As the say at the race track: It is now Post Time

[are_we_united_yet]

Folks, Democratic Underground has been THE most valuable political community that I've ever been a part of.

Think about this for a second: A virtual community of people, many whom I've never met in person, have had the some of the MOST SIGNIFICANT influences on my social and political perspectives regarding todays issues. Your views, opinions and ideas have shaped my decisions for years to come (God willing). That is extraordinary. To all of the DU'ers, thanks for being there when I couldn't make heads or tails of this Administration's approach to Domestic and Foreign policy.

Now comes Post Time. I think this metaphor is fitting and those who have witnessed a thoroughbred horse race will recognize Post Time as that short, exciting, nerve racking period of time between the horses being marshaled into the gate and the beginning of the race. It is very distinct. I find it to be the culmination of anticipation, hope, fear, doubt, the whole gamut of emotions. Kind of the calm before the storm.

For me, today and tomorrow are the 2004 election's analog of Post Time. Time for me to step away from my virtual portal of the rich and vibrant political discourse of Democratic Underground and reflect. No more watching polls on DU that I half heartedly call meaningless. No more waiting for Plame indictments to come down in the LBN forum. No more explicit words of encouragement and a suspension of explicit support to fellow DU'ers (naturally I'll be there in spirit). No more of the intense and persistent sarcasm which has become the (sometimes irritating) trademark of my posts. No more venting about *, Rove and Fundies (Thank God you probably say).

I have argued, agreed and laughed with many of you and I can say I've greatly appreciated the companionship I have shared with you during the tenure of this hellish administration and in my opinion, disastrous policies.

Before I sign off, I'd like to thank a small sample of DU'ers that have influenced my thinking:

Skinner
VolcanoJen
CatWoman
WilliamPitt
meegbear
Matcom
Skittles
nothingshocksmeanymore
plastic_turkeys
BevHarris
TruthIsAll
WaltStarr

There are many others as well, too many to enumerate.

In reading the posts of the folks above, I'm more savvy about the political landscape we must navigate and most of all, I've learned from these folks that I have a much more to learn.

Honestly folks, I'm very, very nervous about Tuesday and I think our greatest hope lies in a high voter turnout. Forget the polls, the Redskins, the Red Sox and the Pundit predictions, just get out and vote.

So starting tonight, I'll be back in street mode doing what I can to further Democracy. Tuesday I'll do my part(and I am counting on all of you to do your parts).

Wednesday-Jan 2005, I hope to be in your company, virtually or otherwise, enthusiastically celebrating a 2004 election victory, as though our lives had depended on it.

Later.