Whata week...Mudcat's final post

This week has been quite an experience, to say the least. Monday night, I was saying to myself, “You ignorant hillbilly, how in the world did you manage to get yourself in such a mess?” Today, I can honestly say I'm glad I accepted Time's offer.

When I told Time I would do it, my intention was to help create some honest dialogue on how a Democrat can take back rural America in '08. There's been great dialogue here and on other sites as well. The Kos, for one, beat the hell out of me (I ain't going to say it was unjustified), but “mcjoan” posted a piece on there yesterday called “Who is the Rural Voter?” She took a shot at me, but so what? Her post was great and used the Center's poll to inspire a huge and wonderful dialogue on the very real possibility that the right Democrat can take back rural America. Now I ain't going to lie. Boy, do I wish all the dialogue could have been started without me having to leave my body parts all over the progressive blogosphere. The most important lesson I've learned about the netroots this week is you guys are a tank. I stand as a living testimonial to this because I've been run over by that tank.

I want to thank all the “bloggers” who have given me helpful tips and pointed me to information on blogging and the blogosphere. Yall (excuse me, you guys) have taught me about “trolls”, “sockpuppets”, and “meatpuppets”. And while I still can't tell exactly tell who's who, I do know the correct terms other than simply “cheatin' sons of bitches”.
I really enjoyed participating in the “comments”. They were fun, especially when my computer was working properly. With my personality, I could easily see myself getting addicted to this.

To P. Luk, you proved a lot to me this week. That is that Democrats from different areas of the country and different cultures can warm up to each other through honest dialogue. It meant a great deal to me last night when the guy leading the “Find Mudcat and Hang Him Posse” showed compassion for me, and decided to let me go “with time served”. I hope to meet you in person at some point.
At your request, which I thought was prudent, I backed off on writing “the right candidate” so “fairness” and “equal time” doesn't become an issue.

However, let me write one sentence on the “right candidate”. If “equal time” is truly “equal time”, you'll only have to listen to one sentence from the other candidates' staffers. Here's my one sentence: “Give my boy John Edwards the nomination, and not only will he carve out enough rural votes to win, he'll bring home at least 350 electoral votes.”

Thanks again to everybody, and I'll try to get on “comments” this afternoon.