I'm voting for Obama!! Rec list, please!

Okay, at first I was for Gore, then I was for Edwards.  Then I thought I had a good choice between Clinton and Obama.  Wrong!  It turns out Hillary is awful and Obama rocks.  So, now I'm for Obama.  No, I mean I'm really, really for Obama a lot.

I LOVE BARACK OBAMA!!!

In a unrelated matter, my wife and I have definitely decided to plant a mission fig bush.  At first we thought it wasn't hot enough here, then we found out it is.

Come on, Obama lovers, give me that famous free trip to the rec list.

PS  Apologies to the diarist who wrote the incredibly detailed and well-researched entry on rising world hunger.  I guess it's just not your day.

•  Can I put up an anti-tip jar?

  by David Kroning on Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 05:25:17 PM PDT

  •  I'm not sure what you are saying. eom

    by geomoo on Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 05:28:51 PM PDT

    •  I think he's saying

      that this diary is a waste of space and should be deleted. You have a valid comment, but this sort of thing pushes other content off the recent diary list.

      by factbased on Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 05:30:32 PM PDT

      •  I intend for the irony to underscore my point.

        Now that I've read your reaction, I feel bad.  But I still stand by this.  My hope was to spark a discussion of the serious issue of significant content being forced off the rec list.  As is so often the case, I guess I'm just being too concise to be read correctly.

        by geomoo on Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 05:34:13 PM PDT

        •  No, I got it

          I wrote that you had a valid comment, but you're crowding out significant content yourself with this diary. And it's certainly not a new point you're making.

          by factbased on Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 05:48:32 PM PDT

          •  I'm not sure why you expect me to be the one

            I've seen a lot worse than this on the rec list.  As I said, if it doesn't grab you, feel free to move on.  I'm not exactly the elbow throwing type, and I don't think I deserve to be singled out as the one taking up extra space.

            But I do hear you, and maybe you're right.

            by geomoo on Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 05:53:26 PM PDT

            •  Not "the one"

              just one of many taking up space. And I didn't have a huge problem with it, but I was guessing at what David Kroning meant.

              by factbased on Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 05:59:38 PM PDT

              •  Got it. Thanks. eom

                by geomoo on Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 06:00:42 PM PDT

•  No, I am not an attention whore.

  (And Nixon was no crook.)

  Please, I'm not bitter.  I'm not angry.  I don't want to insult people who have written valid diaries.  I'm just mocking the NRA type mentality that wants to rec anything in support of Obama.  That's all.  It's all in fun.  Please don't get angry with me.  If you didn't chuckle, then just move along.

  by geomoo on Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 05:26:21 PM PDT

  •  BTW, I really DO love Barack Obama.

    The rec list lately, not so much.

    by geomoo on Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 05:28:15 PM PDT

    •  I was for Gore too.

      Hope springs eternal!

      by Asinus Asinum Fricat on Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 05:48:53 PM PDT

      •  me too.... till today

        when I finally was brought face to face with the fact that Gore has no gift for politics/media control

        OpenLeft
        Gore's spokeswoman, Kalee Kreider, declined to comment on the Obama offer and was complimentary about the presidential candidates, including Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona.

        "Former Vice President Gore thinks that both candidates are very strong. Both of them have offered plans to address the climate crisis ...as has Senator McCain," she said.

        "It's a real turnaround to have candidates on both sides of the aisle offering, you know, solutions and plans to the climate crisis."

        McCain offers only bullshit on climate change and won't even vote for any bills even with his own name on them!
        The only remedy he has any interest in is nukes. Nuke power...

        by dotcommodity on Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 06:17:10 PM PDT

        •  That is a sobering reminder of the Gore I used

          to know.  I had thought that after 2000 and some time out of politics, he had thrown away that whole careful side.  The quote threw me right back to the Gore I knew before his wonderful "This is a disaster for our country" speech.

          Even though I was excited about Edwards, I always suspected he suffered from the same problem, what I vaguely call being straight.

          More and more, Obama seems like the real deal to me.  I'm setting myself up for a huge disappointment if he turns out to be more of the same.

          by geomoo on Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 06:21:42 PM PDT

          •  in fairness though

            I immediately regreted that quoted quote because the dot dot dot before

            ...as has Senator mcCain

            indicating the reporter left something out: WHICH COULD VERY WELL HAVE BEEN

            "Former Vice President Gore thinks that both [Dem] candidates are very strong. Both of them have offered plans to address the climate crisis, and neither of them have offered mere empty promises and meaningless pablum, as has Senator McCain.

            Shame on me!

            by dotcommodity on Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 07:27:44 PM PDT

  •  I chuckled.

