As someone who had given up on the idea that people of common sense had any input into what the political process had become, I am happy to be proven so wrong.
I have Raising Kaine to thank for showing me the error of my ways and for re-kindling my participation in the process. For getting me off my a** to work for Webb and to re-discover that participation is a duty I had shirked for too long.
I have enjoyed the many thought provoking diaries, comments, discussions and information freely shared here. The squabbles, the "puff" pieces, the posts I could not agree with and the occasional "what the hell are they talking about now?" pieces that spurred me to go and find out. And not always to "friendly" places.
Many of us are isolated in areas that are somewhat hostile to our core beliefs. Raising Kaine helped to give me the courage to step outside my comfort zone and once again stand up for what I knew was right.
Raising Kaine has provided this outlet for people to come together and to make a difference. Even I, someone who still views the computer only as a necessary evil, can see the enormous value of this place.
To teacherken, who certainly lives up to his name, Catzmaw who often makes me laugh out loud, KathyinBlacksburg who presents issues I often miss, drmontoya who makes me glad there is an active generation behind me, and to ALL of you who make me think, make me question, and make me pay attention, thank you. And many thanks to Lowell, Rob, Josh, Brian and the rest of you who work so hard behind the scenes (and in front).
So thank you Raising Kaine. You really did help teach an old dog new tricks...