BEGIN RANT

What the hell is it with SOME people on this site when it comes to the primaries?

Do you not have a life?

Do you really think that your candidate is God / Goddess?

Did you not read the FAQ's about spamming comments?

Do you not listen to the community of other commenters that tell you to take it elsewhere?

Do you realize that some of us care about other stuff besides the primaries?

Do you really think your opinion and your candidate is more important than a diary and topic that someone else has spent time researching and writing?

Guess what: You are wrong!

I've opened up DailyKos probably half a dozen times today. There were a couple of diaries that kind of tweaked my interest on the front page. There was a great diary on Bill Foster running for Hastert's seat in IL.

Yet...there as been the usual onslaught of primary diaries, with each sounding much like the others.

But today I'm enjoying a balmy 65 degree day here in Northern CA. I'm dog sitting and the critter gets to keep me company at the office so I get to 'walk' the dog! Gets me away from my desk...and seeking a respite from another primary diary.

Well it's Friday afternoon...and I really, really don't want to read about candidates anymore this week!

So, here is a my contribution to the daily respite zone!

This is a wild animal (yes that means pooties!) picture zone! Today's critter of choice: the beautiful North American Wolf. I've also chosen to make this a continuation of activism for saving the wolves in the Rocky Mountain states.

Actions Needed:
Action needed; diary by sheddhead today Go give the diary a recommend and a read. I am openly snagging links from that diary and posting them down below. The wolves, and diarists, I think will forgive me for chain blogging the links and info!

Bush Administration Okays Wolf Kills by moose67 Give it a read and more action info there.

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Pretty Bird Woman House has a home...

Many thanks to all who spread the word and helped raise funds: Pretty Bird Woman House closed on a property for the new shelter. It is great news for the women and children who will soon have a place to take refuge when domestic violence threatens. See pictures here. The money raised during October, November, and December paid for the house and is paying for the fence and security system that will be installed!

Pretty Bird Woman House needs your help again. We are asking that you help turn this House in to a warm and cozy place.

Well, I suspect that there are others like me that have seen enough results diaries from last night, and the related spin from everyone.

So without further ado...this is a non-candidate fun thread.

Rules:
ABSOLUTELY NO CANDIDATE INFO

Post pictures of critters of any kind: puppies, pooties, furry others, feathered friends...and featherless bi-ped kidlets if you want!

Tell jokes if you want

Share stories of furry family members that might need some love from others.

Share recipes that make you feel good

Most of all have Fun....

I'm gonna__________________ and keep posting diaries of them...until the convention in August.....if you don't____________!

Hell I may keep posting the __________ until the day before the general election if you don't_____________!

So there and take that!!! Neener, neener, neener...to everyone that doesn't agree with me!
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And you can't make me listen to you either. I don't wanna....pfffffffffffft!

Okay this is your chance to blow of steam from the turncoat Democrats / DINO's in the Senate...with pictures.

I've been following this for 3 hours...in between work (huh??? what's that???) and my brain is ready to explode.

Your challenge - should you choose to accept it!

1. Post a picture of any creature with more spine than the Senate Democrats ~ yeah I know...any photo will do here!! OR

2. Post a picture of any creature with less spine than same Democrats!!!

YES that is a challenge to see how many pictures of amoebas and jellyfish and other things you can find!

It's Friday night. The news cycles are just about done for the week. The east coast is home with a cold beer or hot toddy!

I kind of, sort of thought the Cheers & Jeers Friday edition would be up and going. Oops...I don't play often enough to know!

So ~ this is the Random Photo diary zone!

Rules:

No arguing...even about pooties vs puppies

No candidates...except pooties and puppies and other critters

Any photo goes...as long as it's reasonably work safe.

This is another one of those mixed up, only a few people will read diaries.

I voted for Edwards, long before he suspended his campaign. I'm a middle aged, upper middle class, professional, and a white woman. I've voted Democrat since 1982 or so. I was a Goldwater Republican and then an Anderson independent in 1980. There are a lot of others on this blog just like me...okay...more of them are guys...but whatever.

Below the fold is a few things where all the over~the~top diaries are getting on my nerves.

The standing joke in the Cat household is that when the discussions get heated...one of us asks what the weather is like. I've perused the recent diary list and with a couple of minor exceptions...the topic is Super Tuesday.

I'll bet that lots and lots of us are burned out and waiting for the intense electioneering and candidate bashing will be over with tomorrow.

Being a political junkie, yes I'll be up late watching the returns.

The number one rule will be our house will support whoever the nominee is come November. Clothes pins can pinch on occasion but that is the nature of politics. And the nature of blogs is that we all want 'our' candidate to win. Meanwhile back in the suburbs....

Rules:

No candidate support or bashing

If you don't post a picture of a pootie...any critter will do we like puppies and rabbits (especially pancake ones) and bears...

This is a relaxing place...for fun and giggles...and hugs.

I know this may not meet the 'rules' for a diary...so get over it! People need pooties today!

Hugs cause ultimately we are all Dems

This is going to be stepping way out of my self-imposed hiatus. BTW we should all try it since it has been good for my perspective on the primaries.

During the past two weeks of not posting much (20 comments a week down from 80+) I've lurked and read the blogs here and elsewhere. I've gotten out and had dinner with my neighbors and friends. One of the most interesting things of the past two weeks has been discussions on the upcoming primary election. The results have been staggering...to a political junkie that hangs out in the blogsophere.

Disclaimer: These are my observations based on a limited group of co-workers, neighbors, and friends. I live in Marin County, CA and we voted 67% John Kerry in 2004. Don't get in a hissy fit if you disagree!

Short sweet and to the point...what the fuck has happened to DailyKos?

I've done my best to stay out of the primary diaries. I've seen pissing matches between people I respect. I have seen comments and diaries that me ashamed that I've been here and proudly support and encourage blogging.

We have diaries titled: Hillary the Witch

We have people justifying the use of the same word with a "b" attached.

[Updated] Added Oregon and Washington as well to the title!

Well the first of the 3 big storms has passed through the San Francisco area. The Loma Prieta area has had about 10+ inches of rain today, my town of San Rafael has had 4.5+ inches of rain, per local tv news.

The winds have died down, the freeways are mostly open, and power is back on for most of northern CA. For those that know the area, 101 through San Rafael that was closed almost all day is open and traffic is moving.

I haven't seen any local news on Southern CA. There was only a brief radio report about mandatory evacuations in the canyons that burned earlier this  year.

Another day, another 240 of 255 diaries on primary candidates. And everybody loves their candidate...oh yeah...your candidate sucks. And since today is Iowa Caucus day ~ lots and lots of stuff on candidates and caucus process.

In the meantime, there is only so much we can all take.

Consider this the recovery room from today's primary / caucus diaries! Oh yeah and a chance to share information and pictures of your favorite wild animals. Okay, okay already...pootie and puppy pictures are welcome too!

Egads and little fishes people!

Scrolling down the Recommended list and at the top of the recent list....3 Breaking diaries.

Oh yeah Poll information diaries on primaries and causcuses!  Woo Hoo we have  Surges and Gaining and Push.

I think I'm going to throw up here....just a little bit!

What I want to know is how many of these writers and / or commenters were around in 2004?

We listened to the news and we followed the blogs and we all cheered the exit polls and gawd only knows what else.

Just a heads up folks: Polls are a piece of crap except the final one on election day...wherever that may be. We have seen the polls and they don't mean diddly. Stop getting so worked up over them and for heavens sake...leave words like Surge to Bushco!

This is a different perspective on looking at donating to the Pretty Bird Woman House fund raising!

There have been many diaries by many wonderful writers here at DailyKos and at many other blogs...truly a netroots endeavor to raise money. And you the netroots community have come through with flying colors! To date $44,807 has been raised (including checks)!

This weekend we are trying to raise another $10k! In the last 18-24 hours the amount raised is about $3,700 +/-! You guys all rock!

For many of us that don't like the commercialization of the Christmas and Yule there are alternatives. As a Pagan it was difficult in the early years for me to decorate my home with 'Christmas' stuff. Then I learned the traditions and history of the decorations. Woo Hoo...decorations galore!

So...since many will decorate their homes this coming week / weekend in preparation for the Holiday Season I offer a little history. Also, I know there are different traditions. I just thought I'd share a few I like. Others are welcome and encouraged to add their suggestions. Recipes would be good! I always love a good spicy cake or cookie recipe.

So...come decorate with me...below the fold!