Instead of over there at dKos? I’ve always been an admirer of Booman’s connect-the-dots conspiracy diaries and so I didn’t hesitate to sign on here. The site itself has distilled all the best aspects of the dKos set-up and added some embellishments that are truly fine. But, somehow, I think I missed the Mission Statement and I’m wondering what others think.
Are we here just so we can splash with the frog in a smaller pond?
Is this just going to be a kind of mirror site? Reading the same diaries there and here is getting redundant. Why not offer original diaries here and don’t post them there? Okay, fewer comments, less ego-boo here but, if we’re going to build another community, our foundation has to be solidly our own, doesn’t it?
I’d like to hear from Booman, MaryScott and Paster Dan about what inspired them to put this together. I’d also like to hear from anyone else about what they’d like this site to become.
I have to admit, that’s what it is to me at the moment. I just wrote my first diary, Austin Peace March w/Photos and posted it here because I’m just too intimidated by the vastness (and vociferousness, if that’s a word) of dKos. Hope no one thinks I’m misusing this site to do this.
My thinking is that this is not a bad thing, in these early days of this site. Kos has gotten so big, and though I love it and consider myself a member of that wonderful community, this can be a place to get our feet wet in the frog pond, while we gain some confidence and (diary) writing skills. For now.
But I am looking forward to seeing this site evolve and take on a character of its own. It’s that “open-source politics” thing. I like the regional discussion forums and the separate “World Diaries” sections. I just want to watch (and perhaps contribute) and see what happens.
I, too, would love to hear from the lead frog-marchers why they were inspired to develop this site. But I think that we just won’t know exactly where it’s going to go until we get there. Or if it’s going anywhere. If it fills a real need different from Kos, and does take on its own character, it will grow and develop. If not, it will fall to the “natural selection” of blogdom. Am I on the right track with this?
No kidding! One of my diaries would never, ever in a million years make it to the Recommended List over there.
Seriously, I’ve gotten intimidated a bit at dKos. Lately, I draft a comment and then change my mind before posting. I feel like one group or another will jump on me for not adhering to the Democratic Party line or being aligned with this week’s flavor of political correctness.
The dominant thing over there is being a Democratic Party blog and these days I’m not sure if that’s the answer.
About the intimidation factor.
I wrote my first-ever diary over there last Sunday, and spent about 5 hours debating whether to even bother posting it because I wasn’t sure I wanted to deal with the abuse I was sure to get for having an opinion that wasn’t necessarily in agreement with the majority.
And many times, I have had a comment, but delete it without posting it because I see so many people get jumped on for having their own take on things, and just don’t want to deal with it (of course, most people ignore me anyway, but I still have that fear!).
The other reason for coming over here is that I’d like to see more from Boo and Company (I always enjoyed them at dKos), plus I’ve always been a smaller-pond type anyway.
If I don’t consider myself a Democrat, am I welcome at the site?
“Yes. You are. Everyone is welcome at the site regardless of political self-identification. I don’t care how you are registered to vote, who you have voted for in the past, or who you plan to vote for in the future.
The only restriction on non-Democrats is that they be respectful of the mission of this site, that they don’t post Bill O’Reilly-like talking points, and that they don’t engage in trollish behavior.
If you are pro-life or anti-gun control, no one should down-rate your posts or make you feel unwelcome at this site, or in the Democratic Party. This site is not for the enforcement of any orthodoxy on its members. Principled disagreement is always allowed. Just don’t act like Sean Hannity and be an idiot.”
***I plan on enforcing this rule. So, don’t be intimidated to voice your views on your terms.
Is it safe to speak here?
Only if, like everyone else, you are willing to have your views challenged and your positions questioned.
If you are, speaking as just one member of the community with a non-binding point of view and no particular power, welcome.
or,
what if you approve of <gasp> can I say it?
<deep breath> gun control? There I said it.
First, I love your name. Fantastic.
Second, I have to admit that I loved The Fountainhead. I have been a Democrat since I cared about anything, and I have to admit that those thoughts were just being birthed when I read The Fountainhead. And I have since gone back and looked at objectivism, and I understand some of the differences that it provides to classic Democratic values. But I cannot be anti-Ayn Rand because I think that regardless of the politics, that book was an amazing story.
