Thank the hell God. Don't ever do that again. Welcome back, Amigo.

There is exactly one of you.

"Thank the hell God. Don't ever do that again. Welcome back, Amigo. There is exactly one of you."

Thanks for the thoughts. But, according to some, that's one too many.

Doug

Doug, thank goodness you're back! I absolutely love reading your rants and couldn't live without them!

Welcome back my friend!
Rachel

Up their asses.

You are a giant. Walk like one.

Roger

Some had opined that Homieland Security had scooped you up, airlifted you to Egypt and that this very day you were receiving electric shock treatments designed to assist your perception of the War Effort.

Welcome back. I certainly would not enjoy the thought of having to cry in the wilderness all alone.

Tied for the best story of my day with the Bush Bash at the Corretta King memorial.

THANK GOD YOU'RE BACK DOUG - I WAS IN MOURNING BIG TIME.

Good to hear you changed your mind.Your one of the points of real lights in the wildneress of Americans political reporting,willing to report the faults of this and past presidents.

Do keep up the good work Doug,you do have loyal readers who enjoy your rants.;)

That's great news! Welcome back.

OK, great [sigh of relief]. I was worried that I'd have to give up the internet, since there wasn't going to be ANYTHING at all worth reading.

Please don't cut us adrift again any time soon. There are quite a few of us out here who still remember what a real journalist is all about. And that, sir, is thanks to you.

Better to light a single candle than to sit and curse the darkness

Glad to hear that you are going to continue the Rant.

Burn, baby, burn!

Doug,

You are a national treasure - especially with your deep penetration of this White House - and I very much appreciate your exclusive revelations about Bush's deterioriating mental health.

Doug, you give Libertarianism and independence of thought a good name!!

I am a long-time admirer of your political courage and sense of healthy outrage as our democracy and republic continue on life-support during the Age of Bush II.

Cheers,

glenn
manhattan

Hey Doug,
Welcome back! We need an honest voice! Get 'R Done!

Doug I am happy you are back,now remember one day at a time brother, the good lord needs you here to speak and write the truth.

Peter
Hampton bays

I'm glad I was out of the country during your "retirement", because it would have ruined my trip if I knew about it. Welcome back from a big fan.

Thank goodness your retirement was so fleeting.

Now, as they say in Canada,

"Get back in 'der and score da' goal"

Adored you are. I was fixin' to lose my religion over your departure. Ain't no reason to give AOL my money without this destination with you in it. God bless you, o wise curmudgeon.

Welcome back AND NEVER SCARE ME LIKE THAT AGAIN, PLEASE! I love The Rant. It helps me keep my grip on sanity to know that someone out there is willing to tell the truth these days. Keep It Up and Thanks!

Doug,

Thank you for returning. I recently discovered your site, and must admit that it is a breath of fresh air. I was devastated to hear of your departure, although I understand that outrage overload can be quite frustrating.

-Phil

It's about time.

Damn glad to see you back up and at 'em, Doug. It's refreshing to hear at least 'somebody' cut through the bullshit coming out of the White house. Keep up the great work!!

I'm so glad you came back.

I visit this site daily, and your rants are always right on target.

Thank goodness. For three days there was a hole in my life. Hey I am a recovering alcoholic too! Whew, that was a close one!

You return to CHB is great news in itself. Even better news is hearing that your health problem isn't nearly as severe as you thought.

We are at such a critical point in our history as a nation, one where we as citizens truly need to condemn the self-righteous charlatans that constitute our federal leadership, and carefully begin the work of taking back our country and protecting our lives from these facile fakes.

Doug, you've been one of the shining stars in this struggle. May you long continue to illuminate the bull**** in their mouths, the doody in their diapers, and the graft in their greedy little pockets.

Good! I'm glad your back.....cause we have some work to do before the last train for Democracy leaves the station. We need you Doug .....especially to get on the so called Democrats who are not standing up for the people they represent. How in the hell did they let Gonzales get away without not being sworn in when he tesitified about the wire tapping. We need these crooks under oath when they open their mouths in front of congress.

welcome back,I thought the gastapo had you. What a relief to have you back. We are sorely in need of some leadership, knowing whats going on is not enough, we have to group up and stop this or we will be exchanging stories from places we don't want to be. Lead the way, togather we can become a force that may be able to do some good.

