I feel it's time... Say something nice about DU/another DUer!

[BlondieK143]

To all my lovely morning Lounge buddies: thank you for making sure my mornings at work go by quickly. I realize there are a lot more of you, but my hands started getting tired after typing these. :)

Kathy in Cambridge: I love that you're little miss planner. :) The rest of us non-organizers appreciate it!
Bouncy Ball: I LOVE the amusing stories you have, and it seems like you have them quite often!
ET Awful: You have two of the cutest cats on DU ever!
mark414: I found your motivation and will return it back to you in due time.
johnnyblitz: are you SURE you're gay? :evilgrin:
BullGooseLoony: One word... HOT
Ernesto: I love that you hate SUVs. :D
Crazy Guggenheim: I wish I could wear my sunglasses at night!
cleofus1: thank you for posting such cute pics of you and your kids!
bleachers: your sarcasm amuses me. :)
Beware the Beast Man: You amuse the fucking hell out of me. Thanks! :D
matcom: your ass is so much nicer than mine will ever be.
DS1: I'm still reallly jealous you picked matcom over me. *sob*
Misunderestimator: Thank you for always saying what you mean no matter what the costs.
MrScorpio: I love it that you call all the women "sugar". It's so sweet. (pun intended)
yvr: I'd sit on Will's bed with you any day!
GOP: Move to TN so I can marry you!
LynzM: You're so freaking adorable! :)
arwalden: you are completely wonderful! and did I mention adorable?
terrya: see above! and are you SURE you're gay? :D
Rev_Acts: I'd kiss you anyday!
Kleeb: You are SO the man.
progmom: If I were a lesbian.. well... :)
sniffa: best foot massager EVER! and you win the award for best pushing of the envelope. :D
Admins: We all admire you, but we're so friggin glad we don't have your job.

To all you other assholes.. me love you long time! :D

[Misunderestimator]

1. LOL! I like that!

:rofl:

You should be a politician... I know I shouldn't. :)

[BlondieK143]

6. You or me either!

:D We'll just rant about what they do wrong!

[Longgrain]

2. You forgot...

Longgrain gives good hugs.



:7

[BlondieK143]

9. I'm sorry!

My bad!

[Longgrain]

15. You still might have time to edit you're message...

:evilgrin:

[Left Is Write]

47. What a sweet picture that is.

[sniffa]

3. bertha

she may be the most genuine/sincere and sweetest person (to everyone) i've ever known.

[BlondieK143]

5. Damnit!

I knew I should've listed everyone! :loveya: to her!

[progmom]

46. oh shit

i forgot bertha too.


i love you bertha!! :loveya:

[Zuni]

104. And she has dedicated her life to animal rescue

I really admire that. She is wonderful.

[El Fuego]

131. Do do do DOO Do do do DOO

Do do do DOO Do do do DOO

(Probably in poor taste, but oh well.)

[Crazy Guggenheim]

4. Thanks cool cat!

:pals:

[Book Lover]

7. I love the fact of DU

I enjoy all the crosstalk that goes on; I love yelling at and with people in GD; I love MrScorpio's Friday evening bar; I love knowing that there are professionals and blue collar folks and cops and college students and elders and rich folks and poor folks and dumb folks and smart folks and every other effing stripe of person talking to and at each other on this board. DU *is* America (except for the cancerous evil growth currently invading DC et al loci). Hurray for DU!

[Mrs_Beastman]

8. Mr B says "AWWW"

:hug: That was very sweet.

When I married him, he promised to make me laugh everyday...have to say he's done it.

[BlondieK143]

10. Bless you!

Don't your sides hurt constantly? :D

[arcane1]

11. one in particular...

Lionesspriyanka... no words needed :loveya::loveya::loveya::loveya::loveya::loveya:

[name not needed]

12. You forgot the most important person of all,

ME!

:o :D :evilgrin:

[Jessica]

17. I love love love love that clip.

In your sig line. It was my favorite part of the episode. So, this is my "say something nice" contribution.

name not needed ROCKS. :)

[Jessica]

99. Why did you change it?

:cry:

[name not needed]

122. My sig got deleted accidentally

and I can't find the clip again. Sorry bout that.

