... but then, there are the days like the past few here at TPM. (and Speak Up, You Never Know What Might Happen.)
With all the crap, we all have to deal with on a daily basis it is days like the last few that, for me, make it bearable. I can think of nothing more rewarding than what you guys and gals did to help out a friend, that, I am guessing none of you have actually met in the flesh.
THINK ABOUT WHAT WAS DONE. IN LESS THAN A WEEK AN ONLINE GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE NEVER MET GOT INVOLVED AND HELPED OUT A FRIEND IN NEED.
So often I have seen folks stand on the sidelines and watch the world go by when JUST A WORD, A WORD could make all the difference to someone.
I feel I can speak with authority on the "just a word or two" statement above because I saw what can happen if someone just speaks up. I wanted to help out a friend and just TYPED the words and look what happened.
So the next time you wonder whether you should speak up remember what happened here on TPM this week, and just say what is on your mind. By the way, I still have a computer if it is needed.
I put the following on a couple of blogs today but it bears repeating:
PLEASE take the time to enjoy the ... don't know the right word... How about... "GLOW" of helping a friend out.
You ALL deserve a tremendous pat on the back.
I sincerely hope we can keep things going with this "TPM Helpers Club" in some way.
To everyone THANK YOU FOR doing 2D right. IT MADE MY DAY.
To you 2D, pen to paper... "U.S." can hardly wait.
So I ask you to REALLY keep the feeling you have in your hearts today, alive by feeding it once in a while by helping out a friend or even a stranger.
I would also ask that we figure out a way to make this group a permanent fixture on TPM. I don't really know how to do it, I just know that we should. If ANYONE can figure out a good way to keep it going AND making a difference "speak up".
Again, THANK YOU ALL for this, I am proud to be associated with each and every one of you and hope it is OK that, in the future, I call you all:
MY FRIENDS, MY VERY GOOD FRIENDS!
VTY,
O¿O
PS: Grouch, I envy you.
Please tell us your thoughts on the permanence of the TPM Helpers.
April 24, 2009 10:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
It is nice to have friends. I have been without for a long time
April 24, 2009 12:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
2D,
Partner, I would guess that you have been without not nearly as long as you suspect. Granted you may not have know about them until recent but they were there. Believe me I know, I really wanted to have the honor of saying 2D posts with a machine I sent him.☺
Really though I hope this makes you feel as good as it made me feel.
E
N
J
O
Y
!
April 24, 2009 12:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Since I am unable to do this personally, please know that I am giving you a huge virtual hug!
So appreciate you and your contributions here and everywhere. You create positive ripples........
Thanks.
April 24, 2009 12:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
AS,
THANKS, I appreciate it.
Back at you too.
April 24, 2009 12:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
How about this thought? Random or not, acts of kindness bind us in a more bearable way than torture. Trite, no?
Face, I was telling Mr. leftyloosey last night how this amazing thing just happened; how a bunch of TPMers who don't yet certainly DO know each other made this thing happen and how we all love one another although most of us wouldn't recognize each other on the street, and who knows we might not be able to tolerate living together for more than a day- and how very important double D is and you are and The Grouch is and Thera is and Barefooted and all the people we read so often are, to all of us. We are a community that couldn't exist a few years back! It's difficult not to ramble.
For a long time now I have been thinking about this country's need for helping. It may have first occurred around Thanksgiving- it was certainly after the election, after the weeping relief of it- when I had this idea that a movement could begin for helping to feed struggling people which would also be about exercising our personal budgeting skills and developing our sense of the responsibility we NEED to take for what we spend to live. The context at the time was the nation's bumping up against the painful truth of our economic plight- or maybe just my own bumping. So I would invite you and several other neighbors and good friends to a pot luck. Each of us would contribute something especially tasty to the meal from our own normal menu but we'd calculate the cost of the dish. We'd bring that amount too, effectively paying twice and sharing once. Then the money and maybe some recipes would be collected and donated to a soup kitchen or to some community minded organization larger than our little group and each one of us would go home and rinse and repeat the hosting, cooking, collecting, donating. In my mind this would spread across the country like progressive politics. Sweet, huh?
Then along came 2D's practical need and what it meant to be without him, nudging my focus to local, more personal events. I am proud to be able to help in my small way just as I am proud to be acquainted with this community in my small way. I love the friendliness of it. But I have questions for you. Are you thinking of a TPM Helpers "bank" or "credit union" sort of thing? If not, how would need be assessed? This helping source could take on the nature of a wishing well, which is alright with me- I always have wishes. Need is another thing and harder to define.
Thanks, Face.
April 24, 2009 1:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
As appealing as an on-going fund for helping people sounds, there are tremendous logistics involved.
We were, frankly, able to put this together in a VERY short amount of time...My initial reaction is that we might want to consider just keeping an ear to the ground and respond, as necessary, to needs we hear about.
One of the biggest drawbacks I can to see to this sight is our inability to connect behind the scenes. I'd like to suggest that everyone who wants to be able to connect through back channels, add their e-mail address to the bio field on their blog page. That way others can connect w/ them as the need arises. For any who wish to maintain their privacy (as I do) it is easy to set up a Yahoo account under your screen name (mine is stillidealistic@ymail.com and anyone may contact me, whenever...) That makes it easier to talk about potential needs w/o having to put it on the boards until we are sure the person we are trying to help, is willing to accept the help.
Just a thought.
April 24, 2009 2:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
LL and SI,
These are the things we need to figure out and whether this will be worth the effort. I tend to think it might but it will have to be a group effort.
SI, if you need anything else from me let me know.
EARTHQUAKE in SE OHIO today epicenter 4 miles from my house. WOW
April 24, 2009 3:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Bwakfat@yahoo.com
Of course.
April 24, 2009 7:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
DD may get the computer today. My update is here.
I'll be back in a couple of hours to comment on this blog about this blog. :-) It sounds great.
April 24, 2009 1:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
This whole project (which I was fortunate enough to catch on to yesterday) gave me goosebumps. That I couldn't actively participate was annoying but I took great pleasure in watching this group come together for such a worthy project. I am awed by the depth of your kindness--it makes me feel better about being a Progressive, and American. Thank you all for such a wonderful item to follow.
Also, more selfishly, DD will be back!
April 24, 2009 3:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
YD,
Thanks, keep an eye out, we MIGHT be keeping this "TPM Helpers Club" going.
Also, I am a big believer in karma and good thoughts lead to good things.
THANKS YD, THANKS!
O¿O (aka Face)
April 24, 2009 3:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Face gave me a heads up on this post and thought I would add it to this thread...
http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/04/24/the_ones_that_got_away_22/
I don't know if they found it on their own, or did it as a result of an e-mail I shot Josh so he would be aware of what we were up to, but I was happy to see that they care that we are doing good stuff on the site!
April 24, 2009 6:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
SI,
You did that. WELL DONE
April 24, 2009 7:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
O¿O
Some of us haz met. If you live in the East, maybe we can meet YOU. I hope you are feeling betters. I know you've had it rough lately.
Come by here sometime, if'n you can.
http://www.lingr.com/room/TPM-aholics
April 24, 2009 7:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
BF,
Deal! And THANKS, I have one more round of vocal chord scraping on Monday, totally knocked out day, God I hope this ends this crap.
You all should come to the hills of southeastern Ohio. They are "beeuuutiful" right about now.
April 24, 2009 7:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ah, here you are. Yes, I think "glow" is the right word for what went on last night. I have to admit I was a little nervous about it--not because I thought it wasn't the right thing to do. It was most especially the right thing to do. I have privacy issues, and that's where I was coming from. I wasn't sure how DD would take having his plight aired so publicly, but it seems he's okay with it, and I'm thrilled--more than thrilled--with the spontaneity and the outcome. It did this old heart great good. I actually have never witnessed anything like it in all my years on internet boards.
I've included my email address in my profile, and I agree that it's probably the best way to go the next time something like this comes up. I love the overwhelming heart of this group. I wouldn't want that to die out any time soon.
I've been trying to read DDs response but I keep getting a virus warning whenever I go there. I don't know what that's all about. Has it happened to anyone else?
April 24, 2009 8:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
He is blogging from a public computer at his local library right now...could that have anything to do w/ it? You are not the first to mention it...
Ramona, I was concerned about his privacy as well, and was talking to him behind the scenes to get his buy in before putting it on the boards, but as it turned out, I think having it go up turned out to be a good thing this time.
I also added my e-mail address to my profile. If they aren't going to give us the ability to contact each other, we'll just have to do it on our own!
April 24, 2009 10:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wish we could throw a huge party for those of you who worked so hard on this.
In this case, words just don't seem to do it. . .
You're Mahvalous!!
April 24, 2009 10:41 PM | Reply | Permalink