Hello

Submitted by themis on Tue, 03/22/2016 - 2:11pm

I vaguely recall the manners my dear Gran taught me, so I believe it is proper to introduce oneself before plopping one's arse on the couch and petting the cats in someone else's home. Is that beer for me?

Hi, I'm themis. I'm yet another refugee from the Great Orange Satan. I was swept out after 12 years, 31 diaries, thousands of comments, 1 doughnut and 1 slight fit of pique. I'm off the ban list and, to honor Tricia in her memorial diary, out of my self-imposed moratorium, but I'm looking for a new home. It's just getting silly over there. There's nothing even resembling a sense of community over there outside of the pet diaries. A kind and generous commenter pointed me over here, and here I am.

I guess I should come clean in the beginning, so there are no misunderstandings later... I'm one of those weird hybrid Dems this season - I support Bernie but voted for Hillary (ducks things thrown in my general direction - is that beer?). I have my reasons, which I may write about later if I'm not shown the door. But I do completely, honestly and financially support Bernie's campaign.

I should also come clean on another important point... I'm rather snarky. OK, I'm very snarky. Most readers can tell the difference between my sincere writing and my snarky writing. But if in doubt, read everything with a wicked twinkle. I snark from a place of love and never ever intend to be mean. I hope I've honed my commenting skills to reflect that. I apologize in advance if I'm wrong.

So, I hope you don't mind another newbie crowding up the place and sitting on the furniture, drinking your beer and petting your cats.

ETA: Thanks for the warm welcome! (and I fixed a rather ironic typo...)

Tags:

hello caucus99%

Vote

Comments

Submitted by kharma on Tue, 03/22/2016 - 2:16pm

Welcome

Looking forward to that conversation where we talk about why one would support Sanders yet vote Clinton. It is like anticipating a new brain twister.

—

There is nothing which I dread so much as a division of the republic into two great parties.. This...is to be dreaded as the greatest political evil under our Constitution.--John Adams

Submitted by themis on Tue, 03/22/2016 - 2:22pm

Thanks for the welcome

My vote was an interesting combination of strategic thinking and the belief that change is slow. I'm honestly so tired of Republican Obstructionism that I just need someone to get something even remotely Dem accomplished. I know it's going to be a cluster-(gentle love-making session) with either Bernie or Hillary, but I thought my one little vote should go to her. I could write more, and will if I'm welcome here, but that's the very short gist of it.

And conversation is more than welcome - I love good conversation. Just ask my cats:)

—

The only thing harder than speaking truth to power is speaking truth to stupid.

Submitted by Lisa Lockwood on Tue, 03/22/2016 - 4:57pm

Welcome, and I hope that

didn't leave a mark? ( My aim isn't so good, and beer bottles are hard to toss anything close to accurately, when I've got so much cheetoh dust coating my fingers )
Snark aside, I hope you'll find it a comfortable fit here. We're mostly, from what I've experienced, a kind but forthright bunch of lovely folks who want to talk about, well, just about everything without being told what we shan't be allowed to say.
So far, so good. Mellow vibe, good tunes, and some pooties and woozles hanging around, hoping for the occasional dropped cheetoh.
Just try not to slop beer on them, they tend to get wet sticky paw prints all over the furniture.

—

"When the powerless are shut out of the media, we will make the media irrelevant" ~Anonymous~

Submitted by themis on Tue, 03/22/2016 - 5:04pm

The mark had to be orange, didn't it?

But no worries - my thick skin and hard head are finally coming in handy:)

Thanks for the welcome. You're right about the vibe here - passionate and accepting, which is tough to do in any realm. I appreciate it when I find it.

So, I guess I'll make myself comfy. My cats are already licking the 'cheez' dust off the cheetoes, leaving perfectly naked 'toes, so I might as well stick around.

—

The only thing harder than speaking truth to power is speaking truth to stupid.

Submitted by michelewln on Tue, 03/22/2016 - 2:21pm

Welcome

Pixie of course will accept all pets and scritches as she is of course the Princess.
Princess Pixie.jpg

—

A dreamer is one who can only find his way by moonlight, and his punishment is that he sees the dawn before the rest of the world. Oscar Wilde

Submitted by themis on Tue, 03/22/2016 - 2:24pm

Thanks!

I bow to the Princess! (or I would if I wasn't covered in 4 cats at the moment)

—

The only thing harder than speaking truth to power is speaking truth to stupid.

Submitted by PastorAgnostic on Tue, 03/22/2016 - 2:22pm

A star-kissed snarkist? YEAH!

Welcome.

Question.

Don't you need a cat's permisso before deigning to pet the pet?

What is the square root of negative Pi?

Will it rain tomorrow?

Why?

Submitted by themis on Tue, 03/22/2016 - 2:27pm

Thanks!

I see this is the interview portion of the website acceptance process...