[JanMichael]

13. Thtwudbeme is the most awesomness chick EVER!

What's amazing is that she still hasn't recieved her toaster yet either...

[Misunderestimator]

29. Is that you Stephanie?

:D

[JanMichael]

31. Nope! It's her ambiguously weird man-boy Michael.

She's on the phone with MY mommy and I think she's trying to steal her!

[NMDemDist2]

14. I hear Zomby makes great coffee and Mr Scorpio has the best

stocked bar in the world

There!! it's a twofer :evilgrin:

[AlCzervik]

16. lots of good intelligent and funny people here

the good far out weigh the squeaky wheels. Not naming anyone because i don't want to leave anybody out and feel like an asshole later.

[MrScorpio]

18. BlondieK143 was kind enough to remember something I did

Before and brought it back when we needed it most.

Thank you, Sugar Pants

[terrya]

19. Thank you, sweetie! I like your list. :-)

I'd like to add a few others (btw: thanks for the nice compliment about me. Yeah...I am gay. But if I were straight and didn't have a boyfriend. :-))

The Chicago DU'ers, all. I love partying with you! You all are smart, funny, caring, nice people. Yet another reason why I love this city. :-)

And to one more DU'er. Intravenous Demilo. To the man I was blessed and lucky into finding...and to be amazed that you took me into your life...and in your heart. You have the key to my heart, Doug. And it's yours...always. SHMILY, Doug.

[graywarrior]

20. I can't think of one person I've had a fight with here.

Hello...hello...am I on everyone's Ignore?

[GOPisEvil]

21. I couldn't list all the wonderful people on this site.

There are far too many whose path I have crossed.

So, uh, what's the weather like in TN? :P

Oh, and why don't you move here? I just moved into this house. :D

[ET Awful]

22. You ROCK BlondieK

:)

[arwalden]

23. You're Sweet!

Thanks!

[Taxloss]

32. Maybe I'm just tired

But I could have sworn that your dog just moved in that picture. It's not one of those subtle .gifs is it? They catch me every time.

Lovely dog, BTW.

[arwalden]

33. Hi!

Although she performs many tricks... that's not a trick animated gif. She just sits there doing nothing except working hard at looking cute.

Thanks for the compliment! -- Now... GO gets some rest!

-- Allen

[AlienGirl]

24. Everythingsxen is HOT! And also he's a big sweetie. And honorable.

[WindRavenX]

25. I appreciate my fellow Massholes for tollerating me being a Yankee fan

You know who you all are! :hi:

I heart everyone.
...except the assholes who think Nomah is bettah than Jetah :nuke:

[Kathy in Cambridge]

I never said he was better than Jetah

I know better. ;-)

[AlienGirl]

26. AuntJen is one of the best, most honest, rational people I know!

[AlienGirl]

27. And for all the DUers I've never lived in the same house as

and haven't already mentioned, I love ya all too! :loveya:

Tucker

[Shell Beau]

28. Well I don't know anyone well enough to post something personal,

but everyone has been super duper nice to me!!B-)

[progmom]

38. And I can say

That you have become a very welcome addition to this board!!

:hi:

[Shell Beau]

100. Awww, thanks!

:hi:

[Sugar Smack]

30. BlondieK143 managed to say exactly what I was thinking,

before I said it, and in much better words. She is articulate, funny and has her head on straight.

bridgit is the cat's pajamas. She can get me out of a foul mood within seconds, and I wish I lived closer to her. She's brilliant and sensitive, and makes me laugh even though I don't laugh easily. She's my favorite cheesesball.

Longgrain is a fabulous painter, and he's really sensitive and sweet.

Bok_Tukalo is this, I don't really have the words. I just think he's..great. Really great. Really, really great.

Jamastiene is sweet and writes very compelling posts and PMs.

Bertha's hysterical!!!!!!!!!!

And Redstone is WONDERFUL! :woohoo:

[Longgrain]

34. Before this gets locked as a popularity contest, I just have to say

Sugar Smack is HOT. And a great cartoonist to boot.