    But why do so many people here want to tell everyone else what to write, and what to rec?

    Of course, I'm telling you what to do so that makes me as bossy as you.

    But I do have  have a point to make, and that point is that we all get to vote as to what does or does not go on the rec list.

    Neither you nor I get more than one vote. We can click rec or we can leave the rec button alone. So, until Kos changes the rule for reccing diaries, this is the way it will be.

    Maybe you can get Kos to make your vote count double or something.  A lot of folks agree with you. You might all get up a petition, pointing out your grievances and give it Kos, or--hey, you all write a diary about it. Wait. I think that's been done.

    by kpardue on Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 05:57:47 PM PDT

    •  Valid point, well-made enough. But

      this is unfair:

      Maybe you can get Kos to make your vote count double or something.

      At least you appreciate the irony in what you say.

      by geomoo on Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 06:00:07 PM PDT

      •  Unfair?

        I don't think so. Of course, I'm still chuckling.

        "All the world is just a little peculiar, save thee and me. And thou art just a
        little peculiar."

        by kpardue on Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 06:03:10 PM PDT

        •  Where do I ask for special treatment?

          Where do I imply I wish my vote counted double?  How do I deserve to be insulted?

          by geomoo on Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 06:16:39 PM PDT

          •  Oh, good grief!

            You are going to play the victim now!

            Well, so much for irony.

            by kpardue on Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 06:32:34 PM PDT

            •  Sorry. I got thrown off by the hostile responses

              I couldn't tell how to read your attitude.  It flipped from fun irony to serious insult in my mind, and it looks as though the wrong interpretation won out.

              I got a knot in my stomach.  I got a pounding in my brain.  This was not the fun I had in mind.  Please just let it go.  For my part, I know I've never before been happy to see my diary finally fall into oblivion.  Yikes.

              by geomoo on Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 06:40:37 PM PDT

•  cocoa puffs

  cuckoo

  by fivefouranonymous on Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 05:26:25 PM PDT

  •  Since I don't like being called cuckoo,

    allow me to spell out a serious point.  For the last few weeks, almost any diary in support of Obama has made the rec list, even those with little substance, while many a diary on a legitimate issue has fallen off the edge of the world.  This is my little complaint.  The diary is snarky, but the issue is real.

    by geomoo on Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 05:31:05 PM PDT

    •  What's ironic is that the diary about food riots

      WAS on the rec list these past few days.  Hmm, what else has been up there?  Torture, Voter Disenfranchisement, and Hillary misstatements to name a few.  The difference with the Obama diaries that reach the rec list is they actually have substance.  Yours doesn't.

      And your diary isn't snarky.  Snarky is funny.  This diary, not so much.

      by The Distillery on Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 05:35:31 PM PDT

      •  Counter-examples do not constitute an argument

        There is still wonderful content here, on and off the rec list.  I read it voraciously.  But I have to grab a lot of it off the recent diary list before it disappears, and when I do find it, the discussion is limited by the lack of appearance on the rec list.  I have seen diaries on the rec list with very little more substance than the above--more detail perhaps, but not more substance.  I also know that I'm far from being the only one who feels this way.  I will not point out any specific diaries, because I don't want to insult the diarists.  It's not they who are a problem.  It is the recommending choices.

        by geomoo on Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 05:39:12 PM PDT

      •  I wrote a diary that almost no one read...

        and almost no one commented in...and it took me a while to compose.

        This makes me sad.

        If anyone would like to read it.  You can find it here.
        http://www.dailykos.com/...

        by David Kroning on Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 05:44:08 PM PDT

        •  Diary pimping! How evil!

          That's almost like asking people to rec you in the title...

          by The Distillery on Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 05:46:45 PM PDT

          •  Will you read it? I'd like your comment...

            You're one of the good one's around here.

            by David Kroning on Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 05:47:41 PM PDT

            •  I liked it. I totally agree.

              But I won't breathe a sigh of relief until January 20, 2009.  I saw something similar on the Obama blog about something Ghandi said.  First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you.  Then you win.

              I think the Hillary campaign can also be compared to the 5 stages of grief.  (I didn't come with that either.)  They're about to reach depression.  Then acceptance.

              But I'm still paranoid Bush/Cheney is going to try some de facto coup before January.  We must be vigilant!

              by The Distillery on Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 06:19:32 PM PDT

        •  I agree with your point there.

