I’ve been a member of DKos for a little over three months. The Obama campaign set me on fire and inspired me to join. The other day I had the audacity; some would say arrogance to post a diary about my perceptions regarding good old fashioned courtesy and the recent lack thereof on Dkos.
In the dim light of my room I sat upright in my bed, wearing my, Laugh Out Loud, Felix jammies. I was clicking thoughtfully away on my laptop when I hit the post button. What happened next was well kind of like this:
The room was somewhat dark and quiet, when all of a sudden I was pulled from my bed, perched upright in a chair, and placed in front of a stage. The sounds of shouts, snickers, and laughter filled the air, lights came on, a curtain was lifted and my room was filled with the Daily Kos community. Like buskers they rolled out onto the stage, some sweeping past in a blur, others standing long enough to wag a finger in my face, or pat me on the back and still others dared a quick pinch dashing off before I could protest.
Some began to huddle in groups discussing politics, in an arena I had unwittingly created, and still others murmured about my cheek. Old timers showed up to add some words of wisdom and comfort; and still others displayed their talent for high comedy. Parody, irony and good humor bounced around like pin balls. At times hitting the mark, at times zinging around at such dizzying speeds that I had to duck. There were even those who had unwittingly entered under false pretense, wondering what in the world they were doing there, and still others chased each other on and off stage.
Some rascals showed up and tried to take over the show, didnt' work. Then legends of the past, renegades were discussed with the good humor that comes with looking at past misdeeds and others with relief that it was all in the past. Some sat reflecting over their own past misdeeds. And through all this they didn’t forget the jaw dropped newcomer seated before them. Lessons were given, in etiquette, patience and tolerance with a wrinkle of humor and kindness. I was instructed in spelling and grammar by the school marms and greeted as Ma’am, with the swoop of a hat and a bow from a charming cowboy.
A diplomat prophesized that I would be in for an interesting time and a witty new fan sat on the sidelines not wanting to miss a thing. I was at times defended and at other times lectured with rigor. As the show slowly wound down some gathered quietly, chatting in clusters, stopping to catch up on weather, or a mutual friend , and some grateful as in the words of one, for the chance to gather and have some "snarky fun tonight" .
When the lights dimmed and the stragglers left, I found myself once again sitting before the soft glow of my laptop. The only thing I could say, after I picked up my jaw from the floor was: WOW!