I've posted something similar to this in the past and I'm going to post it again. Opednews is very much different from the other Lefty, Progressive, Liberal sites in the Blogosphere:
It is open.
The contributors and commentors are respectful and forthright, mostly.
It is diverse.
It is comprehensive.
It is easy.
It is interesting as opposed to being "Interesting".
It is welcoming; not a place for hazing, like some other sites -- why, just kos I said so.
It is ego-inflating -- where else can one be on the same page with Chris Hedges, Robert Reich, Paul Krugman, Bill Moyers, Bernie Sanders, Ralph Nader and many, many more.
It is necessary.
Thanks Rob and all the staff.