We need an intro thread. Lots of newbies

[TayTay]

Periodically we need to re-introduce ourselves. Can't tell the players without a program and all that.

Hi, I'm TayTay. I have been in this group since November, when I do believe membership in it saved my sanity (and possibly my soul and marriage, but that is a lot to put on one small group.) My speciality is bringing in odd news items that keep everyone up-to-date on JK to a degree that may be unhealthy. (Not sure about that, I will ruminate on it.) I am also very wonky and enjoy navel-gazing stories about policy changes, the future of the Dem Party, if any, and I read transcripts of Senate Committee hearings. (I'm not sure there is a medication to control that, maybe something for OCD.)

I am from Northeast Massachusetts (the eastern most corner of the Liberal-Oasis) and I have two kids, 2 cats, one dog and a husband. (But not in that order.) I have been voting for Kerry since 1982, and I like him very much indeed. He is a true credit to the state, even if his loss did break my wittle heart. (Ah poor me, okay, I'm over it.) And I am a huge fan of the Red Sox. This had to be said because summer is coming and people need to prepare to tell me to stop talking about it. (Sigh! Again, maybe OCD medication.)

So, how's by you?

[ginnyinWI]

1. I'm Ginny

I live in Wisconsin, a barely blue state. We worked our hearts out to score one for Kerry last fall. Since we were a swing state we got spoiled with a lot of attention from our candidates and their families! I saw Kerry twice and Edwards twice, and their wives once each. Nice memories.

I started coming to DU after the Kerry blog folded, right after the election, and I agree with TayTay that it has been very theraputic to know others in the same boat as me. I'm still in shock that JK didn't take the White House, and I do believe he had votes stolen from him and ought to be there today. To me, nobody is more qualified to be President. John Kerry has single-handedly restored my belief that there are honest politicians in this world. And he inspires me to be optimistic about the future of our country, rather than cynical. And I'm trying to keep that faith. I knew nothing about him at all before September 2003 but have become a true fan--he's got it all going for him--looks, brains, personality and heart.

Pet Peeve: people who are trying to re-write the campaign's history just because he didn't make it to the White House. I have enough tapes of rallies and speeches from Cspan to put the lie to all their claims that Kerry wasn't tough enough on Bush, or any of the other dozens of complaints! And he did too talk about moral values! Oh, don't get me started!

I'm a middle-aged boomer with a husband and three grown kids(daughter, son, daughter) and two cats (a black shorthair and a black-orange-white calico). I live in the ex-urbs of Milwaukee in a Republican congressional district (Sensenbrenner--ugh) but Bryan Kennedy has already thrown his hat into the ring for another try at his seat! He did pretty well against him last fall, considering. Overall, our red county voted 33% for Kerry, which "ain't bad", when you realize that they only had us canvassing in the largest communities. Next time I hope they can blanket the whole area.

My degree is in English with a Psych minor, so you may find me nit-picking at spelling or grammar (I'm prone to editing my own posts over the most minor typo!), or boring you with psycho-babble. Sorry!

[Siyahamba]

2. I'm Siyahamba

Hello, I have been in this group since November as well, I believe - not too long after it was created. I found DU from a link from another forum. It was a link to the page of links to polls following the presidential debate. Following the election, I couldn't leave the house for two days, I was near-catatonic. I'm so glad I found this group, becuase the way John Kerry was being talked about in the rest of DU was very upsetting.

I am from southwestern Manitoba. I moved to southeastern Michigan in August to live with my partner. I am currently working on an MA in Social Sciences - a student visa was the only way I can be with my partner at the moment. Although it's costing us a lot of money for my tuition, this was a better option than the both of us relocating to Canada - he'd have to leave his business and put dozens of people out of work. Though unable to vote, I volunteered with my local county Democrats during the campaign. I'm still involved; I've done some volunteering for Democratic candidates in an upcoming school board election here.

I admire John Kerry for his wisdom, his courage, his long-time support for causes such as voting against the DOMA and voting for the Permanent Partners Immigration Act, and for supporting other causes that don't affect me directly but are important to millions of other people who otherwise don't have a voice.

[TayTay]

3. My Lord, the more I hear about members of this forum

The more I am impressed. You folks are a highly intelligent group with an amazingly diverse group of backgrounds. Wow! I'm impressed. We really have an interesting lot here.

Alas and alack, I have no degree. (I came close on several occasions, but I digress, which was the problem.) And everyone else has degrees. I think I'm getting degree-envy. Gotta work on that.

Kudos to us for being the intelligent, sassy, funny, wonky, randy and libidinous group that we are. We rock!

[WildEyedLiberal]

4. I'm WildEyedLiberal

I joined DU in October, and in the fallout of the election fled to the Kerry forum, because I wasn't willing to turn my back on a man who I'd grown to admire and love over the course of last year. This group has saved my sanity numerous times - you can't really measure the sense of community you receive in spending time with like-minded people. Every time some disgruntled Deaniac tries to tell me that "no one" really liked Kerry, I only need to come here to prove otherwise.

Anyways, I'm a 20 year old student at the University of Illinois studying history and hoping for a career in politics or the public sphere one day. I have been obsessed with politics for far longer than is natural for one my age (I believe my first political disappointment was finding out that my second-grade class had voted for Bush Sr. in our 1992 elementary school mock election), but had lost a bit of idealism after Bush's selection and the rampant abuses of power that followed 9/11. I credit John Kerry for restoring that idealism back to me - like Ginny, I do believe he restored my faith in the idea of an honest politician. I would trust him with my life. Oh, and I'm a bit notorious around here for, uh, admiring some of his *other* virtues, as well. :evilgrin:

I feel like I know all you people... we really need to make this meetup work (and in such a way that my parents know that I'm not venturing off halfway across the country to meet with an axe murderer).

[elshiva]

5. elshiva, here

I've been in this group since January. This is probably the randiest board on DU. My speciality is being the amen corner, amening some of the good deeds that Kerry and other Democrats are doing. I admire TayTay for informing me about Kerry and other Masshole politicians because I admire Masshole liberals. Yes, I am an LLL...
I live in North Central Maryland, which is one of the reddest areas in our great blue state. I have voted Democrat my whole life. I am proud of my senators Mikulski and Sarbanes, who are liberal. Hope to God that MA and MD can have the great Dem governors that these blue states deserve.
Again this board is one of the best and most frequented. The long time members TayTay, Wildeyedliberal, JohnKleeb, LittleClarkie, Vektor, etc. are some of the funniest and most respectful posters on DU.

Thanks!

[Forever Free]

6. I'm Forever Free

I'm Will and I'm an 18 yr. old first-year college student at the University of California, Santa Barbara. I'm a pre-Law and Society major and I'm planning on double majoring in Political Science. I grew up originally in South Orange County, in Mission Viejo. I have a brother and a sister, both grown up and married. I used to be a Jehovah's Witness, but have since abandoned that close-minded and rigid authoritarian sect (although my family is still very much a part of it).

I first discovered this wonderful group in the weeks after the aftermath of November 2nd. This forum proved to be a refreshing oasis free from the hatred, anger, and ignorance of the radical left and right-wingers out there. This is the place I call home in cyberspace. I consider everyone here my friends, despite not having met anyone here in person. This just goes to show the extent to which close connections and friendships can be developed here in this great forum.

This past election was my first and it proved to be a turning point in my life. John Kerry was the first ever person I have voted for and I am glad that the first ballot I cast was for him and John Edwards. I also volunteered on the behalf of the DNC, working door to door and street and street, raising money and awareness for the Democratic ticket. Some of my best memories was out on the street, working and making friends in the community.

I can say, without hesitation, that Senator Kerry truly inspired me a sense of hope and optimism and instilled in me a true sense of love and respect for my country. John Kerry is one of the best presidents we might never have the privledge of having. A lesser man would have been crushed under the weight of the vicious attacks and burden of last year's presidential campaign.

However, the Senator has proven time and time again that he emerges from trials and tribulations stronger and more determined. He refuses to be defeates and always manages to continue to fight the good fight. Just like the John Kerry of yesterday changed the shape of American politics for decades through his courageous anti-war stand, the John Kerry of today will help make America's future brighter and stronger.