One needs a cat's permission to exist. Opposable thumbs capable of opening cat food is a plus.

A Pi fight?

Yes, somewhere.

Why not?

(did I pass? I hear the swimsuit competition is a bitch)

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The only thing harder than speaking truth to power is speaking truth to stupid.

Submitted by PastorAgnostic on Tue, 03/22/2016 - 2:36pm

Heh. Good answers.

How many excess felines possess you?

Honey and I are more canine related. (Although when we stop in the the rescue shelter, she always ends up with cat fur on her.) At one point we had 410 lbs of dog. A 140 lb Golden pup who lived til he was 15, a St. Bernard/malamute mix, and a tiny Great Pyre. (140lbs, too)

The last one was problematic, especially when we could not walk him because a drunk driver had pretty much kept us from walking at all for a time.

Now all we have is the most cute, sweet, rescue, 1/2 rot, 1/2 German Shepard, She even shares her treats by putting them on your lap. Bones, chews, anything. Even nicer (?) she catches wabbit in our back yard and brings us the parts she didn't eat, as if to say, Here, Dad, this is for you!

Submitted by themis on Tue, 03/22/2016 - 2:50pm

Thanks PA

I am currently possessed by my 4 feline overlords - all male. I am the only estrogen-producing being in my household (and I'm old, so there's that). I adore my canine buddies, but my non-fenced yard in an urban area doesn't permit them to keep me. I get my fix at a friend's house (the pic posted elsewhere in the thread).

Your menagerie sounds a lot like my folks' house - Dad, is that you? They also sound wonderful - I miss puppy love.

—

The only thing harder than speaking truth to power is speaking truth to stupid.

Submitted by dance you monster on Tue, 03/22/2016 - 2:22pm

Welcome!

The furniture's for sitting (usually), the beer sloshes freely, and I've noticed a preponderance of dogs here, so cats should be careful.

Your primary vote baffles me, but we welcome all who will interact with respect and substance.

Submitted by themis on Tue, 03/22/2016 - 2:31pm

Thank you

There are many things about me that are baffling, my primary vote being one of them. I'll write more later, partly in justification and partly because folks seem interested.

I'll do my best to not slosh beer on the furniture, or the dogs:)

—

The only thing harder than speaking truth to power is speaking truth to stupid.

Submitted by dkmich on Tue, 03/22/2016 - 4:28pm

Did Bernie

lose or win the state that state where you voted for Hillary?

Sorry, hello and welcome. Hope you find the site comfortable. You may be one of three Hillary people here. Hell, you're likely one of three Democrats. Most see themselves Independent as all hell.

—

"Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich."--Napoleon

Submitted by themis on Tue, 03/22/2016 - 4:45pm

Bernie lost by 14%

and that was pretty much in line with the pre-primary polls. It didn't look like Bernie would pull another Michigan here.

Thank you for the welcome. I'm actually loving my trip through the site and think I'll be happy here. I'm currently a Dem, but my tolerance for what the DNC is doing (or not doing, as the case may be) is making me re-think that. Yes, I voted for the oligarch. Yes, I support down-ticket Dems. Yes, I'll work like hell to keep a Republican out of office (any office). But, I guess, in a way, I'm losing my religion. Around here, I can read a different perspective and maybe relearn why I'm a liberal in the first place.

Anyway - too much seriousness in a Hello diary:) Thanks again for the warm welcome.

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The only thing harder than speaking truth to power is speaking truth to stupid.

Submitted by JayRaye on Tue, 03/22/2016 - 2:26pm

Plenty of beer and cats for everyone, even someone who

voted for Hillary.

Even Hillary supporters are welcome here, there is no rule against it, as long as they aren't calling Bernie supporters, or Green Party supporters, etc, a bunch of morons like the owner of TOP.

Welcome to C99, themis.

—

Never be deceived that the rich will allow you to vote away their wealth.-Lucy Parsons

Submitted by themis on Tue, 03/22/2016 - 2:37pm

Thanks for the welcome

I've never called out a supporter of any non-Rep candidate for their support, not even over there. Republicans, on the other hand deserve all of the scorn and ridicule I can muster. And I can muster quite a bit.

And I wouldn't quite call myself a Hillary supporter - I voted for her, that's it. I will fight like hell to get a Dem elected in the General, but I'm hardly enthusiastic right now.

Thanks again!

—

The only thing harder than speaking truth to power is speaking truth to stupid.

Submitted by Zeitgeistus on Tue, 03/22/2016 - 2:28pm

Did someone mention dogs?

Did someone mention dogs?
Hadley 10.28.12.JPG

—

Injustice is relatively easy to bear; what stings is justice. -H. L. Mencken
A country without a memory is a country of madmen.-George Santayana
An imbalance between rich and poor is the oldest and most fatal ailments of all republics. --Plutarch

Submitted by Miep on Tue, 03/22/2016 - 2:35pm

.

