As Thanksgiving looms...ALL of my fellow DUers, whether I agree with you or not,

[ScreamingMeemie]

Thank you for all you do to make DU what it is today.

Without the differences of opinion, this place would not be a place I'd want to hang out in.

I am thankful for a place to debate, even when I find myself sometimes having to take "breaks."

Life is short. I wish you all the best.

[vt_native]

1. To you as well

and to all other DU'ers

[calimary]

21. Welcome to DU, vt_native!

Glad you're here! Glad to have this community to share! It's kept me sane since bush/cheney stole their first election together. It's an oasis in the political desert. It's where you CAN find Dems with backbone. LOTS of them. And it's where you need not feel alone! Either in your own feelings or opinions, or when you're grieving. I THINK it was Skittles who pointed out - "someone's always here."

I loved the "Eloise" books when I was little. Still do! Eloise and I were both six at the same time! Eloise was a mischievous little girl who lived in the Plaza Hotel penthouse in Manhattan with her patient, long-suffering Nanny, her dog and her turtle, and was both a self-described "city child" and a citizen of the world at the same time. We went with her to Paris in one book, for example, and to Moscow in another. Her room was a fright and she had this thing for wanting to pour water or champagne down the mail chute. Her mother was never there but was some sort of wealthy aristocrat who knew everybody. She referred to Nanny as "my mostly companion." Sometimes I feel as though, after my husband, DU is my "mostly companion"! That's a good way to think of it. DU really is always here. Somebody's gonna be reading and weighing in, and very often they weigh in on something you write. You can always expect that you'll be watching events, speeches, debates, conventions, hearings, trials, and live breaking news together with somebody here. Often there are threads about whatever it is, with some great play-by-play! I just love DU! And if you're ever in need of some big shoulders - some of the broadest and sturdiest on record are here. And they've already got your name on 'em.

(BTW - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED and thoroughly engaging reading, those "Eloise" books! But beware - you just might feel compelled to grab a couple of pencils and sheets of paper and start drawing! The flamboyant Broadway actress, chanteuse, raconteur, witticist, and author Kay Thompson wrote the "Eloise" books and this ridiculously talented dude named Hilary Knight did all the illustrations. Intoxicating!!!! I used to pour over them for hours, just studying those drawings. Definitely influenced my own drawing style.)

[FredStembottom]

28. Thanks, calimary.

I believe I stumbled onto an Eloise book just as I was leaving the picture book world behind (growing into "grown up" books). So didn't know that series well.

But I always had a little question mark in my mind along the lines of "what was that extraordinary book about the little girl in the hotel I once saw as a kid"?

Now I know and now I can " catch up".

Thanks

[calimary]

33. And you know what else is so cool about that?

There is a portrait of Eloise in a place of honor in the lobby of the Plaza Hotel. PERFECT!

God, Eloise! She was the secret sister I never had. Always getting into mischief. Taught me words like "skibble" as in "skibble down the hallways" and "sklathe" as in "sklathe across the bed" and phrases like "I pat her on her botto which is large" - referring to Nanny's behind, which actually was "rawther" large (that's another Eloise-ism: "rawther&quot . And btw, that's "botto" with an "o" and nothing beyond it! Became a, well, rawther useful word for diaper changing time when both kids were little. And THEY both wanted to be little pranksters like Eloise, just like I did when I was a kid. And you learn important things like the Plaza is the only hotel in New York that will allow you to have a turtle, and that the reason you go to Paris is to get roses in your cheeks, and that toe shoes make very good ears, and that a box of kleenex AND an egg cup each make very good hats, and that "you have to eat oatmeal or you'll dry up. Anybody knows that." The whimsy of the writing and ESPECIALLY the illustrations!!!! OH MAN, I'm 60 years old and I can STILL kill almost a whole evening pouring over one of those Eloise books. And I still learn things about drawing and cartooning and the little details that convey motion and strong feelings and such. Among my FAVORITE books!

[FredStembottom]

35. !

Will scrounge one up

[calimary]

44. And wouldn't you know it - writing about it and thinking back about it, guess what I just did?

I finished the reply to you and then went downstairs to find my old Eloise book and pour through it for another hour! It's in terrible shape and some of the pages are taped in place. The cover certainly is. I eventually had to go buy a new copy.

There's an update or two, also, which I found hilarious! One of the comments that repeats, along with "a ______ makes a very good hat," there's one about "here's what he(she) likes: _________. Here's what I like: ________." In my original version from 1959, it was "here's what I like: Grass." But the modern-day update has changed that to "here's what I like: Dandelions." ROFL!!!!!

[calimary]

45. You make me think that - for Thanksgiving, I guess I would wish an afternoon with Eloise

for everyone here!

Next best thing: the "Eloise at Christmastime" book! Delicious and Utterly Intoxicating!!!!!

[Pretzel_Warrior]

2. Plagiarist! Lol

[Raine1967]

3. You as well, ScreamingMeemie!

You are one of my favorite DU'rs.

[scarletwoman]

4. Thank you for this post. Wishing you all the best as well.

[libodem]

5. I'm confused

I was on a jury for a self deleted post and I asked to be excused. Usually I'm aware of social relationships but this is over my head. Maybe I'm better off but maybe I'll be posting somewhere and put stick my foot in it.

I don't get it.

[ScreamingMeemie]

6. This is truly what it was intended to be libodem.

I truly wish the best for all of DU this Thanksgiving season.

[spanone]

7. k&r....

[RobertEarl]

8. Thanks is to be given for DU

And all you wonderful people. If only the world could be so similar.

The coolest idea of this webage is DU. I am Thankful to be freely
available to take part in this gathering.

