Future of the DP Part 2
Wow! Thank you all for the tremendous input to Part I - The Purpose of the Daily Paul. I wasn't out digging for a pep talk, but I sure did get one! Thank you all for the input, the encouragement, and the love. Overall, your words reaffirm my feeling about the DP. I think that economics31 put it best: "DP is like a neighborhood bar..." In other words, it is a community. We know each other. Maybe not personally, but the fact that we all agree with, and support Ron Paul gives us all immediate common ground. But what do we do with that common ground?
We are in the midst of a Revolution, no question. But that revolution has its own rhythm, its ebbs and flows. Dr. Paul's election campaign was a period of high activity, and now we're in a lull in terms of organized activity. But from this lull, something will emerge, no question.
The point of the Daily Paul, in my opinion, is to keep us all in touch with one another, and give us a central gathering spot to come back to when the time comes. When that time does come, we will need a way to communicate with one another and disseminate the news. I was heartened to see a lot of old timers back on the old thread, even those who made quite a production about leaving. No one ever leaves, and anyone who does is always welcome back.
After the election cycle ended, I was rarely bothered by the "off topic" forum threads. Most of them are, in one way or another, tangentially related to our Revolution if for no other reason than because they're being ignored by the corporate MSM. I'm the kind of person that will read anything on internet. Chemtrails, 911, Meat scented cologne -- bring it on. I'll decide what I believe, thank you. That is what the internet is for anyway, in my humble opinion. Where else are you going to read about it? Not the New York Times. Of course, if Burger King pays for placement, you'll no doubt get a glowing story about the new Cow Cologne that is "sweeping the nation."
I don't read half the crap on this site, but I still think it is a great site precisely because of all that crap I don't read. If other people are reading it, debating it and enjoying it, I think that is wonderful. If I don't have those interests in common, there is one common interest I know that we do share, and that is the love of liberty and freedom. As long as people remain respectful in their interactions with one another, it's all good to me. Freedom brings us together, as the good Doctor said.
The sad part is that (some) people can't seem to keep their flaming tongues in check. Too many times, threads devolve into shouting matches and flame wars, or foul language fests. This is really disheartening to me, and is the main problem with the site in my opinion. I wish we could all just follow the example set by our hero, Dr. Paul. He is always respectful, humble, gives the benefit of the doubt. He never uses foul language. This is part of what makes him special. Not only is he the Messenger, he is the living embodiment of the Message.
To sum up, the Daily Paul is not going away. I thought about closing it down for a few minutes this morning, and the thought just made me feel very sad. There's no way I could do it, especially not after hearing how much it means to everyone, and really, how much you all mean to me.
This is a wonderful community, and there is no doubt in my mind, that when the time comes, we will all play a very important role in the coming Revolution.
I'm considering some changes to the site and I'll discuss those tomorrow in Part 3, tomorrow.
Thank you all. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, and are looking forward to the New Year.
Michael
I admit to having used foul language on at least a few ocassions
And to having engaged in 'flaming' as it were. For that I apologize. At least I have enough humility to confess my errors, unlike a few others who I will refrain from naming here.
I guess my problem has been, from time to time, with the minority of commenters on the Daily Paul who engage in ad hominem and straw-man arguments, red herring, and conceited (and usually false, I might add) a priori reasoning and intellectual dishonesty. In my opinion these devices are just as bad, if not worse, than foul language.
I suppose that I have let my emotions get the better of me at those times when I have experienced such sophomoric and adolescent distractions and canards engaged in by some individuals whose motives on the Daily Paul seem specious at best.
To quote Ron Paul, "If we want to live in a free society, we need to break free from these artificial limitations on free debate and start asking serious questions once again."
----
"An error does not become truth by reason of multiplied propagation, nor does truth become error because nobody sees it. Truth stands, even if there be no public support. It is self sustained." -Mahatma Gandhi
----
"...a nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people." -John F. Kennedy
Thanks Michael
You are appreciated as are all the members here.
The DailyTruther
Michael, I think you should either declare some subjects off-topic or change the name of the forum. Dr. Paul has repeatedly distanced himself from the Truthers. It is quite apparent that they have no respect whatsoever for his wishes.
I do not know who instigated the attacks. Probably no one does except the people responsible. Like Dr. Paul, I think the investigation probably covered up ineptitude on the part of US officials at the very least. I just think it is not right to have a forum called the DailyPaul dominated by discussions that Dr. Paul does not want associated with him. I think we should show some respect.
We might have to worry about saving the internet first
so we can go to forums like DP
Secret Plan To Kill Internet By 2012: Leaked?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UX7Z4tTx67s&feature=related
R3VOLution
I'm a little late chiming in here...
But I also want to thank Michael, and all of you, for this site. I rarely contribute but I've been living here for over a year. I have DailyPaul open all day at work and make a list of videos and links to look at when I get home. It is the source of most of my news and research.
I definately feel the community. I Iike the neighborhood bar analogy, a friendly place where everyone knows each other, there are a few odd characters, and occasionally someone gets beligerent. I'm only sorry I haven't added much to the conversation- I'm the quiet woman in the corner near the window enjoying a Guiness, reading her book, and only occasionally joining in.
I hope all the moderators will go easy on the deletions and bans. We can all decide what we want to read and what should be ignored.
I love you guys!!!
Bless us all in the coming year.
Michael I think
we need a theme song. I wonder if we could use this, I don't think they are using it anymore. LOL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FD8ljNobUys&feature=related
Prepare & Share the Message of Freedom through Positive-Peaceful-Activism.
Michael what a great post
you put it so well...
DailyPaul is my daily newspaper bar library all in one.
Sometimes I wish I could read every single thread not missing any one of them precious ones LOL
a leader of my meet up group send me a great article
and yeah the first thought was how sweet to be able to share it with everyone here http://www.dailypaul.com/node/77324
*peace patriots*(carefull with those flaming tongues)
http://www.votenader.org/blog/2008/09/10/statement-to-ron-pa...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/57925480@N00/2660779139/sizes/l/
Website:
http://www.libertypoet.com/
Twitter:
http://twitter.com/LibertyPoet
"How can we justify to the unemployed and underemployed in the United States the incredible cost of maintaining a global empire?" - Dr. Ron Paul
Glad to hear it!
Michael,
You are doing the right thing.
Continue for as long as your heart is in it.
Long live the Revolution!
MICHAEL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8owRHXbK1WA
For Freedom!
For Freedom!
STUGOTS! To the high and felutent establishment!
Paultian Powerhouse!
viva la revolution
----------------------------------------
Ron Paul Supporter Since 1997
“We have allowed our nation to be over taxed and over regulated and overrun by bureaucrats, the founders would be ashamed of us for what we're putting up with” Ron Paul
“We have allowed our nation to be over taxed and over regulated and overrun by bureaucrats, the founders would be ashamed of us for what we're putting up with.” Ron Paul
Moderating this site must be like cleaning the Augean stables.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augeas
Its a Herculean task, but I'm sure you're up to it. Atta boy Michael!
“Education is dangerous - Every educated person is a future enemy”
“Of course people don’t want war. Why should a poor slob on a farm want to risk his life in a war when the best thing he can get out of it is to come back to his farm in one piece?”
-Hermann Goering.
Love the site
Been here a while and it is difficult sometimes to see the back and fourths between some people including myself with a low tolerance some days......I really wish we could bring more people here. I look at the people who are signed on, and it is always 150 to 300 people,,,,,,,why aren't people flocking here to talk about the truth? This is tough for me to understand. And tough for me to handle. In my opinion....their has to be a way to attract new people here to the site and get it growing again.........As a advertising and marketing person, the first thing that I think turns people off......and I know you people will complain at what I am about to say....but the name of the site hurts our cause. It turns people off because they associate Ron Paul people with craziness. Now what I am saying....is coming from the heart...because I love the site, and want to see it grow.......I don't have the answer...just thinking.
The goal should be to bring new members to the site and slowly convert them to the Ron Paul way of thinking. Most of us here, are all part of the Choir....we already get it.
We should have a goal for 2009, and that is to get the Daily Paul up to an average of 1000 people per day always logged in. And then, keep moving that goal as we spread the word.
I will suggest a site name change with a re-direct to the new site if anybody searches for the Daily Paul.
It is now more of a "Freedom" site.
I know a lot of you will get mad at this idea......but this is what I think.
Something needs to change. Something BIG to make this site more attractive to the average "Sheep" type person that just stumbles upon it.
We all know it is a Ron Paul type site......but the facts are the facts.
Ron Paul lost, and Ron Paul has faded out of the election lime light. Don't get me wrong......I will cherish Ron Paul for the rest of my life, and will always support his views as well as teach his views long after he is gone....but we have to now think about a bigger goal. And that bigger goal should be considered here by all to grow this site.
