My 1000th post... It's been a long ride...

So, I know that, from my own experience here at DU, that the 1000th post is akin to a "cherry popping" moment here on DU... I've seen many people announce their 1000th with much fanfare and aplomb, and I've devoted considerable thought to how I should go about it. At this point, I think the best thing to do is to just post, let it pass, and continue to contribute the only way I know how. (Some will duly note that I have, over the years, made some enemies on DU -- mostly those with no sense of humor.)

Here's what I know after nearly five years of DU shenanigans:

1. Howard Dean did not get the nomination in 2004.

I was shocked at how rapidly his campaign fell apart. I remember canvassing for the man in January of 2004 in Iowa. I remember knocking on door after door after attending a rally in Council Bluffs. I remember shaking Howard's hand and getting a picture taken with he and I. I remember knowing that he would be the next President. I remember an elderly woman whose door I knocked on tell me that Howard was her choice. I remember the ex mayor of the town telling me that the Democrats were terrible. I remember another who said the person I was looking for had recently died. What a trip.

2. Kerry's defeat

I went and saw Kerry in Sioux City. I was so-so with the man at the time. I remember election day. I would announce to co-workers the stories of long lines and allegations of fraud throughout the day. As exit polls came in, I'd tell people. As the work day ended, I went home and picked up a gluttonesque amount of fast food and beer, prepared to watch the returns all night to see just how badly Bush was defeated. I went to bed at 11PM, Ohio still in question, still hopeful that I would wake up to a new day and a new President.

3. Obama's victory

My girlfriend and I had different candidates in mind. During the primary, I was an Obama supporter and she was a Hillary supporter. We caucused in February of 2008. During that day, she tells me she realized that Hillary was not the right choice. That we needed and outsider to step in. On that day, she changed allegiances to Obama. Obama carried our state that day, and throughout the remainder of the spring we were both ardent Obama supporters. In the election cycle, Obama carried out district in Nebraska and our votes helped him win one electoral vote from our state. When Keith Olbermann announced that Obama was elected, we both wept in joy and she ran outside and started cheering -- along with other neighbors. Within five minutes, we heard fireworks going off. I remember that day as one of few which I cannot describe with words. A 24-hour euphoria cast itself upon us. That feeling, which I've replayed on our DVR and on YouTube so many times, from so many angles, was the best and most productive feeling I've ever experienced as an adult.

And now, here we are, and I am not sure how I feel. Slowly, the feelings of joy and elation have settled. Our person had won the day. I am sitting back and reflecting, trying to reconcile what has happened the last nine months with what we felt for the last two years, opposed to the previous eight.

I have no poignant statements or anecdotes to share... I almost just clicked "back" and canceled this post because I am not sure what else to write. I don't have a point to make. I just wanted to share how I got here from 2004.

First, congratulations on achieving 1000 posts. This is a considerable accomplishment...

Second, thank you for showing us how you got here from 2004. What a long, strange trip it's been...


K&R


:patriot:

1,000 is a nice time for reflection. And yours was a touching reflection. I'm blad you wrote it.

And I just put you up to 5 Recs. Happy Greatest Page.

Thanks for a very nice post.

if they are dedicated and frequent posters. Let's hope when you reach 2000 posts that it will be in Obama's historic second term.

:hi: