Al Rodgers is a hero.

Earlier today on one of the debate threads a heroic act, an improbable act, an unpopular but righteous act took place. And then the retribution of small-minded individuals played out, dragging the hero down. This diary is meant to right that wrong, to shine light on the work of one of the most daring Dailykos users of our generation.

Approximately 4,400 comments were posted during the debate according to Meteor Blades. Over a dozen debate open threads had to be posted. Think about that. It's amazing. And onto this historical scene strolled one Al Rodgers. A blogger who dreamt of the impossible. Of landing a forbidden "first" post in the actual first slot on one of the open threads. He didn't look at the odds of actually being the first comment and think to himself, "I can't." He didn't look at the posting rules and say, "no, that is against site policy." He saw a challenge, and it pushed him to new heights.

And you know what?

He did it!

He managed to try what no one else dared, and he succeeded. Here you see one of the greatest acts of blogging heroism yet played out in cyberspace. A moment you will tell your grandchildren about. At nearly 200 comments every 10 minutes, this blogger Al Rodgers managed to place a forbidden "first" post in the actual first spot on an open debate thread. It was a moon shot, and like the original moon shot he did it not because it was easy or within general site policy, but because it was hard and completely forbidden.

And that makes him a hero. Our hero.

Tonight Al Rodgers defines good timing and defiance of the status quo. He epitomizes the cry of: "Yes, we can. Yes we can violate site policy if it's well-timed and funny."

[Standing ovation]

And so I ask you to return to the scene of his glory, uprate him, emulate his achievement by commenting "FIRST!" in this diary's thread, and to applaud this Dailykos hero and remember his daring feat always. GOD BLESS AL RODGERS!