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Server Upgrades Tonight

By Jeralyn, Section Blog Related
Posted on Mon May 12, 2008 at 12:37:46 AM EST
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Even though we added a second dedicated server to TalkLeft a few months ago, we're still having occasional problems. Part of it may be that the average time a reader spends on TalkLeft has gradually increased to an astonishing 7 minutes. We started closing comments at 200 to reduce the demand on the databases, but that still hasn't fixed our problems. We went down the night of the Indiana and North Carolina primaries and again today.

The next step is to increase the memory on the servers. We'll be upgrading from 2 gigabites to 6 gigabytes around 2:00 am ET. The site will be down while the new memory is being installed. It shouldn't take more than 1/2 hour, but since we have quite a group of late night readers, myself included, I'm just giving everyone a heads up.

Server back up now: 12:33 am MT. 'Night everyone, this is an open thread and there's more there's more below.

I suspect traffic will fall off after the Democratic nomination is actually decided, as opposed to predicted, but that doesn't appear to be today or tomorrow. With the West Virginia primary Tuesday, which we'll be following closely and undoubtedly live blogging the results, tonight seemed the best time to do the upgrade.

So feel free to comment, this is an open thread, but if you can't log on for little bit, at least you know why. And thanks to all for your contributions last week -- without them the cost of the added memory would have been outside my price range.

< Sunday Night Math Homework: Electoral Votes | WV Poll: Clinton By 36 >

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    Server Upgrades Tonight | 88 comments (88 topical)

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    NEW VIDEO Addressing Sexism (5.00 / 6) (#1)
    by GeekLove08 on Mon May 12, 2008 at 12:42:57 AM EST
    "We've Come a Long Way, Baby!"

    It's about Obama's silence on sexism against Hillary Clinton and his own sexist remarks.

    After viewing, if you support the video, Please RATE, COMMENT & mark FAVORITE on YouTube.

    He not only remained silent (5.00 / 1) (#25)
    by Edgar08 on Mon May 12, 2008 at 02:00:31 AM EST
    He spoke out in favor of it, and in fact has used those sexist attacks on Clinton as a reason why you should vote for him.  His reasoning being is that Clinton is now too polarizid by those attacks to unite the country.

    So make no mistake, he knows what's going on and specifically wants people to vote for him because of it.  It's not only OK with him.  It's a reason why you should vote for him.

    I know my comments always get deleted for not only talking about what it might be like in reverse, but SHOWING what it would be like in reverse.  But I'll try again.

    Picture this:  picture a republican operative calling Obama something overtly and/or covertly racist, something bad, something I can't repeat here without getting deleted, and then Clinton saying, in response to that attack:  "I see these attacks as not really being Obama's fault, but they exist, and it's why I think I can unite the country better than he can."


    [ Parent ]

    It's somewhat similar to the way ... (none / 0) (#26)
    by Robot Porter on Mon May 12, 2008 at 02:06:35 AM EST
    many of his supporters seem to think the elitist label actually works in his favor.

    [ Parent ]
    Quick comment :) (none / 0) (#2)
    by nycstray on Mon May 12, 2008 at 12:48:54 AM EST
    I haven't watched the whole thing, but I noticed right away and wanted to ask . . .  any way you can in crease the leading on the type? Also the kerning/letter space a bit? Would make it easier to read :)

    {goes back to finish viewing}

    [ Parent ]

    You can do that by (none / 0) (#4)
    by Jeralyn on Mon May 12, 2008 at 01:04:12 AM EST
    increasing the text size in your browser under the "view" tab. On my desktop, TL is huge. On my laptop, I squint (which often results in typos, it's pretty easy to tell which one I'm using.) Let me know if that doesn't work for you. I prefer smaller type and the narrower columns. I rarely read blogs where your eyes have to shift from left to right as your reading.

    [ Parent ]
    whoops (none / 0) (#5)
    by Jeralyn on Mon May 12, 2008 at 01:04:47 AM EST
    make that "you're reading."

    [ Parent ]
    Ever tried the trick (none / 0) (#13)
    by Cream City on Mon May 12, 2008 at 01:32:44 AM EST
    of rolling the roller on your mouse while holding down the Control key?  It expands (or shrinks) type on the screen.  Until someone showed me that a couple of years ago, I was going to have to give up my job -- hours at the computer often required, but leaving me nearly blind by the end of the night.

    It doesn't seem to work with all mice, but maybe it will with yours.  Btw, another cool thing is my new mouse with a button on the side to just push in and, voila!, a magnifier window that can be moved anywhere on the screen.  Love that with my work with old photos, maps, etc.

