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Welcome! Introduce yourself.

By Devilstower
11/18/2005 02:00:53 PM EST

We're moving past 800 members, but I hardly feel as if I know who's here. Please stop in for a second, give a wave, and welcome some of your fellow Cortexicans, Cortexers, Cor... the other people here.

Settle back in your chair and have one of these cold drinks. Did I say cold? I meant cold. I call them a "brain freeze." Take an asprin, then take a sip.

Sign up for a Complimentary Member Account... Join the community! It's fast. And it'll allow you to take advantage of all this site's great features!

Poll

Votes: 54
Results	\|	Other Polls

< Michael Moore Liberals | GOP treating military veterans like racists did Blacks. >

Welcome! Introduce yourself. | 115 comments (111 topical, 4 editorial, 0 hidden)

Howdy (5.00 / 2)

Spiderleaf reporting for duty. :)

Haven't been around much recently, but plan on changing that as of yesterday.

Good to see so many familiar faces here.

Jaded Reality

by spiderleaf on 11/18/2005 02:15:35 PM EST

I came from DU (5.00 / 2)

Been there a few years and have been posting at Kos for a few months.... some of my own work some cross posting of Chris Floyd's muses - whose site I built and run.

I'm a Dutch Canadian living in The Netherlands with a passion for progressive politics and activism in all shapes and forms and can definitely see the need for an alternative to kos that is more democratic in nature. Kudos and well done... I am very impressed with Scoop - though I have been with Mambo/Joomla/Drupal over the past few years I am thinking about a shifting some sites over to this great CMS.

by empireburlesque on 11/18/2005 06:56:58 PM EST

[ Parent ]

: Somewhere on my shelves (none / 0)

I have a Dutch translation of one of my old YA novels. Interesting to flip through it, though I'm as monolingual as most Americans, if only to see that words like "T-shirt" and "Supermarket" don't get dented much in making the trip.
Welcome aboard. Please take advantage of all those new features and give us some articles to tackle.
by Devilstower on 11/19/2005 01:03:48 PM EST

[ Parent ]

Nice to see you (none / 0)

I've seen your postings in several topics here. Nice to see you making yourself at home and helping to break the silence.

by Devilstower on 11/18/2005 02:17:57 PM EST

[ Parent ]

Hi from nyceve (none / 0)

I've come over from Kos. I'm by no means abandoning Kos but I'm going to try and come around here as well.

I live in NYC and I've been writing diaries at Kos on the collapse of the healthcare system. Some of you may know that my health insurance was cancelled and this motivated me to start writing about health and insurance issues.

by nyceve on 11/19/2005 12:53:44 PM EST

[ Parent ]

: Welcome! (none / 1)

We'd deny no one their daily dose of vitamin orange. Heck, I'd probably start having withdrawal pains after about 8 hours.
But I hope you'll find some unique voices and possibilities over here to draw you back.
by Devilstower on 11/19/2005 01:00:54 PM EST

[ Parent ]
: Welcome, nyceve (none / 0)

I've read your stuff on healthcare over at dKos, too.
Glad to have you posting!
Taxes shall be levied according to ability to pay. That is the only American principle. FDR
by btyarbro on 11/22/2005 10:23:59 AM EST

[ Parent ]

Hi, my name's darth and I'm a postaholic (5.00 / 5)

Actually, that's only true when I'm bored with what I'm doing(which has been a lot of the time, recently)...nice little site you've got here, and I do check it out fairly regularly...the thing I've learned, however, is that there are many, many more blogs out there and I can just keep finding new ones under each link...hell, I even have my own where I last posted on September 1, 2003...okay, so I don't keep it up very well...and I really don't see myself doing so. Still, it's my blog and I'll visit if I want to.

I do enjoy Kos (I'm relatively new there, but racking up posts as that board's a bit more active)...but this one is growing, and I'll keep checking in on an almost daily basis and posting when I can,or when I have something to say, or when bush lies (okay, maybe not THAT often)...

Thanks for the welcome, and I'll see you on the internets.

Once in a while you get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right

by darthstar on 11/18/2005 02:18:40 PM EST

Hi, Darth! (none / 1)

I can't claim any high ground here. I officially 'quit' blogging some months ago so I could finish a novel that had been dragging on for a year. But within a week, I was sneaking in a few comments. Withing a month, it was 'just one diary won't hurt me.' And within two months, the gates were wide open again.

The feedback, oh, the sweet, sweet feedback.

by Devilstower on 11/18/2005 02:47:36 PM EST

[ Parent ]

Ehhh .... writing's writing (none / 0)

Or so I tell myself when I'm neglecting other "writing projects" to blog.

Amazing how we can rationalize, isn't it?

by SusanG on 11/18/2005 02:53:41 PM EST

[ Parent ]

My wife is unfooled (none / 0)

She constantly peeks around the corner to see what I'm doing. "Hey, that looks like blogging!" Then WHACK across the head.

You'd think that sort of feedback would negate the other kind, but it hasn't cured me so far.

If it were the blogging paying for some new windows and replacing the ratty rug in the living room, she might feel inclined to let me blog.

by Devilstower on 11/18/2005 03:03:18 PM EST

[ Parent ]

I'm with SusanG (none / 0)

THIS IS IMPORTANT.

At least, that's how I explain it to my husband. Then I try to inflict guilt on him for not trying to "change the world."

Heh. Liberals.

We'll die trying to fix things.

Taxes shall be levied according to ability to pay. That is the only American principle. FDR

by btyarbro on 11/22/2005 10:29:01 AM EST

[ Parent ]

: I hope not (none / 0)

We'll die trying to fix things.
For some reason, that sentence sounds ominus when put alongside today's America. I hope 2006 gives us something to celebrate.
If you don't understand someone, consider that the shortcoming may not lie with that person, but rather with your own understanding.
by Aethern on 11/27/2005 08:48:16 PM EST

[ Parent ]

Oh, but this is so important (none / 1)

and "rationalization" is such a dirty word. It belittles everything about blogging.

Think of all that you learn! New issues popping up, people posting links to all sorts of information. Getting others' opinions on your ideas so you can sharpen your arguments. Networking with others on issues and activism.

We really ought to be paid for this.