[seito]

7. Hiya Kerrycrats

I have been a member of this group since Nov. I agree that this group was a sole sanctuary in the storm of DU and life in general. Although I do not post often, I have grown to know and appreciate so many of you. :grouphug:

I absolutely love John Kerry. He is a man of compassion, courage and wisdom. I agree with Ginny. I believe that Kerry won the past election, and that the election was stolen. I found DU right after the election, because I knew in my gut that something was just not right.

I live in Maryland, but I call California home. I am an Army Veteran, and currently teach science classes to at-risk 16-18 year olds.

I thank you all for making me feel right at home every time I stop by. You all rock. I really hope that we will be able to meet-up this summer.

[TayTay]

8. Hi Seito!

I love your Keith Olbermann (sp?) pic. He is also hot.

I really love these 'getting to know you' threads. Every time we start one, we learn something new. And we have had a lot of new people lately. (Love you guys, you are most welcome here.) And we have had a lot of folks check in again. (Yeah! miss you when you're not here!)

It is also interesting to see the range of interests that people have on this forum. We have a great deal of diversity.

I understand that we are all individuals, but it is amazing to note that we have religious, geographic, ethnic, racial and gay/straight diversity here. We also have a huge range in what people are either going to school to study or have degrees in. Think about that. And when was the last time we had an out-and-out flame war? That's pretty amazing.

[WildEyedLiberal]

9. This really just proves my point that people who support John Kerry

Tend to be more mature, thoughtful, politically astute and truly patriotic people than, er, people who dislike him (be they left or right wing).

Maybe it's the "nuance" :P

[seito]

10. Astute observation

Not that we are biased or anything. Hey WEL :hi:

[WildEyedLiberal]

13. Hey seito

:hi: Long time no see!

[TayTay]

12. Yeah, I think maybe you're right

it's the nuance. Or the fact that we keep finding people who start by saying, "He's hot, did anyone else notice that he's really hot." Then we bring them over here and we tell them, yes, we think he's hot as well. That's not really nuanced at all. That's randy, LLL-type thinking. It's something that also unifiies us. (Well, that and the fact that a lot of people are deeply amused at the LLLers.)

Blue Iris: We have noticed the whole hotness factor. We even have an acronym for the people here who notice that on a regular basis and are, ahm, inspired by it. That's what the LLL thing means:

Libidinous Liberal Lasses Love Looking Longingly at Lanky Leaders.

We use an icon for shorthand when we are thinking randily about Big John. :evilgrin: It was ever so, even from the beginning. It is a signature of the JK forum.

[ginnyinWI]

22. ooh, nuance--"bring it on"

Yes, I was attracted to JK's intellectual way of speaking, for sure. I mean, I want my president to be as smart as possible, and not be just a smart-ass like Chimpy. I can trust a man who looks at problems from many different angles, because he is the one who is going to look before he leaps (ah, to war, for example :( )

[seito]

11. Hi TayTay

Ahh Keith Olbermann :loveya: Yes, you got his name right. I watch his show every night.

We have a functional diverse group, living in a severely dysfunctional world. Yep, pretty amazing.

[wisteria]

14. Hi, Wisteria here!

How do I become a member of this group. I've been lurking around here for some time, but being a bit shy, I just never found the right opportunity to join in on the discussions and share my feelings about John Kerry with all of you. I was born and raised in Philadelphia and I presently live in Greensburg, Pa. Greensburg, Pa is the home of the Republican rag newspaper,The Tribune Review and if you think thats bad enough,how about being represented by US Senators, Santorium and Specter.
Without giving my age away, lets just say I'm still young enough to have more children,but old enough not to want anymore. Actually, I am the mother of three beautiful daughters. I am married to a wonderful man who understands and listens when I rant and rave about the Republicans and non-stop gush on about John Kerry. I'm a bit of a radical still, even though I have calmed down some in recent years. I have had an interest in politics since I was a young girl. My father served as A republican committeeman in Philly and he would take me with him to the polls and out canvasing.I actually got to meet some interesting people through my father's connections when I was young. Little did my father know, I would grow up to reject mostly everything the Republicans stood for.

Did I mention I have four cats? Anyway, its good to finally post here. I feel this is where I belong. It certainly is good to know I have a positive place to come too. The General Forum can be so negative sometimes.

[WildEyedLiberal]

15. Hello hello and welcome!

:hi:

Sounds like you belong here to me! And feel free to jump into ANY of our threads and post your thoughts - we're a welcoming bunch, and we don't bite (really).

The only prereq for posting here is John Kerry love (or even John Kerry support will suffice, for those less gushy about our Leading Gentleman). So post away!

[JI7]

18. Wisteria, i have seen your posts in the other forums

and you do a great job of defending Kerry.

as for joining this group there really isn't any "official" way of joining. joining just pretty much means posting on here whenever and however much you want.

[ginnyinWI]

24. welcome from me too

I've also seen your posts elsewhere.

What I like about this forum is that it is a safe place to try out thoughts and opinons without fear of being flamed for it. We get wonky, then we get silly--you never know what your going to get from day to day.

We females outnumber the guys by a lot, but we do have a handful of hardy male souls in here. As long as they can put up with our female-style JK adoration, it's all good.

The youngest here is 15 I think, and the eldest, late 50s (?) So it's a good diverse group.

I guess it's safe to say that all here "get" John Kerry, and once you do, you tend to stay loyal and true! :loveya:

Oh yes, and in addition to the concept of "LLL", we have a catagory, shall we say, a bit less risque called "catnip". This is something cute or adorable, or which shows JK as a person rather than a politician. The kind of things true fans, male or female, would be interested in. TayTay thought up the term and it fits very well. :)

[seito]

46. Welcome wisteria

It is nice to meet you :hi:

This is a great group, they make you feel right at home

[globalvillage]

16. My Turn

After Wisteria's post, I feel I have to join in.
I'm a native Pittsburgher, born, raised and never moving from SW PA. At the moment, though, I'm writing from a hotel smack dab in the middle of downtown Philly. No C-Span II in this freakin place, though, so I missed the good Senator today.
Divorced mom of a 21 year old who is the light of my life. She's a good Dem just like her mom. This was her first presidential election, and a serious heartbreak for both of us.
Spent many hours working for John and John, and am not giving up hope for '08.
Kerry bracelet on my wrist, Kerry sticker on my car. Still sleep in one of my three Kerry/Edwards campaign t-shirts as long as I don't have "company".
English major, IT geek, faithful Kerry supporter. Travel extensively both for work and pleasure. Favorite place on earth, aside form the 'Burgh, believe it or not, CO KERRY Ireland. Just coincidence, but absolutely true (maybe fate).
Good to know all of you.

[WildEyedLiberal]

17. Welcome!

Nice to meet you!

I forget: what was the website for the Kerry bracelet again? I'm thinkin' about getting one.

[globalvillage]

19. Here's where I got mine.

http://www.supportkerry08.com/

[WildEyedLiberal]

20. Sweet, thanks!

I typed in supportkerry2008 and nothing came up... that's why. Thanks!

[wisteria]

21. Hi!

How funny. Are you in Philly on business? You mention no C-Span 2, I can't believe it. My family stills lives in Philly and I am told the only cable news they get on basic cable service is Fox News. Oh, by the way, my youngest daughter also worked hard and supported Kerry during the campaign. She wasn't old enough to vote this election though.
We still have our bumper stickers too. I'm currently riding around with Kerry 2008 and "Don't Blame Me, I Voted for Kerry".
Its nice to hear from you!

[globalvillage]

23. Yes, Philly on business.

But I do like it here. The weather is nice today. I understand it's the same at home.
I have C-Span, CNN, MSNBC, but no Comedy Central and no C-SpanII. I should be working anyway.
Let me know if any exciting dem stuff in Greensburg (hehe, exciting...Greensburg...Sorry). I'm on the other end of town, but still, right down the road.
Leno monologue over. Time for sleep.