    [ Parent ]

    Wow, this works great (5.00 / 1) (#52)
    by BarnBabe on Mon May 12, 2008 at 08:05:55 AM EST
    Never knew that.Never too old to learn new tricks. As for the magnifier mouse. I use one on the lap top and kept accidently hitting the key. Had to disable that function. Thought it was so cool at first though. So thanks for the PC tip.

    [ Parent ]
    Thanks for the (5.00 / 1) (#67)
    by kenoshaMarge on Mon May 12, 2008 at 08:37:28 AM EST
    tip Cream. It worked great. This will make a lot of the reading I do so much easier.

    [ Parent ]
    More on Cream's suggestion (5.00 / 1) (#75)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Mon May 12, 2008 at 09:26:09 AM EST
    If your mouse doesn't allow you this feature, you can use the menus to do the same thing. It's just View/Textsize, then adjust as you like.

    [ Parent ]
    5 button mouse (none / 0) (#33)
    by DFLer on Mon May 12, 2008 at 06:25:38 AM EST
    I use my extra left side button as a "back" button...handy for navigating the web without having to constantly go up to the back arrow. All the mouse buttons can be customized. Y'all know where, right?

    [ Parent ]
    I was referring to the scrolling type (none / 0) (#29)
    by nycstray on Mon May 12, 2008 at 02:47:00 AM EST
    in the video  :) I just noticed it right off  and she should be able to tweek the original scrolling text fairly easy, so I wanted to mention it because I love that she's making these (I hope she's a she! If not, sorry he!)

    Yeah, the type on my computer is always large and easy on the eyes.lol!~ And I do like the narrower format :)

     

    [ Parent ]

    Geek - outstanding - THKS! (none / 0) (#20)
    by Boo Radly on Mon May 12, 2008 at 01:50:58 AM EST


    [ Parent ]
    It's quite good (none / 0) (#79)
    by anniethena on Mon May 12, 2008 at 10:35:04 AM EST
    I have one small suggestion - mute the background music a little.
    The first time I watched it, I decided to pay attention to the text and images as I couldn't listen to the speech and read at the same time.
    On re-watch, I closed my eyes and listened to the speech itself and found the music just a little jarring.
    I have to say her public speaking skills have come a long way too!

    [ Parent ]
    Just fyi, she had to speak slowly (none / 0) (#83)
    by Cream City on Mon May 12, 2008 at 11:27:36 AM EST
    at the Beijing conference, the UN's 4th World Conference on Women -- she was doing so for a raft of translators for the many thousands of women there, listening in many different languages.

    [ Parent ]
    It's kind of ironic... (5.00 / 1) (#9)
    by OrangeFur on Mon May 12, 2008 at 01:18:58 AM EST
    I was thinking today that in terms of issues, African Americans would probably be better off with Hillary as president than Obama. Right now Obama is so petrified of being the "black candidate" that he can't really address issues of particular concern to that community. For example:

    Hillary can more easily defend affirmative action based on race, while Obama would find it riskier.

    Hillary can say things like "If HIV-AIDS were the leading cause of death of white women between the ages of 25 and 34, there would be an outraged outcry in this country," which she did earlier. HIV-AIDS is in fact the leading killer of AA women in the same age range. I can't see Obama making the same kind of statement.

    Hillary can say things like, "The state of the union is not strong until the State of the Black Union is strong," as she did at the State of the Black Union event. Again, I have a hard time seeing Obama saying such a thing.

    Disclaimer: I'm not saying that African Americans should therefore be voting for Hillary. Far from it. People can vote for whomever they want, and one could make an argument that the value of having an AA president outweighs concessions on a few issues, or that Obama will be able to address the same issues less directly, or that I'm simply completely wrong.

    It was just a thought I had...

    Well (none / 0) (#27)
    by Steve M on Mon May 12, 2008 at 02:15:32 AM EST
    Affirmative action needs a little work.  Obama can probably reform it more readily than Clinton.

    [ Parent ]
    affirmative action (none / 0) (#49)
    by Kathy on Mon May 12, 2008 at 07:57:32 AM EST
    is going to be on just about every state ballot.  I think of it as right up there with 'feminist' in the list of things that right wingers have framed as horrible things, but you scratch just under the surface and think, 'oh, wait...'

    [ Parent ]
    Yeah (none / 0) (#73)
    by Steve M on Mon May 12, 2008 at 09:19:48 AM EST
    I believe we're going to need a "mend it, don't end it" movement or we're going to lose what we've accomplished in this area.

    We need to take a hard look at which aspects of affirmative action have worked, in the sense of helping to remedy inequality, and which have not.

