Fitz?

K E I T H !!!

GO SAINTS!

Keith!

FDL!

Hey Lurkers!

I am not so certain that
(firedoglake = your loved one’s grave)
is such a good metaphor
:~)

I read the site at least twice a day.
Thanks for all you write and do.

I’m a rather mundane writer so I seldom comment. Good writing is a joy forever.
(Mine isn’t.)

Hi, been lurking for what seems like years. First posted yesterday…

Trex. thanks for the pebble knowledge. I was at the Boston Holocaust memorial this summer and wondered what all those stones were about. Nice to know.

Not really, but wouldn’t that be cool?

I’m Spartacus.

-GSD

[de-lurk] Greetings from Frisco, Texas. Kudos to the FDL crew for all that you do. Keep it up! [/re-lurk]

Don’t everybody de-lurk at once. TRex won’t hurt you, he’s only a 60-foot tall dinosaurs with three-foot long razor-snark fangs.

Here, I’ll start off. TRex, last night you gave the best explanation of grunge music as a movement I’ve ever heard of:

And that’s why the blogosphere’s numbers keep getting bigger even as newspapers and news magazines see their circulation shrinking and dwindling before their very eyes. Once the world heard Kurt Cobain’s guitar, all that spandex and hairspray and makeup on the likes of Ratt, Warrant, and Poison was revealed for the preening frippery that it was. In three chords, Nirvana set fire to the whole of the 80’s and left it for dead, and no amount of retrospectives, Behind the Music specials or appearances on Headbanger’s Ball could bring it back to life again.

Way to go, and thanks!

I’ve been reading for quite some time and posting for just over a week. Still a little self conscious about posting, but it has been great!

I love reading you all. I have fun and learn reading you all here. Your very informed. hugs

I have to assume I am one of many who manages to get through a work day where I stare at the computer a lot by flipping periodically to FDL for a reality check.

Those of you, posters and commenters, who take the time to write interesting and thoughtful analyses of current events, be assured you have at least one reader on Wall Street.

Corry

Jane, Christy, Trex and company–you’re all brilliant. Keep it up. You’re helping to restore my beloved country’s sanity.

MarcLord -

Don’t everybody de-lurk at once. TRex won’t hurt you, he’s only a 60-foot tall dinosaurs with three-foot long razor-snark fangs.

don’t forget the thigh high boots and jock strap…

;-)

{{{{{{{{BrendaStewart and the entire FDL Community}}}}}}}

Aw. Group Hug!

GSD @ 9

I’m Spartacus.

-GSD

Hmmmm, GSD, you beat me to it!

Welcome all you readers (some say “lurkers”)

FDL is part of my daily required reading. I love the community feel, the passion, the snarque, the terrific writing, diverse voices and spot on insights. And, I am in total awe of how much you all get done.

Thank you for adding so much to the party!

I’ve been politically aware and responsible for years, but like many, I haven’t been moved to real action until the latest Dark Ages. The focus of the blogosphere is invaluable.

I’m here. I read. I enjoy. I learn. I laugh. I cry sometimes too. I heart you all.

I’m SparcatusGSD @ 9

I’m Spartacus.

-GSD

I’m sparcatus, not the same thing :-)

A victory for our side- incumbent Democratic Senator Dan Akaka beat liebermanish challenger Rep. Ed Case in the Hawaii primary on Saturday.
And- I hate this administration for what it’s doing to my country! FDL is an oasis of hope.
Thanks,
Ken

Aw, hooray!! Welcome lurkers!

Nice to meet you!!

Can I fix you something to drink?

TREX read FDL everyday but do not comment but I’sm here and glad you and FDL is there too.

m de la m @ 10

[de-lurk] Greetings from Frisco, Texas. Kudos to the FDL crew for all that you do. Keep it up! [/re-lurk]

Great name!! I don’t know if you are riffing off of creme de la creme….

But I had a friend whose name was “_____ Ladrove de la O” which I have always considered one of the most beautiful names ever.

ac @ 19

I’m here. I read. I enjoy. I learn. I laugh. I cry sometimes too. I heart you all.

We heart you too!

Thanks for reading!!

Lurkers of the Lake UNITE!

Who wants a mojito?

I’ve posted once or twice, but the pace of the comments is too swift for me, I’m afraid, therefore I lurk.

Most of the other blogs that I follow are primarily information sites for me. In other words, I don’t pay close attention to the authors of the featured articles (well, I find DarkSyde on Kos to be both and elegant stylist and a formidable intellect and I tend to seek out his articles specifically). Here, on FDL, however, the writers are so distinct and the chemistry of their interactions so energizing that I tend to pop in here more often during the workday than I probably should.

Anyway, thanks to Jane, Christy, TRex, Howie Klein, and all the other Inflammable Canines, who make this site so great, and fill my tiny brain with useful information and pungent snark.

I don’t post much but I read just aboout all the main posts and a good chunk of the comments. I love this place. The regular commentariat here have much better insights than I.

Probably my best contribution so far was:
Shorter Lieberman: “I’ve worked with Republicans to get us where we are today”

TREX: Read FDL everyday but leave no comments. I am glad you are there and the rest of FDL.. Let’s show em in November what the net roots can do!!

From Mudville in the Central Valley.

I just saw an ad for the CIA (never seen one before…) during a commercial break on *The Daily Show*…!

Not a complete lurker, just mostly not worthy of adding anything to the most informed and erudite bunch of commenters in the known universe!

A South African emigre told me yesterday that he is very worried about the course of our nation; he likens this to the times during apartheid, before the real protests began.

We’ve been studying Gandhi and the non-violent movement. Could I ever have such courage?

While you are de-lurking, go on a trip here to see what Wesley Clark is saying.

“For eight months, Bush did nothing — nothing. No plan. No action. No diplomacy. No intelligence. No meetings,” Clark said.

I think the coalition to take America away from the path of torture, bombings and terror is coming together.

This is Bush’s most vulnerable point. The secret wide out in the open. He has been running on protecting the nation..but 9/11 happened on his watch.

-GSD

Thanks for the appeal, but I value FDL as a resource, not a community (along with others, like Kos, etc.)

Frankly, I’m so busy making changes in my local City and County (often guided for information I glean from such publishers as yourself) that I barely have time to read each day. I certainly don’t have time to write.

Thank you for being here, and for you and your colleagues being so articulate. You are a valuable resource to activists through the U.S.

I just don’t have time to participate in an “open forum.” I get enough arrows in my back from the frequent “Letter to the Editor” in my local paper.

sarik @ 32

I just saw an ad for the CIA (never seen one before…) during a commercial break on *The Daily Show*…!

Huh?

You mean Culinary Institute of America or the real, honest-to-goodness Central Intelligence Agency? Are they allowed to do that?

“We are the CIA, and we want you to know, 9/11 wasn’t our goddamn fault either!! Now, go back to sleep!!”

TRex – rules Late Nite! Thank you for all of the guffaws, snurfs and spews.
Jane and Redd – you have made this old soul have hope again, a million thanks are not sufficient.
Ditto for all of the other posters (Pach, Taylor, Matt O., Howie, Swopa, Jennifer and all those I can’t recall at the moment;) and all of the commentors who express my feelings much more eloquently than I could ever hope to.
{{{{{{{FirePups}}}}}}}

Brownandserve @ 30

Probably my best contribution so far was:
Shorter Lieberman: “I’ve worked with Republicans to get us where we are today”

That is a significant contribution to the discourse — if I may, I intend to steal it!

Carol Anne @ 35

Thanks for the appeal, but I value FDL as a resource, not a community (along with others, like Kos, etc.)

Frankly, I’m so busy making changes in my local City and County (often guided for information I glean from such publishers as yourself) that I barely have time to read each day. I certainly don’t have time to write.

Thank you for being here, and for you and your colleagues being so articulate. You are a valuable resource to activists through the U.S.

I just don’t have time to participate in an “open forum.” I get enough arrows in my back from the frequent “Letter to the Editor” in my local paper.

Great to meet you, Carol Ann. Now, don’t go into the Light! It’s not your time!

Mostly a lurker but a couple of questions/thoughts;(1) Would it be possible for someone to put together an online “users manual” so lurkers and semi-lurkers could learn to use all the buttons..do links etc.
(2)Would it be possible or a good idea to do a demographic poll of FDL folks? I think knowing some general data about us would increase the sense of community.

I’m a regular over at Our Orange Overlord’s place, but I rarely find the time to comment elsewhere. Regular reader here, though.

GSD @ 35

While you are de-lurking, go on a trip here to see what Wesley Clark is saying.

“For eight months, Bush did nothing — nothing. No plan. No action. No diplomacy. No intelligence. No meetings,” Clark said.

I think the coalition to take America away from the path of torture, bombings and terror is coming together.

This is Bush’s most vulnerable point. The secret wide out in the open. He has been running on protecting the nation..but 9/11 happened on his watch.

-GSD

good! we gotta run ‘em ragged until they keel over from exhaustion!

I only come here for the stories…really.
But I do so daily, avoid the comments section cuz I tend to avoid crowds in general. Here’s a pebble, and I’ve got a vote and I intend to use it.

.goat

immanentize @ 39

Brownandserve @ 30

Probably my best contribution so far was:
Shorter Lieberman: “I’ve worked with Republicans to get us where we are today”

That is a significant contribution to the discourse — if I may, I intend to steal it!

Be my guest. I hereby place it in the public domain.

Well, I’m not a 100% lurker as I have posted on (rare) occasion. I’ve been reading and being inspired by FDL for some time now, and truly appreciate the smart and passionate voices that post here. But generally I find that y’all say what I would have, only better, sharper, and snarkier. Good on ya :) Thing is, with 150-200 comments per thread these days, well, who am I to take up more post-space? Signal to noise, an’ like that. Y’all say it better than I could anyway. For that, you have my thanks, and my promise that if you keep up the good work, I’ll sure try to as well.

I’m a regular lurker who is excited to post a comment when there’s only 34 others who have commented. Every other time you’ve had a de-lurking post I seem to show up after 237 others. This is much nicer.

I love the site and read the posts daily.

Steve @ 41

Mostly a lurker but a couple of questions/thoughts;(1) Would it be possible for someone to put together an online “users manual” so lurkers and semi-lurkers could learn to use all the buttons..do links etc.
(2)Would it be possible or a good idea to do a demographic poll of FDL folks? I think knowing some general data about us would increase the sense of community.

I think this is a good idea. I’m intimidated from some posts because I want to link and don’t know how.

I’m a somewhat new reader, and an extremely occasional commenter. I had the joy, recently, of someone else addressing a further comment (a response, perhaps?) to my comment, in the Blue State thread for Richard Rodriguez, challenger for CA-25 congressional seat.

That being said, I HAVE met “mommybrain” face to face… at the local foothill democrats meeting.

September has been a kind of overall productivity wash for me. Had great plans going into it, but my back said otherwise. Third chiro meeting today, with xrays. Possible disk herniation.

May I say to all of you from my ever-shifting sitting (lying) position, to please please please do exercises to strengthen your abs and core? I’ve got abs of marshmallows and experience current pain from it.

I suspect that enthusiastic readers of this blog are people who tend to spend lots of time in front of the computer, and therefore spend lots of time sitting, and therefore get our collective ire raised about what’s going on with our government, and may, as a result, neglect what’s going on with our midsections.

People. get up and stretch. Ignore this thread. Do some crunches. You don’t feel the damage until it’s made its way in… Symptoms don’t show up right away.

Okay, my little timer thingie says I must take a work break. So I will.

Welcome, Erin in Flagstaff… sometimes, if commenting seems a little too nerve wracking, posting at 238 (or thereabouts) can take a little of the pressure off…

I like to visit and read, don’t usually comment. I have been thinking a lot lately about the good old USA ….. and where we are now with torture, “sneak” attacks (some say pre-emptive strikes), gigantic corporations owning everything, incompetents running the show and getting so many killed for someone’s personal vendetta …. and now I begin to think it may change but if it changes by 52% ti 48% what does that say for almost half of the USA?? It is sad.

bumpster @ 32

From Mudville in the Central Valley.

Hey from Mudville??? CA-11? Me too!

Hey TRex, thanks for the nitely snark and laughter and thanks to Jane and Christy and HowieK and Pach and Jennifer and Watertiger all the guest bloggers and all the great regular commenters. FDL makes my day.

I am a sometimes lurker, sometimes participant glad to meet all of you.

Hello from northern California. I have posted a few times but my comments are lame compared to the passionate and brilliant people that post on this site. FDL is a genuine pleasure to read.

Oh, and by the way, its working. You have got me off my butt and working hard to put and end to this. I’ve had enough too!

TRex? A Pink Squirrel for me.

TRex- OT, but as you have special powers, could you please relay the message that folks are still asking for a snail mail address to contribute to funding for the M.T.Wheeler book? Comes up every time Jen Nix does a post. Not so many voices this time. I think they are getting discouraged… and that would be a shame.

Hi, all, I lurk here too. Hardly ever comment. I read FDL everyday and appreciate tremendously the wisdom, the passion and the wit of all who contribute. TRex, I appreciate you more every day! Jane and Christy, you are the best! Pachacutec – what an intellect! THANK YOU!

Pebble. Here in CT, Liebermanland, good info at your site.

Good writing. Good point of view.

Many thanks for the site.

Hi TRex, love your posts. FDL is my blog home. I come here several times a day. Sometimes I post, but mostly I read. I don’t know what it is about FDL. It’s the best.

OldCoastie @16 and 35

16: LOL, how could I forget.

35: The tried-and-true Billie Jean King strategy. Bet you Bobby Riggs was in better shape than she thought, tho.’

I admit it. I’m a lurker. You guys are one of the six or seven liberal blogs I frequent. I also read a few of the rightie blogs (as painful as that sounds), primarily the rightie media watchdogs. I appreciate the work you folks at FDL put into the site.

So it looks like both Germany and Italy will be issuing arrest warrants for some of our CIA agents. One man’s “rendition” is another man’s “kidnapping”. Question for the lawyers: Now that we have the EU, if there’s an arrest warrant out for you in Italy, and you go on vacation to Spain, will they arrest you in Spain and ship you to Italy? I think the irony of it would just be too much to pass up.

Wossup y’all? I’m just a 24 year old dude that has been readin this site for almost a year now. I started when I was at gallaudet univ in dc; still reading back west in washington state. I find it intriguing that there’s a vast difference between the information presented on television as oppossed to the internet. Anyway, these articles offer incredible insight into the political process that wouldn’t be covered otherwise. I only wish I had the same eloquency with the written word that y’all do.

Am a long-time lurker. Thanks for the invite to drop my pebble. Recently moved up to Canada — hopefully this won’t be necessary for everybody. Keep up the good work, you guys.

Hey, longtime lurker, some time poster.
40 something (40 IS the new 20 right?) , married, one cat (and a few visitors :), restaurant owner, Silicon Valley.
Love this site, first thing I read in the morning. Then HuffPost.
My “morning coffee” before I hit the MSM.
If it weren’t for this site and others like it, I’d think I was a wacko. And I live in Northern California! I can just imagine what others in red state America feel like…hi to all. ( Anyone in Willow Glen, stop in for a free glass of wine :)

Valley Girl @ 54

TRex- OT, but as you have special powers, could you please relay the message that folks are still asking for a snail mail address to contribute to funding for the M.T.Wheeler book? Comes up every time Jen Nix does a post. Not so many voices this time. I think they are getting discouraged… and that would be a shame.

VG, I will pass that on.

Frank Probst @ 61

So it looks like both Germany and Italy will be issuing arrest warrants for some of our CIA agents. One man’s “rendition” is another man’s “kidnapping”. Question for the lawyers: Now that we have the EU, if there’s an arrest warrant out for you in Italy, and you go on vacation to Spain, will they arrest you in Spain and ship you to Italy? I think the irony of it would just be too much to pass up.

doesn’t seem like all that retroactive immunity will necessarily transfer to other countries…

who could have imagined that?

BrendaStewart @
13

I love reading you all. I have fun and learn reading you all here. Your very informed. hugs

Hi, Brenda. Welcome to the Lake. Informed is what we aim to be when we’re done reading…but it never ends.

Valley Girl @ 55

TRex- OT, but as you have special powers, could you please relay the message that folks are still asking for a snail mail address to contribute to funding for the M.T.Wheeler book? Comes up every time Jen Nix does a post. Not so many voices this time. I think they are getting discouraged… and that would be a shame.

TRex, I think you have my email from that road trip thing you did for Lamont. If no one else has a better idea, I can go get a PO box in my miniscule burg. The bad news is that it takes five days for mail to get from here to anywhere interesting. But if it will help,glad to.

Allow me to congratulate the Minnesota Twins for clinching at least a wildcard berth in the playoffs.

This team is a testament to teamwork and I love watching them. They remind me of us here at FDL.

Awesome.

ecb @ 48

Steve @ 41

Mostly a lurker but a couple of questions/thoughts;(1) Would it be possible for someone to put together an online “users manual” so lurkers and semi-lurkers could learn to use all the buttons..do links etc.

I think this is a good idea. I’m intimidated from some posts because I want to link and don’t know how.

OK I’m willing to handle this one. The linking button above comments is fine, BUT the easiest thing to do is just cut the whole link from the address line in your destination and just paste it int the comments like this:

http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/badgers.php

or you can use the link button which first will prompt you to paste a link url (don’t double the http) and then it will give you a box to write a description of the link like badger animation
when you do this, always use the preview function to catch errors….

susan @ 62

Hey, longtime lurker, some time poster.
40 something (40 IS the new 20 right?) , married, one cat (and a few visitors :), restaurant owner, Silicon Valley.
Love this site, first thing I read in the morning. Then HuffPost.
My “morning coffee” before I hit the MSM.
If it weren’t for this site and others like it, I’d think I was a wacko. And I live in Northern California! I can just imagine what others in red state America feel like…hi to all. ( Anyone in Willow Glen, stop in for a free glass of wine :)

I can’t tell you how relieved I was when I got to FDL. I was starting to honestly believe that I was the only person who could see that the Emperor and ALL of his minions were standing there stark naked. It was Jane and Christy who made me realize that I was far from alone.

YAY, FDL!!!

Re my comment @ 49. oops. my bad. Robert Rodriguez. I think I went to high school w/ someone named Richard Rodriguez.

OldCoastie @
16

MarcLord -

Don’t everybody de-lurk at once. TRex won’t hurt you, he’s only a 60-foot tall dinosaurs with three-foot long razor-snark fangs.

don’t forget the thigh high boots and jock strap…

;-)

OldCoastie, TMI!

UptownNYChick @ 53

I am a sometimes lurker, sometimes participant glad to meet all of you.

That is rather an understatement of your contributions here — which I always read closely and value….

I’m a Canadian who is shamelessly addicted to the horrible fascination of American politics.

Hello from Va. I have been reading your site for about a year now. I never comment because I suck a writing, as should be obvious. I really enjoy your work. Please keep it up as long as your sanity will allow.

LindyH! How goes the battle?

Howdy, folks, Desmo here. Sometimes computer guy, sometimes free-lance writer. I live on Whitefish Lake in Montana, I’m fairly close to Tester and Schweitzer, and I’m active in local Dem politics.

I’m not a lurker by choice, it’s just that I so seldom have anything to add. If the discussion is about Jon Tester, I’ll jump right in!

Thanks for all you do at FDL, which is an incredible addition to Blogosphere.

Enjoying the view from Mpls… :)

say… I guess shrubya never made it down to NO for the Saints game… that is a crying shame… I was really looking forward to the crowd’s reaction!

T Rex,

exactly the sort of gracious welcome and invitation one would expect from a properly raised Georgia boy . . .

we are everywhere . . .

I met one of our lurker/readers at work last week – talking about blogs with a guest she asked me about a name, how did I come up with mine

told her I used to have a full name, but it’s been reduced to cbl for efficiency’s sake

“OMG, there’s a cbl over at Firedoglake, are you her ? gawd I love that place !

So Medicaid Gal, now’s the time, tonight’s the night

Looks like everyone is getting into the “making fascism fun again” spirit.

Thailand “hot girls” conga for coup troops.

-GSD

Welcome FDLurkers! Great to see so many new handles here.

Looks like you’re slowing down a bit, though; c’mon, jump in! The lake is warm.

OT – I’m sorry, but every time Colbert puts Lieberman’s face on his show, it makes me happy.

Firedoglake is my favorite blog, and I’ve recommended it to many people. I hardly ever post a comment, because so many others put my thoughts into words better than I can. I’ve donated to several candidates from this site, and gotten inspiration to write letters and emails to my senators. My congressman is a corrupt Republican (Ken Calvert) and I don’t waste time trying to appeal to him.
Back to lurking…but I visit at least once a day.

TRex @
37

sarik @ 32

I just saw an ad for the CIA (never seen one before…) during a commercial break on *The Daily Show*…!

Huh?

You mean Culinary Institute of America or the real, honest-to-goodness Central Intelligence Agency? Are they allowed to do that?

“We are the CIA, and we want you to know, 9/11 wasn’t our goddamn fault either!! Now, go back to sleep!!”

I wonder about the script. Did they have a guy with a voice like one for the trucking school commercials that says: “Are you good with tools? Know how to tie good knots? Like electric drills? Enjoy water sports? Like meeting new people in exotic places?

“Come on down! To beautiful Virginia!”

Thanks TRex- and, another related thought to pass on, which I should have added before- imho, if and when a snail mail address can be garnered, it would be great to put it out there in a post that also gives an update on the M.T.Wheeler book. Might just give another bump to contributions for the book.

Holy crow– this is an impressive cocktail party. Thanks TRex for inviting all of us and yes, I would like a mojito.

So many new friends to meet.

Hiya everyone!

Me, I’m a lurker who’s never posted here before.

thanks for the invite.

Cheers

i have de-cloaked occasionally. mostly i lurk, loving the orchestration of the distinctive personalities, excellent writing. FDL has created a unique epistolary form. Decades from now, dissertations will be written on rhetorical analyses of the invention of an art form that saved a political generation. unless the bushies diebold us forever. then there won’t be any more libraries. Thank you, everyone.

imm- you are up past your usual bed time. What gives? And, are you looking forward to the M.T.Wheeler book as much as I am?

I’m just here for the free snark. Do I have to say something, or can I just get mine and run away?

(Oh, and I echo what KarenSC @84 said. If you had dumber commenters I might need to speak up more often. But the Rocket Surgeons here seem to have it covered.)

Ga @ 88

i have de-cloaked occasionally. mostly i lurk, loving the orchestration of the distinctive personalities, excellent writing. FDL has created a unique epistolary form. Decades from now, dissertations will be written on rhetorical analyses of the invention of an art form that saved a political generation. unless the bushies diebold us forever. then there won’t be any more libraries. Thank you, everyone.

dang. that is impressive and I hope you are right about the positive outcome!

I’ve been on the blogs for a long time; I started about the time Billmon began his blog. I’ve been in lurker mode for months. I think I’m just a better listener than a talker.

TRex, you just rock. There’s no other way to put it. I love your scaly hide and I can’t get off the net until your late night posts.

Of course, that’s not something I’d say every night because, you know, that would be gushing.

(I’m a fellow Georgian, living up here in Dawsonville, the birthplace of ridge running, about thirty miles from Deliverance country. Yeehaw, y’all.)

Balrog, are you from MN?

Hello, this would actually by my 2nd post on FDL. My 1st one was on the topic of torture. thanx for the nice welcome. RMD

KarenSC -

My congressman is a corrupt Republican (Ken Calvert) and I don’t waste time trying to appeal to him.

I have an idiot congresscritter who made the top 20 most corrupt list (Gary Miller – R, CA). I write him monthly just for the practice and drill of it… after having called his office several times and getting what sounded like teenagers, I figure they must read the emails also and needed an education…

Fun! BIG fun! (just brings out the teacher in me)

Consider this my pebble at the grave of the George Allen campaign.

I lurked for awhile before making comments and the act of commenting does help in making you quicker in responding. Snarking with Trex is a good way to get started.

Arianna on Colbert

jeffreyw @ 96

Consider this my pebble at the grave of the George Allen campaign.

Go Webb! Arianna on Colbert now!

immanentize @ 69

ecb @ 48

Steve @ 41

Mostly a lurker but a couple of questions/thoughts;(1) Would it be possible for someone to put together an online “users manual” so lurkers and semi-lurkers could learn to use all the buttons..do links etc.

I think this is a good idea. I’m intimidated from some posts because I want to link and don’t know how.

OK I’m willing to handle this one. The linking button above comments is fine, BUT the easiest thing to do is just cut the whole link from the address line in your destination and just paste it int the comments like this:

http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/badgers.php

or you can use the link button which first will prompt you to paste a link url (don’t double the http) and then it will give you a box to write a description of the link like badger animation
when you do this, always use the preview function to catch errors….

Okay practice makes perfect right? I wrote this the other day after playing around with you guys. The local paper edited a little bit, but I’m still proud of myself. Typically the only person who critizes Bush in the local letters to the editor is my step-dad. After being inspired here I thought I’d add to his voice…and his collection. He has all of his in big frames on the walls! Let me knoe if it works and thanks for the help!

GSD @ 35:

“For eight months, Bush did nothing — nothing. No plan. No action. No diplomacy. No intelligence. No meetings,” Clark said.

What kind of intelligence are we talking here?

I post a comment here infrequently, and think this site is truly one of the best anti-W sites on the internets-Shakes Sis as well

Isn’t it interesting how all these articles and stories about the NIE showing how W’s policies have increased the threat of terrorism, and how badly the US military is being run under Rumsfeld’s direct leadership, are coming out just when Rove’s National Security strategy was starting to slightly pay off for the Pres & GOP?

It’s time to pull an October Surprise on Karl Rove, and turn his strength of a deep memory coupled with galling hubris & arrogance into the weakness it really is

And Rove’s National Security Strategy is about the easiest agenda to debunk & disprove, W’s policies are actually increasing the long-term threat of more terrorist attacks through not only his policies, but absolute encouragement of corporate corruption on a massive scale, one that makes even the Milosevic & Hussein Crime Empires look like pikers instead

I say a sustained effort by as many blogs as possible during October & leading up to the elections would be a great way to motivate the Dems to show as much institutional spine and fire as the Slick One did with that ultratwerpy neocon media uberwhore, Chris Wallace

Pre-empt Rove before he can unleash the October Slime Campaign, hit him to the point he’s having to defend the Administration instead of distract by attack as he usually does, and then REALLY pour it on him, W & The GOP

And just to really rile up the W tards, stain your fingers purple after voting in November, just use either a marker or an inkpad, and if the local press is around, show that finger proudly when voting against the Neocon Agenda & it’s political operatives

The ONLY things offered by the W Administration are more death, misery, pain, anguish, destruction, torture and massive corruption, conditions I think the vast majority of the voters are tired of living under, both here and over in Iraq, a populace totally undeserving of the brutality W’s desire to overthrow Saddam Hussein-and thereby show up Bush Sr in the process-has had inflicted on it after suffering for decades under a vicious US Backed Mideast Dictator

If the blogs pull together, and give the Dems moral and ethical support, and a desire to finally and strongly fight back against the people who have made such a bloody bollocks of having all the political power levers in their hands for the past 4 years, then even Diebold won’t be able to save the GOP’s asses this time around

But it takes a spine and an entire party, not just a few courageous types like Feingold, Durbin, Leahy Kennedy, Conyers & Miller, and if the Dems don’t have the strength to challenge in a political campaign, why should anyone trust their inner strength at crucial times?

Fight back and don’t apologize Dems, THAT’S what real leadership requires in this case

Again, you all here at FDL give us a badly needed platform these days, and from this liberal, it’s GREATLY appreciated

carolyn13 @ 92

(I’m a fellow Georgian, living up here in Dawsonville, the birthplace of ridge running, about thirty miles from Deliverance country. Yeehaw, y’all.)

Random off-topic — I grew up in GA, too (folks live in Savannah). Went to school in south carolina, though, and kayaked down the river featured in Deliverance (the Chatooga) many times.

Um, yeah. Glad that the only thing you guys know about me is the Deliverance thing. Damn.

CT Bob @ 83

Welcome FDLurkers! Great to see so many new handles here.

Looks like you’re slowing down a bit, though; c’mon, jump in! The lake is warm.

OT – I’m sorry, but every time Colbert puts Lieberman’s face on his show, it makes me happy.

Heya Bob! I like stopping by your place too.

On the theme of reaching out to lurkers and to others in our extended “offline” community – a few days ago I made a suggestion that FDL should add a new item to their CafePress materials –

FireDogLake Business Cards.

Members of the FDL community could buy the cards at a reasonable price and distribute them to friends, acquaintances, colleagues; we could leave them in hotel lobbies, in waiting rooms and elevators across our communities.

The cards would be simple and elegant, with a FireDogLake logo, the address and a pithy and intriguing quote to entice people into checking out the website. Something like “Had Enough? So Have We. FireDogLake” Or “The Website That Scares George Bush. FireDogLake.Com” There are thousands of even better quotes, I’m sure. Jane and Christy could promote the cards with a special banner leading to the CafePress webpage.

If we all bought the cards, and handed them out with abandon, so many more people could find out about FDL.

And the invitation to join FDL is more powerful when it comes from a friend, and is accompanied by something tangible and authoritative, like a business card. It is one thing to stumble onto FDL through a link on the internet or to hear a stray mention on television. It is another entirely to learn about it from a friend.

FDL Outreach. Now is the time.

It’s so great to “hear” from all of you. Please don’t always be shy, though I know not everyone wants to comment. Still, whatever your thoughts, they mean – you mean – a lot to us.

I post only occasionally – mostly because I hit at least comment 100 by the time I read the post and anything I might have said has already been expressed — and better than my pedantic prose. I have FDL on my RSS feed and visit at least twice a day. Always look forward to posts here :-)

Hi from Naples, Fla- Bastion of Republicanism and $$$. If it weren’t for FDL (and other blogs), Olbermann, and my local Democratic Club- I’d have lost my mind long ago! This week is goo-o-o-d, and it’s only Monday! Luv dat Big Dog! And that’s nothing like the Dawgs, TRex– after all, I’m a Gator! But I will say, I loved reading all the R.E.M. blogging- brought me back to my college days in Hogtown- :)

KingCrankey -

I’m thinking a good case of kidney stones would be a nice surprise for Rove come October… he’s had ‘em once and that is the kind of thing that tends to come back at the most inopportune times..

I’m a progressive blogger with White House press credentials. Here’s an account of my latest encounter with the Snowman.

Hey TRex
I’m still a lurker by trade though not as often lately, damn bills have been cutting into my time.
Thank you for all the great work and everyone at FDL for all you have done for us in CT and for your continued efforts.
You motivated me to get to Meridan last summer being a fossil I don’t get out much and I had a great time. I took the next day off and worked the poles in Waterbury and in my home town. I hope to work the poles again in November.
I’ve been sending everyone I know to FDL and to you CTBob.

You get me that drink I’ll get you some eats.

I’ve posted occasionally, but have been a reader/lurker for some time now. The posts are great, and many of the comments/commenters are very educational as well (even if occasionally I feel like they/we are preaching to the choir!). I agree with many of you– hard to keep up with the constant stream of comments, and quite a few require some thought, so while I don’t always get around to reading 100% of the comments, I make sure I at least skim/read the main posts at least once a day.

I also post at my own blog, although not as frequently as I used to. Something to remediate, perhaps…

Anyway, back to the shadows. ;^)

carolyn13 @ 91

I’ve been on the blogs for a long time; I started about the time Billmon began his blog. I’ve been in lurker mode for months. I think I’m just a better listener than a talker.

TRex, you just rock. There’s no other way to put it. I love your scaly hide and I can’t get off the net until your late night posts.

Of course, that’s not something I’d say every night because, you know, that would be gushing.

(I’m a fellow Georgian, living up here in Dawsonville, the birthplace of ridge running, about thirty miles from Deliverance country. Yeehaw, y’all.)

Greetings!!

I am so glad that you enjoy my work! Thanks for reading and commenting tonight.

I’m doing a bunch of running around here trying to get the hatches battened down before I leave work, so I will be inattentive for a bit. I am counting on you regulars to make our new friends feel at home.

Desmo @
77

Howdy, folks, Desmo here. Sometimes computer guy, sometimes free-lance writer. I live on Whitefish Lake in Montana, I’m fairly close to Tester and Schweitzer, and I’m active in local Dem politics.

I’m not a lurker by choice, it’s just that I so seldom have anything to add. If the discussion is about Jon Tester, I’ll jump right in!

Thanks for all you do at FDL, which is an incredible addition to Blogosphere.

The only time I have been brave enough to de-lurk has been the few times that I have commented on the local race here in CA-ll (one of the Blue America candidates–Jerry McNerney). We’ve been pounding the pavement going door to door for weeks and weeks for McNerney to defeat Richard Pombo–one of the most corrupt congress members. I hope in the weeks to come we will have the opportunity to update each other on our local progressive candidates and share support and hope and campaign stories.
Go Tester! Go McNerney! Go all the Blue America candidates! I am getting hopeful again and FDL is one of the reasons. Thanks FDL!

Ich bin ein FDLer.

Carol Anne @
36

Thanks for the appeal, but I value FDL as a resource, not a community (along with others, like Kos, etc.)

Frankly, I’m so busy making changes in my local City and County (often guided for information I glean from such publishers as yourself) that I barely have time to read each day. I certainly don’t have time to write.

Thank you for being here, and for you and your colleagues being so articulate. You are a valuable resource to activists through the U.S.

I just don’t have time to participate in an “open forum.” I get enough arrows in my back from the frequent “Letter to the Editor” in my local paper.

tee hee — but you just did (participate in an open forum)! In the spirit of everythingseemssoneat, everyoneseeemssointeresting.

Angie at 92, thanks.

Arianna is stunning tonight… with her words, her style, her message and her looks. dayum.

Bravo.

OK, I’ve never commented here, although I lurk pretty regularly. I’m a lifetime Democrat, and a native Californian. I live in Doolittle’s district and want to try to help Charlie Brown.

hi, lurker progressaurus rex here.
well sometimes i don’t lurk, this week’s been busy, as will the next 4-5 weeks as i prepare to return to america (from australia). gotta come back and fight the good fight!

i’ll be in tennessee so hopefully i can help the ford campaign somehow. any fdl’ers in the volunteer state?

Anybody seen Ghostman? He hasn’t visited in awhile..

(psst! Ghostman! where you be?)

OldCoastie @ 79

say… I guess shrubya never made it down to NO for the Saints game… that is a crying shame… I was really looking forward to the crowd’s reaction!

The only thing I heard about the game is that the Saints won! No mention of W though and it was the top story on my local news. I was looking forward to it myself, but I guess he chickened out.

Regular reader, sometimes poster.

For those who missed Keith Olbermann’ “Special Comment” tonight, here is a link:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15004160/

It’s most definitely worth a read.

He ends his “Special Comment” with:

…You have failed us—then leveraged that failure, to justify a purposeless war in Iraq which will have, all too soon, claimed more American lives than did 9/11.

You have failed us anew in Afghanistan.

And you have now tried to hide your failures, by blaming your predecessor.

And now you exploit your failure, to rationalize brazen torture which doesn’t work anyway; which only condemns our soldiers to water-boarding; which only humiliates our country further in the world; and which no true American would ever condone, let alone advocate.

And there it is, Mr. Bush:

Are yours the actions of a true American?

I hope Keith stays out of small airplanes.

ecb—great letter.

Was it you that started the Dangerstein “casting call” last week? If so, nicely done.

Hi FDLers!

Excellant site and FDL is a definite stop at least once during my day.
I’ve posted occasionally here but my time is divided between a number of blogs and striving to remain employed.
Your work is very much appreciated.

Welcome Lurkers. And, I wanted to point out that Jane has said before that late nite is a “social thread”- though of course, that isn’t always the case- often very on point if TRex lobs a bombshell. I remember an hilarious conversation about cats that I had with TRex- and somehow we got to talking about “cats revenge”- both cat people- we each had our own stories about that…shortly thereon followed a TRex post about Frist the cat killer… But that wasn’t what I had in mind… exactly… I still want to know about “cat revenge” stories. TRex mentioned the vomiting cat. I had my own story about the cat that dumped on my bed… So?

great to see all the lurkers crawling out of the woodwork… Thanks to the FDL crew for making all of this happen.

welcome, liberaljentaps! make yourself t’ home…

64 susan says:
September 25th, 2006 at 8:35 pm

Does ‘La Villa’ still have ravioli to go (bring your own pot)? (And the bean salad…!)
We lived west of the fire station and the library, in the house that’s two stories in front and one in back, on a block full of ranch houses. (I want some of the apricots from in back to grow another tree.)

Eric Brewer @ 109

I’m a progressive blogger with White House press credentials. Here’s an account of my latest encounter with the Snowman.

Eric Brewer- oh! I know you, virtually. Please tell FDLers more about yourself. Please?

OldCoastie @ 76

LindyH! How goes the battle?

OldCoastie, I’m staying indoors tonight. That Saints Game is at the Superdome, and they said that the Shrub was going to be there. I’m not even watching the game on tv. I can’t believe that pretender has the gall to set foot in this town.

Thanks for the invite. I read FDL everyday. Great posts comments and links. It has helped me really get active in contacting those that need to be contacted on current events. Go FDL!

T-Rex- A few thoughts from an occasional poster to help readers become posters:
1. Let’s drop “lurker”, it sounds like a pedophile hanging out at a primary school, reader is fine.
2. Let’s create a FAQ link near the top so people can easily get answers to questions like:
-Where does the name firedoglake come from
-What’s up with this Fitz business
-Do you need to register
-Who are considered trolls and what happens to their posts (and how to avoid trolldom)
- How to use the buttons etc (as mentioned earlier)
- Can we email Jane and Christy etc and how do we find the addresses
-Is there a way we can email each other (fellow posters) without publishing our email address to internet at large
-Who is Kobe

I’m sure there are more, maybe we can make it a wiki kind of thing that regular users can add to the answers and new readers can add to the questions. I’d volunteer but I would no clue how to do it.

OldCoastie @ 79

say… I guess shrubya never made it down to NO for the Saints game… that is a crying shame… I was really looking forward to the crowd’s reaction!

You mean he didn’t come? I feel better already.

immanentize @
74

UptownNYChick @ 53

I am a sometimes lurker, sometimes participant glad to meet all of you.

That is rather an understatement of your contributions here — which I always read closely and value….

thanks, and I yours too.

LindyH @ 130

OldCoastie @ 76

LindyH! How goes the battle?

OldCoastie, I’m staying indoors tonight. That Saints Game is at the Superdome, and they said that the Shrub was going to be there. I’m not even watching the game on tv. I can’t believe that pretender has the gall to set foot in this town.

oh, I hope! I hope! I hope!

I don’t think a little dose of reality will hurt the man…

RBG @ 123

ecb—great letter.

Was it you that started the Dangerstein “casting call” last week? If so, nicely done.

Thanks and yes it was. Nice to know I make an impression. I was addicted to this place before I started posting last week. But it is such an adreneline rush to communicate with so many people with whom I see eye to eye. Living in MS I don’t get a lot of that. I don’t always have time, but the more I interact the more I find myself making time. Late Night is my favorite to post in by far though.

Just in from football, a drink and a first date. All very nice, thanks for asking. Let’s see, a proper introduction requires a bit of self. I have a Marine son, can’t believe we are at war, work for a large corporation and live in the Pacific Northwest (hence the name) but am from Pittsburgh originally (Go, Steelers!). Like so many, I am so happy for this beacon of hope. I tell everyone about FDL and how educated, articulate, funny and angry it is and I love it! I work long hours so can’t read all the posts but do check daily. Thank you all for being here.

Valley Girl @
90

imm- you are up past your usual bed time. What gives? And, are you looking forward to the M.T.Wheeler book as much as I am?

V.G., (hello, hello, hello) I know — I had a event I had to attend…

and yes, I am very much looking forward to the emptywheel expose.

PS latest article finished and accepted. Whew!

#37 CIA ad on Daily show:

We’re talking about the same folks who regularly trawl for spy-recruits (Clandestine Services, Directorate of Operations no less) in glossy full-page ads in the Amtrak magazine they put in seat racks on the Northeast Corridor’s Acela service… just in case any investment bankers are looking for a career change. Arabic language skills a plus.

They’re that desperate. Bushco’s final destruction of our nation’s long-suffering intelligence apparatus is well in hand… from the OSS brain trust that broke Hitler’s ciphers to a gang of thuggish torturers who disappear people of dubious guilt. They really do need to a good publicist…

I’ve read about your exploits TRex, and thanks for the invitation. I’ve been reading FDL daily for about 6 months now. It’s amazing the community that has formed around it. I think it is one of the most important and hopeful developments that I’ve seen.

I’ll get my voice, and my pseudonym. I have to become involved at this point. There is no other option.

Thanks TRex and Everyone at FDL..

A lot of new names tonight (don’t be intimidated–I’m fairly new here, m’self).

But, since you’re all here, we do, ahem, need an infusion of snark while Trex tidies up at work… so, tell us, who are the George Allen wannabes in your neck of the woods? What have they done to deserve ridicule, disrespect and dogs barking at them?

Titanyum said:
What kind of intelligence are we talking here?

Um, really low?

This’s actually a pretty cool feature. I lurk like mad on all the blogs and never comment. Just know that we’re here; you may not see us, but we’re donating to the cause and working hard in our own ways.

Hi TRex:

I am mostly a lurker, but I have commented a couple of times. Something you wrote made me laugh out loud so I had to compliment you for that and then I think there was a cat thing so I told the story of my old and really loud cat.

Firedoglake is a wonderful blend of intelligence, sanity, humor and charm. I read it several times a day.

Thanks for everything.

http://www.theroguevoice.blogspot.com
“A literary journal with an edge.”
Great, mostly non-fiction literature.
Rogue writers wanted.
(Check out the from-the-left-from-the-right piece – me on the left)

Been lurking for a long time but like others don’t know how to work all the bells and whistles on FDL. I think this is the best activist site out there and couldn’t think of missing a day without at least checking two or three times for updates.

Good evening, everyone, new and familiar! Angie and any other VA readers: I hear through the grapevine that the NYT will have a piece soon on Webb. It’s been rumored that a “swiftboat” attack is coming from the Allen camp. I don’t think it’s going to be related to his military background. My guess is it’ll be personal. One old story about Allen, besides his racism, is a question about his divorce from his first wife–the records are sealed. The suspicion has long been domestic abuse. So, I fear something will be created to attack Webb–the rovian smear job–about his personal life. I hope the Webb campaign is prepared for something nasty. And although it’s also been rumored that Allen will “shake up” his campaign managers, that rumor has been denied.

Mungen_Cakes @ 113

Ich bin ein FDLer.

Funny, you look kind of like a jelly donut.

And I mean that as a compliment.

Hello truthseekers,
Please ask progressive politicians to take the bus. See politicalgraveyard.com/death/aircraft
This is not a complete list considering the murders the CIA have conducted world wide. LOL. Peace.

imm- PS latest article finished and accepted. Whew! That is great news, imm. I am so happy for you. I *was* wondering, but didn’t want to ask.

VG@126..Cats..yea cats Late nite TRex cats.. Sunday AM CHS Boids.

Breaking – Math Teacher Arrested:
NEW YORK–A public-school teacher was arrested today at John F. Kennedy International Airport as he attempted to board a flight while in possession of a ruler, a protractor, a set square, a slide rule, and a calculator.

At a morning press conference, Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez said he believes the man is a member of the notorious Al-gebra movement. He did not identify the man, who has been charged by the FBI with carrying weapons of math instruction.

“Al-gebra is a problem for us,” Gonzalez said. “They desire solutions by means and extremes, and sometimes go off on tangents in a search of absolute value. They use secret code names like ‘x’ and ‘y’ and refer to themselves as ‘unknowns,’ but we have determined they belong to a common denominator of the axis of medieval with coordinates in every country. As the Greek philanderer Isosceles used to say, ‘There are 3 sides to every triangle.’ “

When asked to comment on the arrest, President Bush said, “If God had wanted us to have better Weapons of Math Instruction, He would have given us more fingers and toes.”

Billy K @ 90

I’m just here for the free snark. Do I have to say something, or can I just get mine and run away?

(Oh, and I echo what KarenSC @84 said. If you had dumber commenters I might need to speak up more often. But the Rocket Surgeons here seem to have it covered.)

LOL!

I’ve been lurking and reading the past few months and love the site and the writing by everyone. I have been in the process of moving from Seattle to Santa Fe and haven’t had any extra time or money to help out but will soon with the Roots project. I have to say thanks to everyone, especially now with my outrage and shame over the torture issue. It helps to know others are outraged too.

liberaljentaps–

I really hope that Doolittle is defeated soundly and that Charlie Brown prevails!

(I love the names in that race, btw. You are a good man Charlie Brown and Doolittle is too little)

It so appeals to my inner child.

ecb at 101 — nice letter (and nice use of the link function!)

Casual Participant @ 123

I hope Keith stays out of small airplanes.

C & L has the vid. http://www.crooksandliars.com/…..more-10525

This is by far Olberman’s best. Damn he’s good. rRally really good.

I am definitely de-lurked.

Today I sent Jane Hamsher a 1500 word, bit of research “The Cowards of 9/11″ with links.

It is about the events at the WTC, and Joe Lieberman even makes a cameo appearance

Hey p-rex I’m back in Brisy. You in SYD?

Cheney says Dems are soft on security. Damn, I thought it was Rush that was soft.

Welcome All!

the whole ‘too intimidated to comment thingy’

there are no kewl kidz here, the anxiety lessens the more you join in, just keep at it and before you know it, you’re commenting, linking and you’ll wonder what ever stopped you

someone asked about linking how to upthread – it is sooo much easier when using Firefox –

along with the Late Nite ’social threads’ there’s always the Saturday Morning Pull Up A Chair – everybody’s got some killer recipe or warm memory of same

OldCoastie – good call on the Ghostman

Sonoma Russ – welcome, T Rex is too young to know Pink Squirrels – unfortunately I can’t say the same, here T Rex, you can have my creme de cassis

ecb @ 101

Good for you – that’s terrific.

Oh this nation needs an enema.

From the new Suskind book:

“I said he was important,” Bush reportedly told Tenet at one of their daily meetings. “You’re not going to let me lose face on this, are you?” “No sir, Mr. President,” Tenet replied. Bush “was fixated on how to get Zubaydah to tell us the truth,” Suskind writes, and he asked one briefer, “Do some of these harsh methods really work?” Interrogators did their best to find out, Suskind reports. They strapped Abu Zubaydah to a water-board, which reproduces the agony of drowning. They threatened him with certain death. They withheld medication. They bombarded him with deafening noise and harsh lights, depriving him of sleep. Under that duress, he began to speak of plots of every variety–against shopping malls, banks, supermarkets, water systems, nuclear plants, apartment buildings, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty. With each new tale, “thousands of uniformed men and women raced in a panic to each . . . target.” And so, Suskind writes, “the United States would torture a mentally disturbed man and then leap, screaming, at every word he uttered.”

-GSD

Mungen_Cakes @ 115

Ich bin ein FDLer.

Wow – that speaks volumes

ecb @ 100

The local paper edited a little bit, but I’m still proud of myself. Typically the only person who critizes Bush in the local letters to the editor is my step-dad. After being inspired here I thought I’d add to his voice…and his collection. He has all of his in big frames on the walls! Let me knoe if it works and thanks for the help!

You go! That was very much to the point. The link worked just fine.

Steve- somehow your comment came up with an apparent link- Not- WP is sometimes weird. Yeah- TRex cats, CHS boids. Hmm.. So, what do I have to do to get people to start telling their own “cat’s revenge” stories?

petedownunder @ 160

Hey p-rex I’m back in Brisy. You in SYD?

yep. a bit on the chilly side today — how’s qld?

dig that telstra sale (not that i really care), john howard picking up some pointers from bush on crony appointments. what a dickhead!

so what brought you to oz in the first place, pete? work or personal?

Speakout: I often travel to Naples on business. Lot of growth (construction) in the area. And, I love the restaurants but not the traffic!

Sonoma Rus @158:

It was breathtaking in the heights of slapdowns.

Watching K.O. gives me hope. Poor Joe, coming on after the best five minutes of television in television history … I almost felt sorry for him.

I’m here, just lurkin’ and learnin’ and planning on contributing one day.

aaron @ 104

carolyn13 @ 92

(I’m a fellow Georgian, living up here in Dawsonville, the birthplace of ridge running, about thirty miles from Deliverance country. Yeehaw, y’all.)

Random off-topic — I grew up in GA, too (folks live in Savannah). Went to school in south carolina, though, and kayaked down the river featured in Deliverance (the Chatooga) many times.

Um, yeah. Glad that the only thing you guys know about me is the Deliverance thing. Damn.

I put that Deliverance country thing in for all the Yankees, a little southern color don’t you know. I’ve done a little white water, but I’m not brave enough for the Chatooga. I’m impressed.

found you through C&L- i had to check to see if FIREDOGLAKE was an anagram for FLORIDA GEEK. it didn’t take long to see that i was off course. i fell for jane right away and now FDL is a must-skim daily tab.
scruz ca prog dad vid pro

I’ve posted a few times. I mostly lurk because the threads move so fast I’m a little intimidated. Kind of like trying to jump onto a moving freight train.

Love you guys. Read FDL every day. Keep it coming.

UptownNY chick: I’m from Yorkville, 86th and 1st Ave. My best girlfriend lives on 90th and I visit occasionally. Are you in the city or just a NY girl?

mmmmm. . . jelly donuts.

You guys are all fan-tab-ulous, just wish you were here on our team in Utah to help us “Scratch Hatch.”

I logged into FDL during the Lamont/Lieberman primary, starved for on-the-ground reports. FDL did NOT dissappoint. I keep coming back, even tho your focus has changed, but I’m not quite sure just what it has changed to.

I really don’t need to be convinced of what a creep our President is; I think I’d rather know more about what people are doing about it. And, as an occasional lurker, I don’t feel clued in to everybody’s blog personalities and the community in general. Kind of like hearing about the Sopranos last month and trying to figure out who’s who. You may not be able to have it both ways–be open to new folks and still keep a tight community.

Here’s a pebble, anyway.

And, BTW, if anyone cares (and I have sent this to 2 other blogs, who don’t seem to), I have a letter Joe Lieberman sent to the editor of the Yale Daily News when he was a first-year law student at Yale deploring the rowdy civil disobedience demonstrations of anti-Vietnam-war activists and in support of a counter demonstration he participated in planning. It only emboldens the Communists, he said. I really don’t know how he managed to turn that into the anti-war-Joe reputation he claims for himself. Scan of microfilm available on request.

Speaking of new books- Wow! Syd Blumenthal’s book is breathtaking and I read everything! Loved the Book Salon yesterday too. The intro is on Salon.com, and should be read by all.

ccmask @ 175

UptownNY chick: I’m from Yorkville, 86th and 1st Ave. My best girlfriend lives on 90th and I visit occasionally. Are you in the city or just a NY girl?

I am from upstate originally, but live about five blocks from the Big dog’s harlem office.

I am pleased to leave a token to this wonderful site. There are few places I would rather lurk.

ccmask – you’re in New York? I’m an upper west sider myself. UptownNYChick, myself and I believe “dmg” or “dmf” were talking about meeting up sometime.

Dana @ 147

Good evening, everyone, new and familiar! Angie and any other VA readers: I hear through the grapevine that the NYT will have a piece soon on Webb. It’s been rumored that a “swiftboat” attack is coming from the Allen camp. I don’t think it’s going to be related to his military background. My guess is it’ll be personal. One old story about Allen, besides his racism, is a question about his divorce from his first wife–the records are sealed. The suspicion has long been domestic abuse. So, I fear something will be created to attack Webb–the rovian smear job–about his personal life. I hope the Webb campaign is prepared for something nasty. And although it’s also been rumored that Allen will “shake up” his campaign managers, that rumor has been denied.

That makes me just a little bit sick, but I have to say that I think Webb can withstand just about anything and the smell of desperation coming from Wadhams et al is still overwhelming.

I think there is something to be unearthed about George’s first marriage if the reporters will dig enough. Anne was a beautiful woman and a way, way better person than George deserved.

WINI

“Waves” from 300 miles west.

Hi. I’ve been reading/lurking for awhile, and posted in the last week or so. I love the writing here, makes me laugh and cry. TRex, your writing reminds me of my little brother’s, whom I lost to AIDS a dozen years ago. He was very quick on the snark draw.

I can snark in real life, but you all are too fast for me. (My mouth is faster than my fingers, which often gets me into trouble with my right-wing Baptist in-laws.

I recently introduced my 86-year-old aunt to Colbert and Stewart’s shows, and she went home to Delano and ordered cable just to watch them!

Thanks for being here and being so good at what you do!

Hi FDL regulars, SJohn in Tucson. Thanks for providing such vital reading for me every day.

Working hard here to elect two Democrats, Pederson for Senate (going up against the truly odious Kyl), and Giffords for Rep (for Kolbe’s vacating seat; her opponent is a xenophobic, homophobic, republican role model).

Really appreciate all the queer voices here, too. Thanks in particular TRex & Pach, you kids help me through some rough spots to be sure.

In the many venues I’ve posted in over the many years, I’ve always found it a particular joy when lurkers delurk. Poor things have enough to hurdles to straddle just being called lurkers. It makes them sound like peeping Toms or something.

The best thing ever is to dip your toes in the lake and discover not only is the water warm, but you can actually swim. (Water wings provided if necessary. Please consult any lifeguard on duty.)

My first public post ever was on a Yahoo stock message board in 1996. I was timid. Everyone there sounded so knowledgable yet kind (long before trolls came to be, let alone stock trolls, i.e. shorters) and it was the kindness that made me feel comfortable enough regardless of my knowledge.

FDL has that sort of kindness I remember. A sharing of information and shared visions of things to come…yeah, I know you probably think that’s really weird for a stock board, but you have no idea. The community (investors) were on the edge of something important and knew it so it was more than merely about the stock. It was about the whole net. Right ideas, wrong stock, although I did make some good money.

It was a little internet search stock known as Infoseek and was much like Google in its nascent years. It was sucked up by Disney who has now earned my wrath double-time.

However, there were such good, intelligent people there. It’s nice to find a home like that, again, and one dealing with issues far more important, yet in some ways relative. This is still a net thang.

ccmask @ 169

Speakout: I often travel to Naples on business. Lot of growth (construction) in the area. And, I love the restaurants but not the traffic!

Cool! Where do you travel from?

carolyn13 @ 172

aaron @ 104

carolyn13 @ 92

(I’m a fellow Georgian, living up here in Dawsonville, the birthplace of ridge running, about thirty miles from Deliverance country. Yeehaw, y’all.)

Random off-topic — I grew up in GA, too (folks live in Savannah). Went to school in south carolina, though, and kayaked down the river featured in Deliverance (the Chatooga) many times.

Um, yeah. Glad that the only thing you guys know about me is the Deliverance thing. Damn.

I put that Deliverance country thing in for all the Yankees, a little southern color don’t you know. I’ve done a little white water, but I’m not brave enough for the Chatooga. I’m impressed.

My family always went to Jekyll Island for vacation (we lived in D.C.). I have great memories of it, but it got overbuilt, and we finally stopped going.

*xyz @ 182

ccmask – you’re in New York? I’m an upper west sider myself. UptownNYChick, myself and I believe “dmg” or “dmf” were talking about meeting up sometime.

Yes. we need to do that. I got sidetracked with my kid coming home from prep school. (a bad case of not adjusting well to rural life).

Start digging out the quotes from Bush supporters who claimed that Bush was ‘ambushed late in the election’ with his DWI record.

I have been reading this site since it started.I am so grateful to Jane and Christie and now Trex and others for all of their passion and hard work. This is what democracy is all about! Screw the media conglomerates! With bloggers we don’t need them for our news, but we can influence them with our corrections and fact findings. Let’s keep them honest!

all right you guys… gotta go to sleep (school nights suck!)… 500 kids a week is wearing me down but once the kindergartners stop crying (operating a mouse for the first time is a little bit frustrating), I’m sure I’ll be able to stay up and extra half hour…

have fun! readers! come out, come out, where ever you are…

and tell GMan the same thing…

Blazedog- ~#177 if you have the text of that Lieberman letter, could you please post it here? I, for one, would love to read it. I got interested in Lamont via FDL, way back when Howie Klein first mentioned him (via Jane) and ended up going to CT to work for the primary.

I’ve posted once or twice but it’s a bit intimidating. Not only are the writers here outstanding but the commenters are informed and witty. I’m always afraid I’m going to make an idiot of myself. I second petedownunder’s suggestion (and others upthread)that we need a ‘how to’ guide so we don’t smash the furniture or pee on the floor in our excitement.

The other week, I had a woman come to my door canvassing for Democrats in Portland so I stepped outside to talk. Informed by Jane, Christy, and the great contributors at FDL, I belted out to her what she needed to be saying to every individual she encounters. I was surprised to see tears well up in her eyes. After taking note of the existence of FDL, she ended by saying that it was I who was canvassing her.

Rock on TRex ! Late Nite last evening had my wheels turning all day today. A cyber beverage sounds nice, but my immune system took a hit at a wedding on Mt. Hood this past weekend. After my zinc lozenge melts, I’m having some ice cream.

I would just like to add that out of all the blogs I read this is by far my favorite. I first got turned on to reading by step-dad but wasn’t really interested in posting. As I got more and more intrigued I started exploring a little and found y’all. This is the first of the blogs that I truly discovered myself and will always have a special place in my heart. So, it made since last week when I took the plunge and posted my first comment I did it here. I’m glad I did and I doubt I’ll go away anytime soon. Thanks to all the regulars for being so helpful and making this experience the joy that it has been.
-ps I am really glad this thing has spell check!

VG@126 beats me..that’s why I need an owner’s manual. At the moment I am cat-less,however,IMHO cats are the best.

Just a shout out from a regular reader. I have posted comments only a couple of times in the past. Would love to comment more often, but simply lack the time. I just want to say how much I appreciate what Jane, Christy, TRex, and the whole liberal/progressive bloggers do. I am comforted knowing that we have such a bright, passionate, and energetic crew advocating on our behalf. You are doing fine work…our voices are being heard and the wingers are beginning to see some pushback. Although I can’t regularly contribute comments, I can and do regularly act on issues that are raised here at FDL. Please stay strong!

Speakout188: Sebring, Florida.

oh go on, pee on the floor. just don’t be a troll and shit on the rug.

angie, whatever can be unearthed about George’s first marriage has not surfaced. It’s been tried. Larry Sabato was on Hardball tonight–he knows Allen, and though he claims the report about Allen’s use of the “n” word is “correct,” he would not say he heard it himself personally. Sabato also trusts Shelton, the radiologist and former teammate of Allen who went on record for Salon and recounted the “doe’s head in the Black family’s mailbox” story. Unfortunately, that sick episode was not included on Hardball, just the story about A’s use of “n” word–also recounted by Shelton.

Hi.

I’m ekppp, or Elliott. I’m, well, a lurker, and I’m furious.

I marhced against the Iraq invasion and I marched again. I can’t believe the shit that comes down the pipe on a daily basis. When I heard, was it 02? 03? about Jose Padilla’s abduction, because that’s what it is, right? There were no charges. When I heard about that abduction, every red flag from every civics and history class I ever took went full rigid. This cannot be. It is.

My dad is an old-school Boston blue-blood, and I mentioned this Padilla thing to him, and he said “really?”. No shit, because there is no good information on TV, and most comfortable people don’t want to know things that make them uncomfortable. I visit them, and they watch the news with stories about a bear sleeping under someone’s porch (Iraq war notwithstanding) and how the school bus wouldn’t pick the kids up (Iraq war) and finally fish and game shot it (Iraq war) with a tranq and put it in the forest. Then they say “terrorism”, slap a color on it, and show the goose bumps on the blonde anchor. So I am happy for finding the blogs.

By the way, pops says they have “squandered America’s greatness”, and that he will vote to disrupt them this November.

I heard about Informed Comment on Democracy Now!. That was my gateway blog. From there, I checked out Eschaton and Hullabaloo, thence Kos and FDL, in the blogspot days. FDL made a big impression when Jane presented a plausable narrative about an early spat with the Washington Post.

I am telling you this because you asked about lurkers. I would like a drink. I would like a mojito. I would like a drink that pretends it never held a gun, but then, whooo.

The only thing you guys say that makes me mad is when you pick on home-schooling. I wouldn’t put my kid in your schools for all the tea in China. The very idea of the culture that gave us the Ireq war only thirty years after Vietnam running low-budget experiments on my son is unthinkable, so chill out with that, if you please.

Otherwise, well, it’s been great, and now, when el presidente gets petulant at a presser, or when any of the others looks a bit scared, I just love to know that there are about a million other careful observers looking to finish the job, and that I know where to find them.

Later,
ekppp, or Elliott

I started reading blogs in 2000. I could not believe bush stole the presidency. Everyone around me seemed willing to go on with their life but I was stuck, angry and felt very alone until I found Democrats.com, then Bartcop, KOS, and finally Firedoglake and others. I so appreciate the intelligent dialog and analysis. I am still angry but no longer alone. Thanks for a great blog.

Persiflage @ 193

I’ve posted once or twice but it’s a bit intimidating. Not only are the writers here outstanding but the commenters are informed and witty. I’m always afraid I’m going to make an idiot of myself. I second petedownunder’s suggestion (and others upthread)that we need a ‘how to’ guide so we don’t smash the furniture or pee on the floor in our excitement.

Umm, no fear of that… we leave the uncontrollable urination and breaking things to the young folks over at the Corner. :)

I read this site every day. I’m a freshman at the University of Minnesota, and I’ve been “lurking” for about a year.

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for the invite!

Uptown: Next time I come up, I’ll let you know. I was there in July and went up to the Cloisters (not knowing they were closed on Mondays) but spend the day walking around the area taking in the gargoyles.

EPU’d

I’m so fu*king mad I can’t stand it…

Four or five (by my count) so called “liberal” cable news talking heads defended Chris Wallace, Shrum was one. FU*K HIM and the rest of them. G’Night.

WALLACE: Why didn’t you do more to put Bin Laden and al Qaeda out of business when you were President?

Right Shrum, et al, defend that. Oh, and when did you stop beating your wife?

ccmask @ 199

Speakout188: Sebring, Florida.

Not that far. Been there myself.

I’m bumming about the loss of Rod Smith in Fla’s Gov Dem primary. :( U?

ccmask @ 207

Uptown: Next time I come up, I’ll let you know. I was there in July and went up to the Cloisters (not knowing they were closed on Mondays) but spend the day walking around the area taking in the gargoyles.

You know, I just found the Indian caves up there this weekend. They are really cool and it jus blew my mind that they are right off of like 210th street!

UptownNYChick @ 190

*xyz @ 182

ccmask – you’re in New York? I’m an upper west sider myself. UptownNYChick, myself and I believe “dmg” or “dmf” were talking about meeting up sometime.

Yes. we need to do that. I got sidetracked with my kid coming home from prep school. (a bad case of not adjusting well to rural life).

No worries. I have a feeling that the future holds a number of get-togethers for FDL’ers in cities across the country as the elections loom ever nearer. In the meantime, it is great that you can be there for your family when they need you.

p-rex @
168

petedownunder @ 160

Hey p-rex I’m back in Brisy. You in SYD?

yep. a bit on the chilly side today — how’s qld?

dig that telstra sale (not that i really care), john howard picking up some pointers from bush on crony appointments. what a dickhead!

so what brought you to oz in the first place, pete? work or personal?

Qld is warm and cloudy and hoping for rain. Serious drought up here. Saw Gore’s movie last week and fear for Oz, it’s hot and dry enough already.

Personal – met an Aussie lass, now work here 80% and US 20%.

Howard, like Blair, is Bush’s poodle with no excuse, he seems much brighter than Bush, but then so does the plant next to my desk.

I’m still an official resident in CA 1 so I follow politics pretty closely and find my Aussie friends also interested and appalled at what W and cronies have done. It is hard to imagine the loss of respect the US has suffered abroad since Jan 2001.

I may be in NSW in mid Oct when are going back to US?

Carolyn13, I have a niece in Dawsonville who sends me crap about Bush and how lovely his war is all the time. I just delete them. Are there any like- minded people there for you to hang with?

#164: 164 GSD says: “Oh this nation needs an enema.”

Check out this horror story:
http://www-tech.mit.edu/V126/N40/40ciawire.html
(originally published in the Boston Globe Friday.. sorry, can’t find the original link)…
so, in other words, the Bush secret prison network may be housing the disappeared American-educated mother of three (and her children too?) because she MIGHT be leverage against her terrorist hubby (they’ve finished torturing him and are now trying to get him in front of a firing squad in Gitmo)… We may need more than an enema. We’re in Closetland territory here…

I’ve posted a bit, but usually I am way behind in my reading. FDL is my favorite site. I love the comments as much as the headline stuff. You make living in Texas bearable. Now I have to hit the hay. Goodnight all.

check out Richard Siferd at http://www.siferdforcongress.com

Cozumel @ 208

EPU’d

I’m so fu*king mad I can’t stand it…

Four or five (by my count) so called “liberal” cable news talking heads defended Chris Wallace, Shrum was one. FU*K HIM and the rest of them. G’Night.

WALLACE: Why didn’t you do more to put Bin Laden and al Qaeda out of business when you were President?

Right Shrum, et al, defend that. Oh, and when did you stop beating your wife?

Jonathon Alter was another. I was very surprised by that one.

petedownunder,

Where does the name firedoglake come from

some say Jane loved curling up next to the fire with her dogs to watch laker games

-What’s up with this Fitz business

many consider it good ju-juu and is now an FDL tradition – some folks love to preach to us about how un serious we sound – their names tend to show up in the first comment of the next thread, eg, petedownunder!

Do you need to register
not that I’m aware of – just type in your screen name and e mail addy(never disclosed on screen)

-Who are considered trolls and what happens to their posts (and how to avoid trolldom)

there are a few species and sub species – some freepers, some straight up racist, and some who are ’so very concerned’ about something they write lengthy comments with the aim of simply making the poster/commenters wrong. simply think ‘asshole’

most are dispatched by our beloved Moderators (Valley Girl tonight?) the unofficial rule is Don’t Feed Them – it allows them much wanted attention and a chance to hijack a thread

- How to use the buttons etc (as mentioned earlier)

which buttons, the one’s here directly above and below the comment box ? or all those colorful thingies at the bottom of posts?

- Can we email Jane and Christy etc and how do we find the addresses

clicking on any Poster’s name should get you an e mail link

-Is there a way we can email each other (fellow posters) without publishing our email address to internet at large

don’t know – other than some commenter’s post their website in the box for same just above comments – you can tell who they are as their names are underlined in the threads

-Who is Kobe

Kobe is God

Paulkman @ 205

I read this site every day. I’m a freshman at the University of Minnesota, and I’ve been “lurking” for about a year.

Paulkman- that’s great- and please send the word around. Freshpersons- your age- are one of the best hopes we have for a better future.

I’m one of those lurkers – for over a year. Thanks TRex for the invite! I very much enjoy reading FDL, it’s a great refuge in the land of Doolittle. And Christy, thank you for the legal analysis. It’s so wonderful to read intelligent, thought provoking pieces that the MSM won’t cover.

Coz,

said it last thread and I was only guessing he was one of ‘em:

zero shrum game

Gnome de Plume @ 215

I’ve posted a bit, but usually I am way behind in my reading. FDL is my favorite site.

Gets my vote for name of the night.

Persiflage—don’t worry about breaking the furniture. We’ve all stubbed our toes learning how to use the great tools available at FDL.

In fact, tonight we’re among friends. Take a test drive of that button you’ve always wondered about. Mistakes will be forgotten in the morning.

Dana @ 201– it is strange that she has dropped off the radar… hmmm.

I really think more people will come forward to substantiate the reports of racism, but I am stymied about his first wife. Anyone can understand why she would have left him and but this smells like bs to me (also cause we all know how much we can trust him):

He had first married Anne Patrice Rubel in 1980, but their marriage ended after four years. “She wanted a different life than the one we were leading, at the log house in the woods and all the stress of politics,” Allen once explained.

http://www.spectator.org/dsp_a…..t_id=10100

I cannot find any statement from her at all in print.

i lurk and comment here. even if you don’t focus on “mary worth” or “for better or for worse”.

WONGOBOY eat Juan del Llano. Hnnnhh!

xyz@182: Boy, this thread’s moving fast. I lived in Yorkville for about 7 years and now live in Jeb’s state. I come up twice a year. I’ll give a holler next time. I would absolutely love a meetup! I was starving for that the last time I was there.

cbl @218 – Thanks for making that effort, but I actually knew most of that, it was meant to be Q’s I had when I first started visiting FDL; what the powers that be should do now is take your post and put it under a FAQ link near the top of the home page, and perhaps make it so we can add q’s and a’s as time goes by. Another usage I finally figured out but should be added is EPU’d.

T-Rex can you pass the word?

Hello. You say “lurker” like it’s a bad thing. I’m 50, own a law practice, raise two kids on my own and check in compulsively. I live in a purple state, Minn., that we are trying to turn blue again. If FDL didn’t exist, I would get my legal work done quicker, but I would be a much less happy camper. Thanks so much-

liberaljentaps @ 118

OK, I’ve never commented here, although I lurk pretty regularly. I’m a lifetime Democrat, and a native Californian. I live in Doolittle’s district and want to try to help Charlie Brown.

Hurray!!

I read several news sites and blogs each evening to learn all I can about what is going on politically. I am so concerned for our country and the rest of the globe because of the sociopathic leadership we have. I am a grandmother, and I can’t recall a time this dangerous and politically damaged in my lifetime. Bush, et al, have destroyed the concept of America and I worry about what kind of America my children and grand children will live in during the next decades. The Republican Party has been hi-jacked by selfish zealots that seek empire and power and don’t have any concern for the people of this country or any other. They defile the meaning of Christianity, yet claim some perverted title to it. I only hope the ignorant and uninformed public catches on before all is lost. We are close to loosing the country now.

PS: I was born in Brooklyn and grew up in Massapequa and then on to Yorkville.

I visit the site regularly, even though I’m a NZer living in Australia and therefore, I guess, have only a tangential relationship to many of the issues being discussed.

Still, I guess so many of the political, economic, and cultural roads that set out from Australia eventually lead to ‘Rome’, that relevance is in the eye of the beholder.

Keep up the great work.

OK…I’ll come out of my lurking to say hi. I absolutely love your blog and check it every day. It’s good to know there are people out there who think like me.I’ve started to become politically active, calling congressmen and writing e-mails, signing petitions and I even bought a rubber stamp! Thank you for being there for me. Oh, and T-Rex…I think I love you!

izardofwaz @
171

I’m here, just lurkin’ and learnin’ and planning on contributing one day.

There’s no time like the present. What’s on your mind?

Am sitting here recouping from phone banking in Phoenix. Great group of dedicated progressive folks here, trying to connect with voters for the upcoming general election. I have lurked here for many, many months and especially enjoy the eye candy photos. The Kerry-in-cryogenics pic (emerging from his suspension) — last week? — was WONDERFUL. Have I mentioned that I still occasionally must listen to Boney-M’s rendition of “Rasputin” just to maintain my sanity. I wouldn’t have these links without you and might otherwise drift into despair. Instead, I am energized to fight on. From this tired warrior to you all: I salute you! Carry on and thanks!

Valley Girl @ 130

Eric Brewer @ 109

I’m a progressive blogger with White House press credentials. Here’s an account of my latest encounter with the Snowman.

Eric Brewer- oh! I know you, virtually. Please tell FDLers more about yourself. Please?

hey Valley Girl,

Good to meet you. I started blogging about a year and a half ago–somebody had posted an ad on a Slate.com bulletin board looking for a White House correspondent for his blog, and, thinking it was a joke, I responded. A couple of weeks later, I was in the White House, trying to ask Bush a question. There’s a little bit more of the backstory here.

I lurk as well. I come here to get substance as well as sustenance. Appreciate your candor as well as your quest for truth. It makes us all stronger.

bdu @ 223

Gnome de Plume @ 215

I’ve posted a bit, but usually I am way behind in my reading. FDL is my favorite site.

Gets my vote for name of the night.

Mine too. That’s one of the cleverest handles I’ve seen in a while.

Thanks to everybody who contributes to this wonderful blog, for inviting all us voyeurs to “de-lurk”, if only momentarily (such as in my case, which finishes with me scurrying back into my dark corner).

I don’t read this blog as thoroughly as some others whose content interests me more. FDL is very focused on particular Congressional races, and my home state’s races (Washington) are kind of dull compared to the Ned Lamont spectacle. I’m sure if the Plame issue becomes hot again, I’ll check in here more often, because that story is fascinating to me.

I kind of wish there were a tin-foil-free website focusing on the anthrax attacks, a story most of America seems to have forgotten.

I read digby for the gut-punch blunt anger beautifully and sparsely expressed, Gilliard for more great writing and occasional forays into non-political topics, Atrios for lots of links to bloggers I haven’t heard of but nail it once in a while. And Atrios’ commenters are blog crack dealers.

Keep up the good work, and keep the faith. We’ll take the country back from these clowns soon enough!

Greetings from southeast Portland (Ore.), one of the most left-leaning areas in the country (thank goodness).
I’ve been reading Firedoglake for a few months and it’s become one of my favorite blogs, and I read about a dozen a day (boy do I love to avoid doing actual work around the house).
An aside on the Saints’ game tonight, as mentioned earlier… W was a no-show. George HW Bush was there instead, flipping the coin pregame. Guess it would’ve been a sticky situation for W to show up, so the family bails him out yet again.

Hey p-rex and petedownunder! Just checking in from Perth. And, for the record, Howard is not Bush’s poodle. He’s not that big, pretty or important. John Howard is Bush’s small yappy dog, perhaps a chihuahua.

cbl- thanks for taking the time to give all of that info. For the record, I have taken a break from moderating, bec. of work demands, and I no longer read every comment on every thread! But, if I am online and reading, and see something ugly, I will deal with it.

Your point about “don’t feed the trolls” is important. *ilson, another moderator has had some “piquant” things to say in this regard. Bear in mind, all new here, that moderators are ordinary people who sometimes have other lives. So, as *ilson says “don’t feed the trolls”- as in, how stupid is it to quote their comments, so that they get amplified? And, then there was the memorable *ilson comment about bloody mouse parts getting strewn around the house… sorry, I can’t find it now, but it was *ilson genius.

cbl- above, I know you know- so that is not for you. thanks again for info.

Pseudonym of American Liberalism Project managing editor/proprietor.

Why do those people say FITZ! all the time? Are they retarded? Under age? What?

Love the website.

Jim

Mark K @
29

Anyway, thanks to Jane, Christy, TRex, Howie Klein, and all the other Inflammable Canines, who make this site so great, and fill my tiny brain with useful information and pungent snark.

Yes, that’s it! Pungent snark! I feel pretty much the same way as Mr. K. Dropping in more than I should, yet not enough. So Jane, Christy, TRex,Howie, too, you guys are essential. Thanks.

angie, Well, here you go. Tomorrow’s NYT story on Allen with a quote from his first wife who counters that he didn’t use the slur. BS. This story carries the report about the doe head too. Oh, and another old acquaintance comes forward in a story about who eats turtles. Guess what Allen said?

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09…..r=homepage

Bentley Stanforth III @ 233

I visit the site regularly, even though I’m a NZer living in Australia and therefore, I guess, have only a tangential relationship to many of the issues being discussed.

Still, I guess so many of the political, economic, and cultural roads that set out from Australia eventually lead to ‘Rome’, that relevance is in the eye of the beholder.

Keep up the great work.

Where in Oz are you? There are a few firepups downunder. P-Rex is in Sydney, I’m in Brisbane, I’m sure there are others. There are a few Kiwis about the palce too.

Eric Brewer– that is one heck of a story! kewl.

I love the blog. I don’t post any comments normally, but I love reading the blog.

Long time lurker, huge fan. Really enjoy my nightly dose of TRex.
As mentioned by some, I am not the best writer so I tend not to comment.

SJohn @
186

Hi FDL regulars, SJohn in Tucson. Thanks for providing such vital reading for me every day.

Working hard here to elect two Democrats, Pederson for Senate (going up against the truly odious Kyl), and Giffords for Rep (for Kolbe’s vacating seat; her opponent is a xenophobic, homophobic, republican role model).

Really appreciate all the queer voices here, too. Thanks in particular TRex & Pach, you kids help me through some rough spots to be sure.

It’s our pleasure, SJohn. All we can really do is suit up, show up, and write as well as we can. You guys do the rest.

It’s a funny feeling to hear that people find you inspiring. You know, I’m just a guy at a computer in Georgia who can type really fast and has a lot of passionately held beliefs. This is the power of netroots. All of us can get involved. Technology is proving to be one of the great engines of democracy.

Eh. It’s just Frankl.

Completely OT, but I’m watching the new TV show “Superheroes” and there is a scene in a karaoke bar in Japan and

these two guys are singing this song! Remember when it/they were featured right here at FDL? Must have been a Donita post.

Small world!

cbl @ 222

Coz,

said it last thread and I was only guessing he was one of ‘em:

zero shrum game

You guessed right and Jonathon Alter was another one (thanks Rene). And, The “West Wing” guy that posts on HuffPo was another one (can’t remember his name at the moment).

Nite all

Eric Brewer @ 237

Valley Girl @ 130

Eric Brewer @ 109

I’m a progressive blogger with White House press credentials. Here’s an account of my latest encounter with the Snowman.

Eric Brewer- oh! I know you, virtually. Please tell FDLers more about yourself. Please?

hey Valley Girl,

Good to meet you. I started blogging about a year and a half ago–somebody had posted an ad on a Slate.com bulletin board looking for a White House correspondent for his blog, and, thinking it was a joke, I responded. A couple of weeks later, I was in the White House, trying to ask Bush a question. There’s a little bit more of the backstory here.

Eric- thanks for the link- I believe I read about you first on Bradblog. Scientist here, too. BTW, all, Eric’s backstory link is from a Froomkin column. I will repeat the link in a less elegant form: http://www.washingtonpost.com/…..5Apr5.html

the one question I still have -

What in the hell makes time accelerate so when I sit at this keyboard ?

‘nite dogs old and new

RJRoss–you’ll find quite a few folks here from WA State, myself included.

You’re right that many of our races are pretty dull, but Burner and Goldmark are making a go of it. Do you read Evergreen Politics, WashBlog, or Horse’s Ass…not to mention our beloved General?

RJRoss @ 241

Thanks to everybody who contributes to this wonderful blog, for inviting all us voyeurs to “de-lurk”, if only momentarily (such as in my case, which finishes with me scurrying back into my dark corner).

I don’t read this blog as thoroughly as some others whose content interests me more. FDL is very focused on particular Congressional races, and my home state’s races (Washington) are kind of dull compared to the Ned Lamont spectacle. I’m sure if the Plame issue becomes hot again, I’ll check in here more often, because that story is fascinating to me.

I kind of wish there were a tin-foil-free website focusing on the anthrax attacks, a story most of America seems to have forgotten.

I read digby for the gut-punch blunt anger beautifully and sparsely expressed, Gilliard for more great writing and occasional forays into non-political topics, Atrios for lots of links to bloggers I haven’t heard of but nail it once in a while. And Atrios’ commenters are blog crack dealers.

Keep up the good work, and keep the faith. We’ll take the country back from these clowns soon enough!

Take heart, RJ, I am going to be trying to do some stuff here in the near future to call attention to races around the country. TRex’s Virtual USO Tour 2006! We have to support our troops.

cbl @ 220

-Who is Kobe

Kobe is God

The cosmos would not allow otherwise. We’re not worthy. We’re not worthy . . . .

I discovered you about a month ago; now I can’t live without you. I’m on your sight at least three times a day and enjoy every minute I browse through your Blog. I recommend you to everyone I know and I know for certain, your sterling reputation is g-r-o-w-i-n-g.

Hi, all.
I’ve posted a few comments, but since I work in restaurants and don’t read the internets until after midnight, I usually get EPU’ed.
FDL, DailyKos and Altercation are usually the first three stops on my nightly Tubical Mystery Tour. I always enjoy the info and the snark. Would it be inappropriate to confess that, between her posts and her pics, I think I’m in love with Jane? The angrier her posts, the more in love I fall. Make of that what you will. No jealousy, please, I love the rest of you, too; it’s just sort of a friend thing, though.
If you’re still up, TRex, I’ll take a bourbon.

Persiflage @ 243

Hey p-rex and petedownunder! Just checking in from Perth. And, for the record, Howard is not Bush’s poodle. He’s not that big, pretty or important. John Howard is Bush’s small yappy dog, perhaps a chihuahua.

“Chihuahua” is Spanish for “Little Bullet Catcher”.

I stumbled across this place a few weeks before the Cheney Dickfest, entered the Dickfest because I had a Cheney poem already written and couldn’t believe that there would ever be a contest to write a poem about Dick Cheney, made it to the semi-finals, and have been reading ever since.

I can barely keep up reading the posts and comments. Don’t know how you guys do it day in and day out. Thanks for all the information and entertainment!

T-Rex – One other thing we should warn new readers, FDL can be addictive and interfere with actual life, sleep etc. On that topic I better get some work done today.

Night to all of you those time zones, g’day to those where it is already tomorrow.

Thanks to everyone at FDL and to those who visit and post.

Perhaps I’m discouraged for nothing or my comments have not been relevant. But I never seem to have gotten a response, which makes me reluctant to do more than lurk.

Whatever it is, I enjoy this site and learn a lot here. I’ve also gotten great links to donate to Progressive Candidates from here. So, if nothing else–that portion of my presence has been worth it to the FDL community. I want to keep donating what I can to candidates that I relate to–so please keep providing those great links to do so. Without FDL, I wouldn’t have heard of the opponent of Peter King or Mean Jean Full of Schmidt and might have never contributed to those worthy candidates. Thanks to Jane, Christy, TRex and all who provide the information I check, when I can. Half of the time I can only read through say, the 1st 200 comments before I have to deal with what life throws at me. Without FDL, I wouldn’t have learned about Ned before the primary and I feel we’d all still be without options (or chances) to be rid of Lieberman. When I first donated to Ned through FDL, at home, I was told that it was a waste of money and all that I could say was “well it makes me feel good”. Now, I don’t have to explain, unless I spend money not made from Overtime. I wish I could spend more time and Money at FDL.

SixStringSlingr @ 262

Hi, all.
I’ve posted a few comments, but since I work in restaurants and don’t read the internets until after midnight, I usually get EPU’ed.
FDL, DailyKos and Altercation are usually the first three stops on my nightly Tubical Mystery Tour. I always enjoy the info and the snark. Would it be inappropriate to confess that, between her posts and her pics, I think I’m in love with Jane? The angrier her posts, the more in love I fall. Make of that what you will. No jealousy, please, I love the rest of you, too; it’s just sort of a friend thing, though.
If you’re still up, TRex, I’ll take a bourbon.

You want that bourbon neat or on the rocks?

6Str, we’re all a little in love with Jane around here. And yes, she’s even more exquisitely beautiful when she’s angry. But that is NOOOO reason to provoke her.

GOD DAMN, I LOVES ME SOME OLBERMANN!!!!

Um, sorry for the exuberance, all. You really should track down the clips for Keith’s special comment tonight. Maybe the man’s finest broadcast moment and says so many things that I’ve been argumentively proclaiming to my friends for years now (so few of them will take my calls anymore). The NIE and the right-wing hack job (attempted, anyway) on Big Dog combined could well be the final nails in the Bushevik coffin.

Dana @ 246

angie, Well, here you go. Tomorrow’s NYT story on Allen with a quote from his first wife who counters that he didn’t use the slur. BS. This story carries the report about the doe head too. Oh, and another old acquaintance comes forward in a story about who eats turtles. Guess what Allen said?

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09…..r=homepage

Whew, Dana @ 246. The elusive Anne has been found! Something stinks still and it is the smell of self-immolation of a candidate.

Another buddy found todat and he’s an anthropology prof in AL; yesterday a MD in NC. What do these friends have to gain by turning him in and telling the truth?

Allen is losing it completely. More people will come forward, I am sure of it.

I’m a professional lurker. Plame brought me here, Christy’s wonderful legal explanations of the crisis de jour kept me here, and the lack of trolls and eclectic community make it something I look forward to each day.

Thanks to all the wonderful writers who contribute here every day, I now have renewed hope for the future of this country we’re leaving my kids, my grandkids and yours.

Lost my heart when Dean lost…but I check this site along with Kos and C&L and Raw Story every day…you guys rock!

hey T Rex !

before I trundle off – and if you haven’t gone out for milk and cigs -

think it would be fun Late Nite to use one of those Where Are You Maps just as a fun way for everyone to see ourselves some night

http://www.frappr.com/cuteoverloadcuteologists

btw, while over there scouting the map – is this guy one of yours ?

http://mfrost.typepad.com/cute…..hs_ne.html

dipper @ 215

Carolyn13, I have a niece in Dawsonville who sends me crap about Bush and how lovely his war is all the time. I just delete them. Are there any like- minded people there for you to hang with?

Dawson county is hard to explain to people who don’t know the South. It’s been a place for blacks and poor whites since the Civil War with very little racial troubles. Everybody was just trying to survive. In the past ten years it’s been developed as a resort area near Lake Lanier and a bedroom community for Atlanta. It’s becoming very mixed culturally, with a strong streak of hillbilly “mind your own business.” There’s all kinds of people around here and since many of the oldtimers are poor, Bushco has hit them hard. He isn’t thought of well in these parts. It’s still Republican though, and since the churches help the poor, very fundie. It’s a place in transition.

Montag and UptownNYChick

Admit it, you are regulars. love reading you both.

Another sweet late nite TRex.

Christy was fantastic today.

Thank you all and good night

Casual Participant #153,

LOL, that was funny but then sometimes I can be really square!

Cozumel @ 256

cbl @ 222

Coz,

said it last thread and I was only guessing he was one of ‘em:

zero shrum game

You guessed right and Jonathon Alter was another one (thanks Rene). And, The “West Wing” guy that posts on HuffPo was another one (can’t remember his name at the moment).

Nite all

Lawrence O’Donnell. It just hit me as I was going to sleep. LOL

OVER AND OUT….

ZzzzzZzzzz…..

Ron Russell @ 265

Perhaps I’m discouraged for nothing or my comments have not been relevant. But I never seem to have gotten a response, which makes me reluctant to do more than lurk.

Okay, Ron, now you have a response. I can’t explain why various comments don’t get responses- it just happens and it does not reflect on the value of the comment, in my experience, long time here. As you can see, there are plenty of readers who don’t post. Just keep putting out your best thoughts!

Rexie! Great idea!! Wowzer. Welcome all the lurkers, newbies, longtime readers and the regular gang. I think the “users manual” is a great idea by the way. Just wanted to say hi, gonna go and finish catching up ion the thread.

Ron Russell at 265– please don’t be discouraged! Lots and lots of comments get no response. The blog does move fast, but not so fast that you are forgotten or unappreciated.

Dana@248. Thanks for that link. George Allen is priceless!! in that pic, with all those microphones in his face.

Yo TRex—in case it hasn’t already been said…excellent post.

Eureka Springs, AR @ 273

Montag and UptownNYChick

Wow, you are right. I found this site after going up and helping out with lamont and I guess I didn’t realize how long I have been here.
I am addicted.

It’s a picture file–jpeg. Can I post that? Or I can email it to you.

GSD @
35

While you are de-lurking, go on a trip here to see what Wesley Clark is saying.

“For eight months, Bush did nothing — nothing. No plan. No action. No diplomacy. No intelligence. No meetings,” Clark said.

I think the coalition to take America away from the path of torture, bombings and terror is coming together.

This is Bush’s most vulnerable point. The secret wide out in the open. He has been running on protecting the nation..but 9/11 happened on his watch.

-GSD

Saw what you said on the other thread and quite agree, GSD. It’s really been clear since that day that it would come down to this, hasn’t it? It’s just that they had to make the first move, and amazingly enough now they’ve faked themselves out and done it.

Wait, we’re talking kitties? That’s my kind of thread!

Here’s my two babies.

Oh gosh, this is too funny, the (no relation) part:

Mr. Allen, a Republican once considered a front-runner for the party’s 2008 presidential nomination, told The Associated Press on Monday that Mr. Shelton’s accusations were “ludicrously false.” And Dan Allen (no relation), an adviser to the Allen campaign, said the racial slur Mr. Taylor attributed to the senator was “not part of his vocabulary.”

petedownunder @ 249

In Melbourne

Ron Russell says
September 25th, 2006 at 9:57 pm*

Welcome Ron. I felt exactly the same way but I have a dogged determination and kept typing til someone noticed me. I’m an only child what can I say? But the squeaky wheel does get the grease, so welcome and keep talking!!

ang…you read my mind…lol

FYI Now on cspan replay of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee. Good stuff.

I tend to leave recipes and the occasional snark as comments. FDL is fourth on my list on the home computer after The Panda’s Thumb, Scienceblogs, and Daily Kos. On the office computer you guys are on top. The thing I most appreciate about you (aside from a political/ethical agreement) is your ‘realness’. It’s hard to describe without being pretentious (Oh, the humanity!) But you guys are like good neighbors with pretty much the same concerns as I have. Please keep up the good work.

I’m up too late because I had to see Bush taken to the woodshed on Countdown before going to bed. I was at rehearsal, so missed the 8:00pm broadcast. I’m playing Bessie in Odet’s “Awake and Sing”– a bracing exercise at this point in history. Had to check in with FDL before putting my computer to sleep, to be sure you all are busy fighting the good fight.
Keep it up!

Olberman, General Clark, Clinton, General Bastiste, Ned, Jane, Christy,…..

This country is trying to stop the crazy train that is Bush/Cheney……

They (Bushco) got a little breather these past few weeks(with all the war on terra hoopla), but I think it only served to scare them and now they are about to get desperate I fear.

-GSD

Eureka Springs, AR @ 289

FYI Now on cspan replay of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee. Good stuff.

very good stuff. Amazing to hear people being truthful.

“Chihuahua” is Spanish for “Little Bullet Catcher”.

Oh God no, the man would be in office forever if he got shot, especially if he died! This is a man who’s such a great pal of GWB’s that George called him a “Man of Steel”. Personally I call him a man of steal but that’s just me. In any case, I’m sure that he wasn’t aware that “Man of Steel” in Russian is … Stalin!

NZ home from work now and checking in….anyone else here at FDL who is also in NZ? I’m in the center of the North Island, having arrived last January. Before that, I was in Lawrence for years and years.

Broadband is the pits in NZ, so watching video is difficult. But I snuck in a watch of Olbermann while still at work. Thanks to all for the early alert….who thought it could be so novel to hear the truth, both from the retired generals and from Olbermann, on public airwaves? The retired generals comments got high billing on National Radio down here.

bdu @
286

Wait, we’re talking kitties? That’s my kind of thread!

Here’s my two babies.

Oh, my gosh, I love this one!! Is he part Siamese?

I have two Siamese, Juan Carlos (8) and Gus (18). It’s just them and me here these days, but that’s about right for us, I think.

Blazedog @
178

I logged into FDL during the Lamont/Lieberman primary, starved for on-the-ground reports. FDL did NOT dissappoint. I keep coming back, even tho your focus has changed, but I’m not quite sure just what it has changed to.

I really don’t need to be convinced of what a creep our President is; I think I’d rather know more about what people are doing about it. And, as an occasional lurker, I don’t feel clued in to everybody’s blog personalities and the community in general. Kind of like hearing about the Sopranos last month and trying to figure out who’s who. You may not be able to have it both ways–be open to new folks and still keep a tight community.

Here’s a pebble, anyway.

And, BTW, if anyone cares (and I have sent this to 2 other blogs, who don’t seem to), I have a letter Joe Lieberman sent to the editor of the Yale Daily News when he was a first-year law student at Yale deploring the rowdy civil disobedience demonstrations of anti-Vietnam-war activists and in support of a counter demonstration he participated in planning. It only emboldens the Communists, he said. I really don’t know how he managed to turn that into the anti-war-Joe reputation he claims for himself. Scan of microfilm available on request.

That letter kinda knocks a hole in his ’60s Progressive Fairy Take, dunnit?

I’d LOVE to see that.

Hiya from Western Australia! I like following what our American Cousins are up to, mostly because we have a funny habit of repeating your mistakes, early and often.

Been reading for a year(ish), and love what’s here. Occasionally post, but because of time zones, by the time I’m reading, all the smart people have said what I wanted to, only better. :)

Keep up the great work!

I can’t speak for others, but I say Fitz out of some pure joy and hope somewhere in the depths of my fascism battered American patriot soul.

Four lousy characters plus the occasional exclamation point – sue me, you nayfitzsayers.

Maybe it is because I’m underage – proudly seventeen. Oh, wait…

Anyway, smooches to you Jim 246 and night all.

LOVE YOU TREX AND KEEP THE FAITH YA BASTADS!

Ron Russell: Great Post! We’ll beat them this election for sure!

Well, somewhere around post 280 I get caught up. Just watched the west coast rerun of Olberman. Damn.

I have posted a few times, stopped when my name was hijacked and didn’t want confusion. This place, Billmon, Crooks, Atrios, First Draft, Glennwood,and so many others keep me sane. I’m afraid I am as pessimistic as Billmon but I keep working on changing it through my union, SEIU503.

I found sanity first at Democratic Underground in 2000 when I couldn’t find any place that seemed to get what had been done by the “felonious five”. DU was great the first year or so with posters as erudite as here. I found them by googling “liberal news” and there were few hits. I guess I should try that search again.
T-rex, it’s getting late, you must be running low on booze, can I pick something up?

greg

Eureka Springs, AR @ 272

Montag and UptownNYChick

Admit it, you are regulars. love reading you both.

Another sweet late nite TRex.

Christy was fantastic today.

Thank you all and good night

I was reading the blog regularly long before I ever posted anything, so I think of my participation here as fairly new. But, it’s a place full of bright people with unique skills. Me, I just talk too much in print. :)

Cheers, and g’night.

PNWster >”…a proper introduction requires a bit of self. I have a Marine son…live in the Pacific Northwest…”

Ah ha, a fellow Cascadian !

A big Semper Fi to you and your son; the Corps always continues to give even after decades…

For those not knowledgeable about this part of N.American, a range of mountains runs north/south from British Columbia (HockeyLand) through Oregon, Washington & down into California; this range is called the Cascades hence my handle/nym/tag; I live just outside Seattle & post here now and then

For whatever it`s worth, I am a technical person (electronics/software/systems)

Great community this !

Oh, and I love quotes…

“The bond of our common humanity is stronger than the divisiveness of our fears and prejudices.” – James Carter

I’ve dropped in a comment of two, but by the time I get here, there are usually well over 100 replies and most of what I would have written has already been said.

I check about half a dozen blogs on a daily basis and a larger group get a look every few days, but this place is definitely in the first category.

Blazedog @ 282

It’s a picture file–jpeg. Can I post that? Or I can email it to you.

Blazedog- you can email it to me at tenureransom@hotmail.com. But, that is an occasional email addy which I only check if I am expecting something. Alas, there is no way to post image files here directly. When I post jpegs etc here, I’ve taken to using PhotoBucket.com – free, and provides http link that can then be posted at FDL (or elsewhere).

Hiya from Western Australia! I like following what our American Cousins are up to, mostly because we have a funny habit of repeating your mistakes, early and often.

Oh my, LOL! What a crazy, mixed up world we live in.

SixStringSlingr @ 262

Hi, all.
I’ve posted a few comments, but since I work in restaurants and don’t read the internets until after midnight, I usually get EPU’ed.
FDL, DailyKos and Altercation are usually the first three stops on my nightly Tubical Mystery Tour. I always enjoy the info and the snark. Would it be inappropriate to confess that, between her posts and her pics, I think I’m in love with Jane? The angrier her posts, the more in love I fall. Make of that what you will. No jealousy, please, I love the rest of you, too; it’s just sort of a friend thing, though.
If you’re still up, TRex, I’ll take a bourbon.

You want that bourbon neat or on the rocks?

6Str, we’re all a little in love with Jane around here. And yes, she’s even more exquisitely beautiful when she’s angry. But that is NOOOO reason to provoke her.

On the rocks, brother, thank you much.
On the subject of provoking: I couldn’t agree with you more. One never wants a woman like Jane angry at one’s self. Can’t enjoy the breath-taking sight of a beautiful woman righteously pissed off when she’s aiming it at your head.
Cheers!

T-rex, it’s getting late, you must be running low on booze, can I pick something up?

greg

I appreciate the offer, g, but this TRex doesn’t drink. I stepped on my house this one time…

Now if you want to grab some ice cream on the way over…

petedownunder @ 212

p-rex @
168

petedownunder @ 160

Hey p-rex I’m back in Brisy. You in SYD?

yep. a bit on the chilly side today — how’s qld?

dig that telstra sale (not that i really care), john howard picking up some pointers from bush on crony appointments. what a dickhead!

so what brought you to oz in the first place, pete? work or personal?

Qld is warm and cloudy and hoping for rain. Serious drought up here. Saw Gore’s movie last week and fear for Oz, it’s hot and dry enough already.

…

I’m still an official resident in CA 1 so I follow politics pretty closely and find my Aussie friends also interested and appalled at what W and cronies have done. It is hard to imagine the loss of respect the US has suffered abroad since Jan 2001.

I may be in NSW in mid Oct when are going back to US?

hot and dry…we know it. el nino is back with a vengeance (for those that don’t know, oz is in the midst of an historically significant drought, and el ninos only worsen the conditions).

just last saturday we had a very hot and windy day, and apparently someone went around committing arson, setting fire to various homes in an arc of suburbs around sydney — absolutely horrific — many homes were destroyed. and it’s only september! i truly worry what mid-summer (dec-feb) will bring.

i also meet a lot of travellers from ALL over (uk, france, germany, scandanavia, canada, japan, china, korea, etc) and i have yet to meet one person that says anything other than “please, get rid of bush!”

i’m a dual citizen with roots all over — pittsburgh (yep another steelers fan), indiana, tennessee, florida, missouri, texas. so i follow events in those places, but generally everywhere. i think the internet makes all politics national in a way never before seen.

and hopefully in a year i’ll be in oregon or washington state, attending law school.

leaving oz october 19, so anytime before then…

sorry this is SO LONG!

ekppp (Elliot) Hi,
And hi to all reading. I’m in Bob Ney’s district. Wait…pretty soon that’s going to be a correctional facility. Anyway, I’m in Ohio east of Columbus.
It’s really nice to have a band of brothers and sisters, isn’t it?

cbl @ 271

hey T Rex !

before I trundle off – and if you haven’t gone out for milk and cigs -

think it would be fun Late Nite to use one of those Where Are You Maps just as a fun way for everyone to see ourselves some night

http://www.frappr.com/cuteoverloadcuteologists

btw, while over there scouting the map – is this guy one of yours ?

http://mfrost.typepad.com/cute_overload/2006/09/
some_kittehs_ne.html

OR
Over at booman tribune they have a group of links at the top. Midwest, etc. People can get together there or leave messages. Right on the site.

Patrick- is your email addy public? Maybe you can post that for Blazedog.

(p.s. all, Patrick is TRex’s twin brother)

ccmask @ 284

Oh gosh, this is too funny, the (no relation) part:

Mr. Allen, a Republican once considered a front-runner for the party’s 2008 presidential nomination, told The Associated Press on Monday that Mr. Shelton’s accusations were “ludicrously false.” And Dan Allen (no relation), an adviser to the Allen campaign, said the racial slur Mr. Taylor attributed to the senator was “not part of his vocabulary.”

Yup, and that noose was “really more of a lasso,” and that Confederate battle flag is just an expression of his Southern (L.A.) heritage, an’, an’, a-ah-a-an’….

Now, when, exactly, does he start kissing bald black men on the head like someone else we know?

TRex @ 296

bdu @
286

Wait, we’re talking kitties? That’s my kind of thread!

Here’s my two babies.

Oh, my gosh, I love this one!! Is he part Siamese?

I have two Siamese, Juan Carlos (8) and Gus (18). It’s just them and me here these days, but that’s about right for us, I think.

I don’t know if she’s part siamese or not, she was a shelter rescue. I do know that both her and her brother look nothing more than standard black kitties (chocolate brown in bright light).

Given how vocal she is (she talks at me constantly), and how skittish she can be, I guess I wouldn’t be surprised to discover some siamese in her lineage, though.

At the moment she’s chasing a fly in the windowsill behind my head!

we’ve just got these two (her at 7, him at 13), and that’s more than enough for our space and time!

Hoody Hoo!

Dang it, clearly interesting thread fulla interesting delurkers…still must. go. sleep. :(

goodnight beautifuls, known and yet to be known.

GSD,

still trundling off – but you reminded me that the Army Chief of Staff publicly refuses to sign off on 08 Budget and is clealy doing it as a means to get in Rumsfeld’s grill – am not a military person but this strikes me as a very big deal – unlike Batiste – Schoomaker is not retired, must be dutch for Shinseki

and hey ReneND – thanks,

Lurking on Vancouver Island on the west coast of Canada. Come here to read the straight goods and snark about 3 times a day. Keeps me hopeful. Thanks.

I appreciate the offer, g, but this TRex doesn’t drink. I stepped on my house this one time…

I think I did that one time too, after too much Wild Turkey. I thought I was god.

What flavor ice cream you favor?

I lurk at least 4 times a day here, and at downwithtyranny.com almost as much. I visit americablog sometimes, huffingtonpost a bit more often, crooksandliars at least once a day, and various other blogs from time to time. I don’t go to dailykos.com very often, even though it links to all sorts of stuff, I suppose I prefer the format here. All of these sites have very much the same general focus and outlook that I do.

I don’t feel alone in the American nightmare so much any more, especially when we get great things to cheer about such as Lamont’s victory and, most likely, his eventual election. We all made it possible.

This all gives me hope that we can work a political miracle over the next few years and start making the world better, rather than worse again.

RBG @ 259

RJRoss–you’ll find quite a few folks here from WA State, myself included.

You’re right that many of our races are pretty dull, but Burner and Goldmark are making a go of it. Do you read Evergreen Politics, WashBlog, or Horse’s Ass…not to mention our beloved General?

I haven’t read the first three mentioned, but do you mean Jesus’ General? Is he from ’round here?

Took a break from reading all these lurkers’ comments to catch Olbermann’s latest “Special Comment”. I don’t believe I have ever heard a newscaster speak so harshly of a sitting President on the air. RIGHTEOUS INDIGNATION, thy name is Keith Olbermann.

Give that man an Emmy!

LatteSippingLefty @ 318

Lurking on Vancouver Island on the west coast of Canada. Come here to read the straight goods and snark about 3 times a day. Keeps me hopeful. Thanks.

I swear I WILL live in Victoria one day.

Montag: It’s pretty bad when even your campaign advisor claims NO RELATION!

Good night and good luck

RJRoss @ 240– You know, it’s weird. We cannot find Osama and we haven’t found the anthrax killers, but we are the mightiest nation on earth. All of a sudden today, NPR had a report on the anthrax and here is more and it’s a front pager in the wapoo. ummm, when are the elections again? (must be the bogeymen!)

Five years after the anthrax attacks that killed five people, the FBI is now convinced that the lethal powder sent to the Senate was far less sophisticated than originally believed, widening the pool of possible suspects in a frustratingly slow investigation.

http://www.rawstory.com/showar…..14_pf.html

Punaise must not be lurking. If he were, I can’t see how he could resist the kitty theme? I will forgive you, Punaise…

GregL @ 321

I appreciate the offer, g, but this TRex doesn’t drink. I stepped on my house this one time…

I think I did that one time too, after too much Wild Turkey. I thought I was god.

What flavor ice cream you favor?

I don’t think I’ve ever met a flavor of ice cream I didn’t like, so surprise me.

ccmask @ 322

Montag: It’s pretty bad when even your campaign advisor claims NO RELATION!

Good night and good luck

Yeah, it is. Next week it will be his mother….

:)

angie @ 308

Hiya from Western Australia! I like following what our American Cousins are up to, mostly because we have a funny habit of repeating your mistakes, early and often.

Oh my, LOL! What a crazy, mixed up world we live in.

Innit, just? :)

pebbles, cocktail weenies, dino…..bam bam

punaise!

I began stopping by regularly during the runup to the CT primary, and have become a regular lurker. I have dropped a comment or two, but, like Michael Harrington above, I usually pop in when there are at least a hundred comments, and any thoughts I have on a topic are usually very well stated by others. I comment fairly regularly at Steve Gilliard’s, and I recognize some names here.

Anyway, I post from far Northern California, the congrssional domain of Wally Herger, CA-02, one of the most obedient drones in the wingnut beehive. The Dems don’t even attempt to contest this seat, this is pickup truck w/visible gunrack country, and liberal is definitely a dirty word. Wally probably has a job for as long as he can stay above room temperature.

You folks are part of what keeps me sane. Thanks for all you do.

Selah.

TRex @ 327

GregL @ 321

I appreciate the offer, g, but this TRex doesn’t drink. I stepped on my house this one time…

I think I did that one time too, after too much Wild Turkey. I thought I was god.

What flavor ice cream you favor?

I don’t think I’ve ever met a flavor of ice cream I didn’t like, so surprise me.

Have your tried Garlic? mmmm. Had it at a garlic festival somewhere in California. It’s errrr, different.

Punaise- I know you’re out there…. so, never mind the pebbles, I need a new kitty pic for my files.

De-lurking…..

Love this blog – mandatory reading after watching Clinton tapdance on the Fox-maggots. Something I taped to watch every night.

Did anyone catch Olberman tear Bush a new one tonight? He said the obvious – worst president since Buchanan. Though Bush has moved past that low standard – Buchanan made the Civil War inevitable – Bush created an unending war against “terrorism” for political reasons, no matter how many have to die for his fascist dreams. That murdering fucker. As if he read Orwell as a blueprint.

RJ—you’ll find lots of good NW links at NW Progressive Portal.

And yep, that General calls WA his home.

GregL @ 332

TRex @ 327

GregL @ 321

I appreciate the offer, g, but this TRex doesn’t drink. I stepped on my house this one time…

I think I did that one time too, after too much Wild Turkey. I thought I was god.

What flavor ice cream you favor?

I don’t think I’ve ever met a flavor of ice cream I didn’t like, so surprise me.

Have your tried Garlic? mmmm. Had it at a garlic festival somewhere in California. It’s errrr, different.

Gilroy!!!!
the town just smells like garlic.
I used to live out in Cali.

Calling Punaise! TRex misses you, and so does Jane, from what I’ve read….xxooo

Lurking from Calgary. Attracted, at first, like a Rove to a Plame. Then stayed for the passion and pragmatism. Check the site a few times a day to look for signs of Bushco’s demise… ( don’t we all…) Keep up the work, I enjoy all the regulars and the principals, it’s like a real time virtual soap opera of the anxieties and enthusiasms of a town on the edge of an abyss, and I read closely and keep cheering for a happy ending.

UptownNYChick @ 337

GregL @ 332

TRex @ 327

GregL @ 321

I appreciate the offer, g, but this TRex doesn’t drink. I stepped on my house this one time…

I think I did that one time too, after too much Wild Turkey. I thought I was god.

What flavor ice cream you favor?

I don’t think I’ve ever met a flavor of ice cream I didn’t like, so surprise me.

Have your tried Garlic? mmmm. Had it at a garlic festival somewhere in California. It’s errrr, different.

Gilroy!!!!
the town just smells like garlic.
I used to live out in Cali.

Thanks, I couldn’t remember it to save my life. Early Alzheimers.

bdu 286
The black one looks just like Sophie, who lives at our house in Iowa, with Maggie, Max, Simon, Rudi and Mr. Skinny. Variety of species.
Ron Russell @265
It’s a little intimidating. No one responds. and you think, boy am I a dull idiot. Really, I think people are reading and thinking about what you wrote. I think you’re more likely to get a response from a call to action, a passionate incredibly erudite and learned post (go back to midday on any day and look for Mary or Looseheadprop among many others) or something that calls out the long knives. I would interpret no response as “yeah, ok.”

Valley Girl, Will my girl Beauty do? She’s not Punaise but she sure is sweet.

http://i40.photobucket.com/alb…..derInt.jpg

Goodnight all!!!

Signing in for the first time from Detroit, MI.
I am an official lurker! FDL is one of 4 sites that I visit each day. This is a great place for honest information.

Friedbrownball @ 334

De-lurking…..

Love this blog – mandatory reading after watching Clinton tapdance on the Fox-maggots. Something I taped to watch every night.

Did anyone catch Olberman tear Bush a new one tonight? He said the obvious – worst president since Buchanan. Though Bush has moved past that low standard – Buchanan made the Civil War inevitable – Bush created an unending war against “terrorism” for political reasons, no matter how many have to die for his fascist dreams. That murdering fucker. As if he read Orwell as a blueprint.

I think Babs read Orwell to him as his sleepy-bye story when he was just a wee turd blowin’ up frogs. The chimp can’t read.

Mungen_Cakes @
116

Ich bin ein FDLer.

That translates to “I am a jelly donut on fire”

I did just get back from Germany y’all..

Why do I lurk? It’s about the traffic levels. I have FDL in my daily feed reader, but by the time I read a post here, the # of comments is usually way over 200. I figure, why bother posting? It’s highly unlikely that I’ll be able to add anything new & original to the thread at that point, and the few times I have posted a comment, it’s felt like dropping a pebble in the ocean.

I suppose if I really wanted to become a member of the community, I could start spending hours a day posting in every thread here and getting to know the other regulars, but I just don’t have time for that; I work, go to school, and have a husband and cats who also require my time. Not to mention a blog of my own that I try to keep current.

If it’s any consolation, you’re not alone — this is why I don’t post over at dKos or at Duncan’s place either.

thanks TRex
I spent some time today on Wikipedia learning about habeas corpus from 1297 to 1942 (Ex Parte Quirin). The Quirin story is very interesting. The Bush legal team is getting a lot of mileage out of a very bad SCOTUS decision.
http://thisamericanlife.org/pa…..4/260.html
Learning Constitutional law from Wikipedia is a start I suppose. I need to learn a lot more.

I’m living in Canada right now. I’ve got the forms together to apply for an Absentee Ballot. If I mention that I’m a Democrat on the application (so I can vote in primaries in MI), will my application disappear?
http://www.democratsabroad.org/ has been a big help.

TRex may rule the land, but he’ll never take the sea from TFin! (I’m really late to this delurking fest, but it’s hard for a 60 foot guppy to use a keyboard.)

Just for the record, one of the first things I do in the morning is run in here and see who commented on my thread while I was asleep, so don’t ever feel like it’s too late to leave a comment.

ok, there are now 348 comments up and I could stay up all night to meet everyone. I am so happy to see all y’all.

uh-oh, big monstah surf and turf coming up!

g’nite all!

hpschd @ 346

thanks TRex
I spent some time today on Wikipedia learning about habeas corpus from 1297 to 1942 (Ex Parte Quirin). The Quirin story is very interesting. The Bush legal team is getting a lot of mileage out of a very bad SCOTUS decision.
http://thisamericanlife.org/pa…..4/260.html
Learning Constitutional law from Wikipedia is a start I suppose. I need to learn a lot more.

I’m living in Canada right now. I’ve got the forms together to apply for an Absentee Ballot. If I mention that I’m a Democrat on the application (so I can vote in primaries in MI), will my application disappear?
http://www.democratsabroad.org/ has been a big help.

Doesn’t Michigan have open primaries? It was that way in the 2000 election (the reason why McCain won, I believe). If they still have an open primary law, you shouldn’t have to declare a party affiliation.

Cheers.

consciousness uber alles!

Oh, and TRex – great great great analogy of old media = Winger, blogs = Nirvana. The shift in the music scene was so complete it’s hard to remember what it was like pre-Nirvana. There’s a good possibility that sort of shift has in fact already happened in news media; it certainly has shifted the readers’ expectations. And that’s where it starts.

As an aide-memoire to the size of the music shift, recall that in 1989, Guns ‘n Roses were considered raw and fresh-sounding. Yes, that’s how stale and putrid the music industry was back then. A year or so later, when history shot by Guns ‘n Roses at about Mach 12, they looked like a Benny Hill parody of a rock band. Not a good look at all.

I can see why old media is upset with the way things are going. Keep up the good work.

Thank you for this oasis of sanity, intelligence, insight and inspiration.

Susan in Iowa @ 340

The black one looks just like Sophie, who lives at our house in Iowa, with Maggie, Max, Simon, Rudi and Mr. Skinny. Variety of species.

;0) Nothing like a loving kitty to make better of our dark days.

Hi Hopie. How you and Mr. T doing?

I can be emailed at patrick at wasuvi dot com.

that’s one of several email addresses I check regularly.

I don’t know why I am still awake. I have been sick for a week- I was talking like Tom Waits all weekend.

I should probably close my eyes again asap.

This sure has been a nice thread.

You Blue southerners- I am a proud ruralist. TRex gets tired of hearing about what’s growing in the garden and about the deer meat and fish in the freezer. He doesn’t seem to mind fresh garden salsa, though!

Bluenecks, stand up and be counted!

You blog so I don’t have to. :)

I have been lurk(ish)ing here for about six months now. Love Christy and Jane but TREX won my heart.

TREX: After reading your stories about your flights to and from Vermont, I wonder…

Are you one of those people? You know, the kind of person that’s a drama magnet? Stuff happens whenever you’re around?

TRex and Patrick, please give a huge welcome to Coriolanus! I will explain later…

TRex @ 349

Just for the record, one of the first things I do in the morning is run in here and see who commented on my thread while I was asleep, so don’t ever feel like it’s too late to leave a comment.

Good site for the Webb-Allen folks.

Nite Trex, I got work (if it was fun, they wouldn’t call it work) in a few.

kiwifruit @ 355

Oh, and TRex – great great great analogy of old media = Winger, blogs = Nirvana. The shift in the music scene was so complete it’s hard to remember what it was like pre-Nirvana. There’s a good possibility that sort of shift has in fact already happened in news media; it certainly has shifted the readers’ expectations. And that’s where it starts.

As an aide-memoire to the size of the music shift, recall that in 1989, Guns ‘n Roses were considered raw and fresh-sounding. Yes, that’s how stale and putrid the music industry was back then. A year or so later, when history shot by Guns ‘n Roses at about Mach 12, they looked like a Benny Hill parody of a rock band. Not a good look at all.

I can see why old media is upset with the way things are going. Keep up the good work.

GAWDAMIGHTY, I hated hair metal. Whoooof.

Always read, never post, felt like being a pebble. You guys and girls are fabulous.

Hi everyone… just back from a PDA meeting… Met Mrs. K8 & Mr. K8…. that was fun….

Because I live out on the left coast, I don’t get to see shows like Countdown, the Daily Show and colbert for hours after some of youall do. I think it is a good thing in that I get a heads up when something good is happening, but sometimes it like someone spoiling the end of a good movie too. I just finished watching Countdown. I swear to god when KO got into his special comment my dick got hard and when he finised, I said to the TV, God that was good. Then I had to pour myself a drink and go out to the stoop and have a smoke.

blogslut @ 360

You blog so I don’t have to. :)

I have been lurk(ish)ing here for about six months now. Love Christy and Jane but TREX won my heart.

TREX: After reading your stories about your flights to and from Vermont, I wonder…

Are you one of those people? You know, the kind of person that’s a drama magnet? Stuff happens whenever you’re around?

A friend used to call me The Tom Catalyst. Like that lady from Murder, She Wrote. I just seem to have a way of wandering on screen just as the movie gets WEIRD.

I swear, it’s not my fault.

PLOP!

Clark “08

http://youtube.com/watch?v=JpM…..rch=wesley

blogslut @ 359

You blog so I don’t have to. :)

I have been lurk(ish)ing here for about six months now. Love Christy and Jane but TREX won my heart.

TREX: After reading your stories about your flights to and from Vermont, I wonder…

Are you one of those people? You know, the kind of person that’s a drama magnet? Stuff happens whenever you’re around?

He’s gonna say “Um, no, I don’t think so….”

Now you need to picture his twin brother standing behind him where he can’t see NODDING VIGOROUSLY…

Oh, YES HE IS.

TRex @ 364

A friend used to call me The Tom Catalyst. Like that lady from Murder, She Wrote. I just seem to have a way of wandering on screen just as the movie gets WEIRD.

I swear, it’s not my fault.

Probably something genetic… that and being a cousin of Godzilla. :)

I’ve been a regular lurker for about a year. I make my living working in the MSM. I’m pretty disgusted by the quality of political reporting we do, so I come here to read, learn, laugh, cry.

The writing here is passionate, witty, well researched, well thought out. The snarks are priceless.

Before I found Colbert, and Olberman found his his groove.. this was pretty much all I had.

It’s pretty neat now to watch them and wonder if they’re taking their talking points from FDL.

Katymine—I’m soooo jealous. Mrs K8 was the first person to welcome me to FDL.

I’m a little late to this delurking party, but I’m going to embrace the fact that I showed up at all :-))

Serves me right for always saving FDL for last… Hi everyone – I’m Lucy from AZ and have been a regular reader for little over a year now. As I really should be using the time I read blogs to study instead, I tend to read the main articles only (so as not to be tempted by the comments — I sat in rapt fascination during John Dean’s comment thread… and didn’t get much else done).

This is my favorite blog by far and has inspired me to get more actively involved in politics (I did my first phone banking –for Jim Pederson to get rid of the wretched Jon Kyl– a couple of weeks ago; it felt odd, but more productive than mere complaining).

One of the best things about progressive blogs, and this blog in particular, is the introduction of various actions available to get involved. A few years earlier, something like ‘Path to 9/11′ or C. Wallace’s ‘interview’ would have made me throw things at the tv but otherwise I would have felt helpless. That we’re even having a debate of torture makes me sad and furious but not depressed because I see groups of people feeling the same way and speaking and acting out.

Anywho…I see others know the Gilroy Garlic Festival! Yea! At any rate – thanks for the invite to delurk. Evenin’ all.

Valley Girl @
339

Calling Punaise! TRex misses you, and so does Jane, from what I’ve read….xxooo

VG! I’m on the glide path of my one month hiatus, so I’m only dropping by. See you all in less than a week…

*plouf*

Lucy @ 371

Anywho…I see others know the Gilroy Garlic Festival! Yea! At any rate – thanks for the invite to delurk. Evenin’ all.

I grew up in San Jose, so I’m well familiar with the Gilroy Garlic Festival. We called it “The weekend thou shalt not head south on 101″.

Lucy @ 373

I’m a little late to this delurking party, but I’m going to embrace the fact that I showed up at all :-))

Serves me right for always saving FDL for last… Hi everyone – I’m Lucy from AZ and have been a regular reader for little over a year now. As I really should be using the time I read blogs to study instead, I tend to read the main articles only (so as not to be tempted by the comments — I sat in rapt fascination during John Dean’s comment thread… and didn’t get much else done).

This is my favorite blog by far and has inspired me to get more actively involved in politics (I did my first phone banking –for Jim Pederson to get rid of the wretched Jon Kyl– a couple of weeks ago; it felt odd, but more productive than mere complaining).

One of the best things about progressive blogs, and this blog in particular, is the introduction of various actions available to get involved. A few years earlier, something like ‘Path to 9/11′ or C. Wallace’s ‘interview’ would have made me throw things at the tv but otherwise I would have felt helpless. That we’re even having a debate of torture makes me sad and furious but not depressed because I see groups of people feeling the same way and speaking and acting out.

Anywho…I see others know the Gilroy Garlic Festival! Yea! At any rate – thanks for the invite to delurk. Evenin’ all.

Evenin’, Lucy, what’s your tipple? Greg said he’d run by the liquor store.

Valley Girl @ 361

Paging Coriolanus…

Go for it. Although, what goes on here is far more impressive : Amazing writing and committed beliefs in our ability to, one day, be what our constitution makes possible, a whole healthy people.
Strange times, I’m also a part of a production of King John; ya know, Magna Carta, rule of law, wars, political murder and all that……
Keep up the great work!……….poof!

Just curious about those pallet loads of cash in the GreenZone [outfoxed]

montag @ 353

Doesn’t Michigan have open primaries? It was that way in the 2000 election (the reason why McCain won, I believe). If they still have an open primary law, you shouldn’t have to declare a party affiliation.

Wikipedia agrees with you, thanks.
MI used to have closed primaries – I remember not liking that.

(poking head out from behind the scenery)

Howdy, firedogs.

Been a daily-reading lurker for quite some time.

Its not that I’m the shy type, its just that the regular commenters (not to mention the hosts) do such an exceptional job that I just usually shut up and read. I learned long ago to cork my natural windbag in the presence of brighter bulbs (how many mixed metaphors is that?)

Lucy

Anywho…I see others know the Gilroy Garlic Festival! Yea! At any rate – thanks for the invite to delurk. Evenin’ all.

I think the idea of garlic ice cream was too much for Trex though!

g

Hey, Kingubu-

I got your email. I just haven’t had a chance to answer you. Will get a reply off tomorrow, I promise.

You know how the lives of us “A-list” Bloggers are. That catbox isn’t going to scoop itself!

Lucy from AZ please join us on Oct 4th at our DFA meeting at La Madeleine Bistro. If you go to DFALink and sign in, you can find the Phoenix group. Please come and join us.

Went to the ACLU Townhall last Thursday to hear John Dean speak, he signed my book:
“PS. What a delight to visit Firedoglake!”

punaise @
374

Valley Girl @
339

Calling Punaise! TRex misses you, and so does Jane, from what I’ve read….xxooo

VG! I’m on the glide path of my one month hiatus, so I’m only dropping by. See you all in less than a week…

*plouf*

hey, a glide by delurking!

Welcome Lucy. Better Nate than lever, as they say.
O&Oer, can you do some ’splainin’ about why the MSM political coverage consists of such serious suckage?

Valley Girl @
257

Eric Brewer @ 237
Eric- thanks for the link- I believe I read about you first on Bradblog. Scientist here, too. BTW, all, Eric’s backstory link is from a Froomkin column. I will repeat the link in a less elegant form: http://www.washingtonpost.com/…..5Apr5.html

Hi Eric: Froomkin says you’re a scientist. Would that be a “computer scientist”?

Hey firedogs, I’ve been reading FDL almost daily since January but this is my first post.

There have been a few times when I wanted to comment about a topic, but it was already the third or fourth post down the page and I felt that the conversation was already over so anything else I added would just go unread.

Lately I’ve been canvassing twice each weekend for Andy Hurst, a true progressive who’s full of energy and passion. He’s gunning against Tom Davis, a yesman for the Bush regime and the #7 recepient of lobbyist money out of the 434 sitting members of the House (formerly #8 until Delay resigned).

Hurst volunteers also double as volunteers for Webb, and I’ll celebrate all night when we kick Felix Macaca Allen back to California (with gravest apologies in advance to any California residents who might have to deal with him in the future).

I also just sent in an application today to be a poll worker on election day. Has anyone else here done this before? What should I know beyond what I can find in the Black Box Voting toolkit? We’re going to use Winvote electronic voting machines, and I want to keep a close watch for any external signs of shenanigans.

GregL @ 381

Lucy

Anywho…I see others know the Gilroy Garlic Festival! Yea! At any rate – thanks for the invite to delurk. Evenin’ all.

I think the idea of garlic ice cream was too much for Trex though!

g

Yeah, I’m more of a Chubby Hubby kind of guy.

coriolanus @
343

Valley Girl, Will my girl Beauty do? She’s not Punaise but she sure is sweet.

http://i40.photobucket.com/alb…..derInt.jpg

Coriolanus!!! I am so frustrated with WP! I posted a longer comment to you 30 minutes ago, and it appears to have been eaten by WP! So, it was something like this:

Coriolanus!!!! It is great to hear from you!!! huge hugs. I was just thinking about you yesterday. Was the kitty part of your inspiration/ soul for The Count de Guiche? I know that you wouldn’t do this, but I will, with your permission- post a link to your bio? It is so good for FDLers to know who lurks. xoooo VG

UptownNYChick @ 338

GregL @ 332

TRex @ 327

GregL @ 321

I appreciate the offer, g, but this TRex doesn’t drink. I stepped on my house this one time…

I think I did that one time too, after too much Wild Turkey. I thought I was god.

What flavor ice cream you favor?

I don’t think I’ve ever met a flavor of ice cream I didn’t like, so surprise me.

Have your tried Garlic? mmmm. Had it at a garlic festival somewhere in California. It’s errrr, different.

Gilroy!!!!
the town just smells like garlic.
I used to live out in Cali.

I live just a little north of there in San Jose. You can’t imagine all the stuff they make with garlic at the festival. I havn’t gone in years though, too big of a mob scene.

Just back from work. Breezed through the comments..

TRex – You’re a genius! This thread rocks. About 6 months ago Jane had a thread called “Invitation to de-lurk,” which I saved. But it wasn’t good in the same way. I think you’ve gotten more driveby thank-you’s than any saropod in the history of this blog.

3sivund – tell punaise “Hi” for me.

Coriolanus – good to see you back!

Well, this has been a swell thread. I’m thoroughly pleased to meet you all. Welcome to the Late Nite Lake. I hope you’ll be back soon.

I’m headed for bed.

Good night!

Valley Girl, I responded at #377-10:56.
Hope you see it now.

Some time commenter. But you guys are just too much more intelligent than I. But I am just as passionate! I must admit my first stop when I crank up my Mac is the Chicago Cubs website.(Sorry, tilting at windmills RRME) After that it is FDL. The lovely ladies of the lake,TRex. Pach, Howie, Jennifer, and all the rest give me hope. And keep me sane! God, I want a sane government back. My grand kids deserve better. Thanks FDL. PS had a letter to the editor published a couple of weeks ago

Okay, Coriolanus just went poof in a comment just posted!!! But he did say “go for it”, so I am assuming that he read my earlier vanished post, before it got eaten by WP, and has given me the okay to post his bio. BTW, Coriolanus is part of his local roots project, iirc.

http://www.osfashland.org/abou…..aspx?id=17

Besides the great commentary Keith did on Countdown tonight, there was one thing that made me LOL. During the worst person in the world segment, he used the man on dog moniker for little Ricky.

Mommybrain @ 358

Hi Hopie. How you and Mr. T doing?

Oh Mommy..thank you for asking. we are okay. I melt-down every other day with all this crap. And he is so sweet to me. He came home today and said, “How’s the Magna Carta doing?” and poured me a glass of wine. Some days I’m a basket case but overall I am grateful. Grateful for FDL and the friends I have made here. It has been “Providence”

I’m a follower of a cyclical theory of history. In short, to paraphrase Lincoln, every four score and seven years, there ought to be a new birth of freedom. About this point in the cycle, there ought to be advocate groups forming similar to the Sons of Liberty before the Revolution or the abolitionists before the Civil War. These groups promote new values that come to transform the nation.

While the Establishment might scoff at the possibility of significant change, it is possible that y’all are thinking too small. The degree of change that comes out of crisis is generally much larger than anticipated before the crisis starts.

katymine @
365

Hi everyone… just back from a PDA meeting… Met Mrs. K8 & Mr. K8…. that was fun….

Kewl Katy…hope you said hi for us…

coriolanus @ 392

Valley Girl, I responded at #377-10:56.
Hope you see it now.

I saw that one! What I did not see was my original comment to you asking your permission to post your bio, and asking if your kitty was part of the soul of Count de Guiche… somehow WP keeps having these glitches of late. So, what news of King John?

TRex-Goodnight and great thread!

Ed*ard Teller- Hello! Too much work to do more than lurk. The spirit is willing but………

Yeah, Hope, it’s hard to stay in the groove these days. Bless you both for what you contribute.

Sleep tight.

Coriolanus, what a foxy looking kitty! Love the ear tufts.

Robert Butler @ 394

I’m a follower of a cyclical theory of history. In short, to paraphrase Lincoln, every four score and seven years, there ought to be a new birth of freedom. About this point in the cycle, there ought to be advocate groups forming similar to the Sons of Liberty before the Revolution or the abolitionists before the Civil War. These groups promote new values that come to transform the nation.

While the Establishment might scoff at the possibility of significant change, it is possible that y’all are thinking too small. The degree of change that comes out of crisis is generally much larger than anticipated before the crisis starts.

Hope you’re right. These guys have gone waaaay beyond their fifteen minutes of fame….

ET, okay, now that Coriolanus has said goodnight we can talk about him. Isn’t that one great headshot he has up at the Ashland site? Woah!

de-lurking…thanks for the invite! I’ve considered jumping in, but, as many delurkers tonight have mentioned, the regulars in the threads post such excellent remarks, snark, and links that there’s not much for me to add. (I almost jumped in one Late Night when folks were reminiscing about food to share memories of my Grandma cooking for the threshing crew—oh the home-made pies!)
I’ve been feeling the urge to post for several weeks just to say Thank You! To T-Rex, Jane, Christy, Pachacutec, and all the others who contribute. My day starts and ends with FDL, it gives me hope when I despair, and even better, gives me courage and inspiration.
My handle describes my roots, the progressive blogsphere feels like home.
And last but not least, gotta love that T-Rex! Great writing! Great snark! I have a T-Rex in my life already but he’s only 2.5 yrs old, not very big and scaly yet tho he manages an awesome hiss while stalking his prey.

Well, SOS, I post and TRex goes to bed. Nite all. FDL Rocks!

This is one of 4 sites I visit every day. I really hate to be called a “lurker” which has very negative connotations to me. It suggests I am not welcome if I don’t leave comments. I would prefer to be referred to as a regular visitor who enjoys the site and has come to rely on the intelligent insight, and has recommended this site to a dozen or so people – without being called names. Lurker makes me think of peeping tom. That’s not nice.

Mrs K8 did indead get a big FDL howdy…. told Mrs. K8 about how I met several of you at Yearlykos….

TRex… I promise I will write up my notes from the John Dean Townhall tomorow and get them to you….

Punaise said: “O&Oer, can you do some ’splainin’ about why the MSM political coverage consists of such serious suckage?”

Our suckage is a combination of so many things. A few that come to mind…

*Addiction to instant gratification (i.e. overnight ratings) without much thought given to building up a loyal audience over time.
*Sense of history and perspective not required for employment.
*Car chases get tons more viewers than elections, education or health policy coverage.
*News management tends to be enamoured with celebrity gossip, allocating it more time than issues vital to our democracy.
*There’s no fairness doctrine, therefore no incentive for television stations to sacrifice profits to “do the right thing.”
*Right wing viewers are MUCH more vocal and outspoken than Democrats are when they’re upset with our coverage. They write far more letters, make far more phone calls. That stuff matters.
*There’s no organized campaign to hold our feet to the fire and ask us why we ignore certain stories.
*Beauty is valued more than brains.
*Excitement is valued more than experience.

Jeeze Punaise look what you did.. made me bring the room down.

ET—do we finally connect on the same thread? I’ve read all your comments but haven’t been up late enough to say Hey!

Any chance you’ll be in Seattle in May? I’ll have opening night tickets for MNIRC if you’re interested.

King John…..there is a reason the Shakes. plays have remained so relevant, it is certainly one of those plays for our times. ” Where has my intelligence been, hath it slept?” (paraphrase, it being so late). Lots of good pertinent themes that audiences see, hear, and feel. The people feel differently than they did a year ago. E. Teller perhaps notices the changes in audiences as well?

O&Oer @ 405

Our suckage is a combination of so many things. A few that come to mind…

*Addiction to instant gratification (i.e. overnight ratings) without much thought given to building up a loyal audience over time.
*Sense of history and perspective not required for employment.
*Car chases get tons more viewers than elections, education or health policy coverage.
*News management tends to be enamoured with celebrity gossip, allocating it more time than issues vital to our democracy.
*There’s no fairness doctrine, therefore no incentive for television stations to sacrifice profits to “do the right thing.”
*Right wing viewers are MUCH more vocal and outspoken than Democrats are when they’re upset with our coverage. They write far more letters, make far more phone calls. That stuff matters.
*There’s no organized campaign to hold our feet to the fire and ask us why we ignore certain stories.
*Beauty is valued more than brains.
*Excitement is valued more than experience.

Jeeze Punaise look what you did.. made me bring the room down.

Pretty much, all those things can be encapsulated under the heading of news as entertainment, and that’s not a new trend, by any means. It’s very ingrained in the industry, so what busts `em loose from their blowdryers?

V.G.- I heard that!………..

OT – but OMG – too funny!

In the grand tradition of republican bullying and projection, Trent Lott accuses democrats of (get this!) “abusing the system” by holding “unofficial” hearings on Iraq oversight in the Appropriations Committee room.

From The Hill:

“They better stop this,” the Mississippi Republican said. “This will be the last one or there will be retribution.”

Lott suggested that Republicans could hold GOP-only hearings or seek other forms of payback.

(snip)

But Lott and other Republicans are upset that Democrats have gone outside the committee process to highlight the Iraq war before the November election.

(snip)

The use of committee rooms could be moot, as Democrats plan to take future hearings on the road.

Pretty good article at the link:

http://www.rawstory.com/showou…../lott.html

Thanks for the invite TRex. Can’t usually get in to comment because by the time I get online all the threads are dead, or have degenerated into stuff I have no business in talking about. Nevertheless great board and I enjoy reading the comments. BTW: How many safes do you have in that safe house?

Valley Girl @
403

ET, okay, now that Coriolanus has said goodnight we can talk about him. Isn’t that one great headshot he has up at the Ashland site? Woah!

Last time I looked they did have a great shot, but it wasn’t quite Cyranoesque. I’ll look and see if you’re talking a new one.

RBG – I thought the opening was March. Was hoping to go to opening night also – Ms. Teller and I went to closing night in London in October. I’m thinking of putting on a concert at the Fremont Foundry the weekend before the opening, so I’d better pay closer attention to the opening date!

coriolanus- ah- so you are still reading… but where is ET? I wish you would say more about your theatre work… Interesting what you say about people feeling differently. Not sure if you meant how audiences are reacting to your work this year versus last year, or if that was a more general comment on the world at large. But, if the former, which I think it was, what are you sensing?

montag @ 402

Robert Butler @ 394

I’m a follower of a cyclical theory of history. In short, to paraphrase Lincoln, every four score and seven years, there ought to be a new birth of freedom. About this point in the cycle, there ought to be advocate groups forming similar to the Sons of Liberty before the Revolution or the abolitionists before the Civil War. These groups promote new values that come to transform the nation.

While the Establishment might scoff at the possibility of significant change, it is possible that y’all are thinking too small. The degree of change that comes out of crisis is generally much larger than anticipated before the crisis starts.

Hope you’re right. These guys have gone waaaay beyond their fifteen minutes of fame….

I can think of a couple of things that I like to see come out of this. To start with, better constutional protections against the abuse of power and perhaps some serious anti-trust action. If most of the media wasn’t under the control of just a few corporations, we might not be in this mess.

Actually, O&Oer, that was me, after quoting something Punaise said.

Thanks for response. Of all the reasons you listed, this one seems most important.

The Fainess doctrine was one of those pesky regulations that was put in place for a specific reason and that worked. They can bleat all they want about a self-regulating market but all you have to do is point to the Fairness Doctrine and say Bullshit.

TRex @ 362

GAWDAMIGHTY, I hated hair metal. Whoooof.

How dare you the disparage the merits of such deathless stanzas as ‘…She’s only 17, Daddy says she’s too young, but she’s old enough for me…‘, as sung with an pricy ivoried sneer, sir.

;>)

ET—you’re right. Opens in the LeoK on 3/21/07. I’ll have two tix for you if you have two for me at the Foundry.

drouse @ 415

I can think of a couple of things that I like to see come out of this. To start with, better constutional protections against the abuse of power and perhaps some serious anti-trust action. If most of the media wasn’t under the control of just a few corporations, we might not be in this mess.

Damn straight!

everhopeful @ 410

OT – but OMG – too funny!

In the grand tradition of republican bullying and projection, Trent Lott accuses democrats of (get this!) “abusing the system” by holding “unofficial” hearings on Iraq oversight in the Appropriations Committee room.

From The Hill:

“They better stop this,” the Mississippi Republican said. “This will be the last one or there will be retribution.”

Lott suggested that Republicans could hold GOP-only hearings or seek other forms of payback.

Hmmph, if he stamps his little feet any harder, that toupee of his is going to slide sideways.

Lott, you’re so, so, 2002. Go bug Frist about it. “Trent, do I have to remind you who’s in charge, here?”

If you’re seeing link issues, reload… should be fixed.

Ed*ard Teller @ 415

Valley Girl @
403

ET, okay, now that Coriolanus has said goodnight we can talk about him. Isn’t that one great headshot he has up at the Ashland site? Woah!

Last time I looked they did have a great shot, but it wasn’t quite Cyranoesque. I’ll look and see if you’re talking a new one.

ET- nope same headshot as before. AND not Cyranoesque. Man for all seasons, you know.

Just a stone to let you know I passed by………in hopes that a visit will somehow, in the most cosmic of ways, help us as a nation return from the abyss that we now find our selves peering into.

I come here at least once a day………more if the shadenfreude is particularly tasty.

Keep up the good work.

Occasional blogger, occasional lurker. I come to this site just to see what the more well known bloggers are up to and to catch up on current events.

I think this will be the 420th comment. That’s precisely the reason I don’t usually bother. Who has the time to keep up?

Thanks to all for the spirit of this site. I see something like Couric’s puff piece on Rice on last night’s 60 Minutes and I literally have trouble getting to sleep I’m so pissed and depressed. Then I check in here and it’s like getting the tank filled at full serve: I’m ready to roll again, reinvigorated. There’s so little whining here. The tone you’ve established somehow manages to be unfailingly positive — even the anger — without ever betraying even the faintest whiff of cheerleaderly condescension. Seriously, the place is a true tonic. Thank you. Sorry it took your prodding me to get me to check in and give you a little sugar. Excelsior, FDL!

I have visited – daily. I appreciate what you folks are doing, and am with you 100%. A life-long dem, Navy vet, and admirer of Robert LaFollette from my home state of Wisconsin, I believe that we must reclaim our country, beginning November 7. I have high hopes of seeing Al Gore and Russ Feingold or Barack Obama run as a dem ticket in 2008, but would vote for Elmer Fudd rather than any repub. Didn’t used to despise repubs, but do now.
I read 120 blogs daily, and put you in my top 5 of “must reads”. Keep up the great work, and know that most of our country is on your side, the Big Dick’s opinion notwithstanding.

Valley Girl @ 416

coriolanus- ah- so you are still reading… but where is ET? I wish you would say more about your theatre work… Interesting what you say about people feeling differently. Not sure if you meant how audiences are reacting to your work this year versus last year, or if that was a more general comment on the world at large. But, if the former, which I think it was, what are you sensing?

General comment of the world at large. The listening to, and relevance of, themes having to do with war, political manuvering and killing, seem to have an immediacy that one can feel from the stage.

De-lurking for the first time from CA, 30 miles south of Gilroy. Like a number of lurkers, I never posted here before because everyone seemed to know a lot more than I did, at least about politics, so I thought it best to lay low. You did almost get me to de-lurk a couple of weeks ago, however, with the discussions of the Chopin Ballades and the Beethoven Sonatas; great music! If they ever come up in the future I may be tempted to de-lurk again.

Ok, I’m leaving a pebble. Was directed here to find prescient coverage of the Plame affair almost 2 (? has it been that long) years ago. I come back to visit on occasion. I find TREX quite amusing, but confusing for a sometimes visitor. Blogs are the only free speech zone left. Keep up the good work!

I’m a blue state gal in the midst of red red red (wasn’t that the color we used to describe the soviets? Just askin’) John McCain and Jon Kyl call my state home. Personally, I’m just blue.

RBG @
409

ET—do we finally connect on the same thread? I’ve read all your comments but haven’t been up late enough to say Hey!

Any chance you’ll be in Seattle in May? I’ll have opening night tickets for MNIRC if you’re interested.

I’ll try again. Checking an url, my comment got blasted!

I thought the opening of MNIRC will be in March? I’m contemplating putting on a concert at the Fremont Foundry the weekend before the opening and going to opening night at the Rep. I’d better figure the date out, eh?

Coriolanus – re the strange audiences. You are SO right! Cognitive dissonance in Southern Oregon or Southcentral Alaska never brings out record numbers to true art.

coriolanus @ 429

Valley Girl @ 416

coriolanus- ah- so you are still reading… but where is ET? I wish you would say more about your theatre work… Interesting what you say about people feeling differently. Not sure if you meant how audiences are reacting to your work this year versus last year, or if that was a more general comment on the world at large. But, if the former, which I think it was, what are you sensing?

General comment of the world at large. The listening to, and relevance of, themes having to do with war, political manuvering and killing, seem to have an immediacy that one can feel from the stage.

Well, trust an actor to say something like that… as in something that no mere mortal can translate. I’m sure that Ashland has always had interested and attentive audiences. And, perhaps your sense of “feeling” is something you can’t translate, given all else you have to pay attention to while on stage, but still, this is such an interesting perspective you have I have to ask, how do you sense this? The quiet, the not-rustling of programs, the eyes watching? Or?

drouse @ 414

I can think of a couple of things that I like to see come out of this. To start with, better constutional protections against the abuse of power and perhaps some serious anti-trust action. If most of the media wasn’t under the control of just a few corporations, we might not be in this mess.

I don’t think I’ll see those in my lifetime, unless there’s radical campaign reform–and the problem with that, of course, is that the self-interest of the people deciding campaign law is very, very strong.

Democrats had the majority in Congress when they agreed with things like elimination of the fairness doctrine, and reducing the top nominal tax rate from 70% to 28% (effectively gutting the graduated income tax, which put huge amounts of money into the pockets of the Repugs). Those were issues that clearly were not in their political interest, but they did them, nonetheless, because they were scrambling for campaign contributions.

I’m a firm believer in the Depression syndrome–I don’t think anything will shake up enough of the populace from its current lethargy except a crisis that noticeably intrudes on their lives. Then you’ve got their attention. Otherwise, it’s going to be a long, slow, incremental process that can be interrupted any time the Repugs can instill a little fear of the “other” in the voting public.

Hope I’m wrong, but reflecting on the history of this country leads me to that conclusion.

ET- my impression was that Ashland audiences are not So. Oregon audiences, as people come from far and wide to visit Ashland. But, perhaps I am wrong on that.

Hi all. I’ve been stopping by about twice a day for over a year now. I’m always amazed by the rapid fire, right on the money, snark and commentary on this fabulous site. I just sit back and listen (well, read) . Thank you all.

Since I’m already here, I’ll note I’m a little puzzled at the flameout on DKos where there were two successive front-page stories on the N word.

Allen appears to have used the term in anger.

Kinky appears to have no taste.

Allen looks like a clear disqualification in these times, given the context of his long history, and thank God.

Our Dear Leader kos managed to rile up the villagers against Kinky too, and down in the comments you can see anybody questioning this being labeled a racist as well.

Kinky may very well be an asshat. kos may be sincere in branding him the Nader of Texas. But I’m a little disturbed at how quickly people piled on.

Merely uttering the word “nigger” does not make one a racist. Or else I’d be one right now as of last sentence. And about 20 CDs of mine filed under “hip-hop”. And Samuel L. Jackson too!

[You can put in your own joke about wanting (blank) off this (adjective) plane here.]

The interesting problem is context. I’ll take “gay” or “queer” from some people in some tones of voice in some places, but otherwise I might reach for my revolver. Rhetorical or literal.

Linguists here will be quick to bring up the use/mention distinction. Well, the line Kinky’s in trouble for is one where the role is clearly mention, and that’s going to have to be the only defense for the many dKos posters who spell it out too, without reference to context.

If we’re going to beat up Kinky, let’s do it for the right reasons. I’d start with “if alt-country singers are the best we can do, Texas is in trouble.” At least Ventura was a *SEAL*, and a *mayor* first.

Or “Texas needs more gravitas in its future leaders.”

Uh.

(I’m in voluntary exile from that other site. Forgive me if this was not pebbly enough, but as a random poster here, I thought I’d drop this on you.)

Andy @ 430

De-lurking for the first time from CA, 30 miles south of Gilroy. Like a number of lurkers, I never posted here before because everyone seemed to know a lot more than I did, at least about politics, so I thought it best to lay low. You did almost get me to de-lurk a couple of weeks ago, however, with the discussions of the Chopin Ballades and the Beethoven Sonatas; great music! If they ever come up in the future I may be tempted to de-lurk again.

Andy,

I missed the Chopin Ballades. Damn! I used to play #1, before my left hand was creamed in a boat salvage clusterfuck. But the Op 111 OT night was cool.

Here, sir.

They call me Umpteenth, because I complain multitudes.

Ump.

ET- I saw your comment earlier on another thread about losing your comment, and same has happened to me on this thread. A new WP glitch?

triangular gutters at # 437,

You should comment more often here. I was surprised at the Kinky Friedman thread too.

Valley Girl @ 440

ET- I saw your comment earlier on another thread about losing your comment, and same has happened to me on this thread. A new WP glitch?

This time was different. I put in a link to an Anchorage Daily News article about what coriolanus mentioned. When I checked the url in the preview mode I got shifted at the ADN to their registration site because I’m using a new laptop. I couldn’t scroll back without disrupting the channel, so the comment box disappeared. Architectural problem.

ET – you’re in Fairbanks? How long have you been there? Ever been involved with what was the Fairbanks Environmental Center (now the North Alaska Environmental Center, I think). I spent a little time in Fairbanks (one semester teaching at the U there), but most Alaska time was living in Kaktovik (most or all of eight summers).

Way down on the tread but here goes:
I do occasionally delurk but don