Getting to know you: Any newbies here who want to introduce themselves?

[TayTay]

We will be nice and reward you with a pic thread.

I am TayTay. I have been hanging around this group since mid-Nov of 2004. (The people alreay here were very nice and tolerant and put up with me. That worked for me.)

I live in Northern Massachusetts in the 'red' part of the state. (Ahm, we do have legally wed gay couples in my town. Nobody cares, and my husband and I are still married. It's not an issue cuz, nobody friggin cares. As long as you mind your own business and don't make a public spectacle of yourself, you can actually get away with a lot around here.)

We have a lot of wicked nice people in here. Unlike some groups, we like to talk and thrash out issues and try to figure out why the world is going to hell in a handbasket pretty freakin fast. (I think it Bush's fault.)

We also talk, all the time, about issues that have some tangential relationship, however tenuous, to Sen. Kerry and his past views, campaigns, Senate hearings and so forth and talk about his future. We get angry sometimes and sometimes we make each other cry. And a lot of us have become good, good friends. As a certain Senator said recently, we need to make friends.

Welcome, welcome newbies! Tell us about yourself. Pull up a chair and have at it. (Oh, and yes, I am always running off at the mouth and am wordy. I'm working on it.)

[DianeC]

1. Hello Everyone

I've actually been here for 2 years and altho I've never replied, I've been a Kerrycrat since 2004. More importantly, I've been a big fan of each of you. Yes, I have a standup poster of JK in my living room and a JK screensaver on my computer and his Christmas card is sealed, to be forever cherished. I live in Wisconsin, red county, but I did get to see John at both of the rallies. I come to the JK Group at least 3 times a day to get my Kerry fix! Thanks to all of you for the c-span alerts, and for explaining some of the issues that I don't always understand. You are doing a great job for him.
Of course you know I'm insanely jealous of you Mass people, it's just not fair to the rest of us, especially the Wisconsin Dems. I'd gladly trade Kohl for Kennedy and Patrick for Doyle and the rock star Feingold for Kerry, anyday! Your offer to clone them was the best, Tay, however it seems the Clinton Group has taken over Wis politics. Is it alright to say that? Very discouraging, to say the least.
Would love to be on the Birthday card list for the Midwest, if it's not too late. I tell the Birthday party story from last year to everyone who will listen to me. Even went toe to toe with Dave Obey about our John, doubt he will ever forget the gray haired lady who jumped all over him at a house party because he dared to say something so stupid about the Kerry campaign! ( Thanks BLM, you're the best!) You see, my talking points come from the Kerry group, you all keep my hope alive for the future of our country. Keep up the good work, you're all very appreciated, even if you don't always hear it from the lurkers.

[beachmom]

2. Welcome to the JK Group, DianeC!

Wow, you guys show up like angels and give us so much hope, like . . . hey, there are even MORE of us than we thought.

I used to live in Wisconsin way back when, so I get how the red areas are, you know, pretty red. How discouraging about how the Clintons have taken over. Here in Virginia, I get the distinct feeling that Warner is going to completely take over -- I saw a LOT of Warner 2008 stickers when I went to my meeting today. I also overhead some people talking about him, something about him working out all the time or something, in an admiring tone. So, '07/'08 may be lonely times for me (and Fedup) in Virginia Beach, but our cause is true, so that's alright.

Glad you decided to post, and I look forward to hearing more of your opinions in the future.

[rockymountaindem]

3. Welcome to the Kerry group!

It's always good to see newbies.

[globalvillage]

4. Excellent!

Welcome Diane C! So glad you're here and decided to post. We have something in common, as I too am terribly envious of the Mass folks.
I've offered to trade my two worthless pieces of crap for the fabulous Senators from Mass, but sadly, the ladies here have not taken me up on it. I don't get it. :shrug:
They have most graciously offered a loan of the taller senator to help Mr Casey, though, so for that I'm in their debt.

Good to hear from you. Please post often.