Dirty word or not, I can rationalize just about anything.

by astraea on 11/18/2005 06:24:00 PM EST

[ Parent ]

Ain't that a fact (none / 0)

You try and try to cold turkey on blogging, but you just keep getting sucked in?

And the hours, days, weeks you devote to this crazy pursuit. I rationalize it by telling myself desperate times require desperate actions.

So I blog.

by nyceve on 11/19/2005 06:01:15 PM EST

[ Parent ]

Hi! (5.00 / 2)

Hi...new here. I've mostly posted over at TPMCafe.

I like the approach here, helping people edit diaries, etc. Very high quality stuff I've seen so far.

That's it for now -- I'm late, off to Kingston, NY to go see Jeff Tweedy!

Dissent Protects Democracy

by cscs on 11/18/2005 02:53:38 PM EST

Welcome, ye of few vowels (none / 0)

My inclination to mentally "pronounce" each screen name makes for a mental noise not unlike a slowing train each time I see one of your posts (okay that, or the name of a North African pata dish).

Which is not to say that your posts have either been overpowering like a train, or as limp as noodles.

They've been just right, and I hope to see you here more often. Good luck with Mr. Tweedy!

by Devilstower on 11/18/2005 03:07:48 PM EST

[ Parent ]

BTW, Devilstower . . . (none / 0)

It's very nice that you're taking the time to respond to all the comments.

Maybe Political Cortex will come to be known as the Kinder and Gentler Kos.

by nyceve on 11/19/2005 06:03:01 PM EST

[ Parent ]

: Thanks, but... (none / 0)

I slipped up and had to go out of town for a bit, now I have to catch up!
by Devilstower on 11/20/2005 12:03:20 PM EST

[ Parent ]

The name (none / 0)

yeah, yeah...I know. I'm not crazy about it. I picked it on dkos a while ago, and just propagated it from there, before realizing that I shoulda come up with something better.

But it's mine, and that's that.

Mr. Tweedy was incredible.

And, since I didn't have time before, I should have added a little more about me:

NYC inhabitant, professional computer geek, hopefully going to grad school soon (Media Studies), outdoor enthusiast looking forward to lots of snow soon, amateur photographer who spends way too little time taking pictures.

Dissent Protects Democracy

by cscs on 11/19/2005 11:54:08 PM EST

[ Parent ]

I hear you cscs (none / 0)

Same story here. I decided to use my initials as my handle on dkos some ages ago, and, by the time I realized that I should have gone with something more memorable, that's where I was. So now on sites where they have haloscan comments I identify myself as sdf (Stu), and here and other scoop sites I use my old handle and just sign my comments with my name to be a bit more, um, memorable.

Like this:

-- Stu

by sdf on 11/21/2005 02:25:30 PM EST

[ Parent ]

: Well... (none / 0)

at least I'm not the only one who did it. That makes me feel better. :-)
Dissent Protects Democracy
by cscs on 11/21/2005 06:24:31 PM EST

[ Parent ]

Hey, cscs! (none / 0)

I remember you over at TPM Cafe.

I still try to check in over there, but lately I've just hit TPM and then I'm off.

So many blogs, so little time!!!

Taxes shall be levied according to ability to pay. That is the only American principle. FDR

by btyarbro on 11/22/2005 10:30:55 AM EST

[ Parent ]

Hi! (none / 0)

Yes, I know. Way too many blogs now to keep up with!!!

I've kind of settled into this one and TPMCafe for posting, and reading-only for about 10 others. :-)

Dissent Protects Democracy

by cscs on 11/22/2005 02:31:25 PM EST

[ Parent ]

: Wow. (none / 0)

That's a long blogroll to keep up with.
Have . . . got. . . to . . . . cut . . . baaaack.
Whew. There.
That was haard work.
Taxes shall be levied according to ability to pay. That is the only American principle. FDR
by btyarbro on 11/22/2005 06:14:27 PM EST

[ Parent ]

Kingston? (none / 0)

I was born there and used to live in Red Hook, N.Y. Now in Michigan, I was back there with a Massachusetts kossak to see Laurie Anderson in Poughkeepsie a few weeks ago.

Now, if you told me that Jay Farrar was there, I'd come join you.

by Mike in MI on 11/27/2005 08:53:11 PM EST

[ Parent ]

: No Jay Farrar, but... (none / 0)

Tweedy talked about how Uncle Tupelo played the same theater back in the day. And he played two Uncle T songs.
Kingston seems like a cool little town.
Dissent Protects Democracy
by cscs on 11/28/2005 07:32:52 AM EST

[ Parent ]

Hi, I'm Meteor Blades ... (5.00 / 7)

...and I wish there were fewer good bloggers to read. You guys are making it tough to get any sleep.

by Meteor Blades on 11/18/2005 03:40:04 PM EST

Smoochies, sweets (none / 1)

I'm so glad to see you hang here for a bit.

I've always been too intimidated to comment at The Next Hurrah, although I read it. You folks are all so smart as whips and savvy. Someday I'll work up the courage.

by SusanG on 11/18/2005 03:44:40 PM EST

[ Parent ]

: Hey! They INTIMIDATE me. I'm ... (none / 1)

...a street politico, and these guys actually know what's going on.
by Meteor Blades on 11/18/2005 06:23:43 PM EST

[ Parent ]

An honor (none / 0)

to have you drop by. I always intend to spend more time at TNH, but as you say, so many good blogs, so little time ...

-- Stu

by sdf on 11/18/2005 07:56:51 PM EST

[ Parent ]

You're one to "talk". (none / 0)

I would never have gotten sucked into dKos if it hadn't been for you!!!

Thanks, MB, for stealing my life. :~)

Taxes shall be levied according to ability to pay. That is the only American principle. FDR

by btyarbro on 11/22/2005 10:32:58 AM EST

[ Parent ]

Welcome, MB... (none / 0)

...I'm late to this party. I know what you mean about hanging with people who actually know stuff...like the folks around here.

Me, I just blather about my opinion...but you do it so much better.

Again, welcome.

