Paperdragon: Remembering Dennis P. McCann

Dennis was the first male to friend me on the Vine and he didn't just add me to his list, he actually helped me get around the place a little (the first female was Aine).

And in those early days when I was but a sophomore he helped me and supported me threw some trying times, (remember O-K stalking me)?

In my opinion Dennis is THE HEART of the Vine.

Now that he is gone- it's just a zombie.

(like someone, sorry don't remember who, on another recent thread said it's now NewsWeed)

I didn't know he was gone!!! Why??!!! I love him!!

Synth, sometimes it felt like it, the way some folks on this forum ripped him. I really enjoyed his logical, thought out posts. Sometimes I disagreed with him, but for the most part I did find what he said very thought-provoking and honest. I'll really miss him.

Hi Synthesis,

For me, there are many, but the most memorable was participating in his epic 'Iran: Liveblogging the Revolution' thread. Those weeks were the highlight of my Newsvine tenure, and also marked a watershed moment for social news media in general. For weeks, Dennis and a small but dedicated corps of observers monitored the post-Iranian election events, providing breaking news from within Iran as well as providing background, commentary and analysis - not to mention humanitarian assistance

The time and energy that Dennis spent on this project was not lost to me. I was extremely impressed with his work and looked forward to visiting his column daily. I thanked him then and I thank him now for his dedication and work. ♥

He was absolutely an asset to Newsvine and viners alike. I miss him and feel the void. It was surprising to me how many viners were aloud to attack this man and get away with it, over and over and over again. I realize that the same can be said about others but still....I think that someone or some someones missed the forest for the trees on this one. I think I knew that we would lose him before he was ever gone........sniff.

What is this site?

http://paperdragon.newsvine.com/dennis

It's not linked to my Friends avatar though.

How sad. Why did he leave???

Dennis is always the first to defend me, protect me and to make me laugh... I owe him a great deal and I will always call him a friend, on and off of the vine.

That's all I got to say about that...

I've been here a little while and can say I've always liked his posts.

How sad. Why did he leave???

On one hand, I don't want to speak for DPM; but I'm positive it was partially a reaction to this suspension, as before I arrived, he threatened to leave when Emily suspended him.

Respectfully, comments like these are what I find so unbecoming. You state you don't want to speak for Dennis, yet you go on to say "you're positive." It makes me feel unsafe, it makes me feel uneasy, when you say things like this.

Tyler, I admire your duty to Newsvine, but I find comments like yours here, inappropriate. It is quite possible I am misinterpreting your intentions, but it's also possible you don't realize you are adding fuel to a fire that should have been extinguished eons ago.

I am merely a thorn in your foot, and I realize I am alone in thought, but it doesn't take away the possibility my perception is accurate.

Respectfully, I say these things to you.

You go girl :)

No, Soosalah, you're not alone in thought. Thanx for stating that so diplomatically. One of Dennis's consistencies was his support of Tyler, and his interventions on others who didn't appreciate Tyler, so I also find it distasteful that Tyler does not return favor, especially here, on this thread that is like a funeral wake for Dennis as a dearly departed we cared about.

*counting, 1, 2, 3...*

I'll 4th that thought, Soos.

You state you don't want to speak for Dennis, yet you go on to say "you're positive."

Very disingenuous.

On one hand, I don't want to speak for DPM; but I'm positive it was partially a reaction to this suspension, as before I arrived, he threatened to leave when Emily suspended him.

This means that he might return? I hope he does.

I saw him as a central part of all things good about Newsvine. I especially admire how he stood up against bigotry and hatred. There aren't many other viners like that.

And, Phast Photon, I would be surprised to see him return. Sadly.

That is terrible. We lost a true fighter for peace and love. His Newsvine account was martyred by the JDL.

Soosalah, I have to disagree with you. I think you're taking it a bit far.

I doubt Tyler intended being inappropriate. He just wanted to give us a little bit of history as to why he thought Dennis may have quit. In a way, he was reminding us that DPM quit because he fought hatred like always. He quit to send a message to the viners that are full of hate. As I said earlier DPM's account was basically martyred by the haters and bigots on Newsvine.

He quit to send a message to the viners that are full of hate.

he did? I am not so sure that is the message they got. I think the message they got was, good if we act like read @!$%# heads we can get rid of the SOBs who say things we don't want said and that we don't want the world to know.

I am not blaming him for leaving. @!$%#, I can't imagine talking that much @!$%# without blowing up and getting banned. But after a while when all that is left is a rigged game? people leave, I think Tyler is ok, but Tyler is only one person and very very very young.

I think the message they got was, good if we act like read @!$%# heads we can get rid of the SOBs who say things we don't want said and that we don't want the world to know.

