I'm referring to a theme touched upon in a recent PBS Frontline documentary. It's not about the candidates or the caucuses. It's not about criminals in the White House, but it is a VERY current topic that will most likely impact each of us in one way or another. Growing Up Online is what I'm talking about... how today’s youth is growing up with the incredible influence of the world wide web - quite different from how most of us here grew up. It deserves the attention of all of us in the online community who are parents, teachers, and concerned citizens. The topic is fascinating, and as with all new technology, the implications range from frightening to excitng.

If you’re so inclined, read on... I've summarized much of what was covered. It's really worth seeing and is bound to bring up quite a variety of reactions. Check out the poll, too, about how much time your kid(s) spend online....

Here I am cruel world... and I’m not going anywhere. Who cares?? I’m not sure... but in my delusional online life, I fancy that someone might notice if I show up or not! Maybe, maybe not! Oh well! Luckily, at times, I do have a life away from the Internet, so I’ll survive either way! Unfortunately, I’ve noticed many a DKos blogger opting to quit and leave us for dead. I’m sincerely quite sad about this since it seems the bad behavior of a few is causing many of us to be "punished." The loss of so many articulate and positive voices who once felt this place was worth their time and effort is bound to have a negative effect.

So, it’s with great fanfare, I announce to you – I’m not going anywhere!

I realize there are now a couple of diaries up expressing similar sentiments, but I wrote this last night before seeing any others. Forgive me if it's beating a dead horse, but I wanted to say my piece, too. Here it is...

This is a tale relating two of my visits to our nation’s capitol. The long and short of it is that one of my trips to Washington ended up being all about War, the other trip, about Peace... It's about the war in Iraq, the way events unfolded to impact my own life, the way I - like many here - found inspiration for becoming an activist, a Democrat, an outspoken person, a letter-writer, a campaigner, a blogger, etc.

Please go below the fold and read this, my first diary, about how I came to be here, via two trips to DC! You might be able to relate to some of it and/or find inspiration to make your own trips there sometime soon...