    [ Parent ]

    What Obama (none / 0) (#51)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon May 12, 2008 at 08:05:15 AM EST
    fears has already happened. He's become the "black candidate" due to the way he has campaigned and his voting bloc. His campaign screaming "racism" over every criticism has damaged him beyond repair.

    [ Parent ]
    Political Agility (5.00 / 1) (#16)
    by Robot Porter on Mon May 12, 2008 at 01:41:31 AM EST
    My main concern about Obama in the GE is his lack of political agility.

    With his other political skills, and massive support from the MSM, he should have been able to tie up the nomination months ago.

    But his one note, Madison Avenue candidacy just couldn't find a way to pull in large sections of the Democratic Base.  And this is before Wright, before Bittergate.

    If he does get the nomination (not a foregone conclusion), his agility will be called upon again to shore up support within the party and reach out to independents.

    Where is the evidence that he can do this?

    I don't see it.

    There (5.00 / 1) (#53)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon May 12, 2008 at 08:06:51 AM EST
    is no evidence. I see him running a general election campaign based on republican hate exchanged for Clinton hate. The problem is that McCain just doesn't inspire the same kind of feelings among voters that Bush does.

    [ Parent ]
    The Only Way He Can Run The Same Type (5.00 / 2) (#62)
    by MO Blue on Mon May 12, 2008 at 08:30:23 AM EST
    against McCain as he did against Hillary is if the MSM is complicit.

    They would have to decide that McCain is the one doing all the negative attacks and Obama is the honorable candidate trying to stay above all that and run a clean campaign. Somehow, I don't see that happening.

    [ Parent ]

    The media is in the tank for McCain. (5.00 / 1) (#68)
    by madamab on Mon May 12, 2008 at 08:50:03 AM EST
    I really wonder if Obama is being used and bamboozled by the Republicans to simply beat HRC, then lose in November to McCain.

    Certainly Rove - who has a job at Newsweek now - and the RNC are sending the media talking points just the way they used to. Remember, it's "over" for HRC and Obama is already the nominee; but McCain is still called the "presumptive" nominee even though he has a truly insurmountable lead in pledged delegates.

    I think Obama may really believe his own propaganda - that Republicans will vote for him over their own candidate.

    Sorry, but Republicans do what they're told. They'll vote for McCain.

    [ Parent ]

    Considering what McCain (none / 0) (#65)
    by Kathy on Mon May 12, 2008 at 08:33:42 AM EST
    went through with his daughter, I see that tactic as backfiring in a big way.

    [ Parent ]
    I've been observing (none / 0) (#72)
    by vigkat on Mon May 12, 2008 at 09:18:55 AM EST
    What I have seen causes me to believe the MSM is not going to swerve away from their adulation for Obama in favor of McCain.  In fact, the adulation appears to be hardening.  It was not what I was expecting, so it surprised me.  The tone is similar to what we have heard in connection with Hillary, i.e., accusatory and dismissive.  The focus appears to be his age and his "loss of bearings," at least at this juncture.

    [ Parent ]
    Based On Different Comments From His Campaign (none / 0) (#60)
    by MO Blue on Mon May 12, 2008 at 08:23:49 AM EST
    and "undeclared SD delegate,"  it seems that they  may believe that they can register enough new voters  and get enough Indie and Republican support to compensate for Dems switching to McCain and weaknesses in other demographics.

    I am doubtful this will work but who knows.

    [ Parent ]

    I read a great book a while back (none / 0) (#63)
    by Kathy on Mon May 12, 2008 at 08:32:48 AM EST
    about how, at any given time, there are a finite number of people out there who read for pleasure.  It's almost genetic in its consistency that there will always be X amount of book buyers in the world. (reading, after all, isn't necessary for survival; it's why otters are never seen with books)

    Anyway, I think the same goes with voting.  There are only so many folks who are going to be the consistent type voter that we need.  I look at this argument for newly registered voters the same way I look at the dem for a day stuff: they might vote for Obama this time, but what about next time around when he's not on the ballot?

    I also don't think long-time repubs will stop voting for their favorite local repub politicians, nor do I think that Obama deserves the sole credit for all these newly registered voters.  A lot of women have joined or returned to the process because of Clinton.

    [ Parent ]

    Question (5.00 / 1) (#32)
    by DFLer on Mon May 12, 2008 at 06:21:55 AM EST
    I have seen here people referring to who has rated what. How does one look at who has rated comments?

    "Your Comments" "User Info" (5.00 / 1) (#34)
    by karen for Clinton on Mon May 12, 2008 at 06:43:15 AM EST
    You can see what posts you have made and how they have been rated and you can see who your own history of rating others.