Don't EVER do that again! You have no idea what you mean to us. Admittedly, in Utah it may just be ME, but you are as essential to my mornings as an eye-opening cup of...well, peppermint tea, actually. But still. Glad you're back. These are scary times.

Again? Haven't you done this before?

Whatever. Welcome back. Please don't scare us like that again. We hope your health holds up from here on out, but we understand the stress that the Weasel and his posse are causing you.

Yippe! The Marshall's back in town to help clean out the Wrongbranch. Now, lets swear in a possitive and go after Bush Audacity and the Hole in the Wall Street gang.

Dear Mr. Thompson,
It is a delight and a blessing to have you back
with us, after all you are the Proverbial, yet Quintessential journalist of the truth, I will sleep a little better tonight. Take care my friend........

Doug who?

Mr. Thompson

We are all glad you're coming back. As a fellow Virginian, I am honored to have you in our humble Commonwealth!

*(Note to the NSA reading this:
Just kidding.And I've never even heard of Floyd before in my life. Honest.)

You must know that you are the main reason that I go to Capital Hill Blue. Your truth-telling Rants are too priceless. Where would we get our dose of truth each day without you ? Keep on keeping on, my friend. We need you more than you could imagine. Too many times we never miss the water until the well runs dry. Well, thank God we do not have to find out what it is like to miss you...at least for a long time, God Willing.
VJS

Doug, glad to have you back. You are needed now more than ever... more than you know. Stay well!

SCCIII

Cripes, what a relief. I figured they must have dug up something really embarassing about you while tapping your phone, and used it to force your retreat. Glad to hear it's nothing serious (can you say "plant-based diet?"), and that you're back in the trenches. I visit this site daily for The Rant, and will now continue to do so. Welcome back.

Thank God you've returned. I can understand why but we need your voice. I rely on you to be a voice of reason in a world gone mad. Welcome back.

Teach

That was the longest three days of my life!!!!
Don't ever - EVER do that again. You are needed!!!!! More now than ever before. Will be waiting for "my Rant" with bated breath.

It's great to have you back, Doug. Thanks for the great daily reporting. I wish there were more of you out there. The Rant is a heartwarmer in the cold, dark winter of Iceland.

From across the Blue in Old Blighty, Welcome Back.
Three Cheers for Doug:
HUSSAR! HUSSAR! HUSSAR!

welcome back, doug. you are the ONLY light shining on that hill and we need you to debunk the administrations bu..sh..! the mainstream press doesn't seem to have the balls to point out that emperor bush isn't wearing any clothes! preventing the republicans from achieving a complete ''coup d'etat'' can only be accomplished by americans willing to ''bell the cat''! thanks for the past revelations and looking to the future! good luck, doug!

Welcome Back! Sorry for the health scare and glad that it's over.

You are such a strong voice and we need you more than ever.

Glad you're back! It was like having our soup with no salt.

So Doug, it is good you are staying on! But here's my question: will you tell the world the specifics about the harm inflicted by a multi-billion dollar pharmaceutical company that distributes unaffordable medicine (unless you can afford coverage) that can create a sense of medical doom when it's supposed to be preventing circulatory disease? I have had a similar experience.

now that you're back doug, perhaps a rant on rumsfeld's inane assertions that we're making progress in iraq. his complaints that only the ''negative'' events are being reported but after reading of 5 pipeline attacks on monday #s 294-298 , one wonders if ENOUGH events are being reported! it seems painfully evident that 90%+ of the stories don't get coverage AT ALL because reporters aren't safe to even leave their quaters!!

Many other folks have said it as well or better-- but it is great to have you back, and reassuring to know that we can continue to count on "The Rant." We need somewhere to go as an antidote to corporate Newspeak. Please stay well- we need your voice straight-- no chaser.
Thank you for what you do.

