Ten years ago today, I joined Daily Kos. I wrote about how in my fifth anniversary diary, It’s Been Five Years.
Apology Disclaimer: I have tried and tried and tried and I cannot for the life of me figure out how to link the diary- or embed, or whatever you call it. Can’t do it. I just recently learned how to copy and paste and oh boy, that was a thrill. So, if you’re curious, you’ll have to read it from my list. Sorry.
So, anyway, it’s now ten years. Wow.
Things have changed. A lot. When I started here, we had a war-mongering president, then a wonderful, delightful eight year breath of fresh air, and now we have...garbage. Stinky garbage.
When I started here, I so enjoyed the sense of community this place provided. Now, I only recognize a handful of names. And I’m sure many of you have that community among yourselves- Daily Kos is still that. And I visit daily- sometimes more, to check out what’s happening, to maybe read a few diaries. And I always end my day with Night Owls- need to know that Tweet Of The Day. But I don’t write much anymore. Comment less. It’s not...the same.
Because while DK served its purpose for me- to connect with like minds and share our joys and struggles in this wonderful political world- it is no longer my only source.
When trump was elected, I, like many of you, became depressed. For about three months, I felt as if someone very close to me had died and I had to mourn. Then the Women’s March happened, and I felt revitalized. I went to the local one by me- a few hundred women- all of them feeling as I do, shouting to honking cars, “We are women, hear us roar”, and someone mentioned this Facebook group where we could feel safe criticizing trump without having the deplorables in your life come out and attack.
So I joined, and not only that, there were monthly meetings where we could cry and lament until we finally said, “Now what?”
“Now what?” turned into a pretty cool political group dedicated to turning our district blue. (We did not succeed). “Now what?” became several more groups, and marches, and meetings. Working on local elections. (I just got back from our Close The Camps rally). “Now what?” has me writing postcards, LTE’s, calling my reps in Congress daily, plus my state reps, too.
“Now what?” has me active.
I have made some great friends from these local groups. We socialize outside of politics (although we still talk dirt on trump) We pick each other up when the weight of what is happening to the country becomes to heavy to bear. And we do that by mobilizing. Feeling like crap? Host a postcard writing party. Feeling helpless- make calls. Feeling defeated? Write it out in a letter to the editor of you local paper.
The one thing I have never felt was alone. I had it here for a long time. Still some old friends around. BF Skinner- I love you so much and worry about you all the time. Keep your diaries coming. They are so needed during these times of crap.
Maybe I’ll start writing here again. I don’t know. For about eight years, Daily Kos satisfied a need in me and for that I am eternally grateful. But I have a local election coming up that is vital, so all my work will be going toward that.
I’m still here, but now I just lurk. That still counts, right?