I'm just a sometimes diarist, frequent commentator who would like to express my gratitude to the DK community. Some of you find me opinionated and abrasive and I probably deserve it. I am very outspoken on many subjects. I've tweaked the faithful with my unrepentant atheism, I've irked the ACA supporters by refusing to support any policy that leaves the for profit health insurance companies in charge of our access to healthcare, I've annoyed this group and that group, been (erroneously) called a PUMA, and been (justifiably) called obnoxious.
But through it all, I've just been one small, insignificant member of a much larger community that has done some good, even great works. I've never been put on time out or banned, (obviously), nor even warned by the moderation team, though I've flirted with the edges of the envelope, I'm sure. I agree with 99% of the people here 99% of the time but when we disagree, I've been known to be a bit sharp about it. I don't apologize for that, really. I grew up sandwiched between very intelligent, very aggressive siblings with very intelligent, very stern parents, and we constantly challenged one another, so I am what I am. But I would like to say to those who have been on the receiving end of an unnecessarily harsh or undeserved criticism, I'm sorry. It is never my intent to injure or to be unfair but I do get very invested in my beliefs sometimes. I do try to practice what I preach and admit when I'm mistaken.
That brings me closer to the point of this but we're not there yet. What I want to say is that I am sometimes frustrated that people hold onto grudges. Just because I can't support the ACA doesn't mean that I don't support the President. Just because we have a serious disagreement about issue A shouldn't mean that we can't put that aside and work together on issues B through Z that we do agree on. I don't know anybody I agree with 100% of the time but it seems to be on the internet that the grudges we hold are given full rein. I'm not a resolver but I am going to make a commitment to try to be a bit more patient and diplomatic with folks and I'm going to continue to disengage when I feel like things are getting too personal or intense.
Anyway, that's all. So on to the point:
MERRY CHRISTMAS, DAILY KOS! And I hope that the new year will be wonderful for everyone.