Oh yeah, and the smaller pond bit, that’s what has brought me here, at least for now. Maybe it can become another second home (well I guess a third home) for me the more I learn about the community that gathers here.
Not least because she’s a seductively good writer.
But as a “maverick” myself, who butts up against the Democratic orthodoxy at Kos on occasion, I’d be curious to hear how you (or other Rand fans) can square her philosophy with anything remotely progressive. And I won’t flame you or troll-rate you for doing so (though I certainly may argue with you!).
Alan
Maverick Leftist
I’ll be happy to welcome you. Although I’m not a die-hard Rand fan, I strongly relate to Howard Roark.
Anom
I agree–I kind of feel like diarying (is that a word?) over at dKos is nearly futile, but my first shot at one here made it on the list (it helps that only a few recommends are needed). Things seem more cozy, informal, and laid back–all features of smaller-pondedness that I like. I’m also curious to watch the evolution of the site, and the orthodoxy of dKos and enforcement thereof is something of a turnoff–I do feel like I have to watch my mouth over there, not for swearwords, but for anything that might be taken as possibly heretical. It’s not too bad, but there are people who will downrate/flame first and ask questions later.
I’ve always been an admirer of Booman’s connect-the-dots conspiracy diaries…
That’s why I’m here too. I’m looking forward to him writing more of his diaries. I posted my Octopus piece as a way to provide some background for those not familiar with some of the suppressed history of the ’80s.
I resurrected my Fred Phelps diary from dkos for 3 reasons:
Original content is important, but many of the diaries on dkos are crossposted either on here, faithforward, next hurrah, soj’s site, or frederick clarkson’s site.
I’m not sure what booman’s mission statement is. My own hope, because of the diaries he’s done in the past and if soj posts more of her work, is this site might focus more on the darker side of the political realm than dkos.
I obviously enjoyed your Octopus diary and I’m glad you re-posted it here because I admit I missed it in November.
Yeah, the “darker side” like the Democrats have been just as bad in many ways as the Repugs, like Them Who Rule are using both parties like a puppet show to confound citizens with alternate waves of hope and despair.
It was/is a good diary and one I was glad to see reposted here.
You and the dark side! Now get cracking: I need 500 words on Bat Boy! Mush!!
(Have we settled on a date for our Harper’s Ferry meetup?)
No date set yet. Probably end of May either 21 or 28. I’ll post another diary soon to firm up the date. Had pretty decent response. We might get 20 or so people.
Coolness. Mrs. P is going to her brother’s college graduation on the 15th, but she’ll be back before the meetup, I’m sure. And I’m willing to bet W.Va. is beautiful at the end of May.
I feel that many of the dKos phenomena (I won’t name them specifically, because that isn’t the point) are detracting from the point of the site. For me, “the point” of a site like dKos or this one is to share information, inspire ourselves and others to act, provide a safe outlet for Red Staters like me who might not otherwise have one … etc. So far, the dKos phenomena with which I am uncomfortable seem not to have found their way here. For that and other reasons, this site feels comfortable and right to me and is doing a good job of fulfilling the mission that is “the point.” Janet Strange’s great diary today, which she was nervous to post at dKos but felt comfortable posting here, is an example of this.
A lot of alliteration from anxious anchors placed in powerful posts.
the most prolific source of great movie quotes ever. Some of my favorites (in addition to my sig–which I chose over these only because it fit better) are:
Blair Litton: Except for socially, you’re my role model.
***************
Aaron Altman: I know you care about him. I’ve never seen you like this about anyone, so please don’t take it wrong when I tell you that I believe that Tom, while a very nice guy, is the Devil.
Jane Craig: This isn’t friendship.
Aaron Altman: What do you think the Devil is going to look like if he’s around? Nobody is going to be taken in if he has a long, red, pointy tail. No. I’m semi-serious here. He will look attractive and he will be nice and helpful and he will get a job where he influences a great God-fearing nation and he will never do an evil thing… he will just bit by little bit lower standards where they are important. Just coax along flash over substance… Just a tiny bit. And he will talk about all of us really being salesmen. And he’ll get all the great women.
*
*****************
Aaron Altman: I think we have the kind of friendship where if I were the devil, you’d be the only one I would tell.
is great.
