According to my profile, I've been around since Feb 2006. But I lurked during the 2004 elections and enjoyed learning what I could from the various writers and diarists. It took me awhile to go ahead and be a member.
I'm in Texas and though there is a number 50 in my user name, I am only 40. Even in Houston, there can be a loneliness being the only person who sees things the way I do. I have hung around various sites since 1999 and was able to satisfy part of who I am. Discussing politics on most sites erupts into flamewars and general chaos.
But one thing that DKos has that few other sites had was the ability to learn, to expand thoughts and insights by listening to people as they covered various areas. It's an amazing thing to behold.
I try not to get into meta because I had enough of that in fandom wars in LJ and those type sites. Famdom Wanks was some seriously funny and often unbelievable crapload of asshattery. I learned to stay out of it.
There is a true feeling of community here, even though I don't often agree with everything written or stated. I learned ages ago that I don't know everything and my views aren't universal. I come to my views from my experiences and knowledge base. I honestly believe being gay opened me up to being more empathetic than I might otherwise have been. I try to be friendly and honest with each person here. I'll admit I have an offbeat sense of humor and sometimes that doesn't translate well onto the page.
Why I'm writing this is simple; I wanted to say thank you to all the contributors over the years that try to educate us not just about politics and current events, but science, history, books, and the general happenings in the world. Knowledge and learning are chicken soup for my soul. They keep me young; along with regular visits to the gym.
This is the one place I can post my thoughts on banking regulations in one diary, a recipe for dinner in another, how gays and sports is evolving, and how everything relates back to Dune in another. This place is dynamic and not without its flaws to be honest. I wrote Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose back in 2006 as a reaction to what I was witnessing and it reminded me of college. Some days here still remind me of college. But it is the variety of thoughts and knowledge that keeps me coming back.
I am still a life long Democrat. That was the first thing that brought me here, was to not feel alone in the world with W. as president. It has been since 1994 that a Democrat has been Gov or a Sen from Texas. It can still feel lonely, but this place helps.
Again, thank you all.