I have written before of my deep love for Jonathan Larson’s musical, RENT. From the first time I saw it, ohso many years ago, the production has spoken to me on deep levels. Though taken from us much too young, Larson has created a lasting legacy, of downcast superheroes and great music.
Mark, Roger, Mimi , Joanne, Tom Collins, Angel, Maureen … all of them on the ‘outside.’ All of them looking in … excluded, in their ways. But they find a heart in their own community, a togetherness, a power. After a lifetime of belong to the ‘them’ category, ‘others,’ they finally arrive at US. (In the song La Vie Boheme.)
We all have different backgrounds, with different challenges, different advantages, different gifts, different adversities. Yet, on one level or another, almost all of us have had experience with this in-group/out-group social dichotomy. Being on the outside can be quite hard, indeed!
More below.
Top Comments recognizes the previous day's Top Mojo and strives to promote each day's outstanding comments through nominations made by Kossacks like you. Please send comments (before 9:30pm ET) by email to topcomments@gmail.com or by our KosMail message board.
This week many of us will travel to Atlanta. Our party is - shockingly - in minority status, facing terrible challenges with the most unqualified president in our history. With a Congress in which the majority party has no facility for governing, no interest in governing, absolutely no interest in PUBLIC service. It isn’t what many of us expected when we attended Netroots Nation in St. Louis.
Yet, the prospect of this year’s gathering is an optimistic one, where we may socialize with so many committed, like-minded folks. Where we can take energy from the US aspect of things. From the great intelligence of our fellow Democrats. From their energy, from their optimism. Where we may add our portions of those things for their benefit, in turn.
So many years I looked longingly at the annual gathering, unable to attend for whatever reason. I know many of you won’t be able to attend this year. If you can make it happen sometime in the future, please do! I don’t think you will regret it. But know that you are in our hearts this year. We will fight for you. As we know you fight for us in your ways.
You are an US along with us. I hope you can feel it! If there is anything I can do to help in that regard, send me a kosmail! I’ll try! Promise!
And should you be among those fortunate enough to attend, PLEASE say hi!
On to tonight’s comments!
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Note: Please remember that comment inclusion in Top Comments does not constitute support or endorsement by diarist, formatter, Top Comments writers or DailyKos. Questions, complaints or comments? Contact brillig.
From ZenTrainer:
Funny comment here by Orcas George. The reply to it was funny too.
I am in the middle of a suspense novel where a reporter is being followed. He takes odd turns and doubles back so they can't find his trail. I had that in mind when Orcas George told his cat story.
From Avilyn:
I'd like to nominate this short comment by Onomastic because it is a universal truth, elegantly stated:
"Love makes all the difference.”
From Onomastic:
The first comment is by Lamont Cranston - such a touching tribute to the animals who curl up in our hearts and never leave.
The second comment by Yasuragi appears below as a belinda ridgewood submission. Most appreciated!
From belinda ridgewood:
I'll be astonished if I'm the first to send this in, but...
Onomastic wrote a lovely diary for Aji and Wings, on the passing of their horse Ice. When the talk turned to other rescue animals, Yasuragi won the internet, and maybe a Pulitzer, with her story of a kitten on West 95th Street.
(Ed. Note: Yes, Ono ALSO submitted that! For good reason! And special thanks for linking Ono’s remarkable diary for people to visit! Thanks so much!)
From Yasuragi:
I know Ono sent you a couple of comments, but we'd like to add this lovely comment by jansson57 about the heart and soul of DKos.
Top Mojo ala mik!
For Sunday, August 6, 2017, first comments and tip jars excluded. Thank you mik for the mojo magic! For those of you interested in How Top Mojo Works, please see his diary on the subject.
2017-08-07, courtesy of jotter!
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