Our Goal??? What is it??? Tell me what this sites goal should be and how can we build a bigger following??
Is it a name change of the site?
Tell me?
The question......How do you get thousands of more people involved in our movement? And come here and participate?
My 2 cents.....
P.S. I love coming to the site, and come to this site first....everyday. And I check the topics to see the new debates........What I have been seeing is a slow down in topics, and a slow down in people that are signed in.......I would love to see a new spark at the DP.....
The name Daily Paul may not pull in new
people from the whole spectrum, unless Dr. Paul decides to be a candidate for the 2012 election. Then it would be just as fresh and on-target as ever.
If he doesn' t run, a name change may be needed, to draw new folks.
I get to this site from Google and a lot of the entries for DP have very old headlines.
I don't know if you have any way to change those that are so out of date .
one more thing...
ok, another add on after reading the comments to this comment.
yes, the doc lost the nomination but he did NOT lose - au contraire! - just look what he DID!
he changed the political landscape, he changed the topics of the politicial debate he brought up topics that were NEVER brought up before and made people THINK! good grief - he has done so much in the last couple of years ( and that does NOT even include the last 30+) that is mind boggling!
ron won the hearts of minds of those of us who do GET IT - of those of us who know we're at the tipping point of our nation's history - of those of us who give a damn and want REAL change!
he has done more for this country than ANYONE else - ever !!!
he is the moral compass for this country by stepping up to the plate and taking action.
it did NOT go unnoticed.
he is such a magnificent man!
RON PAUL IS MY PRESIDENT
Ron Paul is My President
Please
understand....and try and clear your head for a minute. With 134 users online this second....this site will fade away. We all get it here.....again you are preaching to the choir. I am trying to think of a way to expand the site. All of us 134 people can sit and argue all day long, and go back and forth but it does nothing.
I am trying to come up with a way to bring thousands of people to this site, and make it fun to participate......that is all.
I agree RP is great....okay...that is why I am here.........Try and open up your mind and be creative on ways we can get new people here to the site without running them off.?????????????
I agree and have been thinking the same.
Ron Paul is without a doubt the piper who led most of us back to the hand of Liberty, but even he has pointed out the folly in placing all our backing in just one leader. If we are truly going to change this country we are going to have to create hundreds of Ron Pauls from the ashes of all generations. We need people who can use his ideals, not just his name sake, to create their own followings which infiltrate all walks of life- secular, religious, and racial. Of course we all would come together under an organized big tent of Freedom.
We could look towards other well established organizations (even those whom we loathe) as a place to lift campaigning and organizing models. I would even go as far as saying read up on historical revolution tactics like those of our Founders all the way to Mao and Castro. Much of what worked for them (I'm not referring to the lies and deceit) could work for us.
Our main problem is advertising and not being aggressive in the right ways. People are ignorant and with a media hegemony that constantly paints a picture of lunacy in any who dissent, we are going to have to use extreme strategy to maneuver around them. I think creating multitudes of recognized Freedom organizations would go along way. The more the masses feel that the movement is huge and growing ever larger, the less they will fear breaking away from the shepherds. I assure you that many people question a lot of things about the government within the confines of their own homes but are ultimately afraid to speak out for fear of being ostracized by their peers as stupid or different. Knowing that mass numbers of other people feel the same way and stand with them, would go a long way to calming their minds and bringing them into the fold.
Create groups, enclaves of Liberty minded people within your community from drawing from the campuses, church, work, etc. If you really want to use proven tactics create hidden agenda groups (never revealing the true purpose of course) within schools ect. using some sort of draw that is common between Liberty oriented people but not specific to.
For instance- a Black history study group with the hidden dual purpose of finding and recruiting young African Americans into a organization or voting block which focuses on race related politics. It really wouldn't have to be that obvious, you really could use anything as your magnet. Genre specific movie clubs etc. Be creative. The point is to recruit, persuade, and recruit some more. Continuously hold demonstrations small and large point out events which the common public would not be privy to.
Heck, I wouldn't be above printing out copies of events on paper that catch the eye and posting them on bulletins, leaving them in laundry mats, doctors offices- places of mass traffic, as well as where people stand around. We need a massive blend of gorilla tactics and modern advertising...... not just a formula of one or the other. We need people to see these events, opinions, and facts which the media denies them- and it needs to be done in a way that conveys the message that large hordes of people are demanding to know why the media is hiding the man behind the curtain. We also should probably use the old tried and true tactics of our enemy (though we wouldn't be lying) that true Americans believe in freedom...true Americans would be standing guns in hand and their bayonets to the back of their representatives in order to keep our country free.
I know I'm going on and on but here is one more.
We need to find people who have a ornate ability to articulate in strict Layman's terms and use those people to write pamphlets and fliers. They should be the mouth piece when speaking to your average "born and raised" media junkie citizen. People avoid delving into politics because they hate feeling like they are stupid when they don't understand whats being said. Hence the reason so many flock to modern news media outlets (which is thin on news and heavy on gossip) with their glossy tabloid styling. Of course its easier for them to digest, the opinion is built in!
But, Ron Paul....
What thought can there be if not rooted in Dr Paul. I don't know about you, but I need a leader to worship and praise. Just kidding.
Maybe if we produced a TV ad, local cable would run them on a no-contract basis. You can get spots for as little as $5.
Explore Orthodox Christianity
I dont think Dr Paul lost!
I think it will take time for his victory to show up in the general population but I go through each day knowing we had a victory! To me this has been the greatest movement in my life! I have always been the odd one out! I have always thought for myself. The world does not understand people who think for themselves. It has been great to be with people who think as I do for the first time in my life! We did not lose anything. We are so much stronger than we were last year and the year before and still gaining! The people of the world can not kill an idea! Sure you can kill the messenger but the idea will live on. We are an idea! People will come and go but the idea is gaining strength and cant be stopped. I see it everyday. We are still out there working hard everyday. I have grown so much in the last 2 years. Dr Paul gave me courage that I desperately needed and now I am running for office in the republican party. Sure some hate me. I can live with that. Sure some think I am crazy but that is nothing new. We are teaching the people to begin to think for themselves and that is not an easy task. But it is an important task. Dont give up we are doing great things!
If people aren't coming here
If people aren't coming here because they associate Ron Paul with craziness what would happen if they came here and saw posts about the Queen of England running America, the Vatican running England,(I guess that means that the Vatican is running America), Zionists running America (is the Queen aware of that?IF she is I bet is she is not amused, is the Pope?), Christmas is a Catholic holy day and neither Christmas nor the Catholic Church have anything to do with Christianity, and of course there's all the 9/11 stuff? Finally there are people like me who ramble on in a language all their own about only God knows what. Believe me the name is the least of our worries.
Just
was expressing what came to my mind to achieve our goals. I agree with you. The 9/11 posts, and some of the other posts do not belong here. They scare new potential members. But on the other hand it is freedom of speech. I am torn.....I don't know the answer...
To be fair about it I don't
To be fair about it I don't know the answer either. But I've stopped telling people about DP because of all the inappropriate posts. People either have no idea how their posts look to the average American or they don't care the damage they're doing to the cause. During the campaign I used to cringe at some of the things I read here. The official campaign used to say that they were aware of the problem but that they needed the people with off beat opinions. It was there hope that once RP caught on the normal people would shout down the others. Sometimes it seems like the normal people have left and all that are left are the others.
takeaction thank you...
for pointing that out.
it's something that i have not done much of in the past and that is to look at who is logged in as users and also of guests - the numbers.
those numbers are indeed an indicator we need to heed.
how to implement change here and keep the flavor of what we have is indeed a challenge.
i forgot to add that i do like name the way it is and do not think it ought to
be changed.
RON PAUL IS MY PRESIDENT
Ron Paul is My President
well here's my 2 cents...
well, here's my 2 cents...
On December 28th, 2008 sunny says:
first off michael - a big THANK YOU - really big THANK YOU!
the DP is the best - hands down!
you have provided us all a place to meet, a place to hang out, a place to get news, a place to exchange ideas and a place to be with others who truly love and respect the good doctor paul.