He was only suspended for a week though. Why doesn't he come back then? I think he just wanted to send a message whether people got it or not.

Ladies and Gentlemen -- entering from stage right -- the Enablers:

I doubt Tyler intended being inappropriate. He just wanted....

millerb----thank you. It's difficult to read someone write that they don't know the details of Dennis's departure, then turn around and write that they have insider's knowledge of why Dennis would leave. Just as inappropriate as Tyler's comment. This is a place to "remember DPM" -- not to ease your conscience, or enable the ones doing so. Sorry, Dennis, from what I saw you always stood up for admin at Newsvine, but I can't follow you on this one.

millerb----thank you. It's difficult to read someone write that they don't know the details of Dennis's departure, then turn around and write that they have insider's knowledge of why Dennis would leave.

Look it was a wording mistake on Tyler's part, but he shouldn't torn apart like this. Go easy guys...that's all I'm saying.

DPM's suspension was NOT a bad thing and Tyler didn't view it as a bad thing either. DPM got suspended for sticking to his principles and that is the right way to remember him.

Phast, for a very good synopsis of what happened:

a staff decision that was bad. It let one continuous offender who makes newsvine miserable for a lot of people off of the hook with a hand slap, and left another who is generally regarded with respect by all parties with a much stiffer penalty.

Phast----Might I suggest starting a column in defense of Tyler since that is your stated objective.

Look it was a wording mistake on Tyler's part, but he shouldn't torn apart like this.

Nobody is tearing Tyler apart. If stating that Tyler has spoken inappropriately (when in many opinions he has) is "tearing him apart", WHEN YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW THE FACTS YET, then maybe you'd feel better writing a different article. Just sayin... I don't want to create contention, but I'm asking you to allow those of us who feel hurt for what has happened to Dennis based upon what we feel is a bad staff decision to grieve without the enabling distraction.

I agree, the stated purpose of this article was to share a positive memory of Dennis?

Let's not muddy it up by rehashing the negative and speculating on the reasons for his departure.

@Phast, do you have a positive memory of Dennis?

ok guys, I realize I started this argument since I tried to make someone look less bad. I'm sorry. I just didn't think this was the occasion for someone like Tyler to be badly smeared out of this. But I'm still not going to withdraw my argument. I hope I didn't offend any of you too much. I still love you guys though.

Okay, okay....let's everybody just settle down and remain on the assumption that the main reason we're here is to remember Dennis and his contribution to the site.

Good point Synthesis.

Phast, do you have a positive memory of Dennis?

I already shared mine before I decided to get into this argument with the viners who are actually my friends.

.......

right, sorry, synth

We love you, Dennis.

this is eerily like what happened in a way. I don't think that retelling what happened can be done with no mention of Tyler's part in it. I don't see that a a smear. Just a disagreement about his actions. That has to be allowed or thee is no NV.

I think Dennis's strong point (one of them anyway) was that he was able to make a clear statement within the limits allowed and did so.

Hey feel free with me. I want to hear it when you disagree, you never know, I might learn something that changes my mind.

And if not? I am way cool about agreeing to disagree. We can't all agree on everything. Keeps life interesting.

Just a disagreement about his actions. That has to be allowed or thee is no NV.

There has to be 100% impartiality w/ the NV admin otherwise there will be no NV. The tr0lls have to be suspended but NV admin. can't give the impression of advocating a few viners' viewpoint at the same time.

Thanks for the info. I did just come across the article on which Dennis was suspended, and now I know why he quit. I liked Dennis a lot. I do have to say that before coming to Newsvine, I had a different worldview regarding middle east politics. During my time on Newsvine, however, I've come to see things differently - partly b/c of people like Dennis, who did such a great job of informing people by giving them the other side of the story, and by doing an amazing job of fighing injustice and race hatred, and partly b/c of the underhanded, devious, gangbang tactics of a certain group of hate baiters, who apparently belong to a group with a terrorist history. Due to their intense hatred, I started seeing things a lot differently. So they can thank themselves for turning at least one person's opinion, but not in their favor.

Some people seem to think that the never ending Newsvine war over Muslims was a total waste of time and a detriment to the community. They forget that by the very fact that Dennis and his group were able to humanize the "Great Muslim Menace" that has been so often portrayed, at least some minds were changed and opened up.

For that fact alone, Dennis was deserving of the RAV. His helpfulness, kindness and patience stood him head and shoulders above most on the Vine and miles over those who disparaged him. Simply put, the loss of Dennis is a loss to Newsvine and the principles that originally founded it.

