T.S - I am touched that you placed me top and I feel really guilty now but I will make it up to you on the next ML even if you don't vote for me then at all.
Now, here is my list- difficult as it was to have to leave out other members whom I really like and respect:
1) Livia
Because she has been a valued contributor to this forum since before I joined, and has been a true and loyal friend to me ever since I did join.
She is highly intelligent, very erudite, has a razor-sharp wit, and – like me – she believes passionately in what she writes.
I admire her, I miss her, and I will ALWAYS be here for her.
I would love her to win this.
2) Anniek
Because she is one of the friendliest, nicest people I have NEVER met
– if you know what I mean - and I hope that we will always be friends on here.
3) Jamie89
Because he is very intelligent and knowledgeable, has a very admirable sense of fairness and is never judgemental even when the views in a post are diametrically opposed to his own views. I have been friends with him since he joined and hope that our friendship and mutual respect long continues.
4) Brillopad
What can I say? She is Kirklancaster with a tush
and I admire her honesty, her intellect and knowledge, and agree with most of her admittedly, very strong opinions.
5) Mokka
Because she is Mokka. We are poles apart in our politics and in a lot of our other views and we do not communicate now at all, but I will always love her as a friend and wish the best for her and I hope that she still regards me as her friend.
6) Girth
Because, although he does not post on SD enough for my liking, I have been impressed with Girth’s common-sense and knowledge when he has posted and I have found myself agreeing with a lot of his views. I like him.
7) Alf
Because he is one dry, quick-witted, unflappable character who we need on TIBB. In fact, I once asked him in his former alter-ego to post more regularly and Thank God as ‘Alf’ he is now doing just that. I have a very broad sense of humour and Alf has me laughing regularly.
8) Maru
Because she is intellectual, honest, well versed in an array of different subjects and has a sense of humour too. Although she has not really been on here that long, I think that already she is probably right up there when it comes to the top posters on here. I hope that our mutual respect and friendship stands the ‘Test of Time’.
9) Babayaro
Because, I have always had a healthy respect and fondness for Marc, though I do not really know why if I’m honest because I don't venture much on to most of the forums which Marc frequents due to me being too young.
10) Toysoldier
Because he is one nutter.
Seriously, T.S. is one very intelligent and knowledgeable member and also has a good sense of humour. Superficially, we may appear not to agree on a lot of topics but careful analysis of the sub-text of a lot of his posts will reveal that we are not really continents apart in our take on most things after all.