OEM

[Sugar Smack]

37. Hot, shmot, Clyde-io!

But thanks punkin. I still see a little bit of that spirit- guns & cigs and sepia- now, in you.

I love it!

[Longgrain]

40. Nay, I'm really just a shy boy...

Tho, I'm still looking for a Bonnie to my Clyde.

[Sugar Smack]

41. Bonnie's still kicking, before she goes to bed.

:D

[coloradodem2005]

72. You are hot.

[Bouncy Ball]

35. To all of you assholes

(except lurking freepers): I love ya!

Hey blondie, you rock!

[mark414]

36. ...

thanks blondie

:loveya:

[JohnKleeb]

39. thats mighty kind of you

Thanks though I know youre not attracted to me, ha I pity the woman who is.

[johnnie]

42. I like

Everyone

[Left Is Write]

48. Either I'm clairvoyant or I've really gotten to know your posts.

Before I opened your post, I knew it would say "everyone" inside.

:D

[johnnie]

96. Is that good or bad?..lol

I do like everyone though. :)

[ScreamingMeemie]

43. Every single one of you serves a purpose. Some of you make me

smile, some make me laugh out loud, some have brought me to tears, some have cared, some haven't and yet still talk to me, some have made me rethink my position, some kind of make me angry but that's okay...and most of all you've all been so welcoming.

With the tough times here over the past couple of weeks, I am so glad I've got you all to weather the storms with. Together, yes even us in the Lounge, we'll rebuild this nation...brick by brick.

Much love,"
Laura :loveya:

[Kathy in Cambridge]

44. You rock, Blondie girl!

so glad you're thinking of moving to Boston! :bounce:

[progmom]

45. here's some from me

far from a complete list, but on my mind today...

bouncy ball - my soul sister. you crack me up and warm me up in equal parts.

kathy in cambridge - your hunting, planning and nurturing skills are amazing

lynzm - what the world needs now is more people like you

jimmyjazz - you give good hugs. thanks for being my pal.

yvr girl - you are me. does that scare you? i love it.

rev acts - my baby sis. you give me hope for humanity. hope that doesn't put too much pressure on you!

bettyellen - you're the kind of person who gets up before everyone else and makes us coffee with cream and sugar in it to help our hangovers. i have so enjoyed getting to know you.

sundog - i joke, but damn, man. i think you are amazingly special.

stellanoir - i think of you as a bundle of joy and love and all things wonderful. i love your PMs

kleeb - you are kleebtastic. so smart and articulate and passionate. you laugh when i tell you that i think you can change the world...but it's so true!

misunderestimator - you make me seriously contemplate toaster ovens.

bewarethebeastman - you are as sweet as the day is long

blondie401K (i know that's not your name...it's just what i always think of) - i already told you this today - but you radiate kindness. you're a beautiful soul.

dolo amber - wow...i am so glad we're friends. you're wise beyond your years.

whoisalhedges - you're a wiseass beyond your years. kidding! you are one of the sweetest men i have met in a long time.

mrscorpio - i'd choose you over hash brownies any day of the week. :loveya:

bok_tukalo - my DU flirt buddy. i think i "get" you - and it scares me! :P

mark414 - cute and smart and great taste in cars and music.... :loveya:

jara sang - :loveya:

oldleftylawyer - your wisdom today was killing me - thanks

maddy mccall - thanks. a lot.

ralps - you always have an encouraging word for people. i'm really impressed with your generosity of spirit.

xmas74 - i love your threads and i am so glad you joined DU

joan alpern - wow. what a spirit. thanks for being you.

belladonna - i adore you. jello, thongs, whatever. you rock.

ronnykmarshall - can i be your edina?

zuni - thanks for getting my back.

nothingshocksmeanymore - a sympathetic ear...a music buddy... i am so glad to have you as friend. thanks for everything. seriously.

dark leftist - i love talking about music with you. and you're so darned cute!

jonnyblitz - next time we don't go to any bars...and we talk. i would love to know more about you.

anarcho-socialist - you have the most wonderful off-the-wall sense of humor! i love it!!!

windravenX - you so totally rock!!!

tjwmason - what did i ever do to deserve someone as nice as you posting to me all the time?? i love it!!

californiapeggy - you are such a sweetheart. and that little bit of snark becomes you!

placebo - you are one of the most charming people on DU

texas1928 - i love the pictures you post!

fuzzyslippers - is it hard to be so nice all the time? i love you.

left is write - gorgeous and kind. you make the lounge a nicer place.

elshiva - you possess such grace and generosity. i feel richer for knowing you.


miss kitty - you kick ass, and you are a very loyal friend

rabrrrrr - i always think of you when putting away my cart!

arcane1 - the cutest jesus on DU

SOteric - i love reading you talking about food!

valis - you're a worthy opponent. no hard feelings?

