It seems I've arrived at a milestone of sorts.
After almost ten years as a contributing member and even more as a viewer, I've gotten to a nice, round number for a post count. Comparatively, it's not much and really only a mark. More prestigiously, it is a mark of the valuable time spent here at DU with like-minded folks that is important.
Our Democratic Underground Special Express is a tractive force of ideas, expression and this year especially, of refuge and comfort. It seems there is a car for everyone. From Skinner, EarlG and Elad whose concept, engineering and hard work got this locomotive on the tracks and keep it running, the rest of you who keep the firebox full or help conduct the cars of sometimes unruly passengers and finally, to those whom arrived at their destination and are no longer with us, all of you, past and present, I want to salute with a simple and sincere thank you.
As for me, I look forward to a new horizon come November and another twenty years or better running down these tracks. Today however, I think will be spent in the bar car. I'm buying.
= new reply since forum marked as read
Just you being here as a contributing member, an active reader and occasionally commenting is all that is needed. Having said that, congrats on your 5.000 post! 
And here's to 5000 more! 
