I want to say goodbye to the wonderful people of this group.
I no longer feel that DU wants people like those who post in this group to continue to be members of this community. I was going to try to stay just to be able to say hello here every once in a while, but since realizing that we truly are not wanted here at DU3, that won't work. We don't deserve to be treated like second-class citizens.
This section from the DU3 Terms of Service says it all:
Democratic Underground is not intended to be a platform for kooks and crackpots peddling paranoid fantasies with little or no basis in fact. To accomodate our more imaginative members we tolerate some limited discussion of so-called "conspiracy theories" under the following circumstances: First, those discussions are not permitted in our heavily-trafficked Main forums; and second, those discussions cannot stray too far into Crazyland (eg: chemtrails, black helicopters, 9/11 death rays or holograms, the "New World Order," the Bilderbergers, the Illuminati, the Trilateral Commission, the Freemasons, alien abduction, Bigfoot, and the like). In addition, please be aware that many conspiracy theories have roots in racism and anti-semitism, and Democratic Underground has zero tolerance for bigoted hate speech. In short, you take your chances.
DU2 had the following:
When discussing certain topics -- especially those relating to each human being's unique personal identity -- DU members have a responsibility to show greater understanding and sensitivity. To help promote a welcoming atmosphere for all of our members, the moderators are empowered to remove any post that they deem insensitive. Such topics include, but are not limited to: race or ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or gender identity, religious believers or non-believers, Jews or Judaism, Muslims or Islam, geographic region or place of origin, disability (mental or physical), weight or other physical characteristics, or age. Moderators may also remove any post using insensitive terminology (eg: 'cocksucker,' 'pink tutu,' 'bitch,' 'whore,' 'retard,' etc.).
What a change...
I'm off to change my password to a random value so this is permanent. We do have a group on Facebook if anyone wants to join us.
Lurking skeptics/atheists, agnostics, etc.: I'm sure you'll have great fun with this thread. Have at it...
= new reply since forum marked as read
that sounds like a good emergency plan.
I really wish you would'nt do this IHAD! 
Please give it time!!!! D.U.3 hasnt gelled yet. Its still a work in progress.
but If you absolutely feel that you have too. I'll see you in the group on facebook. 
Aw, Dream. Rick is right--don't want you to go, but understand why. Maybe you can just leave your account open and valid, just in case--? I told you once that I considered you the heart of ASAH, and I stand by that. Don't know what will happen if you're gone.
Definitely we will all have to start using the Facebook group more!
I'm not sure how to do so directly but I know the first step is you have to be friends with someone in the group. As for the first step, if you want and let me know, I can PM my name at FB, friend me and then I'll check with more knowledgeable members for the next step. I'm sure you don't have to keep the friend status once you join FB-ASAH
I mourn DU2 and hope the new site revises enough that old folks will stay or come back.
You're an angel.
I completely understand as the energy here is very different. I'm not around as much as I used to be either. I'm hoping it will get better and I hope you will reconsider. Everything is changing it seems...and try as I may, it's not always easy to embrace. See you on FB
I had wondered where you have been. I fear this is the beginning of the end of our group. Can you please pm me the fb group info if you have a chance?
Thank you for everything. I'm not sure how I would have gotten through some days without you.
(I always hate full moons. 
This is not a happy moment in ASAH.
The way I read the new TOS, the "kookiness" won't be tolerated in the Main forums. These groups are different.
Seriously, one can view mainstream Judeo-Christian mythology as "kookie." The virgin birth, resurrection, bread is flesh and wine is blood are examples of "wackiness" and many athiest/agnostic DUers will openly say as much. I have even been callous enough to say as much, back when I was rotten and snarkier.
But there are still Christian groups here. And many, many, many DUers identify as Christian, Catholic, Jewish, etc. on the Main forums. I doubt Skinner would let anyone disrupt in their groups.
The idea of groups is to have "refuges" where out-of-the-mainstream ideas are discussed and entertained. I seriously don't see that changing for the ASAH group with the new TOS.
Skinner has never bothered this group and we have been (mostly) free of disruptors here, so I hope you will reconsider.
I really do.....we all love you IHAD ((((((((((((((((IHaveADream))))))))))))))
I hope you join us at facebook, Cat. We need you
I find myself having to "temper" my thoughts as to what is allowed or what's likely to get a post removed or worse. I'd sure like to know why they decided to be so strict. What changed on their end to make it that way?
I guess we'll cross paths elsewhere, though maybe not on FB. I'm just glad you were around to cross paths with here!
By the way, the atheists/septics have lost one of their own recently, and for a related reason (mostly upset with the jury system and its results.) So, it's affecting the entire spectrum...
ASAH is a special place, and you're a big part of it.
The world needs empathy and love. DU needs it.
Without people like us, DU would be a colder place.
If one is going to indulge in 'crazy talk', the only appropriate way is OVERBOARD!
No such thing as a little bit of 'crazy talk'. Is there .. 
Seriously. It's absurd.
No problem at facebook. We can go as overboard on the crazy talk as befits.
completely understand your actions.
I've felt betrayed by DU3 since its inception. My Scorpio intuition tells me there is more to it than meets the eye. Believe that is why so many of us here in ASAH have had strong reservations about it......we sense an ulterior motive. What it is, I don't know. I just know I don't like the feeling. I've become less & less interested in politics of late for some reason.....maybe it's the total polarization we are experiencing in this country now. The nastiness is so bad, you could cut it w/a knife. I simply don't want to play in that type of sandbox.
DU3 feels like a "business" now.....a very clinical feel. My perception is we've been divided into segments to negate our power. But why? Perhaps it will all become clear at a later date.
Will always feel a close & special attachment to all here at ASAH. Y'all have made the transitions of the last few years almost enjoyable.....for that I will be forever thankful.
I may check in here on occasion, but it will be a rare occurrence.
it's the permission to express dissent that's being suppressed. hence the experiment for this site's new direction -- in accord to its historical purpose -- has already died. yet its new purpose is carrying on, albeit haltingly. but even this last bit is for naught; the tentacles may have reached far, but the maintenance is becoming too expensive. welcome to the last thrashings of the 1%...
I am really noticing it too...hardly ever go into GD anymore...it's no fun. I can;t handle all the talk about the rethugs and ron paul, and I've noticed a serious decline in OWS posts ..feels like the PTB are behind the whole thing...
so ya, we will see eachother in Wishadoo... I am sure
Be away for a couple of days and a whole lot happens. I'm really sorry to hear all of this! IHAD, you may not recognize me right now because I've had a couple of aliases. But, I have been in this group since 2006 and you have always been so nice and helpful to me and everyone here. It will be hard coming here without your presence. I was actually wondering where you were.
Your absence will definitely be notice and your presence missed.
The difference between the two is astounding, kind of a mean spirited evolution, like Rahm Emanuel left pods (ala Invasion of the Body Snatchers) in the basement . Check the basement for pods before you go to sleep tonight, ASAH, And Stay kind.
You guys are the heart and soul of DU as far as I am concerned, and if there is another site where this group can feel comfortable to share and be themselves, I'd like to be part of that. I won't waste my time or money on a DU without you.
C'Mon, We love you.
I think you should reconsider, IHAD. You are a much valued member here.
Cher
In regard to the comments about ASAH being considered fringe-crazy and also in regard to Skinner's answer, let's remember one thing, and I hope I don't sound sexist here. This place is run by three guys. Now it is true we have some outstanding males who understand our type of thing: Richochet, people like James Van Pragh, etc. But for the most part, guys are not real into psychic stuff, dreams, etc.
Maybe we can chalk some of this up to "fish out of water."
Cher
Was that the action seemed very high handed and authoritarian. Most of us don't like to be herded around. That's one reason that the image of Jesus as our shepherd and the rest of us as sheep just never sat well with me.
Of course, I am a Scorpio. 
I wonder what Skinner's sign is.
I'm staying here for now................Again, I have a feeling that they are making preparations to try to sell the site to some sort of mainstream organization. Just a hunch, though.