Man, you are LOVED! Reading through all these comments was such an encouragement... there ARE others "out there." Lead on, oh fearless Leader!

NOBODY has the contacts you do to give us the straight dope on The "Dope-In-Chief" !! We need you now more than ever!

Thank goodness!!! We need you, Doug!

Welcome back..maybe you can do a rant on the statin drugs and their terrible side effects.My sister is like a different person and will not listen about these horrible drugs!!

http://www.newmediaexplorer.org/chris/2003/12/05/statin_drugs_memory_loss.htm

It's so nice to have a friend that notices the emperor has no clothes, and a necessity. Please, always take care of yourself first. But if there is time stay with us and continue to illuminate, and cheer us on. I believe we are truly at a nexus in our history, and your voice in this wilderness is vital, IMO.

Welcome back. You wouldn't have liked retirement. To keep your mouth shut is a terrible strain. Thank you for all of your expressed concerns and efforts.

Welcome back Doug!

America need your sharp wit and political point of view. The REAL PATRIOTS OF these UNITED STATES need you.

Give 'em hell, Doug!

Robert

It would be a sad day in this house if you quit the business, Doug. You are a shining light in journalistic darkness. I was busy with life the past three days and knew nothing of your retirement. I'm glad it's over before it began. I would truly miss your presence, and the rants. Besides, your other website, Blue Ridge Muse, is a MUST SEE in my week. It's like reading about a far away-friend's daily life, and so refreshing. Hang in there, and I wish both you and Amy good health and a long, long life.

Glad to see you back!!

Just curious but I bet the drug was Lipitor..Am I right?

I am glad you decided againt early retirement. I was sorely dissapointed that I wouldn't have your column every day to read, pass on to my friends and mull over. Thank you for your service. We need you desperately in these dark days. Take care of yourself PLEASE!

nancy gordon

So good to read that you're back! Haven't been a subscriber for too long, but welcome your clarity of thought as well as your unabashed patriotism.

Congratulations. It took me a year to figure out (from a TV ad disclaimer) that the cholesterol medication was giving me muscle pains.

Don't stop thinking, there aren't many who do.

Doug! Welcome back! Life isn't the same without your Rant...I know it gets tough....we all feel like throwing in the towel sometimes! I'm glad you're back to help us with the fight!

Welcome back, Doug. Don't scare us like that!

Take care of yourself. We need you.

This year, both Groundhog Day and the State of the
Union Address both fell on the same day.

As Air America Radio pointed out, "It is an ironic juxtaposition:
one involves a meaningless ritual in which we look to a creature
of little intelligence for prognostication, and the other involves
a groundhog."

Glad you are OK Doug. The Rant has become a morning staple along with my double espresso and "croissant" (actually a cigarette). You are a part of the household here. I can't thank you enough for your scathing attitude.

I'm waiting for one of those committee members who are "interviewing" General Gonzales to ask him why YOU are on the Terrorist Watchlist. You are proof that there IS an enemies list.

Doug--Many of us can't take those statins--muscle pain, weakness, memory loss, listlessness--because of the nasty side effects. Try policosanol or red rice yeast. My cholesterol jumped up a bit after I quit taking a statin drug (Lipitor), but it is worth it to feel better.

We need clear minds and sound bodies to re-claim our country from W and those who keep him propped up. I'm glad you are back. Your country needs you now more than ever... The rest of us will do our part to help. Your clarity of thought helps lead the way.

I start my day at the computer by FIRST reading Capitol Hill Blue". Some mornings I beat the morning mailing and get that drifting feeling.

A morning without CHB and Doug T. is like a disturbance within the Force.

I know that having in-depth dealings with all the putrid stuff going on in our gorvenment right now is enough pure stress to make even a healthy person ill.

So Doug T....here's wishing you ever improving health and bullet proof underwear! ;-)

I'm with everyone else here. Really glad it was temp and that you're back. With the Dems doing the best to shoot themselves (and all of us) in the foot, there's really very few places -- except here, and your rant -- to read and feel as if I'm not going insane. Thanks for your work, your energy, your passion, your intellect. Please -- keep it all coming our way.

Can't tell you how relieved I am (selfish, I know)to have you back. Out here in the hinterlands which I am surrounded by ultra-neo-cons slogging around in the darkness, you are a bright light I depend on to help my find the door to reason. Rant on, please. Please.

Welcome back, Doug. Glad you made this decision.

Cheers,
Jon

Doug,

Glad your health problems are not serious. We need people like you who are not afraid to speak the truth.

Welcome back you old curmudgeon. It was your rants that lured me to this site almost two years ago and made me realize that there are friends who actually think about how stupid this administration is. Again, glad you're back.

Doug,

Thank you for your return and welcome back to the trenches. You scared the hell out of a number of us.

You are a blast from the past. I remember when you started at the Alton Evening Telegraph and I have been a fan ever since.

JU from Alton Illinois.

Dear Doug,

Statin drugs are a brain killer; read "Lipitor, Thief of Memory." Read also, "The Myth of Cholesterol".

You and we've been dooped.

Good health to you.

Fellow readers,

Let me dispell all mis-statements and rumors regarding Dougs short lived (thank goodness)retirement. It had nothing to do with health. It was the neighbors complaining about the noise.

You see, when Doug composes his rants, he paces around a lot--------- and they clang when he walks!

Doug, I don't think of you as precipitous and I am glad you are back on the no-flighty list. Best wishes to you . Jim W. of Hillsville descent.

I'm delighted to hear you were just scared out of your wits -- momentarily. Welcome back!

Easy does it! One day at a time!

YAY! Doug, I'm so glad to read this. You are the only one who can 'afflict the comfortable' the way you do. Please try to stick around as long as possible. I hope all of these comments help you appreciate how appreciated you really are. The only one left that puts country ahead of party.

Rock on, man....

My God Man! Are you insane? I thought you would be ranting from your death bed and now "they" know that a silly little lab test can scare you away. You have tipped your hand.

My 85 year old Mother blacked out, fell, and briused some ribs becasue of the Doc changed her meds...
Damn meds might just kill ya.

Oh, and glad to know you are back and feeling better. Now, eat oatmeal every day, take fish oil and do some aerobic exercise at least 3 times a week. Peace

We are all sometimes overwhelmed to the point of wanting to give up by the side effects of the second election stolen by a man who represents all that has gone wrong in our beloved country. It is interesting to me, though, having followed the corruption of our health care system by big pharma, that you chose "an undocumented side effect of medication" as the reason for your retirement. Perhaps this is something you might rant on in the future?

Great to have you back !!!

Welcome back! As a nurse, I know about many of those nasty side effects of medication that can even kill. I'm intrigued by your rants and early warnings because of your long time connections in Washington. You are the canary in the mine and I'm sure a must read for the MSM, even though I don't see you quoted because you won't give up your sources. Stay well and thanks for your public service!

Thank you for coming back! Your daily rants are a part of our household. My husband burns up the printer when he comes home so he can take your articles to work. I don't have anything clever to say, like so many others do, but I am amazed and pleased that there are others out there who feel the same way about the state of affairs in our country. Watching the news makes me feel like WE are the weirdos. Thank you for sharing the real deal!

Doug F@#$king Thomas!

Don't you NEVER scare us like that again! DUDE! No Rant? Shit! I thought I would have to deal with Alternet from now on and THOSE censors have NO sense of humor!

Now that that's out of the way! Take some time off and go drown some worms! Toss a few beers down or whatever you do that relaxes you and makes you feel right with the world! Hell I know we're not kids anymore, but we all got one inside us begging to get out! Let it out once in a while! It feels good and if people think you're crazy, tell them you used to work in government and they'll understand!

OOPS! I meant Thompson!(See, my inner child has ADD and can't spell for shit!)

a lost weekend in Mexico!

Thank you so much.

You are needed here to give us a reality check, and to tell it like it is.

Again, thank you for coming back.

Welcome Back Doug
Thank God, you are healthy and able to continue
the Rant. The Arrogance of the present administration is becoming so obvious, we need you to call the bastards what they are.

R. Ayres

Doug:
Thank you for all that you are doing to enlightenment us with your RANT. You start out my day....EVERY DAY!! Without the RANT is like a day without sunshine. I'm so very glad that you are back. Stay well and please, keep your clear and concise message of truth coming....we need it...and we need YOU!!! My very best wishes!
Jerry

Welcome back, Doug! I was starting to wonder how I was going to start off each day, since I didn't have the rant to look forward to. Glad that all worked out and I look forward to more of your insight!

Welcome back Doug, I was so scared they were blackmailing you because of the wiretaps they put on your phone. Glad you're back being the strong voice we need.

Your viewpoint is like a fine chile...a broad undercurrent of fine flavors (wealth of knowledge), a fiery hint of green chili (the rant), and a logic thrusting deep into the real issues like the spear to my belly with the melding of the spices, the roasted meat and the heat.

Don't go away again, please. You did convince me I needed to support the ACLU and not in any pissant way, either. And to work to get rid of the incumbants in our HOuse and Senate. Thank you.

Welcome back Mr Thompson`~Thank God you are back and well. Cannot imagine not having your Rant to read each day. Keep doing your best to dig out the truth~ and stay well`no more scares~`God Bless you

Doug,

You're a giant in your field. Don't ever quit.

Doug, I compare your 58 to my 68 years. I'll share my secret of longevity with you. Pace yourself: You don't have to write daily RANTS. Write less and your public will enjoy and value it more. You don't have to commit to daily photos on your bluemuse site, either. Twice a week would be wonderful - I love viewing them - again and again (you have such a keen eye!). Alternate days write a few lines about Floyd, or the weather, or the groundhog you saw; or the walk you took. End game: Less is more. You'll live longer - and Amy will will appreciate and love you more for your gift to her of your extended life. And selfishly, I want you around in my life a bit longer, too. Like a grounding wire, you provide me with some sanity - in a country and world where insanity seems to be the norm. Thank you! elgee

Doug,

Welcome Back. It is great to know that you are there giving a RICHLY DESERVED boot in the ass of this gang of thugs occupying all levels of what used to be the United States Government.

Thank you, Doug, for having the good sense to return. We need your voice.

I just read all of these comments. Wow, you really have been missed. I didn't know so many people felt the way I do.

Welcome back, stay healthy, and keep it coming.

Have you heard the Charles Rangel quote re GWB?
"I really think he shatters the myth of white supremacy once and for all." Fantastic!

I almost had a heart attack thinking you were gone! Glad you're back already! I'm going to lie down for a bit now... whew.

I was just about to pull the plug on my computer and decided to check one last time. Dude - You just saved my Pentium.

Thanks for coming back. You do matter, we are listening, and at some point we are all going to retire Washington DC!

Give them hell rant and rave these bastards are a disgrace to America and rest of humanity.So much work so little time.WELCOME HOME****

From one exhausted contrarian publisher to another, welcome back and keep up the good work. Those of us still slugging it out in the Heartland need you in order to get up each morning. Keep comforting the afflicted, afflicting the comfortable and as Harry Truman said, Give 'em hell!

"Remember, write to your Congressman. Even if he can't read, write to him."
--Will Rogers

John Wylie, Publisher and Editor
Oologah (Okla.) Lake Leader
Oologah; Birthplace of Will Rogers

See, Doug. You were missed.

You always struck me as a rabid terrier with a fishing pole...keep fishing.

Keep one thing in mind, Doug.... God doesn't need you nearly as much as we do, so stay well, my friend. Most days you're the only voice of sanity in this insane world and I need my daily dose of that!

Welcome home, Doug.

Doug, I am glad to see that exit was fradulent, you did it just to get all your fans to write and say how much we love you. I trust big medicine about as much as you trust big government. Natural methods are best, I just ate a bowl of oatmeal and a bowl of beans everyday and my colesterol came down.

You are our VOICE Doug.

Rip that whorehouse in the dictrict of corruption a new one. Never Quit~!

Thanks for coming back. Your column is one I just love to read.

Thank you for realizing we need you...always will....JH

You've touched a lot of peoples lives. And opened more than a few eyes. Glad your back.

Your absence was like a dark cloud looming overhead.

I can't find the words to adequately express what it means to have you return.

No one writes like you.

Best Regards,

A devoted reader.

Doug, welcome back to the lime light.

Some of us worry about you if you dissappear.

A swift return restores a sense of all is well.

Carry on soldier.

Doug,
Did you actually think this world could survive without the Rant?
Please don't scare us like that ever again.

thank goodness you are back. you bring a breath of fresh air, truth, professionalism & integrity to what has become a greedy big business / government controlled media. Our only hope for the future of democracy, freedom of speech & freedom of the press are people like you who have the courage to stand up for the real values that made this country great and to those that are trying to tear it down because they just can’t get enough power and wealth as they hide behind family values and religion. They need to be exposed for the liars and criminals that they are. The average American has been terrorized by the powers to be to give up their civil rights, to trash the constitution and allow these criminals to spy on us. What a sham. We need good people like you to enlighten us if we have any hope of fighting back against the ruthless. How many billions does the Bush family and their friends need before they completely destroy this country.

Great to have youback!

Doug, I'm so glad you're back! If you haven't already found the website for a statin effects study funded by the National Institute of Health, please go to: http://medicine.ucsd.edu/ses
This study is led by Dr. Beatrice Golomb at the University of California at San Diego and has been extremely helpful to us. My husband is one of the many suffering the adverse effects of statin drugs (Zocor, in his case.)

Best wishes for your good health again.

What a relief! You know, there are many of us who do appreciate a real journalist, and you are certainly that. Reading your column keeps me going in the right direction, so many times it all seems so futile, but we can't give up. So very glad you are back.

BE well. We need you. You are a breath of fresh air with your honesty and caring. You make no bones about the facts. Good for you. We can never give up and we are behind you.

Thanks for coming back. We need every single person who dares to stand up for the truth to keep standing.

Doug

where else can we read the truth on what is going on. I just wanted to say A few things why are there be so many uninformed people in this country who completely turn away from what is happening to this great country. I am worried Doug, I am really worried about this 8 trillion dollar debt. our nation is in Deep trouble,I think it may be to late to fix it. I can only blame the shitheads who are at the helm. I am totally disgusted with this corrupt immoral, sick sick sick adminstation. after writing this I hope I will still be allowed to travel.Its sucks even having to think that way, I would never have thought I would have to B ecareful or concerned about writing and thinking that our Government could put you on there shit list.one more rant, would you agree with this, 450 billion dollar defense bill and they cant kill one fucking Person who killed thousands of americans on our soil.how fucking pathetic is that.doug you are the shining light that keeps the truth alive, It really is patriots like you who really care about our Great Democracy Welcome home My Friend.

So glad you're back, & that you're healthy!! We need you, Doug!!

Glad your retirement was a short one. I figured someone had "gotten" to you. Take care.

Christ, you had me worried there weren't any journalists left in D.C. - real ones, that is...

Judging by the reaction your return has elicited, I'd to say I was far from alone.

Here's to you and to your health & happiness, Doug.

Thanks.

Keep on keeping on.

Please don't frighten us like that again! the world NEEDS people such as yourself, with the backbone to tell the truth!!!

Doug when I read your retirement announcement...

Astonished...say it isn't so,
Saddened...Lost with nowhere to go;
Concerned...Did someone turn a screw too deep?
Scared...What if they'd got you, I'd weep.

Reluctant to return... but hope springs eternal,
OH Joy! You've returned...were're not left to the infernal.

Thank you Doug, for YOU, for your courage, and your inspiration.

Doug: At first I suspected the mufties had sent you a threat and I was fearful for you and yours. I also suspected a medical problem. I am glad it was the latter and that it is something you can handle. I don't know what I'd do without your justifiably spitting the air with your lusty wrath. I can continue to take refuge in my own strong language when I read yours, thanks so much. Now back to the fray!