    If you click on other peoples accounts you can see what they have posted and how they were rated and also their history of rating others.

    I don't think there is a way to easily see who has rated your particular posts, it would be a matter of clicking on people who responded positively or negatively to your posts and hunt and pecking other accounts.

    I think.


    [ Parent ]

    thanks K for C (5.00 / 1) (#36)
    by DFLer on Mon May 12, 2008 at 06:53:48 AM EST
    Now I see also the "ratings button" under user info....ta

    appreciate the help.

    [ Parent ]

    Click on the number of ratings for a post (none / 0) (#55)
    by andrys on Mon May 12, 2008 at 08:09:49 AM EST
    That lets you know who rated that post and the rating each gave.

      It's good in that it's not anonymous so it discourages the troll-type of rating down.

    - Andrys


    [ Parent ]

    You can turn RATINGS on/off (5.00 / 1) (#38)
    by ding7777 on Mon May 12, 2008 at 06:59:34 AM EST
    Under each Main post there are 5 drop down boxes

    Display:   Sort:    Rate?    Set

    I have mine set to:

    Display: Nested

    Sort: Ignore ratings  -  Oldest first

    Rate?  Yes  (click SET)

    This let's me "rate" other posts but display the posts oldest first (conversationally)

    Then you can "left click" your "rating" to see who rated you


    [ Parent ]

    Excellent! (5.00 / 1) (#39)
    by DFLer on Mon May 12, 2008 at 07:04:12 AM EST
    Bingo...tried it..it worked...

    Ah, the power of the left click!

    thanks dingsevensevensevenseven

    [ Parent ]

    One other thing (none / 0) (#41)
    by ding7777 on Mon May 12, 2008 at 07:12:43 AM EST
    Closing the comments, removes the comment drop downs.

    So if you are reading a post where the comments have been closed and you want to change the way you display the comments, you have to go to a different "open" post to (re)SET the display.

    [ Parent ]

    Also useful (none / 0) (#44)
    by DFLer on Mon May 12, 2008 at 07:37:43 AM EST
    thanks again.

    [ Parent ]
    Also wanted to say (5.00 / 1) (#35)
    by karen for Clinton on Mon May 12, 2008 at 06:49:17 AM EST
    The math is impressive here and it directly reflects on the tone of this site.  Since first coming here I have found there is something for everybody and feel this site in many ways is the best representative of Edwards "grown up wing of the democratic party."  We can agree or disagree with issues without rampant disrespect towards our honest and legitimate thought out opinion.

    Outright lies and spin are well policed and do not take up valuable reading time.

    Kudos.

    DarkSyde has a diary up (5.00 / 1) (#40)
    by ding7777 on Mon May 12, 2008 at 07:05:18 AM EST
    (link here) asking for Party Unity

    It's a fairly well-meaning diary ... (5.00 / 1) (#46)
    by Robot Porter on Mon May 12, 2008 at 07:41:44 AM EST
    but I think he could have held off on such sentiments until Obama actually wins.

    He hasn't.  And Hillary hasn't conceded.

    So this diary strikes me as self-satisfied and premature.

    The will be plenty of time for this after the race is over.

    [ Parent ]

    DS is pretty cool. (none / 0) (#48)
    by Fabian on Mon May 12, 2008 at 07:56:06 AM EST
    And his diary is about as good as any I've seen.  He managed to avoid pushing any buttons, although there was a protest against "kewl kidz" in the comments.

    [ Parent ]
    And he isn't talking to me ... (5.00 / 2) (#50)
    by Robot Porter on Mon May 12, 2008 at 08:04:35 AM EST
    he's talking to Obama supporters.  They probably need longer to warm up to this idea.

    Still, to me, his words (though well meaning) have little impact.

    [ Parent ]

    No one is talking to us (none / 0) (#56)
    by Kathy on Mon May 12, 2008 at 08:12:06 AM EST
    Did y'all see No Quarter has a rumor that Obama has talked to three women about being VP candidates?  Napolitano, Sebelius and, McCaskill.  

    I dunno, that list sounds like the one we were using the other day.  Anyone with a dartboard could have come up with it.  Rumors have to start somehow, though.  I wonder if there is any validity in this?

    [ Parent ]

    Counter rumor!?! (none / 0) (#70)
    by oldpro on Mon May 12, 2008 at 08:59:06 AM EST
    Yes...rumor "have to start somewhere."

    Well, let's start one to show up this nonsensical idea that Hillary can just be replaced by 'any old generic woman' on a Democratic ticket....like, um....................

