Don't get blocked out of DU on election night (or after)

[Skinner]

This discussion thread was locked by Skinner (a host of the Announcements group).

You may remember that we upgraded the Democratic Underground web servers back in December 2015. The purpose of that upgrade was so the site would be able to handle heavy traffic we expected for the 2016 presidential election season. Now that the election is almost over, we can see that the upgrade has been a success. Through a hard-fought primary season and a crazy general election season marked by huge spikes in traffic, the server has held strong and we have not experienced any downtime -- or any slowdown at all.

But election night is something else entirely. In the past we have experienced traffic spikes on election night that are well beyond anything we experience on any other days. Which is to say: We have done everything within reason to prepare, but we just don't have any way of knowing for sure whether it will be enough to handle the traffic. Because we have never before experienced election night on our new servers.


Don't get blocked out of DU on election night

If it turns out that we are unable to adequately handle the traffic on election night, we will do what we have in the past: We will systematically remove site functions in order to limit the strain on the servers. In the worst-case scenario we might have to completely restrict site access to registered members who are currently Star Members -- people who are not Star Members would not even be able to view the site.

If you want to ensure that you are able to access DU on election night, you can purchase a Star Membership. DU Star Memberships are "Pay-what-you-want" -- there is no minimum or maximum. Plus you will be able to access our website ad-free for a full year. Just click here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/star

If you are currently a Star Member, you can check the status of your membership by clicking the "My Account" link at the top of any page. Then click the tab that says "Star Membership."


Ensure your continued access to DU after the election is over

In case it hasn't been completely obvious to everyone here, I would like to make clear that since the extremely divisive Democratic Primary ended in June, the DU Administrators have been committed to making sure that Democratic Underground is a friendly community where politically liberal people can support Democrats. That commitment will continue after the election season is over. My greatest regret is that over the last eight years I allowed Democratic Underground to become a haven for people who treated Barack Obama and their fellow DU members with contempt. I don't intend to make that mistake again.

The price of admission to DU after this election is your vote for Hillary Clinton (or your support for her if you are not eligible to vote in the United States). If you are able to vote, but you can't bring yourself to vote for Hillary, then I'm not particularly interested in listening to your bullshit for the next four-to-eight years. I don't care if you live in the bluest of blue states or the reddest of red states, if you are looking for excuses to vote for Jill Stein or Gary Johnson or god forbid Donald Fucking Trump, then this isn't the place for you. Fortunately for you, there are plenty of other places on the Internet where you can get your Hillary-hate on, and some of them are even filled with former DU members.


So get out there and vote!

I'm looking forward to celebrating with all of you on Tuesday night! Go Hillary and Go Democrats!

Skinner
DU Admin

[joshcryer]

1. Sounds good. Hope this site will become a safe haven for pro Democrats going forward.

I think it's clear the low hanging fruit of yesteryears were in fact not the draw of this site.

[dumbcat]

70. Yes, we need safe havens on the internet

The real world out there is just too intolerable to endure. Who wants to live in that?

[joshcryer]

86. I'd prefer to avoid Idiocracy, myself.

[MineralMan]

4. +1000

[gollygee]

6. I am so glad we won't have to hear about how horrible Hillary is for the next 4 to 8 years

I was tired of that during the primary, even though I voted for Bernie. We can't tear each other apart like that. We are stronger together!!

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

135. We have plenty of time to complain about her, after the inauguration.

I'm sure she's dead wrong on certain issues.

Those issues will vary from one DUer to another.

We've had "discussions" about PBO, or BHO, or however he's abbreviated (which we can't agree on, either). I'll bet nobody will abbreviate Clinton as PHC.

[Maeve]

7. Thank you, Skinner!

And EarlG and Elad and all the people of DU who make this a great place to gather!

[ismnotwasm]

8. Well said sir!

[Tarc]

10. That big yellow bar notifier worried me for a moment.

I had flashbacks to the primary days, when incoming mail was more likely than not an indicator of another blocked post.

It's nice to be back at 100%, serving on juries, etc...

[Thinkingabout]

11. Thanks Skinner, I love the DU site, hope it remains as a place where like minded people can meet and

discuss, I want it to go on for along time.

