An obligatory thanks to the DU Community. Even those who know who you are

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

I've had a few "hiccups" in my life recently.

A controversial post or two.

An argument or two.

And through it all, the overwhelming feeling is that I'm part of a family of sorts that has enough love to go around right or wrong.

Ten years ago, this would have been doubtful as an entity.

Twenty years ago, the closest thing would have been a few forums on CompUServe.

Thirty years ago, this was just about impossible.

Today's technology coupled with creative minds like the ones that created and run DU have given the denizens of liberal, moderate and conservative Democrats a place to vent, argue and commiserate with each other. For that, I can only thank the three amigos that run this joint. Thanks, Skinner, Elad and EarlG for this forum.

We all have disagreements, we all have opinions and sometimes we feel strongly about them.

A word of advice to those who haven't figured it out for themselves:

Even if you are a contributor, you don't own this board. Please respect the wishes of the founders. You can, for very little money start your own board to espouse views that do not fall into the parameters of the intention of DU by its creators. They thought of it, they built it... It's their puppy.





To go back to the original thoughts on this message, I have felt so much love from this community in the past few days that it has made my life better and more bearable. There are few things on the outside that can do that in today's society... And even fewer things that can do this in today's online societies.

Thank you all, you DU denizens. I lift a glass to each and every one of you.

:toast:

[Catherine Vincent]

1. So you're thanking us AND lecturing us on the sly? HOW DARE YOU?!

Just kidding. You're welcome, and very good advice for those that haven't figured it out yet. :hi:

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

3. Heh. Thanks and Hi right back at 'ya!

[Rick Myers]

2. Big props to you, TYJ!!!

It's ALWAYS a Catch 22, and I lift a glass to you, and the DU crew, and all of DU... We are very lucky to have such a forum!!!

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

5. Catch 22? I've heard of that somewhere.

[havocmom]

4. We all have bad days. We love each other through the worst of them

I may not always agree with your posts, but I always take something good away after reading them. I'll put up with your bad days, bad weeks, bad moods. We are all in this together and there are many shades of gray. Like a family, we are stronger together and need to accept that we are all human.

Your posts are always 'Must Read DU' as far as da momma is concerned. :hi:

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

7. So well said and thank you so much!

And yes, we all are like a surogate family of sorts. The bickering, the tantrums and all.

I love it!

(And I also try to keep up with your posts!)

[Blue_In_AK]

6. Even the Aleutians would love this post.

:rofl:

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

8. LITERALLY ROFLMAO!!!!!

:toast:

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

9. Self kick, because I want my thanks to be seen by more.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

10. I Raise My Glass Right Back At You, My Good Man.

:toast:

Good post, good sentiment, good beer. :)

[lostnfound]

11. I feel the same way.

I thought about starting a 'gratitude thread' today too -- I was checking out the journals (including yours, TYJ!) and having fun with the random button. The amount of creativity and variety that spills out of those various journals reminded me of just how much I love this 'place'.

:toast:

To DU, to DU's founders, and to DUers -- whether left, center, stodgy or eccentric, it's a beautiful space.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

12. I enjoy cruising the journals as well although I haven't done it

in the last week or so.

It's a great place here!

:toast:

[northofdenali]

13. Family is great, isn't it?

We can disagree, fight, whine, bitch & moan, cry, praise, love and cherish each and every one of us whacko DU'ers - it's family.

:toast::loveya: TYJ!:toast:

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

14. You got that right, bubbette.

Cheers! :toast:

Edited from bubba to bubbette! How's the weather up your way?

[northofdenali]

16. Almost tropical!!

36 above, overcast, you know - bathing suit weather! :toast:

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

30. Yikes!

A little too cool for my idea of April...

[Gregorian]

15. Our lives are changed.

I've learned more than I am willing to admit, on this forum and a couple others. Politics, social interactions, and a hell of a lot more. Nothing less than miraculous. I entered, a green and shy newbie. I came out with the wisdom that I borrowed from seasoned veterans. There are things we can only do on our own. I still consider myself to be someone with a keen sense of Truthiness. Others leave the forum and read, and glean, and digest. They are the leaders. Others, like myself, follow and learn. I could be guilty. But I'm not. We all get where we are going at different rates. Plus, I have welding to do. Haha. Excuses, excuses. But I keep getting this feeling, this flash of something, that somewhere, in heaven, there's a door. And on that door is a sign with two letters. DU. No, that's just corny. But not far off from how I feel. This is real. We made changes. In ourselves, and in our country. A group. A common, noble goal. Not unlike what was done for thousands of years in the past. But in a modern setting, like you said, could hardly be done in recent past. And I lift my glass as well. Here's to a better world!