But for quoteability, you can beat Lebowski:
What in God’s holy name are you blathering about?
DUDE
Well I’ll tell you what I’m blathering about! I got information man–new shit has come to light and and–shit, man! She kidnapped herself!
Lebowski stares at him, dumbstruck. The Dude is encouraged.
DUDE
Well sure man, look at it! Ya know. A young trophy wife, in the parlance of our times, ya know. She uh, uh, owes money all over town,
including to known pornographers–ha, and that’s cool, that’s that’s cool– I- I’m saying, she needs money man, and uh, you know, of course they’re gonna say they didn’t get it, uh uh, because she wants more, man, she’s gotta feed the monkey, I I mean–uh, hasn’t that ever occurred to you man? Sir?
LEBOWSKI
(quietly) No Mr. Lebowski, that had not
occurred to me.
BRANDT
That had not occurred to us, Dude.
DUDE
Uh, okay, ya know, you guys aren’t privy to all
the new shit, so uh, you know, but hey,
that’s what you, that’s what you pay me for. Aha…
The Dude takes a hurried sip from his drink.
Um. Speaking of which, do you think uh,
that you could uh, give me my twenty thousand in cash? Uh, my concern is, and I’ve gotta check with, with my accountant, but that this might bump me up into a higher tax uh–
LEBOWSKI
Brandt, give him the envelope.
DUDE
Oh well, if you’ve already got the, check made out, that that’s cool.
Brandt is handing him a letter-sized envelope which is distended by something inside.
BRANDT
We received it this morning.
The Dude, frowning, untucks its flap, takes out some cotton wadding and unrolls it.
LEBOWSKI
Since you have failed to achieve, even in the modest task that was your charge, since you have stolen my money, since you have unrepentantly betrayed my trust. I have no choice but to tell these bums to do whatever is necessary to
recover their money from you, Jeffrey Lebowski. And with Brandt as my witness, I will tell you this:
The wadding, undone, reveals a smaller wad of gauze taped up inside. The Dude starts to unroll the inner package.
LEBOWSKI
Any further harm visited upon Bunny, will be visited tenfold upon your head.
Between thumb and forefinger the Dude holds up the contents of the package–a little toe, with emerald green nail polish.
LEBOWSKI
…My God sir. I will not abide another toe.
I haven’t seen this movie, but perhaps if I do, I will love its quotability as well. I DO think Jeff Bridges (who I think played Lebowski?) is at or near the top of my “List of 5.”
Omigawd. I think that’s required for membership here. Get thee to a video store NOW before you’re banned.
“Meet me at the place near the thing where we went that time.”
“I’ll see you there.”
and I can’t give an adequate answer in a short reply.
Also, I don’t like to criticize dKos in any way so there are some reasons that I don’t want to articulate just now. But I think some of the features and structures of this site speak for themselves.
One thing I am committed to is offering gender equity on the front page. I’m a man, so I can’t do anything myself to add a more feminine sensibility to the site, but I can offer Susan and Maryscott the opportunity to express themselves with no editorial oversight.
I am not a Christian, but I can offer Dan the opportunity to have a bigger voice, and to demonstrate that the GOP has no monopoly over the words ‘Christian’ or ‘religious’ or ‘moral values’.
Personally, I have at least three reasons for including the world diary feature.
There are many other factors that led me to want to start the site, but I’ll mention just one more:
The regional threads will hopefully evolve to the point where people will get to know each other and know who else lives in their area, and that will empower people to take action and organize locally.
On dKos it’s hard to know who your neighbors are. Here, I want people to know.
Just some initial thoughts.
You perfectly spelled out my reasons to be here. I’m Swiss living in the USA and I’m really interested in world issues. “. The mix of national and international voices is very appealing to me.
I also hope it will be easier for me to start participating in a smaller group and actually having a chance to form relationships, maybe even find “neighbors.
Karin
Ya got me at ‘gender equity on the front page’. Hell yeah.
I think this site will evolve in a partly organic way due to the quality and topics of the diaries but also with the comments taking them in varied directions.
I believe it’s already been stated but of the utmost importance is respect for everyone’s opinions and comments here. If we don’t have that we’re sunk. Not to say we can’t disagree and forcefully also but still with respect. When you start to make snide personal comments as opposed to comments on the ideas espoused then you’ve got trouble.
