For Gardeaux08, Lugnut, Zanti Regent, other DUers who lost someone in Iraq

[Plaid Adder]

Howdy,

I don't see a thread about this in the Lounge--maybe there was one and it dropped. Anyhow, I wanted to let the Lounge folks know that two of our DUers lost a loved one in Mosul this week:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=2859284&mesg_id=2859284

I'm posting this for them. I wrote it a long time ago, but it's the best way I have ever come up with of expressing how I feel when something like this happens to someone I only know on line.

I'm very sorry for Gardeaux08 and Lugnut and Zanti Regent and Cuban_Liberal all the other DUers who have lost people in Iraq since this horrible thing started. I wish we could have stopped it. Since we couldn't, well, all we can do is tell you we're thinking of you.

Peace,

The Plaid Adder

*Letter from a Virtual Friend*

So, sitting here
Working out
What to say
From--no, I don't
Even know
How far away--
(And what could
Geography,
Distance, mean
Anyhow
Here inside
The machine)

So, choking down
Loss like a
Bitter seed,
You know as I
Do, words aren't
What you need--
And wanting to
Do more than
Language can
I hate that here
Language is
All I am--

A header, dark
Blots in a
Bluish sheen--
A text that looks
Different on
Every screen,
Weightless, a
Footfall that
Makes no noise,
A hug you
Can't feel, speech
WIthout a voice--

So what am I--
Pixils,
Light and air--
Still, if, wraith
That I am, you
Can tell I care--

Well, could we
Say this means
No one is gone--
What are we,
Or what else
Is logging on
But faith, acts
Of trust in what
We can't see;
Proof, for what
It's worth, of other
Ways to be--

That heartbeat
and pulse don't
define "survive,"
That in the flesh
Need not be how
We stay alive?

Cold comfort,
Now when you
Can only feel
The sharp sting,
The loss of
The breathing real.
So what do
I mean--well,
It's not clear--
Whatever good
It does, know--
I'm out here.

[Bunny]

1. Cuban Liberal's nephew too.

:cry:

My condolences to all of you.

[Plaid Adder]

2. Oh no! Poor Cuban_Liberal!

OK, is anyone making a list? I mean, just because Rummy can't send a fucking personalized condolence letter that doesn't mean we can't.

Here are the ones I know about:

Gardeaux08
Lugnut
Zanti Regent
Cuban_Liberal

If you know any other DUers who have lost someone in Iraq, and has already told the board about it (some people may not want to make it public), will you post it here, so we know who needs the love this Christmas?

The Plaid Adder

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

3. Holy fucking shit.

I can't even begin to imagine what it's like to lose a loved one like that. I think I'd lose my marbles, go to DC and do something really stupid. Thankfully, I live in a peaceful country.

Deepest sympathies and :hug: to all involved.

[susu369]

4. Thank you for this thread

We are like family here at DU and need to gather around those who are suffering.

My condolences to all who have lost loved ones. My thoughts to those who have family and loved ones in service as well.

[ismnotwasm]

5. thank you

It is so hard to express the sorrow and anger. My daughter is in Afgahnistan, and I have 3 months left to wait. My heart is out to all.

[Plaid Adder]

6. Good luck, ismnotwasm!

Hope she makes it home in one piece for you.

C ya,

The Plaid Adder