The Albany Project. The best damned blog about New York State politics.

by NYBri on 11/23/2005 05:10:29 PM EST

[ Parent ]

nice site (5.00 / 3)

like the editing idea, came here because i was following one of the Kos writers, found a ot more here I recognized and like. Sometimes there's a macho edge at Kos that makes me tired, so more power to you. and thanks for welcoming us!

by MmeVoltaire on 11/18/2005 04:28:15 PM EST

: Kos goes in cycles (none / 0)

Pressure seems to build up for a bit, then the steam blows off -- sometimes carrying people off to other blogs, but never seeming to alter the underlying "kosness" of the place.
Welcome, Madame, it's nice to see you here.
by Devilstower on 11/18/2005 05:04:35 PM EST

[ Parent ]

New to blogging (5.00 / 2)

Truth be told, I never even liked the word blogging. Just something about it always turned me off...

But I've been writing various things for years, a friend got me turned onto this site. I enjoy reading other people's stuff, I like writing, and like said above, "writing's writing."

I started off to an excellent start, pissing people off, raising red flags hither and yon. Good times!

Hehe, hope to stick around for awhile.

by TheBlaz on 11/18/2005 11:06:05 PM EST

: Coldfusion04 (none / 0)

sends his love!
Heh!
Political Cortex -- Brain Food for the Body Politic
by Tom Ball on 11/19/2005 12:29:53 AM EST

[ Parent ]
: You didn't piss me off (none / 0)

Yet...
But seriously welcome and thanks for sticking around.
by ColdFusion04 on 11/20/2005 11:45:57 AM EST

[ Parent ]

attydave: frequent kos user for approx. 1 year, (5.00 / 3)

husband, father, ruthless & rapacious trial lawyer, intense bush detractor, anti-imperialist, lover of animals and other living things, political junkie, dedicated follower of fashion, etc., etc.

Hopefully, I will be stopping by more often.

Thanks.

by attydave on 11/19/2005 12:23:43 AM EST

: attydave (none / 0)

Welcome to the Cortex!
Political Cortex -- Brain Food for the Body Politic
by Tom Ball on 11/19/2005 12:32:04 AM EST

[ Parent ]
: I don't care what the right says (none / 0)

We need all the "ruthless" trial lawyers we can get to protect us from those who are trying to peel away our freedoms. I'm glad you're on our side.
by Devilstower on 11/20/2005 12:05:28 PM EST

[ Parent ]
: Hey! (none / 0)

One of my favorite kos trial lawyers!!
Glad to see you, attydave. Read your stuff over there. Why make me go so "far"? lol
Taxes shall be levied according to ability to pay. That is the only American principle. FDR
by btyarbro on 11/22/2005 10:37:33 AM EST

[ Parent ]

Hi everyone... (5.00 / 2)

Still feeling my way around here, cross-posting one article and one diary (just tonight) so far. I've been a 'fits and spurts' poster at dKos since last summer. Also spend some time -- oh, how it's dwindling with so many fine blogs to read and enjoy -- at My Left Wing.

My father was a Hungarian Freedom Fighter on the streets of Budapest in 1956; and so, you can imagine I've grown up in the midst of much passion -- especially for all things political. If it had to do with freedom, my father (and his friends) had a strong opinion on the matter!

After the failed revolution, my parents fled to America; with them came others. These people banded together and became 'family' to one another. Holidays were spent together with these fellow political refugees -- and I can't tell you how many memories I have of the men in one room (sorry, not meaning to be sexist -- but it was only the men) carrying on endless, heated political debate.

What a wonderful way to grow up, now that I look back upon it. When I was a kid, though, I thought they were nuts!

Anyway, because of this exposure (and probably a bit of genetics, too) I've always been compelled to keep up-to-date politically by reading and listening and digesting everything I could -- although I never once took a political science class in college. I think I was unconsiously afraid of the temptation it might offer, and I most assuredly didn't want to go even deeper into the abyss. :o)

But, blogs have nearly ruined that avoidance tactic for me; I can't get enough of all of this wonderful information I have at my fingertips. And I can't help myself but participate as best I can. Thank you to so many of you wonderful writers out there (you know who you are) for keeping my inner revolutionary happy.

Cheers to PC -- I absolutely love what you're doing here.

On PTSD Combat | Email list | Book

by ilona on 11/19/2005 02:07:30 AM EST

ilona (none / 1)

I hope you'll give us the benefit of your "fits." Keep fighting the good fight - and fight it over here so we can cheer you on.

I appreciate the posts you've made and hope you'll become a regular visitor.

by Devilstower on 11/19/2005 01:08:46 PM EST

[ Parent ]

: Thank you very much... (none / 0)

Thank you one and all for being so warm and welcoming. You have many, many supporters out here.
Here's to PC's success!
On PTSD Combat | Email list | Book
by ilona on 11/19/2005 08:22:54 PM EST

[ Parent ]

szia ilona (none / 1)

Beszelsz Magyarul?

Remelem hogy beszelsz, mert az apad Magyar. Ha nem, talan lehet neked tanulni.

En beszelek egy kicit magyarul azert mert a felesegem Magyar es nyaron utazunk magyarorszagra.

Latlak midjart My Left Wing-hoz!

by weeping for brunnhilde on 11/27/2005 02:44:29 PM EST

[ Parent ]

: Mag�nak csak a feles�ge Magyar... (none / 0)

...és ilyen szépen beszéli ezt a furfangos Magyar nyelvet!? Hogyan tanulta meg a nyelvet? Gratulálok...Maga hiszen nagyon ügyes.
Szüleim mind ketten 56-osok. Otthan (Chicago környékén nőtem fel) csak Magyarul volt szabad beszélni, szoval ez az én anya nyelvem. Sajnos már 2O éve nem lakok otthon és nehezzeben megy a dolog!
Gyerek koromban évente 3 hónapot testvéreimmel Magyarországon töltöttem, rokonokkal. Jövőre megyünk haza férjemmel (Amerikai, nem beszél Magyarul ugy mint Maga) megint. 5O.-ik évforduló lesz az 1956-os forradalomnak. Gondolom nagy lesz a buli!
On PTSD Combat | Email list | Book
by ilona on 12/08/2005 02:42:54 PM EST

[ Parent ]

Just started lurking! (5.00 / 2)

I came via Booman Tribune. I started out at dkos before the elections last year and move back and forth between there, Booman and My left Wing. So many blogs so little time. Nice site. Will try to hang out a bit more here. Good luck with this new venture.

by alohaleezy on 11/19/2005 11:15:57 AM EST

Ah, but if you posted... (none / 0)

Then you're no longer lurking, are you?

Why not make a habit of it. Lurk over there, sift through what you see, then post your thoughts over here. I know we'd be the better for it.

by Devilstower on 11/20/2005 12:14:08 PM EST

[ Parent ]

: Will do my friend! (none / 0)

Thanks for the invite and the kind words.
by alohaleezy on 11/21/2005 10:29:19 AM EST

[ Parent ]

I followed Georgia10 from Kos (5.00 / 3)

My name is Carole and until Political Cortex, I lurked and maybe commented in Kos, MLW, DU, TWN, TPM, etc.

The layout of PC and the quality of the writing had an impact on me, as well as the chance to improve through the use of the editing choice.

As a career move, I have been taking online Political Science classes, which has been handy for research purposes. But I think this type of blog has furthered my education as much as the classes.

For all of the GOP squawks about liberals in academia, I've drawn a paleocon and a neoconfederate as professors for two of my classes. To be honest, the classes were great. I already knew what my side thinks. It was important to learn what they think to get the whole picture.

Anyway, PC is starting to feel like home.

Thanks

All it takes to fly is to hurl yourself at the ground... and miss. (Douglas Adams)

by scoophound on 11/19/2005 12:31:32 PM EST

: That's a big "blog load" (none / 0)

You are scanning a lot of sites, but I do hope PC is moving closer to the front of the list.
And just as I said to a couple of other people, I'd like to think that you might bring us your insight on what you've seen on those other blogs. Treat PC as your "metablog" site where you can puzzle through your reactions to what you've seen elsewhere.
I appreciate he posts youve made to date, and hope to see more.
by Devilstower on 11/20/2005 12:17:05 PM EST

[ Parent ]

Hi. (5.00 / 2)

I'm eugene. I often post over at My Left Wing and have been a longtime kossack - I lurked there from late 2002 until mid-2003 when I finally registered. Had I registered when the transition to scoop was made I could have had an even lower user number.

Some of my favorite people are posting here (and no I won't name names, so you can ALL believe you're my favorite people), so I'm here, on occasion, continuously amazed by the quality of the discussion. Along with MLW and dKos I expect this site will become part of my daily blogging triumvirate.

Personal stuff: I'm 26, a grad student studying 20th century US history. Born and raised in Southern California and a UC Berkeley alumni (Go Bears!) I currently live in Seattle but will be returning to San Francisco in January. And no, eugene is not my real name, nor any part of it. It's just a convienient nom de guerre.

I'm not a part of a redneck agenda - Green Day

by eugene on 11/19/2005 12:32:26 PM EST

: Hey, eugene (none / 0)

Your course of study is likely to give you insights into what's going on that the rest of us only grasp on kind of a superficial, "pop" history level. I hope you'll share with us the echos -- and dissonance -- you see between what we seeing today and what's come before.
by Devilstower on 11/20/2005 12:22:53 PM EST

[ Parent ]

musicsleuth here (none / 1)

Not much of a poster, but an avid reader (and occasional commenter). Once I saw many of my favorite Kos posters over here, I just had to sign up :-) Thanks for adding the RSS feed, too -- helps me keep up!

by musicsleuth on 11/18/2005 04:32:07 PM EST

: Isn't it neat? (none / 0)

I let it run into my mailbox even through I'm here pretty often. Just such a cool little piece of functionality.
Welcome aboard, sleuth.
by Devilstower on 11/18/2005 05:05:36 PM EST

[ Parent ]

I came from Kos (none / 1)

I was new to Dkos, then saw the Cortex diary and tried you out.

I like it here. The diaries tend to be informative and the titles are useful, making it easier to find what I want.

Me, I've been researching various aspects of corporate and political corruption for five years. Yes, that category catches a lot of stuff, so I'm having a field day with this administration, esp. lately. I started with Florida's voter purges (2000 Election).

What's your novel about? I understand if you prefer to keep it quiet until publication.

by D Cupples on 11/18/2005 04:54:22 PM EST

It's a good crew (none / 0)

There's some nice folks here and they do a good job of housekeeping.

The novel is about... Amish in space. No, I'm not kidding, and it's not a comedy. Here, have a paragraph or two:

The sun dimmed, blinked twice, and went out.
Pandora Ash looked up in time to see a sullen blue-green line lingering in the shadows overhead, but the dusk was as short-lived as it was faint. In the space of a few seconds, the last glow faded. The dusty farmyard, the tall white house, and the surrounding screen of poplar trees were all plunged into blackness.

This will be my 32nd book, but it's the first one I've written in five years that will have my own name on it and the first one in a decade that I've written without a nice little contract in place. I suspect that once I've finished it off, I'll give into temptation and blog a few chapters of it.

by Devilstower on 11/18/2005 05:15:37 PM EST

[ Parent ]

: heh (none / 0)

This will be my 32nd book,
I don't know if I've read 32 books....
The Albany Project. The best damned blog about New York State politics.
by NYBri on 11/23/2005 05:13:12 PM EST

[ Parent ]

me (none / 1)

i live part-time in reno, nevada, and in buenos aires, argentina... i work with economic development projects in the balkans, consulting on organization development... i'm a vietnam veteran and a grandpa... i've spent my time incarcerated in corporate america and am lucky to have escaped with my soul intact... i have promised myself that, no matter how low the bank account gets, i will never go back... i was on a "news diet" up until the 2000 election because i found that my junkie habit for news was interfering with my serenity... needless to say, i fell off the wagon big-time...

i am passionately committed to seeing the present gang of criminals hounded out of office as soon as possible... i don't know how much more deconstruction, cronyism, greed, death, lying, corruption, and outright evil i can tolerate... i began blogging earlier this year as a way to express my vehemence about what's going on and, so far, it's been working... at least i have an outlet...

i hope the group here at political cortex can refrain from the clubby insiderish-ness i experience at kos where, unless you're one of those whose name is in lights, you just aren't taken into account... i know part of that is due to the sheer numbers the site is attracting but it's also due to the general attitude of those running the place... and, god forbid, this group should ever take on the snotty, high-toned intellectualism and over-the-top beltway insiderishness of tpm cafe... (i doubt it will...) i virtually never cast aspersions against other blogs so please pardon this deviation...

i just signed up here the other day and i've found myself visiting several times a day so far... that's a good sign, i guess...

the best to all of you... let's continue fighting the good fight... we've got one hell of a lot at stake...

How do I get a transfer out of this chickenshit outfit?

by profmarcus on 11/18/2005 07:10:38 PM EST

Wow (none / 0)

You have a real varied background with the economic development experience and international living.

I would love to read diaries/articles from you. You'd be educating us. Why not come up with something and send it through the article section to see if it floats to the front page?

I too hope we can maintain an equitable sense of community here; it's easy when we're small like this, but the people we begin to build this with early on -- like you and others -- will be the ultimate ones to give this site whatever "flavor" it takes on.

Thanks for joining us.

by SusanG on 11/18/2005 07:15:53 PM EST

[ Parent ]

i think (none / 0)

we may have exchanged comments once or twice in the past... or maybe not... old-timer's disease, dontcha know...

besides the usual rantings and ravings about what's going on in this country, i blog regularly on what's going on in latin america... i also have a particular interest in the former soviet bloc countries as i continue to spend time there...

i'll be happy to diary from time to time... again, my experience with diaries at kos is that i might as well not bother... the "names" there are what seem to make them float to the top, either that or the sensationalism of the titles... i've never posted for readership and i doubt i ever will...

the comments sections at america blog (of which i am a big fan), crooks and liars, and especially at atrios, seem to have become overwhelmed with people trying to be "first" (or "frist") and many of the comments themselves seem to be more of an exercise in wasted bandwidth than anything else...

ok, enough blather... i'll be around for sure...

How do I get a transfer out of this chickenshit outfit?

by profmarcus on 11/19/2005 02:24:24 AM EST

[ Parent ]

: and great writing, pm... (none / 0)

welcome.
The Albany Project. The best damned blog about New York State politics.
by NYBri on 11/23/2005 05:14:44 PM EST

[ Parent ]

Hey, profmarcus. (none / 0)

I was just talking about you this morning!

Duke1676 has a progressive proposal up on the front page about a "Truth Project" idea for the blogosphere.

We've invited him to start organizing it here, and I passed your name along, having read your stuff.

Seemed like something you might take to.

See what you think.

Taxes shall be levied according to ability to pay. That is the only American principle. FDR

by btyarbro on 11/22/2005 10:42:21 AM EST

[ Parent ]

Howdy. I'm dksbook (none / 0)

here and everywhere else.

BTW, I'd like to suggest, before we go any further, that we be known as Cortexians. It's like the coolest Texans, the in-est Texans, like to call themselves Texians (well, if they're not Tejanos) - I think the coolest bloogers, the in-est bloogers should call themselves Cortexians.

It should be obvious that I am, indeed a Texan; but by injection. I'm originally from San Francisco. I'm a nearly 67 year old grandma with a young 'un, my last baby, still at home but getting ready to fly away, most probably to that part of France known as Massachussetts next fall.

Mr. dks just announced that he is running for the seat in state representative district 122 in the Great State of Texas, to unseat a smarm bucket named Frank Corte who I am not going to link to tonight (I am too tired and he is too icky to give a gratuitous hit to), but who I want to tell you, gets most of his money from a real piece of work named Leininger who made his millions in the hospital bed business. Now, mr. dks works for a big ole hospital, and he says the beds are not bad, but Mr. Corte is, well, not exactly bad, just not the brightest member of the Lege of Texas. As my daddy would say, he is not the crispest cracker. I am going to hunt some links to some of his committee hearings, just so you can see that it is entirely possible mr. dks will win this. I am not thrilled about that, personally, because I will then have to wear makeup and stockings; but I guess I would do that to save Texas from the republicans if I have to. Anyway, after I have a chance to view these downloads, I will come back here and post some links, just for your delectation. You will think if mr. dks does not win, that Texans are really stupid to keep re-electing this guy. I just want to say right here, right now, that there are some smart Texans. Just not a bunch of 'em in TX122. But mr dks is going to patiently tell them, over and over, why they should not vote Mr. Corte in again, now that they have a choice.

As we ladies say here in the South, "Thank yew verr' much for your kind attinshun."

by dksbook on 11/19/2005 01:47:42 AM EST

: From SF to TX (none / 0)

What culture shock. Wowser.
Yeah, I know Texas isn't as backward as many seem to think. Some of my favorite populist peeps are from there ... Molly Ivins and Jim Hightower, first and foremost. Down and dirty politics and gritty truth-telling in a "High Noon" sort of setting.
Welcome to Cortex, and good luck on your husband's candidacy. You are truly a good soul -- the heels and hose alone would do me in.
by SusanG on 11/19/2005 11:24:38 AM EST

[ Parent ]
: Hey, dksbook! (none / 0)

Married a Texan (a fifth-generation one, no less), but we left some time ago.
Still keep up, since lots of the kinfolk are there, ya know!
Don't ya just LOVE Molly Ivins?! She kept me sane when I lived there.
Heck, there are a buncha good people down there. They just have to fight harder to get heard.
Taxes shall be levied according to ability to pay. That is the only American principle. FDR
by btyarbro on 11/22/2005 10:45:57 AM EST

[ Parent ]

Oh, Gawd. I got to (none / 0)

thinking Frank Corte is a booger, and I was typing way slower than I was thinking, and I called us bloogers, not bloggers. It really is waaaay past mah bedtime.

by dksbook on 11/19/2005 01:50:00 AM EST

Great idea, a place to introduce ourselves! (none / 1)

I'm addicted to politics, and have lost faith in MSM. I've found I learn a lot more checking in on blogs.

I live in the Big Apple, and am a 50's female.

Nice site, btw.

by xyz on 11/19/2005 09:26:50 AM EST

: Welcome (none / 0)

And thanks for the diary post, as well.
Get settled in here. I think we're getting pretty good geographical representation, but no progressive site can possibly survive without a good dose of NYC.
by Devilstower on 11/20/2005 12:12:12 PM EST

[ Parent ]

Hello! (none / 0)

Yep, I am here via DailyKos, been hanging out there for a year now.

I am glad to see some of my favorite writers here!

Also, I would like to say I appreciate the "print" function. That should come in handy.

This is a nice site, excellent content and easy on the eyes. Good luck on continuing success!

by Andrea in Oregon on 11/19/2005 03:07:00 PM EST

: Thanks, Andrea (none / 0)

Yeah, I'm really impressed with the site design and the capabilities provided on this site. I can say that, because I had absolutely nothing to do with it.
So, with all these good toos, I hope you'll help give us some good content.
by Devilstower on 11/20/2005 12:28:38 PM EST

[ Parent ]

Hi (none / 0)

Greatbasin2, from the land of Kos. My primary interests are environmental and conservation issues. I'm a over the hill aged owner of a small business. I really like the liberal blogosphere for its information, sources, links, and all around good political conversation.

by greatbasin2 on 11/19/2005 03:27:39 PM EST

We don't believe in hills (none / 0)

Or at least, I've already crossed too many hills myself to believe that anybody can be over them all.

Instead, we're counting on you as someone who's experienced enough to give us good pointers on environmental issues. With conservation under assualt from multiple directions, we definitely need help.

I hope you won't just be a listener to the conversation, but an active voice.

by Devilstower on 11/20/2005 12:43:07 PM EST

[ Parent ]

: In active voice (none / 0)

There's a very active discussion going on right now about the latest Pombo (R-CA) Land Grab. The provision he and Representative James Gibbons (R-NV) put into the Budget Reconciliation act will allow real estate developers to patent "mineral lands, or lands that formerly contained valuable minerals" (read Gold Rush Country?) There's a article on this over at Huffington Post that draws on a Grist Magazine article by Amanda Little. It's well worth the time taken to read it.
In the best of all worlds two things would happen over this Thanksgiving Holiday: Neither Pombo nor Gibbons would be appointed to the conference committee, and the provisions would be stripped from the budget bill.
by greatbasin2 on 11/21/2005 01:20:21 AM EST

[ Parent ]

Came from Political Strategy (none / 1)

I was a Political Strategy reader in the lead up to the election. Somehow after that I missed this big new undertaking of Political Cortex, just noticed the waning of Political Strategy. I learned about Political Cortex via an email, so that shows you did good outreach to 'old' folks. I have only rarely posted on any site, but am more drawn to explore that now. I love the new site. Thanks for all of your work to use the best of the new technology towards interactiveness.

I also check in with Kos every day. And HuffPo and MyDD, etc. My role in my larger circle is as a disseminator of important info and issues to those who are too busy or don't like to do the online research. I stay pretty busy doing that and being a grandmother and working for a living, but want to do more with posting in due time.

by ktmseattle on 11/19/2005 05:17:48 PM EST

: Glad you made the transition (none / 0)

Hopefully, you'll find Cortex another good source of the information you're speading. More than that, I hope you'll feed some information back our way.
by Devilstower on 11/20/2005 12:49:40 PM EST

[ Parent ]
: ktmseattle (none / 0)

Thanks for coming over!
It took a WHOLE LOT LONGER on development to get this site up and going than we figured. So, thanks for not giving up on us, while we were um, "transitioning."
This site has so many more features that allow users the freedom and functionality to really participate.
And that's what we wanted. A truly democratic site.
Taxes shall be levied according to ability to pay. That is the only American principle. FDR
by btyarbro on 11/22/2005 10:51:41 AM EST

[ Parent ]

Hello, I am a political junkie (none / 0)

from South Fla. 44yo engineer that came over from Kos. Prior to finding Kos and americablog I had my own anti-bush/pro Dean blog. The 2004 election eviserated my belief in democracy and the US(and me a vet). Along with the rise of the fundy wingers, I figured the US for a lost cause. I actually started to explore moving to Europe to where my grandparents were from.

I am just now starting to think that a significant zeitgeist shift has begun. And, for the first time in a while I am hopefull.

This is a great site, with well thought out diaries that do not fall down the waterfall too quickly.

Thanks for the welcome. </post> <lurk>

-7.50, -6.46

by hibernian on 11/19/2005 07:51:09 PM EST

: Get your fix here (none / 0)

It's good stuff.
There are a lot of people around here, myself included, whose political ideas didn't fully gel until we stay this cloud spreading over the country. Nothing like getting a clear glimpse of what you don't believe to help you define what you do believe, and what you feel is worth fighting for.
As to the diary waterfall, yes, it's very nice to see your work stay up there longer than an eyeblink. However, if you want to toss some diaries on the stack and make the river flow a little faster, that would definitely not be a bad thing.
by Devilstower on 11/20/2005 12:53:21 PM EST

[ Parent ]
: You've put your finger (none / 0)

on one of the things we most wanted to do.
To "save" good diaries from scrolling off too soon, give front-page status to those who participate, and promote good ideas.
So glad you're here!
Taxes shall be levied according to ability to pay. That is the only American principle. FDR
by btyarbro on 11/22/2005 10:55:52 AM EST

[ Parent ]

Hello All (none / 0)

Barry Welsh Indiana Congressional Candidate.

Great Idea. Asking who is here. Simple, effective. Bravo!

A campaign of three simple words "People Before Profits"

by Congressional Candidate Barry Welsh on 11/19/2005 09:52:24 PM EST

: Hey, Barry (none / 0)

I appreciate the diaries you've posted. Can we get a recap on your race, your opponent, who you might face in a primary, you're general positions, etc? Give us a good stem-winder of a stump speech.
by Devilstower on 11/20/2005 12:55:06 PM EST

[ Parent ]
: Hey, Barry! (none / 0)

Saw your announcements right away, and they were not the "usual" beltway approach. Think you found a good place to post and get a following.
Hope so, anyway.
I agree this was a great idea to get to "meet" folks. Been too busy to check in before, but I'm learning a lot about who's "out there."
Taxes shall be levied according to ability to pay. That is the only American principle. FDR
by btyarbro on 11/22/2005 10:58:33 AM EST

[ Parent ]

janinsanfran here (none / 0)

Just stumbled in, can't remember from where. Too many blogs tonight. There are days when I wander the blogosphere, looking for information and inspiration -- recognize a lot of old acquaintances here.