MrsGrumpy - oh MrsGrumpy!!! So much fun! I felt like we had been friends for years and years!!

khashka - i notice you. and i think you're swell.

hypnotoad - thank you for coming back.

chavezspeaksthetruth - i love your passion and your love for music.

raginginmiami - i love your photos!!!

IMModerate - thanks for all the great jazz talk!

RandomKoolZip - someday i will play your request... i swear! :D

Zombywoof - another jazz buddy :hi:

Gothic Sponge - I am sooooooo glad you came back

Redstone - my convertible friend!! you are the best.

1gobluedem - you don't need to go to DU to know how much i love you.

ann arbor dem - see above.

I'm sure I forgot many of you - but my head is swimming so I will stop now.
But thanks - to all of you. I have so much fun on DU.

:loveya:

[sundog]

49. that was beautiful

:cry:

:hug:

[progmom]

52. i meant it

:loveya:

[Jara sang]

50. I guess I'm just not that interesting...

:cry: Just jokin', je t'adore aussi.

[progmom]

51. c'mon jara sang!

you got :loveya: !!!

cuz i do! :loveya:

[Jara sang]

53. I'm needy.

Besides you were given those out like they were chicklets.:P

[progmom]

54. where's your list

mr needy? hmmm?

[Jara sang]

55. Alright.

I love You, and JimmyJazz, and Rev_Arse, and Longgrain, and sundog, and DS1 and everybody on your list, and everybody else at DU(except freeper trolls) and I love all the people who have yet to join as well, and I forgive those that trespass upon me, though they may not not that I digress, their actions shall be judged by the fruit trees they plant and I even love Chuckie the Lil'est freeper for he knows not what he does and I forgive him. There, everybody.

[RevolutionaryActs]

75. What'd you call me?

:rofl:

[Jara sang]

93. Just kidding...

Please forgive me.:evilfrown:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

66. My dear progmom!

You probably won't read this till Friday...but anyway...Thank you so much! Your comments are much appreciated, all of them. Even at my current age, I still long to be part of the group. It's left over from my awful childhood and being shy back then...I know full well that I have a lot of terrific friends here, but seeing someone mention me...well, it doesn't get any better than that!

DU is a huge part of my life, and it will most likely always be so...


:grouphug:

[progmom]

106. there's no group to be part of

there's just me, appreciating you.

[xmas74]

76. Thank you!

You know that I love you too-maybe because you have such great taste in music and your radio show makes my daughter sit down for a few minutes (she likes to listen to it).

[progmom]

107. thank you

i always love reading your posts

[RevolutionaryActs]

77. I um.. oh wow.

That might be the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me. :blush:


I love you big sis. You are just so... actually there are no words to describe how wonderful you are. :loveya:


And I just had a flash back to when you couldn't stop giggling in the hotel room. :rofl:
I seriously thought you would pass out or something. :rofl:

[In_The_Wind]

92. THIS is a lovely post to wake up to !

Thanks progmom :loveya::hug:

[ScreamingMeemie]

95. That was a really nice thing to say! I feel the same way.You are the

first DUer (other than a person I know IRL before DU) that I have met. What a great time I had! It also reinforced the feelings I have had that most on DU are exactly who they present themselves to be.


From one transplant to another here in this state: :hug: :hug: :hug:

[Misunderestimator]

101. And progmomgonewild has a very sultry voice...

great taste in music, and is a lovely and generous human being... Now I'm off to shop for toasters. :hi:

[Rabrrrrrr]

136. Thanks, Progmom!!

I'm glad someone said something nice about me!

And I think you are jazzariffic! And when I think of Michigan, I think of you, and I realize that in Michigan, not everything is crap - there is still Ann Arbor, and there is still progmom (and also MrsGrumpy).

[jpgray]

56. I love everyone who doesn't mention me in this thread (nt)

[progmom]

58. dammit!!!!!!!!!!!

i hope you know i adore you.

[jpgray]

60. Well, now you're off the list

:D

[progmom]

62. phew

:P

[Left Is Write]

57. There are so many wonderful people in the Lounge.

I couldn't possibly list them for fear of forgetting to name someone who has meant something to me.

Those I feel a special connection to know it (I would think), but I believe everyone here has value and contributes in their own way to the community that is the DU Lounge.

[SarahB]

59. Lots of people here I like and I don't want to leave anyone out...

so I'll give my two most important.

Amaya- she's been a friend to me in a real and substantial way.

ForrestGump- just because. :)

[RandomKoolzip]

61. RandomKoolzip: that guy's packing MAJOR wood.

[jpgray]

63. Hung like a horse, he is

A horse at the knackers, soon to be disemboweled and rendered down for glue and Jell-O.

[RandomKoolzip]

64. Pre-gelding Koolzip was a mighty woodsman.

Well, for a horse. And man! The volume and distance were unrivaled! Buckets, I tell you!

[enigmatic]

69. Buckets? Hah!

Not more than THIS guy:

[SouthoftheBorderPaul]

74. Ah, ol' Pete Buckets! - nt

[RandomKoolzip]

83. Peter North can fill a thimble. I can fill the Marianas Trench.

Or at least COULD, before the accident.

[DS1]

114. Ocean salinity has risen enough, thank you

and I'd rather not have to think about getting a facebath if I jump in the water

[auntAgonist]

65. good folks, ..

every one of you!


:hi:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

67. As are you!

A good, intelligent and very lovely auntie!

:hug:


:pals:

[progmom]

68. auntAgonist

aside from having a kick-ass name, is someone i always seek out for her insight and compassion.

:loveya:

[Zomby Woof]

70. I don't know anybody here

But... I gots some ZombyHugs for anyone who wants 'em. :hug:

[TrogL]

71. The night crowd in general

thanks for posting all the utter non-sequiters.

I'm working late and you're keeping me awaking wondering :wtf:?

[RevolutionaryActs]

73. I'd kiss you any day too sweety!

But no :P <--- I only do THAT with sniffa. :o ;)



And I could say something nice about a DUer, but I love you all(expect for those pesky freepers that sneak in) and you're all awesome. :grouphug:

[CanuckAmok]

78. (ahem)

............................................


......

[xmas74]

79. I would love to sit and say something about everyone here

but who wants to have to read all of that just to find their name?
I will say this: You have all made me feel very welcome on this board. I love having people that I can connect w/ and joke around w/, especially in this day and age.
Just remember, each and every one of you bring a smile to my face everyday whenever I visit. I love you all!

[Seabiscuit]

80. I didn't read all of this, because I never read every thread or

every post in any thread (unless it's extremely short), but I couldn't help but notice I wasn't on anyone's list. That's OK with me because I've remained pretty much anonymous here, but certainly have nothing against people getting together here on a regular basis and getting to know each other personally.

So no, I don't feel left out of any "cliques" or groups of "beautiful people" at all.

When I open threads to read I have had a habit of just following the conversation, occasionally contributing something, but rarely paying attention to who's saying what, or what the group dynamic is in general, except, of course, when I see flaming going on or a bunch of posts deleted by the mods I tend to just leave the thread without so much as noticing who's upset with whom over what.

I've become familiar with a few peoples' handles that I've interacted with here more than once. And I recognize by now quite a few handles other people use even though I couldn't tell you for sure if or when I've interracted with them. But I still don't go around seeking people out for conversation - I just enjoy reading some of the posts in some of the threads and occasionally responding to the jokes or ideas put forth.

Personally, I'm just glad I missed the thread or threads Skinner was referencing in his thread earlier today. And I'm glad that once I understood what the fuss was about (somewhat) that I was never aware of it in the first place. I'm just here because I find it an enjoyable place to bounce posts back and forth - with a lot of very witty and very funny people. I don't want any part of any conflicts going on.