What this group needs to realize is that their incessant hatred and demonization reminds people far too much of the way the Nazis went about dehumanizing and demonizing people in the 30s and 40s. That's the surest way to hurt your own cause.

This dehumanization of the other is how the long road to genocide starts

Dennis will be sorely missed.

his talents and passion are not going to go to waste, but will almost certainly be put to use somewhere where he is actually appreciated by those with the power to support or penalize.

Without a doubt, Synthesis.

I would have to agree that DPM was a voice of calm in the sea of violence against a group of 'people'...

I know he helped create, was owner of and did a lot of the work of the group....

Islam Anti-Defamation League

Who is going to carry the load now?

As to Tyler and NV admin in general...I am losing my respect for them quickly...

Question: Of the controversial Viners who were around in the earliest year, out of the ones who've been banned or even suspended, how many are under the age of 30?

OK -- how many are under the age of 50?

Weren't Eric and Dennis (and whatever others) simply let go for having an "outdated POV." Whereas those with more life experience view this as enriching rather than outdated. Or am I stirring up the pot inappropriately again?

Dennis was one of the most scrupulous Newsviners here when it came to observing the CoH - hell, he helped to create the damned thing.

Which explains exactly why he left. Having endured the constant violation of the spirit of the COH by one viner in particular and having to observe staff do nothing but offer an occassional slap on the hand to that viner was...well...it was simply too much for a man with Dennis' integrity to ignore.

You're quite right, Synthesis. Theirs is an unenviable task. Made all the more so in this particular situation because staff--for whatever reason--has failed to uphold their most important asset. Credibility. They let a trouble-maker keep stirring sh*t up. They let him continue to do so because he was particularly crafty in carrying it out and, I think, because Dennis bruised some administrative egos along the way.

I have to say that the POV is really young--and therefore susceptible to youthful folly as opposed to either outdated, out of the loop, old fogyism, or sage wisdom also according to pov. As a golden oldie myself? I wish there were some older moderators who get what us fogies are saying--but as for Dennis, I think he got sick of the double standard and the stuff stated in 1.61 and made an exit. With eric, I think you may have a case though.

Thank you, millerb.

This dehumanization of the other is how the long road to genocide starts.

Just out of curiosity, are you persuaded by slippery slope arguments when they are used against causes you support?

AdipicAcid

are you persuaded by slippery slope arguments when they are used against causes you support?

And that makes slippery slope arguments invalid somehow?

It's fearmongering, not logic. By your "logic" the possibility that gay marriage could lead to pederasty voids it, and the idea that one terrorist might slip through leads to the government reading your mail, tapping your phone, and waterboarding innocents just in case.

AdipicAcid

I'd say just the opposite. Stop the fear-mongering and that stops the slide in to chaos. Being fearless in the face of threat.

Is there any Jewish person alive that would deny that the constant dehumanization and denigration of Jews led to their genocide?

millerb............. the case with Eric was very similar, youth that hasn't developed the intellectual level that is required with someone as educated as Eric. He also holds a position regarding his knowledge and few here agreed with him.

My question remains unanswered. Nice attempts to say, but, but look over there, though.

Now again. Is the slippery slope only a logical fallacy when it is used to back policies you do not agree with?

AdipicAcid

This dehumanization of the other is how the long road to genocide starts.

Claiming the premise is a slippery slope in no way disproves the premise.

Prove the premise false and then you may claim the slippery slope fallacy.

Au contraire: you have made the assertion, the burden of proof lies entirely on you. Prove to me that as a general case the premise is true.

I agreed with Eric on some stuff and not on other stuff--but it never made me angry as it seems to have made others. I figured he had his ideas and I had mine. I am older so his way of speaking was familiar to me from my youth on the barricades (so to speak) so I could get through it to his meaning most of the time--I still really don't understand why he was kicked off. It was really an overreaction I think. I can understand why Dennis left. It does seem as if things were coming to an impasse.

AdipicAcid

History is proof enough.

Syn...

any further attempts to derail the conversation will be met with deletion without notice.

I like it :)

change of tune here. Has anyone approached Tyler or anyone about Dennis' groups?? It would be really bad if his groups went down.

Syn... 1.77, (in my best southern draw), little ole me has no idea what you are talkin about

I wouldn't gloat just too much Anna my dear. Your buddy the prune was finally banned, and since you and she are pretty much mirror images, well, some might be laughing soon at your Newsvine demise. Anything constructive to add, or are you just in the mood to be nasty?

SYN @ 1.80... we try :)

How do you call someone like this?

Fed up with the clown like behavior of the departed and unlamented peach pit and her hangers on.

"in the middle of a "raging battle"

Raging battle? Is that how you see it Anna, seriously? I see you as a person who has different views than I do, not as my enemy. I don't care for a lot of the nonsense you say, but I surely don't hate you, or see this as some kind of battle. If this place gets you that worked up, you seriously should take some time away from this place.

"Your hero left on his own, deserted his people"

Good grief Anna, he isn't Moses. As far as Dennis goes, those who know him know the reasons he left, and understand completely. I'm sure you see his leaving as some kind of victory or something, but for many, including those who weren't always in agreement with his views, well, they see it as a loss for Newsvine.

Funny? I think it's a testament to the kind of man he is. That so many people have such good things to say about him speaks volumes of his character. We should all be that lucky that so many thought so highly of us. Glad we can amuse you.

eulogy? I think testimonial is nearer the mark.

This is not the only thread Anna where people are talking about Dennis. I repeat, many people. You should of read the entire article Anna, especially the last part:

"Special Note to Trolls, douchebags and purveyors of ethnic, religious and race hatred:

The CoH will be ruthlessly applied on this thread, and I will be merciless about deleting attempts to hijack it. Positive reminiscences only are welcome; all others will be discarded without warning. Go peddle your hate elsewhere"

Please, peddle it elsewhere, plenty other places you can be as nasty as you want, this isn't the place. Why continue to be so petty.

Here you go Anna, something else you can be petty about:

http://winsomecowboy.newsvine.com/_news/2010/02/25/3951544-dennis-is-not-at-all-well?last=1267150062&threadId=800015&sp=0&pc=25&commentId=12603325#c12603325

You should feel ashamed of yourself.

Peach pit musta gone to Imma Docktor Rachel they had a lot in common.

I'm so sad to hear this...so sad.

All is good, he's doing great... soooo never fear... the Godfather is still around :)

Thanks for passing the word, RebelGirl.

Randilly ;) anytime... I know Dennis means alot to all of us... all of us praying for him I am sure made him feel very loved :)

I actually hate seeing long time members of the Vine community leave for whatever reason. For better or worse.. they are what make this place "Newsvine". Whether you disagree or agree with them.. this is what makes this place great. I've seen to many long standing members leave this site for various reasons in my years here which.. in a way.. is sad.

I just came across this thread, and I'd like to thank everyone here for their good thoughts and wishes.

On one hand, I don't want to speak for DPM; but I'm positive it was partially a reaction to this suspension,

No, Tyler.

On 13 January I took a glucose tolerance test. 585. I was immediately put on insulin, which worked fine to lower my glucose level, but unfortunately caused my sodium to drop below what are considered critical levels. I developed a cerebral edema, as all the fluid in my spine headed north into my brain.

My CPK level, the enzyme that measures muscle damage rose from it's normal 100 to over 2400. My vision was so blurry that I was effectively blind. I could hardly breathe, and my back and neck felt like stone. The headache was unbearable, as if I had a truck parked on my head.

Cerebral edemas are almost always fatal. Mine lasted 9 days, and I was unable to get help. Five calls to my Dr and four trips to the ER. during those days yielded no results. I was going to die, and I knew it.

What saved me was a young Dr who thinks outside the box, and took a shot in the dark at the 11th hour. He gave me five liters of sodium in one night - way too much, way too fast - but it's the reason I'm still here. Thank you, Dr. Gokhan Uckaya.

The situation, that of hyponatremia, then became chronic. On the day that I was suspended, and left Newsvine, I was suffering my second cerebral edema. I had had it. I simply couldn't see spending what little time I had left in this world arguing with hate-filled, agenda-driven people who operate with total impunity on this site.

I could name one user who was called "the worst moderator on newsvine" by Calvin, who has received four one week suspensions and two one month suspensions, that I know of. Also, countless one day suspensions. He links to his column in every thread in which he participates, derails virtually every thread in which he participates, even in his own column, and he's still here.

He's apparently above the law.

I couldn't see spending the small amount of time I had continuing to battle that. Simply put, I was dying, and chose to focus on things of more importance in the time I had left.

All in all, I had five cerebral edemas over a six month period, any one of whiich could (and should) have been fatal.

It took seven months to recover, but recover I did. It was then that I returned, but Tyler, you decided not to reinstate my account, which could have been done with the flip of a switch. Instead, I had to start this new account. Later my old account was reinstated, though locked. Go figure.

Tyler, I have always defended you. I believe you excel at your job, and I've said so more times than I can count, but I didn't leave because of a trivial undeserved suspension. I left because I was going to die, and under those circumstances, this place lost all importance - though I tried, the best I could, to keep in touch with the great friends I had made over the years on this site.

In a roundabout way, I owe Dennis my job. I'll miss him.

I'm not sure how I deserve any credit for that, but you're welcome.

Thanks, for the updates,Dennis.

I was wondering what was going on, when I came back from my "vinecation". Still, it was good, to see that you are still around.

Randilly

Yeah, I have to agree. It's good to be not dead.

I could name one user who was called "the worst moderator on newsvine" by Calvin, who has received four one week suspensions and two one month suspensions, that I know of. Also, countless one day suspensions. He links to his column in every thread in which he participates, derails virtually every thread in which he participates, even in his own column, and he's still here.

He's apparently above the law.

I know who you're talking about. All of us old timers do. When I think of all the people who have been banned for much lesser offenses I have to agree with you. This person gets away with far too much and has for far too long.

Yeah, you know who I'm talking about. I used to rationalize it, believing that he was kept around because his column generated a lot of traffic, so I began to ignore him, and others apparently followed suit. Now his column is 6 or 7 people just like him all agreeing with each other, and sits there in relative obscurity, so that excuse no longer applies.

But ...meh. I just don't care about that user anymore. My mention of him was more related to the fact that Newsvine never quite became the meritocracy we envisioned. If it did, there'd be some people here who would have been banned but weren't, and some who would have six RAVs by now. That's the sort of site this was meant to be. I just couldn't envision my remaining days being spent fighting people like him. Instead, I chose to spend my time with my wife, and contacting people I cared about throughout my life.

I was dying, I knew it, and I was ready.

#1.105: It's good to be not dead.

Amen to that! And thank you for explaining your absence back then, and the real reason for it. Perfectly understandable - but so happy that you are here now and doing so well! If someone were to ask me what best epitomized Newsvine, I'd post a picture of you.

Thank you. That's high praise coming from you.

I still have chronic hyponatremia, but it's slowly normalizing. I take sodium pills and a cortisone derivative to maintain my sodium levels, but only once in a while.

Weird thing is - we never did figure it just where the sodium was going. Of all the known causes of hyponatremia, I have none.

Through research I found two documented cases like mine in the US, and my Doc found one in Japan. Four people, all male. In a world of 7 billion.

#1.109: Through research I found two documented cases like mine in the US, and my Doc found one in Japan. Four people, all male. In a world of 7 billion.

Incredible. And scary as hell!

And now I am wondering even more about the admonition about watching sodium intake... lately, I'm hearing evidence that people with the lowest sodium levels have the highest death rates from heart attacks. Never heard of "hyponatremia" until today, but it actually makes sense if the death-rate figures are accurate.

Sodium is supposedly linked to hypertension (high blood pressure), and some medical think-tank, earlier this year, actually lowered the recommended daily intake from 2500mg/day to 1500mg/day. Now there are studies indicating that to do so actually raises the risk of death. In your case, you'd be a goner if you fell for that crap. In my case, I have recently decided to stop watching every milligram of sodium I eat and have just decided to go with what I crave. My problem was never hypertension in the first place, but defective valves - so, I figure that as long as I am monitoring my vitals and they stay normal, why should I be obsessed with sodium? And, after hearing your story, I think there is more evidence to favor my take on it than the medical establishment's take on it.

You were darned lucky to have found a doctor who was willing to march out of step and do what he had to do, and therefore saved your life.

I don't think anyone actually knows how much sodium is too much, but I think we both know how much is too little. I think you've done everyone a huge favor by posting your story. Chalk up another + for my hero (you)!

Bitemore just said everything important in #1.108. You embody all that Newsvine is to me.

I just left another thread that's a gathering hole trading stories around someone who's considering a vacation. One point that was pivotal to me was to leave Newsvine structure alone, and just try to get my own needs managed my own way without interfering with the designs of the management, not with a participatory feeling of inclusiveness. That's what keeps me grounded against the power of the trolls, with this dance that they play with mgmt.

And when I think of what it could be like -- your body of work is the prototype of that. You, Dennis, are by far my highest example of what I'd hoped to find here. And your respect and/or advice means more to me than any other.

Thank you for returning. And thank you for recovering against the odds.

(sick joke -- did you discover Things to do in Turkey When You're Dead?)

I don't think anyone actually knows how much sodium is too much, but I think we both know how much is too little.

The problem is that you need a laboratory. There are no home testing kits for sodium levels, like there are for glucose levels for those with Diabetes (which I have). Normal range for sodium is 135 - 145. 130 is hyponatremic. 120 is almost always fatal.

Mine was 110.

Anyay, Gokhan turned me into a test case. Published paper on me. Tht's cool, but I told hikm to hust make sure he names it after me. Soeday, I'd like this to happen:

Dr: "You have McCann's syndrome."
Patient: "Oh no! Not the dreaded McCann's. Anything but McCann!!!"

(sick joke -- did you discover Things to do in Turkey When You're Dead?)

Almost....

And thanks, Storyartist. I really appreciate all of that.

#1.112: Dr: "You have McCann's syndrome."
Patient: "Oh no! Not the dreaded McCann's. Anything but McCann!!!"

OMG! Too funny! Thanks for brightening my day!

:-)

Words aren't enough to express having you back, not just on the Vine but in this world, friend.

After seeing all that you are capable of it would be a real loss to know that you weren't around. Like having a sliver of color leave the world forever. Dennis, its good to know you'll be here.

1 in 7 billion? Damn right you are!

Thanks, Gumwars. I really appreciate your kind words.

I just had something pop into my head. When I returned, on some article, nearing left a comment to the effect that she was thrilled that "Newsvine's most loved user" was back. It was immediately followed by a comment from (I think Soph) who said "and most loathed." Made my day. I kn ew at that point I must have done something right.

1 in 7 billion? Damn right you are!

Well, four, but yeah. Lucky freaking me.

OMG! Too funny! Thanks for brightening my day!

Just be vigilant. Watch out for McCann's.

#1.116: Just be vigilant. Watch out for McCann's.

I'm watching! You bet I am!

:-)

Maybe most watched too! Near dying for a Newsvine story should be against the CoH.

Dennis...good to see the doc took care of you....those who think outside the box are always the best ones. Keep that doc close.

Near dying for a Newsvine story should be against the CoH.

I didn't even get the story. I couldn't see my damn computer!

Keep that doc close.

I live in a different city now, but we're really good friends. He's a great guy. A motorcycle-riding, guitar-playing Captain in the Turkish Navy, and an Endocrinologist who recently did a residency at Harvard.

Damn, Dennis, that's some scary @!$%#.

So glad that things continue to get better and that you decided to come back to NV.

Yeah, it was. Wouldn't wish it on anyone.

So glad that things continue to get better and that you decided to come back to NV.

Thanks.

Dennis,

I am nearly in tears right now...thanks for sharing your story with us. Hopefully, myself and others can borrow from your strength to steel ourselves against the myriad issues, health and otherwise, which can so often seem so overwhelming at times.

It is so wonderful to hear you are doing well, and to have such a great guy among fellow Viners I count as friends, though we have never met, is why I continue to return .

Thank You Dennis, and VB, and bitemore, nearing, and Every Friend for being such positive forces in my life/thoughts when reality so often tries to kick my ass! It is a blessing to find such wonderful souls in what can appear an otherwise seemingly near-remorseless World.

Your Candor and Humor are greatly valued.

Peace

I am nearly in tears right now...

Oh, now don't go doing that....

It is so wonderful to hear you are doing well, and to have such a great guy among fellow Viners I count as friends, though we have never met, is why I continue to return .

Thank you. Really.

#1.123: Thank You Dennis, and VB, and bitemore, nearing, and Every Friend for being such positive forces in my life/thoughts when reality so often tries to kick my ass!

I believe in being helpful whenever I can, even if it is nothing more than a kind word or a good chuckle. It is one reason I appreciate Dennis so much; he is always helpful, or tries to be. But nearly everyone on my friend list got there because they said or did something that helped someone else.

A social site can be a gathering of friends for mutual support, or to share knowledge, or just a way to show that we're all pretty much in the same boat (trolls need not apply). I don't believe in using anonymity to be rude. What I say here, I will say face-to-face.

Anyway, notsojingo, I really appreciate your friendship and what you bring to the Vine.

I really appreciate your friendship and what you bring to the Vine.

Back at ya, in triplicate! Thanks.

((-:

Dennis,

Don't you have SIADH? or IADHS (I can never remember which end to stick the "S")....I had that for a period of time resulting in 4 hospitalizations.

No, test results proved negative, as my adrenal cortisone levels were normal, and so was my pituitary gland. We never did figure it out. Best guess - insulin-induced hyponatremia. The insulin did it - which my first Endocrinologist swore was impossible. He's retired now ;-)

I had that for a period of time resulting in 4 hospitalizations.

Sounds like you're ok now. Good to hear.

Yes, but I hated the sodium pills, took like 15 a day at the start, and unfortunately they started with another medication that made everything taste rotten. I found if I swallowed them and sucked a lemon it helped., but thankfully it done. Insulin did it? Wow, never heard of that before.

Yeah. No other known cause of hyponatremia turned out to be the case. Before the insulin, I was fine (though my glucose level was astronomical). As soon as I started insulin - wham.

What the...it's Dennis!!!

Hey Walt!

Oh no! A sighting of the rare and elusive Walt D. Often hunted and seldom captured, this beast has gained the reputation of one of the quickest of predators and is known to hit and run with relative impunity.

Bring me my gun, Ma! And my beer....

You'll never get him with that gun. Use the beer.

WaltD, input please. What is happening? Where are the rest of the gang?

The cream always rises to the top. And this seems to be a Cream Reunion!

Pokes head out from under Irish rock

I hear rustling.

Hey David!

Pokes head out from under Irish rock

Irish joke alert!

Q: What's the Irish version of foreplay?

A: "Brace yourself, Patrick!"

Okay, I made that up based on a Scottish one and it might not be very funny to anybody else but I'm in a goofy mood.

Can't think of a better bit of nostalgia to find as an article from yesterday! If driving Dennis out of Newsvine isn't the perfect picture to look at with the tracker keeping current content inaccessible!

I hereby claim this subthread in the name of Ireland.

Dennis P McCann...I hereby claim this subthread in the name of Ireland.

I concur and note by extension it should also include all good hearts with even a speck of Irish in 'em!

Of course. We're friendly folks.

We're friendly folks.

Isn't everybody friendly after a few shots of Bushmills?

Sure. That's what kept us from conquering the world.

That's what kept us from conquering the world.

That's another Irish joke I know (not all of them, since after living in England with the English I heard a lot more Irish jokes that were like the way Americans tell Polish jokes, so I'm not going there).

This is some graffiti I read in a portapottie at a craft fair:

Q: Why did God invent whiskey?

A: So the Irish couldn't rule the world!

Yeah, but we found a way around it. Half the world has Irish DNA - and we did it drunk!

Half the world has Irish DNA - and we did it drunk!

Here, just because we're in the majority doesn't mean we're actually RULING the world. Haven't you ever heard of the 99%? ;-)

Half of them are Irish.

Just wait until it it's the tipping point - say 67%. Then I'm going to call for a referendum to rename the planet.

Then I'm going to call for a referendum to rename the planet.

And what would the planet's new name be, then?

Just wait until it it's the tipping point - say 67%. Then I'm going to call for a referendum to rename the planet.

And what would the planet's new name be, then?

{ Randilly is just perched here eagerly waiting, thinking that this oughta be good.}

Take your time, I'm headed to the store for some more fritos......

Dunno.

Ireland?

Dunno.

Ireland?

What the heck? Why Not? I haven't a clue for an alternative.....

Uisce Beatha would make a good name.

Of course. We're friendly folks.

Does that mean I get to join in the fun??? ☺

Isn't everybody friendly after a few shots of Bushmills?

I think this would mean that we should let Mrs. D join the fun with her firewater. ☺♥

Does that mean I get to join in the fun???

Of course! Do you have any Irish in you?

Do you have any Irish in you?

Currently?

Maybe by injection at some past point in my life, but not currently... No.

My husband is mostly English and looks a whole lot like Hugh Laurie. ♥♥♥♥

Shannon, I'll bet you knew what my next question was going to be....

But then she had to go bringing up her husband....

But I do likes me some Killians once in a while. I just don't drink much or very often.

I'm pretty sure that my husband wouldn't like me getting any Irish in me either. ☺

Yes... I'm just as filthy minded as you... Ask Neale.

I'm pretty sure that my husband wouldn't like me getting any Irish in me either. ☺

Yeah, well, I didn't ask him.

Shannon, I'll bet you knew what my next question was going to be....

Sorry, I'll lob it back at you next time instead of trying to hit it. ;-)

We never needed to invade: we've done quite well with infesting.

Always popping for the skilled who get under the hood and work it, oooh kiss that red line baby!! Cheers!!

Wow. I see old timers.

Heya Dennis,

Glad you are still here. There are some good folks on the vine. You are one.

I look forward to reading your comments, as always.

So, how does it feel to be Tom Sawyer?

You're attending your own wake, dude. I'm not sure but I think that means you're either a religious figure now, or part of the next Zombie movie...

Every Irishman's dream...to attend his own wake.

you're either a religious figure now, or part of the next Zombie movie...

Google my domain name....

Muad'dib

<bows>

:)

I didn't have to google it. I've read those books probably fifteen times.

Well, there you go.

I'm trying to think of something funny to say about Dennis and having a penchant the Pain Box but I can't make it not sound vulgar.

Ah, well.

The Gom Jabbar? Eh, piece of cake. And it wasn't even my hand.

Dennis,

So, you saw the stone burner?

Any insights?

(Man what a horrible pun, and completely unintentional. Was meant seriously, so I'll let it stand as I wrote it.)

Yep. ;-)

Selfish.

:)

lol.

And it wasn't even my hand.

See what I mean?

Oh, I knew what you meant. But hey, you can't exactly be a universal superbeing if you can't handle any pain. And man, I do mean any.

I gotta say, it really hurt...but I didn't pull out. I never pull out.

OK -- I get tired of not getting the innuendos, so this time I googled gom jabbar. Man, do I feel old. But hey -- I learned I'm at least human.

got scared for a moment thinking you left, glad I scrolled down. Glad to have you back. Take good care of yourself Dennis

This was 2 years ago. I was ill, and left for a while.

I got better and came back.

Definitely glad to hear you are feeling better.

Really dumb question. What is the JDL?

Second

Dennis, hope you get better man!

Life is too short to fight with @!$%#s all the time.

I really want to come to Turkey and Visit Goblei Tiki and drop in on you. Maybe I can talk Synth into it as well!

Dennis is fab, this is years old and it is making yet another round on tracker's not quite new, new list!

#7: ...Dennis' column it is back up again.

Oh, I am so glad! You know, his column should stand as an example to which all Viners should aspire. It should be there forever... because there is no way it can ever stand for anything less than the man he is. Maybe newbies can see it and decide that this is how they want to be... well, we can hope, can't we...?

#7.2: But, UA or not, if this was done without his agreement, I can't think it's very cool.

But, well, it is rather a high compliment, if it was done without his agreement. NewsWeed saying, essentially, that he stands for something (which he does), and that his column deserves to remain as a prime example to whch we should all strive. Which it is.

And, legally, the User Agreement is a binding contract. In this instance, I am glad, because, seriously, I am too fond of Dennis to want his work to be dissolved.

Imagine if Van Gogh or Picasso, could simply dissolve their art...

Unthinkable.

If Dennis' column is put back up with all of the "troll-deleted" articles back and intact; it is a good thing...

If the "community collapsed" articles are not restored; it points to a larger fallacy regarding Newsvine.

You cannot advertise "Getting Smarter Here" while even tacitly allowing gutter-tactic based censorship...

In my view, the collapses came when the trolls realized that their viewpoints had severe holes poked all through them...for all of the 'vine to see...

I STILL have a HUGE problem with a "community" that can "take down" an article with over 1000 comments already logged...this make absolutely NO logical sense...

Our community has changed drastically in the last year. We are constantly bombarded now. Many of us are drawing back; going on food seeds or animal seeds just to get away from the vitriol.

Dennis, get better. I recall the first time we were worried about you was when the earthquake hit; but you were no where near it. It took a bit of time to find that out. But still this illness - well, I've met wonderful and brilliant people in Turkey, and you should be well taken care of.

Oh, I'm fine. This article was written early last year when I left Newsvine due to a serious illness which I detailed here. I didn't know about it, having already left. I just saw it today while looking through Synthesis' column.

As for the community changing...yeah, that actually started back in 2007 when MSNBC bought this place. Since then it's come in waves. Sometimes it gets really bad, then it gets better for awhile, then it gets bad again. Election years tend to draw a lot of trolls.

That's the result of the policy that leaving one comment on MSNBC means you have an automatic Newsvine account. People who would probably leave one drive-by comment and never return are suddenly Newsviners - so they go to say something stupid on one MSNBC article, and then we get stuck with them forever.

Some guy in a suit at MSNBC made an idiotic decision four years ago and we've had to deal with the consequences ever since. The really ironic part is whomever that guy was, he's probably never even seen Newsvine.

so they go to say something stupid on one MSNBC article, and then we get stuck with them forever.

Wow, that's actually how I ended up here 2.5 years ago. I don't know whether I should apologize or be grateful. :-P

In my own defense, though, I don't think what I said on the MSNBC article was stupid. But I can't guarantee that nothing I've said since wasn't.

I didn't say everyone. ;-)

Some good users have come through MSNBC, but unfortunately they're vastly outnumbered by the trolls who come in that way.

Let me put it this way: Before the MSNBC buyout Newsvine would get an occasional troll, but it was never a problem. Since the buyout, we started getting an occasional Viner in a flood of trolls, and that's the problem.

Now we know... with the 'changes' occuring all around us and the proposed legislation being written and put forward...

the corporate whores at msnbc.. saw the handwritng on the wall and in the name of profit and guidelines... pushed to make this more of a 'social' site then a news site where 'ownership' and copyrights were going to come into play.

and they've done well in that vein...

Dennis you’re the embodiment of what Newsvine is all about. Glad your better.

P.s.

This article is like a time warp peek behind the green door.

Thanks, Dan.

This article is like a time warp peek behind the green door.

It's scary in there.