I'm a long time progressive politcal activist with interests too diverse to ever get completely bored or even completely discouraged. Drop by my site any time -- even I can't fully anticipate what interesting hare I'll have followed on any given day, but I try for thoughtful and somewhat action-oriented. No point in just stewing; gotta try to fix it. <smile>

Can It Happen Here?

by janinsanfran on 11/20/2005 02:57:28 AM EST

: Thanks for pitching in (none / 0)

When you learn good lessons on how to make those fixes, I hope you'll share them here.
by Devilstower on 11/20/2005 12:56:37 PM EST

[ Parent ]
: Ditto. (none / 0)

See comments above.
(Liberals. We'll die trying to fix things!
Taxes shall be levied according to ability to pay. That is the only American principle. FDR
by btyarbro on 11/22/2005 11:00:26 AM EST

[ Parent ]

Hello, all.... (none / 0)

I've been behind the wheel on a road trip adn have had little access to PC these last few days.

I'm glad DT put this thread up...and I've seen lots of New Yorkers around...perhaps we shoudl get together?

The Albany Project. The best damned blog about New York State politics.

by NYBri on 11/20/2005 12:30:05 PM EST

paradox from The Daily Kos (none / 0)

Hello--

I am an old blog warrior from The Daily Kos, also taken on as an associate writer at The Left Coaster by Steve Soto.

Please excuse me, but most of the time I have been angry in my politcal writing and commenting. I've watched my country fall apart and I'm completely revulsed by it.

I used to write much more often, but things are changing; I can feel myself going mute. How many times must the stark truth be displayed in thos country? What kind of sick terrible denial are we in?

All the violence and killing gets to me. It stutters my vision of the world into a dark and forbidding place, no matter how hard I try to see the beauty of the place. I end up clammed up behind the screens--is anything truly going to get us on the right track? I don't know.

[shrugs] I'm sick with some stupid medical problem they can't figure out. I'm on a medical leave for 12 weeks--good for 6-8 weeks, sick a week, 6-8 weeks good, sick again. For a year.

I read a lot. I dream of a country that was and might be again someday. I might have something to say, but it doesn't seem like it right now.

Al Gore won!

by paradox on 11/21/2005 10:33:10 AM EST

Sorry to be such a downer (none / 0)

I just read this 30 minutes later--sorry, I should not post when I feel discouraged. I'm on this new medication and I feel strange--jumpy, impulsive. Sorry.

Al Gore won!

by paradox on 11/21/2005 11:21:52 AM EST

[ Parent ]

: Hey, paradox! (none / 0)

I read your stuff over at LC.
Haven't been by as often as I'd like, lately (been busy here).
But your voice(s), whichever ones you want to use, would be welcome, and I think you'd find some hope in these pages.
There's good stuff comin'.
Now, if they could only figure out your problem.
(Had a little scare recently with my husband. If you want to see how my "dark mind" works, try this.)
Taxes shall be levied according to ability to pay. That is the only American principle. FDR
by btyarbro on 11/22/2005 11:08:49 AM EST

[ Parent ]

I'm here from My Left Wing, (none / 0)

And to save time here is my profile from the "Who's Who diary over there, which I really like because most people posted pictures!

by roysol on 11/21/2005 12:31:48 PM EST

Not here (none / 0)

Or at least, don't expect me to post a picture. After all, even a screen has been known to crack when confronted by too much horror.

by Devilstower on 11/21/2005 02:25:49 PM EST

[ Parent ]

Oh, man! (none / 0)

I swear Sheba was re-incarnated as our "Jenny."

Sweetest, best kitty in the whole world, right??

Yeah, I thought that was her.

(Jenny is only 12, though.)

Thanks for the pic.

Aw, heck, now I'm cryin', too.

Taxes shall be levied according to ability to pay. That is the only American principle. FDR

by btyarbro on 11/22/2005 11:12:30 AM EST

[ Parent ]

: Actually, she was a pompous bitch, (none / 0)

who would have preferred being an only child. To be clear, all of my kids have/had unique qualities that endear them to me. Regardless, after 22 years, it was a tough loss. It's been brought to my attention that if you look closely out the window in that picture you will also see Sahara, my siamese cat.
Also worth noting the "help" Sheba is giving me is rubbing her face on the back of the pen I'm writing with, sort of like the kniting help described in Rules for cats who have a household to run
by roysol on 11/22/2005 01:17:23 PM EST

[ Parent ]

Hi all! (none / 0)

I came here via dkos where I have posted since 1/05. ( I have a regular Saturday AM painting diary at dkos and BooMan) Although I spend much time at BooMan this place is very interesting with its unique format. Since joining I've posted only once here. (Actually I was suprised to see my diary still up.) I'm particularly interested in environmental stuff and that is the thrust of many of my posts. It seems to be getting more active here and I recognize several names. Good luck with this!

Fear will keep the local systems in line. -Grand Moff Tarkin

by boran2 on 11/21/2005 03:18:30 PM EST

: I'm thinking about a series (none / 0)

Of creative writing diaries to be posted on weekends. Little tips, some chunks from works in progress, encouragement to keep at the keyboard. Of course, this will not be nearly as pretty as your diaries.
Welcome!
by Devilstower on 11/21/2005 04:03:15 PM EST

[ Parent ]

Hi everyone (none / 0)

Another great blog to follow - but no more time alotted..
I am originally Norwegian, but 'exiled' for close to 20 years. Living in NY-metro area, working for a large multi-lateral organization. As so many other above, I started lurking at kos last year prior to the elections. Then the occasional post, then more. These days, I mostly hang at Booman's - but also stop by kos, European Tribune and MLW.

by ask on 11/21/2005 04:38:45 PM EST

here i am (none / 0)

from kos, where i rarely post. also from thom hartmann's board which is a wonderful mish/mash of politics and spirituality. alas, i cannot get onto the board any more despite thom's and my efforts to find out why i am blocked. as a progressive christian i am appalled at what the right wing has done to religion. also interested in class divisions and the working poor.

by ebbak on 11/22/2005 10:43:41 AM EST

: Hi, ebbak (none / 0)

Hmm, a mishmash of politics and spirituality? I haven't seen that blog -- but I will.
I tried starting my own such place at twotaboos, but it never really got out of first gear. However, between here and Street Prophets, I'm getting a good dose of the subjects.
by Devilstower on 11/22/2005 11:01:16 AM EST

[ Parent ]

Checking in (none / 0)

A little bit late, by the look of it.