          And enjoyed the fine writing.  My concern is that the arising change you sense will be sabotaged.  There is a powerful, ruthless establishment with a lot to protect.  I agree with you (or would add) that the electorate is a lot less responsive to the polarizing, self-serving manipulations of that establishment, but this early stage is a fragile one.  In addition, there is a well-armed minority who are stirred up to great anger against liberals et al.  But this comment would have been more appropriate in your little-read diary.

          by geomoo on Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 05:57:54 PM PDT

        •  I took a look at your diary

          And found an innacuracy. You talk about:

          the mostly white leaders of the Trinity United Church of Christ asked the media to back out of their "sacred space."  

          Rev. Dr. John Thomas is the General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ, that includes Trinity UCC; and Rev. Michael Kinnaman, General Secretary, National Council of Churches, that includes the UCC.

          I expand on this in my diary, if you are interested.

          by Fairy Tale on Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 06:55:31 PM PDT

    •  that's not true

      the I'm voting for Obama diaries that make the rec list have some sort of substance to them.  human interest, or a long time kog who was a supporter of another candidate changing his/her mind.

      it's just not true that any diary about someone voting for Obama gets a free trip to the rec list.

      and as proof, this one won't make it.

      by TrueBlueMajority on Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 06:02:53 PM PDT

      •  Proof my ass. Of course a lot don't make it.

        Reaction to the absurdity you are currently commenting on is certainly proof of nothing.

        I have read many of the diaries in question with interest.  But many of them look pale indeed, sitting on the rec list alongside laboriously researched diaries on other substantive issues.  It's not that every diary makes it; it's that a lot do make it with little substance, or repetitive information, or nothing more than personal argument.  That is as it is.  I accept it with comment.  I do have a little trouble with denial, however.

        by geomoo on Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 06:14:43 PM PDT

        •  your whole "joke" is premised

          on the idea that a sketchy diary about voting for Obama is a free ride to the rec list, because you imagine that some other diaries of that type have done so.

          it isn't and they haven't.

          personal argument is a perfectly valid way to make the res list if your personal argument captures the attention of the community in some unusual way.

          i defy you to find "a lot" of rec list diaries with little substance or repetitive information.  that is your imagination and raises the question of whether you are the one in denial.

          by TrueBlueMajority on Sat Apr 12, 2008 at 03:21:35 AM PDT

          •  I refuse to single out diaries.

            I have no interest in insulting or degrading the valid experience of a diarist, honestly presented.  So, I am choosing to tie my own hands there.  I did notice last night the presence of the same video from CNN in two diaries on the rec list.  One diary did little more than offer the video, a service I appreciate, while the other one added more.  I believe at one point every diary on the rec list save one was about the primary.  Now, I'm afraid I'm not a "change the world" kind of guy, so I don't expect to change anything, but I do think there is room on this site for a complaint about the domination of the rec list by primary oriented diaries.  At the very least I wish there would be enough recognition of an alternate universe to allow my  good-humored offering to float down unmolested by the self-appointed arbiters of what is valid here.  Consider this a tiny squeak which, with this comment, is hereby ended, so far as I am concerned.

            by geomoo on Sat Apr 12, 2008 at 10:22:29 AM PDT

            •  well, last night was different

              when there is a breaking story or a "scandal" then sometimes there are duplications.

              this is an historic election and a primary season like we have never seen before.  it makes sense to discuss it here.  but other diaries do make the rec list too, every single day.

              i never said your diary was not valid.  you have every right to post whatever you want.

              by TrueBlueMajority on Sat Apr 12, 2008 at 04:44:47 PM PDT

    •  i don't read the rec list

      1. no one forces you to.

      2. this diary is cuckoo.

      3. i don't know you.

      by fivefouranonymous on Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 08:49:32 PM PDT

      •  Okay, point by point

        1. The primary ramification of the rec list is that dairies which fail to make it suffer from impoverished discussion and fail to reach a wider audience.  Thus, my experience is affected by whether something is on the rec list or not, and there is no reason for me not to remark on that, especially given that I know many other Cossacks feel as I do.

        2.  Define "cuckoo."

        3.  In the words of Dick Cheney, "So?"

        by geomoo on Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 10:51:09 PM PDT

        •  1,2,3

          1. the rec list has never pleased everybody. there are many more users on dailykos than typical top-diary recommenders. if you wanted to make this point, you could have it made it more artfully and with more "funny" as that seemed to be your goal. i read the incoming diaries and attempt to promote ones that share new information, make an important point, or otherwise peak my interest.

          2. cuckoo means foolish or lacking in sense. you wasted your one diary for the day, attempting to make a point on perceived problems with the rec list but making it in a way that neither interested people nor got you many recommends.

          3. again, i don't know you - so in no way am i implying you are personally foolish.

          by fivefouranonymous on Sat Apr 12, 2008 at 10:42:08 AM PDT

          •  So now your criticism is of my execution

            rather than my goal.  I won't argue with your opinion there.

            I operate here much as you describe, with the apparent difference being that I also will post a whimsical diary.

            I don't even come close to writing a diary every day.  I have no need to hoard diary writes.  And who knew?  This could have become the enjoyable Friday night romp it was intended to be instead of the dull, often mocking, lecture on proper dailyKos behavior it became.

            I accept your point that you, like God, were hating the sin and not the sinner.

            I do appreciate the considered responses.  And if it makes you feel any better, I sure the wish the hell I had never bothered with this diary.

            by geomoo on Sat Apr 12, 2008 at 02:00:39 PM PDT

            •  sigh

              i do enjoy snarky diaries. my original comment was supposed to be funny, not serious. but since you responded in a serious way, i felt compelled. my point stands, and you agree, that the diary was improperly executed to gain a wider audience that would influence rec list. that happens - i've done it plenty of times. and people have often told me my diary was inaccurate, old, or witless. i'm saying i'm not "sinless" since you somehow just called me  godlike. o.O

              i don't write diaries everyday but i do read everyday. your diary took up some of my time that i can't get back, but that's another point. i chose to respond and am choosing now. so in a way, your diary succeeded in a discussion but the discussion arrived in a different way than you originally intended?

              to that end, the rec list hierarchy currently favors the primary as that's usually the biggest political news of the day. it has personal impacts which are sometimes unusual or noteworthy.

              meanwhile, the unrec list, which i prefer, has a perpetually refreshing plethora of single commentaries on the day's nuance or missed news or personal anecdotes or recipes or poetry. i prefer it and i have no problem with the rec list being occasionally cliche.

              by fivefouranonymous on Sat Apr 12, 2008 at 02:15:41 PM PDT

              •  Agreed re the unrec list. Best stuff is there.

                Feeling mocked withered my ironic appreciation like a ... well, I'll spare you the sexual imagery (oops, too late).  The comparison to God was meant lightly, in which spirit you seem to have received it.

                As for my diary wasting your time, it was intentionally short and to the point, and intentionally not really worthy of being called a diary.  I wanted it to be eminently scannable and skippable, in hopes of avoiding the very criticism it attracted.

                I assume you appreciate the irony of the extended comment threads which essentially are begging me to stop wasting people's time ("just delete it, for God's sake, so we can get on with our lives") as well as the lecturing to the effect that I have no right to post here complaining about what other people post.

                All in all, an emotionally trying experience for this thin-skinned Cossack.  I feel better having you respond and talk through your meaning.

                Is that dead horse I smell?  Shall we move on?

                Cheers.

                by geomoo on Sat Apr 12, 2008 at 02:44:49 PM PDT

•  Attention: Someone call the Pootie Rangers.

  by David Kroning on Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 05:31:12 PM PDT

  •  Will this do?

    

    by Sally in SF on Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 06:05:16 PM PDT

•  Wonderful thoughtful diary!!

  Recommended!

  by Viceroy on Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 05:34:34 PM PDT

  •  Now that's the spirit. Thank you, kind sir.

    by geomoo on Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 05:35:40 PM PDT

•  C'mon everyone!

  Let's get this on the rec list!  The diarist is a fantastic person that clearly put a LOT of thought into this diary!

  by Viceroy on Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 05:37:23 PM PDT

•  To make this truly rec-worthy

  You need to hurl a bit more invective at the non-Obama candidate.

  Also, the technique of guilt by association should be applied to the detriment of the other candidate, though such technique should be roundly deplored when applied to Obama.

  Also, even the mildest of questioning of any of Obama's positions should be met with vociferous attack.  It is simply not enough to refute the substance of the point raised, the credibility and standing in the community of such questioner must be shredded.

  Bonus recs for repetition of previously diaried topics.

  These are of course just a few suggestions. A close study will illustrate the efficacy of a variety of other techniques.

  by science first on Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 05:50:01 PM PDT

  •  You compose a veritable handbook, sir.

    And I have no doubt as to its effectiveness.  I just don't have the stomach for that fight, nasty as it gets.  I was looking for a light-hearted Friday night romp, a touch of irony, a pinch of good-humored sarcasm.  What I got instead was a knot in my stomach.

    This is the second, and hopefully last, time I've thrown out an impulsive diary on the basis of a long-standing observation.  I think I've learned that they just don't work.  As to your insightful analysis, wonderfully propounded as it is, it's a fight I choose to avoid.  So, no rec list for me.

    by geomoo on Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 06:06:51 PM PDT

    •  its not the friendly environment it used to be

      here, geomoo...