The Frontporch(my own personal) was a briliant idea with the added World a real stroke of genius I think. In practical terms I too hope it can help people in their respective areas to get together easier for political action.
We are a global community and interconnected, something most americans just don’t get or don’t want to. Most are way to insulated. If we can learn more here about world actions/stories the more we’ll be able to incorporate that into any discussions we have with people outside of this site.
Foreign policy is circular as it impacts on our domestic policy so we should all be more aware of foreign policy actions. (such as bush appointing the ambassador to France and the schmuck didn’t even speak French-how insulting is that)
I’m getting to the Farting Fish …the only concrete suggestion I can make is to make susanhbu’s diary of that title a regular weekly feature. Frivolous Friday. We will all need some good laughs after a week of mostly depressing news or news that will have us screamin/hollerin and throwing shit our tv.(guilty)
I’ll be glad to oblige. Btw, my cat farts too.
That would be great and no offense but hope you don’t have to many cats.
they might take care of the herring problem, and cancel each other out.
P.S. Susan, are you going to post a Deadwood thread?
Hooray for gender equity.
That is all.
JLongs, author of the soon-to-be-famous weekly book diary over on that other place.
that was great fun.
Okay. I wasn’t exactly sure why I was over here, to be honest (other than the smaller pond appeal), but your post about the importance of foreign policy now gives me a better idea of why I ought to be here. Thanks.
if you’re really good, you might get a Canadian regional thread for Christmas đŸ™‚
A host who uses bribery. I like it. đŸ™‚
…Booman is a responsive host, and seems genuinely committed to facilitating community. The culture here is of the hosts serving the community, rather than the community serving the interests of the host.
Also, the caliber of writing is quite high, and this holds promise to growing into an intellectually demanding place, rather than catering to the lowest denominator.
Finally, I’m here because i haven’t been banned yet.
Of course, i’ts all Maryscot’ts faul’t.
I was asked.
And I like the idea of a slower, more easy-going site. It’s kind of like, Daily Kos is the big city and Booman Tribune is a lovely little antiqueing town or something…
My metaphor mechanism is broken right now… I should be back on my feet in a day or so… I’m back to reading a lot of both blogs and making a moderate number of comments, but I can’t sit still long enough to write more than comments.
you’re here because you ROCK!
because you have the rare ability to articulate rage.
because you know what’s important.
and because you were kind enough to accept my invitation đŸ˜‰
I like Maryscott’s observation that DailyKos is the big city and this is like a small town.
For me the difference is the quanity of diaries overall that has made the biggest difference. Some days diaries scrolled of the dKos list so fast it seemed impossible to keep up. Also the number of variations of the same topic there began to grate on me.
A slower pace and chance to read and comment is really nice.
Overall why:
Instead of trying to change the world all at once it is a longer lasting impact if you change the world one person at a time. Here diaries are posted, information is shared, and feedback occurs a little slower – one person at a time. Diaries stick around long enough to share with others and email links to friends before they disappear.
Why not?
It’s cool to feel like an insider. To feel like you know about something that’s going to be really big before anyone else. Reminds me of going to see local bands. It was fun to get to know the people in the bands before they made it big and acted like rock stars.
Exactly. I got caught up making comments upthread and forgot to say why I was here ..and you said it perfectly for me..
about this site. They really wanted my Gays in the Holocaust diary to stay up longer than it would at dKos and get more conversation going (although I admit I’m still getting comments in it over a dKos). So…they asked me to come over here.
What I LOVE about this site is I know some quality writer – who I first met over at dKos – are going to cross post their diaries over here. It’s far more rewarding to be able to read and timely comment in a diary by Frederick Clarkson, for instance, over here because it stays around longer and folks have even more time to comments on the comments (part of what I love about the blogosphere).
I don’t like the “URGENT – BREAKING NEWS with 3 cut n paste paragraphs” style diaries, and you won’t get that over here. You get folks over here who put a lot of work and thought into what they write, so I don’t mind that it isn’t “exclusively Booman” material.
