Sardonyx has been profiling magnificent Kossacks lately, and that gave me an idea: What about the amazing people I've met on this site who NOBODY BUT ME has ever heard of? Well, surely somebody besides me has heard of them. I'm sure they each have their own set of fans. But if I were in charge, they'd be known and loved by everyone.
I'm sure that everyone else has their own set of heroes they've met around here who are unjustly never given the number of recs they deserve. I've seen semi-famous people (or at least those who would be noticed in the MSM) sign on here and post a diary, only to have it drop off the page in a matter of seconds.
This diary profiles a few of my heroes, and I look forward to reading about your heroes in the comments!
Before I launch into talking about my real-life Kossack heroes, I'd like to also say that there are many, many people on here who are heroes to me because their smiles seem to fill the entire room with sunshine the moment they walk in the door. I'm afraid if I started making a list (which would definitely begin with Gloriana, Trashablanca, Occams Hatchet, Cedwyn, Vigilant Meerkat, Eddie C, and Clammyc) I'd forget a bunch of people and then feel really bad.
There are also people on here who are heroes to me for their generosity in bringing Kossacks to our conventions (some give with money, but those who lack money give in effort and both count equally!). I don't want to embarrass anyone so I won't start naming names. Except for one.
I've seen an incredibly generous act of kindness from Markos and I'll never forget it. He asked a Kossack - someone he had never met before that night - if they were going to the convention and the person answered no, because of money. Upon hearing that, he instantly offered to pay (and he did).
DailyKos's Erin Brockovich: Lale
If you've never heard of Lale, I recommend you check out her blog, Truth and Progress. She's been a devoted friend of the environment long before I befriended her here on the tubes, and now she's actually become a Representative in the Massechusetts state government.
I met Lale because of our mutual interest in environmentalism a few years ago. She wasn't involved in government then. She was just a mom and an accountant (although I don't think anyone should ever refer to a mom as "just" a mom). Lale's an exceptional mom. One day she saw her children tracking little black footprints across the kitchen floor. When the dirt didn't wash off easily, she began investigating.
Lale's detective work ultimately led her to the local power plant - and the polluted water supply and high rates of cancer in the area. She raised hell, and actually got the plant to clean up its mess.
Read the whole story here and check out this piece by the Boston Globe as well. I am so proud to say that Lale is one of us and she is now no doubt doing a stellar job working for the good of the people of Massechusetts!
Lale and Mittens
My Newest Hero: TheFatLadySings
I was lucky enough to meet TheFatLadySings because I wanted to attend a food policy council training going on in Santa Fe training this month. TFLS and I started talking, and she decided to join me at the training.
I don't want to steal her story, so I'll just give you the latest episode and let her tell the entire thing when she finishes single handedly saving Medicaid.
TFLS noticed that Bush had an evil plan to change the Medicaid rules in such a way that the entire program would be gutted. So what did she do? Diaried the issue again and again, contacted the MSM and bugged them til they covered it, and did the same to her Senator.
Here's the latest diary from her on that. It IS a current (and very urgent) issue. TFLS has been like an energizer bunny working her butt off to save Medicaid and today the Senate finally passed the bill to save it!!
Kossack for Congress: Ron Shepston
Chances are you've heard of Ron Shepston. He blogs as CanYouBeAngryAndStillDream. He's running for the U.S. House in CA-42. Ron's just about the sweetest guy you'll ever meet, and I'm proud to know him.
Even if you've heard about his congressional run, here's something heroic you may not know: When SoCal had all the wildfires in 2007, Ron's district was affected. Instead of evacuating, he picked up a hose and stayed behind to fight the fire himself.
Human Encyclopedias: LoE and The Maven
I simply can't count the number of times I've posed a question in a comment, only to have a complete answer posted in a reply from The Maven. I don't even have to see who wrote it to know it's from him. He's got an almost inhuman ability to research ANYTHING and he is ALWAYS willing to do so.
Land of Enchantment's research is more focused, but it's no less impressive. She's got all the data you might ever want on every single member of Congress, plus each and every delegate in the primaries. I just wish the so-called "real" journalists in our country were as motivated and skilled as these two!!!
And now, the comments...
From Land of Enchantment
Keith Olbermann advises Buhdydharma.
From Lava20
Hillary for VP? Teacherken answers. (Land of Enchantment seconds this nomination.)
From bluestatemeant
Didn't want to let this comment by mikeplugh slip into the abyss.
From Lashe
Karenc13 makes a good point about McSame running for Commander in Chief, not President. (Don't miss Grand Moff Texan's reply either!)
From revelwoodie
Orange Crush shares this funny "quote" by McCain
From Sardonyx
In DrSteveB's excellent diary, which should be read by more people, Dallasdoc notes the need for expanding horizons of public health.
My Picks!
Our very own BeninSC is oh so modest!
MarktheShark dreams of the Rove perp walk
Calfacon responds to a comment about a lawyer named Dick Head.
More dreaming about Rove getting what he deserves by Timroff (who is - by the way - the brilliant artist behind my McSame T-shirts)
A funny link from VT ConQuest (who got it from Buffalo Girl)
An awesome rant by Delore
Dallasdoc is doing amusing things with his speed dial :)
Top Mojo - excluding search-identifiable tip jars and first diary comments (top 22 tonight of each plus ties):
1 Ordinarily, I'd agree by Grand Moff Texan - 365
2 Zen, you're selling her short by dansac - 170
3 Damn kids. Git off my quad! by ArtSchmart - 159
4 Please post Senator McCain's angry response by strengthANDwisdom - 151
5 He always hogs the limelight. by Bob Johnson - 140
6 No one could have anticipated by Grand Moff Texan - 137
7 The rambling story he tells by MAORCA - 134
8 first reaction.. by Leggy Starlitz - 124
9 She is dropping like a rock by lgcap - 122
10 Strike that by droogie6655321 - 122
11 great. thanks. by JLFinch - 110
12 Hillary has become delusion..... by groundbar09 - 106
13 The day that happens, I leave the party by The Fonging - 105
14 Completely agree by billysumday - 104
15 Hillary is poisoning the well. by JLFinch - 103
16 in fairness... by sweetmags - 101
17 my solution is simple by teacherken - 93
18 I don't think that Senator Clinton has ever by blue jersey mom - 93
19 And don't forget by djbender - 90
20 The torch has been passed... by David Kroning - 89
21 They've Learned From Thatcher and Rove That Modrn by Gooserock - 88
22 And what should we do by Lava20 - 86
23 Hillary deserves NOTHING. by BonzoDogBand - 86
24 Marc Ambinder Publishes Obama's Shortlist; NO HRC by Steven R - 85
25 The cool thing that is happening by benthos - 83
26 Rachel's said this all along by Dallasdoc - 81
27 Don't Fall for the Okey Dokey... by Moxie Gurl - 80
28 Breakingzz! by MBNYC - 79
29 Hillary still has a lot of support with women by Lisa in Bama - 76
30 we are ready by WahooMatt - 73
31 Yes...the nominee of the Republican party! by earicicle - 73
32 Dying in battle also hurts retention rates by second gen - 73
Top Mojo - everything included:
1 Tips for foresight by zenbowl - 700
2 Tips/flames, Recs by Hudson - 571
3 Tip Jar for Senator Kennedy by Oreo - 495
4 Tips for a Powerful Nominee by dansac - 481
5 I know I'm a broken record on this. by RenaRF - 435
6 Ordinarily, I'd agree by Grand Moff Texan - 365
7 Tips n/t by sidwood - 350
8 We can expect a lot more of McCain flipping out by Malacandra - 328
9 Recommendations for a New EV Map! by Steven R - 283
10 I think BO should by soms - 257
11 Zen, you're selling her short by dansac - 170
12 Nothing seems able to surprise me anymore by teacherken - 165
13 Damn kids. Git off my quad! by ArtSchmart - 159
14 Tips for Edwards Kennedy, by TomP - 157
15 Please post Senator McCain's angry response by strengthANDwisdom - 151
16 You bastid. by droogie6655321 - 143
17 He always hogs the limelight. by Bob Johnson - 140
18 No one could have anticipated by Grand Moff Texan - 137
19 The rambling story he tells by MAORCA - 134
20 This Memorial Day by Larry Kissell - 124
21 first reaction.. by Leggy Starlitz - 124
22 Strike that by droogie6655321 - 122
23 She is dropping like a rock by lgcap - 122
24 bush Is In Fayeytteville NC Today by jimstaro - 114
25 great. thanks. by JLFinch - 110
26 Hillary has become delusion..... by groundbar09 - 106
27 The day that happens, I leave the party by The Fonging - 105
28 Recs for a big day for Obama by terence - 104
29 Completely agree by billysumday - 104
30 Hillary is poisoning the well. by JLFinch - 103