Cheers to all of you who put up with my sometimes inane postings. :)

[enigmatic]

81. They aren't inane

And I agree w/ you.

Political issues aside, life truly is too short to go through having an axe to grind w/ everyone, especially here in The Lounge.

[Seabiscuit]

86. Yes, I've always viewed the Lounge as a great place to unwind.

And have some fun. And I'd like to keep it that way.

Thanks for the boost - I feel like I've said some pretty dumb things at times, but I suppose we all feel that way.

[xmas74]

82. We've had a couple of fun conversations in the past.

Cheers to you!

[Seabiscuit]

85. Indeed, we have. I'm just not sure about what. :)

And yes, I recognize your handle, but most of all the Eiffel Tower avatar - I probably let you know at some point that I'm an old fancophile who spent 5 years living in Paris.

[JimmyJazz]

97. If only you had better taste in Nixons....

:o

:hi: I'm kidding, of course! I think you rock and I enjoy reading your posts.

[Seabiscuit]

118. Thanks, Jimmy Jazz

Actually, I thought "Dick" was hilarious. But I'm also a big fan of what's-his-name who played Dick in "Nixon". :)

[AFSCME girl]

91. Very well put, xmas74..

I second that whole-heartedly! :hi:

[JohnKleeb]

84. kick before I go to bed

[Robeson]

87. Everyone's great, except.....

...for those who's accounts get suspended, or are tombstoned, or I simply don't like....

But I love everyone else!!!! :P

[BlondieK143]

88. Just wanted to say thank you to you all.

To those of you that mentioned or thanked me - you all certainly touched me in a day that I needed it. :hug: To everyone else in this thread, thank you for being (mostly) positive!:D

[Parrcrow]

89. BlondieK143 is a great peace-maker

:hi: :pals: :yourock:

[AFSCME girl]

90. BlondieK143 is one of the nicest

people I have "met" ~ evah!!! I finally got to see the other pic thread from Boston :D Omigosh! you guys had so much fun!! I MUST make it next time :7

[Brewman_Jax]

94. G'day, Blondie!

:hi: and it's almost the weekend! :woohoo:

[Mutley]

98. to everyone in particular

thanks for all the good times here at DU (especially the lounge!) over the last few months. this place has given me somewhere to go and share opinions and silliness with people who think like i do. and thanks to all those who have responded with support for my various troubles and over-sensitivity.

:loveya: :grouphug:

[JimmyJazz]

102. Okay. My turn.

I love all of you. I've had the MOST amazing week thanks to the people on DU. I have a thread that tells me NOT how wonderful I am, but how wonderful each of you are.

We ALL have problems and we all have challenges and to know that more than 100 people took time from their day to wish me well is so completely overwhelming to me. I can't even begin to express how that makes me feel.

Seriously - we're all in this together! And rather than risk excluding someone from my list, I'll tell you that I think everyone is terrific.

So, to each and every one of you here at DU - Will you accept this rose?



(you didn't think I was going to be TOTALLY serious, did you?

Seabiscuit <------Gratutious mention of another DUer inserted here.

[mark414]

103. graciously accepted miss jimmy jazz

:loveya:

(and, per your request)



i lurve ya!

[JimmyJazz]

105. AW! Now I'm smiling!

:D

:loveya: back, oodles

[dr.strangelove]

108. liberalnurse ROCKS!!

Even though we have fairly infrequent discussions about our favorite TV shows in the TV forum, she thought enough to send me a bit of info about my favorite TV program, Carnivale. The news she gave was bad, that HBO bounced Carnivale from its lineup. However, it was a very thoughtful thing to do for a DU friend. I'm glad there are people like her on the board who will see a bit of news and PM it to someone she never met outside the confines of a TV chat group.

Liberalnurse, thanks for making my day with a very simple gesture. It meant a lot, especially since I got the message at 10:00 pm after a 16 hour shitty day at work.

[UrbScotty]

109. John Kleeb - I love you even though you're an Orioles fan!

:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

[Zuni]

110. I love him because he is an Orioles fan

[UrbScotty]

111. At least he isn't a Yankees fan!

:D

[JohnKleeb]

113. That would be like worshipping satan

:puke: you think I want that.

[Tolerance]

112. Question

Speaking of other DU posters, is this about the JulieRB who posts here and speaks out against discrimination? I saw this on another board. I wonder if a jealous Republican wrote this!

"No Kidding" is an all-volunteer, non-profit social club for adult couples and singles who, for whatever reason, have never had children.The headquarters site advises that membership is open to any childfree adult--regardless of gender, age, color, race, ethnicity, cultural or linguistic background, marital,social or economic status, political, sexual or religious orientation, or physical or mental ability. The worldwide group is headed by Jerry Steinberg, a very self-assured man who enjoys media attention.

Seattle No Kidding was a new chapter, less than a year old, but showing promise thanks to its own active publicity efforts (very few of its members were referred by the headquarters' site). Seattle No Kidding learned on the worldwide No Kidding e-mail list that there would be another No Kidding chapter in the
same city, started by an unknown woman named Julie Revell Benjamin who had never tried a Seattle No Kidding activity or been on the list. Steinberg did not even have the courtesy to tell Seattle No Kidding about the new Eastside Seattle No Kidding. He admitted he never even asked Julie why she was starting a new chapter in an area that already had one, and already held events throughout Western Washington, including the Seattle Eastside. One factor that seemed to impress Steinberg was Julie's alleged Democratic political connections. When asked about the potential logistical problems two new chapters would have in a small area, Steinberg then took a
convenient "I'll let you kids work it out" approach and wouldn't even address the issue of Eastside Seattle No Kidding's very similar name to Seattle No Kidding, which caused confusion from the beginning and still does.

Eastside Seattle No Kidding was around for about a year but had little luck attracting their own members because it relied mostly on referral from the headquarters' site, so Julie began to hang out on Seattle No Kidding's list and privately e-mail members. She sent out private invitations to parties that she claimed were joint Seattle-Eastside events, but were actually recruiting events
for Eastside NK and the leaders of Seattle NK were strangely uninvited. Julie began to appeal to the wealthier members of Seattle NK regarding Seattle's handicapped leader who was on public assistance at that time, and a "butch" lesbian Seattle member. Eastside Seattle was promoted by Julie as the elite
group for the professional set without such "riff-raff" (actual quote!). Eastside Seattle's leaders, appointed by Julie, continued their divisive tactics for months, even making foul finger gestures at Seattle No Kidding's leaders when they coincidentally attended the same event on at least two occasions. New people introducing themselves on Seattle NK's list would receive negative, false e-mails about Seattle No Kidding from hotmail addresses that weren't on the Seattle No Kidding list. The mail encouraged the members to try Eastside Seattle No Kidding to avoid the "riff-raff". It was difficult for Seattle No Kidding to pinpoint who was behind the e-mail relay since there were over 100 list-members. Seattle No Kidding spent hours and hours on publicity efforts to publicize their chapter, only to face sabotage from Julie and Eastside Seattle No Kidding. Julie pressured members who were in both groups to relinquish their Seattle No Kidding ties and joint events were strictly forbidden by Julie. Some new and established members decided not to be in either group upon seeing Eastside's dirty politics.

At least 6 members of Seattle No Kidding appealed to Steinberg for help, but he literally said "Why can't you KIDS just get along?" or even ignored their e-mails. Meanwhile, complaints were posted on various childfree forums about Eastside Seattle by people who weren't even in Seattle No Kidding. Julie required potential list-members to fill out a rather lengthy and personal membership application. The EZBoard Childfree group had a post from a 20-year-old who wasn't allowed to join Eastside Seattle No Kidding due to being under 21 even though NK membership is supposed to be open to anyone over 18. A 50-year-old woman was very cruelly denied membership forwarded to Steinberg the age-related slurs to which she was subjected by Julie's appointed notorious sharp-tongued Eastside Seattle No Kidding gate-keeper, Gaby Kaplan (who was also an active participant in the aforementioned finger gestures). There were tales of unemployed people, a foreign-born agricultural worker, single men with retail jobs and a Wiccan vegan who were denied membership because they didn't fit the image that Julie Revell Benjamin wanted to maintain. The discrimination complaints continued for a year and half. Meanwhile, Julie was in countless articles discussing the discrimination against childfrees, in outlets including The Seattle Times.