[seito]

47. Nice to meet ya

:hi:

[Firespirit]

25. Hello, I'm Firespirit...

Also known as Fire, and occasionally, thanks to my website domain, as PolitiCalypso. I'm a 21-year-old graduate student in computer science with a Bachelor's degree in software engineering (sorry TayTay, another degreed person!). I'm in the Bible Belt and more than ready to get out, although I must admit I've developed a semi-enjoyment at irritating and arguing with the right-wing types I meet frequently. I get very little enjoyment out of combating left-wing vehemently anti-Kerry people, though. I'm a believer in election fraud in Ohio, and just recently much more strongly so on a nationwide basis as well, and am wrapping up something that I sincerely hope will do something to alleviate that problem. I've been a semi-lurker on DU for a couple of years now, posting intermittently until just right before the election, and not really letting up since then. My first choice in the primary was actually John Edwards, and I still think he's a great guy, but after I learned more about him, I fell in love with John Kerry and haven't quite recovered from it yet.... no, actually haven't recovered at all, and have only worsened if anything. See, I'm one of the "LLL" group. :D

:hi:

[Vektor]

26. I'm Vektor - GET TO KNOW ME

Edited to add - this is pretty tongue in cheek.

I'm a Massachusetts native and staunch Liberal Democrat. I am a Biological Sciences/Nursing major who is currently employed as a intensive care technician in an ICU. I already have a degree in the arts - this is my second time around. I am currently residing in a neocon hellhole in rural northern California.

I have a husband, four cats, two dogs, and a hell of a lot of house plants.

Everywhere I go, I rock out.

I adore Mediterranean food, and plan to start a dance revolution someday.

My biggest pet peeve is people who stare. I also loathe people that walk really slow in front of me, get in my personal space, "hover" when I am trying to shop, and talk really loud on their cell phones in places of business.

I'm easily annoyed.

I worship John Kerry. If we were not both married, I would TOTALLY do it with him.

I am a smallish person, about 5'2" and 97 pounds.

My eyes are green and my hair changes color to reflect my mood.

I have full blown temper tantrums sometimes.

I like animals better than people.

I like to sew, cook, read, write, jog, and kick-box. All at once.

I like to travel, but hate to fly, so I use a lot of Xanax, and sample the airplane booze in a LIBERAL manner.

My favorite color is orange.

I am hypoglycemic.

John Kerry waved and smiled at me once and I urinated into my pants a little. Ok, it might not have been urine.

I have the ability to hyper-extend my elbow joints.

I'M A HYPER HYPO.

I could read at the age of two.

Sometimes I drink straight pickle juice.

I have learned from experience straight pickle juice causes diarrhea.

I love diarrhea jokes.

My I.Q. is impressively high, but I suck SUCK at Math.

I hate onions.

I ran through a wall once. WITH MY BODY.

One time I ate a spider to piss my grandmother off.

One time I had sex with a Republican as a social experiment.

I have never seen Star Wars. Not one of the movies. None.

I'm one bad mutha.

One time I deliberately farted on my cat.

I drive an SUV. (I know, I know.)

I love death metal and disco.

I have over 150 pairs of jeans.

I feel looking good is its own reward.

I watch HGTV obsessively, but abhor television in general, except for educational stuff, and my one weakness, Sex And The City.

I'm French.

I have occasional bouts of road rage.

One time as a joke, I told a lady at work that I brought her lunch. It was a human uterus in a take out container. She thought it was a turkey leg. (We worked in an O.R., so it's ok. There were spare parts laying around everywhere, begging to be used for practical jokes.)

I am a Sagittarius.

I am a very fast runner.

Whenever I go bowling, I choose the name "Caulksmoak" to be displayed on the overhead monitor.

Thank you.

[WildEyedLiberal]

27. You know, that really sums you up

And knowing that you farted on your cat makes me love you even more.

[Vektor]

28. Thank you.

You know I love you too. :-)

[TayTay]

30. Thanks Vek

At this point I feel like Dr. Lecter in "Silence of the Lambs."

Hannibal Lecter: Turns? If I help you, Clarice, it will be "turns" for us too. I tell you things, you tell me things. Not about this case, though. About yourself. Quid pro quo. Yes or no?

Hannibal Lecter: Yes or no, Clarice? Poor little Catherine is waiting.
Clarice Starling: Go, doctor.

Quid pro quo, Vek: That was an amazing info share. Thank you. Thank you very much.

I am a Gemini. (But I can't see it, pause, But I do.)
I have ADD. (But I digress.)
My oldest brother is a Rethug, but he can cook and has a nice swimming pool. Obviously, I can be bought, cheap.
I have degree-envy. This comes from not wearing my tin-foil hat and letting all the rays from Cambridge get at my brain. We are taught in MA to have deep respect for the intelligentsia. (Just before we make fun of them.) I can't stop myself from having excessive respect for academics. (Help me!)
I like listening to the Bulgarian Women's Chorus. They can hit two notes at the same time.

That's enough for now. Quid pro quo, anyone else.

And yes, occassionally I hear the lambs screaming and I want to save them all. It goes with the territory, Sigh! http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102926/quotes

EDIT: I forgot. I have a prominent Dark Side that I sometimes let out to play.

[WildEyedLiberal]

31. Quid Pro Quo

I am a Sagittarius. (Like my MAN, Big John)

I was a dominatrix for Halloween last year.

I love to travel, have adventures, and generally live life on a grander scale.

I wanted to be a fighter pilot and an astronaut when I was younger.

I could not be a fighter pilot or astronaut because of a chronic heart condition, something I have since come to terms with, and have thus decided that I now want to be the first female president. (You heard me, Hillary. Step down.)

I still love to fly, and want to earn my professional pilot's license someday.

I'm a reasonable liberal, a Catholic, and a John Kerry fan, and thus an automatic minority on DU.

I'm from a small rural town, and I'm not ashamed of it.

If I were a D&D character, I'd be a paladin.

I am a Star Trek nerd, and admit to being very fond of The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine.

I was valedictorian of my high school class, but am finding myself increasingly bored and restless in college, even though it's about a million times cooler than high school.

I think John Kerry is a hot sexy hunk of man.

I have little patience for left or right wing crazies.

I love U2 and Bruce Springsteen, and the fact that both were used often in the Kerry campaign made me happy.

I hate Chicago sports, even though I am from Illinois. (Go Cardinals!)

In a certain dark light, a war against freepers might be kind of cool.

My IQ is somewhere between 136 and 170 (thanks to the internets).

I have about the same tolerance for animals and children: certain specific ones are okay, but overall, I don't have the patience.

I may be a liberal, but I'm not unwilling to kick your inbred, knuckle-dragging, mouth-breathing freeper ass, either. (Directed to lurkers.)

That is all.

[Vektor]

43. I too have been known to embrace the dark side...

I also have a pretty sick and bizarre sense of humor. I think this stems from the lethal combination of being a native Masshole, and a health care worker.

No shame, nothing is sacred.

Except John Kerry. He's a god.

[whometense]

34. Oh my god.

Who can follow THAT???

:rofl: I mean seriously.

[seito]

48. Wow

:wow:

That is all

[sandnsea]

62. And you are shy

Really really shy. :)

:hi:

[elshiva]

112. Bwahahahahah! Vek you are hilarious!

This ranks with your great verious of Dean's inaugural letter where he said "You run this party" and you put "You rule my pants!"
Kerry and I are both Sagittarius too! Yay
:rofl:

[Vektor]

115. Thanks!

I'm glad you enjoyed my painfully honest bio. Don't you and I have the SAME Birthday? Dec. 5?

[elshiva]

117. You are welcome. Yes Dec. 5!

I was born 1981. When were you? Also I also drink pickle juice.
Do you rule anyone else's pants.

[Vektor]

118. OMG

I will PM you with my advanced age.