      What I got instead was a knot in my stomach.

      , yeah, I know...I'd just wait, some of this self righteous humorlessness will pass when the primary, blah blah blah
      My rec, I'm totally fed up with that crap too...

      by dotcommodity on Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 06:24:18 PM PDT

      •  Thanks so much, dot c

        you don't mind if I call you dotc, do you?  I just got home from a concert, and I sheepishly came by to give this disaster one last look and put it to bed.  Your comment is a soothing way for me to let this go, along with the alienation I was feeling.  I do hope it changes after the primary is over.

        by geomoo on Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 10:44:38 PM PDT

        •  me too, my sympathies

          and yeah, I haven't even tried diarying since this site turned into a rackety videogame arcade where all the NOISE!!! comes from videogames noisily sticking a fork in Hillary.

          I really miss all the more thoughtful refugees they hounded off the site for daring to offer a word in defense of the one who is not The One - like turkana and so on.

          by dotcommodity on Sat Apr 12, 2008 at 06:16:38 AM PDT

          •  I don't why I've resisted so strongly

            Today is the day I start finding my home on more gentle blogs.  I am planning a diary on what George Washington had to say about the likes of the neocons.  I'm thinking I need to find another site for my musings.  Perhaps I'll cross-post here.

            It seems to me quite a few of the old standard bearers are in little evidence in the comments section these days.  I don't know how much of that is the increased number of users.

            Thanks for your supportive words.

            by geomoo on Sat Apr 12, 2008 at 10:26:29 AM PDT

            •  I'm such a design freak

              I hate the other venues lack of spacious comfy digs, so I hope they will be back here again.

              Turkana writes at The Left Coaster (but horrible haloscan for comment threads...ugh)

              Keep it for here, but just wait till June.

              by dotcommodity on Sat Apr 12, 2008 at 02:00:49 PM PDT

              •  Ironically, it's the comment threads I enjoy here

                and as you say, it's not nearly the same anywhere else I've been.  But I do find I'm often participating a bit more nervously than before, waiting for the next mocking, sarcastic attack to materialize, seemingly out of nowhere.  I stayed away for a week recently, then came back refreshed.  But it hasn't taken long for me to reach this point again.  Sigh.

                One thing is, the longer I'm here, the more I learn the usernames of people like you, who aren't out to grind axes or throw out debasing one-liners, and the more effectively I can shield myself.  Also, more people will get to know me, which helps a lot with the very common misunderstandings of attitude and intent.  So I'm going to stick around.  I just need to restrain my tendency to react in writing every time I get an idea.

                I'll check out Left Coaster.  They hadn't been on my list to try.  Cheers.

                by geomoo on Sat Apr 12, 2008 at 02:08:31 PM PDT

                •  what keeps me sane during these...

                  interesting times, is to only enter eco diaries, and  via the prepublication notice atdailykosenvironmetalists mostly they are not obsessed with the one who is not The One

                  by dotcommodity on Sat Apr 12, 2008 at 02:36:10 PM PDT

                  •  An eye-opener!

                    I didn't know I could sign up for that.  That's great.

                    Environmental diaries are the best thing here, IMHO.  There are writers here who are terrific resources.  And I like them because they are useful both from a political/policy perspective and practically for personal decision-making.

                    You've been very helpful.  Now I'm glad I suffered through this diary.  If I hadn't just thrown it out there, I wouldn't have learned about this.

                    Cheers.

                    by geomoo on Sat Apr 12, 2008 at 02:50:36 PM PDT

                •  thanks btw!

                  I learn the usernames of people like you, who aren't out to grind axes or throw out debasing one-liners,

                  comliment returned!

                  by dotcommodity on Sat Apr 12, 2008 at 02:37:06 PM PDT

•  About the rec...

  No.
  It's a repeat diary.
  Sorry.

  by RElland on Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 06:02:35 PM PDT

  •  Wise choice. Would that were always the criterion

    by geomoo on Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 06:08:03 PM PDT

•  Pooties? I have pooties for ya.

  

  Ceiling cat is watching

  

  whose dancing because it's Friday and Pootie loves OBAMA, too!

  by Sally in SF on Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 06:03:50 PM PDT

•  are you clinging to your faith in this community?

  i'm afraid you're going to be very disappointed

  by elephantitis on Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 06:06:28 PM PDT

  •  Wow. What a perfect, concise comment. Thanks

    by geomoo on Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 06:08:54 PM PDT

•  RESPONSE

  http://ca.youtube.com/...

  by Snowcat on Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 07:00:57 PM PDT