I've been a regular at DKos for about two years, under the name "Yellow Dog Sammy," which actually comes from my dog. (Well, okay, Ol' Sam's a golden retriever, but "Golden Dog Sammy" wouldn't tie in with the political nickname.) I debated using the same name here, but I decided I wasn't that attched to it so it would be a good time to switch.

I posted regularly on the Reform Ohio ballot issues while I worked on the campaign. I'm located in NE Ohio so I'm very interested in the Hackett/Brown primary tussle in the Oh-Sen race(leaning strongly to Hackett), the Stickland/Coleman tussle in the OH-Gov race (not sure on that one), and the general demise of the scandal-plagued Ohio Republican party. Unfortunately, I agree with many Ohio progressives that the Dem party here is a disaster at this point.

Anyway, I joined up here because I've enjoyed reading posts by the regulars here over on DKos.

Ciao for niao.

by JeffC on 11/22/2005 05:12:16 PM EST

: I have a golden, as well (none / 0)

But at 13+ years old, she's more a "white dog" than yellow. She doesn't know it, though. Still as bouncy as ever, and still just as good at stealing every piece of food in her reach (which is considerable).
Welcome aboard. I don't think Ohio is going to cool down until at least after '08. It's definitely going to get a lot of attention over the next couple of years.
by Devilstower on 11/22/2005 06:40:17 PM EST

[ Parent ]

Liberal Luxury Liner (none / 0)

Cruised on over here from BooTrib and had to jump ship and get me a cabin onboard this "Supreme of the Seas" blog. Always looking more more and better voices on the left. And BOY HOWDY! you've got 'em here.

Color me impressed. So many bells and whistles that I'll probably embarrass myself mid-post by backing into some high-tech formatting thingy here on the bridge. I'll hope that it'll translate my post into something worthy.

Hello to all other progressive blogworld chronics whose several names I recognize -- movin' on up.

Now how do I work those B I U S . . .buttons above this typing window. . . .?

by Limelite on 11/22/2005 10:52:34 PM EST

: The bells and whistles ... (none / 0)

scare me too, but so far they've proven to be pretty sturdy in terms of not succumbing to screw-ups.
My biggest fear is that I'll make the site disappear somehow. But apparently that's not happened yet (if you can read this).
So dive in, and welcome. Ring all the bells, blow on all the whistles and we can find out together what needs tweaking.
by SusanG on 11/23/2005 12:11:50 PM EST

[ Parent ]

Hello (none / 0)

I spend the lion's share of my time over at My Left Wing, from whence I found Cortex, but I pop by here every now and again and really dig what you guys have going on.

Thanks for all you guys do and I'll try not to be a stranger.

by weeping for brunnhilde on 11/27/2005 02:38:26 PM EST

ah, but who am i? (none / 0)

Well, I'm a graduate student in medieval history and closer to being a socialist than a liberal. I also believe in the numinous and indeed have caught glimpses of it through art and especially music. I believe that whatever you choose to call it--beauty, the numinous, God--exists and have trouble understanding why this should be so controversial; that this reality consists of more than meets the eye is as plain as the nose on my face, for those with eyes to see.

I love the Yankees. I hate the winter.

When I find time later in life I'll return to learning the cello, which is inarguably the most celestial of instruments.

Ok, now it's time for me to get back to work; I'm working on a paper about medieval missionary tactics according to evidence found in papal letters. Fascinating and imaginative, yes, but see what I mean about irrelevance?

by weeping for brunnhilde on 11/27/2005 02:56:12 PM EST

[ Parent ]

: one last thing (none / 0)

As must seem obvious, I'm way more drawn to what's eteranally real than I am to the hustle-bustle rancor of politics. It's for the sake of justice that I'm interested in the latter; in a just world, everyone is liberated, supported and encouraged to pursue the perfection of their own souls as well as the forging of loving families and communites.
Politics to me is thus an unsavory but necessary means to utopia.
by weeping for brunnhilde on 11/27/2005 03:01:26 PM EST

[ Parent ]
: Hey der (none / 1)

The concept of the numinous is near and dear to me. Yes, I believe I've also experienced this "contact" with something larger, and had that frightening, frustrating, exciting, breathless sense that I was right on the brink of comprehension -- only to have it all slip through my mental fingers.
I've tried to reason my way back to that spot, but I don't think I'll ever get there.
Welcome, and be sure to spread a little light around the blog.
by Devilstower on 11/27/2005 06:35:48 PM EST

[ Parent ]

Hey everybody (none / 0)

My real life name is Alex, and I'm really excited to be part of this site. I came over from Kos, as well. Y'all have already read some of my stuff, and, if you have, or if you know me from dKos, you know I love a good debate. I like this site because just as Street Prophets is a sort of dKos for spiritual matters, this site seems to be 'dKos' for intellectuals (with some really cool extra features). I look forward to fighting this struggle for America alongside you cool folks.

If you don't understand someone, consider that the shortcoming may not lie with that person, but rather with your own understanding.

by Aethern on 11/27/2005 08:46:12 PM EST

: Welcome, Alex (none / 0)

And thanks for the debate. The "state's rights" issue has so long been a code phrase for the worst of those on the political right, it's important to look at this idea and see what we're losing from the progressive side by dismissing these terms out of hand.
Of course, the right only believes in state's rights when the states are going their way. I've yet to hear any of these guys shaking a fist over federal intervention in Gore v. Bush.
by Devilstower on 11/27/2005 09:11:06 PM EST

[ Parent ]

Cheers, mates (none / 0)

Contrary to my typical mouthy behavior, I've been reading but commenting very little. See, the diaries here are so good, that I'm left with very little to add! Though I'll be happy to chime in with a superfluous "Hell Yeah!" now and again.

::waiting to see how many will hold their breath over this startling announcement:::

Oh, and if anyone's keeping track, I believe I followed via one of SusanG's "C'Mere!" posts at launch. Maybe Kos, maybe MLW....

The most common elements in the universe are Hydrogen & Stupidity - Harlan Ellison

by Cantankerous Bitch on 11/30/2005 06:17:15 PM EST

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