[foreverdem]

29. My turn

Here goes: I am 41 years old, live in Queens, NY, but grew up in the Philly suburbs. Just me and my hubby, no kids. I work as the assistant to the president one of the divisions of a major publishing house in Manhattan. I have been a democrat all my life but never really gave politics a serious thought until I discovered John Kerry. I can honestly say he restored my faith. I have never felt a connection with a politician like the one I feel with him. I also think he's incredibly hot, a sentiment that is shared by many on this board. I originally joined DU right after the election in November, and lurked here for a few months until I started posting here recently.

You are the most incredible group of individuals! I feel that I know all of you. We are a diverse group, but we never flame each other even if we disagree, and that speaks volumes for all of us.

[seito]

49. Hi foreverdem

Nice to meet you. :hi:

[foreverdem]

67. Same Here

Nice to meet you too, seito :-)

[karynnj]

32. I'm Karen

I've always been too shy to write on the intro threads. I'm in my mid 50s and live in the suburban NJ part of the NYC metropolitan area. I came out to NJ in 1972 after being recruited by Bell Labs when I was a senior majoring in math and economics at IU. (BL sent me to get an MS at NYU in Applied Math) I then worked at AT&T and Bell Labs until 1999 (taking 3 one year leaves when I had my daughters) when I retired.

Once in NJ, I immediately volunteered with a few co-workers to canvass in my neighborhood for George McGovern. This area was way more Republican then and it was a very interesting experience, but I don't think we had much success. (The 2 most interesting things to me were: the number of women we talked to who agreed with us, but then said that they always voted like their husbands(!)and that one guy called us communists - which shocked me as I was from Indiana and even there was the one pointed out as a goody goody.) This was the last campaign I ever did anything for (other than make contributions) until last year. Being in a blue state, I did only a small amount of phoning and got one LTTE published.

I have a husband (who was also for Kerry, but thinks it's time to move on - he thinks Hillary will be the candidate in 2008) and 3 daughters,(one in college(in NYC), one going to college(at Holy Cross in MA next year) and one in high school. My oldest cast her first vote in Manhattan for Kerry. We also have a Maltese named Punky.

In late 2003, I started to look into the primary candidates and quickly narrowed my preference to Kerry and Dean. After reading part of Tour of Duty and seeing both on CSPAN, I liked Kerry better (though I could have easily gone back to Dean at that point.) After reading more about Kerry's work in the Senate, I realized how truly unique Kerry was. Although always a Democrat, I realized that in foreign policy, the Democrats, with the partial exception of Jimmy carter, often not much better than the Republicans in terms of supporting things that were inconsistent with our stated values. Kerry's 1971 call to turn was consistent with his later fight to keep us from supporting RW terrorists in Central America. The more I read on BCCI and Pakistan, the more the US's nonchalance about them scared me.

It still strikes me odd that the people who love McCain because he's a straight talking Maverick, don't see that when you look at their careers, the true maverick is John Kerry. I hope that Kerry's adaptation and creation of activist tools, will help the Democrats fight off the worst of the Bush agenda. If he does succeed in leading this effort, I do think he may have another chance at the Presidency. The advantage of spending the next 3 1/2 years fighting for a positive agenda and against bad things, is that he will be better known. The best chance is if more people realize the path we're on leads to disaster and that many of the other candidates (Hillary) will not be as much of a change as needed.

Anyway, I love the informative articles that Tay Tay and others put up, the MA perspective of having seen Kerry evolve, and the cute catnip articles. I find Kerry brilliant, charismatic, a good person, and love how he speaks and writes, and not a sex symbol - but instead, potentially a great President who would fight to make the US admired again.

[ginnyinWI]

33. hi again Karen

My candidate search looks a lot like yours. I considered Clark, then it was between Dean and Kerry. I still like Dean and think he is a smart, politically savvy man and am really glad he's heading the DNC. But Kerry is a lot more presidential. He's got that natural-born leader quality to him. And a lot more, but it's all been said! I do agree that he has been very consistent--that's why it is so hilarious to think of him the way the Repubs framed him as wobbly!

I do hope he gets every bit of credit he deserves for whatever he gets done in the next few years, because it's going to count in the next presidential election cycle. And I agree 100% with your last paragraph! :)

[whometense]

35. I guess it's time to stop lurking

and contribute.

I've lived in Massachusetts since I was three (except for a college-plus-4-years sojourn in Vermont), and I STILL don't feel like I can call myself a New Englander. That says more about New England than it does about me.

I live a brief trolley ride away from downtown Boston, on the gritty, urban side of a beautiful suburb. I've been happily married for 27 1/2 years and we have three children, all of them musicians. My oldest lives on his own in NYC, my daughter is about to start grad school in the fall, and my youngest is a freshman in college. I adore my family - they are all prickly, funny, and brilliant, and a lot of fun to be around.

My academic background is a mutt, but with an emphasis on foreign languages (esp. french and russian). I've done a lot of teaching, but I have an office job now that I really love (I stayed home for about 13 years with my kids when they were little, so going to work is still fun).

For fun, I write for a political blog and have been taking cello lessons for 4 years, which is an intense challenge. I love to cook and bake as well.

As for John Kerry - well, I have been half in love with him since 1971 or so, have met him personally several times, including in a friend's living room when he was running for lt. governor, and once came face to face with him on Beacon Hill on a beautiful spring day. A memorable encounter. (excuse me, I need to :loveya:)

Edited to add: OOPS. I forgot to say I think Kerry is a truly good man who stands up for what he believes, and I have been a fierce defender since the second he announced his run.

[TayTay]

36. Hi Stranger

I keep forgetting that you are a foreigner. (Small MA joke.) Don't worry, if your grandchildren are born here, they can be true Massholes. (Just kidding. You are every bit a Masshole. We don't actually have a test. And you are a Red Sox fan, so you count.)

For Whome, who is a true Masshole no matter what she says:

YOU KNOW YOU'RE FROM MASSACHUSETTS IF.....

You think crosswalks are for wimps

You think if someone is nice to you they either want something or they’re from out of town and lost.

You know how to cross four lanes of traffic in five seconds

You think it's not actually tailgating unless you're touching the bumper of the car in front of you

You know that a yellow light means that at least five more people can get through and a red one means two more can

The transportation system is known as the "T"

You could own a small town in Iowa for the cost of your house

Edit: forgot one
You can drive to the mountains and the ocean all in one day

[whometense]

37. Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Those are great!!!!

Where does the "T" thing come from, anyway? It actually makes no sense when you think about it.

And Red Sox fandom does tie us all together.

[TayTay]

38. It comes from

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority.

Since we are all above average here and smaht as hell, we can confuse the rest of the country by picking the third letter of the acronym 'MBTA' and just calling it the 'T.' If I told you the hows and why of this, well, then you wouldn't be a Masshole now would you.

Mroe for you: & Rox

When people talk about "The Curse Of The Bambino" you know what they're talking about and used to believe it, too

You believe using your turn signals gives away your plan to the enemy

Someone has honked at you because you didn't peel out the second the light turned green

All the potholes just add to the excitement of driving

Six inches of snow is considered a dusting

Three days of 90 degree heat is definitely a "heat wave" 63 degrees is "on the warm side"

At the ice cream shop you call chocolate sprinkles "jimmies"

The person in front of you is going 70 MPH and you're cursing them for going too slow

You know how to pronounce towns like Worcester, Haverhill, and Leominster

You've slammed on your brakes to deter a tailgater

You keep an ice scraper in your car all year round

You've pulled out of a side street and used your car to block oncoming traffic so you can make a left

[whometense]

39. Hey! I qualify!!!

I LOVE this one:

You believe using your turn signals gives away your plan to the enemy

[TayTay]

41. Ahm, this was mine

You've pulled out of a side street and used your car to block oncoming traffic so you can make a left

Sigh! That's why we are called Massholes. Failure to drive like a human.

[karynnj]

40. That's how to make a left?

You've pulled out of a side street and used your car to block oncoming traffic so you can make a left

We thought that the navigation system was crazy when it wanted us to make a left in the middle of Boston traffic. We made 3 right hand turns instead (knowing the system would recompute if needed)

[TayTay]

42. Yeah, I did that

But only a couple of times. And it's not like other people haven't done it. And I've done worse. (The right hand turn from the left lane across 3 lanes of traffic is a specialty of the house. You have to try this once beofre you die.)

Again, there is a reason for the Masshole name.

[whometense]

103. Okay, check this out:

A new blog called Boston Crazy Driving. Long overdue, I'd say. :D

[europegirl4jfk]

44. Hi, I'm Tina!

I'm from Europe; I was born in Germany but live in the south of France since almost two decades. I came here to study history at Montpellier university and stayed because I really love this country. I've always been interested - at least a bit - in politics on a European level. But with Bush in the White House, I decided to follow the 2004 presidential race in the US as close at it was possible from the other side of the Atlantic. I didn't know anything about John Kerry before the primaries (the only candidate I knew was Wes Clark and I liked him too), but I started doing some research on JK when he became the front-runner. And what I read about him made me see him as the perfect choice for the Presidency. He is a fascinating guy and had an amazing life so far (not to forget he is handsome too :blush: ).

When I went to California last September to stay there for several months with friends (Democrats, of course! *g*) and my daughter who is in Los Angeles as an exchange student, I had the opportunity to follow Kerry's campaign more closely. And I became more and more fascinated with this man. My friends and I were devastated when he lost, and I will never forget these days after November 2nd in L.A. when you saw sad faces and people wearing black everywhere. It was almost like loosing one of your family members.

Well, my fascination with Kerry - and with US politics in general - didn't go away when I came back to Europe and I luckily found this forum a few weeks ago. I immediately felt home here! I was so glad to see that other people still love JK and hadn't given up on him. You guys rock! :loveya:

What else can I say? Maybe a bit more about me personally... I'm 45, not married but have an on-and-off relationship with a Frenchman who is the father of my 16 year old daughter Julie. He is a political activist and a friend of José Bové. And he certainly has sharpened my views about politics. I'm working as a freelance translator out of my home here in a small French village not far from the Mediterranean. Besides politics, I'm interested in theater and love to fly to London to see a good play over there. The last one I saw was David Mamet's "Life in the Theater" with Patrick Stewart - it was really good.

I will go back to California in June to see my daughter, but I would love to visit the US East coast one day. I like to travel and do it a lot, but more in Europe because it's easier and cheaper than going overseas.

[WildEyedLiberal]

45. I wish I had a home in a small French village

*is jealous*

Glad to hear that John has fans on both sides of the pond!

[europegirl4jfk]

70. Come and visit me!

I would be happy to meet fellow Kerry supporters. Oh, and John would be welcome too, with or without Teresa. ;-) But I guess he has his own home in France.

[WildEyedLiberal]

71. Hahahahahaha

I'd definitely prefer to spend time with John sans Teresa... :evilgrin:

[Vektor]

80. OMG

We can all visit and make a pilgrimage to John's French residence. Maybe he will be swimming and sunbathing when we get there.

Sans trunks.

But with SPF.

[WildEyedLiberal]

81. He'll be sans trunks when I get through with him!

:evilgrin:

[Vektor]

82. He'll probably be pretty dehydrated too.

But he's a trooper.

Much like the great disco diva Gloria Gaynor, he will survive.

[WildEyedLiberal]

83. Like the soldier he is, he will recuperate and return to the fight.

My beachhead is fully prepared for multiple assaults from his division.

[Vektor]

84. Hopefully he will not

try to breach your rear perimeter.
HAHAHAHAHA

[WildEyedLiberal]

86. No, THAT particular battlement is too well guarded

I think he's a frontal-assault man, anyway. Which is okay by me.

[Vektor]

89. It sounds as if you have your battle plan in order.

I'm sure his frontal assault is overwhelming, but I trust you'll survive.

I have faith in you, soldier.

[WildEyedLiberal]

91. I might even counterattack with an assault of my own!

When his division is sleeping, I might launch a surprise attack.

Operation Sword Swallower - that is Top Secret Classified info, soldier!

[Vektor]

99. At least you are willing to eat the evidence.

To be sure it doesn't fall into the "wrong hands."

[Vektor]

51. I am so pleased to meet "one of my people"!

Hi Tina!

I, too, am of French heritage, though technically, American. My parents were the first generation born here. My grandmother (deceased) was from Belfort, France and emigrated to Ellis Island as a child in 1912. I have never been to France, but do intend to go some day soon. I want to visit Belfort, Paris, (of course) and especially, the beautiful Provence region.

Can you post some pictures of the French countryside, if you have any? This may sound weird, but I've always felt a connection to the country, though I have never set foot on the soil. It's like a weird bittersweet longing I have always felt.

Nice to meet you.

[ginnyinWI]

54. I have a little French blood too!

Mostly German, but a little from the Alsace region in France.

We visted France for the first time last summer--loved it.

[Vektor]

58. Sounds great!

I hope to go within the next year or so.

[sandnsea]

63. Me too!!

Except the opposite, mostly French blood and one line of the family says our original ancestor was from the Alsace region. My great-grandmother was English, my grandmother German. Other than that, all French.

[sandnsea]

64. oops

Wrong place.

[europegirl4jfk]

69. Pictures of my village (sorry, not JK related)

Hi Vektor!

I know Belfort only from driving through when I go to the German border but from what I've seen it's a nice little town.

I live in the extreme south of France and if you or others here want to have a look, the tourist office here has a website in English: http://www.marseillan.com/en_index.html

And here are some pictures of my village and the countryside. (I apologize to everybody else here for the OT):










Oh, and BTW, Vektor, if you come to France one day, visit me! I don't live that far from the Provence; it's only a two hour drive.

[karynnj]

78. What a gorgeous paradise

The pictures are wonderful. It must be a lovely place to live.

[Vektor]

79. Get your spare room ready!

Or I will sleep in a barn! Anything would be fine. :-)
Actually, I am planning a trip in the pretty near future, and these pics have prompted me to get up off my duff and start organizing!

Your village looks absolutely breathtaking!

My husband noticed the photos and wandered over to take a look (he was even lured away from the baseball game) and was quite interested. He mentioned that there is a good soccer team in that region. (He always assesses a locale by its local teams!) Tee-hee... I am more about the oceans, markets, food and people.

Ok, he really likes the food too. :-) We have been looking at travel magazines and websites and thinking about a trip to the Provence for a couple of months now. Since where you live is so close, I'm sure that could be worked in! It would be wonderful to have an acquaintance in the area since my French is VERY POOR. Ok, I know like three phrases. And some food words. I do learn quickly though, and am willing to try!

I have also peeked at the bungalows they have for rent on the website you provided a link to.


OMG, I want to go.


(Sorry about the off topic post, everyone...)

[foreverdem]

102. WOW!

What a gorgeous place! I'm jealous!

[ginnyinWI]

53. I think JK is habit-forming

people who get to know about and like him don't want to let go. :blush:

[BlueIris]

77. So true. n/t

[TayTay]

50. Thank you all so much.

These were fantastic. (And so much fun.)

I don't have much else to add by way of bio (I have spilled my guts here so many times that I think everyone here knows me better than some of my family does.)

I have two kids, one is finishing up her freshman year in NYC, the other is a junior in high school. They give me tsures all the time.

I have two old cats, Tipper and Sandy, who tolerate me fairly well and probably use mind-control on me to get me to buy them treats. (It does work on the weak minded and the terminally liberal.)

My dog, Riley, is a shelter-beast who looks like an unmade bed and loves me unconditionally. His mother was half rottie, half English sheep-dog. His father was an overachieving terrier. He is very strange looking, but lovable.

I am utterly average in terms of background. (My Mom's people were French-Canadian. Only French was spoken in my Great-Grandma's house in Salem. They used to cook eels that they caught in the local small river. Yuck.) Catholic, one of 8 kids, I have six brothers, deep, deep New England roots, and had a stereotypical NE upbringing. Fish sticks and Mac and Cheese on Friday night, beans and franks on Sat., something boiled on the other days. (No wonder some of us are so happy that immigrants are coming to New England. The food is definitely better.) Played hockey, know the words to the Canadian National Anthem. I went to Sister School for 8 years, but I don't think it sunk it much.

I have an IQ that I think is above 90, but I don't want to get my hopes up. What if it is higher and I am an underachiever? I would rather have a low IQ. That way, everything I do is remarkable for someone with a low IQ. (Look at her, she managed to write a whole paragraph that sort of made sense. Not bad for a someone with a low IQ. She's a credit to all the little brains, isn't she.) That's about it.

[karynnj]

52. Tay Tay from this you're clearly another self effacing New Englander

Your writing is brilliant and colorful, not to mention consistently interesting. Your Kerry research has been more insightful than virtually anything I've seen over the last year.

By the way, I'm from a larger family than you. I'm the oldest of nine (seven girls, two boys).

[TayTay]

68. Thanks! You are so sweet!

I wasn't really fishing for compliments. I am really, really obvious when I do that. So much so that it is almost self-parody.

Ever go fishing? I used to go fishing when I was a kid with someone who used to take cherry bombs (small firecrackers), light them and toss them in the lake. He would wait for the fish to come to the top after the explosion and grab 'em. My fishing for compliments and his fishing for stunned, defenseless fish are about the same. Obvious and overdone. I really have no talent for it.

I have always just gotten a real chuckle out of IQ tests. It seems to be something that exists without context. And it occurs to me, simply, that I would rather be on the low end. Because, it would be funny. (Sorry, but I would then be an overachiever. I find this funny. I am obviously whacked in the head.)

[wisteria]

55. Hello again!

I wanted to tell everyone how much I have enjoyed your posts,clever writing and personal thoughts. Thanks to you all, I feel so comfortable being here.

[Hans Delbrook]

56. Hey - I'm back!!

Hi, I'm Hans Delbrook - I've been away all week since my Mom had (another) episode of heart failure over the w/e. LONG week but suffice to say she's OK and back home finally.

I'm a 45 (TODAY) y.o. scientist (molecular biologist) w/ a wonderful husband, 2 dogs (can be wonderful at times) and a cat (not so wonderful.) I work as the QC director at a very small bio-tech company - our main focus is an HIV therapeutic.

I've been a major fan of JK since the early 90's due to his work w/ the Vietnam POW/MIA committee. I admired him for taking on such a thankless, politically "dangerous" job and doing it so superbly. The closure that work brought to a lot of veterans touched a member of my family very personally.

I also love his intelligence, humor, grace and style. And that he loves strong women! If he were a little shorter and a little younger and a JAVA expert - he could be my husband. :evilgrin: (They're sexy devils the both of them.)

I found this group shortly after the election which (not kidding) helped restore my will to live.

I've got my Kerry bracelet, all my bumper stickers are still on my car and I'm looking forward to renewing our fight for America in 2008!!

[wisteria]

57. Hello, I'm with you, Kerry in 2008.

[seito]

59. Did I read that right?

Is today your birthday?

If so, Happy Birthday :party:

[Hans Delbrook]

74. Yes, Thank you! nt

[WildEyedLiberal]

60. Happy BIRTHDAY!

:party: :woohoo:

[Hans Delbrook]

75. Thanks! nt

[Vektor]

87. Happy Birthday!!

Molecular biology? What a fascinating field! I'm sorry to hear about your Mom, but glad she is doing better. I also have two neurotic dogs and a sexy devil husband.

Nice to meet you!

[Hans Delbrook]

88. Thanks!

Glad to meet you, :hi: . What kind of neurotic dogs do you have?

[Vektor]

90. Very neurotic!

Both shelter rescues. An adorable female pit bull, who breaks my heart with UNBELIEVABLE cuteness. I mean, that FACE. She is a big baby lapdog.
Jupiter:


And an unbelievably handsome and debonair mongrel of an odd mix, Shar-pei, Great Dane, and German Shepherd. He is like a bull in china shop. Reminiscent of Marmaduke.
Neptune:


Both are hyper and spoiled rotten. They are tortured on a daily basis by four cats.

What about your dogs?

[Hans Delbrook]

92. They are soooo cute!

I love dogs. :loveya:

Here's a picture of all three of mine.


Starting w/ the oldest - the cat - Whiskers is a shelter rescue I "inherited" from my brother. If she would stop pooping in the living room I swear I would stop wishing for her death. She's some where between 16 and 19 y.o.

- Lucy is the beagle - we adopted her from a family that couldn't keep her. She's 7 y. o. and so sweet but can be snarky when she has to. She takes being alpha very seriously since our last dachshund died almost 3 years ago. She's not overstocked w/ brains (being a beagle) but she has a huge heart and she sure is clever about getting her way.

- the doxie is Dante - the baby. And he sure lives up to that title. I have had 5 dachshunds in my life but I've never had one who loves to be held and cuddled like him. He's sooo spoiled and he has to be touching me (sitting on my feet if I'm not holding him) at all times if possible. He's very insecure for some reason but he can "sing" Happy Birthday. ;-)

[GRLMGC]

93. what an adorable doxie

quite possibly one of the cutest ones i've seen. I love dogs but I can't have one because my living situation is far too unstable. I want a pug sooooo badly. Either a pug or a pomeranian

[Hans Delbrook]

94. Thanks - he is a cutie

But I'm beginning to think he knows it. May explain the "little diva" act.

Pugs have really good personalities - a friend of mine has one and I'm really impressed w/ his temperament. I can relate to your situation - I had to wait until I was out on my own until I got a dog who was "all mine." And that poor guy got dragged from pillar to post w/ me. God Bless him though, he was such a great companion.

[Vektor]

96. All very cute!

Poor kitty - could the icontinence be because she is getting a little up there in years?

[Hans Delbrook]

101. No - she's not incontinent at all

As long as we block off the living room (like now) she never goes anywhere but her litter box. I've tried all manner of cleaners including a $600 professional one, scat mats, sprays, powders, lotions - you name it. She just likes to go (both kinds) in the living room. Sigh.:-(

[Vektor]

113. Oh dear.

Did someone with cats live in that house before you? Sometimes if one cat has "sullied" the area, it is forever doomed to be sullied by every cat that passes through thereafter.

We have a cursed corner in our home too.

[politicasista]

121. Happy belated birthday!

I know I am late. :party:

[GRLMGC]

61. How'd I miss this?

I'll make it short:
I'm a 19 year old second-year film studies major at the University of CA in Santa Barbara. I love politics even though it brings me a great deal of grief and stress (Oh, how I'd love to be apolitical. After all, ignorance is bliss). Movies are my true love, however, and I'd love to make films. I'm originally from the Los Angeles area and I miss it very much. I come from a family of raging liberals so I have no family conflicts about politics :) I am of Latin American origin and I love Pedro Almodovar (random but i didn't know how to fit it in)

[sandnsea]

65. Just a little note

I'm a very private person, except when I talk about my kids. (Or someting that makes me mad.) I have 3 kids of my own and a step-son. My daughter is expecting in June. I'm married 23 years. I have a web site business and blog some.

Some day I am going to write two novels. A novel about the earliest French settlers, and another one that I will call Butte.

:hi:

[JohnKleeb]

66. Ok here goes nothin

I am John or Kleeb (you can make variations of my last name).
I am an original member of the group. I am 17 years old and a senior in high school. In the fall I plan to attend community college because I am an idiot well and to save money. I have no specialities if you count dreaming about girls then I guess thats one. I plan to major in poli sci and minor in jounralism in college. I love all kinds of music like the Clash, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Marley, Sublime, and classical music, and thats not all ha. I am a huge orioles fan in baseball and nationals too I guess, and I love the pittsburgh steelers in football. I as a political nerd knew who Kerry was a few years ago when he declared himself a candiate and I always liked him and would stand up for him against zealous asses. I also work part time as an intern for Marcy Kaptur on captiol hill. I live in Northern Virginia. I am somewhat of a paradox, you'll see. I am Catholic but I guess what one would call a cafeteria catholic but I will defend my faith. And I am currently hungry for some Chinese or Mexican food. I also enjoy the simpsons, family guy, and now American Dad. I enjoy reading mostly about WWII and 20th century conflicts, and if I read fiction, its gonna be realistic fiction. Some nights I wont get any sleep and some nights like last I will get too much sleep.

[Vektor]

85. Tee-hee, great bio Kleeb!

"And I am currently hungry for some Chinese or Mexican food."
Hahaha! I can relate.

[JohnKleeb]

95. Thanks did I forget to mention

that I while reserved can be a great silly ass.

[Vektor]

98. As you can tell from my Bio -

So can I!!

[JohnKleeb]

104. Yeah but I wouldn't call you reserved either

[Vektor]

109. In person...

you'd be surprised.

[JohnKleeb]

116. seriously?

[Vektor]

119. Pretty much...

Until I know someone real well and feel comfortable around them.

[JohnKleeb]

120. Hey you know how you nailed down my psych profile pretty well

Could you see me as someone who sometimes will make an occassional wise cracking remark beacuse Ive been doing those this year.

[Vektor]

122. You do that here on DU too,

so yeah. I can see that.

[blm]

72. Hello. I'm blm.

I have led a "colorful" life that should make me blush, but, I don't DO blush.

I grew up in Cleveland, lived most of my adult life in NY and LA, worked in the entertainment industry, married a man from SC, and we recently moved to NC with our 4yo daughter.

I am a longtime Kerry warrior at DU - since well before the primaries.

I have loathed the Bush family evil empire for two decades and Kerry is the lawmaker most responsible for investigating and exposing many of their criminal acts. If we had any fairness in our media, the whole Bush family would have been jailed for treason years ago.

There is no better example of what is right with America than the life and work of John Kerry to expose its wrongs and corruptions.

[whometense]

73. Hear, hear!!!!!!

I like your style.

Here's a fighting donkey for you. :kick:

[Celeborn Skywalker]

76. Hello!

My name is Jared and I've been supporting John Kerry since the beginning. What originally drew me to him was his history as a Vietnam vet turned protester. I also was aware of his investigations regarding the Iran contra scandal.

I am 21 and currently enrolled at Western New Mexico University in Southwest New Mexico. I'm majoring in elementary education with a special emphasis in science. In my spare time, I like hanging out with my buddies, playing video games, cooking good food, and exercising.

I've been interested in politic ever since the Chimp illegally invaded Iraq. I knew Chimp was lying about the dangers of Iraq so I started to surf the web and that's when I found out that the corporate media is a joke, keeping us ill informed on purpose in order to promote neoconservative policy.

I'm a Catholic, like Kerry, although I have my disagreements with the church. I currently live with 2 great roommates and have a great girlfriend who hates Bush just as much as I do!

Take care y'all,
Jared

[Laurab]

97. Wow - nice to meet you guys!

This will be boring compared to the rest, but, here goes:

I'm LauraB, and first of all I'm going to change my nic as soon as I can think of something! Maybe Pickles?

I'm 49, happily married for almost 7 years to my 2nd husband. I have 2 kids, he has 3, but we're not like the brady bunch -we waited til the kid were pretty much grown to get married. We live in a suburb of Buffalo, NY. I have 4 brothers & 2 sisters, spread around the country, all democrats, only 1 is as interested in what's going on as me, though. My husband is completely apolitical. My parents are in their 70's and absolutely HATE bush - my mom signed up for JK's mailing list, and she's become a tiny bit political late in life. I've found Bush can bring that out in the most apolitical people...

I have 2 dogs, 1 cat, and 4 birds - the birds aren't really mine, they're my husbands, but I do have to live with them. I LOVE all the pet pictures on here! I'm a Leo.

I've always been a democrat - born & raised, and never tempted to vote repub. My first husband voted repub & I voted just to cancel him out, but that was a long time ago. He didn't vote for bush, either time. Then I didn't vote for years, I'm ashamed to say. It was only after getting to know shrubbie a little that I became interested in politics. I was late to the game - I didn't really become active at all until after the primaries. I started out thinking John Kerry was ok, and then grew to love the man. He had integrity, common sense, intelligence, and he LOOKED Presidential. I'm not gushy like some here, but I do think he's handsome man.

I was absolutely certain he would win (and I believe he did), and was devastated when he lost. I also KNEW there was something fishy going on. I found DU through Salon.com, and now I come here without even reading Salon most of the time. I'm not sure when I joined, because I lurked for quite a while, but I swear DU saved my sanity after the selection. I didn't know the JK forum existed for quite a while, but I'm glad I found it, because sometimes the bashing really gets to me.

My own kids are 24 (a daughter who lives near Boston), and 22 (son who lives here), and I really wish I could get them interested in what's going on but so far, no luck. I think sometimes they think I've gone a bit over the edge, although I send my son things about the draft, and have helped him with a couple of his school projects about politics.

Anyway, it wasn't until after the election that I read two JK bios, and I became even more impressed. I still think he's the best out there, and I really miss seeing him.

Nice meeting you all.

Oh, and Tay-Tay - I only have a little college, and no degrees!

[JI7]

100. i love JK

i have been on DU for a long time and early on was one of the few who liked and supported Kerry on here. we might still be a few compared to others but it's nice to have a group like this here now.

i come from a indian/hindu family but i grew up in america . kerry knows a lot about other cultures and i think kerry has a better understanding of indians and hindus than i do since i'm not religious.

i get tired of people attacking kerry for being from the north east. half of boston is minority. i love kerry for being himself and never pandering with empty statements. he knows who he is and he has an interest in other people and cultures and listens to everyone and loves to learn.

[Pirate Smile]

105. Late to the Party (trying to actually get some work done) but I'll add my

bit. I'll probably kill the thread for good.

I'm 35 years old with three kids, 7,6 and 3. I was born in Missouri and spent most of my childhood in Cedar Rapids and suburbs of Kansas City. I married my High School sweetheart. I have a BS in Journalism (Mass Communication) from the University of Iowa, Law Degree from Kansas University. I passed the Bar in Iowa, Kansas and Colorado, and am now putting all that to good work by staying home with my kids (for now).

I have a dog, Crash, a Basset Hound, who I adopted after I hit him with my car (he was running across a busy street). He had two breaks apiece in both of his right legs. Best dog ever!

I tend to be a pragmatic Democrat - socially liberal, fiscally conservative. I was for Dean in the Iowa caucus but jumped fully on the Kerry bandwagon before the Primary season was over because I researched him, read Brinkley's book, later watched Going Upriver, etc.

My three year old and I drove around picking up absentee ballots for the Kerry campaign. I was completely devastated after the election. I'm now ready to focus on 2006. I'm afraid if I meet John Kerry during the campaigning for the Iowa Caucuses in 2008 I will immediately start crying.

p.s. I'm a (mostly) Irish Catholic Taurus.

[Pirate Smile]

111. It is too late to edit my bad terminology - I'm fiscally RESPONSIBLE,

not fiscally conservative.
Bad girl! :spank: :spank: :spank:

[politicasista]

106. Short but sweet

I am policasista (nee J). I lurked and posted in the Election Results section before finding the Kerry group. I am currently in college at Tennessee State University studying Elementary Education. (I am from the "shitty" red state of TN also). I already have a Master's degree in education and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Humanities/Fine Arts as well. I peep in and out sometimes cause I am in school, but this has been a nice refuge/bunker from the Kerry bashers. I was slow to warm up to Kerry, but appreciated him as time went on. I like music, reading, sports, cooking, and shopping. :hi:

[rox63]

107. I'm rox63

Hello everyone. :hi: I'm rox63, which is short for Roxanne, who was born in 1963. No, I didn't use a whole lot of imagination coming up with that screen name. :eyes: I'm a native Masshole, born and raised in one of the old mill towns along the Merrimack River, in the northeast coner of the state. I'm currently living in a different old mill town along the Merrimack, about 20 miles to the north of my hometown.

