OMG - Sweet Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I made the Huffington Post!!!

[calimary]

First time!!!

And I'm already getting beaten up! :rofl:

The piece is also HERE (perhaps you'll visit and give it a kick?):

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4795231

HuffPo link:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mary-lyon/my-own-private-hillary_b_88767.html

On edit, among other things - I forgot to say THANK YOU, DU!!! THIS is where it all started.

:patriot:

[underpants]

1. Congrats!!!

Way to go!

[calimary]

16. I'm just blown away!

Thank you, underpants!

(PS: I used to love those dancing pants you once had in your sig line. Always made me laugh!)

[DUyellow]

2. how did you get it on there?

Congrats!

[civildisoBDence]

15. Ditto that--I can't even get a response to an emai from HuffPo

But what really confuses me is that today, I've been trying to log in to right wing websites to discuss William F. Buckley--and I can't post a comment to save my life. I've tried half a dozen blogs with no success.

What's up with that?

Congrats, Mary.

http://newsprism.wordpress.com">Newsprism

[calimary]

18. A friend of a friend. I send my rants around to some pals.

One of my friends sent it on to one of HER friends (also an acquaintance of mine, who's a wonderful and talented author also, and evidently, she posts on HuffPo fairly frequently). I guess she put in the magic word or something.

[annabanana]

3. the "big time" huh?

congrats!. . .

[calimary]

21. Thanks - I'm just out of my mind about it!

And I wanted to share this with DU!

For me, it all started HERE. Writing, ranting, commenting, rinse, repeat. I kept at it, having undoubtedly bored NUMEROUS people here with my on-going haranguing. But I did notice one thing. The longer you do that, you do get better. And it starts to become easier. And then you start enjoying it and you do it some more. It's just like exercising the same muscle group. After awhile, it starts building up and getting stronger and more defined. It happened for me HERE. Among the people HERE. It encouraged me to submit stuff to other sites. But THIS was my "gym" and my point of departure.

[ReadTomPaine]

4. Hey!

:thumbsup:

Way to go!

[calimary]

Thank you!

:D

[CoffeeCat]

5. Did you submit this to HuffPo or did...

..they just pick it up??

Congrats! That's awesome!

:)

[calimary]

24. I went in on the back of this friend-of-a-friend.

Evidently, they look at you if you come recommended by somebody who's been part of their presentation for awhile already.

[CoffeeCat]

27. Hey Mary...

Again, that is just fabulous.

You really have to celebrate this. Go buy yourself a bottle of champagne or
some dark chocolate and really celebrate. This is such a honor!

I was a writer (in public relations for 15 years) but I've been in "kid land" for
the past 7 years (I speak Elmo now and I've dropped 50 IQ points, since becoming
a stay-at-home mom). I'm just starting to feel the pull again--wanting to write
more and "do" something.

You are definitely an inspiration. It's wonderful to see a fellow DUer
picked up by Huffington. Wow!!

I love the way you construct sentences. Your writing is very conversational and
creative. You are extremely talented and you should really be proud of yourself.

K&R'd! :)

[calimary]

29. Thank you, fellow mom!

I worked in broadcasting for some 25 years before I finally hung it up (for the most part - I quit the actual job but tried in alternate ways to keep my hand in it to some extent).

I used to speak fluent Bert-n-Ernie. Or "OONie" as my daughter called him.

Now, I speak partial "Project Runway" and fluent Mest, Green Day, and Motley Crue among others - my son's faves.

I feel so grateful today!!!

And, again, can I just stress - it started HERE. I was a newswriter but NOT a commentary writer or editorialist. As a reporter, I wasn't supposed to put my opinions into things. You just didn't - fairly easy, though, when you're an entertainment reporter, anyway - I didn't even do movie reviews. In fact, I once even got in trouble for calling into a local talk station to comment on something. The news editor was listening and recognized my voice and then reamed me for it. So this is an area that's new to me since my "retirement" and attempts to reemerge as a columnist/rant-ist. Or whatever you wanna call me. I started doing opinion-related things here. And if you just keep doing it and doing it and doing it, sooner or later you start sharpening your skills. It just goes with the territory. It will happen to you, too, as you keep posting.

