Tamerlane’s knowledge of Mid-East history has been invaluable in threads about the region.
Elenfair is a remarkable individual who truly cares for others. On my second day sober, I was stuck working late, making up my hours, and I was flipping out. Jonesing, shaking, full of paranoia, afraid to go home. My sponsor was away in England when I came back from my three-year slip, and I didn’t know who to call. I went into #straightdope chat, and Elly talked me down.
Eonwe is also a cool and caring guy. He and I have spent… hours and hours in the car together, and I look forward to many more road trips to Dopefests with him.
There are others, never fear. 
Awww, thanks scottevil You made my day. Love ya lots, and am SO happy you’re doing so well now!
There are so many wonderful dopers, I don’t know where to start… I know I’ve started doing posts in my LJ for many of you, and I’m slowly going through the list - same concept as this thread, but for each and every person on my friends list
Anyway - I don’t even know where I’d start… But here’s one (of many) doper I will say something nifty about:
Maeglin: He’s a bastard, but he’s my brother-from-another-mother. He’s always been there when I needed him… and especially when I’ve needed solid kicks in the pants. He’s walked me through confrontations, he’s given me a whole new arsenal to defend myself with so that I will no longer suffer fools. I owe him more than he knows, for so many reasons.
Kal and Washte are so lovely!
the dub dopers are pretty cool too.
cjhowarth is one smart cookie.
Biggirl makes me laugh.
iampunha’s streaking through threads makes life a little more bearable.
Poly is someone i have the utmost respect for.
too many others to mention.
I forgot to mention elucidator, one of the best flat out writers on these boards.
Hmm. A lot of the good ones have been done already, and I concur with their nominations …
kabbes, fount of statistical knowledge, doughty debater, and a nice guy, underneath the curmudgeon act.
I’ve always found Thea Logica interesting and entertaining. Likewise Ice Wolf.
And there’s more, who I’ll probably think of after I’ve gone to bed …
Seconded Ice Wolf.
Scotticher is supersweet, Johnny L.A. is one of the friendliest people I know, **tomndeb **blow me away with their knowledge and debate abilities, and of course, Coldfire is cute, too.
Thanks, man. I never get mentioned in these threads, and it does my ego good to be fed like this.
lieu is a good husband and a good father. He is the kind of guy I’d want around when the loonies carry tire irons.
Libertarian and zev_steinhardt especially, although most religious Dopers helped, aided my realization that religion and intelligence do not preclude each other.
GazellefromHell announced me as her hero and gave me a line in my austere sig.
manhattan, of course, deserves respect for doing for love what most people wouldn’t do for money. Even if it is funny as hell to see little twerps calling him banhattan. 
I could go on, but others are doing a much better job of it than I am.
There are so many to mention, and I just don’t have the time for a post that goes on forever, so I’ll mention some of the ones that have been very special to me:
DaveW, who is one of the kindest, funniest, most wonderful men I have the pleasure of knowing. He keeps helps bring me up when I’m down, gives me great advice when I need it, and hugs me whenever I see him. He’s one of the greatest friends I’ve ever had. He’s also a damn good mover.
Persephone is like my twin from Michigan. She understands me better than most people and knows what’s going through my brain regularly. She’s kind-hearted, funny, and someone that I’m glad I’ve had the chance to become friends with. I just wish she didn’t live so far away.
Zappo has is the most amazing man on the planet. If you have a chance to meet him, run, don’t walk, for this opportunity. He’ll have you in stitches with his wonderful humor. And as a friend… you couldn’t ask for better. He’d give you the world if he could. I’m lucky, so lucky, that he comes to Philadelphia regularly. It gives me the chance to get hugs from him often.
lindyhopper is my best friend. Funny, kind, caring, flirty… He knows so much about music, dance and movies, and he’s someone that I have no problem talking with for hours. He’s also incredibly supportive. I’m lucky to have him as my best friend.
Airman Doors is a terrific mix of sarcasm, humor and knowledge. He also won’t let you out of something that he believes you can do. Robyn’s a very lucky woman.
Ice Wolf is someone I regret I’ve lost touch with since I slipped away from the Board for awhile. She’s funny and caring and kind and a lot of fun to be in threads with. A truly remarkable woman.
Tygr knows how to make a woman feel special, just by a flirt or two. He’s really good at what he does. Incredibly good. Add his kindness and caring and total devotion to his family to the mix, and you’ve got one of the best men I know.
Rue DeDay is one of my favorite people to read on the board. I know that whenever I open a post of his, I won’t fail to laugh. Perfect for pick me ups.
Zyada is another one that I’d suggest if you have the chance to meet you run, not walk, to her side. She’s funny and cool and compassionate and caring… and a hell of a dancer! She’s someone I’m glad that I’ve had the opportunity to become friends with. Truly a wonderful woman.
and finally, Verrain, who is the most wonderful man a woman could know. I’m lucky to have him in my life. He’s funny, kind, caring, does what he can for those around him… I’m lucky he chose me, even though I know he deserves better. I’m lucky the Board was here to bring us together.
There are a lot more out there that deserve special recognition, but I said I’d limit myself to ten, so… the rest of you are fun to read, fun to be with (for those that I’ve met) and great to be part of such a community with. Thank you for over two years of great times.
Of his own goodness, TheLoadedDog hosts a friendly community for Australian and NZ Dopers to yarn. I think that’s just great.
astro opens some very interesting threads, asking questions I’d be too embarrassed to ask.
Aguecheek is very funny and knowledgeable to boot.
Second december remaining unfailingly polite, despite the venom thrown his way.
Wow. I don’t usually open threads like this, and I never expected to see my name in one. Thanks to beegirl13 and NE Texan for a) noticing my existence and b) taking the time to write out my username in your posts. I’m flattered as hell.
Unlike you, I’m lazy and inconsiderate, so I won’t check your registration dates. I think you’ve both been here longer than I have, though. Post more. Let us get to know you.
Some of my favorites (but not nearly all of them):
FairyChatMom - I probably wouldn’t still be posting here if not for her. She’s real nice to the newbies too.
Rue DeDay - c’mon, it’s Rue. Do I really have to explain this?
Scylla - he’s not just about the funny stories.
Anthracite - she’s what I want to be when I finally grow up.
elucidator - gets my blood pumping because he’s so danged irritating.
december - same reason.
Carry on.
I get a kick out of all the regulars, but for some reason way back when I remember telling myself that tomndeb must be the smartest person in the world. I enjoy the zingers from lieu and others, just can’t think of who they are at the moment.
Oh man, I have to add another, really selfish mention (the selfishness should reflect on me, not the named poster) but my Favorite Person of the Week (and quite possibly of the Month, and Year isn’t out of the question) is samclem.
About 10 years ago, I was reading Riders of the Purple Sage, and I noticed something akin to the “meanwhile, back at the ranch” phrase which has become a cliche. FOR TEN YEARS (I’m not kidding), I have been waiting for someone to ask “where does meanwhile, back at the ranch come from anyway?” so that I could bust out (but nonchalantly) with “well, in 1912 it was used in Riders of the Purple Sage” This came up in GQ the other day, and thank goodness samclem was there to notice it (and also correct my quote, but in a completely non-snarky way).
Ten years is a long time, kids. By gawd, that felt good.
TruePisces, thank you, love. I send all those warm thoughts right back to you, and I second your choices.
Persephone is something like my cosmic twin. No one seems to instinctively be on the same wavelength as I am so consistently.
Zappo is one of the warmest, funniest men alive.
I also should include my sister, SparrowHawk and her daughter, Hawklette. My sister often says what I wish I could say, better than I could say it, with balance and tact. And her daughter is just a wonderful young lady.
Forgive me–that’s tomndebb, with two b’s!!
Awww… that’s so sweet, Swampy. Thank you. You’ve just earned yourself a blogspot mention.
Now, for my list:
Spoz always manages to cheer me up with some amusing remark, even when I feel really low. (why else do I call him “my humor dose?” hehehe) Thanks, dude… I love ya!
Scotticher is very nice and caring to those around her. I enjoy her posts, and have enjoyed meeting her in person.
Ice Wolf and TheLoadedDog have been good friends to me; I enjoy talking to them, and appreciate their advice on things.
kambuckta has supported me in a few threads, and I just wanted to say I appreciate it.
Larry Mudd makes a good dining companion.
cjhoworth’s posts are insightful, and I wish I could get to know her better.
erislover has been a good friend.
Cruktar is fun to chat with… sorry I flipped out on you a couple of weeks ago!
And everyone who puts up with my insane ramblings in IMs and on various boards should also be commended.
So many Dopers, so little time… that is all.
F_X
jjimm and Cartooniverse taught me how to link to threads and other stuff properly.
Ruby is one of the kindest, funniest people I’ve yet to meet in person, but talk to all the time in chat or on instant messenging. Her posts and mine might as well be blended into one ball, that’s how alike we think.
Jack Batty never fails to make me screamlaugh. I look forward to anything he posts, because I know it will be quite dry and acidic wit. He should be in stand up comedy. I’d be his most loyal stalker.
Billy Rubin is also another poster who I read with religious fervor. An excellent writer, a side-splittingly funny demeanor, and also one of the very nicest, sexiest men I’ve had the pleasure to “know” online. Not the biblical sense…but hey, we’re both married. [sub][sup]Dammit.[/sub][/sup]
OpalCat is one of my pets due to her strong opinions, razor tongue, and fabulous sense of humor. I wish I knew one sixteenth of all she’s forgotten regarding computers, the internet, software, and the like. Her overall way of being reminds me of me, many moons ago. Only I was never that cool.
I love all the BamaDopers I’ve met in person because of them just being them: smart, hilarious, energetic and did I mention fun? Those people are Nocturne,[sub][sup] my SDMB daughter,[/sub][/sup] Simetra, [sub][sup]oh to be 21 again…not that it’d do any good, durnit…[/sub][/sup], bobkitty, [sub][sup]o she of the titan tresses, so lovely,[/sub][/sup] Ogre, [sub][sup]smartest guy I’ve ever met…you have no idea![/sub][/sup], and there are others, but I wasn’t going for a full-length novel here.
There are really so many I admire, and these just skim the surface.
Oh my. What a nice thread!
Thanks, GKW, TruePisces, and Dave for even mentioning me! I’m humbled.
Polycarp & tomndebb: I want to be like them when I grow up someday. I really, really do.
Eutychus: My honest-to-Goddess, can’t-get-through-the-day-without-talking-to-him best friend. Ever.
manhattan: One of the all-time finest humans to ever grace this planet. Thank you for allowing me to call you a friend.
Billdo: He gave me the flawless directions that allowed me to traverse NYC unassisted, without getting lost. And then he let me sleep on his couch. If you haven’t yet met Billdo, you must. Trust me. You WILL be a better person for it.
The Michigan Doper Collective: There’s rather a lot of them. CrankyAsAnOldMan, Kyla, mrblue92, shadowfox, ResIpsoLoquitor, Milossarian, Shirley Ujest, juniper200, tzarina, MedeasChild… mercy. I know I forgot people. Oh yes! Brynda & Rick! And…Athena! And Hello Again!
And…anyone else from Michigan that I’ve forgotten. But I have to give a special shout-out to xploder. We live in the same city, and in the two short years I’ve known him, he’s become such a damn good friend. I adore you, Bill. I really, really do.
I’ll add more people to this list later. I have entirely too many nice things to say about Dopers.