So, have I missed anything while I was away?

As you may have heard, I took a sabbatical from DU starting Monday. I don't suppose I missed any exciting news while I was away, did I?

Kidding. I'm fully aware of what has transpired over the past few days. I'll get to all that shortly.

I'm returning to DU because I feel 100 times better than I felt the day I left. Sure, we ALL feel fabulous after watching Rush implode on ESPN, watching Arnold apologize for incidents he claimed never happened, watching the CIA send all the cockroaches running for cover, watching Arnold try to disavow his goosestepping "hero" from Nazi Germany, and watching Rush go cold turkey on OxyContin because his black market supply dried up (by the way, the black market is overrated. The media has been trying very hard to boost the image of the black market, when we all know that the white market is far superior....right Rush?).

To briefly discuss why I left temporarily, a certain DUer decided that attacking candidates in the Presidential primaries was no longer good enough, and decided to attack me personally. They said I wouldn't get any votes, that I wasn't a serious candidate and that I probably wouldn't even make the ballot. To that person, and to any other person who wishes to go personal on me, I say this....when you have the courage to put it all on the line and try to run for office and make real progressive change, THEN you can come talk to me about being serious. However, I won't hear you. You'll be on my ignore list.

As a candidate, it will be necessary to listen to ALL my constituents' concerns. Some have said that putting DUers on ignore shows that I am not serious, because I'm not willing to listen to another angle, and that I'll have to listen to the people in my district. I respond with this....DUers, with a few exceptions, you are NOT my constituents and I am not your congressperson. You are my FRIENDS, and I am your friend. When you attack me personally, you are no longer my friend, and I choose to not listen to you. I expect to get abuse from constituents (especially the Republican ones). I will be able to handle that. I do not have to accept personal abuse from people I thought were my friends, so I won't accept it. That's why the ignore feature is there.

Attack Howard Dean all you want. I'll defend him. Attack Ohio State all you want. I'll defend them. Attack me, and I'll ignore you.

The responses I have read to my Monday thread, and the responses I read to my wife's thread...well, they were heartwarming. Thank you so very, very much. I needed to see that.

Let me tell you a little story. I am a HUGE fan of Ohio State. Went to college there. Grew up going to Buckeye games. My blood is not red...it's scarlet.

A fellow DUer named Gratuitous dislikes Ohio State. VERY much. I would say "hates" Ohio State, but I cannot put those words in anybody's mouth. Gratuitous bashes Ohio State all the time, and I bash back. We have little battles all the time over college football. You would think we wanted to kill each other by reading the threads.

Gratuitous sent my campaign 100 dollars.

THAT, my friends, is the epitome of a true member of the Democratic Underground. I would only hope that I am as big-hearted of a person as Gratuitous is.

It is people like that, and like everyone who sent me their love over the past 4 days, that bring about my return to DU. I will not let the overwhelming love and respect that I find in here be overshadowed by the miniscule amount of negative personalities.

Later today, I'll post an update on what I've though about the events of this week. I've wanted to say a LOT, so I will.

Thank you very much. It's good to be back.

:hi:

;-) Kidding.

Sometimes we all need the decompression a break from DU gives us. Nice to have you back. :hi:

....be careful. You almost made the ignore list there (kidding).

Thanks. Good to be back.

:hi:
You've missed a GD vote and polls on various and sundry music and movies and many more threads bashing Rush and Arnold than Clark and Dean for a change...

(ohandthestartofVince'sfundraiserhinthintlinkisinmysig)
:evilgrin:

....I'll deal with it soon.

I also have some news of my campaign later today. Also, you'll be seeing a donation from us soon.

:yourock:

I am so very proud of you both! I only wish that more folks on here would come to the same realization you two have--that you have GOT to get into races if you want anything to change!

I'm low key this year--I'm not running this time. I am, however, managing someone again. (I know--I SWORE I'd never manage another race after last time, but I really LIKE this guy...) I'd be happy to shoot the breeze with you guys any time you want to bounce ideas around...

Please do try not to let the naysayers get to you here or in your home districts. Like I said before, they are NOT part of your campaign and they have no clue! Follow your gut because, after all, it is YOUR butt up there on the line.

Pax to you both, and best wishes in your races. If I ever manage to find a job I'll try and send you both some cash...btw, have you set up Paypal accounts yet for your campaigns? That is a good thing to do.

Laura

It's within the Donate page of my website (linked below in my sig line)

And I know Vince has, because he donated to me through it.

Thanks for the encouragement!

Smartyboots! :) See what I mean about outsiders giving advice? Those of us on the outside have no freaking clue that you are kicking butt and taking names later!

Hope your little one is doing better with the asthma.

Laura

It may turn out to be what we had been hoping for...allergic asthma.

She'll be able to kick the nebulizer into the closet for long periods of time if this is the case...and it's looking very good for that prognosis.

I don't have kids myself, but I've worked with them, and there's nothing scarier than a small child having an asthma attack.

The doctor just called!

It's allergic asthma. A simple cleaning of the filters for the furnace, plus a massive cleaning of the house, should do the trick and help clear it up even more.

For now, she's cleareed to run and run and run and run and run outside all she wants. We just need to be more selective about the areas she runs in!

We walked your dog and fed your cat while you were away.

:)

That's not my dog, and my other two cats died of starvation.

"When I am governor I want to prove to the women that I will be a champion for the women, a champion of the women"


Look I made that joke up and I am going to ride it.

Yes the MEDIA has a social concern to overrate the black market.
Too funny AWD

Welcome back. Where is your website do I can donate?

.....it's all in there, my friend.

you are back. Welcome back.

Not to sound corny, but thanks for sharing your experience and your honesty.

you are much admired for the stand you take here on DU

forget the hateful people here

99% of us adore you

((hug)) from Jitterbug

...thanks for showing the support to my wife (Chryslin). She was enjoying the extra time on the computer since I was away, though.

...a running game, on the other hand, would be most welcome.

Thanks for coming back!

:hi:

:pals:

My wife wants you to know that your sig graphic is the best ever.

180

Wouldn't have been the same around here without you . :loveya:

...for the afternoon crowd. You know, it's all about me, right?

....ya know *I* :loveya:

Glad you're back too...and hope your baby girl is feeling better too!! :* :yourock:

...and thanks for the e-mail. You played a big role in convincing me to come back.

.....for coming back and that I could help in that respect...does my heart good too!! :pals:

saucy ways!

when the CBS Evening News ran a story about the hemorrhage of manufacturing jobs -- in Canton, Ohio!! It was pretty good stuff. They even interviewed a Repuke restaurant owner who voted for Bush* in 2000. And in 2004? "Uh, unless the economy turns around, I'm really not sure."

I thought to myself, "Gee, I wonder what AWD's gonna do about jobs in Canton and the rest of the Sixteenth District when he gets into Congress." And who should pop up the very next day? Poof! It's magic!

....I posted a thread here earlier about Bush's speech at the Timken plant in late April. he used Timken as a basis for what his tax plan can do for companies.

Last week, Timken laid off 900 people. I think that's a PERFECT example of what Bush's tax plan does.

If I had no heart, I'd be happy, realizing that this means more votes for me in 2004. But I just can't be happy about it.

Thanks for thinking of me, though.

Found it with the Search function.

CBS News story mentioned the pending layoffs at Timken as well as several others. The whole story was pegged to the earlier Bush* speech at Timken.

And so, reporter KamaAina of the Coconut Wireless puts it to you, candidate AWD, what is your industrial policy? How do you propose to keep manufacturing jobs in greater Canton and even bring in new ones?

I have not yet released my policy on manufacturing jobs (or any other jobs, for that matter).

But I will say that it involves expanding the strength of the unions. When the union is strong, the entire company is more productive.

Not sure how you did it, been a real busy week here at work for me and my DU time has been limited, I started getting the shakes.

....thanks for that.

By the way, my wife voted "No" as a joke. She only told me today.

:hi: What do you think of the new paint and curtains? Too much, or do they look OK? You can be honest---you're among friends. :P

I love it, but you've gotta get him to lay off the faux fur.