    Hillary has been talking to (name three AAs and fill in the blanks...your choice...ie.) ...Sidney Poitier, Denzel Washington, Chris Rock...or maybe Jesse Jackson, Colin Powell, Vernon Jordan...

    [ Parent ]

    Will Smith (5.00 / 1) (#71)
    by Kathy on Mon May 12, 2008 at 09:04:15 AM EST
    but only if he spends a little time persuading me in private first...

    [ Parent ]
    The atmosphere over there (none / 0) (#57)
    by Fabian on Mon May 12, 2008 at 08:13:26 AM EST
    is acrid.  Has been for some time.  But it was their reaction to Jeralyn's diary yesterday that really showed me how bad it is.

    It was a totally serious diary, based on Obama's record and campaign promises and the dk knee jerk reaction was like watching the Radio City Rockettes.

    Just amazing.

    [ Parent ]

    We'll see. (5.00 / 1) (#47)
    by Fabian on Mon May 12, 2008 at 07:54:09 AM EST
    After a strong Unity start, I see the hyperpartisan reactives gaining momentum.

    But I did get to rec quite a few comments from people I haven't seen in a while.  That was a bonus.

    [ Parent ]

    Re new servers - they cost too (5.00 / 1) (#58)
    by andrys on Mon May 12, 2008 at 08:16:33 AM EST
    If you're a regular and really value this place, don't miss the 'Donate' button to the right, as they ask for only a few dollars, only as much as we can and none if we can't afford it.  If most regulars gave even a little that would be very effective.

    - Andrys
    Jeralyn, (none / 0) (#3)
    by Joelarama on Mon May 12, 2008 at 01:02:39 AM EST
    Do you allow diaries at Talk Left currently?

    I believe (none / 0) (#7)
    by Dalton Hoffine on Mon May 12, 2008 at 01:08:34 AM EST
    You have to request specifically via e-mail, although I'm not sure if they are accepting new applicants at the moment. I also tried to apply.

    [ Parent ]
    Yes, but it depends (none / 0) (#8)
    by Jeralyn on Mon May 12, 2008 at 01:10:49 AM EST
    I have to be familiar with your writing and feel confident you would abide by the comment rules. You also have to be writing about a topic that is relevant to TalkLeft. Politics or crime. And I doubt I would approve a Hillary basher. Once the nomination is decided, anyone wanting to write in favor of the nominee whoever it is and against McCain would be welcome. I doubt I would approve a diarist who wanted to advocate for McCain.

    Anyone who wants to write a diary should email me and assuming they fit, I'll change their permissions from user to diarist.

    If anyone feels they would be a good comment moderator, let me know. Looks like BTD and I could use a few. You'd have the ability to "hide" comments from public view (but they wouldn't be deleted until I deleted them.)

    [ Parent ]

    I have some time... (5.00 / 1) (#14)
    by Rkymtnmary on Mon May 12, 2008 at 01:34:05 AM EST
    I could dedicate to comment moderation.  Beyond doing so on my own blog, I don't know much more than beyond that.  I'm an RN with some decent writing ability (so I'm told..LOL) - been published professionally and enjoy proof-reading and editing.  That's all I can bring to the table so if someone thinks they could explain what's needed to me, I'd be happy to donate some time.  You can take a look at my blog (which I don't attend to nearly as often as I'd like but it'll give you a sense of me.  The last thing you could define me as is an Obamanista.     Good thing I AM a psych nurse - if not, between him and "b"ush, I'd be bouncing off the padded walls long ago!  Thanks for all you do...I loved your coverage on the Libby Disgrace.  I have a great deal of trust in you.  Thank you.  Mary

    [ Parent ]
    Thanks, Mary (none / 0) (#24)
    by Jeralyn on Mon May 12, 2008 at 01:57:41 AM EST
    I'll save your comment and if I get to that point, you may hear from me. There's no writing involved, just clicking "suppress" or "hide" when you see a comment that violates the site rules.

    [ Parent ]
    I can volunteer for moderator duty. (none / 0) (#42)
    by Fabian on Mon May 12, 2008 at 07:34:50 AM EST
    I get a bit annoyed that I can only slap a "1" on the wastes of bandwidth comments.  

    It's also best to make the obviously disruptive comments vanish ASAP before they take over the comment thread.  

    [ Parent ]

    Jeralyn, If I may..... (none / 0) (#84)
    by kdog on Mon May 12, 2008 at 11:43:56 AM EST
    make a suggestion on choosing a moderator....please be sure they moderate only, and don't become critics merely out to censor comments they don't like.

    One of the many reasons I am such a fan is that opposing viewpoints are tolerated and encouraged here, as long as the rules are followed.  I'd hate to see any comments with legit criticisms of the eventual Dem candidate disappear into the ether.

