In many ways, it was a big fucking deal for me, but maybe it should be a BFD for the rest of you Kossacks, too. Or for the next lurker, like me.
I live deep in the red clay heart of west Texas, far from the metropolitan centers that went for President Obama in 2008/2012. Like most everyone around here, I was raised on religion, racism and guns (not necessarily in that order), but early on, I strayed from the 'compassionate conservative' path of my parents. At 20, my first vote was for Mondale/Ferraro. I wasn't always a regular, nor a well-informed voter in the years that followed, but eventually, that changed. I suppose I can thank George W. Bush for that.
And Dkos. I lurked a couple years before I registered. Even as I lurked, both before and after I signed up, I was impressed, yet intimidated by the vast swath of knowledge and activism surrounding me. (And not a little disgusted at the pie.) Still, I learned to be more socially and politically aware. Beyond that, though, I was also inspired to become more involved in the process. There are a number of Texas Kossacks along the way that have led by example. For example, hanging with my GUS (Giving Up Smoking) group one day, my friend Wordsinthewind was chatting about the upcoming local convention. I wasn't sure if I was ready to take another step and become a delegate, but it did sound interesting. She encouraged me to go to the local convention (held a few weeks ago), and, whaddya know!? I'm a delegate.
The local convention, held a few weeks ago, was, um, interesting...