[Sunlei]

13. Thank you!

[yowzayowzayowza]

14. Thatz encouraging.

My greatest regret is that over the last eight years I allowed Democratic Underground to become a haven for people who treated Barack Obama and their fellow DU members with contempt. I don't intend to make that mistake again.

[mopinko]

38. such music to my ears.

"criticism from the left" has shown itself to be nothing but hateful bullshit. glad it is going into the du trashbin.
watching this place grow and evolve over the years has been such a pleasure.

here's to the guys-

[JTFrog]

40. Definitely worth celebrating! nt

[Hekate]

51. That paragraph jumped out at me sprinkled with stars. +10000 Happy Dance

[meow2u3]

15. Thank you, Skinner

I'm already a star member, so I will have access to DU.

Fortunately, trolls won't.

[rdking647]

16. already voted. straight democratic for the first time ever

[zenabby]

17. This is great...

Also, are there any mobilizing/organizing after elections? I'd like to stay involved in policies and causes after, and I don't know how to do that. I am in California.

[Hortensis]

124. Contact your local Democratic Party headquarters, Zenabby.

The 2018 midterm is right around the corner and is very much a continuation of this battle. Factors are stacked for the GOP to regain lost seats and even increase numbers, and both parties are already busy working to come out on top in 2018.

[appleannie1]

18. I won't be around tomorrow at all. I work at a polling place.

I have to be there at 6:00AM and don't expect to get out of there until after 10:00PM. So all of you have a great day and lots of fun chatting. I live in a rural, Republican area of Pennsylvania so when I do get home, the first thing on the agenda is a good hot shower just in case some of the crazy is contagious.

[sufrommich]

19. Those last 2 paragraphs make me very happy.

See you election night!

[BumRushDaShow]

21. Wow. Getting ready for DEFCON operations.

But this part -

The price of admission to DU after this election is your vote for Hillary Clinton (or your support for her if you are not eligible to vote in the United States). If you are able to vote, but you can't bring yourself to vote for Hillary, then I'm not particularly interested in listening to your bullshit for the next four-to-eight years. I don't care if you live in the bluest of blue states or the reddest of red states, if you are looking for excuses to vote for Jill Stein or Gary Johnson or god forbid Donald Fucking Trump, then this isn't the place for you. Fortunately for you, there are plenty of other places on the Internet where you can get your Hillary-hate on, and some of them are even filled with former DU members.

[sheshe2]

52. ^^^This^^^

[maryellen99]

22. Thank You Skinner I just got my star membership

So I'm good for tomorrow. I voted absentee this morning 🙂

[livetohike]

23. Thanks Skinner! This will be my fourth Presidential

election as a DU member. So grateful for this site .

[oasis]

24. This moment in history will not be missed.

No way.

[sheshe2]

25. I voted!

For Hillary and every Dem on the ticket.





GOTV 2016~

Thanks Skinner!

[yardwork]

26. THANK YOU!!!

[angrychair]

27. Voted 2 weeks ago here in Washington

Bernie Democrat that happily and enthusiastically voted for Clinton to include canvassing in the pouring rain...lol...it is Washington.

Thank you for all your hard work here on DU it is very much appreciated.

[musicblind]

29. I'm voting for Hillary Clinton.

And I could not be happier with that vote.

Thank you for all that you have done to keep DU a positive, inclusive and constructive place for members of the Democratic Party.

#StrongerTogether

[chillfactor]

31. i tried to pay with my debit card..

the screen keeps going back to PayPal...I do not have an account with them and I do not want one.

[PoliticAverse]

57. You don't have to set up an account with paypal to process your payment through them. n/t

[Laurian]

33. Fanfreakintastic! Let's get this done..... 🎉🎉🎉

Thank you for that strong statement about supporting Democrats. The JPR defectors shocked and saddened me, but I appreciate the clarity that ensued.

[treestar]

34. GOTV Go Hillary!

And support her for the next four/eight years so that Congress knows we have her back!!!!

[JTFrog]

36. HUGE K&R. nt

[FailureToCommunicate]

39. Whew! That notice should come with a warning. We're all too nervous here...

?v=1456895169

[onecaliberal]

42. #ImWithHer.

I'm going to vote for the first woman POTUS!

[Cosmocat]

45. I like this approach!

because Hillary is going to have a complete shit short of bullshit thrown at her.

No one is above any criticism, but I really would like to this to be one place where she gets the kind of support she will need!

[femmocrat]

47. K & R

Sounds great! Many thanks!

[Iggo]

49. I'll live.

But thanks for the heads-up!

[Rex]

114. +1

[Mortos]

50. I donated.

I have been a part of DU since 2004. I have been remiss in my contributions lately but I feel that you provide an invaluable service to progressive democrats. Glad to give back a little to this community and the people who provide it.

Mortos

[asiliveandbreathe]

53. Thank you Skinner..so eloquently written...

May I - from text above...

The price of admission to DU after this election is your vote for Hillary Clinton (or your support for her if you are not eligible to vote in the United States). If you are able to vote, but you can't bring yourself to vote for Hillary, then I'm not particularly interested in listening to your bullshit for the next four-to-eight years. I don't care if you live in the bluest of blue states or the reddest of red states, if you are looking for excuses to vote for Jill Stein or Gary Johnson or god forbid Donald Fucking Trump, then this isn't the place for you. Fortunately for you, there are plenty of other places on the Internet where you can get your Hillary-hate on, and some of them are even filled with former DU members -

The new rules have made a world of difference....



I now have a star...yea!!!

[Kber]

148. New rules kept me here after I swore, during the heat of the primaries, I was done!

I joined in 2003 and read far more than I post, but I enjoy the discussions so I'm so glad we were able to right the ship and come together.

[vademocrat]

54. Thanks for the early warning, Skinner!

Lapsed star member here - just re-upped because DU is one of the few places I definitely want to access Tuesday night!
I'll be happily & proudly voting for Hillary in Virginia tomorrow - primaries were over months ago & I've fully supported Hillary since then.

Looking forward to celebrating with like-minded folks tomorrow night and beyond.

[Hekate]

55. Hugs to Skinner et al. for creating DU and keeping it going.

[Rorey]

56. Thank you for the safe haven

I have been full on board for Hillary from the day she declared her candidacy and no longer have tolerance for anyone who isn't (including my husband). This is too important. I have no tolerance for apathy and no tolerance for ignorance. I just want to scream at people that they MUST educate themselves and they MUST VOTE.

I'm going to be doing some volunteer work with my local office tomorrow and then I'll be here to celebrate with you.

[shenmue]

60. I like pie

[Ellen Forradalom]

61. Thank you Skinner.

Organized Internet trolling is a real thing and I'm glad you are finally going to meet it head on.

[Freddie]

64. Done, I am finally a star member

Can't justify "freeloading" on my favorite site anymore.
No early voting here in PA plus I have to work all day, so I can't vote til about 5:00. At this point I'll walk 10 miles in the snow to vote!
Just like 2012 I'll be parked in front on the TV tomorrow night, phone in hand following DU.

[Progressive dog]

65. Thank you, Skinner, for this

My greatest regret is that over the last eight years I allowed Democratic Underground to become a haven for people who treated Barack Obama and their fellow DU members with contempt. I don't intend to make that mistake again.

[riversedge]

67. Thanks. very much.

[Hokie]

68. Renewed my expired Star membership. Thanks for the reminder

You guys run the best forum in the business. I laugh every time I go to FR and see what their idea of a forum is.

DU

[47of74]

69. A-fucking-men.

I voted Mrs. Clinton and want everyone else to.

And fuck Donald Trump.

[A HERETIC I AM]

71. I have abolutely NO IDEA what you're talking about.....

So here's a picture of a Boston Terrier puppy with a floppy ear.

[niyad]

82. awwwwwww. thanks for the grin!!

[riverbendviewgal]

72. I am Canadian but I support Hilary

And the Democratic party. And DU.

[CaptainTruth]

73. #GOTV4HRC - Let's make it trend!

[Yonnie3]

74. Positive Atmosphere!

You post brings to mind what I read when I was called to jury duty as a very new poster.

" ... to participate on our discussion forums in a manner that promotes a positive atmosphere and encourages good discussions ... "

This was a stark contrast to what was being deemed acceptable during the primaries. I try to keep this phrase in mind whenever I'm on DU.

[Fla Dem]

91. There's always room for honest disagreements on policy.

No administration is ever 100% in agreement with their supporters. But discussions can be had without denigrating our our party leaders and insulting other DU members.