    This probably goes without saying, but Fabian's comment makes me nervous about the future of the blog with user moderators.  Thanks!

    [ Parent ]

    Can we write individual essays and send them... (none / 0) (#10)
    by OrangeFur on Mon May 12, 2008 at 01:20:40 AM EST
    ... to you for front-page consideration, with no hard feelings if they're turned down?

    Thanks.

    [ Parent ]

    Front Pagers (none / 0) (#12)
    by Jeralyn on Mon May 12, 2008 at 01:31:40 AM EST
    Must be lawyers. This really is a legal blog. Diarists don't have to be lawyers.

    When we get several (3 or 4) new diaries, I do an open thread with "diary rescues", linking to diaries to give them more exposure.

    Sorry I didn't respond to Dalton, your email must have come on a busy day. I'll look for it or you can resend it to me. I get more than 400 emails a day, and on days I'm working, I often don't have time to read them all.

    [ Parent ]

    Comment Moderator (none / 0) (#11)
    by Dalton Hoffine on Mon May 12, 2008 at 01:23:08 AM EST
    That might be interesting--I have a little experience doing such, although not at political sites. I'd hope that I abide by the comment policy and know it well enough to be able to keep the peace. Let me know if you'd rather me e-mail you about it or something.

    [ Parent ]
    is it ok to recommend some of (none / 0) (#17)
    by hellothere on Mon May 12, 2008 at 01:46:04 AM EST
    the well informed posters for that position by email to you or do you prefer the request come from them? talk left has a number of very good folks whose writing i enjoy.

    [ Parent ]
    Sure (none / 0) (#23)
    by Jeralyn on Mon May 12, 2008 at 01:56:38 AM EST
    you can recommend someone and I'd ask them. I'm not positive I'll go this way, but if traffic keeps up and the hostility doesn't die down, I will have to.

    [ Parent ]
    thanks (none / 0) (#28)
    by hellothere on Mon May 12, 2008 at 02:38:32 AM EST


    [ Parent ]
    I would like to be a comment moderator (none / 0) (#78)
    by waldenpond on Mon May 12, 2008 at 09:54:20 AM EST
    I don't work currently and hang out here quite a bit. My background is an analyst so I should be able to be impersonal.  I get very annoyed by foul language and although I'm not an Obama supporter, find the name calling annoying also.  My final pet peeve, a few people making too many comments per post so that others don't get to have any input.

    [ Parent ]
    thanks you would be a (5.00 / 1) (#88)
    by Jeralyn on Mon May 12, 2008 at 04:14:46 PM EST
    good one, I'll keep you posted if I go that way.

    [ Parent ]
    Joelarma (none / 0) (#18)
    by Jeralyn on Mon May 12, 2008 at 01:47:20 AM EST
    I just changed your status to diarist. Go right ahead.

    [ Parent ]
    Thanks Jeralyn. (none / 0) (#89)
    by Joelarama on Mon May 12, 2008 at 09:57:10 PM EST
    I will write diaries, but not right away. I asked the question because I'd like to do so in the future, especially as I plan to go back to school (for an LLM) and will have more time.  It's a few months away, though.

    Love your site, and thanks again.

    [ Parent ]

    Anyone know (none / 0) (#6)
    by Dalton Hoffine on Mon May 12, 2008 at 01:07:47 AM EST
    Of any new developments in that Liberty Seven case? I'm working on writing a little book about it and the mockery of justice that particular case has become, so always looking for some new info.

    Thanks. :3

    7 Minutes (none / 0) (#15)
    by Iphie on Mon May 12, 2008 at 01:38:03 AM EST
    What would an average visit time have been prior to the big spike in traffic? I ask because I usually spend considerably longer than that here. Although I do suppose that when I'm really busy, I just stop by to see what's going on.

    On most of blogs (none / 0) (#21)
    by Jeralyn on Mon May 12, 2008 at 01:52:44 AM EST
    it's under 1 minute. For TalkLeft, it hovered was always 2 minutes, then since January and the Iowa caucuses, it went to 3, 4, 5, 6 and now 7. (At midnight it dropped down to 6:45, but that's because we had a lot of hits today from Digg and those kind of referrals are mostly drive by.

    [ Parent ]
    That is because we read every comment here (5.00 / 2) (#59)
    by BarnBabe on Mon May 12, 2008 at 08:23:08 AM EST
    Who has the time to read 365 comments on one diary when 10 new diaries are up every 2 minutes. Here, I take the time to read them all. And well worth it too.