—

Stay on track. Stay in lane. Don't throw rocks.

Submitted by themis on Tue, 03/22/2016 - 2:40pm

OK - I'll play...

2015-02-06 13.48.48.jpg

—

The only thing harder than speaking truth to power is speaking truth to stupid.

Submitted by Miep on Wed, 03/23/2016 - 1:43am

There goes

That image software glitch again.

—

Stay on track. Stay in lane. Don't throw rocks.

Submitted by themis on Thu, 03/24/2016 - 10:22pm

We're gonna be friends

we may bitch and whine at eachother, but yep, friends.

—

The only thing harder than speaking truth to power is speaking truth to stupid.

Submitted by themis on Tue, 03/22/2016 - 2:38pm

Awww!

You guys are killing me with cute

—

The only thing harder than speaking truth to power is speaking truth to stupid.

Submitted by magicsister on Tue, 03/22/2016 - 2:30pm

Welcome themis!

Your Gran taught you right

Being here, for me, has been both relaxing and exciting.

There are many brilliant people here who write about whatever they want to write about, with respect. The commenters also write whatever they want to write, with respect.

I was addicted my first day here.

I hope you have a similar experience

—

'Well, I've wrestled with reality for thirty five years, Doctor, and I’m happy to state I finally won out over it." Elwood P. Dowd "

Submitted by themis on Tue, 03/22/2016 - 2:43pm

Thanks

I think that's what I'm missing over 'there.' It also helps that I recognize the names of a lot of folks here. I said this in another comment in another diary, but reading here is like walking into a family reunion where the only family that showed up were the ones you want to hang out with.

(damn, that's a terrible sentence...)

But yes, respect, honest conversation and an effing sense of humor.

—

The only thing harder than speaking truth to power is speaking truth to stupid.

Submitted by mawnjilla on Tue, 03/22/2016 - 4:34pm

Welcome

as another refugee, I look forward to discussing Hillary Clinton with one of her voters, without having a bunch of loyalists call me a Trump sympathizer :D. You will be met with impassioned arguments and criticisms here, but I don't think anyone will be "showing you the door" as you say. I'm glad some dissenting voices are being attracted to this community, one way or another, it goes to show how effective this place is at cultivating discourse.

—

bern baby bern disco inberno

Submitted by themis on Tue, 03/22/2016 - 4:51pm

Thanks

(I love your sig line - fantastic!)

Everyone has welcomed me warmly and don't seem to hold my vote against me:)

—

The only thing harder than speaking truth to power is speaking truth to stupid.

Submitted by JtC on Tue, 03/22/2016 - 4:58pm

The only one...

who may hold it against you is grumpy cat and I haven't seen him around today so I think you may be OK.

Welcome.

Submitted by themis on Tue, 03/22/2016 - 5:11pm

Thanks for the warning

I'll hide over there by the beer - I think the dogs will protect me.

—

The only thing harder than speaking truth to power is speaking truth to stupid.

Submitted by mawnjilla on Wed, 03/23/2016 - 3:04am

holding someone's vote against them

or their lack of a vote, no matter who they are or who they vote for, is a nonstarter for progress. if we want to win hearts and minds, or even if we want to just learn about why people vote the way we do, we need to start from positions of respect. Something that I couldn't abide at GOS was the all the 'othering" going on. People writing off all Republicans as neo-nazis and racists. We'll never change this country if we write off half of the electorate as "too far gone."

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bern baby bern disco inberno

Submitted by detroitmechworks on Tue, 03/22/2016 - 5:03pm

Enemies lists, and keeping score in politics...

I can think of two major politicians who do or did that.

Clinton
and
Nixon.

And IMHO, the REAL Nazis are very happy to self identify themselves for us. We don't need to go hunting for the secret ones when there's more than enough willing to out themselves proudly.

—

I do not pretend I know what I do not know.

Submitted by themis on Tue, 03/22/2016 - 5:16pm

I'm sure there are more

in my mind, that's a symptom of the process. The way we run for office and elect people almost requires that the people the process attracts aren't people I'd trust with a hamster.

It reminds me of a saying from grad school... the people you want to head the department are exactly the people who will never run for it.

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The only thing harder than speaking truth to power is speaking truth to stupid.

Submitted by themis on Tue, 03/22/2016 - 5:13pm

I whole-heartedly agree

Which is why I'm looking forward to getting to know the folks here. I've never been a fan of echo chambers, even our own.

—

The only thing harder than speaking truth to power is speaking truth to stupid.

Submitted by jiordan on Tue, 03/22/2016 - 4:59pm

Welcome, themis

Always glad to add another member to the life boat. Make yourself at home.

Submitted by themis on Tue, 03/22/2016 - 5:18pm

Thank you!