[Lithos]

76. Voted

Straight Democratic ticket as always.

And I did it individually as it feels so good doing it (and there was no line at the time, so I was not making anyone wait).

L-

[seshers]

77. Wife and I both voted early in Georgia...

and for HRC! As I have for years, I will be here election night (and after).

If we win it's not the end, it is only the beginning. Voting Rights, Citizens United (repeal), Fair Pay & Living Wage will not happen easily. We must all be ready to support a progressive agenda. I'm ready and I know you all are too.

GOTV!

[niyad]

83. thank you. I will not be on du tomorrow night (will be watching with friends, drinking

and cheering as we see HRC win!!)

[Lifelong Protester]

93. I have the bubbly chilling now!

Will vote tomorrow. And toast HRC and you all later.

[3catwoman3]

84. This odd little analogy popped into my head -

Don't go to a sushi bar if you want to order a pizza.

[MuttLikeMe]

85. I will never forget election night 2008

it was IMPOSSIBLE to log on to this place lol

[Barack_America]

87. Before I donate (again)...will I be allowed to criticize Hillary Clinton?

She will make mistakes as President, and I would like to be able to voice my disapproval and suggestions for policies that I might prefer (without bashing her). I anticipate that most of her actions will be great, but not all will be.

I am fortunate to be surrounded by liberals in my everyday life, so I don't come here for solace, I come here to discuss politics with fellow political junkies.

If even-handed discussion of the Clinton administration won't be encouraged here, then it may be time to seek out another, less polarized site (if one still exists).

It's your site, and clearly you can run it how you want, but I'd just like some clarification before I invest.

Thank you.

[Jim Lane]

127. I had the same question

To take one specific example: When the Bush tax cuts were expiring, Obama cut a deal with the Republicans. Obviously, neither side got all it wanted, which was inevitable. My opinion, however, was that Obama had a very strong bargaining position; his batna (best alternative to negotiated agreement) was that all the cuts would expire, which was a lot closer to what he wanted than to what they wanted. I thought he should have exploited that to get a better deal. The final compromise allowed too much of the inequality-increasing tax cuts to become permanent.

Skinner's announcement is that no one will be permitted to express "contempt" for what Hillary Clinton does in office. By my lights, the preceding paragraph expresses criticism of Obama but not contempt. Some DUers, however, would disagree. Clarification on this point would help cut down on the number of inappropriate posts and/or inappropriate alerts.

[Lifelong Protester]

89. I think I'm "good to go"

I was a Bernie fan, still am, but this is a five star emergency!!! Everybody in!

[stevil]

92. I'm in....

I'll donate more after paying for the root canal and crown. DU is such a better place the last few months

[lpbk2713]

94. Acknowledged

I personally don't expect any problems.

[cwydro]

95. I am SO glad you made it clear what the price of admission is!

I'm tired of seeing those posts about, "Oh I'm voting for whoever because it won't make any difference."

Thank you!

[Stinky The Clown]

96. FUCK Yeah!!!! Right there with ya, Skinner.

Consider giving MIRT a little more authority to send trolls back where they came from.

[Lil Missy]

97. "If you are able to vote, but you can't bring yourself to vote for Hillary,

then I'm not particularly interested in listening to your bullshit for the next four-to-eight years."

YAAAAY!

[HurricaneWarning]

98. I'm happy to sign on

This site has been a god-send for me.

[geek tragedy]

99. Bonus feature of the last two full paragraphs: less Russian malware + bots from the Kremlin's troll

factories

[wryter2000]

100. Praise the Lord (meant in the vernacular, not in a religious sense)

" My greatest regret is that over the last eight years I allowed Democratic Underground to become a haven for people who treated Barack Obama and their fellow DU members with contempt. I don't intend to make that mistake again. "

When I was a mod, I hated allowing the "Obama = Bush" and "Obama is worse than Bush" posts stand. I am so glad those days are over.

[Cryptoad]

103. Can we still call Republicans , Ass holes?

[marlakay]

104. We both voted for Hillary already

Going to the movies tomorrow night and staying offline to stay sane.

Have fun!

[niyad]

105. sigh--no more trolls to play with??? guess I find to find something else on which to sharpen my

claws!!

[liberalhistorian]

110. I live in the reddest of red states

that will, without a doubt, give its whopping three electoral votes to Drumpf (and then proceed to bitch about the effects of republican policies all the while blaming Dems for those republican policies). But I still can't wait to fill in that bubble for HRC and I hope the smarter states will cancel out the dumbass ones like my own.

That being said, in order to prevent a heart attack, I think I'm gonna just go into a coma tomorrow night and wake up Wednesday to the reckoning. I honestly don't think I can handle the suspense if it's close.

[MADem]

111. Well, that deserves some MUSIC!!

Everyone--listen to this music while reading aloud, in your best James Earl Jones voice, that superb paragraph above about the price of admission!!!

So happy to have OUR DU back!!!!

[Donald Ian Rankin]

112. What's your stance on tactical votes for McMullin in Utah?

You don't list him among your "don't vote fors". I don't live in Utah, but if I did, I'd be seriously considering voting for him as the option most likely to result in a Clinton presidency, and obviously I'd rather not get banned for saying that.

[Gothmog]

113. I voted early last week so that I could work on election protection tomorrow

[Nitram]

115. I'm on board!

[Demsrule86]

117. Sounds great Skinner...

She has got this.

[Flatpicker]

119. I've already

Voted for her.

Got my early ballot in last week.

[DesertRat]

120. K&R

[Bobbie Jo]

121. Oh hell yeah!

Thank you, Skinner.

[cynzke]

122. Three Votes for Hillary in GEORGIA. I'm hoping Latino and Black votes push the State BLUE!

[hamsterjill]

123. We are Stronger Together!!!

May tomorrow night be a new beginning. May she win with such might that the naysayers and the obstructionists will be certain that they have lost.

Go, Hillary!!

Go, Democrats!!!

Turn Texas BLUE!!!

[red dog 1]

130. K&R

As a "radio freak".I hope to God that, after tomorrow, I won't have to hear Donald Fucking Trump's hate-filled, nasal voice every day.

God Bless Hillary Clinton!

[dmr]

132. Thank you, Skinner.

We've come a long way, baby!

A long way from those very long dark days of Bush*, Cheney, and their assorted demented collaborators.

President Obama's tenure flew by way too fast. Oh, how I'll miss his sanity, grace and humor. Plus, I have a secret crush on the beautiful smiling Irish eyes of Joe Biden.

Our tenacious future president, Hillary Clinton, will do us proud. When the Republicans start up their witch hunts, it's reassuring to know the DU community will have her back.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for providing a proactive discussion board.

Hugs to you, Earl, and elad.

I'm with Her!

[JusticeForAll]

133. Checking if i am a star member

N/t 😀

[Bill USA]

136. "there are...places on the Internet where you can get your Hillary-hate on" ..or just watch M$M tv!

[Hekate]

137. I don't need to renew just yet,which is a good thing since apparently your system doesn't like my...

...old browser. Never fear; I have 43 days to figure that out, and if all else fails you'll get a check in the mail, which is how I did it in 2002!

Thanks, Skinner! Loveya!

[Starry Messenger]

138. Already voted for Hillary by mail.

[SidDithers]

139. Thanks you, Skinner...

It's good to hear you say those things.

Thank you.


Sid

[sabbat hunter]

140. Would love to donate

but you guys use PayPal and I cannot use PayPal.

[William769]

141. Now that''s what I'm talking about!

The price of admission to DU after this election is your vote for Hillary Clinton (or your support for her if you are not eligible to vote in the United States). If you are able to vote, but you can't bring yourself to vote for Hillary, then I'm not particularly interested in listening to your bullshit for the next four-to-eight years. I don't care if you live in the bluest of blue states or the reddest of red states, if you are looking for excuses to vote for Jill Stein or Gary Johnson or god forbid Donald Fucking Trump, then this isn't the place for you. Fortunately for you, there are plenty of other places on the Internet where you can get your Hillary-hate on, and some of them are even filled with former DU members.

[liberal N proud]

142. I understand the situation but I just can't do it right now

With my employment situation any extra change is necessary just to get by. The company that let me go in September has Trumped me on the severance payment that I was promised on October 30th.

Can't or won't tell me why.

So paying the bills until that or a new job comes in are dicy.

