A big thank you to DU, just for being here. The reason for the current

[niyad]

accolade is an encounter I had today that I would like to share with everyone. As some of you know, I live in the heart of fundieville, surrounded by focus on the family (known locally as fungus or fuc-us or focus on fascism) and new life church, amoung MANY others, and many, many ultra-conservative repukes.
now, despite the majority of repuke voters,there are a fair number of progressives (each of whom tends to believe s/he is the ONLY one out there) Today, I was graced with a chance encounter with THREE such people.
The non-profit I work for had a table at an Earth Day event, selling posters, bumperstickers, etc. Toward the end of the day, a man came up and asked if I had anything that would be guaranteed to annoy some little repuke. Pointed out a couple of items to him, and then he and another man started talking with me (I assumed that the other man was part of the first man's party, but it was the remarks of the first man which drew him into the conversation). It was a lovely conversation, soon joined by the second man's wife. All serious progressives, all thoroughly loathing * and his cohorts. However, they were completely unacquainted with DU--which now has three new members!! and I now have three new and wonderful cohorts in the ongoing battle!!!
So, once again, thank you DU, and all you wonderful DU'ers-- you are my lifeline, my proof that there is sanity and clarity and kindness and caring and love out there, no matter what the repukes are doing.
HAPPY EARTH DAY TO ALL

[Wetzelbill]

1. hey that's pretty cool

nice story. :)

[wryter2000]

2. So, where are they?

Come out, come out, new members. :hi:

Welcome to DU.

[babylonsister]

3. Thanks for sharing, niyad! So we won't assume every new face

is a freeper now. :P

[PublicWrath]

4. That's great. I've been wondering for some time now if bushites

are really a only small minority, but the rest of us are just afraid to talk to each other in public. I gave a DU referral myself the other day.
Damn, it felt good!

And Happy Earth Day to you, too!

[blm]

5. It can feel like an oasis some days. Glad it was one for you today!

.

[MuseRider]

6. Well now that is pretty darned fine.

I felt very alone until I found DU and now we have a great group here in the state who get together now and again and it is wonderful. It is always good to know you are not alone and may I say a great big hearty WELCOME to your new friends.

Happy Earth Day to you too.