[PeaceNikki]

9. love ya, sister!

[monmouth3]

10. The same to you SM..n/t

[ladyVet]

11. Yeah, what would we do without DU?

This place saved my sanity after the 2000 Selection, to be shortly followed by 9-11.

There have been members I could do without, and times I've had to take a break, but this is still the best political forum for me.

Wishing you all a great time next week, with safe travels, good food, good friends, family you can manage not to kill for a day, and loads of sports. If that's your thing.

[CTyankee]

18. Me, too, in that terrible winter of 2005, after Kerry lost...

DU and Stephanie Miller saved me from real despair.

[calimary]

24. Oh man - don't get me started (on that one)!

But just in general: stop and think for a moment who all is here. The caliber of the participation is genuinely remarkable and highly distinguished. You can't help but learn more!

There are writers of all kinds, teachers, historians, philosophers, academics, commentators, humorists, bloggers, journalists, analysts, researchers, judges and magistrates, doctors of all derivations - both MDs and PhDs and JDs and DDSs and DVMs, PLUS ophthalmologists who really are fully and regularly accredited, unlike rand paul. There are politicians, secretaries, sociologists, theologians, reporters, investigators, merchandisers, promoters, strategists, retailers and wholesalers, restauranteurs, chefs, wait-staffers, brokers, attorneys, messengers, leaders and followers, performers, designers, actors, singers, musicians, composers, producers, dancers, illustrators, artists of all visual kinds, crafters and hobbyists of every kind, animal lovers of every kind, videographers, photographers, collectors, aviators, every kind of athlete and sports freak and every kind of nerd and geek, butchers, bakers, and candlestick-makers. There are singles, marrieds, divorcees and honeymooners, the separated and widowed, gays, straights, transgendered, bisexuals, celibates. There are students, graduates, and drop-outs, renters, landlords, owners, leasers, and even some homeless. There are mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, grandparents, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, and the childless, only-children, adoptees, foster children and foster parents. There are veterans of every stripe and rank. There are fans and protesters and refusniks and war-hawks. There are wealthy and not-so-wealthy, comfortable and underwater. The insured and uninsured. The healthy, the ailing, disabled, those in crisis, and those in recovery. Celebrators and mourners. Abused and abusers. Immigrants and expatriates. Policemen and fire fighters and other first-responders, crime victims and accident victims. Business owners, middle managers, part-timers, the rank-n-file, and the unemployed. Union members and non-union members, and people who wish they had unions but live in right-to-work-(for-less) states. There are Christians and Jews, Muslims and Catholics, agnostics, atheists, cultists, conspiracy buffs, provocateurs, and devil's advocates. Blacks, whites, Latinos, Asians, Native Americans, mixed-race, young and old and teens and the middle-aged and the retired. There are people from everywhere, every continent, many countries, speaking multiple languages. Builders and demolition specialists alike. Insiders and outsiders. We have and have had some big names - from Alan Grayson to the late Elizabeth Edwards. We have people of every political frequency on the dial - and EVERY kind of Democrat you can imagine, plus more than a few recovering, rescued, or reformed Republicans.

It's more than just a website. It's a freakin' think tank! Rich in almost every imaginable perspective and level of experience. And it's all ours! And it never closes!

[FredStembottom]

29. I'm exhausted reading that!

Suitable for it's own holiday OP, calimary.

[joanbarnes]

37. 'lost?'

[CTyankee]

40. a bitter disappointment and all those questions raised. It only added to the agony.

Kerry didn't want to pursue it.

[joanbarnes]

38. Ditto

[Bradical79]

12. Good post :-)

I'll be taking a couple weeks off of participating here for thanksgiving and study, but I have to say this is one of the better discussion forums out there.

[silvershadow]

13. Me too! Also, I would be thankful if some of you whom hid me a long time ago would unhide me.

[LuvNewcastle]

14. Hope you have a fun, tasty holiday, SM.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

15. all the best to you as well ... SM

[heaven05]

16. same to you

[LoisB]

17. Happy Thanksgiving to you also and to everyone. Have a great day and be safe.

[NastyRiffraff]

19. And back at you...Happy Thanksgiving

What a great post! Thanks for it, and to all the DU-ers. I always count on learning a lot here.

[nolabear]

20. Indeed. Happy Thanksgiving to the whole scrappy lot.

[bigwillq]

22. I am thankful for DU

If not for DU, we would have never "met".

I am thankful for your friendship.

[FarCenter]

23. Happy Thanksgiving, but I have to disagree

[B2G]

25. Happy Thanksgiving Meemie!

[99Forever]

26. Yes, yes, yes.

Boring is boring, and one thing DU is not, boring.

Happy Thanksgiving to you too, ScreamingMeemie. And all of DU, as SM says, even those I debate wholeheartedly with.

[Texasgal]

27. You too sweetie!

I hope you have a wonderful holiday!!!

Thank YOU for being part of DU.

[madokie]

30. Peace

[pacalo]

31. The same to you, Meemie.

Very nice post!

[Auntie Bush]

32. A Very Happy Thanksgiving to you too.

And don't sweat the small stuff. We are all Dems!

[xmas74]

34. Here's hoping for a fantastic Thanksgiving,

one in which the Packers pull off a win. Boy do we need it right now!

[joanbarnes]

36. Ditto.

[rocktivity]

39. And now for a Thanksgiving carol

an Old Thanksgiving tradition

And a new one!

rocktivity

[Phentex]

41. Same to you!

You're a good egg!

[Paladin]

42. Well said. Happy holidays. (nt)

[HappyMe]

43. Nicely said.

All the best to you and yours - and to DUers everywhere.