I trust you all will keep thing going and I will see you all on the flip side.

Don't worry, I will be right in the middle of things and unable to do any DU on election day anyway. I am a poll observer.


I urge anyone who can to put in some time tomorrow and help GOTV.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

143. Thank you all - you have no idea how much you are appreciated !

[anneboleyn]

144. Definitely have my vote! We can't vote early but I will be there tomorrow!

[still_one]

145. Thank you Skinner

[Blanks]

146. I proudly voted for Hillary last week. eom

[AmericanActivist]

147. Count me in. Thank you Skinner and thanks

DU

[ELY08]

153. Thanks You Skinner.

I'm in

[CousinIT]

154. What about those whose accounts are 'flagged for review'

and who have since grown to support Hillary (and voted for her) but are still locked out ie: status still "flagged for review"?

Are they locked out permanently?

[NBachers]

155. Thank you. The days of ducking my head while admitting I supported Obama or Hillary are over,

never to return.

For awhile there, those of us who supported either Obama or Hillary, or were proud Democrats, were subject to every kind of abuse and insult. Thank you for declaring that those days are over.

Long live the Democratic Party - Long live Democratic Underground!

[LiberalFighter]

156. Good to hear.

[samplegirl]

157. Now this sounds like the D.U. I joined

Years ago! When you didn't need jury's to decide things! We have had enough years of dividing! Democratic Underground should be a safe haven where Democrats unite!!!

[DangerousRhythm]

158. Starring...

I've gotten free stars before and I figured I've gotten at least 12 years of enjoyment from this site, lurking for a while and then making an account for the 2008 election... that's definitely worth kicking in a few bucks, even though I've had a bit of a money struggle lately.

Also, I'd be going crazy if I was locked out today of all days. I need the support system, even if I'm not a well-known regular poster. 😝

[yuiyoshida]

160. Watashi wa hirarīkurinton ni tōhyō shite imasu.

私はヒラリークリントンに投票しています。米国の新大統領を楽しみにしています。さようなら良いのためのドナルド・トランプに。 ヒラリーのために戦います！最善を尽くします！

(translation available at google translate for REPUBLICAN TROLLS) or...for the curious!

[Feeling the Bern]

161. I agree with this. When she does something I believe is right, I will agree

If she does something I believe I wrong, I will say so. No hate intended, but the last thing we need are more Blue Dogs like Ben Nelson and more DINOs like Zell Miller and Joe Lieberman.

I am a liberal before a Democrat, but I am a member of the Democratic Party. I have healed my upset nature over the primary and want this country, and this website, to heal. But, again, I will support her when she does something I believe in (like sign a law outlawing for profit prisons) and I will criticize if she does something I don't agree with (like not signing a law outlawing for profit prisons).

[Mike Niendorff]

162. Star membership renewed

Thank you, once again, for all the work you and the DU team have done to provide this exceptional resource to the progressive community for so many years.

MDN

[Violet_Crumble]

163. If I were a US citizen, I'd vote for Hillary without hesitation

I'm not alone where I am, either. I saw a poll of different countries and around 89% of us in Australia think trump is a complete moron unsuitable for the job. I can't remember the percentage who think Hillary would do a good job, but it was pretty high; far higher than any poll in the US.

One of my friends has family who moved to the US a few years back. They're in North Carolina and he told me all 4 of them have voted for Hillary already. I've heard a lot about demographics this election so it's a shame there's not millions of expat Aussies there (wait, that's mean no-one would be left here) as trump would be buried in a landslide of votes from a people who see trump as the ultimate Ugly American.

I'm hopefully optimistic that common sense will prevail in the US today and that you guys are celebrating Hillary winning when I pop in tomorrow night

[raven mad]

164. I really do remember.

My father-in-law had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's. This old white Navy veteran of WWII...........

He voted for Obama. I had to help him with his walker.

Super giggles? On the way out of the polls, someone cranked up some rock music. And my-dad-in-love KNEW the song and we giggled around his wheelchair (Dude could SWING it!)


Think I won't vote? Haven't missed one - not ONE - since 1972, city, borough, state or Federal - oh, ! 1972 was my "eligible" year.

[Skittles]

169. I am in!

WOO!!

[steve2470]

170. Great OP Skinner, thanks! nt