    [ Parent ]
    I dont think most of us (5.00 / 3) (#61)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon May 12, 2008 at 08:25:03 AM EST
    are going to rush back to the blogs that chased us away as soon as the nomination process is over.


    [ Parent ]
    I Definitely Won't Be Going Back To Those Blogs (5.00 / 4) (#66)
    by MO Blue on Mon May 12, 2008 at 08:34:38 AM EST
    They lost credibility as far as I'm concerned. Won't go to blogs when I don't trust what they write.

    [ Parent ]
    i am wondering about the spike in (none / 0) (#19)
    by hellothere on Mon May 12, 2008 at 01:48:13 AM EST
    traffic. we have had the primaries going on for awhile. the spike might be due to the differences currently going on in the party i think.

    The traffic spike (5.00 / 2) (#22)
    by Jeralyn on Mon May 12, 2008 at 01:54:52 AM EST
    has been gradual but steady since the Iowa caucuses.  There's no doubt most of it now is coming from Hillary supporters who feel welcome here and Obama supporters who want to see what we're saying and oppose it. That's why I thnk it will settle down after the nomination. But, you never know.

    [ Parent ]
    Longer read times because . . . (5.00 / 1) (#37)
    by wurman on Mon May 12, 2008 at 06:55:10 AM EST
    . . . more front page stories with links to longer sources (crap videos that buffer & take a great deal of time to load & view--thanks to MSNBC, CNN & Fox), multiple links to the front page stories, fewer drive-bys because of the Jeralyn & Big Tent "policing" (they may tend to stay away after being hidden & deleted &, obviously, banned), more in-depth usage of real data as in vote tallies, maps, charts, graphs, etc. that require "perusal", & much better references to original sources, such as state election centers & many PDF users.

    [ Parent ]
    happy new gigs to TL (none / 0) (#30)
    by pluege on Mon May 12, 2008 at 04:43:11 AM EST


    Maybe I'm divisive... (none / 0) (#31)
    by barryluda on Mon May 12, 2008 at 06:20:55 AM EST
    But Mark Cohen is an idiot and CanadianDem is both an idiot and a coward. He's an idiot for trying to describe BTD as divisive for simply being honest and smart enough to call out other Obama supporters who ARE divisive.  He's a coward for not admitting he was wrong after it was pointed out as plain as day.

    With friends like this, Obama doesn't need enemies.

    And, of course, I'm divisive since I put "ARE" in all caps.  :)

    if you're campaigning against McCain (none / 0) (#45)
    by Lisa on Mon May 12, 2008 at 07:38:14 AM EST
    Then you're campaigning for Obama (if he's the nominee).

    In a race with only two choices, if you're against one, you're for the other.

    That's the place I can't go after all Obama and his backers have done.

    So yes, I guess traffic will taper off a little if people like me go away - after being Democrats for our entire lives, we just can't hold our noses and vote for a misogynist and his team.

    Is there a good site for us to gather?  The newly declared Independents?  Much as I appreciate this and other good sites, the time is rapidly approaching where we must bid adieu before we are no longer welcome.

    Lisa (5.00 / 2) (#54)
    by Kathy on Mon May 12, 2008 at 08:09:08 AM EST
    I've said this before, but I think it's pretty clear that everyone is welcome here so long as they follow the rules.  This site is tightly moderated to keep things civil, not to drown out opposition.  We can freely rail against our useless public figures, but not against fellow posters.  (except trolls!)

    That being said, we all have to make our choices, though I certainly have not given up on our girl.  I am making more calls to WVA today and tomorrow, then Wed morning I start off making calls to KY and OR.  Heck, I might even fly out to Oregon to stomp for my lady.  One of my favorite hotels is out there, so why not?

    [ Parent ]

    Lisa, (5.00 / 1) (#69)
    by kenoshaMarge on Mon May 12, 2008 at 08:55:08 AM EST
    I spend a lot of time at the Confluence and Corrente which are my favorites followed by No Quarter and Taylor Marsh. I also like the Tennessee Gorilla Women.

    If Obama is the nominee I won't feel comfortable here anymore and the posts will all be filled up with comments by the very people that I try to avoid now.

    [ Parent ]

    I think (5.00 / 2) (#74)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Mon May 12, 2008 at 09:21:15 AM EST
    Maybe Riverdaughter will have a place for you and me.  If you've never been there:

    Link

    She has a nice article up today about how the Obama campaign is going to try and scare us with Roe.  So we need to vote for the misogynistic campaign because of Roe?  Now there's a knee-slapper.

    I'm with you.  I'm a long-term Democrat, but now I'm independent and I'll be looking for places that support 3rd party candidates and write-ins.  I don't buy into the neoDemocrat "ideals" (what, no working class?) and this basically means I don't have a party to identify with anymore.  I don't really care who wins the GE this time.  Actually, I think a Pelosi/Reid/Obama trifecta scares me more than divided government.  Pelosi/Reid have shown that they roll over for the master, and it would be worse if the master was a (neo)"Democrat".

    I'm all ears for whatever you find.  I have a Gmail email account listed in my preferences.

    [ Parent ]

    What you said TeresaInSnow2 (5.00 / 1) (#76)
    by kenoshaMarge on Mon May 12, 2008 at 09:31:25 AM EST
    I don't really care who wins the GE this time.  Actually, I think a Pelosi/Reid/Obama trifecta scares me more than divided government.

    Struck me because I finally realized that this is what I have been feeling for some time now. I've been voting for 40 years and this is the first time I have ever felt that way. It is also the first time that I won't be voting as a Democrat.

    If Obama does become the nominee and if he continues to be the media "darling" then why vote? We will then only have the candidates and the Presidents that the media allows us to have. Sorry but that's not my idea of a free society and I will not support it.  

    [ Parent ]

    You vote (none / 0) (#77)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Mon May 12, 2008 at 09:44:37 AM EST
    for a third party, write-in or whatever, so that they know that you didn't just stay home to take care of your family or whatever.  Instead, you showed up and you rejected them.

    [ Parent ]
    Sorry (none / 0) (#80)
    by kenoshaMarge on Mon May 12, 2008 at 11:01:05 AM EST
    if I didn't make myself clear. I will vote because I always vote. I was taught and still believe that voting is both a civic duty and a ticket to complain. If you don't vote you have no right to complain IMHO.

    I have all ready decided that I will write in, vote for a couple of Dems down ticket that I support, one Green Party candidate that I think is great and then go home comfortable with my duty and my conscience. Oh and my Patriotism in spite of someone here the other day that suggested that "all Patriotic Democrats would vote for Obama" if he was the nominee. So now it's not only Republicans telling me what I must do to be a Patriot, it's Democrats telling me how I must vote to be one. I am keep telling myself I can't get any angrier. And then I find out that I am angrier still.

    [ Parent ]

    I'm with you (none / 0) (#81)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Mon May 12, 2008 at 11:07:57 AM EST
    I know what outrage fatigue is all about. ;-).

    [ Parent ]
    Talk left - to visit or not to visit (none / 0) (#86)
    by CST on Mon May 12, 2008 at 12:24:57 PM EST
    Well, I would say, come anyway!!  I am an Obama supporter who likes to come here to see opposing points of view and point out things that may or may not convince the other side.  Also, I think it's important on any blog to have different perspectives.

    If you like McCain, or just can't stand Obama, maybe this will be the place to convince people, or be convinced.  I don't think you ever have to be afraid of not fitting in.  No one here should be able to bash you regardless of their views.

    You may even find some things that change your mind, or not.  Also, if you don't want to vote "misogynist" you may want to re-think McCain as well.  He's rabidly pro-life and also voted against an equal pay bill - that would allow women the right to sue for discrimination.

    [ Parent ]

    There are more than two choices.... (none / 0) (#87)
    by kdog on Mon May 12, 2008 at 01:20:31 PM EST
    at least their better be because I couldn't stomach voting for McCain or Obama...or in a logshot, McCain or Clinton.

    Check out Steve Kissing, Gravel/Kubby/or Barr with the Libertarians, Frank Moore, Ralph Nader, maybe Ron Paul or Jesse Ventura.  Point being their are choices the mainstream media and two-party duopoly don't want you to know about...for good reason.  They are very dangerous to the crooked status quo.

    [ Parent ]

    Hey all... (none / 0) (#64)
    by madamab on Mon May 12, 2008 at 08:32:55 AM EST
    since this is an open thread, I thought I'd post this jaw-dropper about McCain and his oh-so-savory friends.

    Yes, the lobbyist he chose to chair the 2008 National Convention has ties to the junta in Myanmar.

    Edwards Speaks Out (none / 0) (#82)
    by waldenpond on Mon May 12, 2008 at 11:26:53 AM EST
    Edwards says Clinton must be careful per CNN.
    I am getting really sick of this (5.00 / 1) (#85)
    by Kathy on Mon May 12, 2008 at 11:52:34 AM EST
    paternal, "we'll let you stay in, but you better be nice or we'll kick you out" bullsh*t.  It is soooo insulting, and soooo makes me donate more time and money to Clinton.

    Edwards has been the biggest disappointment in this entire thing, I must say.

    [ Parent ]

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