I know that is why I am here. i come every every single day a bunch of times and i really think i would have serious withdrawals and be totally bummed out if this site was not here.
in the town i live in maine we have a co-op. it is the oldest and largest co-op in the state. but like the 'DP' it's so much more than buying
organic food, wines, bulk etc...it's a community where people connect and hang out. local artists display their art work. local farms and dairies provide their goods. there is a deli and a kitchen and a cafe. you can eat, hang out with friends, play cards etc. you get the idea! here's the site: http://www.belfast.coop
out front are the bulletin boards to post stuff - for sale or rent, events, local music, workshops etc. it's a resource and invaluable to the community. it's the hub of OUR community
my point being - if the co-op disappeared the town would be lost. and that's how i feel about the 'DP'. what would become of us all? we ARE a community. we are friends. we come here for lots of reasons.
we have a terrific virtual community here where all of come for info, debate, connecting with like minds (and some not so like, lol) and just a place for fellowship, chit chat to learn and have some fun and even develop friendships beyond here.
i'm glad that you posted the topic for this thread and so many of us hopped on board with feedback for you. you deserve that and so much more for providing this for us.
so i for one do NOT want to see the 'DP' go away. sure the doc didn't win, we all know that but for me that is NOT a reason to wonder about the future here. our country is on the brink, about to slip into the abyss and we need to stick together.
the 'DP' provides us all with a means to stay together. so michael,
whatever you need from us WE are here for you . i know i am.
god bless you michael for doing what you do!
RON PAUL IS MY PRESIDENT
Ron Paul is My President
This is great news!
Thank you, Michael. If ever we can help in any way, please let us know.
Still reading everyday
Freedom is not FREE!!
Although no longer posting I still cannot help but read the DP everyday.
Freedom is not FREE!!
Still here
I don't log-in but I check in everyday for honest useful info. I am grateful to have a place to go and I have learned so much from all of you. Thank you Michael for the Daily Paul.
I skipped the #1/purpose to here #2/future of DP
Because you have summed it up the best. Where else can a group of Constitution loving misfits hang out together, these days? Some of us have been here for a year or more and have been through so many ups and downs together we are more like a family, not just a community. We can talk about so many subjects here that may not even be welcome to our real family and freinds. Sure, the original purpose of getting Ron Paul elected has changed but the reason to do so has not. This site is the first place to learn of anything important happening in the world because we each search out so many resources and bring it together here to one place. As far as what actions other than posting that we should do, I hate to say it but we are at the point where voting and elections, and even teaching others in time is not going to be the solution. We are in the lull before the storm and this is reflected in the posts of late. Most of us are members of C4L and support it, but even it seems to be in a holding pattern. There is a time of contemplation and there is a time of action. When this tidlewave that is coming hits for better or worse (as there are so many different scenarios that can play out soon) we will need this site more than ever to stay informed, in touch and to take appropriate action to pick up the pieces and make the necessary changes. As far as some of the "off topic", silly or funny posts, it is so necessary right now to have some relief from the seriousness of our situation to stay balanced, so they serve a purpose too. Thank you so much for giving us the gift of DP, and please put up a monthly donation area or ask for other help if needed.
I'm on this site more than any other
Please keep up the great work Michael. It is the best network of information I know of.
That sums it up.
"The point of the Daily Paul, in my opinion, is to keep us all in touch with one another, and give us a central gathering spot to come back to when the time comes."
Michael, this is spot on.
I would also add in "To facilitate the spread of news, advices and educational material related to restoring constitutional government."
Just to complete my 2c worth, when I first found the DP last year, the thing that most astonished me was the discovery that I was not alone.
I thought I was one of only a small handful of people on the planet who knew what was really going down. Boy, was I GLAD to discover we number in the hundreds of thousands or possibly millions!
(The story comes to mind about the Roman senator who said "Don't make the slaves wear white armbands. They'll realize how many of them there are.")
So, the DP has been a morale booster of inestimable value. But over and above that, it has been the most educational site I've ever found, with valuable commentary and insights from a truly decent bunch of people.
Another thing worth mentioning is the design of the DP should be preserved in that it allows one to immediately see and join in current discussions. And the minimal policing of posts makes for a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. I personally don't give a damn about unrelated or nuisance posts. For anyone who does, the answer is to get busy and create even more good posts.
Keep up the fabulous work Michael. The DP is one-of-a-kind.
http://kidsresourcecenter.org
Fun, educational projects to inspire young minds...
Thank you Micheal
I would be devastated if this site closed down - it means so much to many - much more than you know.
The Roots of Violence: Wealth without work, Pleasure without conscience, Knowledge without character, Commerce without morality, Science without humanity, Worship without sacrifice, Politics without principles. – Mahatma Gandhi
----------------------------------
"The essence of freedom is the proper limitation of government". ~ Founding Fathers