I just wrote this over at the big squiggly orange, thought I'd share it here since I plan to do that with all my writings
Kos linky: http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/3/16/1502342/-Thank-you-Markos-and-...

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No, not a “Good-Bye Cruel World” (GBCW) diary, sorry to disappoint some of you.

I just want to take this opportunity to thank both Markos Moulitsas and the Daily Kos community.

Why now you ask? Well, because I don’t think I ever quite said it, and I don’t want it to seem I don’t appreciate this place. Let’s get this clear right now- I love this place, always have and probably always will. Kind of like your child. That love never goes away no matter what.

To some thoughts and praises-

With the new edict in effect, I have no idea how long I will last. As many of you know, I have always spoke my mind, and today, nay, tomorrow, that will never change. So I have no idea if one fateful day, I will open Daily Kos, and see the admin. message up top telling me I am no longer welcomed at Daily Kos on a permanent basis. I have seen many diaries already with people screaming it should be removed… I can see where this is going. That is the real reason for this diary, I don’t to want miss my chance and disappear into the ethereal of nothingness without saying the following...

To Markos-

Thank-you.

I can’t imagine the work and drive it takes to build such a place, but it must have been enormous, and still is. Though you have no idea who I am, you have always been generous in letting us get to know you, and that takes a tremendous amount of courage. Even though the political paths have taken us philosophically to different places, it matters not because you have provided this beautiful platform, and for that, I will forever be thankful towards you, no matter the future.

To Daily Kos-

Thank-you.

Back sometime in the 2000s, my curiosity got the better of me when I saw Bill O’Reilly slamming this site called Daily Kos, and inevitably, I had to check it out. Who were these denizens that were getting a man I so utterly despised into such a froth? I must know them. I lurked. I read a lot. It was my progressive 101-301 intensive course that lasted years before I finally signed-up during the 08 primaries. I was confident I had found my voice and wouldn’t look like an idiot in the process. Gulp.

In the end I had nothing to be afraid of. This community welcomed me and my views, as if I had been here for a lifetime, even during that contentious primary. Have I ever said stupid shit? God yes. Do I have an edge? You betcha’. I am a lifelong progressive, and I make no apologies for that. I have butted heads with many here, and I will continue to do so. To them- thank-you. Well most of them. You helped me hone both my debating skills as well as helping me refine my “talking points”, especially when I was wrong. To the rest who might fall more into the shit-disturber troll category… thank-you. You have tested my patience more times than I can count, and that is a muscle that always needs practice. See, I can be nice.

To my fellow progressives who have and continue the good fight- thank-you. You are the fucking best. If it wasn’t for you, the Democratic Party would be but a husk of itself, or, I should say, it would have happened much sooner. We are pushing a boulder up Mount Everest, with a massive mob on the other side pushing back against us. And buzzing bees in our eyes. Covered in honey. But we keep pushing no matter what. Thank-you for teaching me to never give up and to keep fighting.

To my fellow Democrats- thank-you. You have allowed this progressive, as well as others, into your tent (wait didn’t I build this place?), and I’m sure there are days we piss you off and vice-versa. Thank-you for putting up with us and our ideas. Our passion often comes across as anger, and sometimes, our anger is misinterpreted as passion. Either way we must be a handful sometimes, and at other times, your best/worst allies. Thank-you for fighting the good fight with us when some of those moments came up.

Anyways, I think that took all my power to not derail into a political rox/sux rant. This is not a call for unity or disunity, or whatever, nor a condemnation of Kos’ edict, it is but a simple personal acknowledgement of what Daily Kos and its people mean to me, and how much I appreciate everything. At least I hope it is.

Thank-you for reading.