:hi:

[DianeC]

11. Thanks for the warm welcome

Globalvillage,
I have the opposite problem here, our John sent me an email asking me to volunteer to help our 8th cong. district candidate. He asked me to volunteer my time to do lit drops, phone banks, etc. to help get him elected to the House. Here's my problem, I have always supported JK, in each of his emails by sending money or whatever he asked. Today I'm telling him "NO". I have gotten involved with the Democratic Party since the 2004 election, just as he requested. We had a primary and I threw my support behind a young man who in my estimation was John Kerry 35 years ago. A Rhodes Scholar, brilliant, factual, warm and definately for the people. He answered all our questions with honesty and clarity, you would have thought you were talking to John Kerry himself! Many good Dems here support him, a real grass roots movement from many of us. The problem?? A millionaire doctor! The underlying message from our state Dems was that only the Good Doctor and his money could defeat the Repub opponent. The entire Wis primary was won with the candidates who spent the most money. Then I get the email asking me to volunteer to help Herb Kohl, a multimillionaire, Jim Doyle, (questionable ethics) 5 million in his war chest, Dave Obey, you already know my feelings about him, Ron Kind, member of the 3rd Way and all for the war in Irag, and of course, the millionaire Doctor, who can't quite spit out what he really plans to do for anyone except bring in yet another plan to cure our medical insurance problems. He, of course, has all his money invested in the drug companies and insurance companies. Worst of all, he very strongly supports Wes Clark! ( First question I asked him before I threw my support behing Jamie Wall.) As an aside, Tay Tay, Jamie is 6'4", and I so wanted to be able to say," my tall congressman from Wis." Not one of these people helped Kerry in 2004 nor will they help him in 2008. Our 2004 election was such a fiasco,( ask anyone working for Kerry,) it seemed planned that he would lose. Not to mention the very strange email glitch, inadvertandly sent out from Moveon on the Sunday before the primary and the DCCC coming in on Primary day and doing the GOTV for the" Good Doctor." Clinton will be here for Doyle next month so I'm very sure he doesn't need any help from me. Whoever contacted Senator Kerry and asked for his help contacting his supporters (that very long list of emails addresses he has must be enviable among the other dems) was certainly playing on John's Dem values, in my opinion.
Please know this is not sour grapes because my candidate lost this primary, I very much fear we have lost Wisconsin as a blue state. Each year, the number of registered democrats has decreased and I have to wonder if that is the plan on the part of our leaders, dem or repub. My support for JK is unwavering, but I sure am questioning the people he has asked me to work for.

[TayTay]

13. I understand. That is an awful situation.

and one I feared a month or so ago in my Mass Gov's race. I think Sen. Kerry is trying to be 'a good Dem' and get the House to turn over, which is a worthy goal. However, the Democrats are half-on and half-off the fence when it comes to embracing the grass roots. On the one hand, they like the money, volunteers and enthusiasm that the grass roots people have. (Trust me, it can be awesome!)

On the other hand, they want to win really badly this year and think they can hedge their bets. This is, as you point out, a bad risk. They might wind up with the perfect candidate 'on paper' but he/she is not energizing to the voters, who still get to decide. (I smell Rahm Emmanuel here. Sigh, same thing happened in the primary Tammy Duckworth ran in. I think she's a great candidate, but maybe endorsements before primaries are not such a good thing.)

I am sorry this happened and I know how much it can hurt. (Again, I think it feels so good with my Gov candidate this year because I have felt the other way soooooo many times. We are far from a perfect state and I sometimes wonder if we blundered our way into having the good candidates and elected officials we do. Either that or it was hard work and miracles because Murphy's Law runs rampant here abouts. I can name a bunch of times when it could have gone the other way.)

[ProSense]

5. Welcome DianeC!

:hi:


Nice post!

[wisteria]

6. Post mail me and I will put you in touch with the next person to receive

the card. And, no it isn't to late to sign it. I am glad to have you with us! Welcome.