I’m not a big fan of the cut and paste, news only diaries either. Most of the stories I’ll find out about through one of my 21 RSS feeds, even if it isn’t until 5 minutes after somebody posts a diary about it. If people have something to add to their link and three paragraphs, then I’m all for it, but sometimes it seems like there’s an ego-driven rush to be the first one to diary a news story–and in that rush, people fail to make sure that nobody has diaried it before.
Also, the number of comments on a thread there gets overwhelming pretty quickly. Here I can actually find the time to read an entire thread.
Oh, and most importantly, I like frogs.
I’ve wondered about cross-posting my Sunday Griot diaries from dKos over here. Is this a good idea? Would anyone care? Has everyone who would be likely to read one of my diaries over here already have read it over there?
This is a nice place you’ve got here, Booman, and I’m probably asking the wrong question because I’ve arrived late to the party, but . . . exactly what is going to differentiate this site from dKos? Apart from the frog and the fact that you’re running the place, of course.
Oh, and by the way, I’m with the people who wanted to see you name the frog Tribbers, but I didn’t vote in the poll for some unspeakable arcane reason (mostly because I forgot).
So what about cross-posting diaries from other web sites?
I don’t care if you cross-post. If you want to add a note that you have done so, go ahead.
The question wasn’t so much “is it within AUP of the site to do so” but “is it a good use of my time and your bandwidth to do so.” And I realize that the answer might be “Reply hazy, ask again later.”
Since you have a FAQ up, I suppose I should go read it. There are days when I think I’m the only person on dKos who’s read Kos’ FAQ.
we are content starved. So, I have no objection to cross-posting from dKos, MyDD, or your own blog.
However, this site will begin to diverge from a wholly dKos veteran website soon. I prefer to let that happen with as little top-down control as possible. But I am beginning to reach out to other sources for attracting users.
And hopefully you all will be polite when users show up who don’t already understand basic Kossack etiquette.
I wonder (and hope?) as per upthread comments that the etiquette will diverge/evolve somewhat away from dKos much as the rest of the site does. BooMan is already working in this direction in terms of emphasizing that other viewpoints and perspectives presented in good faith really are welcome…
The first week the Trib was up someone-2care4others-posted diary-picture worth a thousand words-that had great political graphics in it.
I think that would also make a great weekly feature for her to do. Sometimes a great picture can get people’s attention when nothing else will.
I was invited by a shadowy figure to whom no specific or credible links to Al Qaeda have yet been established, but interrogations are ongoing.
I’m here so I can read more from some of the best comentators from dKos; I’m really hoping Kid Oakland finds this site. I know he’s over at LSF but I haven’t seen him post very often.
There is also a lot to be said for small town appeal as well but considering how active this site is already it may not stay that way for long.
Best of all I have a 3 digit UID here!
check out the diaries…He has posted a couple already. HE IS AWESOME…
I’ll be sure to look for him,
I’m a small town good ol’ gal and I do like the feel here. I too love dkos and will continue to read and comment there. I haven’t had the courage to yet post a diary(lots of ideas rolling in the head) but also feel intimidated at dkos. My typing sucks and spelling can be marginal so I truly appreciate the spellcheck..ha!
I also am here because I want to be well informed and active to help the liberal party to once again become what I know it is so capable of…the will of the people.
mostly because of the smaller pond/small town factor. I’m a fairly reserved person, at first, anyway (even in type đŸ˜‰ so jumping into a already teeming pond is a bit more difficult for me than growing with a site or group of people.
Here, at this point in time anyway, one can get an idea of who is who and spend time discussing national and international issues, because things don’t move quite so fast.
I also really like BooMan’s philosophy of the site, expressed in the “You pose a great question” post, and the openness to the various views and genders on the front page, [that is what’s ultimately convinced me that this is a good place to stay] and to ideas and suggestions.
It will be interesting to see how the site grows and defines itself as a reflection of that… I think it has a really good start so far.
I’d like to state for the record, though.. the frog played no part in my decision to join in here. Really!
First and foremost, I’m here because Booman asked me to be. Very kind of you, sir.
Second, because my UID dropped by, like, 10000. I’m a two-digit dude!
Third, because it was time for a good Daily Kos spinoff. Laverne and Shirley, anyone?
In all seriousness, as traffic picks up here, I’d expect there to be more original content. For now, crossposting is a good way to build up readership.
Speaking of which…No! bad pastor, bad! Diary whoring must be left behind!