[babylonsister]

6. You are a great writer, calimary. I enjoyed that article! Rec'd. nt

[calimary]

25. Thank you, Greatly-Loved One!

All those hearts from that fundraising drive...

I don't think anybody here had more than you did.

[zanne]

7. Congratulations!

I love it when one of us becomes famous for the right reasons!

[calimary]

26. Thank you, my friend!

Mercury just went OUT of retrograde, too. So that probably helped.

[soleft]

8. WOW! Congrats!

[calimary]

44. I'm SO stoked!

Always hoped and dreamed...

:bounce:

[SeattleGirl]

9. Congratulations, and great piece!

:applause: :applause: :applause:

[calimary]

45. I sure appreciate that.

DU means a great deal to me. DU, and the people in it.

[nadinbrzezinski]

10. Congrats and you are not getting smacked over there

in fact those comments are pretty nice

[calimary]

47. I guess they're fairly harmless. I'm ready for flaming, though.

I've had people tell me some comments to their work have been downright searing.

Oh well, sorta goes to the subject of the piece. Raw nerves.

[aquart]

11. Congratulations. Does this make you a pundit?

[calimary]

48. Well, remember pundit, like pun, starts with a - um - shall we say "scent"?

P-U, after all...

:silly:

[featherman]

12. Congrats... nice, heartfelt essay

[calimary]

49. Thanks!

I feel like this cat we used to have. He would catch something in the back yard - rat, lizard, mouse, bird, and proudly bring his treasure up the back steps to lay at our feet. My mother never really appreciated that, but I did.

So here's my freshly-caught rat!

[Kukesa]

13. And, well deserved. You are one of DU's best. n/t

[calimary]

51. Thank you!

:patriot:

[jgraz]

14. Congrats!

[calimary]

52. Thanks, jgraz!

:hi:

[Jack Bone]

17. Congrats!! Nice Piece!!

K&R :patriot::kick:

[calimary]

53. I'm glad you liked it.

:thumbsup:

[trumad]

19. Congrats---

Kind of cute toooo..;-)

[calimary]

54. Aw -

:)

[Breeze54]

20. Congratulations! Great OP!

I feel the same way about this years primaries and all the earthquakes that have come with them.

I'm glad you got published... again! (World News Trust?)

[calimary]

59. Yes, World News Trust. And beyond. But that's where a lot of it started.

Stemming directly from DU.

Thanks!

[yellerpup]

22. Congratulations and Happy Day!

You make us proud calimary. K&R!

[calimary]

60. It's been a VERY happy day!

It's my honor. I'm just proud to be here - and of all the friends I've made here!

[road2000]

23. Very nicely done

And obviously from the heart. Congrats!

[calimary]

61. Thank you - and Welcome to DU!

Glad you're here!

[applegrove]

28. Congrats. Great writing.

[calimary]

63. I'm just really thrilled by all this. And after a really awful Mercury retrograde.

When I got the email, the first thing I wanted to do was post about it here. I've had a lot of encouragement from DUers.

[Jack Rabbit]

30. Congratulation, Mary.

Keep up the good work.

[calimary]

64. Well, we try. Thanks so much!!!

:hi:

[madrchsod]

31. you are famous ! you made it to huff`s.!

...a big tip of the hat to you!

[calimary]

66. Thank you!

It all started for me HERE.

I've been a writer for a long time, but it's seldom involved personal opinion pieces, much less POLITICAL opinion pieces. At least up until about 2003 or so. There's a big difference.

Just remember, any time you write something here that's longer and thought-filled, you're sharpening your pen, AND your skills. You just do. Or is that - you just DU? :D

This place is stuffed to the rafters with great writers and great writing!

:toast:

[JohnnyLib2]

32. Wow! Wow! Wow!

Congratulations!

[calimary]

67. Sure do appreciate this!

Thank you so much!

[Coexist]

33. !!!

[calimary]

68. That's what I said!

:bounce:

[gratuitous]

34. Congratulations

Hope you don't forget all the little people now that you've made the Big Time.

Ah, what am I saying, she probably has us all on "ignore" already. Still hope she kicks Russert right square in the nads if she gets the chance.