[Island Blue]

7. Welcome DianeC!

I too suffer from a bad case of Senator Envy. Hell, I'll trade you both of mine for Feingold. Actually, I'll just give you both of mine - take my senators, please!

Again, welcome to the Kerry Forum - please feel free to post anytime! :bounce:

[fedupinBushcountry]

8. Welcome Aboard

Nice to meet you. I remember when I first posted on the Kerry blog after lurking for a month, and I just had to say something and why I supported such a fine man. Kerrygoddess was the first blogger on JohnKerry.com and the family of Kerry supporters grew and grew it was a wonderful experience and I did end up working as a mod, who would of thought this "just a mom" would be so privileged. Here I am 3 years later continuing a wonderful conversation and learning more and more about that wonderful man that I chose to support in '03.

Good for you for standing up for JK, and I do like Obey but I think sometimes even good Dems like him get caught up in the DC spin. By the way how did you get a Xmas card, I'd love to get one of them someday.

I am a born and bred New Yorker but due to my husband's military career ended up here in Virginia and a very red part of Virginia at that, like Beachmom says we do feel alone sometimes, and I will say almost everyday I still see John Kerry stickers, so that gives me hope for the future. NGU.

Please join in our conversation, we would love to hear your opinions, thoughts and anything else you would like to share.

:patriot:

[TayTay]

9. DianeC I'm so glad you wrote and welcome!

I am so glad you broke radio silence and joined in. We need new voices, it's refreshing and wonderful.

Ahm, Massachusetts was far from ideal. One of our former Governors just passed away last week. He got elected in 1978 because, as a former campaign aide explained, in light of the busing and racial controversies of the 1970's, they "put all the hate groups into one pot and let it boil." That was a precursor to Reagan and to how he won the State, twice. Ahm, that vulnerability was exploited because it was there to be exploited. (Ahm, it honestly was not easy in 1984, when Mr. Kerry first ran for the Senate. I can personally attest to the fact that the Vietnam War and who did what afterwards and what it meant never, never went away and was never, never easy to explain to voters. Never. Dear Lord in Heaven, I remember conversations with Uncles and my Dad that were, ahm, interesting over whether or not what happened in 1971 was a good thing or not. Sigh!)

I am proud of having good Senators, but, as WEL learned when she spent the summer here, Massachusetts is a rambunctious and argumentative place. Every idiot has an opinion and feels they owe it to God and Country to let everyone else know what that opinion is, even if it is moronic and unsupported by facts. I felt kind of bad when WEL said we don't deserve to have such good Senators because we don't appreciate them. (Well, some of us do. But we think they are grown-ups and pretty damn articulate and can answer for themselves in a fair fight. I mean, we did elect them, then we 'had at 'em' in the newspapers and such. Sen. Kerry more than holds his own in a media shitstorm. I think that counts for something. And besides, you can't let people *know* you like them, cuz then it will more than likely go right to their head and they will get all spoiled. It's the Massachusetts way! Ahm, besides, we did elect 'em 4 times to the Senate. Just don't tell them we like them. That is simply not done and is considered fawning.)

I like Sen. Feingold, though I am afraid that Sen. Kohl does not make a deep impression on me. (I am not criticizing him though. He's not my Senator and maybe he's shy or something.) AHm, he's a Democrat and that's good!!!!!! (Ah, I never see him. Ahm, if he has been reelected though he must be doing something right. What is his record in the Senate? Now I feel dumb. I will have to look him up.)

Welcome :patriot:

TayTay, who still can't take a friggin compliment to save her life.

[globalvillage]

10. Is that right?

And besides, you can't let people *know* you like them

Tay, I think you blew your cover a long time ago.

:rofl:

[TayTay]

12. Yes, I am going to be drummed out of Massachusetts shortly

for being, ahm, emotional and uncharacteristically fond of people publicly. sigh. That simply won't do and is not the behavior of a proper Duchess at all. (Ahm, I shall make a foray into the Massachusetts forum forthwith and declare undying ambivalence toward all Mass pols forever, as soon as they get sworn in. That should be make things better.)