As for me, I’ve been lurking at DKos for over two years, seeking talented writing, credible reporting, informed commentary and shared passion. On the other hand – in spite of the fact that I’m typically quite fearless – I never garnered the courage to participate. (For a variety of reasons that I needn’t voice.)
Aside from the devastating results of the 2004 election, last year was painful for me on a personal level (the unexpected death of a close sibling, two family members diagnosed with inoperable cancer, among other things). Although I was on the outside looking in at DKos, many of you lifted my spirits and helped me through the very worst of times – through your focus on helping others, your passion in making this world a better place, and your compassionate words of wisdom. (God bless you for your diaries, PastorDan!) Having said that . . .
I was simply delighted to find out that Booman had established this site. Not only do I respect Booman’s work, I truly admire his treatment of others. From the get-go, this site has offered everything I sought from DKos, plus the added benefits of consistently positive group dynamics, a feeling of sanctuary, and darn good Mojo from all.
Now, here I am, honored to be on the “inside”, and feeling safe to participate with this amazing group of knowledgeable, talented, passionate folks. Thank you for establishing this site, Booman!
Anyway, that’s why I’M here. How did I get so lucky? :>)
(Well, I’ll be even luckier if someone tells me how to use italics in my sig line)
I am sorry for your bad year.
I came out of curiosity and because of BooMan’s gracious open invitation on Kos. I share some of the feelings some of you express about posting a diary. To date I haven’t summoned the courage to publish one myself. Have several, but they’re pretty moldy now.
Do you remember when, about two months ago on Kos, someone had the great idea of posting a diary where everyone could confess opinions they were afraid would be attacked? That was liberating. A very good thread.
Look forward to coming here often and getting to know you all. Thanks for the opportunity!
Thanks Jane. Funny how a group of strangers can help a person out, especially when they don’t even know they’re doing so. And with everything hitting all at once, I found much comfort at my computer while I temporarily withdrew from social contact.
I sure can relate to your “moldy” comment. I can’t count the number of times I excitedly got the nerve to post on DKos, only to find out the thread was no longer there, or the issue I wanted to cover was already thoroughly run into the ground. Unfortunately, I missed the DKos thread you mentioned – but I’ll keep my eyes open for similar diaries in the future.
I look forward to seeing you around – (and I understand vinegar works quite well on mold!)
Thanks Anomalous. I believe I’ll try the vinegar solution. Now, should I drink it with meals or on an empty stomach?
See you!
P.S. Isn’t the spellcheck a nice touch? It’s like the thoughful gesture of hosts who put out clean guest towels.
They work the same way as italics in comments:
<i>Italics</i> = Italics
Thank you Abbott! I’ve never used HTML, so my ignorance was holding me hostage to unmodified text. Thanks to your explanation, I just might get the hang of this (with the added support of the HTML “cheat notes” on the Post Comment page).
Anom
“The free mind is no barking dog to be tethered on a one foot chain.”
HONEY Smacks with you. I still haven’t gotten the Oatmeal yet, however Lucky Charms are also in my cupboard…green clovers..magically delicious. Maybe I am here for Oatmeal?
I have only Cocoa Puff or Cocoa Krispies in my cupboard.
alas…I stopped the Cocoa puffs(i was Cuckoo at a young age), Cocoa Krispies and Count Chockola(sp) around junior high. The crash landing was always so hard and it happened right after gym class. Nothing like hitting the deck hard around 9am. Now I guess they just use Red Bull. Ah Youth!!!
red bull, nicotine, and the occasional 24-hour sudafed when things really get rough…
coffee, nicotine an chocolate(and my pain meds)-my daily diet. All 4 food groups to my way of thinking.
Sugar Pops.
Oh my God, it’s like a parallel universe!
ah, the joys of cross posting in a parallel universse.
I am here because I saw Booman’s shameless promotional announcement on dKos, and hopped right over for a swim.
I like it that there is Koslike environment, that hopefully will not be flooded with “breaking” news that I can get from standard news outlets when I want news. Diaries go by so fast, too fast. Its nice too, that there is, at least for now, a slower pace, and that things I post will stick around for awhile, and that things I want to come back to read might still be there later on.
And I like green alot better than orange.
I’m here ’cause Pastordan said there’d be cookies and I’m not leaving till I get one.
careful what you wish for.
His Snickerdoodles are mean
one hurt my feewings already just today….
I echo what a lot of people have said: I got the invite, took a look-see out of curiosity, liked what I saw. I do think dKos has gotten too big; and while this place is still a little too small, that is I’m sure changing fast.
What I really hope is that BooMan manages to skim just the cream of dKos–that this blog will be full of great writing but not swarmed with sometimes inane commentary.
That last bit is one reason why I don’t see a problem with crossposting diaries. The comments will inevitably take on their own flavour; and if there is more concentrated “cream” here, it will be a better flavour at that!
Alan
Maverick Leftist
I’m here because I’m nosy, that’s why. I saw BooMan’s post at Kos about this place and decided to come check it out and say hello. So far, I’m loving it – I feel very comfortable here.
smaller pond is a good start. I’ve noticed more and more frivoulous diaries at Kos and that the diaries fly by too fast. I also think there are a lot of trolls undermining many good diaries with baiting comments that discourage others from commenting. Sometimes a person needs to move on…
I’ve kind of been avoiding Kos recently, not sure exactly why. Just information overload and an aversion to signs of groupthink, I guess. And IMO, action opportunities often get missed with multiple diaries on the same few hot topics.
Great first impressions about BooTrib:
Also, Booman23 answered a dumb question I had about poll data very kindly once! Makes me feel hopeful about fitting in here. I would so buy a Boofrog, even if his name was Darwin! Handcuffs optional?
I’m here b/c Kid Oakland posted a link to his diary a week or so ago -and I had been missing his commentary on DKos.
I love reading DKos, but I’m skimming a lot more lately. I think it’s overload and too much DKos ‘culture’ from a cliquey type of group: long threads of private jokes, smackdowns like SYFPH et al. I not much a fan of the groupie love of frontpagers, either – no offense.
and has spellcheck. Just kidding. Um, well, maybe not. I really like the spellcheck. I do find it ironic that Spellcheck spell checks “spellcheck”, though.
Actually, in addition to liking this user friendly setup (once I can use all my cool html tricks it’ll be like a second home) much better,I’m hoping for a higher tolerance for triviality, frivolity, jocularity and free expressions of sense of humor without putting up a warning of such in a diary heading; which I’ll do anyway-no sense wasting the time of someone not interested.
It seems for a certain vocal group over at dKos, being a Democrat means being serious all the time. Lots of “what a waste of bandwidth” for anything not serious or action oriented. Even something as wonderful as C&J and Carnacki’s “Story” series are looked down upon for taking space from “more important” diaries. It’s a crying shame. Can’t we do both? Booman says we can, and I plan to take him up on it. I’m of the opinion we have to laugh even when we’re crying and screaming inside. We need those breaks. I need that outlet. After all, it’s all about me. Although it seems to be all about someone named “Terry” now. This displeases me.
Earlier today I mentioned to someone I had spent 12 years sputtering in anger during the Reagan-Bush 3 term torture session. I could do that, sure. Bush II-How to Be a Dictator in Eight Short Years, scares me in ways Reagan probably never dreamed possible. And that’s saying something. I could put up a decent rant every day, if so inclined. Ranting and raging is a favorite pass time of mine; always has been.
Call it wisdom, call it idiocy, but I’d rather be taking pictures of crushed Zingers so two fictional characters residing in my head can use the image to trash movies, TV shows and political stupidity. I’d rather be ranting through a third character, who can throw Joe Lieberman and Joe Biden into The Hell of the Naked Newts for their real and imagined transgressions. In short (and I never do anything in short) I’d rather be expressing myself in my own way while I still have the freedom to do so.
Booman’s site strikes me as a place where tolerance is not only encouraged, it’s expected. Serious or fun. All are welcome. All welcome. Come into the light. (and bright space with spell-check) I like that. It almost sounds–dare I say it? Democratic.
Hopefully the community will remain just as laid back as it is now. If not, there’s lots of open space in The Hell of the Naked Newts for the inevitable onslaught of the diary police. They just better stay away from the Priestess. I’d hate to imagine what sort of hell she devises for them.
BTW, “spell-check” is acceptable to Spellcheck.