That was the first I ever heard of Daily Kos. I was watching Countdown With Keith Olbermann (something else that was new to my routine) and he was talking about Bill O'Reilly who had been talking about this website. Calling the people here Nazis. Well, any group that pissed Bill-o off that much was something I had to check out! So I typed "Daily Kos" into my browser and discovered the Great Orange Satan. I've never looked back.
On my first visit, I spent an evening just reading. This was August 15, 2007 so the main topic was "who will we run for President?" But among the the diaries championing one candidate or another, I noticed other things: stories on the media, feminism, spying... and one on writing. Writing? Apparently there was more to this place than meets the eye. I decided to join. So I became Purple Priestess - a bow to my wish for real bi-partisanship and my clergy position, User number 135026. I lurked for a little over a month before I wrote my first diary, asking "What Do I Write About?" The response I received was heartening, if sparse. After that, I tried to keep to things I knew about (a Samhain list for that year) or that I felt strongly about. Some were frivolous - or considered to be (Obama's natal chart). But in January of 2009, I decided to focus on my love of words and began writing The Mad Logophile (Lexiphile at first). I was thrilled to get a positive response and, though the regularity of its publication has dwindled (life got in the way), I still write that series.
Last year, I joined the Rescue Rangers. I was trained by our dear GotAGrip and, though I was not an easy train, she and the other Rangers managed to get me up and running. Sure, being a Ranger can be contentious and we sometimes become the brunt of displeasure but, by God/dess, it's one of the best things I've ever been involved with. I get to read some truly great writing on topics that I normally might not see. And I work with the some of the best people I've ever met.
When my Mother died a little over 2 years ago, this community was there for me. I discovered The Grieving Room that very night as I was trying to keep my mind busy anywhere but where it wanted to go. Last year when the first bird sang into my silence, this community was tolerant of my obsession with the Canadian Folk Trio that broke my shell and woke me up to the world again. You were there for me. And that's not something I forget or take lightly.
An online community is a fascinating creature. It is made up of many different people from different backgrounds, lifestyles, religions, ethnicity. But they all share one thing. That thing can be an author, a band, a lifestyle, an ideology... it doesn't matter and, though they may disagree in other areas, the one thing they have in common tends to mitigate any arguments. I've been involved in a few online communities but none have come to close to this one for sheer number of great people. From the Boss on down, this place resonates with caring, sharing folks. I've seen so many people help another Kossack when they, themselves, could barely muddle through. I've tried to help where I could and, damn, but it feels good, doesn't it?
And there are so many ways to share this great feeling. Whether it's leaving a message in one of Sara R.'s quilt diaries (isn't she the BEST?), sending a few bucks to MinistryOfTruth to keep his voice speaking out for us, helping lapidarygal pay her back taxes or making sure a fellow Kossack is safe. Heck, just leaving nice comment in a diary makes both you and the diarist feel good.
But the ultimate feel-good is to gift someone with a lifetime subscription to Daily Kos. This site has to run ads, we know this. But some people can't afford to subscribe and hide them from view. Worse, some people are still on dial-up and ads make an agonizingly slow load go even slower. There are many voices here that bring a different perspective or specialize in a topic and we need them and their writings. Those of us who can do so, can make sure that those voices continue to be heard here. So, have a look at the most recent list of Kossacks who need that lifetime subscription and, if you can, be a Secret Santa. Because ALL of us are important.
See the list here: http://www.dailykos.com/...
... and Onomastic has the secret santa list for users wishing to remain anonymous. Anyone who really wants to help the truly neediest among us should message her for a name to gift.