When people ask if I'm married, I tell them I was once, but I got better. :D I live with my two kitties, Miss Mary and Princess. I told my Mom years ago that she wasn't getting any grandchildren from me, and that she'd have to make do with grand-cats. She's fine with that, because she doesn't want to get stuck babysitting. I'm a Gemini, although my personality doesn't match the Gemini profile at all. I'm a curmudgeon-in-training, carrying on a long-standing family tradition of cranky middle-aged and old people.

My family's background is French-Canadian on my Dad's side, and unknown on my Mom's side, since she was a ward of the state from an early age. I'm a former Catholic, having attended the neighborhood parish's Catholic school for 12 years. My only college degree is a 2-year degree from a community college, and some later coursework that never managed to add up to a 4-year degree.

My immediate family (parents and one older brother) were all conservatives, of the Libertarian/Objectivist variety. How I turned out as a liberal, I don't know. Maybe it was all the years of therapy and medication. :D I've been voting for John Kerry since I was legally able to vote, although I didn't really know a whole lot about him until the presidential campaign. I guess I really wasn't all that politically engaged until the 2000 presidential election. And I was positively obsessed with getting rid of Bush by the time the 2004 campaign came around. I originally was a Dean supporter in the primaries, because he seemed to speak to the anger and absolute contempt I had towards Bush. But I was never a real Deaniac, because I had a feeling his campaign was going to go down in flames. As the good ship Dean sank, I flirted with Edwards, but settled on Kerry. There were some bumper stickers around at that time that said "Dated Dean, Married Kerry". That was me. :loveya:

Although I sometimes have LLL leanings, I've never seen Kerry as a total hottie. Edwards, yes. (Maybe that part of why I flirted with supporting him in the primaries) Kerry has a lot of levels to him, has a heart, and is hyper-intelligent. And yeah, I guess I find that combination kinda sexy. I was thoroughly crushed by the results of the election. I found DU through the Kerry Forum during the campaign. I lurked for quite a while, and I tried to register unsuccessfully several times. But I would never receive the confirmation email with the magic password. I eventually was able to successfully register using my work email address. I don't know what I'll do about that the next time I change jobs.

Anyway, I just took way too long to tell a not-that-interesting story. I like the DU Kerry forum because we can be open Kerry supporters here without getting abused over it. This seems to be a place where we respect each other's opinions while still having fun.

[Vektor]

114. We'll work on the "hottie" part...

All in good time. We will fully convert you to LLL status.

:-)

[k j]

108. Okay...

here goes... am also fairly private. :)

Long-time Kerry supporter. Am on record for "calling" the Kerry/Edwards ticket on Easter Sunday, 2003 at my right-wing Christian conservative in-law's house. I do have the utmost respect for (almost) all of the 2004 primary candidates.

Have lived all over the US. Am currently in Missouri, deep in the heart of Rural Red. It's quite an education, even though I was born in Indiana, one of the reddest of the reds.

Went to the Boston Convention. Shook John Kerry's hand and made eye-contact. It was a singular experience. Shook Bobby Kennedy's hand when I was a mere lass campaigning for him in Indiana. Feel fortunate to have lived during both of their lifetimes.

I do believe in the light, but have just enough Irish Aries in me to be dangerous. (She said, with a grin.)

[karynnj]

110. I was born in Indiana and lived there through college

but I was in the bluest area, Lake county, which is on the Illinois border near Chicago. I agree with you it's a super red state. I watched the returns come in for Indiana in my college dorm in 1968. Even though the Republicans were ahead by a lot, a few of my fellow freshman were furious when the Democrats were "catching up" when the Lake county vote came in after the rest of the state.

Funny though that we then had 2 Democratic Senators, Birch Bayh and Vance Hartke.

It was have been great seeing Kerry and RFK. I'm jealous.

[fedupinBushcountry]

123. Hi Everyone !!!

I have been reading this forum for months, and anytime I felt down, especially reading some of the garbage in GD, I just had to click and my heart fell whole again. I thank you all for that.

A little about myself, I am from Virginia (John Kleeb, I love your posts and the spirit you bring from a young mind. But I am not a true Virginian, born and raised in New York, transplanted here through the military.) Been a member of DU for a long time but finally got my star, as you notice I don't post much. I am 54 and have 3 kids all in there 20's and all voted for John Kerry(a very proud Mom). Been married for almost 35 years and my husband is retired Navy (GO NAVY!!!).

So what brought me to John Kerry. Well, we had 10 candidates out there so I decided to do my research, I did do it on everyone but Lieberman, I didn't like him in 2000 and I still don't like him. I saw Dean on C-Span (I am a C-Spanaholic), but for some reason after I did research on him, I just didn't think he was coming off as who he really was. I love Kucinich but in my heart I knew he could never win. So as I went down the listI got to John Kerry, and bam, it was like my inner self came out. From religion (I am a Catholic) to his views of the world from his anti-war stance (I do get why he voted for the IWR, it was for the Inspectors to get in there and stay, nothing else), to his upbringing and his staying to his true values. The only thing I disagree on is Guns, I don't believe in them, but I do understand where he is coming from as a hunter. He brought back the fightI had in me that I had in the 60's and that went to sleep for to many years. He would have been a GREAT President and how I wish that was the way it turned out. I do believe the election was stolen, and that no matter what people say about the concession, he had no other choice, the media would have jumped all over him.

So thats it for now, oh by the way I was a Kerry blogger and did work for the Kerry site. I do know KJ, and Sandsea and Kerrygoddess will know who I am too. I'll let them guess. I'm sure if others frequented the Kerryblog, you would know me too.

Its great to be here among Kerrycrats, I feel right at home.

[politicasista]

124. Hello fedupinbushcountry

Nice username :hi:

[Vektor]

125. Welcome to DU!!

:hi:

Glad to have you!

[TayTay]

126. A great and deep welcome

And please post more! This was wonderful!

Pleased to meet ya! The honor is all mine.

[wisteria]

127. Welcome!

I hope you'll consider posting frequently. We could always use your support.

[fedupinBushcountry]

128. Thank You

Thanks for the welcomes, I plan on making this my new home in place of the Kerry blog, which I so dearly miss. Its good to be amongst common sense again.

OH OH I found the smilies. :) :toast: :bounce: :wow: :hi: :loveya: :grouphug:


:woohoo:

[JohnKleeb]

129. thanks and welcome

and I felt the same way as you did about Dean and Kucinich, Dean to me didnt seem to be what he really was and Kucinich I love the man but no chance, oh and I am not really a Virginian truly either, my family came down here in the 50's so my mom's father could stay out of coal mines and steel mills, I guess he didnt want to live to his early 60's like his father, a lifelong coal miner, and hes 76 now and still kicking, hates Bush and Co alot. My other grandfather worked for the NLRB so he and my nana lived around the country. Sorry for ranting, welcome. Thanks glad ya like what I have to say, I feel the aame as you on some. Kerry btw is on the left on guns, he's just a hunter, supports things like AWB, and what not, I hate when people take the NRA position on guns here, maybe its because I had a classmate killed last year, maybe my uncle's suicide but I just cant stand em. I also believe the motivation for gun control laws came after so many good american heroes like JFK, RFK, and MLK were killed.

[fedupinBushcountry]

130. Hi

I know Kerry is on the left of guns, and that was not an issue with me, I knew exactly where he stood, but if I acted like some on DU I should of totally abandoned him, because of this one issue. I think it was when Reagan got shot and Jim Brady and the work of his wife that brought about gun control. I was just listening to the NRA conference :puke:, those people are really really sick and make the issue bigger than it should be. Did you know we want to get rid of the 2nd Admendment these people are sick and :crazy:, they are the ones that everyone should be afraid of.

Oh by the way I am in the Hampton Roads area, and just happen to live in the reddest city Virginia Beach, the rest of Hampton Roads overwhelmingly voted Kerry.

Nice to meet you. :toast:

[JohnKleeb]

131. Yeah I am afraid of the NRA

Ahh I live in newly blue Fairfax County. I think what makes me support gun control is things like school shootings, I am a student after all, the death on the streets last year our town endured, we're a town of about 20,000, not small really but small enough for a murder to impact us, and I had an uncle kill himself.