led to friendships I never dreamed I would have, with people who are now as much a part of my life as my family, my coworkers, my next door neighbours. I am particularly proud of the fact that several of my on-line friends are DUers who I disagreed with most, whose vitriol towards me was the most scathing and ferocious. As they say, politics often makes for strange bedfellows – and it often brings the most unlikely of us together in mutual respect, and the recognition that true political principles are most effective when applied to what we can accomplish together, rather than what we, as individuals, can find fault with.

On a personal note, I realize that I am a naturally positive person. As such, I tend to veer away from websites that focus on the negative. And I still admit to a total non-understanding of those who post on Democratic websites for the sole purpose of decrying the Party, its intentions, its goals, et cetera – while reiterating, over and over, that the Dems and the GOP are one and the same. It would seem that such people wouldn’t be bothered to post anywhere, being as it’s all for naught and all. And yet they persist – to what end, one can only wonder.

But then, as many have pointed out here on DemocraticUnderground, those who still believe in the Democratic party are obviously uninformed kool-aide drinkers who need re-educating. That being said, I have opted out of being re-educated. I still believe that positive action accomplishes more than negative inaction, and that complaining ad nasuem about what’s wrong with the world has little to do with making it right.

I realize that some are disappointed in President Obama, especially those who thought he was going to agree with them on every issue, one hundred percent of the time (a position I find to be a bit naďve, but there you have it.) I also realize that some people are not now, never have been, and never will be satisfied – regardless of who is in office. That’s just the way things are.

And so I suggest, Skinner, that the BOG be officially dismantled. It’s contributors have moved on to greener political website pastures, where supporting a Democratic president is considered to be a step in a positive direction. DemocraticUnderground has chosen to take a different tack, and I don’t question the motives nor wisdom thereof. It is what it is. But those of us who see things in a more positive, pro-active light must do what we must do – just as you and your DU Admin colleagues must do as you see fit in order to ensure DU’s survival and continued success.

The proposed bells-‘n’-whistles of DU3 look incredibly awesome! I’ve no doubt that a new generation of participants will be drawn into the political conversation as a result thereof. I sincerely hope they have something to offer beyond complaints about the Dem Party, and links to sites that encourage Dems to find fault with their own. DU is, after all, a political discussion board and, as such, it is the discussion that counts – bells ‘n whistles notwithstanding.

My time here was fantastic! It was full of honest discussion and incredible laughter. It was a place of sanctuary during incredibly bad times; a place that spoke of warm welcoming in days of cold-shouldered indifference. It was a respite from the insanity; a safe harbour in the midst of political storms that threatened to drown us all.

It was a place of common goals, common dreams, common aspirations – despite differences as to how to reach those goals, realize those dreams, achieve what we all aspired to.

I choose to remember DU as it was. What it is now belongs to those who I do not agree with nor identify with. But it is theirs to do with as they see fit – and my lack of participation will not be noticed; my rants will not be missed.

The BOG died a long time ago – despite the lunatic ramblings of those who post on sites that cannot be mentioned here, who still insist that BOGers dictate DU’s direction and policies, despite having departed long before the inane claims that they were in total control of what was posted here, and when, and why.

It is time to recognize the passing of THE BOG – not a passing away, but a passing along into websites that welcome those of a positive outlook and a positive demeanour; those who won’t take no, I can’t as an answer, those who won’t accept it’s all about ME as a policy to be accepted by those concerned with what is ultimately all about US.

I wish DU the best of everything – increased membership, increased participation, increased support.

The fact that I cannot, in good conscience as a Democrat, be part of DU’s future is neither here nor there. I am, after all, in a favoured position; I can state my political views without regard to what is financially expedient, what will garner monetary contributions, what will result in enough funds to keep afloat.

I sincerely wish the best of everything to the DU Powers that Be. To Skinner, EarlG and Elad: I have watched you prosper and grow, and take pride in thinking that I may have contributed in some small part. Kudos; you have done yourselves proud.

But life moves on. And those of us who believe in life must move on with it, and follow its positive flow. Democracy is not a website; it is a way of life. It requires participants who never see themselves as limited to being called “BOGgers”, or those content with being described as in or out according to the latest REC/UNREC philosophy. Democracy is a bit more – how shall I say it? – a bit more fucking important than that.

I wish everyone here all the best. Honestly and sincerely, I really do.

--- Nance