[calimary]

50. I shall do it in YOUR honor, gratuitous, if I'm ever so lucky.

At least figuratively-speaking.

One of my favorite DU phrases was from a post of yours - in the wake of Abu Ghraib - to the effect of "I paid for those pictures. My tax money paid for all of them. I want to see what I got for my money. Show me all the photos. Let me see what I got for my money."

One of the best retorts to these sneaky-ass bastards EVER!

[FlyingSquirrel]

35. Awesome

:woohoo:

Now just ignore all the flamers... But as a veteran DU'er you've already learned to do that

[calimary]

69. Meh... I'm just glad there have been some comments.

I'm sure everybody here knows all too well that feeling of shouting into a vacuum. Hell, we've had an entire "pResidential" regime's worth of it already.

[DeepModem Mom]

36. Wonderful news! Heartfelt congratulations!!! nt

[calimary]

70. Thank you profoundly, DMM!

You have so kindly kicked my threads for a long time now.

I appreciate your support - such wonderful encouragement! It's meant a lot.

[npincus]

37. Cool!

big Congrats!

[calimary]

71. Big hugs!

Thanks, npincus!

:hi:

[npincus]

90. back at ya!

Can't wait to read your next piece on Huffpo! :hi:

[calimary]

97. Well, I bother our friends Tace and Tandalayo_S with these about once a week

(or would that be "weak"?) :rofl:

So whether the Huffies want it or not, they're gonna get the next one, too.

I'm still just blown over, and it's been a whole 'nother day...

:silly:

[EFerrari]

38. So cool! Good going, Mary!

K&R

[calimary]

72. Thanks, bebe!

And :patriot: for everything you've done, too, my friend. All that organizing of those well-populated extra-large lettered messages on the beach. THOSE are some pretty damned impressive accomplishments.

[blm]

39. Good job, kiddo. Tough it out with the flock of assholes - you can do it. ;)

Flock of Assholes - is that a GOP cover band?

[calimary]

73. That's not the one that sings "Let the Eagle SOOOOOOOOarrr...."?

Or is that "Let the Eagle Sore?" Or maybe "IS the Eagle Sore?" OW!

:P

[Joanne98]

40. Congrats! Can I have your autograph?

:hi:

[calimary]

74. Aw... Thanks!

Yes, if I can have yours.

:hi:

[Joanne98]

95. Lol

:hug:

[calimary]

99. But I bet I'd beat you in the crappy penmanship department.

My mother sometimes said that alone qualified me for med school. So bad that sometimes even I couldn't read it.

[SalmonChantedEvening]

41. Awright calimary!!!

Pickin on the new kid, buncha meanies! :rofl:

Bravissimo!!! :yourock:

:hi: :hug: :loveya:

[calimary]

75. Tons O' Hugs!

Thanks!

:headbang:

[varelse]

42. Congrats - excellent post, too :-)

:applause:

[calimary]

76. Thanks, and Welcome to DU!

Happy day!

[sandnsea]

43. That's Molly Worthy

Truly. That is one of the best pieces I've seen on this primary. It explains the Hillary voter to me in a way I've never understood, for one. And it entertainingly speaks for those who are still struggling to figure out the best way to get out of this mess. That is great writing, just fantastic. I hope there is a lot more to come!!

[calimary]

77. Thank you, sandnsea!

Thank you for such kind words. I'll keep posting to them as long as they'll have me.

[proud patriot]

46. Fabulous !

:hug:

[calimary]

78. Cheers to you!

:hug: back atcha!

[Rowdyboy]

55. I'm serially impressed! This is HUGH! And you are quite talented and deserve this

congratulations....

[calimary]

79. This is series!

Where's that Moran guy when you need him?

:rofl:

Thank you, btw, Rowdyboy!

:hi:

[Melissa G]

56. Congrats! n/t

[calimary]

80. Much obliged, Melissa G!

:toast:

[AnnieBW]

57. Woot!

Go Calimary!

[calimary]

82. I'm just so happy about this - and about being able to celebrate it here.

I am so grateful to the people here on DU!

You guys helped me make this happen. Absolutely. I am grateful!!!

:applause: :patriot: :hug:

[LeftCoast]

58. Congratulations!

:toast:

Great writing!

