I am honored that from my first post last fall I have been warmly welcomed here on your board. Without your list of names at the top of the board which included mine, I would not have found my way here.

I feel a great deal of Hiraeth for the days gone by and the voices that are missing.

The years you refer to that the boards evolved to where they are now - I missed all of it and therefore am behind the learning curve in truly understanding in the same way as you all who have lived it. Oh there were food fights back in the glory days - and some very real angst - but nothing on the level I have observed these past few months.

I am in complete agreement with you that no one should have to provide a launch pad for someone's vitriol. And I do agree with you that people were more well-mannered and less polarized in the past.

But I am not sure it is the verbal attacks that are the main, or only, factor in people no longer posting. For instance, it is rare to see political discussions on facebook now – people gave up. I can't begin to tell you how many times I was put in facebook jail or had my posts deleted. Travel beyond 2020 until today - I think people became reluctant to express themselves anywhere.

We had the innocent times on MSNBC and initially on the private boards - although I do often wonder if we were lab rats -being read like a sociology project from some election scientist. That innocence - that belief that we could shout at the top of our lungs - like a 'This I Believe' essay for Edward R Murrow - and others would either applaud or toss a tomato. That is gone.

Now we have had to familiarize ourselves with words like 'doxxing' or 'swatting' or a plethoria of heinous acts that those who have smashed their own moral compass feel comfortable in taking.

I have a great deal of respect for you, Stoogie, Johnny and Ken C – anyone who is trying to provide a platform for conversation. It cannot be easy and those who participate should respect your judgement on the tone of the platform. Especially myself – I have been gone and don’t know who is on first, what is on second…and so on.

I feel appreciation for each minute I get to spend on your board and at Stoogie's. Ken C's was a new adventure today - but hey, I got to meet Kermit and Fozie Bear, so there is that.

Don’t forget – you owe me a word this week. 😊

Dara