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It sounds like you will be very happy here. 
Welcome!
Btw, bars are a fairly public place and 2nd hand smoke to non-smokers can put them in a position to have to pay huge medical bills for something they didn't choose. I support a select area designated for smoking. Anyway, good list there. Welcome.
I reached 10 posts and I got an email to introduce my self.
I felt kinda funny doing it but I did it anyways.
Welcome!
The GOP is not what it used to be and I've been around long enough to make that assessment. When your party leaves you it's time to make adjustments.
and Welcome from another new guy.
It's always a party.
When I turned 18 at the end of the Reagan era I registered to vote as a Republican. Then I started paying attention to politics. Needless to say, I quickly realized my mistake, but at least I too can say I'm a former Republican.
Last edited Fri Aug 17, 2012, 03:29 PM - Edit history (1)
slowly and painfully from the direct effects of of smoking and second hand smoke you will wish they would have banned cigarettes years ago.
"Our jails are full of people that have harmed no one?" Do you think they are in there because,
maybe, they sang too loud in church? 
All that said, welcome to DU.
They invite everyone in and in that respect, I'm delighted that there is a ban on smoking in public places such as restaurants and bars. I hate that people can smoke right outside the doorway of buildings...it's like running a cigarette smoke gauntlet.
But, I'm delighted you are here. It's good to see that we as humanity have a chance, you're proof.
positions are real, you should fit in fine.
I do smoke , have ate at olive garden.
And I do not have a bikini area.
But we do shave our husky every year in the summer time.
From your post, it looks like you'll be a fine upstanding netizen.
Some advice. Learn the DU tools. Be friendly and polite, even when others are not. There's always ignore, but I've been here years and years and have only used it thrice. Try to be helpful. Supplying important info to an existing thread is always welcome, and often valuable.
Good luck, our new friend.
Welcome to DU!
R&K (recommended and kicked)
Recommend is the Rec box at the bottom of your post. Lots of Recs gets you to the Greatest Page. Kicked means a new post in the thread. It kicks you to the top of the forum. Sometimes kicked is expressed thusly 
a Republican as were others here.
Speaking as a former narrow minded pinhead and ex member of the republican party...
WELCOME HOME! 
welcome, 
Ex-Republican here, too.
Bring them along. Welcome to DU!
You are in friendly territory
Welcome. You sound like one of us.
instead of this "turd in the punchbowl" strategy? 
Welcome. I'm sure you will find you made the right choice.
experience here is a pleasant one.
You basically fit in.
you may be surprised to find yourself in passionate debate about pit bulls, Olive Garden, breastfeeding, kids on airplanes, H-1bs and Julian Assange.
We don't get too very many of you type around here. Recent converts I mean.
I'm sorry your party no longer fits you. I mean that. I don't know exactly what's went awry with them to lead them to where they currently are, but we'll be glad to have you.
Did anyone mention yet you have to buy the first round on election night? No? Well, now you know!
I'm encouraged by all the replies to your introduction. I never got that memo, and have only been here a few times. I don't input a lot because I find that I end up reading for hours sometimes just to take it all in! It is a great forum.
I agree with every issue you list, including the smoking ban. I was a smoker for 45 years and quit only a few years ago, so I am empathetic to the non-smoker issues as well. If we stop approaching it through the veil of right/wrong we could make great strides in coming to an equitable solution. But then - isn't that applicable to so many issues we come at with swords drawn instead of a yearning to find compatible solutions?
My interpretation of the second amendment, however, doesn't usually agree with other interpretations, so when I agree with you on supporting the 2nd amendment, I do that with that codicil attached. (On a similar note, I have been told by some that my 14th amendment thoughts are different from some as well! But that's another issue and not for this topic.)
What are your favorite topics? There are so many here, and most of the threads are so interesting, that it is hard to check them all out. In addition to all of the other great topics, I love the fact that politics and religion are not taboo as they are on many sites. I love a spirited debate about both - without stooping to name-calling and hate-mongering. Spouting hate turns me off to anything that might follow.
Welcome....hope to read your thoughts one day. Literally.
is a better option.
Be well, and keep endeavoring to fight for the greater good.
I agree with almost everything on your list, except a couple.
We'll work on those.
The world needs more folks like you!
So glad to see you here.