When asked from outsiders why there were two groups in that one city,
Steinberg's standby explanation was "Julie felt there weren't enough events in her part of town." This was false and he knew it and Julie knew it. Seattle No Kidding even showed Steinberg the numerous events held on the Eastside. He dismissed the tension between the groups as jealousy on Seattle No Kidding's part, even though Seattle
No Kidding had over triple the membership. Steinberg and Julie ignored e-mails that asked the question: "Why didn't the people in that area plan more events in their area if they felt there weren't enough?" Eastside Seattle No Kidding had plenty of events outside of their Eastside "part of town", so the geographic excuse is a false one. Seattle is not even in the Top Twenty in population size according to the most recent US Census, so the "part of town" argument is a weak one. Much larger cities have only one chapter.

Last year, a gay man who was told several months before by Eastside Seattle they were denying his membership for that reason posted his story on the worldwide No Kidding message board. Steinberg finally had to speak up. His defense? That Julie and Gaby had broken off to form an unaffiliated group called PS Childfrees, so it was out of his hands. Does Julie Revell Benjamin keep PS (Puget Sound) Childfrees as elitist and discriminatory? It's difficult to know, as Julie has chosen to keep this group even more exclusive and secretive. Time may tell.

[BlondieK143]

115. This deserves a kick.

:hug:

[progmom]

123. and a kick for the weekenders

:kick:

[JohnKleeb]

116. Too many people but

The OP is really a kind person who has one of the most pretty southern accents Ive heard and can really be helpful when you're drunk and feeling bad about yourself.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

117. I try to stay on good terms with everyone, and mostly, they make it

very easy, but I want to give a special nod to the DUers of Minnesota, who have probably had more gatherings than any other state group and are delightful individuals!

:hi:

[progmom]

119. fluffernutter

the lovely fluff. i love my fluff. she always shows up to say something nice to people. the lounge is lucky to have her.

[Nikia]

120. Thank you all

For providing intelligent and/or humourous conversation. Thanks for being nice to me even though I am sort of odd.

[progmom]

121. asthmatic ice hog

is a nice guy.
really!
you don't believe me?
take my word for it.

:bounce:

[JimmyJazz]

124. you forgot to mention that he is H-O-double T

Sshhhh!

[progmom]

125. Especially when he's making out with Hedges.

Did he make out with Hedges? Everyone is hotter when they make out with Hedges.

[JimmyJazz]

126. Oh Yeah! He did! And, I kept the pictures!

:D



How are you this morning? :loveya:

[progmom]

127. that Hedges will kiss anyone

(and anything, or so i've heard)

I have had my coffee. I slept until 10. (I have the best husband in the world). I have great friends and great music, so all is well with the world.

I'm going to the gym after my show. I've been missing it. A lot.

[ghostsofgiants]

128. I don't really know most of you guys...

But you all manage to entertain me on a daily basis. I laugh, I cry, I waste lots of time here. Thanks guys!

Oh, and RevActs was kind enough to let me into her clique. We get decoder rings soon. Fuckin' a!

[El Fuego]

129. Thanks for making me feel EXCLUDED!

I'm tellin' Skinner!!!! Waaaaaaaahhhhhh!!!!!! Waaaahhhhh!!!!
:nopity:

[Donailin]

135. I once read a post of yours that was

really funny. . . or really insightful. I can't remember, except that I made a mental note of your name and filed it in the positive column.

So, there ya go. :-)

[BlondieK143]

130. I'm not feeling very nice right now.

But I love you all the same. :grouphug:

[progmom]

132. LisaM rocks...

...and is a saint for having to put up with 1gobluedem during her childhood. :P

[sparky_in_ma]

133. I've met and chatted with so many great Du'ers

A nice bunch of people! :grouphug:

[progmom]

134. frictionlessO

Cracks me up constantly. And I wish he would post more.