= new reply since forum marked as read
I'd say you'll fit in fine, but you've already been around awhile.
Don't discount making friends here. I've made a lot of friends on DU and it really makes it a lot more fun being here whether in the serious issue threads or the frivolous humorous ones.
You've already gotten to know a lot of us, and that will only get better. Enjoy the ride...we're all on it together. 
I'm glad to be anywhere.' Keith Richards said that on stage, lol. 
I think people have a tendency to want to reach out, want to connect with others. Of course real life trumps the net. But it's pretty badass to talk with people all over the world. It connects me with humanity. Often it's better than dealing with traffic jams or bars or other frustrations away from home.
There's lots of awesome people here at DU. The ones I like most are the ones who aren't trying to be 'cool' with every post. I don't go much for cliques. It's natural though, to like some more than others. All the folks you mention seem super cool to me too. I picture them as someone I'd get along with in person.
Sometimes a poster appears rude or hostile but I assume they're having a bad day or hour. In some cases, a bad life. There's pressures out there beyond our own. Be yourself. That appears just fine to me KMOD!
Glad you are back!
for our clique name. 
Stick around, we have people to see and banks to rob yet. 
I had a feeling we'd see you posting again. Once DU gets its hooks in you it hard to shake it off. 
A couple of tips:
When posting in a contentious political forum, know when to exit the discussion unless you just like to argue, which some people do. You don't have to "win" the argument. If you are just focused on winning an argument you may lose focus on what is true. Truth is more important than being a keyboard warrior.
Do not focus on the number of replies you are getting to your threads. Focus on the views, especially here in the lounge. Sometimes people like what you have posted, but don't feel a need to reply. It happens to me frequently. I'll sometimes get messages like, "I really like your stories about trucking and read them every time I see them, but I don't always reply." If you are not getting a lot of replies, but are still getting plenty of views, I'd consider it a good thread and a worthwhile post.
