People are lamenting the "tone" of the primary season lately.  Aside from the fact that it's a contest that matters, I think those who lament the good stuff of Daily Kos being gone now are wrong.  True, the fire hose is gushing with more force than ever.  Wednesday, there were 731 diaries posted!  There was not a single day in 2007 that had close to that many.  It's my opinion that pretty much everything we all love is still here.  You just have to dig a little more to find it.

We have had some GBCW's - Radiowalla most recently.  But others couldn't quit us, and have returned:  Grand Moff Texan, SallyCat and Granny Doc come to mind.  So, I'm gonna list some of the other Kossacks I'm grateful to have on my screen (and in my life) below the fold.

Please join in with your own cherished favorites!

Now, more than ever, we need a group hug.

It's time for another "largest group hug" attempt. The current DK record is 230. Here's the deal:

There's a pitched battle going on in the primaries, but we're all going to come together behind the nominee in the end... right?  So it's time to start the healing now.  To feel the love.  To end the hurting.

To create the largest virtual group hug in DK history.

Here's how:

1. Leave a comment -- any comment -- with "hug" in the subject line

2. Respond to someone else's comment with "hug" in the subject line

3. Recommend this diary to keep the hug train going.

4. Go to 1, lather, rinse, repeat.

You can add other words in the subject, and say what you want in the body of it, but... just include "hug."  

We can go back to debating in the days to come.  After all, there's still a spirited battle to be fought for the nomination.   But for just a few minutes, take a break, give a hug, and think thoughts of "kumbaya" in your head.

Let the group hugging commence.  Let's have "record turnout" for this one. Let's make history. Go on... hug it out.

Now, more than ever, we need a group hug.

It's time for another "largest group hug" attempt -- with the current DK record of 230. Here's the deal:

There's a pitched battle going on in the primaries, but we're all going to come together behind the nominee in the end... right?  So it's time to start the healing now.  To feel the love.  To end the hurting.

To create the largest virtual group hug in DK history.

Here's how:

1. Leave a comment -- any comment -- with "hug" in the subject line

2. Respond to someone else's comment with "hug" in the subject line

3. Recommend this diary to keep the hug train going.

4. Go to 1, lather, rinse, repeat.

You can add other words in the subject, and of course, say what you want in the body of it, but... just include "hug."  

We can go back to debating in the days and weeks to come.  After all, there's still a spirited battle to be fought for the nomination.   But for just a few minutes, take a break, give a hug, and think thoughts of "kumbaya" in your head.

Let the group hugging commence.  Let's break a record.  Let's make history. Go on... hug it out.