[calimary]

83. Thank you so much!

I know one thing for certain: Mercury is definitely OUT of retrograde. This last reversal period was a real lu-lu.

[Oilwellian]

62. Congrats calimary!

We are so proud of you! :hug:

[calimary]

84. That means a GREAT deal to me.

Exercising here on DU was what help me get there. Really challenging, interesting, and mentally-stimulating stuff here that's inspired me a lot. Same thing with the people posting here, and their stories and perspectives. I've gained significantly here!

[Swamp Rat]

65. YAAY!!! .....Excellent!!!

:woohoo: :applause:

[calimary]

85. Thank you, Swamp Rat!

I'm a great fan!

:patriot:

[BurtWorm]

81. I am impressed.

:toast:

[calimary]

86. Thanks!

I've been impressed by your posts for a long time!

:toast:

[BurtWorm]

89. And vice versa.

:blush:

It's great to see such a worthy DU fledgling take wing.

[calimary]

96. Hugs!

:hug: :pals:

And when I'm flyin' I'm taking DU with me!

[McCamy Taylor]

87. Congrats!

[calimary]

88. Oh, man - Thank You!!!

I have SO admired your posts, and learned so much from your perspective!

This means a lot coming from you!

:patriot:

[marions ghost]

91. this article reflects

exactly what I've been feeling in the last week. And for longer than that.

In your words, Mary:
"We've been shoved as a nation, farther toward the strident, the negative, the combative, the hostile, the regressive, the in-yer-face."

So True.

---------------

It's no wonder that Hillary's going nuclear on Barack is falling flat...people are SO tired of this negative stuff. Doesn't her campaign realize that? People are also looking for AUTHENTICITY. You describe well how Hillary has the air of someone who's not sure which of her multiple personalities to go with on a given day. She's best when she's herself, but that's rare. She has had to be so controlled.

Excellent article. Right on the pulse of the country IMO. :thumbsup:

[calimary]

100. I'm honored that I could carry your message!

I think millions of us are tired of this negative stuff.

Yet, I'm two-faced enough to add that I wouldn't hesitate to shovel as much of it at the bad guys as they could manage to throw at our side. And I'd probably relish that. Perhaps it signifies how they, or maybe more specifically that type of approach, just brings out the worst in us/me. I find myself in that predicament pretty frequently, though - which approach to take? How hard a hard-ass to be? How far below the belt to hit? Especially when the opponents just SO loudly seem to ask for it!

I had that very experience this morning. A local radio show guy called me about this. And while I did say I wouldn't mind mud-wrestling ann coulter, I found myself wanting to pull punches with listeners who called in from the opposing side (the guy, for example, who wanted to make sure there was a GOPer in the White House - specifically because of the Supreme Court). I found that, on the fly, especially with "noncombatants," I wanted to tread a little more gently and diplomatically.

Hell, some days I never do figure out who I wanna be.

:silly:

[Tace]

92. Congratulations!

I'm surprised they weren't publishing your stuff before now. Cheers!

[calimary]

101. I just never had the nerve to aim that high.

Since I retired, I don't really have a calling card anymore. But this one particular email came back around to me from one of my" girlfriends referring again to HuffPo, and I just had one of those "oh, what the hell?" moments. I suppose that might be the same kind of awareness events you reach when you're ready to parachute out of an airplane for the first time. It did kinda feel that way, I must admit.

[lisainmilo]

93. You make me want to write......

Great Job!

You did an outstanding job expressing your feelings and thoughts! :)

[calimary]

102. Yeah? Write-ON!

You absolutely should! Absolutely! Keep in mind our own jenmito here on DU - she began sending emails to Jack Cafferty for his question-of-the-hour. Her comments wound up getting used on the air a LOT. Wouldn't have happened if she hadn't started sending 'em in, to begin with.

And the more you do it, the more you improve. AND the greater the satisfaction.

[sueh]

94. Fantabulous, Mary...

way to go. :toast:

[calimary]

103. It's my privilege.

Thank you!!!

[tpsbmam]

98. Very well written! Congratulations! eom

[calimary]

104. Delighted you liked it!

:headbang: