During campaign season, most of us receive emails that make us fighting mad. When I receive an email trashing Obama (or prior to that trashing Hillary...oddly I never got any trashing Edwards) I just correct the factual errors and broken logic chains and reply to all.  That has significantly reduced the amount of smear emails I receive.

But the email I just got tonight had nothing to do with the campaign.  It's from a long-time friend with whom I completely disagree about all things political. He calls himself an independent, but he's libertarian with regard to dismantling the government and Republican with regard to social issues.  The only saving grace is that he is by all other accounts, extremely intelligent, and not likely to pass on bad information. So usually we avoid discussions of politics and discuss other things.

So I have to confess, when I received his weekend joke update, I was shocked and saddened to see this commentary at the top preceding the jokes.  I don't know if he formulated this opinion on his own or if he is parroting some talking head, but I am shocked and I am saddened.  Read over the fold for my reply to one man's comparison and contrast between Katrina and the Midwest flooding.

It’s hardly news to anyone that cancer sucks.  In the course of a lifetime, American men have a slightly less than 1 in 2 risk of developing cancer in their lifetimes.  American women’s lifetime risk is slightly more than 1 in 3.  Given these rates, it’s likely that you or someone you know has already faced a battle with cancer.  If so, you know how devastating this illness can be to individuals and their families. Cancer wreaks havoc on the physical, emotional and financial health of those who must face it. It is also damaging to our communities and to our nation for many reasons, one of which is the premature loss of people who might have contributed greatly to our national history.  

Jump over the fold with me to learn areas where greater support is needed and how you can make a difference in what for me, and for many of you, is a very personal issue.

Disclaimer: The title is a "gotcha" but this diary is a sarcasm free zone. If you're looking for sarcasm, you might like the poll.

In light of recent GBCW diaries and pleas from long-time Kossacks to make changes to the site to help us rise above the candidate wars, I propose that we all take a good hard look at what brought us here in the first place.  What you find may offer you guidance on how to go forward, whether to move on, or how to better accomplish what you set out to do when you joined this community.

I have an easy time finding validity on both sides of a reasonable argument.  Sometimes that’s a blessing;sometimes it’s a curse.  On some subjects, my heart leads me to a position that is easy to defend while still recognizing the validity of arguments to the contrary.  Other subjects require more soul-searching, and I try to remember that issues are not just issues – there are people behind them.  I try to consider what it is that the affected person or people really need. Which leads me to the topic, over the fold, of clarifying what you want from dailyKos and then setting out to get it.  Because it is about the people and right now, I say sincerely, it’s all about you.

Before my birthday in November, I promised myself I would write a diary a day for my birthday week.  Unfortunately life intervened in the ugliest of ways, and not only did I not write any diaries, I barely visited for more than a month afterwards. I almost wrote a GBCW diary before disappearing but I thought it might look kinda silly since it would be only my third diary.  

In any event, I'm back and having more fun here than ever.  We all love to express ourselves and it's great to have a forum such as this with a lot of like-minded people around to share our ideas and ideals with. I'm researching some topics for future diaries, but for now, I'll get started on my belated (and somewhat scaled back) diary goal. Reading and posting on dKos has been a great learning experience for me.  It's also been fun, but I've made what I consider some silly mistakes.  This diary will help newbies (and some old timers) avoid some of my mistakes and some I've observed from others.

Jump over the fold for a few "yups" "ahas" and chuckles.  And you can rec it if you wanna.  But if you do, someone will definitely bitch about it...

In the run-up to the 2004 Presidential Election, I watched every Democratic candidates debate.  So far, I've managed to watch or Tivo all of the Democratic debates as well as the last Republican debate and I've gotta say, "We've come a long way baby!"  The debates this year (tonight's specifically) have been so much more pleasant to watch.  I feel more hope about this field of Democratic candidates than I ever remember feeling in my lifetime.  (For reference only, I'm 43, but don't tell anyone, lol.)

Regarding the debate specifically, the only complaint I have is that too much time was taken up at the beginning with welcomes and assorted speeches.  Instead of eliminating candidates from future debates, I hope we'll see the introductory and administrative aspects reduced in future debates.  I DVRd this, so I could watch the counter and it was nearly 15 minutes into the schedule when the candidates were introduced.

I liked the issues that were presented for discussion in this All-American debate.  It's true that issues for the African-American community are issues for all Americans.  I enjoyed seeing familiar African-American heroes in the audience as well.  Jump over the fold for more...

A recent article on CNN.com highlights the progress (or lack thereof) Democrats have made in creating a more open, honest Congress, particularly with regard to government spending.  

Link here:  Despite promises, few in House make earmark requests public

Lest I be troll rated on my very first diary for going negative, I have made those who DID respond the "heroes" of this diary.  Nevertheless, positive or negative, this is an important issue for all of us, particularly as we look forward to ’08.  We need Democrats in office who not only talk the talk of legislative transparency, but follow through with their actions. Follow the link above to the CNN site to see how your representative responded, or go below the fold for my summary and suggestions on appropriate carrots and sticks to get more than just talk on this issue.