I'll try to not make too much of a mess.

—

The only thing harder than speaking truth to power is speaking truth to stupid.

Submitted by seefleur on Tue, 03/22/2016 - 6:33pm

waaiit a minute - how did you get my pootie???

Ok, Mitch departed over the Rainbow Bridge a few years ago, but that avatar of your is totally my Mitch pootie when he was still a mini-pootie! Based on that alone, you are on my "nice list". Welcome to a fine spot on the intertubz - we have cookies and beer. I share my beer with those who share whatever their positive points are. (Bad grammar - sorry!)

—

Think off-center.
George Carlin

Submitted by themis on Tue, 03/22/2016 - 7:11pm

Come sit by me

I brought cheese dip and cat pics:) I don't think I've ever been on a 'nice list' before, so this should be fun.

My avatar is my dear Riku, who is almost 3 now and HUGE! He's affectionately known around these parts as Thunderpaws, and has, at 8lbs, almost grown into them. Ironically, your avatar looks a lot like my Merlin but with shorter fur. I suspect between the two of us we can blanket this place with adorable pooties.

Thank you for the warm welcome!

—

The only thing harder than speaking truth to power is speaking truth to stupid.

Submitted by seefleur on Tue, 03/22/2016 - 8:44pm

pootie blankets -

since I am surrounded by knitters, and am a non-knitter (I don't match up well with sharp pointy items), this might be a great alternative to knitting. Got pooties? Yes, yes we do! Now I just have to figure out how to post pics here...

—

Think off-center.
George Carlin

Submitted by themis on Tue, 03/22/2016 - 8:50pm

Same here

I have 4 and only have a 2x2 foot space on a queen-sized bed to myself... sometimes.

Uploading is pretty easy - just make sure the photo is relatively small. Here's one to tide you over until you have time to figure it out...

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The only thing harder than speaking truth to power is speaking truth to stupid.

Submitted by Tommymac on Tue, 03/22/2016 - 7:37pm

We are all the 99%

And we all deserve civility and respect. No matter what the politics or religion or ethnicity or sex or sexual preference or the sports team one roots for.

(And yes, this even includes those deluded voters who are members of the 99% who have been brainwashed to support republicans and vote against their best interests. They deserve our sympathy and activism more than most.)(And Duke fans too...lets not forget about those poor souls... )

So in that spirit warm welcome to you themis...

and did I hear the word beer?

—

FEEL THE BERN: "But such is the irresistible nature of truth, that all it asks, and all it wants, is the liberty of appearing." - Thomas Paine
"Here I Stand, I can do no other." - Attributed to Martin Luther, 1521

Submitted by themis on Tue, 03/22/2016 - 7:50pm

Well said

That's why I'm here - I just can't with TOS anymore.

Come have a beer with me and we can "discuss" (mock mercilessly) those poor Duke fans (TarHeel grad )

(I'll lay off the smilies soon - they're just so much damn fun!)

—

The only thing harder than speaking truth to power is speaking truth to stupid.

Submitted by Daenerys on Wed, 03/23/2016 - 2:55am

Wait, so...

If we're referring to DK as TOS, can we call the people there TOSSERS?

...I'm sorry. Welcome, themis.

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This shit is bananas.

Submitted by 2andfro on Wed, 03/23/2016 - 2:59am

How veddy British of you :)

Made me smile; always a sucker for a pun with an edge. (Beats gits and wankers.)

—

"It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society." --Jiddu Krishnamurti

Submitted by Tommymac on Tue, 03/22/2016 - 8:11pm

Why is the sky Carolina Blue?

Me too. Go Heels! I think the color theme of this site is a big part of why it is so comfortable! Wouldn't it just be epic to see the Heels trounce the Devils in the title game?

On edit: This was supposed to be a reply to the above post...sorrrry

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Submitted by themis on Tue, 03/22/2016 - 8:17pm

Because Mother Nature is a Heel fan?

Heels vs. Them is my dream final, but part of me doesn't want them to get that far. I want them to embarrassingly lose to the Idaho Girls School for the Blind before limping back to Durham in shame (and a Carolina Blue fountain on campus).

I'm usually not into 'othering' and being mean, but I absolutely make an exception for Duke.

Yep - I think I'm going to like it here (and as an Oklahoma grad (undergrad), the orange over there reminded me too much of Texas...)

—

The only thing harder than speaking truth to power is speaking truth to stupid.

Submitted by RantingRooster on Tue, 03/22/2016 - 9:48pm

Welcome, we hope

you like it here.

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C99, my refuge from an insane world. #ForceTheVote

Submitted by themis on Tue, 03/22/2016 - 9:54pm

Thanks, RR

It's nice to be out of the echo chamber.

—

The only thing harder than speaking truth to power is speaking truth to stupid.