The jig is up for me though. I told the Senator in person that I had voted for him every time he ran. Now I have nowhere to hide. I am obviously a fan, or sorts. Geez, I should have thought of some way to tell him that, but in a resereved, unemotional and aloof way, as befits my tribal ways.

[WildEyedLiberal]

14. Well some of you deserve them

You just have to promise to keep them safe from the icky lefty freeper tentacles of the clueless fops over at Blue Mass Group, among others. What a bunch of Che-shirt wearing, navelgazing twits.

[TayTay]

16. Ah WEL, that is a dear part of the electorate

and they do come and sing off the hymnal book when it really matters. You cannot appease this political faction of Massachusetts and I can't imagine politics here without that faction. (Which I sometimes belong too, off and on.)

We show we care in understated ways. Very, very understated sometimes. (Come'on, admit it, it's a lively debate. Everybody feels very strongly that there is no one talking out about their issues and that everyone who gets elected is, by definition, a sell-out. There is something dopily funny about that.)

[DianeC]

17. Funny story about WEL

My candidate for the primary was Jamie Wall. When I first met him, he introduced me to his campaign manager, Alex, an adorable young man from Mass. After a long conversation, mostly about JK, I found out he was single, so of course, I set out to find him a young lady who shared his values and was worthy of those good looks. Who else???? Why WEL, of course! I saw her pictures during the birthday party links. Told Alex about her amazing threads on DU and thought they were a match made in heaven! Unfortunately, she was then in Mass, he was in Wisconsin and I had never really met her so it was a little strange. I also didn't know her name, other than WildEyed Liberal, who I knew from an internet site, so Alex probably thinks I'm a little nuts. Now Alex is in New York, working on another campaign and she is back in Ill. in school. However, if the two ever meet, remember you heard it from me first. A perfect match, I tell ya!
About Herb Kohl, a multimillionaire, owns the Milwaukee Bucks, single and votes with the Dems 40 per cent of the time. Repub don't put anyone up against him because of his deep pockets. They thought of Tommy Thompson for awhile but decided it would cost too much. Herb lives in his own world, I guess. Hundreds of emails and phone calls don't seem to sway him to listen to us. Again, money is the deciding vote here in Wis.

[TayTay]

18. That's what we were missing in this group, a Yenta.

That struck me as funny somehow, and also very, very sweet. WEL, I would take this woman up on her offer and head off to Wisconsin (where they actually make cheese, unlike Southern Illinois which specializes in soybeans) and find this person. It could be a wonderful match.

My favorite WEL story is still the one from the Birthday Party last year. You were talking with a certain Tall Senator and the subject of you having to get up in 4 hours and get a flight back home so you could take a final exam came up. Said Tall Senator looked you dead in the eye and asked you what your all important exam was on. You had the tiniest voice ever when you replied, "political science." Why oh why we never asked for a signed note for you to get out of class and that exam, due to having a drink with the last Democratic Nominee for President of the United States is beyond me. (That was sooooo funny.)

DianeC, stick around, you are a great poster. This is a fun thread.

[WildEyedLiberal]

21. HEY NOW! You can make SOY CHEESE!

Granted, it tastes like plastic, but still... *harrumph*

AND I'm from "central" Illinois. Southern Illinois is the home to coal mines, and Alan Keyes voters. Yikes!

But of course a Grand Duchess of the Ye Olde Commonwealth would not concern herself with the geography of such a backwards land as the "Midwest." Silly me. I apologize from distracting you from your royal obligations, Your Excellency. Carry on with the tea and scones!

:evilgrin:

[WildEyedLiberal]

20. OMG - you are the second person from this forum to offer to set me up!

I guess my posts do rather scream "eligible bachelorette." My reputation precedes me }(

Well, come on, you can't offer to hook me up without offering the vital details. So what's this cutie look like? Is he tall, short, blonde, dark haired? If he likes JK he's already passed the first and most important litmus test. (Seriously. I dated a lefty freeper once - NEVER AGAIN.)

Seriously, it's kind of humbling to think I've made some kind of impact on someone through the internet like that. Wow, as they say. :hug: I'm glad you've found an online home amongst us - don't be shy now! Now that you've "outed" yourself you have to post regularly :D

[WildEyedLiberal]

15. Hi DianeC!

A hearty welcome to you! Pull up a chair, stay a while! Glad to see you here!

Oh, and I have the JK standup cutout too. Isn't it adorable?!

[Blaukraut]

19. Hello and welcome, Diane!

The more, the merrier. As you already noticed; we can use all the enforcements we can get :-)

[cadmium]

24. Welcome DianeC

Wisconsin and New Englanecompete in cheese and blueberries.

This is very interesting. I am concerned that several of the US blue states are tenuous. I suspect that some of the bigwigs at Mass's biggest newspaper the Boston Globe are really in Republican Healy's corner in the governors race. They loved Romney.

Aargh and you guys have to deal with one of those definition of marriage things this November.

http://www.rawstory.com/news/2006/Just_Say_No_0904.html

[wildflowergardener]

22. Hello newbie maybe?

Hi. I would probably considered a new person - haven't been here very long - at least haven't posted more than a couple times. I don't really have that much to post about since I'm not from Massachusetts (not even sure I spelled that right).

I'm from St. Louis - I had never heard of John Kerry before the 2004 election, but went to see him when he was running in the primaries and came to speak in St. Louis, and later on the night of the debate that was held at Washington University.

I was glad to find this group - tired of reading all the negativity on the main board about mistakes John Kerry made - how he was never people's first choice of who to run - people just wanted Bush out - well that may be true for them, but he was my first choice since I saw him speak that first night and I was impressed with all of his speeches after that and thought he'd do a great job. It's always depressing to think of how different things would be today if he'd been elected.

He was the first candidate I'd ever volunteered for - mostly behind the scenes - data entry stuff cause I really hate making phone calls and going up to people's doors. I hung out on the John Kerry website message board up until it was closed down and made pay only and then came over to Democratic Underground but didn't find this John Kerry group until this May - didn't even know it existed.

Anyhow I still want him to be president - still keep my Kerry/Edwards sticker on my car until the new one comes out (and so no one thinks I actually voted for the madman in office). Actually I see Kerry/Edwards stickers all of the time around here still.

I don't have alot to say, generally but mostly lurk, and am just glad there is a group of supporters.

Oh and about me - I'm a Landscape Architect in real life, was born on Sept 11 the year John Kerry gave his speech to congress about the vietnam war (I think 1971), Went to Iowa State University so am glad those Iowan's are sensible and picked John Kerry for the primaries. I went to see President Clinton in Iowa before he was elected, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds when I was in college - that's about all I'd done politically before 2004. I'm also a figure skater - who started skating as an adult. That's really all I can think of about myself.

Oh and I lost track of those birthday card threads - but would like to sign the midwest one if I can.

Meg

[globalvillage]

23. Although you're not 'techincally' a newbie

I don't recall even properly welcoming you here, so in your honor:

:party: :applause: :toast: :bounce: :hi: :patriot:

So glad you're here!!!

Landscape architect? That's fascinating. Residential?
I have two friends with birthdays on 9/11, but they've been celebrating on the 10th and 12th.
Post more, we love hearing from you!

[wildflowergardener]

25. Landscape Architect

We do probably 80% residential and also some commercial - community college campuses, subdivisions, high end multifamily housing.

I felt guilty celebrating on the 11th the year after the terrorist attack, but then I decided I'm going to just enjoy the day - just because, so I turn off the TV and enjoy the day - as much as I can. Hey it was my birthday first.

Meg

[TayTay]

26. Again, welcome and thanks for the post!

There are a lot of people who were genuinely inspired in the 2004 election. That is so wonderful to hear and I thank you for sharing that with us.

Again, welcome :patriot: