Years ago, way back in 2003 and 2004, lots of us were frustrated and angry. We didn't have a clue as to how to change the direction this nation was going. We thought we were alone. Along the way we found blogs...for me it was via Billmon's Whiskey Bar, then TPM (before the cafe), then Eschaton, then DailyKos. There were so few of us then...and yet...they were like minded people and we weren't alone!

What has happened between 2004 and now is beyond unbelievable. A lot of us in the blogosphere were active locally. That was great, but it didn't address the issues in Washington D.C. We found our voice, we made a difference, and we can still make a difference.

If someone had said a bunch of bloggers would have had the Democratic Presidential candidates answering questions, and letting us cheer and boo, I would have done a roflmao! Yet it happened!

If someone had told me that I would meet General Clark in a small break-out session, I would have snorted in disbelief. Yet I did, and he was amazing!

Can we reach out and help others have these amazing experiences...Yes we can!
Yes we can make a difference today: Vote and Donate here!

It's been a busy weekend politically. Lots of emotions running high, low and in between! The front page has been full of analysis...and I'm just about analyzed out!

So this is place to share some fun. Get ready for summer and enjoy some barbeque's and cold beer...and skip politics.

Usual Rules:
No candidate bashing.
No candidate or political analysis.
No candidate promotion...regardless of the candidate!

Friends...of all kinds!

You know the rules...

No Candidate information, posting, or bashing of any kind, any way, or insinutated otherwise.

I know some are happy and some are sad and some are nasty today...leave it out of this diary!

No flaming....and keep meta stuff...any meta stuff out of here!

Post pictures and comments of good stuff and consider this Happy Hour for pooties, puppies, and other critters or gentle objects.

For those that want to hide on this last primary day

This is part of the ongoing to posts from FoundingFatherDAR,  FrugalGranny, and Moody Loner's diaries.  

As we have many Kossacks and their families in the area, it's good to keep the updates going.  

Basic info:

A wildfire in the Santa Cruz mountains has burned more than 3,000 acres, (as of 4pm pacific time) and has been declared "out of control."  Some structures have been destroyed.

High, erratic winds are driving the flames and making it difficult to get fire suppression aircraft into the area.   This is in an area with dense forestation.  Several local schools were closed.  One school first used as an evacuation site was subsequently evacuated. For those in the area, the Pajaro District is not closed. The kids are being kept inside out of the smoke and ash.

Smoke and ash are heaviest in the Watsonville area as of 4:30pm pdt.

Many people in the area have large livestock that need to be evacuated as well.

The fire started at about 5:30 a.m. Thursday off Summit Road near Loma Prieta Road in the Santa Cruz mountains.  In Google info this is called the Summit Fire. Governor Schwarzenegger has declared a state of emergency for the area.

GBCW: Hate Speech: Burn the Witch, Lynch the N*****

What? You don't like the title?
Well, I've been repeatedly told by users, longtime and new ones, too bad, get over it.

What? You want some history thrown in to prove how right those comments are?
Why should I? It's just as easy to let political spin and negativity get in the way of real facts and political rhetoric.

There are times when DailyKos is an embarrassment beyond even what Red Staters' can write. This past few weeks has been just full of them.

Want a topic?
Rev. Wright
Fox News
Hillary and Iran
Robo Calls and Dirty Politics

Well, we've tried lots and lots of stuff with troll diaries and troll hijackings.

This morning I decided to try a new method: open thread diary pimping in the outrageous diaries ~ especially the ones that are repetitive memes.

We don't need under the bus, jumped the shark, drank the kool-aid...yadda, yadda diaries.

h/t to lineatus

Well, we need another diversion today. And there is nothing we like more on DailyKos than a good pie fight! yeah right...

So today's offering is one that we can all get into: Pie fight - 2008!

And I want to make sure that we all give credit to many cooks...and go give COOKS.COM some clicks!

QUICK APPLE PIE

1 lemon
5 to 6 tart apples
1/2 c. brown sugar
2 tbsp. flour
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
2 tbsp. butter
2 tsp. sugar
2 unbaked frozen pie shell
(If no time, use already made pie filling)

Preheat oven to 425 degree. Place bottom of pie crust into glass 9 inch pie plate. Slice apples into pie crust, squeeze lemon over apples. Sprinkle remaining ingredients over apples. Put second pie crust on top of pie, flute edges and slit top 4 times. Microwave on high 7 to 8 minutes until juices start bubbling through slits in crust. Transfer pie to your preheated oven and bake 8 to 10 minutes longer, or until golden brown.

You know the rules...

No Candidate information, posting, or bashing of any kind, any way, or insinutated otherwise.

No flaming....and keep the current meta stuff...any meta stuff out of here!

Post pictures and comments of good stuff and consider this Happy Hour for pooties, puppies, and other critters or gentle objects.

There has been lots of blog speculation about Elizabeth Edwards making an appearance at a Clinton event in North Carolina. The concern of many is that Elizabeth is extremely well liked and could make a possible difference in this primary.

I am saddened by the prospect of a strong and positive woman like Elizabeth Edwards choosing Hillary Clinton in this race for the presidency. So...this is my open letter to Mrs. Edwards.

Lots and lots of us make use of ActBlue for our donations to political campaigns. Lots of us are more inclined to do so because it really is easier than writing a check!

Well...they need manpower, and computer equipment...and of course that means money.

This morning I got an email from Act Blue...asking for $5 a month. If a bunch of us donate that $5 a month, consider how much more they can do for the progressive candidates!

Below I have posted the email...!

In the interest of those that expect DailyKos to be a serious place, and want more profound discussions, I'm making a pledge:

Starting today ~

I shall respect their wishes and do my utmost to write more serous diaries. There are many subjects on which I am well versed but have chosen to be silly in my diaries instead. Whether you would like to discuss the collected of Emerson, or the finer points of Austen, or other traditional literature writers...I will make that effort.

In the interest of history in the making this year in the Presidential campaigns, I will dust off my extensive knowledge of American History, colonization to the Revolution. I shall write about the economics that finally spurred a diverse group of people to coalesce around change that was needed.

I've read so many diaries recently that have wielded a very broad brush against other Democrats I'm not sure what to say. So I guess I'll make a list of the "broad brush" stuff that has me pondering things tonight.

Before the flame throwing starts:
I will vote for the Democratic nominee.
I will not vote for McCain or anyone else without a D next to their name.
I have not donated to anyone except Edwards and Dodd.
I am 50ish white woman.

1. If I don't actively support Clinton so I'm sexist.

2. As a middle aged woman I'm racist if I don't support Obama.

3. As a white person, I'm racist if I don't jump on the bandwagon to smear Clinton as racist.

4. If I have fiscally responsible values, I must be GOP and an idiot.

5. If I try to be conscientious and work with GOP acquaintances and friends then I'm a fool and should ignore them.

I am going to beg the indulgence of the community...and giggle, grin, and boast a bit here!

My commute to work is 2 1/2 miles. Mr. Cat has a 2 mile commute.

I've looked at bicycles but the last bit of the ride is a very, very steep hill. Now I have been driving a 1998 Saturn that gets pretty good gas mileage...26 city and 28 or so highway. Yet, I felt I could do more to save gas and be more efficient in my mini-commute. Well, Mr. Cat and I did the math on mileage, gas costs, and other costs of ownership.

Mr. Cat did some preliminary checking, he did the online reviews analysis, and we just took delivery of:

His and Hers Scooters!

Tee hee hee.....it's almost St. Patrick's Day...a day for being Irish, even if you are not!

Well I'm a full quarter Irish...thanks to my maternal grandmother. AND we understand why I'm always fighting with myself...one side of her family was from Belfast and the other side from Dublin! Damn! Talk about conflicted sense of self!

Well, I'm also Scottish and English. There are no biases when it comes to my drinking for St Patrick's Day! So below I line up my favorite drinks...add your own...with pooties if you have them!

This is a non-candidate diary...please respect that.

RULES:

No candidates stuff...not even wonderful local people....none, nada, nyet, zilch...

Post pictures or poetry or a happy personal thought!

Be kind to your fellow blogger...we are emotionally exhausted and need a rest!

The strain of the past week has taken it's toll. Many are feeling the same way...and it's lunch time...somewhere!

This is a non-candidate diary...please respect that.

RULES:

No candidates stuff...not even wonderful local people....none, nada, nyet, zilch...

Post pictures or poetry or a happy personal thought!

Be kind to your fellow blogger...we are emotionally exhausted and need a rest!

Okay....enough so far with the busy, stressful, bad news name calling...time for break!

RULES:

No candidate stuff - none, nada, zip, zilch...take it elsewhere!

Pictures: of pooties, puppies, flowers, lol cats....you know what to do!

Tell jokes if you got them...

This is your respite zone ~ play as you will. I'm at work so I'll only be in and out...but will rec all your good stuff!

It's Spring in California ~ so pooties are playing in the flowers!

BEGIN RANT

What the hell is it with SOME people on this site when it comes to the primaries?

Do you not have a life?

Do you really think that your candidate is God / Goddess?

Did you not read the FAQ's about spamming comments?

Do you not listen to the community of other commenters that tell you to take it elsewhere?

Do you realize that some of us care about other stuff besides the primaries?

Do you really think your opinion and your candidate is more important than a diary and topic that someone else has spent time researching and writing?

Guess what: You are wrong!

I've opened up DailyKos probably half a dozen times today. There were a couple of diaries that kind of tweaked my interest on the front page. There was a great diary on Bill Foster running for Hastert's seat in IL.

Yet...there as been the usual onslaught of primary diaries, with each sounding much like the others.

But today I'm enjoying a balmy 65 degree day here in Northern CA. I'm dog sitting and the critter gets to keep me company at the office so I get to 'walk' the dog! Gets me away from my desk...and seeking a respite from another primary diary.