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

17. wow.

Nicely done & beautifully said.

But please break things with a blank line here and there... How I would have done it:

I've learned more than I am willing to admit, on this forum and a couple others. Politics, social interactions, and a hell of a lot more.

Nothing less than miraculous.

I entered, a green and shy newbie. I came out with the wisdom that I borrowed from seasoned veterans. There are things we can only do on our own.

I still consider myself to be someone with a keen sense of Truthiness. Others leave the forum and read, and glean, and digest. They are the leaders. Others, like myself, follow and learn.

I could be guilty.

But I'm not.

We all get where we are going at different rates. Plus, I have welding to do.

Haha.

Excuses, excuses. But I keep getting this feeling, this flash of something, that somewhere, in heaven, there's a door. And on that door is a sign with two letters.

DU.

No, that's just corny.

But not far off from how I feel. This is real. We made changes. In ourselves, and in our country. A group. A common, noble goal. Not unlike what was done for thousands of years in the past. But in a modern setting, like you said, could hardly be done in recent past. And I lift my glass as well. Here's to a better world!

End/ I'm strange with line breaks, but they're powerful.


again, that was a wonderfully written message.

[LeahD]

19. Yes, sometimes it's the space between notes, the quiet passages

in a work of art, or the pause in the spoken or written word that magnifies what is being expressed. Thanks to both of you..... for the powerful words and spaces.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

20. It comes from visualizing speech, IMHO

Writing online for effect is especially challenging.

[LeahD]

21. H-m-m-m...

I've never really thought about the written word being visual...except for font type or the use of capitals. But then, poetry can be visual, words placed and spaced for effect.

Of course!

HAIKU!

Lightbulb brightens.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

22. I don't know why I never put the two together before...

Well, Duh~! to me!

You are exactly right.\


I think that online, you have to consider screen resolution vs. real-time spacing.

:evilgrin:

[LeahD]

23. I realize you weren't "really" talking about the written word being

visual. I went off on my own little tangent.

I understand that you were speaking about the organization of sentences and the way in which we choose to organize sentences and paragraphs should not be an afterthought.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

24. That's what I took from your post,

I wasnt't going off on a tangent, I really hadn't put the two together...

I feel silly on that one.

[LeahD]

27. Yikes

In no way
did I mean to imply
that you
had gone off on a tangent.

It was I
who took a strange turn
and diverged....
oh, those late night ramblings.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

31. LOL! Wonderfully said!

:toast:

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

18. Self serving kick. I still like the message. It's late. n/t

[Kurovski]

25. A fine toast.

:toast:

My family and friends all fight, disagree, forgive, laugh, rejoice and love in equal measure as well.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

33. And I raise my glass to you as well!

:toast:

[roguevalley]

26. and to you! RV, who loves your moniker

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

34. Back at'ya, RV! n/t

[intheflow]

28. Backatcha, TYJ!

I haven't had much personal interaction with you, but I know your name from the board. That makes you, like, my distant cousin or something, right? :) Well, the love for DU must be genetic then, because I was just thnking something very much like this earlier today, that DU is like my family and support system. It's actually the family I wish I had: progresive and always there for me, whereas most of my family is conservative and live in different time zones. So thanks for a nice post.

:toast:

[Alamom]

29. To DU and to you TYJ,

:toast:

The road has not been easy the last few years.....

Finding a home with DU, members from all over &(other) Democrats in Alabama has helped me maintain my sanity. :silly:

I was beginning to think Democrats in the South were a dying breed.

I don't believe "THAT" anymore. :*

THANK YOU......

[wordpix2]

32. thanks from me, too. Even though I have friends & political assocs. I

can rant and rave with in real time, it's nice to know there are so many people around the nation who are true dems and care about our country. Also, it's handy when I'm at work and have a free moment to read the latest.

I also think this is the best organized progressive blog on the web. Haven't seen anything better. Thanks again!

[blondeatlast]

35. We've been polarized opponents on some issues; hand-in-glove on others.

Regardless, I can credit you with having a unique POV and an enlightening take either way.

Good 'n ya, friend. :toast: